Fire and Ice

Admitting Defeat

Gulping, Ginny stared down at the leftovers that somebody had left on their plate.

"Ginny!"

"Hermione, I don't know what you want to hear." Ginny mumbled, suddenly feeling vulnerable and on-the-spot. Ginny closed her eyes as Hermione's bossy voice clawed it's way through her ears. Ginny had always gotten along with Hermione, but had always found her a little tedious and annoying.

"Ginny, I couldn't even believe it when I found out! Didn't you think about your family, what it would look like! I can't begin to consider how your mother-"

What do you know about the feud between our families?! Ginny thought. How dare you lecture me when you don't know half of it?!

"-you even listening to me?"

Jerking, Ginny refrained from rolling her eyes as she nodded. Hermione continued on her rampage.

I think you should talk to her, Draco had said.

I'm gonna kill you, Malfoy.

"Hermione, stop!" Ginny burst. A couple of scared second years nervously looked over before quickly looking back at their plates. "I admit defeat, okay? You win. Whatever. Just STOP."

Hermione sat back, speechless.

"I know what this will do to my family, I KNOW. But this is my life, and they don't ever need to know."

"But," Hermione began uneasily, "What about Harry?"

"Harry?" Ginny repeated, confused. "What does he have to do with anything?"

"Well," Hermione fidgeted as she replied. "You love him..."

A hard laugh escaped Ginny. "I did love him, Hermione. Over a year go. When we were dating."

"But.." Hermione said desperately, "He loves you too! You're perfect for eachother!"

"Hermione, stop. Harry and I will never have a relationship that is more than friends. Stop pushing it.."

"He really does love you, though!"

"I don't care. I worshiped him for over five years, you should know I'm over him now."

Her bottom lip trembling, Hermione whispered, "But your family-"

"Hermione, if you ever tell anybody about me and Draco I'll never forgive you. This has nothing to do with you, and frankly, I wish you never found out."

Looking hurt, Hermione sniffed and replied, "Ginny, I'm just trying to be sensible-"

"Stop with being sensible!" Ginny interrupted, willing herself to control her boiling temper. "Stop with the being good, with doing the right thing! Just live, Hermione! Shut up with all of your goody goody talk!"

Hermione's jaw dropped open as she looked at Ginny properly for the first time.

Instead of seeing the sweet, naive younger sister of Ron, Hermione saw a hardened young woman, who had seen more than her fair share of pain and Dark magic. She saw a bright spark in Ginny's excited eyes, a spark that Hermione had never seen before. Ginny held herself high, turning from a child to an adult before Hermione's very own eyes. Hermione gulped, unwilling to admit to herself how intimidated she felt in the presence of her five-year friend who was one year below her.

"Hermione, I haven't felt this way or have been this happy, ever in my life. Not at home, not at school, not with Michael, Dean, Harry. This is the path that I have chosen, and I need you to respect that."

"Ginny," Hermione said gently, and Ginny gritted her teeth at Hermione's condescending tone. "I... I just want to look out for you, because.. I know you don't want to hear this, but Malfoy's bad news. He saved you, yes, but... Don't you remember hoe he used to be? When he'd torment me, your brother? Bully all of the students? He's...just...Wouldn't you prefere being with Harry?" She asked desperately, grasping at loose straws.

With one final look at Hermione, Ginny stood silently, and left the Great Hall.