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Beneath Your Window by Crookshanks.x
 Books » Harry Potter Rated: T, English, Romance & Humor, Draco M., Hermione G., Words: 89k+, Favs: 1k+, Follows: 432, Published: Jun 10, 2007 Updated: Jun 6, 2008
 1,044 Chapter 2: The Decision
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, my boring life does not include owning Harry Potter. 'tis a shame, isn't it?
Chapter 2 / The Decision
It grew more and more clear each day. Every day enforced the thought that had snuck into her head by surprise one morning in her office. Because every day was the same. She would go to work, only to spend the time running and hiding at the slightest whiff of something that looked red. Once, Ginny had found her quivering under her desk with her knees bent and crushed into her chest. It was too much. There were so many places and so many people that triggered memories, reminded her of what she had once had, but had lost so abruptly. She knew she would crumble the moment she had to meet him, and all she could think about was how to postpone it; that first, heart wrenching meeting.
So that day she made her decision. It wasn't a difficult decision to make as she stood behind the curtain in her office, only to notice that the man she had hidden from was her own colleague. Adam had looked at her in confusion, tugging on the curtain with force. At first, she held onto it, still feeling the heart race in her chest, but then she calmed down and laughed unnerved at her tendency to see Ron everywhere. Adam quirked an eyebrow at her as she gave a mad cackle, and he pulled the curtain aside, giving her the chance to step forward.
The moment she had signed the papers he held out to her, she knew she had made her decision. Yes, she definitely had. And she had marched straight into her boss' office, knowing she had worked too hard for too long for him to refuse.
"Are you sure about this?" Ginny asked, dangling her feet as she sat on top of the desk in the guest room. Hermione looked up from the spot on the floor she had eyed as she was lost in thought and gave a short nod.
"I can't stay here," she said in exasperation. She drew her hand through her wild curls and sighed heavily. "You know I appreciate everything you've done, and you two are the best friends I could ask for..."
"You don't have to apologise," Ginny exclaimed quickly, holding her hand up to stop Hermione from continuing. "I just need to know that you know what you're doing."
"I've rented a small place in a tiny village up north," she revealed. "Somewhere I know I'll be left alone, where I can figure this mess out without being afraid of meeting him everywhere I turn."
"So you aren't just running from the problems?"
Hermione swallowed. Okay, so she was sort of running from her problems, but no one actually needed to know that, did they?
"All I know is I need to get away for a while to sort out my thoughts," she replied vaguely. "There are too many reminders and too many confusing relationships to keep going like this."
Ginny eyed her and nodded in understanding.
"I don't know how many Weasley dinners I can be invited to without accepting," Hermione said, giving a bitter smile. "I love your family to bits, but how can I be a part of it now, after everything?"
"Hermione, you know you're a part of the family. That's why they keep inviting you."
"But that's what keeps confusing me. How can I keep those relationships when I can hardly look at Ron?"
"I don't know," Ginny said in resignation, bending her head slightly forward until her hair fell forwards and nearly covered her face.
"These are the things I need to figure out," she said resolutely. "And I need to do that away from here. Somewhere safe where I won't know anyone."
