It hurts when you're gone (Ron Weasley Fanfic)

Chapter 26- Broken

'Snape. Snape!'

'How did he get to become Headmaster when McGonagall is still-'

'Forget Snape, look at those Carrows! What subjects will they teach us? They're Death Eaters!'

'I know! Did you see the look on McGonagall's face when Snape introduced Alecto?'

'Revolting, disgusting-'

'Her brother looked no less.'

'Right pair of scarecrows' I retorted to Ginny, Neville and Seamus, at which they all burst out laughing.

I was shocked at the number of people who hadn't come back to Hogwarts. Either parents fearing for their safety hadn't let them come, or they were Muggle- Born and were on the run from the Ministry. Dean, Harry, Ron, Hermione, several Ravenclaws who were my friends- their absence felt like a gaping void during the feast.

Later in the Common Room, I sat down wearily and Ginny took a chair beside me. I hugged my knees and willed for sleep to come. I did not want to go the dorm; it'd feel very strange without Hermione singing while brushing her hair, or us bewitching pillows to whomp each other in the face. Ginny looked so small and careworn that I didn't have the heart to feel sad in front of her. So I tried to engage Neville and Seamus in a conversation, by the end of which Ginny looked marginally better. My mind was a little pacified as I went upstairs that night. But no, I couldn't sleep. I sat up on bed, clutching my pillow hard.

'Come back soon..I'm waiting for you' I whispered under my breath, for whom, I didn't know. I suddenly heard footsteps shuffling towards me. 'Lumos.'

It was Ginny. She gave me a sad little smile as she sat down on my bed.

'I can't sleep.'

'Me neither.'

We sat up late into the night, talking to relieve the pressure and hoping for the best. Ginny finally met my eyes, taking my hand as she started. 'I need to let you know something, Y/N. I won't and can't make it less painful for you- because I know you're strong enough to take the truth as it comes.'

I stared at her. What was all this about?

'I think, atleast that's what my girl's instincts tell me- I think..' she stopped again.

'What? Tell me Ginny!' I said, exasperated.

'I think, and I'm pretty sure it's true that Ron..'

I gave her a look at which she said the rest of the words in a rush.

'Ron loves someone else now.'

Silence.

I'm pretty sure I gaped at her for a couple of seconds, after which I finally questioned her in a soft, low voice- 'Why do you want me to believe that, huh? Why?'

'I dunno, Y/N, I could just tell! The way he acts around her, it's so reminiscent of you and him! I just had this gut feeling the last time I saw him, I just feel it's true.'

My voice trembled as I asked her- 'So who..who is she?'

It seemed to cost Ginny every ounce of her strength to say the next few syllables. 'Hermione.'

I felt a lump in my throat, my voice had been choked. I no longer wanted to talk, I did not want to talk.

'Look at the time Ginny- it's two in the morning. We better get some sleep now, we have a whole day of lessons tomorrow' I croaked, resting my head against the pillow and snuggling down.

Ginny kept looking at me. 'I just thought-'

'Please, Ginny, I'm pretty sleepy now. Can we talk later? Night' I said, turning around in bed and firmly pulling my blanket above my head.

I thought I heard her sniff and say 'Good night.'

It didn't really matter. Because I seemed to have lost the only thing that mattered to me.