Lendoren

The usual: Kelokelo owns the fic, Septentrion the translation and dear Jo the characters, pounds etc

Chapter beta’ed by Emma

Thank you to all those who have read and/or left a review


Ch.3 the beginning of the holidays


Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were in the same compartment on the Hogwarts express. The year had been difficult for Ginny what with the OWLs to prepare and her work as a prefect. She at least hoped to pass as many OWLs as Ron did the previous year (he had seven, as many as Harry but less than Hermione who got an “O” to her ten OWLs). Her great satisfaction this year, beyond her scholar success, laid in the warm hand that was holding hers. Her heart had realised that Michael Corner or Dean Thomas weren’t companions suitable for her. She had broken up with Dean after an exceptionally lost quidditch match because a bludger had found necessary to be on Harry’s trajectory while he was vying with Malfoy for catching the golden snitch. Dean Thomas had called Harry some unholy names and she couldn’t bear it. She realised then that, whatever she did, her heart beat only for Harry. They had fought like the lions they were to crush the Hufflepuff team and win with more than a six hundred gap in points during the last match. Harry had no other choice than to wait before catching the snitch and prevent the Hufflepuff seeker to get it before him by any means available.

They had made it and won the quidditch cup, which rose anger amongst the Slytherin who believed it was theirs till the end. On this occasion, while intoxicated by victory, Harry has declared his feelings to Ginny. He didn’t just embraced her like he did with the other players, he had possessively hugged her and kissed her mouth in front of the whole school. Ron seemed taken aback and Hermione had watched them with a knowing air as if she was saying: “Well, why did you wait for so long? It was more than time to make a decision about it”.

Earlier that year, Ginny had hoped that Ron and Hermione would go out together but no, they seemed to like meandering in friendship and gave no indication they wanted to go out of it. When Ginny had frankly asked Hermione about it, the latter had reddened and admitted she wasn’t interested in going out with someone she couldn’t imagine to share more than a few kisses with. To make things short, she had no desire for Ron. Which was the contrary of what Ginny felt for Harry. As bad luck ran, Ron gave himself the mission to watch over Ginny’s virtue. As a result, she and Harry never could go further than some kisses and hands under the uniform, the constant fear of being caught didn’t contribute to enhance the mood. They both hoped that this summer at the Burrow, after Harry was finished with what he called “the beginning of summer nuisance” at 4, Privet Drive until his birthday, they would be able to give free rein to their mutual desire.

Ron was lucid. When he saw how Ginny looked at Harry, he understood Hermione never looked at him in the same way. Thus he was resigned not to try to go out with her. They remained in the realm of friendship without trying to go further. He watched suspiciously his younger sister and his friend for, in his opinion, his young sibling was far too young to experiment more than kisses with Harry. So what, she was only sixteen! What was Harry thinking?

Hermione was satisfied with the way her year had gone but she still had a pang. No boy, once again, had made a heart beat faster. She was beginning to despair. Was she normal? Every other girl in her year, and almost all of the fifth year like Ginny, had had at least one boyfriend. She got the Sahara instead, if you didn’t count the short episode with Viktor Krum, but could one really tell one had had a boyfriend when one had contented oneself with chaste kisses? Never had he tried to caress her, was she that repelling? She thought she had the right curves in the right places, not too much and not to few. Of course she wouldn’t have rivalled with a model but then, neither could most of the other girls.

They each went their own way when they climbed out of the Hogwarts Express: Ron and Ginny were going to the Burrow where Harry was to join them on July 31st, the day he would come of age. Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and cousin Dudley were nervously waiting for Harry. He embraced Ginny one last time and whispered softly:

“See you next month, my beauty. Hedwig will be able to travel a lot between our homes. In the meanwhile, could you prepare some outings just for the both of us?”

The gleam in his eyes mirrored her own desire. She would then make sure they would have some occasions to be really alone together.

Hermione went back to her parents’s in July. Her parents the Weasleys had arranged for her to go to the Burrow in August. Hermione would then be able to work her magic in the open air instead of the confinement of her parents’s house. She was happy to see them again after a year far from them. She was particularly happy to be with her mother whom she hoped to speak about her lack of interest in the boys at school. It was her mother who seized the opportunity of a bit of shopping to broach the subject:

“Hermione, dear, you’ve been most discreet about your love life this year.”

“And for a good reason,” Hermione grimaced. “It was like a desert. I can’t say I lack opportunities, I felt some boys were interested in me, but as for me…” She didn’t finish her sentence; she was so much put out.

“And this makes you unhappy.” Her mother said softly. It wasn’t a question but rather an affirmation. Mrs Granger had learnt to read her daughter’s moods through the letters they’ve been exchanging by owl. Indeed, Hermione had been in Hogwarts for the last six years and if one had added all the time she had spent with her parents ever since, the amount would have been less than six months. Mrs Granger deplored it but she also knew Hermione was happy in the Wizarding world, she had excellent marks and she had correctly understood her daughter the potential to do whatever job she wanted in that world.

“I know you’re not really like what I’m going to say to you, Hermione, but you’ve just reached your seventeenth birthday. I don’t think its abnormal that you haven’t felt attracted to a boy, however hurry you might feel. As far as I understand, there aren’t many newbies in Hogwarts in your level each year?”

“No, hardly ever. Every one begins in first year and we all go together until seventh year, except for those who don’t go further than the OWLS.”

“So you don’t have many occasions to meet new people, like you did with Viktor in your fourth year. When you finish your studies in Hogwarts, you’ll probably have occasions to meet more people, more boys and thus you’ll have more of a good chance of meeting a boy you’ll feel attracted to…”

“So I have every chance to still have a lonely year,” Hermione mumbled.

“You’ve got Ron and Harry, right?”

“Yes, but it’s not the same. Plus Harry’s going out with Ginny, then he’s not as free. And Ron, well, it’s more me who gives him information than him speaking to me, besides Quidditch and chess that is.”

However she had a very good time in July. Her parents took her in the South of France where she got a beautiful tan. She also attented many parties but there again, no boy had her heart beat faster. Once she met a black-eyed man and her heart missed a beat but someone shoved her aside and she couldn’t find him again.

In July she passed her Apparition license. She thought she had an easier time with it than during practice in Hogwarts. The proof things are easier when you’re relaxed.

July came to an end quickly and she felt a pang when she bid goodbye to her parents. She knew she wouldn’t see them before a year. She had already warned them that she would be staying in Hogwarts during Christmas and Easter breaks, courtesy of the NEWTS, to make sure she would get the best marks possible. When she apparated at the Burrow, she was welcome with open arms by Mrs Weasley as usual. Mr Weasley bombarded her with questions about the new things she had seen in the muggle world. He was as passionate as ever by the muggle inventions, even if his job and his work for the Order of the Phoenix didn’t leave him much time for that passion of his.

Notes: the story in French is completed and has more than fifty chapters. Updates will be weekly provided real life doesn't interfere with me or my beta. If anyone wants to help with the translation, if only for one chapter, they're welcome to send me a message