Waiting in Vain

WAITING IN VAIN
by Augurey
ONE: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Ginny Weasley glared at the clock on her office wall. Six o’clock was not close enough for her liking. She felt her whole day come down on her head, and the pressure was unbearable. Closing her eyes, she imagined herself sitting in her flat, by her fire, with a very warm mug of butterbeer or hot chocolate. Maybe even some Elderflower wine. Anything warm, strong, or soothing would do.

She opened her eyes and peered at the clock. 4:25. Time seemed to move at the speed of a snail. Realizing the amount of work that had piled up on her desk since she returned from a short break, Ginny began sorting through the papers and organizing erratically. Her brain was like thick mush. It was then that she realized it might be better to take the last hour and a half off, instead of forcing herself through each moment, slowly and painfully.

She stood up, grabbed her cloak and bag, and turned off the light with a wave of her wand. As she ambled through the office, she noticed most of her friends had already left. She reached the front door, and, noticing a light in the corner adjacent to her, hesitated a moment before curiously poking her head in.

“Jonathan, it’s four thirty, everyone has gone,” she said timidly. “Do you mind if I head out as well?”

Jonathan was writing up a storm on a piece of parchment, and did not look up when Ginny spoke. He was always intensely into his work, and was not very social around the office. The only person he ever took a break for was his wife, Sara, who was consequently a coworker of Ginny’s.

“In some sort of a hurry, Miss Weasley?” He raised an inquisitive eyebrow and continued dragging his quill across the parchment quickly.

“I’ve got to be at the Burrow in two hours, and I’ll be decapitated if I’m late. Figuratively speaking.” she sighed and rubbed her forehead anxiously. Jonathan looked unsympathetic. “I can stay here if you like, I suppose I could revise a few of the bits I wrote earlier....”

He put a hand in the air. “Just go, before I change my mind,” he finally took his eyes off the parchment. “Have a good holiday, Ginny.”

“Happy Christmas, Jonathan,” she said sweetly. “Don’t stay in too late.”

Once Ginny arrived at her flat she felt her whole body relax. She lit the room dimly and headed to the kitchen for some pain relievers before she apparated to the Burrow. As she fumbled for the right bottle she could feel her head pounding harder.

“This will have to do,” she said while reading over the label. “Chocolate Pain Pills. Relieves headaches, nausea, and eliminates fevers.”

After she took two Chocolate Pain Pills, she checked through her luggage to make sure she had every single gift as well as all of her personal items. Ten minutes later she took one deep breath, and apparated to just outside the front door of the Burrow. The feeling of relief to see such a familiar place took half the stress out of her. That is until the front door opened widely, and Molly Weasley came bounding towards her.

“Ginny! It’s so good to see you! Oh, how are you dear?” Molly hugged her daughter until she felt absolutely necessary to let go.

“Oh I’m absolutely exhausted,” Ginny stated as she pulled back. “Do you think everyone would mind if I just popped up to my room and took a quick nap? I don’t know if I can stay awake much longer.”

“Of course, dear, of course.” Molly took her daughter’s bag and guided her through the front door. “As long as you promise to come down for dinner. Your father can’t wait to see you, and the boys should be arriving soon.”

Ginny beamed at her mother. The scents of home overcame her. She was quickly ushered to her bed and fell into a deep slumber shortly after.

------

“Ginny,” a soft voice could be heard. “Ginny!”

Ginny shook a little and rolled over in her bed. She tried to open her eyes. Once she had shaken off her initial sleepiness her eyes focused. Before her was someone she did not expect to see. Hermione stood up. She was taller. Her brown eyes sparkled even in the dark, and her brown hair was wavy and tied up in a messy bun. Ginny jumped up to embrace her old friend.

“Hermione! I didn’t know you were coming!” As they broke apart the incredulous grin on Ginny’s face did not fade. “How did you get here? What about your family?”

“Well, I’ve not been to the Burrow for what seems like years.” Her tone lowered as she continued to speak. “I have some news, though. I’m afraid I couldn’t resist the urge to come here myself and announce it.”

Ginny was puzzled. Even so, she grasped Hermione’s hands with her own. “Oh, I’m just so glad to see you!”

Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw something sparkling. As she glanced slowly at Hermione hand her face lit up even more. On Hermione’s left ring finger was a silver ring, with a little diamond on top. It didn’t look at all out of place.

“Who?” she began quickly, “Where? When! Tell me all about it!”

Hermione blushed and smiled at Ginny. She sat down on the bed across the room and nodded. “It’s a surprise, actually. I promise you’ll hear everything once Harry has arrived.”

Ginny froze. That wasn’t possible, was it? All the blood was rushing to her head with only one word from Hermione. Suddenly she wasn’t as happy to be home as she previously thought. She had not seen Harry since the summer after her seventh year at Hogwarts. She had absolved several years before that to forget about him, and all her feelings for him. Somehow he managed to make things much worse. There was something between them; it was just below the surface. Harry obviously couldn’t see it, which made his presence painful. All that was left was a forgotten feeling.

“A-are you marrying Harry?” Ginny asked.

“Heavens no! Are you kidding me? Harry,” said Hermione, laughing quietly to herself. “Never crossed my mind. Harry and I are only good friends. I could never see him the way I see....”

“Who? Who?”

“Oh, sod off.” Hermione laughed with Ginny for a moment before calming herself. “He should be here any minute.”

---

Harry Potter looked into the large mirror contemplatively. His reflection was calm. As he put on his cloak he smiled at himself. He could barely contain his happiness. He was about to attend christmas at the Burrow with Ron, Hermione, and the entire Weasley family. It was the happiest day of his life, or at least it seemed. For so long he had been living on his own.

After Hogwarts Harry was accepted to an American Quidditch team, the Fitchburg Finches. He loved Quidditch. He always did excel at the sport. He found himself now longing for home, which was not Massachusetts. Though it was a lovely state and a lovely country, Harry was tired and weary of all the physical work involved.

His one regret in life had recently become his choice of playing Quidditch over being an Auror. Thus the reason he had recently taken much time off being a seeker. He was in search of a different career.

At that moment his eyes found the clock. It was fifteen past six! He was already late. He rushed for his bags. Only moments later he was inside the Burrow, right by the kitchen. The sound of joy he heard once he had regained his composure put a huge smile on his face. It was almost home. He dropped his bag at his side and looked around. Everyone was sitting in the living room.

He greeted each Weasley with a great amount of energy. He realized that he never felt this way when he wasn’t at the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley helped him settle into a chair and gave him a large glass of pumpkin juice. Ron seated himself next to Harry, almost immediately recapping Harry’s last big game. He tried to pay attention but only one thing caught his ear.

“...and Hermione was so happy to hear you won that one-”

“Hermione?” said Harry. “How is she these days? I miss her a great deal...”

“She’s fantastic,” Ron began. “She’s here! She’s staying for the next few days, and then we’re off to meet her parents at some convention in Paris. It should be interesting.”

Harry ran his hands through his hair. “Well, when do I get to see her?”

“Right now,” came a voice from behind them. “You’re late, you know.”

Harry stood up and hugged his old friend tightly. He could not describe how great it felt to have his two best friends right there with him. Especially on such an occasion as Christmas, it was perfect.

“Ginny, come down here and say hello to Harry! He’s just arrived,” said Mrs. Weasley. She was very loud indeed.

Harry tensed up. He hadn’t anticipated seeing her again. It had been almost seven years since they last saw each other. His stomach was doing flips; for what reason he could not figure out, and then he turned around.

It was as if someone switched a light on in his head. She was slowly descending the stairs. Her hair was red as ever. It was shorter than it used to be. Her eyes were stunning even from far away. They made eye contact, and he felt his stomach reach the floor.

“Hey, Ginny,” said Harry. He was in awe of the woman she had become. She was never unattractive at all. He realized he must not have seen her before. Not like this. Not at all like this.

“Harry,” she acknowledged him shortly, her breath caught in her chest as she spoke his name. The moment passed, and Ginny found a comfortable chair she could sit in. Resolving then to avoid his piercing gaze.

After everyone got comfortable, the spotlight was on Ron. He had a grin on his face not to be compared to. He had an announcement to make, and it was obvious he wasn’t going to be able to keep quiet much longer.

“As you all know, I have some news,” said Ron, allowing everyone to exchange a few whispers. He took a few minutes to let the murmurs pass, and then he began again, “As I’ve not seen many of you for a good amount of time, I’m sure you’re wondering what this is all about.”

“So I’d just like to introduce you to my fiancée.” Suddenly his voice was stronger. He fidgeted for a moment. “Hermione.”

At that moment the house erupted with congratulations, tears, and happiness. Everyone rose to hug the couple, and to hug each other. It was truly a huge moment. Ginny realised she must have been incredibly stupid not to deduce that it was her own brother Hermione was engaged to. She looked to her right where Harry was standing with his arms open, and a big smile on his face.

Her arms awkwardly found a way around his shoulders. “Isn’t it fabulous?” Harry whispered in her ear. Ginny pulled away nodded, and grabbed Fred.

Harry looked at Ron with admiration. “Well, I suppose congratulations are in order for you. How did you manage to ask her?” He hugged his friend.

“Hermione, this is just - I have no words.” Ginny spoke, while embracing Hermione. “Don’t you cry, now!”

“Thanks, Ginny.” Hermione turned to hug Mrs. Weasley, whose bright red face was beaming.

That’s when it happened. Ginny found herself face to face with Harry again. She was practically exasperated. “I already hugged you!” she exclaimed, automatically regretting her words. Harry turned away to congratulate Hermione.

And that was that. Ginny went to bed feeling full of remorse and pain. Thank god the long day was over. But there was so much more to come. As she pulled her covers up around herself, she figured she probably wouldn’t sleep.

She was right.