Harry Potter and the Last Goodnight

Chapter 30: Letters and Pigs

"You know, Gin, there's something that's been bothering me." Harry hoped that he wasn't overstepping the warm welcome she'd given him, but he had to ask. He didn't know whether his ego could take another blow, but he was willing to risk it.

"What is it?" she asked, yawning.

He took a deep breath. "Why did you suddenly decided that you didn't like me anymore? That you didn't have a crush on me?"

Ginny laughed. "Are you serious?" She sighed and turned her head to stare at the fire. "It wasn't sudden. I mean, I've tangled with it for a long time. Years." She picked at a thread unraveling on her skirt. "It's just... well, you're famous Harry. Anyone who dates you is going to be famous too. They're going to have to live up to the standards of the public eye forever. Me," she scoffed, "I don't want to be famous. I just want to be me. And I'm not sure I could do that if I was dating you."

Harry nodded. "I guess I understand." He didn't realize that fame was something she didn't want. He'd never given much thought to his position in the public eye. He hated publicity, but he knew that others could shine in the spotlight. He just wasn't one of them. "Was it just because of the fame?"

"Well..." she stalled. "It wasn't just the fame thing."

"What was it?"

"It's not easy to say."

"Just say it," Harry urged. "I can take it."

She looked at him somberly. "Kissing you, well, it almost felt like I was kissing Ron or something. It's not your fault!" Ginny cried, seeing the look of horror on his face. "I'm sorry - the kiss, I just had to get it out of my system. I had to know that there wasn't any romance between us. Besides, Jack is way better at it than you... "

"What?" Harry cried. "Are you joking? Jack Sloper?"

"It's not serious," Ginny replied. "Yet."

"Well, I mean, he's probably had more practice than I've had," Harry said, making excuses. "After all, I've only been ambushed for kisses."

Ginny grunted. "And whose fault is that? If you want it, you've got to take it."

Harry laughed. It felt good to be able to joke around with someone. Ginny really was easy to talk to, and he definitely had a newfound respect for her. "You know, Gin, I think you could handle the spotlight. You would have no problem living up to the standards of the public eye."

* * *

Winter rushed into Hogwarts with a mighty storm that rattled windows and nearly frosted the plants in the greenhouses. Students bundled up to go to outdoor classes, and for once, Harry didn't feel too guilty for not taking Care of Magical Creatures. He felt sorry for all of the other classes who had to go outside in the cold. The second Quidditch match of the season was brutal though, and Ravenclaw devastated Hufflepuff and defeated them with one of the biggest leads on record in the history of Hogwarts.

He found that the snow was actually quite peaceful. Detention with Professor Avis was more than bearable. Harry actually looked forward to it. Professor Avis was a very nice woman and she held detention like she would if she were a teacher in a Muggle school. It was a quiet place for Harry to do his homework every night for two hours.

It was also a great way for him to write to Eva in secrecy. They had been writing back and forth nearly every day. Harry looked forward to receiving her letter every morning. Hedwig was getting quite a workout, but she seemed to enjoy it instead of spending her time in the cold of the Owlery.

It was also comforting to know that the owls had returned and seemed to be unharmed. Hagrid had been alerted of the problem a few weeks earlier and after a good cleaning from Filch and a some special recipe from Hagrid, they were back in time to seek refuge from the winter weather.

Harry was happy to be sitting next to the warm hearth in the Muggle Studies classroom. He felt like he knew Eva a lot better now that they'd been exchanging letters. As he lay in bed every night, thinking of her, he wanted nothing more than to sneak away to Hogsmeade to see her again. He just couldn't risk it. He was in enough trouble already. After the holidays, however, it would be a different story.

Dear Eva,

It's good to hear that dinner with the Weasleys went well. I know that the twins can be a little overwhelming when you first meet them. You should have seen the trouble they got into at Hogwarts. They're legends.

All of the Weasleys are amazing. I mean, Ron is more than a best friend to me, he's like a brother. We have our differences, but I know he's always got my back. His sister, Ginny, is one of the strongest and most outspoken women I know (besides you, of course). The twins are loyal and always good for a laugh. Bill and Charlie are good men who are out there making a difference in the world.

Harry paused. He didn't know if he should mention Percy. If Eva was going to be spending time at the Burrow, she would find out soon enough. It wasn't his place to tell.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are the glue that holds the family together. They have welcomed me into their family with open arms (did you happen to see the clock?) and I owe them so much. I only hope that I haven't done too much damage to my relationship with Mr. Weasley after the fiasco on our field trip. Which I am still very, very sorry about. I don't think I can apologize enough.

I'll be spending the holidays with the Weasleys instead of at Hogwarts this year. It's going to be my first real family-like Christmas. I owe the Weasleys so much. I know that you feel indebted to them as well. Maybe we could put our heads together and find a way to repay them.

What are your plans for the holidays? Are you and Nora going anyplace special? Maybe we could get together sometime before I have to go back to school.

See you at Platform 9 and 3/4,

Harry

Harry added the last paragraph with hasty strokes of his pen. If he didn't write it then, at that second, he would have lost his nerve. But Ginny's advice was still fresh in his mind. If he wanted to take their relationship to the next level, he would really have to take it there. And he knew, without a doubt, that was what he wanted.

* * *

Acing midterms had taken its toll on Hermione as she trudged into the Great Hall later that week. She looked exhausted. Her eyes were red and puffy from lack of sleep. She plopped down across the table from Harry and Ron and helped herself to some potatoes.

"You look a wreck," Ron said with little sympathy. He, unlike Hermione, was taking the midterms in stride. He was waiting until finals in the spring to freak out.

"Thanks," she muttered. She glared at him. Ron flashed her a brilliant grin, complete with a view of the mouthful of sausage he was eating. "Ew. That's disgusting. How many times have I told you what they did to that pig before they slaughtered it? How can you eat that?"

Ron put down his fork. He'd had enough of Hermione's sermons. He'd heard about a dozen lectures on the mistreatment of animals. He was sick and tired of having to put up with her huffing and puffing about eating meat or dairy at every meal. "What about you?"

"What about me?" she asked innocently.

"What about those potatoes you're eating?" he continued. "Don't you feel guilty? Spent their childhoods in the rich soils of Ireland only to be plucked out of the fertile soil in their prime to be fed to some annoying, infuriating vegan?"

Harry could have sworn he saw smoke pouring out of Hermione's ears. "What did you just call me?" she demanded.

Ron glanced around the dining hall. People noticed their quarrelling and had stopped chatting to listen. "Hermione, settle down. It was only a joke," he muttered under his breath.

"No, Ron, you think I'm a joke!" she exploded. "You never take me seriously. Do you think everything that I do, everything I stand up for is just some stupid fad?" She quickly stood up from her seat. "Only snogging me for a laugh, are you? Giving me lectures about keeping our romance a secret, ay? "

"Of course not. Hermione, sit down," Ron whispered. "You're embarrassing me."

"Well, let me put an end to this embarrassment, Ronald Weasley." She picked up her goblet of juice, and before Ron had time to react, threw it in his face. "You are a pig, and I hope you end up castrated like one! We are through!"

And without a second's hesitation, Hermione turned on her heel and marched out of the Great Hall. The entire room was silent. Ron's face turned several different shades of red before he finally stood up and rushed after her, leaving a trail of juice on the floor behind him.

Harry thought about going after them, but he knew that he had no place in their relationship. He wanted to stay as far away from their personal matters as possible. So instead, he turned back to his oatmeal and waited for the owl post to arrive.

* * *

It was odd for Harry to be leaving Hogwarts for winter break. As he packed his trunk, he couldn't help but be excited for the holiday to come. Ron was trying to show that he was not the least bit upset that Hermione had called him a pig and broken his heart in front of the entire school. Harry, however, could see the pain in his eyes every time he looked at her. They were being civil to each other, but nothing more.

Despite Ron's troubles, Harry thought his excitement also may have had something to do with the fact that he'd be seeing Eva. Before leaving the boys' dormitory, he studied his reflection in the mirror. He never thought he would be the type of guy to worry about what a girl thought of his appearance. But for Eva, he wanted to look his best.

"Ready?" Ron asked.

Harry nodded. "Do you ever wonder how the house-elves get everything out to the train so quickly?"

Ron shrugged. "Must be some sort of special house-elf magic. Tonks makes it sound like they're invincible."

Harry had to wonder if they were. The two of them walked silently down from the dormitory and met up with Hermione and Ginny in the common room. Whenever Harry was around Hermione and Ron, he felt like he had to walk on eggshells. Ginny, on the other hand, seem to be bursting with energy and was extremely annoyed with Ron.

"You're still coming for Christmas Eve, aren't you?" Ginny asked, making sure she was loud enough so that Ron would hear her.

Hermione glanced in Ron's direction, but didn't meet his eyes. "Of course. I don't want to offend Mr. and Mrs. Weasley."

"We're going to be late," Ron muttered. "C'mon, Harry." Ron turned and quickly left the common room. Harry gave Hermione and Ginny sympathetic looks and followed him.

Harry hated how difficult it was to talk to him. He should have known that it would have never worked out between them. Now there was awkwardness between his two best friends, and he didn't think there was anything that could heal it - except for time. But how much time? How long would it take for them to be the best of friends again? Would things ever be the same?

Harry was glad to have some time away from the two of them on the train. While Ron tended to his prefect duties, Harry found an empty compartment to sit in. It wasn't long before someone poked their head inside.

"Hello, Harry," Luna Lovegood greeted. She was still dressed in her Hogwarts robes, her long blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail. She came inside the compartment and sat across from him, not asking if the seat was already taken.

Harry didn't mind. It had been a while since he'd talked to Luna. He still felt that he owed her for all of the help she gave him last year. "Hi, Luna," he replied cordially. "How are you?"

"Fine. A bit bored though."

"Bored?" he questioned.

She nodded. "You know, Harry, some of us don't have anything to do but D.A. The serious lack of meetings has been troubling."

"Oh." Harry frowned. He didn't realize that anyone was upset over it. However, it was true that he wasn't as active as he was last year. He felt like his life was total chaos this year. But after Christmas, he could relax a little more. He wouldn't have to worry about Quidditch or Occlumency. In fact, things were looking up after the new year. "I'm sorry, Luna. I've just been really busy this year. But we'll have more meetings when we get back. I promise."

Luna seemed satisfied with his response. "I heard you're spending Christmas with the Weasleys."

"Er, yeah, I am."

"Maybe we'll run into each other over the holidays," she said, smiling at him.

Harry shifted in his seat uncomfortably. He forgot that the Lovegoods lived near the Weasleys. "Maybe we will."

The train's whistle sounded. The Hogwarts Express started up and lurched forward onto the tracks. Harry sat back and gazed out the window, watching as Hogwarts started to disappear from the horizon.

The compartment remained silent, except for the sound of Luna filddling with her Butterbeer bottle cap necklace. Harry glanced at her. She looked nervous about something.

"My father would really like to meet you," she announced. "He wouldn't mind doing a follow-up interview, either. He wanted to do one earlier, but I told him to wait."

"A follow-up interview about what?" Harry questioned. "Nothing's really happened..."

"The breakout," Luna interrupted. "But I think he may have his own agenda. The Quibbler has been having some problems."

"Problems?"

Luna hesitated. "Financial ones." She turned and looked out the window, still playing with the bottle caps around her neck. "After the article last year, well, certain parties decided to pull their funding. My father has been trying to get by on subscriptions alone. It would really help us out if you could do another interview."

"Of course I could," Harry replied.

Luna's head snapped toward him, her silver eyes looking more surprised than usual. "You will?"

Harry nodded. "I don't mind. After all, you risked your life for me last year. The least I could do is help your father out."

Luna grinned broadly. "Thank you, Harry. It will be tasteful. I promise. You could even have Rita Skeeter do it again."

"Er... I'll have to talk it over with Hermione first." He wasn't entirely sure that Rita could do a tasteful piece on him without the aide of Hermione's blackmail.

"Are you sad about her and Ron?"

"Sad?" Harry raised an eyebrow. He didn't know if he was more surprised by the fact that she knew about them, or that she was actually talking to him about it. However, their big fight did happen in the Great Hall for everyone to see. But what was she getting at? "Not really. Just... disappointed."

Harry noticed a slight smile on her face as she turned to look out the window again. He opened his mouth to question her, but their compartment door suddenly slid open and slammed shut. Hermione stomped inside. The door opened again, and this time Ron came inside, his face so angry that the redness spread from the tip of his nose, past his cheeks, to his ears.

"Quit following me!" Hermione snapped.

"I've as much right to be here as you do. Harry was my friend first, you know."

"So that's the way you're going to be?" Hermione demanded. "Off all the pig-headed, childish..."

"Prefect duties over already?" Harry interrupted quietly.

"Hmfph," Ron grunted, crossing his arms over his chest. "They kicked us out. Said we were too disruptive."

"They said you were too disruptive," Hermione snapped, looking pompous. "The other Prefects said that I was merely annoying."

"A truer word's never been spoken," Ron muttered.

Hermione was on her feet in a flash, and Harry stood up and tried to pull her back, and when that didn't work, he shielded Ron, who had also sprang up from his seat. He was in the middle. This time both literally and figuratively. Luna watched, expressionless, as the two of them shouted and cursed at each other.

"Enough!" Harry exploded. Hermione and Ron stopped moving and screaming and Harry made sure that they had at least an arm's length of distance between them. "I don't know what the hell is going on between the two of you, but you had better figure out a way to fix it before Christmas Eve. Your parents," he nodded to Ron, "work hard to make a nice celebration for everyone to enjoy. It's my first real family Christmas ever, and I'll not let your quarreling ruin it for me or for everybody else." He glared at both of them, but neither would meet his eyes. "You'll have some time apart before then to cool off. I suggest you both get your feelings straightened out."

Once he said what needed to be said, Harry plopped back down into his seat and looked out the window for the remainder of the train ride. Ron and Hermione sat in silence. Harry wondered if the distance between them would help cool things off a bit. They really did bring out the best and the worst of each other.