3: Confrontations

3: Confrontations

At the first opportunity, Ginny made sure to confront Ron about the situation.

“How could you possibly agree to have Hermione shag Harry? That doesn’t sound like you at all. I would think you’d want to keep her all to yourself.”

“It wasn’t my idea, I assure you, but she talked me into it. Just the same, there were … extenuating circumstances.”

Ginny sighed exasperatedly. “Yes, I know. You were at war. From what I understand, that’s supposed to excuse every bit of cheating any of you ever did, especially Harry. Didn’t any of you consider that in shagging Harry, Hermione was taking away something that rightfully belonged to me?”

That prompted a stricken look on Ron’s face once he realised what she was talking about, but he seemed to have lost the power of speech, although Ginny was sure he finally remembered her and Harry’s engagement—unfortunately, too late to do her any good.

“I’m so sorry, Gin. I totally forgot. I wouldn’t blame you if you never forgave me. Unfortunately, there’s no way to go back and undo it now.”

“It wouldn’t have been so bad if she’d been the only one—but there were five in all … and ’Mione probably shagged him at least two dozen times, by her own admission—and that’s not counting how many times the others probably did.”

“But that didn’t mean Harry ever stopped loving you, Gin. Not for a moment. It just meant that—”

“It meant, basically, that despite his claims, Harry didn’t consider our engagement enough reason to find the strength to say no.”

Ron looked like he wanted to argue, but knew she was right. “You aren’t going to break off the engagement because of this, are you? He feels bad enough without that.”

“I should, Merlin knows—and I’m greatly tempted to sever ties with ’Mione as well. This was one time she was totally wrong. Really, all of you … she, Harry and you … share the blame.”

Ron’s eyes softened with sympathy. “I wish there was something I could do to make things right again. And I know it doesn’t mean much now, but I—we—truly are sorry.”

“Too late for that, I’m afraid. Far too late. And with all due respect, you’ve done enough. Incidentally, tell ’Mione ...” Ginny’s voice was laced with sadness and regret. Her voice trailed off. “Never mind. Just tell her I want to see her.”

Ron nodded with a sad smile, then left.

* * * * *

Hermione came by the following day. “Ron said you wanted to talk to me.”

“I do—but mainly to remind you that you’ve taken something away from me that I’ll never be able to get back as long as I live.”

“May I ask what that ‘something’ was?”

“Don’t you know? Can’t you guess?” But the look on the other girl’s face told Ginny she was waiting for an answer. “Harry—or more accurately, my right as his fiancée for us to take each other’s virginity. Either you didn’t care, or didn’t remember, that Harry and I were engaged when you decided to shag him. From what you said earlier, you said you didn’t consider it right to have him listen to you and Ron go at it. There is such a thing as a Silencing Charm, you know. Didn’t you think of that? Obviously not. So I suppose it was right for you to take his virginity, something that belonged to me. It didn’t seem that you considered what you were actually doing, did you, not for a moment. In which case, you’re just as responsible for Harry’s ultimate unhappiness as I am—or more accurately, you and Ron.

“Since you didn’t bother to tell Luna, Lavender and Hannah about the engagement, I can’t really blame them for what they did—or Morag. They acted out of ignorance … but you, you knew bloody well that Harry and I had planned to be married … and worst of all, you—you, of all people—seduced him!”

“So?”

“’Mione, doesn’t it matter to you at all that you denied me the right as Harry’s fiancée to be the one he lost his virginity to? Harry was wrong to do what he did, but you were the one to make him do it. If you’re so clueless as not to see the wrong you’ve done me—to both of us—then I can’t see my way clear to continue our friendship. That is, if indeed, we ever truly had one, if you could do such things to me and not feel any remorse, show no pangs of conscience. It’s fine for you to shag Ron; I fully expected it at some point—but why in Merlin’s name couldn’t you have left Harry alone? How would you have felt if someone had denied you your right as my brother’s fiancée to take Ron’s virginity as you’ve denied me mine? I’m also warning you right here and now—keep your claws off Harry from here on in or else the Bat-Bogey Hex will be the least of your troubles. You understand me?”

Hermione nodded miserably, the magnitude of what Ginny said only now beginning to sink in. Truly, she wouldn’t blame the younger woman if she never spoke to her again because she had been the one to have basically instigated the whole thing—and was, in fact, with Harry the most of any of the girls, most of whom were there only a relative handful of nights each. After what she had done, no amount of apology would be enough—not even if she did it every day for the rest of her life. Nor would Ginny be likely to ever forgive or believe how sorry she was … and unfortunately, for good reason.

“I never meant for anything like this to happen, Gin. Even if you don’t believe anything else I say, believe that. I was only thinking of our immediate situation and believed that what I did would help Harry. Instead, I ended up hurting you both, all but irreparably. There’s no way I can make it up to either of you, but I hope you won’t take it out on Harry anymore. If it’s any comfort to you, please know that he always called for you in his sleep, it was always your name he called out when he—”

Ginny held up a hand. “I get the point, ’Mione. Now if you would please go …”

“Of course.” Hermione hugged Ginny one last time, tears in her eyes, before Ginny could stop her and not before murmuring a heartfelt apology. Then she Disapparated. It would be very difficult to break off their relationship, but it was necessary. They would be on speaking terms, but that was it. Meanwhile, Ginny had a letter to write and an owl to send.

It wouldn’t be the same between her and Harry ever again; there would be a very important part of their relationship missing—but she had waited for him too long, loved him far too much, to willingly give him up now. It wouldn’t be easy, and it would take a long time for her to fully forgive him, but she was sure she would, eventually.

My dearest, most beloved Harry …

Your Ginny

After finishing the letter, she sealed it with a heart charm and a kiss, then put it in her owl’s beak and told him to take it to Harry.