To Stay Or Not To Stay...And...Hermione's Words...


Later that afternoon as Harry was sitting and practicing a complicated transfiguration movement with Hermione sitting on Ron’s bed cross legged and reading some work files from her office and Ron was lying down with his head on her lap.
“Harry have you thought again about you moving out, mate,” said Ron in a serious tone
“why do you ask that?”
“see Harry, mum loves you like her son. She will feel bad if you leave us. Losing Fred and having Charlie so far away in Romania doesn’t help her emotions. Please think twice before you do anything. If you have any problems with my room may be we can shift your things in Charlie’s room if you like,” said Ron. Hermione was stunned by Ron’s such understanding and caring talk that she moved her file away from his face and stared back at him and he just placed his palm on her face and gave small smile and turned to see Harry.
“um…Ron I understand what you are trying to tell me but I cant stay here forever. Some time in future I need to have my own house. I can’t continue to stay with you guys so I think it is the best time to move out and settle down.”
“but you already have Grimmauld Place for yourself. You can stay there,” said Ron
“Ron, it is just too big for me. But I am keeping that for myself for future. But right now I need some small apartment that’s all. And it is not that once I move out from here I will never come back to Burrow. I have loads of memories buried here in this house and in this very room. I can’t take a risk of forgetting them. But its just that I need a new place to make a new beginning, that’s all.”
“so even this room troubles you with negative things does it?” asked Ron in a sharp tone that Hermione flinched
“no, no Ron. Its not like that”
“then what is it like?”
“Ron…see I just need some time to pull myself up against everything that has happened in the last years with all of us. I just need my own space to start again. That’s it. Grimmauld Place holds too many memories for me just like Hogwarts. I want some place that will reflect what and how my life was after the war when I will look back… and… isn’t it common for a son to move out of his family’s house when he is old enough to take care of himself?”
But Ron didn’t reply and he got up from his sleeping posture and sat leaning on the wall and closed his eyes and said, “so you want to set up a muggle trend huh?”
“Ron, I don’t think so its just a muggle trend. Look at Gorge, he and Fred they both did move out didn’t they?”
“but that hurt mum, don’t you realize that?”
“but that was because they didn’t even finish their NEWTs and it wasn’t a good time then,” said Harry
“what has that got to do with NEWTs?”
“nothing,” he said quietly and shook his head. “Hermione’s brains are rubbing off on me, making no sense at all” he thought.
“guys, cool down,” said Hermione in a soft voice.


“Harry, you sure on leaving?” asked Hermione and Harry nodded.
“Ron we cant force on making anyone stay,” she said comfortingly.
“Mione you aren’t leaving are you?” he asked
“no I wont till Ginny finishes her schooling,” said Hermione
“so can you do one thing for me,”
“what is it Ron?”
“will you stay back and continue to live here whether Ginny returns or not,” he asked
“why?”
“because Harry is right, this place holds too many memories that I can barely stand it,” he said slowly
“what do you mean?”
“Its just that I want to move out of the house. This place holds too many bad memories for me unlike Harry, for him it has good memories too,” he said in a sad voice. Hermione moved closer to him and placed her hand on his face and asked once again, “Ron what is it that is hurting you so much that you want Harry to stay back but you want to leave?”

He looked at her and then Harry and shook his head and said, “I thought of leaving the house as soon as the war ended. I didn’t want to stay any longer here. all the sad and devastating memories of last 2 years have masked the good and happy moments of my life before those two years. I wanted to leave this house and live somewhere else. If I live somewhere else and start from the beginning then maybe I will change and will be able to come back to the Burrow…and…and maybe even the atmosphere here will also change by then. I can’t stand even my dad’s humor which has a painful tinge in it. Its just like Harry said I want to start a new life, but I don’t want to leave mum hurt. I don’t want her to think that I will leave her like Fred and Gorge. That is why I asked Harry to stay back so that mum won’t feel worse if not terrible on my leaving…because she still will have someone to care for and look after for…like she does all the time.”

“Ron, your mum will understand and so will your dad. They know all of us need our own space and all of us have a way of getting influenced by things that have happened around us. You and Harry desperately want a change and you are thinking of leaving the house. Ginny tried to lighten up the mood because that’s how she was affected, so she believes in making the best of how much ever time she has in her hands. Look at your mum all she ever thinks is that her children should be well fed and taken care of and her love and attachment for all of us has increased after the war. She almost lost Ginny and me because of Bellatrix. I want to forget the bad things by doing my work and keeping my brain working. Your dad is working much harder than ever to never make you feel low and poor”
“what!”
“yes, Ron. He hates that he couldn’t give his kids what other dads have given to their kids, you especially. Even Ginny might have been special, being the only girl but seeing you now post the war he has realized how wrong he was on neglecting you, he has realized that you have the potential of becoming a very responsible wizard even better than Bill and its not because you are Harry’s best mate, it is because you have stuck to yourself and have always were proud of whatever you were and whatever you had. You always stood up for right things. Though you had a fight with us back in the forest you realized your mistake and came back to help us. You never let anyone bully you. You were always loyal and brave and though you have your little mood swings and low on confidence levels sometimes,” she said with a small smile, “for your dad you have been a true Gryffindor. Even Bill, Percy or Gorge might not have this title given to them by your dad but you have this title truly to yourself, because that is what your dad feels about you now and he is truly sad on neglecting you.”

“Mione did…did dad tell you this?” and she silently nodded.
“don’t feel bad for him Ron, he is doing everything that he can to make you proud as you did to him. Did you watch him today when he saw the newspaper which had your photo”
“hey it had your photos too?” he said quickly looking at Hermione and Harry.
“I am talking about you. You should have seen him Ron, he had so much of admiration for you and the way he looked at you frowning back at him. He realized how humble you are and that you want to continue to live the same life you have been living and that frown indicated that you would never allow anyone to interfere in your life and always will be there to protect your family.”
“wow Mione how come you know so much by just looking at people’s face,” said Ron struck and she gave a nervous giggle
“she is remarkable isn’t she?”
“yes Ron, she is. You remember the way she talked about Cho’s confusion of emotions for Cedric and me, right now she just reminded me of that situation in the common room,” said Harry chuckling
“I am being serious and you two are joking around here,” said Hermione pouting and crossing her arms across her chest and Ron hugged her instantly.


have a nice day...:-)