Like Strawberry Wine

By DragonDamsil

Summary: Don't let the title fool you; this story has the song "Strawberry Wine" in it, but it is, of course, a R/Hr story! Ginny and Hermione have a discussion before a ball. NO IT IS NOT A GINNY HERMIONE STORY YOU PERVS; RON and Hermione!!! Geez, why would I want it on this website if it wasn't?? RON AND HERMIONE FOREVER!!!

It was the day before End of Term Ball for the Hogwarts Seventh Years. All the girls were excited, and all the boys truly could not care less, but the fact that the ball's purpose was to celebrate the end of their education at Hogwarts put a serious dampen on things. Still, with happy hearts our favourite heroes (Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny of course!) looked forward to the dance.

Ron and Hermione, whom had been a "couple" since fifth year, were particularly sad that the end of term was coming, for as soon as it did, Ron would head off for training with the Chuddly Cannons as their new Keeper, and Hermione would been heading off to Dragon's Den Collage of Witchcraft and Wizardry a day after he left. Both were rather depressed with the prospect of being so far away from each other for so long (collage for witches and wizards is 2 years; and Ron's training would take about a year) only being able to visit over holiday. Still, they made the most of the time they had together and were looking forward to the ball.

Ginny and Harry were also a couple, but since they were already engaged, they really didn't have to worry about being far apart from each other.

They all spent as much time together as "pairs" and as a "group" as possible, letting the memories of all they had done together wash over themselves.

The day before the ball, Ginny and Hermione were as excited as any of the other girls and spent most of Friday night preparing what they were going to wear, how they would do their hair, what makeup to wear, and what kind of accessories were needed. They also spent the majority of the time talking. About boys. What else?

"So?" Ginny asked as they looked at the dresses they had chosen, and looking up spells to "improve" them in places. "How's is going with my brother?"

Hermione blushed. "Just fine thank you. How's life with Harry?"

Ginny laughed. "You know perfectly well how 'life is with Harry'! I spent all last night gushing about him! Tonight it's your turn. Tell me everything! Well, maybe not everything," she added. "He is my brother after all."

Hermione turned ever more red. "Everything's fine. There is nothing to tell you!"

Ginny gave her a look that just screamed "yeah sure".

Hermione looked taken aback. "It is!" she protested. "There's nothing to report or tell you about!"

Ginny still looked unconvinced, but kept it to herself as much as possible. "Okay then, are you looking forward to Dragon's Den?"

Hermione's look didn't change the slightest, which greatly surprised Ginny. Usually Hermione would have considerably perked up at the mention of the collage she would be attending in a few days time. Instead Hermione simply continued looking over the dress she was examining and answered "Yes," in a very flat voice. Then she burst out crying.

It was Ginny's turn to look taken aback. "Oh Hermione!" she said softly, hugging her, "Don't cry!"

Hermione only cried harder at this, and then sat hiccupping into the pillow that she had just picked up.

"Tell me what's wrong." Ginny asked her friend quietly.

Hermione sniffed, and then answered quietly, "We're going to be apart so long.... what if he forgets me?"

"Hermione, Ron would never do that! He's been in love with you for years!"

"People change," she muttered quietly.

It hit Ginny that no matter what she said nothing would change Hermione's feelings. Then Ginny had a sudden idea of how to help. It was an odd idea.... but desperate times call for desperate measures. She silently got up, walked over to her trunk, took out a CD, walked over to the CD player that Lavender kept in the corner, popped in the CD, walked back to Hermione with the player, sat on the floor next to her, put down the player, and looked at Hermione.

Hermione stared blankly at Ginny and asked, her voice wavering, "What's that for?"

Ginny smiled. "I got this CD from my dad over holiday. I want you to listen very carefully to this song, alright?"

Hermione nodded, tears finally beginning to stop pouring down her cheeks.

Ginny smiled and turned on the player and turned it to track 5. Slow music poured out, and the song began.

He was working through collage

on my grandpa's farm

I was thirsting for knowledge

and he had a car

I was caught somewhere between

a woman and a child

When one restless summer we found love growing wild

On the banks of the river

on a well beaten path

It's funny how the memories they last

Like strawberry wine

and seventeen

the hot July moon, saw everything

My first taste of love

Oh, bittersweet

Still green on the vine

Like Strawberry wine

I still remember

when thirty was old

And my biggest fear was September

when he had to go

A few cards and letter and one long distance call

We drifted away, like leaves in the fall

But year after year I come back to this place

Just to remember the taste

Of strawberry wine

and seventeen

the hot July moon, saw everything

My first taste of love

Oh, bittersweet

Still green on the vine

Like strawberry wine

The fields have grown over now

years since they've seen the plow

There's nothing time hasn't touched

Is it really him or the loss of my innocence

I've been missing so much

Like strawberry wine

and seventeen

the hot July moon, saw everything

My first taste of love

Oh, bittersweet

Still green on the vine

Like strawberry wine

Like strawberry wine.

By the time the song was over, Hermione was in tears again.

"How could you play that?!?" she sobbed.

Ginny tried to touch her arm, but Hermione scooted away. Ginny sighed.

"You didn't listen."

Hermione sat up straight. "Yes I did! Why would I be crying if I didn't?"

A small smile played across Ginny's lips. "No you didn't," she said. "If you had, you would have noticed that the people in this song, well, forgot about each other, and then how different you and Ron are compared to them. Has there ever been a vacation where Ron didn't send you tons of letters and invited you to visit?"

"Well, no.." Hermione began, but Ginny cut her off.

"And did you care to notice that the girl in the song didn't even attempt to keep in contact with him? Would you let Ron stop writing to you?"

"Of course not!.."

"Exactly. It really didn't seam they liked each other all that much. They didn't write, they only called each other once, and all she did was whine about it! Never once tried to change it. In the beginning, she even said that one of the things she was attracted to was that he had a car! Come on!"

Hermione smiled slightly.

Ginny beamed back. "You see? You will not, and I quote, 'drift apart like leaves in the fall.' You guys love each other enough to go all the way! I seriously doubt that a year or two apart will do much damage. You'll write and visit and call and everything, and it will make you two appreciate each other even more! See? Everything will be fine."

Hermione's smile widened. "Your right! I've been silly. Now, let's get back to our dresses! You know, I think I found the attachment that will really bring out the colour in your engagement ring.."

"Really?! I was getting worried! My lavender robes will clash horribly! I really need a sash or something..."

Outside the door, Ron stood up and smiled. His sometimes his little sister really knew what to say. He wiped a tear from his eye and went to his dorm, humming the refrain of "Strawberry Wine" to himself.