It was a hot August evening in England; just like any other summer day. Not even a soft sough could be heard from outside. The earth was parched and deprived of even the tiniest droplet of water so that the agrestic grass had ripened into bright hay yellow, complimenting the color of the prominent sun over head. Upon closer inspection, one could observe gnomes in the moving blades; their brown bodies disporting about here and there mischievously through the fields of rye that was the front yard of the Burrow.
This is what Ron faced as he stared through the circular kitchen window, glancing unseeingly as one gnome stumbled over the other and both of them toppled in the grass. The garden pests were emitting a fit of grumbles and shrieks in their fury as they struggled to disentangle themselves. Even so, the only sound to be heard in the entirety of the Burrow was Hermione. And Ron hung on to every syllable.
Ron was at a loss for words as he opened his mouth to respond, but finally fighting some deep eternal struggle to swallow his pride and stubbornness, he spoke up for the first time in several minutes.
"I guess that's it then. The engagement's over."
Ron had intended for this to be a question, but his low tone made it sound like a simple restatement.
"I suppose so." said Hermione quietly; he could tell even facing his back to her that she was on the verge of tears. Ron was tempted to turn around and comfort her face-to-face but he couldn't bring himself to move his body, which was still leaning over the kitchen sink, staring blankly at the surroundings.
Without saying good-bye, Hermione rushed out of the room with a sweeping motion and retreated from the Burrow.
All the while, Ron heard her departing foot steps and listened intently for that final slam of the front door, signaling that Hermione was gone. Ron leaned closer over the sink, his eyes darting for any sign of the retreating Hermione. Nothing living was in sight except the gnomes, who had settled back on their feet and were going about their business of ravaging the yard as usual. She had disapparated.
A feeling of utter abandonment swept over him at the thought that Hermione may not have just walked out their marriage but out of his life.