Ron and Hermione were walking alone the shore. It was a couple of hours before midnight and the sky glittered with stars. He had just returned from a mission for the Order of the Phoenix and was so lonesome that as soon as he got back, he set up a private picnic at the beach.

He took her hand and swayed it soothingly.

"Is there something wrong?" he asked, looking at his girlfriend's serious expression.

"No," she snapped, looking away.

"You sure?"

"Look. I said no, and I meant it!"
He ignored her harsh tone, and smiled although it was obvious that he was hurt. "Good. I love you so much, 'Mione."

"Do you?"

"What! What kind of a question is that!"

"It's a simple question, Ron. Do you still love me?" she asked.

"I wouldn't go through all this trouble if I didn't."

"All I'm asking for is a yes or a no."

"Fine. Yes. YES! I LOVE YOU! More than any other girl I've ever met."

She looked at him, and stopped walking.

"You don't believe me?" he asked her.

"Are you cheating on me?"

They stared at each other for some sign that everything was going to be okay.

"Hermione... That's crazy," he said, lowering his gaze.

"Look at me. Are you cheating on me?" she repeated the question.

"You are the most wonderful, beautiful, most loving person I've ever met! I'd never hurt you," he answered, still not meeting her eyes.

She tilted his face up. "Look at me. Answer me one last time. Are you... cheating on me?" Tears choked her voice.

"No. I'm not."

She searched his eyes and saw nothing but doubt.

"Goodbye, Ron." She let go of his hand and started to walk away. He grabbed her arm.

"Hermione..."

"Bye..."

"Hermione, don't do this. I told you no. I was honest about it."

"Then how come your eyes aren't telling me no as well?"

"This is great, Hermione. Just great. You're throwing away 5 years because you're jumping to conclusions! Just tell me if you don't want to be with me, but don't use this as an excuse!" He threw up his hands.

"It's not just this. It's all your friends that I see. Mary, Hailey, Jessica and Lavender, who happens to be MY friend too!"

"You think I'd exchange you for her?"

"Yes! I don't know... Yes," she repeated, softly the second time around.

He shook his head. "Never... I'd never... Not you..."

"Let it go, Ron. I don't believe you."

"I've never known you to give up so easily, Hermione."

She smiled faintly. "I never did. I tried to understand. For one whole year. To explain that those girls were really just friends, but too many of them came along. I can't live with that. It's hard enough having you away all the time – I... I just can't."

He let go of her arm as he saw tears flowing down her cheeks. She ran without thought. She grabbed her broom and sped off, not caring at that point that she has never really been a good flyer before.