Disclaimer:
I own nothing that belongs to the wonderful world of Harry Potter, because the wonderful world of Harry Potter belongs to the mighty J. K. Rowling. If I did happen to own it, well, just use your imagination. Hello Again belongs to Neil Diamond. If you've never heard the song, I strongly suggest that you take a listen. It's one of the most beautiful songs you'll ever hear. Just so you know, I imagine the lyrics going both ways in this story. Could be Hermione to Ron or Ron to Hermione. You decide.
Hello Again
* * *
Hello again, hello
Just called to say 'hello'
I couldn't sleep at all tonight
And I know it's late
But I couldn't wait
* * *
"Jake, we need to talk," Hermione took a deep breath. Her hands twisted nervously in her lap. She needed to do this before anything went any further.
"What about? You nervous about next week?" Jake's brown eyes danced amusedly. Hermione's stomach twisted painfully. She hated herself for what she was about to do. She held out her hands to him.
"Please, Jake," she said. "Just listen to me until I'm done and then you can say anything you want." Jake came over and sat down in front of her, clasping her hands in his. She looked down at their linked hands and winced inwardly.
"Jake, you are a wonderful person: caring, funny, and I'm so lucky to have you..." she paused, collecting her thoughts. "But I've felt this for a while, and I just don't feel that I'm right for you or that you're right for me." Jake started forward. She pressed down on his hands, holding him back.
"What are you trying to say?" Jake whispered, fearfully. "Is it something I did or said?" Hermione bit her lip. She shook her head firmly.
"No, Jake, it was not you, and don't you even think like that," Hermione said. "I love you, but I know I don't love you in the way that you deserve to be loved. Please forgive me, but I can't go through with this." She twisted the glimmering ring off of her finger and dropped it gently into his palm.
"Hermione, please," Jake looked at her with pain-filled eyes. "Please don't do this. You know I'll do anything." Hermione knelt in front of him. Tears filled her brown eyes.
"I know," she whispered. "And that's why I can't let you. We'd be happy for a while, but then it would grow old. Jake, I can feel it here." She placed her hand over her heart. Jake looked away and dropped her hands. "You deserve to have a woman who loves you and will love you forever. I can't do that. I'm so sorry."
Hermione stood up and made her way to the door. She turned back to see Jake's head buried in his hands. Tears fell down her cheeks.
"Goodbye," she whispered brokenly.
* * *
Hello, my friend, hello
Just called to let you know
I think about you every night
When I'm here alone
And you're there at home
Hello
* * *
Hermione collapsed into her favorite chair at home and covered her eyes. Whoever said that life wasn't easy, had no idea of the extent of his words. Mr. and Mrs. Granger had been devastated at the news of the broken engagement. Jake, as far as they were concerned, was their son already.
Why did I feel that way? Hermione berated herself. Jake was wonderful, every thing you ever wanted... Smart, funny, almost like Ron... Ron? Where did that come from?
Oh no, Hermione protested, that was a crush a long time ago at Hogwarts. That kind of thing doesn't last. She missed him though, more than she thought she ever would. Missed his laziness, his red hair and freckles, his knack for annoying her.
After graduating, the Golden Trio had left to go their own separate ways and slowly lost touch. They wrote to each other a few times a year. Hermione cherished the few letters she had received from Ron and Harry. From what she knew they were doing well in their Auror Training. She had told them about her Ministry work in Germany and her engagement to Jake, whom she had met at the Ministry of Magic.
Harry had been excited and Ron seemed cheerful enough about it, but it had seemed to Hermione that he hadn't been that happy about it. It hurt that he hadn't been overjoyed for her. He was supposed to be her best friend. She had been upset about it but it had blown over.
Hermione felt a lump grow in her throat. Dear Merlin, she knew why she had let Jake go. She loved Ron and always had. Now what would happen? For all she knew Ron had a girlfriend and was going to marry her. She hadn't heard from him in a while. She couldn't just waltz up to him and say, "I let Jake go, because I loved you. Will you be mine?"
The realization that she loved Ron was like a slap in the face. Hermione put her head on her knees and started to cry silently again. She was all alone.
* * *
Maybe it's been crazy
And maybe I'm to blame
But I put my heart above my head
We've been thru it all
And you loved me just the same
And when you're not there
I just need to hear
* * *
Hermione sat on the couch in her living room in her pajamas, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. She had lit a fire in the hearth and she watched the red flames flicker and wave. She felt the heat float towards her. She sighed and reached for the remote to her television.
Pushing the ON button, she watched as the figures slowly materialized onto the screen. Skipping the dramas and soaps filled with joyless imitations of real life, she settled on a cartoon she didn't recognize. Hermione listened to the nameless characters babble on in German.
She missed home, she missed her parents, and she missed her friends. It had been a couple of weeks since she gave back the ring and it was hard for her to go to work and see Jake there everyday. They were still friends, but it would never be the same again. More than anything, she thought, she wanted a friendly face she knew. She buried her face in her arms. I need someone to talk to.
"Hermione?"
Hermione jerked upward. That voice! She'd know it anywhere.
"Ron? Is that you? Where are you?" she asked in a tremulous voice, hardly daring to believe.
"Try the fire," the voice said, laughing. She leaped off the couch and dropped to her knees in front of the hearth. Ron's head was suspended in the flames, grinning at her.
"Ron!" she breathed. "Is that really you?" Ron felt his face and prodded the tip of his nose. He finally looked at her. Hermione felt a laugh break through her lips.
"Seems so," he said, his eyes twinkling. His voice then took on a serious note. "I heard about your break-up. How are you?" She looked down at the glowing coals.
"How did you know?" she asked, finally looking up. Ron looked sympathetically at her.
"Mom told me, who found out from Dad, who found out from Kingsley," he said, referring to the Auror who had visited the German Ministry right after the incident, shaking his red hair out of his eyes. "I thought you could use a friend. Harry wanted to come but he had a previous engagement. I know it's late, but do you mind if I come over?" Hermione jumped up.
"Yes! I mean no! I mean yes, please come!" she said, breathlessly. Ron chuckled.
"Stand back," he pulled his head back and in a few seconds, Hermione saw the flames turn green and Ron's whirling figure. He stopped spinning and stepped out, brushing himself off. He finally turned to look at her and took a double take.
"God, Hermione," he exclaimed, rushing forward. "You look horrible. Are you sure you're all right?"
"I'll be fine after a while," she said, quietly. "I'd rather not talk about it just yet. Where did you say Harry was?" For a moment Ron looked as though he wasn't going to comply and change the subject but it was fleeting.
"On a date with Ginny!" he said, sounding incredulous. Hermione's eyes widened. Harry and Ginny? It was about time, she thought.
"Really? That's wonderful!" Hermione said, happily.
"I told Harry if he hurt her," Ron punched his fist suggestively into his palm. Hermione smiled. It was still Ron. He was the same sweet, protective brother, hilarious person that she loved.
* * *
Hello, my friend, hello
It's good to need you so
It's good to love you like I do
And to feel this way
When I hear you say
Hello
* * *
"I hope they're happy together," Hermione said, meaning it with all her heart. Ron suddenly engulfed her in hug. Hermione reveled in the warmth of his touch.
"I could kill him for hurting you," Ron murmured into her hair. Hermione stepped back and looked up at him. She needed to get this straight.
"Jake didn't hurt me, Ron," Hermione said, honestly. "I hurt myself by pretending to love him when I didn't. I couldn't marry someone I couldn't belong to."
"Well, who did you think you could belong to?" Ron asked, quietly, looking very happy for some reason. Hermione's heart leapt at these words. She looked up at him shyly.
"I'm still waiting for him," she whispered. "Do you know anyone I could belong to and that could belong to me?" Her throat seemed to be filled with tears that were on the verge of falling. She didn't know if they were tears of excitement or happiness and she didn't care.
"I actually think I do," Ron said seriously. "He's the type who would fight for you, and love you, and make you laugh."
"Is that so?" Hermione said, not daring to hope. "Pray tell, what does he look like?" Ron appeared to be thoughtful, finger tapping his chin and all.
"He is really quite dashing," he said, grinning. "Red hair, tall, strong..." He was cut off by Hermione throwing herself into his arms and crying into his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly.
"Will he do?" he whispered into her ear. Hermione looked up at him, tears of happiness trickling down her cheeks. He wiped them gently off with his thumb and framed her face with his palms. "I suppose I'll take that as a yes?"
Hermione nodded, still unable to speak. She couldn't begin to comprehend the happiness that now filled her from her head to her toes. That happiness was magnified beyond what she thought possible when she felt his lips cover hers.
She knew who she belonged to. Hermione Granger was Ron Weasley's and Ron Weasley was hers.
* * *
Hello, my friend, hello
Just called to let you know
I think about you every night
And I know it's late
But I couldn't wait
Hello
* * *
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N- This was my first fic featuring Ron and Hermione as the stars. I really hope you enjoyed it. I just felt that the song is right. It was so beautiful. Please review and tell me what you thought. I don't mind flames. So if you didn't like it, tell me and give me a reason why.
Love always, Margaret
I own nothing that belongs to the wonderful world of Harry Potter, because the wonderful world of Harry Potter belongs to the mighty J. K. Rowling. If I did happen to own it, well, just use your imagination. Hello Again belongs to Neil Diamond. If you've never heard the song, I strongly suggest that you take a listen. It's one of the most beautiful songs you'll ever hear. Just so you know, I imagine the lyrics going both ways in this story. Could be Hermione to Ron or Ron to Hermione. You decide.
Hello Again
* * *
Hello again, hello
Just called to say 'hello'
I couldn't sleep at all tonight
And I know it's late
But I couldn't wait
* * *
"Jake, we need to talk," Hermione took a deep breath. Her hands twisted nervously in her lap. She needed to do this before anything went any further.
"What about? You nervous about next week?" Jake's brown eyes danced amusedly. Hermione's stomach twisted painfully. She hated herself for what she was about to do. She held out her hands to him.
"Please, Jake," she said. "Just listen to me until I'm done and then you can say anything you want." Jake came over and sat down in front of her, clasping her hands in his. She looked down at their linked hands and winced inwardly.
"Jake, you are a wonderful person: caring, funny, and I'm so lucky to have you..." she paused, collecting her thoughts. "But I've felt this for a while, and I just don't feel that I'm right for you or that you're right for me." Jake started forward. She pressed down on his hands, holding him back.
"What are you trying to say?" Jake whispered, fearfully. "Is it something I did or said?" Hermione bit her lip. She shook her head firmly.
"No, Jake, it was not you, and don't you even think like that," Hermione said. "I love you, but I know I don't love you in the way that you deserve to be loved. Please forgive me, but I can't go through with this." She twisted the glimmering ring off of her finger and dropped it gently into his palm.
"Hermione, please," Jake looked at her with pain-filled eyes. "Please don't do this. You know I'll do anything." Hermione knelt in front of him. Tears filled her brown eyes.
"I know," she whispered. "And that's why I can't let you. We'd be happy for a while, but then it would grow old. Jake, I can feel it here." She placed her hand over her heart. Jake looked away and dropped her hands. "You deserve to have a woman who loves you and will love you forever. I can't do that. I'm so sorry."
Hermione stood up and made her way to the door. She turned back to see Jake's head buried in his hands. Tears fell down her cheeks.
"Goodbye," she whispered brokenly.
* * *
Hello, my friend, hello
Just called to let you know
I think about you every night
When I'm here alone
And you're there at home
Hello
* * *
Hermione collapsed into her favorite chair at home and covered her eyes. Whoever said that life wasn't easy, had no idea of the extent of his words. Mr. and Mrs. Granger had been devastated at the news of the broken engagement. Jake, as far as they were concerned, was their son already.
Why did I feel that way? Hermione berated herself. Jake was wonderful, every thing you ever wanted... Smart, funny, almost like Ron... Ron? Where did that come from?
Oh no, Hermione protested, that was a crush a long time ago at Hogwarts. That kind of thing doesn't last. She missed him though, more than she thought she ever would. Missed his laziness, his red hair and freckles, his knack for annoying her.
After graduating, the Golden Trio had left to go their own separate ways and slowly lost touch. They wrote to each other a few times a year. Hermione cherished the few letters she had received from Ron and Harry. From what she knew they were doing well in their Auror Training. She had told them about her Ministry work in Germany and her engagement to Jake, whom she had met at the Ministry of Magic.
Harry had been excited and Ron seemed cheerful enough about it, but it had seemed to Hermione that he hadn't been that happy about it. It hurt that he hadn't been overjoyed for her. He was supposed to be her best friend. She had been upset about it but it had blown over.
Hermione felt a lump grow in her throat. Dear Merlin, she knew why she had let Jake go. She loved Ron and always had. Now what would happen? For all she knew Ron had a girlfriend and was going to marry her. She hadn't heard from him in a while. She couldn't just waltz up to him and say, "I let Jake go, because I loved you. Will you be mine?"
The realization that she loved Ron was like a slap in the face. Hermione put her head on her knees and started to cry silently again. She was all alone.
* * *
Maybe it's been crazy
And maybe I'm to blame
But I put my heart above my head
We've been thru it all
And you loved me just the same
And when you're not there
I just need to hear
* * *
Hermione sat on the couch in her living room in her pajamas, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. She had lit a fire in the hearth and she watched the red flames flicker and wave. She felt the heat float towards her. She sighed and reached for the remote to her television.
Pushing the ON button, she watched as the figures slowly materialized onto the screen. Skipping the dramas and soaps filled with joyless imitations of real life, she settled on a cartoon she didn't recognize. Hermione listened to the nameless characters babble on in German.
She missed home, she missed her parents, and she missed her friends. It had been a couple of weeks since she gave back the ring and it was hard for her to go to work and see Jake there everyday. They were still friends, but it would never be the same again. More than anything, she thought, she wanted a friendly face she knew. She buried her face in her arms. I need someone to talk to.
"Hermione?"
Hermione jerked upward. That voice! She'd know it anywhere.
"Ron? Is that you? Where are you?" she asked in a tremulous voice, hardly daring to believe.
"Try the fire," the voice said, laughing. She leaped off the couch and dropped to her knees in front of the hearth. Ron's head was suspended in the flames, grinning at her.
"Ron!" she breathed. "Is that really you?" Ron felt his face and prodded the tip of his nose. He finally looked at her. Hermione felt a laugh break through her lips.
"Seems so," he said, his eyes twinkling. His voice then took on a serious note. "I heard about your break-up. How are you?" She looked down at the glowing coals.
"How did you know?" she asked, finally looking up. Ron looked sympathetically at her.
"Mom told me, who found out from Dad, who found out from Kingsley," he said, referring to the Auror who had visited the German Ministry right after the incident, shaking his red hair out of his eyes. "I thought you could use a friend. Harry wanted to come but he had a previous engagement. I know it's late, but do you mind if I come over?" Hermione jumped up.
"Yes! I mean no! I mean yes, please come!" she said, breathlessly. Ron chuckled.
"Stand back," he pulled his head back and in a few seconds, Hermione saw the flames turn green and Ron's whirling figure. He stopped spinning and stepped out, brushing himself off. He finally turned to look at her and took a double take.
"God, Hermione," he exclaimed, rushing forward. "You look horrible. Are you sure you're all right?"
"I'll be fine after a while," she said, quietly. "I'd rather not talk about it just yet. Where did you say Harry was?" For a moment Ron looked as though he wasn't going to comply and change the subject but it was fleeting.
"On a date with Ginny!" he said, sounding incredulous. Hermione's eyes widened. Harry and Ginny? It was about time, she thought.
"Really? That's wonderful!" Hermione said, happily.
"I told Harry if he hurt her," Ron punched his fist suggestively into his palm. Hermione smiled. It was still Ron. He was the same sweet, protective brother, hilarious person that she loved.
* * *
Hello, my friend, hello
It's good to need you so
It's good to love you like I do
And to feel this way
When I hear you say
Hello
* * *
"I hope they're happy together," Hermione said, meaning it with all her heart. Ron suddenly engulfed her in hug. Hermione reveled in the warmth of his touch.
"I could kill him for hurting you," Ron murmured into her hair. Hermione stepped back and looked up at him. She needed to get this straight.
"Jake didn't hurt me, Ron," Hermione said, honestly. "I hurt myself by pretending to love him when I didn't. I couldn't marry someone I couldn't belong to."
"Well, who did you think you could belong to?" Ron asked, quietly, looking very happy for some reason. Hermione's heart leapt at these words. She looked up at him shyly.
"I'm still waiting for him," she whispered. "Do you know anyone I could belong to and that could belong to me?" Her throat seemed to be filled with tears that were on the verge of falling. She didn't know if they were tears of excitement or happiness and she didn't care.
"I actually think I do," Ron said seriously. "He's the type who would fight for you, and love you, and make you laugh."
"Is that so?" Hermione said, not daring to hope. "Pray tell, what does he look like?" Ron appeared to be thoughtful, finger tapping his chin and all.
"He is really quite dashing," he said, grinning. "Red hair, tall, strong..." He was cut off by Hermione throwing herself into his arms and crying into his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly.
"Will he do?" he whispered into her ear. Hermione looked up at him, tears of happiness trickling down her cheeks. He wiped them gently off with his thumb and framed her face with his palms. "I suppose I'll take that as a yes?"
Hermione nodded, still unable to speak. She couldn't begin to comprehend the happiness that now filled her from her head to her toes. That happiness was magnified beyond what she thought possible when she felt his lips cover hers.
She knew who she belonged to. Hermione Granger was Ron Weasley's and Ron Weasley was hers.
* * *
Hello, my friend, hello
Just called to let you know
I think about you every night
And I know it's late
But I couldn't wait
Hello
* * *
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N- This was my first fic featuring Ron and Hermione as the stars. I really hope you enjoyed it. I just felt that the song is right. It was so beautiful. Please review and tell me what you thought. I don't mind flames. So if you didn't like it, tell me and give me a reason why.
Love always, Margaret