AN: Written for 'The Music Challenge' on the HPFC forum. Using the song 'Why' by Jason Aldean(really great song, if you wanted to youtube it) and the prompts: eternal, rain and appeal. I decided to use Ron/Hermione and that one moment in their sixth year.

I actually hated writing this; because of the sad Romione moments; but, not everything can be fluffy and perfect all the time…and this song just kind of reminded me of that time period in their life time.

Disclaimer: I obviously don't own anything

I'm sorry for acting that way. I didn't really mean to make you cry.
Why do I always use to words that cut the deepest, when I know how much it hurts.
I know I'd never let you walk away, so why do I push you 'til you break.
- Jason Aldean, Why

Why

Hermione Granger backed up as quickly and quietly as she could towards the portrait hole. She willed herself not to cry, least not yet.

When her feet made contact with the stairwell, she took off in a run and let the tears fall, not caring at al where she went. She continued to run, this way and that, turning corners and around bends until she felt she couldn't run anymore.

When she stopped she leaned against a wall and titled her head back for a moment, before she slowly slid down to the floor; her tears continued to fall freely.

She felt her body shake as she pulled her knees closer, placed her head on them and wrapped her arms around her legs.

Ron had done it again…though this time, it wasn't what he had said, more of, what he hadn't said and done.

Hermione closed her eyes tightly, hoping she could, somehow force that scene from her mind...Sadly, she was mistaken.

Why does he always have to act before thinking? Hermione thought…

Because that is his trait and what makes him, him.

And that's one of the reasons you love him. Her conscience spoke to her.

Stop it. Hermione told herself, firmly, as more tears began to spill out, you can't think of him that way…it would never happen anyway. He only sees you as a friend….that barbaric scene in the Common Room proved it.

Hermione reached for her wand and gave it a wave, hoping it would get her mind off things. Birds appeared and began flying around her, listening to her every instruction through her wand.

After a few moments, she heard footsteps and glanced around to see Harry walked towards her.

"Oh," Hermione quickly wiped her eyes with her other hand, "I'm just practicing."

Harry just walked forward and sat down beside her, placing an arm around her shoulder.

Hermione felt glad for the comfort and leaned against his shoulder as Harry tightened his grip around her.

A thought came to Hermione, "How does it feel, Harry, when you see Dean with Ginny?" She said through tears, and titled her head some to look at him.

"I know..." She went on, "I've seen how you look at her."

"It feels…like this," He replied, as he started rubbing soothing circles on Hermione's arm.

Wait? What am I doing? Ron thought as he finally got Lavender away from him. He glanced to where Harry was standing; but, he wasn't there.

Where's Harry? Wait, where's Hermione?

Ron felt arms wrap around him again…he reacted faster this time and pushed Lavender away from him.

"What's wrong?" He heard a female voice asked, not paying enough attention to care who it was; but, he knew it was probably Lavender.

"I have something I need to do," He said as he started to make his way through the crowd of Gryffindors trying to congratulate him, I need to find her…

Ron finally broke free of the sea of Gryffindor was out of the common room…He decided one a direction once he reached the stairwell and just took it; not even knowing where to go in the first place.

As he walked, he heard far footsteps and a quick look behind him showed that Lavender had followed him.

"Oh, Bloody Hell," Ron muttered to himself as he sped up.

Just a mere few moments later, he came to a door that was slightly ajar and pushed through it. Inside he found Harry and Hermione sitting together, her head on his shoulder and his arm around her.

He doesn't know what it was; but, a strange feeling start bubbling inside him. He cleared his throat as loudly as he could.

Harry and Hermione broke apart and looked up at him.

"Hermione—"Ron started, but was quickly interrupted.

Lavender came bursting through the door then, giggling and grabbed a hold of Ron's hand, "Oh, looks like here is taken," She spoke, still giggling.

Ron tired to shrug her off, but it was no hope; she had a death drip on his arm. Ron hoped this incident wouldn't ruin whatever it was that he and Hermione had.

Which was what exactly? Ron asked himself. It can't be nothing more than friendship; because she obviously doesn't feel the way about you that you feel for her.

Ron turned back to Hermione and saw that she was standing and had a tight grip on her wand. She waved it, towards him.

Before he knew it birds were hurtling towards him, he had to duck to get out of the way; finally getting out of Lavender's grip.

"Bloody hell," He muttered again.

"Come on won-won," Lavender told him, taking his arm again, and trying to pull him towards the door, "Let's find somewhere else."

"Yes, won-won," Hermione said, Ron could hear the anger in her voice, "You mustn't keep your girlfriend waiting."

Ron saw Hermione's grip on her wand tighten, if that was even possible. So he finally just let Lavender drag him out…

Ron could have sworn he heard tears before the door closed once more…

Why do I always have to hurt her? Ron thought, as Lavender dragged him Godric knows where, I always push too much, don't I?

I can't keep doing this to Hermione, she doesn't deserve it.

I didn't mean it…but of course, that means nothing now.

Hermione back up towards the far wall, her tears still coming, a bit harder this time.

"He always does that, doesn't he?" Hermione asked, barely in a whisper.

Harry stood up and walked over to her, standing a ways in front of her, "I doubt he means it…he's just—well, Ron."

"It just hurts so much," Hermione went on, "When he says the things he says, or when he impulsive things like that." He titled her head towards the door. "Those actions and words leave a lasting impression," She added, sniffling, "And it's not a good one. It's as if they're never going to leave me….and sometimes, he just pushes me to my breaking point; even though, I'm sure he doesn't mean to."

She turned around and glanced out of one of the tower windows and just watched the rain fall. She placed her hands on the bottom of the window pane and tapped her fingers to the pitter patter of the rain against the window.

Harry walked closer to her and put his hands are her shoulders.

As she felt another wave a tears coming, she turned around and allowed Harry to wrap her up into a tight and comforting hug.

And all she could wonder was why?

Finally Lavender had decided to stop halfway up a spiral stairwell before she started snogging Ron once more.

Ron couldn't even push her away because of her tight grip on him…He tightened his closed eyes and tried to image he was elsewhere, kissing someone else. And it was her.

When he came back to reality, he realized he needed air; but was allowed a few moments before Lavender started kissing him again.

And all he could wonder was why?