It was a clear and sunny day. They had Fred's funeral at the burrow and the whole family wasn't planning on enjoying the day at all. But they knew that doing this; Fred would be happy and proud of all of them right now. Many people came to support the Weasley's including some Hogwarts professors and students that fought in the war. They started off the funeral with speeches. Each single family member gave one, and each was heartbroken and broke down into tears. After the speeches, they had a little dinner and just sat with Fred's body until night came. Ron excused himself from everyone else and went outside and sat by the big oak tree where his siblings used to hang out all the time when they were young. Hermione noticed he was gone and went looking for him. She walked out of the tent and saw Ron sitting down near the tree looking depressed and lonely. She went over there to comfort him. Before Hermione even reached Ron, he said "I don't want to talk to anyone right now".
Hermione insisted that he did want someone to talk to and sat down next to him anyways. "Ron, I know it's hard for you and your family. Fred was like a brother to me and he was such a wonderful person. I know you'll miss him, so will I, but you need to move on somehow." Hermione said.
Ron was so frustrated. He had heard those words from too many people. Hermione didn't know how it felt. He wasn't really a brother to her. She doesn't know anything. Ron snapped at her "NO YOU DON'T KNOW HOW IT FEELS! JUST SHUT UP! YOU DON'T KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO LOSE A BROTHER BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE ONE! YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT LOSS! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW I FEEL RIGHT NOW! WHY DO YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO BE AROUND ME ALL THE TIME? I NEED SPACE TOO YOU KNOW?" Hermione looked at Ron with surprise and tears in her eyes. All she wanted to do was help. I guess he really didn't want it all this time then.
"I was only trying to help. It seemed like you needed it, but I guess not then huh?" Hermione said between tears.
Ron looked up at Hermione and told her "Just go away, I don't ever want to see you again. I need to be alone". Hermione cried more tears and ran into the Burrow. She was so hurt by his words. She couldn't believe Ron would say that to her. After all they've been through. Now she was starting to question their future as well. Was their kiss during the war a complete lie then? Did he even care about her at all? Hermione just wanted to leave. So she went up to her and Ginny's room and started packing her things. She wasn't going to leave straight away, but tomorrow night. She needed to go to Australia to restrain her parent's memories anyways. Even if Ron didn't want comfort, the rest of his family needed it.
She stayed in her room for the rest of the night and went downstairs for dinner. Everyone was awfully quiet especially Ron. He didn't even look at her or apologize. I guess he really meant it Hermione thought in her head. After dinner, she and Ginny proceeded upstairs and got ready for bed. Hermione couldn't sleep because she heard some weeping next door. She got out of bed to look and it was Ron crying in his sleep. She wanted nothing more than just to step into the room and comfort him, but she knew he wouldn't want that considering what he said to her. Hermione slowly and quietly walked back to her bed and fell asleep.
She woke up to the bright sun coming through the window. She got up and took a shower. While in the shower, she captivates what happened last night. Fred's funeral at the Burrow, Ron's hurtful words was all that she could remember. She got out of the shower and combed her hair then stepped out of the door. When she opened the door, there standing with bags under his eyes and red eyes which was the result of him crying all night, was Ron. Hermione just stood there a little frightened and embarrassed. She was in a bath towel and was trying to get out but couldn't because Ron was staring at her quite deeply.
"Hi." He said. Hermione didn't intend to answer and pushed him out of the way and into the bedroom to get dressed. I guess he forgot all he said to me last night Hermione thought. She was still going to leave, mostly because of him and not feeling needed, but also to restrain her parent's memories in Australia as well. She hadn't told anyone she was leaving, but she planned to tell everyone at breakfast. She was sure everyone would be ok with it. She got dressed and went downstairs to help Molly with breakfast. To her surprise, Ron was already downstairs. Along with Harry, George, Arthur, and the rest of the family except Ginny who got in the shower while she was getting dressed. She said her "Good morning" to everyone but Ron who seemed a little hurt when she left him out. He was quite confused on why he was being ignored by her. Once everyone say down for breakfast, Hermione thought it was the perfect time to tell everyone.
"Ahem, if you guys don't mind I'd like to announce something?" Hermione asked.
"Of course dear, what is it?" Molly said to her. She had grown to love Hermione as her own daughter and would support her through everything.
"Well you all know that my parents are in Australia, and I would like to go there and restrain their memories. It's been over a year since I've seen them and I've really missed them. Plus, this is the time for all of you to have some family bonding time, especially now, when you guys need it most. I definitely don't want to interfere with that. But thank you all, so much, for giving me a home and shelter. I am eternally grateful." Hermione said. Everyone looked at her quite stunned at what she said.
"Hermione of course you're always welcomed here!" Molly got out of her chair and went over to hug Hermione. "Don't ever think that you are interfering in our family! You are family now! Of course we all understand that you want to go back to your parents! When do you plan to leave?" Molly asked.
Hermione took a brief moment of pause and said "Tonight." Ron looked at her surprised and definitely shocked. He always knew that she wanted to go back to her parents but never this soon. He didn't want her to leave.
"NO!" Ron shouted mistakenly. "I mean…why TONIGHT? Why can't it not be next week or something?" Ron said with embarrassment.
"Because I haven't seen my parents in over a year Ron! Their my parents and I love them very much! I want to do this as soon as possible!" Hermione said. She knew he didn't want her to go, but she felt like she didn't belong here anymore.
"Well then I'll go with you! I can't let you go alone!" Ron didn't want Hermione to leave at all. He was trying to puzzle the pieces back together on why she wanted to leave so soon.
Molly soon stepped in to stop the conversation. "Alright well if Hermione wants to go then let her go! But just be sure to come back to us soon and tell us how you're doing alright?" Molly said while looking at Hermione. Hermione nodded and they continued breakfast. Ron sat in silence and finished eating. While Ginny and Molly cleaned up, the rest of the family moved to the living room, but George headed straight upstairs. Hermione was just finishing cleaning the table when Ron came up to her.
"Can I talk to you alone please?" Ron asked her. Hermione said sure and they both walking to the big oak tree in the backyard.
"What?" Hermione asked once they stopped at the tree.
"What is with you today? You've been ignoring me all day! And why are you leaving so soon?" Ron said anxiously. Hermione didn't dare to answer until Ron screamed "I DEMAND AN ANSWER HERMIONE!"
Hermione was now furious "DEMAND? DEMAND AN ANSWER RONALD? Since when have you been my father and talked to me like that? You don't tell me what to do!"
Ron was still confused and still wanted an answer. "Well then tell me why you're ignoring me and why you want to leave so bad?" Ron said trying to stay calm.
"You really don't remember huh Ron? Or are you just trying to forget and put it aside?" Hermione said with anger.
"FORGET WHAT? WHAT DID I DO WRONG?" Ron lashed.
"BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU SAID LAST NIGHT! Do you not remember a thing about it? The things you said to me were so hurtful Ron." Hermione said through tears. Ron still looked at her confused. He puzzled the pieces back together and slightly remembers yelling at her, but not the words. "I tried to comfort you after the funeral Ronald but you said you didn't need it. When I tried again you lashed at me and said that I didn't know anything about how you felt. You said that I didn't know anything and that you wanted to never see me again. Well you'll get your wish Ronald because I'm still leaving no matter what you say."
Ron now remembered. He couldn't believe he said those things to her. To the girl he loved most in life. He looked at Hermione and knew she was hurt. He would have been if the situation was switched.
"Hermione..I am so sorry about the things I said. You know I didn't mean them." Ron said.
"Really? Because right now I'm not so sure. Was our kiss back at Hogwarts a lie as well?" Hermione said. When she mentioned the kiss, Ron was immediately taken back to that moment. Back in the Chamber of Secrets, after Hermione had just destroyed the horcrux. They helped try to kill Voldemort and he was so proud of her. And when they finally kissed, it was such a blissful and passionate kiss that he had been waiting to do for so long. All it took was one kiss to change it all.
"Our kiss definitely was not a lie Hermione. You're mental for thinking that. You don't know how long I waited to finally be able to kiss you and share my feelings with you. It's been almost three weeks since then, and that moment still runs in my mind over and over again. I love you Hermione Granger. Those words I said were not intended and not needed at all. I've been in love with you since our fourth year and you are the most beautiful, intelligent, and definitely comforting person I've ever met in my entire life Hermione." Hermione just looked at Ron stunned that he'd actually say those things to her. It was brilliant though she thought. Hermione still was crying because she didn't know what to feel at that moment. She didn't know how to react and just ran up to Ron and hugged him. She cried into his chest and didn't want to do anything else. Ron responded by holding her tight. Ron stopped the hugging and placed a kiss on Hermione's soft lips. They haven't kissed since that night and Ron thought it was time to make it official. Ron backed away from their kiss and said "You know I love you Hermione. I'll do whatever it takes to prove it to you. But we've never actually made it official, so let's make this our first step. Would you be my girlfriend?" Ron asked.
Hermione's waited so long for this. She jumped to her answer and said "OF COURSE! Yes!" Hermione said with great joy and jumped back into Ron's arms.
"But I am still leaving tonight. I really want to see my parents again. I hope you understand. But I'll be back as soon as my parents and I get settled again ok?" Hermione said.
"Of course" Ron was still hugging her. "Just promise me you won't meet anyone else there?" Hermione laughed at his question.
"Who else is there in the world besides you Ron?" Ron took a moment to actually think about that. "Exactly no one!" Hermione shouted. Hermione kissed Ron and they both proceeded back into the house.