Ginny had started throwing pillows. This was not good. Whenever Ginny started throwing anything, one would know that she was extremely angry. Harry ducked and dived under tables, behind chairs, and behind couches since Ginny had moved on from feather light pillows to forks and spoons. No matter how bad their argument, she would never throw a knife. She considered throwing knives to be an act of a lunatic.
Harry pleaded for her to make sense, to calm down but she wouldn't, not this time anyway. She had to show him how much he needed her.
She stomped her way to their bedroom, making every effort to have her anger heard just in case Harry didn't know already. Pulling racks of clothing out of the closet and stuffing them into large suitcases, she vented her anger and, in the process, broke numerous hangers.
After she finished, she lugged the suitcases through the hallway, dragging them slowly across the wooden floor while walking backwards, both hands pulling the handle. She swung the door open and looked behind her. Harry had his hands limp at his sides with an annoyed expression.
"You're going to leave? Fine, I really couldn't care less anymore."
She forced back the tears from her eyes and raised her hands in the air dramatically.
"How can you not care? I've been the only girlfriend you've had since Hogwarts, and during Hogwarts to be frank!"
He chuckled.
"Technically, I was with Cho for a while but whatever."
She laughed maniacally, as she responded, "You know what, sure. You're so pathetic that I'll let you count that relationship that lasted what? One date?"
He shook his head.
"Ginny, you really need to grow up."
She chucked the suitcases into the hall with all her might, but was only able to throw them a few inches.
"Harry, you'll realize how much you need me. And when you do, you're gonna call. But you know what, I'm not gonna be there. I'll be shagging every guy you know." she said with a malicious smirk.
"You already do," he chuckled.
Her face filled with extreme shock, hands trembling.
She whispered, "You know?"
"Yeah," he replied quite frankly.
"And you have nothing to say about it?" she yelled.
"It's over and done with."
She threw her hands into the air frantically.
"This is why we will never work out. You never care about anything. If I love you or cheat on you, either way, it is always the same. Nothing!" she screamed as she grabbed her coat off the couch.
"I hate you!"
"Okay, Ginny. Bye-bye." He smiled.
And with a final scoff and pillow throw, she slammed the door so it echoed and shook the walls. Harry then picked up the phone off the coffee table and started to dial a familiar number. Whilst she was walking down the stairs, another woman was walking up her own stairs to her apartment in another building only a few blocks away. She stood in front of the door with a heavy sigh, hands full of folders and a purse full of quills, keys, lipstick tubes, and her coin purse. Her free hand fumbled to open her bag and find the keys among the other things in that second 'home' of hers. After a few minutes, she managed to unlock the door and set the folders onto a nearby chair without collapsing.
Hermione, with her free hand, placed the keys in the basket on the table. She sighed; another long, hard day at work had started to take its toll. Working for the Ministry was not as glamorous as she would have wanted it to be. However, Hermione was not surrounded by glamour often, at least ever since the glory days, so it didn't matter all that much. She leaned upon the wall for support after seeing red digits on her answering machine. It was her worst nightmare, but luckily, there was only one message.
"Hermione, don't look at the answering machine like that. We're both really sorry that you're not a hermit. And I just missed that call actually. I was looking for the phone. I have no idea where you put it."
She turned around; it was Ronald leaning against their newly-painted white walls next to her. Smiling, he offered her a glass of red wine that was needed much.
He massaged her back.
"Long day at work?"
"How'd you guess?" she chuckled.
"I noticed while you tumbled inside, that your hair was out of place. Now there is only three times that I can think of when your hair is not in its usual pulled up position; one, when you were fighting Voldemort with me and Harry; two, when we're in the bed…" he let out a laugh.
She gave him a raised eyebrow, which declared such randomness, yet he continued nonetheless, "Or three, when you've had a horribly long day at work."
She raised herself from her chair.
"Well, aren't you clever."
He pulled her close.
"Dear, you know I was raised with George and Fred, how could you ever question?"
She smiled and left him a kiss on the lips. Swaying her hips, she headed for the bedroom where she slipped off her shoes and work clothes. Ronald stood by the door, watching his fiancée. However, she took no notice of him while she climbed under the sheets. He only chuckled and shut the door. He left it open, only an inch, so when she smelt the takeout food he had just ordered, she would think that he had cooked for her. It was one of his best tricks along with the dishwasher. It was only good when she saw him push the washing button otherwise; she would never believe that he had done the dishes.
Thirty minutes later, the doorbell chimed and Ronald knew exactly who it was. He opened the door with twenty pounds in his hands. After exchanging money for food, the man went back to his car and drove off. Ron shook his head, smiling, thinking about how clever he really was. He had heard a stir in the bedroom. She was probably just waking up from her light sleep. He set the food on the table and hastily grabbed two plates. After setting the food on the plates, he spooned a bit of it into a pan and spread it all over. Placing the pan in the sink, he thought to himself, Now she won't question where the dirty dishes went.
Last time, he had lied and said that he had washed them. He knew this lie didn't sink deep because he knew that she knew that he never washed dishes. Smiling, he set the plates in the dining room, with silverware, napkins, and another occasional glass of red wine. He picked up his pace and strolled by the bedroom, after opening the door, he saw her lying across the bed on her stomach.
She always was a blanket stealer…
He sneakily entered the room without a sound and climbed onto the bed. Lying beside her, he found peace and tranquillity, completely forgetting about the food he had just "prepared" for them. However, a minute later, she started to stir and then opened her eyes. Ronald smiled with his eyes.
"I have food in the dining room, care to join me?"
She smiled and followed him into the dining room, with nothing but her pyjamas on. He pushed the chair behind her with chivalry as she sat down to eat. She smiled thinking he always acted this strangely.
Through out the dinner, they exchanged smiles and courtesies with an occasional laugh. After, Hermione washed the pan and plates, letting Ron take a shower without her. Only after hearing the first drops of water from his shower did she regret not taking one with him. Without hesitation, she walked to the bedroom passing the answering machine. She paused and walked back a few steps. With a sigh, she headed to the answer machine and pressed the largely worn out button.
"One new message," the voice stated.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. I can read the digit on the screen, thank you very much," Hermione said in annoyance.
"Hey Hermione. In case you forgot, it's me Harry," he chuckled.
She rolled her eyes, such a joker.
"Uhh… I need to talk to you about something, soon if you can. It's not a big deal and don't worry I'm fine. If we could I'd like to talk about this in person, rather than over the phone. Really, Hermione, don't worry I'm fine. I know you're probably going to start hyperventilating sometime soon after this, so stop! Well anyways, I don't want your answering machine to cut me off like last …"
Then the machine cut off. She chuckled. It always happened when he called. Picking up a coat, she called to Ron in the shower.
"Ron, Harry needs me for a while, don't wait up!"
She paused, waiting for a response.
"Alright!" he replied, nearly yelling.
She then took the keys from the bowl and closed the door behind her. Heading for her car, a million thoughts ran through her head.
Why did Harry sound so nervous? He's rarely ever nervous… And why does he need to talk in person, what could be so important? Perhaps he and Ginny are engaged! That would be something exciting. Or what if they had another argument? He wouldn't call her for that! They always got over their mishaps. This couldn't be too serious.
And what did he mean by "don't start hyperventilating!" I most definitely do not hyperventilate! I might be a bit worried but I don't go freaking out.
Hermione was so overwhelmed that it took her three times to put the car into ignition. Pulling out of the driveway, she couldn't help but to think that something horrible had happened. Harry's apartment was but a few blocks away but she feared that if she were to walk, she would be running through the street causing a scene. She couldn't control any part of her body at the moment. She was just too worried. She pulled into the suburb parking lot and raced up the steps. Her hand was twitching so bad she had knocked on his door at least ten times. He opened it, with surprise.
"Hey, I didn't think you were going to come."
"I'm sorry. I fell asleep and then had dinner and I had completely forgot. What's wrong?"
His smile suddenly fell from his face.
"Uh… sit down. Ron's not with you is he?"
"Oh no, I left him in the shower."
"Oh okay," he said quite relieved.
Hermione sat near Harry on a blue couch, her eyes set upon him.
He lifted his gaze.
"Is this about you and Ginny?"
He nodded yes then rid himself of his previous thoughts.
"I'm sorry… Can I offer you a cup of tea? Coffee?"
She was about to say no but found herself changing her mind at the image of hot tea.
"A cup of hot tea, please, and thank you."
He waved her off, replying that it wasn't a big deal.
She smiled as he handed her the tea, cautioning that it was quite hot.
"So what happened? Are you guys still together? You don't look thrilled and I don't see Ginny here, so you must not have gotten engaged," she said while stirring her tea with some sugar.
He sat himself down on a couch and clasped his hands together. So many thoughts were running through his head. Should he tell her that he had been perusing through old albums of Ron, Hermione, and him and then confess his love? Or should he just take it slow, one problem at a time? And if the latter, would his loving Hermione being a problem? Well, obviously. She was engaged to Ron, his best friend. This could definitely become a problem. He chose to stay with the subject; not complicating things was the best choice right now.
"Uhh, Ginny and I are officially over. She packed her bags and left, quite dramatically if I may add," he replied chuckling.
"Harry, there is no reason to be laughing about this, even if Ginny has her dramatic moments," Hermione stated, rolling her eyes.
They laughed.
"So what was it about this time? Which one, you are constantly at work or even worse, working at home, or the never-ending you never do anything right argument?"
"The latter," he replied. "She was so strange, Hermione!" He turned to face her directly, his hands retelling his story. "She stomped all over the floor, probably waking every apartment, and threw forks and spoons at me… I don't know what's gotten into her."
Hermione sighed, "I have no idea either."
While Harry refilled her cup with some tea and sugar, Hermione looked around the apartment. It was most definitely a war zone. He pulled out the albums from a bookshelf and handed one to her.
"You remember back in Hogwarts, how we had to grow up so fast?"
"Yeah, we definitely did not have a normal childhood," she chuckled.
"Back then, it was okay to be a little childish because we rarely had time to live our lives in jest or in full happiness. You know?"
"Yeah, I know what you mean." she replied, smiling.
He paused, thinking of the right thing to say.
"Well, Ginny never grew up."
Hermione started to protest but Harry stopped her, "Hermione, you know I'm right. She was always hanging around everyone laughing and in the midst of the drama. Ginny still thinks that we're in Hogwarts."
Hermione shook her head and sipped her tea, quietly. It was stupid for her to argue against what she knew was right. Ginny did have too many of her "moments", and she was always talking about how great her time at Hogwarts was. It seemed like she had forgotten all about the war completely. It seemed like she had forgotten that Harry had to abandon her their seventh year. Was she just delirious or just trying to find an escape route?
"I don't think it's going to happen, Hermione. I'm just so sick of these… scenes she causes. It's getting ridiculous."
Hermione nodded, "I understand completely. It's just, how are you going to tell Ron?"
"I have no idea, no idea at all," he replied, shaking his head.
Hermione perused the albums, stopping at every other photo with a smile, pointing them out to Harry, and laughing at them together. They had so many great memories but they also had a lot of bad ones too but either way, they were always there for each other.
She paused at one photo a waitress had taken of them at some restaurant just last week. It was of Harry, Ron, Ginny and her, all smiling, all happy.
"Harry, it just doesn't make sense. You were supposed to be with Ginny and I'm supposed to be with Ron. Molly is going to be so crushed." she said, sighing.
He lifted his head.
"Are you so sure about that?"
She turned her head to face him, confused, and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
He put his hand to his mouth, shocked that he had almost slipped the one thing he just couldn't tell her. Or could he?
"Never mind, it's nothing," Harry said, waving his hand.
Hermione set the album down.
"No, it is something. Harry what do you mean? What's wrong with you?"
"Hermione, it's nothing and there's nothing wrong with me."
She sat persistent. She would not let him get away with saying nothing and he absolutely loved that about her.
"Harry..." she demanded.
"It's nothing! Anyways, it is not that big of a deal." he exclaimed.
She took his hand, sending chills up his spine, and looked into his eyes.
"Harry, you can tell me. I'm not going to let this go. You've got me curious." She said concerned yet still smiling.
"It's stupid and crazy. I'm stupid and crazy. Worse, it'll make you think that I'm stupid and crazy," he stated, trying to wave it off.
"Harry, nothing you could tell me could convince me that you belong in a mental institution," she replied reassuringly.
A smile appeared back onto his face. His warm features seemed to brighten her fear. He loved the way she calmed him down whenever he was nervous. It was like she was a dose of Novocain, numbing him from the pain of rejection, embarrassment, or defeat. If only he could just gather the courage to show her.
"Thanks, that makes me feel so much better." he chuckled.
She smiled and continued, "So tell me…"
"I don't know, it could… it could cause problems."
He looked at her, trying to stand up for himself but the pressure of what he wanted to tell her sent all of his walls crashing to the ground.
"Alright… One day, Ginny and I were arguing, like normal, about how I can never do anything right and she had stormed into the bedroom and locked the door. So I went for a drive. And when I got into the car I saw a note sticking in the seat cushion. So I picked it out of the car seat and set it next to me, thinking it was a receipt of some sort. But when I saw the hearts, I knew it couldn't possibly be a receipt. So I started reading it and it was a note to Ginny from Seamus Finnigan. You remember him? Of all people, Seamus."
Hermione set down her teacup.
"Oh Harry, I'm so sorry. I had no idea."
He sighed and shook his head.
"I mean, it's okay, but then again it's not, you know?"
She merely shook her head.
"And I know why she did it too. All she wanted to do was get my attention. She wanted to spark the old Harry in me. But I mean… I've changed. We've changed."
He was rethinking everything, Ginny, Hermione, Ron, and him. Ginny had never been right for him. All she wanted was the Harry from Hogwarts, not the Harry from now. He would love to say that he could remember a time when Ginny and he were happy but he can't seem to recollect one memory. At first, he thought it funny to fall in love with his best friend, Hermione, but now it didn't seem so funny at all. Hermione's eyes were genuine and sincere and made Harry giddy all over. She had such a power over him and she didn't even know it. What would she say? She'd be bloody crazy to leave Ron for him. What would Ron say? He wouldn't say anything instead he'd want to bloody kill Harry. He knew that the words would escape him soon enough. Hermione would either love him or deem him crazy but either way, it was now or never. It was the only time they would ever have alone together.
He chose his next words carefully. He didn't want to full out tell her that he loved her; the best way to deal with this would be to have her fall into it too. So he chose the best statement that he knew she couldn't resist replying back without asking another question. So he went for it. He took the plunge.
"You know at first, I was so angry with her but now, I'm just… just over it, you know?" he replied, as calmly and collected as he could.
"What changed your mind?" she asked, curiously.
He let out a whisper, "You."
She tilted her head in curiosity and misunderstanding.
"Me? How could I have done that? What affect did I have on your relationsip with Ginny?"
He fiddled with his thumb, pushing it against the teacup.
"Because it is…"
She was getting used to this paused speech so she just sat and sipped her tea, waiting.
He looked into her eyes, intently and full of sentiment.
"Because it is you that I… that I love."
The teacup fell from her hand and smashed onto the floor. Her eyes opened wide with shock.
"Harry? Did I… Did I hear you correctly?" she asked in bewilderment.
He stuttered, "You… You did."
She lifted herself from the couch and walked into the kitchen. Seizing some paper towels, she returned into the living room and knelt onto the floor to clean to shattered teacup.
"I'm sorry for breaking this."
"It's fine. Let me help you."
She looked up, her eyes looking into his directly.
"I can do it."
She then went to pick up a shattered piece of the china and cut her fingers.
"Ah," she gasped from the searing pain of blood and tea.
"Let me help you, Hermione, seriously."
He knelt onto the floor beside her and took a paper towel to her hand. He wrapped it around her fingers and tied a knot. He looked into her eyes, still holding her bleeding hand.
"Hermione, I really do love you."
She shook her head.
"No Harry, it's too late. Ronald and I are engaged, engaged!" she emphasized.
"I know!" he said, standing up with the shattered china.
"Then why?" she asked him to his back.
He turned himself around, nearly yelling, he said, "Because I love the way you look in your pyjamas right now and how you have this power over me that even you do not acknowledge. Hermione, I would do anything you say, anything. You know what's best for me, even when I don't."
"Then take in the fact that Ginny and you being together is the best thing for you."
He shook his head as he retorted, "No. You know it as well as I do. Ginny and I could never be happy together. She yells half the time. She has the most dramatic bipolar moments that I've ever seen. She's like a female Voldemort for bloody sakes…" He paused a moment before continuing, "I don't love her. I love you."
"Harry, this is enough! You are being delirious. Go to sleep and I will call you tomorrow," she said as calmly as she could.
She gathered her coat and keys, unable to process the past few minutes. Scrambling through the door, she hurried down the steps and down to her car.
"Hermione!" Harry yelled after her.
She paused, her back facing Harry, breathing heavily, with her heart pounding and brain echoing. She didn't want to turn around to face him, she didn't but she did.
"Harry, just stop," she nearly yelled with her eyes closed and her hands shielding herself from him.
"I won't until you see," he panted from sprinting down the three floors of steps.
She ran her hand through her hair and sighed before he handed her a leather-bound photo album.
"Harry, I've got to go, I'll call you in the morning."
She unlocked the driver side door of the car and stepped in. Putting her car into reverse, she drove out of the parking lot to leave Harry upset and in love.
She couldn't think on her way home. Ron and Harry raced through her mind as fast as the thoughts earlier had. When she pulled into the driveway, she saw Ronald sitting in his recliner watching television. She paused, recollecting every fibre of tranquillity that she had in her and then entered the house, locking the door behind her.
"Hey honey, thought it'd be at least another hour until you got home. I checked the message on the machine."
She set the keys into the basket once more and gave him a light kiss on his forehead.
"What was wrong with Harry? Is he fine?"
She shook her head, saying, "Physically, he's fine. Emotionally, I think he'll need a few days."
"Why?" Ronald asked, turning himself to face her as he did so.
"He and your sister, Ginny, they… they broke up," she replied hesitantly, unsure of how to word everything.
"Oh no," he said, shutting the television off.
"Yeah," she said, sitting down.
"Why?" he asked curiously. His eyes followed hers as if he was trying to find fragments of truth for the reality of it all was just too unfathomable.
Hermione crossed her legs.
"Well… I guess they fell out of love. He said they were having arguments lately."
"That's too bad… I'll stop by tomorrow on my way home from work. I'll have to talk to him," Ronald suggested.
"Yes, I told him I would call him tomorrow also. Anyways, I'm going to get into the bathroom and brush my teeth, do you need anything? I may hit the pillow too while I'm at it," she said, smiling.
It was true, she was completely worn out from the day. No matter how many hours she could have spent napping, she knew that it would have never been enough.
He paused, trying to think of something but came to nothing.
"I guess not. I'll be heading to bed soon."
"Alright." she said, leaving him in his recliner.
She couldn't tell him everything Harry had said. It would be too much for Ron to handle. She knew Ron… and she knew his temper. If she was to tell Ron that Ginny had been cheating on Harry, he would've taken the car to his mothers', where she would be, to scream at her. And if she was to tell him the worse news, Ronald would then drive the car to Harry's apartment and kill him. Ron was always talking about how he was second to Harry. It seemed every other conversation had something to do with him and his popularity. Sometimes she could've sworn that he loved the paparazzi more than he loved her.
Hermione found her way to the bathroom and picked up her toothbrush. Peering into the mirror, she could only see a worn face from time, stress, and the constant vexation of love. Sometimes she wondered why Ron had put up with her half of the time. She was lucky to have him; she knew this with all her heart. However sometimes, she would just wonder what kept them together for this long. She was known for being constantly stressed and bossy, both of which Ronald hated.
She brushed her teeth in silence without any thoughts. After she was sure that her mouth was the cleanest it ever could be, she set the toothbrush into the holder and switched off the light. She peered into the hall. He was still watching some show, perhaps the news. Shaking her head, smirking, she climbed under the covers and drifted away to sleep. Ronald had started brushing his teeth at exactly fifteen minutes past midnight and had climbed into bed exactly five minutes later. After five hours of fitful sleep, filled with thoughts about her conversation with Harry, she finally sensed the dawning of a new day.
They slept through the morning, at least Ron did, until they heard the chiming of their alarm clock. Hermione rolled in the bed, blankets surrounding her. Ron rubbed his eyes and shivered.
He rolled his eyes and stepped out of the bed. He was really going to have to start sleeping in a separate blanket or at least a sleeping bag. After taking another quick shower, he stepped into his work clothes and kissed her on the forehead.
"I'll see you when I get home!" he said lovingly.
She rolled over and merely murmured something incomprehensible.
He rolled his eyes again and grabbed his set of keys from the bowl. Locking the door behind him, he stepped out onto their steps and towards the car. He opened the car door, started the engine, and was off to work. He pulled into the parking lot with a newly brewed coffee in his hand. He turned and to his surprise found an album on the passenger seat. Curious, he placed it under his arm and carried it into work.
Ron sat in his Ministry cubicle; he was smiling, only from the coffee. Today was deadline day and of course, Harry had it off. He was so jealous of that prick. He knew best friends were always there for each other but he would definitely not be there for him now. What was it about Harry that made him so amazing anyway? It wasn't like he was a looker. Okay, maybe he was considered very handsome, however what about Ron? Ron wasn't such a bad catch. Sure, he never had a problem with getting a girl since Hogwarts… all except Hermione. My god was that a crusade. It was obvious during their Hogwarts days that they both were secretly in love with each other. But ever since Hogwarts, Ron had found it hard to stay interested in her. And for that, he had Lavender. Lavender Brown was his Hogwarts love interest back in the day. And although, during Hogwarts, she was used merely for entertainment and to spark Hermione's jealousy, he had found himself looking at her a little too often during these past months of constant deadlines, so much that he ended up staying a little later just to be around her. Of course, this would never leave the office and it would never develop into a relationship, however he just found it extremely difficult to give her up, especially during those late nights, when she would call him Mr. Weasley behind closed doors.
"I want this copied now, Weasley!"
Ron shook his thoughts and looked up to his superior with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, I'll have that for you right away," he replied nicely, grinding his teeth as he did so.
He still questioned if people remembered that he was part of the golden trio, the golden trio that saved the wizard and Muggle world alike. Of course not, they only remembered the headlines of the day. Yet still, he let his thoughts shift somewhere else, somewhere like the far corner of his desk, where a leather-bound photo album settled under mountains of papers. He placed his long fingers upon it, grasping the covers with high anticipation.
Itching with curiosity, he opened the album. It was of their Hogwarts years. Harry, Hermione, and Ron were in their first year. All in black cloaks trimmed with red and gold, they smiled joyfully, unaware of the disaster their lives were headed toward. He smiled and turned the pages. Many of the photographs were of Hermione and Harry. They were either by the lake, admiring its vast splendor or pointing at the Whomping Willow with huge grimaces on their faces. When he found himself at the end of the album, he gasped in shock. There was a note taped to the back cover, written hastily on it was, I love you, Hermione.
He furiously threw the album in disgust. Was Hermione shagging Harry? Are they having an affair right now? His jealousy consumed him although he ought to have been eating his own words. It would be like the pot calling the kettle black. Picking the strewn album up, he found himself looking through the pages once more. Harry's eyes were full of emotion, they were happy, in every single one of these pictures. Ronald, on the other hand, was either bloody angry or bloody unhappy. Hermione made him that way he guessed, they were always arguing throughout their Hogwarts years. Now, they were both too tired to, so they followed along with everything the other said. At least, Ron did. He did everything Hermione told him too. He never said no.
He picked up his keys and the album and left the cubicle in chaos. After getting into his car, he started to drive, his first intention was to go home, but he discovered that he was driving in every direction away from home. Perhaps it was to think…
His eyes bulged from their sockets, his veins pumped blood faster and faster into his system. He was engulfed in the flames of jealousy and he knew it. He knew his jealousy would consume him. It always did. Harry always got the girl. This time, he wouldn't. He knew that for sure.
During his ride, Ronald started to think. He thought of the day he confessed his love to Hermione and the day he asked her to marry him. And with each one of these days he started to collect a string of explanations, explanations of why he would cheat on her, why Hermione might possibly be shagging Harry, or even why their relationship was falling apart.
Soon he found himself questioning every reason why he had even proposed to her in the first place. However, in the end, he came to only one conclusion; he loved the Hermione from Hogwarts, not the Hermione from now. She had changed completely. Their arguments fueled their passion for each other and without that hatred there was no spark. He shook his head, not trying to rid himself of the thoughts, but to clear his head so that he could determine what he should do next.
Would he confront her? Would he pretend that he didn't know and let her confess? Or would he just forget about it completely? Ronald was too stubborn to forget about it and he knew that she would confess… in time. But he wanted to know now, he had to know now.
Ten minutes later, he was in their parking lot and sprinting up the stairs. He paused and took in a deep breath, trying to calm himself down yet found it impossible. With his fueled rage, he burst open the door and called her name.
"Hermione!"
He heard nothing and so he called her name again, "Hermione!"
And then… soft footsteps from the bedroom, audible enough for him to hear.
"Yes?" she replied cautiously.
"What is this?" he asked, pointing to the album.
"Where did you find that?" she asked, her arms open and reaching for it.
He glared at her.
"That is not what I asked! What is this? Are you having an affair?"
"Of course not, Ronald, don't be ridiculous," she yelled, her hands on her hips.
He paced, walking in an endless circle.
"It was in the car."
"Ronald, I think you should know that I haven't even looked at the album. Harry gave it to me last night. He claimed that he loved me. I thought him delirious so I left him." she replied calmly, trying to regain control.
He paused and looked into her eyes, only to find them emotionless.
"Hermione, you know what? This isn't about the stupid photo album, this is about you and me," he stated, quite clearly.
She paused and turned to face him since now he was to the back of her.
"What do you mean?" she looked at him apprehensively.
"Hermione, there's always been something missing," he said, standing stoically.
She could only return a look of shock. They were happy with their engagement. Their marriage was only a month away.
"Ronald, we are both perfectly happy. Are you insane?"
"Hermione, when we kiss, do you feel anything? Do you feel anything now?" he cried out, his eyes almost in tears.
"Ron you know that's not what we're talking about here," she said, looking away.
"No! That's exactly what we're talking about, right now, at this very moment! You know it too. Deep inside, you don't feel anything for me anymore. You were fueled by the same passion I was. Hermione, all we were was based on arguments, arguments that made us love each other for stupid reasons. Don't tell me you don't know that."
She could only look at him.
"What do you want me to say, Ronald, that I don't feel anything? Would that make you feel better? Would knowing the truth make you feel less about me?" she said.
He paused.
"Hermione, I don't feel less love for you. I don't feel love for you at all. You don't love me either. Don't trick yourself into thinking that we are something we're not."
She turned away, inconceivable thoughts running through her head. She knew that he was right, but she just wouldn't accept it. They have loved each other for years and now for it all just to end, in one moment, with one word, with nothing left to say. It was just too much to bear.
He stepped in front of her and held her hand.
"Hermione, we never argue anymore and that's why this is happening. We were young and foolish and hasty. And now, I regret that I ever let this happen."
"This… Meaning you and me?" Hermione choked.
"Not entirely. Hermione, there's someone else."
She sat down in the recliner and held her head in her hands.
"Hermione, I can't… I can't imagine us growing old together… I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."
He left her in the living room, grabbed his keys, and closed the door behind him for the last time.
...
Two years later, a man and a woman lay sleeping in their king sized bed after a long night at work. It was hard to believe that within months their love escalated from friendship to romance. Yet at six o'clock in the morning, it was rarely on their minds.
The alarm clock chimed and was hit with annoyance by long fingers. Soon it was on the floor, broken. The man woke up instantaneously, the loud clatter worked better than the alarm clock ever had. He doubted he would even need a cup of coffee that morning. However, he knew that he would need some type of clothing for he was shivering all over.
"Why am I so cold?" Harry asked himself sarcastically.
Hermione opened her eyes slightly and giggled.
"Maybe it's because my fiancée stole ALL the blankets!"
He then rolled on top of her fragile frame. Staring into her incandescent eyes, he showered her in kisses.
Smiling, he could only find one thing to say, "Good morning, my love."
- Well... I hope you liked it. It's been through much editing and revising because of meanies like, Mugglenet Fanfiction, who still won't accept it. So I added it on here instead. Again, I hope you liked it. Have a great day? - Courtney
