Rebound Relationships

Prelude: The Break-up

This is the start of Rebounding Relationship, the fic answering the question what did Ron and Hermione after the break-up. Prelude, the actual being dumped part. Ron is a coward. Hermione shouts, Lavender yells and the Common Room audience is unsurprised. Importantly, Ron and Lavender do FINALLY break-up.

The beginning of this story is taken directly from Half Blood Prince, chapter After the Burial pages 446-447.

The sun was low over the Forbidden Forest tree line when they knew the moment had come. Neville and Seamus were playing chess. Dean was waiting for Ginny to finish some homework before undoubtedly finding a quiet corridor to snog in. Better yet, no one had seen Lavender Brown in over an hour. Everything was ordinary enough for something extra-ordinary to happen thought Ron.

It was time to set their plan into motion. Harry was going to get this memory of Slughorn's.

As he got up from his seat, Ron felt a wave of complete exhilaration. Hermione was helping them to break rules; there wasn't anything sexier than that. Oh, other than angry Hermione. Or... er... brilliant Hermione..! He sighed sexy versions of Hermione; he could list them all day.

They all pretended to be going to their rooms. Harry darted up the stairs first; Hermione took the middle allowing Ron to guide her by the small of her back. He knew he'd pay for this later but he couldn't help it... Earlier today, they'd been rolling in the grass, tickling each other. He was addicted to her again.

Fortunately, Harry didn't notice; he resolutely headed for his trunk. Hermione went over to the bed she knew he slept in and collapsing onto it. Her hair sprayed over his bed covers, her arm's rested above her head. Now that's sexy! Ron raised his eyebrow at her and she rolled her eyes. It wasn't the time to think about that. He told himself as he sat beside her. She sat up quickly and playfully mushed his hair before ignoring him and staring at Harry.

Ron wanted to retaliate but now wasn't the time. He turned towards his best mate too.

Harry was getting up, earwax colour socks in hand. He unrolled the ugly socks; revealing the little bottle that had ruined Ron's relationship with Hermione. He glanced at her nervously; she was biting her lower lip. Harry turned to them eagerly.

"Well, here goes," said Harry raising the bottle to his lips and taking a calculated gulp. His featured lighten, as if all his cares had evaporated. He gave a confident smile, which was unnerving.

"What does it feel like?" whispered Hermione, looking fascinated.

"Excellent," he replied in a un-Harry-like tone, chucking the bottle onto his bed. Ron momentary wondered whether he'd be like this if his parents hadn't been killed. "Really, excellent..." he said self-assuredly. "Right... I'm going to Hagrid's."

"What?" he heard himself chorus with Hermione, who leaped off his bed.

"No Harry," Hermione said forcefully. "You've got to go and see Slughorn, remember?"

"No," Harry confidently said. "I'm going to Hagrid's, I've got a good feeling about going to Hagrid's." Ron couldn't believe this; what did Hagrid and his spider funeral have to do with Slughorn?

"You've got a good feeling about burying a giant spider?" Ron asked bewildered. Hermione grabbed the bottle.

"Yeah" Harry replied, pulling on his Invisibility Cloak out for his bag. Ron's stomach sank. "I feel like it's the place to be tonight, you know what I mean?"

"No" Ron and Hermione said together, both looking alarmed.

"This is Felix Felicis, I suppose?" Hermione asked anxiously, holding the bottle up to see it better. "You haven't got another little bottle full of – I don't know-" she said suggested appealing to him desperately.

"Essence of Insanity?" Ron supplied as Harry flamboyantly whipped on his Cloak. There was disembodied laughter, musical, loud and carefree; very un-Harry-like.

Merlin, this isn't good Ron thought gloomily remembering that this was his idea. He looked towards Hermione who appeared as alarmed as he felt. She stashed the bottle back in Harry's trunk.

"Trust me," said the voice with only a trace of Harry remaining. "I know what I'm doing... or at least..." the confident voice said moving quickly away. "Felix does."

Oh Merlin, they had to stop him Ron thought desperately; grabbing Hermione's hand following what he hoped was close behind. When they got to the near the end of the boys stairs he remembered he wasn't suppose to hold Hermione hand so let go. They continued downward until...

"What were you doing up there with her?" shrieked a shrill Lavender suddenly appearing in front of the three of them.

"Urm... Er..." he stammered. Following Harry Ron thought. Lavender, he realised, didn't see Harry emerging from the boys dormitories... so she thought... Bloody Hell! "We didn't... We weren't..."

"Don't push me, please, Dean," Ginny said, sounding highly annoyed. Ron looked over the top of Lavender's head to see his sister in front of the portrait hole. He stepped off the boy's staircase to get a better view. "You're always doing that; I can get through perfectly well on my own..." The portrait hole closed, Harry was gone. Lavender was looking expectedly at him. He had no idea what to say. His best friend was off doing what Felix said instead of what he needed to do. His sister was starting to shout at Dean. And he'd marry Hermione in five minutes if he could. We didn't and we weren't... were the best she was going to get...

Ron felt like he'd been stunned. He wondered whether Fred, George... even Malfoy had somehow stuck into the tower and cursed him. The big brother part of him wanted to help his sister to deal with Dean but there was Lavender... shouting and unhappy. Shirking and he hoped to Merlin she wouldn't cry. Fortunately, Hermione came to his rescue.

"Nothing, we were only talking" Hermione said louder than was really needed for a private conversation. Then, Ron realised that this wasn't going to be a private conversation. They were high up in full view of everyone. Lavender was looking between him and Hermione expecting a better explanation than that. "Everyone... er... Go back to your knitting." Hermione added masking the lame command with her best Prefect tone. "Nothing to see here!"

Lavender's mind appeared to be working, or maybe she had gas, he really had no idea. He didn't know Lavender; therefore, he didn't know what to say to her.

Hermione placed her hand on his arm appealing for him to speak. The touch was familiar and comforting yet still thrilling. Lavender clearly didn't feel that way because she started shouting again.

"I can't believe this" Lavender said dramatically. "Miss Goodie Two Shoes. Who's ridiculously high marks is only surpassed by her ridiculously ugly hair had to be a boyfriend stealer." Unhelpfully, Ron thought: I was Hermione's kind-of-boyfriend before I was yours. Lavender, however, didn't know this so continued: "...Best gossip ever. BUT WHY DO YOU HAVE TO TRY AND TAKE MY WON-WON."

"LAVENDER" Hermione snapped angrily. Ron knew she hated that name as much as he did. "We were just talking!" she placed special emphasis on the last word. Hinting that that's the story he should be going with. He knew she was desperate for him to stop being cowardly. Hermione urged him on by touching the small of his back. Merlin, he loved it when she did that.

"Talking, talking? Don't make me laugh" Lavender snorted in a very ugly way. "The only reason you'd need to be up there talking is golden trio stuff." Ron snuck a look at Hermione; but Lavender wasn't done pressing her point. "However, seeing as I didn't see Harry coming down the stairs with you... We all know it wasn't that!" Ron had to admit that she had a point: darn it! Lavender sounded aggressive and a bit manic. Now, he didn't dare look directly at Hermione. He glanced over to his sister. Petite shouting Ginny was making six foot Dean cowling.

"Why couldn't you just talk in the common room like any normal'platonic' friends? If that's what you were really doing?" Lavender asked shrilly, clearly waited for a response. He had no none. Other than; he just loved having Hermione in his room. Manic Lavender wasn't done shouting. "I'LL TELL YOU WHY BECAUSE YOU WEREN'T TALKING. THAT'S WHY. YOU WERE SNOGGING; HAVING AN AFFAIR." yelled Lavender getting shriller.

But an affair; how could he have an affair with Hermione when she was his entire life while Lavender was just a girl he used to snog a lot? Well, she was his girlfriend. How had that happened again? Oh yeah. He'd been angry at Hermione and Lavender was being nice to him. Then, they were snogging – somehow, after the yellow bird attack; Lavender had referred to him as her boyfriend and he hadn't corrected her.

On the other side of the room, Ginny paused in her tirade and looked past him to Hermione. Ginny smiled slyly. Dean, the one who didn't want his relationship to end, started talking.

Oh Merlin. What if this relationship with Lavender didn't end? Somehow, they'd end up married and miserable... He'd have to watch Hermione go out with different tossers; never being hers. He was snapped out of that nightmare by a sugar sweet tone from Lavender.

"I'm the one you should be taking up there not her..." Ron shudder Lavender's tone that was so like Umbridge's. Why would he take Lavender to his bedroom? He didn't want to be with Lavender. He wanted Hermione; he loved Hermione. He had to break this thing off with Lavender, tonight.

"LAVENDER" he barked realising this was the wrong tone to calm the situation. He took a deep breath and said the first thing that came to mind. "We'd take Veritaserum, if we thought it would prove to you that Hermione and I weren't snogging up there" Ron honestly admitted; Hermione helpfully nodded. It was a buff because there was no way any of them could get that potion. Lavender looked shocked that he'd suggested Veritaserum but still didn't look convinced.

"Would it prove that you two have NEVER kissed?" Lavender shouted calling his buff. Bloody Hell he thought why did he mention Veritaserum? There was no way that they should be allowed Veritaserum. We've been snogging on and off since I was thirteen; from the best way to end an argument, to good luck kisses, Christmas traditions and pinky promises! Not to mention all the stuff Dumbledore teaches Harry! He was suddenly stumped. He couldn't contradict her and neither could Hermione.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed his friend looked as innocent as he felt. The Common Room audience of student, portraits and Nearly Headless Nick started to mutter.

"I KNEW IT!" Lavender exclaimed horrified pointing her fingers between the two of them.

"WE'RE-JUST-FRIENDS" Ron heard himself bellow. Hermione moved close enough for him to almost touch. Yelling at Lavender wasn't the answer he needed to calm Lavender down. He calmed to a soothing tone. "Best friends."

"Friends: Is that what you call it?" Lavender snorted again. It wasn't very attractive. Not for the first time, Ron wondered what had drawn him to this blond. He wanted to reply when Hermione jumped in.

"Yes, Lavender that's what we call it" Hermione shot back angrily. "Friends talk. But then again you know my opinion on that already. Friendship and communication are the foundations of any long term significant romantic relationship! As his girlfriend you should be used to that aspect of your relationship." She said in a loftily voice; before an adorable self-righteous smile played on her lips. Merlin, Ron wanted to kiss those lips.

Long lasting significant relation with Hermione he thought BRILLIANT.

"Yeah, I know your opinion on my boyfriend, Hermione" Lavender choked. "Everyone does. Just like I know your motivation for the past couple of months; you think he was only ever going to be yours: that I somehow stole him off you. But you were wrong. You didn't feel betrayed that he picked me not you. That emotion was old fashioned jealousy because he was never yours."

Jealous Hermione thought Ron dazed DOUBLE BRILLIANT!

"And now you want him 'back', trying to steal him away from me" Lavender said stamping her foot. "After tonight, we'll still be together stronger than before... And he won't even acknowledge your existence" she said with a gloating smile grabbing Ron's hand, tugging him towards her. Hermione rightly stood her ground; Ron, however, physically recoiled from Lavender grasp. This both shocked and hurt her.

Lavender started swearing. Her rant was so bad that it was like a blue mist descended over the Common Room. Eventually, Lavender calmed down enough to attack Hermione with all the hate and rejection she felt.

"What I can't believe" Lavender breathed with furious distain. "Is how you've had us fooled for so many years Hermione?" Then, she started to use her favourite Hermione tactic; mocking. "Miss Prim and Proper..." when she saw that Hermione didn't care, she changed tactic. "But now we can see you for what you really are a common boyfriend stealer" this last part she spat, raising her hand to slap Hermione.

Without thinking, Ron stopped Lavender's hand before it ever made it to Hermione cheek. Catching her wrist, firmly enough so she couldn't strike Hermione whilst remaining gentle enough so Lavender wouldn't be hurt. Rage made him shake.

Lavender trying to hurt Hermione was crossing the line. This had to end.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed an angry Seamus half rise from his seat; forgetting about his game with Neville. Part of Ron wanted the Irish man to come up and punch him, to curse him at the very least; for hurting his friend. When he was in Seamus' position before Christmas; he hadn't shown that much restraint; in an abandoned corridor as Cormac tried it on with an unwilling Hermione... Ron had only just managed to not deck him; resorting to his slug curse instead.

"Don't you ever lay one finger on Hermione" he snarled in a low voice, releasing her wrist. Seamus sat back down; wand at hand, ready to fight. Ron continued his warning. "If you ever hurt her, in any way; magical or otherwise; I won't be responsible for my actions."

Gone were Ron's feelings of shock and guilt at being caught with Hermione in an innocent yet compromising situation. The simple fact was that Lavender was about to hurt Hermione; this had to be end. Lavender must have released this too because she looked about ready to scream blue murder again. After a seething pause he justified himself:

"And anyway Lavender, Hermione didn't steal me" he said firmly suddenly he realised what he'd said and changing tact. "She hasn't..." No wrong wording, he thought. "Wouldn't" Nope still wrong, he thought... then he remembered Bill's last letter. "What I mean is; I realised ages ago that we were best off as friends; you and me."

"DON'T YOU DARE DUMP ME RONALD WEASLEY!" Lavender roared; looking more manic than before. "AFTER ALL THE BULL YOU'VE PUT ME THROUGH... NO CHRISTMAS OR VALENTINES PRESENT," Ron really did fell guilty now: this year he'd bought Hermione a watch necklace for Christmas and matching earrings for Valentine's Day. Not that he'd given her the earrings yet. "ALL THE RUMOURS AND WHISPERS AFTER YOUR BIRTHDAY..." It was Hogwarts Ron reasoned there's always story's floating around. Some false, like Hermione snogged Victor Krum; some factual, like he and Hermione messing around together in Hogsmeade today. "WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU HATING HER?" asked Lavender astonished and angry. Hating Hermione? He could never even do that...

"I NEVER HATED HERMIONE!" Ron bellowed back. "SURE I WAS ANGRY AND UPSET AT HER FOR..." thinking she'd snogged Krum: which she hadn't. "SOMETHING... BUT I COULD NEVER HATE HERMIONE."

Then, automatically, without a second thought, he looked openly at Hermione for the first time since they'd been cornered by Lavender. She was his beautiful, know-it-all friend who he loved. He couldn't help but smile at her. Hermione smiled back at him. This antagonised Lavender.

"OH NOW I GET IT" Lavender yelled looking staring unblinkingly. "YOU USED ME TO GET BACK AT HER" she paused stifling a sob. She then changed her tone, "Well, does your precious Hermione know what we've done we've done together?" Oh Merlin, Ron thought, she really is a bimbo!

"YES" he yelled bringing himself up to his full towering height. "BECAUSE I MADE SURE HERMIONE SAW MOST OF IT!" Inwardly, he groaned repeated Hagrid's favourite phrase: I shouldn't have said that! Lavender gapped like an unfortunate landed fish struggling for air. Hermione looked equally as angry as Lavender had been; although not surprised by his confession. He sensed the audience weren't either.

Then, a thought struck him between the eyes: How could he have been angry at Lavender trying to hurt Hermione when he had done so purposely and so completely? Without hesitation he turned to Hermione. And in a voice he hoped only she could hear.

"Sorry Mione" his low voice echoed, with the simple but powerful words from his heart to hers. Hermione flashed him a shy smile; everyone, but the blond smiled too. Instantaneously, he regretted using his private pet name for her so publically. Hermione smiled shyly at him... everything would be alright.

As 'Mione' began to echo back in Lavender's now hurt voice. A dangerous thought seemed to be crossing her mind then she began to wail "Sorry Mione? Sorry Mione?"

Seamus suddenly appeared by Lavender's side. Ron looked round quickly: everyone was watching them. Even Parvati stared near Dean and Ginny argument suddenly on pause.

"YOU COME DOWNSTAIRS WITH HER AND SHE GETS AN APOLOGY" Lavender screamed breathlessly. "HOW-DARE-YOU?" She yelled slowly. "HOW DARE YOU? I THOUGHT I WAS YOUR GIRLFRIEND?" she yelled some more; Lavender then turned nasty as tears started to silently escape. "THEN AGAIN YOU NEVER WERE A GOOD BOYFRIEND. UNCARING, THOUGHTLESS, IGNORANT, STUPID, WORTHLESS..." How could he explain his actions? That being Lavender's official boyfriend didn't come as naturally as being Hermione's...

Ron couldn't look at her anymore his hair covered his eyes as his head lolled waiting for inspiration. He knew it was true. He was nothing compared to... Then, Hermione started shouting, for a moment he'd thought she'd gone, save him from further embarrassment. Of course she'd stayed. His covered gaze was drawn to Hermione utterly vexed.

"HOW DARE YOU" Hermione exploded, and in the background he heard the room abuzz with whispers. This seemed to quell Hermione a bit. "He's a great friend; he's caring and even thoughtful at times. He listens when we're alone and when I need him..."

"SO YOU ADMIT IT!" Lavender interrupted triumphantly.

"WHAT?" Hermione asked, suddenly mystified. "Lavender, that's not what I'm saying at all. I'm saying that he's a great friend, the best, which, as you may recall from our last conversation on the subject, is the foundation of any successful long lasting relationship."

Their last conversation Ron's mind reeled. Was that what they called the argument that he'd heard about from Bill, who'd heard from Mum, the twins and Ginny? Merlin, he'd loved to know what was said outside the Hospital Wing.

From the other side of the room, Ginny started talking at Dean very fast and very low.

"Says you..." Lavender cackled reminding Ron strongly of Bellatrix Lestrange. "The only boy's you've ever dated are Krum and McLaggen and I don't imagine you did much talking with either of them!" Lavender said intending to riel him again.

Ron wanted to grin, but remained passive because if he grinned he'd look smug... and if he looked smug... Hermione would send yellow birds after him again. He knew exactly what happened between McLaggen and Hermione because he'd seen it and rescued her from his clutches. Then, Fred had helped him to repay McLaggen's wandering hands and unwelcome lips with Dark Mark sweets for Christmas. And as for Krum – that was a misunderstanding; he'd been jealous of himself. Hermione was far from passive though, she'd gone to yelling.

"I WENT TO ONE PARTY WITH MCLAGGEN" Hermione yelled, her hair electrified, eyes narrowed. Ron had to admit that even when her anger wasn't directed at him; Hermione was still scary. "AND MY RELATIONSHIP WITH VIKTOR – FRIENDSHIP OR OTHERWISE – ISN'T ANY OF YOUR BUSINESS NOW OR EVER!"

Hermione glared at Lavender. Lavender glared back. This scene, Ron thought was going to kill him, if only Hermione would leave then he could properly get dumped.

"Oh, I'm going" Hermione said throwing her arms out. How does she do that he thought. "I'll see you later Ron." She tried to move past him towards the stairs to support Ginny but was blocked by Lavender.

"No you stay. Seeing as you've always been here as part of mine and Ronald's relationship" she said miserably staring at Hermione. Ron silently moved in between the girls scared for Hermione's safety. "Even when you two weren't talking; his eyes followed you, the shadow of you was always something I couldn't out shine..." she reluctantly admitted, her tears were really flowing now and it made him fell vile. "After my walk with Seamus on Ron's birthday and our fight outside the Hospital Wing I realised that there was something missing" she shifted her gaze to Ron. He gulped. "We should have talked more. So, I tried. Merlin knows, I've tired. But, every time I went to see you at the Hospital Wing you were asleep, then when you got out, you kept pushing me away.

Lavender was right. She had tried to change their relationship, but all he cared about was being reunited with Hermione. Now Lavender was crying...

"You were nothing like I dreamed you'd be; the worst boyfriend in history..." Lavender let out a small sob; Ron felt grim and nodded. He was the world's worst boyfriend. "But, I cared about you so much. I tried to make it work. Even when you blew me off for Prefect duties..." To be honest that was also to spend time with Hermione, he admitted to himself. They all knew it now; Lavender too. "Although" she sniffed, eyes still streaming. "How you could have ever made Prefect I don't know..." She broke off struggling for air. Ron wasn't going to hurry her, he'd broken her heart. The least he could do was take this abuse.

"When you can't... Can't even... even..." her voice was becoming higher through each sob: tears were falling down her face creating a river of mascara. Seamus moved closer. Ron suddenly recognised the look on Seamus' face; it was the same helpless look he got when Hermione was hurt. Ron was now grateful that someone would be there for her through their... "Break-up... up..." Thank Merlin, she'd said it finally. "With a girl... I have no idea..." she sniffed again but she wasn't finished.

"You're not a true Gryffindor. Both, Dumbledore and McGonagall must have been drunk and confunded to choose you as a Gryffindor Prefect when your such a... a... coward." He was a coward he realised because even though he hadn't wanted to hurt her... he had done. Even worst, he actually could have hurt her earlier when she was about to strike Hermione. "Maybe they picked you as a laugh..." that's right he was a joke. "Or they felt sorry for you because you're certainly not man enough..." She got that right; I'm not man enough... what kind of bloke hurts girls? What if I ended up hurting Hermione?

"ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!" shouted Hermione, doing an eerily impression of his mother. She darted in front of him. "HOW DARE YOU SPEAK SUCH LIES ABOUT RON! HE'S..." Hermione looked like she was going to punch Lavender. He grabbed her around the waist to hold her back. She started to struggle. He knew he'd get it in the ear for this later... but he didn't care. Hermione hated detention.

To Ron's astonishment, he realised his hands were making contact with Hermione's stomach. It had been hours since he'd touched her skin there... when he was tickling her in the grass... Before today, though, it had been over a year since they'd shared this contact. Everything was better when they could do that. And Ron knew he didn't deserve it.

"HERMIONE" Lavender shouted back, watching Hermione finally relax into his touch. "I DON'T CARE ANYMORE: HERMIONE!" screamed heartbroken Lavender, resigned to the fact she'd lost him. "I DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR RON'S LIKE. BECAUSE YOUR RON IS SO DIFFERENT FROM THE RON THAT WAS MY BOYFRIEND IT'S UNREAL. HAVE HIM FOR ALL I CARE"

"WE'RE OVER!" reverberated through the common room as both Lavender and Ginny shouted it.

Ron felt ashamed as Lavender fled through the portrait hole into the dark castle. Thankfully, Seamus followed her. She, obviously, couldn't stand to be in the same room as him. He let go of Hermione like he'd been burned. The room was spinning. He felt sick. He could have easily physically hurt her. What if he one day got angry at Hermione hurt her?

What the Merlin was he going to do?

Find out in chapter two... The Kitchen's, Quidditch pitch, what Ron did to McLaggen mixed with lots of R/Hr action...

I was nearly finished with the rest if this fic when I realised that something was missing: the break-up from Ron's viewpoint. PLEASE bear in mind that this scene was something I never intended to write from their viewpoint. You can thank Seamus' Night In for this it going this way. For the interweaving back missing moment's universe; please refer to my profile. Not essential to understand this but makes the whole thing more fun.

I've spent many missing moment fic's hinting at what happened this day... After the Apparation test then on the Quidditch pitch after the Ron-Lavender break-up. That means writing this fic has meant – remembering and reimagining what I felt happened.

Perhaps the trickiest missing moment fic I've very written. It ties into both HBP and DH canon as well as my own missing moment universe. This fic directly relates to: Seamus Day In/Night Out, Christmas Tradition Interrupted/At Last/Interrupted Again, Sad FM, Yule Brawl and Tomboy...

I love the comments.

JustSuperMione

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