Author's Note:: Hello, everyone! First off, I'd like to apologize for my long absence. I wish I could say that I've got tons of chapters up my sleeves for this and Betwixt and Between, but, unfortunately, that would be lying. Lately, I've been dealing with health and family issues, and a monstrous writers block. What you see in front of you is a product of my attempt to break said block. I decided that I liked it enough to post, and I hope you'll all enjoy it. I'm going to do my best to update my other stories, and possibly this one if there's enough interest.
Disclaimer:: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the place or characters therein. I'm only borrowing them for a time. I make no profit off of the writing of this story.
All That I Have
"Please, Ron!" a frantic voice shouted, "Why won't you give us a chance?" Hermione was nearly in tears. Years of waiting, of watching and hoping that he'd notice her and how much she loved him, and now, now it was all for nothing.
"I said no, Hermione! I just- I just can't do it. You're like my sister, and it's just... not right." By the end, Ron was staring at the floor of his messy bedroom, his face pale and splotched with red from emotion. With a sigh, he looked up, meeting her tearful, chocolate eyes. "I'm sorry, 'Mione. I wanted it to work. Really, I did. It's just... I don't love you... no, it's that I'm not in love with you. You're a great girl, 'Mione, and no one will ever be able to replace you in my heart. But I just don't love you like that. I'm sorry." With that, the youngest Weasley boy turned and bolted out of the room, the sound of him rushing down the stairs of the Burrow soon following.
With a cry of anguish, Hermione crumpled to the floor, sobbing, her now tear-stained face hidden in her hands. All those years... and at the final battle, that kiss. She'd thought for sure that he'd finally seen her as the young woman she was. Now, though, now she wished they'd never kissed, so she'd never have had to feel this way. It seemed to the witch that her heart was literally breaking in two. Her chest hurt, and with every sobbed breath, the pain got worse.
So focused was she on her anguish and pain, she didn't even notice when her best friend walked into the room. Harry knelt next to her and slowly reached out to touch her shoulder. Startled, she looked up, her reddened eyes peering at him from between her parted fingers. She trembled at his touch, and it wasn't long before Hermione threw herself at him, pressing herself into his chest, her broken sobs muffled in his shirt. Tenderly, Harry wrapped his arms around her shoulders, and held her tightly. He rocked her gently, softly murmuring encouraging words.
"It'll be alright, 'Mione. You'll see. It's alright." He kept rocking her, repeating those words over and over. He wasn't very good with crying women, and had never been calm when seeing Hermione this upset. His own green eyes held tears now. She was hurting so much. Hermione had been the first one; the first one to ever see him as just Harry. Even while she knew who he was, she always treated him like just another person. It hurt him to see her like this, brought low by the rejection of their other closest friend. So, he did the only thing he could think to: He held her tight, and vowed to somehow find a way to bring the joy back into her eyes.
Author's Note:: As always reviews are greatly appreciated!