CHAPTER ONE

I've Got Dreams to Remember

Ron could feel his heart breaking, he felt like crying.

It was December, a cold night and Hogwarts was packed with people. The Ministry had decided to hold a Christmas ball at the school to lift the nations' spirits. Ron and Harry had arrived over an hour ago, when Harry immediately disappeared to find Ginny. Ron had milled around for a bit before spotting Hermione over by the punch table. At the sight of her, his insides squirmed like a bowl of snakes. He stopped and watched as she stood nervously by the table.

'Go and talk to her, son.' Mr Weasley said as he passed. Ron smiled to himself and made his way over to Hermione.

'Hey,' he said, filling up his glass.

'Hi, I didn't see you there, how are you?' Hermione replied.

'I'm good, thanks. Everything's going well at training and I'm, I'm fine.' Ron said. He leant against the table before adding, 'what's it like back at Hogwarts?'

'It's okay, quiet without you and Harry, but okay.'

'Yeah, but you wanted to finish your education.' Ron chuckled.

'Ron, you know me. Education is important to me and my parents.' Hermione replied, rather angrily.

'Hermione,' Ron said, turning towards her, 'every department in the Ministry was offering you top jobs.'

'Yes, but I wanted to get a job off the back of my own achievements.'

'Oh, and helping Harry in defeating the darkest wizard of the century wasn't an achievement?' Ron replied, sarcastically.

'Most of that was luck, you know that, Ron.'

'Not all of it was luck, you're an amazing witch,' Ron said, grinning at her.

'Ron, I'm not starting this again. I came back to Hogwarts because I wanted to, end of!' Hermione said, putting her glass down and staring at Ron, hands on hips.

'Okay, what you wanted, I get it. Stop getting all uptight, Merlin!' Ron muttered, taking a sip of punch.

'Argh, this is why you annoy me, see you around, Ron.' Hermione took her glass up and flounced off. Ron watched her go with a twinge of regret. When she was out of view, Harry appeared at his side.

'Had another argument?' He said, sighing almost automatically.

'Yeah, I don't know what it is. Lately, whenever we talk we fall out. I just, I just don't get it,' Ron said.

'When was the last time you had a conversation with her without falling out?' Harry asked.

'I don't know,' Ron paused for a second, 'the night of the battle?'

'That long?' Harry asked. Ron nodded. 'Can I ask you something, Ron?'

'Yeah,' replied Ron, sadly.

'After your, er, kiss, you know, in the room of requirement?' Harry said, looking at his shoes.

'Yeah?' Ron asked, looking confused.

'Did you, er, did you-'

'Spit it out, Harry!'

'Fine,' Harry turned and looked at Ron, 'did you do anything about it?'

'What do you mean?' Ron said. Harry sighed and rolled his eyes.

'After your kiss with Hermione, did you act on it? Did you talk to her about it, did you ever kiss her again?' Harry asked.

'Er…no,' Ron replied.

'Why not?' Harry yelled. Several people around them stopped to look and Harry lowered his voice, 'why not?' Ron, you never get it, do you? You get so close and then mess it up. You really irritate me sometime, y'know?'

'What is it with people having a go at me tonight?' Ron said, defensively.

'Listen, Ron,' Harry said, running a hand through his hair. 'Don't you realise how much you wanted to be with her and when she gives you that chance, you blow it!' Ron stopped drinking and stared blankly ahead before Harry started waving his hands in front of Ron's face.

'Ron, er, Ron!' Harry said.

'You're right,' Ron looked at Harry as though he was seeing him for the first time. 'I'm a complete idiot. All this time she's probably been waiting for me to make the next move.'

'You think!' Harry replied in mock surprise.

'Yeah, I mean, what have I been up to these last few months? Nothing, absolutely nothing.' Ron took a gulp of punch and some trickled down his chin and onto his shirt.

'So,' Harry said, 'what are you gonna do?'

'I'm going to talk to her,' Ron replied, standing up suddenly and adjusting his jacket.

'Really?'

'Yeah, I'm going to talk to her, I'm going to talk to Hermione, wish me luck.' Ron said, walking away.

'Good luck, Ron.' Harry smiled as he watched Ron stroll away. Ron made his way through the crowd, glancing left and right looking for Hermione. He passed George and tapped him on the shoulder.

'Have you seen Hermione?' Ron asked.

'Hermione,' George replied looking around. 'Er, she over there, kissing that-, that guy.' Ron spun quickly on the spot and suddenly he felt as though the world was closing up on him. Hermione was locked in a tight embrace with a tall, dark stranger.

'W-w-what?' Ron stuttered.

'Sorry, mate,' George placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

'What?' Ron repeated, his mouth open. Harry wandered over to them, smiling.

'Did you talk to her, oh!' Harry said, following their gaze. 'Sorry, Ron.' The three of them watched as Hermione surfaced.

'Who is he?' Ron asked, hoarsely.

'He's Edward Devine.' Harry said, hands in pockets.

'Who the hell is Edward Devine?' Ron asked as Hermione played with Edward's jacket buttons.

'He works over in Africa, a researcher or something like that.'

'Researcher, pfft!' Ron scoffed, 'Hermione can do loads better than a researcher.'

'Harry!' Hermione spotted them and hand in hand with Edward, she skipped towards them.

'Oh great, here comes precious Eddie.' Ron said, sarcastically.

'Good luck, guys,' George smirked before slinking off.

'Harry, I want you to meet Edward.' Hermione said.

'I think we've met,' Harry said, shaking Edward's hand.'

'Hi,' Edward said, before offering his hand to Ron and adding, 'you must be Ronald Weasley.' Ron shook his hand, keeping his eyes averted from Hermione's. 'So, finally, I meet the golden trio.' He grinned at them and wrapped his arm around Hermione's waist. 'We'll definitely be seeing more of one another now.' Hermione smiled as he kissed her. Ron suddenly became interested in his fingernails.

'Hopefully, yeah!' Harry said, raising his eyebrows at them.

'Well, we'll see you around. Come on, Hermione.' He waved at them and wheeled her away.

'I don't like him,' Ron said, the minute they were out of earshot.

'Of course you don't. He just stole the girl you love.' Harry replied. The two lapsed into silence. On thinking of how to comfort the other and the other wondering what he had just lost.

(Hope you liked it, I'll get the next chapter up soon and I would love it if you tell me what you think. Thanks, Beebbop)