Falling Out of Love

by 2nerdyfangirls

Everyone falls in love at some point in their lives, but what does it feel like to fall out of love? Follow the journey of Hermione Granger as she learns the answers to these questions. This is a story about crossing the thin line between love and hate, heart and mind, enemies and soul mates, life and death and whatever is in between.

1. Prologue

"Hermione,"Harry softly called. Harry stood there, on Hermione's porch, looking haggard. In fact, the first thought that bloomed in Hermione's brilliant mind was that the last time she had seen her best friend looking so… solemn had been the battle of Hogwarts.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione looked at Harry, concerned. Harry's green eyes, now slightly bloodshot, darted to Rose who was reading in a chair behind Hermione. Hermione forced a calm look on her face. "Rose, dear," she turned to face her daughter. "Go on upstairs and check on your brother."

Rose opened her mouth as though she wanted to protest but after she saw the look on her mother's face she obeyed. Hermione opened her front door wider for Harry, "Come in so we can talk."

Harry followed the brunette into her living room where they sat. Hermione put a hand comfortingly on Harry's shoulder when he stayed silent for a moment. "Harry, what is it? Is it Ginny? Is she alright?"

To Hermione's dismay, Harry only seemed to grow more upset. "Yes, Ginny… Ginny's fine." Harry stood up, ran a hand through his hair, and began to pace.

Hermione stood up, growing anxious. "Well, what's wrong then?" Hermione was growing concerned as she observed the small signs of Harry's internal struggle.. Harry finally stopped and looked Hermione in the eyes. "It's Ron," He stated dully. Hermione's eyes shot to his, observing another wave of sadness hit him at her half hopeful, half terrified glance. "Harry," she started slowly, "What exactly is wrong with Ron?"

Harry sighed, "Hermione, Ron… He's gone."
Hermione inhaled sharply and felt a sharp pain in her chest. "Ron left a week ago for a conference with the auror department in America, he can't be. You must have mistaken him for someone else."

Harry didn't know what to do or say. He wanted more than anything to embrace the woman in front of him and tell her that everything would be alright. But he couldn't do that. Hermione was a sister to him, he couldn't lie to her. Harry had been putting off telling Hermione for several days, mostly because he had been in denial himself.

It wasn't until what seemed like hours later that Hermione's refusal to believe her husband was gone finally dissipated, and even then she was acting as though she didn't quite believe it was true.