To Tell The Truth
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. This story is for entertainment purposes only.
Hermione sat at the lacy-covered table by herself, watching happy couples and various members of Ron's family dance to the jazz band by the stage. Every so often she would look over at Ron, who was in deep conversation with Charlie. Ron had caught her eye more than once in under five minutes, each time his face turning crimson.
Sighing, Hermione uncrossed her legs, smoothed her blue skirt over her knees and stood up. Things between she and Ron had been increasingly uncomfortable ever since Dumbledore's funeral; they hadn't been able to have a proper conversation since before that terrible day. Ron had been a source of comfort, but after, they both just closed off from each other. There had been no fighting or name-calling, just uncomfortable silence and distance, and Hermione couldn't stand it much longer.
Easing her way through the maze of table and people, she spotted Harry congratulating Fleur with a kiss on the cheek. He spotted Hermione, and nudged his way over to her.
"Have you talked to Ron yet?" he asked.
"No," said Hermione. "Every time I try to go up to him, he finds some other place to go and, oh, Harry, it's so hard!" She sighed, her bottom lip trembling. She looked back again where Ron had been, but he was no longer there.
"I don't like seeing you guys like this," said Harry. "It's just strange when we aren't all hanging around together. I know both of you can help each other out, but you need to talk to him first. He won't talk to you."
Hermione sighed again, looking up at Harry. She knew he was right. Ron was stubborn like that. He would let weeks or even months go by before he would be the first to speak up. She gave Harry a weak smile, and he gave her an encouraging one back.
"Alright, I'm going to do this," she mumbled to herself, weaving back in through the crowd. She saw Charlie talking to one of the trumpet players in the band and asked him where Ron went.
"I think he went back into the house for a breather," he said. Hermione thanked him and gratefully left the group that was crowded into the Weasley's backyard.
"Ronald, I know you're in here," she called, opening the back door of the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley was in the kitchen, taking a steaming pot off the stove.
"He's upstairs, dear," Mrs. Weasley said, with a wry grin. "You'd think he'd be used to a large crowd by now!"
Hermione managed a tiny chuckle and made her way up to Ron's room. He opened his door. "I heard you," he said gloomily. "Come in."