-1TO HONOR

Disclaimer: The characters belong to Jo; the story is mine!

Summary: "He sacrificed his life for you! And this is how you honor his memory?"

Harry made the ultimate sacrifice in the final battle and left his friends to deal with the consequences. Now, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville are just going through the motions, hiding form the pain and memories. Can they learn to honor Harry's sacrifice as it should be honored?

Chapter One

Ron Weasley hailed the muggle barkeep for the third time in just one short hour. "Another, yeah?" he requested, careful to keep his voice clear and unslurred. He didn't want to give the guy a reason not to serve him. Not tonight.

The young man with spiky blond hair put another glass of amber liquid before him. Ron nodded a thank you and downed the contents with one gulp, not tasting it as it burned down his throat. "It's got nothing on Firewhiskey," he mumbled to himself, "but it'll have to do." Ron had taken to muggle pubs some time ago. He was still widely recognized in the wizarding world as Ronald B. Weasley, Hero of the Second Great Wizarding War. Here he was just an average bloke who needed a drink or two or three…anything to drown out the pain…to forget.

"RONALD WEASLEY!"

Shite, she found me. How does she always find me? He did not look up from his drink. "Hermione," he stated evenly, hailing the barkeep for another one.

She took the seat next to him with a huff. Ron watched the barkeep's eyes roam appreciatively over her chest, and an involuntary growl escaped his lips. "Back off, friend," he muttered tersely. With a lingering glance and smirk, the young man shrugged and went back to work.

"Ron, are you drunk?"

He looked at her then and was instantly sorry he did. God, she is so fucking gorgeous. The pretty girl born at the Yule Ball had grown into an extremely beautiful and desirable woman. Not that Hermione believed that. No, for all her cleverness she still thought of herself as the same plain girl with frizzy hair she'd been at eleven. Every man in the room, Ron especially, knew differently. Shiny chocolate ringlets, huge amber eyes, pink pouty lips, and an incredible body. God, what a body. In fact, the silky low-cut red dress she was wearing showcased her curves quite nicely.

"Damn, Hermione," he muttered his eyes resting unabashedly on her chest. "You shouldn't be in a place like this looking like that. It's dangerous."

Hermione just tutted and reached over to take a sip of his drink. "I can take care of myself, Ron. It is, after all, what I do best."

Her words were innocent but they cut him to the core, reminding him of his failures and broken promises. He forced a chuckle, covering his pain with a joke. "If I remember correctly, that is NOT what you are best at," he murmured, letting his gaze travel up and down her form for emphasis.

Hermione just looked at him and sighed. Apparently, there would be no baiting her tonight. She cleared her throat and looked at him carefully before continuing. "Your family is waiting for you."

"Hmmmph."

"RON! You have to go!"

"Like hell."

"Ronald--"

"NO HERMIONE! NO! WHY TONIGHT OF ALL NIGHTS? NO!!!"

Hermione sighed again, looking down at her clasped hands. "Ron," she began softly, "you want her to be happy…she's finally moving on. Harry wanted--"

"I KNOW WHAT HARRY WANTED, GODDAMMIT! IT'S ALL ABOUT HARRY, ISN'T IT? WHAT HE WANTED! WHAT HE THOUGHT BEST! OF COURSE HE DIDN'T STAY AROUND LONG ENOUGH TO LIVE WITH ANY OF THE CONSEQUENCES, DID HE? NO, HE LEFT THAT TO ALL OF US … THANKS TO ME!"

The bar had gone silent, all eyes on Ron. He cursed silently, and grabbed his leather jacket, tossing money unto the bar. He glanced at Hermione. She was breathing heavily, trying to head off the tears he knew he was once again responsible for.

"I'm sorry, Mione. I-I just…. I am happy for Gin and Neville. Truly, I am. But I can't celebrate their engagement on the anniversary of Harry's death. I won't." He took a deep breath and looked down at his shoes. "Will you be okay?"

Hermione nodded. " I'll be fine. Viktor is just outside."

Ron fist clenched involuntarily at the mention of Krum. "Say hi to Vicky for me I'll, uh , I'll see ya Mione."

Hermione watched as Ron Weasley walked away from her and out of her life once again.