Romione3

"I get it. You choose him."

She could see the pain in Ron's eyes as he said the words. She had to make him see sense; she couldn't bear him thinking that. But there was no way that she could admit how she felt for Ron, in front of Harry.

"Ron, no - please - come back, come back!"

Those were the only words she could choke out without breaking down completely. He turned away from her swiftly, and stormed out of the tent into the night.

She waited for her shield charm to fade, then ran out from the canvas cover of the tent to the thundering rain outside. She could see a shadow by the stream; she upped her pace in order to intercept him.

"Ron? RON!"

His head turned, but he continued to walk on. Away from her.

"RONALD WEASLEY, DON'T YOU DARE IGNORE ME!"

He stopped dead, and slowly turned to face her, as she sped towards him.

"What do YOU want?" Snapped Ron.

"A chance to explain..." Her words trailed off into silence.

"Explain what?" His voice was gentle as he placed a warm hand on her shoulder.

She stammered, struggling to find the words. "That I... That Harry needs you. That we can't do this without you. That... That I need you."

"Oh." Whispered Ron. She looked up at him, her eyes swimming with tears. He slid his hand up to her cheek, and brushed a few straggly hairs off her face. A smile crept up his features, turning up the corners of his mouth and brightening his eyes.

"I..." Ron only managed one syllable before he truly saw her, eyes closed, cherry lips slightly parted, leaning closer to him. She leaned closer still, until her lips were only a fraction of a centimetre from his. Their lips had barely touched, when the sound of a twig snapping broke them apart.

His expression was shocked; his mouth was slightly opened, his eyes wide. He said nothing. Her heart hammered inside her chest. Her eyes were wide and white; she looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights of a Ford Anglia. She opened her mouth to speak, but only a strangled sob escaped her. Books had never prepared her for this moment, or any like it. She had no clue what to do.

But Ron did. He assumed that this was a low trick; a way to get him to stay. He saw the way she was with Harry, which was nothing like the way they were. In his head, he did not deserve her. So he did the only thing he could. He walked away from her, and left her and her broken heart standing there, in the pouring rain.