Summary: Hermione and Ron have been dating for four years. They live in a flat together in London and both work at the Ministry. Hermione thought they were happy until she catches Ron in a compromising position – on her birthday. Is this the end of their relationship or will Hermione learn that hate is never too far from love?

Author's Note: I have been reading Romione fanfiction for years now and I have finally decided to give writing one a go! I love Ron and Hermione's dynamic and their angsty storylines. So this story will be filled with frustrations and love. Let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. JK Rowling owns all things related to Harry Potter. This is not intended to be copyright infringement.

Chapter One: Birthday Surprise

Hermione checked the clock on her parents dining room wall for the fourth time that hour. "He must have gotten held up at the office. They've been putting him on quite a lot of missions lately. Sort of like a promotion, you know?" She nervously chattered on and fiddled with the cloth napkin in her lap.

Mrs. Granger cleared her throat and put a comforting hand on Hermione's knee to stop it from bouncing. She waited for Hermione to look up and gave her a reassuring smile. "We know dear. You both have been very busy at work. We always enjoy when you come by and visit. I'm sure Ron will join us next time."

"We'll pack him up some food to takeaway. How about that?" Mr. Granger smiled politely as he started to clear the dishes from the table. Hermione jumped up from her chair to help, eager to be doing something with her hands. "Oh no sweetheart!" Mr. Granger halted her movements. "It's your birthday! Why don't you go open your present in the sitting room? Your mother and I have this." She looked over to her mother who continued to wear an encouraging smile on her face. Hermione politely smiled back and nodded her head as she headed to the sitting room.

As her parents moved to the kitchen, she heard them whispering lowly to one another. "Third time in a row he hasn't shown," she heard her dad complain. "Well he's an Auror and it's Thursday, the middle of the week. Maybe he couldn't get away?" Her mum always tried to think positive about her relationship with Ron. Hermione appreciated that. "He could have gotten away for her sodding birthday!"

Hermione held back her tears as she moved away from the entrance. She had hoped her parents didn't notice that Ron's visits had become few and far between since he had accepted his position as an Auror along with Harry. Ron was naturally strategic and could plan out a mission faster than he could plan out a win in chess. He was valuable to the Ministry and to the wizarding world. She just wished he made time for the small things – like dinner with her parents to celebrate her birthday. She thought about sending an owl, or maybe even a howler, to his office. But she wanted to believe he had gotten called away on a mission. She wanted to believe he did not forget about her birthday or her parent's invitation to dinner.

Hermione wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, clearing away the tears. She needed to put on a friendly face for her parents. They didn't need to know her and Ron were having problems. She had yet to acknowledge that she was unhappy with their relationship. No point in bringing them into this right now. She'd head to the office as soon as she left here and have a serious talk with Ronald Bilius Weasley and get this all straightened out. There. With a plan in mind, Hermione straightened her shoulders and put a smile on her face.

She sat down on the sofa and pulled her parent's present onto her lap. Her mother must have wrapped the box as the edges were pristine and the bow was perfectly placed on top. She carefully opened the gift and found a framed photo of her and Ron with the word "LOVE" etched just below their picture. He gazed lovingly down at her as she tilted her head in laughter. She couldn't remember taking the photo. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen them look this happy and carefree together. Underneath the frame were two plane tickets and a note. Tickets to Paris, she realized.

Hermione,

We love you so much. You and Ron work so hard. Maybe it's time to take a break? Our flat in Paris should make for a nice get away. Happy birthday.

Love,

Mum & Dad

"We know you both could pop over to France whenever you'd like, being magical and all. But we figured you'd like to slow it down and take Ron on a plane." Her mum lightly said as she sat next to her on the sofa. "I know the picture doesn't move, but I figured you'd like it anyway."

"When did you take this?" Hermione asked as she touched the frame with the tips of her fingers. "LOVE" she read again and her heart ached just a bit.

"Harry and Ginny's anniversary party," her father chimed in. "Don't know what you all were laughing about, but I couldn't resist taking the photo." He squeezed Hermione's shoulder and sat on her other side. "Hermione…if there is anything you want to tell us, you can. You and Ron are…Are you okay?"

Hermione closed her eyes and hugged the picture to her chest. She took a deep breath before answering. "We're fine dad. Just…busy. Thank you both for the present and the plane tickets. I'm sure Ron will love them. I really should be going and check on him at the office. See if he's out on a mission and if I can help." She avoided eye contact with her parents as she shuffled the presents back into the box. She quickly kissed and hugged both of her parents and apparated with her wand to her office at the Ministry of Magic.

Once inside her office at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, Hermione paused briefly to catch her breath and listen to hear if anyone else was still in the office. It was a little after 10 and she was thankful that the fourth level seemed empty so no one would see her like this. She gently closed her office door and walked towards the lift to the Aurors Department. As she waited, she caught her reflection in the mirror. She felt silly for dressing up in her bright orange floral top and jeans with her 4-inch brown boots. Ron loved her in orange, even though she thought it drowned out her skin tone. She'd even put on a bit of makeup and had her curly hair out and wild. She normally wore her hair in a tamed bun when she was out in public, but she had imagined Ron running his hands through her hair as they sat close together during dinner. He never could resist touching it. She never could resist letting him. She shook her head to clear it as the lift dinged open. She hoped no one saw her in the corridors, dressed up, hair wild, still holding her present. How would she explain to them why she was all alone at work on her birthday?

As Hermione approached the Aurors office, she noticed one light on. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that the light was coming from Ron and Harry's shared office. She quickly rushed in with a smile on her face. It immediately dropped as she saw just Harry hunched over his desk, scribbling away at some papers. He jumped when he heard her come in.

"Merlin, Hermione! What are you doing sneaking up on me like that? Wait…aren't you and Ron supposed to be at your parent's house celebrating? Happy birthday by the way." Harry got up out of his chair and grabbed his wand, looking ready for action as he walked near her.

"Ron never showed. I was hoping he was here. Working with you." She looked around the small office as if Ron was somewhere underneath and pile of papers on his desk. She put her present down in his office chair and glanced over his desk, trying to find a note that might let her know why he hadn't shown.

"Errr. Well he was called in on a mission earlier today." He checked his watch and frowned. "But he should have been back by now." Harry walked out of the office and checked the official tracking board. Tapping it with his wand and muttering a code, he looked over the missions listed. "Says here the mission was complete around 8:23pm tonight."

Hermione felt her cheeks turn red and her eyes began to water once again. Harry sensed her distress and touched her arms lightly. "Most times the team heads to the Leaky for drinks after a night mission. We could pop on over there and see if anyone knows where Ron went? He's probably trying to get you a last-minute present. We know how forgetful he is, yeah?" His chuckle sounded forced to Hermione, but she nodded and grabbed his hand anyway. She felt a familiar tug in her stomach as she apparated side-along with Harry to the front of the pub.

The Leaky Cauldron was packed with wizards and witches, drinking and having a good time. Just as Harry predicted, a group of Aurors were gathered in the corner, drinking and laughing. Hermione scowled as she saw exactly what – or rather who – they were laughing at. Ron stood with one foot on a chair in the middle of the crowd, telling what appeared to be a funny story about the mission they had just completed. "You should have seen this bloke! One look at Smith and he was so distracted, we got to him like that!" He snapped his fingers together as Auror Sara Smith blushed and hid behind her glass of butterbeer. "I think he was even more turned on when she shoved her wand into his face!" The pub roared with laughter.

Harry smiled sheepishly at Hermione as he saw her anger building. Her hair seemed to rise along with her chest. "Hermione, I'm sure the date must have slipped his mind. You know Ron enjoys the attention. He gets easily distracted and…" Hermione stopped listening as she saw some bimbo squeeze pass through the crowd and grab Ron's arm. "Another round for you Weasley, stud?" She asked seductively as she rubbed her chest against his arm. "Make it two," Ron smiled down widely at the waitress. "Anna here needs one to celebrate her first successful mission." The waitress smiled, ran her hand up Ron's chest, and lightly kissed him on the lips before moving away to go get their drinks. Ron smirked – actually smirked! – and took another gulp of his drink. He prepared to launch back into his story when he looked up and caught Hermione's eye across the pub.

She felt like she couldn't breathe. He had just casually kissed another woman. Like it was the most normal thing in the world. Like he did it all the time. Like he didn't have her.

Everything was moving in slow motion. Ron put down his drink and swiftly moved in her direction. Her eyes were blurry with tears. She couldn't read his facial expression. The room was spinning. She thought she heard someone calling her name. "Hermione. Hermione! Let's just get out of here." Harry was in front of her. Trying to get her to breathe. But she could barely hear him as her heart beat was too loud and too fast in her ears. Ron, her Ron, was in a pub drinking, laughing, and kissing women on her birthday. It felt like sixth year all over again. She was that insecure, frizzy haired girl sitting properly in the corner, pining over the game-winning Quidditch player as he stood in the crowd, being adored by others. She felt like throwing up. She never thought she'd feel this way again. Not after…well, everything.

"Hermione, that wasn't what it looked like," Ron said to her as he got closer. He reached for her hands and she unconsciously stepped back away from him. She saw panic in his eyes. "Hermione…"

Harry stepped in between them, glaring at Ron. "How about we all discuss this in the morning, yeah? I don't think she's in the mood to talk to your right now, mate." Ron ignored him as he desperately tried to get Hermione's attention. "Let's call it a night and go home to talk. Alone." He glared back at Harry. Harry crossed his arms and planted his feet, silently letting Ron know that he wasn't leaving Hermione's side.

Hermione couldn't handle this. It was all too much. Her heart felt like it was shattering on the floor. The pub had gotten quieter. People were staring. Whispering. It'd be the talk of the town by morning. Ron Weasley finally gets rid of plain jane Hermione Granger. To hell with that! If he'd rather spend his time drinking with friends in pubs than enjoying evenings with her parent's for dinner, he could do that. Without her. She'd make it easy for him.

She saw Harry shove Ron back as he tried to approach her again. They looked ready to fight. "Harry," she whispered. Both men turned sharply to look at her. She focused her eyes on Ron, fixing him with a look full of contempt. "It's not worth it." A small 'pop' was heard as Hermione apparated away.