Chapter 2: Will We Ever Speak Again?

It had been nearly three weeks since Ron had returned to the Horcrux Hunt.

And in those three weeks, Hermione had not spoken a single word to him.

It wasn't as though he hadn't expected some awkwardness between them upon his return. He had. No, what Ron had not anticipated was how their friendship could become - and stay - so chilly. Hell, they barely seemed to have a friendship at all.

Ron tried everything to get back into Hermione's good graces. One evening, while she was on watch, he kicked Harry out of the tent so he could prepare Hermione's favorite meal - without magic. It was actually kind of fun, if he was being honest with himself. After gathering needed herbs and other ingredients, then transfiguring the remainder (food could not be conjured out of thin air), Ron soon managed to craft the best-looking meal since the start of the Hunt.

"Harry! You can come in now! Dinner's ready, mate!" Ron called. Harry entered the tent, a morose Hermione close behind him. Harry gawped.

"You actually made dinner?" he spluttered. Ron, quite pleased with himself, grinned at his friend's shock.

"Don't act so surprised. I'm not completely useless."

"That's debatable," Hermione muttered. Ron pretended not to have heard her, putting on a poker face even as her words plunged a stake through his heart. Instead, he busied himself with passing out the bowls of hot food. "Bon Apetit, ladies and gentlemen!"

The Trio gathered at the table. For just a moment, Ron thought he saw surprise flash across Hermione's face.

"Mediterranean pasta?"

"Complete with vegetables. Your favorite!" Ron said with as much cheerfulness and love as he could.

But Hermione didn't say anything. She spoke not a word to either of the boys for the rest of the meal, in fact. Yet Ron did note how she ate every last bit of food on her plate. He hoped that she and Harry had not starved while he had been gone. In fact, the thought that they may have starved actually made him so sick, he nearly lost his own usually robust appetite.

As soon as she was finished, Hermione stood up. "I'd better take watch."

"But you just got off watch," Harry reminded her as delicately as he could. The glare Hermione sent his way made it clear that such a detail annoyed her; evidently, she only wanted to keep watch so as to stay as far as possible from Ron.

"You know what, I'd actually better take watch!" Ron called almost desperately, as he clumsily rose from the table in haste. "I haven't had a shift in a while. Harry….. just reminded me of that. Thanks, buddy."

Harry looked befuddled, as he had done nothing of the sort. "But I didn't remind you at all…. OW!" His eyes suddenly watered and he doubled over, signaling that Ron had just kicked him in the shins from under the table.

Ron half-expected Hermione to say even a simple thank you for his chivalry. Somehow, he should have known better. She wordlessly turned on her heel and stalked over to her bunk, climbing in.

Ron sighed. He had tried. Sadly, he trudged out to take the night watch. At least being out in the crisp air gave Hermione her space, and - more importantly - him time to think. Exhaling deeply so he could see his breath dance on the air, he remembered something Hermione had said the night he returned: Don't think this changes anything. Had she really meant that? Had he broken something between them that could never, ever be repaired?

And one last question: Will we ever speak again?

A/N: "Look at where we are. Look at where we started. I know I don't deserve you…. but hear me out. That would be enough…. I don't pretend to know the challenges we're facing. I know there's no replacing what we've lost, and you need time. But I'm not afraid…. Just let me stay here by your side. That would be enough." ~ Lin Manuel Miranda, Hamilton

"Everywhere I turn, I've hurt someone. But there's nothing I can say to change the things I've done. Of all the things I've hid from you, I cannot hide the shame. And I pray someone, something, will come and take away the pain. There's no way out from this dark place. No hope, no future. I know why I can't be free. But I can't see another way. I can't face another day." ~ Phil Collins, Brother Bear

"I can usually drink you right off of my mind, but I miss you tonight. I can normally push you right out of my heart, but I'm too tired to fight. Yeah, the whole thing begins and I let you sink into my veins, and I feel the pain like it's new. Everything that we were, everything that you said, everything that I did and that I couldn't too plays through tonight. Tonight your memory burns like a fire! With every one it grows higher and higher. I can't get over it; I just can't put out this love. I just sit in these flames, and pray that you come back. Close me eyes tightly, hold on and hope that I'm dreaming. Come wake me up!" ~ Rascal Flatts