"What is it, Ron? I thought you were with Harry tonight. Isn't Ginny still out of town?" Hermione asked cautiously, following him into the sitting room of her small flat. Ron was pacing in front of the sofa. He stopped, and turned to face her, his eyes dark with desperation.

"Are you cheating on me?"

"What? Of course not! What kind of question is that?"

"I saw you!" Ron bellowed, worry and jealousy exploding to the surface. Hermione took a step back, visibly shaken by the outburst. Ron instantly regretted his explosion of temper, and took a deep breath, trying hard to gentle his voice. It came out desperate and broken. "You told me you couldn't make lunch. We haven't had time together in so long, and you just send an owl I have to work. H. and nothing else. So, I take Mum out and I see you there with that guy¼I think he works in your office and he was touching you and your hair, and laughing and leering. What the hell is going on?"

Hermione felt her temper rise. Was he really accusing her of not wanting to spend time together? It was too much. "Okay, first of all that was a person from my office. His name is Ethan Garret and we were working. You might know him if you had come to any five of my work functions for the last nine months. I would like to point out that I have been to all of yours. Secondly, you have known me for a decade. I would never cheat on you. Third, how dare you imply I don't want to spend time with you when I've been nothing but an afterthought to you for the last nine and a half months!"

"What? Hermione, that is not true! You know that isn't true¼don't you? Hermione?"

Hermione looked at the ground, unable to meet Ron's eyes. Numbly, she shook her head and swallowed the huge lump in her throat. Ron flopped back down on the sofa. Staring ahead, he whispered, "I'm losing you, aren't I?"

Hermione heard a small sob escape her throat. "I¼I don't know."

She sat down beside him and took his hand. He held it tightly, as if clinging on for his very survival. Hermione spoke softly. "I'm so proud of you, Ron. You are one of the best people I know. You've done so much to help George and your family heal. You've been there for Harry and Ginny¼she wouldn't have left if she didn't know you'd be here to watch after Harry when she had to go on her many road trips for the Harpies. And Auror training. God, Ron, you are doing so well! I here such good things at the Ministry¼you are going to be a brilliant Auror. You are the man I always knew you would be. The man I love¼I just wish there was a place for me in all of that."

"But Hermione, there is! You are my life¼the reason I do all these things is you! I know I've neglected you, and I'm sorry. I'll do better, I swear it."

Hermione sighed deeply. I love him so much¼but he doesn't have room for me right know. And I cannot even be sure if he loves me enough¼I'm just not sure of anything anymore.

"I think¼I think we need a break, Ron."

"What? Oh. Okay. Well, let's take a walk, cool down and talk it over--"

"No, Ron. That isn't what I meant. I think we need a break¼from each other."

Ron froze in the act of putting on his leather jacket. He turned to Hermione, fire in his cobalt eyes.

"You're breaking up with me?"

"No, I'm trying to give you space¼space to do what you need to do in your life right now¼to figure out what you want."

"You are what I want--"

Hermione couldn't help it¼she laughed. "Yes, you want me--us--so much you fell asleep on the couch waiting to make love with me for the first time. You were just on fire with desire, weren't you, Ron?"

Ron staggered. He had avoided talking about that night for weeks. Ginny had warned him to was a mistake, but he had felt so guilty. Now, he understood. Hermione had already felt neglected at that point. He had made her feel undesirable as well. Merlin, I've fucked it up again.

"Hermione, please, you have to know--"

"What I know is that I am last on your priority list and I can't do it anymore¼it hurts too much!" Hermione fled the room, the sound of loud sobs following her slight frame. Ron stood still for a moment, staring helplessly into nothingness. Then with a muttered curse, he apparted with a POP.