Weeks passed since the war ended. Hermione, Harry, and the Weasleys had attended more funerals than one human being should ever have to in a life time, much less in such a short time span. Now, though, everyone was starting to fall back into the routine of normal life. Ginny and Harry were working to forward their newly rekindled romance, George had immersed himself into his work at the joke shop, Mr. Weasley was aiding in rebuilding the ministry, and Mrs. Weasley was doing her best to support everyone in their efforts.
As for Ron and Hermione, things were as awkward as ever. Ron was doing his best to reignite the spark they had felt during their first kiss, but as much as she wanted to, Hermione just was not feeling it. She came up with every excuse she could to thwart his advances. When he tried to kiss her, she would turn her head and fake a cough, forcing his lips to her cheek. When he tried to hold her hand, she would move to pick up an object she had no real interest in. When he would pull her to him in a tight hug, everything about it felt wrong to Hermione. His cologne was always too strong, his body was hard and uncomfortable to be pressed against, and the stubble on his face was scratchy and irritating when pressed against her cheek.
Hermione did not know how to tell Ron that she just wanted to go back to being just friends, especially since he seemed so happy and oblivious with the way things were. He really was doing everything right, and he was being so sweet. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him, but she just did not feel the same way about him that he felt about her. It would not be fair to keep leading Ron on.
Hermione knew she had to end things with Ron before she left in a few days to go find her parents. Before leaving to find the horcruxes with Harry and Ron, Hermione had erased her parent's memory and sent them to Australia. They had no knowledge that they had ever even had a daughter. It was Hermione's effort to protect them, so that Death Eaters would not seek them out and torture them in order to find out Hermione's where-abouts. Now, that the war was over, and the threat was gone, Hermione knew she needed to find her mom and dad and restore their memories. She could not in good conscience leave Ron with hopes that she would return and run gallivanting into his arms.
The morning of the day before she left, Hermione pulled Ron aside after breakfast. She took him out back so that they could talk in private.
"What's up?" Ron asked casually as he looped an arm around her shoulders as they walked across the grass.
Hermione stopped and turned toward Ron, shrugging his arm off her shoulder, "We really need to talk about us, about where our relationship is going."
Ron smiled and placed a hand on either side of Hermione's face, "Good. I've wanted to talk to you for some time now."
"No, Ron—"
"Hermione, I would really like it if we made this officially. Would you be my girlfriend?"
Hermione choked on the words she was about to say. Why was he making this so much harder for her? Now, she had to reject him in a way that would hurt much worse than she originally intended.
Hermione took a deep breath and let it out in a frustrated sigh, "Ron, I think I'm gay."
Hermione reached a hand up to clutch her mouth. What had she just said? The words came out of her mouth before she even realized what she was saying. She certainly had not intended to say it. She did not even know where the words came from. However, it did not entirely come as a surprise to Hermione. The thought had been creeping its way to the forefront of her brain for some time now. It would explain why she always felt different around other girls and why everything about being with Ron had felt awkward and uncomfortable. Still, she had not intended to go blurting out her deepest secret to the boy she was trying to break up with.
Ron smile faltered and he dropped his hands from Hermione's face, "Excuse me? Did you just say that you 'think you might be gay'?"
Hermione's hand was still clutched over her mouth. A lump was growing in her throat, and she could feel tears start to burn in her eyes. She shook her head vehemently and turned on the spot. With a pop, Hermione disapparated.