" Ron, don't be mad." George said, backing away towards the door. Ron suddenly realized that he was acting weird. He had never gone out with Hermione. He was in love with Lavender. He didn't care who went out with Hermione, as long as it wasn't someone like Draco Malfoy. He relaxed his shoulders and put his fists down.
" I don't care. Why did you even come and ask me?" Ron calmly said. He retreated back to his broomstick and before polishing it again; he looked back up at his older brother. George tiptoed over to Harry's bed and sat down.
" Look, I don't care if you go out with her, but if you ever hurt her, in any way, shape, or form, I'll kill you. And if you think I'm joking, try me." Ron said. With that, George Apparated away.
Weeks went by and a five person group became eight. Fred decided to leave the twin's shop up to Lee Jordan so he could come home to the Burrow. Then, with him, came Angelina Johnson.
Hermione had never been happier. She didn't fantasize about Ron dumping Lavender for her anymore. To her, Ron was her friend, and, for right now, that's the way she wanted to keep it. Of course, there was always those awkward moments when Lavender was in Diagon Alley with Mrs. Weasley, Harry was with Ginny, and Fred, George, and Angelina had gone to the shop to check that everything was okay and to make appearances.
The last time that had happened, it was disastrous. Everyone had gone to do things and Ron and Hermione were alone. They were sitting there in silence until Hermione couldn't take it any longer and finally spoke up.
" Ron, why is it different now? I mean, we are still friends, right?" she said.
" I guess so." He replied. There was hesitation in his voice, which discouraged Hermione's spirits. She'd rather fight with him then not speak at all. Ron had been her friend for God knows how long and she had liked him forever, but they were with separate people. So why wasn't he happy? She decided that she was going to find out.
" You know, if you didn't want George and me to be together, all you had to do was say so." She whispered.
" Oh, so now it's my fault?" he asked, rage rising up inside him. " You didn't have to get with the next Weasley you saw! You could've told me how you felt!"
" Ron, you know it's not about that!" she shouted, rising up from her chair. " You don't even love Lavender! You don't look at her the way you used to and you give George this horrid look like he took something that belonged to you. Something you thought you'd never want until you thought you had lost it! It's completely unfair!"
" How?!" Ron asked, also standing up.
" 'Cause you picked her! And then when I finally pick, it's like it's a big deal." She replied. She was starting to cry. " Was I supposed to wait for you while you messed around? NO! I found someone. So why can't you be happy for me?"
" Damn it, Hermione! Don't you get it? It's because I love you!" he said.
" Well, I don't love you. I mean, how can I? You totally abandoned me! It seems like it's back and forth between you and your stupid feelings. One minute, you like me. The next, you don't. So what is your issue?"
" I don't believe that. I don't believe that."
" Believe what?"
" That you don't love me."
" Well…don't turn the tables around on me!" she screamed. " You picked Lavender and I picked George, so deal with it."
" Fine."
" Fine!"
And with that, she stormed out of his room and up the stairs to the room she shared with Ginny and Lavender.