Hermione
Ron stared at me, his eyes begging for me to stay. I looked into his beautiful blue eyes, and for a moment thought that I should stay. How could I leave him? After everything we've been through, can I really just walk out of here and leave him? I didn't want to, but I had to.
"Hermione…" he whispered with pain in his voice. "…please, you can't just leave."
I took a deep breath, "I have to, Ron. I need to take care of myself." I tried desperately to explain.
He shook his head, searching for his next words, "I can take care of you, 'Mione. Just stay." He begged, breaking my heart.
"Being here…" I began to say, "It's not good for me. Being around you…" I stopped, realizing what I was about to say would devastate him. "I'm not happy, Ron, I haven't been myself, and I think we both know that."
Ron opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. "I-I thought you were feeling b-better." He protested, and I just shook my head in response.
"No, Ron- I'm not. But, I will feel better if I just go and live on my own for a while, in the muggle world." I said, trying to assure him that this was the only option.
His eyes looked watery and I could tell that any moment he was going to lose it, and nothing would prove more devastating to my heart then watching him cry over me.
"I need you, 'Ermione" he pleaded to me, and I just tried to keep myself composed.
I knew that if I stayed here any longer, I wasn't going to get out that door. As tears began to run down my cheeks, I walked over to Ron. I gently brushed my lips against his, and spoke softly into his ear. "Goodbye, Ronald."
I flicked my wand, and my trunks began to follow behind me. I made my way to the door and walked out of it, glancing behind at the love of my life that I was leaving. He met my gaze with a shocked expression, and then I left.
Ron
What had just happened? Ten minutes ago I was at work, and about to come home to my loving girlfriend, and now I was standing in the living room of my flat, staring at the door that she had just walked out of with all of her belongings. How had I gotten into this horrible mess?
I walked over to the couch and dropped down onto it. I tried to recall everything Hermione had said, remembering her explanation. I really did think she was feeling better, but now it was apparent that perhaps she was just putting on a brave face for my sake. I thought back to what she had said before that…she began to say something about being with me…and then cut herself of. Was she going to say what I thought she was? Was Hermione about to tell me that I'm not good for her? Was that why she was leaving? Unlimited questions occupied my mind as I tried to run over everything that happened.
Part of me thought she would be back, and that I would see her again within a few days. If she loved me as much as I loved her, how could she keep away from me? Then something hit me. Bloody hell, what if she never came back? What if this was it, I was never going to see her again? The world seemed as if it was coming crashing down, and I got up and went to our bedroom.
I stepped into the room which now seemed empty without all of Hermione's belongings. I walked over to the bed and fell down onto it. I laid my head down on the pillows and could still smell the garden scent of her shampoo lingering on the fabric. What am I going to do without her?
As I pitied myself, I suddenly spotted a folded piece of folded parchment lying next to me on the sheets. I picked up the parchment and began to unfold it, reading the message inside.
Dear Ronald,
You have probably noticed that all of my possessions are gone, and so am I. I need you to know that I love you more than anything in the world, but I can't live here anymore, and I can't be with you. I can't seem to shake the horrible nightmares and memories of the war, and I think I've figured out why. As long as I am around you, and Harry, I am constantly reminded of all the lives lost and the bloodshed during those long months and that terrible night. It's not anything personal against you; it's just everything that I am reminded of when I am around you. Please, understand. After a few months or some time, if I'm feeling better, then maybe I can come back. But, Ron, I'm not asking you to wait for me. I could never do that. You deserve happiness, and you should go and find it. I love you, and I hope you get the happiness you deserve.
Love always,
Hermione
I read the letter over and over again, attempting to make sense of the words. A few months without her seemed bad enough, but some time? How much was some time? I don't think I can manage three days without her, much less months! And does Hermione really think I can ever be with anyone else, and not wait for her? I will never love any girl the way that I love Hermione. I am going to get her back; I can't live without Hermione Granger.
