A/N - If you've been keeping up with this series, I thank you very much! If you are, please review and all the rest of it, I'd appreciate it. :)
For now, the story!
III
The Burrow
Ottery St Catchpole, Devon
July 4th
2PM
Harry sipped from his butterbeer as he sat in the kitchen of the Weasley's. He still hadn't found a place of his own and the entire family had suggested that he live with them during the summer, an offer which he was quick to take up. He remembered how excited he felt at the prospect of spending an entire summer with Ron, Hermione and Ginny, with no worries now that Voldemort had long been defeated. Since breaking up for summer in late May, their time off had been brilliant and just as Harry had hoped – full of laughs and love. However, it was plain to see that Ron and Hermione began struggling around one another at times; their living styles began to clash and their personalities, which had always clashed throughout the years, began to wear one another down. Harry would often be relaxing with Ginny when he'd hear the calm air disturbed by Ron's booming voice, followed by Hermione's, as the two would descend into yet another argument.
Today, he found, was slightly different. He arrived at The Burrow yesterday around 4 in the afternoon. Expecting to see his two best friends and his girlfriend, he was shocked to learn that Ron and Hermione had butted heads and really drove one another into the ground. As Ron relayed the days' events, Harry saw a Ron he hadn't seen since the Wizarding Wars; there was a forlorn and hurt look in his eyes. Harry knew that their relationship was 'on the rocks', so to speak; they'd finally pushed each other over the edge.
Harry couldn't help but feel hurt for his friends as Ron continued to explain the situation. Hermione had left yesterday with Charlie an hour or so before he arrived, claiming that she needed some time away from Ron to think. Ron had told her that he loved her and needed her and that he wanted her to bear that in mind. Promptly after relaying this information to Harry, he'd said he was going to 'the local' and didn't return until late that night, drunker than he'd been in a long while.
Harry finished his butterbeer. He was worried for his friends. As long as he could remember, they'd been the Golden Trio. Should the pair split and not talk again, it'd drive a wedge in his friendship with them both for sure. He sighed, contemplating the potential turn of events. Placing his empty tankard down, he made his way through to the garden where Ron was sat, staring into space.
"How are you feeling buddy?"
Ron didn't break his stare. "Okay, I guess. Could be worse."
"When's Hermione coming over?"
"Soon."
Harry nodded, a weak smile on his face. "Just talk it through, you'll be okay." He wasn't entirely sure if he believed what he'd just said. "Fancy another drink?"
"No, I'm okay."
"Fair enough. I'm going to head back inside for a bit, I'll be out soon."
There was no reply as Harry made his way back indoors. Ron was in a bad way. Even though Hermione had only been gone for about 24 hours, it was enough to set his mind into overdrive and Harry was quite aware of that. He also knew that Ron, whilst wanting to be left alone, appreciated his concern.
As he entered the kitchen there was a knock at the back door. He made his way towards it and could make out two figures through the frosted glass. Sure enough, there stood Charlie and Hermione, neither looking particularly happy.
"Afternoon," Charlie said as the pair stepped indoors. "How've you been, Harry?"
"Oh, alright, thanks, and you?"
"Not too bad, cheers."
"Where is he?" Hermione suddenly asked.
"Ron?"
"Yes. We need to talk. I've made up my mind."
"He's out in the garden."
Without replying Hermione made her way into the garden. Harry grimaced at Charlie.
"It's not good news, is it?"
Charlie shook his head. "It's probably best you and I give them some room for a minute…fancy a drink at the pub?"
"Sounds good."
Hermione heard the front door close as she stepped out into the garden. She saw Ron sat by the table, staring at nothing in particular. Her heart beat hard in her chest. She felt dizzy and incredibly nervous as she walked up to the table where he was sat - she knew that Ron wasn't going to take her decision well. Silently, she sat next to him, trying to find something to say. Each time she went to talk, nothing came to mind. Oddly, it was Ron who was first to break the silence.
"Made up your mind?"
"There's no need to be so gritty," Hermione retorted spontaneously.
That was enough for Ron to snap out of his stare. He turned to Hermione, who couldn't help but be drawn into his eyes. His fiery side was close to erupting. "'No need to be so gritty'? Tell me, Hermione, have you got any idea what it feels like when the person you love is sat right next to you and you don't even know if you really know them anymore?"
"Ron, please," Hermione began.
"Please what? Calm down? I've been trying to for the past six hours!..." He paused, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry Hermione. It's just – well – I'm scared." His eyes bored deeper into her.
The sound of his vulnerability was enough to rile the emotions deep inside of Hermione, once again struggling to hold back the tears.
"Listen," Ron said, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I know what you're going to say, so just say it. Tell me, and then go."
She had never heard him so defeated. Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I'm sorry…"
Ron remained silent.
"Sorry for…everything…"
Still, he did not speak.
"Ronald, please…" Hermione couldn't bring herself to look away. "Say something."
Ron stood up, still gazing off into the countryside. "We're done here," he said. "I know all I need to know." He still refused to engage her eyes. "Just go, please. I'm sure you can do me that favour." There was a bitterness to Ron's voice.
Hermione couldn't hold back the tears much longer, more of them streaming down her face. "Forgive me," she uttered, as she briskly made her way towards the house.
Once Ron heard the door close, he collapsed back into his seat, burying his head into his hands. Restless, he stood up once more, a feeling of rage swiftly overcoming the emptiness. He picked up his empty tankard, roaring as he threw it against the fence. Stopping to breath, he clenched his fist. "Bloody brilliant!" he shouted at nobody in particular. "For fuck's sake." He cast a charm on the broken glass, repairing the tankard. Making his way indoors, he shouted upstairs to anyone that might have been home. "I'm going to the pub, I'll be back later."
The King's Arms Pub
Ottery St Catchpole, Devon
July 12th
11:45PM
"I'm getting another round. Same again?"
"Please, Charlie."
"Awesome." Charlie went to the bar and promptly returned with a beer for Harry and two pints of cider for Ron and himself.
"Ron," Harry said, watching Ron pour the pint down his throat. "You should slow down, mate. You've been at it all night."
"The more, the merrier," he said flatly, continuing to drink. "What does it matter, anyway? She's gone, I don't have anyone to worry about now." He finished his pint.
"Come on, mate," Charlie began. "I know it's hard, but you will be okay! You need your time to mourn but you can't dwell on it forever."
"I'll do what I bloody like," Ron snorted. "Anyway, what's this I hear about Hermione staying at yours? Are you siding with her?" His tone dropped.
"Steady on, Ron," Harry said. "I think you've probably had enough."
"No," Ron asserted, holding out a hand in front of Harry. "I want to know why Charlie is being so 'nice' to her. I bet you still like her, don't you? That's why she left me!" Ron was staring threateningly at Charlie.
"No," Charlie replied. "She was staying with you. Where else could she stay after what's happened? I was just thinking of our friend, that's all."
"Your friend," Ron grunted.
Harry put his pint glass heavily on the table. "Listen to yourself!" he barked at his best friend. "We were the Golden Trio for years and years. Fine, you've just gone through a hard time. But listen to me. Ron!" Harry grabbed Ron's shoulder, bringing his eyes level with Ron's. "Have your time to grieve but don't pull out of this friendship. You can't. We'll always be the Golden Trio and you'd better get used to that. Once you've both moved on, please, for the love of Merlin, try and patch up the friendship.
Harry let go of his drunken friend, who crashed his head into his arms. "I just want things to be okay," he said, muffled through his arms. He was sobbing.
"It will, given time," Harry said, placing a sympathetic hand on his back. He looked over at Charlie. "We'd better get Ron home, he's really quite drunk."
"Could be a good move."