A/N: Just keep in mind nothing in HBP ever happened, and they're in their seventh year.
"Let's go" whispered Harry taking Hermione's hand. Ron's outburst and provoked the attention of many passing by shoppers. Attention was one thing Harry definitely didn't need
They stood up and left their table. Curious whispers followed them. So did Ron. They turned off into an alleyway. Hermione at the time thought this was a very stupid thing for Harry to do. Especially if he wanted to loose Ron. It wasn't until much later it occurred to her he was probably just looking for a less public place for them to talk and explain themselves.
They stood there for several seconds waiting for Ron. When he rounded the corner Harry felt Hermione cower in his presence. Harry had never seen him look so angry. As he approached them he started to yell. "What the hell were you two doing?" he looked them up and down. "What did you think I wouldn't find out? How stupid do you think I am? I suspected something was going on as soon as you told me you weren't going to come to my house this year."
"Listen Ron, we were but…" Harry began
But Ron ignored him and continued on with his rant. This time turning to face Hermione. "I thought you understood me. Didn't you get what I meant in my letters?"
"Ron I knew what you meant it's just that…" Hermione took a deep breath, this was the one thing she had been dreading above all else. "I don't feel the same"
Ron opened his mouth to argue, but immediately shut it again, he turned around to leave and Harry heard him mutter under his breath "bitch"
Harry ran forward and grabbed him by the arm and turned him around so they were face to face. "Don't you dare call her that, she doesn't like you, she doesn't want you, deal with it"
Even Hermione was shocked by the hardness of Harry's words. However at the same a faint sense on pride at the way Harry was standing up for her rippled through her body. Ron was looking at her, with an ice cold glare. Hermione spoke up softly. "Harry, you know that's not true, I like Ron just not in the same way he likes me. Ron, please understand. I just didn't know what to say in my letters, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to lead you on, or too hurt you; I'd never do that to you on purpose"
Ron looked at them with a defeated, tired expression; it was obvious he didn't want to hear anymore "You know what, I'm sick of loosing to you! I've always lost to you! I've always just been the famous Harry Potter's friend, the famous Harry Potter's sidekick. I've had enough. You're better at quiditch, you're better at school, and now you've got Hermione too. You're just not worth it!" Hermione could tell how much this had hurt him, the tone of his voice. This had all happened so fast.
"Ron we're so sorry, we were going to tell you, I swear" she took a deep breath. Ron was staring at her. "You know we would never keep this behind your back"
"Pfft, so snogging in public isn't going behind my back. Sure" he looked away, he was grinning as though he had just outsmarted Hermione, but at the same time Hermione could see his eyes were welling up with tears. So were hers.
"Ron, we've told you everything we can, Hermione's right we would never hurt you on purpose, you're my best mate" said Harry
"Looks like you've got a new one now" said Ron looking from Harry to Hermione. He turned and walked back into the crowded streets of Diagon alley. Harry and Hermione looked at each other, and immediately ran after Ron; they hadn't had a chance to fully explain themselves. But how could they? How could they explain, neither of them knew exactly how it had happened. It just had. They reached the mouth of the alley but it was too late. Ron had already disappeared into the sea of busy shoppers.
"We need to go" said Harry
Hermione just looked at him
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Hermione's parents had gone to bed an hour ago. Harry and Hermione were sitting on the couch watching television. Well not really watching it. Hermione didn't have a clue what program was on. She was to busy thinking about what had happened that day and if Ron would ever forgive the. She was willing to bet Harry wasn't paying attention to the television either. Although he was looking at it, but his eyes seemed distant.
"Should we send him an owl" said Harry, confirming Hermione's thoughts as to what had been on his mind
"He wouldn't listen to it, he'd never read it" answered Hermione. Harry nodded, he knew she was right. "But I do hate just sitting here" continued Hermione "There has got to be something we can do, he probably hates us now"
Harry turned to look out the window. His reflection stared back at him. He looked through the window and stared at the black vale of darkness the night had bought outside, watching Hermione behind him in the reflection at the same time, she had her head in her hands, Harry could tell she was depressed, he wanted to offer some words of comfort but he could think of nothing. It was a few minutes before Harry realised just what was happening outside. He had been so lost in thought he hadn't even noticed Pigwidgeon tapping at the window.
Harry jumped up to let him in; this must mean Ron was talking to them again. Pigwidgeon flew into the room and landed on the table holding his leg out waiting for Harry to remove the letter attached to his leg.
Hastily Harry took it, opened the letter, unfolded the parchment and with Hermione peering in from behind his shoulder the first thing that he noticed was that the writing wasn't Ron's, his heart fell from disappointment, he was so sure Ron was talking to them again.
"It's from Ginny" whispered Hermione
Hey Harry and Hermione,
Ron came back from Diagon alley pretty stressed today. When I asked him what was wrong he mentioned something about the two of you being traitors and horrible friends. I'm not writing to ask you what happened, I'm just here to tell you Ron does tend to overreact and sulk for extended periods of time. Leave him alone and he'll come around. Don't stress about it.
See you next week
Love Ginny
"She doesn't know what we did" said Hermione after reading the letter.
"I know but, she's right isn't she, Ron does tend to overreact sometimes, remember what he was like that time in fourth year. It's the same thing, its jealousy" said Harry
"He's got to forgive us; he can't hold it against us forever, Ginny's right we shouldn't stress about it so much"
Harry and Hermione looked at the letter again; Hermione couldn't believe how guilty she felt. She knew it wasn't her fault she didn't love Ron, how could she be blamed for that? But even as she tried to think this the fact that she had led him on plagued her mind. Every time she thought about the letters she had sent she wanted to be sick. She had led him to believe she liked him in the same way, and now it was haunting her.
