Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. *sigh*

Chapter 4: The Date

It was 7: 00 and I was ready and prepared for the date. I walked into the living room. Ron and Melanie were in there too. Melanie was asleep on the recliner and Ron was watching TV on the sofa.

"Going somewhere?", he asked. His blue orbs were glaring daggers at me.

"I'm going out on a date with Nicholas", I said.

"Like that?", he asked as he gave me a once-over.

"What's wrong with it?", I asked. I looked at my outfit to see if there was something wrong.

"Nothing. So why aren't you on your date", Ron asked. He stood up and walked up to me.

"Because he's picking me up", I said.

"Are you both going to shag again? Because if you are don't do it here", Ron said.

"We're not going to shag and if we were to I'd come here if I wanted to", I said, "I pay for the flat too."

"What is wrong with you Hermione? The Hermione I know doesn't drink or shag some random guy", Ron whispered harshly.

"You act like I do that everyday. It's not like that Ron. Besides what I do is known of your buisness", I whispered back with venom in each word.

"None of my buisness? I'm your b-", Ron said and stopped. He sighed, "I'm your friend. And I'll be damned if you think you're going to destroy yourself just because it lliberates you. We care about you. Ginny, Harry, Melanie, and I."

"You all have some way of showing it", I said bitterly. Ron seemed to tense up.

"What's that supposed to mean? We've all been there for you", Ron said.

"Last time I checked, you left me and they all knew and didn't tell me. And if that's your way of being there for me I'd rather you not be", I said harshly.

"Hermione I thought you were over this", Ron said.

"You know what? I'm not over it. You ruined our friendship to Ronald, not just our relationship", I whispered. There was a knock on the door. I didn't move though.

"Hermione I told you I was sorry", Ron said.

"Whatever Ron", I said. I grabbed my purse and went to the door. Nicholas stood there wearing a red dress shirt and jeans.

"Hello Nicholas", I said.

"Hi Hermione", he said. He took my hand and we apparated to a small park in London. There was a picnic set out at a nearby tree. The stars were sparkling and their was a dinner set out on the picnic blanket.

"It's beautiful", I said. I tried to embrace the romantic setting but I couldn't stop thinking about Ron and how hurt he looked when I left. I remembered how his blue orbs had hypnotized me and made me feel in love again. I felt tears running down my face.

"What's wrong? You don't like it", Nicholas asked worriedly.

"No, no it's perfect, it's just that. . . ", I sighed. It was wrong of me to cry and pour my heart out on a date with someone I didn't know that well but I felt broken and I couldn't hold it in.

"I'm still in love with my ex", I said, the tears were coming out rapidly, "And I hate it. He hurt me so badly and I'm still in love with him. While I was finishing up my education at Hogwarts he left me to be with someone else. Everyone else had known but me. He fell in love with someone else. And I'm still in love with him. And it hurts. How could I love someone that hurt me like that? I've been through a war, my parents have been hospitalized, the people I thought that cared about me betrayed me and I have no one to go to. I need help. I hate being in love with him. Because it reminds me that my love isn't good enough for him." By the time I'd finished talking I was crying like never before. But Nicholas just held me in his arms and comforted me. This was what I'd wanted for a long time. For someone to comfort me. And it felt good to let it all out.

"I know exactly how you feel. I've been through a situation where you can't stop loving someone. Her name was Elizabeth. She was my fiance and she fell in love with someone else too. She left me heartbroken. I fought for her as hard as I could. And as hard as I tried to fall out of love with her I couldn't. Eventually she was killed in the war for mating with a muggle. It took me a while but I got myself together", Nicholas said. I stroked his hair. "Some days I still think about her and what we could've been. But I know she's in a better place now. I still see her face in my dreams. But I know everything will be okay and that I should just try my best to move on. You should too."

"I'm sorry Nicholas. Look at us. Talking about our ex's on our first date", I laughed as I wiped away my tears.

"No talk to me. I can see it in your eyes that your still hurt", he said.

For hours we talked and ate the dinner he'd prepared (sheperd's pie and pumpkin juice). It felt wonderful to let it all out.

"This was absolutely wonderful", I said. I hated that I had to go home to be all alone. Well I don't have to be. "Um Nicholas, I hope that I'm not being too forward, but I really don't want to be alone tonight. I don't want to shag or anything I just don't want to be alone."

"Sure. I don't feel like being alone either. My roomates are having company over so we'll have to go to your flat", he said. I nodded and took his hand and we apparated to my flat.

Ron , Harry, and Ginny were asleep in the living room with the TV on. I quietly crept to my room and changed into an oversized Weird Sisters t-shirt and got into bed. Nicholas simply took off his pants and his dress shirt. He was only wearing a black tank top and red boxers. He got into bed as well. We held hands and drifted off to sleep.

For weeks we'd do the same thing, much to everyone else in the house's dismay (not including Melanie). After three months I moved into his flat and eventually we got a flat of out own. I rarely spoke to Harry, Ginny, Melanie, or Ron. And it felt good to let go. I do miss them, very much. But I'd gotten to a point where I started to realize there wasn't anyone I could trust anymore except Nicholas. I get a lot of owls from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley telling me I'm making a mistake. I just tell them I know what I'm doing.

And I think I am. Nicholas and I need each other. But deep down inside I know that I'm still in love with Ron. Nicholas tells me that he's not good enough and that he wasn't worthy. He tries really hard to fix me, to help me fall out of love. But I can't do it. No matter how hard I try.

I really didn't want to rush this story but I'm anxious to get to the R/ Hr and I'm positive you guys are too. Don't worry, we'll get there. Just bare with me.

The Next Chapter will involve alot of R/ Hr :)

Sincerely,

Jay