A/N - Another chapter! Blimey! Anyhoo thanks for keeping up chaps. In answer to a few questions some of you have rasied;

- As to whether it's a H/Hr pairing or a Charlie/Hermione pairing, all will be revealed. Perhaps this chapter will go some way to answering said question - if not, the next few definitely will.

- And who is Charlie? He's not Ron's older brother, he's a fictional character, completely unrelated to the Harry Potter franchise in any way! (I outline a bit more about him in the 'Prologue', if you're still left wondering.)

So yeah, thanks one and all, and now, on with the story!

V

Outside of The Burrow

Ottery St Catchpole, Devon

July 24th

11:17AM

The bus ride had gone reasonably quickly and it hadn't taken Harry long to arrive back in the sleepy village providing residence to numerous witches and wizards. His mind was a whir of Ginny, Ron, Charlie and Hermione. Certainly four of the most important people in his life.

For the most part, Harry felt good. He'd had a great night out with an old friend and one of his best friends, and was returning to The Burrow with one thing on his mind: to see that Ron pulled through his dark times okay.

Harry smiled to himself as he walked along the lane leading to the ancient house of the Weasleys. His mind drifted onto two of the most important girls in his life. Soon, he'd be reunited with Ginny, and he'd thoroughly enjoyed seeing Hermione last night. He could still picture her, about to enter Charlie's spare room, smiling back at him. She had such a cute smile, he thought. Seeing her smile was enough to lift his spirits any day.

Soon enough, his daydreams were brought to a close as he arrived at The Burrow. The Weasleys had given him a spare key, so he was able to let himself in. "Hello," he called out, to see if anyone was home. Sure enough, after he'd made his way through to the kitchen, he heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Turning, he saw Ron stood in the door frame, a very different look in his face than he'd seen recently. No longer did he appear depressed and forlorn'; instead, his face communicated anger and worry.

"Ron…are you okay?"

"Harry," Ron began, a serious tone in his voice. "There's something you ought to know."

Suddenly, Harry felt his stomach tying knots with itself. Something was wrong. He went to speak, but Ron was quick to cut him off. "Stay here, this is something she must tell you." Ron made his way to the foot of the stairs. "Ginny!" he bellowed. "Somebody's here to see you!"

Ginny?

Ron walked slowly back into the kitchen, shaking his head. "I'm so sorry, buddy," he uttered.

Harry stared at his best friend. His mind went into overdrive. He had an idea what was going on. But… Ginny wouldn't…

After what felt like an eternity Ginny appeared at the foot of the stairs, her eyes red raw from the tears.

"Harry…"

He trembled at the sound of her voice. "Hello," was all he could utter.

She stared at him awkwardly, more tears falling. Ron became ever more short.

"Tell him, Ginny."

She squirmed, staying silent.

"Tell him, Ginny. Now." He gritted his teeth.

The girl tried several times to speak, each time closing her mouth and whimpering. After some attempts, she burst into tears.

"GINNY!" Ron roared, grasping his sister by her shoulders. "Do the honourable thing!"

"Ron," Harry said calmly. "Perhaps you should leave us to it."

He looked up, making eye contact with Harry. "Oh. Yes. Of course, sorry Harry." Ron turned to his sister one last time. "You will tell him." With that, he cursed under his breath, heading upstairs.

Harry watched Ron leave, turning back to Ginny. "Tell me straight, and tell me now. Why are you here, and what's been going on?"

Ginny was in floods of tears. Through the sobbing, she spoke. "I'm-I'm… sorry… Harry…"

"Ginny, please," Harry said firmly. "Be honest."

Ginny started to breathe rhythmically, slowing the tears, giving her a chance to speak. "There's…Harry… I…" she paused, looking up at him.

"Harry, I've been seeing somebody else behind your back."

The words would echo in Harry's head for some time.

Somebody else.

He stared in disbelief at the girl before him.

"I've not been training all the time… I've been seeing him, here."

His eyes glazed over, her words not really sinking in.

"Harry… I'm so sorry…"

Suddenly, he snapped.

"If you were sorry, you'd never have been doing this. Behind my back! Behind my back!" The anger rose up from within him. "I can't believe this," he said, holding out his hands in despair. "Well, this is just wonderful. Thank you very much, Ginny. Thank you for bloody nothing," he spat at her. Her lip trembled, the tears flowing once more.

"I was g-going to tell you-"

"When? When was I going to know? Tomorrow? Yesterday? When!" he roared, pausing to breathe. "Not that it matters, anyway. You didn't have the guts to tell me before, instead I had to find out like this. Disgusting," he scowled. His eyes darted around the room as he swore loudly. He then maintained eye contact with her, Ginny seeing a Harry she'd not seen in years. "How long?" he said, steely.

She swallowed.

"How long?" he demanded again, this time louder and colder than before.

"Two months," she uttered, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Harry's eyes widened. Two months? He shook his head, beginning to laugh. "This isn't happening. I'm not hearing this." He paused. "But… I am. I'm hearing this alright. The girl – the girl I loved, gave my entire heart to – telling me she's been involved with somebody else. Bloody HELL!"

"Harry, please don't shout-"

"Who in the name of Merlin are you to tell me what to do?" he bellowed. "I'll do what the bloody hell I like, and I certainly don't need you, or anyone, for that matter, to tell me not to shout." He breathed heavily, calming himself down. All the while, he held Ginny's eye contact, boring deep into her.

"Ron," he began after a pause. "You can come in now."

Promptly, Ron slipped in from behind the hallway door. "You knew I'd be listening, then."

"Yes." Harry didn't move his steely gaze from Ginny. "Ron, I'm going to get my things, then I'm going to stay with Charlie for a while. I could use the space, I can't stay here. I hope you understand."

Ron nodded. "Yeah, no problem."

Harry finally broke eye contact with Ginny, brushing past her and heading for the stairs. It didn't take long for him to return with a satchel, full of his things.

"I'll see you soon," he said to Ron, shaking his hand. He turned to Ginny one final time.

"Goodbye. Thanks for nothing."

Harry left the Burrow, cursing loudly as he did so.

"Good one, sis," Ron barked at his sister. "You've really pissed him off now." Ron promptly left the kitchen, leaving Ginny to collapse on the floor in floods of tears.

Charlie's Flat

Exeter, Devon

July 24th

9:15PM

Hermione had an arm around Harry, placing her other hand on his. He sat, staring at the television in front of him, failing to take in the programme. He could only think of one thing.

"Oh, Harry," Hermione said, holding him tighter. "It'll be okay, I promise."

"I hope you're right."

"I know I am," she said light-heartedly. "After all, I am the smartest witch you know." She chuckled and saw a flicker of a smile briefly appear on Harry's face, before returning to the forlorn state of affairs that had walked through the door some hours before. Since that time, Harry had explained everything and sat on the sofa, refusing to move for anything. He'd not said much, aside replying to Hermione's various efforts to make him smile, and declining the multiple offers of cups of tea from Charlie.

Hermione gripped Harry's hand, looking into his eyes. "It will be okay, you just have to believe that."

Harry nodded, still gazing at nothing.

"Harry, remember how supportive you've been to Ron recently. By the sounds of things, he's picking himself up off of the floor. 'Have your time to grieve', you told him, and that's fair enough. But after that, you have to pick yourself up, and we're all here for you. Me, Hermione, and Ron. Just bear that in mind."

"Charlie's right," Hermione was quick to add. "And, I know what you're like. You're too determined and motivated to crumble into nothing. I know you'll pull through." She smiled at him.

"Thanks," Harry said, finally looking up at Hermione, a weak smile on his face. Finally, she thought to herself, he's smiling. Without hesitation, she pulled him into a hug, one which they remained in for a long time. Harry needed it; he felt so comfortable and a lot better in Hermione's arms.

"Aww," Charlie piped up, watching them embrace. "That's so sweet."

"Oi, you!" Hermione chuckled. She saw Harry look up and turn to Charlie. "You sarcastic git," he said, smiling.

Hermione's right. I will be okay. It's just going to take time…