Chapter Nine: Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can break my heart.

Hermione rolled over and snuggled closer to Ron. The night before had been incredible. Ron had been the perfect attentive lover and Hermione felt the love she had been trying to hide come out in the throes of her passion. They had awoken and made love through into the night.

Now, lying next to Ron, after a night of passionate lovemaking, she knew this was where she belonged.

She wrapped an arm around his waist and snuggled down to go back to sleep. Ron shifted slightly, waking up. She opened her mouth to say 'good morning'.

Ron opened his eyes and the night before flooded back. Did he really make love to Hermione? He had and it was amazing. He wanted to do it for the rest of his life, but did she want him to? He was just the fall back guy, her rebound fling.

"Bloody hell, what have I done? What a mistake," he whispered, running a hand through his hair.

Hermione pulled her hand back. "What?" she said.

Ron turned quickly, his eyes wide. "Hermione," he breathed.

"What do you mean 'what have you done'? she asked, feeling her heart break. By Merlin, this was the final straw. She sat up, making sure the sheet was covering everything. "A mistake?"

"Hermione, I-"

"Aaron was right, wasn't he?" she said, more to herself than him. "You just wanted a leg over."

Ron stared at her, his mouth open. "What?" he croaked.

Hermione ripped the sheets from the bed, wrapping herself in them, leaving Ron on the bed, hands over his lap. She marched out the door to her room. A moment later, Ron, a small quilt gathered around his waist, dashed to her room, where Hermione was pulling on a blouse.

"What are you doing, Hermione?" he asked.

"I'm getting dressed," she snarled, stuffing her feet into shoes. She picked up her wand and pointed at her dresser, directing all her clothes to her trunk.

"Why are you packing?" he asked.

"I'm leaving Ron," she said, her throat clogged with tears she didn't want Ron to see.

"Hermione, please don't-"

"Was it good? Did it satisfy your needs?" bit out Hermione. "Are you done with me? Should I be happy that you used me? Merlin, just like he said you would. But I wouldn't believe that of you. That would be something he would do, but not you."

"Don't you dare associate me with that prick!" snarled Ron, not believing his ears. Did she really think so little of him?

"He said all you wanted was a leg over. He must be right. Why else would you push me away now? You don't really care, do you?" said Hermione. She knew she should stop but she wanted to hurt him as much as he hurt her. "Why did Alice leave you, Ron? Did she discover that you're an arse? That you were unfaithful? What? That you can't tell someone that you love them? That you are a cold bastard, unless you are getting laid?"

Ron felt his temper snap. He knew he should walk away and would have if he knew what was about to come out of his mouth. "What the fuck, Hermione! You've been throwing yourself at me since you arrived, asking me to stay with you, kissing me! You left me long before I broke up with you. You never wanted to be with me in the first place. You wanted to be with Vicky! You've always wanted him! You can have him now! Why don't you just go fuck him and leave me alone!"

"You don't get it, do you?" she shouted. "Ron, I love you. I've loved you since I was twelve! I've loved you through the War, through our relationship, through our break-up, through University, through my wretched marriage. When you told me we should break up, I'm surprised I made it. My heart broke when you married Alice. I thought that this was finally my chance at happiness. I've not been truly happy since we were together. I realize now that I'll always love you; there is no getting over you. Now that I got what I wanted, you snatch it away. At least Viktor was and is man enough to tell me how he feels! Maybe it was a mistake to love you at all!"

A horrified silence stretched out. Both stared at each other, disbelieving what the other had said and appalled at what they themselves had said. Ron felt as he had been punched in the gut. Hermione felt a hand squeezing her heart. She had to get out.

"Hello!"

Ron's eyes slid shut. Perfect. Harry was here.

"Ron? Hermione?" Fucking brilliant. There was Ginny.

"Wake up! We're here to take you to…brunch…" Ginny and Harry stopped at the top of the stairs and stared at Ron.

Harry cleared his throat. "What's going on?"

"Nothing. I was just leaving," said Hermione, dangerously close to tears, appearing in the hall.

"Hermione, I-"

"Goodbye Ron," she said, a tear escaping down her cheek. She pressed a box into his hand before she pushed past Harry and Ginny and disappeared down the stairs. Ginny immediately glared at Ron.

"What did you do?" she said, turning. She also disappeared after Hermione.

"Fuck me!" spat Ron, turning back to his room.

"Ron?" asked Harry, following his best friend.

Ron violently snatched a pair of boxers, jeans, and a sweater and vanished in the bathroom. After a few moments he didn't appear. Harry began to sit on the bed, looked at it and thought better.

Suddenly, there was a sudden noise that sounded like glass shattering. Harry, who had never seen his friend like this, approached the bathroom to see what had happened.

Ron sat, leaning against the sink vanity, surrounded by glass. His head was bent, his hands gripping his hair. One of his knuckles was bloody, Harry assumed from punching the mirror.

"Ron? Mate?"

Ron turned his head at his best friend, tears on his cheeks.

"I've fucked it up this time, Harry. She'll never forgive me."

On the floor next to him was the box Hermione had thrust at him. It lay open, a gold necklace sparkling from inside.

A/N: If I accidentally stole/borrowed the chapter title from someone, I didn't mean to. I think it's original but it sounds too good to be mine. 