Chapter Twelve: "Bad Day"

A/N: Wow I've been getting quite a few reviews for this story (: Thanks for following this story and reading&reviewing. I really appreciate every review I get. Seriously, my readers mean everything to me. So here's chapter 12. I'll be updating again soon.

Ron was dressed in a brand new suit. Although his attempts to look formal were not that great, everyone understood his intentions. The engagement party had just started, and Ron had a feeling it was going to be a hit. The decorations were fantastic, and the food was delicious.

Ron spotted Seamus talking to Dean near the buffet, and headed towards them. "Thanks for attending," Ron told them sincerely.

Dean grinned. He looked so much older, now. Ron had no idea where he lived or what he was doing with him life. In fact, Ron hadn't even spoken to Dean since graduation. Seamus, who was still in touch with Dean, managed to track Dean down for the engagement. "I'm glad I could attend."

Seamus looked around. "Where is your lady, Ron? I haven't seen Hermione at all. Is she even here yet?"

Ron looked around. Odd enough, Hermione was nowhere in sight. Ron felt slightly angry. How dare Hermione miss their engagement party? The party was supposed to be for the two of them. How was it an engagement party if his fiancée wasn't even there?

Ron headed over to where his parents were chatting. "Mum, have you seen Hermione?"

Mrs. Weasley's smile vanished, and was replaced with a worried expression. She looked very stressed, and Ron could tell that she hadn't seen Hermione either. "No, dear, I haven't seen her. Are you sure she didn't get the time mixed up?"

"I'm sure," Ron answered bitterly, remembering their phone call, "She didn't get the timing mixed up, that's for sure."

Ron turned around, still fuming and found himself face to face with the one person he wanted to see least- Harry. Ron's jaw dropped, and he had no idea whether to yell at Harry or punch him square in the nose. "What the heck are you doing here?" Ron hissed, sliding his hand over his wand. He gripped it tightly, wondering whether Harry was here to fight him.

"I'm just here to deliver something from Hermione," Harry told Ron stiffly. He pulled something out of his pocket, and Ron knew it had to be a wand.

"EXPELLIARMUS!" Ron hollered, pointing his wand at Harry's hand. Harry's wand, which was located in the opposite pocket of where Harry's hand was in, went flying. It hit the ground about ten feet away. Harry scrambled to reach his wand, and pointed it at Ron. Ten heads turned towards their direction, and watched curiously. Whispers of "wasn't Harry Ron's old friend" were heard as more and more people gathered around to get a look at Harry. Many hadn't even seen Harry since he had returned from his fight with Voldemort.

"I'm not here to fight you, Ron," Harry told him sternly.

Ron smirked. "How does it feel, Harry, defeater of You Know Who? Are you embarrassed that you're sidekick outsmarted and outwitted you? Are you angry that I outsmarted The Boy Who Defeated Voldemort?"

"Ron," Harry muttered warningly, "People are staring. Once again, I'm not here to fight you."

"I know," Ron panted, "I know you're the reason Hermione has left me. You're the reason she's not here!" He aimed a curse at Harry, but Harry dodged it. One of Harry's guests fell to the ground, paralyzed. More heads turned. This time, Mrs. Weasley and Mr. Weasley turned away from their guests to gasp in horror.

"Ronald!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed in horror, "What are you doing to our guests?"

"Stay out of it, Mum," Ron snarled, "Harry and I aren't finished talking yet."

Mrs. Weasley, not quite understanding what was going on, turned around, disgusted by her son.

Ron was on fire. All of his anger that he had built up over ten years was finally getting out of him. He was finally going to get even with Harry. "I bet you're really embarrassed now," Ron ranted, "When I make you unconscious, that'll prove that I'm just as good of a wizard as you. Maybe then Hermione will come to her senses and realize I'm everything you are and more."

Harry shook his head. "Ron, I didn't force Hermione to like me! I didn't cast a love charm on her or something."

"But you would," Ron muttered, "You would. You would do that just to steal away the one thing I finally have to myself."

"Hermione never knew you like she knew me!" Harry screamed, sweat trickling down his face as he moved at a rapid pace to dodge Ron's spells. Ron looked almost bored, waving his want over and over again muttering curses under his breath. However, he was perplexed that Harry continued to dodge them.

"Go back in hiding," Ron hissed, "Hermione doesn't need you messing with her life. You hear me?" Ron raised his voice higher. "Everything was fine until you came along. You've just messed everything up."

"STUPEFY!" Ron raged, pointing his wand directly at Harry. The hex came so fast, that Harry didn't have time to duck. It struck him square in the chest. With a wail of shock, he fell to the ground, unconscious.

Now everyone was gathered around them. Some of the younger children's interests seemed to spark up, while others just looked terrified. Nothing like this normally happened at engagement parties.

Ron stared at the unconscious, but breathing Harry, his heart filling with content and satisfaction. Ron slipped his wand back into his pocked and walked over towards Harry's left hand, which was wrapped around something. When Ron got closer, he realized it was a note. The note was crumbled slightly, and the corner was torn a bit. Ron opened up Harry's stiff hand and pulled the note out carefully.

I did what I had to do. It made me wonder, Ron, was I marrying you because I want to marry you, or was I marrying you because you asked me? It's obvious… I love you. But not as my boyfriend, fiancée or potential husband, but as my best friend.

And I can't bear to be with you, because I'm in love with someone else. And I'd rather be alone than cheating you of a happy life. You deserve someone that loves you. I'm sorry I broke my promise, and I'm disappointed that you broke yours. But It's better this way. Why? Because I promise. And this time, I plan on not breaking my promise.

I'll see you again, once we both get over this phase in our life. I know it's tough, Ron, but it's time to accept the truth. We were never meant to be.

-Hermione

Ron crumbled up the note in his hand, shocked. His eyesight was so blurred with tears that he didn't even realize that Harry had already left. Mr. Weasley had already revived him. Ron thought about Hermione's words, and realized that she was telling the truth. What were they doing together?

Mrs. Weasley came up behind Ron. "Dear, what was Harry doing here? Was he on the guest list? And why did you knock him unconscious?" She looked as though she was trying to control her temper, in hopes that Ron would tell her what exactly was going on.

Ron felt numb. He could hardly breathe, and all he could think about was leaving the horrible party. Ron just shook his head, and walk passed his mom. "The engagement is off," he whispered to nobody in particular, "Hermione and I are over."

Ron felt a raindrop on his cheek. He looked up and realized that it had started to rain. Drenched in the rain, Ron ran. He ran away from the people with questioning glances, the party, and his past.

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Hermione heard her doorbell ring. She put down her pen, stopping midsentence in the novel she was writing, and got up to get the door. As she passed a mirror, she smoothened her brown hair. After gussying up, she slowly opened up the door.

There stood Harry, drenched from the rain. His black hair was flat for once, and his clothes were damp. He looked worn out, and there were grass clippings all of his shoulders. It seemed as though he had gone to sleep on the grass. Hermione stared at the one man she loved, unable to say a word. All she could do was watch him in surprise and agony, remembering how he had broken up with her.

"I delivered the note," Harry told Hermione formally, "Just thought I'd let you know. I was planning on just calling you and telling you, but since I could just apparate over, I decided to do that."

Harry shut his mouth, realizing that he was rambling. Hermione smiled slightly and felt relieved. She wasn't the only one who was nervous and felt that the situation was slightly weird.

"Um, thanks," Hermione told Harry shyly, lowering her glance. She stared at the tiles on the floor as if they were fascinating.

Harry slowly lifted up Hermione's chin. Hermione felt shivers fly up spine at Harry's touch. His touch was warm, and reminded her of the good times the two of them had shared together.

"Hermione," Harry murmured, "Hermione… Hermione."

Hermione forced herself to look into Harry's beautiful green eyes. "Harry," she started trying to keep her voice level, "You shouldn't have come over. Ch-Cho is probably waiting for you."

Harry shook his head slowly, sadness glistening in his eyes. "I don't want us to be like this."

"But you don't want us to be more than this," Hermione answered, refusing to look away from his eyes, "You're the one that made it this way, Harry. Don't forget about that."

"I want…my best friend back," Harry told Hermione, tears glistening in his eyes, "I don't want us to not talk. You, Hermione, you're the only one that knows me. Nobody knows me like you do. Nobody loves me like you do."

Hermione blinked madly, trying to prevent the tears from falling. Harry was right about that. Nobody loved Harry like she did. "Why are we giving up something I think we both want?" Hermione whispered.

"Because I can't hurt you," Harry answered simply, "I don't want to be responsible for that stunning smile of yours turning into a frown."

"You already are, Harry."

Harry didn't answer. He paused for a few moments, shuffling his feet. "I want us to be friends again."

"And I want us to be more than friends," Hermione countered. She pushed her brown hair away from her neck. "So it looks like we can't always have what we want."

"I miss you, Hermione." Harry wrapped his arms around Hermione, and buried his face in her embrace. Hermione felt a tingling sensation as she held Harry close to her. She slowly brought his face up to hers and then kissed him, trying to memorize the feeling of his lips. She had a feeling that would be the last time she ever kissed Harry Potter.

After a few perfect seconds, Harry pulled away from Hermione regretfully. He sighed, not wanting to leave Hermione's house. If he could, he would stay in her arms forever.

"You should go," Hermione told Harry softly, avoiding his glance. She couldn't bear to watch him leave. She didn't want Harry to walk out of her life.

"Will you call?" Harry asked, kissing Hermione's cheek. Hermione felt her face turn a little pink.

"I promise," Hermione answered. She knew she didn't want to just let Harry go without knowing when she'd hear from him again. Now that she was sure she'd be talking to him soon, Hermione could almost ignore that emptiness she felt inside of her heart as she watched Harry shut the door behind him.

Harry stood on the other side of the door, his heart thumping. Why didn't he just tell Hermione what Ron had done to him? She would definitely not feel bad about the breakup if he had. Somehow, though, Harry couldn't. Hermione would just cry out, hug him, and make sure he was okay. Harry didn't want anyone feeling sorry for him. In reality, Ron was right. He was embarrassed that his former best friend who he had always beat in everything had finally beat him in something. Was Ron right when he said that Harry had taken away the one thing Ron could have? Was that the reason Harry loved Hermione… because Ron did?

Harry shook his head. He couldn't believe it was true. He wouldn't. Ron was crazy, and had no idea what he was talking about.

Rubbing the part of his right shoulder that had hit the ground first when Ron had hexed him, Harry trudged away from the apartment, scanning the stars in the sky, as if searching for the answers to his unsolvable problems.

A/N: So what now? What now?
Review & you will find out what happens very soon.
I'm getting kind of sad because this story is 2/3 over. :(
Please review to cheer me up.