Chapter 12: That's Not Good Enough
"Ron!" Hermione rushed to Ron, wrapping her arms around his neck as a group of Gryffindors entered the entrance hall of Hogwarts Castle. He met her embrace eagerly and, wrapping his own arms around her waist, lifted her off the ground and held her tightly. As he held her up, she leaned her head down and kissed him passionately. At this moment, she did not care that she was in a hall full of people.
As he was walking to the Great Hall for the welcome back feast, Draco spotted Ron and Hermione in their loving embrace, and he clenched his fists with anger. He quickly walked to the Great Hall, taking a seat at the Slytherin table, making sure his back was to the Gryffindor table.
"I love my gift, Hermione," Ron was saying with a bright smile after he finally set her down. Hermione glanced down at the gold watch she had given Ron for Christmas.
"I'm so glad," she said.
"What's wrong?" asked Ron. He noticed the tears sparkling in her eyes.
"Nothing," she said, quickly wiping them away. "I'm just happy to see you." Ron beamed and they walked into the Great Hall hand in hand as Hermione was turned around slightly, chatting with Ginny and Harry who were walking in behind them.
The feast was large as always and the four of them sat at the Gryffindor table long after they were finished, talking about the holidays and catching up on time lost. Harry and Hermione were laughing at Ron and Ginny who were telling a story about a Christmas years ago. Hermione was truly happy in this moment.
When they walked back to Gryffindor tower, Hermione nudged Ron and nodded in the direction of an empty corridor. Bidding a quick farewell to Harry and Ginny, Ron smiled broadly and said that he and Hermione had some catching up to do, with a sly grin on his face. Harry and Ginny both rolled their eyes and continued up to the tower.
Once Hermione and Ron entered an empty classroom, Ron's hands were all over Hermione, and he was kissing her eagerly, trying to remove her clothing. "I missed you so much," he said in between kisses. Hermione laughed against his lips and pushed him away.
"Take it easy," she said with a laugh as she walked behind a table to get away from him.
He frowned and said, "It's been weeks. Do we really want to just talk right now?"
"I would like to," Hermione said smiling. They were still both standing with a table in between them. Ron shrugged. "Are you going to ask me how my holidays were?" she asked him. He smiled but didn't say anything. He walked toward her and leaned forward on the table in between them. He reached for her hand, but she did not let him take it. "I missed you, Ron," she said, smiling.
"I missed you, too," he said, reaching for her again. And again, she did not let him touch her.
"I think we should take some time apart," she said quietly. The smile was gone from her face.
Ron took a step back from the table and stared at her with a mix of confusion, rage, and disbelief. "Are you serious?" he asked.
"I did a lot of thinking over the break, and I just think we—"
"You did a lot of thinking?" Ron yelled. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU 'DID A LOT OF THINKING'?"
"Ron, don't shout—"
"What do you expect me to do, Hermione?" He walked to the table and leaned forward, his face contorted with rage. "You kiss me and hug me and tell me you miss me, and then you tell me that you want to break up? WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ME TO DO?" he repeated.
"I-I don't know!" Hermione was crying. "I don't know, Ron! And I didn't say I wanted to break up, I just said we should take some time apart!"
"We just HAD time apart!" he screamed.
"Ron, I'm sorry!" She reached for his hand, but he pulled back as if burnt. "Please, you're my best friend—"
Ron scoffed. "Yeah, I bet." He started to pace. "Tell me why."
"Ron—"
"No, Hermione, you say you want a break and I want to know why." He stopped pacing and looked at her.
"I… I don't know—"
"THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH!" He banged his fist on the table. "You come in here after kissing me and leading me to believe that everything was fine with us. I mean, what did I do—?"
"Nothing!"
"THEN TELL ME WHY YOU WANT TO BREAK UP!" Ron was screaming so loud that Hermione was sure someone would hear them.
"I—"
"TELL ME!"
"I cheated on you!" Hermione yelled back.
Ron stumbled back and sucked in air as if someone had just punched him in the stomach. His face was pale, and he looked like he might hit Hermione, but when he spoke, his voice was like ice. "With who?" he said quietly.
"Ron—"
"WITH WHO?" he roared.
"Dr—Malfoy," she said quickly.
His eyes widened in shock and his mouth opened and closed several times.
"M-M-Malfoy?" he spluttered out.
"Ron, I'm so sorry… please…" She walked over him and tried to embrace him, but he pushed her off of him. The hatred in his eyes sent chills through Hermione. He turned around and walked to the door. "Ron, please don't go. We should talk," she said quickly.
"No, I think you're right Hermione," he said, with his hand on the door handle. "We could use some time apart." The chill in his voice made Hermione feel as if she had just been doused with a bucket of ice. Ron slammed the door behind him and Hermione put her back against it with her head in her hands. She slid slowly down the door, wrapped her arms around her knees, buried her face into her knees, and wept.