A/N: Hi everyone, it's been a while hasn't it? Sorry, it took so long to update this story but I am currently going through some personal stuff so it has been hard to write. Furthermore, I did finish this chapter ages ago but when I read it, I just felt it was too clichéd and not realistic enough based on the relationships that I went through as a teen. So being the writer that I am, I ripped it up entirely and redid the entire chapter. I will add an Author's Note at the end of this story but I just want to say two things before you read. Firstly, please note that Ron, Hermione as well as other teens in this story are not perfect. They make flawed decisions like any teenager would and the one thing most people must realise that because of Voldemort, teens like the Golden Trio had to mature faster than they normally would as basic teens.
Secondly, this is a Romione story but it doesn't solely focus on the two characters. The other characters play a MAJOR role in developing the story and for all intents and purposes, I have to shape them as such but no worries, it is still Romione. In fact, this is a Romione chapter although it may not be as fluffy as I said it would be. Sorry about that.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE AMAZING REVIEWS AND FEEDBACK. THANK YOU FOR READING AND PUTTING UP WITH THIS STORY! YOU GUYS ARE TRULY MAGICAL AND I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but my story. As for all songs I used, you know who the singers are and when they came from. I will, however, only use songs from the canon time period of the Harry Potter series which in the 90s.
Chapter 13
Ron took a moment to glance around his surroundings. The balcony of the Astronomy tower was bare except for a large telescope in the middle of the class gazing up to the stars. There was the bench where a wireless radio sat together with their bags and their wands. A cold draft came breezing through as the night sky, dotted with stars, twinkled above them. Yet despite the grandiose scenery surrounding him, Ron's eyes had lingered back on the only living person with him in the room sitting on the bench as she fumbled around with the bottle of Discota Potion even though he watched her from the corner of his eyes. Somewhere, a door slammed shut and students' laughter from the mini celebrations held all around the castle broke the silence between the two individuals but Ron's mind could hardly fathom anything that was going on around him.
Suddenly, a temporary hush had come over the school as all around him; Ron could hear the distant chanting of the students counting down the new year. A tradition from ages ago brought down to signify a new year and more importantly, a fresh start. The beginning of the new chapter that their lives were about to write and yet for those ten seconds, Ron found himself being stuck in memories of the past and the present.
"TEN!" Ron heard as the distant roar of students counting down to the new year had begun.
….
…
1991
The constant droning of the Hogwarts Express had started to drown out the sounds of the many parents coming to see off their kids. Ron stared as his mum busied herself with his luggage while his dad took the moment to do his obligatory warning to the twins on their behaviour while Percy nodded his head in agreement. Charlie was nowhere to be seen while a young Ginny stood next to him, squeezing his hand for all her worth.
Bill laughed as he placed a comforting hand on his sister's back and ushered her to their parents. Then, Ron felt a tug as Bill pulled him aside.
"So, ready for the next chapter of your life, little bro?" Bill said as his long locks of hair had restricted Ron from gazing into his eyes while his ridiculous earring dangled precariously at the edge of his ear.
"Yeah, I'm ready," Ron said, trying to sound as convincing as possible even though he knew it would be futile to try to get one past his eldest brother.
"Listen, bro," Bill said while giving his brother a serious look. "I know that when it comes to school, you probably got it pat down. The work, the books, you're going to be a natural at this and I have no doubt that when it comes to classes, you going to be the teacher's pet. So any advice I can give you pertaining to school work or behaviour will just be useless. Instead, I got something more important to talk to you about?"
"Which is?" Ron asked curiously.
"Friends. You do know how to make friends, don't you?"
"Of course, I do!" Ron said, clearly affronted by Bill's lack of confidence in him.
"Now, I know you're thinking I'm just doing the big brother thing where I tell you to take care of yourself and choose your friends wisely. But it's not that. See, Ron, I don't think you're going to have a problem making friends. It's just how to handle friendship that's going to be an issue."
"Why?" Ron scoffed as he glared at Bill. "I know how to be friends with someone. Just have to be there by their side, help them out and always be honest about what you're thinking so that you'll never lose their trust."
"Good! But there's a difference between theory and the real thing."
"I know the difference."
"So what? Knowing something doesn't make you an expert on it. How about this for an example? You said always be honest with your friends?"
"Yeah, so what, Bill?"
"What if your honesty comes off as bossy, tactless or even just you sounding insensitive? Some kids don't like someone bossing them around like a know-it-all."
"I know how to be sensitive, Bill! I'm not going to be overly honest with them." Ron scoffed once again.
"Maybe for boys I think you'll be fine, but what about girls?"
"I've had experience with Ginny for years!"
"Ginny's your sister. What about a girl your age? Being best friends with a girl is a lot different than being best friends with a boy. You can't go about having the emotional range of a teaspoon when it comes to girls. You have to be more careful around them, you need to understand them as best as you can and if a girl tells you she's right, you really need to assess everything before you retort because if she turns out to be right, then she won't let you forget it!"
"Seriously, Bill? Are all girls like that?" Ron asked wispily.
"Most that I encountered are like that. But there are exceptions. Who knows, maybe you'll meet a girl who's so outgoing and fun, she be the complete opposite of you? Loves to laze around, wears her heart on her sleeve, is even a bit of a slob?"
"Sounds like a nightmare!" Ron said out loud while Bill chuckled.
"Or a dream come true," Bill said as he clapped Ron's back. "You'll understand when you're older."
…
"NINE!"
1997
Hermione's eyes widened as a look of utter disbelief washed over her face. Ron had said it. He had said it. Just one word.
"You."
Ron stared at Hermione took a few steps back from him.
"Ron, I don't understand. Are you saying you're in love with me?"
There it was. The dreaded L word. The question that Ron had pondered about for many years. Was he in love with her? The thought of love had always overpowered him. While there was no denying the intensity of feeling he felt towards Hermione and the occasional times he used or mention the word love, he knew that to answer her question meant confirming it once and for all and Ron, being the student that he was, was always afraid to give an answer he wasn't a hundred percent sure. So Ron did what he always did whenever someone asked a question he couldn't fully answer.
"Remember the ball?"
"Yeah, when you asked my best friend to be your girlfriend and you kissed her for the first time!"
"Well, a funny thing happened when I kissed her," Ron said as he started to explain. The initial shock of his revelation had started to worn off from her as Hermione's eyes filled with curiosity. "See, when I kissed her and they were playing that song, I didn't picture myself kissing her. I pictured myself kissing you. I pictured us dancing to the song inside the Room of Requirement and how it felt to press my lips onto yours."
"And that thought made you think you're in love with me?" Hermione said incredulously as Ron cringed again at the L-word. "Maybe it was just a fleeting thought since we both had obviously gotten closer."
"No, it's more than that."
"How much more, Ron?" Hermione asked.
"More. This isn't just some spur of the moment feeling. It's been building up." Ron said with a sigh.
"Since when?" Hermione asked as Ron looked at her forlornly without answering her question. Curious at the thought, Hermione asked again.
"Ron, how long have you been feeling this way?"
…
"EIGHT!"
1993
"So, little brother, update us about Hogwarts. How's school?" Bill asked as Charlie skipped another rock on the surface of the pond. Bill, Charlie, and Ron had managed to escape Mrs. Weasley's wrath as she was on a warpath ever since the twins pulled yet another stunt in school. Desperate to get away, the trio managed to sneak off to a nearby pond where they intended to stay until their mother cooled down.
"School's okay, I guess. But guess what Hermione did during one of our classes! She had a broken wand and tried to cast a Slug charm but it backfired and she started belching out slugs!" Ron laughed as Bill grinned before sticking his hand out to Charlie who groaned. Charlie removed a Sickle and placed it in Bill's hand before glaring at his older brother.
"It's not fair! How did I know he be falling for her?" Charlie said as he skipped yet another rock.
"All's fair in love and war, Charlie!" Bill chuckled as Ron stared at his brothers in confusion.
"What's going on?"
"Oh, me and Charlie had a bet that you couldn't talk about school, or anything in particular, without bringing up Hermione's name. Your infatuation with her is incredible!"
"Infatuation?!" Ron said with aghast. "She's my best friend."
"Please." Charlie scoffed as he smirked at Ron. "She's obviously more than that. Mom, guess what Hermione did? You'll never believe what Hermione said? Did you know that Hermione has this? Hermione. Hermione. Hermione!" Charlie said mockingly as his smirk grew larger.
"Face it, little brother, you have a crush on her." Bill agreed as he nodded at Ron who was now on his feet with his hands by his hips.
"I DO NOT HAVE A CRUSH ON HER! SHE'S MY BEST FRIEND!"
"Of course she is. That's how all school romances start!" Charlie said as he shook his head. "A girl and a boy can't be best friends and not fall in love!"
"Now hold on a minute there, Charlie. That's not true!" Bill countered.
"Well, I've never been best friends with a girl and not have her fall for me or the other way around," Charlie said as Bill laughed.
"Explains why you're hanging out with mostly guys then. We all thought you were gay!" Bill said as Charlie glared at him before thinking too himself and breaking out in laughter.
"Excuse me!" Ron said indignantly. "But Hermione and I are just best friends."
"Really? Shall we put him to the test, Bill?" Charlie replied as his older brother nodded. "Okay, Ron. Tell me, what's your favourite thing about Hermione?"
"Well, she has a great personality. She's outgoing, funny, smart when she plays chess or when she applies herself and incredibly selfless. She's always there for me!"
"Okay, tell me, as a friend, does Hermione spend time giving you advice? Helping you out with work? Spend time talking to you? Does she know about your life?"
"YES! She sometimes asks and I tell her. Of course, she does help me out whenever she can although there's really not much to help me out on. And she's there whenever she can be."
"But is she giving as much into the friendship as she should?" Bill asked.
"Well…" Ron wanted to answer but for some reason, he hesitated. Although Hermione was his best friend, Ron realized the bulk of their friendship mostly consist of him doing stuff for her.
"I mean, whenever you talk about her, you always mention how much work you do for her, what she wants to be and how you can help her get there, how badly she has it in life and how you can't stand if something bad happens to her," Bill said as he stared at his youngest brother. "Why are you investing so much attention, time and energy into one person, especially one that doesn't invest back in you?"
"Because she's my best friend! And I want to be there for her as much as possible!" Ron said.
"Okay, now picture this scenario. What if Hermione decides one day to end your friendship and go with another guy? Or rather, she just drifts away because she's spending a lot of time with someone else say…that new Potter kid?"
"Harry?" Ron said with disgust, before feeling surprised at how much contempt came from his tone. "I mean, if she's okay with it, I guess it will be okay."
"No, it's not, Ron. Face it, you're being possessive!"
"No, I'm not!" Ron retorted.
"Really?" Charlie said while lifting an eyebrow. "Because it sounds to me like all you want to do is protect her and save her and take care of her while showing her that hey you're there!"
"Tell us, do you feel really good whenever she compliments you?" Bill said as Ron gaped his mouth wide open.. Truth was, the feeling of elation that came from Hermione's praise or acknowledgment of his actions had always brought him such joy second to none. Not even good grades or compliments from anyone else had reached the ecstasy of a smile from Hermione, let alone words. But that couldn't mean he had a crush on her, could it?
"You're doing everything a boyfriend does, not a friend and a clingy boyfriend at that," Bill said as Charlie nodded.
"But I'm not her boyfriend!"
"Exactly!" Bill and Charlie cried in unison.
"I'm just her best friend, guys. You guys have no idea how much she means to me. We're just best friends and this is what we do!" Ron said adamantly while crossing his arms. Charlie threw his hands up in the air in frustration while Bill offered Ron a bittersweet smile.
"Maybe one day, your brain will stop denying the obvious. When that day comes, you just need to know one crucial thing. Be very careful, Ron and don't forget that your family always got your back!"
"Why are you telling me all this?" Ron sighed in frustration. "We're just best friends."
"No, you're not. But you'll understand it one day. Everything we just said. But be careful, okay. Don't forget. A reject of a crush can haunt you the rest of your life. And there's no way of avoiding the hurt or the pain. After all, there's a reason why they call it a crush."
….
"SEVEN!"
1997
"Ever since we met, I didn't realize it then. Or maybe I did but I just denied it all the way. The way you captivated me whenever I saw you with your bushy hair and your smile just lighting up each room you were in. I remembered how we used to argue and banter and bicker each time we hung out and you drove me crazy, both mentally and emotionally." Ron let out a mirthless laugh. "I even recalled how much you telling me that you appreciated me made me just burst out smiling for hours on end."
"I had that much of an impact?" Hermione said warily as Ron smiled sadly at her.
"You did. If you had asked my younger self if I was in love with you, it would have been a resounding yes. Of course, I realize now, that it wasn't true."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked as she decided to sit down on a bench. Ron paused for a moment before joining her.
"I was fooling myself into thinking I was your friend when really I wanted something more. What's even worse was that I placed you on a pedestal. All your faults and flaws disappeared as I tried to take care of you in the desperate manner that boys who are friendzoned always do. In a nutshell, I made it all about you and none about me."
Hermione said nothing as she gazed out into the sky.
"I guess that's why when we drifted apart, it hurt. The entire third-year incident. But there was something good then came up from it."
Hermione gave Ron a quizzical look.
"I started to care about me."
…..
"SIX!"
1994
"Ronald?"
Ron turned his head as he pushed himself off the tree that he was sitting against. There, walking towards him with a concerned look on her face, was his mother.
"Yes, mum?" Ron said as he quickly wiped his damp cheeks that had been wet from crying in an attempt to look normal for his mother. Mrs. Weasley gave him a sad smile as she motioned for him to walk with her.
"Are you okay, Ron?"
"Yes, mum."
"You know that you were always a terrible liar, weren't you?" Molly Weasley said as she shook her head slightly at Ron. "Now how about you try that again?"
Ron contemplated going forward with his lie but knowing his mother, that would have been a lost cause. Letting out a relenting sigh, Ron fashioned a smile the best he could as he opened his mouth to speak only to be beaten to the punch by his mother.
"Things are bad between you and Hermione, aren't they?"
"How did you know?" Ron said, sounding genuinely surprised. "Did Percy or Ginny tell you?"
Molly let out a sigh as she shook her head at him. "No, they didn't. But it doesn't take a genius to figure it out. By this time during your holiday, you would have probably sent her a dozen letters by now and yet for some reason this year, you haven't asked to borrow Errol or your brother's Ministry owls. Can you tell me what happened?"
Ron told his mother about everything that happened between him and Hermione during the third year as Molly listened intently.
"… and now that I know she's just using me, I decided to drift away from her. Not that she noticed, too busy hanging out with her new friends."
"So you're upset that you and Hermione Granger aren't friends anymore? There's nothing else?" Molly asked as she stared at Ron warily.
"No, nothing else," Ron replied.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure, Mum. What else would there be?" Ron said as he gave his mother a questioning look. Molly opened her mouth as if to say something, before closing it and smiling at her youngest son.
"And I assume you don't want to talk to her?"
"Why should I, Mum? I wasn't the one who took our friendship for granted." Ron replied huffily as the two Weasleys sat down on a bench at their front porch.
"So what are you going to do?" Molly asked her son.
"I'm going to study really hard and apply for that Ministry internship that Percy was talking about last night. I'm going to get that position at MACUSA and finally, I will be able to leave this place for good. I'm going to study hard, mum, and get that position where hopefully, one day, it turns into a full-time job where I will go on to do great things. Especially for S.P.E.W!"
"That's great, son. It really is." Molly said as she clapped her hand on his back. "But I assume you're also going to make new friends, I hope."
"Only if they're really friends and don't get in the way of my dreams. Although at this point, I rather have no friends. At least that way no one gets hurt." Ron remarked as he smiled bemusedly at his own thoughts.
"Ron, are you sure you don't want to talk about Hermione?"
"No, Mum! I don't want to talk about Hermione. I mean…I did so much for her, Mum! And she didn't even appreciate me for it. Why should I waste any second of thinking about her? It's time for me to be there for me!"
"That's good that you think that… it's just…" Molly looked as if she was about to say something again only to close her mouth shut. This time, however, Ron decided to press on.
"Mum, please tell me what you're thinking."
"Well…" Molly said as she looked at her son. "I'm thinking the reason you're feeling so cut up about Hermione, is because she's more than just a friend."
"Yeah, she was my best friend."
"Maybe even more than that?"
"What?" Ron said looking puzzled before shaking his head. "No, Mum, I know what you're thinking. Hermione and I were just best friends." Ron said as his face contorted into a sad frown. Molly sighed as she gazed upon her youngest son. Leaning on the bench, Molly turned her head to the crimson sky. The sun was setting in the horizon as the long grass and weeds shifted under the strong breeze.
"Did I ever tell you about my first best friend, Ron?"
"You mean dad?" Ron said as Molly let out a slight giggle.
"No, your dad and I did become close towards the end of our Hogwarts school years but before I met him, I had a best friend. Back then, Uncle Fabian and Uncle Gideon were both in their own years and although we were close, we hardly had time for each other in school. So in my first year, I met a boy named Gerard Sullivan. Gerard and I used to spend so much time together. We would plan Hogsmeade outings together, go to Quidditch games together and it wasn't long before people were saying how cute we were as a couple. Gerard listened to everything I said and was always there for me and I was there for him as well. It was the perfect friendship."
"What happened?"
"Well, naturally as best friends go, we both dated other people but those never came to anything. Slowly, I realize that no matter how much I denied it, I was always screwing up my past relationships with other wizards because I had fallen for Gerard. So then I started to give Gerard all of my attention. I put all my effort into him until one day, I decided to tell him how I felt and honestly, Ron, if Gerard had reciprocated how I felt, you wouldn't be here right now."
"He rejected you? But you guys were best friends." Ron said out loud.
"He didn't feel the same way as I did. I was devastated of course but I wanted to remain as best friends only to realize that I couldn't. I couldn't be happy for him seeing some other witch take his heart. And so, a five-year friendship came to an end as we drifted apart. And don't tell your father this, but back when we first started dating, I had convinced myself that if Gerard ever changed his mind, I would go back to him in an instant leaving your father behind. But Gerard never did and so as it happens, with the many years of effort that your father put in, I gave your dad my love."
"But you weren't in love with him when you first met?" Ron said as Molly shook her head.
"No. I did sort of like him and yes, there was a certain chemistry between us, but back then I was still in love with Gerard. But in the end, I chose to give my love to Arthur and I have no regrets ever since."
"So you don't love Dad like you did with Gerard?" Ron asked his mother as Molly laughed.
"Okay, I admit it is kind of confusing so let me clarify two things. First is that I love your father with all my heart and with each one of you born, I loved him even more. I have no regrets, not one bit."
"And the second?"
"We don't get to choose who we fall in love with, Ron but we get to decide who…or what…we wish to give our love to."
….
"FIVE"
1997
"So after letting you go, I started to get more into my life. I started studying harder than I ever been and I starting thinking about my own goals and dreams. I'm ashamed to say it now but honestly, back then, I used my feelings towards you as fuel that pushed me to pursue my own passions. Finally, I wasn't being held back by my heart and I could go ahead with my head."
"Then Jamie?" Hermione finally spoke as she moved closer to Ron on the bench.
"She was a crush that just kept growing," Ron said with a smile. "I'm still a teen and naturally, I still felt the urges. When Jamie became the talk of the school, I decided to give her a closer look and well, I guess I started to crush hard. It was kind of similar to what I felt with you except I didn't know Jamie."
"Until this year," Hermione replied as Ron nodded.
"Yeah, this year when I decided to take Ginny's advice and live my life a little. Then you and I started getting closer once again and suddenly everything changed. We had this plan where I would help you with your work while you would help me with getting Jamie. And then you taught me how to have fun, Hermione. You made me realize what I found so fascinating about you in the first place."
"How do you know it's not like the last time?" Hermione asked.
"Because this time, I'm not trying to impress you or anything. This time, I get to share with you who I really am. I didn't change my personality or behaviour to suit you. I just was me and in doing that, I realize you and I just fit…together."
"What do you mean?"
"You frustrate me, Hermione. You make me so angry sometimes and yet you're the only person that can truly make me laugh and feel so hilarious. You challenge me even when you don't understand the topic. Just like me, you're incredibly stubborn. You're honest with me to the point of being insensitive sometimes and you just so outgoing and passionate and fun to be with. I can be so serious sometimes but with you, I get to have fun. I get to loosen up. All in all, I get to be myself when I'm with you and I get to discover parts of myself I don't think anyone else would ever be able to help me discover it."
"What about Jamie?" Hermione whispered quietly.
Ron sighed. "I do really like Jamie a lot. My feelings for her due to the crush I had are still here. But it's nothing compared to yours. I don't really know how to explain it except maybe that Jamie makes me smile but you make me happy. I think it must have been the song when I first realized it. That feeling growing in my chest…"
"Which song?"
"I would do anything for love…" Ron said
"But I won't do that." Hermione finished as she looked at Ron.
"So…" Ron said as he stared at Hermione awkwardly. Hermione swallowed a gulp. It was her turn to speak.
…..
"FOUR"
1997 (The night of the Ball)
"So you're really going to have sex with my brother?" Jamie asked as Hermione stared out her window. She poked her head out of the window to listen as the familiar sounds of the forest echoed in the distance. However, a new sound had piqued her curiosity. Sticking her head out further, Hermione swore she could hear the faint sound of a boy crying somewhere in the castle. Before she could dwell further on the thought, Jamie pulled her from the window.
"Are you trying to kill yourself?! Don't we already have enough drama for one night?!" Jamie whispered loudly so as not to disturb Ginny, Parvati, and Lavender, all of whom were fast asleep. Hermione looked around her and saw that she had been, indeed, leaning quite some way out of the window. Giving Jamie a sheepish grin, Hermione went into her bed as Jamie went into hers.
"Anyways, you haven't answered my question yet, Hermione!" Jamie whispered, sounding half annoyed, half curious.
"What?"
"Are you planning on having sex with my brother?"
"Harry…why would I…OH!" Hermione said out loud, as she recalled that she had lied to Ron about Ginny's pregnancy after the ball. "Err… one day…maybe…"
"Ewww… just promise me you won't share any details of your sex life with me."
"Trust me. I won't."
"Although maybe you ought to think about using Contraceptive Charms instead? My mother knows how to cast them although I can't imagine ever asking her about it."
"Can we like cool it with the sex talk, Jamie?"
"Okay, okay," Jamie said as she turned to smile at her best friend who turned to face her as well. "Maybe you can pass me one of those condoms. For Ron."
A wave of disgust spread throughout Hermione's body. "I doubt Weasley would want to do that anytime soon! Besides, he and Ginny have the pact remember."
"Which she broke! Besides, he might change his mind." Jamie giggled as Hermione forced out a laugh as well. Staring at her best friend who looked happier than she had ever seen her with Davies or Diggory, Hermione sighed.
"So you and him are really official."
"Yes, we are!" Jamie squealed as Hermione beamed at her. Whispering her goodnights, Hermione lowered the curtains on her four-poster bed before burying herself within her sheets. Although it had been a long day and Hermione was mentally drained, she couldn't quite get herself to go to sleep. After thinking about Professor Binns and his lectures on the Goblin Wars, Hermione found herself dozing quite easily as she fell into a familiar dream of her and Ron studying in the library.
It was her usual dream where Ron would sit in front of her trying desperately to teach her yet another thing of the magical world that she took for granted while Hermione, from her point of view, would be playing with her wand or doing something to distract Ron. Only this time, something was amiss. Instead of being frustrated with her, Ron was deep into his books while Hermione tried her best to pry them away from him but to no avail. Suddenly, Ron stood up on his feet as he gave her an unnaturally long grin with unblinking eyes. Hermione felt uncomfortable as she stared at Ron. As she got up from her seat to approach him, Ron suddenly took off down one of the many book aisles.
Hermione scampered after him as she found herself chasing Ron through a labyrinth of bookshelves. Each time she turned, she would see a flash of red hair before Ron disappeared down another aisle. After what seemed like an eternity of chasing, Hermione felt herself enter a dark room where Dream-Ron, Dream-Jamie, and Dream-Harry were all glaring at her. Hermione opened her mouth to speak but not a sound came from hers. Suddenly, Dream-Harry stepped forward.
"I have seen your dreams, Hermione Granger, and I have seen all your fears. All you desire is possible, but all you dread is also possible. Unloved by her parents who preferred her to being a Muggle instead of a witch. Unloved now by the boy who prefers your best friend. To her, you will be second best always, eternally overshadowed…"
"SHUT UP!" Hermione tried to scream but to no avail.
"Why did you become friends with Ron again?" Dream-Jamie asked with a similar menacing tone as her brother. "Why did you become friends with us? We were all better with you, happier without you. He was glad of your absence. Do you have any idea how much we laughed your stupidity? Or at Quidditch where your cowardice always causes us to lose? Not to mention your presumption…"
"Presumption!" echoed the Dream-Ron, who was more handsome and yet more terrible than the real Ron: he swayed, cackling, before Hermione, who looked horrified yet transfixed by the sight.
"Who could look at you, who would ever look at you, beside Jamie Potter? What have you ever done compared to her? What are you compared to your best friend, the most good looking and eligible witch of her time."
"I confessed" Dream-Harry spoke again. "I would have preferred to have Ron as my best friend and Cho as my girlfriend. I would be so willing to exchange. Then I and Cho can be together forever while Ron can forever be with Jamie."
"Who wouldn't prefer her?" Dream-Ron spoke as he wrapped his hands around Dream-Jamie. He pulled her into such a tight embrace that Hermione could not tell their bodies apart. It was then that Hermione realized that both Ron and Jamie were stark naked. As he brought his lips closer towards Jamie, he turned to give one final jeering look at Hermione.
"Why would I take you? You are nothing, nothing, nothing compared to your best friend." And with that Ron crashed his lips onto Jamie as they continued to kiss and grope each other.
Hermione's eyes burst open as she woke up panting. She could feel beads of sweat glistening on the top of her forehead as her bed had become increasingly hot. As she felt the fresh memory of the nightmare she just had, Hermione could not help the tears that were now falling freely from her face.
….
"THREE"
1997
"Ron, I…" Hermione opened her mouth to speak as Ron stared warily at her. Should she tell him that she liked him as well? What would that mean? Would they get together? What about Jamie and Harry?
"You know what…" Ron said as he interrupted her. "It's okay. I don't really need to hear you say it."
"Say what?" Hermione said as she stared at Ron.
"That you and I are just friends. That you love Harry. I think I can sort of formulate what you're going to say and besides since I gotten out everything I needed to say, the effects of the Discota Potion would work out just fine!" Ron said hastily as he swung the bottle in front of her. Hermione had nearly forgotten about the Discota Potion which according to Ron, would remove the memories of what he said for the past twenty-four hours like it never happened. Only that it did happen and I know about it! thought Hermione fiercely as she fully contemplated Ron's actions. He had intended to confess to her without him ever bearing the consequences while she had to live the memory knowing that Ron had feelings for her. In that instant, Hermione saw nothing but red.
"You – complete –arse – Ronald –Weasley!" Hermione screamed as she punched every inch of him that she could reach.
"Ouch –ow –geroff! What the-? Hermione –OW!"
"YOU DRANK THE POTION!" Hermione screamed as she continued to hit Ron only for Ron to cast a Shield Charm between them which didn't stop Hermione from hitting the magical shield as hard as she could. "You prat! You drank the potion which means you get to forget that you told me how you feel but I have to live with that guilt for the rest of my life!"
"I didn't finish the potion!" Ron screamed as he swung the bottle back and forth. The sloshing of the potion as it hit the sides of the glass bottle could be heard.
"Wait…so does that mean it's not going to work?" Hermione asked, her expression softening for a moment.
"No, it's still going to work."
"Then how the fuck does that help, you arse!"
"Because you get to drink it, you git!"
Hermione stopped pounding the shield as she gave Ron a blank stare. Ron sighed as he lowered the charm before raising his hands in surrender.
"Look, yes, the potion will work on me but it will also work on you once you've taken even a tiny sip of it. I figured that because I couldn't control how I feel that I would tell you tonight just before the new year. Once I told you, I figured you might be awkward seeing as how you are happy with Harry and so, the potion would also help you to forget this moment. So when you rejected me, you wouldn't have to deal with the guilt or anything remotely close to it as this moment would have never happened between us and I would have had the closure I needed to get it off my chest. Our friendship would still be intact and we both would be happy with our respective Potters."
"So if I take the potion, I won't remember anything?"
"Not a single thing."
"So I can say and do whatever the fuck I want to do right now and I won't recall it?" Hermione said as she glared at Ron.
"Yes but I should warn you that if you tried to kill me, you might not recall how but Aurors can do spell checks to find out it was you," Ron said with a cheeky smile, hoping that some humour would defuse the tension.
"You're still a prat, Ron. And do you want to know why? Because even being the smartest wizard of your age, and having this plan to say how you feel, you thought of every single possibility and every single outcome except one."
"Which is?"
"That I might be falling for you too," Hermione whispered as she collapsed on the bench.
….
TWO!
1997
"What?" Ron said out loud as his eyes widened in realization. Hermione smiled as she picked up her bag and rifled through its contents. Pulling out a wireless radio, she busied herself with tuning it. Ron could see tears starting to run down her face as she fumbled on its tuning. It was obvious to Ron that she wanted to distract herself from what was happening.
"You know it won't work here. Electrical equipment can't work in Hogwarts." Ron said as he stared at her while trying to work through her words.
"This one can. It's a magical radio. I took it from the Room of Requirement. I was going to play it at our party." Hermione said as soft music started to come on the radio. "Speaking of the party, we should head back. Everyone's probably worried about us."
"Hermione…" Ron said as Hermione stood up from the bench. Before she could start packing, Ron grabbed her hand.
"Hermione, stay."
"Why, Ron? Why should I?" Hermione said as she glared at him. "You clearly didn't want to remember this moment. You want it all forgotten so how about I give you your wish? How about I just drink the potion and that way, you get your peace and I won't remember any of this."
"Hermione…" Ron pleaded as he stood up facing her.
"Tell me something, Ron," Hermione said icily. "If the Potion only works on the last twenty-four hours, doesn't that still mean you'll still be in love with me? And I with you? I would still remember falling for you. I just forget the past twenty-four hours like a really bad hangover."
"Yeah, you'll still have feelings but the intensity of it would have died down." Ron sighed as he tried to explain. "After tonight, saying everything out will have given you closure. That way, you can move on without ever having to remember doing the whole confession thing. I just wanted a way that wouldn't hurt."
"Wouldn't hurt?" Hermione said incredulously. "Fine? You want me to say everything out? I will. I couldn't stand you during our early years. You were always so clingy and you bossed me around even though I was supposed to be your friend. I'm sorry I took advantage of you but I wasn't a good friend back then either and I'm not going to make excuses for what I did. I was horrible but I didn't care for you like that back then. When we drifted and you started avoiding me, I thought it was just how friendships ended. No goodbyes, just separation. Then this year, you and I started this whole stupid plan to help us get what you want and suddenly, I got a glimpse of the real Ron. The kind Ron who helps anyone he sees. Who listens to girls. Who is a fantastic brother to Ginny. Who I can do bat-shit crazy stuff with and just be completely free. Who helped me focus on my studies and would do anything for me, even stripping naked and embarrassing himself at a Quidditch game just so I wouldn't embarrass myself. Who is nice and kind and kinda good looking with that stupid joke about a nine-inch penis…
"For the last time, I don't have a nine inch…" Ron interrupted but Hermione placed a finger on his lips.
"Whose friendship and time spend made me feel like there was more to me than just a Potter's best friend. And yes, all those times spend with you, from the kitchens to the studying to the prefect rounds and to the crazy moments in the Room of Requirement, I started to fall for you. Who you really are. And I got so jealous, Ron. I've always had to spend time in the shadow of Harry and Jamie. Especially Jamie who's prettier than me…"
"She's not prettier than you…"
"Please. She is and she always got everything. Everyone loves her and now she's even got you. Do you know how that feels like?"
"You mean like when you went chasing after boys like Krum or Harry whose better at me in every way? Yeah, I do, Hermione."
Hermione scoffed. "I admit I did have a crush on Krum and on Harry. Just like you and Jamie. Just like you said, they can make me smile and laugh but you're the one makes me happy. I want to be with you! I realized that quite some weeks ago."
"Why didn't you say anything before I got together with Jamie? Why help me with her?"
"Because you said you were happy with her, Ron! And don't pin this on me. Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
"Because you said you were happy with Harry! I mean, you've been pining for him for so long! How was I supposed to know you like me?"
"So okay, we've made a few misunderstandings," Hermione replied dryly. "But that doesn't mean we can't move on from there and just try to work things out."
"We can't!" Ron said loudly as he turned away from her. Hermione spun him around fiercely as she poked a finger on his chest. "Why the bloody hell not?!"
"Because of MACUSA! Because Hermione, at the end of this semester, I'm going to go away from Britain for five years!"
"So what?! We can still write letters. I can still visit you when you come back?"
"You don't understand…"Ron sighed as Hermione groaned in frustration before yelling at him.
"WHAT THE FUCK CAN'T I UNDERSTAND?!"
"I CAN'T BE WITH YOU!" Ron roared back. "You're the one who acts before she thinks but I'm the one who thinks before he acts. You don't think I've considered it? A long distance relationship? It wouldn't work! You haven't even decided what you want to do once you come out from Hogwarts while my future is set in stone. My whole family has sacrificed so much for me to go to America and I can't just turn my back on all that. You wouldn't want me too, either. Would you?"
"No, but…"
"But nothing, Hermione. Listen to me before you speak. Think of it like this. Say we get together and yes, we continue the relationship after Hogwarts. You would barely get to see me again for another five years. I wouldn't get to see you much either. Let's not forget that if I do a good job, they might offer me a place overseas and I would be gone for even longer. Sooner or later, the long-distance thing would just start to shackle on us and we might start resenting each other. Meanwhile, other boys might try to woo you and same goes for me. So you get loads of jealousy placed in there as well." Ron said.
"You're just overthinking it," Hermione whispered.
"No, I'm not. Not only would us getting together mean that we would have to break the hearts of both Harry and Jamie, whose friendships we cherish, but it would also mean that the Pack might be broken for a while. Not to mention that the odds of us staying together after five years of being apart is low. You and I would be separated for far too long and that would take a toll on any relationship we might have. Our friendship might be strained too. You see how hard it was for us to walk it back. Can you imagine it surviving a second time, especially after us getting together because I don't. I don't want to not be with you but I don't want to lose you completely either. Hermione, if you think there's even a chance of us getting through those five years and possibly longer when we're at the cusp of taking those few steps into adulthood, then I'm in too. But I know any future rejection from you will break me and I can't have that. I can't be hurt like I once was. Never again."
Hermione opened her mouth to speak but no words came from it as she contemplated everything Ron had told her. Seeing no response, Ron took his turn to speak.
"Your friendship is the most precious thing in the world to me. If I can't be with you, then I rather not lose you. But I'm scared I might lose you if we choose to go down this path. I don't believe long distance relationships especially ones where I might not come back home for a very long time."
"I could come to America with you," Hermione whispered quietly as Ron gave her a smile.
"How? Would your parents even allow it, seeing as they probably want you to take up some Muggle job?"
Hermione sighed. She knew Ron was right about her not being able to leave. Even if she did well in her NEWTs, Hermione had no idea of what she wanted to do. Or where to go. Even if she did run away to America with Ron, she would probably be upset at not being able to adapt to the situation. She was going to stay in Britain while Ron would be on the other side of the Atlantic. Jamie, as she once surmised, would have connections to get an international Portkey but as for Hermione, unless someone did want her for her Quidditch skills, was going to stay here.
Ron dropped his shoulders as he moved to sit on the bench. Hermione stared at him long and hard before joining him. She then reached out for the bottle of Discota Potion before leaning her head on his shoulders while Ron dropped his head softly on top of hers in response. As they sat there, the sounds around them started to disappear except for a voice on the radio.
"And now for a recap of songs in 1997 before we go to 1998! Here we have, fresh off his album Either/Or and you might recognise it from the movie, Good Will Hunting, the fourth track of the album by Elliot Smith, Between the Bars!"
Drink up, baby, stay up all night
With the things you could do, you won't but you might
The potential you'll be that you'll never see
The promises you'll only make
Ron turned his head to gaze into the hazel-colored eyes of Hermione Granger, whose bushy hair covered her ears as her luscious lips pursed into a small smile. He could feel his heart beating away, reverberating inside his chest like a loud drum as the butterflies continued to flutter in his chest. He could see her fumbling with the bottle in her soft hands. Reaching out to grab one of them, Ron could see Hermione turning to face him.
Drink up with me now and forget all about
The pressure of days, do what I say
And I'll make you okay and drive them away
The images stuck in your head
Hermione stared at the crimson-haired boy with the penetrating yet soft blue eyes. She could count every freckle in its place and how they danced lightly across his face. She could see the way Ron was licking his lips as he seemed to have stopped breathing. Hermione could feel the heat rising to her cheeks as she lowered her gaze to his ever beckoning lips. Hermione inched her face closer towards his.
People you've been before that you
Don't want around anymore
That push and shove and won't bend to your will
I'll keep them still
"So, we won't remember a thing if I drink the potion? Like nothing we did?" Hermione whispered as she inched her lips towards Ron
"All we'll get is closure in our hearts. Nothing else." Ron said as tip of his upper lip grazed on Hermione's
"I don't want to lose you either, Ron."
"Then don't."
Drink up, baby, look at the stars
I'll kiss you again, between the bars
Where I'm seeing you there, with your hands in the air
Waiting to finally be caught
"Ron…" Hermione said but Ron refused to let her finish as he crashed his lips onto hers. And then Hermione felt it. Everything all at once. The butterflies fluttering in her stomach. The lumps in her throat. The feeling of ecstasy pulsating through every inch of her body like an electric shock riding in wave after wave after wave. She could taste his lips as she took in his scent, intoxicated by the aroma from the apple scent of his soap to the light perfume coming from his robes. Most of all, Hermione could feel the hardness and trembling of his lips as she deepened the kiss.
Drink up one more time and I'll make you mine
Keep you apart, deep in my heart
Separate from the rest, where I like you the best
And keep the things you forgot
"Mione…" Ron mumbled as he thought of pulling away after kissing Hermione over and over again but this time, Hermione refused to let him finish. He felt her small fingers intertwined with his large ones as strands of her bushy hair had started to tickle the sides of his face. Ron noticed how she had shut her eyes as they kissed but Ron could not help but study and feel everything about Hermione as he refused to close his. He could her soft nose brushing against his lightly as they continued to shift around their lips with each kiss. He took in the wondrous smell of her lavender perfume as he continued to kiss her again and again and again. Ron felt every inch of her soft lips and on certain occasions when Hermione opened her lips, he could feel his tongue massaging against hers.
And then he felt it. The wave of emotion that was riding throughout his body. The girl whom he had obsessed with, cared for, annoyed him, laughed along, hurt by, disliked intensely and fallen hard for was now here in the moment with him. Kissing for all their worth. For Ron knew deep down, this was their first and now, their final kiss. As Ron and Hermione pulled back to study each other, they gave each other a bittersweet smile before moving in for one long, final kiss.
People you've been before that you
Don't want around anymore
That push and shove and won't bend to your will
I'll keep them still
Ron and Hermione felt their lips linger as they slowly pulled away. Both stared at each other, perhaps daring the other to speak but they both knew. An unspoken agreement had just been reached as Hermione turned to the bottle before turning towards Ron as if hoping for one final resistance from him. But Ron gave her a bittersweet smile and Hermione realized that this was all down to her. Contemplating what Ron said, Hermione fumbled with the bottle as Ron took the moment to gaze about his surroundings. They were almost to midnight as Hermione could hear the chanting of students ready to count down the new year. As the distant chanting started, Hermione turned to face Ron who had become lost in his thoughts.
"ONE!" cried the students as Hermione took the final second of 1997 to contemplate telling Ron that she loved him, that this was a bad idea, that she would do anything for love, even risking their friendship and countless others just so they could be together. That she didn't have to drink it. That they could somehow figure things out in the future where she and Ron could work things out and have many more adventures and grow old together.
But she couldn't do it.
She wouldn't do that.
"Happy New Year, Ron," Hermione said as Ron turned to look at her downing the entire remainder of the potion down her throat.
….
1998
Ron felt a soft pair of lips pressing on his as for some reason, he felt a sort of peaceful contentment wash over his body. As he blinked his eyes awake, Ron could see a pair of his eyes staring at him.
Piercing green eyes.
"Happy New Year" Jamie Potter whispered as she kissed her boyfriend again. Kissing her back, Ron sat up as Jamie wrapped her hands around his body. He could see that he was in his bed in his pyjamas while Jamie was sleeping next to him, wearing her rose pyjamas as well. Ron surveyed his dormitory. He could see a half-naked Seamus snoring loudly while lying stomach down on his bed. He could see Dean and Ginny, fast asleep, while locked in a tight embrace on Dean's bed although it seemed that Ginny was trying to pull away while Dean kept spooning her hard with his arms wrapped firmly around her waist. He could see Neville dozing in a chair while Parvati and Lavender slept on his bed. The floor was littered with plastic cups, streamers, empty bottles and Exploding Snap cards.
"What the hell happened last night?" Ron said as he turned to his girlfriend who had pouted at him. "I'm sorry," Ron said as he frowned at drawing a blank at yesterday's events. He couldn't recall a single thing, not even anything from the morning itself.
"Well…" Jamie said as she pulled herself closer to him. "We had a party last night to welcome in the New Year although you and Hermione came in late, way after the countdown had happened and I didn't even get to kiss you at midnight! Although you explained to me that you guys were held up during your rounds busting up parties. You did look a little awful last night. Did something happened?" Jamie asked as she stared at Ron.
Ron shook his head. "I can't remember a single thing. Must have been really hung over from the party."
Jamie shrugged her shoulders before smiling at him. "Oh wells, whatever it was, it was so last year. Time for a fresh start!" Jamie said as she moved in close to give Ron a kiss. As Ron kissed Jamie, his eyes fell to Harry's bed where Harry laid sleeping with a familiar witch with brown, bushy hair lying on his chest. As Ron stared at the look of peaceful contentment on Hermione's face, he could not help but feel a tinge on uneasiness which was washed away almost immediately by a wave of contentment flowing throughout his body. Pulling back from Jamie, Ron took a second to stare at the pair on Harry's bed before turning his eyes on his girlfriend and giving her a bittersweet smile.
"Yeah, I guess it is."
THE END
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I'm kidding! Not the end, not even close! There's still much more to go!
So firstly, I have to say that the Discota Potion was something I invented that as the story goes, removes your memories on the previous day. It doesn't mean that Ron loses interest in Hermione or vice versa as their feelings have been happening for quite some time but it does help to give closure. Like imagine telling someone you feel how you felt and you both come to some mutual agreement with all your feelings being lifted from your chest. The potion allows you to do that without recalling that you did it or what you said. There is more to the potion part in the next chapter so stay tuned if you're still confused.
Secondly, I know some of you might be peeved that the reason Ron and Hermione can't get together is because Ron is leaving after Hogwarts and would barely get to see Hermione but like I said, I based it on MY relationships and honestly, although I agree there are exceptions to the rule, I don't believe in long distance relationships having much success. I've experienced it before and I've seen many couples go through it only for many of them to fall apart. Especially at an important time in Ron's life and development, a LDR would jeopardise that and Ron is being realistic here but he does leave that decision to Hermione who decides to do it as well. Remember that Hermione cannot take Portkeys like Jamie and Apparating is out of the question considering the distance. Now just because I said I don't believe in LDRs doesn't mean I support this decision but like I said in the beginning, Ron and Hermione are NOT perfect and are flawed. They're still kids! So you'll just have to see it from there.
Finally, no Slytherin match in this one as I changed the chapter. It will be in the next chapter and it will feature our infamous Slytherin, Draco Malfoy! Finally, I get to write about Malfoy. There still more to come and I would like to apologise if my writing for this chapter isn't as good as the previous ones. You guys have been so nice with your feedback and reviews and I hope to do each chapter justice.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR FEEDBACK AND REVIEWS! LOVE YOU ALL LOADS!