Hello all! This is my favorite chapter so far, but it is a sad one. Again reminding you that things will get worse before they get better. As usual, thanks for reading and please tell me what you think :)

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*Several Weeks Later*

"I still can't believe that you managed to snag the hottest man in all of London as a date for the Ministry Gala Hermione!" Ginny exclaimed as she rifled through the dresses on the rack, looking for one that Hermione would like.

Hermione let out a laugh as she too was rifling. "I am quite lucky!" she sighed. "I can't believe that the hottest man in London chose me to be his date either, but what can I say? He must have seen something in me that was worth asking.".

"Yeah well, don't get all handsy with him Granger, or I'll have to hurt you." Ginny said in a mock serious tone.

"Trust me, that won't be a problem." Hermione laughed as she pulled out a purple gown. "This is pretty!"

Ginny turned to look and wrinkled her nose. "Too boring. Buuut look at this one!" She held up a stunning strapless floor-length dress for Hermione to look at. It was a beautiful deep blue, and while the material from the waist down was smooth and silky, the top was etched intricately with lace. It was a little too sexy for her taste, but Hermione thought it was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen.

She stepped up to touch the top carefully. "I don't know. I mean, I love it of course, but isn't it a little fancy? It would be different if I was going with someone as an actual date and I was wanting to impress them but…"

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to look good just for the sake of doing it Hermione. I've been trying to tell you that for, I don't know, forever."

Hermione sighed. "Ok." she grabbed the dress from Ginny. "Let's buy it before I can change my mind."

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"Hey, help me with this will you?" Iz called from the bedroom.

Ron walked out of the bathroom to see Iz trying to button the last small button at the back of her dress. He walked over and fastened it before turning her around. "You look amazing." he smiled and she really did. Her long hair was falling down her back, and her black dress accentuated her curves.

"I always feel so awkward at these events," she responded as she put in her earrings. "What time will your mum be here?" she asked.

"Any minute now, I'm sure," he said just as they heard the whoosh of the fireplace.

He walked out into the living Room so see his mum already kissing on Max who was on the couch with his toy dinosaurs. "Hey mum. Thanks for watching him."

"Of course son," she replied, standing up to grab his face and smother it in kisses as well.

They had decided for Molly to come watch Max at their place so Ron would be able to put him to bed. The gala started at 9, and it was already 8:30.

"Come on." he said as he scooped up Max and put him on his shoulders. "It's time for bed."

Delighted to be up so high, Max didn't complain and squealed in excitement.

As usual they went to the bathroom first so he could brush Max's teeth, then they went to Max's room where Ron dressed him in his pyjamas. Sometimes he read him a book or told him a story, but other times, like tonight, they laid down in the twin bed together in silence until Ron was sure that the tot was out.

Ron was just creeping out of the bed when Iz stepped in. She leaned down and kissed Max on the forehead before standing up, and they exited the room together. Ron immediately went to their bedroom and put on his dress robes and shoes before meeting Iz in the living room.

When he walked out Iz was talking to Molly who was sitting comfortably on the couch knitting what he assumed was going to be a Weasley sweater for Christmas for one of the family members. "Ok. We're off. Let us know if you need anything." he told her.

"I'll be fine Ronald. You two go out and have fun." she said, looking up at them warmly and then they said their goodbyes before apparating to the gala.

The ministry rented the same banquet hall for the gala that they held every year. All of the employees and their spouses were required to attend, and it was always a very formal event. It was a night to celebrate everything that the ministry and the wizarding community as a whole had accomplished since the end of the war.

Ron and Iz had planned to meet Harry and Hermione (Ginny had a game that night with the Holyhead's so Harry had asked Hermione to be his date) outside the front of the building before going inside together. As Ron spotted Harry and Hermione standing together and talking, he felt his throat constrict. Hermione looked even more gorgeous than normal, and the dress she was wearing was sure to drive him absolutely barmy by the end of the night.

'Merlin help me,' he thought.

After everyone had happily greeted each other, they made their way inside and quickly found the small circular table that had been assigned for them to sit. Everything that year was white and crystal, somehow reminding Ron of the Yule Ball, which did not help ease his nerves in the slightest. Eventually though, as the four of them eased into conversations and were down several drinks, Ron found himself quite enjoying the night. About half of the people were dancing on the large dance floor in between different speeches that were happening every thirty minutes or so, but none of them had danced yet. Iz and Hermione had been giggling together about something that thankfully had to do nothing with him as he chatted with Harry about a case that they were both currently assisting on.

Just then, a piece of folded parchment came flying through the air, landing on the table right in front of Iz. She picked it up, her eyes reading it quickly. "I have to go." she said, standing up.

This hadn't been too uncommon lately. She had recently gotten her first real job at St. Mungo's, and if they had happened to be understaffed at certain times they tended to call in the newer workers so they could receive more practice.

Ron stood up to go with her. "No Ron, really. Stay here and enjoy your night. I'll see you when you get home." Iz said.

Ron reluctantly agreed, giving her a kiss on the cheek and telling her to be safe before he sat down again. Once Iz was gone, the three of them resumed their happy conversations and had even more to drink. A little while later, Kingsley came over and grabbed Harry, dragging him away to meet some important people that had come all the way from France to be at the gala.

With just the two of them now sitting at the table, Ron suddenly felt nervous. He had a hard enough time controlling himself from saying or doing something that he shouldn't do around her on a normal everyday basis, but with the setting, the alcohol, and the way she looked right now, he really didn't trust himself.

He watched her give him a mischievous grin that was much carefree than she usually showed, and knew that she was tipsy as well.

"We both got abandoned, didn't we fossil?"

He laughed. "Fossil? Is that the best that you can come up with, whippersnapper?"

She had a challenging look in her eyes as she leaned forward towards him. "Call me that again. I dare you."

He leaned forward as well so they were now face to face. "Whi-per-snap-per." he said slowly, his eyes leaving hers and moving to her mouth that was slightly gaped open.

After a few seconds he looked up and saw that her eyes were trained on his own lips before they moved up and again looked at him. At the same time, they both quickly sat back into their chairs, letting out sighs and not looking at each other.

The band started to play a slow song and before Ron could overthink things, he stood up and reached his hand down to her.

"Dance with me?"

He watched her eyes go from his face to his hand, hesitating.

He rolled his eyes. "Come on Hermione, I don't bite."

She slowly raised her arm and took his hand as he swiftly pulled her to her feet, and together they walked to the dance floor. He pulled her over to the dark corner of the floor where there was privacy and pulled her close to him, slightly closer than he figured was appropriate as he heard her breath catch.

"Ron…"

"What?" he feigned innocence. "It's just dancing Hermione."

She gave him a face that made him aware that she knew exactly what he was doing but she didn't respond and continued to sway with him, her arms clasped around his neck, his hands on her lower back.

They were both quiet, listening to the lyrics of the song that they were dancing to.

You and I both have to hide on the outside,

Where I can't be yours and you can't be mine.

They looked at each other before they both quickly looked away.

"Well, that's depressing." he mumbled.

She didn't respond as they both continued to sway.

Why can't I hold you in the street?

Why can't I kiss you on the dance floor?

I wish that it could be like that

Why can't it be like that? 'Cause I'm yours

Why can't I say that I'm in love?

I wanna shout it from the rooftops.

"I'm sorry." he broke their silence.

She looked up at him, confused. "For what?"

"Well, do you remember when we danced at Bill and Fleur's wedding?"

"Of course I do." she still looked confused, not knowing where he was going with this.

"The whole time that we were dancing, I was trying to work up the nerve to tell you that I was in love with you...but I just couldn't do it."

"You felt that way then?" she whispered.

He let out a humorless laugh. "Bloody well before then."

"Why say that now Ron?" she shook her head. "It's too late."

He continued, now deep in thought. "Maybe if I would have told you, we could have had more time. Been together longer. Kissed more than fucking one time." He started to feel rage bubble up at the amount of regret he felt.

Hermione's eyes were watering. "There's no point in these kinds of conversations Ron. What will they accomplish other than make us miserable and resentful of the past?"

"Maybe we have a right to be angry." he retorted.

It's obvious you're meant for me

Every piece of you, it just fits perfectly

Every second, every thought, I'm in so deep

But I'll never show it on my face

But we know this, we got a love that is hopeless.

"And again, what would that accomplish?" he saw the pain in her face, but was unable to stop.

"I don't know, but maybe feeling angry will feel better than this. I hate feeling like this all the fucking time, Hermione. Knowing that you're right there, but that I can never have you? It's making me feel like I'm going insane.

"Ron…" he saw that she had given up her fight to stop her tears from falling. "I-" she cut herself off, shaking her head as if to shake some sense into herself.

"What? Say it." he demanded, pulling her even closer to him, so that every inch of their bodies pressed against each other.

"No." she said, glaring at him.

"You look so sexy tonight." he said huskily. "You are beautiful all of the time, but with that dress? Oh the things I want to do to you, Hermione."

She gasped and jumped back. "Stop it!" she tried to say sternly, but he heard her voice wavering.

"What?" he asked seriously as he stepped forward to get close to her again, his lips going down towards her ear. "Should I hide the fact that I want you Hermione? I did that for years, and I'm tired of doing it."

She pushed him roughly away from her before she spun around and ran off of the dance floor. He cursed at himself before quickly following her, easily able to keep up. He could tell that she was frantically trying to find somewhere to get away, exiting the dance hall and power-walking down an empty hallway, before she came to the first door, opening it and quickly walking inside. He wasn't quite sure if her goal was to get away from him or to get away from other people, but he knew that he wasn't going to leave her unless she explicitly told him to.

He followed behind her and closed the door behind him. The lights were off, the only light coming from the moon from the window as he had a quick look around. They were in a good-sized room that looked like it was made for smaller gatherings, but at the moment it was just storing a large number of stacked plastic chairs.

He turned his gaze to Hermione. She was staring at him intensely, looking like she was either going to start snogging him, or start hitting him, he wasn't sure.

"What you said out there Ron, it wasn't appropriate." she spit out, crossing her arms against her chest.

"No. It wasn't." he confirmed, also crossing his arms across his chest.

She lost her composure for a bit at his agreeance before going on. "It doesn't matter how much you...want me Ron, you're-"

"Married. I know." he sighed. "I am really sorry, if that makes it any better."

"Are you?" she asked, her face doubtful.

He shrugged. "Well, I'm sorry that I made you uncomfortable."

She shook her head at him. "That was too close Ron."

His body sagged and he rubbed his eyes. "Fine. You're right Hermione, I was an arse. Honestly I just used dancing to get close to you, Merlin knows I have to have an excuse to even touch you now." he spit out.

Her chin started quivering. "It was..it was going so good between us Ron...it was almost...almost like old times."

He scoffed at her. "You mean like old times where I secretly pined for you 24/7? When I was miserable because I yearned for you so bad that it was painful? Well in that fucking case Hermione, yes, it has been just like old times!" He threw his arms out in frustration before turning away from her.

"At least that way we could...we could still be in each other's lives…" she said in barely over a whisper.

He spun back around to face her. "I told you Hermione. I'm so sick of pretending!" he yelled, unable to keep his frustration at bay any longer. "I refuse to act like you are just my fucking friend."

He saw anger flash in her eyes. "Do you think it's easy for me?" she yelled back. "At least you have had time to get used to the idea that you couldn't have me! You moved on! I went from one moment thinking that I had you to having to see you married to someone else!"

"I thought you were dead Hermione! You never had to grieve for me, you never had to watch me fucking die! And don't you dare tell me that I have 'moved on' dammit because we both know that I haven't!"

"Well you need to!" she yelled shrilly, causing both of them to stand and glare at each other.

The words hung in the air, moving around them as they stared at each other, their faces slowly changing from anger to sadness.

He took a few steps forward until he was standing directly in front of her. Slowly he bent his head down and kissed the top of her head, his hands coming up to cup her face.

"You know, that song was right." he chuckled. "I am yours."

She shook her head. "No, you're hers."

He sighed. "I may be hers on paper," he took her hand and splayed it out over his heart. "But in here, I'm yours. I always have been."

"It's not fair," she whimpered, her hands grabbing onto his robes.

"No. It bloody isn't," he replied "I want to hold you. I want to kiss you. I want to wake up next to you every day. I love you so fucking much that it hurts Hermione."

She shook her head at him, tears leaking down her face. "You shouldn't say stuff like this to me Ron. It isn't right." though she tightened her grip on his robes.

His voice started to break as he spoke. "The problem is that it is right Hermione. We are right. We may both be absolutely mental together, but we have always been right. Even when we are fighting and carrying on like a couple of mandrakes, we are still right.

She let out a small laugh and he pulled her face up to his until his forehead leaned against hers, their lips dangerously close to each other. They took shuddering breaths into each other's faces, inhaling each other. She was so close that all he had to do would lean down an inch or two and...

"We can't." she whispered.

He stilled, not saying anything for several long seconds. "I know." he whispered back to her, slowly leaning back and straightening up.

"I know." he said again angrily before turning around. With a roar, he violently shoved a tall stack of chairs and they crashed down, making a thunderous clatter as they collided with the floor. With his chest heaving, he stood and stared at the mess that he had just made.

"We- we can't do this anymore Ron." he heard Hermione say quietly behind him. "We can't be friends. We were kidding ourselves into thinking that it was possible, but it just isn't."

Ron nodded solemnly. "You're right. I can't- I can't trust myself around you. It's taking all of my self control right now to stay away from you."

"We did good for a while, didn't we? We were able to pretend for a little while? I'm thankful for that." she mused.

He turned to her, her face looking as anguished as he felt, both of them now openly crying. "I don't...I don't want to stay away from you Hermione."

"I don't want to stay away from you either. But do you see any other way Ron?"

He shook his head dejectedly at her.

She nodded, already stepping back towards the door, her eyes still on his. "For what it's worth, I will miss you every single day."

Suddenly, they heard voices and the door was flung open. Harry and Iz looked in, taking in the sight of both of their startled expressions and tear-stained faces.

Harry spoke first, eager to diffuse the tension. "Come on Hermione, let me get you home." With that he stepped forward and grabbed her hand, and a second later, they were gone.

Iz and Ron stared at each other. "They didn't..they didn't need me after all." she said weakly.

"Iz, nothing happened-"

She held up her hand, stopping him. "It doesn't matter if something did happen. That's not the real problem is it?"

He shook his head, feeling so shitty standing there as he stared at her.

"Let's go home." she said quietly.

"My mum's there. I can't see her right now."

"Apparate into the bedroom. I'll take care of it."

He smiled at her gratefully before apparating straight to the bedroom. He laid on the bed, his body feeling exhausted with all the emotions of the night. About 10 minutes later, Iz walked into the room and closed the door behind her.

"She's gone. I told her that you were still there with Harry."

Somehow the fact that she had lied for him made him feel worse. "Thanks." he mumbled, not able to look at her.

"Ron. I was wrong….I'm going to let you go. You need to be with Hermio-"

"NO!" he yelled, sitting up and putting his head in his hands, his whole body now trembling.

As much as the thought of being able to finally be able to be with Hermione tempted him, he had to think rationally. When he had married Iz, he had made a commitment and he had never taken things like that lightly. Not only that, Iz depended on him so much and he didn't know what she would do without him. And then of course there was Max, his main reason for not wanting a way out of his marriage. He didn't want to lose a moment with his son. He needed Max to be there every day when he got home, needed to be the one to put him to bed every night as he always had. He knew that above all, he couldn't bear to lose Max.

And Hermione. As much as he loved her, as much as he ached to be with her, he knew that she would be alright. She was independent and could easily take care of herself, she didn't need him as Iz needed him. Yes, she was hurt just as he was, and that fact destroyed him, but he also knew that she was strong. Now that they had come to the mutual agreement to stay away from each other, she would be able to move on, she could meet someone else and be happy.

"Ron. This isn't right anymore and you know it." Iz continued. "I know how you two feel about each other and you should be with her. Just look at you now! You're miserable and I don't want to be the reason for it anymore."

"You're not the reason that I'm miserable." he retorted truthfully. "You've been nothing but good for me Iz, and I swear to you that's the truth."

"You should be with her, Ron." she said again quietly.

"No. I'm going to fight for this marriage, Iz. And I need you to do the same."

"I-"

"I'm serious Iz. Thank you for caring about my feelings, but this is so much more than just the way that I feel and you know that."

He watched her eyes water as she nodded.

He took a deep breath, willing himself to feel more determined. "Hermione and I have decided not to be friends anymore. We will learn how to live without each other and that's just the way that it has to be from now on."

"I'm sorry." she said sincerely.

"I know you are, and I love you for it." he stood up and wrapped her in his arms, desperately hoping that everything would work out and be okay for all of them.

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The song that they are dancing to in this chapter is "Secret Love Song Part 2" by "Little Mix"