They were both too stubborn, but not foolish. Neither was happy within the relationship, yet their prides couldn't let them give up so easily. They held onto each other with bitter resentment, hoping that a spark would change things between them.

Days passed. It turned to weeks. Then months. Only the seasons went from cold to warm.

They hardly talked, rarely kissed, and could barely keep up the appearance in front of others. Sex was the only thing that was good between them, and the reason they stayed. It was still exhilarating to be able to make the other reach their climax multiple times in one night.

Conversations ran dry in between those nights together in bed. It was getting more difficult to stay together. Even their foolish pride was weary of it. It was exhausting to fake the smile each day and talk about each other as if they were still madly in love. They couldn't remember when it happened or how.

Hermione was in the living room they shared, drinking a glass of wine as the fire warmed their home. The flames turned a smoldering green. It didn't scare or surprise her at all. Tom stepped out of the fireplace and straightened his robe.

He acknowledged her by looking at her before walking away to their bedroom. Words were far and few between them. The only time their home was filled with noises was during sex. The mattress creaked, the headboard banged on the wall, their moans filled the bedroom, and the sounds of their bodies slamming together spoke volumes. They couldn't deny their physical attraction, nor their sexual compatibility.

"Tom, wait."

He turned on his heel and looked at her with tired eyes. Work at the Ministry was daunting. Aurors were shorthanded due to injuries.

"Yes?"

"We need to talk," she spoke the dreaded words neither could muster. It hurt to even think about it.

Tom made his way back towards her, and sat beside her on the couch. He didn't bother to get a glass, instead drank the wine from the bottle. Her eyes were already glistening and filled with tears. Goodbye was the most difficult part of breaking up, and they've been trying to the past few months.

"I know," he admitted, finally saying what they both couldn't say for so long. "You stay here."

"No, you stay. I'll be going to my parents until I find my own place. Neither one of us is at fault," her voice began to crack. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

He nodded, agreeing to it. He'd known, but couldn't hurt her.

Hermione put her glass down on the coffee table in front of them and wiped her tears with a shaky hand. "I'm sorry."

"There's no need. C'mere," he opened his arms, and she laid her head on his shoulder. "We both tried. This is for the best. Perhaps, maybe," his words were drowned out by her sobs.

They remained there for a few minutes, holding onto each other, their past, and the years they spent loving each other.

"We were happy," he tried consoling her as her tears soaked his robe. "It'll be okay," he held her tighter, quieting his own sadness as he buried his head in the crook of her neck.

They stayed until it was time to say goodbye.

end.