Disclaimer: Nothing related to HP is mine. It's all J.K. Rowling's. If it were mine, I'd be swimming in money and be on some private island beach house.

A/N: Well, believe it or not, we are almost done. : ( . I know, I know, but I'll try to keep writing. I've been thinking about a sequel to this story...

But for this story, please keep reviewing! I had no idea I'd get so many, I didn't even think I'd hit 5! My goal is to get 45-50 by the time this is done, so help out! You got two chapters left! REVIEW!!

Quick Re-Cap: After a week of Hermione's anger, Harry had long since given up. But a determined Ron kept at it. And as it turns out, it was in the name of love...

Chapter 13: Breaking the Silence

It took Harry a moment to regain his senses. He was so amazed by what Ron had said. He had to go find him. As Harry began to walk back up to Gryffindor Tower, Ron's words swam through his head.
"You try to accept the fact that the girl you love hates you...the girl you love...girl you love..."

Harry shook his head, trying to keep his mind clear. It wasn't that he was surprised that Ron loved Hermione, he was just surprised that Ron had finally said it.

"I mean, it's only obvious," Harry said to himself. "You'd have to be blind to not notice it."

After giving the password, Harry walked into the common room and immediately began looking around for Ron. He found him in a corner, sitting in a chair and leaning with his head on his arms on a table. Harry walked over and sat across from Ron, who didn't even acknowledge he was there. Harry punched Ron on the arm. Ron looked up, glared at Harry, then slugged him back.
"Oh c'mon, Ron," Harry said laughing. "It's nothing to be sorry about."

"It is now, seeing as she hates my guts," Ron said gloomily.

"If you would just explain why you spied on her and offer an apology, you may be able to clear this up."

"No," said Ron, running a hand through his hair. "I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because."

"Because why?"
"Because...because I'm scared."

"Scared?" Harry said, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, you know...worried. I don't want her any madder at me than she already is."

"Maybe if you just-"

"No."

"Ron, c'mon-"

"No. Just leave it Harry." Ron said shaking his head. "Just leave it. I still love Hermione; but-" he paused for a bit, then continued. "But maybe it's just...better this way."
Harry stared at Ron for a bit, wondering if he was serious. Then he slowly nodded. "Okay."

Ron got up and started for the stairs. Then he stopped, and turned back to Harry.

"Don't tell her, okay?"

"What?"

"Hermione. Don't tell her I love her. It won't...it won't do anything.

Harry shook his head. "Okay. I won't."

"I mean it Harry. Don't tell her."

"Oka-"

"Because if you do, Harry, I swear. I'll-"

"Ron! I won't tell Hermione you love her."

Ron stared at him closely for a minute.

Harry sighed. "I won't."

Slowly, Ron nodded. "Alright...I'm heading up early okay?"

"Okay. Goodnight."

"'Night."

As Ron went up the stairs, Harry leaned back in his chair to think. This was phenomenal. It was finally out in the open, and Ron really thought Harry was going to keep quiet.

"Who's he kidding?" Harry mumbled to himself. "I have to tell Hermione. Then maybe we can end this stupid thing for good."

And with that, Harry got up and went to look for Hermione.

**********

It took only ten minutes to find her. Not so impressive as Harry went to the most obvious place first- the library. Of course Hermione was there, seated near the back at her usual spot. Ducking behind a shelf, Harry thought carefully about how he was going to do this. He still had to be careful to not make her even more upset. First things first, she had to talk to Harry before he could bring up Ron.

Taking a deep breath, and mustering up his courage, Harry walked over to Hermione's table. She was reading a very thick book, so it took her a second before she realized Harry was in front if her. She glanced up from the book. Then seeing who it was, she looked back down.

"What do you want, Potter?" She asked bitterly.

When Harry didn't respond, Hermione looked up again- and was startled to find Harry right in front of her, their faces inches away.

"For starters, Granger," he hissed. "Quit calling me by my last name. That's something you do with gits like Malfoy...not your friends."

Taken back by Harry's sudden fierceness, it took Hermione a moment to compose herself.

"W-what makes you think that we're still friends?" She shot back.

Harry gave her a look that could've burnt a hole right through her. His normally bright green eyes were clouded over and dark. He was breathing hard through his nose and his fists were clenched tight. Hermione had never seen Harry this mad before. And for the first time she felt something towards him that she never thought she could- fear and apprehension.

Hermione sighed. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry," she said, before Harry exploded. "I didn't mean that we're not friends." To her relief, she saw Harry relax slightly- at least he released his fists.

"How could you even think we're not?" He asked.

Hermione looked at Harry liked she had never seen him before. For the first time since the trip to Hogsmeade, she realized how horrible she was being.

"I-I don't think that. I never thought that."

"Could've fooled me."

"Oh, come on. I was mad. I was hurt. Of course I'm not going to be friendly with you."

Slowly, Harry nodded. "Yeah...I guess so. I wish we would've thought about that more than we did."

"We?"

"Me and Ron."

"Oh." Hermione said quietly, curiously going pink.
They both fell awkwardly silent. "That's it?" Harry thought to himself. "That's all there is to it? We're friends again?" Harry smiled inwardly. He couldn't have felt better. But just to be sure...

"Hermione, I'm sorry. I should've trusted you. I promise that I'll never do anything like this again. And I hope you can forgive me."

Hermione looked at him and smiled. "Thank you, Harry. I forgive you. But I'm also sorry that I've been so mean to you."

Harry stared at Hermione closely.

"What?" She asked.

He just stared at her.

"Harry?"

Suddenly, his face broke into a huge smile. "That's what I thought you said."

And with that, Harry reached over and pulled Hermione into a hug. Laughing, Hermione hugged him tightly back.

"You know what this means though, don't you?" Harry asked, after awhile.

"What?"

Harry pulled back and looked at Hermione very intently. "One down...one to go."

It about a second for Hermione to realize what Harry meant, then her eyes grew wide, as she understood.

"You mean I have to talk to Ron, don't you?"

Harry nodded."

"Oh, Harry! I can't!"

"What?! Why not?"

"Because!"

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah, that explains it all. Come on, Hermione. You talked to me. Why is talking to Ron any different?"
"It just is, okay?"

"No. Not okay. As happy as I am to be back on speaking terms with you, I'd be even happier if you would talk to Ron."

Hermione didn't say anything. She just stared down at her hands. "I can't," she whispered.

Harry sighed and leaned back in his chair. How could he pull this off? Ron was too scared to try to talk to Hermione, and she flat out refused as well. And all they were doing was making it a lot harder on themselves. Suddenly, Harry sat up. "Okay," he though to himself. "If this doesn't work...nothing will."

"You've been killing him this past week you know," Harry said. "He's a wreck."

Hermione's head snapped up and she looked at Harry in disbelief.

"W-w-what?" She stuttered.

"You have. He's really awful. He barley talks to anyone. He hardly listens in class. And he just mopes around all day."

"But-but- how come I never knew this?!" Hermione said in a panicky voice.

"You've never cared. You've been too mad at us," Harry said.

"But why's he so upset? What's wrong with him?"
"Isn't it obvious? You're mad at him and it's destroyed him. He feels so horrible and every time he tries to talk to you, you just ignore him."

Hermione was staring at Harry with wide eyes, not wanting to believe him.

"He's really hurt Hermione. Please. Just talk to him."

Harry leaned back again to look at Hermione. By the look on her face, he knew he had done it. Not only had he succeeded in convincing her to talk to Ron (true, she hadn't said it, but he felt it.), but he had the feeling that he had uncovered something else. Something bigger. Something that they all knew had been there for a long time. And finally, it was going to come out.

"Okay," Hermione said after a few minutes. "I'll talk to Ron."

"Thank you," Harry said gratefully.

"But I need you to answer me on thing, Harry."

"What is it?"

She looked at him, and in a small but clear voice said, "why did Ron spy on me? Why was he so worried? And why is he so hurt?"

There it was. Harry had been waiting for this. And even though he said he wouldn't, Harry told Hermione word for word what Ron and said earlier.

"Because he loves you."

A/N: Bahahahhahaahahaa! So now Hermione knows! What will she say? What will she do? Is there soon to be another couple around Hogwarts? Or is Ron going to be miserable for the rest of his life? Find out next time in the FINAL chapter!!
And please review!!!