Disclaimer: Once again, I do not own Harry Potter and his posse.

a/n: this is the continuation of that fateful night six years ago. Enjoy.

Chapter 3

Back and Forth Again

            Down in the common room, Ron couldn't help but feeling like he was being trapped. He wasn't sure if he wanted to know this 'important' thing. A little while later he saw Hermione walk into the common room, fidgeting with her hands and focusing her attention on the floor rug. Ron stood up awkwardly as she approached him. "Hi, Hermione. Well I'm here – what did you need to tell me?"

            Hermione hesitated before she finally brought up the courage to talk. "Well, Ron, first you have to know that this is so difficult for me to tell you. I'm so scared to talk to you right now."

            "But, Hermione, it's only me. The same Ron Weasley you've known for years. You've got nothing to worry about," said Ron comfortingly as he offered her a seat on the sofa. They bought sat down in front of the fireplace.

            "Well, alright, I guess I should just come right out and say what I have to say. Okay." Hermione felt dizzy and her palms were sweaty.

            "Ron…I have feelings for you."

            "Of course you do, I'm your friend. That's all you wanted to tell me?, " Ron replied obliviously.

            "No, Ron, not like that. I like you as more than a friend. Ron, I'm in love with you. I have been since our fourth year."

            "You're what?!"

            "In love with you."

            "Bloody hell! So I did hear you correctly," Ron stated in disbelief. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and when he couldn't find a comfortable position, he stood up and walked towards the fireplace. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. 'Hermione in love? With me? But why me?' Ron just continuously stared at the fire. Oh, how he wished he had some floo powder right now. This was such an awkward situation; he just wanted to disappear.

            Meanwhile, Hermione stayed on the sofa. She did it. She finally said it. It felt so much better that it was now off her chest. But she still wasn't in the clear. She still didn't know how Ron felt about this or even if he felt the same way. Would he reciprocate her feelings? Or would she be going to be broken-hearted?

            It seemed like eternity before the awkward silence was broken. "Ron, you haven't said anything for five minutes."

            "Neither have you, Hermione."

            "Well, I was waiting for you to say something back. Ron, I want to know – did I make a mistake by telling you I'm in love with you? Do you feel the same way about me?" Once again, Hermione's hands became sweaty as she fearfully waited for Ron's answer.

            'Am I in love with her? I love Hermione as my friend, but in love with her? I don't know about that. How do you know if you're in love anyway?'

            "Ron?" Hermione snapped Ron out of his thoughts. He suddenly remembered that he didn't answer her yet.

            Ron kept his back towards Hermione, afraid to see her face when he finally gives her an answer. He didn't want to hurt Hermione, but he couldn't lie to himself either.

            "Hermione…I-I'm afraid that I can't say that I'm in love with you. I love you as one of my best friends and I'm really sorry, but that's all I feel right now."

            It was a good thing that Ron couldn't see Hermione's face. If he did, he would've seen the increasing amount of tears that were running down her cheeks. She felt like someone shot her in the heart. She felt paralyzed. She silently cried for what seemed like forever.

            After a while, she decided to wipe her tears and put on a brave face. As she finished wiping tears away, Ron finally turned around. The pain that Malfoy put Hermione through over the years was nothing compared to the pain and hurt that he now saw. He felt horrible. He wanted to give her a hug, but he figured, 'What good would that do? I just broke her heart and I can't take back what I said.'

            "Hermione, I'm real sorry. I'm sorry to make you cry. I never wanted to hurt you. I'm so sorry."

            Hermione stood up and tried to pull herself together. Ron walked towards her, but she put out her hand, indicating him to not come forward any further. Backing away, she tried to hide her hurt, but did so unconvincingly. "I - I understand, Ron. It-It's okay. Really it is. I really wasn't expecting anything. I just wanted to get it off my chest because it was eating me up. I'll be fine."

            She turned around and headed up for the stairs. She wanted the comfort of her bed as soon as possible.

            "Hermione!" Ron called out.

            She turned back around, fighting to hold back her tears, and said, "We're still friends right?"

            "Of course."

            "Great. That's great to hear." She lost her battle with the tears and they freely ran down her face again.

            "Herm—"

            "G'nite, Ron." And with that, she ran up the stairs and cried herself to sleep.

* * *

      Ron slowly hovered as he approached the ground with his broomstick. He landed softly and shook his head over the memory that he just had. 'You were right, Ginny. Things have changed between Hermione and me ever since six years ago. And I have no one else but myself to blame.'

----

a/n: thanks to everyone who reviewed this fic so far. J I really appreciate your feedback. Sorry, if the pace of the story is going slow though. I just don't want to miss anything. Keep on r/r –ing!