Chapter Five

Ron tore his glance away from Draco and looked at Hermione. He remember the first day her met Hermione. He remembered all the adventures he, Harry and Hermione had been throught together. His life for the past seven years, he remembered in a flash. He knew Hermione and Harry inside out; or so he thought. He felt so betrayed, so hurt. Throughout all these years he stuck up for Hermione whenever Malfoy called her a 'Muggle' or even a 'Mudblood'. He payed the price during second year, when he tried to cast a spell on Malfoy only to get it rebounded; he spent the night throwing up slugs. And now she was defending him. It was all too much for Ron, he looked in her eyes, and shook his head in disappointment.

' No Hermione, I lost you to Krum years ago, and I'm gonna lose you to MALFOY now. I won't do it, not even for you,' he thought as he turned his back to her and walked off.

"Ron!" She called in despiration. Harry held her back, " Let him go Hermione, he's been through a heck of a lot today. I'll talk to him."

Hermione looked at Harry gratefully, "Thank you Harry, I really am sorry for everything. I hope you understand."

Harry smiled as he answered, "All is forgiven Hermione. You kept your word to Mal- to Draco, and that's a true friend." He gave her a quick hug, "It's good to have you back Hermione!" He let go and left to find Ron, after a few steps he turned around, "Oh Hermione?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think you can gather up Ron's books for me?"

"Sure thing Harry!"

"Thanks." With that he ran off in search of Ron. Hermione watched helplessly as Harry left.

"Come on, let's go, " Draco said quietly. She looked at Draco, her eyes a little mistly, " Ron, didn't mean anything he said about you Draco."

He smiled at her and wiped a single tear from her face, "Don't worry, I know he's really mad and I understand why." He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and led her back to Potions. She snuggled her head into his chest, still absorbing what just happened. She picked up Ron's books and another tear splashed on the cover of his Potions textbook. She hugged the books to her chest. Class ended a second later, so Draco promised he'd sort things out with Snape, as he walked her back to her house.

"I'll pick you up here 15 minutes before dinner. I want to know how everything's going okay? Tell Harry he's welcome to join us, and Ron too...if he's willing...and don't worry Hermione...things'll work out, " Draco told her.

"I hope so Draco...I really hope so, " She whispered. He took her in his arms and she buried her head into his chest. He ran his fingers through her wild hair, comforting her.

"Come on Hermione, you gotta be strong, " he murmured into her ear. She came up and looked at Draco, his strong blue eyes, made her feel all warm inside. She dried her tears and nodded. She held Draco's hand and walked away from him, not letting go until both their arms were streached, she then let go and walked into her house, holding Ron's books.

* * * * * * * *

"Ron?" Harry knocked on their bedroom door.

"What?" Ron answered coldly.

"I'm coming in."

"Whatever." Ron said half-heartedly. Harry entered and saw Ron sitting on his bed, leafing through a magical scrapbook of memories of him , Harry and Hermione. Harry sat on his own bed in front of Ron.

" You still can't believe it huh?" He asked in a soft tone. Ron looked up, his eyes were red and swollen; he'd been crying.

"Why Harry? Why'd she do it?" He asked, so innocent and blind to what he saw. Harry felt terrible, he didn't want to hurt his best friend, he was already hurt beyond hurt.

"Doesn't she know who she's dealing with?" Harry just listened as Ron continued, " You know Harry... it's been nearly five years since I've started liking her, and with each passing year, she just grew more beautiful. But I never did anything about it... you know why Harry? ...Cause I was afraid. Afraid of what she'd think. It's me after all, why would she want to be with someone like me?"

"Ron! Don't say that!" Harry interrupted.

"By our fourth year at Hogwarts, I lost her to Krum. I watched her slip farther and farther away from me. Then when she and Krum split up, she cried...she cried for 2 straight weeks...you remember that Harry?" Ron asked, lost in a world of memories. Harry only nodded and Ron went on, " And I was there for her...you and I comforted her, and put up with her never-ending crying for 2 weeks. And now...and now...she's gone to Malfoy. What does Malfoy have that I don't?" Ron asked Harry. It was time to speak up.

" Ron, I'm sure you're worthy enough for Hermione, it's just that you and her were meant to be best friends. You were with her everystep of the way when she and Krum split up, and I'm positvie that she really is grateful for that. Ron...if you hadn't have been there for her, she wouldn't have gotten over him and I'm sure she knows that, " Harry told him.

"Yeah...sure, " Ron sighed.

"Ron, why don't you just try to talk to Hermione! Just you and her alone. Without me and without Draco. You two really need to sort out a few things...including your feelings."

"It's not that easy Harry. You don't understand...I feel so betrayed...I just don't think I can feel the same way about her anymore. It's just not the same."

"Why is it that you're more upset now, then when she was with Krum?" Harry wondered.

"Isn't it obvious Harry? Krum was my favourite quidditch player, and was already on my good side. Malfoy, on the other hand is...is MALFOY, "Ron answered. Harry tried to think of something else to say, but Ron just continued, "Harry, I really don't know what to do anymore. I don't want to lose Hermione, but I'll still pretty mad and hurt. I'm so confused, " Ron buried his head into his hands.

"I completely understand Ron, I, too, still don't trust Draco, but if Hermione has become friends with him, we can't do anything about it. We can't choose her friends for her, you know that Ron. She has that right, and we can't do anything about it except to support and be there for her, " Harry said, "I'm not going to trust him right away, but for Hermione I will try."

Ron sighed, "I know Harry, but still, it's Malfoy, and that's a fact. For years now, I've been protected Hermione FROM him, and now she's on his side. I just don't know what to do."

"I'll tell you what Ron, you spend a day or two without Hermione, just to think and to clear things up with yourslef. Then on the night of the second day, you and Hermione are going to sit down TOGETHER here, and talk! I'll stay for a few minutes, then I'll leave you two alone, " Harry said.

"And if I don't agree?" Ron asked looking up at Harry. Harry stood up and said, " I'm not asking you Ron , I'm telling you that you're gonna do this. Now, I'm going to dinner with Hermione, and I'm guessing that Draco'll be there too. You can stay and I'll bring you some food in about an hour, or you can join us."

"I'll have whatever they serve tonight with potatoes not fries, " Ron said as he lay down, once again looking through his scrapbook.

"Suit yourself, " Harry walked out the door and met Hemione in the common room. She stood up the instant she saw Harry and walked over to him.

!!