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It still pained him very much to think about that horrible incident

About nine months after that horrible incident, Ron met Val. She was Madam Pomfrey's assistant in the Hospital Wing. She was also 18 years old. She was a very nice girl, and she was easy to confide in. Ron had to admit though. He was starting to like her a little. The only problem was, he held a big secret against her. No one had ever told her why Ron was still at Hogwarts, and Ron wanted it to stay that way.

Now that Ron thought about it, he was supposed to meet her in the Three Broomsticks in a half an hour. He got up from his spot under the tree. Before he left, he fingered the engraved lettering on the bark which still glittered in red and gold colors. Dumbledore had found out about it and had no problem with it. On the contrary actually, he put an Everlasting Charm on it, so that the writing could never fade.

Ron walked to the entrance of the gates and went towards Hogsmeade. He thought about visiting Harry but decided not to. So he went straight to the pub. He ordered a butterbeer and found a table in the back. Five minutes later, Valerie entered, ordered her drink, and sat across from him.

"Sorry I'm late. There was a fifth year that had a problem in Potions class. He had hideous boils all over his face. Not pretty- believe me" she laughed

"It's alright. I wasn't waiting long." replied Ron

"You know, I just realized that I never asked you why you're still at Hogwarts. I mean, you graduated. Usually when that happens you leave." she smiled "So why are you still here?"

He knew that question was coming sooner or later. He had hoped later though. But he decided to tell her. Here goes nothing... He explained everything that had happened graduation night. He gave her the highly edited version of that night. He left out all parts containing Hermione. Val looked both shocked and slightly confused.

"Just like that? Your friend was unconscious and you just lost it?"

Oh balls! Now's the time. He thought

"No" he said quietly, "there was someone else. A girl"

"What happened to her?"

"She was killed. Voldemort killed her before he died." He said quietly with a hint of bitterness in his voice

"I'm sorry"

He nodded silently.

They finished their drinks, talking about different students and laughing about different problems that have gone through the hospital wing.

They walked outside still laughing

Once outside, Valerie started, "I've got to get back to work. Are you going to hand around here for a while?"

"Yeah, I'm just gonna walk around for a while. I'll see you later."

"Okay then" said Val

After that something happened that shocked Ron fiercely. She kissed him lightly on the lips. It wasn't big, but it lasted for a good minute or so.

"Bye" she smiled

"Yeah, bye." Ron said. He was numb. Did that really just happen? He thought

Ron suddenly felt extremely angry at her. How could she do this to me? After I told her about everything I went through. That little slut! He thought
His rage and guilt increased the more he thought about it.

He ran to the nearest wand shop. The door burst magically open, startling the owner behind the counter.

"I NEED A WAND!" he roared

He held out his hand and a rectangular shaped wand in a black box came soaring from the back of the store. He took out the wand and it started to glow green in his hands. The owner didn't look like he had the backbone to ask him for the money to pay for it, so he just let him have it.

He ran at top speed through Hogsmeade, almost knocking over an old witch who looked extremely angry at the fact that Ron didn't apologize. He just kept running, not caring about his surroundings. He only had one thought on his mind. Find Val!

He saw Valerie walking across the lawn towards the Hospital Wing. The grounds were deserted because it was exam week. He had a feeling that they would be getting out soon, so he had better act quickly.

"DID YOU REALLY THINK THAT YOU COULD GET AWAY WITH DOING THAT TO ME!?!" he bellowed as he stalked toward her. Once they were about 20 feet apart, he stopped

She turned around quickly looking confused. "Do? What did I - -?" she asked, taking a few steps forward. She suddenly gasped

"Ron!" she stated "Your eyes. They're all big, and -and black! What happened?"

He raised his wand to her, not saying a word.

"What are you doing?" she asked taking a few steps back, "You don't want to go and do anything crazy right?"

"It's a little late for that. I made it happen and believe me, I am perfectly capable of making it stop" he said

"I don't understand. What are you- What did you make happen? What's this all about?"

"I KILLED HER!" he yelled

She looked confused then shook her head.

"You mean you killed him."

Now Ron looked confused.

"Ugh! You know what I mean!" he corrected

"NO no" she pushed," you said her. Ron talk to me. You're not making any sense. Who did you kill?"

"It was you! Trying to make you forget. I'll tell you something, it didn't work! She's still-"he stopped abruptly

Realization crossed her features.

"Hermione" she whispered

"NO! You bear no right to say that name! You don't know! Bet you'd let anyone who came along in, wouldn't you? Slut! You don't know love!"

She looked hurt.

Ron suddenly went very quiet and he looked down. He lowered his wand and all the color fell from it. He felt his eyes shift focus. He assumed they were normal again. His no longer black eyes suddenly filled with tears.

"I know what this is." He stated

"Good, cause I sure as hell don't" she snapped back

"I'm being punished, aren't I? I couldn't save her. I froze. She didn't deserve what happened! She belongs with me! We should have been together forever! But now she's dead because of me! Because I didn't save her! I made a promise- I made a promise to her and to myself that I would never let anything happen to her. Not while I was around. I'm being punished for breaking my promise!" he said, tears now flowing freely

"There was nothing you could have-"

"But there was!" he interrupted "I could have pushed her out of the way or jumped in front of it- something! Anything! I did NOTHING! I just stood there! She had her whole life ahead of her and I let it end. She was only 17. She was so excited to being moving on from Hogwarts. She used to tell me her goals for the future while we would look at the stars in the Astronomy Tower. We had dreams. She was going to work for the Daily Prophet and I was planning on working as an Auror with Harry. We were going to be happy. And in one- one split second, everything just- went to hell. She's gone and I killed her" he sobbed "And then, kissing you made me just- I don't know forget my pain and guilt. And that can never happen! I need that! It's the only way! Only way form me to live. In pain and regret."

"I just - I can't believe she's really dead."

He dropped to his knees in obvious emotional pain. He stared at the sky above. He heard a distant ring. He knew the classes must have been let out, but he didn't care.

"Hermione!" he yelled, "Come back to me, please! I' m sorry I let it happen! I'm sorry, come back, luv, please!" he sobbed on the ground willing her to come back to him

"RON!" a girl's voice rang out

He looked up and saw Ginny running towards him. She dropped to her knees in front of him.

"Ron, what is it? What happened?"

"Ginny?" he asked in a scared sort of voice "She's gone! She's really gone! He sobbed as she took him into a sisterly embrace and whispered comforted words to him.
Val started to slowly walk away looking depressed.

"It was fault" he whispered

"No, no it's not. Don't think like that" Ginny whispered back

She pulled from him and looked into his tear filled eyes.

"It's going to be okay, Ron"

"No, it's not. How can it? She's not here" he stated desperately

She helped him up and together they walked toward the lake. Curious Hogwarts students watching from all over place. Some misty-eyed. They knew what had happened to Hermione, though it was a revised version of events. Not many truly knew what happened that night. They all felt very bad for Ron. Especially the people who knew him and Hermione.

They stopped in front of a marble, book shaped headstone located under 'their' tree. In graved on it was:
Hermione Granger
1984-2002
A Loved Friend
A Cherished Daughter
May She Never Be Forgotten

"Listen" Ginny whispered, "I have two more exams left. Do want me to come back after?"

"No" he replied quietly, "I'll be okay"

"I'll see you later"

He nodded and took a sent in front of her grave. He traced her name with the tips of his fingers. He just sat there, quietly for hours, staring at her grave. Memorizing every detail. At sunset, he got up and went straight to his room in the Professor's Wing.

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A/N: that took me a VERY long time to get up! I have been very very busy and I hadn't had time to type it up. only part of the next chapter is written so it might be a while before it gets up.. as for the 'professor's wing'..i don't know where they sleep but lets assume okay?

*MiDnIgHtMaGiCk