Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the idea for this story. All else belongs to the wonderful J.K Rowling.

A/N: In some ways I hate this chapter, but then I'm R/Hr fan through and through so really I like it. I don't like making Hermione cry, but without the rain the flowers won't grow.

When a punch just won't do

The rest of the month past by quickly and suddenly Hermione's trunk was packed again ready to go back to school. Of course she was not going back to school for another month, but instead to the lively, loving home of the Weasley Family. When Hermione arrived at the Burrow one over excited redhead met her after another. First was Mrs Weasley who embraced Hermione in one of her famous hugs. After finally being released she found herself surrounded in a mass of gold, red and auburn long, straight strands, which could only belong to Ginny. The twins simply patted her on the head in what Hermione felt was quite a patronising way but she didn't have time to express her opinion to them because Ron engulfed her in yet another hug.

When she finally was given a bit of room to breathe she looked round the Burrow finding that nothing had changed. It never did and Hermione was really glad. It was homey and she enjoyed her visits thoroughly. She wondered if this year would be different though.
"Is Harry here yet?"

"Yes dear, he's waiting in the garden for you. He doesn't look too good... I do hope he isn't sick." Mrs Weasley said with a concerned tone in her voice.
Hermione said a distracted "Thanks" and went out to the garden in search of Harry. She found him in the middle of the forest, just inside the boundary of the garden. He was standing leaning against Ron's favourite hiding tree, staring up at the sky. He didn't notice Hermione approaching and she was glad of the opportunity to study him. Mrs Weasley was correct when she said he didn't look too good. His hair was dishevelled, even more so than usual, and his face pale. He had dark circles under his eyes making him look a lot older. Hermione accidentally stood on a twig and they both jumped. He turned to face her with a small, but not very reassuring, smile. "Hey." He said very quietly.

"Hey."

"Sorry I didn't reply to your letter but I thought we should talk in person."

"That's okay, I thought you might want to just leave it until now." Hermione said meekly.

"Hermione, I don't really know how to say this but..." Hermione interrupted him. She knew where this was headed and she really didn't need to hear why.

"I know where your headed Harry so if you could just skip to the end, I really don't want a long drawn out speech." She said with tears welling up in her eyes.

"Um... ok... well I don't really think this is working so maybe we should just leave it and go back to being friends."
Hermione just looked at him. She knew it hadn't been working, but hearing him say it broke her heart. What was so wrong with her? She didn't really think he had the right to say that things weren't working as they had only been going out for 5weeks, 4 of those being the summer holiday. She knew it had all been a mistake, so why did it hurt so much? With the lump rising in her throat, and the tears running down her cheeks so couldn't manage to get any words out and she didn't want him to know how much he had hurt her so she did the only thing she could think of. She ran. Down through the garden, into the kitchen, through the living room and up the stairs to Ginny's room.
Harry just stood there staring at the spot at which she had been standing. He had seen her tears fall and had felt the urge to hold her and tell her everything would be fine, but it wouldn't be fine. He had ruined everything.

Although Hermione had not noticed that someone was sitting in the living room when she ran through in such a hurry, he had noticed her and had seen the tears that were running down her cheeks. Knowing that she would probably not appreciate the company, he walked up the stairs and gently tapped on the door of Ginny's room.

"Mione... are you okay?"
There was no answer. He opened the door slightly to hear muffled sobs coming from down beside Ginny's bed. He gently pushed the door open far enough to enter and quietly closed it over. He walked over to Hermione's make shift bed and saw that she was lying on her stomach with her head buried into her pillow. He carefully knelt down beside her head and tenderly pushed her hair back from her face. She raised her head to see his soft sapphire eyes looking sympathetically down upon her.
"Mione, I'm here for you if you need me, but if you just want to be alone..."

"Oh Ron!" She cried, placing her arms around his strong shoulders, burying her head into his chest. He held her in his arms, gently rubbing her back, whilst listening to her soft sobs. Before long she had managed to control her crying and was just breathing quietly in his embrace. He let her go slightly so that he could see her face, calmly wiping her tears from her cheeks. She just stared at him sniffing every few seconds. Seeing that she looked more ready to talk Ron urged her to tell him what had happened. Hermione told him how Harry had broken up with her, and all the many questions she had about the situation.
"Aww Mione. I don't really know what to say. I'm sure he never wanted to hurt you. I really didn't think you guys would work anyway."

"You didn't?"

"Well no, I mean Harry's a good guy and he's my best mate and everything, but he really is a lady's man and I doubt he would appreciate such a natural beauty as you." Hermione blushed, but Ron continued, determined to tell her how much she was valued. "You know he goes for girls who he can impress with his heroics and wit. He likes girls who spend the majority of their time standing in front the mirror stressing over every imperfection. You are so much better than that and you deserve someone who appreciates your natural beauty and charm. You're gorgeous, smart, funny, sweet and you really shouldn't let him get you down. As I said, he's my best mate but it doesn't mean I think he deserves you."

Hermione just sat there stunned. Sure Ron was a sweet guy, but normally he would just punch her on the arm and tell her to chin up. Then she would shout at him for punching her and they would have a fight and Hermione would forget why she was in a bad mood before he had put her in one. This was certainly a new side to Ron and she couldn't help but like him more for it. She wanted to tell him how much she loved having him around for her but all she could say was "Thanks."

"You're welcome." They both sat there in silence each with their own thoughts until Mrs Weasley called up the stairs asking them to come down for dinner.

"I can bring you food up if you want." Ron suggested.

"No, it's okay. I'm sure I'll be fine as long as I can sit with you."

"Sure." Ron couldn't help but smile. He had made everything seem better for her and finally managed to be a good friend instead of just putting her in a permanent bad mood. They walked downstairs and sat at the table opposite Harry and Ginny. Luckily the twins were at their joke shop today, otherwise they may have tried to break up the cold atmosphere. Hermione spent the entire meal looking at her plate.
When dinner was over she thanked Mrs Weasley and went back up to Ginny's room. Ron was half way through his 2nd helping but he knew how much Hermione needed him so he got up to follow her up the stairs. When he stood up Harry looked at him to ask him how Hermione was but Ron didn't feel it was right to put words into Hermione's mouth so he just told him that she would be fine given time.

Ron entered Ginny's room a few minutes later and he found his friend sitting at the window looking down on the garden. He guessed that she must have found some interesting plant or animal to look at as she had a smile on her face. He walked over to join her and was surprised to see that she was smiling at the gnomes running around the garden. He couldn't help but laugh. "What's so funny?"

"Oh nothing, I'm just glad to see you smile."

"Yeah, well I'm trying but I'm not sure how long I'll be able to keep it up."

"You know you don't have to put on a front for me Mione. I'll love you no matter what...I mean... as a friend." Ron's ear's started to glow and Hermione giggled.

"I know what you mean. I love you too... as a friend." They both laughed together before continuing to stare out the window.

Meanwhile, the silence in the kitchen was finally broken when Mrs Weasley suggested that Ginny helped with the dishes. Of course Harry said he would help too and Molly thought it would be good to leave the two youngsters alone. "So did you have a nice summer?" Ginny asked quietly.

"Um...no, not really." Harry said glumly.

"Me either." Again there was silence until Ginny tried again. "So are you looking forward to going back to school?"

"Gin, I know you're just trying to break the silence but really I know what I did was wrong... you don't have to try and talk to me, I deserve the cold shoulder."

"No you don't Harry. It was better to end it now than to carry on under false pretences. I'm sure Hermione will see that soon enough and everything will go back to normal."

"When did you get so wise?" Harry queried.

"There's a lot you don't know about me Mr Potter..."

The next week Hermione spent most of the time with Ron sitting in the garden. On the rare occasions that he left her side she attempted to sort out her feelings by writing in her diary.

Dear Diary,

I'm not really sure what to write today. I'm really glad to have Ron around and he makes me happy, but I'm still upset about Harry and not being able to talk to him just makes me more frustrated. I'm not sure I have the strength to talk to him, not when he finds it so hard to even look at me. But I really want to try. I don't want to lose his friendship completely. He means too much to me and even though he would never admit it, it is pretty likely that he will need me in the future. I'm sill mad with him though, but I know I shouldn't be.

Calming a heart in a raging storm,
When the winds are high and strong.
Turning your feelings from cold to warm,
Finding your actions were wrong.

It's all about learning to get along,
To be a friend not foe.
 To forget the past, all that's gone,
And let the colours flow.

Look to the sun, let the shadows fall,
Behind your back they hide.
Lift your head up high, stand tall.
Be assured with each strong stride.

I'm not sure why I decided to write that but I guess it made me feel better. Anyway, Ron is coming back now so I'll have to go.

"What is that that you keep writing in Mione?"

"Just a diary. It's not really interesting."

"Oh right" Ron shrugged. Deep down he wondered if that was one the books he could actually manage to read from start to finish.

I really am just babbling now. Don't worry, it is going to go somewhere... Hermione just needs to get to a vulnerable place so she can make a few more stupid mistakes, and I can give a few explanations. I know most people want loads of reviews, and yeah it would be nice cause really I don't feel very comfortable with putting my work out there, I'm happy with the few reviewers I have- especially Oliver's Quidditch Crazy –you review every chapter and are always so nice. I dedicate this chapter to you as you waited so patiently for some R/Hr interaction. I have some more fun written in chapter 6 but you'll just have to wait. Reviews do push me on!

Also thanks to Becky() – I really want to finish this and though I have a busy few weeks ahead I do intend to finish it before I go on my gap year – which is really soon!