Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or anything to do with it, all merchandise belongs to the great J.K Rowling... Please don't sue me!
Harry Potter stood there with an anxious and distrusting face.
She had said too much this time.
Hermione looked around the room and found that everyone seemed to be minding their own business or at least pretending to. Everyone but Harry, Ron and her had gone back to talking of normal things, and pretending that everything was still fine.
Hermione however shrank under the burning gaze of her husband and her best-friend. Both of whom were waiting for an explanation.
"Hermione what do you mean you started this with Malfoy?" Harry asked his voice showing his suspicions. "Is there something your not telling me?"
Hermione took a deep breath, trying to calm her breathing so that she would be able to think again. She didn't know what to do. After all these years she had finally made a big slip.
Would this be it then? She thought to herself. Are Harry and Ron going to find out like this?
She wondered what she should do. What she could do to get herself out of the mess.
For a moment, the best idea she could come up with was to faint right there and then. But how to do it? She had never been much of a fainter, and both boys knew that.
No... fainting would be even more suspicious.
What then? What could she do...
Luckily Ron decided to save her.
"What do you mean what does she mean?" Ron exclaimed turning to Harry. "We all know that it was us three who started this little war with Malfoy, years ago." He said.
Hermione heart skipped a beat at Ron's words. She knew now that he truly did know about what had gone on with her and Draco.. She had seen it in his eyes just moments ago. But he was covering up for her. Like he had secretly done for her so many years ago...
He was always doing what he thought was best for her. The thing to make her happy, even
giving her up to his best-friend, when he thought that was the best for her. He had done everything in his power to make her life a happy one, a safe one, going into all the missions he could get his hands on, so that she or her husband would not have to go.
Yes.
He had always lied for her when he needed to.
Many times she didn't even know about it.
But when?
When had he found out about them? She had never said anything, nor slipped up, she had never
hinted or talked about him when she had a choice.
Except...
Once.
~
Flashback to the day before Hermione's Wedding
They sat there together, alone for one last night. They sat quietly together for a long time. Hermione's back was to a great Redfern, and Ron had lied down with his head on her lap.
Just like the old days.
~
Flashback to Hogwarts, Gryffindor common room 6th year.
Hermione was sitting in the empty Gryffindor common room studying for an exam that was a week away, with Ron watching her quietly from across the room, trying helplessly to stay quiet and at the same time convince her to spend some time with him.
"'Mione...." his voice implored from across the room.
Hermione didn't even blink or look up.
Ron sighed and tapped his fingers on the table once more. What could he possibly do to get her attention.
"'Mione..." he called out once more.
This time Hermione looked up a little annoyed.
"Ron! I'm trying to study here." she said casting her eyes downwards again.
"'Mione come on... That test is a week away!"
"Ron!" Hermione warned.
"Fine. Be boring see if I care." Ron said giving up and heading towards the exit.
As he reached the door his footsteps came to a halt. An idea had formed in his head. And it was priceless. The plan could not fail. He thought with an uncharacteristic smirk.
He sauntered back to stand in front of Hermione who still had hear head in the book, not even noticing his return.
Ron started humming a slow tune.
Nothing.
He started taking off his Gryffindor tie.
Still nothing.
Humming louder and with a riskier tune of a real strip-teaser, Ron let his cloak fall to the ground.
Nothing yet.
Watching Hermione slowly taking notice of what he was doing, Ron smiled, at the widening of her eyes.
Her book was slowly falling into her lap, as he very slowly and seductively took of his shirt.
He was in the process if unbuttoning his pants when Hermione finally snapped out of her shocked state.
"Ron!" She cried covering her eyes.
"What?" Ron asked standing there with an innocent expression.
"What are you doing?"
"Well I had to do something. You've been reading for nearly three hours."
Hermione sighed realising that he was right.
"Alright, alright, come here." She said to him holding out her arms.
Ron smiled and walked over to her while puling his shirt over his head. He sat beside her and quickly slung his legs across the couch so that he could lay his head on her lap.
Hermione smiled, running her fingers through his hair, as he started talking about all the crazy stuff he and Harry had been doing on the Quidditch pitch. .
Those were the moments she truly did know there was more things to life than books. And that nothing was more precious to her than the love of her friends.
~
Flashback to day before Hermione's wedding
They sat there together, alone for one last night. They sat quietly together for a long time. Hermione's back was to a great Redfern, and Ron had lied down with his head on her lap.
"So 'Mione this is it." Ron said with a big goofy grin on his face.
"Yes this is it." Hermione replied giving him somewhat of a small smile.
"Your last night of freedom."
"Very last night."
"After tonight, your really his..."
Hermione couldn't say anything to this. She was the only one who knew that she could never be truly his.
"So care for one last tirst with your ex?" Ron asked grinning suggestively, making a grinding motion with his hips.
Hermione laughed and swapped his head burning hair lightly.
"Ow!" Ron exclaimed feigning an injury. "Don't be mad 'Mione. It was my duty to ask, being the ex-boyfriend and all." he said smiling.
Hermione smiled at him before turned her attention back to the sunset.
She sat there quietly. Trying no to think about anything but the sunset. Nothing but the sunset.
Anything but him.
She couldn't.
The events that had transpired between them during their final meeting still lingered in her heart. It would always be in heart.
He had worn such a defeated expression, his features had aged in those minutes. No longer holding the familiar cool and calm expression.
Oh, Draco...
Why did it have to end this way.
If only.
She felt the familiar dampness in her cheeks. She brought her hands to her face and quickly wiped away the tears. He had always made her cry, wether it was tears or his name... He had always made her cry.
Ron quickly sat up and face her. He brought gentle hands to wipe away the tears.
"What's wrong 'Mione?"
Hermione shook her head. No! She promised herself she wouldn't do this tonight. She promised herself that she wouldn't do it ever again.
She had shed too many tears for him already.
"Hermione, tell me. What is it?"
Looking at the imploring look Ron was giving her, she couldn't hold the tears in any longer, the sobs broke through her like a heavy wave, and she shook with it's violence.
Ron quickly moved, and held her tightly in his arms, his hands soothing her back, as his other hands held her head.
She cried. She could never stop easily once the tears started coming.
"Shh.. It's ok. It's going to be alright."
Hermione shook her head against his shoulder and clutched his arms tightly, holding on for control.
"Why?" she whispered through all of her tears. "Why isn't it him?"
Ron held on to her not quite understanding what Hermione had meant.
Those words however stayed with him, after he had realised what they meant .
End Chapter
I know I know! I totally suck. That chapter was short. But don't worry I have the next chapter in my hands and it's a long one, just convince me to post it.
This is Chapter 8. The very next chapter (Chapter 9) will most likely be up next Wednesday, because it's already written but it could come up earlier if you guys really impress me.
So sorry too, it took me so long to post this because for some reason FF.n wouldn't let me upload my chapters. But I guess now it's fixed so...
Review!
