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It Just Wouldn't Be The Same
Ron Weasley sighed morosely at the invitation that had been burning a hole in his heart for weeks now.
Dear Ron, Viktor and I have finally settled on a date for the wedding and I do hope you are able to take the time off work to come, it wouldn't be the same without you. It will be held in London on the first of April and Harry has already confirmed that he is going. I DO hope you come; it's been ages since the three of us have been together. RSVP as quickly as you can.
Much love, Hermione
Ron threw the invitation across his flat in disgust and sighed, it had been two years since their graduation at Hogwarts and he still couldn't shake his feelings for Hermione no matter what he did. He avoided seeing her since the fateful day they left Hogwarts forever and even throwing himself into his new job as an auror only distracted him temporarily, whenever he had a moment alone with his thoughts the same question rang through his mind, "what if?"
"What if I hadn't been such a fool?" he asked aloud. Deep in his heart he wondered how different things would have been if he had only just taken a chance. Perhaps at this moment Hermione would be the future Mrs. Ronald Weasley instead of Mrs. Viktor Krum.
Krum. Ron thought darkly. Why did that stupid git ever leave Bulgaria? Then maybe he could have mustered up the courage to ask Hermione to the Yule Ball during their fourth year.
In fact, why didn't he ever take the time to let her know how he felt? Did he think she was some kind of Seer that could read his mind? If only she knew....didn't my actions speak for themselves? Ron shook his head, how was she supposed to know? How was she supposed to understand that every time Malfoy dared to throw some foul remark in her direction that he took it personally? How was she to know that after her appearance with Krum at the Yule Ball that he waited until everyone was asleep to weep into his pillow in rage? How was she supposed to know that he had a delicious time destroying his Krum action figure in hopes it would break the real Krum's limbs?
A part of me thought it was understood that we were meant to be together, Ron commiserated.
There had been so many times he had the suspicion that maybe she felt the same way..but he was too scared, no not only scared, too proud to bring it out into the open. Ron closed his eyes wearily, how could I have possibly competed with Krum? She probably would have preferred him anyway.
Maybe not, whispered a tiny voice in his head.
Ron's heart lightened considerably, maybe if he finally told her how he felt she would change her mind about Krum. Yeah.maybe. He stared at a piece of parchment, quill poised. What could I possibly say? Dear Hermione, sorry it took nine years for me to finally confess to you how I feel? I guess now you won't marry Krum and we will live together happily ever after?
He frowned and pushed the parchment aside. I should be glad that Hermione is so happy, he mused. And isn't that all I want? Hermione's happiness? Sighing resolutely, Ron reached for the parchment again.
Dear Hermione, I wouldn't miss your wedding for the world, it's not everyday your best friend gets married. See you on the first.
Love, Ron
He hesitated. Could he possibly bear watching Hermione walking down that aisle with Krum? Glowing with radiance on her wedding day? Would he be able to contain the tears of pain? His heart thumped painfully..no.
Crumpling the letter he threw it into the wastebasket and tried again.
Dear Hermione, Unfortunately I will not be able to attend your wedding, the ministry is pushing very hard on an important case I am heading and I can't leave for anything. I'm really sorry but I do hope you have a day you'll never forget.
Ron
He watched as Pig flitted out the window, letter tied to his tiny leg. There was no going back now. He lost her forever. The pain of knowing this gnawed at his stomach, eyes blurry with tears he reached into the cupboard and found the nearly empty bottle of Ogden's Firewhiskey.
As the liquor burned a trail down his tight throat he heard her voice:
It wouldn't be the same without you.
Yes, he agreed..life's not going to be the same without you either.
Ron collapsed onto a nearby couch, head throbbing; he couldn't wait to fall asleep. Liquor bottle in hand, he contemplated of times lost and times never to be had, his thoughts weaved a past of shy smiles, stolen glances, and a young boy's fancy. Crying with inebriation, Ron tried to fathom a childhood without Hermione..despite the pain, it just wouldn't have been the same without her.
It Just Wouldn't Be The Same
Ron Weasley sighed morosely at the invitation that had been burning a hole in his heart for weeks now.
Dear Ron, Viktor and I have finally settled on a date for the wedding and I do hope you are able to take the time off work to come, it wouldn't be the same without you. It will be held in London on the first of April and Harry has already confirmed that he is going. I DO hope you come; it's been ages since the three of us have been together. RSVP as quickly as you can.
Much love, Hermione
Ron threw the invitation across his flat in disgust and sighed, it had been two years since their graduation at Hogwarts and he still couldn't shake his feelings for Hermione no matter what he did. He avoided seeing her since the fateful day they left Hogwarts forever and even throwing himself into his new job as an auror only distracted him temporarily, whenever he had a moment alone with his thoughts the same question rang through his mind, "what if?"
"What if I hadn't been such a fool?" he asked aloud. Deep in his heart he wondered how different things would have been if he had only just taken a chance. Perhaps at this moment Hermione would be the future Mrs. Ronald Weasley instead of Mrs. Viktor Krum.
Krum. Ron thought darkly. Why did that stupid git ever leave Bulgaria? Then maybe he could have mustered up the courage to ask Hermione to the Yule Ball during their fourth year.
In fact, why didn't he ever take the time to let her know how he felt? Did he think she was some kind of Seer that could read his mind? If only she knew....didn't my actions speak for themselves? Ron shook his head, how was she supposed to know? How was she supposed to understand that every time Malfoy dared to throw some foul remark in her direction that he took it personally? How was she to know that after her appearance with Krum at the Yule Ball that he waited until everyone was asleep to weep into his pillow in rage? How was she supposed to know that he had a delicious time destroying his Krum action figure in hopes it would break the real Krum's limbs?
A part of me thought it was understood that we were meant to be together, Ron commiserated.
There had been so many times he had the suspicion that maybe she felt the same way..but he was too scared, no not only scared, too proud to bring it out into the open. Ron closed his eyes wearily, how could I have possibly competed with Krum? She probably would have preferred him anyway.
Maybe not, whispered a tiny voice in his head.
Ron's heart lightened considerably, maybe if he finally told her how he felt she would change her mind about Krum. Yeah.maybe. He stared at a piece of parchment, quill poised. What could I possibly say? Dear Hermione, sorry it took nine years for me to finally confess to you how I feel? I guess now you won't marry Krum and we will live together happily ever after?
He frowned and pushed the parchment aside. I should be glad that Hermione is so happy, he mused. And isn't that all I want? Hermione's happiness? Sighing resolutely, Ron reached for the parchment again.
Dear Hermione, I wouldn't miss your wedding for the world, it's not everyday your best friend gets married. See you on the first.
Love, Ron
He hesitated. Could he possibly bear watching Hermione walking down that aisle with Krum? Glowing with radiance on her wedding day? Would he be able to contain the tears of pain? His heart thumped painfully..no.
Crumpling the letter he threw it into the wastebasket and tried again.
Dear Hermione, Unfortunately I will not be able to attend your wedding, the ministry is pushing very hard on an important case I am heading and I can't leave for anything. I'm really sorry but I do hope you have a day you'll never forget.
Ron
He watched as Pig flitted out the window, letter tied to his tiny leg. There was no going back now. He lost her forever. The pain of knowing this gnawed at his stomach, eyes blurry with tears he reached into the cupboard and found the nearly empty bottle of Ogden's Firewhiskey.
As the liquor burned a trail down his tight throat he heard her voice:
It wouldn't be the same without you.
Yes, he agreed..life's not going to be the same without you either.
Ron collapsed onto a nearby couch, head throbbing; he couldn't wait to fall asleep. Liquor bottle in hand, he contemplated of times lost and times never to be had, his thoughts weaved a past of shy smiles, stolen glances, and a young boy's fancy. Crying with inebriation, Ron tried to fathom a childhood without Hermione..despite the pain, it just wouldn't have been the same without her.