The Other Girl

Chapter 4/4

Author - PreciousLittleMe

Rating - G

Keywords – Ron/Hermione, Seventh Year

Category – Angst/Romance

Disclaimer – I don't own them, I just play with them.

Summary – Hermione is tracking down Ron after their argument. She finds him and they finally face each other.

Author's Notes – Thanks to those people who have reviewed all the way through, you inspired me to keep writing at the pace I did :) Let me know how you like the end!

When she left the Gryffindor common room Hermione couldn't see Ron anywhere and had no idea where to begin looking. She couldn't believe what she had said. How could she be that stupid? Hermione sighed and wondered where to begin looking. She headed towards the Great Hall.

Several people were sitting along the tables, but none of them were Ron. She did see one member of the Weasley family though, sitting alone at the Gryffindor table.

"Hey Ginny." She said, walking up to her."

"Hi."

"Have you seen Ron?"

Ginny shook her head. "No, why?"

"Long story."

"Make it shorter"

"Carla dumped Ron, he blamed me, I said something really bad, he walked off and now I can't find him."

"If I see him I'll let you know."

"Thanks."

"No problem."

Ginny went back to the book in front of her and Hermione left. She always knew Hogwarts was big, but only now she was looking urgently for Ron did she realise exactly how many places in the castle he could be.

Astronomy tower, Owlery, Quidditch pitch, she mentally ticked them off as she searched them off. She asked so many people if they had seen him she was beginning to lose count. She walked along all the corridors she could find, hoping to run into him.

"Where are you?" she muttered.

Seeing a male with red hair turn a corner she ran to catch up.

"Hi Hermione, where are you in a rush to?"

George.

"I'm looking for Ron. I can't find him anywhere."

"Wish I could help, but I haven't seen him. Is Harry looking for him too?"

"No, just me."

"Really?" George said raising his eyebrows. Hermione glared at him.

"Don't even think it."

"Think what?" He gave her his best innocent look.

"You know exactly what I mean."

"Well it gets a bit hard to ignore the rumours when they're going around as often as they are."

Hermione just shook her head. "Can you let me know if you see him?"

"Sure. Good luck."

"Thanks."

As she walked away Hermione hoped she had been a good enough actress to make him believe there were no ulterior motives to her looking for him. She had enough on her mind without worrying about rumours as well. As she continued searching the castle more and more people made their way to dinner. Gradually the halls became empty as the whole school was in the Great Hall. She assumed Ron would be at dinner with everyone else, and she didn't want to face the awkward silence with him yet. After the events of the day though she didn't feel like eating, and made her way back to the Gryffindor Tower.

As she entered the common room she expected it to be empty. Seeing Ron sitting on the couch staring into the fire made her stop dead. He turned to look slowly, as if he didn't really care but thought he should. He immediately turned back to the fire when he saw who it was. She approached cautiously.

"Why aren't you at dinner?" she asked.

"Why aren't you?" He didn't look up at her.

"I was looking for you."

"Why? Haven't you said enough?" He said, finally meeting her eyes. She saw anger burning behind them.

"I came to say I'm sorry."

Ron remained silent. Hermione continued.

"I didn't mean it. I was just angry."

Ron still didn't speak, so Hermione began to walk slowly away.

"You can't expect me to just except your apology can you?"

Hermione stopped.

"I said I didn't mean it, what else can I possibly do?" Hermione felt her temper rising. Ron didn't say anything. "If you don't have an answer to your own question, then there's nothing I can do."

"I want it to not be true, and there's nothing you can do about that."

Hermione heard the self-deprecation in voice. It took all of her control to not reach over and reassure him. He's acting like a complete prat, Hermione thought, though she knew he had good reason to not be nice to her.

"If it makes you feel better Viktor never really had me, though I know its Carla you're upset about."

Ron was silent for a moment but then answered. "It does make me feel better."

Hermione wondered if that could possibly mean what she so badly wanted it to. She went to sit on the couch beside him, though far enough way in case she was wrong.

"And if it makes you feel better Carla never really had me." He added.

"Of course she did, you were dating."

"It's hard to explain…we were dating, but I didn't like her as anything more than a friend, and I don't think she liked me anymore than that either. If she had she wouldn't have gone to Viktor."

Hermione tried to take in what he was saying.

"Then why did you both continue dating?"

Ron shrugged. "I don't know why she did, but for me she made me forget…other things."

"Another girl."

"Yeah." Ron blushed slightly.

"Are you going to tell me who she is?" Hermione asked, though she wasn't one hundred percent sure she wanted to know the answer.
"I've known her for a while now. But I can't tell anyone who she is…I can't believe I'm telling you this."

"You should just tell the girl. You never know what her answer will be."

Ron smiled. "But you know me. I'm not that brave."

"Of course you are." Hermione said immediately.

"Not with this."

Hermione felt ready to burst. She was so close to telling him, but she couldn't…could she?

"I was jealous of her." she said.

"What? Jealous of who?"

"Think about it."

"Ginny? No. Parvati? No. Pansy?"

Hermione glared at him, but couldn't stop herself from smiling.

"I don't know."

"So you really are as dense as people say you are when it comes to people's feelings." Hermione said jokingly.

"Unless…Carla…"

It wasn't a question and Hermione couldn't make herself answer it.

"But that would mean…."

Hermione sat in silence, waiting. She wanted to walk away and never get the answer, but she had to now. She couldn't go back. Hermione nodded.

"You're the girl I couldn't tell."

Hermione released the breath she had been holding. She didn't know what she should say, but felt she should say something. "What are we going to do now?"

"Will you go out with me?"

"Of course I will."

Hermione smiled self-consciously. She couldn't believe it had finally happened, yet it was nothing like she had imagined.

"You'd think it'd be easier now." She said.

"Yeah…"

Ron reached over and covered her hand with his. He laughed with relief after he did.

"Small steps I guess." Hermione said, leaning over and kissing his cheek, trying to ease the awkwardness between them. He blushed slightly.

Hermione heard people begin to enter the common room. She guessed he could hear them too, but he didn't move away from her. Step one…she thought.