14. The beginning of the end

Ron sat in front of the blazing fire in the Gryffindor common room, staring moodily into the flames. He was thinking about the two women in his life, Lily and Hermione. Both were extremely pretty in their own way, but something in Hermione called out to him, that Lily didn't. 'Maybe I don't love Lily, maybe I'm just trying to fill the hole where Hermione was' he thought miserably. Knowing this, he could see that he was meant to be with Hermione and not Lily. Lily was mean to be with James.

Ron decided he had to fix things, put them back the way they were meant to be. He resolved to break up with Lily, try to explain himself to Hermione and then work out a way to get James and Lily together. He knew that Hermione might never forgive him, but he had to try.

Just then, the portrait opened and Lily entered, smiling when she saw him. She walked over to him, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Hey Ron" said Lily smiling.

"Hi" said Ron uncomfortably.

"What's wrong?"

"We need to talk" said Ron sadly, standing up. "Let's go to your room."

Lily followed him up to her room, remaining silent until they had settled on her bed.

"What is it Ron?" she asked, unable to keep silent any longer. "What's wrong?"

"Lily" began Ron, turning to face her and taking her hands. "I...erm…I…"

"Yes?"

Ron decided to get it over with. "Ican'tgooutwithyouanylonger"

"Pardon?"

He took another deep breath "I can't go out with you, Lily"

Lily stared at him in shock. "Why not?" An awful thought hit her. "Is there…someone else?"

'Bollocks' though Ron. "Erm…..maybe" he said uncertainly.

"What kind of an answer is that?"

"I... err… I kinda had a girlfriend back in my own time…"

"And you used me to fill her place?" asked Lily coldly.

"No! No! It wasn't that. I really did have feelings for you."

"Then why break up with me?"

"Well, this girl….she….she kinda followed me here."

Lily looked confused for a moment before the pieces fell into place. "Hermione?"

"Yes."

"Oh"

"I'm sorry." Ron said pathetically.

"But she's with Snape isn't she?"

"Yes" said Ron darkly.

"So why does it matter if you're with me?" Lily asked logically.

"Because you should be with James"

"Why do you think that? Is that just another excuse? Has he threatened you?"

"No. But I can't tell you why this has to be this way"

Lily sighed. "Okay, we won't go out anymore. But I can't go out with Potter, I just can't!"

"But you must!"

"I won't!"

Ron stopped arguing, but resolved to get them together somehow.