A/N: Just a little note for everyone. Thanks again for the feedback that you have been giving me! I have had some people ask me, do I actually read your reviews? I have to say a big YES to that. I honestly do read every one that is submitted to me. I think people wonder that because I don't respond to the individual reviews at the beginning of each of my chapters. The reason why I don't is that it would just take up too much space. If you would like me to respond to your reviews personally, I would be more than happy to do that! Just let me know in your when you write your review! That being said…on to the story.

It had been a week since Ron had stopped sleeping at the Burrow and had come back to the flat. Hermione had agreed to stay, but she meant what she said about not talking to Ron and cutting him out of her life. She avoided him at all costs. Whenever Harry and Ron awoke in the morning, Hermione was already gone. The same thing happened at night; she was always in her room or didn't come home until after she was sure that Ron was gone or already asleep. The whole situation was taking its toll on all three of them. It was driving Harry insane at the moment. It was heart breaking and completely aggravating to watch his two best friends go through this. Part of him was still angry at Ron for being a complete prat and starting this whole thing to begin with. On the other hand, Hermione wasn't helping either. Why couldn't she see that Ron was sorry for what he had said and done? Harry knew that it wasn't easy to forgive and forget, but didn't she see that Ron was at least trying to make an effort?

Ron had respected Hermione's wishes and tried to stay out of her way. She was making herself scarce around him. He never saw her anymore, even in passing. They hadn't spoken a word to each other since he moved back into the flat. Ron never felt so down in his life. It was hard for him to imagine the time before Hermione had come into his life. She was a permanent fixture in his world. He had always been able to count on her to be there to talk to. Now that was gone. It hurt more than Ron could have thought possible. What hurt even more was that fact that he had done this to himself. Why had he been so stupid? Ron knew Harry was right. He had to fight for her, for her friendship, for her love; but somehow he just didn't know how.

Hermione felt physically and emotionally a wreck. It was hard to not be in Ron's presence. She missed the playfulness of their physical relationship, the everyday interactions. She longed for the caring hugs that they had exchanged on a daily basis; the small touches between friends. Emotionally, she felt that a large part of her heart and soul had been torn from her. Ron was a part of who she was. Hermione had always thought and assumed that he had felt the same. She was crushed to think that she had been wrong.

Harry knew the horrible strain that both of them were going through. It was destroying them. Ron's quidditch playing was suffering too. His team was threatening to bench him for the rest of the season. Hermione was no better. Harry never thought he would see the day that Hermione Granger would be reprimanded for her poor performance on the job, but since this had all happened; her work was becoming less than standard.

Others that cared about them had begun to notice the changes in Ron and Hermione's behavior as well. The Weasley's were especially concerned. Not only was it hard for them to see their son depressed, but they had always thought of Hermione as another daughter. No parent wanted to see their children like this. No matter what they said or did, nothing seemed to help.

Harry decided to step in once more. This had to be fixed.

Ron's team was headed to France to play a match. Harry knew this was the opportunity he needed to talk to Hermione about Ron. He apparated to her office. Hermione was at her filing cabinets putting something away. She smiled softly when she turned and saw him..

"Hey Harry" she said quietly.

"Hi Hermione. Look, Ron is in France tonight for a match. Why don't you and I do something together?"

"I'm really tired Harry. Thanks, but I think I'm just gonna stay in tonight."

"True. You're probably looking forward to being able to relax in your own flat. You know, since Ron won't be there to confine you to your bedroom." Harry huffed sarcastically.

"Harry, don't start please."

He sighed and sat on her desk.

"I'm sorry. I just want us to talk is all. This can't go on much longer. The two of you are slowly killing yourselves!"

"Don't be so dramatic Harry."

He grabbed her hands and made her look at him.

"I'm serious Hermione. It's not good what you're doing to yourselves, not to mention what you are doing to each other or to those that care about you guys."

Hermione's shoulders slumped as she slid back into her chair.

"I don't know how to do this Harry."

"Do what?"

"Live without him" she said plainly.

"You don't have to! Please Hermione. Come home and talk to me. We can fix this."

"I don't know Harry, but it will help to talk about things. You're the best you know that?"

Harry smiled. He grabbed her hand again and apparated both of them to the living room in their flat.

"Sit down. I'll make some tea and we can talk."

"Thanks Harry" Hermione said as slumped down on the sofa. Tucking her feet underneath her, she stared into the fireplace. How many times had she sat in this same spot with Ron next to her, talking about their day and how things were going? Small talk; she missed that.

"Here you go." Harry presented her with a cup of tea, then sat on the chair opposite her.

"So how long is this going to go on?" Harry asked as he took a drink. "You don't talk to each other. You avoid him like the plague. This is not how things are supposed to be Hermione."

"I know Harry, but how am I supposed to just forget it and go back to my life acting as if nothing happened. I've lived in my little fantasy world with Ron for years. Now finally, I'm living in the reality of it. It's just depressing when those two worlds aren't even remotely close."

"What are you talking about Hermione?" Harry asked exasperated.

Hermione put her tea cup down on the coffee table. She ran her hands through her hair. How could she make Harry understand? She took a deep breath and then spoke.

"I used to think that Ron cared. That he valued me, respected me."

Hermione paused a moment and then continued.

"I even dreamed that one day, he may even love me. Not just as the friend that I thought I was, but more than that. I know that we had our fair share of disagreements and such, but eventually even those took a less serious tone and had a more playful one about them. But then things changed and slowly but surely what I thought we had seemed to disappear. Ron got distant Harry. He hardly ever spent time with me anymore. He only came to me when he needed something, some kind of help to get him out one of the endlessly stupid situations he always gets himself into. But even with all of that Harry, I still was there for him. I never would have not been! I kept up my end of this friendship, this relationship. So how does he repay me Harry? You saw, he yells at me, insults me. Everything that I thought I meant to him was rubbish! I was a fool then Harry, I won't be a fool now! I can't be. I won't be hurt like that again."

Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. Did she really think that was all she was to Ron? Had Ron gotten so stupid that he actually gave Hermione that impression? Harry shook his head.

"Hermione, I'm so sorry that you feel like that, but I have to tell you, you're wrong! Ron does care about you, he does respect you, and he does value you! You mean so much to him. Ron is hurting too you know? You're not just another person to him. He started to pull away from you for completely different reasons."

"What reasons?" Hermione asked. "What did I ever do to him?"

"I can't tell you that Hermione. You have to ask Ron yourself."

Hermione stood up and threw her hands in the air.

"You're just making excuses for him again Harry. I know that you're trying to help, but you have to stop defending him. Ron should be the one sitting here and telling me this, not you."

"How can he Hermione? You won't even be in the same room with him!"

"I know!" Hermione yelled as she fell back onto the sofa. "But I can't be Harry. If I" anywhere near him, it hurts! Every time that I see him, the memories and the feelings of that night tear at my heart! I can't take it."

Hermione was openly crying now. Harry sat next to her on the sofa and gathered her into his arms. He gently stroked her hair.

"I know it hurts Hermione" he whispered, "but you have to talk to him."

"I don't know if I can."

"Can you at least try?" Harry pleaded. "Give him a chance."

"I don't know" she softly cried.

"Uhm mm" Someone cleared their throat.

Hermione and Harry looked up to see Ron standing in the doorway.

"Please Hermione. Give me a chance?" He asked in a hushed voice.

"What are you doing here?" Harry asked.

"I missed the practice earlier and since my playing has sucked the past few weeks, the coach decided I needed to take a few days off, so he sent me home."

Ron put his bag down and walked over to the sofa. He sat down on the coffee table, sitting directly in front of Hermione.

"Please Hermione, can we talk?" Ron pleaded

She slowly nodded her head.

Harry got up.

"I'll leave you two alone."

Hermione grabbed Harry's hand. He glanced back at her.

"Thank you Harry."

"Anytime." He said as he bent down and kissed her softly on the head. Harry gave Ron a quick pat on the back.

They watched as Harry quickly left. Ron and Hermione were finally alone together. It was time to talk.