"How long had you been standing there Ron?" Hermione quietly asked.
"Long enough." He paused, putting his head in his hands, then looking back up at her. "I heard what you said, Hermione. I am so sorry that I ever made you think or feel like you didn't matter to me. That's so far from the truth."
She looked up at him, searching for sincerity in his eyes. She thought she saw it, but was still unsure.
"Is it really Ron? Honestly, can you blame me for thinking that way? How often did we actually spent time together before this happened? I know that you're busy with your team and all, but you used to still make time for our friendship. But for the past six months or so, you've become withdrawn from me. You've changed. You went from hanging around with Harry and I to bringing home or staying out all hours with what it seemed like a new woman every night."
Ron ran his hands through his hair in frustration as he stood up. He walked to the fireplace and shoved his hands in his pocket. Hermione was right, he had become those things. He just didn't know if he could explain to her why. Ron knew he had to try though.
"I'm sorry Hermione, I really am. There are just things that happened; it's hard to explain them to you."
Hermione threw her hands up in frustration.
"This is what I mean Ron. You used to be able to tell me anything. Now you're holding things back."
"Are you saying that you always tell me the truth Hermione, that there aren't some things that you hold back from me?
Hermione sighed and looked at her hands in her lap. If she said yes, it would be a lie.
Ron noticed she didn't answer him.
"I thought so" he said.
Ron walked back to Hermione. He gently took her hands in his and sat down on the sofa next to her.
"Things are complicated Hermione." He knew he couldn't put this conversation off any longer. Gathering all his courage he asked "Do you really want to know why I've been acting the way I have been?"
"Yes Ron I do" she answered honestly.
Ron took a deep breath.
"Ok, but you have to just let me talk. This is hard enough as it is, so no interrupting. Alright?'
Hermione nodded.
"First of all, I heard what you said to Harry about how maybe you felt that we were becoming more that just friends to each other."
"Ron…" Hermione started.
He pressed his finger gently to her lips.
"You promised you wouldn't interrupt me remember?"
Hermione nodded again.
"As I was saying, we do know each other really well and can normally tell what the other is thinking, but did you ever stop to think that maybe I was feeling the same?
Hermione looked at Ron, a look a surprise in her eyes.
"You and I can finish each others sentences. I can tell what you're thinking before you know yourself sometimes and you can do the same to me. When we were younger, that was great. I admit, it was a little hard to get used to, but then it felt really good to know we had that link with each other. We have this connection with Harry, its something unique that the three of us share. But individually we each have this link that each other too. There are things that you and Harry share that are different from what Harry and I share. In the same regard, there is this exclusive bond that you and I connect with that's separate from Harry."
Ron got up again and started to pace in front of the fireplace.
"Lately that bond has been getting stronger for me 'mione. So strong in fact, that it started to scare me. I know that you're probably going to think that I'm just a stupid git, but bloody hell, I'm scared. We have such an incredible friendship, you mean everything to me. I'm scared that if we were ever to take that up to another level, that we're just risking losing it all. The more I was with you, the harder it was to push these growing feelings for you back. That's why I started to pull away. The other women, well…they were my feeble attempt to get you out of my head. I knew that your feelings were starting to change for me too, but I couldn't let you take that risk. I guess that I was hoping that if you thought that I was into these other girls, then that would put you off, when all I was doing was making myself miserable."
Ron stopped pacing and looked right at her. Hermione could see the sadness and regret in his eyes.
"The other day, when I behaved absolutely horrible to you, it had just all come to a head. I couldn't take it anymore, and I took it out on you, the one person who I love the most and whom I never ever wanted to hurt."
Ron came back to sit in front of Hermione. Taking her hands in his once again he continued.
"These past few weeks have been the hardest ever for me Hermione. I've gotten to see what my life without you would be like, and realized that if there is a hell, then this is it. I know I hurt you, and made you upset and angry, and even though it may not seem so, please realize that I have and will forever care about you, respect you, value you, and most importantly, love you."
Hermione saw a tear trail down Ron's face. She placed her hand on his cheek, wiping away the tears. It was her turn now.
"Ron...you're not the only one who's scared. When you take a love to that next level, it's always a risk. I think that I knew in my head, or at least I hoped, that our relationship was more than just our normal friendship. But when you started to date those other women, I really thought that I had been wrong. I was willing to accept that I would never be that for you, but Ron, I'd be lying if I didn't say that it hurt like hell to watch. I could accept that I would never be your lover, but the way that you treated me, it made me began to wonder if I was even your friend anymore. That's what hurt the most."
Ron saw the hurt he caused her. It twisted his heart even more.
"I am so sorry Hermione."
"I know that now Ron. I want you to know that life without you hasn't been easy for me either."
They both sat there and took in what had just been said. After a few more moments of silence, Ron finally spoke up.
"So what do we do now Hermione?"
She shrugged her shoulders a bit.
"Truthfully, I'm not completely sure Ron, but what I am certain of is that I don't want to be mad anymore."
Ron got to his knees in front of her.
"Neither do I Hermione. I want us to be us again."
"That's our problem though Ron. I mean, what exactly are we? Is it Hermione and Ron, best friends or is it Hermione and Ron as something more? We have to decide. No more putting it off or trying to ignore it. We have to face this."
Ron looked deep into her eyes and said,
"I want it to be more."
"So do I." Hermione smiled as the tears started to fall.
Ron reached up and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. His fingers wiped a tear off of her face.
"I know this will work 'mione, but I also think that we need to take this one step at a time."
Hermione put her hand on his and nodded.
"One step at a time."
Ron pulled her close to him and wrapped his arms around her. Things were going to be ok for them, he knew it.
"I love you Hermione" he whispered.
Hermione smiled into his chest then looking back up at him she whispered back,
"I love you Ron."
A/N : Well, they made up YEAH! But this is not the end of their story, more is to come. Thanks again for all your support for this story! I will update again soon!