Chapter 3:

"uuhh… Hermione" stammered Ron

The twins looked at each other, and silently left without another word. Hermione continued the flight of steps downward and stopped in front of Ron.

"Well?" Hermione asked again, her eyes unreadable.

"Hermione, I… I… I'm sorry. It's just that after the war, everything seems different. I don't know. I don't want to hurt you, and you know that. But…"

Hermione held up her hand to stop Ron and simply said. "I know. I feel the same way."

Both of them kept quiet. The sounds of the whole house all seem unreal. And at that moment, Hermione hugged Ron tightly.

"I care about you Ron." She whispered. "I don't want you to just vanish from my life because of this." She let go and stared at Ron straight in the eye. "Let's be friends again."

Ron smiled. "That's exactly what I had in mind."

At that both of them made their way to the kitchen to see that not everyone was at the table. Aside from Harry and Ginny, the twins were also missing. Only Mr. & Mrs. Weasley were at the table.

"Where are the others?" Ron asked while sitting down and helping himself to a toast.

Mrs. Weasley answered him. "Ginny took Harry's breakfast to him, the twins are outside."

Hermione looked out and suddenly, she had the strong urge to walk on the grounds.

"Actually, I could use some air too." Hermione said. "Would all of you mind if I have an walk on the grounds and eat my breakfast later?"

"No dear, of course not. I'll save some toast for you." Mrs. Weasley said.

At that Hermione smiled at the lot and walked out the back door.

When Hermione walked out the back door, Mr. Weasley took the opportunity to ask Ron a question.

"Fred and George said you and Hermione were having problems. You both still having a row? Is that why she didn't want to eat breakfast?"

"We broke up actually."

Mrs. Weasley gasped. "Oh Ron, dear I'm sorry, are you all right? Is she still upset?"

Ron sighed. "I'm fine Mum and so is she, it was a mutual split."

Suddenly a female voice piped up. "Who split? Not you and Hermione?"

Ron turned to see Ginny. "Yeah, we did."

"But Why?"

Ron shrugged. "It was best. Anyway, where's Harry?"

Ginny sighed. "Still in bed. I left his breakfast 'coz I think he wanted to be alone."

Molly hugged her. "He'll soon be okay Ginny. And everything's going to be all right, you'll see. Now have some breakfast."

Ginny smiled at her Mum and sat down to eat.

Outside, Hermione was walking alone and again felt that slight pang. She was going to miss Ron, but she knew they were headed towards the split anyway. Then a voice floated to the grounds.

"Hey Hermione!"

Hermione turned to see Fred Weasley walking towards her.
"What are you doing here alone?" he asked

Hermione shrugged. "Just wanted some air, where's George?"

"He apparated back to the shop.I'm going to follow in a bit. You all right Hermione? Had a row with Ickle Ronniekins?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, but we broke up."

"Aww, I'm sorry. But it might be all for the best you know. If you got married, both of you will probably end up burning the house down." Fred teased and gave her a grin.

Hermione laughed. "Probably. Thanks Fred."

"So what do you plan to do now that you've broken up?"

Hermione sighed. "I don't have any idea. Find a job most probably."

"C'mon Hermione, you've been this bookish, smart girl all your life at Hogwarts, aside form helping Harry save the world, you really need some alternate activities." Fred chided her.

Hermione stopped walking to look at him.

"Now what do you mean by that?" Hermione asked a bit hurt.

"Hermione, you need to lighten up. You need to have some fun and excitement in your life. An excitement that doesn't put your life in danger, mind you. You're young, you're smart and you're beautiful, live your life. It's the only one you've got."

Hermione looked up at Fred, she never ever saw him speak this way ever before.

"What brought that on?" Hermione asked

"What do you mean?"

"You know, all that serious stuff you said."

"I said that because you needed to hear it. I'm not all fun and jokes Hermione if that's what you mean." Fred said, a bit stung.

"Oh, Fred I'm sorry. Of course your not, I guess I was a bit surprised, after all, you've never spoken that way to me before."

Fred was silent for a moment then said. "Point well taken." Then he grinned again. "Look Hermione, why don't you come with me to the shop so George and I could show you how to have some fun."

Hermione laughed. "A whole day with the Weasley twins! Now that's something I've never thought before." She was about to say yes but at that moment her eyes found the upstairs window of Harry's bedroom and felt guilty.

"But maybe next time Fred, I really want to have a chat with Harry. I feel like he could use a friend right now."

Fred also looked at Harry's window and then nodded at Hermione. You're right. But anyway, I need to going now. Just tell Mum that Fred and I will have dinner here tonight coz Bill told us, He'll come by with Fleur and we haven't talked to him in ages."

Hermione nodded. "All right." She said.

Then he gave her that Weasley grin and apparated off, leaving Hermione there, a bit clueless and a bit surprised. A part of her was somehow disappointed but she didn't know why. Maybe she should spend the day with Fred. She thought. I could use some lightening up.

But again her eyes found Harry's window and she felt guilty again. No Harry needs me, she thought. I better go up there. And that's when she went up and climbed towards Harry's bedroom.