Disclaimer: Pinocchio said that I owned Harry Potter™. Then, his nose grew into a tree. That doesn't mean anything, right?

Chapter 8

Merry Bloody Christmas

The following week was very eventful. Harry and Ginny were immediately sent to the Burrow for the rest of Christmas holidays. With the family coming home for the holidays, the house became loud and very crowded. Bill and Charlie were in Fred and George's room. Harry, Ron, Fred, and George roomed together. The two girls were in Ginny's room, and Percy had his room to himself.

All of the boys (excluding Percy) could always be found debating over Quidditch, but Hermione and Ginny either were together in Ginny's room or the garden. Percy was always doing top-secret work in his bedroom and only came out to go to the bathroom or to eat.

One afternoon Hermione pulled Ginny into the bedroom the shared and locked the door.

"What's up, Hermione? An didn't say 'nothing' because you just pulled me into the room and locked the door."

"Well, last week after I explained to your parents what happened, I came back up here. I notice a piece of paper in my hand which must have been there since I left the hospital."

"And… your point is?"

"It's a letter… from Ron."

"Did you read it?"

"No, not yet. I wanted you to be in here while I read it."

"Well, what's the hold up? Go get the letter!"

Hermione reached into her jeans pocked and pulled out the letter.

Dearest Hermione,

I know you're dead and will never read this, but now that you're gone I just have to confess everything. Maybe up in heaven you'll have this letter and you'll read it then. Silly, I know, but I can try.

I've know it was you, Hermione. Even before we came to the Burrow. You shoved me back through the portrait hole one day, hoping I wouldn't see Harry and 'you' on the couch, but I did. I was angry, sad and jealous all at the same time. Someone moved the chair in front of the portrait around the time Ginny did her puppy dog face. I knew then. You've never done that, but I've seen Ginny do it to Mum and Dad plenty of times. I'm not as thick as everyone thinks.

I also heard you talking to Ginny the day we got to the Burrow. Remember how I looked when you opened the door? Thank Merlin you didn't ask questions.

I've been trying to tell you something for about seven years now, and it took you dying to make me finally say it.

Hermione Granger, I love you.

I love the way you scold me for talking with food in my mouth. I love the way you smile when you get yet another A in class. I love how you always have all the answers. I love that you don't fret over your appearance. You're naturally beautiful, ya know.

Some old dead guy said, 'It's better to have loved and had lost than to have never loved at all'. I see now that it's true, but I still feel terrible that I never told you how I feel bout you.

One day, we'll meet again. Until then…

I will love you forever,

Ron

Hermione's voice had started to break as she read what Ron loved about her, and by the end of the letter tears were streaming down her face. Ginny immediately comforted her friend.

"Who knew Ron could be so sweet?" Ginny said softly.

"I don't deserve someone this wonderful. I can't believe that out of any girl, he chose me."

"There's no question why he chose you, Hermione. Come on, it's about lunch time. Dry those tears and come downstairs for a drink."

Hermione nodded and went to the bathroom to clean her face while Ginny headed to the kitchen. As she came down to the kitchen, she saw all the boys and Ginny sitting around the table waiting for their lunch. Ron smiled up at her. Hermione attempted to return the smile, but was overcome with emotion and started to cry again. The other 6 boys looked at Hermione and back at Ron.

"What did I do this time!" Ron spat out. He hadn't meant to say it out loud and we wished he could take it back.

"Are you implying that I burst into tears often?" Hermione snapped back.

"Well, you are a little over-emotional," Ron said, rising from his seat. Ginny tired desperately to make her brother sit back down.

"Over-emotional! That's rich coming from a person whose only emotions are sleepy and hungry!"

"Oh! Well, I'm sorry for being myself! I'm just a stupid weasel!"

"Yes, you are a weasel!"

"Well, you're an arrogant, know-it-all bitch!"

Hermione looked Ron straight in the eye before running back up the stairs and locking herself in Ginny's room.

A week later and a week into Ron's punishment, Hermione still refused to come out of her room. She sealed the door and apparated back and forth to the bathroom. No one apparated in to get her. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley assured everyone that she would come out when she was good and ready.

Percy had become irritable towards Ron. Because of Ron, Hermione locked Ginny out, Ginny was moved to Fred and George's room, and Bill and Charlie were put in Percy's room. Ron, on the other hand was being treated almost like a house elf. He was given the silent treatment from everyone and wasn't allowed to eat meals with everyone else.

After dying and coming back to life, Hermione and Ginny had completely lost their appetite (well, they still drank liquids). Hermione had been fine not eating for a few days, but her appetite was slowly coming back. She knew eventually she would have to go downstairs to eat. Ginny had already started eating a light lunch every day.

One particularly good afternoon during lunch, the whole table suddenly stopped talking when they heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

Hermione appeared very nervous as she reached the kitchen. "Mrs. Weasley? Do you think I could have a bit of lunch? I mean, if it's no trouble."

"Of course dear! I've been waiting all week for you to come down and ask."

"I want to apologize to everyone here for locking myself in Ginny's room. It was a very childish thing to do, and nothing good came from it."

Everyone at the table said a reply all at once and invited Hermione to join them.

Ron watched the whole scene from the garden. He wished he could tell her how sorry he was, but he knew she wouldn't listen because she probably hated him. Of course, Hermione hadn't said it, but the look she gave him that day said it all. She smiled and chatted with everyone around the table, but Ron knew she was faking it. Her eyes weren't lit up at all.

An hour later after lunch, Hermione came back down for any leftovers. She was hungrier than she thought. No one was in the kitchen except for Ron. She was about to turn back around and come back later, but she saw Ron's expression. He looked absolutely miserable. He barely had eaten a bit and was picking at his plate. A tear rolled down his face. He wiped it off and continued to pick at his plate.

Hermione's stomach chose that moment to growl loudly. Ron's head jerked around. He jumped up from the table and ran outside to the garden, leaving his plate. She didn't see him again for a week.

Hermione had been feeling a little down since Ron ran away from her that day. She still left the room, but she still resorted to Apparating everywhere to avoid anyone in the hall. Her decision to do this started yet another quarrel with Ron, but this one was worse.

It was 6 a.m. when Hermione apparated carelessly into the bathroom.

"AAAARGH!"

She had accidentally apparated onto Ron's head. Ron knocked over the bucket of water he had been using to clean the floor.

"What the hell are you doing! The door is locked and the sign on the door says, 'CLEANING'!"

"Well, I'm sorry! I apparated in. And how was I supposed to know you would be cleaning the bathroom at 6 o' clock in the morning!"

"I started cleaning earlier when you finally came out of Ginny's room so I wouldn't bother you."

"Who said you bothered me?"

"You locked yourself in a room for a bloody week because of me!"

"Well, I had a good reason! If one of your best friends called you a bitch, would you just laugh it off? I cried that whole entire week over you! Then, last week I was thinking of forgiving you, but you ran off! It seems to be, you really don't want to make things right! Friends try to make things right, Ron. And if you're not wiling to do that, then you aren't my friend. This friendship is over, Ron Weasley. I hate you."

And with that, Hermione apparated back to her room.

The days before Christmas were in slow motion for Ron. He didn't to try to avoid Hermione; she did a good job of ignoring him.

On Christmas morning about 5:30 a.m., he paid Hermione a visit.

Hermione opened the door looking very flustered. She held together a pink robe with one hand and her eyes were unfocused.

"What the hell do you want, Weasel," she whispered hastily and very un-Hermione like.

Ron's mouth gaped open to complement his confused look. Then, he had a hurt look, but that turned into an angry expression. He shoved a box into her hand that was wrapped with red wrapping paper and a green bow.

"Merry bloody Christmas," he spat. He turned on his heels and walked off.

I'm renaming and replacing all the chapters, so you might get several alerts if you have this story on story alert.

Not one of my best chapters. I felt like this was rushed, too. I said I was going to thank my reviewers, but I'm in a bit of hurry, so I won't personally thank them, but their names are below.

Special Thanks to: Tears from blue eyes (I'm just a picky girl), ginny-wannabee, brionyjae, Emmanuelle Lisselle Grey, Punky Starfire (I really like Teen Titans, too. Did you know that My Chemical Romance are Teen Titans fanatics?), dancerrdw, Weaselby-Baby (good job on picking up detail), RonandMione4Ever, sarah chandler, MCRfan14, and last but not least Phillyactress.

I'm sorry if I left anybody out.

Please read and review… blah, blah, blah.

Arrivederci!

GerardWay'sFanClub