It is inevitable that when I say I will update quickly, my computer crashes and needs repairs. Twice. Sorry this took so long.

Ron arrived alone a few minutes prior to 6:30, furious with Harry and Ginny. Bloody gits… He made sure to give them an extra hard pat on the back when he greeted them.

"Where's Hermione?" he was the moment he stepped foot in the Burrow.

Quick Ron, think of something. "Oh, she's—er—finishing getting ready. She'll be here in a minute."

Looking around, Ron wondered how many of his family members actually knew about their break-up. It was quite possible that Fred and George were in on this too, and by the way they exaggerated things whenever Ron or Hermiones name came up, he was sure of it.

"Congratulations again, Ron," said Fred shaking Ron's hand wildly.

"You must be so happy," continued George. "Mom should take pictures, don't you think Fred?"

"Bugger off," mumbled Ron angrily.

Why was everyone being so insensitive to this situation? They had to understand the amount of pain that he was, and had been in. Turning the situation into some sort of sick joke was insulting. Did they actually believe that if they played along, pretending him and Hermione were still together, that the two of them would some how forget the past couple months?

Hermione doesn't want me back… nothing can change that.

His current situation caused him to feel even more alone and hopeless. He felt hallow. Cold, lonely, and hallow.

And soon enough, he would have to break the news to his family. Their faces would drop, and he would be bombarded with questions. They'd tell him he has made the biggest mistake of his life, as if he didn't already know, and tell him to fight to win her back.

But, he wouldn't fight for her forgiveness. He'd tried that. He had begged for her to take him back, he'd pleaded with her, only to be given the cold shoulder.

For the first time Ron realized, it was over. Their relationship was truly beyond repair. Any hope he had that Hermione would take him back, vanished. It was over, and there was nothing he could do.

"Hermione, nice to see you my dear!"

"Hello, Mrs. Weasley. Thank you for inviting us to dinner."

"Anytime, my dear, anytime."

Then Hermione spotted her parents who immediately stood to give her a hug. Ron could see her expression change. She felt like she was choking. All the stress, all the pretending surged at that moment. Why was it so hard to break the news to them?

Ron watched her, his hands in his pockets. Her expression changed yet again when her eyes turned to Ron, and suddenly she was angry. All this stress she was feeling was his fault.

Everyone was busy talking amongst themselves, and preparing diner, but Ron and Hermione both stood still, staring at each other. Ron blocked out everything else; his only focus was on Hermione.

Then he broke their gaze, glancing from her parents, and then back to her. Hermione stormed off, past Ron, and outside.

"What did you do now, Ron?"

"Shut it, George," snapped Ron as he followed after her.

He found her outside, sitting down on a bench. Silently, he took a seat next to her. "Hey," he said softly.

"Hey," she responded. Silence again took over as each thought over what was about to happen, and about how to pretend they were better off without each other. "So I heard you're dating someone now?"

"Yeah," he responded. Hermione gazed down at her feet, avoiding Ron's eyes at all cost. "Her name's Sarah."

"That's a nice name," responded Hermione trying to cover up her dislike for the girl. "I'm sure she's great."

"Yeah," Ron didn't feel the need to discuss his relationship, or lack of a relationship, with Sarah any further. "What about you? I heard you're dating someone also. What's his name—um—Alex?"

"Aaron. His name is Aaron." He was fully aware that his name was Aaron; however he wanted to appear as though he didn't quite care.

"Right, that's it. How are things with him?"

Hermione paused for a moment, considering lying. After all, Ron was apparently in some great relationship, why couldn't she pretend she was? "We broke up."

"Oh," responded Ron. "I'm—sorry to hear that."

"Yeah," silence overtook them again. There were a number of things that needed to be said, but none of them were coming out. "It's funny," began Hermione, "how fast things can change. One minute you think you know something, and then the next you find you never knew anything at all."

Ron wasn't quite sure if she was talking about her relationship with Aaron, or with him, but he felt it was the latter. He could not bring himself to speak, and if he had he wasn't so sure Hermione would hear him. She seemed to be lost in thought.

"Well, I guess we should go tell them the news," said Hermione with a particularly gloomy tone. She began walking towards the house.

Ron felt guilty for lying about his relationship with Sarah. Hermione had been honest, even after he claimed he was in a relationship. Shouldn't he be honest too?

"Wait," Ron called after her as he stood up. "I lied. Sarah and I broke up a few days ago."

"Oh," said Hermione trying to appear somewhat concerned. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah well… it's okay." Ron's hands were in his pockets.

"What happened?"

"What happened with you and Aaron?" Ron asked in retaliation. He hoped her answer would be the same as his, and if it was, he was going to make sure she spoke first.

Hermiones mouth opened and closed as she nervously fidgeted. Tears welled up in her eyes. Should she tell him the truth? "He wasn't you," she answered, nervously twisting her fingers. Tears were beginning to spill down her face. "That's why I broke up with him. He wasn't you."

Ron looked at her for further explanation, stepping closer to her.

"I wanted him to be. I wanted to be happy with him, but I wasn't. All I could think of was you, and how I had destroyed any hope of a relationship with you." They stood face to face now, inches apart. "I miss you."

Ron said nothing but placed his hand on her cheek, looking deep into her eyes. Slowly he titled his head and leaned in towards her, kissing her more passionately than he ever had before. "I miss you too."

Hermione threw her arms around him, holding him tightly, never wanting to let go. She could no longer contain herself as tears fell rapidly down her face. "I never want to lose you again. I love you."

"I love you too," said Ron kissing her again. "I love you too."

A short time later the couple retuned inside to find their families seated at the table. Dinner had already begun. Everyone at the table immediately grew silent when Ron and Hermione entered. Their family knew they had been arguing, though most weren't sure what about. Mrs. Weasley tried to break the silence and began a conversation.

"It's okay, Mom," said Ron. "There's something we need to tell all of you." He looked at Hermione as he grabbed her hand. Telling their families what had been going on would be difficult for them. "A few months ago, I broke off our engagement." Everyone but Harry and Ginny seemed shocked. Maybe Fred and George hadn't known after all? "I was confused, and I thought ending our engagement would end that confusion, but it didn't."

"So I moved in with Matt, and," Hermione could see the confused look on her mothers face. "The reason I didn't tell—anyone—was because…" Hermione thought about it. Why hadn't she told anyone? What was the real reason? "I guess I always had hoped that we would get back together."

"And we did," said Ron smiling. "And while a wedding won't be happening soon, we're working on it, and hopefully we'll get there."

­­­­­­­

Ron and Hermione returned to their apartment together for this first time since their break up. They held hands like they had been all evening. Not even during dinner had their hands separated.

"I'm glad to see the place isn't falling apart," Hermione joked. "You actually cleaned. A little."

Ron smiled as he looked her in the eyes. "Welcome home, Hermione."

One chapter left :D I can't just forget about Matt, now can I?