Disclaimer: Seriously, I mean, come on, I would be writing the seventh book, not a fic.
A/N: Thank you to all of my fans, lol. Some quick words to a few reviewers: Aimee: Harry will stumble in the chapter after this, so just keep reading! Hermione-Fred-Forever: Really, your birthday? I must be psychic or something... AmberJupiter: Once again, thank you. I am so glad I am a favorite, and I'm also glad to know that you're still reading! Alright everybody, here's Chapter Three!
Chapter Three
Hermione had just finished her breakfast. Thankfully, it was just her, Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley. They were the only ones in the house who woke up that early. Hermione stood and, with a nod to her fellow females, turned to the stairs, only to nearly collide with who else but Ron.
"Hey Hermione. You want to go on a walk with me?" Ron asked.
"Uh..." Hermione started. 'It's now or never,' she thought. "Sure Ron. But don't you want to get breakfast first?"
"Yeah, uh, I-"
"I'll be back down in fifteen minutes." Hermione cut him off and hopped up the stairs to her room. Once she shut her door she pulled off the baby blue Taking Back Sunday T-shirt and opted for a white Brand New T-shirt that was a little smaller and tighter fitting. She went to her dresser and pulled out a pair of jeans. She then discarded her pj's and pulled on the jeans. Hermione trudged down the hall to the bathroom and stood in front of the sink, brushing her teeth. After the final rinse she looked at herself in the mirror and frowned. Sure, her hair wasn't the bush it used to be, but she still thought herself rather plain.
'What does it matter?' she thought. 'I don't want a boyfriend anyway.'
Hermione returned to her room and pulled on socks and tennis shoes and going downstairs once again. She came in just as Ron was finishing breakfast. "You ready?"
"Yeah." Hermione replied turning toward the door that would lead them outside, Ron following. As they exited the house, Ron grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the mini hills behind the house. He released her arm as they walked a few steps and then looked down.
"I...I wanted to talk to you about something." Ron began.
Hermione winced. "Look, Ron." She stopped, and the two stood motionless at the top of a small hill. "I really love you, I want you to know that. I really, truly do, but...not the way you want me to." She stopped and stared into the lost baby blue eyes of her best friend. She waved her arms with frustration. She raised her voice slightly. "Don't you understand? For years, I have been aware of what you have been trying to hide from me. You're like a brother. I love you, like I would love a brother. There's nothing more to it, and no, I don't want it to go any farther."
Ron stared at her, the hurt evident on his face. "But...but why not Hermione? You can't...just give me a chance?" He pushed.
"No..." Hermione almost whispered. "I can't. Ron, the last thing I want to do is hurt you...But I don't know what else to do."
Ron was quiet for the moment, as he looked off in the distance. "And you've known?" He said, not looking at her.
"How could I not?"
"Why couldn't you say anything? Why couldn't you just...tell me?"
Hermione looked very sad. "It would have crushed you."
Suddenly, Ron turned, very angry. "What do you think this is doing to me now Hermione? After leading me on? What did you think I would say? 'Oh, it's okay Hermione, you know, as time went on, my feelings just intensified, but it doesn't hurt me now as much as it would have then.'" Ron almost yelled, his voice dripping with sarcasm for the last part. Hermione closed her eyes.
"Ron..."
"No! Don't...just don't try to apologize!" Hermione opened her eyes again. Ron turned and covered his face with his hands, then turned back to her, flinging his arms open. "Do you think it can just be okay and we can go back to just being best friends, perfectly happy, perfectly content? That we can just pretend this didn't happen and you didn't stomp on my heart?"
"Ron, I didn't know what else to tell you! I didn't know what to say to you, and I didn't want to embarrass you!" Hermione cried.
"Whatever Hermione! You have never, ever had a problem with 'embarrassing' me. I think..." He trailed off, hands on his hips and eyes to the ground. " You just...just..." He looked back up at her. "Did you just like playing with me?"
"Ron, I-" Ron turned and began to walk back to the Burrow. "You know I'm not like that! Ron, please, just listen to me! Ron!" But it was useless. He had no intentions of listening at all.
Hermione stayed on that hill for a very long time. She sat and then laid, and then fell victim to the exhaustion that came with stress. When she did wake up, the sun was on it's way back to it's own sleep. She had been there for hours upon hours she knew, and she also knew she had to return eventually.
Ron wasn't at dinner, but that was not very suspicious, since neither was Fred or Mr. Weasley. Ginny, Mrs. Weasley, Hermione and Bill all sat and had a peaceful dinner. Well, outwardly it was peaceful. Hermione's mind though, was a different matter. She didn't know what she was going to do. She wasn't sure she could do anything, and the fear gripped her...Could this be the end of the loyal friendship she had shared with Ron?
After dinner, Hermione took a long shower and changed into tiny dark blue cotton shorts that barely covered her arse and a tight black tank top that said The Used on it. She picked up her dirty clothes and went back to her room, only to find Fred of all people on her bed. She jumped and out her hand to her heart
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked, her voice slightly high-pitched.
"Nothing." Fred replied nonchalantly, standing up. Hermione through her clothes in a little white basket and crossed her arms over her chest, narrowing her eyes at the Weasley twin standing before her. Who happened to be wearing a white wife-beater and red and black plaid pj's. Hermione found this comical at first, but then as Fred neared her, she found it a bit unraveling, as she noticed the wife-beater clung to him rather well, giving away a rather toned chest and arms. Quidditch couldn't do that...could it? Or did he just work out?
"Mm-hmm." Hermione maintained her composure and set an air of suspicion. "Did you want something?" Fred smirked.
"Just to say goodnight." He said smugly, and then leaned down to whisper in her ear. Hermione was surprised to smell a familiar scent she recognized from summers of hanging out with her favorite cousin. "Goodnight."
Hermione's mouth dropped as Fred slid past her, pressing his body on hers slightly, and leaving the room. She tried to shake off her surprise and...was it desire? 'No, no, no, no, this is NOT happening.'
Hermione shut her door quickly and went to her bed. She laid down and then noticed the slightest lingering of the same cologne Fred was wearing. Her last wonderings before she slept were of how Fred managed to get Muggle cologne.
A/N: Yeah, as you see Hermione is very into her bands. I figured I'd make her that cool. Anyway, I hope you liked it! I'll have the next chapter up soon, so stay tuned! lol.