Three updates in one day! Yay! If you're at chapter three, I hope you're enjoying the story so far. Now, will Ron get his shit together? Lets find out!
Reviews are always welcome!
The train was leaving at eleven.
That gave Ron breakfast to do what he needed to do. More than enough time if you ask him. He wasn't exactly planning on reminiscing with Lavender.
"Good morning Harry." Ron said a little too chipper, making the green eyed boy groan. He'd been up for sometime packing his trunk.
"Beautiful day to chuck Lavender Brown, isn't it?" He said, despite his demeanor his voice was a bit shaky.
"Today's as good as ever." Harry added slightly amused at the new air around Ron.
With a fierce determination he headed down to the great hall and for once was anticipating something unrelated to food when he entered.
He was ready to do this.
Until he was attacked the moment he opened the doors.
"Won-Won!" Lavender explained, rushing over and draping her arms around his shoulders, "I was so worried. Why didn't you walk me to breakfast?" She questioned, pulling away with a pout.
He shucked her off as gently as he could, "look Lavender, I've been meaning to talk to you."
Suprinsingly, she doesn't look upset, instead excited, "I've been meaning to talk to you too! Should we step outside?" She suggested, but before he could agree she was tugging on his sleeve.
Once they took resident on a bench in the hallway, they turned to each other and spoke at the same time.
"You go first." He told her with a nod.
Eagerly she starts, "I know what you're going to say, you've been trying to tell me for weeks, haven't you?" She questions.
Again, he nods.
"Well," she pauses, eyes almost shyly meeting his before she breaks out into a smile.
Do all girls smile while being broken up with?
"I love you too!"
He didn't even have time to retort or process how delusional the blonde truly was, because just his luck, Hermione walked by at this very moment.
And the look of pain that came over her features didn't even measure up to that night in the Astronomy Tower. In fact, comparing the two expressions made it seem like the night of the match was her wedding day.
And probably not his brightest idea, but without a thought, Ron calls for her, "Hermione!"
In his wake is a confused Lavender as a mass of brown hair disappears around a corner and toward the Great Hall.
Thank Merlin for his long legs because he's able to catch up to her in no time. Grasping her wrist lightly and halting her to a stop.
She snatches his hand from hers like she's been burned. He drops them awkwardly, the ginger didn't think of what he was actually going to say.
"I have to eat." She announces rather loudly, and too stiffly for Ron's liking. When had things become this way?
"Look, I just wanted to tell you," that I'm really sorry about your grandma. I know we haven't really talked but I'm always here for you. Also about what you just saw, I don't love Lavender. I was trying to chuck her, please believe me. I wanna spend holiday with you!
And just like so many conversations he had with Lavender, the words never left his lips. Instead, someone he loathed almost as much as his current girlfriend appeared.
"Ah! Lovers tiff!" Malfoy exclaimed, the most lively he's seemed in weeks. Not that anyone missed this from him.
Instinctively he moved closer to Hermione as she spared him a glance.
"You know, when I heard you were sucking face with Lavender Brown I will not lie I was a bit shocked!" He exclaimed dramatically, "I just wouldn't think you'd go for a pure blood, thought you fancied mudblood scum!" He cackled.
His brow twitched as he stepped closer to Malfoy, not caring if Snape saw him pound Draco into the floor.
"But then again, who would touch that thing." The blonde whispered loud enough for Hermione to hear.
Angrily, Ron pulled his fist back, and shockingly, Malfoy looked as if he was going to welcome the punch.
(Unbeknownst to anyone, he knew he'd get this kind of reaction from Weasley and he was so determined to feel something rather then the dread consuming him as of late.)
But before his fist could connect with the Slytherin's nose, the slamming of a door was heard as Hermione hurried into the grand hall.
With a pained look he flicked his glance between Draco and where Hermione just stood.
Reluctantly releasing his robes, he made his choice to finally do the right thing snd go after her.
He spotted her next to Ginny, the seat he hadn't occupied in months, absently forking around some eggs while her nose was stuck in some old looking book. She wasn't crying, but the distant look in her eyes was evident. Hermione hadn't even acknowledged him as he walked over.
(And normally something, Malfoy, of all people, says wouldn't bother, but the past twenty four hours haven't exactly been a picnic.)
As he lurched closer him and Ginny locked eyes. His sister just shook her head, telling him not now, her expression wasn't sour, but more sad then anything.
Promising himself he'd truly sort this out on the train ride home, he ventured again to set Lavender straight.
...
He was a coward. The ruddiest bloodiest one of them all.
After his run ins with Lavender, Malfoy, and Hermione, he sought out to find the first girl. However, his attempts were failed as she had holed up in the girls dormitory to finish packing her things.
And just his luck, when the blonde finally emerged, she was joint at the hip with Parvati. He wasn't cruel enough to break up with her in front of her best friend.
On top of it all, Lavender seemed completely unfazed by the events that occurred this morning. You'd honestly think that after saying those three words to someone, it's a red flag if they run off to see another girl moments after.
But no, instead, he was boarding the train sans Lavender, sans Ginny, Harry, or Hermione as well. Alone.
Reaching the narrow corridor and lines of compartments, he knew he had a few choices to make. Breaking up with Lavender was at the top of list. He would hopefully have the next month to let Hermione know how sorry he is about her grandmother and to amend their fractured relationship.
First, he had to put his trunk down.
Sauntering down to the compartment that he, Harry, and Hermione always occupied, Ron hadn't considered the fact that the bushy haired witch might be in there, warranting for an awkward confrontation. He really wanted to get it all sorted with Lavender as a way to show Hermione he's serious about all this, about her.
Someone else.
The phrase Ginny had reiterated on behalf of Hermione had been ringing his head for the past twenty four hours. There was still hope, even if just a little.
Shoving the sliding door aside he didn't see Harry in sight, who he did see, was Hermione.
At first she didn't notice as she absently took notes on that same book he's seen attached to her hands for weeks. He's itching to ask her about, just to get her to talk about something, anything.
"Hello." He was surprised she spoke first. She sounded awkward and stiff, a little shaky, but it was something. Small victories.
"Hi, uh, I'm just putting this away." He commented in return as he shoved the thing over head.
Ron wanted to wait until he had chucked Lavender, but his morals were screaming to say something.
"I'm really sorry about your grandma Hermione. I know you two were close." He told her genuinely sorry.
For a moment her face softens from the stoic expression, but he blinks, she snaps her book shut, and the look, it's gone.
"Yes we were close, but I suppose people grow apart," and just like that they weren't talking about her ill grandmother, "sometimes something more interesting, better, comes along and you can't find time anymore." She's spitting venom. Any sadness replaced by pure rage.
"Hermione," he didn't wanna row with her, though he surely deserved whatever she had to throw at him.
"It makes you think maybe you never meant that much to them. That you'll always be the fall back plan. Second best." Though still sounding furious, her voice rocks over the last sentence.
As soon as the words left her lips, she looks horrified.
"I'm sorry." She says quickly, stuffing her hands onto her lap and clasping them. A nervous habit he knows she has.
What in the bloody hell is she sorry for?
"Look Ron," it's the first time she'd spoken his to him in weeks, it evokes a chill, "I don't want to argue you with you."
"I don't either." He agrees quickly.
She ignores that, "I think we both should just put this all behind us and do what's best."
Suddenly excited, he nods his head. If Hermione was saying all this now then maybe she'd jump into his arms when rumors of the breakup hit her!
"Good, I'm glad you agree," her eyes are watering, her lips are a thin line, "I'll stay out of your way at the Burrow, won't bother you. Wouldn't want to ruin your holiday, after all it is your house, I'm intruding."
That is certainly not what he agreed to!
For the brightest witch of her age she could be so daft, Hermione would never be a burden to him or his family.
The ginger quickly shakes his head, "what? Hermione, no, I,"
And luck, as usual, isn't on his side because Harry decides to enter at this very moment.
"Hello." He announces, far too chipper for both Ron snd Hermione's taste.
At this she stands, needing to get away from what just transpired.
"Hey, where are you off to?" Harry questions, eyes flicking momentarily to Ron worried they might've rowed.
Now he wishes they did. Passionate firey Hermione was easier to watch then this verison of her. Quiet and sad.
"Loo." She mumbled, scrambling for the text.
The second the door shut Ron groaned, beside himself.
"How'd it go?" The chosen one asked as he plopped across from Weasley.
Ron scoffed, "how do you think it went?"
Harry nodded awkwardly, "right..."
"Didnt even think things could get worse, she was going on about how she'll stay out my way, some bollocks about how she's intruding."
There's a pause, "have you chucked Lavender?"
The ginger just grunts.
And like it's the worlds biggest secret Harry speaks quickly, "you've got to sort that out. You and Lavender make Cho and I look as in love as your parents!" He exclaims recalling his disaster relationship in fifth yest.
Ron let's put a butter laugh, "I'm daft Harry, but not that daft, I know that!" His anger sizzles, he drops his tone, "why haven't you said anything until now?"
Harry sighs, he doesn't even know what to say. A stiff silence falls upon them before he can manage anything, "I didn't want anyone to think I had been picking sides or anything. It's not like Hermione said much about you or you were saying much about her. There wasn't much to tell the other." He drops his head, "I reckon some of this is my fault."
Ron's taken aback, "what?" if anyone's at fault it's him.
"You've been walking around for months miserable. Hermione, she barely has anything to say these days unless it's about You-Know-Who." He doesn't say the name for Ron's sake, "you two clearly haven't been great communicators with each other but I could've done more. We could've talked about it sooner, I could've helped to cheer Hermione up."
The ginger doesn't have time to assure Harry, not yet anyway, "is she... is she sad?" He feels stupid asking.
"She's Hermione you know, she does her best to not let it show, but I can tell it's gotten harder for her. I haven't seen her cry since the night it happened then yesterday with her Gran. You know she never likes to show anything ever bothers her, but she let it slip sometimes. Everyone's noticed." Harry states awkwardly.
Ron feels like his throat is closing. He never wanted to cause this type of pain. Between her clear distance from everyone, Harry being torn, Lavender following his every move, his own sister disappointed in him, along with most of Gryffindor, and a war bubbling, well he feels awful. No one needed this on top of everything else.
"Don't blame yourself, alright Harry, that's the last thing I need." He says with what he hopes is a convincing tone.
The chosen one leans forward and pats his friends knee, "you too Ron. You're in this situation because you don't want anyone to get hurt." He points out. Ron's reluctance to chuck Lavender was because he didn't want to hurt her feelings, no matter how irritating she may be. However, in the process he had been hurting Hermione.
"Look how that worked out? Our best friend doesn't think I give two farts about her." He says bitterly.
"Ron,"
"She sleeps on the common room couch every night because my girlfriend taunts her! Cormac McLaggen thinks it's alright to force himself onto her and she probably thinks I think it's alright too considering I did nothing!" He booms.
No one speaks for a moment, it's a little tense.
"Okay, so you didn't know, but you do now! You know and you care. You care so much so that you're planning to breakup with your girlfriend, sort this all out over holiday, and probably punch McLaggen along the way. So you do care, you just were late to the party. Better late then never, alright?" The dark haired boy rambles.
Ron digs the heels of his palms into his now watering blue eyes, "I think I might love her, but I'm not sure." He admits hoarsely.
"Why not?" Harry whispers a little taken aback at the admission, but not surprised.
The ginger peels out from behind his hands, "how can you love someone so much and hurt them so bad?"
In response, Harry does nothing but leans forward and places a box of Bertie Blotts Bean's he bought on the way in.
A small smile manages its way on Ron's face. Harry has never been great with words, neither has the red head. It's usually be Hermione's thing. This gesture shows everything they don't need to say.
That Harry's here for Ron no matter what and he'll do whatever he can to help him fix is.
"Cheers." Ron mutters opening the cardboard.
"Hey, maybe if you eat a vomit Lavender won't try and snog you whenever you speak." The green eyed boy jokes lightly.
His friend manages a small chuckle at this before turning serious, "I should probably go handle that right?"
Cringing, Harry nods as Ron stands and wipes his jeans.
"Wish me luck."
"Good luck, you'll need it." The chosen one says as Ron groans and the compartment door slides shut.
Sauntering like a man being sent to death, Ron eyes each of the compartments looking for a head of blonde hair probably adorned with a vibrant colored head band.
After about five minutes, he finds Lavender chatting animatedly with Parvati as the pair look over a Witch Weekly. Before he can announce his presence, it seems as if the girl has noticed, jumping up and squealing.
"Won-Won!" He hears her yell through the door as she throws it open, throwing her arms around her as she does.
"Vati isn't it so sweet he's come to see me!" She brags turning to her friend who looks like she'd rather be anywhere else.
"Sure Lav." Parvati says dryly as she stands up and gathers her things.
It seems as if the twin can sense she should be anywhere else but Ron wants to make it clear, "could I talk to you alone Lavender?" His voice comes out firmer then he thought.
"It's all yours." Lavender's best friend says as she motions to the seats and stalks down the trains corridors.
"Oh she's so sweet!" The blonde gushes, "come in." She instructs as she begins to drag his hand behind her.
Lavender takes the liberty to fall onto one of the cushions folding her legs in what seems to be an attempt at a seductive matter.
Ron just slides the door close and sits across from her. As far as he can manage.
"Why don't you come over here?" She pouts.
He shakes his head, "I need to talk to you. I think it's best I do from here." Part of him is absolutely babbled she's not upset about this morning.
"Well alright silly!" The girl giggles.
Ron clears his throat, "Alright Lavender look,"
"Is this about this morning?" She soon cuts in, "I can understand it might've made you nervous but that's okay, I'll wait." Lavender smiles, it seems genuine.
Oh wow she was delusional.
"No, Lavender I just needed to,"
"I already told you Won-Won I can't come to your house for holiday. Next time I promise." She begins to lean forward as he presses himself back into the seat.
"That's not it," he sees her open her mouth to say something else before he stops her, "please Lavender, please don't interrupt me." He says a little forcefully, not not enough to come off as rude. Though at this point, the situation may warrant it.
"I'm all yours." She says batting her eyelashes and tucking her hair behind her ears for emphasis.
"This isn't working. I really can't see you anymore." Finally he gets the words out.
"Oh," she breathed a little shocked before the expression leaves her face, "no."
"No?" He says scrunching his brow.
Lavender nods vigorously, "No." she repeats.
"Lavender you can't say no, I'm breaking up with you."
She shakes her head slowly, "no you're not."
"Yes I am!" His voice grows louder, it's becoming very hard to remain calm.
"No you're not," her voice is turning shrill, desperate, "this is about her isn't it? That cow, that freak,"
"Don't you dare!" Now he's mad.
"Well it's true! She's useless in just about all aspects. When will you ever need to recite Hogwarts History, or whatever it's called." She says airily.
Doing his best not to correct her he goes on, "were you ever gonna tell me she doesn't stay in your dorm anymore because you make fun of her?" He's doing his best to level his voice.
"Oh, so this is about her?" Lavender jabs.
For a moment he doesn't know what to say, "yes, yes it is!" He's yelling now, "I can't be with someone who'd say such horrible things and about my friend no less."
The blonde scoffs, "it's not like she doesn't deserve it! Practically throwing herself at you like, like a little,"
"Don't you dare finish that." He bites out above a whisper, "I haven't even spoken to her since I started seeing you. She hasn't even looked my way." He points out, not liking the insinuation.
She rolls her eyes, "so you have been watching have you?"
"That's besides the point! I'm through having this conversation, me and you, we're done."
Lavender is wearing a hurt expression. Ron really can't find himself to care after what just transpired. He thinks she's going to concede, call it quits, but nothings ever that easy.
"No, we're not. Merry Christmas sweetheart." Her sickly baby voice is back as she leans forward and kisses his cheek before disappearing from the cabin.
Too shocked to even go after her, he sits there and tugs at his hair fiercely.
How were things so fucked up?
Poor Hermione! Poor Ron!
Next up, we finally get to the Burrow, the question is: will Hermione stay out of Ron's way? Will the Wesley notice the pairs behavior? Find out soon enough!
Please review! Much love.
