Chapter 5

The pain was too much. Hermione's heart was broken and she blamed Ron for it. Harry resented everything he said, about Ron, to Hermione, everything...Ron didn't understand why Harry was so irrational, why Hermione couldn't accept his love... They wrote letters to each other. They weren't written well at all: they sat by the fires in the boys' dormitories, the girls' dormitories and the library with a pile of screwed up balls of parchment, where they tried unsuccessfully to write down what they wanted to say. They gave up on writing and tried to form another apology but failed...

It was the morning of Christmas Eve, Ron sat at the entrance of Hogwarts, he watched the snow drift slowly to the ground...

"Ron? What are you doing here? Its freezing..."

Ron turned around to find that Lavender was standing behind him in her jeans and jumper. He sat quietly and eventually spoke.

"Thinking... Are you cold?"

"Hence, the fact I'm shivering."

"Here." Ron took of his thick overcloak and wrapped it around her shoulders. As he let his arm drop to his side, his fingers brushed against Lavender's... It was like an electric shock, Ron ignored it and went back to staring at the snow.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

"Huh? It's complicated."

"How complicated?"

"Very."

"Well, maybe I can help?"

This was invitation enough for Ron.

"Well, it turns out that Harry and Hermione are goin' out and I'm, well, confused."

"By confused you mean that you fell for her too?"

"Sort of, only I'm not really sure anymore..."

"I see."

"Lav, you ever been in this kinda situation before?"

"Nope, I've never really ever actually gone out with anyone before."

Ron looked at her right in the face and was faintly surprised.

"You've never gone out with anyone before? I mean, someone as pretty as you?"

Lavender blushed furiously. A breeze blew past them and Lavender's blond hair caught in her face, her eyes avoided Ron's face... Ron lifted his hand and gently tucked her hair behind her ear... Before they even realised it, they were love - struck. Their heads joined and the kiss was lingering... Ron's spirits lifted and soared the air. Eventually they broke off, and Lavender spoke with a serious expression on her face.

"Ron, are you three avoiding each other just because of this?"

"Which three and what?"

"You, Hermione and Harry."

"I guess, yeah."

"Ron, you have to go and speak to them, they're probably both heartbroken."

"Yeah, I think I'll do that. Lav, you're the best, you know that?"

Lavender smiled and kissed him lightly on the lips.

"Go."

Ron entered the Gryffindor common room and found Harry and Hermione holding each other's presents, looking shocked. The trio stood in awkward silence, eventually Ron broke it.

"Well, I guess we're all here."

Harry and Hermione murmured in assent.

"I kinda need to talk to both of you, so..." Ron indicated towards the armchairs nearby the fireplace. They sat down and Ron spoke quietly.

"Harry, listen mate, I'm sorry, I really am, I didn't mean to just take your girlfriend away from you."

Harry wasn't listening, his eyes were on Hermione. She was sitting in the armchair, the flickering flames of the fire were reflected in her eyes. She appeared to be serene but Harry could see past that barrier. Her eyes reflected the pain and how she had ripped her heart apart. Harry watched thoughtfully.

She's even more beautiful than ever... I wish I could hold her safely forever and banish all her nightmares...

Hermione, on the other hand was resisting the urge to cry and beg Harry to be with her. She tried as hard as possible and turned her attention to Ron.

"Listen mate, I'd have given anything in the world to not..."

Oh, Harry. Where are you? Please come back to me, I can't live without you...

"I need to tell you both that, me and Lav are going out."

"What?" Hermione and Harry stared blankly at Ron.

"I said I'm going.."

"Yeah, we heard you, that's great we're really happy for you mate." Harry said.

"Really?"

"Yes, of course we are, Ron" Hermione spoke as a great weight was lifted off her mind.

"Oh that's good, so that means that there's no reason for you not to get back together, then."

"No, I suppose not." answered Harry emptily.

"If you two don't mind, I have some unfinished business to attend to with Lavender." Ron grinned. Hermione and Harry smiled weakly at him. With that, Ron got up and left through the hole behind which the portrait lay.

The couple sat in awed silence - there really was no reason not to get back together, now. But Harry's words were not the ones he wanted to say in his heart.

"So, I guess that's it then?"

"Yes, I suppose so..."

"Well, I'll see you around, maybe."

"Goodbye."

Harry got up and left for the boys' dormitories. He shut the door behind him and swore quietly under his breathe.

Why? Why couldn't I just say I loved her on the spot? Damn it!

Hermione sat alone in the common room, her emotions were similar to the ones Harry was feeling.

That's it. I've got no chances left with him at all. Oh God, please give me one more chance, please...

Hermione took off her heart - shaped sapphire and stowed it in her pocket. She knew that it was no longer necessary at all...