Picking up the Pieces

Disclaimer: The fabulous J.K Rowling owns Harry Potter and Company. I own nothing but the plot.

The Confrontation

Bloody brilliant. I'm the smartest witch of my age, and I couldn't even figure out that my fiancée was cheating on me. How thick could I get? How thick could he get! What do I say? Do I act normal? Act as though I don't know about any of this? That's just what I will have to do. I know Harry wouldn't lie to me. I think.

"Ron, what are you doing here?" Hermione tried to act as though she was surprised.

"I came here after work to have a few drinks. I've had too much on my mind with the wedding and all." He replied casually.

"Oh. Harry and I came here to get some dinner. He didn't tell me that he saw you, and I didn't see you when we walked in. How long have you been here?" She asked concerningly.

"Not long, you look exhausted. Do anything special today?" He asked straight faced.

"No, not really. How about you?" She replied. Trying to hide her suspicion.

"No." He replied.

"You look like something is bothering you. Are you sure that you are okay?" She said concerningly.

"Yeah. There really is. I just don't know if I can talk to you about it just yet." He said being afraid of looking her in the eye.

They sat in silence for a few moments.

By now Hermione was furious.

How could he just sit there and act like nothing ever happened. Like that little talk that Harry had with him. He really acts like this is bothering him. I hope that he just spits it out, that stupid git. I'm tired of him dragging this on. He needs to just tell me that it's over. After all, he is the one cheating.

Ron was staring at Hermione. Wondering what she was thinking.

Does she already know? I really hope not. Then I can act like nothing ever happened. If she brings it up, I can just tell her that Harry made the whole story up. I was never here with someone named Clarice. For Merlin's sake, I don't want to break her heart. Bloody hell, I have to tell her. Then she can make the choice for herself.

"'Mione, there is something that I have to tell you. Please don't make a scene. Harry knows what is going on. He confronted me about it…." Ron said with very little remorse.

"What is it? Just spit it out Ronald!" She said as she raised her voice.

"Hermione, shh. Please don't yell. Look…..for the….lasteight months…..I've been….. cheating on you with a woman named Clarice. I saw Harry and he talked some sense into me. I'm so sorry. Please don't leave me." He said sounding desperate.

"Ronald Weasley! You what! For one, that's that woman you work with right? How could you do this to me? To us?" She said growing more furious by the minute.

"When I said that I loved you I really meant it. Not just some words that came out for the bloody hell of it. You...your nothing to me but a big pile of dragon dung." Hermione spat.

By now heads were starting to turn. People were wondering what was going on between the two lovers.

Clarice was sitting at the bar when she noticed this going on. She got up and walked towards the table. She looked to Hermione then to Ron. "Are you two okay?" She said sincerely.

"You, Ron this is her right? The one you've so conviently found to replace me in such short time." She said looking directly in Clarice's direction.

"Yeah." Ron said finding the table the most interesting thing at the moment.

"You knew he was going to getmarried, and you still took it upon yourself to weasel your way into our relationship. And you..." Pointing her finger right at Ron. "You let it get as far as it did. Just answer me one question Ronald...Were you two sleeping together?" She asked while tears began to well up in her eyes.

"Yes. Hermione, hush would you? Look I never meant for it to get this far. I honestly love you. And I still do want to spend the rest of my life with you. Please, don't leave me. I wanted to tell you so badly, but everytime I got the courage I found something else to be more important. I never wanted this to happen." He spoke very lightly.

"You expect me to just sit here and act like nothing has happened. I've given you everything. This...this is how you repay me. At first I doubted Harry for saying it..." Hermione said angrily.

Clarice had noticed his comment. Without any hesitation she looked atRonand said "You didn't want this to happen? So you never meant anything you told me? You were just telling me yesterday how much you were in love with me, and how you wanted to have more than just the relationship with me. How we were looking to the future. Clarice was infuriated now. "How's that go again Ronniekins...It's over."

Clarice looked at Hermione apolegetically and said "I'm so sorry. He never said anything to me about having a relationship with anyone. I must go now."

Hermionelooked over in Harrys directionto lethim know things were going to get bad and she needed some support. Harry immediately started walking over.

Without letting Ron get another word in she spoke to him harshly.

"But now...Now I can finally have the peace that I deserve. You always coming home with the smell of alochol on your breath, smacking me around a little bit, and acting like you own me. No more Ronald Weasley! DO YOU HEAR ME, NOT ANYMORE!" Hermione screamed at the top of her lungs.

By now they had a pretty good collection of people around.

Harry was now standing behind Hermione. He stood there watching the revelations unfold. He quickly felt the tension spreading. He gently placed his hand on Hermiones elbow to let her know this argument was getting way more publicity than he wanted.

"Come on 'Mione, let's get out of here." He wispered.

Turning on her heel and giving Ron one last look they headed towards the door.

Harry heard Ron mutter someting under his breath like "Thanks for ruining my life Harry."

Harry turned to Ron and raised his hand. Next thing everyone saw as Ron hitting the wall with an extremely loud thud. Harry walked up to Ron and said loud enough for everyone to hear "You ruined your own life, Weasley!"

Before walking out the door, he turned to Madame Rosemerta and said "Bill me for any damage that I may have caused."

With a nod of the head he and Hermione were out the door.

A/N: Hope this is good. I figured I'd put a little bit of Clarice in there. For those of you who have reviewed THANX so much. It makes me want to write more...Till then,

Megan