"Ronald" Ginny called from the living room of the burrow, "Oh, brother dearest, I need to speak with you"
"Ginny remain calm" Fred ordered gently.
"Remain calm Hell" Harry spat, 'I am breaking his legs"
"If Harry is this mad then things have hit a fever pitch" Fred mumbled. George nodded; he couldn't remember a time that Harry had been that upset about something, not since the war. George ran his hands through his hair and stared to feel anxious, Harry was usually the calm one of everyone, if they couldn't depend on Harry's level head Ron was in trouble.
Ron made his way down the stairs. He stopped before reaching the bottom, staring apprehensively at his siblings and Harry. 'Hi guys" he greeted. "What's up?'
"Come.Down.Here" Ginny hissed crossing her arms. Ron slowly made his way down and standing a safe distance from Ginny." We need to talk"
"I know Hermione told you about what I said" Ron stared. "I am sorry, I don't hate her. I am just..." Ron trailed off looking miserable.
"You're lonely and pathetic" Fred interjected, "Just an observation"
"For so long Hermione was everything to me and now everything is changing" Ron admitted, 'I was scared.
"Things change Ron" Harry bellowed. "Hermione changed. She fell in love. Why can't you be the friend you claim to be, why can't you be happy for her?"
"I don't know" Ron mumbled shrugging.
"Let me tell you what your are going to do" Harry went on taking menacing steps in Ron's direction, "Your going to apologize to George for being a bad brother and prat in general. Then you are going to Hermione, supervised by me, and beg her forgiveness and kiss her arse, got that?"
Ron stared at Harry for a moment, the two friends were silent for a long moment, and "Ok" Ron relented. He approached his brother, "George, I am sorry. This should be a happy time for you and I ruined it. I put you in a difficult place with not only our family but with Hermione. I was wrong."
He stuck his hand out and George let him sweat for moment. A reluctant smile spread across his face and he shook Ron's hand, "If it happens again Ron, I am going o let Harry break your legs and give a hormone driven Hermione your sorry remains"
Ron laughed and put his hands up, "Fair" he said. Ron looked to Harry and nodded to the Floo, "Ready?"
Harry nodded and followed Ron to Hermione's
"Now" Fed said, "We can put plan secure happiness in motion"
George smiled and nodded. Ginny shuddered, "What are you two planning?"
"Wait and see sis" Fred told her with a wink before the twin's disapparated.
"I can't wait" Ginny mumbled
Hermione was at her house looking at an old photo album. She was still crying, not as hysterically as before but tears were leaking down her cheeks, the pictures were of her with Rona and Harry before the war, back at Hogwarts. "I wish things were that simple again" Hermione wailed.
"Hermione' Ron called from the living room. Hermione wiped her face and went to meet him. He was standing in the doorway, Harry was behind him.
"What?" Hermione asked trying to keep her voice level.
"I came to apologize" Ron told her simply.
"Then apologize" Hermione retorted crossing her arms defensively.
Ron sighed, "You're not going to make this easy are you?" Ron asked coming in and sitting on the couch.
"Do I ever?" Hermione replied sitting beside him.
"I know you aren't in love with me" Ron started, "And I am not in love you either. I just lost Katie and then it felt like I was losing you all over again. But I forgot one important thing"
"What's that?" Hermione asked.
"That before you were my girlfriend or my ex, you were my friend" Ron continued, 'I do love you, more than you know. That's why I am able to let you go, that's why I am able to let you be happy."
Hermione started crying again and threw her arms around Ron's neck.
"I am sorry" Ron murmured.
"That's ok" Hermione told him, "Thank you for coming here. Thank you for letting me goes"
"But I will always be here" Ron told her. "I will always need you in my life"
"I will always need the both of you" Hermione said, "I never thought a battle with a mountain troll could lead to all of this but it did and I am glad."
"Who wants ice cream?" Harry asked, "I am hungry and this mushy crap is making me a little sick"
Hermione laughed and grabbed her purse, "I am always up for ice cream"
The trio headed to Diagon Alley together; finally they were all where they needed to be.
