Chapter Eleven: Good Things Never Last

A/N: My thanks goes out to NoteBookLove, sparkle girl, cassmidnight, ShadowHexx771, lazer-angel, Sam'sFirefly, Inkwell2010, iluvsmallville1, and Mr.Bigglesworth-BlackPanther! Well, here's the date with Ronald! ..And..HERMIONE'S DECISION! Dun dun dun...

Ron's POV

I'm a bit depressed. A thank you! That's what I get for confessing my love to someone? I felt rather stupid after receiving that thank you..it meant that she didn't feel the same way. Because there was also Ferret Boy now, too. Malfoy..he probably doesn't even give a damn about her! They've only gotten to know each other for a short amount of time, while I've known Hermione for ages! I reckon that gives me an advantage, though. I bet I understand Hermione better than that git! Er..I hope so, anyway. I haven't been the brightest when it comes to relationships and feelings. Hermione and I get along well as friends (apart from the arguments), but would we do well in an actual relationship? I was so close to asking her out..so close while we were on our rounds..until bloody Malfoy (of course, who else?) came along! And now he's there to take her away from me..damn him.

It doesn't help that I forgot what happened on this island, either. Whether I forgot or not, I don't know what went on between those two. I s'pose that gives an Malfoy an advantage..I shudder to think that they may have kissed..or worse.

So. Hermione gave us both time to think about what we wanted to do for our dates. Hermione's date with Malfoy was up first. In fact, they're on their "date" right now. That's somewhat of a relief, because she would remember my date better than his. If mine was better, of course. But it's a little scary, because I'm not sure of what to say during the date. I know we'll both be uneasy after I was stupid enough to say "I love you" to her..I should have saved that for the date! Or for a more appropriate time! Or at least until she said it first..but I was dazed at the time.

The question is..how did she and Malfoy develop feelings for each other in so short of time here! If Malfoy actually liked her..hmph. All of this tension and jealousy.

How could she choose, anyway? Can you choose who you want to fall for? Could that really be possible? Because if I had a choice, I would have gladly let Malfoy have her. Er, maybe "gladly" isn't the word, but..I wouldn't mind as much, maybe. It would relieve me of this..burden. It's not always nice to feel this way for a certain someone. It makes you feel imprisoned, and you can't get thoughts of that person out of your head. And then you would eventually go on to do reckless things, trying to get that person to notice you, appreciate you..well, that doesn't work, as I have had the misfortune to find out. It just results in pushing them farther away. And it also leaves you to feel humiliated, and left to be known as an ass. Swell, isn't it?

Was it my fault that I grew jealous when she was near another bloke..interested in someone else..other than me? I mostly took her for granted..but I still knew I felt something for her. I definitely knew I felt something for her when I got that awful feeling of jealousy when she was with Krum. With McLaggen. With..Malfoy. Overall, it isn't worth getting crazy over a girl. You only end up being jealous. Even if you did have them. What if they didn't feel the same way..what if they were perhaps a little too close to another bloke? You would be driven mad with those sort of thoughts! It's almost better if we don't end up together. Or maybe not. I would go berserk if she falls in love with Malfoy instead. But I would also be relieved. And ruined. But at least I wouldn't have to be the one to please her, and I wouldn't have to worry about her truly liking me or not. But I guess that dosen't matter..apparently we leave if we're both in love. I dunno. Really, it could go down either way.

But of course, I prefer the way that means that we'll both be in love, not her and Malfoy. Whether I like it or not, I still care about Hermione more than that Death Eater ever would. And I'm going to do everything I can to make her see it my way.

There is a question at hand, though..more urgent than having her see it my way. What the bloody hell would we do for a date? What could you do on an island?

What a dolt I am. An island. Islands had beaches. Isn't this the kind of place newly wedded couples went to? A little tropical getaway, where people went to lose themselves for the moment? But, mind you, it was for newly wedded couples. I don't think Hermione would be pleased if I said something like, "Hey, what do you think of shagging? Want to do it with me?" Right. I'll save that sort of matter for another time.

But in the meanwhile, what could we do? Go for a stroll on the beach? I guess I haven't seen the beach here yet, but I'm sure it would be pleasant. Swim in the ocean? Nah, that wouldn't be too much fun. Unless we went skinny dipping or something. That would be fun. Very fun. I doubt she would go for that, though. Too bad.

Well, could we have some sort of meal together? But what would I do? Hunt for something to eat? I doubt that would work. As much as I like meat, I don't know if I could just kill something. Besides, I haven't seen a single animal in this forest yet, anyway..

Out of all of those things, I guess the best would be the stroll on the beach. Romantic, mysterious setting, that sort of thing. Yes, it would work. Not like I could do anything else, anyway. It's night, which would be a perfect time to go for a stroll. It could work..I could do it. It wasn't really all that different from me walking my rounds at the castle with her. I guess it would be different though..considering this is a date. And when we were on rounds, I had meant to ask her out on a date. How ironic.

So that's all settled. Now to wonder what Hermione and Malfoy are doing on their date? And how it was all going? Was it awful, awkward, or boring? Or wild, great, fantastic? Or actually..romantic? The only thing is, they've been on their date for quite a long while. Too long, for my own comfort. What if we disappeared off the island while I'm here to ponder about this? What if they actually fall in love! I wouldn't even get a chance..I've got to stop thinking this way. I reckon that, if they did fall in love, we would have been gone already. Considering..they're coming right now!

Damn. I didn't even get time to get ready! To prepare myself! But what could I have done? It's not like I had to practice saying "I love you;" that was already done and over with. And it's not as if I could get a change of clothes around here..

When they stop in front of me, I notice that neither of them are holding hands. That is a good sign. And they both look a little uncomfortable around each other. Why would that be? What did he try to do..shag her? A date would never go well if he had tried to do that! But so far, all is good. Because it seems as if Hermione and Malfoy's date ended badly..however way it ended. If I'm reading the signs right, that is.

Malfoy smiles at me, though it doesn't reach his eyes. "Weasley."

I return the smile. "Malfoy." Well, we managed a friendly exchange, somehow. Although, both of us are exchanging death glares. But it was as friendly as it could get.

I look at Hermione. I can feel my ears redden. Great. What's better than a visual sign of how embarrassed I am about our last encounter?

"H-hey," I say lightly, as if I what I had said in our previous encounter never happened. Too bad that I stuttered, which gave away everything. Why am I such an obvious person? Why can't I be a bit more complex, or seem to be, at least? Have something more than what meets the eye?

She doesn't reply, but gives me a slight smile. Her expression looks carefully composed, giving away nothing. Well, at least she was making the effort of pretending that nothing had happened, either.

The three of us continue to stand here, silent. What was Hermione thinking? What was Malfoy thinking? I wonder if either of them were thinking of what I was thinking? Eh. This is getting ridiculous.

I clear my throat, loudly, then offer my arm to Hermione. "Ready to go?" I ask.

She links her arm in mine. I guess that's her answer. Why isn't she saying anything? She was a chatterbox! She could've at least taken the time to say yes. It wasn't all that hard.

We walk past Malfoy and into the cover of the trees. I could feel his eyes on me, until we were out of his sight. So maybe he was seriously into Hermione afterall. Or maybe he was just still angered at the fact that I was going to use the Cruciatius Curse on him. I couldn't blame him. I'm surprised that even I would do that.

"So.." I say, unsure of what to say. She still hasn't said anything to me! In fact, she hasn't said anything at all. Was I that boring to talk to?

Finally, I add, "We're going to go to the beach. Although, I haven't seen the beach, and I have no idea where it is. So if you happen to know where it is..lead the way. I just figure that, if we keep going in one direction, we'll find the beach. Er, yeah."

"No," Hermione said finally, "I don't know the way." Wow, she said something! I was beginning to think she had become mute.

"Well," I grin, "That makes two of us." Again, she only smiles in reply. And that was all that was said until we made it to the beach. It was a wonderful sight to see. By the time we made it, it was night. The moon was out, its light casting shadows on the sand. It was mysterious. It was romantic. And it was certainly bloody brilliant, if I do say so myself. Now, the only thing this date was lacking was conversation. We always had something to say to each other! Whether it good or ill. The least we could've been doing right now was arguing..but I reckon that that would ruin the mood.

"What did you and Malfoy do on your last date?" I blurt out. Not a great way to start a conversation, but I wanted to know.

"Let's not talk about him."

"Why not?" I press on.

"Because, we're on our date, aren't we? Why talk about Malfoy? If you want, let's just pretend like we're both enemies with him. Like back when we were on our rounds together."

"But he's certainly not your enemy anymore," I point out.

"No.." She sighs. "I know this is random, but what were your intentions when we were on rounds together?

"Uh.." I didn't see that one coming. "Just..to ask you out." And to kiss you if you had said yes. Wait, cross that out. Snog you.

She smiled, and said, "I guessed that much. I remember being really anxious that night. I was so worked up about it." Her smile is gone, replaced with a frown. She looks at me in the eye, and says, "I would have said yes, you know." That was pleasant to hear. But unfortunately, that was then. What was she going to tell me? That she wouldn't say yes if I were to ask her out now? It's not like I didn't know that. I know that she doesn't love me. Or won't admit it, anyway.

We continue to peer into each other's eyes, her expression as intense as mine. Everything seemed to be intense. I wanted to break the silence that surrounded us- say or do something, but I didn't know what.

I guess I didn't have to worry. Hermione acted first.

Her lips locked onto mine. My initial reaction was shock. But immediately after that I kissed her back. Hermione put her arms around my neck, while I wrapped my arms around her waist. I pulled her close. And then the kiss deepened. Our tounges touched. Our lips kept continuessly moving. Every nerve in my body was on fire. I didn't want this to end. This was the best snog I had ever had with anyone! But then, Lavender wasn't all that skilled, anyway. No comparison.

But unfortunately, good things never last. Our snog eventually ended.

I took a few steps back from her, and say, shakily, "Bloody hell. Where did you learn to do that! Or wait, maybe I don't want to know.."

Looking down at her feet, she replies, in an off-handed way, "Er, well..you know." Then she looks up, smiling, and says, "I've wanted to do that for ages."

"Really?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Of course!"

I grinned, then pulled her close again as our lips met in another kiss. This only just gave me another reason to love her.

Hermione's POV

I can finally breathe normally again. For now. The dates with Draco and Ron are finally over. After another make-out session with Ron, and some passionate kisses, we walked back to the cave, where Draco was waiting. Unfortunately, I still have to choose. But what went on in those dates with Ron and Draco made it a lot harder. Was it possible to love two people?

But I'll admit that I might be leaning more towards Draco. There was more chemistry between us than there was between Ron and me. I love the way he teases me, and I like that he has a whole other better side to him..if you just give him the chance to let him show you that. Fortunately, I did. And I like that side of him. He's not just the cruel, inconsiderate Slytherin that most people see him as. He's also intelligent, fascinating, compassionate, sexy..I could go on and on about his good points, just as I can with his bad. He's a complex person. The only thing is..would this love I felt for him last? And what about his love for me? If he did love me? Would that last? I doubt it. He seems like the sort of person that wouldn't stay in a relationship for too long. That would break my heart. And sometimes he is still cold and dreadful, even to me. He's still Draco Malfoy, afterall. Being in a relationship with him would be brilliant. But I just don't think it would last.

And then there's Ron. Lovable, wonderful Ron. Okay, chemistry with him isn't as strong as with Draco..but it's still there. I've fancied him for so long, and that snog I shared with him proved that I still do fancy him. I still feel bad about not saying "I love you" back to him..but I wouldn't have meant it. Funny, once it would've meant everything for me to hear those three words from him..and because of Draco, it was awkward. Well. Maybe if I said those three words to Ron now, I would mean it. Hmm..I do think that a relationship with Ron would last. It would be so comfortable..and so predictable. But that wouldn't be very fun. And still, he's Ron! He's short-tempered, stubborn, argumentative, and sometimes downright ridiculous! But he's also very sweet at times..charming, and adorable. Okay..maybe I'm not leaning towards Draco afterall.

Well, now I've evaluated both of them. I know both of their good and bad points. But now there's another important question: Would I be more able to endure the pain of losing Ron? Or Draco?

Okay, the answer to that is simple. It would be harder for me to lose Ron. He's been my friend for years. Draco has only been a friend for a little while. And I couldn't live with myself if I were to break Ron's heart. I definitely know that he loves me. And I know that he's one of my best friends. It would be so hard.

But it would be hard to lose Draco, too. I've only seen this sensitive side of him for such a short period of time, and I want to see more of that side. But if I were to choose Ron..he would be even more cold and distant than ever. I would never get to see that side of him again. And I would probably be full of regret for choosing Ron, and always be left to wonder what it would be like to be with Draco instead..?

Okay. I've made up my mind. Bloody hell. This is scary.

Both Ron and Draco are standing in front of me, grim, awaiting my decision. They won't have to wait any longer.

I clear my throat, and say, "I've made my decision." They both look up at me, hope in both of their eyes.

My heart is pounding. "I choose.." I seem to be far away as I say..

"Ron." I hope my decision was a good one.

A/N: Yeah, maybe Ron wasn't like..Ron. And I know that in the past, I haven't been very good at writing kissing scenes. I hope that this one was better. Anyway, one more chapter to go..PLEASE REVIEW!