Title: Outcast

Summary: Love is like riding a broomstick. Some people are addicted to it and others just can't seem to get the hang of it.

Disclaimer: I own the plot, which makes me very happy.

A/N: Thank you all so much for your wellwishes! Things are still busy, but we're finally settling in. Did I mention I love my house? It's amazing! We've got our own kitchen and bathroom and stuff. It's just adorable. Oh and we've got a hamster too! It's just sooo cute and cuddly! Like my boyfriend :P. Lol. Anyway, I'll stop rambling about my own happy life and focus on the sad story I'm writing here :P.

"Have you gone totally crazy? How could you do that to her! How could you hurt her like that!"

Ginny was standing a few feet away from her brother, shouting as loud as she could. Ron just stood there, quietly listening to his little sisters' rant. He felt like he deserved it. How could he have been so stupid? She asked him a question. Granted, it was not an easy one to answer, but he could have at least tried. Instead of answering he had just flown down as fast as he could and mumbled something about having to pee. She had not shouted at him. She had just watched him leave, her face so beautiful and sad. He had run from her.

He had not seen Ginny fly down towards her. Had not seen the gentle way in which his sister led the crying brunette inside. He had not seen the way Harry had looked at his retreating figure. Crestfallen. Disappointed in the way Ron had reacted. Almost angry.

He looked up at Ginny, whose face matched her hair. If she hadn't been this angry with him, it would be almost funny. Almost. Her words kept coming and he listened to them, but they didn't register his foggy brain. Did she love him? Did she want him to love her back? Did he? He was fairly positive he still had feelings for her, and things had definitely seemed to improve. Yet was that enough? Could there...would there...should there be anything more than friendship between them?

"Don't you talk to me about hurt..."

He suddenly spat back at his sister, his voice cold and hollow.

"Who was the one that asked me to stir up the hatred? Who wanted me to hurt Hermione? That was you Ginny! You wanted that. You hated her! What changed?"

The redhead looked at him, fire in her eyes.

"Everything changed and you know it Ronald. Yes, I hated her, but that was when I thought she deserved everything we did. She didn't. So, yes, I feel guilty about what we've done. You should too! She does not deserve this."

"Healing friendships takes time!"

Ginny shook her head, her voice suddenly calm and quiet.

"Yes it does. It also takes effort and trust. Two things which you obviously lack. Who are you kidding Ron? If you don't love her...fine. Just have the courage to tell her that. She deserves that at least."

Ron held his tongue, not wanting to answer that question in her voice. How did she know he had loved her? Was it that obvious? Or had Hermione told her? Were they at that level of trust already? He felt strangely jealous. He wanted to be at that level. He wanted to know her deepest thoughts. What she was scared of. What she wanted. He had almost had that with her when they were flying his broom. Had he managed to ruin things before they even began?

"Hermione?"

"Leave me alone Ron."

Hermione sat on her bed, her face hidden behind her hair. He knew she had been crying. It was obvious in her voice. Ron smiled a little. He still could tell when she had been crying. Maybe it wasn't too late. Maybe he could win her back by listening real close. By paying attention to the little things, instead of overanalysing her words.

"I just...I mean..."

"I don't care. You answered my question. That was all I needed to know."

His eyes scanned the room, finally resting on her packed suitcase. Was she? No. She couldn't. Could she?

"You're leaving..."

He said with a hint of surprise in his voice.

"Don't act so surprised."

Her voice was cold and her eyes were distant as she finally focused them on him for the first time.

"Please...don't go. I need to...I have to..."

"You have to what, Ron? Keep an eye on me? Protect me so I won't hurt myself?"

"Please don't cut yourself!"

He said, louder, trying to get her to listen. She rose from her bed, emotion suddenly visible in her eyes. Sadness. Anger. Pride.

"That's all you care about isn't it! Whether or not pathetic attention-seeking Hermione is hurting herself. Well let me tell you this: I don't need to hurt myself anymore! Apparently YOU are doing it for me!"

She closed her eyes for a second.

She is on the verge of breaking into tears.

Bit her lip.

She wants to tell me something. She can't, because it will ruin her. She wants to stay strong.

Shook her head softly.

If only I could reach her. Her hands are trembling when she reaches for that suitcase. Maybe she does not want to leave after all.

"'Mione...please stay."

"Why?"

Her voice was not that harsh anymore. Her façade really was crumbling. Ron knew he had to act fast if he wanted to persuade her to stay.

"Just so you can keep playing this game? It's over Ron. Harry won't forgive me, and even if he will you will always find a way, a reason, to prevent me from being happy. You can't forgive me Ron."

"You're wrong!"

He said, grabbing her hand softly.

"I...I realised something. When I ran away. Ginny comforted you. She was there for you when you needed it. She has forgiven you. Harry just stared at me reproachfully. He felt I was being too hard on you. He is forgiving you too. And I...you're right...I have stopped myself from making you happy. I wanted to, but I couldn't. I'm scared, Hermione. I won't lie to you. I'm scared of the reactions we'll get back at school. I'm scared that whenever I do something really rotten you'll start hurting yourself again. I don't want that 'Mione. I want you to be happy and like you were before. I don't want to have to be scared that I make you worse. I want to make you better."

"Look at my arm..."

Hermione rolled up her sleeves and showed him her arm. The scars were fading. There were no fresh cuts. His finger traced the outline of a line.

"I haven't cut myself in weeks Ron. I won't tell you that it's not difficult. It is. But you're there. You stopped me from hurting myself before. You can do it again. And even when we're fighting...it won't make me do it again. Not when I know that I can be me again. Not when I know that I have you."

Her eyes travelled up to his face, her hands holding his. She was searching the answer to her question in his eyes. He nodded.

"I love you Hermione."

She smiled as their lips met, tears still covering her cheeks.

"I love you too Ron."

Review please!

A/N: This is, I guess, pretty much the ending. I might do an epilogue, or, if I get new ideas, I might continue the story. So if you want this story to continue, please send in your ideas! Even if you think they're lame or totally besides the point: I get my ideas from strange things. Just ask quidditch7!