Ron and Harry were playing chess in the family room. Megan was watching cheering on Harry and Ginny was curled up in the corner, trying to ignore her and reading a book. Occasionally, Ginny would look up irritably when Megan got louder. Hermione entered with Cadin just then and sat down on the couch facing the fireplace, away from Ron and Harry. They could here Hermione giggling occasionally. Ron rolled his eyes and tried to focus but Harry could see that it was a fight Ron was rapidly losing. He leaned in so that Megan couldn't hear.
"Why don't you just ask her to the wedding?" Ron looked up and shook his head.
"No… Cadin already asked her." Harry looked surprised.
"Really. When?" Ron shrugged.
"A few days ago…"
"She never told us." Ron snorted.
"You know how Hermione is."
"How am I Ron?" Both boys looked up to see Hermione standing there with her hands on her hips. Harry remained silent. Ron looked her in the eyes.
"You don't tell us things anymore." She cocked an eyebrow.
"I wouldn't think so. The last time I checked I was a girl and I didn't have to tell you boys things like that. I hope you've noticed." Ron stood up and admired her body.
"Oh I've noticed." Hermione's eyes bulged.
"Why you little-"
"Dinner!" They all turned to see Mrs. Granger at the door way. She smiled and motioned them to come with her. Her smile faltered when it landed on Hermione and Ron. They seemed to be taking up that stance quite a bit lately. As they all filed past her she held Hermione back.
"Yes mum." Mrs. Granger frowned.
"What is it with you and Ron?" Hermione puffed up a little.
"There's nothing wrong." Her mother raised her eyebrows, not believing anything.
"Oh really. Then why is it that I keep finding you two fighting?" Hermione moaned.
"We're not fighting mum." Again with the eyebrows. "We're not! We're just having a difference of opinions, that's all."
"You two seem to be having many differences of opinions." Her mother murmured. Hermione bit her lip.
"Really mum. We're fine. I promise." Her mother regarded her for a moment then turned and headed for the kitchen.
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Dinner was an informal thing. Not much was said. All of them either commenting on the food or the wedding. Hermione was the first to get up, followed by Ron. He followed her to the stair well.
"Hermione wait." She turned around.
"What?" He hesitated for a moment.
"I… I overheard your conversation with your mum." Hermione looked away.
"Look Ron. I really don't want to do this." He climbed the stairs until he was a stair below. They were now eye to eye.
"If we're not fighting then what's going on." She shook her head.
"Ron… this," she motioned the space between them. "This is what's going on. And the space is only going to get bigger."
"Why?" She looked into his eyes.
"Because… I can't keep waiting Ron…" She looked away and bit her lip. "I can't keep waiting for something that I know won't happen."
"Hermione-"
"You want to know one of the things that separates you from Cadin…" Ron remained quiet, waiting for an answer he really didn't want to hear. She looked down at her hands. "He's not afraid of going after what he wants." She started to turn around but Ron stopped her.
"Hermione I…"
"What?" He faltered. She knew it. She shook her head. Unbelievable!
"I…" He sighed. He couldn't do it. She looked at him.
"You can't say it? Can you?" He let go of her arm, looking down. She bit her lip to stop the tears that were threatening to overflow. "I guess it was just a dream then…" She looked down at her hands. "Just a dream." She turned and started up the stairs, holding in the tears until the door was closed. After that… she couldn't stop them.
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"Cadin!"
"What?"
"Stop it!" She couldn't stop laughing. They were on her bed. She had just insulted him. Her punishment… tickling.
"Cadin please."
"Not until you say sorry."
"No!"
"Come on. Say it!"
"Never!" she declared giggling.
"You know I won't stop until you do!" She tried to shove him off her but it didn't work.
"OK! I'm sorry!" she gasped out. He let her go, rolling off of her and lying down beside her. She regained her breath and then looked over at him.
"You're evil."
"Do you want to get tickled again?" She shook her head, smiling. She rolled on her side, propping her self up on her elbow. She looked down at him. He watched her, curiously.
"What?" She shook her head again.
"Nothing." She moved some hair out of his face. He caught her hand and held it. She smiled. He placed a hand to her head and pulled her closer until their lips touched. She drew in breath slightly on contact then closed her eyes, allowing him to deepen the kiss… deep inside wishing he was someone else.
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"At least you tried," Harry consoled to a pacing Ron. He had been listening to Ron talk about last night for about half an hour. Personally he was just happy to be away from the two feuding girls downstairs. At breakfast the morning after Ron and Hermione's confrontation Ginny had "accidentally" spilled cereal on Megan's shirt. In retaliation, Megan had "accidentally" poured pumpkin juice on her jeans. After that the two had started to scream at each other and everyone had taken cover and left the kitchen.
"I should have said it… I should have…" He looked at the door and snorted. "She's in Ginny's room with him…" Harry frowned.
"What are you so afraid of?" Ron turned to him.
"What? What makes you think I'm afraid?" Harry cocked an eyebrow.
"Really Ron… we've known each other for six and a half years…seven? I know you Ron… you're afraid of something." Ron looked away.
"I…" He looked over at Harry, a weird look in his eyes. "You have your reasons don't you… you know… for not getting in a real relationship…" Harry looked surprised.
"I… I just don't want her to get hurt…" Ron shrugged.
"Well… I don't want to get hurt…"
A/N: Thanks for reading! I decided for an emotional thing! I hope I was right!
Lovin-Lonnie: Thank you!
connieewing: You'll see!
katiemarie x3: Can't wait to hear from you again!
bellapaola: I know English(of course), a little Spanish and German!
IamHermioneGranger: Well as you can see the fun is about to start!
Padfoot-equals-lurve: He's not exactly doing much to improve his situation!
Coconut Girl: Actually I'm only doing 2! You're reveiwing both!
Chapter tease:
"What the hell!" Hermione stood up and pointed to the door, embarrassed and outraged.
"GET OUT RON!" Ron just stared out her. She could feel his eyes boring into her. "GO AWAY!" He shook his head and backed out. Hermione couldn't stand it. She grabbed a lamp and lobbed it at Ron. He ducked out of the door and slammed it.
"Hermione," Cadin reached out to touch her. She turned to him and tried to smile.
"You should probably go..." Cadin nodded and left. Hermione looked at the broken pieces on the floor. Why did he have to come in... why did I let that happen... She closed her eyes. This is getting out of control!
