Chapter 21 - Crumbled

The weather was monstrous, the bitter air nipped at you whilst the wind crashed around you ferociously. The rain would lash down in colossal helpings, causing forests to flood, especially the particular forest that a bespectacled boy and his two best friends were currently situated.

Nature only seemed to dampen Ron's mood further, causing him to become frustrated even more easily. Hermione's strange distance increased despite the fact they shared a bed every night. Ron was thoroughly confused, it was as if she was picking and choosing when she liked him and when she was annoyed with him. Someone who she never seemed to be annoyed by, however, was Harry, Ron mused, as he sat outside the tent, shivering violently.

No no, Harry could do no wrong in Hermione's eyes, in fact Ron had never seen them act so close. Or maybe they were always like this and he was just too stupid to notice. That's all he was, the stupid third wheel obstructing The Chosen One and the Brightest Witch of their Age from becoming the world's most invincible couple. Ron's stomach lurched as he thought about all of the stolen glances he had noticed from them, all of the 'subtle' touches of the arm, all of the 'help' they would give each other. Yeah right, Ron thought, just another excuse to practically sit on each other's laps.

The locket played a huge part in Ron's anxieties, but Ron only thought that the locket had just made everything clear as opposed to making everything up. The bloody thing was right, wasn't it?

'What can you add to the world's most invincible couple. You're just the dead weight that they take pity on. They don't need you, Ronald Weasley. They have each other, what more could you provide?

And why would someone as brilliant as the girl ever choose you when she could have the Chosen One? What are you compared to him? Nothing. Only he could save her, and when he does, why would she spend another second wasted on you?

You know, Ronald Weasley, better than anyone how much more funnier he is, how much more better looking, how much more clever he is. Ultimately, he can provide a life for her that you could only dream of, you pathetic blood traitor.'

Ron had enough. The sodding weather was bloody ridiculous, how did they expect him to sit through this while they sat as cosy as they liked beside each other. Sharing smiles and laughs, the only thought about him was probably to mock him, Ron concluded.

Getting up and storming in, he made no effort to improve his mood. And there they were, like two peas in a pod, pondering over Hermione's notes. Harry was leaning over far too close for Ron's approval, causing his scowl to progress.

Finally, one of them bothered to turn around and acknowledge him. Hermione's face fell at the sight of him, Ron would be hurt if so much anger wasn't pent up inside, clouding any logical or rational thought.

Hermione and Harry were reading over notes about the Gryffindor sword, happy that they finally made some sort of breakthrough. Now, they were reading about other goblin-made artifacts in a book that Hermione had brought along, 'just in case', but she was rather smug that she did, maybe the two boys wouldn't think of all of the books as pointless, any more.

After making a revelation that had taken months to make any progress on at all, they were both ecstatic, Hermione possibly even more so. She had always felt the greater responsibility to find answers as she was the one of the three of them that enjoyed research and learning. So, when it had taken her a long period of time, especially under strained conditions, Hermione felt that she was disappointing the boys. Ultimately, she knew this wasn't true, there was no more any of them could do, including herself. These thoughts were all stemmed by the locket, of course, and she was getting much better at ignoring them.

Coincidentally as Hermione thought about the locket, Ron sauntered in from the dark outside, the same gold chain dangling from his neck. Hermione immediately looked up to tell him of the good news, but one look at his face and she suddenly felt ill.

For weeks now she didn't think she could recognise the Ron she loved in his eyes anymore, but that was nothing compared to this. His face was dark with anger and for the first time, Hermione was afraid. Ron's eyes were grey and the lively blue that once inhabited the orbs was abandoned. He looked as though he hated her, a look she had never seen on his face despite how many arguments they had had over the years. For months he had been becoming steadily grumpier, but this was different, this was worse.

Hermione was not the only one who had noticed the sullen atmosphere that Ron had brought in. Harry was soon turning his head up and asking his best friend if he was alright. When the answer was met with a more than hostile response, Hermione knew that things were about to turn a deeper shade of ugly.

And right she was, before long Ron and Harry had met each other in a heated argument. The most heated argument Hermione had ever witnessed between two best friends. Hermione's eyes clouded with tears as she watched the scene unfold before her. The man in front of her, unrecognisable. The emotion, the anger, the hate in his eyes that only slightly faltered when Hermione, albeit nervously, tried to bring him back by holding onto his arm.

But quick enough, he ignored her, pushed her away. Hermione had never feared him before, but the look of not only indifference in his eyes, but of detestation frightened her.

Ron had hit a nerve by mentioning Harry's unfortunate lack of family, and Hermione couldn't think of anything better to do than cast a Shield Charm around her and Harry before things became physical.

Perhaps this wasn't the best thing to do as Ron's expression softened to a hurt one for a hint of a second before flashing back to anger. Hermione hadn't meant to segregate Ron from herself, but in the moment she had no choice and he wasn't listening to any of her pleas.

The next thing she knew Ron had asked her an unanswerable question. How could she leave? How could he even seriously be debating leaving? Yes, he and Harry's argument had escalated so high that even Hermione was in tears, but it was just an argument. They needed Ron, he couldn't just go! And where on earth could he possibly think safe enough to go right now? It wasn't even a question in Hermione's mind, she was staying and if he had any sense let alone other factors, he would stay too.

But. He didn't.

Hermione heard her screams of his name but couldn't even recognise the immeasurable pain that the calls carried. The freezing cold and poor weather conditions hardly bothered her as she sunk to the ground on her knees, sobs taking over her whole body.

Where had he gone? Had he really just left them? Had he really just left her?

She couldn't register it, couldn't process it. Was that foul artifact right? Had she just been so delusional after all? To think that he truly cared for her, possibly even lo-. No, Hermione told herself. Of course he didn't.

He never had.

A/N: originally this was part of the other chapter, but I wanted to separate them for a bit of dramatic effect. Which is also why there's no dialogue. Sorry it's a bit short!