Three months.
It felt strange to realize it had been three months since Hermione was told that the relationship wasn't going to last. An abrupt end to a year long affair. She wish she understood how this had happened but she was beginning to understand she never would and although it bothered her, she was learning to be okay with it.
She rose a glass of red wine to her lips, legs propped up on the side of the tub as she soaked in a bubble bath thinking about that evening.
She was full of thoughts.
Specifically about Ron though...
• • • • •
"Mione, really thank you."
"It's no problem Ron, I honestly needed a reason to dress up lately..." Hermione smiled as she took a step out of her comfort zone when accepting Ron's offer to be his plus one to Harry and Ginny's engagement party. It was so strange. Her best friend was marrying another one of her best friend... But she wasn't surprised. She just wondered how Ron was taking it.
She remembered how he felt about them dating. But now Harry was marrying Ginny.
"How do you feel?" She asked curiously as she ran her hands over her floral print a line dress. She made sure Cho had tightened the spaghetti lace straps as much as she could but she found herself consciously having to keep the middle slit closed. It just showed too much of her legs for her liking. Especially with this not being a date...
"How am I feeling?" Ron asked while stopping at a red light looking over to her.
Hermione couldn't deny that Ron looked handsome. He had gone a long way from dress robes and to nice slacks with a casual polo and sweater-shirt. His unruly hair was combed back and styled so you could really see his face. He looked like a proper gentleman.
"What about how are you, you keep fidgeting..." he commented.
"It's this slit..." she whispered and Ron bit his lip looking away from her.
"Oh... the sl-slit?" He said trying to pretend he hadn't noticed her beautiful legs when she came down the stairs to meet him in the foyer of the home she shared with Cho and Lavender.
"Yes... I just... I wish it was shorter." She said and then looked at Ron and quickly corrected herself. "The slit! Not the dress!"
Ron chuckled. "If it is making you uncomfortable that much, why not use a hemming spell? Mum's done it loads of time for Ginny."
For once Hermione was at a loss for words. A hemming spell? Why couldn't she recall one. "Ron... do you know a spell to hem it closed?"
"Oh ho. The great Hermione Granger doesn't know a hemming spell?!" He joked and couldn't help but laugh at the fact that the most brilliant witch he had ever know was at a loss for a spell... "Here..." he said stopping at another red light pulling out his wand casually.
"Minimus Hemming Lock."
With that the slit on her dress sowed right up about half the length it was. Hermione smiled as her comfort level returned to normal now that she didn't have to worry about keeping the dress closed up. "If you want it hemmed more you just say the spell and point your wand..."Ron assured her and smiled as he resumed driving.
When they arrived at the engagement party, Ron was beat to the door by Fred who opened the car door for Hermione and shot his brother a "HAHA I WIN" smile before turning to Hermione. "Hello there! How have you been Miss. Hermione?" He asked leaning on the car door before shutting it and offering his arm to her.
"I have been doing much better." Hermione answered kindly.
Hermione smiled looking at his arm and was about to accept it when she glanced back at Ron who was desperately trying not to look at them or act as if he didn't want to escort her in. It was an odd feeling but Hermione excused herself from Fred and walked to Ron. "Ron... I think we should head in..." she smiled.
Ron looked at her surprised that she had come to him to be escorted in. There was a pause between them like Ron wasn't sure how to respond and Hermione was waiting. With another silent beat, Hermione took charge and wrapped her arm around Ron's. "I should have brought a shawl. It's a little chilly..." she said hoping it would get Ron moving.
Then she realized she was wanting Ron to take her in. She wanted him to hold her at his side. They were just friends... And she hadn't been in touch with Ginny for a little while...
She reasoned it was because of the unfamiliar faces.
Ron placed his hand casually over her fingertips as he guided her inside making sure to not brush too much against her. Why did this feel so weird? Why was he hyper aware of her movements and concerned with how he was making her feel? He didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable... He just wanted to be her friend...
But why did it feel like he had done something to effect their relationship?
"Ron!"
Harry called out to him before grabbing both of his best friends in a close hug. Hermione and Ron both enjoyed the small task of the old days. The three of them. Just them... It had been a while...
"It's good to see you two!" Harry smiled and looked from Ron to Hermione.
She could tell there was a secret look between Ron and Harry and she wondered what it meant. However a part of her also didn't want to know...
Soon she branched away as Ron was bombarded with family members and family duties. She found a glass of red wine and nursed on it until it was empty. She found a waiter who was happy to fill her cup again and when he placed it down to cater to someone else... she took it.
She kept the glass close in one hand and the wine bottle in the other as she walked out to the back yard where a large swing hung from a large tree. She hadn't been in a swing in forever...
She curled up into the huge swing chair looking back up to the main house were the party was happening admiring the twinkling lights and sounds from afar and wondered if she could have had a party like this.
With him?
Probably not...
He wouldn't want a public announcement. Quiet possibly he wouldn't have even wanted a wedding.
Hermione sighed filling her third glass and leaned back taking a bit gulp of the warm rich taste. It was only when she heard the sound of someone approaching because of the crunch of leaves that she turned to see who it was. It was Ron.
"I wondered where you had ran off to..."
"No where special..."
"This swing is very special..." Ron said shaking his head. "I made this swing for Mum. The wood is reshaped from the fallen trees during the battle... and the rope was also stripped and repurposed for the weaving. The only thing not repurposed is the pillow lining. You can't sacrifice comfort in times like this..." he laughed before joining her in the swing.
"How many glasses have you had?" He asked looking at Hermione's flushed face.
"Two..." she hiccuped and Ron smirked.
"I think you had one more than that." He laughed as he relaxed into the swing using his long legs to push them.
"Why are you not up there with everyone?" Hermione asked.
Ron was silent for a moment. But when he spoke the swing stopped moving and the energy between them shifted. It was noticeable.
"You know Hermione... I am down here because you are here. We are just friends but... But it would be a lie if I said I didn't like you still." He told her honestly and Hermione hiccuped making him smile.
"Sorry... I... I swear I am listening." she promised. "Ron..."
"I know. We are just friends." Ron nodded leaning forward when Hermione leaned forward and placed a soft warm kiss on the apple on his cheek. It surprised him just as much as her and she wondered if it happened because she was drinking or because of her own curiosity.
"Did... Did you like that?" She asked when the silence was too much and she needed to hear something other than the wind.
"Maybe... how... how about this?" Ron asked turning a little and reached his hand up to Hermione's cheek. His warmth was welcomed against her cold cheek despite her flushed look. The smell of cedar wood and orange spice lifted to her nose coming from his sweater shirt. The whole moment was full of warmth and comfort.
When Ron's lips met hers, it was like lifting a mug of warm butter beer to your lips on a cold winters day. Sweet. Warm. Comfortable. Delicate. Comfortable.
Comfortable.
Comfortable.
Comfortable.
Why was this so comfortable?
Hermione's glass fell from her hands and onto the ground as she reached for Ron's face in return. She let the kiss naturally grow and deepen before feeling Ron pull back.
"How was that...?" He whispered resting his head on Hermione's forehead.
• • • • •
Hermione placed her wine glass down and sank under the warm water of the bath.
God what was she doing..?