"Hey, Mione… we need to talk." Ron took her hand after their class was done. "In private."

Hermione blushed faintly and looked at the ground. "Let's go outside then... I think I know what this is about."

They stopped at the common room to drop off their things and grab their cloaks before heading outside.

They walked next to the trees of the forbidden forest. The only sound was the snow crunching under their feet. Ron couldn't quite work out how to say what he needed to. He didn't want Hermione to think he loved her any less or hurt her.

"If this is about Pansy… Ron, it was two years ago. It's not like we were together then." Hermione stopped walking.

"Uh, what?" Ron froze, turning to look at his girlfriend.

"Pansy and I kissed in sixth year. It's still really awkward between us. I went to one of Slughorn's parties and Pansy was there with Blaise." Hermione's face turned red. "That's why we're so awkward around each other."

"I… I didn't even know that. It's fine that you kissed her. We weren't dating at the time. I did want to talk about her though." Ron held up his finger. "I nicked my finger in potions."

"Oh, gods, Ron, is this about the soulmate thing again?"

"Hermione, please just hear me out."

"Fine…"

"It healed in a second. The sanamora was strong like it should be. No one knew I did it either, so please don't say it was emotional stress causing it to heal." Ron took the knife he used in potions and cut the pad of his finger again.

Hermione sighed and stepped close to him to look at it. The magic was barely noticeable, but the bleeding slowed in her presence.

"Okay? Why isn't it working now?" Hermione asked, looking like she was just humoring him.

"It actually worked one time before this… but I didn't say anything because it seemed impossible." Ron rubbed the back of his neck. "Don't… don't be upset, okay?"

"I reserve the right to be upset if it's upsetting." Hermione folded her arms and leaned against a tree.

"Okay… that's fair. When you were bitten, I tried to heal you. It wasn't working properly. Then, it started working just like it did in potions today. You fainted before it worked on your bite." Ron took a deep breath. "The only thing those times had in common was…"

"Pansy?" Hermione guessed, her brow furrowing.

"Yeah. Our sanamora grew more powerful in her presence twice now." Ron swallowed, feeling his cheeks heat. "I think… she might be a part of us."

Hermione blinked, looking at her shoes and fidgeting with her hair. "I'm not sure. That could be a coincidence."

"Maybe… but I don't think it is. We both had an injury that healed when she was there. I still love you, so much, but I also think I like her too." Ron cleared his throat awkwardly. "If you don't want this, that's fine. I'll respect your decision and boundaries."

Hermione glanced up at him, her eyes bright and cheeks red. "I don't… I'm not sure. I like her too. I thought it was wrong because I'm supposed to love you. I thought it might be like cheating… but I just don't know. I definitely don't think we should involve her based on a myth about soulmates though… and this whole theory about Pansy being our soulmate is quite outlandish. Soulmates are supposed to be rare, so what are the chances of having two and meeting them both?"

"Hermione, I know you're a skeptic, but please… trust me this once. Love isn't something that can be explained. It has nothing to do with facts. It's something that is in your heart. I know in my heart that this is right… but we will only talk to Pansy about this if you want to."

Ron offered her his hand. Hermione flushed, but took his hand and let him draw her into his arms. He rested his cheek on her head.

"How do we even approach her about this?" Hermione mumbled. "She might only want one or neither of us. What do we do then?"

"We can figure that out later. For now, we just need to think about whether she will fit with us." Ron kissed the top of her head, feeling the awkwardness of the conversation melt away.

"I think… I think she will. I really like her, Ron. I liked it when she kissed me." Hermione's voice sounded small. "I wanted to tell you that, but I thought you would be mad."

"I was worried you would be upset too. Don't worry. Everything will work out in the end."

Notes:

If you liked this chapter, feel free to leave a comment! I love it when people say hi!