A/N - Thanks for all the great feedback on the last chapter! This one I think most of you have been waiting for, Hermione finally talks to Ron about their situation. I hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 30

Finished

2 January 1999

Hermione sat on the couch in the darkening room, fragments of the conversation with her parents running through her mind.

"…really fell in love with Australia…"

"…would love to have you move in with us when you've finished school…"

"…decided to live there permanently…"

"…can visit whenever you like…"

"We love you, sweetheart," her mother had said. "Please don't think this decision has anything to do with you modifying our memories."

Hermione snorted at that. It had everything to do with her modifying their memories; if she hadn't done that, they never would have been in Australia to begin with.

Crookshanks meowed loudly and Hermione startled. She was shocked to see that it was nearly sunset. She had been sitting here for almost two hours since her parents left for the airport.

"Sorry, Crooks," she said, rising to feed her cat. After she put the food into his dish, Hermione sighed. It shouldn't bother her so much. She was an adult, nearly done with school, and would soon be ready to move on with her life. If she had lived at home at all after she finished Hogwarts, it likely wouldn't have been for very long before she would have gotten her own flat.

Still, though, she would have known her parents were here and she could have stopped by whenever she liked. Now, it would require planning and days taken off work and a Portkey or a flight. And what about when she had children someday? She had always wanted any future children of hers to be close to their grandparents. Now, they might be lucky to see them a few times a year.

Hermione shook her head. She was getting quite ahead of herself. No reason to be thinking about hypothetical children that were far, far into the future. Sighing again, Hermione opened the refrigerator and perused its contents. There was nothing even remotely appealing, not that she really felt like eating anyway. She closed the door and rested her forehead on it, fighting against the lump that had formed in her throat. She had told herself that she would not cry about this, but she was losing that battle.

Hermione turned and moved quickly out of the kitchen, heading for the back door. She couldn't be here anymore with all the reminders of her parents. She stepped outside, locked the door behind her and Disapparated.

"I will be fine, Remus," Andromeda said. Remus looked at her doubtfully. She was pale and there was a thin sheen of sweat on her forehead.

"No, I don't think you will be," Remus said. "You need to be in bed."

"Remus-" she protested, but Remus held up a hand.

"You cannot watch Teddy when you're this ill," he said.

"I told you, it must have been something I ate at lunch," Andromeda said. "I told Narcissa the fish tasted a bit off." Remus forced himself not to bristle at the mention of Narcissa's name. He had yet to say anything to Andromeda about what he had learned of Hermione's torture. He wasn't going to betray Hermione's trust, no matter how hard it was to see his mother-in-law getting closer with the sister that allowed a teenage girl to be tortured in her home. It was that much harder given the moon was going to rise soon.

"Teddy is not going to catch anything from me," Andromeda continued.

"That's not what I'm concerned about," Remus snapped. He shook his head. "Sorry. You know how much of a handful Teddy is now that he's crawling." It had only been a few days, but once Remus' son had mastered the skill, he hadn't slowed down. They spent most of their days chasing after him.

"Who are you going to get to watch him at this late hour?" Andromeda asked as she glanced outside at the sun that was slowly starting to set.

"There are still almost two hours until moonrise," Remus said. "I'll call Harry."

"Remus," Andromeda said again but Remus shook his head. He was twitchy and uncomfortable. He wanted this conversation to be over with before he said something he would regret.

"No more arguments," Remus said, a bit harshly. Teddy banged his spoon loudly on the tray of his highchair in emphasis. Remus managed to smile at the boy. "Even your grandson agrees. Please, take a stomach soother and go up to bed. I'll take care of it." Andromeda stared at him for a moment before she sighed.

"Fine," she said. "But if you do not find anyone in the next thirty minutes, you will wake me."

"I promise," Remus said. Andromeda nodded once and left the room. Remus looked over at Teddy.

"Let's try and find someone to mind you, shall we?" Teddy smiled widely and chewed on the spoon he had in his hand. Remus chuckled despite his discomfort and turned to the Floo.

Hermione landed on the front step of Grimmauld Place and knocked on the door. Harry had told her she didn't need to knock, she was always welcome, but Hermione felt strange about just walking into the house. She shivered as she waited for someone to answer. She had run out without taking her cloak or a coat. After what seemed like an eternity, the door creaked open.

"Miss," Kreacher greeted and opened the door wider, gesturing her to come inside.

"Hello, Kreacher," Hermione said, rubbing her hands up and down her arms to try and warm up. Kreacher closed the door behind her. "Is Harry here?"

"No, Miss, Master Harry takes Miss Weasley out for dinner," Kreacher said. Hermione's face fell.

"Oh," she said in a small voice, the tears threatening once again. She had really wanted to talk to Harry.

"Hermione?" a voice said and Hermione looked up to see Ron coming down the stairs. She glanced away quickly.

After Boxing Day, her parents had so many activities planned, that Hermione had not had a chance to speak with Ron. Her parents had even had a small New Year's Eve party with some of their old friends and colleagues and had convinced Hermione to stay, even though she had been invited to spend the evening at the Burrow. She had wondered why her parents were keeping them so busy, although that made sense now. They were obviously trying to spend as much time with her as possible before they announced their decision to stay in Australia. Hermione felt her eyes fill and swore at herself in her head.

"Hermione, what's wrong?" Ron asked in concern.

"Nothing," she said. "I just stopped by to talk to Harry, but Kreacher said he's out, so I'll just go." She turned to leave, but Ron grabbed her arm.

"You're freezing," he said. "Where's your cloak?"

"I left without it, I guess," Hermione replied, not turning around.

"In this weather?" Ron asked incredulously. Hermione shrugged. "Hermione what happened? Is it your parents? Did they get off all right?" At the mention of her parents, Hermione could no longer hold in her emotions and she began to cry. Ron moved in front of her, looking worried. "What is it?" But Hermione just shook her head, covering her face with her hands.

She felt Ron pull her into his arms. She knew she should pull away, but she didn't. She couldn't help herself as she cried harder.

"Come on, let's get you warmed up," Ron said, leading her into the drawing room. He took his wand from his pocket and pointed it at the grate. "Incendio." Hermione immediately felt the warmth from the fire at her back and Ron led her to one of the couches and sat down, keeping his arms around her.

It didn't take long to quiet from her tears. She moved her hands away from her face and rested against Ron's chest. She took a deep breath to calm herself further.

"Can you tell me what's going on?" Ron said quietly a few moments later. Hermione sighed.

"Before my parents left for the airport today, they told me that they're not planning on moving back to England. They're going to stay in Australia." Ron's arms tightened around her.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. I know you wanted them to move back here." She shrugged

"It's my fault," Hermione said. "I'm the one that sent them there."

"You did that to protect them," Ron said. Hermione shrugged again. Ron pulled back a bit, but Hermione didn't look at him. "You don't think that's why they're staying, do you? To punish you or something?"

"They say not, but," she trailed off.

"I don't think that's it," Ron said.

"It doesn't matter."

"Of course, it does," Ron insisted. "You're upset, that matters." Hermione stayed silent and Ron gathered her close again. He kissed the top of her head. Hermione knew she should move away, she knew things were awkward between them, knew they should talk, but right now, all she cared about was that she was upset and one of her best friends was trying to make her feel better. The fire was warm and it was comfortable leaning against Ron.

The sat in silence for quite some time until Ron shifted. His tightened his arms again and pulled her closer to him. His fingers began to move lightly up and down her arm. She felt his heart speed up slightly.

'Move, Hermione!' a voice in her head demanded, but she ignored it, feeling far too relaxed and lethargic to do anything. She felt almost drugged by the fire. She hadn't eaten anything since lunch and her emotional outburst had simply exhausted her more. She let her eyes flutter shut, not even caring when she felt Ron's lips graze her forehead.

"Hermione," he whispered a few minutes later. She ignored him, not moving from the position she was in.

"Hermione," he said again, his hand cupping her chin and tilting her head up towards him. She opened her eyes and stared into his. She could see the question in his eyes. She didn't move.

'Would it be so bad?' she wondered. Just a few short months ago, this was what she had been sure she wanted. She knew Ron still did. They hadn't fought since their break-up, although she hadn't seen him all that much. And now, he was taking care of her.

Ron's head dipped lower and Hermione's eyes closed again.

"Harry? Harry are you there?"

Hermione startled and jumped back from Ron who flinched almost as badly. She glanced quickly around the room, but there was no one there

"What was that?" she asked, her voice shaking.

"Harry?" The voice seemed to be coming from the fireplace, but there was no one in it when Hermione looked.

"It's the Floo," Ron said. "Kreacher did some charm on it after Harry missed a call from Dawlish once while he was working on the house. You can hear it in all the fireplaces, even though the calls actually come into the kitchen."

"It sounds like Remus," Hermione said with a frown.

"Kreacher will answer it," Ron said. "Harry's supposed to see Teddy on Monday. Remus probably wants to talk to him about it." He reached out to pull Hermione towards him once again. She shifted away, standing quickly from the couch.

"What's the matter?" Ron asked in confusion. Hermione bit her lip. She had almost let Ron kiss her. What the hell had she been thinking?

"Ron, I," but before she could finish sound came from the Floo again. It was a bit hard to hear, but Hermione listened closely.

"Kreacher, is Harry there?"

"Master is out with Miss Weasley," Kreacher said.

"Damn," Remus replied.

"I think we should see what he wants," Hermione said.

"Hermione," Ron protested, but she had already reached the door to the drawing room. Hermione hurried towards the kitchen stairs; Ron close behind her.

"Remus?" she said as she came into the kitchen.

"Hermione?" Remus replied looking surprised to see her. Or as surprised as one could look in the Floo.

"I came to see Harry, but he isn't here," Hermione explained, somehow managing to keep the blush from her face as the dream she'd had a month ago popped into her head.

"Yes, Kreacher's just told me," Remus replied.

"Is there something I can do?" she asked. "Wait, isn't the moon tonight?"

"Yes, that's why I was calling actually," Remus said. "Andromeda is ill and I was hoping that Harry could watch Teddy. Do you know what time he'll be back?" Hermione glanced up at Ron who looked a bit miffed.

"Not until late," Ron said. "I think he's taking Ginny to see a film after dinner."

"I'll watch him," Hermione said.

"You will?" Ron questioned in surprise.

"I couldn't ask you to," Remus said.

"You're not asking," Hermione replied. "I'm volunteering." Remus glanced toward Ron.

"I don't want to interrupt," he began.

"You're not," Hermione insisted. She heard Ron mutter under his breath behind her but ignored it.

"All right, if you're sure," Remus said.

"I am," Hermione replied. "Do you want me to come there?"

"No, it might be better if I brought him to you," Remus said. "Quieter for Andromeda."

"Of course," Hermione agreed. "I know Harry has a cot in his room."

"Let me just get his things together," Remus said. "About ten minutes?"

"I'll be here."

"Thank you, Hermione." He smiled and disappeared from the fireplace. Hermione stood and looked at Ron.

"You're really going to mind him?" Ron asked a bit incredulous.

"Yes," Hermione said. "Harry's out and I'm available. Who else is Remus going to find this late?"

"Mum would do it," Ron said.

"I thought your parents were gone for the weekend?" Hermione said. Arthur had taken Molly on a short getaway, her Christmas gift this year.

"Oh, right," Ron said, looking disappointed. "Well maybe Bill and Fleur could."

"Ron," Hermione chastised. "There is no reason I can't mind Teddy until Harry gets home."

"Thought there might be a reason," Ron muttered under his breath. Hermione looked away.

"Ron, what almost happened," she said. She took a breath and looked him in the eye. "It shouldn't have." Ron just stared at her.

"What are you talking about?"

"I know that you want, that you think that," she shook her head and pulled in another breath. "I know that you want to get back together." He smiled.

"I do," he said. "Hermione, I was an idiot before. I know that I was the one that broke things off and at the time it seemed like the only thing I could do, but I realized that I shouldn't have and," He trailed off as she started to shake her head.

"Ron, I," she bit her lip and looked up at him. "I can't."

"What do you mean?" he asked. "Why not?"

"I just," but before she could continue, they heard the roar of the Floo and Remus stepped out with Teddy in his arms.

Remus stepped out of the Floo, pulling the blanket off Teddy's head and then siphoning the ash off the two of them. He looked up at Hermione, noticing Ron standing off to the side.

"I really appreciate you doing this," Remus began, but stopped, looking from Hermione to Ron and back again. He could sense the tension hanging over the room and he instinctively held Teddy closer to him. "Is everything all right?"

"It's fine," Hermione said brightly. "Isn't it, Ron?" Ron stared at Hermione for a few seconds before he looked at Remus.

"Yeah, fine, everything's fine." Hermione turned back to Remus.

"Hi, Teddy," she said. Teddy gave her a smile and reached towards her, but Remus took a step back, still looking wary. He tried to force himself to calm, but the wolf, so close to the surface, was reacting to the emotions in the room. Remus felt a growl rising in his throat as Hermione glanced at Ron who was scowling at the floor.

"Ron, weren't you going to go and set up the cot for Teddy?" she asked. Ron raised his head and stared at her for a long moment. "Maybe you should put it in the guest room."

Right," he said. He turned and left the kitchen. Remus relaxed marginally once he was gone, swallowing the growl.

"Are you sure this is all right?" he asked.

"Yes," Hermione said. "I'm sorry, we were just having a difference of opinion about something. We'll be fine, though, I promise." Hermione held out her arms for Teddy, but Remus was made no move to let the boy go. She put a hand on Remus' arm. The wolf, who had been pacing ever since Remus came out of the Floo, paused.

"I swear, Teddy will be just fine," Hermione said. "You trust me, don't you?" Remus, still confused by the wolf's reaction, finally nodded and relinquished Teddy to her. Hermione smiled at the baby before glancing at the clock on the wall.

"Shouldn't you be getting ready?" she asked. Remus kept staring at her. He felt twitchy and the normal nervous energy was thrumming through him, but he wasn't as keyed up as he normally was this close to moonrise.

"Yes," he said. He ran a hand through his hair. "Sorry. Teddy's eaten his dinner, there's a bottle in his bag for later. He usually goes down around eight or so." Hermione nodded.

"I hope Andromeda feels better," she said, then frowned. Remus had the urge to reach out a hand and smooth the lines from her brow. He shook his head slightly, trying to clear it. "Will she be able to set the wards for you? I remember them from last time if you want to transform here."

Remus thought about it for a moment. When he left with Teddy, Andromeda had been asleep. Although he was sure that she would be able to get up and set the wards for him, he really didn't want to wake her. She had looked awful when he'd sent her up to bed and the stomach soother always made her groggy. He didn't want to risk her making a mistake with the wards because she wasn't fully concentrating.

"That might be a good idea, actually," he said. "Are you sure you remember how to set them though?"

"Yes," Hermione said. "But you've taken the Wolfsbane, haven't you?"

"I have, but I still prefer to be as safe as possible." Hermione nodded in understanding. "I'll have to go back and leave Andromeda a note." Hermione looked concerned.

"Do you have enough time?" Remus glanced at the clock on the wall.

"Yes, there's still plenty of time. This will only take a few minutes."

"All right," Hermione said. Remus went back through the Floo and wrote a quick note to Andromeda. He crept quietly into her room and set it on her bedside table. She shifted in her sleep but didn't wake. Remus returned quickly to Grimmauld Place. Ron was nowhere to be seen.

"Do you want me to have Ron watch Teddy while I set the wards?" Hermione asked.

"No!" Remus said forcefully, then turned red. Hermione didn't seem surprised. "I'm sorry, the wolf is very territorial this close to the moon."

"I understand," Hermione said with a smile. "I'll just keep Teddy with me."

"Are you sure?" Remus asked. "I don't want him to distract you."

"We'll be fine," Hermione assured him. Remus finally nodded and headed for the cellar door. He made his way down the steps, his joints already starting to ache. Once he reached the bottom, he walked towards the cage.

"Is that really necessary?" Hermione asked, look of distaste on her face. "You've taken the Wolfsbane." Remus glanced at the cage and then at the door at the top of the cellar stairs. It was reinforced, thick oak and there was no way that Remus would be able to break through it, even without the Wolfsbane. Sirius had told him that often enough when Remus had transformed here during Harry's fifth year. Of course, Sirius had also always been down here with Remus to keep him in line if need be. Still, with the potion and the wards, Hermione was likely right. Remus didn't really like spending the night in the cage anyway.

"No, probably not," he agreed. "Most of the wards will have to be cast on the door then. Just the silencing charm down here." Hermione nodded and handed Teddy off to Remus as she waved her wand and set the privacy charms. Remus, his nose even more sensitive today, could tease out Hermione's scent from Teddy's, even with Teddy in his arms. He swallowed and put his nose directly on top of Teddy's head, trying to make sure it was his son's scent that surrounded him when he transformed.

When Hermione finished, she turned back to Remus and took Teddy from his arms. She stared at Remus for a few moments, looking pained.

"There's nothing you can do," Remus said quietly. She bit her lip and nodded.

"We'll see you in the morning," she said. She turned and began to climb the stairs. Remus watched her go but called out to her when she reached the door. She looked down at him.

"Can you cast an air cleansing charm once you're upstairs?" Remus would have rather had Teddy's scent to calm him during the transformation, but he wasn't sure what would happen if it were mixed with Hermione's.

"Of course," she said with a smile. She stepped out the door, turned to cast the spell and then closed the door behind her. Remus heard the bolt slide into the lock and then all went silent as she set the wards.

Remus slowly removed his clothes and set them, along with his wand, on a shelf the wolf couldn't reach. As he waited for the transformation to begin, he realized that the wolf hadn't been pacing the entire time Remus had been with Hermione. The wolf had been almost…watchful, as if he was waiting for something to happen. Before Remus could come to any kind of conclusion about that, however, the moon fully rose and he was lost to the pain of the transformation.

Ron still wasn't in the kitchen when Hermione finished the wards. Kreacher was, however.

"Kreacher, have you seen Ron?"

"Sir has gone to his bedroom," Kreacher said. Hermione sighed. She knew Ron was upset and she really wanted to finish talking to him, but she couldn't do that with Teddy here. Not until he was in bed, anyway. She turned back to the baby in her arms.

"I guess it's just you and me," she said with a smile, tickling Teddy's belly. He giggled and she laughed along with him. "Let's get your bag and find some toys." She picked up the bag Remus had set on the kitchen table and then made her way back upstairs to the drawing room. The new carpet she had found for the room was thick and fluffy. Teddy could safely play on that.

Hermione stepped into the room and sat Teddy down on the carpet before she turned to the bag and began pulling out a few toys. When she turned back to Teddy, he was halfway across the room. Her eyes widened in surprise. Remus had forgotten to mention that Teddy was crawling.

Teddy was heading straight for the fireplace and Hermione quickly picked him up, much to his dismay. He began to protest, reaching towards the fire and squirming in Hermione's arms.

"The fire is hot, Teddy. You'll get burned." As the baby continued his whining, Hermione conjured a screen and set it in front of the fireplace. She secured it magically so that even if Teddy somehow managed to touch it, it wouldn't fall over. He was not pleased with her spell work.

"It's all right," Hermione soothed. "Let's play with your toys." She sat down with Teddy on her lap and handed him the small stuffed wolf she had found in his bag. She smiled when she realized he also had a black dog and a deer. To distract him completely from the fireplace, she made the dog and the stag chase each other around the carpet which caused Teddy to giggle with delight. Hermione was soon able to move him from her lap and kept him entertained with the rest of his toys.

It was a half hour later when he began to yawn and Hermione realized it was nearly eight o'clock. Ron had still not come out of his room. Hermione changed Teddy's nappy and put him into his pajamas. She took the bottle from his bag and he began reaching for it and babbling as she cast a warming charm on it. She picked him up and held him close as he began to drink his bottle, smiling when he grabbed one of her curls and held on.

Hermione carried Teddy up to the guest room Harry had told her was hers, transfiguring the armchair in the corner into a rocking chair and sat down. She had asked Ron to set the cot up in her room as she figured Harry and Ginny were expecting some privacy when they came home. She knew that Molly had left Percy at the Burrow to keep an eye on Ginny while Molly and Arthur were on holiday, but Hermione was also aware of Ginny's persuasion skills where her brothers were concerned.

Hermione began to rock Teddy, singing a lullaby softly under her breath. He stared up at her, rubbing her hair between his fingers. His eyes began to droop as Hermione finished the song and she continued to hum softly to him. The bottle was nearly gone, but when she tried to take it from his mouth, he began sucking on it again. She chuckled when this happened twice more before Teddy's lips finally fell open and Hermione took the bottle from him. Shifting him carefully, she moved him to her shoulder and rubbed his back as she continued to rock. When she was sure he was fully asleep, she laid him gently in the cot and covered him with a blanket, before placing a kiss on his forehead. She watched him sleep for a few minutes before she turned and left the room. Closing the door behind her, Hermione jumped when she saw Ron standing in the corridor.

"He's asleep?" Ron asked quietly. Hermione nodded. Ron stared at her for a few moments.

"Let's go back to the drawing room," she said. "We should talk." She turned and cast a charm on her bedroom so that she could hear Teddy, but he wouldn't be disturbed by outside noise. Ron nodded resignedly and followed her.

When they reached the drawing room, Hermione quickly gathered up Teddy's toys before she turned to Ron.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"I don't understand, Hermione," Ron said. "I thought things were better between us."

"They were, they are," she corrected. "But us getting back together isn't a good idea."

"Why?" Ron demanded. "We got on so well in Hogsmeade and at Christmas. And tonight, I thought that, that you wanted this as much as I did." Hermione sighed.

"I know and I'm sorry about that," she said. "I shouldn't have let things get that far."

"Why did you let them get anywhere at all?" Ron asked petulantly.

"Because I was upset and you're still my friend, Ron," she said in exasperation. "I'm sorry if I appreciated the comfort." Ron stared at her for a minute before he shook his head.

"Might have been nice to know that beforehand," he muttered.

"Why, you wouldn't have helped me if you knew I didn't want anything more than friendship from you?" Hermione asked incredulously.

"No!" Ron exclaimed. "That's not what I meant."

"That's sure what it sounded like."

"No, I just," he made a noise of frustration. "I just thought we were in the same place. Everything went really well in Hogsmeade and you accepted my gifts and," but Hermione interrupted him.

"So that means I owe you something?" she snapped.

"Of course not!" Ron retorted. "I'm just saying that you never made it seem like they were unwanted."

"Because I didn't want to hurt your feelings!"

"Your dad even offered to replace the bracelet. If you didn't even want it, why did he say that?"

"I never lost the bracelet! He was just covering for me because I wasn't wearing it!" Ron's mouth dropped open in shock and Hermione sighed.

"When your mum asked about the bracelet, I didn't know what to say," she said. "My mum knew that I didn't feel right keeping it, she must have said something to my dad. I never asked him to say that."

"It sure would have been nice to know about this before I made a fool of myself with the necklace at Christmas," Ron said in irritation.

"Well, I'm sorry I thought it would be better to tell you in person than in a letter," Hermione said angrily, crossing her arms over her chest.

"And you didn't have any chances to do that before Christmas?" Ron demanded. "We were alone in Hogsmeade in October for two hours, Hermione." Hermione's shoulders slumped.

"I know, I'm sorry," she said. "I know I should have said something, but we were getting along so well and having such a good time, I just, I didn't want to ruin it." Ron snorted in derision.

"Yeah, well, thanks for that." He glared at her for a few moments before turning away. Hermione wasn't sure what to say. It was her fault that she hadn't said anything to him in October, but she also hadn't been entirely sure what his intentions were at that point. She had suspected, yes, but she wasn't sure. Still, that wasn't an excuse for not asking him. She'd been scared to, plain and simple. But he hadn't been entirely forthcoming about his feelings either.

"I am sorry, Ron and I'll take the blame for not saying anything to you," she said. "My reasons were cowardly and I know that. But why didn't you say anything to me about wanting to get back together?" He looked at her incredulously.

"Why didn't I say anything?" he repeated. "I thought I made it pretty clear."

"What, I'm supposed to be able to read your mind?" she asked.

"I gave you all kinds of signals," Ron said throwing his hands up in the air.

"But you never just came out and said it!"

"You never came out and said you didn't want to get back together."

"You're the one that broke up with me, if you remember. How was I supposed to know you'd changed your mind?"

"That wasn't a break-up, I just needed to take some time!" Ron insisted.

"That's not what you said!" Hermione yelled back.

"Yes, it is! I told you we should take a break to figure things out!"

"I also asked you if you wanted to break up and you said that maybe we should! What did you expect that I was just going to be there waiting for you with open arms, once you'd 'figured things out'?" Ron shifted his gaze away from her quickly. "That's it, isn't it?"

"No," Ron said, but he couldn't hold Hermione's gaze. It was Hermione's turn to snort in disbelief.

"Look, it doesn't matter what I thought or what you thought then," Ron said. "What matters is what we think now. And I need to know why, Hermione."

"Why what?"

"Why don't you want to get back together?"

"Ron," she said shaking her head. He stepped closer to her and she looked at the ground.

"I know we fought a lot," he said. "But things were good sometimes, weren't they?"

"They were, but," Hermione trailed off and shook her head again. "We argued all the time, about everything. We're arguing now."

"I still love you," Ron said quietly. She looked up at him and he looked so hopeful, it brought tears to her eyes. "Don't you love me?"

"I do love you, Ron," she said. He started to smile. "I love you because we grew up together and you're one of my best friends." She took a breath. "But I'm not in love with you." The smile slipped from his face.

"When I saw you in Hogsmeade, we'd only been apart for three months," he said. "You fell out of love with me that quickly?" Hermione wasn't sure what to say. "Or maybe you never really loved me at all."

"Of course, I did," Hermione insisted. Ron looked at her disbelievingly. "I can't believe you would say that!" Ron simply shrugged.

"Makes sense to me, since you haven't been able to give me another reason."

"Arguing all the time isn't a good enough reason for you? The fact that we don't share any of the same interests isn't good enough reason for you?" Hermione's voice was rising in anger.

"So what if we don't share interests?" Ron said throwing his hands up in the air. "Mum is annoyed by all Dad's Muggle stuff and he isn't too thrilled with her Celestina Warbeck obsession, and they get along just fine." Hermione rolled her eyes. Ron's parents had been married for thirty years; he had no idea what their relationship had been like when they were younger.

"It doesn't change the fact that we always fight!"

"Maybe we wouldn't if you didn't have to be right all the time!"

"Maybe I wouldn't have to be right all the time if I trusted you!" Ron gaped at her.

"You don't trust me?"

"You left us!" Hermione's eyes widened and she clapped a hand to her mouth. She hadn't meant to say that, hadn't even realized she thought that.

"This is about the Horcrux hunt?" Ron said incredulously. "I thought you forgave me for that." Hermione said nothing. She couldn't. She thought she had forgiven Ron too, but it appeared she hadn't.

"You told me that it was because of the Horcrux," Ron continued. "You said it was affecting me more than you and Harry. You said, you said you understood." Ron's voice hitched.

"I did. I do, I mean, I thought I did," Hermione said quietly, confusing even herself. "But then, then you left me again." Her eyes shimmered with tears and Ron's chin began to tremble. "And there was no Horcrux then."

"No," Ron managed. "My brother was just dead."

"Ron, I didn't mean," she began, but he held up a hand.

"No," he said. They heard the front door open and Harry and Ginny's voices coming from the entry. Ron stared at her for another moment before he spun on his heel and left the drawing room. Hermione watched him glance back at her once before he hurried across the corridor and into his bedroom.

Hermione heard Harry and Ginny coming up the stairs and turned towards the fireplace to try and compose herself.

"Hermione?" Harry said in surprise when the two reached the drawing room. "What are you doing here?" Hermione turned towards him and attempted a smile.

"I thought you said I was welcome anytime," she said, trying to be cheeky, but failing as her voice shook. Harry looked at her in concern.

"Of course, you are," he said stepping towards her. "We were just surprised to see you is all."

"Harry, I'm joking," Hermione said. Ginny was watching her speculatively. "And you should know that you have two other visitors tonight as well." Harry gave her a quizzical look. "Remus and Teddy are here."

"Remus?" Harry questioned. "But it's the full moon."

"I know, he's in the cellar," Hermione explained. "Teddy is asleep in the guest room."

"That's your room, Hermione, not a guest room."

"You might not say that after tonight," Hermione said, a hysterical laugh escaping. Harry glanced at Ginny.

"All right, let's sit down and you can tell us what's going on," Ginny said, putting an arm around Hermione's shoulders and leading her to the couch. "Take a breath, Hermione." Hermione did as she was instructed, while Harry sat down on her other side.

Hermione explained what had brought her to Grimmauld in the first place and how she had heard Remus on the Floo. She told them that Andromeda was ill and Hermione had offered to watch Teddy, while suggesting that Remus transform in the cellar so Andromeda didn't have to bother with the wards.

"Did Ron watch Teddy with you?" Harry asked. Hermione shook her head. "Why not? He loves Teddy."

"He was upset with me," Hermione said quietly.

"Did the two of you talk?" Ginny asked sympathetically.

"Yes, but, not then," Hermione said.

"Why was he upset then?" Harry questioned.

"Because I did something stupid," Hermione said, putting her face in her hands. She proceeded to explain to Harry and Ginny that she had almost let Ron kiss her before Remus called on the Floo, as well as their subsequent talk after she put Teddy to bed.

"We both said some things," Hermione said quietly. "But I," she shook her head. She couldn't tell Harry what she'd said about not trusting Ron. Harry had forgiven Ron for leaving almost immediately when he came back. She was afraid Harry wouldn't understand. Not to mention the fact that she had accused Ron of leaving her again when he was mourning for Fred. She was a horrible person.

"It's going to be all right, Hermione," Harry said, putting an arm around her. Hermione leaned her head against his shoulder as tears filled her eyes.

"No, Harry, I don't think it will be."