Ron walked out of Hermione's bedroom, ignoring her pleas and into the kitchen. He looked through the cabinets hoping for something to calm him down, praying that that something would be scotch. There was nothing. There wasn't even food. "Great. How the hell am I supposed to eat?" Ron said slamming one of the cabinets so violently it came off the hinges. Ron rested his hands on the counter pushing his body away and bowing his head. He breathed in deeply, closing his eyes. He was trying to have self control. He wanted to yell and scream at her. He wanted to ask her how she could do this to him. He wanted to tell her how devastated he was when she left. He wanted to make her feel as horrible as he was feeling. But he had said nothing of the sort; he had just walked away feeling worse.

He curved his fingers into a fist as punched the cabinet as hard as he could over and over again until he couldn't feel it anymore. His knuckles started bleeding and the skin started to peel backwards but he didn't care. He kept punching until his mind went numb and he couldn't think about anything besides destroying the cabinet. All the betrayal and hurt he was feeling pumped through his veins and came out through his fists. He continued striking the cabinet until he was out of breath. Lowering his fists, he unclenched them slowly, reveling in the pain. Ron had decided long ago that physical pain was much more tolerable than emotional pain. He didn't think he could handle the information Harry had just given him. It was too much; he almost wished he hadn't known because now, more than ever, he felt alone. He stood in the kitchen staring at the damage he had caused. Ron was aware that his blood had run down his fingers and was now dripping on the floor but he didn't move. He just stood there, staring and thinking. He was petrified of what would happen if he walked away. He was afraid he would soon realize that this wasn't a dream.

Meanwhile Hermione was lying frozen on her bed. She prayed Ron had not meant what he said. He was just angry, that's all. She tried to comfort herself, knowing the truth was Ron would not easily forget what had happened between them. She silently cursed herself for stupidly trying to touch him. Of course he hadn't forgiven her and she could only imagine what Harry had said to him. Hermione closed her eyes trying desperately to hold back tears. Her body hurt all over and she was exhausted. Hermione almost thought that the pain and torture she had experienced only a few hours ago was worth it for another chance to be near Ron. He had looked terrible. His face was white and gaunt but she had wanted so badly to touch him. She needed to know that he was actually real and not in her imagination. She had missed him so much that at times she thought about sneaking away to see him, if only for a moment. She missed his laugh, his kisses, and especially how safe she felt with him. She decided she needed to see him, to explain everything.

She moved herself slowly to a sitting position and after a few minutes of trying, Hermione managed to get to her feet. Her muscles ached and burned but she couldn't just let Ron walk away. She needed to explain herself. She didn't know how long they would be stuck in this house and she wanted to clear the air as soon as possible. She walked slowly trying not to strain her muscles too much, wincing at the pain. She was startled when she reached the doorway by a loud thud. Peering around the corner she saw Ron wailing on a kitchen cabinet. He hit it over and over again, frightening Hermione. She noticed all the blood that was coming from his knuckles as he continued to repeat his actions. She thought surely he would stop soon but for two minutes straight Ron pounded into the wood breaking it and making it spread all over the floor. He finally stopped, his chest heaving and his eyes staring at the wreckage. That is, until he looked toward her door. Their eyes met for a long time, both staring not knowing what to say. Ron looked at her with an expression that clearly said this is what you did to me.

Hermione was torn between two different desires. Her first reaction was to run away and not look at him. Staring at him made her realize her mistake in leaving. It was clear that Ron was not over it and even more clear that she wasn't either. The look in his eyes made her want to cry. He stood facing her, his fists clenched and bloody, every part of him looked strong, unyielding, except for his eyes that showed Hermione just how vulnerable he was toward her. It was almost too hard for Hermione to look at. Her second reaction was to run to him and beg forgiveness but she knew she couldn't. So she stood looking at him like an idiot until he chose to move. He diverted his eyes and pulled out his wand to repair the cabinets. He cleaned his cuts with water but did not heal them with magic.

Hermione approached him slowly, cautious not to upset him.

"Ron?" He grunted but kept washing his cuts. "Ron? I think we need to talk." Ron continued ignoring her. "You have to talk to me sometime." Hermione reached and gently touch his arm causing Ron to pull back as though he'd been burned but he didn't say a word. "Ron, stop it. Stop this silent treatment. This is so childish." Ron didn't even look at her. He walked into the living room and began to pick up his stuff in search of a bedroom for himself. Hermione could only stand and watch him. "Ron I don't deserve your forgiveness, I know that but can you at least let me explain." Ron had to admit he was curious about what Hermione had to say but his pride wouldn't let him give in. He had just destroyed a cabinet because of her, he was in no mood to talk about why she had ditched him.

Ron searched for a room on the exact opposite side of the house and found one much bigger than the one occupied by Hermione. Much to Ron's displeasure, Hermione followed him until she reached the doorway when Ron kicked the door shut behind him. Hermione was once again shut out. Ron turned to look at his room and was pleased with what he saw. It had a king sized bed with beautifully carved bed posts and headboards. Ron wondered vaguely who had once lived here. He took his wand out and began cleaning and organizing fallen items. At this point, he'd do anything to keep him mind off Hermione, even if that meant cleaning.

After awhile Ron stripped off his shirt and pants and laid back in bed. It was unnerving to him that Hermione was under the same roof as him and he could see her at any moment. Having no contact with her for two years and then constant contact was going to be difficult for him. He knew he couldn't last long with the silent treatment. He kept telling himself that he hated her and didn't care about her but he knew it wasn't true. He wanted her to be safe and dead at the same time. It pissed Ron off to know that Hermione got off easy. She didn't have to sort through a mess of emotions. And Harry. Thinking about Harry made Ron want to pulverize another cabinet. Harry had known all along that Hermione was okay. The comment he made about Hermione not telling him because she didn't think he could handle it ran through his mind all night. Did she think I was too attached to her to let her go? Did she really not trust me? Ron looked out the window and noticed the sun rising. He decided that the silent treatment wasn't going to work, he needed his questions answered.

Not feeling tired any longer Ron climbed out of bed, not bothering to throw any clothes on and marched out his door and down the hallway in only his boxers.

"HERMIONE!" He bellowed walking toward her room but before he got there he saw Hermione cleaning the living room. She looked up in surprise. She was still wearing the white t-shirt and jeans Harry had brought her in. "I want to know." He stated intently. "I want to know it all." Hermione blinked, not saying a word. "What?" Ron threw his arms up in the air. "Five hours ago you were all chatty. Now you can't speak?"

"What do you want to know?" Hermione asked calmly. Ron was instantly annoyed by her tone.

"Why did you leave me? Why did you leave like that? Where were you? Why the hell did Harry know? Why didn't you tell me anything?" His voice raised with every question. Hermione drew a deep breath and responded.

"I was assigned a mission, to penetrate the defenses of the remaining Death Eaters and try to get information. The deal was that I left when the letter came. I had already packed my bags and I knew that the letter could come anytime. I knew it'd be dangerous, living with Death Eaters as a muggle-born but it would be a challenge and extremely important."

"Why didn't you tell me." Ron asked angrily.

"Because I knew you would have stopped me." Hermione looked him in the eyes, knowing the truth.

"No, I would not have. It was your job. You had to do it. I would have understood that over anyone else." Ron lied. He knew that if Hermione had told him about the mission he would have done anything in his power to prevent her from going and making someone else go in her place. Then another question popped in his mind. "Why didn't I know about this. I am co-head of the department!"

"Nobody knew."

"Except Harry." Ron interjected showing his jealousy.

"Harry and Shacklebolt and me. That's it."

"I still don't know why you didn't tell me! I would have understood. It was your assignment. You had to do it."

"I didn't have to do it." Hermione stated truthfully. Ron was taken aback at this information. "I wanted to." Ron didn't know what to say he opened and closed his mouth several times before speaking.

"Let me get this straight. You didn't have to take an assignment that could have killed you and you could have told me but you didn't?" Ron was walking closer to Hermione rage shaking in his voice.

"It was a stupid decision and I know that now. I thought I was protecting you."

"Protecting me? I'm not a child Hermione and the fact that you and Harry both treated me like one is very telling about what you two think of me."

"Ron-" Hermione started

"No, Hermione. You put me through so much shit when you left. I woke up the next day expecting to see you next to me but you weren't there. You weren't in the shower, or the kitchen or the living room. There was no note about going to the market, or about lunch with Ginny. Nothing! So I waited all day for you. I owled everyone we knew because something just didn't feel right. Then I went to the ministry and filed a report. I searched everywhere for you. I took a couple of months off work and searched for anyone that might have a grudge against you. I ripped myself apart trying to find you and eventually it just sort of sunk in that you left me because you didn't love me anymore." Ron didn't have enough strength to be furious. He was suddenly exhausted. He couldn't take any more knowledge. He didn't want to have anymore secrets uncovered, except one.

"You know it hurt like hell to see you with your new boyfriend, happy as though nothing had happened."

"Ron nothing happened. He wasn't my boyfriend." Hermione was pleading. She felt worse than she had in her entire life.

"As if I should believe you. You already proved you can lie flawlessly."

"I never slept with him. We kissed once and I told him it wasn't right. Ron I still love you! Nothing happened." She was on the brink of tears.

"Shut up! Shut up! Don't ever say that to me again! I don't think I can talk to you again. What could I possibly say you're a liar and a whore. Maybe you were perfect to go and hang out with those Death Eaters." Ron turned away and began to head towards his room. The 'whore' comment cut Hermione deeply, her cheeks flushed and she was prepared to fight.

"Ron stop!" Hermione was surprised he did. She began advancing toward him. "It wasn't as though you were exactly celibate. I know you fucked around with other women after I left, maybe not right away but I believe Harry said something about a new woman every night. So don't even start spouting your high and mighty bullshit when I didn't even do anything." Ron and Hermione glared at each other standing only a foot apart.

Ron didn't mean for it to happen. He didn't know what came over him. Maybe it was the exhaustion, or the relief that she was back but one moment they were standing a foot apart absolutely furious at one another and the next moment Ron had grabbed her face and crushed his lips against hers. Hermione responded immediately. He pushed her against the wall aggressively and pressed his body against hers, never breaking the kiss. It was though there was some unspoken need between them. Ron could feel her hands on his bare back pulling him close. He grabbed her hips so that they met his. Hermione could feel him through his thin cotton boxers. She slowly moved her hand down his chest but when she reached the waistband Ron abruptly stopped and pulled away, panting. He shook his head and looked at her. "I hate you." He whispered as he turned away and walked to his room, leaving Hermione flushed against the wall.