Sorry! I've been very busy as I was ending a job project I had during this year that proved to be very time-consuming and challenging. I'll continue updating the story during the weekend.

Chapter 3

You give empty promises of love

August 1998

'Mione, I can't do this anymore' - Ron said. Looking at the ceiling on their bedroom in Black's Mansion.

Finally. He is going to be able to say what she couldn't. Trying to make love was so disgusting. Just lying there waiting for the end. The empty and dying corpse. How long has she faked it? Faked until you make it, people said. How long has she been trying to hide it? She couldn't move on nor accept a moment of happiness. She loved him but she just couldn't move on. Even going to Hogwarts next month didn't make sense to her. But she accepted. McGonagall convinced her that it was the path that was meant to be for her. Getting her Newts exam, studying, becoming a desirable member of the magical community. She knew that Hermione wasn't interested in becoming an Auror herself; she knew that she craves knowledge as a starving kid on Christmas eve. She was going to follow that path no matter what. No matter her parents' deaths, Fred, Lupin, no matter her nightmares and night terrors. No matter how convinced she was of not deserving love, pleasure and happiness. She wasn't worthy of anything else. She'd rather change her life for everyone else in a heartbeat. But Ron, she didn't deserve Ron. He was trying to move on. To put everything behind, make amends… something that wasn't meant for her.

'Mione, you're not ok. You just can't lay there waiting for me to finish. What's wrong with you? You thought I wouldn't notice… we are suddenly ok and then you stop. It's like you stop breathing'. He said worried. 'It's just terrifying. You know Mione, I love you but I can't do this. I need to move on. You're always tired, complaining that you don't have energy to have fun, move on. We barely see each other or go out of this bedroom. We don't travel nor go out! We owe them to keep on with our lives'.

'I know. I just can't Ron. I can't'. Hermione answered as tears started to fall.

'You don't even try Hermione, you just don't even try'. He offered quietly. And that's when it got nasty, this undoubtedly broke her.

'What do you expect from me Ron? Pretend that no one died? Pretend that my parents are dead? Live as if the war had never happened?' - Hermione said enraged. - ' I can't move on as easily as you did, I can't go away as you did. I can't be the perfect girl you look for. I just can't. I'm..' she said, holding her wand tightly.

'What are you going to do Hermione? - He said spitting venom - Obliviate this moment? Are you going to make me forget all about this fight? Are you going to erase me from your life as you did with your parents? So I forget how crazy you sound right now? How bitter and depressed are you?'

The silence was so hot and so painful. He finally broke her. Hermione turned her back on him and said: 'Goodbye Ron'. She breathed in and turned again saying: 'Obliviate'.

Pointing at Ron with her wand, she said: 'Now this fight wasn't a fight. We realized we were just friends. We forgive each other and we'll continue being there for each other. You forget the nasty words you said. You said that you loved me but I'm a sister for you; and I accepted because I felt the same. You'll be moving back to your house with your mum to give me some space. You'll move on and find someone who loves you dearly. Hug me'.

Ron remained frozen until she finished talking. He slowly walked to her and she finally hugged her saying: 'I love you Hermione, you are like a sister to me. You'll always have a place in my heart. I'm sorry'.

'I love you too, Ron. I'll always be there for you'. She said sobbing. They hugged for a long time. Until Ron broke the hug and went into the floo coming back to the Burrow. Hermione watched as he disappeared between the flames. She got lost in her memories knowing it was for the best. Crying loudly and full of anguish. Her train of thought was interrupted by Harry's hug.

'Mione, I saw what you did'. He said deadpanned. 'I just hope you don't feel like doing it to me. I know you'll need time to heal. We'll all do it. It's just that some of us heal in a different way. We'll do our best. But that doesn't give you the right to make the ugly things disappear as you please'.

'I know Harry, it's just I can't even…' - she cried harder and harder - 'I can't even explain it. I was just so angry. I just wanted it to end'.

'It's ok Mione, you'll be fine. He'll be fine'. He picked her up and carried her to her bed. 'We'll sleep together tonight, ok? No nightmares…' he offered with a smile.

'I just hope so' - She said before slowly dozing off in Harry's arms. They cuddled and slept peacefully that night.

November 2008

She opened her eyes. A night without nightmares, ha? We wished for. It's not that she regrets having messed up with Ron's brain. It is that she felt guilty for enjoying the result so much. At the end of the day, Ron had ended up marrying the girl of his dreams. Although this girl turns out to be Pansy, it was just a weird turn of events. But he's truly where he belongs. She still doesn't know where she belongs… Hayley looked at her and jumped on the bed waving her tail. She belongs here with Hayley. It 's a start.

Hermione went to the bathroom and looked at her face in the mirror. She carefully washed her face with water while Hayley didn't miss the chance of catching every drop of water with her mouth. She had a shower and picked a set of Adidas black tracksuit and lilac trainers. It was a beautiful sunny Sunday, Harry had organized a barbecue day with his other friends from work. She'll probably feel bored to death and would most probably end it up strolling down the forest surrounding the Manor. She put on Hayley her sweetest pink bow and said: 'Hey girl! I think you look sweet today! Let's meet all those Minister's important men'. They both jumped to the floo. She didn't expect bumping into Draco freaking Malfoy. It was unavoidable, but she could only hope not seeing him so soon. He was dressed muggle: long sleeved linen light-blue shirt, with the sleeves wrapped up up to his elbows, linen cream shorts, white sneakers and black sunglasses. He looked smart and casual. Relaxed even. A version of Malfoy she wasn't used too. Since the war, he had worked so hard to clean the Malfoy's name. After Lucius passed away in Azkaban, Narcissa had flown to France and restarted her life abroad. There was a time that he was bound to marry Daphne Greengrass. They had announced the engagement and remained engaged for five months until he called it off. This new Malfoy is free and casual. He's relaxed and handsome…

'Hermione. Hello! sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you again' - he smirked at her - 'I see you have great company! Hi girl!'.

It was becoming annoying how excited Hailey was about him. This little traitor.

'Hi Malfoy. I wouldn't bump into you if you weren't on my way. Who is standing up next to the Floo?' - she answered back.

'Well, of course. I've just arrived at the party. If you weren't expecting a red carpet welcoming your arrival. You'll be able to see that it was just a coincidence. Sorry for interrupting your way, your highness'. - he answered casually.

He turned back and went himself to the party, before she could answer back she was interrupted by George.

'Hi Mione, how are you?' I've heard you've come with nice company' - he said cheerfully. Hermione smiled. It was nice seeing George outside home. The first five years after the war, it was impossible to drag him out of the house. Fred's death was harder on him than on anybody else.

'Hi Georgy! Yes, I couldn't even dare to leave her home. She loves these gardens. We are probably walking near the lake after lunch. How's everything at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes?'

'Everything great! We are already drawing the business plan to open stores in the USA. We're thinking of making L.A and New York the first store's locations. But I'd rather New Orleans might be a funny city to visit'.

'If you need any help you just let me know', Mione said while Hayley sat waving her tail happily.

'Of course, Mione. I wouldn't ask another person. Although it would be nice if we see each other for more than working… it's been a long time since we went ice skating'- he said mischievously.

She chuckled. ' I can give it a try if you promise to answer Angelina's letter'.

'Oh! Granger! Low blow!' George said, pretending to sound hurt.

'It's been two weeks already. She's nice, clever and has traveled the world to come back to you. She has only asked you to grab a couple of butterbear together. It can't hurt. She's not going anywhere anytime soon'.

'I know… it is just that…' George got lost thinking with a sad expression on his face.

'Everyone deserves to be happy and carry on. He would have liked that we continue living and thriving. He would be as much as proud of you creating that hair product that turned my hair into unicorn hair for a week as much as seeing you looking for happiness with the woman you loved. He loved you both.' she said.

'Isn't weird that I ended up with his ex 'something'?' George said.

'George Arthur Winifred Weasley' - she started - 'It's been more than 10 years since the war. You'd better call her or I'll turn your hair into a Chinese Fireball hair colour for months!'

'You wouldn't dare, Hermione Jean Marianne Annette Mia Thermopolis Renaldi' - he said smiling.

'I would. I mean it George. Everyone deserves to be happy'- she repeated.

'Yes, everyone but you Mione. Don't you?' - He said while looking at some blonde drinking a glass of wine while talking with other work colleagues. He looked so careless. So handsome. Hermione felt her cheeks redden suddenly and didn't utter a word.

'That's what I thought' - He said.

A bell rang and everyone started to go slowly into the lunch table outside…

'Saved by the bell, let's go! Hayley, Hermione' - he offered.