Hermione awoke the next day with an unsettled stomach. Her face was red and swollen from crying the night before and her hair was messier than usual. She didn't feel like getting out of bed. She didn't feel anything at all. The last six years felt like a delusion now that she knew there was nothing left between her and Harry. How could she have been silly enough to believe that anything between them would ever work?

Despite the way she was feeling, she knew she needed to leave her apartment. She knew it wouldn't be long before Ron would be coming over to check on her. She had sent him home just before she broke down, but she knew he was worried for her.

Hermione took a shower and wrapped her hair into a high messy bun. She tried various magical creams and potions to make the swelling and redness go away, but her eyes still seemed to show her broken heart.

Dressed in a black t-shirt and dark jeans, Hermione made her way to her entryway in search of a jacket and her purse. She picked her navy blue peacoat and purse from the coat stand and opened her door.

"Hi," said Ginny in a soft voice. She was looking down at her feet and playing with her hands. Hermione jumped at the sound of her voice.

"Ginny… what are you doing here?"

"I came to apologize. I had no business to be saying those things. I just…" Ginny sighed and seemed to be struggling about whether to mention something or not. "I'm sorry."

"Harry put you up to this?" Hermione asked angrily. "Nice of him to meddle in my business too!"

"Hermione… please… I should never have said those things –"

"No you should not have. But you did. Now if you'll excuse me I'm on my way out," said Hermione, taking a step forward.

"I was jealous! Okay? I was jealous. I noticed the way he looked at you when we arrived at the restaurant and I just… I lost it. I'm so sorry. I know you two have this connection because of…" her voice trailed off. "I know it is stupid for me think like this, but sometimes I worry that there is something more between the two of you. You already have such a history and a connection and I just get scared sometimes that he will change his mind and decide that I'm not good enough and that he really wants you because you two just seem to get each other and –"

"You're rambling…" said Hermione. Suddenly she felt ashamed for hoping Harry would leave Ginny. She could feel the heavy weight of their decision to keep that night so long ago a secret, to move on like nothing ever happened. Despite trying to keep things secret, people were starting to suspect there was something more than friendship between them. By trying to protect the people they loved, the people who supported them and sacrificed so much for them, they were really hurting them more.

"I'm sorry. I never should have said those things," said Ginny. Tears were beginning to escape Ginny's eyes, despite her attempt to hold them back.

"Ginny… I'm sorry I overreacted. I never should have ran off like that," said Hermione, suddenly softening her disposition.

"No. No, I deserved every bit of it. I deserve a lot worse…" said Ginny, letting her voice trail off. "I know it shouldn't bother me, especially after all these years, but I just… I couldn't shake this feeling. Especially after Harry ran after you… I just can't help but wonder if I'm really what Harry wants or if he is just settling. Sometimes it feels like he isn't really looking at me, even though he is staring right at me – like he is thinking of someone else. I know this is all in my head but I just…my heart can't seem to be convinced that he truly only looks at you as a friend." Ginny was crying freely now. It felt so freeing to finally be expressing the feelings, fears, and suspicions she had been holding back for years. She stared at Hermione, hoping that she would make her fears go away.

"Ginny…" Hermione began. She knew she had to pick her words carefully. Her heart was stuck in her throat and she was trying not to panic.

"Just tell me it isn't true. Tell me I'm crazy for thinking such things. Please. Please Hermione… just… just tell me I'm wrong," said Ginny, desperately trying to retain her composure.

Hermione swallowed hard and took a deep breath.

"Ginny… there is nothing more than friendship between Harry and I," said Hermione in a shaky voice. Hermione suddenly felt backed into a corner. All she could do now was pray.

"But there was something at one time wasn't there?" Ginny looked into Hermione's eyes for answers and when Hermione's eyes dropped to the floor, she knew she had her answer. She only nodded before turning around and apparating.

Hermione closed her eyes and the tears flowed freely again down her face and into her hands. The lie was now out in the open. Ginny may not have known the full story, but it appears that she has always known there was something. With a wedding on the way, Ginny just needed to be sure… and now she was.

Ginny's entire body ached as she began packing her clothes into a suitcase. She was crying uncontrollably but still tried to stay focused on packing. She refused to allow Harry to see her like this… she wasn't sure if she could take it. She knew she should feel betrayed and angry… but she just felt so hurt. They had been hiding this from her for years. Did he really love her or was he just settling? It hurt so much to think that he would only pick her because he felt like he had to. It had been six years…

Then she heard the front door open and close. She knew he was home and it was only second before he would discover her.

"Ginny!" Harry called from the living room. "Where are you?" He followed the sound of her sobs into their bedroom and stopped in the doorway. "What's wrong?" his voice was soft. "Why are you packing?" His voice was full of fear and nervousness.

Ginny just shook her head for a long while, trying to stop her tears long enough to explain.

"I know," was all she could manage to get out.

"Know what? Ginny, please… what is going on?" Harry's eyes were now filling with tears and his face had become very pale.

"Her. You and Her." Ginny continued sobbing and sat on the bed to keep herself from falling. She couldn't say it. She knew she had to but she couldn't seem to muster up the words.

"What? What are you talking about?" said Harry, confused.

"Hermione…" Ginny just kept sobbing.

"What are you talking about? What about Hermione? Please Ginny… please just talk to me. Please just calm down so you can talk to me,"

"You've been hiding it for all these years," Ginny took in some shaky breaths as she tried to stabilize herself. "I saw Hermione. I know."

Harry held his breath. Why would Hermione say something? They promised.

"It was a long time ago Ginny. It only happened once. It was during the war and we were both scared and lonely and it just happened." He was speaking quickly now and feeling terrified.

Ginny suddenly stopped crying and looked up at him. Her breath was still shaky but she stared at him with a new intensity.

"What happened?" asked Ginny in a low voice. She had suspicions about the feelings between Harry and Hermione, but she had no idea they had actually acted on those feelings.

"We… we… slept together," finished Harry. He watched Ginny carefully for any sign as to her what she would do with this new knowledge.

Ginny's face stiffened and she started breathing heavily. She stared Harry in the eyes with an intensity that made him feel like he was three centimeters tall. After what felt like days, Ginny looked down at her suitcase, zipped it up, and put it on the floor.

"How dare you stay with me all of these years and ask me to marry you when I am merely the second choice. I thought you were a better man, Harry. After everything we've been through and the sacrifices I made, you didn't have the courage to just tell me things had changed? You're a disgrace to Gryffindor."

Without another word, Ginny walked out of the apartment, suitcase in hand, leaving Harry all by himself.

The next morning, Harry made himself a cup of tea and debated on whether or not to go to Hermione's house. He needed to understand why she mentioned anything to Ginny. Was she angry with me? Is she trying to get back at me? Did she break up with Ron? Does she hope we'll get back together? Why did she decide to suddenly break the silence?

He buried his head in his hands and rubbed his eyes. He felt lost.

Then a knock came at the front door. Harry stared at it and silently debated on whether or not to open it. Maybe Ginny had forgotten something. Or maybe her brothers were here to kill him. Then there was a second knock.

He finally decided to get up and he slowly made his way to the door. He slowly opened it.

"Hermione…?"