Author's note: Hello! It feels great to write a new chapter. I didn't quite know how to finish this chapter, but I was sitting in my Technical Writing class and got randomly inspired. I wrote 7 pages by hand and started working on the 11th chapter as well. See, I do love you guys. On with the chapter!

Disclaimer: JKR owns these characters and my life.

Chapter ten:

No, we're not ready for hell

Hermione got up from her desk, glad that the day was over. She usually enjoyed her work, but not today, mainly because Jordan reared her ugly head. Hermione walked to the lift and waited for it to reach her floor. Moments later, it clattered to a halt in front of her. She got in and leaned her back on the wall.

Hermione was caught up in her own head more so than paying attention to her surroundings. The lift stopped on the next floor and someone got in.

"Granger," the man said.

Hermione got out of her of thoughts and looked at the person who was addressing her. She lifted her eyes to him and spoke, "Malfoy".

He smirked at her. "I see things haven't change and I thought were becoming friends last night."

"We were never friends, Draco," Hermione said staring at the wall.

"That hurts, Hermione, it does," he said holding a hand over his heart.

"Well, it shouldn't matter anyways."

"Honestly, we're not in school anymore, therefore our house differences have put us on strain. We could have possibly been friends, you know," Draco said looking at her.

"It wasn't just house differences, but also choices you've made that put us at a 'strain'. I don't quite know if we would have been friends."

"I know, I know. I've been a terrible person and frankly, I don't want to be remembered that way. What do you say we start over?" He said holding out his hand.

Hermione stared at it and looked up into his gray eyes.

"What's the catch?" She asked.

"No catch. I just feel we got off on a bad foot and I would like to be proper friends. I know Pot–Harry wouldn't approve, but you live your own life. Just think about it and let me know, okay?" With that the lift doors open and he embarked into the crowded atrium.

Hermione looked after him. She slowly got out of the lift and walked in the crowd. To start over with Draco, or not to? That was certainly the question as she flooed home.

Ron got home quick as ever hoping that Jordan wouldn't dare follow him. He walked into the kitchen and discovered his mother starting dinner.

"Hey mum," he said sitting down at the table.

"Hello Ron dear. How was work?" She asked sitting down as well.

"It was all right," he said indifferently.

"What's wrong Ron? And don't lie to me, you know you cannot possibly lie to me," she said looking at him sternly.

"Well, I don't know if you met that Jordan girl that was here for Harry and Ginny's wedding," Ron started, "but she's completely mad!"

"That's not nice Ron, why do you think she's mad?" Molly asked.

"Well, one she was trashed last night and kissed me in front of Hermione. I didn't want to kiss her, mum, so I gently pushed her away from me and yelled at her for it. And today, she was telling me lies about Hermione in the lift," Ron said playing with his hair.

"Oh, my. Well, let's hope she stays away. So, how are you and Hermione?"

"I don't really know, I'm confused."

"About what, exactly?"

"Well, I'm in love with her and it seems as if she's been running away from me lately. I got cold feet when she told me she cared about me. I know it was a big mistake and I completely apologized for it. But now, it seems as if it's becoming harder and harder to simply be with each other how we wanted to. It just seems something goes completely wrong when something has gone right. It's a never-ending cycle," he said exasperated.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Ronald. There's always good and bad when it comes to any kind of relationship. What is your gut telling you to do?" Molly asked getting up to tend to the boiling pot.

"Honestly, mum, it's telling me to give up. I love this girl and she hurt me, bad. She went on a date and snogged Viktor bloody Krum," Ron said sounding defeated.

"I love Hermione as a second daughter and I've been secretly hoping for the two of you to be together, but maybe you both should take a break from one another until you both get your heads on straight," Molly said looking at her youngest son.

"Maybe you're right. If it's meant to be, it certainly will be. Thanks, mum. You know, you give good advice," he said getting up to hug her.

"Mother knows best," she said hugging Ron back.

Just as they pulled apart, a familiar owl flew in through the window. Ron walked over to the gray owl and took the letter from it. He gave it a treat and the owl flew away with a hoot.

Ron opened the letter and read it quickly.

Ron~

We need to talk. Let me know when, where, etc. I'm sorry that I haven't gotten back to you sooner. I needed to clear my head. Hope to hear from you soon.

-Hermione

Ron sighed. I guess today's the day. He hastily wrote her back and told her to come to the Burrow tonight for dinner and then they'll talk afterwards.

Hermione paced her living room. She hoped Ron wasn't too sore with her for not replying sooner. She was ready to speak to him about everything; their situation, relationship, their possible future, their faults and of course Viktor and Jordan.

Moments later, she sees a great brown owl, the size of two crows, perched on her windowsill. She opened the window and took the letter. The owl simply flew away after.

The letter was from Ron. She quickly opened it and feared the worst, but was pleasantly surprised by his response. She was glad he was giving her the chance to talk things out.

She quickly went upstairs, changed out of her work robes and put on something more comfortable. She grabbed a pair of jeans, a nice shirt and simple sandals. She washed her face and put on a fresh layer of makeup. She surveyed herself in the mirror and headed out the door.

Harry and Ginny lounged around their rented cabin. It had been a wonderful time thus far on their honeymoon. That had literally toured everything they could, but today they planned to be lazy.

"Gin?" Harry said as he idly rubbed her back.

"Hm?" She answered back.

"Are you happy?" He asked softly.

She opened her brown eyes and stared into his green ones.

"Harry James Potter, that is a ridiculous question to ask! I'm beyond happy. I never knew I could feel this happy, this complete! My very cells, bones and skin feels like it's on fire. You've shown me more emotion than I ever knew I possessed. You have literally brought out the best in me and I love you more than you could possibly imagine. So, yes, I'm extremely happy," she said smiling at him.

Harry didn't say anything; he simply just kissed her with more passion than he ever had before. Ginny felt all of the unsaid things in that very kiss. She felt things that he couldn't possibly tell her in any language, but it was translated in that very kiss. In the moment, everything was perfect, two souls becoming one.

Ron paced the living room. He felt two things in that moment, one, he wished Hermione wouldn't come because he didn't want to see the look upon her face when he explained the situation they were to face. And two, he hoped she showed up. He hoped she didn't hate him. He stopped his pacing when he heard a knock on the door. Ron's heart leaped into his throat. This was it.

He opened the door and saw Hermione standing there chewing her delicate bottom lip. She smiled a small smile at him.

"Hullo, Hermione," he said letting her into the house.

"Hello, Ron," she said quietly, "where's your parents?"

"Oh, mum and dad went out. It's really weird seeing them leave, but they don't have to take care of us anymore," he said walking into the kitchen.

"I find it…romantic," Hermione said sitting down at the table.

"Yeah, in a way," Ron said putting food onto their plates and levitating it over to the table.

"This looks great, you couldn't have made this," Hermione said jokingly.

"Very funny, but you're right. I didn't make this," he said giving her a small smile.

The chit chat over dinner was very light and humorous. They seemed to be enjoying one another's company. Dinner was over and Hermione volunteered to clean up. Ron helped her regardless of what she said.

Ron decided they should have their talk outside. He conjured a blanket for them to sit on whilst they talked. Hermione lay down on her back and Ron followed suit.

"The stars are quite beautiful, aren't they?" Hermione asked Ron.

"Mmm, very," he said from beside her.

They were quiet for awhile. Ron fidgeted and broke the silence.

"Hermione, about the other night…I didn't want Jordan to snog me. She was terribly drunk and I quickly pushed her away from me. I don't, nor did I, want her. Plus, she's bloody mad. This girl practically tried to get me to believe you never wanted to speak to me again," Ron said.

"That's really funny because she tried the same with me. I mean, that night I really had no right to be mad. I did snog Viktor, after all, but I still couldn't stand seeing someone else kiss you," she said glancing at him.

Ron was quiet for a few seconds.

"I know what you mean, but I think we should take a little break from one another. It seems when one of us starts to feel amazing around the other again, something bad happens. I know there's always going to be high and low points in every relationship. I just feel that we both should get our shit together before we try to fully be together," he said still not looking at her. Coward.

Hermione didn't say anything for several minutes. After a lengthy pause, she responded.

"You're right. You are, but of course I don't want to agree or do this. I just want to start anew and be together now like we always thought, but not pursuing each other until we're both in a better state to do so will be like starting anew. How could we know what's the right time?" She asked tearing up.

"I don't know, but I just have a feeling that we will know the right time," he said finally looking over at her, "I don't want to do this anymore than you do, but I know it'll help us in the long run."

She wiped her tears away and smiled.

"I really do love you, Ron. I promise this won't be the end of us, especially before we even got to begin."

"I love you, too, Hermione. I know it won't be the end," he said smiling at her.

Hermione got up feeling light headed. She almost a lot of stresses melt away. She felt as if this talk was better than she originally thought. As much as she didn't want to take a break from Ron, she knew it would help them in the long run. Ron stood up as well. Hermione walked towards him slowly. She was only a few inches away from him. Ron stared into her eyes. Hermione stared back into his and suddenly hugged him tight. She kissed him on the cheek. Ron hugged her tightly back.

"Thank you for not hating me," she whispered in his ear.

"I could never hate you," he whispered back.

She slowly pulled away from their embrace and gave him a watery smile. Ron smiled back. Hermione said goodbye and apparated home.

Ron felt alone for the first time in years.

A/N: Harry and Ginny had a cute moment. I felt it was good to put in to break up the whole Hermione/Ron stuff. And what do you think about Draco wanting to be…friends? Odd, I know. Hermione and Ron finally said they loved each other. Another adorable moment. All right, well, I'm going to start chapter 11. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Reviews are like sunshine in my veins.