First off I am so sorry for taking soooo long to update…let me lead my case to ya first, my grandfather is doing really bad and family always comes first in my life, so lease just bear with me guys!

Chapter 14

Ron had walked around the block at least 7 times before he lost count. Going home to talk to Hermione terrified him. He could just imagine that she was still pissed at him. He was feeling a host of emotions but the dominate one that overrode all others was an anguish deep within him at what he had done to Hermione. He loved her, he truly did.

The night air was warm against his cheeks as he turned and headed towards their house. When he reached the walkway that lead to the house he had to pause to get himself under control. He could feel his anxiety mounting with each step he mounted u towards the door…given it was only 4 steps but to him it felt like climbing a mountain.

He gulped and opened the door and stepped inside.

Hermione's POV

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She was lounging on the couch waiting for Ronald to return home to have this chat that Harry had told her about. She could only imagine what it was about.

She turned her head when she heard the click of the front door and saw Ron walk into the living room.

She placed her book on the coffee table and looked at him. He looked kinda queasy. She could tell he was nervous so she gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile and patted the space beside her.

"You look like you have some things to say, sit down Ron I won't bite."

She watched a light blush creep across his face as he sat down.

He turned and looked at her. "Her-Her –mione," he stammered. He gulped and started over.

"I need to talk to you Hermione. I know that I have been treating you horribly lately."

"Well I am glad that you realize that Ron, but surely you didn't tell harry you wanted to have a talk with me just to apologize for our fight."

Ron held his hand up. "Please Hermione let me finish" he said gently. "Like I said, I have treated you horribly and I realize this. I know that you aren't happy. I know a lot of things now. I don't know if I had known all along and just kidded myself to believe otherwise. I love you truly Hermione. I love you but I know that you do not love me the same way. I have just kept myself in the dark so I wouldn't have to face reality. I know that you love him and have ever since we were in school. I have loved you since then also. And because I love you so much I am willing to see that you need to be with him."

Hermione gasped, but Ron continued as if he never heard her. "I have noticed, whether or not you believe it, that since you have talked to him you have been the Hermione I fell in love with in school. He brings out your goodness and inner glow in a way that I never could and only wish I had been able to."

He looked at her then and saw her crying. Her eyes pleaded with him to understand. He went on, "I remember our wedding when he took you out on the floor and danced with you to that song he had written for you. I wish you could have heard what people around me were saying. They said you two looked like the newly wed couple. I think I knew then that while I may have married you, I never truly had you. You belonged to him and still do."

He looked at her. "Did you ever love me 'Mione?" he asked sadly.

"Ron, I loved you like that in school in the beginning but you never saw me like that. I love you still but not like that..i'm so sorry please don't hate me," she cried.

He stood and gently pulled her to her feet and took ahold of her hands and looked into her eyes.

"I don't hate you Hermione, I never could. I want you happy and he is what makes you happy. Go to him." He kissed her lightly on the forehead. "He is one lucky man," he whispered to her then left their house for the last time.

She collapsed onto the couch and sobbed. She fell asleep and the last words she whispered before sleep took her were "I could have him, but he thinks I hate him. Ron gave me all that I have wanted to have and I had ruined it. Ron's last gift to me was for me to get Draco back and I screwed it up…"