Chapter 6

Our Thing

Harry smiled too, So much had happened in so little time that it seemed possible that smiles could even exist. Hermione was playing with a stone by her foot now; Harry was looking at her and knew that she was suffering just as much as Ron was. He understood now, she was scared that Ron would grow distant and everything would have to start over. He knew Ron and Hermione both very well, separate and as a pair. They were much stronger as a pair but, they bickered non-stop on matter how much they loved each other. Each held a grudge and each would find it hard to be the first to apologize. Like in third year, when Ron had thought Crookshanks eat Scabbers. Ron was never going to apologize for accusing Hermione wrongly. But that was their thing, it was annoying but them. As for him and Ginny, they didn't bicker, they teased each other but their thing was…was what? They could be together without actually being together. Did that even make sense? Yeah Ginny was always apart of him even, when he was about to die he thought of her. He knew she felt the same way.

Hermione was sitting there still playing with the stone. She seemed lost in thoughts.

"You haven't forgiven Ron have you?" Harry said noticing Hermione's look.

"Forgiven yes, forgotten not so much but, I love him, you know I love him. But we always fight, that is our thing I guess." Hermione said sadly.

"Do you know occlumency, Hermione?" Harry said feeling slightly naked at the thought that she could read his mind.

"No, why would you ask that?" Hermione said looking confused.

"Never mind." Harry said laughing and feeling relieved.

"So, what is up with you and Ginny?" Hermione said in a really girly way.

"You know the normal stuff. Well, not normal stuff for us but for other couples. She is dealing with Fred's death. She is doing well but, I can see it hurts. She was always so brave." Harry said dreamy.

"O, well you deserve it. It is really stupid of you to break up with her but, showed your love for her." Hermione explained happily.

They just sat there staring at the lake for a few minutes maybe less.

" 'Mione" a voice said in almost a whisper behind them.

Hermione and Harry looked around at the same time. Ron was standing there with his hands in his pocket. He looked straight at the ground obviously avoiding Hermione's eyes but, talking to her.

Hermione stood and started walking along the edge of the Black Lake.

Harry stood up and placed a hand on Ron's shoulder.

"Good luck man!" Harry said

"I am an idiot but, I guess me messing up is our thing." Ron said regretfully.

"Fighting is your thing but, it is what keeps you guys together." Harry said trying to comfort Ron.

Harry walked away and Ron started walking towards Hermione. She was standing on a rock looking out at the lake.

" 'Mione, please, I am sorry!" Ron said hurrying up his pace to get closer to her.

She hated when he called her 'Mione. It made her knees go weak. If memory served her right he was the only one who ever called her that. Gosh! Her name was Hermione. What was she thinking she loved when he called her that.

" 'Mione" Ron said shyly trying to find her eyes.

There he goes again.

"I have forgiven you. I understand." Hermione said truthfully.

However she was avoiding his eyes.

"O, great! thank you!" Ron said moving towards Hermione to embrace her.

She stepped back a little so he couldn't hold her. She did it a little playfully. However, it killed her to do so but, she was mad still. Her body was yearning for his arms around her.

"Doesn't mean I am talking to you." Hermione said turning around stubbornly.

"O, well you are talking to me now." Ron said scratching the back of his head nervously.

"Ron, I am serious you hurt me. You tell me you love me. Then you completely shut me out and yell at me." Hermione had turned around quickly.

Now staring Ron dead in his bight blue eyes, her own brown eyes were filling with tears.

" 'Mione" Ron moved quickly trying to put his arms around her.

At the same time Hermione turned around but, Ron's arms crawled around her waist and held her tightly. She felt all her muscles relax at his warmth.

"I never meant to hurt you. I just don't understand what is happening with me. I was so happy at the thought of being with you. But, now Fred is gone and my family is tore apart. I don't know what to do. You are always there then I push you away like the idiot I am. I need you and I love you." Ron said these incredible words while holding back tears.

Hermione felt a tear splash on her shoulder. She turned and buried her face in his chest.

"But if you need me why do you keep pushing me away?" Hermione said crying.

"I don't know. Well, because I can't be brave now. And what if I get even closer to you then somehow lose you. In Malfoy manor, I almost lost you and I felt like dying. What happens now if I lose you? I can't imagine that feeling. I think it would feel like a Demetor's kiss. Fred's death made me see that I could lose anyone so quickly." Ron said still holding tightly on to Hermione.

"I feel the exact same way but I am not going anywhere. Everything will only get better from here." Hermione was looking up into Ron's face.

She had a tight grip on his shirt.

Ron kissed Hermione like he never kissed her before. It was soft yet powerful, too short yet perfectly long.

They broke apart. Holding each others' gaze for awhile, the tears began to dry.

Hermione smiled up at him. She was thinking about their thing. Their thing was fights, the best thing about fights was making up.

"I am still not talking to you." Hermione said and quickly pushed Ron away.

She playfully ran to the spot where Harry and she had been talking. Ron was still standing looking confused. Then quickly he ran after her.

"O yes you are!" Ron said grabbing hold of her around the waist.

She felt the same way she did when he first kissed her.