Chapter 9

They walked along the dimly lit street in relative silence, neither in a rush to arrive at their destination.

Although it was a warm July evening, Hermione shivered against a light breeze that whispered across her collarbone. Ron glanced down to find her clutching her shawl to her chest. Instinctively, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and gave her arm a light rub. As she slid her arm subtly around his waist, she leaned her head into his chest and relished the feel of his jumper against her cheek.

With each step that she took, Hermione realized she was effectively screwing up her chance to finally set things straight with Ron. She knew she should act now while they were alone together, but found the prospect truly terrifying.

How would he react once he knew she'd been lying to him about Roberto? Would he be angry with her?

'What? Am I stupid?' Sse silently berated herself. 'Of course he's going to be hacked off. This is Ron Weasley, isn't it?'

She glanced up to find he had a pensive look on his face.

"Ron?"

He glanced down at her briefly but returned his eyes forward and tightened his hold around her.

"Yeah?"

"Parvati." She stated blatantly.

He sighed deeply, and closed his eyes for a moment. Refocusing his eye line to the ground, he nodded slightly.

"She really is a wonderful person you know. She could make me laugh so hard sometimes, and she wouldn't even know that half of what she was saying was even funny. She was just so honest… and blunt."

He chuckled a little at some obscure memory, and Hermione felt a deep, painful twist in her gut.

"The first few months were great. I had been… depressed, and she was just so laid back and friendly and… and didn't care about the past."

He cleared his throat sharply, but kept his eyes firmly up and away from her.

"We'd just spend time together."

He took a moment to let the realization that he was actually voicing these thoughts to Hermione sink in.

"I don't know why I was so surprised when she wanted more. I just was. I remember thinking 'What the hell is the rush?' But then it hit me. We'd been together for a full six months. Of course she wanted more… and so should I by all accounts."

He glanced down to find Hermione fully ensnared in his narrative, but he just couldn't hold her gaze.

Averting his eyes, he continued. "I tried… I really did, but I could never get passed the feeling that something was missing… something in me. She loved me so much and so well, she never hid the fact, and it killed me that I just couldn't find it within myself to do the same… to return the feelings.

I loved her. I did. There was just one problem… She wasn't you."

His breath was coming in harsh and ragged bursts as he frantically tried to keep the rising swell of emotion at bay.

Hermione was deeply shaken by his admission. Never had she felt so close to losing everything that had meant anything to her in her entire life.

She stopped forcing him to come about to face her. The glistening in his eyes as he avoided her gaze spoke volumes.

She took his large, rough hands in hers drawing his attention down to her.

"Ron… Roberto and I… we… we're…" She inhaled deeply searching for the courage to continue when he took a sharp intake of breath and pulled his hands away.

"Looks like we're here." He announced tightly taking a few short paces away from her.

"Ron?" She called softly completely confused by his withdrawal.

"Let's go in. I'd sell my mother for a Firewhiskey right now." He chuckled, desperately trying to convey humour when his eyes held none.

"Ron, I…"

He jammed his hands into his pockets, and swallowed hard looking at the roadside.

"'Mione, we're already late. Let's just go in."

With that, he turned quickly and headed into the club. For the life of her, Hermione couldn't fathom why he'd just changed so drastically when she was so close to telling him the truth.

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"It was the strangest thing, Berti. He just finished telling me about his time with Parvati, I was on the verge of spilling everything, and… and he made a break for it."

Roberto stared at her blankly. "What?"

"He even went as far as saying that he couldn't be with her because she wasn't me."

"Really?" He gaped at her. "And then he just bolted?"

"Yes. What do you make of that?"

"What did you say to him exactly? Were you scary? You know you can be scary sometimes."

"No, I wasn't scary." She scolded him teasingly. "I really didn't get much out except our names."

"Huh… He really is an odd egg, isn't he? You have to keep trying though."

"I know. I know."

A silence descended upon them while both were consumed with their own thoughts. One had a question while the other was looking for answers.

"Listen Bella," Roberto finally managed, "would it be all right if I disappeared for a few hours? You see, there's this boy and I really want to get to know him a little better, and it's so loud in here, and…"

"What? You're ditching me for some bloke you just met?" She slapped his arm lightly.

"This one is different." He pleaded.

"Sure he is. I'm guessing he's not hotter than hot."

"Well yes, in fact he is." Hermione harrumphed loudly, but he continued. "But he's also quite smart, and warm, and funny."

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest, and eyed him suspiciously. Then something struck her.

"Do I know him?"

Roberto cast his eyes about anxiously. "Maybe. He was a part of the Stag and Doe party."

"Berti! You didn't…"

"I had to tell him. I couldn't risk him thinking I was straight. He's one of those one in a million types, Bella. He won't say anything, I promise. And besides, this thing with Ron should be all cleared up by the end of the night, right? Maybe it would be better if I wasn't around anyway." He leered at her suggestively, and began to waggle his eyebrows.

"Oh, stop it. You're just saying that because you think it's going to further your cause."

"Will it?" He asked hopefully.

"Where is this Adonis who's stolen my Berti's heart anyway?" She said scoping the club for a sign of the mystery man, the curiosity that she may actually know this chap getting the better of her.

"I told him to meet me in the front foyer."

Roberto clasped his hands and bounced slightly in anticipation as he watched her keenly.

Hermione rolled her eyes dramatically. "If this bloke is special enough to abandon your best girlfriend in her time of need then you'd better go for it I suppose."

"You really are a goddess, you know that." He said pecking her cheek quickly.

"Get out of here before I change my mind, you little hussy."

Giving her a sassy grin and a wink, he playfully slapped her behind and headed for the door.

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Ron sat brooding at the bar. He hated this night, he detested this club, and he absolutely abhorred the flirty people who danced around him.

Hermione had tried several times over the past few hours to talk to him. Once, she'd even asked him to go outside with her to get some fresh air, but he'd made some lame excuse about just getting a fresh drink and not wanting to leave it. The look of utter despondency on her face was almost his undoing.

All he had to think about though was what she was going to tell him, and his resolve to avoid the pending conversation came back in spades. He was fairly certain he knew what she wanted to say, and he had absolutely no desire to hear it. So as a result, he'd spent much of the night on a bar stool glaring at anyone who tried to be happy around him.

Covertly, he'd been watching her out on the dance floor all night. Earlier on, when she'd been dancing with the greasy git, Ron felt himself on the verge of lashing out, but the prat had been strangely absent for at least two hours now.

Ron was just about to steal another glance at her when he felt a heavy hand slap his back. Turning, he found Harry, slightly inebriated, smiling smugly down at him.

"Hey mate. You've been doing a fantastic job of holding down this bar tonight. Why not take a break and go for a spin?" Harry said referring to the dance floor.

"You know I don't dance." Ron muttered in response.

"Well, you should. It would make you feel loads better."

"Is there a point to this, Harry?"

"Actually, there is. I need you to go out there and rescue Hermione. She's had quite a bit to drink tonight because some silly prat wouldn't talk to her."

Ron slouched further in his seat as Harry gave him a pointed look before continuing. "Gin and the girls were out there with her but they're all spent now. She's pretty much by herself, and I've noticed at least four complete berks floating around her looking for some action."

Ron stiffened at the thought of Hermione getting groped by some strange wanker.

"Where's her boyfriend?" He growled into his drink as he raised the glass to his lips.

"Funny that, haven't seen him for ages. Please Ron. Even if it's just to get her to leave the dance floor."

"Fine, fine." Ron finally conceded.

He pushed himself up off the stool, and downed the rest of his drink. He glowered at Harry darkly who, in turn, gave him a toothy grin and another slap on the back.

"Good man." Harry offered proudly before stumbling off in search of a snog with a certain redhead.

Ron just shook his head and slowly started making his way toward the dance floor. Though it was late, the bar was still packed, and he initially had some trouble finding her through the throngs of clubbers.

Once he spotted her though, he felt his chest tighten painfully with barely controlled rage. Harry was right, there were at least four vultures circling her like she was a fresh kill or something.

He came up and stood directly behind her glaring each one down. One bloke tried to get in his face, but something about the muscle twitching fiercely in Ron's clenched jaw, and the menacing gleam in his eyes scared the poor bugger off.

Hermione chose this moment to turn around and find Ron's intimidating 6'4" frame looming over her.

"Ronald!" She squealed happily as she launched herself clumsily at him, throwing her arms about his neck.

He reluctantly unlatched her arms, and moved her away slightly.

"What are you doing here?" She asked clutching at his shirtfront for balance.

"Well, I thought I'd give this whole dancing thing a go. That is, if you don't make fun of me for how bad I am." He shouted over the music.

"I would never make fun of anything that brought you this close to me."

He blanched and then flushed at her bold statement "Hermione."

She started to dance again, and leered at him playfully through her lashes. He couldn't be certain, but it felt like she was dancing just for him. He felt himself grow unbelievably hot, and his head began to swim.

He reached out and placed his right hand on her waist and felt himself begin to move in time with her rolling, provocative movements. Without thinking, she took a small step forward, and placed her hands on his forearms.

His bangs fell forward concealing his eyes a little, and his hand slid further to the small of her back. She moaned lightly, but the sound was swallowed up by the hard, steady rhythm of the music.

They carefully avoided making eye contact as they gravitated closer and closer together. She raised her arms up in the air, and tangled her hands into her wild mane. His other hand found it's way to her hip, and he slowly stroked up and down her sides before sliding his hands to her lower back and effectively pulling her closer.

Unfortunately, their proverbial and literal seductive dance could not go on forever. As the hard beat faded and the song ended, Ron dropped his hands from her waist and shyly took a step back.

Both panting heavily, they watched each other with a carnal need. Ron looked away first overwhelmed by the potency of the attraction. He placed his left hand on his hip and ran his right through his hair.

Suddenly, the strains of a soft, slow song filled the air. Ron eyed her nervously wanting more than anything to fold her in his arms but was too uncertain about where they stood.

Without a second thought, Hermione stepped forward and laced her arms around Ron's midriff. Resting her head happily just below the crook of his neck, she closed her eyes and nuzzled him affectionately.

Momentarily taken aback, Ron just stared down at the top of her head. He regained himself quickly though, and wrapped one arm around her shoulder while placing the other hand at the nape of her neck. He leaned forward, and pressed a gentle kiss to the crown of her head.

Ron afforded himself the small indulgence of savouring the moment. He normally didn't like to dance, but this was heaven. Holding Hermione this close with her arms wrapped tightly around him could not be considered anything other than the perfect way to spend an evening.

After a few long moments of slow swaying, Hermione suddenly placed her chin on Ron's chest and looked up at his upturned face.

"You know Ronald, there's something very important that I need to talk to you about. A secret if you will…"

Ron flinched at her words, but looked down into her loving face mere inches away, and dropped his hand from her neck to her back.

"But, you know… for the life of me, I cannot remember what it is." She started to giggle hysterically.

Ron smiled a goofy grin in response to her obvious drunkenness. "Really 'Mione? Wonder why that would be?"

She pulled away slightly to regard him coyly. "I know why," she purred then bit her bottom lip seductively.

Her lustful expression caused an electric thrill to shoot through him, which landed squarely in his chest.

She tried to point a listing finger at him, and said. "You… are very distracting."

"Me?" He choked out.

"Oh, don't act like you don't know how absolutely shaggable you are. You're not fooling anyone."

"'Mione, please." He looked around, slightly embarrassed, to make sure no one they knew was within earshot.

She lightly dragged her teeth across her bottom lip. "Are you begging?"

His eyes snapped to meet hers, she licked her lips, and he whimpered slightly at the sight.

"'Mione, you're killing me here."

"Ron, I think I remember my secret." She whispered playfully.

She motioned him closer with the curl of her index finger, and he leaned forward placing his ear next to her mouth.

His sheer presence hit her like a wave. Hermione stood staring at his strong profile. He was so close now she could lean in and lick him if she wanted. This maddening proximity was too much for her senses.

She reached up and cupped his jaw. Before he could react, she tilted his face toward her, and pressed her lips hungrily against his.

Completely taken off guard Ron was slow to react, but the feel of her lips gently moving over his erased any will in him to fight.

She slowly slipped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his long arms around her tiny frame and pulled her flush against him.

He reached up burying his right hand in her mess of curls, and angled her head so that he could deepen the kiss.

Although the encounter started out as a feral exploration, an inexplicable shift in the energy of the connection changed the entire meaning of the moment.

The depth of that languid, sensual kiss held so much more than merely physical pleasure. In it, they found remorse and forgiveness, acceptance and devotion, passion and serenity.

This was the kiss that would have kept her from leaving. The kiss that would have reassured him that he was the single most important part of her life. The kiss that had they moved passed their initial anger would have ensured years of happiness.

He pulled away slightly breathless from the unexpected intensity and pressed his forehead against hers.

"'Mione I… I love…"

Suddenly, someone grabbed his arm and roughly yanked him away. Both hazy and slightly confused, Ron and Hermione faced an incensed Harry.

"What the hell were you two doing?"

Ron, still a little lost in the heat of the previous moment, shook his head, and shrugged his shoulders.

"You were standing here in the centre of the dance floor snogging each others brains out. Ron, I asked you to come out here to protect her from the horny berks, not become one of them. Hermione, what if Roberto saw? Don't you think he might be a little upset?"

Hermione started to laugh uncontrollably. Her peculiar behaviour woke Ron fully from his own daze.

"What's so funny?" Ron growled.

Hermione waved her hands desperately in front of her to pull in enough air through the giggling fit. Harry and Ron looked to each other then back to her completely bewildered by her response.

"Why in the world would Roberto be upset?" She gasped, her laughter finally subsiding.

"Because he's your boyfriend, 'Mione." Ron responded perturbed by her flippant attitude.

Hermione's brow scrunched up in confusion. "Roberto? But he's… he's…"

"Right here." Came a voice from behind them.

They all spun around to take in the new arrival.

"Berti!" Hermione squealed as she threw her arms around his neck giving him a fierce hug.

Looking like he was going to be sick from the sight, Ron wheeled around and angrily stalked off toward the bar followed closely by Harry.

Roberto pulled her arms from around his neck, and held her away from him.

"Oh Roberto, you'd be so proud. I almost told him, but his lips sidetracked me. And then… then I think he was about to say he loved me." She squealed again jumping up and down excitedly.

"Bella, you can't tell him when you're like this," he said giving her a concerned once over.

"Like what?" She tripped to the side, slightly going over on her heel.

"Hammered sweetie."

She threw an overly exaggerated dismissive wave at him, and blew a raspberry. "Oh, please. I'm not hammered."

"Yes, you are. You shouldn't tell him until you're sober."

"But I want to." She pouted, and punched her little fists downward in a mini temper tantrum.

"Bella, you cannot tell the love of your life that you've been pretending to be with another man who just happens to be gay just to make him jealous when you're three sheets to the wind. You don't know how he's going to react to the news. He may be happy but from everything I've seen over the past week and a half, I seriously doubt it. You have to have a clear head when you talk to him to be able to handle everything he throws back at you. Trust me on this one. Being drunk off your culo is not a good idea. You don't want to say anything you might later regret… Come on."

He grabbed her hand, and started to walk from the dance floor. Hermione, however, remained unmoving.

"Where are we going?" She asked like a four year old.

"Back to the Burrow." He sighed.

"Why?"

"Because you're drunk."

"What about Ron?"

"You'll talk to him later. I promise."

"What about your new boy?"

Roberto cast his eyes about nervously. "I'll catch up with him later."

"Really?" She smiled a huge Cheshire cat grin, and waggled her eyebrows.

Rolling his eyes, he turned and led her staggering to the bar where Harry was trying to calm an extremely irate Ron.

"Gentlemen, I'm taking her back to the Burrow." Roberto announced.

Ron huffed and turned his back on them. Hermione began to list to the side, but Roberto wrapped his arm around her shoulder to steady her.

"She is too drunk to even hold herself up Harry. We're going back now, and I'm going to give her a Pepper Up potion. Now Ron… Ron… Look at me!"

Ron spun around and glared at the man holding Hermione tightly to his side.

"When you come back, you need to sit down with her and talk. There is something very, very important she needs to tell you."

"Might this be the big secret she mentioned?" Ron supplied darkly.

"Hopefully."

"Well, you obviously know what it is. Why can't you just tell me?"

He looked at Ron with a certain amount of pity, and responded. "It's not my place."

In that moment, something indescribable swept over Ron's face, and he looked down, growing disturbingly quiet.

"We'll see you back at the house." Harry offered.

With a quick nod, Roberto dragged a now drowsy Hermione off to the coat check.

Growing concerned by the look of hopeless despair marring Ron's features, Harry asked. "What mate? What is it?"

Ron seemed to deflate completely. "She's going to tell me they're getting married."

"She is??? Wait, you don't know that." Harry argued.

"Not for sure, but she's been trying to talk to me all night about her and Roberto. And you saw how she practically tackled him on the dance floor when he showed back up. Even the greasy git wants me to sit down and talk to her. That all but confirms it. What else could it be, Harry?"

"I don't know," he offered weakly after a moment's hesitation.

With that, Ron turned viciously to the bar and called out. "Another round of Firewhiskeys please, and thank you!"