Chapter 17

Hermione made her decision. She wanted to give Ron another shot. There was no question to it. He was just the one for her!

She grabbed a handful of floo power and floo'd over to his place. In her mind she was silently hoping that he wasn't with another girl and going to hurt her again. She was able to breathe a sigh of relief when she saw Ron sitting on his sofa reading the Daily Prophet.

"Hermione," he said sounding surprised. He smiled and got right up to take her into his arms, "I'm so glad you're here."

"Me too," said Hermione half-heartedly. She was still fairly wary of this entire situation.

Ron leaned in like he was about to kiss her. Right as he was about to reach her lips she turned her head and he kissed her on the cheek.

"So, I need to talk to you," she said as she jumped out of his arms.

"Sure," he said and they sat down on the couch.

"I want to give you a second chance, but I need to talk to you about some things first," she said.

Ron just nodded his head.

"Start at the beginning and tell me what happened," she said.

Ron looked at the floor.

"It's not really that important. The important thing is that I'm here now and we're together. I'm not letting you go this time," said Ron.

"No. It is important. Please tell me," said Hermione more firmly.

"It's nothing! I don't even really know what happened. I just had a bad day at work or something and decided to get drunk. Like I said it's not a big deal anymore," he said.

"Ron, it is! That doesn't make any sense!" she said.

"Why not?" asked Ron sounding frustrated.

"You got drunk once and then the rest is history? Where did Lavender come into the picture? Was there ever a time where you were sober and you knew exactly what you were doing but did it anyways? Explain it now or I'm leaving!" said Hermione in a loud voice.

"Lavender just came over one day. I was drunk, then she got drunk, and then I guess I looked at my life while completely drunk and made some stupid decisions. I wasn't happy," said Ron.

Hermione felt her heart clench.

"What do you mean not happy?" she asked.

"You just… I don't know. Like I said I was drunk," he said.

"No. Explain. Now. What about me?" asked Hermione.

"Hermione, you're taking this all the wrong way. It's in the past. The past doesn't matter anymore. You should just let it go, but it was you and your complete lack of effort I guess. I'm sorry. I was drunk. I love you," said Ron.

"Lack of effort?" she asked.

"Yeah, you know. You just don't look so … you've just changed," he said.

Hermione had given up now. He wasn't going to talk so why bother asking.

"And what about Lavender?" she asked.

"What about her?" he asked.

"Did you end things?" asked Hermione.

"I guess. I haven't seen her I'm sure she can figure it out that I'm not with her anymore," said Ron.

"You mean you haven't even told her?" asked Hermione.

"No. Why should I?" he asked.

"Ronald! You can't just do that to people!" said Hermione standing up and walking to the fireplace.

"Hermione, where are you going?" asked Ron, "You're being ridiculous."

"No you're being ridiculous! You can't treat people like that! I don't care if I'm not fond of Lavender or if they don't matter as much they still deserve to be treated like people. I can't believe he was right!" said Hermione.

"Who?" asked Ron getting angry, "Please don't be talking about the ferret."

"Don't call him that," said Hermione.

"He's brainwashed you! I can't believe you'd even turn to him in the first place! He's probably just using you for his own fame!" yelled Ron.

"He's not. He's ten times the man you will ever be," said Hermione harshly as she grabbed floo powder.

Ron grabbed her arm and whirled her around to face him.

"Why are you defending him?" asked Ron angrily.

"Ouch. Ron, you're hurting me," she said and tried to wiggle out of his grasp. But unfortunately he only held on tighter.

"I don't care. Don't ever defend him in my presence again. Is that clear?" asked Ron.

Hermione felt tears in her eyes. Who was this person? This still wasn't Ron. She couldn't believe herself. She was so foolish to come here. Draco was absolutely right.

"Ron. Let go of me," she said.

"No! You're mine! You're not going back to him!" he yelled.

Ron started dragging her away from the fireplace when it roared to life. Out stepped Harry and Ginny. Ginny gasped in surprise.

"Ron. Let her go," said Harry, "You don't want to hurt her. I know you."

"She's trying to leave me for the ferret!" yelled Ron.

"No she's not. Her and Draco aren't together. They're just friends. She wanted to be with you which is why she came here, but I see that you've blown it again," said Harry.

Ron looked at Hermione confused.

"You did?" he asked.

The tears were running down her cheeks.

"Yes. But you haven't really changed at all," she said through her tears.

Ron didn't let go. He only got angrier.

"He's Draco now to you too?" he asked with a loud, attacking voice.

Harry raised his wand to Ron.

"Don't make me, mate you know I will," he said.

Ron let go and Hermione rushed to the fireplace. She yelled out her apartment and floo'd away.

"You need help," said Harry.

"No. You three do. Get out," he said and turned to walk away.

Ohh Ronald...

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