a/n I am SOOOOOO sorry that it took this long to update. My computer crashed right after my wedding and I cannot begin to detail the drama that distracted me then. Let's just say fanfic writers couldn't make that crap up. But here I am again, ready to pick up my keyboard and finish this story. I'm so sorry I let you guys down. I solemnly swear that I will finish this story!

"Long enough for what exactly?" Hermione responded slowly, her heart pounding in her chest. Every beat seemed to scream the same thing. Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!

"You mean besides overhear Malfoy's declarations of love? Long enough to know that you're well enough to leave the cabin all day long. Why is it that you're well enough to go for walks with that smarmy git, but you aren't well enough to leave? Or even write? It couldn't possibly strain your bloody legs if you picked up a damn quill every now and again would it?" Ron exploded, his ears turning a dark shade of red.

Hermione felt tears welling up behind her eyes as she stared at the floor. She knew that she deserved the abuse. There was no way around it. She was a horrible person, no better than a common tart. And she didn't deserve Ron's forgiveness. Not when she had so willingly tucked him into the back of her mind and not allowed herself to think of him for weeks. Her head was beginning to spin and she could feel her legs growing weak. She moved slowly and sat on the bed, never once raising her head to look at Ron. She could not bear to see the pain that she knew would be written on his face.

"Ron," she started hesitantly, searching for the words she needed to make him understand, even if she herself did not understand.

"No!" He yelled, his voice beginning to choke up with emotion. "You don't get to say anything. I've been tormented by the idea of you being stuck here with Malfoy, and grateful beyond measure that you were safe! Every moment I was thinking of you! And this wanker has been putting the moves on you while I have been risking my neck helping Harry and worrying about getting back to you. Why didn't you say anything when he told you loved you Hermione? Why didn't you curse him into dust?"

Ron's voice stopped as he began crying, trying desperately to hide it, but being so overwhelmed with emotion that it just wasn't possible. He had never felt so broken before in his life. Every tear, every sob that tore from his chest was as a nail into Hermione's heart. She could not bear that she had done this to hi, and Ron didn't even know the worst part! He didn't know how she felt about Draco. She didn't even know how she felt about Draco. But she had kissed him passionately. She had given the man hope that there might one day be more between the two of them.

"Because it's not the first time he's said it Ronald," she said softly, looking back down at her hands. "He told me weeks ago. And no, I didn't curse him. He's not a bad person Ron. I think Dumbledore is right, he's changed. I have to believe that. I'm so sorry I didn't write…I should have, and it's been eating at me that I haven't. I'm just, I've been so confused…"

"Confused about what?" he asked, looking at her, fear showing in his eyes. "What is there to be confused about Hermione? You aren't saying that you love him in return are you? Please don't tell me that. What are you confused about?" Ron closed his eyes, bracing himself to hear the worst.

"Yeah Granger," said Draco quietly from the doorway, his blue eyes glinting as he stared at Hermione, wanting desperately to hear what she had to say. "What is it exactly that you are confused about? You didn't seem all that confused when you were kissing me earlier? Matter of fact, it seemed like you knew exactly what you were doing."

"You son of a bitch!" Ron exclaimed as he leapt from the chair, drawing his wand and pushing it against Draco's throat. His voice hitched as his breathing quickened. "I ought to kill you. What gives you the right-"

"Ron, don't!" Hermione screamed, standing and moving slowly to where Ron had Draco pinned against the wall. "Don't you hurt him!"

Ron turned and stared at Hermione, pain written all over his face. "Is it true Hermione? Did you really kiss him?"

Hermione nodded softly, tears sliding down her cheeks and dripping onto the floor. "I'm so sorry Ron," she cried. "I never meant for any of this to happen."

"Do you love him?" Ron asked, his voice strained. Draco looked at Hermione too, waiting expectantly for an answer and trying to ignore the wand jammed in his throat.

"I don't know," she whispered, crying harder. "I don't' know how I feel anymore. It's just, it's confusing." Her eyes pleaded with Ron to understand, while Draco's lit up. He knew she felt something. She had to. Or if she didn't, she had been well on her way to it. He was almost there. If he could just get rid of the Weasel, he stood a chance.

"Do you love me?" Ron whispered, his face gone white.

"Yes," Hermione nodded.

"But are you in love with me?" Ron had never been more afraid of anything than he was of the answer she would give.

Hermione shook her head softly. "I don't know anymore Ron."

Ron tightened his lips and appeared to be deep in thought, finally releasing Draco and moving to the chair again. Draco gasped, inhaling fresh air deeply and sliding down the frame of the door, slightly dizzy from the loss of air floor. Hermione moved slowly until she stood before Ron, and then kneeled in front of him, holding his hands in her own and waiting for him to say something. Anything. Her mind tortured her with guilt seeing Ron in such obvious pain, and knowing she was the cause of it

Finally Ron lifted his head and looked at her with cold, dead eyes. "We have to leave."

"Do you have to go now Ron? Please, I think we need to sort this thing out before you go-"

"I think you misunderstand me Hermione," Ron said coolly. "We have to leave. You and I. I'm not leaving you here with him. You're well enough to walk for short periods now. If you ever want to repair the damage that you have done, you need to leave with me."

"Hermione no!" Draco objected. "You aren't ready to leave yet! And, and I don't want you to leave. Please. Just give me a chance…"

Hermione cried softly, trying to decide what she would do. What was she going to do? She wasn't sure she was well enough to leave yet, but she knew that if she stayed, it was over between her and Ron.

BTW, I am such a review whore. Please review!!