...

One of us knows the two of us don't

belong in each others company

It hurts so much inside,

your telling me goodbye, you wanna be free

And knowin' that you're gone and leavin' me behind

I gotta make you see,

I gotta make you see, I gotta make you see

I still love you, I still love you

I really, I really love you, I still love you

I Still Love You-Kiss

...

The next day found the entire Order at Sirius and Hermione's new home with old, broken down furniture from the Muggle dump. They spent all afternoon arranging it, to be transfigured into something much grander once it was in the proper positioning.

Hermione found herself in the parlour with Ron as her partner. They didn't say anything much at first, besides Ron's questions, asking where Hermione wished him to put the furniture. He'd become frustrated with magic and was pushing everything around by hand. Hermione's heart thudded hard in her chest every time he turned towards her, worried he might see somehow that she still loved him, or that she might accidentally come out with it at the sight of him.

"Is this good, 'Mione?"

A breath escaped her lips. He was still using his nickname for her.

"Hermione?"

Suddenly, Hermione found herself unable to speak. Her heart hurt and Her eyes stung and she knew just what would happen if she opened her mouth. So she pinched her lips together and shook her head and wouldn't answer.

"Hermione, are you alright?" Ron seemed very concerned. Just because he was with Lavender didn't mean he didn't still love her. Just not in the way Hermione felt about him. He came towards her, holding her elbows as she sunk to her knees.

She was still shaking her head as Ron came in close to look in her eyes. It was when she was trying to avoid his gaze that she burst into tears, trying to wipe each of the plenty away as soon as they came.

"Hermione, what's gotten into you?" Ron asked, trying to look at her face, but Hermione wouldn't allow it. She ducked her head and allowed the tears to drip onto her shirt.

He sighed. "Hermione?"

She couldn't help it. She threw her arms around his middle. Ron tentatively wrapped his arms around her back and patted awkwardly.

"I'm sorry, Ron," she said, pulling away so she could leave. "I shouldn't have done that. You love Lavender."

She ignored his calls to come back and ran to lock herself in the bathroom, where she sat, hoping she could be alone for a while.