Ron went down stairs it was five am and he was still slightly drunk he knew he needed some coffee before heading home. As he walked to the kitchen he spotted Hermione asleep on the couch, though he had still been angry with her he couldn't help but look at her in awe. Her once tamed curls were now a frizzy mess under her head, her hand dangling off the couch a position she always seemed to take when sleeping on the couch. He remembered when he would come home late from field missions, she would try to wait up for him but instead end up drifting off to sleep.

Ron headed into the kitchen as he began to make himself coffee, he waited patiently watching as the sun began to rise over the hills. Then he heard Hermione stirring in the other room, she muttered soft curses as she got up. Ron figured she was probably extremely hung over, and possibly still drunk. He really didn't want to see her he checked his coffee it was nearly done, but not done soon enough. Hermione came into the kitchen looking as if she didn't want to see Ron either.

"Hi" Ron said dryly before turning back to his coffee, Hermione let out a breath she knew he was mad and had every right to be. She didn't feel like talking she simply stood there taking in Ron. He hadn't been wearing a shirt his shoulders and back muscles sculpted almost perfectly now, those are new she thought to herself. Suddenly her stomach turned. She knew what was coming she was about to throw up. She ran to the nearest bathroom chucking up her guts, this was a pretty common thing for Hermione when she mixed her alcohol. Ron knew this was his chance to slip away as he heard Hermione gagging the bathroom. He went upstairs pulling on his old clothes, once he made his way back the down the stairs Hermione stood in the kitchen. Shit, Ron thought to himself. Hermione upon hearing the creaking stairs looked over at Ron, he could tell she wanted to talk but that was last thing he wanted to do. Ron hoped if he simply ignored her she wouldn't say anything, he walked through the kitchen headed for the door almost out without a word until Hermione spoke.

"Ron…I just wanted to say I'm sorry" Hermione said her voice slightly shaky, Ron froze for a moment. These were the words he had been waiting to hear for two years now. But in his eyes it was too late, he turned the doorknob letting himself out and left without a word to Hermione.

Ron evaporated home thankful Taylor wasn't there waiting for him, his mind was spinning. The events of the past twenty four hours had been a whirl wind, not only had he seen Hermione for the first time in about a year in a half but she had told him the one thing he wondered for the past two years. She didn't get the promotion, and yet she didn't write. Why? He thought wracking his brain, had she not loved him like he did her? That had to be the only explanation, he felt his rage build up again his unresolved feelings for Hermione that he tired so hard to repress had been surfacing again.

He thought he was getting over her, that she was simply an ex-girlfriend now but he was wrong. The thought back to last night if she just simply kept her mouth shut he would've kissed her right then and there and who knows where that would've lead. He believed in that moment that these feelings were returned that Hermione was just as willing to kiss him, that she missed him like he did her. But he was wrong, all these months thinking they were separated by their jobs but in reality it wasn't that, it was Hermione that kept them apart. He punched the nearby wall in frustrations hating himself for still having feelings for Hermione. He didn't want these feelings anymore he wanted to simply forget her. Forget the way she would bite her lip when she was trying to concentrate, forget the way she twirled her curls around her finger when she would read, forget the way he made her laugh when she was would throw her head back in happiness. He wanted it all to be gone.

Hermione finally got back to her house, it was six thirty she had enough time to get ready and make it work on time. As she rifled through her clothes trying to find something to wear she couldn't help but think about Ron. The look on his face when she had told him about the promotion it killed her. It was pure disappointment and hurt. There was no doubt now in Hermione's mind that she still had feelings for him. The way he was still able to make her feel was incomparable to anyone else. In the back of her mind she always knew this that no matter who she dated she would be settling because it wasn't Ron. Though she had hopes that she could prove herself wrong, but after last night her hopes were dwindling. Her motivation to go to work was low, but she knew staying home sulking in her own thoughts would be even worse. She pulled herself together making sure she looked presentable and went to work.

"Hermione are you ok?" Leia said when she saw Hermione walk in, Hermione took a deep breath. Is it really that noticeable, she thought to herself. She gave Leia a shrug as she continued to walk to her office she didn't feel like talking right now but that never stopped Leia who followed her straight to office closing the door behind her. This didn't surprise Hermione if anything she expected, she didn't react to Leia presence she went about as if she wasn't there until she spoke.

"Hermione? What's going on?" Leia questioned looking at Hermione with question.

"I don't want to talk about it right now" Hermione said truthfully knowing it would just get her upset.

"Is this about Matt being engaged?" Leia assumed. Hermione's head snapped up looking at Leia in question. If she hadn't felt like shit already this was the icing on the cake.

"What did you just say?" Hermione said Leia looked at her in surprise.

"I'm sorry I thought you knew it's been all over the news" Leia said quickly instantly regretting being the one to tell Hermione. Hermione sat there in shock, she didn't even think it was possible for her day to get any worse until just now.

"Well that's fucking fantastic" Hermione spat putting her head in her hands. Leia rushed to her side rubbing her back.

"I'm sorry I was the one you had to hear it from" Leia said sympathetically.

"Rather hear it from you than anyone else" Hermione admitted

"If it wasn't Matt that's making you like this then what's going on?" Leia pried, Hermione could always count on Leia to never give up on getting information out of her.

"I saw Ron last night" Hermione blurted out. Leia looked at her in shock surprise all over her face, it was pretty hard to get Leia speechless but it seemed as though Hermione had just succeed. She knew Leia's mind was running wild with all the possibilities for what had happened between them.

"Nothing happened. I just went to a dinner at the Burrow" Hermione clarified before Leia could say something completely absurd.

"Oh and Ginny's pregnant" Hermione said seeming like she was getting all the important facts out so Leia would leave in peace.

"Oh that's great!" Leia said Hermione nodded hoping Leia would take this cue to leave but unfortunately she didn't.

"Well something must've happened, did you guys talk at all?" Leia pressed, Hermione took a deep breath knowing that the sooner she told Leia the better.

"Yeah…." Hermione said

"And…?" Leia said looking at Hermione for answers.

"I told him I never got the promotion" Hermione finally said, Leia's eyes got wide. Knowing their relationship she knew how much of a big deal this was.

"What did he say?" Leia said

"Nothing really…specifically 'I can't do this'…he hates me" Hermione concluded feeling sadness wash over her, saying it out loud almost made it hurt more.

"No Hermione you don't know that!" Leia said bending down giving Hermione a hug she could tell she was on the brink of tears.

"I feel terrible the look on his face was complete and utter pain" Hermione said using every ounce of energy she had not to cry.

"Oh honey he was just mad, but he doesn't hate you" Leia reassured, Hermione shook her head in protest.

"No. I saw him this morning briefly before I left…I said I was sorry and he just left without a word" Hermione said remembering their painful encounter this morning.

"Wait this morning?" Leia said confused

"Oh I got kind of drunk, as did he I ended up staying the night" Hermione clarified.

"So you told him while you were drunk" Leia said putting the pieces together, Hermione nodded knowing it wasn't the best idea.

"Yeah we were talking finally getting past the awkwardness and he was looking at me like he used too, like he was going to kiss me and I panicked and it came out. I just felt like he needed to know once in for all" Hermione explained, a tear running down her face that Leia quickly wiped away.

"It's going to be okay, I love you" Leia said trying to make Hermione feel better.

"Come over to my place tonight, we'll have a girl's night" Leia offered knowing that she was only trying to help but Hermione didn't want that but she'd deal with it later. Hermione nodded taking a deep breath gathering herself. Just then the door opened their stood Garret,

"Hey Hermione" he said with a smile, Leia knew exactly where he was going with this.

"Not now Garret! Damnit don't you ever give up!" Leia yelled pushing him out the door, Hermione had been grateful for Leia's lack of manners sometimes.

"Thank you" Hermione said

"Anytime, I'll see ya at lunch" Leia said before leaving her office. She knew today was going to be a long day so she started her work trying her best to distract herself. Before Hermione knew it lunch hour rolled around, Leia and Jill came into her office, Jill holding a letter.

"Here Hermione this is for you, Garret wanted to bring it to you but I decide it wasn't a good idea" Jill said handing Hermione a letter, she knew that by now Leia had filled Jill in on her life in shambles. She ripped open the letter figuring it was something for work but instead it was from Ginny.

Dear Hermione, It was great seeing you last night! I think everything went really well, you and Ron seemed to get along, well maybe coexist is a better word but either way baby steps! Which I'm glad because I'm having kind of a pre baby shower thing, I'm not even really sure what the purpose for it is all I know is that my mum said I'm having one and you better show up. It's in two weeks on the 23rd, that's a Saturday so plan ahead because I want you to be there. Also I'm free whenever you are so we need to grab some dinner preferably before the 23rd. I love ya hope all is doing well see ya soon! xox Ginny.

"Whose it from?" Leia asked they both watch Hermione read the letter carefully.

"Ginny, she having a party the 23rd she wants me to go too" Hermione explained before putting down the letter.

"Do you think Ron's gonna be there" Jill blurted out Leia elbowed her while shooting her a look.

"Um I'm not sure probably not he works a lot" Hermione said simply trying to convince herself that was the case. The rest of the day played out like any other day Jill, Leia, and Hermione went to their usual lunch spot talked about their weekends. Jill and Leia seemed to avoid the subject of Ron which Hermione was thankful for but she knew it was bound to come up later. Even though Hermione didn't really want to do a girls night because she knew that was code for getting drunk and talking about Hermione's problems at the same time she didn't want to be alone. So reluctantly she went picking up her favorite bottle of wine for the occasion and headed over to Leia's place after work.

Hermione knocked on Leia's door dressed in a pair of yoga pants and an old tee shirt, she had an overnight bag with clothes and make up for work the next morning. Drinking on week days wasn't really Hermione's thing but she figured this was somewhat of a special circumstance.

"Hey Hermione!" Paul said opening the door with a smile. Paul was a big guy about six foot with every ounce of his body being muscle. It was kind of funny to see him and Leia together sometimes because physically they were the complete opposite Paul a big tough rugged guy, and Leia a petite delicate woman.

"Lee Hermione is here!" Paul called out

"Thanks Paul" Hermione said going into Leia's house, there was boxes everywhere. Leia and Paul were moving in together once they got married and it seemed as though Leia had already started packing up. Paul lived in his parents old house, it was big right on a lake he inherited it when they both died in the Battle of Hogwarts.

"I was just leaving I swear! I know no guys allowed during girls night" Paul joked, but there was no doubt in Hermione's mind that Leia had actually given a lecture on how crucial it was for Paul to leave during girls night.

"Back here!" Leia yelled from the kitchen Hermione could already hear Leia and Jill's voice echoing through the house.

"Take a seat Hermione and drink up" Leia said pouring her a large glass of wine matching the one her and Jill had.

"Thanks, but next I'll have this" Hermione said pulling her bottle of wine out from her bag.

"Ohhh! Ms. Granger has come prepared!" Jill exclaimed

"You know what means!" Leia said

"I'm getting fucked up" Hermione finished, her friends knew that when Hermione brought her own alcohol that's when she'd drink and a lot. Mostly because she was rather picky of what she drank.

"So I kind of have an announcement" Jill said they were about two large glasses of wine in.

"Oh yeah bout what?" Leia said looking at Jill with a raised eyebrow.

"I kind of have a boyfriend" Jill said timidly, Hermione nearly chocked on her drink when she heard these words and Leia had seemed just as surprised.

"Wait what?" Leia said shocked

"Yeah…We've been together I guess secretly you could say for about two months now" Jill said

"Wait seriously?" Hermione said she couldn't believe her ears.

"Yeah I mean the first month I was still fucking around with other guys, but this past month it's been just him. I really think it's well…real" Jill explained, Hermione instantly reached for a glass again throwing her head back finishing off the rest of her wine. She was officially alone. Not only was Leia getting married, Ginny was having a baby and now Jill of all people had a boyfriend.

"Who is it" Leia asked Jill seemed suddenly uncomfortable, looking down at her wine glass.

"George Weasley" she said faintly, Hermione's eyes grew wider as she stared at Jill in disbelief. Leia simply let her mouth drop looking over at Hermione for a reaction.

"Oh…" was all Hermione could say. It wasn't really a big deal, it wasn't like it was Ron but it was still a Weasley, George was a brother to her. But it was strange, weird how Hermione's worlds were crossing.

"That's great" Hermione said finally getting back to her senses knowing there was really nothing to be mad about.

"You're not mad" Jill asked looking at Hermione in question.

"No, I mean as long as you're not fucking with his head and actually care about him I think it's great" Hermione said with a smile.

"This is so exciting! We need to go a double like as soon as possible!" Leia squealed, Hermione rolled her eyes it was already starting. She knew this was going to get real old fast, but she knew she had to put on a good face. She knew that if she wasn't in such a miserable place she really would be genuinely happy for Jill it really was about time she settled down. Hermione poured herself another tall glass of wine as Jill and Leia talked for a bit about all the dates they could go on. Hermione simply tuned them out keeping her buzz going, though if she was being honestly she was pretty much drunk at this point.

"So Hermione what are you going to do about Ron?" Leia asked out of nowhere catching Hermione off guard.

"Uhh…umm what?" Hermione said shocked, not sure what they were getting at.

"I mean you still have feelings for him right?" Leia said, Hermione looked at her in confusion.

"I never said that" Hermione snapped

"No…but it's obvious" Leia said who had seemed to be rather drunk considering Leia was somewhat of a light weight.

"No..It's not…" Hermione said defensively.

"Please if you didn't have feelings for him you wouldn't have been so upset this morning" Jill said pointing out the obvious, Hermione let out a sigh this really wasn't something she wanted to talk about but she knew it wasn't worth fighting it either.

"Okay you're right, but there's nothing to do now. It's over, it's been over" Hermione said sadly taking another sip of her wine.

"Not necessarily" Jill said as if she knew something and Hermione eyed her.

"What do you mean?" Hermione said firmly looking intently at Jill. If there was one thing about Jill that everyone knew besides that she slept around was that she could never ever keep a secret.

"I mean you and Ron may have come up in conversation once or twice with George" Jill blurted out.

"Really?" Hermione said not sure if she liked where this was going.

"Yeah…" Jill said Leia looked between Jill and Hermione.

"And..?" Leia said never one to give up on good gossip.

"Yeah and?" Hermione seconded wanting to know what George had been saying about her behind her back.

"And…I mean from what I understand Ron may…like you still or at least did...I don't know about now" Jill explained trying to get her face straight, Hermione's stomach tighten at the thought of Ron still having feelings for her. But then again how much would George know? Ron is hardly around anymore living off in a different country she wasn't sure how much of this information she could trust.

"What do you mean exactly?" Hermione pressed.

"Yeah just spit it out Jill" Leia demanded.

"Okay okay! Well apparently at Ginny and Harry's wedding Ron still then had feelings for you he approached George about it. He thinks that Ron will always fancy you but now he just suspects" Jill finally said relief washing over her.

"You can't tell anyone I told you that!" Jill said quickly her famous line after spilling the beans.
"Of course not" Leia said looking over at Hermione who seemed to have gone deep in thought.

"Hermione?" Leia said shaking Hermione from her thoughts.

"You okay?" Leia asked Hermione simply thought back to the wedding, how she went with Matt, how is was an obnoxious drunk the whole time, how Ron avoided her the whole time, and how when they finally did speak it was almost painfully awkward and now she knew why. He still had feelings for her and there she was running around with this new guy seeming as if she too was over Ron. But she wasn't, and she still wasn't.

A/N: There's chapter six, please let me know what you think! Happier chapters are on their way but just bear with me for now.