Hermione looked at Ron sadly. "I'm sorry, it's just not working out. I can't be with you. I thought I could, thought I could make both of us happy, but I can't. I don't love you, Ron. I don't think I ever really did, not that way."

"Then why? Why say you'd marry me, then break it off the night before the wedding? The night before, Hermione. You couldn't have mentioned it sooner? What changed?"

"It's just not working out. It doesn't feel right anymore."

"Bullshit, it doesn't. Who is it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Who have you been shagging? Is it Dean? That bastard Seamus? Hermione, who is it?"

"Nobody, Ron. I'm not interested in anyone right now. I just don't feel attracted to you anymore."

Too late, Harry was aware of the sound of footsteps behind him, and he heard George's voice say, uncomfortably loudly, "Harry? What's going on?"

"Oh, hey, George," he replied in as nonchalant a manner as he was able to manage. "Nothing much, just on my way back to the attic. How's work going?"

"...Fine, Harry." George still seemed suspicious. "Though I do need your help with testing some of my new products. Can I show you?"

"Sure, George."

They walked to George's room, and as they left the hall Harry heard the sound of a door closing. Upon arriving at their destination, George closed his door, sat down, and simply said, "Explain."

"George, whatever do you... mean... This isn't working, is it? No, thought not. Okay, first tell me what it looks like to you."

"Well, Harry, it looks to me like you're either under the imperius curse and spying on your friends, or you're stalking them, on the night before their wedding. Can you explain why? If you ruin this for them for no reason, I swear, Harry, I will hex you into next week. But I'm worried. You know Hermione better than anyone. Tell me, is she happy?"

"George, I honestly don't know. And do I have to explain everything, here and now?"

"Yes," he pointed his wand at Harry, "Talk."

"George, I... I'm in love with Hermione."

"How long have you known?"

"A few months. Since not long after the Battle."

George's response took Harry by surprise. "Damn," he swore loudly, then pulled a small sack of galleons out of his pocket and knocked on the closet door. "Ginn, you hear that?"

The redhead stepped out of the closed, a huge grin on her face. "Yep. Pay up, brother dear," she said to George. He scowled and handed over the pouch without a word. "George and I have had a bet doing since you and I broke up about how long it would take you to realize. George said it wouldn't be until after the wedding, but I was hopeful, especially after the advice I gave you."

"Wait, you told him to go for it? That's cheating!"

"No, George, that's strategy. It's why I beat you at chess."

"Thanks, Ginny," Harry told her, partly to stop the bickering. "How did you know that long ago?"

"You didn't have the same feelings you had. When you got back from the forest, you were either on your own or with Hermione. She's good for you."

George interjected, "But whatever you do, do it quickly- I think she's about to marry Ron."

"Not according to what I heard outside her room/"

"Shame, Harry. Listening at doors," George chastised, but the sting was lessened by his knowing smirk and his following words. "Fred would be so proud right now."

"George, I... I wish it hadn't happened. It shouldn't have been this way."

"You're right, Harry, but it was. I understand. If it helps, I forgive you. Fred chose to fight, for all of us. I don't blame you, Harry."

"Thank you, George. Thank you so much."

Harry began to tear up, but Ginny quickly said, "Are you two finished being wishy-washy? Because we've got a wedding to sabotage."

"Sabotage, Ginny? Really?"

"Yeah, Harry. I loved you for a while; at least, I think I did. But you love Hermione. You're like a brother to me, and I want you to be happy."

"But Ron's really your brother."

"Yeah, but that brings me to my next point, which is that Hermione is like a sister to me. I want her to be happy too, and she won't be with Ron."

"Honestly, Harry," George interrupted, "We were super surprised when she said yes. She's going to regret marrying Ron, and if they divorce, mum will be pissed. If we can get to her quickly enough, we could hex her and explain-"

"George, I just heard her and Ron talking. I think she's going to break it off. He sounded furious."

Ginny seemed more amused than anything. "Aw, is ickle Ronniekins not getting something he wanted? What a shame. Harry, the bastard's cocky enough as it is. He cares about Hermione, but not as much as you do. I think he's jealous of you, and I think he wanted her partially because he was scared she'd choose you and the three of you wouldn't be friends."

Harry was annoyed by how childish Ron's actions seemed, but he decided to forgive and forget. If the wedding was canceled, that is. If not, there'd be hell to pay.

"Hey, Ginn, how's Neville been?"

Ginny blushed bright pink, and George guffawed, "Nev broke up with Ginny. Who'd have thought it? A certain blond-haired young woman caught his eye."

"Luna?" Harry asked in astonishment. "You're best friend? He left you like that?"

"Harry, it's fine, really. I've found someone else."

"Who?" Now George was the astonished one. "If it's that git Seamus, I swear, Ginn..."

Harry burst out laughing. "This is the second time tonight one of you Weasleys has accused Seamus of being in a relationship. What do you know that I don't?"

"You know Lavender Brown...?"

"No, seriously? You're joking."

"Yeah, I'm just messing with you. It was Katie Bell."

And on that note, Harry decided to go to bed.

He woke up to shouting. Apparently Ron told Mrs. Weasley what Hermione had said, expecting sympathy. By the shouting coming from downstairs, he had been mistaken.

"-Bilious Weasley, how dare you accuse Hermione of such things. You know very well she hasn't been, as you put it, shagging on the side, and I am ashamed you would accuse her of such a thing. We all tried to warn you you were moving too fast for the poor girl, and after all she's done for you- Oh, hello Harry dear, I think there're some eggs and bacon on the stove for you- Don't you dare walk off, Ronald, you are going to apologize to Hermione right now."

Ron tried to give Hermione a withering glare, but burst into tears. "Hermione, I'm so sorry. I wanted you to love me so badly, but it wasn't ever me. I've behaved horribly towards you. Please forgive me; you and Harry are my best friends, and I'm happy for you both."

"What?" Harry asked in surprise.

"Hermione told me how she feels... about... you..." Ron turned to Hermione. "You haven't told him yet, have you?" Hermione shook her head. Before, she had looked angry; now, she looked furious. "Oops."

Hermione turned back to Harry and said, "What dear Ronald here," there was a yelp as she elbowed him hard in the side, "Just let slip was that I... Damn, this is so much harder than I was expecting... I, uh..."

Harry was surprised. Hermione Granger, tongue-tied? He stepped forwards and kissed her. They felt as though the world was drifting away, as though nothing mattered but the feeling of her in his arms, her hands in his hair.

The sound of someone clearing their throat brought Harry and Hermione back to awareness of the kitchen. They pulled away from each other, their faces bright red, but their embarrassment was nothing compared to that evident on the Weasley's faces. Hermione turned to Ron and began, "Ron, I-"

"'Mione, it's okay," he told her gently. "I'm the one who needs to apologize. Are you happy?"

She nodded. "Then I'm happy for you. Now, I'm going out for a few hours, to clear my head. This is a lot for me to take in, and I'm not going to say I'm okay, but I will be. I'd like to hope that we can stay friends when I return."

"Ron," Harry told him, "Thank you."

Ron's eyes began to fill with tears, and he turned away before the others could see. "Yeah, well," he sighed, "It's been pretty obvious since fourth year that you both liked each other. It's always been the two of you. And you're my best friends. I can't lose you both. I'll be back in a while."

And with that, he opened the door and walked away.

AN: Next part should be up by Thursday. Thanks to everyone for sticking with it so far. And sorry if you thought Ron was OOC; I thought he should be upset, furious, but still want his friends to be happy.

-Church1alpha