CHAPTER THREE – Fallout
Hermione froze watching the scene unfold before her. Her best friend, her Ron, the Ron she'd loved since third year, Ron hugged and kissed Luna instead of her. That was supposed to be her in Ron's arms, it was supposed to be her kissing those lips and it was supposed to be her holding Ron's hands…. NOT LUNA!
She didn't know what to think or what to do. How had everything gone so wrong so quickly? This was the year that she and Ron would finally get together. She was going to ask Ron to go with her as a date to Hogsmeade the next weekend. This was all so wrong!
Her mind darted back again to the conversation between Harry and Ginny that she had eavesdropped on. As she pondered their words a slow stark realization came over her. She could tell from his actions that Ron had feelings toward her, and Ginny saying he loved her could actually make sense given how he always treated her and tried to take care of her, but what actions of hers could give Ron any indication that she might also have feelings for him? What have I done to or for Ron to convey that I fancy him? Have I given him any reason to think that I might love him back?
Tears came to her eyes as she realized the answer was no, and a resounding NO at that. All she had done for 5 years was nag him about school and his language and then this morning she had belittled his quidditch skills. No wonder Ron had given up on her, she'd never given him any reason to stick around. How have I been so blind?
Hermione's heart sunk to the bottom of her feet as this despair washed over her and she found herself slumping to the floor in tears as her world crashed down around her.
From across the common room both Ginny and Harry saw Hermione slump to the ground and immediately rushed over to where she was. They both wrapped their arms around her and carried her over to one of the overstuffed chairs. They set Hermione down and stayed on their knees in front of her.
Harry was the first to speak. "Are you ok, Hermione? What happened?"
Hermione looked up at the two and asked in a shaky voice, "is it true? Do I treat Ron that badly? Does he really love me?"
Harry looked at Ginny and Ginny looked at Harry before they both turned toward Hermione and Ginny started, "well, Hermione, it's like this, it seems...
Meanwhile, Ron and Luna were walking hand in hand through the corridors of Hogwarts. Somehow they ended up on the 7th level at the Room of Requirement. Ron smiled at Luna before dropping her hand and pacing in front of the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy.
I need somewhere for Luna and I to talk and be together, I need somewhere for Luna and I to talk and be together, I need somewhere for Luna and I to talk and be together.
Suddenly a door appeared and both Ron and Luna grinned at each other before Ron took her hand and led her into the room. They both saw a small but comfortable room in front of them that looked like a mashup of the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw common rooms. Ron led Luna over to a cozy love seat in front of the fire and they sat down next to each other. Ron dropped her hand and then wrapped his arms around Luna and pulled her into a short sweet kiss.
Ron pulled back and smiled at Luna and took both of her hands and leaned back just a bit. "Tell me more about you Luna. Tell me more about how you've wanted me to notice you. I want to know everything about you. Tell me about how you always stay so calm. Tell me why you wanted to help Harry help me?"
Luna leaned into Ron and snuggled against his chest. "Oh, Ronald, did Ginny ever tell you that I've had a crush on you ever since we were kids and I'd come over to the Burrow to play with her? Back then I thought you were so grown up and so funny and I've thought the same since coming to Hogwarts. I always admired the way you take care of Harry and Hermione. Ginny likes to talk about quidditch and she mentioned how good you were as a keeper, but that your lack of confidence got in the way so much of the time. I was honored that Harry asked me to help and I was especially glad to be able to help you. I know I'm not beautiful but I always hoped you'd notice me as more than just Ginny's friend."
Ron again pulled away from Luna, put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her back just enough to look her straight in her eyes. He gave her his normal lopsided grin. "No, Luna, you're wrong. You are beautiful, I'm just sorry I never noticed. You have great eyes and great hair and a beautiful smile. But most important is how beautiful you are just being yourself. That is one thing I've noticed. You're beautiful just being Luna."
Luna blushed and smiled as she whispered, "Oh Ronald."
Ron pulled Luna onto his lap and pulled her tight against his chest. They snuggled in together again and simply enjoyed the silence for a moment. After a few moments, they started chatting about everything and nothing, about growing up in a big family and growing up as an only child. About how sometimes her only friends were the creatures she made up in her imagination. About how being the sixth son sometimes meant not getting any attention, especially when the first girl in many generations was your younger sister. As the morning passed, they learned more and more about each other and got ever more comfortable being together.
Hermione got comfortable in the chair in front of the fire that Harry and Ginny had set her in while looking down at her two friends.
Harry was the first to speak. "Are you ok, Hermione? What happened?"
Hermione looked up at the two and asked in a shaky voice, "is it true? Do I treat Ron that badly? Does he really love me?"
Harry looked at Ginny and Ginny looked at Harry before they both turned toward Hermione and Ginny started, "well, Hermione, it's like this, it seems that Ron did love you but lately he's been saying that he thinks it's all been one sided. You know, he goes out of his way to defend and take care of you, but all you do is nag and belittle him. He still feels regret that you didn't go with him to the Yule Ball and the sting of you not believing he was a prefect is still there. And do you ever compliment him? I mean you went on and on about how fanciable Harry is right in front of Ron, did you ever say anything like that to him? And then that comment about his quidditch skills today just put everything over the top. You know, Hermione, it's amazing Ron has hung around this long. I think with Luna he's found someone that will think positively about him and will treat him as he should be, with affection and respect, and I think that's what my brother deserves."
Hermione gasped at hearing all this again. With her hand covering her mouth and her whole body shaking she looked at Harry, hoping to see a different story.
Harry shrugged his shoulders and with a serious look just nodded at Hermione, affirming everything that Ginny had said.
"Seems to be all true, Hermione. If you really have feelings for Ron, they don't really show. I don't think anyone could point at anything you do that would show you do. Ron shows his love by doing all he can to take care of you and by complimenting you whenever he can. How do you show that you might even fancy Ron? You can't fault Ron for moving on, especially after this morning's comment after the match. I think Luna will be good for Ron."
Hermione just stared back and forth at the two.
As Harry and Ginny turned to leave, Harry stopped at looked back at Hermione. "One last thing, Hermione, did it ever occur to you that Ron's insecurity and lack of self confidence might be caused at least partly by your lack of confidence in him and how he never gets anything positive from you? If you truly fancy Ron, you might consider showing that somehow, something has to change Hermione, or you'll have to get used to seeing Ron and Luna together, who knows for how long?"
Ron and Luna stayed in Room of Requirement together talking until they both realized it was time for lunch. Taking her hand, Ron led Luna down toward the Great Hall.
As they neared the entrance Ron stopped and turned toward Luna. Luna said, "I'm sure you're wondering what our friends will say when they see us together, I wonder too."
"You're right Luna, I do wonder what they'll think. What shall we tell them?"
"Let's not say anything other than that you found me to say thank you for helping Harry this morning before the quidditch match, and that we talked for a while, but let's not hide the fact that we're together and see if they can figure it out."
"Oh Luna, that's brilliant."
Continuing to hold hands, Ron and Luna walked into the Great Hall. They couldn't see it, but they both had huge grins on their faces. They headed for the Gryffindor table to where they could see Harry, Ginny, and Hermione already sitting down. The three glanced up at the new couple entering, with Harry and Ginny giving them big smiles. Hermione saw their joined hands and just scowled.
Ron and Luna smiled back but Ron could see tear tracks on Hermione's face. But for the first time since he could remember, he wasn't tempted to go over and comfort her, and instead he sat Luna and himself down, on the other side of Ginny, as far away from her as he could; her insulting comment from after the match still replaying in his head.