You and I had something special, baby
Something that you only see on movie screen
I know lately I've been missing you like crazy
Oh why, why d'you let me in just to let me go?
Ron rested against the wooden door frame which led into the kitchen as he gazed upon the new couple of the Weasley family, he didn't know how or when it had happened and truthfully he didn't really want to know, it would probably just make him feel worse than he already did. They had yet to notice him in the doorway and he was silently thankful for the darkness that covered him, part of him felt bad for intruding on a private moment between the pair but he needed to see it for himself, to see if it was truly real between them or if he had a shot at winning her back.
They were both helping Mrs Weasley with the dishes, instead of using magic to make it quicker and easier they decided to do it the Muggle way; she currently had her arms deep in the basin of water and his brother was leaning casually against the counter with the dish towel over his shoulder as he waited for the dishes to be washed so he could dry them. They were talking quietly amongst themselves but then his brother leaned in and whispered something into the girl's ear which made her blush furiously and break out into a fit of giggles.
Ron frowned and felt the familiar pit of jealously and regret pool in his stomach. He used to be able to make her smile and laugh like that, now instead he was just a friend or a brother to her. After their break up he always thought that they would get back together but how wrong he was, after 6 months he slowly lost hope about their reconciliation. Then after a year, came the news that floored Ron, they were at their usual Sunday dinner at the Burrow when they decided to drop the news about their new relationship.
Molly smiled around the large group of people gathered around her table that she called her family, mostly everyone was here bar two people who always seemed to arrive late. She was always grateful to be blessed with such a big family, no matter how hard it was during the years when the children were still growing up, she wouldn't change it for the world. As she was about to tell everyone to dig in and she would just reheat the food for the others later, the familiar sound of the Floo went off in the living room and not a moment later a soot covered Charlie Weasley walked through the door, a bright grin on his face.
"Hello family!"
There was a chorus of greetings from around the table but the loudest came from Molly who came close to bursting into tears at the sight of her second eldest son, she helped him to vanish the soot from his clothes before pulling him into a tight embrace, as they let go of each other she raised an eyebrow and put a hand on her hips.
"Would you like to tell me why you were late to dinner this evening?"
Charlie chuckled, trying to hide the smirk from his face as he faced off with his Mother. "Sorry Mum, my girlfriend and I just got...distracted a bit"
There was a moment of silence before the room went into uproar, mostly because of Molly Weasley's squeals of delight knowing that her son had finally settled down with someone whereas the rest of the dinner table were discussing loudly amongst themselves on who it could possibly be
"And where is this mystery girl Charles Weasley?" Molly demanded
Charlie laughed and patted her hand, "Don't worry Mum, she'll be here in a minute"
The sound of the Floo going again made the already alert Molly Weasley run to the door with anticipation, she just hoped that whoever this girl was, was a good match for her son. She was all ready to give the Mother speech when Hermione tumbled through the Floor, coughing and spluttering as she tried to get the soot off her clothes.
"Hermione?" Molly frowned, she glanced back at Charlie as if to question him where his girlfriend was but he just smiled back at her.
"Hi Mrs Weasley" Hermione greeted once she had control over her breathing, she quickly vanished the remaining soot on her clothes before glancing behind Molly to find a smirking Charlie. She knew what that look meant and as she connected eyes with Molly again she felt her face heating up.
"It's so good to see you dear" Molly smiled and hugged her tightly before turning round to her son again.
"Charles Weasley, were you pulling a prank on your Mother" Molly's voice was dangerously low, and if it were someone else they would have cowered in fear at the older woman. But not Charlie, instead he stood his ground and grinned.
"Of course I wasn't Mother dearest. My girlfriend is here, right now"
Finally Molly connected the dots, she glanced between the smirking Charlie and the bright red Hermione as the realisation dawned on her. As she continued to remain silent Hermione's fear grew, she knew they shouldn't have told everyone so soon, if this was how Mrs Weasley was reacting she could just imagine what the rest of the family would be like. But then to her surprise, Mrs Weasley burst into tears as she grabbed the both of them into a bone crushing hug.
"Oh my boy!" She sniffled. "I couldn't imagine a better match for you"
Charlie and Hermione glanced at each other as they continued to hug Molly, Hermione looked relieved while Charlie looked like the cat who ate the canary. "And Hermione, my dear. I'm so glad you've found someone else. Especially another one of my boys! You don't know how happy this has made me"
"We're glad that you're happy for us Mum" Charlie smiled as they were finally released from her grasp. "Hermione was worried that you wouldn't be too happy about the age gap"
Molly shook her head, "Nonsense. Age is just a number. If you both are happy that's all matters. Love can hit you unexpectedly and can be with someone who you didn't expect. I would never judge either of you. I'm just glad you two have found each other"
At Molly's words, Hermione felt the worry slip away and it was replaced by happiness at the fact their relationship was accepted by the Weasley matriarch. Charlie sensing the happiness radiating from Hermione, wrapped a gentle arm around her waist and pressed a sweet kiss to her temple. "Will we go join them?"
Hermione nodded in agreement and allowed him to gently steer her into the kitchen were the rest of the curious Weasley's sat, as they entered the room all eyes flashed down to Charlie's arm wrapped around her waist and Hermione felt her face grow red again at the sudden attention. Her eyes at first found Ron's, his own eyes dropped to look at the intimate touch before a grimace followed. It was tonight that he had been hoping to speak to Hermione, he needed to know if he still had a chance to win her back, but seeing her now with his brother and how happy they looked together, Ron knew he had lost her for good.
"You two are looking awfully chummy" Fred quipped, a smirk on his lips
Charlie rolled his eyes, "I would like to think I was being more than chummy with my girlfriend, dear brother"
Silence again enveloped the room before two voices shouted out in unison, one in delight while the other was in disbelief and anger. "GIRLFRIEND?"
Ginny squealed happily and enveloped Hermione tightly, grateful that there was another chance for her to become her sister legally. While Ginny was gushing to the happy couple, Ron was gripping onto the wooden table and glaring at his brother with a look of hatred in his eyes. How could Charlie do this to him? How could Hermione do this to them? After everything they had been through she goes and shacks up with his own brother. Ron shook his head and excused himself quietly from the table, storming out into the back garden and down to the small pond in the garden to ponder how this could have happened.
"Most guys will get high when feeling low
But I don't think that that's the way to go
Sometimes I'll be sitting on my own
Thinking 'bout life, thinking 'bout you and me
How do you lose the one you love?
After giving it all, you gave it up
Maybe my love wasn't enough
You think you know, but you never can
How do you lose your only plan?
Well darling, just give me one more chance
And I'll give you everything I have
I'll try to be a better man"
Thinking back to that moment, Ron couldn't imagine another time he had felt more pain that that, to him it was the ultimate betrayal from one of his best friends and the woman he loved. He knew he screwed up, quite badly too, but he always thought that they could work it and move past it, not end things for good. It had been a few months since their big reveal at the Sunday and everyone, with the exception of himself, had gotten used to them as a couple and welcomed it warmly.
Most people probably would have moved on by now, the girl of his dreams had found someone else so why couldn't he just move on now and be happy himself, it just so happened that her new someone was one of his eldest brother's and something about that just cut deeper than if it had been someone completely new. Ron sighed and tore himself away from staring at the happy couple, if he didn't stop staring someone would surely notice, he was surprised someone hadn't already. But then again it was Harry and Ginny's engagement party so all eyes were focused on the boy who lived and his fiance. So Ron done his best to mingle with the guests, as the best man he gave an congratulatory speech to toast his best friend and sister, making some crude jokes along the way much to the pleasure of the twins and the dismay of his mother.
After what felt like an eternity he saw Hermione slipping out the front door, probably to get some fresh air, he still knew to this day that she sometimes felt crowded at parties and would sometimes need cool air to help her relax. Seeing that his brother was distracted Ron followed her outside, he didn't need to go too far as he noticed her almost immediately perched on the swinging bench close to the front door. He silently walked across the green lawn and took a seat beside her, not quite sure if he was ready or wanted to have this conversation.
"I felt things when we were naked
I saw an angel, but they've hidden their wings, I know
Everyone's got that special baby
Oh, I, now I only see you in my dreams
Most guys will get high when feeling low
But I don't think that that's the way to go
Sometimes I'll be sitting on my own
Thinking 'bout life, thinking 'bout you and me
"Hi Ron" Hermione smiled wearily, almost sensing what this conversation was going to lead to.
"Hey Mione" Ron smiled back, his heart hammering so hard inside of his chest it felt ready to explode.
"You enjoying the party?"
Ron sighed, "Not really no"
Hermione didn't want to ask, but she had to. "And why not?"
"You can't tell?" Ron rolled his eyes, "And I thought you were meant to be the Brightest Witch of her Age"
"Don't be snarky with me Ronald" Hermione narrowed her eyes, almost rivalling Voldemort, even he would have turned even colder her death stare. "If you can't spit out what you've waited all night to come and say to me then you can just go back inside and forget it"
Ron groaned, this was exactly what he wanted to avoid. A confrontation with Hermione was never a good thing, she practically outwitted him in every department and once she got mad he wouldn't be able to get a word in. "I'm sorry Hermione, I didn't mean to be snarky or whatever" He sighed, suddenly finding the ground extremely interesting.
"Then what did you come to tell me?"
Ron pursed his lips, he had never been the best at expressing his feelings especially when they had been together but right now it seemed like the hardest thing in the world, but he knew he had to be a man and even if she rejected him, then he could eventually handle that and move on. But part of him still hoped that he had a shot. It was time to take his chance. "So it's been hard having to see you and my brother together, I'm sure you can understand why"
Hermione nodded, "I do understand, it must be difficult for you to see us together" she watched Ron carefully, trying to gauge his reaction however that was quite hard to do when it was almost pitch black outside. "But Ron, you do also realise it has been over a year since we broke up. I know that doesn't make it any easier but..."
"No, it doesn't" Ron butted in, trying to hide his anger but not succeeding very well. "He's still my brother and you're still my ex-girlfriend. There's a rule you know!"
"A rule" Hermione scoffed, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. "And what rule is that?"
"The brother code" Ron shrugged as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "The rule is that your brother shouldn't date any of your ex-girlfriends, they're off limits"
As the words tumbled out of his mouth Ron instantly regretted it, why did he always have to let his temper get the best of him instead of thinking his responses out logically? Hermione's frown deepened and she turned herself directly towards Ron so she was now facing him. "Off limits? I'm sorry but you cannot dictate who I can or cannot date. If I want to date one of your brother's then I may very well do so, I'm a grown woman!"
"But...But you were mine! I mean we were together for a long time. And then when we broke up you just went straight to him! He's my brother Hermione, not just some random bloke you use and throw away"
Hermione clenched her fists in frustration and she rose from her chair, "Of course I know he's your brother you dolt! If the red hair didn't give it away then the appetite on him certainly would have. And I know he's not some random bloke, he's my boyfriend and I care deeply for him. No scratch that, I love him"
Ron spluttered before rising from his own face to confront her, "You love him? You love him?! You barely know him and you've barely been dating! How can you love him?"
"We've been dating for a while now surely you can remember that? Exactly 6 months. And who cares the length of time it's been, you can't control your feelings and when you know you love someone then you just know. I'm pretty sure I knew I loved him within the first month of us dating" Hermione's eyes glanced to something just behind of Ron, a dopey smile appearing for a moment before disappearing as she glared at her ex-boyfriend. "And of course I know him, I've known him since I was fifteen and I had a crush on him then! So don't you dare tell me I can feel a certain way or that I don't know him. You can't control me"
Ron sighed, feeling himself deflate with every word she said, he had truly lost her to his brother and to be honest he couldn't blame her, he was the one who messed up their relationship and he was the cause of their break up. He just missed her so much and getting to see his brother creating their own memories and be with her romantically, it hurt.
"How do you lose the one you love?
After giving it all, you gave it up
Maybe my love wasn't enough
You think you know, but you never can
How do you lose your only plan?
Well darling, just give me one more chance
And I'll give you everything I have
I'll try to be a better man
I've been up and I've been down
Think that's just what love's about
You took the words right out my mouth
If you feel it, say it now
It's been a while but I've figured it out
But it ain't just what love's about?
You took the words right out my mouth
But if you feel it, say it now
"Look Hermione, we've gotten really off track. What I wanted to say to you was that I'm sorry" Ron admitted, taking a deep breath as he tried to voice his feelings for the first time. "I'm sorry for all the hurt and pain that I've caused you, I wish I could take all the pain and heartache back. All I want is one more chance with you, seeing you with my brother it kills me, knowing that he gets to hold you like I used to do, creating new memories together and getting to be in your company. It's the hardest thing for me to accept, but if you tell me right now that there's no chance at all that we could be together again then that's fine, it'll be hard but I'll accept it and try to move on and be happy for you"
Hermione was stunned to say the least, she knew Ron had been keeping something from her and even though they weren't as close as they used to be before their break up, she had still hoped that he could trust her with whatever he was holding in but she definitely did not expect this. "Ron, I...I don't know what to say"
"Say yes to giving me another chance. We can go away, just you and me, only for a little while until everything here would settle down and we can get everything right between us again. All you need to do is say yes" Ron smiled and held his hand out towards her, ready to apparate them from the Burrow within a second if that's what she wanted.
Hermione shook her head, taking a moment or two to gather her thoughts before speaking again. "Look Ron, you and I had been together for a while and at first it was amazing, even though we fought like crazy" They both laughed for a moment, getting flashbacks of some of their worst fights over the stupidest little things. "But that was all ruined after what you done, I've forgiven you now but I don't think I could ever trust you again, that's why I broke up with you straight away because I know my self worth and I know that I deserve the best kind of love and someone who will treat me how I'm meant to be treated. This is going to sound really mean and I'm sorry for it, but Charlie is the better man. He's the better man for me and now that I have him in my life I'm actually grateful for you hurting me because it brought me him"
Ron closed his eyes for a moment, wondering if he was going to cry or get angry but right now he just felt...empty. He knew it was a long shot getting her back but he had to take the risk and let her know how he felt before he truly moved on, for him Hermione was always going to be the one who got away and he only had himself to blame. "I understand" he whispered. "You don't have to worry about being mean, I know I've been mean to you for a lot of our friendship and relationship, which I really do regret Hermione. But I will admit that I can see how happy you two are together and I'm glad you've found someone that can give you the love you deserve, I just wish it was me. And I promise that from now on I will try to be more accepting of you and Charlie, I know he'll treat you right and won't hurt you"
Hermione smiled sadly and gave Ron a brief hug, "Thank you Ron, it means a lot to hear that from you" She pulled away and shivered slightly as the cold air nipped at her skin. "I'm sorry it wasn't what you wanted to hear but I've moved on and I'm happy. It's time for you to do the same" She patted his arm gently. "I'm going to head back in now, you coming?"
"Nah" Ron shook his head and tried to smile, "I'm going to stay out here for a bit"
Hermione nodded in understanding, "Well be sure to use a warming charm, it's freezing out here". With that Hermione turned away and walked the short distance to the front door, Ron watched as it was pulled open almost as if someone had been waiting to open it. He saw Charlie step out from the door with his jacket, he draped it delicately over Hermione's shoulders before pressing a sweet kiss to her temple. Charlie then glanced over at him, a sad but understanding smile on his face as he nodded towards him before whisking Hermione back inside to warm up.
"How do you lose the one you love? (how do you lose?)
After giving it all, you gave it up
And maybe my love wasn't enough
You think you know, but you never can
And how do you lose your only plan?
Well darling, just give me one more chance
And I'll give you everything I have
I'll try to be a better man
"I promise I'll try to be a better man"