 Chapter 10
Hermione stayed away from the house the rest of the morning. She wanted to unscramble the thoughts whirring around inside her head. Ron...RON?? She thought of him as a brother...
But that set her thinking. She remembered her sixth year at Hogwarts, when Ron had been there to comfort her...and she remembered being jealous of Lavender, when they had dated. Was it true? Did she really have feelings for Ron? There was a noise behind her, and she whirled around to face....Ron. She gasped.
"Ron! You...you startled me...hi..."
"Hello." Ron said, not showing any emotion. Hermione reached out and touched his arm.
"Ron...I'm so sorry..."
"For what?" Ron asked, curious.
"For leading you on. For loving you, then oushing you aside for Harry. That wasn't fair to you or to Harry."
"But you still love him...don't you?"
"....yes I do. But I don't want any animosity from you Ron, because....I still love you. As crazy as that sounds...hell, this whole thing sounds crazy! I-"
Ron took her hands and kissed them. Hermione stopped talking, and looked at Ron.
"Ron...I can't....Harry-"
"Forget Harry. This is now. If you weren't lying to me...do what you would have done...if this was back in our sixth year...."
Hermione was silent. Then she leaned foward. Ron did likewise, but Hermione stopped.
"Ron...I can't....I have a conscience....and Harry. It's wrong. No matter how much I'd like too...I can't."
Ron also fell silent, hurt by Hermione's words, however softly they were spoken.
"I understand. And I'll wait for you. Because love like ours is special. It can last forever...don't worry."
Ron left her standing in the woods. Hermione watched him leave, then hot tears fell down her face. The forest was silent, watching this woman cry over a redhead she was afraid she was more than fond of.
Sorry so short! I have to go!
Katie |