Time Spent In Eternal Endings

Not Prying, Just Interested

"I don't know Pansy, but I feel like I'm at a dead end with him."

Hermione and Pansy went out for lunch the next day after meeting with Malfoy at the school. They got some more basics done. Curtains, platters, candles, etc. Not much talking today other than directions and orders. They were both too busy.

Now Hermione and Pansy were talking at their back table in The Three Broomsticks about her and Ron. They had a fight last night due to her working with Draco and it was really taking a toll on her in addition to all of the other conflicts they had recently been facing.

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"What do you mean Malfoy is working with you on the ball now?"

"It's exactly how it sounds. It's really not a big deal Ron. I think we've moved past all of the childish insults, so I don't think I'll be throwing a punch his way anytime soon."

"Hermione he was a dick to not only you but me and Harry back in school. I don't want you around him. I don't even know why Minerva asked him to work with you in the first place."

"Are you hearing yourself right now? We're not in our 3rd year anymore. You do realize we've been through an ENTIRE war together right? And here you are holding grudges back from school of all things."

"He's not a good person Hermione."

"What qualifies as a good person then? Would a bad person risk their whole life along with their family to fight for our cause? Ron, you're not perfect and neither am I. We've made our mistakes and every time there was someone there to let us know that it was okay. They let us GROW from our past. Who are you to say that he doesn't deserve the same? Is that what a 'good' person would do?"

"Are you really defending the boy who called you a mudblood?"

"Merlin you're being ridiculous right now. This was all years ago Ron! I've forgiven people who deserve it, people who don't, and people who should've never been given a thought of my forgiveness! We're living in a different world now Ron and I'll be damned if I hold onto petty grudges because you can't seem to grow up and be the mature person I thought you were!"

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"I hate to say it Hermione, but maybe you two need some space?"

"Maybe, but I don't even know what I'll do Pansy. I've been with him for the entirety of my life. Hell, we live together now. I love him, I do. He just makes things so difficult and I feel like lately I've just felt so heavy. I thought it was the aftermath of the war at first, but now I'm not sure."

"Look, as your friend I have one job." She took a deep breath. "Honesty, and if I'm being honest, I feel like maybe you two need a break. I mean just put things into perspective. You guys were kids when you developed feelings for each other and you've been around each other your entire lives. It was really convenient and there's nothing wrong with that! It's just now you're getting older and you're going to want different things now that he just can't give you. It's okay to grow out of relationships, but you have to allow yourself to."

Pansy was right. Merlin, she was so right. When she actually talked about the reality of her and Ron's relationship it all made sense. They were hardly around each other. Always needing to talk things out just for things to remain the same. Her life was so blank now. 

"Merlin Pans. You're right." She said with a sigh. "I'll think about it and talk to him tonight."

"And you're staying with me! I don't care what you say. Actually, you have no say in this. It's set in place already. Don't try to give me that 'you really don't have to' b.s. You're not sleeping in a box made of books outside of the Cornerstone Bookshop."