Hermione Granger Weasley: The Lioness Within Me

Chapter 3

The bright sunset was just peaking through the June gloom as I passed a window on my way to Ron's room. As I approached his door, I heard faint whispers.

"I love her, but something feels... off."

"Have you thought about what you said to me last summer? Does that have anything to do with it?"

"No... definitely not. You know, when I said that... it wasn't really true. I'm fine, totally normal, Mate."

I pressed my ear to the door. Was Ron not as happy as he pretended to be?

"Look, I don't really want to talk about this anymore. Didn't you want to hit The Time Turner tonight?"

I took this pause as my opportunity to open the door.

"Oi, Hermione! You could've knocked. What if we were changing here?" Ron squawked.

I rolled my eyes, "Nothing I haven't seen before. Were you guys talking about the Time Turner like the nightclub or the divorce attorney's office?"

"Remember when Dumbledore told me that he went streaking at a club with 'Grindy'? That's the one," Harry chuckled.

I sunk down onto the bed next to Harry, "Well, when are we going?"

"I suppose I don't have any plans for tonight, and I know Ginny would love to go again."

"Tonight?" Ron's voice cracked as he glanced my way.

"Yeah why not. I think a night out will do us good," I said confidently, "Why don't we all get ready and leave in about an hour? I just want to speak with Ron for a moment."

"Sure, I'll let Ginny know." Harry got up, and with one last meaningful look at Ron, he closed the door behind him.

"Look Hermione-"

"I don't know what you and Harry were talking about, er, but I do have something to say to you."

He shifted in his seat and looked at me with his piercing blue eyes.

"We're not happy are we?"

"No! We are happy, We're perfect-"

"Don't lie to me, Ron, or yourself. I know us, you're my best friend, this isn't right and you know it. Please be honest with me."

"I am being honest. I love you so much, I know that we're meant to be."

"I love you too, but if we were meant to be, then why haven't we had a real conversation in months? All we do is have mediocre sex and avoid our problems!"

He grasped my hands pleadingly, "We can fix this. Please. If we can survive The War, then we can survive this."

"We can also survive breaking up," I took my hands out of his.

"I don't know what's wrong with me." He mumbled as he looked out the window.

"Nothing is wrong with you. Everyone has changed since The War," I said reassuringly as Ron looked away, "We shouldn't do this anymore if it is causing us so much pain."

"But, Hermione, I want to be with you,"

"Well I don't want to be with you!" There was a pregnant pause. I could feel what I had said hanging in the air, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that, I just think... we need some time apart."

Ron looked stunned, but softened after a moment or two, "If that's what you need Hermione."

"I think that's what we both need."

Ron rose to open the door for me to leave. As I walked over to him, I looked into his watering eyes, "I'm sorry," and as he closed the door I heard a sniffle.

Authors note: ehehehehh :P