Continental Holiday

CHAPTER-8

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Neither one of them had moved since Hermione had walked out. Harry was unsure what to say. He was never very good in these situations. It was Ron who finally broke the silence.

"Harry?"

"Yes, Ron?"

"I'm sorry."

Harry was taken aback. "Sorry for what exactly?"

"I'm sorry that I was the one who broke the trio up. Just when I thought we were inseparable..." Ron sniffed.

"What makes you think we're done now?" Harry was looking at Ron, who was refusing to meet his gaze.

"Because of me and Hermione. I used to think about what would happen....you know...if we got involved and something went wrong. I mean stuff has happened before, but not like this. I was afraid it would be the end of the three of us. Now it's going to happen."

"Why? Did she say she didn't want to be friends anymore?" Harry asked gently.

"Well....no...." Ron mumbled.

"What did she say?"

"She said she....would always be my friend." He finally turned to meet Harry's look, "But she can't mean that can she? How am I even supposed to look at her now? And surely she hates me for treating her so badly."

He sounded on the verge of breaking. Harry knew he had to choose his next words carefully.

"Ron, you have been her friend for years. You have watched after her, made her laugh.....if she said she will always be your friend, then she means it. You and I both know her well enough to know how stubborn and loyal she can be. Whether or not she loves you in that way, she will always love you. Surely you know that by now."

Ron didn't answer at first. The silence was thick. He could see the wheels turning in his friend's mind.

"That still doesn't cover how in the world I'm supposed to be around her. Maybe I should just go home."

He actually stood up as if to go, but Harry stood up in front of him.

"You're not going anywhere. You know you don't really want to and that she doesn't want you to either."

Another silence.

"Then what am I supposed to do?" Harry winced at the obvious pain in his best mate's voice.

"I think..." He wracked his brain for something useful to say. Hogwarts really needed to add classes about how to handle girls and people who were upset. "I think you need to decide what is important to you and stick with it. If you truly want Hermione as your friend, then make that your focus. I think that's what you both want."

Harry hoped he had said the right thing. He hoped that his own fears of the three becoming two weren't about to be realized. He knew now that nothing was as important to him as having Ron and Hermione by his side, he couldn't bear the thought of losing that now.

After what seemed like ages, Ron finally nodded his head.

"You're right Harry. I want....more than anything....for us three to be together."

Harry was glad to see the determination lurking behind the pain in Ron's eyes. He knew it wouldn't be easy for Ron, but luckily Ron didn't have to do it alone.

"I'm here for you mate." Harry closed the gap and gave Ron a hearty embrace. "Whatever I can do, let me know."

"Thanks mate. You're the best." Ron sniffed again. "As for what you can do, let's go find somewhere to do some blasting curses until a decent hour to drink comes around."