Why Did You Leave? | A Romione Story

The Morning After...

I was starting to feel less and less angry with Ron. I could see he felt bad. But I still wanted him to admit why he left.

When I woke up, the sun had only just risen; the sky was pink and blue and the ground was still sodden with dew. I thought I was the first one up, but when I looked behind me, Ron was sat on the edge of the tent with the radio.

"Why do you think I listen to this? Huh, have you ever wondered why?"

I turned to face him.

"No, not really. You have a lot of people to worry about. But I sup-"

"I listen, not because I'm waiting for good news. I'm just hoping there isn't any bad news."

I perched on a tree stump beside him.

"Fancy telling me what was in that horcrux yet? If you don't tell me, I'll ask Harry. So, spit it out"

Ron clicked the button on the radio.

"Are we seriously still talking about this? Come on 'mione. I know you know. Playing dumb doesn't really work for you."

Why wouldn't be just tell me? If he knows I know, then why should it cause him any embarrassment to admit it.

"Just because I know, doesn't mean it's the truth."

"Huh?"

"I think I know. That doesn't mean I do."

He sighed. I think he was going to admit it.

"Fine. If you really must know. The reason I left, the thing I saw in the Horcrux, is you and...and Harry."

"Oh for Merlins sake, Ronald! You don't need to worry about that. You know you don't."

He stood up.

"I was scared Hermione! I was scared you were going to replace me. At the end of the day, he's bloody Harry Potter! He's better than me in every way, and you know it."

"So that's why you hesitated towards coming back. You were scared of what you'd find."

He sat back down. He lifted his hand to his head and ran his fingers through his fiery hair.

"You know 'mione. I didn't come back for the mission, the horcruxes. I didn't come back for that. I didn't come back for Harry. I came back for you."

I looked up at him. He was staring deep into my eyes and, somewhat by accident, I returned the look. We stayed their, gazing, for what felt like an eternity.