I sat on the edge of my camp bed in Ginny’s room swinging my legs. The bed creaked, and she drowned out any sounds outside, deep into thoughts.
I can’t abandon my studies. But Ron, think about Ron. He’s not going back to Hogwarts. But my studies! Hermione, it’s him or your studies. My studies! But what about Ron, you can’t leave him. But Hogwarts...
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Come in?” I say, stoping my swinging legs, and shifting my weight to sit up straighter. Ron walks in, and my heart melts. Why does he have to make this so hard?
“Hey Love,” he says, swooping over to kiss me. I can’t help it, I kiss him back, not think about anything else, but how much I love Ron.
“ R..Ron?” I say breaking our kiss “we need to talk”
“I’ve been expecting this,” he says sighing “and I’ll go back to Hogwarts with you so we can be together. I don’t need to play Keeper for England. There will be many other chances...” I cut him off, placing my finger on his soft lips
“Ron, that’s not what I want to talk about.” I look at him, and take his hand “it’s about breaking up.” I squeeze his hand and focus on it, not looking up into his face. Even though I am not looking, I can imagine how he looks. Pale as a sheet, mouth hanging open, eyes blinking rapidly. But when I do look up, he surprises me. A silent tear is dripping down his face, but he is staying strong. I take a shuttering breath and continue.
“I really want to finish my studies at Hogwarts, and you were offered a spot on the England quidditch team.”
“Mione, look I...” I put a finger to his lips, trying not the get tingles as I touch them, possibly for the last time
“Ron you can’t pass that up. And you know you don’t want to go back to Hogwarts, whereas I do. The long-distance thing won’t work.”
“Hermione, we can try” I can tell he is holding back tears by the way his voice is all choked up, but I’m not done so I silence him.
“You’ll be doing Quidditch all the time, and I will be working as a N.E.W.T student. There will be no time and no enjoyment.” He squeezes my hand so I look up into his eyes, “Believe me, I want this to work. But whenever I imagine trying, it just doesn’t play out. Please know this is for the best. And that I love you. I always have! this just can’t work.” I burst into tears and turn away.
To my surprise, Ron hugs me from behind, and strokes my hair, “it’s okay Mione. I get it. It wouldn’t work out.” I turn to face him and look into his face.
Then I trace my finger across his cheekbone and kiss him in his lips, his beautiful soft lips. Then I pull apart and wipe my tears.
“I am so sorry Ron!” He strokes my back,
“It’s okay. I get it.” He’s crying now too, but I don’t turn to face him.
Ginny walks in “Mione, there’s a letter...” She looks at us “bad time?”
I wipe my eyes on the sleeve of my cropped sweater and stand up, “not at all. Now to that letter!” I walk briskly out of the door with Ginny following behind, glancing at Ron with questioning eyes. When we get outside her room, all I can manage to say is,
“We’ll talk about it tonight.”