Giving Into Temptation

Chapter Seven: Letting Go

She woke up to see Draco curled up beside her and at first she felt apprehensive. Then when he sighed, her lips curled up into a smile. She kissed his forehead and got out of bed. After pulling on her robe, she headed out into the kitchen. Icy cold dread filled her at the sight of Ron sitting at the dining room table.

"Ron..."

"He's in there, isn't he?"

She nodded, a lump forming in her throat.

"I thought as much."

"You said you didn't want me to contact you... that you had nothing more to say to me. So why are you here?"

"I talked to Harry and Gin. They said I should hear your side of the story. I thought since they're happily married I might as well take their advice.

"I don't know what to say to you. You obviously don't want to listen. I can see it in your face."

"Can you blame me? I found out you were sleeping with Malfoy! Give me one good reason why I should listen to anything you have to say."

"Because once upon a time we were in love."

"Yeah? And once upon a time I could trust you."

"Hermione bit her lip, having no response for this.

"It's not 'once upon a time' to me, Hermione. I still love you. And I won't ever stop, even though you've betrayed me more so than anyone. But I don't think I can forgive you. Not now. Not ever."

"Do you... do you want your ring back?"

"No. I said you could keep it. What in the hell would I want it for? A reminder? No, thank you. I've got enough to remember you by."

Ron got to his feet and Hermione wanted so badly to make him understand. She didn't want him to leave like this.

"Ron, I love-"

"No. Don't you say it. Don't you dare." Ron spun around to stare at her, his face red with anger. "You lost the right to say that the second you let Malfoy through that front door. I don't want you to love me. I don't even want you to like me. Just forget me, all right? Forget everything we had. It was easy enough for you to do before, so it shouldn't be hard to do now.

He stalked out of the house, slamming the door shut behind him. And even though it made her heart ache, she let him go.

~ ~ ~

Ron made his way down the street, the cold air nipping at his skin. He pulled his traveling cloak tighter around him and bent his head against the rushing wind. Tears stung his eyes, but not because of the cold. No... he cried for his shattered relationship. For the love he had lost. Most of all, he cried for the life he was leaving behind. A part of him wanted to stay and make things work. But a greater part of him could not look at Hermione without seeing her betrayal. And it was that part of himself that he listened to. "Once upon a time we were in love". Ugh! How could she say it like that? Like their life was some sort of fairytale?! He kicked at a rock in his path, sending it sailing through the air. Anger pulsed through him. He wanted to go back there and drag Malfoy out of his bed... maybe take him outside and rough him up Muggle-style. But he wouldn't sink to that level. He had promised Ginny that he wouldn't beat the shit out of Malfoy, even though it was what he wished to do. Instead, he'd walk away. He'd give up. He'd simply let go...

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