I'm Sorry

"Hermione, please!" Ron implored. He was pounding at Hermione's door late in the evening, hoping to apologize to her. Earlier that day she had taken Greg, her new boyfriend, to meet Ron and Harry. Needless to say, it did not go well and it was all Ron's fault.

"No, Ron! Just go away! I'm not going to fall for your excuses this time! Now go away before I hex you!!!"

"Come on, Hermione. I know I was a big git. I'm sorry! Can you please just let me explain? Please, please, I'm begging you!" He knelt down in his knees in front of the door, calling to her, "I'm on my knees now, ok? Please! Just open the door."

Ron was prepared to wait there all night if he had to. He was even more than prepared to sleep there and wait till Hermione heads off to work to St. Mungo's. He knew she always started early. What was the surprise there? But to his surprise the door opened a peep revealing a doubtful Hermione's face. He looked up at her with puppy dog eyes. He could see a trace of a smile building at her mouth, but she was trying very hard to stop it. Her eyes sparkled with a trace of receding anger.

Ron brought his hands together in plea and begged again, moving closer to the opening in the door. "Please." Then suddenly he gripped the doorframe in his hand. Realizing what just happened, Hermione turned away huffing. She was almost half Ron's size now, fighting to bar the door would be futile.

Ron's heart skipped a beat at his momentary victory. He closed the door slowly, working out how he was going to apologize to Hermione. It wasn't going to be easy that's for sure. He entered the living room of her flat and saw her sitting by the sofa, staring intently at the fire. She had resigned herself to hearing him out. At least it would get him out of here. She didn't even have to stop being angry with him, which gave her a bit of consolation. What he did was totally uncalled for! "Start talking. I'm only giving you two minutes."

"Wha--"

"Starting now!"

"Okay...fine," Ron retorted, his mind whirling with excuses. "I'm sorry. That's all I wanted to say. I didn't mean to insult your b-b- him. Okay? I don't know what came over me. Okay, that's a lie. Maybe I do know. It's just that...are you sure he's right for you?"

Hermione glared at him.

"I mean... I know I don't know him all that much. But you've only known him what? Two weeks? I just...I want what's best for you. And he's an artist! He doesn't even have a job!"

Hermione was staring at him now. If Ron got that far, he might as well just go full steam ahead. And he did.

"He looks like a homeless person! Are you sure he's not some serial killer? I mean...two weeks! It's not enough to really get to know somebody!" Ron stammered. He was starting to run out of reasons now.

"He's a friend of a friend, Ron. I already told you that," Hermione answered wearily.

"Oh..."

"Is that all?"

"No!"

Hermione raised an eyebrow, daring him to continue.

Ron just stood there, not knowing what to say. Then he heard Hermione say, "Oh, there goes the time. Your two minutes are up!" She stood up and pointed towards the door. "Now please leave."

"Hermione..." Ron pleaded.

Hermione looked closely at him willing herself to ignore the pained looked on his face. She couldn't. "Ron," she said quietly. "I don't understand you. Greg is a nice guy if you would just get to know him. He makes me happy. I like his company. I've already told you all this. What, in all that, made you suddenly dislike him?"

Ron bowed his head not knowing how to answer her question. He sighed, fighting back the words he'd wanted to say for the 5 years since he realized he was in love with her. She was right, of course. There was absolutely no reason to dislike the guy. He was perfect. Still, he wasn't Ron and that hurt. A lot. "I'm sorry, Hermione," he said resignedly. "You're right. He's perfect." He gave her a weak smile before turning to leave. He already had his back to her when he felt her hand on his arm.

"Ron, wait..."

Ron turned back questioningly. Hermione's eyes didn't contain the same anger in them anymore. There was something else there. Then without warning, she leaned in and kissed him full on the lips. Ron, his emotional control already wearing thin, kissed her back. At the back of his mind, it registered that he was kissing, not platonically, his bestfriend. That part of his mind was screaming for him to stop. But Ron was too wrapped up in the emotions Hermione's lips were producing within him. He cupped her face with his hands and kissed her more fiercely. Hermione let out a slight moan, which Ron took as Hermione trying to tell him to stop. He did. When he pulled back he saw Hermione's flushed face and closed eyes and his breath caught in awe. She looked so beautiful to him at that moment that he ached all over. Bells were ringing in his head. A battle was raging between his head, heart and other body parts. They were battling for control; one wanted him to stop, while the others screamed for more. The head won. Not that head, the other one, the one that contains the brain.

"Oh God, Hermione. I'm so sorry."

Hermione opened her eyes and looked at him with surprise. "No, Ron, I--"

"No, please..." he interrupted, raising a hand. "I've loved you for so long, Hermione. I'm sure what you did...well, I don't know why you did it. But I took advantage of it. And I've wanted to do that for a long time. I can't believe I couldn't control myself tonight. I mean, you have a boyfriend! I'm sorry..." Ron turned hastily and left Hermione gaping at him.