When Love Is Not Enough

~~~Part One~~~

In which Ron makes an unwelcome discovery and

decides to do what is right over what is easy.

They were having a snowball fight. Well, at least he, Harry, and Ginny were tossing snowballs around. Hermione was on the sidelines watching after Fleur and Bill's kid, the cosseted Cosette.

Harry flashed Ron a devious smile and then pointed to Hermione. Ron shook his head. If Harry wanted to attack Hermione, that was his own business. Ron was going to stay out of it. Harry gathered up a large snowball and hit Hermione square in the chest.

"Harry James Potter!" Hermione yelled as Cosette giggled, nearly destroying her snowman with her giddiness.

Harry grinned. "Hermione Jane Weasley!"

And there it was. The wince. It was slight, slight enough that Ron was sure Harry hadn't noticed. He himself only noticed because he knew to look for it. The tiniest cringe upon Hermione's face whenever anyone said her full name that had been Ron's first clue that she was as dissatisfied as he was.

He knew he should say something. Hermione never would. She hated to fail, but Ron thought that maybe that this was one area in which it was better to fail and be happy than to succeed and always wonder.

Hermione retaliated and soon it was an all out fight between the guys and the girls. Ron swooped his niece up when she tried to toss a snowball his way and swung her around in the air. Cosette giggled wildly, and Hermione looked worried. Ron put his niece down and suggested they all go in for some hot chocolate.

After Bill flooed in to pick up his daughter, and after Harry and Ginny went out to survey a few more churches for their upcoming wedding ceremony, Ron took a cup of hot tea to Hermione in her study.

"Fun day, wasn't it?"

Hermione glanced up from her paperwork. "Yes. It was. I'm glad they came over. It was almost like Hogwarts again."

"Almost," Ron agreed, "but not quite. Back then none of us were married or dating."

"No, but things are better now, aren't they?" Ron sat down in one of the other chairs in the study and stretched out his long legs. This was going to be harder than he thought.

"I don't know," he said finally.

"Ron, if this is about--"

"No. It isn't. It isn't about any of that." He covered his face with his hands. When he spoke his voice was muffled. "Hermione, what are we doing?" He looked up, trying to gauge her reaction.

Hermione did not answer, but she was tense now and Ron knew that tenseness well as only a husband of three years could. He'd seen it often. "Ron, are you trying to tell me something?" Her voice was sharp, but she was twisting her rings. So she was nervous.

Ron reached out and took Hermione's hand. He traced his thumb over the small, marquise-cut diamond engagement ring. "I wanted to get the square-cut one," Ron said. "The jeweler called it a princess-cut and I wanted to get it because I thought you were a princess. Harry convinced me to get this one though. He said you would like it, and you did. I guess I should've known then, but I loved you and didn't want to believe it."

"Loved?" Hermione echoed in a high pitched voice. "Ron, if you dare say what I think you're about to say, I'll--"

"We can't do this anymore, Hermione. I want to be your best friend again."

"We are best friends."

"No," he said, dropping her hand, "We're married. There's a difference. Hermione, why is that anytime anyone calls you Mrs. Weasley, you tell them 'just call me Hermione'?"

"I am attempting to be polite."

"And why do we fight so much?"

"We've always fought," Hermione said in a scathing voice, "ever since day one on the train."

"Not like this, though, Hermione. Admit it, ever since we got married, our fights have ceased to be fun and have started to really sting."

"Ron, please go. I have work to do."

"No!" He was on his feet. "We're not going to ignore this anymore. Hermione, I love you, but--" He flopped back down into his chair. "Every time Ginny or Harry mentions their wedding, you tense and go to another room or change the topic. I don't think they've noticed, but I have. Do you remember how I proposed?"

"Of course, the picnic, it was the sweetest, most romantic thing that--"

"Harry ever told me to do," Ron interrupted and finished the sentence. "The proposal, the ring, the food; everything was his idea. I wanted to take you to Estrella's. Harry said you'd prefer something quieter and more private. He engineered everything, Hermione. You should have said your vows to him, not me, and you know it."

"Ron-- I love you. I--"

Ron reached over and pulled Hermione into his lap and hugged his arms around her tight. "I love you, too, but don't we deserve to be happy, too?" Hermione cried against his chest as he brushed his fingers through her tangle of hair.

"I want to be your best friend again, Hermione. I want to bicker over silly things that don't really matter and flirt with you wildly because we can, because we both know it doesn't mean anything and that it's just for fun. I don't want to fight anymore and I don't want to try anymore just because everyone says to. Sometimes love isn't enough, you know? There are other things, little things, but important ones. And those things matter, too, and I just want to be happy, Hermione. I just want you to be happy, too." His heart was breaking into pieces inside, but he couldn't take the easy road anymore.

When they fell asleep that night, Ron held Hermione close to him and wished with all his heart that he could be enough for her, or that she could be enough for him. But he knew they never would be.

~~~Part 2~~~
In which Ron takes action and confronts Harry.

Ron shut the door behind him and pulled a chair over to block the exit out.

"Ron, what are you doing? The ceremony will be starting soon. Gin'll kill me if I'm late." Harry's stomach was more knotted than he could ever remember it being before, and Ron was not helping at all.

"No, I've already talked to Ginny. She knows what's going on. How are you, mate?"

"I'm fine. Nervous. Why are you blocking the door?"

Ron leaned back. "I was nervous my wedding day, too," he said.

"I remember. You could barely stand up. I thought I was going to have to hold you at the altar." Ron grinned. "But look at you now, you're married to the cleverest witch I know and happy. And now--"

Ron interrupted him. "Actually, that's just it, Harry, we're not happy."

"What? Ron, I'm very sorry for you, but this really has nothing to do with me. Please let me go out there and start my life with your sister."

"No, because, Harry, that's the problem entirely, it does have to do with you."

Harry sat down. "What? But you and Hermione-- you love each other. Any fool can see that."

Ron twisted the ring around his finger. "Yeah, we love each other all right, but we're not going to make it past Christmas, I guarantee it. Do you love my sister, Harry?"

"Yes, you know I do. She's witty and warm and playful; how could I not love her? Ron, where are you going with this?"

Ron sighed and held his head between his hands. "Sometimes, Harry," he said in a long sigh, "love isn't enough. Hermione and I have learned that the hard way. See, we do love each other, but we're not working out."

"You just need more time. Thing's will work out. You're just in a rough patch."

Ron chuckled briefly and humorlessly. "Harry, you have no idea how hard this is, but tell me and do so truthfully-- how do you feel about Hermione?"

"What!?" Harry didn't know what to say. Why had Ron waited until today of all days to talk about this?

"What do you think about Hermione? Pretend she and I aren't married. Pretend I was never even in the picture, if you have to. Just tell me, do you love Hermione?"

"Ron, I--" Harry faltered. Ron looked up and stared directly at him, his gaze neither angry nor jealous nor any of the emotions Harry would have expected. The expression was unfathomable, daring. Harry looked down at his hands.

"I cannot let you marry my sister."

"But, Ron!"

"But nothing, Harry," Ron said with a gentle, sad smile as he stood up. "Ginny already knows. I think she always knew. She just-- 'wanted to live the dream.'"

"I-- I can't do this."

"Harry," Ron said, his voice sharp, "you are a bloody Gryffindor, not some Hufflepuff living up to expectations. Ginny's a smart girl. She's hurt, but she also expected it. You are not going to marry her just because it would be too difficult not to."

"Your mother--"

"Will learn to deal with it."

"And you and Hermione... I couldn't."

"You are not breaking Hermione and me apart, Harry. Our relationship is falling to pieces with or without you. We still love each other. Hermione will always be my first love. But, Harry, we cannot live together. We can't be married to each other. It just-- isn't working. I'll go break the news to the guests. You get changed. We're going out to dinner tonight. Hermione's already made reservations." Ron pushed his chair aside and exited, shutting the door behind him with a soft click.

Harry stood and walked over to window. Ron was already outside and checking for Muggles before apparating to the church. Harry closed the blinds and tried to ignore the growing sense of relief radiating from his formerly knotted stomach.

~~~The Epilogue~~~

In which three conversations show that

Everyone made the right decision(-s) after all.

Harry and Ginny

Ginny was wearing one of her shorter robes that Harry had always thought looked quite fetching on her. She half-turned away from the kitchen cabinet and looked over her shoulder. "Would you like something to eat as well?" Harry shook his head.

"I'm fine. Ron said you decided to take a job in Romania?"

Ginny put down the biscuits and turned around. She was smiling broadly. "Yes, I've always been curious about Charlie's job and he had an opening several months ago. They had one applicant, but he quit after just one month. I figure I have time now, so why not?"

"I never knew you wanted to know more about tending dragons."

"Well, I didn't think I was going to be able to ever go. It was a childhood dream, not something I actually expected to do. Now, though... why not?" She shrugged.

"I guess it is a good thing we didn't get married." Ginny chuckled without much humor and Harry could see that she was still a little upset and that his remark had stung.

"I guess. So did you hear that Fleur is pregnant again?" Ginny changed the subject brightly and turned back to preparing her snack.

Ron and Hermione

"Ronald Weasley!"

"Hermione Granger!"

"Give me back that book this instant. I need it for my research."

"You need to go outside. Soon it will be too cold."

"Ron, I will go outside. I just want to finish this up before Harry gets here."

"Oh, I get it. You'll stop working for Harry, but I'm just not special enough."

"Exactly. Now, book?"

"Catch."

"Now shoo and let me work. Harry's supposed to be here in about an hour."

"Hermione?"

"Yes, Ron?"

"Nothing. Get to work. I'll be limbering up outside."

Hermione snorted. "Limbering up; you're not yet that old, Ron."

"I thought you were supposed to be working."

"Out!"

Ron laughed and left the room. This is what he had missed having with Hermione when he had been married to her: their friendship and interactions. He could have fun with her again and he loved it. He loved her still, of course, but she was happier with Harry and that was what was important.

Harry and Hermione

"So Ginny told me that Fleur is pregnant again." Harry set out the bowls and silverware after Ron had left.

"I know. Angelina told me last week at the shop." Hermione finished tossing the salad and moved it to the center of the table. "Molly's happy about it, I've heard, maybe she'll be more forgiving now. Can you get the bread, Harry? I'll be right back."

"Sure." Hermione slipped out of the room and took a deep breath. This was real. It was really real. She opened one of the windows to let in a breeze and turned on some soft jazz music.

When she returned to the room, Harry was arranging some bread in a basket. He looked up and grinned at her and Hermione found herself smiling back. It still felt so strange, to be like this with Harry, but he just made her want to smile crazily all the time. "I'll go get the spaghetti," she said and crossed the room. Harry stepped in front of her.

"Be careful," he murmured.

"I do think I can handle this much, Harry." She looked up at him and bit her lip before leaning up and kissing him quickly on the mouth. "I love you," she said without thinking.

Harry kissed her again and Hermione wished that they could just forget dinner and--- and then Harry pulled back. "I love you, too. Go get the spaghetti. I'll get the wine."

Hermione rolled her eyes and walked into the kitchen. She slipped the spaghetti into a bowl and carried it out into the dining room where Harry was opening the wine bottle. She spooned out the spaghetti while he poured the wine. Finally, everything was done.

Harry held up his wine glass and Hermione clicked her own against it. "To us," they said accidentally in unison. Harry laughed and Hermione shook her head. Being with Harry was simply-- right. She could explain it no other way.