Not That You Asked

After calling Ron over to join them, she got back into the bed and curled up next to Harry.

She knew Ron was still awake. He had to be.

She knew him well enough to know he wouldn't be able to sleep on a night like this.

He'd be too stressed to sleep.

He'd want to know what was happening.

He'd want to know if he still had a girlfriend or not.

She wasn't totally sure if he would or not.

Truth be told, she felt like a caged animal, trapped with no way out.

She didn't want to have to choose between them.

She'd already hurt Harry so much, how could she put him through that again?

How could she do that to Ron?

She heard Ron shuffle up to the bed and saw the curtains part as he climbed in.

When he saw them curled up against the backboard, she could feel his heart break.

So you've decided have you? You're going with him now?

I don't know Ron was all she could say.

What do you mean you don't know? You spend all night in his bed waiting for him to return, then when he does you sequester yourselves in here for a private conference then when you call me over, I see you curled up in his arms.

Harry tried to speak but was quickly shushed.

Ron, I don't know what I'm feeling right now. But I know I can't hurt either of you the way I've hurt Harry. The way we've hurt Harry.

Ron took this in and slumped back against one of the supports on the far side of the bed.

What am I supposed to do Hermione? I don't want to give you up. Harry, you have to understand, I feel bloody awful for what's happened, but I'm not giving her up. I know you're miserable but I love her just as much as you do.

Harry locked eyes with Ron and whispered I know.

So I'll ask again, what am I supposed to do Hermione?

She shifted at Harry's side and looked off in to the distance. I don't know Ron. I honestly don't know.

They sat there in silence for what seemed an impossible length of time.

She blurted out, This is all so impossible. I hate you guys, I truly do. I've fallen in love with the both of you and I can't choose between you. Your mom was right Ron, I am a scarlet woman.

No you're not Hermione, you're anything but scarlet was Ron's sincere response.

So what am I then Ron? If I'm not a scarlet woman then what am I? She asked.

Harry answered before Ron could get a word in edgewise, You're the woman we love Hermione.

Ron nodded as he spoke, What Harry said.

So what are we supposed to do? If I date you Harry, I'll break Ron's heart. If I date you Ron, I'll break Harry's.

Harry looked intently at her before he spoke, Do what you said before.

Hermione tilted her head in confusion.

Before what? Was all Ron could ask, just as confused as Hermione.

With something akin to grim determination on his face, Harry spoke, Date both of us. I couldn't live with myself if I made either of you miserable. And that's what I'd be doing if I kept you apart. But I don't want to give you up Hermione.

But Harry...Ron nearly shouted this out, a look of severe indignation on his face. You can't be serious. I mean, I can't do that to you guys either, but do you have any idea what people will say? I mean, remember what happened last year with that article Rita Skeeter wrote? You want to put Hermione through that again? And never mind that, what about the Slytherins?

Harry turned his head to face Ron, Who cares what the Slytherins think? They're annoying and petty little prats anyway. And Skeeter hasn't written anything all year. And who really needs to know? I mean we're always together anyway, so what has to change?

Well, I mean, how we handle....I mean, you know....Ron faltered as he tried to give voice to his thoughts.

Hermione found her voice as she said, Dating?

Yeah, was what Ron responded with.

Hermione pulled herself up to her knees and reached across Harry to take Ron's hands in hers. She then proceeded to pull Ron across the bed so that he was leaning against the backboard on one side of Hermione with Harry on the other side.

She took both their hands in hers as she began to speak. Harry's right, this is the only way this will work. It's all of us or nothing. I love the both of you and right now I can't imagine being without either of you. There's no other way out of this that doesn't have me breaking one of your hearts, and right now that is not an option. I'm asking that you both be my boyfriend.

Ron sighed as he took in Hermione's words. Then he looked at her and took in the determined look in her eyes. He then looked over at Harry who was mirroring his actions exactly. They locked eyes and stared at each other for several moments before nodding at each other.

They could make this work. They weren't sure exactly how, but they were sure Hermione would come up with something, and it would work. She was worth it. They all were.

Ron and Harry both knew they didn't want to be with each other the way they wanted to be with Hermione. But they both loved her and were willing to find some common ground so that they could both make her happy. So that they could make themselves happy. They did love one another. After everything they had been through over five years, it was impossible not to share a strong bond. It was impossible not to love one another or feel empty if one of them wasn't around.

Ron cursed himself for being so blind for so long. He kicked himself for hurting his best friend and for putting the girl he loved in what seemed like an impossible situation. But she had found a way through everything. This wasn't exactly normal, and it certainly wasn't perfect. It was far, far better then that. He had Hermione and he had Harry, and he knew he could love them both. He had the girl, and he had his best friend and everything was alright again.

Hermione sighed contently as she felt them wrap their arms around her and pull her in both their directions. By some contortion, she managed to feel herself comfortably resting against both of them. How could have I have hurt Harry so much and have him still love me so much? Because we're each other's family. We've been through so much, I've looked out for him for so long, I think I'd die if he didn't need me. And Ron, always so passionate and quick to defend me. They compliment each other so much and don't even realize it. We can make this work. We will make this work. We love each other too much not to.

Harry let out a sigh of contentment as he nestled his head in the crook of Hermione's shoulder. He wasn't sure if this was what he had wanted, but it had slowly dawned on him as their conversation had progressed that this was what he needed. He had found someone to love who loved him back so much that it hurt. He had heard the pain in her voice tonight and knew what she was feeling. She had never lied to him before and tonight when she had said she loved him, he knew it was true. She had always accepted him, and looked out for him. And now they could love each other freely. And Ron, he would always be there as well. Someone he could joke with, and share his secrets with. Someone he already loved as a brother, and would always love as something much more then that.

The next day, when they awoke, noone raised any questions. The looks of contentment on their faces answered any questions anyone might have. They walked arm in arm in arm down the stairs to the great hall for breakfast. Noone took notice of them or thought anything of what they saw.

When one then the other leaned in to kiss her, a few eyebrows were raised, but most people decided it was none of their business. They knew how close those three were and decided that unless they said something about it, it was none of their business.

Harry, Hermione and Ron all stood up at the table as one and walked out of the great hall towards their first class of the day. As they made their way outside, they felt the sunlight wash down across them and they smiled. It was a new day for a new beginning.

***End***

A/N: Thank you everyone for reading, and for reviewing. I originally started this out as an angst driven Harry doesn't get the girl story, but somewhere along the line something came over me and well, it just happened.