Living for Love

Generally, the Gryffindor common room would be empty at three o’clock in the morning on a Tuesday night. However, it was currently occupied by Hermione Granger, who was sobbing uncharacteristically on one of the squashy red armchairs by the remains of the fire. She was through with boys, that was for sure. Every time she thought she was in love with Ronald Weasley, he went and broke her heart again. Perhaps it wouldn’t keep happening if she actually confessed her feelings...but no, it was clear Ron felt the same way! Er, well, he felt the same way some of the time. Or did he? Oh, this was just too confusing.

The scene in question had happened only a few hours before. Hermione and Ron had been having a row about something or other, she couldn’t even remember the original topic. She had reprimanded Ron, who retorted, “You’re such a bossy know-it-all, it’s no wonder no one loves you!” and stormed off. Hermione was now in tears, but the common room had been long cleared by their fight. She was left to cry alone.

Am I really that mean towards Ron? she thought to herself while sobbing quietly. Maybe by trying to hide my feelings, I come off meaner than I think I am, her brain tried to rationalize. Well, if the git would just tell me he loved me, I wouldn’t have to act this way! She was through with this. It was going to be the last time that boy hurt her.

There was no reason to rethink this, everything had gone far enough. Between taking her extra classes and Head Girl duties, the only free time she had was constantly interrupted by Ron’s hateful attitude. She needed a way to solve all of her problems permanently. She needed to take a one-way trip to the Astronomy Tower.

How bittersweet, she thought to herself, that the tower I fantasized about being with Ron in is the one I’m going to leap off of. She had been debating this for a while now, even as early as the Time Turner incident in third year. She had tried a while ago to calm it by saying that once Ron fell in love with her, he could make it all better, but it was clear that wasn’t going to happen. As she mused, her feet kept walking on automatic. Higher and higher she climbed, the top of the Astronomy Tower her goal.

Once she got there, she broke down again and huddled against one of the turrets, sobbing pitifully with her back to the cold stone. I can’t go through with this, she thought, but my life is nothing without Ron. Suddenly, she heard footsteps racing up the tower steps, and frantically groped for her wand to cast a Concealment Charm, but realized she had left it back in Gryffindor Tower. She searched for some excuse to be up here so late--surely her Head Girl duties could save her--but her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of Ron.

“Hermione,” he panted, “don’t...do it!” he stopped for breath, then muttered something like “olive juice” into the side of his robes.

“Er, what was that last bit, Ron?” she asked.

Ron took a deep breath and looked her straight in the eyes. “I didn’t hear you in the common room anymore, so I used Harry’s Map and saw you here. I got so scared...I thought you had-” At this, his voice broke and his eyes began to water. “Hermione, I love you. I’ve loved you for a long time, but I’ve been afraid to say it. You make me so mad sometimes, but you’re the only girl who can make me really happy, as well. I may have the emotional range of a teaspoon, but I know love when I feel it. Don‘t throw your life away, because you‘d wreck mine too.” He reached for Hermione to pull her in closer to him.

Hermione leaned in, understanding that this was what they both needed right now. As Ron heaved great dry sobs against her, she patted him on the back and reassured him that as long as he was around, she wouldn’t be going anywhere (with the possible exception of back inside). “Besides, you great git,” she informed him, “I love you, too.”