Rating:
PG
House:
Astronomy Tower
Ships:
Harry Potter/Hermione Granger
Characters:
Harry Potter Hermione Granger Ron Weasley
Genres:
Friendship Romance
Era:
Harry and Classmates Post-Hogwarts
Stats:
Published: 12/05/2005
Updated: 12/05/2005
Words: 3,301
Chapters: 1
Hits: 2,021

Being Friends

TattooedSiren

Story Summary:
Sequel to Can't Go Back. Harry and Hermione are happy and in love. But there is something they just can't let go of.

Posted:
12/05/2005
Hits:
2,021
Author's Note:
The final story in the series. Dedicated to my wonderful beta, Cronje, and to all the beautifully delusional Pumpkin shippers.


Being Friends

Hermione lazily opened her eyes. After taking a few moments to become lucid, she smiled as she felt the weight of Harry's arm lying across her stomach. She placed her arm on his, turning to face him.

He was already awake, lying peacefully beside her. He smiled at her. "Good morning," he whispered, his voice slightly hoarse. He leaned forward and kissed her, just like he did every morning. It was Hermione's favourite part of the day - their first kiss.

"Morning," she sleepily replied when he withdrew from her.

They automatically snuggled closer to each other, their arms around each other, their faces next to each other on the same pillow.

"Hermione, can I ask you something?"

"Mmm?"

Harry brought his hand up and rested it on her cheek. Looking into her eyes, he softly said, "Will you marry me?"

Hermione gave a visible jolt of surprise. But then, seeing that he was serious, she beamed. "Yes," she replied, her voice low but shaky.

Harry grinned, then pulled Hermione to him for what Hermione would later describe as the best kiss of her life. When they finally released each other, they both had tears falling down their cheeks.

Harry sat up and turned behind him and reached into the back of the top drawer of his bedside table. Hermione also sat, wiping away her tears of happiness, and too stunned to realise exactly what Harry was doing. It only took a moment for Harry to find what he was looking for. He turned back to Hermione, a diamond ring in his fingers.

Hermione gasped. It was beautiful - a simple white gold band with a single, rather large, square cut diamond. It was perfect.

Harry gingerly took her left hand and slid the ring onto her finger, then brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it. Hermione was crying, so overwhelmed by this simple yet significant action.

They didn't emerge from their bedroom until the afternoon.

*

Hermione collapsed onto the couch as Harry shuffled off to the kitchen to make them breakfast. Lunch. Whatever.

She smiled as she looked around their living room. But the smile unwillingly faded as her eyes focused on one of the pictures on their bookshelf. She quickly looked over her shoulder, and hearing Harry working away in the kitchen, she quietly stood and walked over to the shelf and picked up the framed photograph.

It was a picture of herself with Harry and Ron. It was taken years ago - in fact, it was probably one of the last pictures taken of them before Ron and Hermione became a couple. The three friends were playing together in the snow. Harry and Ron threw snowballs at Hermione's back, grinning madly. Hermione turned, and with a smile on her face, ran and crashed into them. They fell into the snow, cheeks bright red with laughter, not a care in the world.

Putting the picture back down, Hermione was struck with sadness. She missed Ron. And she knew that Harry did too.

When Harry and Hermione confessed to Ron, as they anticipated, it went badly. There was much crying and yelling and fighting and pleading - from all three parties. Ron was confused as to how this happened, he felt betrayed by his girlfriend and someone who was like a brother to him. Hermione and Harry kept begging for forgiveness, saying they still cared for him and they wanted desperately to remain friends. Ron didn't take too well to that idea. His hatred for them was overwhelming and he declared he never wanted to see them again.

Hermione immediately moved out of their flat and she moved in with Harry, though they had to find a new place together as being located literally around the corner from Ron was not the best idea. The first few months of their relationship were surreal; everyone finding out about them, trying to repair their friendship with Ron, incurring the wrath of the Weasley clan. In fact, the first few months Harry and Hermione were together it didn't feel like they were together at all. All their energy was focused on just trying to get by and thinking of ways to get Ron to forgive them. And though they wouldn't say it out loud, they both knew that at times they considered calling the whole thing off.

After a few months, everyone got used to the idea of them being together. The Weasley's were still mad, but they could at least be civil to them when they bumped into each other in public. And though it broke their hearts, Harry and Hermione gave up trying to regain Ron's friendship. They finally gave in to his requests to be left alone.

Hermione suspected that Harry felt it was some kind of trade. He always had a sort of 'woe-is-me, the-whole-world-is-out-to-get-me' attitude, and she suspected Harry thought that with her and Ron, it was either one or the other. The price he had to pay for being so deeply in love was his best friend.

But although Harry and Hermione had officially given up on their best friend, there was still an undercurrent of hope. It was the reason you would still find pictures of him around their home. It was why they could talk about him with no malice or sadness or regret. Because, in spite of everything, in their hearts, Ron was still their best friend. And they could never abandon the idea that one day, he would forgive them for their betrayal and they could all be friends again, like they always were.

Hermione sat back down on the couch and was gazing lovingly at her ring when Harry entered the room, carrying two plates of pancakes. She smiled at him as he sat down beside her, passing her breakfast to her. Even as they ate they talked animatedly; deciding who they should tell first, how they were inevitably going to have to deal with the press, and finally, if and when they should tell Ron.

Harry sighed as he took Hermione's left hand in his. "It's never easy, is it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I just proposed and you accepted. We should be staying in bed all day, making love. Or we should be rushing out the front door and telling everyone we know; yelling it from the rooftops, as it were. Instead, we get to sit here and strategize how best to let the world, and our best friend, know." He sighed. "Sometimes it sucks to be me. I wish we could just be like every other normal couple. I'm sorry I can't give you that."

Hermione smiled to herself, mentally stopping the clock she had running in her head: how long until he brings up the 'downside' of us getting engaged?

"Harry, I love you. I want to marry you. You. And all these ... extras ... they are part of what makes you who you are - the man I love."

She kissed him thoroughly, trying to reinforce her point. When she finally released him, Harry looked slightly in awe of his fiancée.

"But you're right about one thing though. We should spend today just like any other couple who gets engaged."

Hermione gave a subtle wink as she rose from the couch and headed to their bedroom. Harry grinned, rose from the couch and raced to their room.

*

"Tell me if you think this is a crazy idea. We elope - travel to the other side of the world and just get married, then tell everyone when we get back."

"Harry, that's a crazy idea."

He chuckled. "Well, it was worth a shot. And believe me, when we have to deal with over-zealous reporters and crazy bridal parties and the nightmare seating chart, you may wish you had taken me up on that offer."

"I'll keep that in mind," she smiled.

They were lying in bed, snacking on some fruit. Night had fallen and the city lights were shining through their window.

After a pause, Hermione looked to Harry and said, "So are we going to talk about it?"

Harry met her eyes. "I guess we should."

Hermione cleared away the plate of food and they sat up against the bed head, pulling the sheets up with them. But despite their willingness to finally talk about Ron, neither said a word. After the fleeting thoughts Hermione had of him that morning and the brief mention Harry gave of him, he had been put out of their minds as they concentrated on their happy day together. But now it was back to reality.

Hermione finally spoke. "We can't let him find out from anyone else but us. We have to be the ones to tell him."

"I agree. But it's not like we left things in the best state. We can't exactly rock up on his doorstep after a year and say, 'Hi Ron, remember us, the two best friends who betrayed you? Just thought we would stop by to tell you we're getting married. But enough about us. How are things with you?'"

Hermione laughed in spite of herself. "That's not funny, Harry."

Harry smiled at her. Taking her hands in his, he quietly said, "I can only think of one option."

"We don't tell anyone else until we've told Ron."

Harry nodded, resigned. "Are you okay with that?"

She thought about it for a moment. Could she really keep such huge and exciting news to herself? But as she thought about what might happen if Ron found out about them from another source, and how that would put the final nail in the coffin with their attempts at reconciliation, she nodded. "Are you?"

"Yeah." He paused, and then confessed, "I can't let him go, Hermione. No matter how hard I try, I can't shake him."

Hermione smiled sadly. "I know what you mean."

*

It was all well and good to agree not to tell anyone about their engagement until they had spoken to Ron. But trying to think of the best way to tell him, well, that was a little harder.

They considered owling him. Writing him a letter and telling him everything on paper that he wouldn't let them say to his face. But the idea was soon rejected - it seemed too much like the easy way out.

There were only two viable options to get to Ron. Turn up on his doorstep, hoping he didn't hex them on the spot, then beg for some of his time and tell him. Or, they could go to one of their mutual friends, asking them to pass on a message saying they needed to speak to him and could they meet him somewhere.

"It doesn't matter how we get into the same room as him. What matters is what we say when we do," Hermione said.

Harry sighed. "I know. It's just, it's easier to think about the logistics of getting to Ron than to think about how to tell him we're engaged."

Hermione reached out and took his hand in hers. He looked up into her eyes.

"What if this is it?" Harry asked in a whisper, anxiety lacing his words. "What happens if we tell him and he can't get past it? We could lose him forever."

Hermione had no reply. She was having the same worries. Although she and Harry still considered Ron their best friend, they both knew that if he couldn't accept this news, any hope of them rebuilding their friendship would vanish in a second.

"Come on," Hermione said, standing up and pulling Harry with her. "Let's go for a walk. We need some fresh air - it'll clear our minds and make everything much clearer."

Harry smiled at her as she led him from their flat. "Promise?"

She smiled back at him. "Absolutely."

They made their way out of the building and walked the few blocks to Kensington Gardens. They walked around for a while; arm in arm, stealing the occasional kiss, looking every bit the young couple in love. They smiled at the children playing, watched a group of teenagers practicing karate and politely declined an invitation to join a game of cricket.

And then, Fate stepped in.

They were walking along, talking and laughing happily, when Hermione suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. Harry turned to her, confused.

"What is it?" he asked.

Hermione remained silent, staring up ahead. She nodded her head in the direction she was staring. Harry turned, curious to see what had so enraptured his fiancée.

Ron.

He was sitting at a bench, silently scratching away in a note pad. He looked so much older than the last time they had seen each other, which shouldn't have been surprising, given that that was over a year ago. But seeing him again made Harry and Hermione realise just how much time they had missed.

Harry turned to Hermione. He squeezed her hand, finally drawing her attention away from their friend. "Shall we?"

Hermione nodded. Harry took a step but Hermione remained rooted in her spot. Harry turned back to her.

"I'm scared," she confessed in a whisper.

"Me too." He leaned in and kissed her tenderly. "Come on."

Hermione took a deep breath, and then they slowly made their way over to him.

"Hello, Ron," Hermione said gently.

Ron stopped writing mid-word but didn't look up. He couldn't believe he was really hearing her voice. Slowly, he rose his head and saw his best friends standing before him. They were both smiling, clearly happy to see him, but they were obviously a little wary of his reaction to them.

Ron put his notepad aside and slowly stood, putting his hands in his pockets. "Hey," he said.

"How are you doing?" Harry asked, a little too enthusiastically for Ron's liking.

"Yeah, pretty good," he replied. "You?"

"Fine."

Ron nodded. "Hermione?" he asked, turning to her.

"Good."

There was an awkward pause. Hermione desperately wanted to throw her arms around Ron and tell him how much they both missed him, but she knew that probably wouldn't go over too well.

"You look great," Hermione said sincerely, breaking the tension-filled silence.

"Thanks," he replied, a small smile gracing his features.

Another tense silence. Hermione squeezed Harry's hand, clearly wanting him to continue the conversation.

"What are you working on, Ron?" Harry asked, pointing to the notebook Ron had been writing in.

"Oh," Ron said, colouring slightly. "That's nothing. It's just some notes for the novel I'm working on."

"A novel?" Hermione asked. "Wow. That's impressive."

"Yeah, well, it's not that good, so maybe you should just wait until you've read it before you make such positive statements," he grinned.

Harry and Hermione smiled in return.

As the three friends stood there, grinning at each other, for that tiny moment, it was as though nothing had ever happened. They were eleven years old and best friends forever. It was but a small glimpse of how things could be - but it was enough to encourage more conversation between them.

They sat on the bench and had a tentative conversation, discussing work and mutual friends and the current whereabouts of the Weasley clan. Although their talk was sometimes strained, it became easier as they went along.

"Are you seeing anyone?" Hermione tentatively asked Ron. So far, they had avoided the topic of romance completely, but it could only be evaded for so long.

"Um ... yes and no," Ron replied slowly.

Harry grinned. "I can't wait to hear the explanation to this one," he said.

Ron smiled, running his hand through his hair. "There is this girl at work. Her name is Claire. I really like her and I think she likes me. We're kinda at the flirting stage at the moment but I think something might happen. I hope, anyway," he explained.

Hermione smiled. "That's great," she said.

"Yeah. So, what about you two? Still together, obviously."

"Yep, still together," Harry replied.

"Happy?" Ron asked.

Hermione nodded. "Yeah."

Harry and Hermione watched Ron for his reaction to this topic. Though he looked far from thrilled, he seemed to be dealing well with them together. They glanced at each other and Harry nodded. Ron furrowed his brow at them, feeling very out of the loop.

"Ron," Hermione said, "we have something we wanna tell you."

"Yeah?" Ron asked, intrigued but clearly slightly apprehensive.

"Yeah. Um ... this might come as a bit of a surprise but ... uh ... Harry and I are getting married."

Ron gave no visible reaction to this news. He simply looked at his friends, his face blank. He said nothing. He kept quiet for so long that Harry and Hermione started to worry.

"Say something," Hermione almost pleaded.

"Um ... congratulations," he replied, still slightly dazed.

"Are you mad?" Harry asked worriedly. Hermione was squeezing his hand, clearly as terrified as he was that they had just destroyed their chance of being friends again.

"Uh ... I don't think so," Ron replied, his voice uncertain. "It's just a bit of a shock is all."

"We know," Harry replied sympathetically.

Ron smiled reassuringly at them. And then he swore, quickly glancing at his watch.

"I better get going or I'll be late for work," he said, standing from the bench.

Harry and Hermione stood also. The trio stood awkwardly for a moment.

"It was really good to see you, Ron," Harry said, holding out his hand.

Ron looked at it for a moment, and then he took his hand and shook it warmly. "You too."

Ron turned to Hermione, who looked on the verge of tears. He held out his hand to her. With a sob, Hermione pushed the hand aside and threw her arms around him. Ron patted her awkwardly on the back.

"Ron, can you do us a favour?" Hermione asked uncertainly when she had released him. "Would you mind not telling anyone about our engagement? It's just, you're the first person we've told and we just need to figure out how to announce it to everyone else."

"You haven't told anyone yet?" Ron asked, clearly surprised. "How long have you been engaged?"

"Nearly a month," she replied.

"Why haven't you told anyone else?"

"We wanted you to be the first to know," Harry replied simply.

Ron was speechless. No matter what had happened, it was obvious that he was still the most important person in Harry and Hermione's lives - that is, apart from each other. He nodded. He would keep their secret. He always did.

"So, can we see you again?" Harry asked.

Ron looked at them for a moment, standing before him so hopeful. He nodded. "I'll owl you. But I really should get going."

Harry and Hermione nodded. Ron turned and began to walk away but was stopped by Hermione's hand on his arm. He turned back to her.

"So ... are we okay?" she asked, her voice so full of anxiety and hope.

It was such a loaded question. Ron missed his friends, more than he would ever admit. But their betrayal still stung a little and he wasn't sure if he would ever get past it. But sitting there together hadn't been as painful or as hard as he imagined it would be. All in all, he had never felt so many things all at once.

Harry and Hermione were still waiting for an answer. So he gave them the only one he could. He shook his head.

Harry and Hermione couldn't hide their disappointment, although they looked as though they were expecting such a response.

Ron stepped forward and placed a hand on their arms. And then, with a slight smile, he added, "But we will be."


Sorry it took so long for this fic! I got some serious writers block halfway through, and then wrote the second half of the fic in one sitting. Weird, huh? And then I had to wait for the submission guide to be up again. I hope it was worth the wait! Please, please, please review and let me know what you think - good or bad. I’m a review junkie - please don’t leave me hanging too long for my next fix. :o)