I'll Go Down With My Friends
"Are you ready?" Hermione asked Harry.
They were outside Ron's flat. It had taken Hermione about an hour to get Harry to change. Harry was so nervous that he used the excuse to want to spend more time with her, than to go visit Ronald. At the end, Hermione told him that he would not be getting any sort of rewards if he continued that way. Knowing Harry he quickly had agreed.
"Uh..no?" He looked at her with his irresistible puppy eyes, "do we have to?" He wished he was facing Voldemort now than having to tell Ron the news.
"Yes, you perfectly know the answer." Hermione knocked on the door.
They could have apperated but chose not to.
Harry started to look sick as he heard Ron approach the door. He almost ran away in fear of facing reality and in the process loosing Ron's friendship. After all, he saw Ron as a brother.
"Hermione? Harry?"
"Hello Ron. May we come in?" Hermione asked timidly and Harry noticed her nervousness.
"Sure. Come in you guys. you could've apperated, you know," Ron sat down across from the newlyweds. "You guys want something to drink?"
"No, thank you," Hermione said.
Harry just shook his head and started appreciating the pattern of the tile floor.
"So…uhm…how are you Hermione?" Ron asked hopeful to get a response from her; telling him she had missed him dearly. It almost broke her heart.
"I'm doing fine," she sounded more confident. "How about you? Having parties all the time, I suppose." She said looking around the messy flat.
"No, I just don't have the time," he smiled.
Good, we're making process here, Hermione thought.
"How are you mate?" Ron asked Harry. "You should really go see Ginny. She is going mad. I'm telling you, if I hear her ask me one more time where you are I'm gonna have to hex her."
"Ron, we came to talk to you," Hermione told him seriously.
"About something important," Harry added.
"Good. I've been wondering where you guys were. Every time I tried owling you the owls came back. So where have you two been?"
"Do you remember what McGonagall told us?' Hermione ignored the last questions.
"How can I not?" Hurt flashed in Ron's eyes.
"Well, Harry and I…we know who the person is," Hermione waited for a response from Ron.
Ron looked confused and if this was not such a serious reason Harry would have laughed. Yet, Harry did not have the energy to look at him right in the eye. It took a while for Ron to realize what was happening. Then, as if a light bulb had lightened, he looked at Hermione. Hermione started to shake for only Harry to notice and as in instinct Harry took her hand. Ron looked at Harry and fury like no other started to grow inside of him.
"You!" Ron heatedly got up and pointed at Harry. "You bloody bastard!"
Within seconds, Ron was on top of Harry; punching the living daylights out of him.
"Ron, stop it!"
Harry was taking every punch. This made only Ron more frustrated and he increased his force. Hermione knew that Harry could have easily started to push Ron away from him. She knew that Harry was thinking he deserved it. Hermione caught Harry looking at her and with his eyes he told her, I don't regret it.
Ron grew tired and got off Harry. He sat on the floor trying to regain his breath.
"Ron," Hermione pleaded, "you have to listen to us."
"Listen to you?" He looked at Hermione and she felt scared. "How do you expect me to do that when I can't trust you anymore. You have betrayed me. I-I have always been the third wheel…haven't I?"
Hermione had leaned to check on Harry and he smiled at her.
"I'm okay," he whispered.
Hermione looked back at Ron and told him, "Don't be silly. You've never been the third wheel. The three of us have always been together on everything. We did not mean to hurt you. We would never do that. Harry and I just acted as two lov-" she paused realizing what she was about to say.
"Say it Hermione," Ron dared her, "Say it. As two lovers?!"
Hermione knew Ron was not being himself. He was just acting as any jealous man would have, she reasoned.
Ron looked at Harry and smirked. "So you finally got her to shag someone? I was wondering if she was ever capable of doing that."
This time, it was Harry that moved forward and the atmosphere changed; everyone felt it. To Ron's luck, Hermione got to Harry first. "Harry, no, please."
"Don't you dare," Harry's eyes became a darker green. " don't you dare say that again!"
Silence took over the room. No one wanted to be the first to talk. Ron collapse on the couch and closed his eyes; trying to take the news in. Harry and Hermione sat opposite him and waited silently for a response.
"Did you guys," he took a deep breath, "marry?"
Hermione nodded silently and said, we love each other very much, Ron. But also remember that we love you too."
"We would never betray or hurt you," Harry added. "You are very important to us and I think Hermione and I would not leave with ourselves if we ever hurt you. You have been the only family I've had. You and Hermione."
"I need time to think," Ron said. "I can't say I'm glad you guys married because I would be lying to you. I just need time alone, I guess."
"We understand," Hermione said.
"We wanted you to be the first to know. We'll wait for you," Harry felt most uncomfortable. It did not seem he was talking to his best friend since he was eleven. Ron seemed a stranger.
"We still have to tell everyone else. Just family, you know. We would appreciate it if you don't mention it to anyone, not yet," Hermione was timid to Ron's next reaction.
"Don't worry. I won't mention anything," Ron tried to smile but his eyes judged otherwise. He stretched his arms and pretended to yawn. "I'm tired you guys so if you don't mind I would want to rest for a while."
"Sure Ron," Harry knew he was faking it.
They walked to the door and Harry extended his arms. He knew they were not ready to have a brotherly hug yet. It took Ron few seconds to respond and shake his hand. Harry smiled seeing improvement. Hermione, however, threw her arms around Ron and hugged him.
"Thank you Ron. Thank you so much. I would never want to loose your friendship. Ever," she affirmed him.
"You won't," Ron returned the hug.
Hermione was so thankful she almost cried. She returned to Harry and smiled at Ron. "See you later then."
"Absolutely."
Hermione and Harry dessaparated leaving a thoughtful Ron for the first time.
A/N: Sorry for the wait. I know the ending sucks, but I couldn't think of anything else. Please review. The title is from the lyrics to you don't know what they do to guys like us in prison by My Chemical Romance. Thanks for reading and review. I also want to know what you guys think should happen next because I'm still not sure what to write, exactly. Thanks.
-Pamela