Beautiful

AN: I feel as though I have a lot to live up to all the sudden. After the overwhelming response to the first half of this story, I really hope I've met your expectations. This originally was going to be it but there is a third part coming. I would also like to say that it was always my intention to write more to this story. My original thought being to post the sequel (now sequels) as a separate story but it seems that it's best if they all go together. I never intended to leave it as it was. I'm sorry if that misled some people, but that's the truth. Anyway, please let me know what you think. Like it? Hate it? But please, don't flame. Thanks!

~*~*~*~*~

She could feel his eyes on her. Scorching her skin with the fiery intensity of his stare. She always knew when his eyes were on her. Something inside her seemed to stir when they were, making her soul want to sing. She knew when they were in a room together he always searched for her.

She knew because she did the same. Her eyes always seeking him out. Looking for that impossibly messy black hair.

Her fingers itching to run through it. But she could not. She was with Ron. Ron whom she tried to love as he loved her but could not.

Not when her heart ached to be in the arms of his best friend.

Shaking herself, she tried to distract herself by looking around the elegant ballroom they were in for the Ministry's Annual Christmas Ball.

She tried to take in the shimmering fairy lights hanging everywhere and the massive Christmas tree placed in the corner near the door. Ornaments and different colored bobbles hung suspended in the air near the ceiling, twinkling in the torch light.

But, as always, her eyes soon betrayed her and she found herself once more resting her gaze on a head of messy black hair.

A quiet sigh escaped her lips as Ron revolved them around the dance floor, and Hermione knew Harry's eyes were following her as she twirled.

Just as she was working up the courage to ask Ron to go over to talk to Harry, Ginny appeared at Harry's side.

Hermione felt her blood run cold. How could she have forgotten? Of course, he was here with her. They were, after all, dating. Why shouldn't they be?

Why shouldn't he be with Ginny? She was beautiful. Everyone knew that. She always turned heads wherever she went, and was envied (and in some cases hated) for having snagged the wizarding world's most eligible bachelor.

Hermione tried to hide her disappointment that another night would be spent without seeing Harry when suddenly everything went quiet.

When she looked around, she found all the eyes of the crowd on her.

“Ron what's-“ But her voice died in her throat.

Ron had pulled away to kneel in front of her, looking up at her with such love in his eyes, it broke her heart.

A small velvet box resting in the palm of his hand was open to reveal a beautiful white gold ring with rubies set into the band, a single diamond sitting in the middle.

Tears sprang to Hermione's eyes, knowing that she could not do this any longer. She could not pretend to love Ron the way he wanted her to. She could not lead him on any longer.

So before he could get his question out, she whispered, “Ron, I'm so sorry. But I can't. I'm sorry. Please don't hate me, but I just can't. I do love you, but not like you love me. I don't want to lead you on. Please, I-I never meant to hurt you. I'm sorry.”

Hermione felt as though she was slowly ripping Ron's heart out and squeezing it to add to his pain. It made her feel sick. But she knew she had done the right thing.

Deciding to chance a look at Ron, Hermione almost immediately wished she hadn't.

He features were set in a look that said he may have swallowed something bitter. And when she looked into his normally smiling blue eyes, she saw smoldering anger.

Taking a step backwards, Hermione heard the murmurs running through the collected crowd. People whispering quietly to their neighbor.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternal silence, Ron spoke, his voice crisp and sharp.

“It's him isn't it?” he asked quietly.

Hermione had been prepared for many things, but not for this. How did he know? Was I that obvious?

Deciding to play dumb to play for time, she said, “What are you talking about?”

Ron laughed, though it sounded hollow and not full of his usual mirth and warmth.

“Don't play dumb Hermione. It doesn't suit you.”

“Ron I-“

“Save your excuses Hermione. I don't want to hear them. Please, just go. Go see your lover. I know that's what you want,” he spat.

Shock ripped through Hermione at the venom in Ron's voice and for a minute, she stood frozen to her spot. Then, blinking back her building tears furiously, she turned and left the dance floor.

As each step carried her closer to the exit, Hermione searched the room desperately for Harry. He wasn't there.

Swallowing hard, she looked around once more to make sure and found herself looking at Ginny's tear streaked face.

“You're going after him aren't you?” she asked quietly.

“I am,” Hermione, said afraid this would cause another explosion of the famous Weasley temper.

However, it did not. Instead, Ginny said quietly, “I always knew it wouldn't last. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. After all, he's always watching you when you're in a room together.”

Hermione nodded, saying, “I know, I can always feel when his eyes are on me.”

A choked sob that could have been a laugh escaped Ginny's throat. “You two always know,” she said. “Go to him Hermione. And tell him you love him. That way, at least someone will be happy.”

With that, Ginny turned and walked towards the table where the punch was, turning back only once to look over her shoulder; giving her one last sad look.

Hermione tried to give her a reassuring smile but it seemed to come out as more of a grimace. Sighing, she turned and walked through the door behind her and out into the cold December night.

As Hermione stood in the cold, trying to get her bearings and her emotions together, her thoughts turned to Harry. Wondering where he could have gone.

Closing her eyes, Hermione willed herself to clear her mind and think clearly. After a minutes silent contemplation she opened her eyes and smiled. “I'm coming Harry,” she whispered and with a small `pop' she was gone.