The Life He Never Knew
Ch. 3- Ron's Anger- Hermione's Love
A/N So I've skipped sexual reassignment surgery meaning I'm still a guy. That alone should prove I'm no JKR. If its not enough the fact that I'm broke, living in America, and writing a Harry Hermione love story should be enough to convince you that I'm not some crazy lady that wrote the last chapter of Deathly Hallows.
"Ron", Harry and Hermione spoke in unison, both wearing worried expressions.
"Yes Ron. I would hope you recognized me, after all I thought our moment back at Hogwarts made us more then friends. Apparently kissing me meant nothing, and here I was hoping you'd become my girlfriend." Ron's anger was building with each word, but he wasn't going to take his wrath out on Hermione, it was Harry that he had to deal with. "And you Harry are supposed to be my best friend. How can you turn your back on me like that, you knew I fancied her. You told me she was like a sister and now your telling her you fancy her. What the fuck Harry, were you lying to me? And lets not forget that you've got my little sister waiting for you."
Harry winced at that last thought. "I'm sorry Ron, I honestly thought I meant it when you asked me how I felt about Hermione. I really did think of her as a sister, but today changed things. I've finally seen what's been in front of me for years. I didn't plan for my confession to break you two up. I was truly happy for you two when I saw you kissing."
Fuming Ron spat, "If you were so happy for us why would you tell her you've got feelings for her and screw it all up?"
"Hermione is one of my best friends, I just couldn't deal with the awkwardness of keeping my feelings a secret. She has the right to know."
After several moments of silence Hermione spoke up. "Your both my best friends, and I love the both of you very much. Ron I was extremely happy when you showed your feelings for me, that kiss was real and it meant everything to me." Harry winced at this, he knew she would choose Ron but his jealousy at the moment was winning the battle over the happiness he felt for his friends. "Harry, I wish you would have realized sooner how you felt. I fancied you for most of school, but girls like Cho and Ginny always had your attention. I was hurt that I'd only have your friendship but that was enough for me. Its not fair that I'm left choosing between my two best friends. I love you both so much, but at the same time so differently." Tears rolled freely now from her face. This is going to be the end of our friendship. If I choose Ron then Harry will be absolutely heart broken. He'll probably never want to see us again. If I choose Harry then Ron will more then likely lose control and things would get physically. I can't not choose one over the other, that's not fair to me, because I truly do love them both, just not the same way.
"You don't have to choose Mione. I know you love us both, having you in my life is enough, even if its only the love you have for a brother. Ron she's your girl-" Harry started before being interrupted immediately by Hermione.
"I am no ones girl. Don't start acting like you can give me to Ron, because I am not some piece of property. I am going to choose between the two of you. I have to. Your both too important to lose so this is hard." Come on Hermione you can do it. Just tell them how you feel for each of them. Say it out loud, so they know how you feel, and then maybe hearing yourself speak your feelings you'll know who it is you really want. "Ron."
"Yes!", he shouted triumphantly, leaving Harry looking dejected, but he was willing to accept it.
"I'm not saying its you, just listen ok. I love you, you make me laugh when life gets a little to stressful. Your sweet and caring guy, and a great friend and wonderful person. You've been strong when we needed it. That's why I love you so much.", She told him with a smile on her face. "Harry you're my best friend. You always seem to know what's on my mind. Your's has been the shoulder I cried on when ever I needed it. I- Ron what are you, stop Ronald right now." Hermione was about to make a choice but before she could Ron jumped Harry and started swinging at him.
"I hate you Harry, you always get everything. Fame, money, and now Hermione. Its not fair, its just not fair." Ron started screaming, his fists swinging wildly hitting Harry where ever he could land a punch. "Why? Why do you get everything while I get nothing?" Ron was now openly sobbing, his head hanging low and his fist now remaining at his side.
"I don't want everything Ron, not at the cost I had to pay for it. I lost my parents before I could walk. Then I lost Sirius, Remus and Tonks too. Would you give up your family for the fame of being me, for the burden of being the one who had to fight the war?" Harry whispered. Tears were making their way down his face towards his chin. "I didn't want this to happen, and Hermione never even said it was me over you."
"Oh please of course it's you Harry, I may have the emotional range of a teaspoon but I'm not fucking blind." Ron sobbed. He got to his feet grabbing the bottle of fire whiskey Harry had set on the table and put it to his lips, but before the first drop even hit his tongue the bottled smashed into thousands of tiny pieces.
"Drop that bottle now! You are not going to use alcohol to numb yourself or make your problems go away. I'm not going to lead you to becoming an alcoholic. Now both of you sit down, we're friends, and we're going to work this through so that we stay friends." Hermione said still pointing her wand at Ron's empty hand. "What the two of you did is unfair to me. I shouldn't be forced to choose between my best friends. I love you both, you're the first two people to ever accept me as a friend. Now here you are fighting over me like a pair of starving dogs fighting over a piece of meat. I'm making a choice right now for two reasons, one is because this wars over and I want to be able to move on with my future and be in love. The other is because if we let this go and brood over it for weeks or months its going to rip us apart. One of you might not like my choice but hopefully with some time any wounds from today will heal. Ronald I love you, you really are a wonderful friend. I can't give you the love that you want. I know you'll find a girl that will love you the way you think you love me. She's out there somewhere you'll-"
"Fuck this, I knew it. Its always Harry over me. Good bye." Ron shouted as he stormed out of the room.
"Harry wait, let him go. You and I need to talk and we need to do it now." Hermione said putting a hand on his shoulder as he tried chasing after Ron who stormed out of the kitchen.
"Hermione, please we have to go to him and try to fix this, the wars over I'm supposed to be done losing the people I care about."
"Your not going to lose him, I'm not going to lose him. He needs space right now Harry, when he's ready he'll come back to us. But right now you and I need to talk about what "us" really is.", she held her tears for Ron back. She truly believed he would come back to them when he was ready. Her focus now was on Harry, who she drew into a hug. "I love you Harry. I don't need months of dating to know that I love you."
"Mione this is all so new to me. Its not like it was with Ginny and Cho, there isn't some feeling like butterflies in my stomach or nervousness. It just feels right, is that what love is supposed to be?" He asked as he returned the hug. He felt her nod into his chest. "Then I love you too."
They stayed like that for a while, just holding one another as if they were afraid to let go. For the first time since Dumbledore died Harry was truly at peace. It was the sound of a rumbling stomach that broke there silence.
"Sounds like I'm not the only one that's hungry." Harry chuckled, before looking to the barely eaten sandwich that lay forgotten. "Not that Kreacher can't make a good sandwich but I think for once it be nice to go out and eat. We've been on the run for so long a nice fancy meal would be great. Besides that's what normal couples do on first dates isn't it. They go out for dinner and a movie."
"I don't know how normal we can be Harry, we're probably two of the most famous people in the wizarding world right now. But I am hungry."
"So then will go dine at a Muggle restaurant. No one knows who we are in the Muggle world, we can be normal there. I could really go for a large steak and potato, or maybe a burger and some chips. What do you say?" He said over the rumble of his own stomach now.
"I say we both need a shower and change of clothes first, I haven't had a proper shower in months.", she replied.
"Ok then, a bit of clean up then I'm treating you to dinner." Harry said with a smile on his face. "Sharing a shower or taking turns?"
"Fifteen minutes into a relationship and your already trying to get inside my knickers!" Hermione's face showed both shock and some amusement.
"I'm kidding, I'm sorry. We can move at your pace when it comes to the physical relationship. I didn't mean it like I was pushing you into something.", he was now very nervous that his joke may have upset her.
"Relax Harry, I can take a joke. But your right, we don't need to rush things." she said kissing him on the lips for the first time. "I've got first shower." Before he knew it Hermione had popped away.
** Thanks for reading, if there are mistakes they are 100% mine. I hope you like it so far any input and feedback is appreciated.