Broken Smile

Words were said, tears had falling, now the dust has settled and it was time to pick up the pieces.

Hermione awoke from the same dream she has most nights since they'd die. She climbed out of bed pulling her Weasley jumper over her head, which felt heavy from last night’s advents.

Hermione made her way down stairs Feeling as if she had a hang over although she hadn't consumed any alcohol drinks. She made a cup of tea for herself, sitting on the window ledge looking out upon the first day on January, the start of a New Year.

Hermione heard someone coming down the stairs, looking up to see Ron's tired face appear.
He gave her a small smile so she turned her head and looked back out of the window watching the snowman’s scarf blowing in the wind.

He walked slowing over to her, sitting on the opposite side window ledge facing her.
She didn't acknowledged his presents, she sipped her tea and continued to gaze at the snowman.

"Can I have a sip?" Ron asked as his voice croaked.
Hermione handed the cup to him without looking in his direction. Her hand brushed his in the exchange.
He took a few sips, "Thanks" he said handing it back, their hands brushed against one another again.

"I can't believe that snowman is still standing" Ron said trying to strike up conversation.
Hermione gave a "Mmm" In response.
"Please talk to me" Ron pleaded. She gave him a look, one that he knew all to well.

"I'm sorry for being so rude but I'm a little tried from staying up all last night shagging your brother" Hermione said angrily

Ron wasn't expecting that kind of outburst. "I'm sorry, I was out of line, I over reacted" he admitted.
"You over reacting, never" she said sarcastically.
Ron looked like he was about to say some think, then changed his mind "You have every right to be angry with me, I know your still a...." Ron didn't finish his sentence because of the sudden blushing of Hermione's cheeks.

"That's none of your business, Ron" she said looking out of the window again.
"I know, it's just when I saw you and Charlie...It was a shock" Ron took her hand" I freaked out" He said giving her hand a squeeze.
"Why"

Ron was court of guard again, he seem to stumble with his answer "I'm just looking out for you, I mean Charlie’s a lot older then you, your...." He broke off trying to work out why he was so freaked.

"Ron I was feeling incredibly empty last night, Charlie was just comforting me" she said playing with his fingers "The kiss wasn't planed but it happen".
"Did you like it" his voice sounded odd.
"Yes it was nice" Hermione emitted truthfully as Ron's ears turn a little pink.

"I miss your smile" Ron said after a short silence of them glancing at one another.
"I still smile" Hermione said defensively.
"I'm talking about your real smile, the one that reaches your eyes, making them come to life"
Ron said softly touching her cheek.

Hermione couldn't speak, she felt like she was on a roller coaster of emotion. Ron got up, walking over to the sofa and taking the blanket that lay across the back of it, Hermione looked at him in puzzlement, taking the mug from her hand and placing it on the floor. “Come here” Ron said, sitting back down with the blanket around his shoulders.

Hermione hesitated but moved to sit between his legs, feeling Ron arms go around her, his chin rested on top of her head breathing in the sweet smell of her hair.
"Do you remember what you said to me on the first train ride to Hogwarts?" Ron asked fixing the blanket over her legs.

Hermione looked over her shoulder at him surprised at the question but answered all the same, in her best bossy voice "Oh, are you doing magic? Let’s see it, then" Hermione gave Ron a cheeky grin as she said this, which was rewarded with a kiss on the cheek.

"Oh you where such a little miss know-it" He" He said laughing lightly.
"I know, it was just a front, I was scared of not being good enough" she said her back Nestle against his chest.
Ron put on his best Hermione impression "You've got dirt on your nose, by the way, did you know”.

"Well you did, I was just stating the truth" Hermione said.
"Trust our Hermy to be so Direct" Ron said placing his hand over her mouth to stop any comes backs
"but we love you anyway" he said taking his hand away.

"Speaking of love, how's it going with you and Jen?" Hermione asked feeling Ron's tense up at her question. She heard him take a deep breath then letting it out slowly. She turned around slightly to see his face, trying to read his thought's.

"Well it's...alright...I'm mean its fun..." Ron said as his ear's turned pink as usual.
"So you don't...you know...love her" her eyes focused on his adams apple. He raised her chin so she was looking into his eyes "NO, I don't love her" his voice stronger as he said this.
Hermione let out a breath that she didn't realize she was holding "she very pretty...gorgeous actually" she said. Ron could here the insecurity in her voice and see it in her eyes.

"Jen's the type of woman who knows she good looking and use's her look's to her full advantage" Ron said still holding Hermione's chin. "As they say 'if you've got it, flaunt it' and flaunting it is what she does" Hermione said a little bitter. "Well not every ones wants what she offering" Ron said

"you do...I mean your her boyfriend" Hermione said taking his hand away from her chin and holding it.
"Maybe I'm with her because it's convenient, some times it's hard to says how you really feel, even if it's the only thought that plays through your mind" Ron said, his eyes held Hermione's, she didn't dare look anywhere else for she couldn't even if she wanted to.

“Is there any think going on with you and Charlie?" Ron asked nervously. Watching her eyes for any trace of truth to his question, hoping for a simple 'no'. Placing a loose curl behind her ear. "I don't know...like you said 'Charlie's a lot older then me' I think it was a pity kiss, to comfort me " Hermione said still unable to look him in the eye.

Hermione’s answer seemed to be the right one, for Ron pulled her back against his chest kissing into her hair. She sighed contentedly placing her small hands over his large ones, watching the first of January play out.

He smelled her hair, caresses her arms and enjoying just simply holding her. Hermione had no complaints, though she was unaware of the piercing blue eyes upon the stairs looking at them with envy.

********************************************************************************

January blues set in, with work and school starting back in a few days everyone seemed to moping around. The boys and Ginny seemed to cheer them self's up with all day games of Quidditch while Hermione sat with Molly and knitted, knitting had become one of Her favourite pass times.

Charlie came down the stairs on the evening before he returned to Romania. The Christmas tree still twinkling brightly in the living room. He smiled at the sight before him. Hermione and Ginny sat curled up either side of Arthur while he told the girls stories from his youth.

Ron apologized to charlie for over reacting on New years, Charlie excepted his apology and left it at that. He and Hermione hadn't really spoken since that night. They would just give polite 'good mornings' or 'good nights' every now and then they would sneak glances at one another.

Hermione's laugh court Charlie attention. Her laugh was different, loud and a little nasal. Charlie reached the bottom step. Arthur and the girls looked at him as he approached. "Hey" Charlie said.
"Are you all packed?" Arthur asked.
"Yeah just about, have you seen Ron? I need to talk to him" Charlie said trying not to look at Hermione.
"He out side" Ginny informed him. "Thanks Gin" Charlie said making his way to the door, he could feel Hermione's eyes on him but did not dare look back.

Charlie expected Ron to be practicing on his broom. Instead Ron sat in the middle of the ground looking up at the almost night sky. Charlie approached slowly, trying to work out what to say.
"Mind if I sit" Charlie asked. Ron looked up at him surprised, he didn't here Charlie approaching "Go a head" Ron answered.

They sat in silence for a while, just glancing at the few stars that began to twinkle above "You love her don't you? Charlie asked after a while, looking sideways at Ron. "Yeah" Ron answered simply, turning to look Charlie in the eye. "How long have you loved her?" Charlie asked, not really wanting to know but asking all the same. "Since the fourth year... probably before that" Ron said softly.

"Why haven’t you told her? Do you think no ones going to no her her Ron, she's...." Charlie broke off. Ron watched him for a moment “I know..." Ron said tiredly
"Do you, as I here it your going out with some girl called Jen" Charlie said irritated by that fact.
"That’s different Jen's just...." Ron seemed unable to finish his sentence like Charlie.

"What, some fun?” Charlie said. “Well why your having fun with Jen some ones going to take Hermione right from under your nose" Charlie spoke in a firm voice looking directly at him.
"You mean like you?" anger lined Ron's tone.
“Yeah like me, but the difference is the next man won't be your brother looking out for you best interest, he'll movie in without a second thought" Charlie put his hand on Ron's shoulder "your my little brother, I care about you, don't let her get way, she’s Special...." Charlie squeezed his shoulder before raising and headed back to the house.

"Charlie" Ron called while watching him leave. Charlie turn back around "Yeah" "Thanks" Ron said with a weak smile. Charlie gave a nodded and carried on up to the house.

Charlie walked pass the kitchen door to see his mother and father at the kitchen sink washing up, Arthur keep kissing Molly's neck, Molly pretended it bothered her but Charlie could here the welcoming in her tone to her husband advances. Charlie smiled and headed up the stairs.

Charlie stood out side Hermione's bedroom door, his hand in mid air thinking about hisentiention.
Knocking light, waiting for a reply which came instantly. "Come in" Hermione's called.
Charlie open the door hesitantly, poking his head in the door to see Hermione laying on her back with a thick book propped up upon her stomach. "Hey" she said softly sitting up.

"Can we talk?" he asked seriously. Hermione folded her legs beneath herself "What’s wrong?" she asked in a worry tone. He walked further in to the room. "Why don't you sit?" she said indicating to her desk chair. He did as she suggested, sitting a few inches away from bed, his hands folded together nervously. "New years-the kiss" his throat seemed to become very dry.

"I'm sorry for breaking down on you like that...." Charlie held up his hands to silence her.
"No, that’s not it, I didn't mind being your shoulder to cry on, anytime Hermione" he said with sincerity in his tone. "Ron was right, you were vulnerable and I shouldn’t have took advantage of you like that" he said feeling guilty, Hermione could see the guilt in his eye. She scooted to the end of the bed so her feet reach the floor, taking his hands in her. "Please don't feel guilty for kissing me" Her eyes filled with concern.

Charlie looked down at their hands, "I can't help it, I shouldn’t have" he said regrettably.
"Well I'm glad you did...it was nice, thank you for being there" she said squeezing his hands gently. He smiled at her, a big genuine smile,
as he caresses her cheek with the back of his hand
"You have grown so lovely" he said softly. "Hardly...But thank you" Hermione said taking his hand away from her cheek and placing a small kiss on his hand.
"I'll probably be gone by the time you get up, so have a good term and if you feel low...I'm only an owl away" he said using all his self control not to capture those wonderful lips claming them for himself. "Thanks, I'll remember that, the same goes for you" she said feeling an odd spark in the pit of her soul.
Charlie planed a small kiss on her nose, "Sweet dreams" he said as Hermione watched him walk to the door and close it gently with out looking back. He sacrifice is love for the sake of his brother.

******************************************************************

Verdell-Thanks
Jamie-thanks again for Reviewing. Poor Ron?. Well your have to read between the lines.
Next chap-Ron and Malfoy have a show down