Hi guys! So this is my first fan fiction ever. There were several ideas I've been having for a while and since these ideas didn't seem to want to leave me alone, I decided to write this story.

It's basically my version of what could have happened after Ron left. I'm going to try and stick to the story and character personalities as much as possible because I love the world and characters that J.K. Rowling created; I just don't like who those characters ended up with.

Any advice and helpful criticism is completely welcome but just keep in mind that this is my first story :)

A shout out to my awesome friend Andrei, who for all intents and purposes, is the editor of my story. He basically came up with the title and the summary because I suck at that stuff. Love you, bud :)

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling created and owns these amazing characters. I just want to play with them.

Chapter 1

It only took a couple of seconds for reality to sink in.

Ron was gone.

That was the only thought that reverberated through Harry's mind when he woke up the next day. A big part of him had hoped, wished, that it had all been a bad dream. That he'd wake up and find Ron snoring in his cot. But as he lay there, the harsh reality was all Harry got.

Ron was gone.

Things were only made worse because of Hermione. After Ron left, she was helpless. She would snap to attention at any small noise, hoping that it was Ron coming back with shame on his face, apologizing endlessly to both of them. She was disappointed every time; so was Harry. He could see that she was trying hard not to break down but he knew, rather than saw, that she was failing. They kept away from each other afterward, only speaking when Hermione said she would take the first shift.

Harry looked toward the tent's entrance, the only thing separating her from him. She hadn't woken him up for his shift. Normally, he would've been angry at her for not getting her rest but he didn't have enough strength to be angry at her right now. He knew that she needed, wanted, her privacy right now but he also knew that she needed to sleep.

Harry slowly got up and walked towards the entrance, mentally preparing himself the whole way. He'd never been so hesitant and worried about seeing Hermione in all of their years of being friends. What he saw once he got outside almost had him running back in the tent. Almost.

Hermione was worse than before, which was something that Harry didn't think was possible. But there it was, right in front of his eyes. She hadn't noticed him yet, leaving Harry the freedom to stare at her without refrain. The first thing he noticed was her eyes. She wasn't crying anymore but the evidence of past tears was still clearly there. Her eyes were red-rimmed and bloodshot but that wasn't all. There was something that he'd never really seen in her before: defeat. It seems that she'd had enough of thinking that any random noise was Ron and his many apologies. She still didn't notice him; she was in her own world. Harry was glad that no one had stumbled upon them last night because he had a hunch that Hermione might have missed it completely. Before he could think properly, Harry whispered "Hermione."

Hermione's reaction was instantaneous. She quickly wiped away at already dried up tears and tried to regain what little composure she had left before she looked up at him. It didn't work. What Harry had seen when she wasn't looking was still there. The defeat was even more transparent as she looked at him. He stared at her silently for a couple of seconds, racking his brain for anything that would comfort her but found nothing that would come close. What could he say when even he was at a complete loss? She looked away, not being able to take his piercing gaze. What crushed Harry most was his inability to take away at least a bit of Hermione's despair. So instead of saying something that would make it worse he settled for something safe: "You should get some rest. I'll take watch now."

Hermione didn't know whether to happy about being able to sleep these feelings away or sad that he had nothing to say; in all honesty, she hadn't expected either to happen, which is why she hadn't woken Harry up when she should have. She was relieved that he didn't bring that up, though. Now, however, she didn't really have a choice. She slowly got up, almost missing the fact that Harry was helping her up. She almost snapped at him but quickly stopped herself. She knew that if Harry couldn't help her by talking about it he would try and help her in other ways, no matter how small. This was just one example; it made her feel just a little bit better. She gave him a look she hoped conveyed some of the gratitude she was feeling; she knew she succeeded when he gave her a small smile in return. That was their only exchange before Hermione walked into the tent, leaving Harry alone outside.

Harry didn't think he could be more hurt with Ron's departure- No, abandonment, he thought—but seeing Hermione proved him wrong. As he started walking around, only half paying attention to his surroundings, Harry realized he had never hated Ron more.

So that's basically it for the first chapter. Short I know, but I have more waiting. I just wanted to test the waters first. I hope you guys like it and please leave a review!

It would be greatly appreciated :D