Chapter 2: Building Tension
He didn't know what to say, so he just stood there, feeling lost and confused.
Hermione took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye. "I'm sorry, Ron," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I really am. But I can't. I just can't do it."
Ron couldn't believe it. He was shocked and hurt by her words. He wanted to say something, wanted to convince her to change her mind, but he couldn't find the words.