Hermione sat in the Gryffindor common room, staring at her potions textbook. She had been reading the same paragraph for about a half hour, but she just couldn't get the words to sink in. Her mind drifted off again... No, Ronald only fancies me as a friend. A best friend. That's why he's always sitting close to me and such... because he's my best friend. I can't fancy him. Wait, I don't fancy him. He's just clumsy, red haired Ron. Nothing more, nothing special. Yeah, I can't fancy him... But I do...

"Hermione? Are you alright?" She heard a voice say. A hand touched her wrist and the skin there tingled. She looked next to her and saw Ron kneeled next to the couch, softly touching her wrist. Hermione sighed and smiled lightly at him.

"I'm fine."

"Okay... you looked like you were about to pass out." Ron said. She could see the concern swimming in his eyes. Because he fancied me?

"I just zoned out for a moment, I'm fine." She reassured him with a smile. He grinned slightly and pulled his hand away, leaving chills where it had been.

"Whatever you say. Would you like to head to dinner with me?" He asked and offered his hand. Hermione smiled brightly and took his hand. They walked down the stairs and arrived in the dining hall just in time. Harry was already seated at the table when they entered the room.

Harry smirked slightly at them and tried to hold in a chuckle. "Why are you two holding hands?"

"Oh!" They said in unison and disconnected their hands. They each had deep scarlet blushes tinging their cheeks. They sat in reticence as their plates floated to them and settled before them. After a silent dinner, Hermione excused herself to go work on her potions essay.

"So, Ron." Harry said with a smirk. "Why don't you just snog her already?"

"Why would I do that?" Ron asked with wide eyes. Harry chuckled at his scared expression and his smirk widened.

"Because you bloody fancy her! Everyone can tell. And she fancies you back."

"How do you know?"

"There's so many signs! And even during dinner, you both were sneaking glances at each other. It's so obvious to everyone- well, besides you and Hermione." Harry said with a sigh. Ron pondered what he said for a moment before standing from the table.
"Thanks, Harry." Ron muttered and began walking.

Ron burst through the doors of the Gryffindor common room as Hermione lounged on the couch, writing her half-finished essay.

"Hermione, I need to talk to you." Ron announced.

"Um, okay? Would you fancy going for a walk?" Hermione cautiously asked in a confused tone. Ron nodded vigorously and waited for her to set her essay down.

They made their way towards the lake in silence. Hermione kept glancing at Ron, but he looked like he was focused on a thought.

"Ron, what did you need to talk to me about?" Hermione asked as she came to a halt. Ron stopped walking a few meters in front of her and sighed.

"Listen Hermione...," He began. "Ifffnnyyuu"

"Excuse me?" She asked. The words sounded like a jumbled mess to her.

"I said," Ron took a shaky breath. "I fancy you."

Hermione stared at him in shock while he stood there awkwardly, pursing his lips.

"Well, I'm just going to go drown myself now." Ron said and pointed to the lake.

"Ron..." Hermione stated. She couldn't find the words to continue, so she simply stepped forward and latched her lips onto her red haired lover's.