Hello everyone! This is a collection of one-shots and drabbles featuring the King and the Bookworm! Prompts are welcomed, and I accept constructive criticism!

Note: This is a rewritten version of the original version of this chapter.

Autumn 1993

"Who would like to be the first to see ol' Buckbeak 'ere eh?" Hagrid bellowed happily across the yard, as if Buckbeak were a baby rabbit instead of a gigantic, deadly hippogriff.

The entire crowd of Gryffindors and Slytherins behind Hermione shifted backward, and Hermione unconciously followed suit. Harry, being ever oblivious, continued staring in awe of the creature before them.

"Ah 'arry!"

Harry shook out of his thought, eyes widening in fear. Before he could say anything, Hagrid shoved (or gently pushed in half-giant terms) Harry forward.

Hermione let out a gasp. No, no, this is going to turn out really badly...

Ron stepped closer to Hermione. "Hermione, you don't really think Hagrid is going to let Harry touch that t-thing... right?"

"I think he is..." Hermione replied, not taking her eyes off Harry.

Harry inched forward, not wanting to scare the beast. Hermione felt her heart beat faster as her best friend, brother more like, grew closer to possible doom. Harry's shoe stopped on a twig, which let out a small crack. Hermione gasped, latching onto Ron's hand in fear.

Wait, she had just willingly held Ron's hand. The hand of the boy who had called her a nightmare in first year, who had accused her cat of tormenting his rat, who she couldn't just get along with. But this was also the hand of the boy who (with the help of Harry) saved her from a troll, attempted to hex Malfoy in her defense even though his own wand was out of commission, and made her laugh time and time again.

Suddenly realizing what she had done, she cautiously, yet swiftly, looked over at Ron. He had a pleasant look of surprise on his face, but he didn't dare let it last long. Ron looking over as well, their eyes met, and slowly crept down to their clasped hands. A blush took over Hermione's cheeks. Ron's ears tinted red, and they let go, rubbing on the spots where their hands touched.

I kind of... liked that. Hermione thought, smiling the subtlest of smiles.

Winter 1993

The fire crackled in the fireplace of the Gryffindor Common room as Ron threw another piece of paper into the flames. The fire would grow brighter for a short moment, before crackling out to a pile of ashes once more. Footsteps echoed from the girls' staircase, and Hermione entered the room.

Ron, unconsciously, felt his cheeks grow warm for just a moment, before consoling himself as Hermione sat next to him.

"Incendio," Hermione pointed her wand at the fireplace, and flames triumphantly burst out of the ashes.

Ron silently cursed himself. Of course, why didn't I think of using magic on the fire? Idiot...

The pair, just staring at the now strongly burning fire, didn't say anything to each other for a long while. After what seemed like forever, Hermione coughed. "So, have you been studying for the potions exam tomorrow?"

Ron froze, and stared at the pile of ripped paper in front of him. On the corner of one of them he could see written, in his own handwriting, the words 'Level 3 Potions Requirements'. He had been throwing his own notes into the fire. He's dead. Completely and utterly dead.

Hermione seemed to notice as well, for her face had turned from awkward, yet calm, to disappointed. "You threw your notes into the fire?!" She looked about to start screaming at him, but then the redness in her face faded, and she sighed. "I'll help you study."

"What? I wasn't even going to..."

She placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's fine. Seriously, I was just going to go earn some extra credit, but I don't really need that..."

She didn't need it? Hermione, bookworm extraordinaire and teacher's pet, didn't want extra credit? This was getting really weird.

Hours later, in thew wee hours of the morning, all the notes had been gone through and all concepts reviewed. Classes would be starting in four hours, and Hermione looked about ready to collapse. Her already bushy hair was sticking up, and she had developed dark circles under her eyes.

Ron picked up his books. "Thank you so much, Hermione, but you should really get to sleep."

"Are you...sure you're ready?" Hermione yawned, rubbing her eyes.

"Yes, I'm okay."

Hermione nodded and got up as well. "Good night." She lingered for a moment, just inches away from Ron, before leaving the room.

All night, Ron couldn't sleep; he couldn't stop thinking about what had just happened. Merlin's beard! She was going to kiss me wasn't she? Oh my God... But maybe she was just tired and... Bloody Hell she almost kissed me!

But no matter how incredibly exhausted he was, he couldn't be in a better mood.

I hope I will be able to update soon, but I'm really bad about it...

RavenclawAnubis