Hermione was on her way back to the Gryffindor common room from Slughorn's Christmas party, when Ron appeared around a corner. He was walking, head down, hands in his pockets, appearing angry and deep in thought. Hermione froze in her tracks, not sure whether to acknowledge him or not, as the friends hadn't exactly been on speaking terms as of late. Ron glanced up and saw her, a look of surprise on his face, which quickly turned to a grimace.
"Where's McLaggen?" he grunted. Hermione rolled her eyes at him.
"What's it to you Ronald?" She quickly retorted, "I could ask you the same of Lavender. Interesting to see that she isn't permanently attached to your face."
"Lavender and I broke up." Ron retorted, wiping the smug look off of Hermione's face. "But you still didn't tell me what happened to McLaggen. Isn't he your boyfriend now?" Ron scowled at the word 'boyfriend,' clearly disgusted with the idea.
"No, he's not Ronald. We're barely friends." She replied stiffly, "I'm sorry to hear about you and Lavender."
"No." Ron replied. "I know you're not sorry. It's okay. I never liked her all that much anyway. But you're the one who needs to get talking. Really. I want to know what's so great about that stupid, big headed, joke of a -"
"Oh, shut up, Ron." Hermione rolled her eyes, "Can you stop acting like a child for three seconds of your life? I don't see what he ever did to you, and I don't understand why you're so bitter towards him! You won. You got to be keeper. Why are you still so angry?" Hermione was fuming with anger towards Ron, who looked not only terrified, but very pissed off.
"You think this is about quidditch?" Ron yelled, "You think I hate him over a bloody game? No, you're so off! You have no idea. Stop jumping to conclusions over this, you have no idea!"
Hermione looked taken aback, but raised her voice and fought back; "Then what is it? What has he done to you that is SO wrong, because as far as I'm concerned, the only thing he ever did was try out for the same spot as you…and you won." Ron glared back at her, breathing heavily. She shook her head and started to continue walking toward the dormitory.
"Hermione, wait." Ron grabbed her arm hard, spinning her around and pushing her hard against the wall, kissing her roughly. She pushed him away, but was left speechless.
"I hate him because he was with you!" Ron exclaimed, "I hate every guy who gets to spend time with you that isn't me. I hate when there's even a slight chance that someone could steal you away from me, when there's a chance that you could fall for another guy. Because I'm in love with you. I can't say when I fell in love with you, but I did. And it's the cause of every bloody fight we have, I swear. And I know you're stubborn, and you won't want to admit it, and that you might slap me for that, but I know you feel something too. You have to. I just know it. I love you. I bloody love you."
"I love you too, Ron" Hermione barely squeaked out. Ron kissed her again, sucking on her upper lip, pressing his body into hers as much as he possibly could. He ran his tongue along her bottom lip, begging for entrance. Hermione obliged, letting him deepen the kiss, and returning it passionately.
It was finally all out in the open.