___Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley walked out from the Great Hall and Entrance Hall to the garden outside. They
sat down on a bench. It was during the Emerald Ball of their seventh year at Hogwarts, New Years Eve.
___"'Mione?" Ron said, turning his head to look at the beautiful brunette beside him.
___"Yes, Ron?" she asked, smiling at his use of her new nickname Ginny granted her as a "Christmas present."
___Ron opened his mouth and attempted to speak, but his voice was caught up in his throat. Desperately he tried again, but
all Hermione heard was a twist of words somewhat like, "YouIHermiloioneve."
___Hermione smiled faintly, and started to rise from her seat. "I think I will go inside, Ron, I forgot my cloak."
Before either of them knew what was happening, Ron had pulled her down and wrapped his own cloak around both of them.
___More heat came from Ron than the cloak, Hermione noticed, and looked over to see him blushing furiously.
___"T - thank you Ron, you're sweet. That's very nice and manly of you."
___Ron waited for what seemed like an eternity, then wrapped one of his long, lanky arms around her.
___"Ron," Hermione whispered so softly he hardly heard, "You are my cloak to keep me warm...you are my shield from the
storm....my will to carry on....my strength to be strong...You are my candle, my flame in the night, you are the light shining so
bright...the rainbow that helps me stay alive...I love you with all my life, Ron...I have before I met you...I did in our early
years.... but I can't believe I did not know it...."
___"Hermi - Hermione..." Ron started, "that's how I felt all the time..."
"Shh..." Hermione whispered, putting a finger to his lips. She reached down and pricked a single red rose from the ground.
___"This...is our love...," she stated softly, then, as on command, it began to snow. Hermione caught two snowflakes in her
hand. She placed one in Ron's palm. They held them on either sides of the rose.
___"You and me," Ron whispered.
___"Yes. Two snowflakes...together, beautiful...divided, cruel, uncivilized...."
___Ron couldn't speak. He didn't need to. Instead he leaned in and kissed Hermione swiftly, but as he pulling away,
Hermione objected and his lips were brought back to her's as the kiss was greatly deepened.
___Harry and Ginny stood by the door, watching.
___"Looks like we're not needed here, Gin," said Harry, smiling.
___"That's for sure," said Ginny, returning his smile. She grabbed his arm and coaxed him back into the castle.
