Ronald always admired Hermione from a far. Ever since he first saw her at the sorting ceremony, he knew she was the one. They were both now, in their third year and he thought it was time for him to pluck up the courage to introduce himself. He always was nervous when it came to girls, for instance one time in Charms class, when he had to become partners with Lavender Brown, he started to gag when he tried to say "hello."
During the first day of winter holidays, Ron decided, this was the time to do it. This was the time to finally talk to Hermione, to tell her how he's felt about her all this time. The only problem was, he didn't know where to begin. How could he say to this stranger, that he'd been longing, yearning and watching her? He didn't want to come across as a stalker because that would scare her off and he didn't want to be portrayed as a creep. So after all of this deliberation, he decided it was either now or never.
Hermione was sitting by the fireplace, in one of the old arm chairs. She was just sitting there alone, looking into the flames, deep in thought. Ron approached her, saying in his head "here it goes." He cleared his throat and started his speech. "Umm, hey, I just wanted to tell that you, that I, ummm like you. I've been watching you all these years and I don't want to be creepy or anything, I mean, ummm, I just wanted to let you know that I love everything about you. I love the way you laugh when you hear a joke, the way your eyes sparkle when you get an answer right in class, the way you do that nervous giggle, when you feel and uncomfortable and the genuine way you seem to care for people. I know that this might sound weird, but I was just wondering, better yet, I was just hoping that you would give me a chance....Before you say no, because you probably will, I just want to let you know that no matter what, your great." He felt so stupid, he faced turned bright orange, then he stuttered, "Oh, uh, my, my na...me is Ron, by the way, Ron..ald Weasley."
She was stunned, her mouth hanging wide open. Never in her wildest dreams would she expect someone to say this to her. She was deeply flattered but also deeply relieved, because she liked him too. Maybe she didn't notice him as early as he had noticed her but for the past few months, he was checking him out. She just didn't have the nerve to come up and talk to him on her own.
She finally replied, after closing her open mouth, with "I know who you are Ron and I like you too.