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Kiss
Even after the kiss they shared that dreadful night in Hogwarts, everything still had changed. Nothing was the same after it. Although Hermione kept in touch with Harry, she couldn't rack up the courage to owl Ron. Or email. Hermione had shown Ron how to email the last day they ever saw each other.
"Don't tell anyone, but those Muggles are onto something with this mailing-eee."
"E-mail, Ron." Hermione said with a laugh.
And after that, they had a horrible fight.
It all started with one simple question. Both were sitting on the floor in Ron's room, reading different books. Hermione, of course, was reading a massive book on who knows what, and Ron was reading something about the Quidditch players and the brooms they use. Pointless, as Hermione always pointed out.
After a few minutes of silence, Hermione said,
"Hey Ron! Did you know that Bulgaria, in the Muggle world, they have a wonderful music custom that goes back to the Middle Ages? It includes all sorts of-"
Ron snorted. Hermione narrowed her eyes.
"You know that when you do that, it's not very attractive," said Hermione, hotly. "What's your problem now?" exclaimed Hermione.
"What, are you telling me that you're going up to see that…. that Viktor Krum and sing him a few sonnets or what?" Ron spat.
"What are you talking about Ron? I never even mentioned Viktor! And even If I did, it's none of your business!" Hermione said, turning red.
"Of course it is!" Ron said, louder than he had intended to.
"Oh, wow Ron! Enlighten me! Why is it your business who I see and when! Last time I checked Ron, we were nothing!" Hermione said, full of anger.
"Oh! So all those years of friendship never meant anything to you! Big ole' waste of time if you ask me!" Ron said, spitefully, face full of anger. He felt stupid for giving such an idiotic reply.
Hermione was so full of anger and frustration, her eyes began to water. Soon, tears began to roll down her cheek. She tried to wipe them away; she didn't want to give Ron the satisfaction that he could affect her in anyway.
But as soon as Ron saw this, his face softened and he covered his face with his hands. Why was he such a prat?
"Hermione, I…I'm sorry." He said lamely. He had his hand stretched out, but was afraid to touch her. He didn't want her to get more upset. Hermione then looked up at him, eyes pink and moist, and just shook her head.
Yeah I know, I'm a pathetic excuse for a human, thought Ron, annoyed at himself.
"We really do know how to have a good time, don't we?" Hermione said, half smiling and half sad.
Ron just sighed and nodded. They sat silently for a few minutes. Then Hermione said suddenly,
"Doesn't it seem that everything is moving too fast? I don't think I can keep up, Ron. I feel like you and Harry are slipping away from me, further and further. I feel that with you the most. I don't think anything will ever be the same again, and it scares me."
Ron was not good at saying wise things. You have to be wise to begin with, thought Ron annoyingly. But he had to say something. Hermione was waiting for an answer.
"Well…I'm not going anywhere, Hermione. You can always count on me. And about Harry, well he has his own priorities and worries. We can't expect the "Golden Trio" to be together every moment of every day. Blimey, I would kill Harry if that was the case!" Ron said, hoping to cheer Hermione up. But it didn't.
"I'm worried about you Ron. I can't help but feel that you're not telling me something. What is it Ron?" Hermione said seriously.
He wanted to remind her about the kiss they had shared. Yes, it was fleeting, but it was something that had been on his mind ever since. Every time he was near her, he would have the urge to kiss her and put his arms around her. Thank Merlin I'm not impulsive, he thought thankfully. Besides, she would just turn me down. That's Hermione for you.
"Don't worry Hermione. Like I said, I'm not going anywhere. Don't worry about me." said Ron truthfully. He wanted to add, "As long as your with me, I don't care where I go." But he thought that was a bit melodramatic. Hermione began to get tearful again. Tears were escaping her eyes again. Ron couldn't bear it anymore.
He scooted next to Hermione, as close as he dared to and put his arm around her. Her tears began to run down his forearm and he immediately cursed out loud. Why couldn't they just talk like normal people without arguing or getting sentimental he thought miserably!
He had no idea what to say, so the first thing he thought of was—
"Your tears are warm." He said stupidly. Why did I just say that? thought Ron. He felt anger towards himself for making Hermione cry. He didn't like her crying let alone being the cause of it. Suddenly, he heard his mother say, in a confused tone,
"Ronnie! I believe an owl has arrived for you!"
"Ok mum, I'll be downstairs soon!" he said unsurely. Who could be sending him an owl? Hadn't he just received one from Harry? "Well it will have to wait. I don't care who it's from is." thought Ron. Having Hermione so close to him made him feel, to put it plainly, great.
His mother continued. "I can't really understand the writing…it has all these hearts all over it….who's "Won-Won?" she bellowed out loud.
Oh no, thought Ron miserably! Hermione suddenly became still and her weeping ceased.
"Oooooh! It's for WON-WON!" said George, mischievously.
Hermione suddenly looked up to see Ron's face inches from her, full of shock. Their eyes locked. Ron had no idea what to say; he opened his mouth and closed it several times.
"I thought you had gotten rid of that dimwit!" said Ginny, trying to hide her laugh, but failing.
"Oh you didn't know Ginny?" said George, mischievously, "Ron asked her to marry him! I think he'll make me his best man, don't you think?" Ginny giggled.
"I don't know George, I think Harry is much more handsome than you! He would look much better in dress robes!" said Ginny laughingly.
"Wow, you are in love, sister! I think it's about time you check your eyes!" said George in mock concern. They began to argue playfully.
Hermione tore her gaze from Ron, afraid of what her eyes would give away. Ron had no idea what to say.
"'Mione, I….I….I need you to know…"
"Oh, I can read it now. It's from Lavender!" his mother yelled unhelpfully. He could hear George giggle.
"You should go get that. You wouldn't want to keep her waiting." said Hermione, with heavy sarcasm and sadness. Ron wasn't good with signs, but he couldn't help but notice that Hermione's statement had a double meaning.
Hermione got up quickly and was about to walk out when suddenly, Ron grabbed Hermione, holding her by her shoulders.
"Hermione!" said Ron, his voice cracking.
He pulled her towards him, full of passion and, he suddenly realized, with tears in his eyes. Their faces were inches apart. Hermione was wide-eyed and had her mouth slightly open. They both kept looking at each other from eyes to lips, neither one daring enough to actually kiss. Ron opened his mouth to tell her everything. How much he loved her, ever since the beginning, how much she meant to him, that she was his world and he couldn't live without her.
Hermione was still standing there, being held by Ron. She did not move or speak, all she did was wish for nothing more than to just put her arms around him and stay embraced forever.
"Ronald! Did you hear me? You have a letter!" yelled his mother, storming up the stairs. "It seems pretty urgent…or desperate," she said under her breath with a small laugh. Ron looked at the door, hoping his mother would not ruin his opportunity in telling Hermione how much he loves her.
"I've got to go." Hermione said quietly.
"Please, Hermione. Don't." Ron said in a whisper. His mother was almost at the door and Hermione let go of Ron and suddenly apparated. She was gone. Ron closed his eyes and couldn't help but let out a moan. Wiping the tears from his eyes, his mother came into his room.
"Ron! How many times have I told you that your room is NOT a pig-pen! Just look at-" she stopped suddenly. "What's wrong dear? Why are your eyes red?"
"Allergies, I guess." he said thickly.
"Oh. I see." said his Mother, unsure. "Where is Hermione, dear? Did she leave?"
Ron nodded.
"Oh." Molly said, confused. "Well, here's the letter dear. Please tidy your room." she added kindly.
"Yeah," was all Ron could say.
After his mother left, Ron just stood there for some minutes, letter in his hand, not sure what he should do. Was it too late? Was that it? he thought childishly. How did it go so completely go wrong?
"I was so stupid and idiotic! But she never would have listened to me no matter what I would have said. Knowing Hermione, she would have just scoffed at me and left. She would think everything I said was wrong and everything she said was right and the truth," thought Ron stubbornly and angrily.
But no matter what he told himself, no matter how many times he tried to convince himself that he was right, he could never believe it. He was pathetic. Why didn't he run after her? Was Lavender really more important than Hermione? Of course not! And yet everything was his fault. He hadn't done enough. It was too late.
That night, as Ron changed into his maroon pajamas, he noticed a small letter on his pillow. He picked it up and opened it. Inside it, in small, perfect, neat writing was one word.
"Kiss," Ron said, full of regret and desire.
He knew who had written that and he yearned for her. But she was miles and miles away from him, and they had no chance to do what the letter said.
"But I thought I had given it my all…" he said sadly, cursing at himself.