Fight or Flight
Hermione went running out of the common room crying. Ron ignored the glares he was getting from his fellow classmates. He felt bad enough as it was, and knew that he had made a big mistake fighting with her. Every time he tries to tell her that he loves her, it always comes out as something different. Once again he found himself regretting what he said.
He sat alone staring at the fireplace. Everyone else had already gone to bed, but Hermione had not come back yet. It had started to rain, and he was getting worried. He cursed himself for making her run out of the common room. He walked over to the window and looked out across the lake. He noticed a figure sitting by the side of the lake in the rain.
"Hermione?" he said quietly.
Ron sneaked a peek outside of the portrait. There was no way he could make his way outside without being seen. He walked up to the boys dormitory to see Harry still up reading a book about Quiddith. Harry looked up at him when he walked into the room.
"Hermione back yet?" he asked.
"No, can I borrow your invisibility cloak?" he asked not wasting time. Harry looked at him suspicious before replying.
"On one condition." Harry answered.
"Um, what?" he asked confused.
"You actually tell Hermione how you feel this time." said Harry handing him the cloak. Ron smiled taking the cloak.
"Alright." he said covering himself with the cloak. He headed back down the stairs and out of the portrait hole. He walked quietly past Filtch who had fallen asleep sitting on the stairs. Mrs. Norris was sitting on his lap and looked up when she sensed Ron walk by. He ignored the cat and walked slowly and quietly down the stairs. When he reached the front doors he looked behind him to make sure nobody was there. He quickly opened the door and went outside closing it behind him.
The rain was pouring harder than Ron remembered, and he could see Hermione clearly through the cloak. She sat still staring at the lake. He walked up to her, now soaked too, and took off the invisibility cloak. He paused a second not knowing what he intended to say. He sat down next to her without looking at her. Hermione looked over at him clearly surprised to see him. She looked back at the water not saying anything.
"I'm sorry." he said simply unsure what else he should say.
"Why is it, that we can never seem to get along for more than five minutes?" she asked looking at him.
He knew the answer to the question but didn't know how he was going to say it. He remained silent trying to think of the right words. Hermione noticed that he was thinking hard, and looked back at the water.
"I don't mean to." he said finally.
"Then why do you?" she asked looking back at him.
"Why do you always run?" Ron asked back looking at her.
"I. . . " she started trying to pick her words carefully. "get scared."
"I guess we handle fear differently." said Ron. Hermione laughed.
"You fight, and I run." said Hermione smiling.
"Maybe we should try something different." said Ron.
"Like what?" she asked looking at him. He felt his heart pounding, but decided it was now or never. He leaned in and kissed her gently. He pulled away and she smiled.
"No more fighting." she said.
"And no more running." he replied.