A/N: My first RonXHermione fic. Actually, in the book I'm obsessed with the pairing, I just haven't written a fic about it yet... I hope I do them justice.

BY: RIKKS

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the plot. But I'm sure everyone knows that...

Chapter 1

Ron glanced over at Hermione once again. She seemed to be in a right state lately, but nobody was quite sure why. Ginny had suggested that Hermione was just stressed due to upcoming exams and what-not, but Ron had never known Hermione to be this quiet or frantic, even when they had taken the O.W.Ls the previous year.

Truthfully, Ron was worried. He had admitted it to Harry a few days before, but Harry, after a look of knowing crossed his face, only smiled and told Ron not to worry about it. He also said that Hermione was most likely just stressed. Still, Ron wasn't so sure and he kept waiting for the opportune moment to talk to Hermione in private, but none seemed to come. Whenever he actually managed to get a moment alone with her, his stomach filled with butterflies for some reason unknown to him and he was unable to ask her what was bugging her.

At that moment, Hermione looked up, saw Ron gazing at her, and smiled. Ron smiled back. He loved it when Hermione smiled. It made him feel all warm inside. His lips still twitching at the corners, he looked back down at his homework. They were in the common room after dinner. Ron and Harry were sitting at a table working, but as she had been doing lately, Hermione was off at her own table, scribbling away at something and appearing sad.

Ron shook his head and looked over at Harry. It surprised him to see that Harry was watching him thoughtfully.

"You know, Ron, I don't see why you just don't ask her out," he said, a smile forming on his face.

"What're you talking about, Harry?" Ron asked, perplexed.

"Well, come on, Ron, you must have liked her for several years now."

"Who, Hermione?!" Ron was surprised at the conversation. Why DID he always feel so complete when Hermione was near him?

"Ron, don't tell me you haven't realized it yet?! Everyone else bloody knows!"

"Wait, are you saying that I like her? You know, as more than a friend? Does she think so?" Ron's heart had begun to beat faster.

"I'm guessing she has a pretty good idea. But we don't talk about it or anything..."

Ron looked at Harry in awe. "Wow, but isn't that bad? I mean, we're friends and all..."

"No, Ron," Harry said, obviously trying hard to suppress laughter. "It's fine to like her."

'Do I like her?' Ron thought, 'Is it possible? Is this what it feels like to really like someone?'

"Ron, do you remember fourth year when Hermione went to the Yule Ball with Krum?"

Ron's heart fell and he grumbled, "How could I forget?"

"Don't you ever wonder why you were so jealous?"

"Jealous? No way. He was just... Jealous? Was I jealous?"

"You were jealous..."

"Oh..."

"And what about afterward when she said 'Next time there's a ball, ask me before someone else and not as a last resort'?"

"Something like that..."

"Well, didn't you think about that?"

"Well, ya... I wasn't exactly sure what she meant, but you know..."

Harry shook his head. Then he began to laugh slightly and said, "What about fifth year when she kissed you on the cheek? You didn't stop touching the spot for ages."

"Ya... you're right," Ron nodded, no longer able to deny Harry's proof.

"Well then, when are you going to ask her out?"

Ron started. "I can't do that Harry! Are you serious? She'd hate me. She only sees me as a friend, I'm sure..."

"Are you really sure?"

"Well, no, but I'm afraid to find out. I don't want to ruin our friendship," Ron said while shaking his head.

Harry sighed, apparently exasperated. "Well it's true! Besides," Ron chanced a glance at Hermione, "she seems to have something really big on her mind."

"Well then, Ron, go ask her what's wrong! Be the caring friend and then tell her later."

"I might tell her eventually..." Ron said, looking down at his almost blank parchment. "For now, I'm going to bed though. See you tomorrow, Harry."

He stood up to leave but Harry said, "Ron, what about talking to Hermione?"

Ron was startled. "In this whole room crowded full of people?!"

"Well you'll just look like a concerned friend."

"I dunno, it's awkward."

"Well then ask her to go for a walk or something."

"But then the entire common room will think we're going out!"

"Except that you weren't afraid to leave the common room alone with her before..."

"Well, it's different now." Ron said defensively.

Harry glared at him for a moment, stood up as well, and pushed him gently towards Hermione.

"Go on, Ron." Harry smiled and said something about going to bed before gathering his stuff and heading upstairs.

"Harry..." "Good luck, Ron!" And with that, he disappeared up the stairs.

Ron took a breath and walked slowly over to Hermione's table. Before he knew it, he was there.

"Hey, Hermione, mind if I sit here?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

She looked up quickly and then stuffed whatever she had been writing out of sight.

"Ron, sure, of course," she said, smiling awkwardly. Ron sat down and looked up at her. He noticed her eyes were a little teary.

"Hermione, what's wrong? Are you okay?" he asked, very concerned now. "Oh, it's nothing. Well, it's not nothing, but I don't really want to talk about it..."

"Actually, Hermione," he started, his confidence rising, "that's really what I came over here for. You've been avoiding people and not eating properly. I haven't even heard you participate in class much this week. Harry and I, along with everyone else, are worried. Whatever is bothering you, it can't be good to keep it bottled up like this."

He took a deep breath. There, he had made his point.

Hermione's reaction was not what he was hoping for at all. The tears that had been so close to the surface began to pour out.

"Ron, I don't want you and Harry to be upset because of me..."

"Hermione, you're crying. Please tell me why. I hate that you're miserable."

Hermione's lips twitched at the corners, though a smile did not form on her face. He wanted her to smile again.

"Thanks for being concerned, but there's nothing you or anyone else can do to help..."

"I can be here for you..."

Hermione began to cry harder. She said in a very quiet voice, "But I don't want you to worry..."

"I already am worrying."

She sniffed and looked at her hands. "My dad... he's very sick. He has what Muggles call cancer."

"Cancer?"

"It's a disease that can be deadly. It spreads and..."

"What about a magical healer? Can't they cure it?"

"They don't even know what it is. Wizards don't get it. They can't cure it."

Ron's face fell. He didn't know what to do. He wasn't good with feelings or affection. But he knew he had to try. He reached his hand out across the table and grabbed Hermione's clutched hands. He enclosed her's with both of his own.

She looked up at him startled, but unclenched her hands and held his. A small smile began to form. "Thanks, Ron."
Ron only smiled back. At least Hermione's smile had returned.

A/N: I noticed a major difference between writing a DracoXHerm fic and a RonXHerm fic. The Draco pairing is more passionate. The Ron pairing is more romantic. I really like it. Of course, I will be writing more DracoXHerm fics, but this fic is going to have to be completed because it was really fun to write. It's such a difference so it keeps my... erm "creative juices flowing". Ew... ok anyway, I tried to keep the characters as in-character as possible. Sorry if they're sort of ooc. Anyway, will update asap!

A/N 12-22-04: I made a couple of edits to this chapter because they were really bugging me. Hopefully I will edit the other two (only for like, grammar and word choice, not for content because I'm too lazy) and update a new chapter soon.