Disclaimer: I of course don't own Harry Potter and relations. If I did I would be rich, famous and (pause for suspense) very, very happy.

So, this is my first fic-please be kind. I think maybe the words 'too fluffy' could be used to describe some of it-you decide. I'm begging on my hands and knees that someone will review or I won't know whether to continue or not. I think I'll keep it a Ron/Herm and maybe a bit of H/G, please review!

Lotty

x x x

TOO LATE.

Chptr 1.

Hermione was sitting by the common room fire late one night. Well actually it was 2.00 in the morning, but she had forgotten that.

As the glowing red and orange embers of the fire slowly died, her heavy eyelids slowly began to close.

* earlier * on *

'There she is.

So beautiful, reading those massive books. Man, sometimes I think she was born in a library...'

A single strand of hair cascaded down Hermione's left cheek.

She was just about to remove it when her hand came in contact with a soft, warm surface against her face, removing it for her.

"Too late," he whispered flirtily.

"Er....erm....thanks....I......er...." Hermione gaped and mouthed like a fish out of water, as a scarlet flush spread up her cheeks.

"Don't mention it,"he smiled back at her.

'That warm smile again, ahh, he's so cute when he smiles like that - wait a minute! This is Ron we're thinking about, Ron Weasley, like my best friend.........oh dear, I think I'm working too hard......but, you can't blame me after all that's happened........."

"Hey, what's the matter?"

Ron had only just noticed those big brown eyes fill with confusion, and became concerned.

"Huh?....oh........ nothing,"she replied and dismissed the question casually with her hand.

"Oh come on, Herm, something's up, I know it."

"What are you talking about?"

"You expect me to think nothing's happening? I've been your-" here he hesitated, "....friend, for over four years now, and you think I'm not gonna notice when your day-dreaming every five seconds. Geez, Hermione, you look like someone died."

Hermione turned a fuming shade of red and clenched her teeth tightly together like a predator that has just had it's prey stolen.

"What. Did. You. Say?" she whispered words of pure icy venom.

"Er....erm, I j-just said, did s-someone die? I didn't mean any-"

"YOU INSENSITIVE PRAT" Hermione bellowed to a suprised Ron.

"Wait!" he called after her as she ran out the portrait hole, angry tears streaming down her face.

But she was gone.