Dreams

Chapter 1

What She Can't Say

Ron walked up to Hermione quietly. When he reached her he bent down, the space between them closing slowly. Hermione closed her eyes when Ron was just inches away from her lips. Just as the space between them closed and his lips were pressed into hers, she woke up.

"I hate potions," spat Harry.

"Everyone but the Slytherins' hate potions" answered Ron.

"Mmm," grumbled Hermione.

She was the only one of the three that was actually working on the potion. Well, that's what Harry and Ron thought she was doing. They had neglected to notice that her Veritaserum potion was bright yellow, instead of crystal clear.

"It's a lot better now that Snape's gone. Slughorn's loads nicer," she pointed out finally taking her eyes off her potion. "And now that Lupin's back for Defense Against the Dark Arts, we have at least one class to look forward to."

"What are you talking about," Ron asked in bewilderment.

"What do you mean" she asked defensively.

"I thought you loved all your classes."

"Of course not Ronald," she said matter- of- factly.

"But your always telling us about them," he continued.

"And if you ever listened you would know I hate Ancient Runes, Arithmancy is unbearable, and don't even get me started on Muggle Studies-"

"Ok I won't," Ron said cutting her off.

She gave him a scathing look.

"Oh Ron don't you know by now that when she says 'Don't even get me started' she means 'Get me started so I can harp on about how much my life resembles hell,'" Harry said sarcastically.

She gave him an equally scathing look.

As his mouth pressed into hers, she felt an overwhelming feeling in the pit of her stomach. Was it love? Lust? Was there a difference?

Ron pulled away and whispered, "I love you, Hermione."

She just stood there looking at him, not sure what she should say.

Hermione walked quietly to the Gryffindor table, and took her usual place next to Ginny. She was quite distracted that day and didn't notice Ron asking her repeatedly to pass her the marmalade.

"Hello, anyone home!" Ginny shouted in her ear while she waved a hand furiously in front of her face.

"Hmm...What?" she answered.

"Your rather distant today aren't you?"

"Yes I suppose I am"

"Well you better snap out of it," Ron said jubilantly, "we have Astronomy next, and you have to take notes."

"Why do I have to take the notes?" she asked looking disgruntled.

"Because I haven't been sleeping well, and I've got a Quidditch Match this Saturday."

"You haven't been sleeping well?" Hermione said, trying to sound casual, "Why not?"

"Funny dreams," he mumbled.

"Oh," she said not looking at him.

Being trapped within her own thoughts was taking a toll on Hermione's school work. For some reason she couldn't help thinking about Ron. Did she love him? Did she lust after him? Of course I love him, she thought. If she could tell herself that why couldn't her dream self tell him that! She'd been torturing herself about it for months now. She loved him with all her heart and everybody knew it. Well everyone but her dream self. She remembered someone telling her that dreams were the way your subconscious works out your problems. But I know I love him! At least I hope I do, she thought sadly.

"I-I love you too?" she said.

He looked down at her with hurt filled eyes. She realized too late that she had said it as a question.

The next day Hermione was oddly quiet. Everybody noticed. Teachers, students, even the ghosts. Harry and Ron were starting to get worried. She wasn't taking notes or raising her hand to answer questions. Then something they never thought was possible happened. She answered a question wrong. That's when they knew they had to help.

"Don't you love me Hermione?" Ron asked, hurt glimmering in his eyes.

"I-I," she couldn't speak. Her head was screaming 'Yes! Yes I love you! Of course I do!' But for some reason her mouth wouldn't form the words.

"Hermione, what's going on with you?" asked Ron with concern in his eyes.

"Nothing Ron. It's not important," she said avoiding both boys' eyes.

"Don't you trust me Hermione?" Ron asked; hurt once again glimmering in his eyes.

Tears started to well up in her own eyes. It was just like her dream. Except he wasn't professing his love to her. She did trust Ron. Very, very, much. She loved him for god sakes!

"Yes Ron I trust you," she muttered.

"Then tell me what's wrong," he said softly taking her hands.

Hermione looked up into his eyes and whispered the words her dream self couldn't. "I ..."