"Hermione…wait!" Ron tried to scream as he gently took her arm, but it only came out in a stuttered whisper.
"What Ronald! I came to you when I was upset and get nothing. You just stare at me like I'm some kind of…some…monster! I'm not that hideous am I? But I must be, that seems to be the consensus tonight!" Hermione half yelled and half sobbed. And with the last word she fell into Ron, crying into his broad chest. Ron knew that he had to be here for her, not for the feeling of her with him, but to comfort his best mate in her time of need. She just held onto his shirt with her small delicate fists, squeezing him with every ounce of energy she had.
Ron walked himself over to the couch, Hermione still in his arms, and he sat down on the maroon sofa. He slipped one of his arms around her knees and pulled her into his lap and rocked her like a small child, hushing her tears. Hermione's wild hair was clinging to her tear stained face and after several minutes, Ron took his hands and pulled every curl off individually, savoring the moment he had to be her knight in shining armor.
"Ron, why? Why me? Why was I so…..so….stu-stupid?" Hermione tried to get the words out without tears, very unsuccessfully.
"Hermione, we all make crazy mistakes. But it's ok. I'm here, you can talk to me or not, but I will always be here for you." Ron said, hoping after he said it that he wasn't too obvious about the fact that he was madly in love with the girl in his arms. But he was reassured that he had said the right thing when he got a smile from Hermione, weak, but still a smile.
And the night continued with Ron rocking the small, vulnerable Hermione in his strong arms. Her sobs had quieted but silent tears were still pouring from her caramel eyes. Ron shifted him self to be sitting with his back on the armrest, cradling Hermione on his chest, still moving her back and forth, just making sure she was ok. He never thought to close his eyes or blink, but when he saw that Hermione's tears had stopped and her eyes were closed, he quietly yawned to himself. His chest quickly quivered when he felt a small cold feeling in his body. Hermione stirred, but still held onto him as if dear life depended on it. But he saw that she was actually asleep. And with that he whispered into her ear covered with curls
"I love you Hermione. You're not a monster, you're perfect. I want to protect you from everything, but you won't let me. I never want to let you go again. I love you and I always have Hermione"
He pulled his head back to the armrest and closed his eyes. He was glad to feel her steady breath and heartbeat in unison with his, both their chests rising and falling together. As he slowly drifted into his sleep, he felt something move, but didn't care to check, it had to be his imagination. Everyone was still at the dance.
He felt a breeze on his ear, but didn't think that was important either. "I love you too" whispered a small voice, and Ron finally opened his eyes to see Hermione's head cradled in the crook of his neck. He smiled to himself. She was now hugging him more than grasping him, and he moved his hand up to her shoulder, stroking her arm, and the other around her waist, keeping her close to him. Both the seventh year Gryffindors fell asleep a bit happier than they thought they would have.