He was walking past the room when he stopped. He saw her, brushing her wet, bushy mane of hair, but that's not what stopped him. Hermione, her back towards him, was sitting on a chair wearing a yellow towel, still fresh from the shower. She was beautiful, perfect in his eyes, smiling without a care in the world. Ron continued to stare at her from the crack in the door. His thoughts began whirring inside his head, coming of their own accord. An argument began.
I should really get a move on. Someone's going to yell at me sooner or later… Nah, stay a little longer.
What if mum walks by? Or Ginny? She'd have a laugh.
How many times do you get to see Hermione in a towel? Why are you in Gryffindor anyway?
Hey, I'm still alive aren't I?
Staring at that girl you can't ask out.
She's dating Viktor!
How do you know? Have you asked her? She might have dumped him, the grumpy git. She might not like him anymore…She might not have liked him to begin with.
Right, whatever. She could like someone else.
Why don't you ask her?
Yeah, sure, I'll ask her. I'll just walk up to her right now while she's in her towel, "Hey Hermione, who do you like? I've been staring at you from behind the door by the way, don't mind that."
She knows you're stupid anyway. It's not like you have to prove anything.
Shut up!
Shut yourself up! This is your argument in your head!
She probably likes someone else… like Harry. I couldn't date her anyways. It would just be too weird. I don't want to lose her friendship.
You almost never had a friendship to begin with! Besides, you have to risk something to gain something, right? Why are you worrying about Harry anyway? He's your friend so ---
Exactly! He's my friend! That makes it even more awkward. We're all friends!
If he's really your friend he'll be okay with it, won't he?
But Hermione ---
What about her? She doesn't like Harry.
How do you know? She could have been hiding it this whole time! You know the mysterious ways of females…
She doesn't like Harry!
How do you know?!
How do you know unless you ask her!?!
She could! Harry might…
Might what?
He might…
He doesn't like her back. He probably would have told you; you're his best mate! Besides, he's braver than you, probably would have asked her out by now---
Now there's no need to go that far! You trying to say I don't have the guts to ask her out?
You're still watching her, aren't you? There was a sudden halt.
How long have I been standing here? Has anyone seen me? He continued to watch. She was still brushing her wet hair using slow strokes of her brush, no rush. The water came off in small droplets with each run. Her smile was still in place, eyes bright; she looked happy. Does she enjoy herself this much when she gets out of the shower? Ron thought. I mean, I like taking showers too but… I wonder why she's smiling. Did something happen? I hope I didn't miss anything. He noticed her towel was starting to slip when his mother called.
"Ron! Downstairs NOW!" Mrs. Weasley yelled.
Great, what have I done? With a last glance at Hermione, seeing her adjust her towel and wishing he could stay, Ron turned to leave and hurried down the stairs to the kitchen before she could shout at him again.
Hermione was still smiling when he left. Still blissfully brushing her hair, she was very glad she decided to sit in front of the mirror that day…
