D.C- yeah, no. I wish.
Also, a bit AU, but still somewhat in cannon... in other words- it has nothing to do with the books other than the people involved.

Hermione Granger stalked out of the Gryffindor Common Room, swinging the portrait open so furiously, she squished a gaggle of second year boys between the wall and the Fat Lady's large bosom. The boys blushed bright red, and hurried inside, wanting to avoid the fight that the portrait would start and the Head Girl would participate in.

"Young lady! I do not care what inclination you think you have to burst around like that! I will accept an apology, if you are willing to give one," the Fat Lady finished icily.

The Head Girl opened her mouth, closed it, and then opened it again, letting out a giant sigh. Her shoulders sagged and felt her eyes water.

I need to get outside and take a walk. Hermione turned on her heel and started down the stairs leading from Gryffindor Tower to the lush, spring green Hogwarts Grounds.

"Do I even get an apology, miss?" she said to the Gryffindor's back. "Apparently not!" she finished with a huff.

Hermione ignored the portrait and started her slow decent to the April weather and flora. Once she made it outside, Hermione wished she had brought her cloak. It was a little colder since Herbology class that morning. What did we learn today? Oh that's right, the healing properties of a Muggle species- the Paddle Plant. Funny looking plant, really. And it was funny when Ron cracked that joke- oh Merlin, there I go again... why can't I ever stop thinking about him?

She walked along the edge of the lake remembering the day in their sixth year that they had decided to go swimming.

Ron, Harry, Hermione, and a few other assorted Gryffindor sixth years were scattered around the lake; throwing each other in, dunking, spitting water, splashing, and having a grand old time.

Ron had grabbed Hermione and pulled her in after him. They had both surfaced, laughing. The lake was shallow enough that Ron could stand easily; his head well above the surface. Hermione was having a little more trouble.

"Ron, Ron, I can't stand here!" she said, half laughing, half serious. Her chin was barely bobbing on the surface.

"Do you want some help then?" he asked. Without waiting for an answer he wrapped one of his strong arms around her, lifting her well out of the water. In response, she wrapped one of her arms around his neck to steady her upper body.

"Thank you," she said, not yet noticing the position they were in.

"Any time," he smiled at her. A moment of realization flickered across his mind. Realizing where his hands were, and on who's body. "Uh, Mione? I'm getting a little cold. Do you wanna get out?" He had already started walking to the shore of the lake.

"Do I have a choice?"

"Nope."

"Didn't think so."

"Besides, I wouldn't want my best friend to get pneumonia or something."

"Ronald, it's 26 degrees(AN: That's about 80F, just so you know.)! I'm not going to catch pneumonia when it's this warm out."

"Just checking," he cast her a cocky grin, and she chuckled.

She smiled, remembering that day. She hadn't realized until later why Ron was "cold".

I'm such an idiot. He obviously doesn't like me if he doesn't want to even touch me. Though he had broken up with Lavender... maybe I'm just imagining things...

"Knut for your thoughts," a deep voice said, just to the right of her ear. Hermione jumped in surprise. She turned her head to look into the eyes of her other best friend, Harry Potter.

"Nothing worthwhile..."

"Don't say that... I saw you rush out of the Common room. And I think I know why. Don't make me pull it out of you Hermione."

She knew she could trust Harry. He would understand. "I just don't see why he doesn't get it! Am I making too obvious? Or not obvious enough?"

"Ron?"

"Need you ask?"

"Probably not... Come on Hermione, he's probably the most oblivious guy in our year. He wouldn't notice a good thing for him if it came up and slapped him across the face." Harry looked at his friend knowingly. "Which yes, I know, you have done your fair share of times. Just maybe... maybe you should sit down with him and talk. Just write it out for him."

"But I don't know if I want to lay my heart on the line like that."

"Trust me, you won't be." Harry said reassuringly. "Just tell him how you feel."

"I'll think about it," Hermione said sulkily.

"Here, take this if you're going to be out here any longer." He handed her a cloak.

"How'd you get into my dorm? No, wait, don't answer that. I'm not sure I want to know."

Harry just smiled innocently and let his friend be.

Tell him what? Hermione thought to her self. That I'm completely, honestly in love with him? And he probably doesn't even know my middle name? Not that it's used very often... but still. It's one of those things best friends know about each other... Has he ever thought of me as more than "just a friend"? Probably not... but I'll never know if I don't do something about it... I wonder what our children would look like. Would they have my hair or his? I think I would want them to have the Weasley hair. That would be best. I could be a Weasley... wow. Never thought of it like that.

Hermione looked up, and noticed it had gotten quite dark. I must have missed dinner. Damn. I'll just go to the Kitchens then. It should be past the rush now anyways...She started to the steps of the Great Hall towards the food that beckoned her. In due time, she arrived at the bowl of fruit painting, tickled the pear, and entered the Hogwart's Kitchens. Before she saw any house elves, she saw one person already sitting at a large central table. That person was Ron Weasley.

I'm not really to sure about this one... I like it enough, but I dunno... still on the fence about it. Let me know what you think.

3 Airin