Afternoon Plans
Hermione sat on her bed, distracted. She had been trying to do her Ancient Runes homework for half an hour, but she only had one thing on her mind. Ron. He was always on her mind. He was so…Ron. She loved everything about him. From his red hair to his freckles to his deep blue eyes. His lopsided grin and temper enraptured her. She thought back to how they had spent the afternoon.
Unfortunately, for Harry that is, he had detention with Snape that afternoon. So it had ended up just being the two of them, Ron and her. They had decided the day before to have a picnic by the lake, and continued with their plans without Harry. It started out normal, almost awkward even. They spread out the blanket and opened the basket. She had left it up to Ron to pack the food, knowing if she had done it there wouldn't be nearly enough. They had cleaned out the basket rather quickly and sat on the blanket in silence. She had lain on the blanket and was looking up at the clouds when she felt something hit her leg. She sat up and looked at Ron, who was whistling innocently, with his eyes cast to the sky.
"Ronald Weasely, what was that?" she asked him.
"What was what?" he said, keeping up his innocent charade. She looked down and saw the pebble he'd thrown at her. She picked it up and tossed it back at him, nailing him in the head.
"Oy, 'Mione. That hurt." He rubbed his head, and she hid her giggles behind her hand. "You think that's funny, do you?" he said. She nodded. "Well then, you should find this hilarious," he said, lunging at her, ready to tickle. But she was too quick for him. She was on her feet, and he landed flat on his face. This only made her laugh harder.
In a flash he had jumped up and was chasing her around the lake. This went on until both of them were exhausted.
"Okay. I give," Hermione said, huffing slightly. She flopped down on the blanket, catching her breath. Ron lay down beside her, propped up on his elbows, looking down at her. Her breath caught in her throat, and he was mesmerized. They were frozen. Then, without thinking, he leaned in and kissed her. She wasn't expecting this, and at first she tensed up, but once she realized what was happening, she relaxed. He looked at her and she smiled. He lay down beside her, and that is how they spent the rest of the afternoon.
She sighed remembering it. It had been so perfect. That was hours ago, but she hadn't been able to think about anything else since. She thought supper would be awkward, but it was surprisingly normal. Ron, she'd discovered, was good at keeping secrets. They hadn't said anything to Harry…yet. They would, when the time was right. They still had things to work out between themselves. But, right now, she was content being where they were.