I've been in bed with a bad cold for three days and I'm slowly boring myself to death, so I thought I'd take a stab at writing something. This is short, and takes place at the end of GoF. I own the typos and the fluff, everything else belongs to JK Rowling. I'd love to read any comments you would like to make.
The Other Kiss
"Bye, Harry!" Hermione said. She then did something she'd never done before; she kissed Harry on the cheek.
Harry's eyes met hers briefly, his lips twisting into a half-hearted attempt at a smile. He then gave his attention to Fred and George, who were mumbling so low that Hermione couldn't catch what they were saying. When the twins finished speaking, Harry turned, and with a solemn wink to the small group, followed his Uncle Vernon out of the station.
Hermione looked to Ron, and wasn't surprised to find his eyes on her.
"Ron, I'm really worried about Harry."
Ron glanced in the direction their friend had just disappeared. "I know," he said slowly. "I am, too. But he doesn't seem to want to discuss it, does he?"
Hermione sighed. "No. I've tried a number of times to get him to talk, but he always changes the subject. I don't know what we can do about it, other than let him know we're here if he needs us."
Ron ran a hand through his red hair, shoving it back from his face. Hermione noticed that he looked as tired as she felt. The last few weeks had been a lot to take.
"We'll just have to work on Dumbledore," he said, looking determined, "and get permission for Harry to come stay with us. I don't care what anyone says, he can't be better off with those muggle relatives of his."
Hermione glanced around the station for her parents, but they were no where to be seen. "Until then, we both should try to write as often as possible. I can't bear the thought of him stranded with that awful family, especially after all that's happened."
"Right, I'll owl him first thing when I get home. Are you going to Bulgaria this summer?"
Startled by the sudden change of subject, Hermione looked at Ron. His cheeks were slightly flushed, but his gaze focused steadily on her own.
"Victor did invite me," she began. "For the first of July. His team has two home games that week."
Bending, Ron caught up his worn travel valise from the floor and swung it over his shoulder. When he straightened, he offered her a tight-lipped smile.
"Then I hope you have a nice time. Everyone's waiting, I'd better go."
Hermione put a hand on his forearm.
Ron stopped, his face unreadable.
She took a deep breath. "He did invite me," she repeated, "but to be honest, there are other places I'd rather be this summer." She felt her face go warm. "And other people I'd prefer to spend my time with."
Ron stared at her. For a moment, it felt to Hermione as if the crowd and bustle around them had vanished, and they were the only two people in King's Cross Station. Then he grinned, and the noise around her came flooding back as if a switch had been thrown.
"I'll send you an owl with an official invitation. Maybe if Harry comes, we could all go to the ocean this year. Dad's been promising for years."
Hermione smiled happily. "That sounds like a lot of fun." She took a tentative step closer. "I suppose I'd better go find my parents." Still holding Ron's arm, now for balance, she stood on tiptoe, and has she had done to Harry, pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. She caught Fred and George out of the corner of her eye, each wearing an identical, wide grin, and knew Ron would surely be in for it once they reached the Burrow. "Bye, Ron. Have a safe trip home."
Ron blushed furiously, but he returned her smile. "You too. Bye, Hermione."
Not daring another look toward Ron's family, Hermione turned and fled, as quickly as one possibly could while pushing a trolley laden with a heavy trunk and a sleeping cat.