A Chance at Love

(A/N Well hello! This is my first published story so I'm sorry if it sucks. If you have any comments and/or suggestions PLEASE comment them! Anyway thanks!)

Disclaimer: I am NOT Joanne Katherine Rowling... if only...

Chapter One

Hermione Granger was in her sixth year at Hogwarts. She was sitting outside by the lake, alone. To anyone passing by it looked as though she was studying, as always, but in all actuality Hermione was quietly crying. She had barely spoken to Ron lately due to Lavender. Hermione was jealous that he spent almost all of his time with her. Hermione loved Ron; she had for years, but was always afraid to tell him. Now her window was gone and she was miserable.

As Hermione made herself even more upset by wondering what Ron saw in Lavender, she failed to notice that someone was walking up to her. She snapped back into reality and dried her tears as they sat beside her.

"'Mione? What's wrong?" The stranger asked concern prominent in his voice.

She froze for a second, Hermione knew that voice. It belonged to the exact person she was trying to avoid. Ronald Weasley.

Hermione wiped away her left over tears quickly and took a shaky breath. "Nothing Ron. I'm. . . I'm fine." She said quietly, her head still buried in her book.

Ron sighed and pushed her book down so he could see her red, puffy eyes and tear-stained cheeks. "It doesn't look like nothing." He said, wiping a fresh tear off of her cheek. "Please 'Mione. I'm worried about you."

Hermione slowly moved her head and gazed up into his crystal blue eyes. She wanted to kiss him right there. Only when she remembered Lavender did she frown and resist the urge. "I'm sorry Ron. I've just had a lot on my mind lately." She said, not divulging the whole truth.

The ginger boy wore a sad expression. "I miss talking with you, Hermione." He said with a small frown.

"I do to Ron. It just seems like every time you get a free moment you spend it with Lavender." She said in a shaky voice, trying not to begin crying again.

Ron sighed. "I'm sorry, but she's my girlfriend and she won't leave me alone."

"So you don't want to spend every moment with her?"

Ron frowned. "Not if it means losing you and Harry. You guys are my best mates." He said, looking down at his hands.

The girl looked out, across the lake. She decided to finally tell him her true feelings, not caring about his girlfriend. Hermione took a deep breath and looked back at him. "Ron, I-"

"WON-WON!" Hermione was cut off by the scream of Lavender as she spotted Ron. "I have been looking everywhere for you! What are you doing with her?" She asked, trying to kill Hermione with her eyes before sitting down and cuddling up with Ron.

"Lav, stop." Ron said in an annoyed tone, pushing her off him. "Hermione and I are just friends." He said in a quieter tone.

Fresh tears ran down Hermione's cheeks as she put her stuff in her bag and got up, running back to the castle. 'Just friends.' She thought over and over again, as tears poured from her eyes.