Disclaimer: I own nothing Harry Potter. All characters, names, places, etc belong to J.K. Rowling and her amazing universe.

Author's Note: This chapter "focuses" on Ron's POV, and the aftermath of Ch 1. In my verse, Ron has many of his insecurities and issues, but without the Hermione-jealousy-thing. He still secretly feels second to Harry, which leads to many issues down the line in canon (and fanon), but I decided to turn things around a bit with how he'd react to the idea of his two best friends having a thing going on.

Words: 1,233

Rated: K+

Enjoy!

Something There

Ron knew something was up at breakfast the next morning. When the boys woke up that morning, Harry hardly said a word, and kept his eyes determinedly fixed on the floor. At first, Ron worried that his stupid behavior for the past month was still stinging his best friend (resulting in his ears turning red as he tried to work up the courage to defend himself), but then they met Hermione downstairs. She gave a muffled squeak, her hand over her mouth, and turned scarlet. Ron turned to exchange bewildered looks with Harry, but was taken aback by his mate's equally red face. He watched, dumbfounded, as his two friends murmured shy greetings to one another and walked ahead to the portrait hole to head downstairs for breakfast.

Ron kept his distance from the two suspicious figures, watching them, and mulling over in his head what could possibly be going on. Hermione always confused him, so that was no surprise. But Harry? Harry Potter may be world-famous, but as Ron Weasley's best friend, he was as transparent as Nearly-Headless Nick. He normally never acted so... weird. Hell, in hindsight, the thought of Harry putting his name in the Goblet of Fire was as stupid as... well, Ron giving him the cold shoulder for the next several weeks until yesterday. (His ears burned redder at the thought.)

All day long, Ron watched his friends, growing more suspicious and more bewildered. At breakfast, Harry offered Hermione some scrambled eggs, resulting in her squeaking in alarm and nodding mutely while she burrowed her face in her textbooks, which were, Ron noted, upside down. When he tried pointing that out, she snapped that she was merely tired and promptly stuffed a piece of toast in her mouth, and flounced away. Ron then tried to ask Harry what was up, but was greeted with him holding a plate of sausages under his nose. Subdued for the moment, Ron made a mental note to himself to watch them more carefully.

At Potions, Hermione threw herself into the work with a vigor that reminded Ron of how she usually only acted around final exams. Harry played it cool, but that might have been more because he couldn't stand Snape's class. But then later on, in Herbology, Harry brushed off a leaf from Hermione's hair, resulting in them locking eyes for a moment before Professor Sprout's voice jolted them into reality. At lunch, Harry tried to follow Hermione to the library, but she shook him off, practically running down the corridor.

Though he was not one to be called observant, Ron was certain something was going on.

"Hey, mate, did you have a row with Hermione, or something?"

Harry spat out his pumpkin juice. It was dinnertime, and Hermione had already escaped back to the common room. Ron wisely waited till she disappeared before cornering his best friend while they ate dessert. And, judging by Harry's reaction, it was a good thing Ron finally spoke up.

"Wh-what gives you that idea?" Harry gasped, coughing.

"Well... you guys hardly looked or talked to each other all day," Ron said slowly. "Every time you try to talk with her, she flees. What did you do to make her mad?"

"She's not mad," Harry said hurriedly. "At least... I-I hope not."

Ron raised his eyebrows.

Harry sighed. "Look, last night, I kinda did something I probably shouldn't have..."

"YOU GUYS KISSED?!"

"Shhhhh!" Harry was bright red, but grinning sheepishly. The two friends were back in the dorm, alone, because the other boys were still playing a game of wizard's chess in the common room. Ron gaped at Harry Potter, famous wizard, Triwizard champion, his best friend, and ….

"Do you honestly mean to tell me," Ron said shakily, his ears turning redder and beginning to spread over his face, "that you got your first kiss, your first snogging, before me?!"

"I... what?"

Ron blushed. "Look, I'm not actually mad, I'm just... I never really kissed anyone, unless you count my mum, and I'm kinda irritated that you got a chance to snog our best friend-"

"Ron-"

"But look, if you guys start going out, you probably should, 'cause Hermione... well, you know Hermione, she's probably freaking out right now..."

"Ron, are you saying you... you're okay with us?"

"Like I said, I'm just a little annoyed that you got your first kiss over me, ok?!" Ron said, flustered, and grinning a bit sheepishly as well. "I mean... you could have planned it, and told me ahead of time so I would go snog, I dunno, Lavender, or someone-"

Harry just laughed. Ron joined in and they headed downstairs, both feeling rather relieved.

"I mean, come on, it's not like you're dating my sister!"

"So, yeah, Ron knows what's going on."

Hermione nodded curtly, her face still scarlet, even while leaning over her parchment. Once again, they were alone in the common room. Courtesy of Ron, who shooed most of the last Gryffindors to their beds, Harry managed to corner Hermione before she could flee again. He casually mentioned that he wanted to work on homework with her, which convinced her to stay. Harry was quite certain she didn't believe him, but it still was a good enough excuse. It was nearly midnight, and Harry just finished telling her that Ron figured out that something's there between them, and how Harry told him the truth. Hermione made few comments, just the occasional "mmm" or "oh?" while pointedly concentrating on her homework.

Harry smiled, watching her bury herself into her homework. Last night, after her enthusiastic response to his sudden kiss, she had just as quickly pulled away, lingered a moment with her hands covering her mouth, and then fled upstairs. Though Harry spent much of the night, musing over whether or not she was upset with him, he couldn't forget the brilliance of her eyes nor the passion of her second kiss. Knowing Hermione, she was merely flustered. Harry himself felt a bit awkward, until his conversation with Ron. After all, his friend was right: they had to figure out their relationship, or Hermione would worry herself to death. No matter how shy or whatever they felt, they needed to take a step forward. Or end it now. Harry's heart clenched at the thought, and he inhaled deeply and boldly took hold of her hand. She gasped and dropped her quill. She finally raised her face and made eye contact with the boy she kissed last night.

"Hermione... you're my best friend. But after last night... Don't you think there's something more?"

"I..."

"I understand if you're embarrassed, but-"

"I'm not!" Harry raised his eyebrows. "Okay, maybe a little, but it's nothing against you! I just..." Hermione fidgeted in her seat. "I dunno, Harry, shouldn't you be concentrating on your second task, you really need to work out that egg-"

Harry pulled on her hand, and met her lips with another kiss. Hermione's eyes remained wide open, before fluttering closed, and leaned into him.

Ron was pretending to read a book when Harry came back upstairs to bed. He tossed it aside, grinning.

"So... how did it go?"

Harry just grinned. His hair was mussed up, more than usual, and his glasses slightly askew. He gave a thumb's up. Ron laughed.

"Good. Maybe someday I'll know what that feels like."

"I hope so, too, mate."

AN: Don't worry, Ron. You'll get some kissing... eventually. ^^" Let me know what you think! I've now updated two chapters in one day, so I'll be taking a break, lol.