And then they kiss…

Chapter 2

Half and hour later, the two of them were walking slowly through a nearby park. Shopping had proved impossible after Hermione had collapsed after just standing for a while in front of Krum's tombstone.

Hermione stood in front of her lost boyfriend's tomb. Her lips trembled. The silence drilled into her head, screaming, "He's dead! You will never see him again. Go with him…. there is no reason for you to continue living!"

Hermione bit her lip and muttered under her breath, "No I won't…no I won't let the others down…"

The wind rushed pass her and her overcoat fluttered in the gust. Ron stood hands in pockets as she read the words engraved on the tombstone.

"Thou shalt always

be remembered in the

hearts of thy fans"

hermione read and reread it as if it would console her. Suddenly, her knees grew weak. She swayed, shifting her weight from leg to leg, trying desperately to find balance. She could feel her head reeling. Her eyes rolled back into her sockets and the scenery swam in and out of focus. Finally, her legs gave away completely. She stumbled and fell to the floor as her legs crumpled under her. "Ron…help me…" she managed to mumble weakly before passing out.

Ron tightened his grip around Hermione's waist as he felt her slipping out of his hold. "Hermione, are you alright? Do you want to sit down for a while?" Ron whispered.

Hermione nodded in response. Ron hoisted her further up into an almost standing position. He was too tall and it meant that he had to bend down to support even Hermione who was already considered tall for a girl her age.

The both of them sat at a nearby bench. Ron slouched on the bench with his legs set wide apart and stared moodily at everyone around. Hermione was no longer the Hermione she had once been. She was no longer the girl he had once crushed as a young boy of Hogwarts. He could still remember the bushy hair, the huge brown eyes, the huge bear-like teeth. But she had still had had an air of confidence, the right amount of arrogance, the spark of brilliance alive in her eyes that cast a glow of beauty to shine over her. But here she was, all changed with long, slender legs that could sashay anywhere in pride. Her curly hair had straightened ever so slightly that it rested gently, curled on her shoulders. She had learned to walk with grace and her every movement was marked with pure, golden elegance. And yet, despite a model's figure, beauty and elegance, the beauty that had used to glow over her had vanished as if it had never existed.

Ron stared at Hermione, pondering why? Then it hit him her sorrow was brough a mood of foreboding around her. She still had not forgotten Krum. He still dwelled in her memories. He had to find a way to make her forget him or at least, not remember him painfully.

"Hermione, do you still love Krum?" Ron asked, rather hesitantly.

Hermione's head turned so fast Ron could have sworn he had heard it crack. Hermione nodded slowly and said in a rather harsh voice, " An I always will…"

Maybe it was the bitter cold of the winter day, but Ron could not be sure. His eyes bore into hers. He took her chin in his hands and caressed her jaw line. A gentle breeze blew her hair into her face as it swirled pass. She looked so pretty. Ron tucked the hair behind her ears. He wished he could tuck the sorrow on her face away as well. Subconsciously, he moved closer to her. He could feel her warm breath on his face. She stared back at him, numb. Ron's hand found Hermione's on the bench and he grasped it. She gasped. They were now so close together that their foreheads were touching. Their noses were just inches apart. Hermione could have counted the number of freckles on Ron's face if she had wanted to, but her eyes never left his. Soon their noses touched and their lips met. Ron kissed Hermione passionately. She closed her eyes and enjoyed it. Seven years of love that had been kept bound in a turmoil in his heart had burst out and his kisses became more and more passionate. He had been crushing her for seven years, for god's sake! This was the moment he had been waiting for all these years of waiting.

The snow was falling fast and thick around them. But now, not even the slightest wind could have squeezed between Ron and Hermione. Ron squeezed Hermione's hands tightly and let go. His fingers entwined her hair while the other stroked the back of her neck. Hermione had placed both her hands on his cheeks as the kisses rained.

Just as the kisses moved to her neck, Hermione eyes flew open. She gasped and tried to move away frantically as if she had just realized what had happened. She collapsed onto the snow, her face turning pale to match the snow around her. She picked herself up again and ran away.

Ron watched her till the snow obscured her, thinking what was wrong with the girl. Slowly regaining his composure, he shook his head, sorrow lining his face. He sat on the bench to give her space before hurrying off behind her.