Chapter Two

Harry came running down the stairs and almost knocked over Hermione who looked like she was crying.

"What's going on down here Ron? I thought You Know Who was in here!"

"She said she loves me" Ron replied

"Well finally! I've been waiting for one of you to say something since we started this search for the horcruxes. What did you say back?"

"I didn't say anything, she said it by accident, I got mad at her for mentioning you and I called her a mudblood, then she was shouting and then she said it! Bloody hell, I've just messed everything up, the girl I love now hates me and all because of a stupid blanket!"

"Oh, right, no wonder she's crying, you know she hates that?"

"I know, I don't know why I said it, she's probably never going to speak to me again, I sounded just like Draco!"

"Well hopefully she'll get over it but why would you be mad at her for mentioning me?"

"Okay, don't laugh at me but I thought you and Hermione were in love and were secretly together" Ron said his face turning a slight shade of red, Harry burst out laughing.

"Mate, you know I love her but not like that, I love her as a sister and would do anything to protect her. I love her like that, I'm in love with your sister."

"Ugh, I know that Harry, please stop refreshing my memory, I'm trying to forget!"

The two best friends sat together for a while laughing until they heard the door squeak open and in came Hermione.

"I just need my bag with all my things, I left it down here, Harry do you mind if I sleep in your room and you go down here? That is, if Ronald doesn't find it strange that I'm going somewhere where you have been?"

"Hermione please, I didn't mean it, stay down here"

Ignoring Ron, Hermione continued "Harry? Do you mind?"

"I don't mind Hermione, but I think you should just speak to Ron" and before she could argue back Harry had apparated out of the room and locked the two of them in.

Hermione turned from the door and gave a look that could kill if you weren't accustomed to it like Ron. "Hermione, you know I'm sorry, I don't know why I said it, I feel awful"

Hermione looked up with tears in her eyes, "I thought you loved me too and then you said that, I know it's just a name but I have heard it my whole life and you've always been the one to tell me that everything's alright, so to hear it from you... it broke my heart."

Ron had an incredible urge to get up and hug Hermione and hold her all the time and never let go, but he knew he couldn't. "Hermione please don't cry, I'm so sorry for saying it, if you don't forgive me I'll understand, but please just stop crying."

"Oh Ronald, you know I can't stay mad at you, you're my best friend, let's just forget about this and go to sleep." she stepped over to the sofa and buried herself under the covers not looking at Ron again.

As she walked past him Ron could smell her honey flavoured perfume, a smell which always made him feel safe. He looked over at Hermione who had her eyes closed and whispered "Hermione, when you said you loved me, is it true? Did you really mean it?"

no reply, so Ron carried on "Because even if it's not I want you to know that I love you and I always will" and with a burst of courage, he clasped Hermione's hand and watched her.

He held her hand a few minutes before he felt her squeeze back and saw the small smile that had formed on her face.

She opened her eyes and looked into his, but this time not with anger but with love, she looked as though she was about to say something but then stopped. "What is it?" Ron asked.

"Nothing, well it's just, I am a little cold, I wondered if you blanket offer was still open?"

"Of course it is, here you go" he passed Hermione the blanket and watched her drape it over herself, all the while their hands still entangled. They smiled at each other once more, then closed their tired eyes and fell asleep, smiling and glad that they knew it was all going to be alright.