Sorry about the long wait, I had finals and packing to do. Then my internet decided to stop working in the middle of a huge rainstorm, and it took a few days for it to come back up.
But now… on to the story!
Harry did not learn a thing in Transfiguration. His mind was wholly occupied by Hermione and Ron. He kept stealing glances in her direction, just to look at her. In his eyes, she was the most beautiful creature that ever existed. He also kept trying to think of ways to tell Ron that he likes Hermione, and that she likes him back. However, with each scenario he thought up, he kept picturing Ron hexing both Hermione and himself until they graduated.
After classes, Hermione was sitting on her bed, reading up on some potions. However, her full attention was not on the book, her mind continually wandered to Harry. There was a knock on the door and then, "Hermione? It's Ginny, can I come in?"
Hermione replied in the affirmative, and Ginny let herself in.
"Why are you smiling like that?" Ginny asked as she sat down next to Hermione on the bed.
Hermione then realized she was grinning like crazy, a side effect of thinking about Harry too much.
"No reason," Hermione replied, hoping Ginny would accept it and move on.
"I don't believe you. But anyway, Lynne wanted me to double check that you wouldn't mind if she asked Ron out. I already told her you liked Harry, but she still wants to make sure," Ginny said.
"No, I don't mind at all. In fact, I would greatly appreciate it, maybe it will help Ron get over me," Hermione responded.
"Are you and Harry going out?" Ginny blurted.
"Wha- what?" Hermione stammered, her heart racing.
"Just admit it, Hermione!" Ginny said.
"Why would you think that?" Hermione asked, trying to buy some time.
"Because you were grinning like a five year old on Christmas morning, and that is the only reason I could imagine why. Now tell me I'm right," Ginny said firmly.
Hermione sighed. She wished Ginny were not so darn intuitive. "All right. All right. I give up. I confess," Hermione said, holding her hands up in surrender. "I talked to Harry yesterday morning and found out he likes me back. We decided it's not fair that Ron is keeping us apart, so we decided to try it out without Ron knowing. We're both trying to think of a good way to tell him, but we don't want to hurt him, because he's both our best friend," Hermione said, fearing Ginny would be mad at her.
"Why didn't you tell me yesterday?" Ginny asked.
"I wasn't sure if Harry wanted anyone else to know. I asked him later, and he said he wouldn't mind if you knew, as long as you don't tell Ron. Ginny, please don't tell your brother! Let us figure out a good way to, please!" Hermione begged.
"Hermione, calm down. I won't tell him. But in the interest of your friendship, I suggest you find a way soon. The sooner, the better," Ginny replied. "So anyway, I have to go. I told Lynne I would be right back."
Ginny then left the room. Hermione, who had been so happy only moments before, now started to cry. Why did this have to happen to me? I would do almost anything for Ron to get over me within the next day! Hermione thought to herself as she grabbed a tissue and dabbed at her eyes.
Hermione, Harry, and Ron all ate dinner together, and most everyone in the room could sense the tension in that corner of the table. They ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Harry's and Hermione's centered around finding ways to tell Ron about their relationship, while Ron's centered around Hermione, and trying to find a way to get her to go out with him. Ron finished first, went straight to his dormitory, and started on his homework, his mind still on Hermione.
"Have you thought of any good ways, yet?" Harry asked quietly once the door shut behind Ron.
"No. Have you?" Hermione replied, knowing the answer.
"No, but I was thinking, maybe we should just go for the straight approach. Just come out and tell him, you know? Just say, 'Look, Ron, we both like each other, but we don't want to lose your friendship, but it's not fair to us. We would really appreciate you being okay with it.' Or something like that…" Harry trailed off.
"Hmm," Hermione mused. "We would have to make sure he left his wand in another room. And maybe also that I leave mine somewhere else, because if he starts a scene, I'm not sure if I can control myself. What do you think he will do when we tell him?"
"I'm not sure. I just hope he will be mature enough not to hex us or anything. I just wish I had told him that I liked you when he first told me that he liked you. Maybe then, it wouldn't be so bad," Harry responded.
"How about we just leave him a note?" Hermione half-kidded.
"Somehow, I think that would make it worse," Harry replied with a small chuckle.
They then headed for the Gryffindor common room.
When Harry entered his dormitory, he saw Ron looking through his trunk, but when Harry came in, he slammed the lid down and walked over to his bed.
"Is the Transfiguration homework hard?" Harry asked, hoping to spark some conversation.
"It's not bad, Ron said, never looking up from the parchment he was writing on.
So much for that idea, Harry thought to himself. He decided to try again, however. "Have you done the homework for Charms yet? I finished it, if you need any help."
"Why do you think I would need your help?" Ron spit out, obviously angry.
Oops, Harry thought. "I just meant… it seemed kind of hard… but I spent a lot of time in the library and finally finished it," Harry lied.
Ron did not respond, he only scratched something out and continued to write his essay.
Harry sighed to himself and took out his Herbology assignment.
Meanwhile, in the seventh year girls' dormitory, Hermione was on her bed doing her Charms homework when Lavender and Parvati came in, giggling. Hermione rolled her eyes as they shut the door.
"Oh, hi, Hermione," Lavender said as they both sat down on Parvati's bed.
"Hi, you two," Hermione replied, semi glad for the interruption, as all she was thinking about was Harry and Ron.
"How's it going?" Parvati asked.
"Um, actually. I could use your help on a topic," Hermione responded, realizing their girly attitudes could come in handy with guy related problems.
"Glad to be of service," Lavender said.
"You see… as you both are probably aware, Ron likes me. However, I have no romantic feelings for him whatsoever. Also, Ginny's friend likes Ron and wants to ask him out. What should I do?" Hermione asked.
"Hmm…" Lavender and Parvati both mused.
"You've already tried explaining to Ron that you two are just friends, right?" Parvati asked.
Hermione nodded as her answer.
"Okay then. You should tell him that you think he should move on and get a girlfriend so that he can get over you. Then tell him that Ginny's friend really likes him, and you think it would be good for him if he asked her out," Lavender said after a moment of thought.
Hermione nodded slowly, thinking it over. I guess that makes some sense, she thought to herself.
"Okay, thanks for your help," Hermione replied.
"No problem, any time," Lavender said.
Parvati grabbed her book bag and the two of them walked out of the room and down the staircase.
Hermione decided to try the plan out. She walked into the common room and spotted Ron sitting in an armchair by the fireplace, reading a book about the Chudley Cannons.
"Ron? Can I have a minute?" Hermione asked tentatively.
Ron looked at her for a moment before saying, "Okay."
Hermione sat down in the chair next to him and took a deep breath, preparing herself for the worse, incase Ron blew up at her again.
"Ron… I think," Hermione paused. "I think it's time for you to go out with someone. You have to stop thinking about me in the way that you do. I heard that one of Ginny's friends really likes you, and I think it would be a good idea if you asked her out," she finished slowly.
Ron took a moment before answering. "Hermione… I already asked someone out. I gave up on us. You can relax, I will stop pestering you."
"Oh. That's excellent, Ron. I'm very happy for you. I hope everything works out," Hermione said happily.
"Thanks, so do I," Ron replied.
Hermione then walked back to her dormitory, trying to suppress her enormous delight at her good fortune. Just as she was walking up the stairs, Ginny was walking down them. Hermione quickly and quietly told her what happened. Ginny gave her a great hug and said congratulations before running over to meet Lynne.
Hermione flopped on to her bed and began daydreaming about Harry once more.
The next day found Hermione in the library after classes, studying as usual. She looked up just as Harry entered the room. She looked at the window and fixed her hair, using it as a mirror. Her heart skipped a beat as he came over and sat down next to her.
"Hi," he whispered, moving the chair closer to her. "We have to talk."
"Okay. What about?" Hermione asked, curious.
"I think we made a mistake. I don't think we should continue this relationship anymore. Ron is my best friend in the world, and I would never want to hurt him. I think you should give him a chance," Harry said slowly.