My first fic! The middle of GOF from Hermione's Point of View. I own nothing- Harry Potter is all JKR's brilliance. Enjoy!
Chapter Four: The Aftermath
Hermione and Ron both woke up before Harry on Boxing Day. The common room was deserted, perhaps becuase everyone was too tired from last night's events to wake up before noon. Hermione considered running back upstairs at the sight of him, but Ron, surprisingly, managed to save possibly their whole friendship.
"Um- wait, Hermione. I, uh... well I mean I just-"
"Yeah, forget it." Hermione gave a small smile, and sat down on an armchair to open up the book in her hands. She had decided to make things all right as soon as she could; she and Ron didn't need to be fighting the rest of the year. "Me too," she added, to show Ron she felt the same way. Ron nodded uncertainly, and after a bit of hesitation, turned and went back upstairs.
***
For the remainder of the year, Ron and Hermione managed to be civil to each other, as you may know. But just as they were leaving the school year behind, arriving at King's Cross again, Hermione did something that caused Ron to break out in jealousy once again.
Hermione felt awful about the year's events, and everything Harry suffered through. Now it would be made worse by his awful uncle, and Hermione decided to do something that may let him know she would be there if he needed support. "Bye, Harry!" Hermione said, kissing him on the cheek.
Harry grinned and waved good-bye, but when Hermione turned around, she came face-to-face with Ron, looking down on her, seeming a bit upset.
"What was that for?" he asked, as though trying to hold back another rage of anger.
Hermione's heart suddenly went out to Ron. He had so much to put up with- Harry's glory and dispair, his feelings for Hermione- that he didn't know how to handle. Maybe his actions and words weren't as thoughtless and immature as she had thought.
"Well, Ron, Harry... well he just... Ron, I was just trying to be supportive! You know as well as anyone else what he's been through this year..." Hermione looked up at Ron, who nodded sadly. His energy to fight seemed to leave him, and he looked quite weary.
Suddenly, without realizing what she was doing, Hermione stood on tiptoe, reached up and gave Ron a hug. He was quite surprised, but when Hermione pulled away he bent down and kissed her gently, but quickly, on her lips. With a blush, a smile, and a little wave, Ron went to join his family (including the twins, who looked ready to burst out laughing), and this time, left Hermione as the surprised one.