Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER, although I DO own a dog named Harry who I dressed up in a Gryffindor scarf so that's something.

D - Dare

"Truth or dare Ron?" Seamus asked from across the circle. Ron thought for a second,

"Dare." he said confidently.

It was late on a Saturday night, and the sixth year boys were taking a break from revision to play truth or dare in the dorm. So far everyone had chosen dare (even Neville) and Ron did not want to seem like a wimp if he chose truth (also he didn't want anybody to know about the fact that he liked Hermione in... that way)

Seamus grinned and turned around to have a frantic whispered conversation with the other boys. Ron watched as Harry leaned over and whispered something in Seamus' ear and then Seamus turned back to him with a smile that could only be described as evil.

"By the power of all things magical we dare you, Ronald Weasley, to go down into the Gryffindor common room and kiss any girl of your choice that may be resting there." he explained mischievously.

"No," said Ron, "Absolutely not"

"Come on Ron, poor Neville had to attempt to run up the girls' dormitories!" laughed Dean from beside him.

Ron laughed (it had been funny) and grudgingly excepted that he would have to do his dare, after all, he could always just explain it was a dare afterwards, couldn't he?

"Alright, I'll do it." he accepted. Harry and Neville cheered.

"And you're not allowed to tell them it was a dare afterwards," added Harry as an afterthought. Ron mentally cursed and began to walk down to the commonroom, the other four a little behind so they could make sure Ron did the dare.

Ron was beginning to feel anxious as they descended the stairs. Who was expected to be in the commonroom at this time of night anyway? It wasn't stupidly late, but most people had gone to bed already, it would undoubtedly be filled with 1st and 7th years as they generally seemed to stay up longer.

When the commonroom was in full view, Ron laughed. It was empty. Empty. Now he could just do a normal dare and not have to embarass himself in front of people.

He was just in the act of turning round to tell the others when a voice startled him from behind,

"Ron? What are you doing up?" it was Hermione. Ron inwardly cringed and turned to face her,

"Nothing, I was just .. er.. just going to bed. Night Hermione" he stuttered and turned to head up once more.

'oh no you don't, go back!' mouthed Seamus, hidden in the doorway. Ron sighed and turned back to face Hermione, he really was going to have to do this.

"Hermione, wait up!" he called to her retreating form. She turned around,

"Yes, Ronald?"

"I.. erm ... I ... What are you doing up? You should be asleep," he said and then cringed at his words; she was most likely offended by him now. Hermione glared at him,

"I forgot my book." she said holding out an impossibly thick Arithmancy textbook. "And I don't see how you can justify telling me that I should be sleeping, when you're obviously not asleep yourself." she scolded.

"I.. er.. Sorry?" he offered, knowing full well he probably sounded like a lunatic to her.

"Ron, are you feeling alright?" she asked, concerned.

"Yeah, 'M fine," Just do it! a voice in his head commanded. He sighed again and closed the gap between them in two long strides.

"Are you sure?" she asked him skeptically, raising a hand to check his forehead. Ron pulled her hand down gently and leaned in so their faces were closer. Hermione gave him a questioning look, but made no move to back away. Ron gathered up all of his remaining courage to tilt his head a little more and gently press his lips to her cheek, before pulling away,

"Goodnight" he said quickly and ran back up the stairs to the boys' dormitory, leaving behind a bewildered and slightly disappointed Hermione.