LOTS of Hermione/Ron fluff for you guys! Hope you all enjoy!

CHAPTER 10:

NEXT DAY

Ron POV

I still cannot believe that the new students were… what were thye called again? Oh yeah, demigods.

I mean, I belived them, but it was just a lot to take in, especially when the entire time Hermione just looked so excited-and she looked prettier than usual.

Yes. I have finally admitted it mates, I was head over heels for her.

I feel like Harry and Ginny already know, because they both laugh when I look stupid in front of her, and it seems as though a few of the demigods have even figured it out!

Piper and was smiling at the two of us knowingly, while Annabeth had rolled her eyes, muttering that she remembered those days.

But anyways…

We were back at lessons and McGonagall was teaching us all how to turn a mouse into a stuffed bear.

Once again, Percy got it on his first try.

There were hushed whispers again.

And yes-I was jealous.

I was always second best to Harry, and now it seemed that the demigods, Percy especially, were just becoming the best in everything.

And they were all very nice, and I do consider them friends, but I do feel envious.

I saw Harry whispering to Percy.

"Blimey mate! How do you do it! I know that you've never done it before."

Percy blushed. "Apparently, the stronger of a demigod you are-the better you are with magic. And I guess because I have… been through a lot, I guess you could say I'm pretty strong." He said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

I snorted inwardly. Did he really not see that he was obviously so much better than everyone else?

I really want to like him. And I do, but still-the little bits of enviousness keep popping up.

I heard all the others telling him to stop being modest.

I'm about ready to give up with this bloody spell when I feel a hand wrapped around mine, shyly.

"You're not doing it right. You have to flick twice, then tap the mouse, not the other way around." I heard Hermione whisper.

I felt my hand tingling where it was touching hers, but I followed her instructions.

And, of course, she was right. The mouse had successfully been turned to a bear.

"Thanks." I whisper.

"Not a problem. Now do you feel like telling me why you've been acting strange all day?" She asked.

I froze. She had noticed?

"I… What are you talking about?" I stuttered.

"Ronald. We've been friends since first year, I can tell that you're upset about something."

I sigh, now I had to tell her. "Just promise not to laugh at me."

She shook her head. "I wouldn't ever."

"I always feel really… inferior compared to Harry, and now even more so because of the demigods." I say, whispering the last word.

She looked surprised. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you feel inferior to Harry and them?"

"Because I'm not good enough, obviously. I'm Harry's sidekick, for Merlin's sake, Hermione."

"No you're not!" She said, sounding horrified that I would say that. "You're more than that. You just underestimate yourself. Do you remember back in first year, Harry would never have been able to get to Quirrel if you hadn't solved the chess game. You're not a sidekick. We're all a team, and we're all important, alright. Don't forget that. And also remember, flick twice and tap the mouse."

She smiled once before leaving the classroom, which I now realized was empty-even McGonagall had left.

I found myself leaving the room in an almost dreamy state, Hermione's words echoing in my mind. "You just underestimate yourself. You're not a sidekick. We're all a team and we're all important."

I realized that she had really helped, I now found myself not feeling so envious of Harry or even Percy-I was Ronald Weasley.

And I just know that I'm going to remember that I'm important also-after all. When was Hermione ever wrong?

Hermione POV

I can't believe that Ron didn't believe that he was important.

I was thinking about that all the way to the common room, where I saw Annabeth laying on the couch.

"Hey Hermione." She said, smiling and scooting to give me some room.

"Hi Annabeth." I say vaguely.

"What's up?"

"Nothing, just thinking about something that Ron said."

She smirked. "Oh… So you're in the stage I was in a few years ago."

I look at her confused. "What?"

"It's called denial."

I furrow my brows, still confused.

"Oh Hermione. You like Ron, and are just not admitting it because you're too proud-you and I are very similar. Believe it or not, Percy and I were the same way-he was too stupid to realize his feelings and I was too proud."

I was shocked. "But you two are so… natural. You're so at ease with each other."

She turned to me. "We were best friends first also, and that's the part that has always been more important to both of us. The reason why we're so comfortable with each other is because we've been that way for so long now, since we were twelve."

I desperately continued to listen, really needing advice.

She opens her mouth to speak again, when I hear Piper's voice. "Annabeth? Hermione? What's going on?"

"Nothing Pipes, Hermione just needs boy advice-and you are resident expert so… advise."

Piper glared. "I'm not an expert, just a daughter of Aphrodite."

"Same thing."

I cleared my throat, and they looked at me.

"So I know that you and Ron like each other, and frankly, I think you're both just scared of things changing and that's why it's so awkward between the two of you sometimes."

I thought about what she said and realized that she was correct. I like things the way they are-easy to analyze, because that's the kind of person I am.

So why was I falling for Ron?

Oh yes, because he's my best friend, and we've been through so much together, and I don't even know.

I know-Hermione Granger doesn't know!

But really, this was difficult!

"Just keep things the way they've always been, and you'll find yourself more comfortable with each other, and things will happen by themselves from there." Piper finished.

"Thank you both so much." I say gratefully.

"It's our pleasure." Piper said with a smile.