Hermione was propped up against the large willow tree that overlooked the lake. It was a warm spring afternoon, and she was enjoying being able to start her final exam preparations outside. Hermione thought Ron was going to join her since Harry and Ginny were off 'getting to know each other,' but he hadn't turned up yet.

She turned her focus back to her Ancient Runes text as the giant squid splashed lazily in the lake. A short time later, she heard the 'thud' of a bag drop to the ground as a certain lanky redhead sat down beside her.

"Sorry 'm late," he said. "Got cornered by a group of 5th year Hufflepuffs. No idea why."

Hermione looked up at him. Seriously? He didn't know why? Oh, I don't know, maybe because the school's heard you and Lavender are through and now they're lining up to replace her, Hermione thought as a surge of jealousy coursed through her. Well, not if I can help it!

"Well, they're probably fawning over Gryffindor royalty. What with winning the cup and all.." Hermione hoped her words had come across as genuine. She did mean them, of course, but her previous attempts at flirting with Ron never seemed to play in her favor. She looked over at him and, were his cheeks turning red or is that just the sun?

"Er, maybe? It felt a little weird to be honest. Here, I brought you some fruit and biscuits from lunch. You barely ate anything." Ron said, dismissing the fact that the Hufflepuffs could be into him.

Hermione smiled as she took the napkin-wrapped food he was handing her, "Thanks, Ron."

"What are you studying for today?" Ron leaned over her shoulder to see what text was open in her lap. The smell of his hair hit her like the Hogwarts Express at full speed, and for a moment she couldn't think straight. He gave her an odd look, his ears turning pink as he noticed her gawking. "Uh, Hermione, are you alright?"

"What? Oh! Yes, um, Ancient Runes. Sorry, I was...distracted." she attempted to recover quickly.

Ron turned around to see what was behind him. "By what? I don't see anyone.."

If Hermione hadn't been blushing before, she was sure her face was scarlet now judging by how hot it felt.

"I...um…" she felt like her brain had stopped working. Quick, just say the first thing you think of! "Just the way the sun's hitting your hair. It's…" Her eyes widened as she processed the words coming out of her mouth. "It's different." What was that, Granger?

Ron looked at her oddly. "Oh, er, alright." He reached his hand up to run through his hair, probably feeling a bit self-conscious at Hermione's words.

"Not- not in a bad way!" she blurted out. Oh my God, just stop it will you? You're going to ruin it! Hemione started to mentally berate herself before she noticed him visibly relax.

"Oh, cool," he said as he half smiled at her. "You're being extra sweet today," Ron said as he looked out at the lake.

"I- I am? I'm sorry…" Hermione apologized, but wasn't sure why. Probably because she was acting weird and making him uncomfortable.

"No! It's- it's not a bad thing," Ron said quickly, stopping her apology.

Hermione looked down at her book and let her hair cover her face as she smiled giddily at his words. She couldn't let him see that of course. Finally a decent retort entered her mind.

"Oh, well, I guess I'm just trying to be as good of a study partner like you had earlier in the year..minus the snogging of course," she added quickly. "Not that I could compete with- or that we-nevermind." It sounded better in her head than it did coming out of her mouth. When had she completely forgotten how to hang out with him alone?

Ron chuckled at her failed snide remark. "Reckon I actually prefer this more. You're much better company."

Hermione froze at his words. "I am?"

"Er, yeah. I mean, snogging loses its appeal when that's all someone ever wants to do. I mean, I'd like to think I'm more than just a pair of soft lips to ravish," He grinned at his own joke as Hermione burst out laughing.

How she'd missed his humor, and his smile, and him, just everything about him. And oh, what she wouldn't give to feel those lips against hers. She leaned in to nudge his shoulder playfully as he bent his head down to see what chapter he was keeping her from in her book.

Hermione froze when she realized how close her face was to his, and her breath hitched in her throat when her almond colored eyes met his bright blue ones. For a split second, she thought he was going to kiss her, until a piercing wail filled the air and ruined the moment. Hermione pulled away and looked to the source of sound. Parvati was leading Lavender back to the castle, her arm around the other's shoulder in what Hermione assumed as a consoling embrace.

You've got to be kidding me. Would she ever catch a break?