A/N: Firstfic, please be kind! r .Loosely set in HBP, haven't read it in a while, so study material might be off.
Hermione had been pushing away fantasies of collapsing into her cozy four-poster for at least two and a quarter hours. But if she didn't memorize at least two quotations from the leading wizarding historians on background to the Goblin wars, plus a solid understanding of various Goblin lore, her exams were going to be S's at best. She leaned forward and rested her forehead onto the too-large stack of library books and internally cursed the comforting ambiance of the Gryffindor common room which made giving up so tempting.
"Hermione?"
She startled upwards at the hesitant voice. Ron stood beside her, clad in a scruffy blue jumper and pyjama bottoms. He looked nervous, possibly afraid of a scolding for disturbing her.
"Yes?" She replied.
They had been interacting in an awkward, polite manner ever since his breakup with Lavender; only really interacting when Harry was around. She felt her stomach flutter. Don't be nervous you silly bint, he's your best friend.
"Erm, it's fine if you're busy, I just-"
"No, no, I was almost done. It's silly really. I should have brewed more Pepper-up, I mean, whats the point of studying when I can't even read the page? There's too many fucking historians. Can't they just agree?! There was a war. Also, does Professor Binns know that half of the views in this textbook are outdated anyways? Honestly I think he's assigning readings from when he was a student." She let out a frustrated sigh and dropped her forehead back on her books for a moment before looking up.
Ron was staring at her, agog, from this uncharacteristic outburst. Slowly a grin formed on his face.
"Sorry, but did I just hear Hermione Granger, The Hermione, not only curse, but insult a professor?"
Hermione felt a flustered prickle creep down her neck.
"I'm just tired... maybe a little overwhelmed" She admitted. Ron looked at her softly, taking in her study nook crammed with textbook and loose parchment covered in her cramped writing.
"Mione, you do more than anyone, look at all this". He gestured at her workspace. "Listen, I reckon if anyone deserves to feel overwhelmed it's you."
They looked at each other for a few seconds in silence, before Hermione broke the silence with an awkward chuckle.
"You and Harry are busy too, Quidditch and everything."
He shook his head "Not like this, when was the last time you got a decent night's sleep or some real food?"
She shrunk under the intensity of his blue eyed gaze. He's just being a good friend, don't overthink, she chided herself. She had been forced to admit to herself, after what she grudgingly referred to as the 'Lavender affair' that her feelings for her best friend might have been more than friendly. But. She was determined to preserve this apparent peace, without rocking the boat or letting her overbearing personality take over and try to change the course of her relationship. Plus, she acknowledged, she didn't even really know what she would want to change.
She glanced at the clock. 12:17.
Eyebrows raised, she asked "And why are you up at this hour, Mr. Weasley"
Suddenly it was his turn to be flustered.
"Right...I, uh.. well I reckoned you'd be up, and I was in the kitchens... I brought you this" He set a cup of tea down in front of her. "Oh! and I made it."
"Oh! my. You didn't have to, thank you Ron"
She took a sip.
"I just mean, the elves didn't, I know how you feel about that. so..." He trailed off, his ears beginning to match his hair.
She felt warmth bloom on her cheeks and in her chest. Three sugars, she could tell. Just how she liked it since living at Hogwarts, and no longer being banned from sugary beverages. Perhaps her favourite little rebellion. And he had remembered. She smiled at him.
"Right, well" He said, taking a half step back "S'pose I'd better head to bed." He gave her a nod and a lopsided smile before tuning and heading up the stairs to the boys dormitory.
She took another sip, and felt revived in a way that couldn't possibly be because of the warm drink in her hands alone. She looked back down at her notes, and calmed her rapid heartbeat. Ok. She could do this.