Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any related characters.

A/N: Hello all! This drabble marks my 50th that I've written from Tumblr prompts. Thank you all so much for reading - I've truly enjoyed writing these ficlets, and I look forward to sharing many more with you all. On to 100!

The Madness in Between

Many believe that the big, sweeping moments are the only thing on the forefront of someone's mind when falling in love. In reality, taking the plunge into a new romantic relationship can be nothing short of terrifying — for Hermione, it's more like she's plummeting towards the ground on her broom without remembering how to pull up.

The experts may try to say that exploring a new relationship with someone you're crazy about will give you an instant rush of dopamine that only heightens those amorous feelings. For some people, the indescribable high they feel over loving someone permeates all facets of their lives. Hermione disproves this theory, finding herself going completely and utterly bonkers.

For a minute during the heat of the Battle, Hermione thought certain that Ron would be the person whose arms she died in. She didn't allow herself to think about anything beyond the defeat of Voldemort. Now that she has an opportunity, a future, she's thrust into a world of possibilities that she didn't allow herself to prepare for.

Her relationship with Ron is confusing, at best. Over time, they've managed to develop a deep and meaningful friendship, but how are they now expected to cross that blurred line from friend to friendlier?

She ponders this concern while running around the Burrow completing mundane tasks that, if Ron were to see, he would call her absolutely mental for doing.

But those moments are what keeps her going. She's never felt so out of control as she does right now, all because of the infuriatingly vague status of her love life.

In the few weeks that have passed since the Battle, Ron has not tried to kiss her again.

Not even once.

At first, she understood. He was coping with a profound loss, and all Hermione wanted was to be there to support him. She compromised on the hours she would usually spend alone getting lost in a book so that she could accommodate more time with Ron.

But now? She receives nothing more from him than furtive glances and half-hearted "goodnights" at the end of each day.

In Hermione's mind, she's already made the first move. She kissed him in the room of requirement, and he most definitely kissed her back. For all intents and purposes, the snitch should be in his hand, right?

Hermione finds herself in a secluded corner of the Leaky on a Friday evening, mulling over said ginger-haired man while gripping a pint that is still three quarters of the way full.

There are many social groups dispersed around the large, open pub, and Hermione is content with people watching as a disguise, even though all she is really doing is getting lost in her thoughts.

Her attention is diverted to the center of the room. Luna is there, with her waist-length blonde locks and a large sunflower in her hair. She has a distant and dreamy look on her face as she twirls her body around with her arms raised above her head.

Hermione smiles to herself, wishing that she could let loose and feel as carefree as Luna does. As if Luna senses someone watching her, the blonde woman's gaze shifts to Hermione and she twirls her way over to her table.

Sitting up straighter as she approaches, Hermione prepares herself for the interaction that is Luna.

"You have a deep and concentrated face, Hermione. A knut for your thoughts?"

Hermione squirms in her seat. Luna always has the uncanny ability to speak the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be for Hermione to hear.

"Oh, it's nothing, Luna. Just taking it all in." At that moment, Hermione spots a flash of red off in the distance directly behind Luna's head, and her eyes lock with a familiar set of azure blues.

Just as fast, she blinks and redirects her attention to Luna, who is regarding Hermione with a curious expression on her face.

"You are thinking about Ron."

How does she…

Hermione nearly chokes on her ale mid-sip. "I'm sorry?"

Instead of answering, Luna stares off, her eyes glazing over. "I often think of you and Ron as a circle."

"A what now?"

"A circle." Luna draws the shape in the air with a single finger. "It's hard to tell how or why your relationship truly began but I don't see it ever ending. A true circle — always revolving around each other in this sphere of life."

Luna's comparison of Hermione's relationship to Ron with a circle is the barmiest, yet most sensical thing Hermione's ever heard in her life.

"Luna, you are…so wise beyond your years, do you know that?" Hermione shakes her head in awe at her friend. Inspiration strikes, and Hermione scrambles to get up out of her seat. "Thank you. So much. I have to go."

"Be brave enough to be yourself!" Luna calls after her.

Hermione hightails her way over to Ron, who is standing in a group with Harry, Seamus and Dean. She marches up to him, driven by the insane impulse to go for it, a greeting spilling out of her mouth before she can even think about it.

"Hello."

Conversation between the four men seizes, and three heads swivel towards Ron's beet red face.

"Hey."

Hey. It's such a Ron greeting that Hermione almost chastises herself for being so formal.

"H-hi." Oh for Merlin — you already said hello, Hermione!

Ron tilts his head to study her, as if trying to figure out why she's nervous, and smirks. "Hey."

Hermione has a response prepared, although she loses it completely after mistakenly looking at the amused expression on Harry's face. "I...uh...you know what, nevermind."

She almost trips over herself as she races out of the pub in desperate need of a change of scenery to save her from her failed attempt to summon her Gryffindor bravery. Hermione is just outside the door when it swings back open behind her and a voice calls out,

"Hey! Hold on a minute."

It's Ron. Hermione slowly turns, finding his eyes blazoned with a passion that usually spurs on a row.

"What were you going to say back there?" He asks.

She already feels mortified over the entire exchange, so she figures she might as well let it all out. Hermione crosses her arms and lifts her chin. "Well, I finally worked out that I'd have to be the one to approach you since you've clearly been avoiding me."

Ron's face contorted into anger. "Are you mental? You are the one who's been avoiding me."

"I am not!"

"Yes, you are!" Their bickering back and forth commences, drawing the attention of passersby. "You're always running around at the Burrow like you're on a mission, you avoid your eyes when I look at you, and even when you are in the room, your mind is always off who bloody knows where."

Hermione's shoulders sag, realizing that all of the time she spent worrying over Ron was actually misinterpreted by him as avoidance. "It's just that...I kissed you, Ron. And, well, frankly, I thought for a minute it might be our first and last." Ron's eyes soften, and her heart constricts. Her voice grows quieter. "But we're here. We...I don't think it should be our last anymore."

Ron is silent for a long moment, although his intense gaze never wavers from her. Hermione starts to count the beats of her heart by checking the pulse on her wrist. One, two, three...

"I do want to kiss you."

Hermione lets her hands fall to her sides. "Wh-what?"

Ron takes a tentative step forward, hands shoved deep into his pockets. "I really want to kiss you."

Despite the loud commotion around them, the only thing Hermione was buzzing with was happiness. She draws her lower lip between her teeth and closes the remaining distance between them until they are standing almost toe to toe and she's craning her neck up to see him.

"So do it, then."

Time starts to move in slow motion. Ron visibly gulps and parts his lips. His eyes cast downward, threading their fingers together, tilting his head. Hermione stands on her tiptoes, inching closer and closer, ears pounding like her heart...

Their lips meet, and Hermione finds it impossible to believe how she managed to go weeks before feeling this sensation again. The spark is instant, natural, and Hermione is certain that while this may not be her last kiss with Ron, he will be the last person she ever kisses.

As they embrace in the middle of Diagon Alley, Hermione chooses her best friend.

Her best friend — her incredibly infuriating, yet kind-hearted best friend — chooses her back.

It's about time for her to stop fretting over doing every little thing right, and focus on what is most important: enjoying the madness in between.