Hermione Granger

By: DF^Witchblade

Chapter 4: Inexplicable Emotion

(or could it be just hormones?)

(But before we start what about a little RnR? Oh, come on! Just a little chat… Promise. This is gonna be a short one. Thanks! Anyway, Thank you again for all your reviews(Bloody hell people. REVIEW MORE!!!!!!!!!!) Uh… okay, never mind that. As I was saying thank you for the reviews that kept me going and gave me inspiration to write more on this good for nothing- this WONDERFUL story *lifts eyebrows a couple of times* for more to enjoy until I still get more inspiration. We'll thanks again. Talk about short… sigh. *Walks out glumly* I was never good with talks… *mumbles to herself continuously* Back to story…

" I-I-Ron?"

Hermione stuttered in surprise. She was just leaning on the table with both hands on either side of the book with her eyes wide-eyed staring at it but actually not reading it. Then the next, she found herself in Ron's strong arms. Holding her gently as he rocked her a little. Then talking sweet and kind things to her. Who would have thought Ron could be this sweet and gentle guy aside from that short-tempered one? She felt hot tears start to roll down her cheek as she circled her arms on his waist repaying the hug.

"Don't threat Hermione… Everything's gonna be okay. Or that git's gonna pay dearly if he ever harms a hair on you!" He said soothingly but the last sentence wasn't as expected. She just giggled a little then sniffled. Ron moved back a little with his hands still on Hermione's waist as she wiped her eyes.

"B-but what if he's gonna let us drink it? You know that we aren't that strong! We're still students for Merlin's sake!" She said as she looked up at him. He just smiled in reply then bent down and kissed her forehead.

"No matter what happens. No matter what will become of us. I will always protect you, Hermione."

Hermione couldn't believe it! She stared at him wide eyed. Could it be that he really cares for me? Could it really mean that I'm more then this brainy little friend to him? She thought but she can see it in his eyes. She can tell that he really meant it. Hermione! This is it! Tell him, tell him. Now! Said a voice that nugged her. But what if he'll reject me or feel embarrassed or something? Remember what we've been through this past years in Hogwarts! I already promised that I wont like him anymore. She replied back to that urging feeling. But, Mione. Are you sure you made a decision that you really agree to? Completely?

"R-on, I-I want to tell you something. I-I-"

Ron brushed his hair aside, which was trimmed beautifully during summer vacation and suited him perfectly. Now compared to Harry the female population can't choose. He then raised his eyebrow with that half smile of his that Hermione suddenly felt her throat lock. She had to gulp down then opened her mouth again. But as she was about to let out the words Snape glided in. Their eyes moved to look at him. Well, Ron's weren't quite what you would define 'look'

"I presume that you both are finished with that potion. If you please would move along and get your cups as I don't want you to waste time with your, little, 'personal' business."

She looked at Ron from the corner of her eyes, hesitantly to get a cup on Snape's desk. Ron looked at her then gave her an approving nod. Then briskly walked over to Snape's desk and got a cup. But when he was about to walk back to their cauldron, Ron glared at the greasy haired Professor.

" If there is some kind of Trick, Professor. I assure you I will tell Dumbledore. Or make you pay myself!"

"Oh, no dear boy. It is not a 'trick' and I assure you that the headmaster knows. And if you call that a threat, Weasley, you better think twice." He said with the same hateful tone but grinned scornfully.

Ron still stared then went to their cauldron and got a cup full. Hermione also followed suit, with out the glare and the talk. She just couldn't face Snape. She also couldn't believe that the Headmaster allowed him to do so. Was he nuts? They waited as he went to his cupboard where some potions that they never seen were kept. He came back and they moved forward to him. Snape looked out at the little window that shown the fullest moon that you ever saw. It was a bit twice as big than it's usual look. Snape then looked back at his potion that suddenly turned into a silverish blue colored dust when he added the last ingredient. He got both Hermione's and Ron's cup, placed a dash of the dust particle then motioned them to come nearer.

"Hold out your hand." He instructed to Hermione and she obeyed. He suddenly got a curvy knife that looked really scary and sharp which made her automatically back out from his grip.

"Granger! Now." She hesitantly held it out but when she tried to pull it from him again the blood slid from her wrist as he made the cut. Snape got Hermione's cup and held it out to her wrist for the blood to drop. She then pulled her arm out from him and rubbed it but when she looked at it there was no opened flesh just a red mark from his tight grip. Snape called over Ron and he also held out his wrist. Snape held it and cut his flesh in a long thin line. Ron winced and bit his lip. Snape held out Ron's arm toward his cup and drops of blood fell in his cup, which made it a darkish maroon color. Hermione looked at her cup, which Snape gave. It was a girly pink color. She mentally stuck out her tongue.

"Once I tell you to drink it. Drink it with one gulp."

Both students nodded. Quite nervous now as to what would happen to them. They waited… both had the same thought as if he were still awake. They looked at him cautiously, unsure.

"NOW!" He suddenly said or partially yelled which made both of them jump then drank the potion in one gulp.

*              *               *

When they got out of the dungeon. They were white as paper partially speechless. Looking like both would throw up any minute. Moments later, as they entered their Gryffindor common room they started to laugh uncontrollably at what happened. Caring less if they woke up the whole Gryffindor house. Hermione dropped on one of the lazy boy chairs close to the fireplace. Ron sat across from her as he still clutched his stomach laughing. They stopped laughing; ending in a sigh then looked at each other then burst out laughing again like weirdoes.

"A-a-and look w-we're still alive!" Ron said catching his breath as he leaned back still laughing.

"Oh, boy… That was weird. Don't you agree?" Hermione said as she got control on herself, wiped her eyes then looked at Ron.

"I reckon your right about that, Hermione." He replied seriously but smiled at her.

*                  *                 *

Moments later they decided to return to their dormitories and get some rest. But as they were about to walk up the stairs Ron spoke,

"Um, Mione? What did you wanna tell me before Snape entered?" He said partly like an after-thought.

"Uh, Nothing. I was a bit scared my mouth just spoke…" Wow, Hermione… Nice alibi She thought with a gulp. As she was about to turn back to walking up the stairs, Ron suddenly grabbed her wrist and moved her against the wall with his hands on either side. Obviously, he also didn't take it as a good one either.

"Weasley, what the hell do you think you are doing?" She asked partly shocked and angered. But anybody can see that He wasn't the person who can take no as an answer, or a lie. She thought of a way to escape but basically she was cornered and he was stronger. Without her wand she was just someone who had brains. But aside from all that, she felt something at the back of her head that was pulling her back. There was always something that bothered her every time she wanted to runaway. Or maybe because of Ron's piercing glare that she can't bear to see him eye to eye. She sighed.

"Fine! Ron, I'll tell you. What I wanted to say back there… What I was trying to tell you was… that I love you, okay? I really didn't feel right being someone I'm not comfortable with. But somehow, I kinda adjusted to it and never wanna come back to being the Hermione that you know me to be. I'm sorry Ron, I don't really know what I want right know…" Then she sighed, but not in relief. She was just glad that that took it out of her chest. But it could never sum up to what she was feeling now. She was cornered, both with uncertainty and hate, hatred within herself. After that she felt she could never look at Ron the same way. She just hunched her head and stared at her feet. Ron slowly put down his hand. Hermione thought he was going to walk away and never speak to her again. She tried to accept that but felt hot tears start to form in her eyes. Suddenly, she felt Ron's warm hands on her cheeks that surprised her. He directed her face to look at him. She saw in his eyes warmth, not hatred. It was something anyone would call love. Then, like in an instant she felt his lips on hers. It was the smallest of caresses that she had ever felt that made her feel calmer. But Ron wanted to do more. He wanted to taste, explore her more. But he thought better of it. She kissed him back as Ron placed his hands on Hermione's waist and Hermione's hands were on his shoulders, as they had that moment of bliss. But bliss ends sometimes, too. She felt it as he pulled away from their kiss. Knowing that neither of them wanted to.

"Why?" She asked silently in a questioning manner.

 As he broke away, his hands stayed where they were and sighed. He leaned his forehead so that it would touch Hermiones. They were quiet for a moment then Ron sighed and spoke,

" Okay, Hermione… Whatever you want. I know that I can't force you and it's basically your decision. Just promise me that you'd take care of yourself okay? I'll help you when you ever need me. I'll always be a friend to you if that's what you want... I Love you…" He said so sweetly and sincerely that Hermione wanted to take back those words she just said. Instead she just felt more tears come down and not bothering to wipe them. She understood that he didn't want to answer the why part so she didn't press it. But I want you to force me! She thought then found him looking at her. They had the look of answers on them but she didn't understand it. Then he just kissed her forehead.

"Please don't cry anymore, Hermione. Hey, you have freedom now. At least, I have a good feeling that we won't fight anymore. That's a good thing right?" He asked as he tried to comfort her and smiled at her. She just nodded in reply with a very weak one.

"Well, good night." He said then sighed. It felt like something from her was lost forever as he let go completely and left Hermione all alone as he jogged up the steps to his dormitory.

There that was what she wanted. She was completely free from Ron Weasley. Gone from his sight. Well, not actually, he was still her friend of course but then why did she feel so empty. Why did she feel that suddenly as if something heavy was on her that she suddenly slumped on the floor and cried even more that she sobbed so heavily it hurt.

But I wanted you to see… I don't want you to be my friend! I wanted you to be more then that… Oh, I 'm an idiot and it's all my fault! She thought then hid her face as she rested her head on her arms. She suddenly heard a thought that crossed her mind then looked upstaring at the opposite wall. But, that was really what you wanted Hermione, remember. Then why do I feel like this? Why? She replied to her very own thought. Maybe it was the kiss. The kiss. The kiss that felt like eternity. Like forever. But it ended in just a moment's time.  Someone help me… I'm trapped… She thought then hid her face again.

*                 *               *

"So what happened?" Harry asked as he heard Ron enter the room.

Ron was startled. He looked at Harry uncertain then closed the door quietly. They were the only two that was still awake.

" Well, It kinda went a little weird…" He said as he walked over to Harry and sat down on his bed.

"What do you mean a 'little weird'"

When he asked he had a sort of impatient tone as he left his advanced male version broom, an Eagle wing 800, and sat with Ron but rested his back on the headrest.

"Well, after detention we had some kind of talk and left her in the common room… crying."

"WHAT?!" Harry suddenly yelled that startled Ron.

"Hey! In case you didn't know, people are here too and doing what anyone would do in the middle of the night. It's called sleep!"

" Sorry."

"Then maybe you should wear earmuffs then or what we call cotton balls!"

Harry just rolled his eyes and looked at Ron again more seriously.

"Let me recall what you just said… You left her in the Gryffindor common room alone and CRYING????"

"Yeah, well, we had a bit of a problem and I just didn't know what else to do!"

"I'll just pretend I didn't hear everything!" He said as he stood up then realized he was sitting on his own bed.

"And get off! I think I'm gonna take Seamus'  advice…"

"Oh great,. Now everyone seems to dislike me. I must have the word D-I-S-S-A-P-O-I-N-T-M-E-N-T written on my head somehow…"

"Disappointment is spelled with just one S, Ron!" Harry said as he made himself comfortable and closed his eyes.

"Whatever, Harry! Tell me, why were you so curios about the Detention between me and Hermione?"

"Good night Ron."

*                  *                 *

"Hermione! What are you doing here?!"

Hermione suddenly lifted her head as she heard the voice. She looked around but can't see anything because her vision was a bit blurry. She closed her eyes again then shook her head vigorously as she thought that she must have dozed off. As her vision cleared she saw a red Haired 5th year looking down at her.

"Oh! Hi, Ginny. Guess I must have been pretty tired that's all."

Ginny didn't ask any further. But the look of concern didn't leave her face. She knew why she was there. She maybe cried her eyes out again. It was basically obvious. Her eyes were red as their house color.

"Come on. I'll help you up and get you back to your bed. Your gonna feel bright an dandy tomorrow when you get your rest."

"Thanks Ginny. I owe you one…" I owe you my life… She smiled as they went up to her dorm.

*             *            *