Mashed Potato

A/N. Now this is absolutely, positively the last chapter! I can't be doing with this story! I would have finished it at the end of the last chapter but some people wanted me to continue it so Ronny isn't left all depressed. Fine, this will be a HAPPY ending then. I can do happy endings but not soppy ones and this is going to be a soppy one. It's going to end terrible, never mind eh?

Chapter Five: Confessions

Look at her, over there, can she even see I'm hurting? She told me that there was nothing going on between Viktor and her, she told Harry and me. I believed her. Or I wanted to believe her, don't know which. You cannot tell me that the happy smile on her face is one of joy from reading a letter from a friend. Of course not. I can't stand it. I can't take it.

I think I hurt her earlier. I don't care. I walked off when she received the letter and haven't spoken to her since.

I'm going to have to tell her. This has been going on for too long. She's must be wondering why I hate him so much. Or does she already know?

Ron didn't even notice Hermione come across the Common Room towards her. He looked up as she spoke.

'Ron, are you OK? You look kind of down?'

She sounded nervous, almost as though she was unsure of him.

Ron sighed. 'I'm fine.'

She sat down.

'No Ron, no you're not. There is something wrong. Is it something about Viktor? Ron, tell me. I'm supposed to be your friend remember?'

'For crying out loud!' Ron exclaimed suddenly, standing up and making Hermione jump. The Common Room went silent. 'You're supposed to be the cleverest witch in our year! Can't you see? Why are you being so blind?'

Harry came over to him and tried to push him back into the chair. 'Ron, come on mate, don't do this, don't embarrass everyone.'

But Ron was in full flow. He felt if he didn't admit it now, he never would.

'Why do you think I've been acting like such a jerk over Viktor? Why do you think I'm so protective over you? I like you, OK, get the picture? Would you like to spell it out for you? I LIKE YOU!'

Ears luminous red he walked out, ignoring the stares from the rest of the Gryffindor's. Hermione was left motionless in the chair.

Ron didn't return to the Common room until late that night. Even if he were asked he wouldn't have known where he had been. All he could think about was his ruined friendship.

At around 3 o'clock Ron heard someone coming down the stairs, he froze though telling himself that there was little chance it was her. But he knew, even before he saw her fluffy slippers, that it was her.

Obviously she hadn't expected him to be there because she started when she saw him.

'R...Ron, I...um...sorry, I didn't know you were here...I...um...'

'Go back to bed, Hermione.' He didn't look at her, he couldn't.

'Can't sleep,' she whispered. Silence followed until she started walking down the stairs. 'Do you mind if I join you?'

Ron shrugged. He knew he'd have to face her sometime, to hear the words 'Ron, you know I love you but just not in that way' or 'I'm flattered you feel like this Ron but we're just friends.' It was always the 'but.' If there were no 'but' those sentences would be just fine.

To Ron's surprise she sat beside him, not a seat away, not on a completely different chair, but right beside him. They didn't look at each other.

'Look Ron, there's something I need to say...'

'No Hermione, don't bother. It's OK, I know what...'

'No, you don't know what I'm going to say, Ron Weasley, so stop acting like you do! You've said how you feel now it's my turn to speak, so shut up and listen!'

He knew her too well to argue with that voice. He shut up.

'First, I think I should clear this up. I am not going out with Viktor...'

'Yes, you are...'

'Ron!'

'Sorry.'

'Anyway, I'm not. And he knows it. I don't feel for him the way he does for me. I'm not in love with him. We're just friends and I like him as a friend but nothing more... And then there's you.'

'Yes, and then there's me. And I guess I come under the same category?'

'Ron, will you please let me speak?'

'I don't want to hear it, I know.'

'No, you don't.'

'OK then, tell me where I come in to this.'

'I love you.'

'Herm, I know you do. I mean, how long have we been friends...'

'No, Ron, I really love you.'

'What, as in, love love, not like like love?'

'As in everyday since I first met you I've loved you, even if I hadn't let myself feel it until today, until I knew you liked me back. I didn't expect it, really I didn't. I never thought you would ever...love me back.'

She was crying now, her face in her hands, unable to speak anymore. Ron was looking at her in amazement. He had no idea she felt this way. He sat there awkwardly for a while until he spoke; dealing with people crying was not his strong pint.

'Hermione...I...oh hell, stop crying. Please, I...I'm sorry for everything...everything...I...'

Ron gave up; there was no point in beating about the bush. He took her into his arms and hugged her tightly against his chest until she stopped crying, occasionally kissing the top of her head in a protective way.

Finally, she sat up and looked at him. Ron's ears went red but he looked back into her eyes for the first time that evening.

'Do you want a hanky?' he said, producing one for her. She laughed and took it gratefully.

'Thanks,' she sniffed. 'Sorry, I'm behaving like an idiot.'

Ron smiled. 'Don't worry, I have an O.W.L. in that!'

'I love you Ron.'

'I love you too.'

A/N. Oh my life that almost made me cry! I have to say this but that was quite sweet! I'll read it though in a mo and hate it but oh well!

A/N". Yes, it was bad when I read it through.

Disclaimer: I own nada.