A/N: I'm doing this chapter in Hermione's POV. I found that it's easier to express hurt emotions in the first person so, here goes. By the way, thanks to the ONE PERSON who gave me a review so far. *sigh*

DISCLAIMER: J.K. Rowling owns the Harry Potter characters.not me. *another sigh*

CHAPTER 3: WHAT'S RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM

After that night at the Common Room, I had successfully avoided seeing Harry. Not that it was that hard. Whenever I did see him from the corner of my eye, he was always with Diana and the image in my mind of them kissing was still fresh in my memory so I always strayed the path. I took my meals earlier or later, to avoid running into them and I usually sat at the library after mealtimes, else taking a walk toward Hagrid's hut, but turning away at the last moment, fearing that he might bombard me with questions. Ron began to notice, however, that they hardly saw me anymore and took the opportunity to talk to me when I was returning late from a library sojourn.

"What's going on?" Ron asked, stepping directly in front of me.

I gave him a tired smile. "I don't know what you're talking about," I said and kept on walking. Ron fell into step beside me.

"I know you well enough to know that something's going on, Hermione. I haven't seen you for days! I mean, you never seem to come with us during mealtimes and you hardly spend any time with me, what with Harry having a new girlfriend and all."

I flinched involuntarily upon hearing the words 'Harry' and 'girlfriend' in the same sentence. "So, because Harry chose to spend his time with someone else, you come running to me. Dear, old Hermione, the faithful back-up," I snapped.

Almost immediately, I regretted what I had said, seeing the look of surprise and hurt in Ron's eyes. He didn't deserve what I said. I was the one with the problem, not him. "Sorry, Ron," I mumbled sheepishly. "I didn't mean it. I'm just - tired."

"Herm," he said, facing me before I mumbled the password to my room. "There's something wrong. I can feel it."

"How could you possibly know that?" I asked in a whisper.

"Because we haven't been best friends for seven years for nothing, you know."

That's true.

I mumbled my password ("Fellytone!") and as the portrait door swung open, I asked him, "You promise to keep it a secret?"

"Yeah."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

I told Ron everything. The annoyance with Diana, how I helped the two of them, the kiss and the fact that I have hidden deep in my heart, but was yet to be announced.

"You're in love with Harry," Ron finished for me.

Well, so much for a grand finale. "I guess it was obvious from the story, huh?" I asked, hugging my pillow to my knees.

Ron traced the stitched pattern on my comforter with his index finger. "Not really. I kinda figured out that you might have feelings for him since our fourth year."

"Why do you say that?"

"The kiss," he replied simply.

"What kiss?"

"You gave Harry a kiss when we got off the train. Everyone was assuming that I had a crush on you or you had a crush on me or something, but I was looking at the two of you. You were always watching out for him and I was semi-positive that you kissed him to make Krum jealous, but it backfired. You kissed him because you felt something there, but you just didn't know it yet."

I looked at Ron with appraising eyes. "And since when did you suddenly become the love expert?"

"Hey, I may seem a little insensitive."

"Try a lot."

"Moving on," he mumbled, smiling. "I'm a romantic at heart, Herm. I believe in those love at first sight things. I think you've loved Harry ever since you first saw him, you just weren't able to name the feeling yet because it's still new to you. But now, you're aware of it. The question is, what are you planning to do about it?"

The admittance that Ron Weasley believed in 'love at first sight' was enough to make me forget about my own love problems for a while - had he not added the last part. "What am I planning to do about what?" I asked innocently.

"About this whole Harry-Diana thing. Tomorrow's Christmas Day, Herm, and you know we all have to eat Christmas dinner together at the Great Hall. Are you planning on sleeping in, then sneaking to the kitchens again?"

"No," I muttered darkly. "I'll - I'll be there."

"You don't sound so sure."

"I thought you've figured it out, Ron!" I exclaimed. "How can I face him with her tomorrow night? I almost used up all my tears the night I saw him." I let my voice trail away. I still couldn't say it aloud. Harry kissed someone else when I wanted him to kiss me.

Ron sidled next to me and placed a comforting arm on my shoulder. I leaned into him, relishing the warmth of his body next to mine. This was just right, I realized and I felt that he thought so, too. There was nothing between us but pure friendship. We could try to be in a relationship together but we know it will never work out. We were too alike and would crash as a couple, but we were great as best friends.

"You just have to make him see what he'll be missing out on by not loving you," he said.

I sniffed. "How do I do that?"

"Be yourself, Herm. Just be yourself."

"Be myself? He doesn't notice me when I'm myself, Ron. I'm just Hermione, the best friend to him."

"You have to trust me. I know Harry's hormones a lot better than you do because we're both going through it. Diana's beautiful and new, but she'll wear off on him after a while. Harry's not stupid enough not to see what's right in front him, Hermione."

"Ronald Weasley, that's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me." I smiled and gave him a small peck on the cheek. "Thank you."

He smiled gingerly and returned my kiss with a kiss on my forehead. "Save those kisses for Harry. Don't worry, he'll come around."

I sighed. I really hope he was right.