The Bookworm Diaries
A/N. OK, Hermione starts having doubts about asking Ron. Nooo! I worked out a plot later on last night after seeing Chamber of Secret's (it was the cute bit at the end between Ron and Hermione that inspired me, I think.) It was absolutely amazing, if anyone wants to know about it I've written a review on my website (on my profile.) Go to 'Updates' and it will tell you!:}
Chapter Four: Unexpected
10th January, THE Saturday, Girls Dormitory, about five in the morning.
I'm having doubts about asking Ron. No, I haven't lost my nerve...its just pride decided to poke its ugly head around the corner when I woke up this morning. I remember the last Ball and what I said to Ron after it, something along the lines of 'You know what the solution is don't you? Next time there's a ball, ask me before somebody else does.' So me asking him would just completely change that. Should I just forget about that and ask him anyway. I mean, I was angry...he probably doesn't remember it anyway. But what if he does? What if I ask him and he brings it up?
I've been trying to weigh it out...pride, Ron...pride, Ron...Ron appears to be winning. Could it be that I like him so much that pride doesn't matter? Should I just get on and do it?
Still 10th January, THE Saturday, The Three Broomsticks bathroom.
Nothing could have prepared me with what happened. Perhaps it didn't happen, perhaps I dreamt it. I think I might be in shock, my head's spinning. I'm going to try and write down exactly what happened then I can look at it clearly.
Well, everything went as planned. I was quite nervous (though I kept asking myself why) so I didn't talk much. We shopped around Hogsmeade for about an hour until Ron suggested we went to The Three Broomsticks. A flashing red light appeared in my head and a voice saying 'Danger, danger, Will Robinson'...no, wait hang on, it said 'Now is your chance, nudge Harry, nudge him, NOW's your chance, DO IT!' I nudged Harry and gave him a meaningful look. He grinned at me.
'Guys,' he said, 'Can I meet you there? I just want to quickly check out Quality Quidditch, won't be a minute.'
'Yeah, sure,' I heard Ron reply, through the sound of my beating of my heart.
As I watched Harry walk off I realised that I loved him so much, he's the greatest friend you could ever ask for. It would be so much easier if I loved him the way I love Ron...he's much better tempered.
We walked in silence until we reached the door of The Three Broomsticks.
'I'll get us a table,' I said, trying to act normal. Something in my voice must have given my nervousness away because he looked at me oddly before speaking.
'You want a butter beer, yeah?'
I nodded.
I squeezed through the people to the nearest table whilst he went to the bar. As I watched him a kind of cloud settled over my brain, leaving no room for nervousness. I started thinking, well, daydreaming really about him. What if, somehow, he felt the same way about me? What would I be like to snuggle (A/N. Love that word) down in a chair with him in the Common Room, in front of the fire? It would be snowing outside but we'd be the only one's there. We wouldn't fight, of course, he'd just sit there, stroking my hair, occasionally saying something, something loving like...
'Hermione? Hello, you in there? The vacant expression's worrying me!'
I snapped back to reality to see him staring at me across the table.
'Ron, I was...just, um, thinking about...stuff' I finished lamely.
'Herm, you sure you're OK?' he sounded worried. 'You've been acting really strangely.'
He led me right into it but, like an idiot, I didn't take the cue.
'Yes, I'm fine,' I replied.
We sat in silence for a while, but it wasn't an awkward silence, it was just silence. Then we both started to speak.
This is where fate or something stepped in. I told Ron to go first. Had I not, the results may have been different.
(A/N. This would make such a good ending. But, like you, I want to know what happens, so I'll have to keep writing.)
'Hermione, look, there's something I, um, I want to talk to you about.'
He sounded nervous. I wondered why, I was meant to be the nervous one. Of course, I still hadn't worked out what he was about to say.
'OK, say it.' I said, not trying to sound impatient.
He wouldn't meet my eyes but started at his butterbeer.
'This isn't easy for me...in...in...light of what happened last time. But last time I made a mistake, it was my fault. So I'm going to say it this time...'
He stopped and looked up, as if I was meant to know what he was talking about.
'Ron, you've lost me.' I said simply.
He took a deep breath, chanced a half grin at me and said;
'Hermione, would you, um, would you like to go to the Ball with...with me?'
A/N. What will she say? OK, maybe we know what she'll say but how will she say it? (I'm genuinely asking here, I don't know until I've written it.)
Disclaimer: I own nada.