After nearly three hours in the snow, Ron decided to go inside. His feet were numb and his nose was dangerously close to dripping all over the place. Fred and George, however, were still going strong, as they seemed very occupied with throwing snowballs at Snape's office window.

"Hey, I'm heading inside now!" Ron shouted, his voice barely audible over Fred's yells of triumph.

Hermione looked at Ron knowingly, and after a second of hesitation, she trudged over to him, blushing slightly.

"I'll go with you," she said, her nose red from the cold.

Grinning from ear to ear, Ron set off for the castle, Hermione close behind.

Once they were safely inside the common room, he plopped onto his favorite armchair by the fire. After a moment of silence, he found the courage to speak. "What's wrong, 'Mione? You were upset at breakfast this morning."

Hermione sighed, avoiding his eye as she settled herself on the very couch where they'd had their late-night chat days before.

"The house elves have been here," she stated as she looked at the fire cackling in the hearth, a slightly annoyed expression on her face.

Ron held back a laugh, remembering the S.P.E.W. club Hermione had started in their 4th year.

"Yes, and they've done a wonderful job with the fires," he managed to say.

Hermione shot him a look.

"Sorry."

"Ron?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you like me?" Hermione's cheeks were beet read, and Ron got the impression that it wasn't from the cold.

"Of course I do! You're one of my best friends!" He exclaimed, not knowing what else to say.

"But…why did you kiss me the other night?" She asked timidly.

So that's what this is all about, Ron thought to himself. The kiss.

"Well, there was mistletoe and, uh…."

Hermione stared at her gloved hands. She seemed to be quite occupied with picking at the lint that had accumulated on her thumb.

"Look, it's not important right now," Ron said. "I want to know what's the matter."