Discoveries

The following morning, Harry woke upall smiles.

"What are you so bloody cheerful for?" Ron asked.

Harry knew Ron would not take it pleasantly if he knew Harry had been intimate with his sister last night, so he said, "I dreamt I played Quidditch for Great Britain."

Ron eyed him over suspiciously but had no choice to accept this response. He hurried to get his robes on, went downstairs, and he didn't notice Hermione walking into him until he hit the floor.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" she cried. "I didn't look where I was going, I had so many books to carry… here," she put her books on the table and extended her hand to him. He grabbed on and pulled himself up, and when he stood fully, they were very close to each other… their eyes met… Ron could feel her breath on his neck… was she breathing more quickly? He couldn't tell… And there was that look in her eyes again… that longing… that desire… They were all alone in the common room… he couldn't hold his feelings in anymore. Ever since their eyes had locked in Potions a week ago, he knew… and before he could stop himself, he enveloped her in a warm, loving embrace.

She was surprised, but closed her eyes and sighed. "Mmm… that's nice, Ron…" When she pulled back, she asked, "Why did you do that?"

"It's National Hug Day," Ron lied smoothly. "Give the one you love a hug!"

Hermione drew in a very sharp breath. "What did you just say?"

Ron took both her hands in his own. "I said, 'Give the one you love a hug.'"

Her lip quivered. "Does that mean…?"

He placed a finger over her lips, and a tear slipped from her eye. "Ron… I've been waiting so long to have this conversation with you."

Ron lifted her chin up and kissed her, their lips brushing at first, and then locking as they shared the kiss that God had wrote in his planbook sixteen years ago.

They were interrupted, however, within several moments by a small moan coming from an armchair facing the fire.

"What was that?" Hermione asked. Ron tiptoed over to the chair.

"OY!" He exclaimed as he saw Harry and Ginny with their arms wrapped around each other.

Harry looked up quickly. "Ron! Don't be mad! I'm sorry! It's just that… it was like…" he trailed off, unwilling to tell him the truth.

Ron stood there, observing them for a moment, turned to Ginny, and said, "At least you got yourself a decent guy this time, Gin."

Everyone laughed.