CLONK! Hermione's books crashed to the floor. "Need some help there?" Ron asked. She could tell he was trying to keep his tone friendly, but he was incredibly nervous.
"Sure," Hermione mumbled, "thanks." She handed him a few of her books, dividing her pile in half. She knew the only way to move on was to force herself to forgive him. Although her brain didn't quite work like his, she was willing to pretend it did. She was willing to forget the whole thing. If only he'd apologize.
"Geez, 'Mione," Ron huffed, "You sure have a lot of books." They had started to slip out of his hands. "How do you carry all these around all the time?"
"Practice, I guess," she was keeping her tone neutral. She couldn't let her guard down yet, but she couldn't be a bitch either. "Final exams are coming up, and I must study. It's a wonder you haven't begun studying yet. You'll never pass if you don't."
He nodded, the same old nod. He never liked when she got on his case about his grades. He'd made it this far without studying. As a prefect, no less. He wasn't worried about the homestretch. In these moments of silence, the tension began to build again.
"So, did you hear about Harry and Ginny?" Trying to break the ice, Ron resorted to gossip. He figured it was ok, though; Harry was their connection. Responding to Hermione's quizzical look, he continued, "Yea, Harry apparently fooled around with Cho when he and Ginny first started going together. Ginny found out. You know, she is my sister, and all, so I punched Harry right in his face." Hermione looked alarmed, so Ron hurried on, "Well, it's ok now. I mean, Harry and Ginny aren't really speaking, but Ginny and Cho have become best friends, and Harry and me are cool. Funny thing, girls. If someone cheated on me, I don't think I could just become friends with the other guy..."
"No, my boyfriend wouldn't like this," she stammered. But Luna loomed.
"Well, I won't make you do anything..." the two drunken girls collapsed in a heap of laughter. "Shhhhh... surriously, girls, don't wake up the others..." Luna stammered. She, Hermione, Parvati, and Lavender had stolen some spiked butter beer on their last Hogsmeade visit and were now having a party in their dorm. Now, the silly, drunken girls were kissing. Hermione didn't want to make out with them, though, because even if Ron would like the idea, she still felt it was cheating.
However, the butter beer got the better of her judgement. As Luna's mouth closed around hers, it felt too right. Luna's tongue caressed hers in way that seemed so close to Ron's, yet somehow softer.
"'Mione?" Ron's voice cut in. By the look on his face, she guessed that he knew what she was thinking. She looked away, not wanting to think about their history. She saw Padma in the stairwell, probably having gone look for Ron. But seeing he and Hermione together, she simply waved and wandered toward the library.
"So how are you guys?" Hermione asked, her voice wavering.
Ron hesitated before answering. " We're good. Thank you for asking. She's very sweet," was his reply, "but she doesn't let me have fun like you did," he finished with a wink.
"The sexual tension between you two is too great. Just kiss already!" Hermione push Alicia and Ron's heads together. What did she care if they made out? She was right there, it was ok; she just couldn't take the tension! The three of them never forgot that night...
With a glance at Ron, Hermione could see that once again they were thinking about the same thing. They were both blushing immensely.
"Yea, we were a couple of sluts, huh?" Hermione giggled nervously, and Ron nodded in agreement. "I miss you," she whispered.
He looked at her in surprise. "I'm sorry." There! There were the words she had been longing to hear!
At this point they were back in the Gryffindor commons. Angelina and George were playing cards with an Exploding Snap deck, while Harry sat and watched them. By the fire, Katie and Jordan were snuggling. Everything seemed right at Hogwarts. Ron sat at the foot of Harry's chair, while Hermione plopped herself in Harry's lap. Angelina looked up, and the two girls exchanged smiles. For the first time all month, they were real smiles.