" 'You forgot your BOOK?' " Harry made an exasperated yelp. "Ron, I'd think you could do better than that." Harry had seemed a bit taken aback when Ron had first told him what had happened between he and Hermione just a few moments before, but he was now supportive.
"Of all the people in the world, I just kissed Hermione Granger. One of my two best friends," Ron said.
"Kind of like kissing a sister, really," Harry said, matter-of-factly. Ron groaned.
Ron and Harry were in their room, Harry sitting up on his bed with his legs under the covers, "Quidditch Through the Ages" open and face down on his lap. Ron sat on the edge of his bed, still in his day clothes, his face resting in his hands, which were propped up on his knees.
"Well that's just the thing," Ron said. "I've never really thought of Hermione as anything but a friend, or even a sister."
"So you've got feelings for her then?" Harry asked.
Ron's eyes got wide. To say it would make it final. "Yeah...yeah I--I guess I do."
Suddenly it occurred to Ron the options that lay before them. He knew he was having feelings for Hermione, and apparently she was having them in return...but what to do about them?
Ron's face adopted a very thoughtful expression as he pondered. "Do you suppose she'll expect us to be boyfriend and girlfriend now?"
Harry thought about this. "Well, I suppose. That is what girls want, isn't it?"
Ron thought of all the years he had known Hermione. She had never let he and Harry down when it came to homework assignments, staying up until the early hours of the morning to help them finish essays. And then of course there was her bossy personality and strive to keep Harry and Ron from breaking the rules, which earned many looks of disappointment or warning that only Hermione could make. None of that would change...would it?
Ron recalled the time last year during his 6th year that he had dated a Ravenclaw named Lucy Turner. They had Charms together and they made each other laugh, but when they started dating, it seemed they could only hold hands, say nice things to each other, sneak off when no one was looking...not that Ron didn't want to do any of that, but it was a lot to take.
Would that also happen to he and Hermione if they dated? Ron had to admit that if it did, he might miss those disapproving looks. What about Harry? Would things change if when they all walked together, he and Hermione held hands?
"I think I'll just talk to--"
Hermione.
He needed to talk to Hermione. About...Hermione. Who would he receive advice from if the one person he needs it from is the one person he needs it on?
"Things will change, then," Ron said, mostly to himself. "They already have."