Diclaimer: Same as all the other chapters. I still own NOTHING!! I dream of one day owning something, owning at least one character... but nope. I know.. I know... SHORT CHAPTERS! I'm trying my best to make them longer and take into account everything my wonderful reviewers [Runs up to each of you and gives a great big Arika/Kiyoshi hug.] have suggested. This IS my first FanFic, and I'm trying really hard to be accurate! I normally do my own stuff... In later chapters Hermione and Ron may/will get a little out of character. Other than that, I try my hardest to keep them fully in character and in sync with the wonderful world that Rowling created.

Just Friends? :: Chapter Four- Hermione

"Are you sure you've got everything?" Mrs. Weasley asked Hermione.

"Yes. I even doubled checked."

xXx

Hermione was the first to get a compartment on the train. Shortly after, Ron came by.

"There you are. I think Harry and Ginny are coming too."

He sat down next to Hermione. There was a silence. They sat like that for most of the ride, Harry and Ginny were no where to be seen. Hermione fell asleep, while Ron was looking out the window. Her head fell onto his shoulder. He looked over at her, and smiled. He let her stay like that until the train stopped. He gently nudged her, "Hermione? Wake up. We're here." She opened her eyes and smiled at him.

"Sorry," she blushed. She laughed nervously.

"It's ok."

Hermione sat down at the Gryffindor table.

"Harry, where were you on the train? Ron and I were waiting for you!"

"Ginny said that she thought you two would want to talk alone. So I sat with her."

"Oh." Hermione thought to herself, Why would Ginny do that? Unless, she knows I like Ron.... How would she know? I haven't told anyone.

"Ron, do you know what Harry's talking about?"

"No ideah." He said with his mouth full of food.

"I think I'm going to the Common Room." Hermione said, as she stalked away.

"Password?" The Fat Lady asked, as she always did, prior to anyone entering Gryffindor Tower.

"Ice Mice." Hermione said, as the Fat Lady allowed her portrait to swing open. No one was in the scarlet colored room, as they were all in the Great Hall, eating dinner. I do not like Ron. Hermione told herself. Keep telling yourself that. The little voice in her head kept saying. You've admitted it once before, why deny it now? You know you like Ron. Hell, said the little voice, you love him.

"OH SHUT UP!" She told herself.

She had to admit it to herself, and fully believe it. Hermione knew that. She hated though, that her heart told her one thing, and her mind told her another. She wanted to follow her heart. It said, 'Give the note to him. You owe it to yourself and to him.' She, however, was not accustomed to following her heart. She had never felt like this before, but did what her mind said. 'You can't give that note to Ron. It'll make things awkward between you two, especially if he doesn't like you. Oh, and if he does, that'll only complicate things for Harry. What will Harry do if you and Ron are off kissing? Harry can't well kiss himself, you know.' Ron interrupted her thoughts by sitting down next to her.

"Mione." He said her name, and for some reason she blushed. She turned to face him.

"Ron." He looked at her, and kissed her. Hermione turned as red as Ron's hair. She ran up to the girl's dorm.

Why did he do that? Now, for sure there would be tension. What else was there to expect? She couldn't just march up to Ron and say, 'Ron Weasley, I love you.' She knew damn well that that wasn't going to happen. She wouldn't let it. She was not ready to explore that side of herself, she knew, nor was she ready to look at Ron romantically. She knew that when she was, if she was, she would give the note to Ron. Until then, and only then, would it come out of her bag. She was deeply submerged in her thoughts, and had not heard Ginny enter the room. When Ginny stepped on a squeaky floorboard, Hermione jumped.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Ginny said. Hermione did not know what Ginny had in mind for conversation, she didn't know how much she knew or suspected. Ginny only knew what Ron had told her, and that was that he, indeed did love Hermione. Of course, Hermione did not expect that, not even after the hour's events.

"It's ok."

"Ron told me. About what happened."

"Oh?"

"He said it was an accident, something he couldn't help. I told him, of course, it was up in the air until I talked to you. I know it's completely pointless, after all, why would you like my brother?" Ginny cringed with the thought.

"Yeah." Hermione looked off dreamily. Why would I? He's sweet, and knows what to say, right when I need it, or what to do, right when I need it rather. Ginny was saying something about Ron, something about him having a 'protective barrier' with Hermione, like he did with her. Saying Ron probably saw Hermione like a sister.

"Yeah, you're probably right. I guess I can see how that makes sense." Ginny tried to hide the delight in her face, hiding something from Hermione, her best friend.