It had been days since Ron's little outburst at Hermione in the Common Room.
Ron was in the dormitory changing into his school robes. Why can't I get her out of my mind? It's not as if she would even talk to me after what happened.
He knew that he shouldn't have just blown up at Hermione like that but she struck a nerve when she gave that short answer. Nothing much, what the hell did that mean anyway? Just because we still take Divination, she just expected us to know what had happened. If she only knew how worried he was that day, thinking the worst, and when he saw her there with Ginny he never felt so relieved in his whole life.
He put his wand in his pocket and headed to the Great Hall. When he woke up that morning, all of his roommates, including Harry were already gone.
When he entered the Great Hall, he saw Professor Dumbledore rising from his chair at the High Table.
Ron hurried to the Gryffindor table and sat down in the empty seat next to Harry.
"Great timing, mate." Harry whispered with a grin, the level of noise in the room lessened.
Ron gave a short laugh, "I know. I'm starving." He looked down at the table and looked at what food was left over. He picked two pieces of toast and some jam. He looked up and searched for Hermione.
He spotted her on the other side of the table next to Neville, and Ginny. She was looking at him, but then she averted her eyes to Professor Dumbledore.
Ron's heart gave a jump.
Suddenly, the room erupted in noise. He heard some people groan and some were cheering.
"What's going on?" Ron asked looking at Harry. He had been so absorbed in thoughts of Hermione that he didn't even hear what Professor Dumbledore said.
"Some students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons are coming here for the Halloween Dance."
"What?" Ron exclaimed.
He sneaked a peak at Hermione to see her reaction. She looked completely surprised and then a worried expression came on her face. She bit her lip as if she was contemplating something…
"Ron? Did you hear me?" Harry asked.
Ron tore his eyes away from Hermione, "Huh? What?"
Harry sighed and looked at him, "Why don't you just tell her that you're sorry?" he asked pointedly.
"I can't. It'll make me look like a stupid bloke."
"You should've just let her continue, now she wouldn't even tell me what happened that day in Professor Flitwick's office." Harry said.
"Well, I don't think she would've told you, anyway." Ron took a big bite of the toast and ripped it with his teeth and started chewing, "This…toast…is…hard." He commented and then picked up his goblet and took a big gulp.
"That's why they call it toast Ron," Harry replied fairly amused.
"Oh yeah."
They were silent for a moment.
"Who do you think she'll take to the Halloween Dance? Krum, no doubt." Ron said answering his own question.
Suddenly, Ron felt someone poke him in his side.
"Ow!" He looked and saw Colin holding a piece of parchment in his hand.
"For you." Colin said giving the paper to Ron.
Ron raised one of his eyebrows skeptically and opened the folded piece of parchment.
He felt a sinking sensation in his stomach after he finished reading it.
"What does it say?" Harry asked curiously.
Ron gave him the note and slumped down in his seat.
It said:
Hey Ron. Would you like to go to the Dance with me? I won't accept a no.
Love,
Parvati
Harry shook his head and folded the note again, "That's tough…what're you going to do?"
Ron shrugged his shoulders, "I have no bloody idea."
--
Hermione went to the library directly after dinner that day. This was the only place where she could think.
She was in the Potions section of the library, looking for a specific book when she heard someone say her name.
She turned around and saw Ron. "What do you want? Come to scream at me some more, have you? You want to try waking the whole school now instead of just the Gryffindor house?" she asked glaring at him, she ignored the heat that started to rise all throughout her body when Ron was looking at her.
Ron looked taken aback, "Well, I was going to say sorry. But I think I've changed my mind, now." He started backing away.
Stupid,stupid,stupid! Stop him! Her mind commanded her.
Hermione hesitated a second, "Wait! Ron, please…wait." She took a few steps forward and took hold of his arm.
She looked up at him and she thought she saw a slight smile, but then it was quickly replaced by a serious look.
"I just came here to apologize and you just started biting my head off. Maybe you should go and join Fang in Hagrid's cabin. You both could have a jolly good time biting my head off, take turns." Ron said babbling.
"Oh shut up, Ron!" Hermione exclaimed finally having enough.
Ron looked at her, "Why don't you shut up?" he retorted.
"I didn't say anything!"
"Yeah, you did."
"No, I didn't!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Excuse me love birds, sorry to interrupt your bickering but we do have students here who want some peace and quiet." Madame Pince, the librarian said glaring at Hermione and Ron.
"Oh, so sorry, Madame Pince." Hermione apologized, feeling her cheeks turning red.
Madame Pince looked at Ron, waiting for his apology.
Ron just stared back at her.
"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed nudging him in the ribs.
"Oh alright. Sorry."
Madame Pince huffed and then walked away from them.
"I really wasn't sorry, you know." Ron whispered to her with a grin.
Hermione felt all the anger melt away, "I know."
"But, Hermione…I am really sorry for that day in the Common Room." Ron said his voice low, "I didn't mean to jump to conclusions about Viktor and…stuff. Even though, I'm sure you were…"
"I wasn't writing to him, Ron." Hermione said. She felt her stomach churning just thinking about what really happened. She promised that she wouldn't tell anyone and that included Ron.
"So…we're alright now?" Ron asked.
"Yes."
Ron smiled and then he wrapped his arms around her in a hug.
Hermione hugged him back, At least we're talking to each other again, She thought. She wished that she could be in his arms forever, but they were only friends. Only friends…