Affirmation Chap. 9

Ron awoke to a steady throbbing coming from his skull. He stirred and put his hand to his head, feeling the bandages. The memories of the day before rushed back to him. He turned on his side and opened his eyes groggily. Madam Pomfrey's sleep draught really did do the trick. His eyes began to focus and his gaze rested on Hermione, sleeping in a chair next to his bed. She had a blanket thrown over her and her legs were pulled up to her chest. He looked at the empty bed next to his and wondered why she hadn't slept in one of those. His heart warmed at the thought that she had stood by his bedside the entire night. He smiled as he heard her lightly snore. Suddenly her eyes flew open.

"RON! You're awake, how're you feeling? How's your head?--" Hermione rushed out. Ron put his hand up to stop her from continuing.

"I'm feeling better," he said, not wanting to worry her about the intense throbbing in his skull. "Did you sleep here?" he asked, already knowing that she had.

Hermione swallowed, "Um...Well...Yes, I was worried, I just, I wanted to make sure that you were all right," she said embarrassedly.

Ron smiled at her warmly. "Thanks Hermione."

Hermione smiled back at him, her warm brown eyes staring into his own azure ones.

"Everyone's been by to see how you've been--Harry, Ginny, the entire Quidditch team," she said with a laugh.

"Good to know I'm popular," Ron said grinning widely.

Hermione erupted into giggles, mainly because she was so happy to have Ron back. Ron began laughing along with her.

"Ow," he gasped out. The smile was wiped off of Hermione's face as she got up off her chair swiftly and stood next to him.

"What is it, where does it hurt?" she asked, placing her hand near his head.

"I'm okay, it just hurt when I laughed, that's all," he said gingerly.

Hermione's face was grim and she stood staring down at him, her hand still hovering near his head. Ron reached up and grabbed her hand, bringing it down to rest on his chest, his own hand wrapped around hers.

"Stop worrying about me," said Ron gently.

"I can't help it..." Hermione said, sighing. "I was just...Ron, I was so worried I might lose you," she whispered, as her eyes glazed over.

Ron smiled, "Lose me? Nah, you'll never lose me. It's my life's journey to follow you around and bug you 'till your hair turns gray. You'll see, you'll get a job and get married, and I'll still be there, bugging you."

Hermione laughed at this vision. But quickly stopped as the realization of what he said hit her. The way he painted their future, he would always be around, which was great. But he wouldn't be involved...not really.

"What's wrong?" asked Ron as he stared into her fallen face. He propped himself up into a sitting position, making them eye level.

Hermione sat on the edge of his bed, her hand still nestled warmly in his, resting on his chest. "Ron, I've been meaning to..." She looked up into his eyes, staring so intently back into hers.

"Yes?" he asked her, worriedly.

"Well...um...Oh, nevermind," she said frowning at him. Apparently, whatever she wanted to say was going to be quite difficult.

"No, tell me," he said holding her hand more fiercely.

"I..I...can't. Not right now," she said, rising from his bed, her face flustered.

"Hermione, please. Just tell me," he said, his eyes urgently pouring into hers, pleading.

Hermione looked at his pleading face and sat down again. "Ron, you and I have been friends for a long time. And throughout our friendship, we've been through a lot. Especially with Harry and everything. We've risked our lives on countless occasions, always managing to escape. And along the course of being your friend, I've realized that, well that I care about you Ron. A lot. And yesterday only clinched that for me. But I want you to know that I understand, if you don't want anything to happen between us. Not wanting to complicate the friendship and what have you," she said quickly, her voice shaking. She watched Ron's face quickly for a reaction.

Ron's heart thumped loudly in his chest, and he was positive she could feel it through her fingertips. His eyes were opened wide, and he felt as though there was a fire pit in his stomach.

"Complicate the friendship?" Ron croaked. "Hermione, I, I love you," he spurt out. Immediately, he feared that he shouldn't have professed his feelings so strongly. But it was too late, the words were out there already; hovering madly between them.

Hermione looked at him, stunned. He loved her. Not just liked, but loved. "Ron..." She said softly. She leaned in and grabbed his face in her hands. She looked into his eyes, their noses only centimeters apart, and she kissed him, gently but still passionately. Ron put his hand up and tangled it in her long, bushy hair. After several more seconds of sweetly grazing lips and several entangled hands in hair, they pulled away.

Hermione smiled and said softly, "I love you too Ron."

Ron grinned wholeheartedly. He pulled Hermione to his chest and hugged her closely. This is how it should always be. Him and Hermione...together. He breathed in deeply, wanting to embed the moment into his memory forever. He wanted to remember everything, the feel of her in his arms, her scent, the way she breathed. Even the throbbing in his brain couldn't ruin this moment.

After several minutes had passed, they heard Madam Pomfrey enter the room. Reluctantly, Hermione pulled herself out of Ron's arms and took her seat by his bed.

"Mr. Weasley! You're awake," said Madam Pomfrey, smiling. "How's your head feeling?"

"It's throbbing a bit," he told her truthfully.

Hermione looked at him, anxiously.

"Well, that's expected," said Madam Pomfrey. "Take this," she handed him a vial of green liquid. "It'll help."

"Thanks," said Ron as he downed the liquid in one gulp. Immediately the throbbing in his head subsided. "It really works!" said Ron, impressed.

"Well, of course dear, I wouldn't give you something that didn't work," said Madam Pomfrey with a chuckle. "You really should rest up, but I've had Mr. Potter and Ms. Weasley hassling me outside for the longest, so if they rile you up, I'm marching right back in here and kicking them out," she said decisively. She turned and walked out of the room.

Ron looked at Hermione, who linked her fingers in his. "I'm already riled up," he said, a smile teasing his eyes.

Hermione laughed, and shook her head at him. "Honestly Ron--" but she didn't finish. Ron pulled her towards him and captured her in another kiss, this time more heated than the first. She didn't know it, but he had never kissed anyone before. Not because he hadn't gotten the chance, but because he had never wanted to kiss anyone else. Not the way he wanted to kiss Hermione.

They broke apart, both breathing heavily and smiling dreamily.

Harry and Ginny entered the room to find Ron and Hermione holding hands, their faces flustered.

"Ron, I see you're feeling better," said Harry glancing at Hermione suggestively.

Ginny flew towards Ron and wrapped him in a tight hug, "Thank goodness you're alright! We've all been so worried! And--"

"--Ginny, he's fine," interrupted Harry, smiling.

Ginny caught her breath, and smiled warmly at her brother.

"I wouldn't say fine," Ron said mockingly. "Possibly--average," he smirked. "But then again, compared to Harry's ailments, this is a walk through Hogsmeade," Ron joked, earning him a light punch in the arm from Harry. "HEY! I'm an injured man here, don't make me call Madam Pomfrey on you!" threatened Ron playfully.

Everyone laughed heartily, welcoming the laughter. The past forty-eight hours had been stressful and worrisome. Ron's joking was much appreciated by the group of them.

Harry placed his arm around Ginny's waist as they all laughed. Ron stopped laughing, "So, you're both--together?" he said uncertainly.

Harry and Ginny exchanged a look. Then Ginny turned to Ron, "Yes, we're together, much like yourselves here," she said gesturing to the linked fingers belonging to Ron and Hermione.

Ron laughed, "Fair enough, you don't bother us, we won't bother you."

Secretly, Ron had never hoped for a better guy for his little sister. He knew his best friend would treat Ginny the way she should be treated---with respect, honor, and love. He had always thought they should be together, especially in their fifth year, when she had dated several boys that, by Ron's standards, were definitely unsuitable for her.

The group of them laughed. Ron had never felt happier in his life. Finally, Hermione knew his feelings, and not only that--she cared for him too. Ron suddenly felt that life couldn't get any better.