"Hermione..." Harry started, as the kiss finally ended. He realized she'd been standing on her toes to account for the six inches of height difference between the two of them. For the first time since he'd known her she looked utterly pleased and speechless.

"Harry, I.." She didn't know how to say it. It had finally happened. She had kissed the boy she'd been crushing on since the middle of their first year. And it had been good. And he had initiated. The feelings of joy she felt couldn't be brought down by anything. Except maybe...

"Harry? Hermione?" Ron gasped, his cheeks turning the same bright crimson as his hair. Harry turned first, his hand still resting on the small of Hermione's back. "Ron, what's the matter?"

"You two were...you were kissing."

"I..is there a problem with that?" Harry was confused. Why would Ron be acting this way, shouldn't he be happy for them?

"Ron" Hermione said, in a voice that said clearly that everything was going to be okay. Ron listened to the unspoken plea to just let everything be okay and watched the plea resonate in her eyes. He heard the plea, and ignored it. Choosing instead to charge past them and on towards the Gryfindor common room. His robes swishing angrily behind him.

Harry looked down at Hermione and saw her biting her lower lip, a sure sign she was upset and probably about to cry. Indeed her eyes already looked a little damp. He wrapped her in closer with his arms and looked down at her. "It's going to be okay Hermione. I'll make it okay."

"Harry, you know he's going to be upset for a while. He doesn't get over being mad easily"

"You're right. But he always does get over being mad eventually. I"ll talk to him. It will be alright" He kissed her gently on the forehead and then feeling more daring kissed her on the lips again and felt a since of glee at watching her face turn pink. It suited her.

Ron slammed the door behind him and marched up the stairs into the boys dormitory. How could he? How could she? This was going to change everything. It was always the three of them, now it would be the two of them and him. Welcome to the world of a third wheel, Ron thought bitterly glaring at his own face in the mirror. Was it because he didn't have a scar? Is that why?

Harry always got everything. More money in Gringotts then his entire family put together, more fame and recognition than anyone. Better grades, remarkable Quidditch skills, and now he had her too. Anything and everything he could ever want. Anything and everything that Ron had ever wanted.

Harry poked his head into the boys room. His eyes trying to read his friends emotions. "Ron?"

"Go away Harry"

"Ron, I'd really like to talk to you."

Ron turned and looked at the face of his best friend. They'd been through everything together and always stood by each other. Would all that really change? He sighed deeply and Harry took that as a signal to step closer.

"Ron, this doesn't change anything. The three of us will always be friends. Hermione and I will always be there for you."

Oh Harry, he thought, you're wrong. This changes everything. He tried to smile. "I just need some time to adjust." Time fixes everything.