Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me except the plot. Everything else belongs to J.K Rowling.
Over the past January Hermione began to notice things were happened to her when she was around Ron. For example, one day during History of Magic, Hermione found herself looking at Ron more often than usual. She also found that whenever Ron talked to her, her heart started to beat faster and she felt very nervous. Although she had no idea what was happening, she knew she could guess
February
A large crowd Gryffindor of 6th years was gathered around the notice board inside the cozy common room reading a flyer that had recently been posted.
Due to the overwhelming success of the Yule Ball two years ago, a Valentine's Day Ball will be held from 8:00 to 12:00 at night on February 14th.
Boys groaned and girls giggled as they made their way up the stone steps to the dormitories. As soon as she reached the inside of the girl's dormitory Hermione sat down glumly on her bed there was something bothering her and she was sure that this would be the time to tell Pavarti the problem.
"Pavarti?" Hermione said softy.
Pavarti, who was too busy chatting away with Lavender Brown about what she was going to wear and who she wanted to go with.
"Pavarti?" Hermione said a little louder.
Pavarti turned and walked over to Hermione a curious look on her face.
"Yes?"
"Your plan didn't work."
"What do you mean, it didn't work?" said Pavarti as though the idea was ludicrous.
Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes and she shook her head and stared at her feet.
"Hermione?"
"This wasn't supposed to happen!" Hermione said now almost yelling in frustration and sliding into the covers of her four poster bed and shutting the hangings as the lights went out.
"What wasn't supposed to happen, Hermione?!" Pavarti whispered through the darkness.
"I don't need Harry anymore!" Hermione said, hoping Pavarti would catch on.
"Well then, just tell Ron that you two are done getting Harry to be jealous, you know what I mean."
"That's not what I meant!"
"Then what do you mean?"
"I think I'm in love with Ron!" Hermione said then covered her mouth in shock as though she couldn't believe that she had said that.
"Oh...well the ball is tomorrow and you could err...well goodnight Hermione." said Pavarti as shocked, maybe even more than Hermione was.
Hermione sighed and fell into a troubled sleep.
The Next Afternoon at the Library, 4:00pm
"Hermione, can we talk?" Ron said pulling Hermione aside while Harry was curiously browsing the Quidditch section.
"Sure." Hermione said while making sure Harry was out of earshot.
"Hermione, are we still well you know together?"
"Yeah Ron about that...I um-" she said nervously, then Hermione glanced at her watch, " I got to go!" with that she dashed out of the library.
"Where are you going?" Ron said.
"Getting ready! Bye Ron, Harry!"
Gryffindor Common Room, 8:00 PM
Harry and Ron hovered rather nervously at the base of the staircase. Harry was wearing the same bottle green robes as he had last time they had a ball. Ron however was wearing new robes of a dark navy blue. Just then Hermione came down the steps wearing the same periwinkle robes of that strange material as the Yule Ball in fourth year. Except that this year her hair was all down over her shoulders except a small amount which was pulled away from her face, her brown hair was smooth and straight with soft waves.
"Hi guys." Hermione said a smile on her face.
"Who are you going with Harry?" Ron suddenly asked.
"Luna," Harry said rather bored. (A/N: I just had to...giggles)
"Well, let's go then." said Hermione, trying hard to hide her amusement.
"Right" Ron said.
Harry sighed deeply, "Alright."
In the Great Hall
After a great feast while no one talked except Luna who was going on and on about how she and her dad had almost caught a Crumple Horned Snorkack, Dumbledore cleared away the tables and made way for a dance floor. After the music had started Hermione looked over nervously at Ron.
"Do you uh...want to dance?" Hermione asked
Of course Ron didn't want to dance but he couldn't say that. "Sure." he muttered.
Hermione got up, grabbed Ron's hand before he could say anything else and led him over to the dance floor. As soon as they reached the floor Hermione nervously placed her arms around Ron's neck and pulled him closer. They danced for while until Ron noticed Harry was trying to catch Hermione's eye.
"Uh, Hermione." Ron said pulling away from her.
"What?" Hermione said rather dreamily looking up from Ron's shoulder where she had been laying down her head.
"Harry." he said.
All this time Harry had been walking over and he had now arrived at the pair.
"May I cut in?"
"Sure." Ron said immediately letting go of Hermione who sighed, as Ron walked over to a table and sat down.
"Uh, Hermione can we talk?" asked Harry who led her to the middle of the dance floor.
"Sure," Hermione said rather nervously as Harry slipped his arm around her waist.
"I just realized something." Harry said.
"What?"
"I...I...I still love you."
Hermione gasped, "Oh Harry..."
"Can't you just tell Ron..."
"Harry how could you say that? He's your best friend!" With that Hermione pulled away from Harry and stormed off over to the table where Ron was sitting.
"Hi Hermione, you okay?" Ron said noticing how she had walked away from Harry.
"I'm fine, can we err, talk? Outside?"
"Sure." said Ron curiously, getting up from the table and following Hermione outside.
As soon as they reached the grounds Hermione walked over to one of the benches and sat down Ron following and sitting next to her
"What is it? Did the plan work?"
"It did but it uh, backfired."
"Hermione, what-mmph" Ron tried to speak but was cut off by Hermione kissing him passionately, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer to deepen the kiss.
As soon as Ron recovered from the huge wave of shock that had hit him he was about to kiss her back but he hesitated.
Hermione must have noticed his hesitation because she pulled away from him and looked down shyly at the ground.
"Hermione..." Ron said breathlessly. He put his hand under her chin and made her look up at him.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"Why?"
"I didn't mean to-"
Ron was silent.
Hermione felt that she should just let it out, "I love you Ron."
"What did Harry say?"
"I didn't tell him. Please tell me you love me back. Please."
"I do. But I can't..."
"Why not?" Hermione said looking hurt.
"We have to be friends. Just friends, you were with Harry first and-"
"But I don't love him! I love you!"
"You might think you do but you don't!"
"Ron...please believe me." said Hermione bowing her head as though she was ashamed of herself for falling in love with him.
"I'm sorry Hermione, but it feels like I'm betraying Harry. He's my best friend!" said Ron anger rising in his voice now.
With that Hermione burst into tears. Seeing her crying Ron thought he should say something.
"Hermione, it's not like I don't love you back. I just think it would be better if we, well, waited until Harry felt better."
"But now that I know how you feel, I'll never think about you the same."
"Hermione, can't we just be friends...for now?"
"Okay." she said in a rather sad tone.
"Let's go!" Ron said, and together they walked up to the castle, as friends.
FIN
A/N: I know unrealistic ending! But never fear a sequel is on the way if you wish it! So please review!