AN: Sorry there are no line breaks between scenes...but for some reason I just couldn't get it to work today. I'll try to fix it later. Hope you enjoy the part.

Part 4: Changing Friendships

I tried not to think too hard about what Ginny had said over the next week. The days went on as normal, except for Ron's now common habit of waking up early and having breakfast with me. We would talk about everything from classes to Quidditch (though there Ron did most of the talking, and I actually learned a thing or two about the sport).

I came to enjoy these mornings more than anything, having this time just for the two of us. He would smile at me, the smile that turns my insides to goo. And then Harry would come in, and I'd have to fight to keep a blush from covering my face, as if he'd walked in on some private moment when in fact it was nothing.

But to me, it meant something more. And suddenly I realize that I'm becoming way too attached too quickly. I don't know what I'm going to do to avoid the fall...

Before I know it the weekend is here, a Hogsmeade weekend. I walk down the stairs toward the common room, heavy cloak and scarf in hand, knowing that as soon as I get outside the castle doors, the biting chill will hit me. Downstairs I find Ron sitting by himself on the couch by the fire and flop down next to him.

"Ready to go?" he asks, once I've sat down.

"Where's Harry?" I ask, looking around thinking that perhaps I missed him.

"He left already. With Ginny," he adds after a moment.

"Oh," I say surprised. I had no idea. "You mean…" I trail off at Ron's confirming nod. "Are you okay with that?"

He shrugs his shoulders and I can tell that he's not particularly thrilled with the idea, but he's not fighting it. "I guess so," he answers. "I mean, I figure, if it's got to be somebody, it might as well be my best friend. He's a lot better then those other blokes she's dated and I trust Harry with my life, so why not with my sister?"

I shake my head, amazed once again at the changes that have come over Ron. "You've grown up a lot," I say, then blush realizing the implications that statement can have. Not that he hasn't grown up in that way too, but I'm sure he doesn't need to know that.

He laughs. "Don't be too hasty. I said I accept it, that doesn't mean that I like it."

I laugh a little too, glad the moment didn't turn out as awkward as I'd imagined.

"Well I guess it's just you and me then," I say, trying to change the subject.

"Yeah. You ready?"

I nod my head and we make our way towards the front doors of the castle. Bundling up in my long winter cloak, scarf, gloves and hat, I hope to be all warm and cozy once we get out the door.

The chill hits my face, but doesn't seem to penetrate the thick layers of clothing that I'm wearing. Excellent.

I turn my head when I hear a slight laugh from beside me. I look over to see Ron, dressed in a light cloak, trying to hold back fits of laughter.

"And what, may I ask, do you find so funny?" I ask raising my eyebrow slightly. How dare he laugh at me?

"You're lucky it's not snowing outside, or you might freeze to death. You look like a stuffed marshmallow you have so many layers on."

I stick my tongue out at him and give a scowl. I know it's not very mature, but I don't really care at this point!

"I get chilled easily, ok. You wouldn't understand. Boys are always warm."

"Hmmm. Then maybe you should come join me in my cloak, and we can be warm together."

"Ron," I gasp, surprised. He can't really be serious. Oh, but a part of me wishes he were.

"I'm just kidding," he says, throwing his hands up in defense. "It was funny to see the reaction on your face though."

I hit him on the arm, still scowling. Stupid boy playing with my emotions even though he doesn't realize it…

We walk the rest of the way in companionable silence. Soon we are in the village and trying to decide what our first stop should be.

"How about going to the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer?" I suggest. I can't imagine anything better than a nice warm butterbeer to keep off this cold.

He nods his head and we make our way in that direction. "Just, do me a favor. If you see Harry and Ginny at all today, don't let me know."

I smile and nod my concession. We went into the Three Broomsticks and ordered the drinks. When they came I went into my money bag, searching for some coins, but Ron stops me.

"Don't worry about it. I got it."

I try to protest, but he won't hear any of it. I'm not sure what to make of Ron's actions, but I don't want to read too much into it. It's just a friend buying another friend a drink, nothing more. Although, it's hard to tell my over active brain that.

After a few moments filled with just the two of us sipping our drinks, I decide to break the silence. "Thank you for the drink," I say, not coming up with anything else.

"No problem," he smiles, and once again I am struck with how adorable that smile is. I could never get tired of it.

We finish our drinks, talking about this and that. I can't think of any other time that I've talked to Ron as much as I have in the last week, not alone at least, Harry is usually there to carry on the conversation. Except for maybe the time between fourth and fifth year, it has it never been just Ron and I for so long. It's nice.

"So where do you want to go now?" he asks.

I bite my lip a little bit. "Well, there's a book shop around the corner…" I say casually. He laughs. A full hearty laugh that makes me want to squeal with joy at the sound of it; I hold it in though.

"That's fine…we can go there. I will never understand how you can read so many books and not have your head burst open with all the information. You would think it would be full by now."

We make our way inside and I am immediately engrossed in the many volumes. I even love the smell of books, is that sad? There's something about that smell…

After a little while I notice that Ron looks bored and I feel I need to save him. "We can leave if you want," I say smiling. I know not everybody can spend hours looking through a bookstore like I can.

"Are you done?" he asks skeptically.

I nod my head, but it must be somewhat reluctant 'cause he shakes his.

"No you're not. I can tell. Here, I'll tell you what. I need to look for something at the apothecary around the corner. I'll just go ahead and get that and then come back and meet you here, okay? I should only be a few minutes."

"Oh, what do you need?" I ask curiously; he shakes his head.

"Nothing much. Just some stuff to refill my potions kit. I'll be right back, I promise."

"Ok," I smile and return to searching through the many stacks of books. Ron returns soon, as promised, just as I was taking the books I'd found up to the front.

"You didn't buy anything?" I ask curiously, noticing that he doesn't have any purchases in hand.

"They didn't have what I needed. I had to order it," he shrugs, grabbing the stack of books from my hand and taking it to the counter. I pay for the purchases and he insists on carrying the bags for me. Where did this polite Ron come from and why haven't I seen him before? What's more…what am I supposed to do about it?

We spent the rest of the afternoon going around Hogsmeade, checking Zonkos and Quality Quidditch Supplies along with Honeydukes to stock up on all that candy that my parents would disapprove of (they are dentists, after all).

Once we make it back to the school and up to Gryffindor tower, we walk into the common room to see Ginny and Harry talking together quietly on the couch. Ron excuses himself to head up to the dormitory, saying he had homework to do, but I have a sneaking suspicion seeing his sister and his best friend together was just too much for him.

I too decide to go up to my room, not wanting to disturb my two friends. Still on a high from my day spent with Ron, I figure now was as good a time as any to get started on one of those new books I'd gotten.

It's the next morning before I'm able to corner Ginny and insist it's time for more than a little girl talk. So we leave the boys after breakfast, explaining that we're not to be disturbed.

As soon as we're in my room, the questions begin.

"Ok, so since when are you and Harry an item and why didn't you tell me?" I ask with a slightly hurt tone. Ginny is my best girl friend after all, she should tell me these things, especially when it involves one of my other best friends.

Ginny smiled, her cheeks blushing with a shyness I haven't seen in years. Not since before Ginny supposedly (although now I'm not so sure) got over her crush on Harry.

"It hasn't been long, I promise, or I would have told you something," Ginny replied honestly. "Yesterday was our first date actually. And I didn't really want to tell you anything before 'cause I didn't want to jinx it, in case it didn't work out."

I smile. I guess I can understand that. "It's alright Gin. But now you need to tell me how all this happened," I say smirking. I love girl talk! You wouldn't think of me as the gossipy type of person now would you? Well normally I'm not, but when it's considering my friends…I need to know everything…which is why I'm practically bouncing out of my seat right now.

"Well, we've been hanging out a lot the last few weeks. I thought that it was mostly 'cause of you and Ron." At this I blush, and I have no idea why. It's not like anything has been happening between us. "I mean, it's hard to be around the two of you. The tension in the air is palpable." I give her an inquisitive look, which she answers. "It's not a bad kind of tension. Just the attraction between you two is so strong; it gets kind of overwhelming sometimes."

"Ok, we're getting off track," I say, now bright red from Ginny's description of mine and Ron's interactions. "Back to you and Harry."

She rolls her eyes. "Alright. Well, anyway, we started hanging out more. And I just thought it was because of you and Ron, that he wanted to give you your space and maybe kinda felt like a third wheel. Not that you would ever do that on purpose."

I nod in agreement, asking her to continue.

"And then the other day, we were just talking about Quidditch practice, and what Harry wanted to do to keep the team sharp during the off season, when all of the sudden he just asked me if I wanted to go to Hogsmeade with him. And the rest is kind of history. We went out, we had a great time, and now we're a couple," she says, now smiling brightly, and I can't help but smile back at how happy she looks.

I shake my head. "As much as I saw the signs, I didn't really expect it. I thought you were over Harry a long time ago."

"Well, yes and no. I got over my crush on Harry, but I never stopped being attracted to him. But before, when I was young, I was more in love with the idea of him, I didn't really know Harry at all. All I knew him as was the-boy-who-lived and my brother's best friend. And it took me getting over that crush to be able to get to know him, to get to know the real him…and for him to get to know the real me."

"And now?" I ask.

"And now, I'm so utterly fascinated and excited with the idea of what could be. I didn't even know that Harry thought of me like that, in a romantic way at all. I, despite my protestations otherwise, started liking Harry more and more as I got to know him better. I tried to just think about him as a friend, but now… He's the dream guy I've been waiting for."

My heart clenched at that last statement. I was so happy for her I could burst, but at the same time it reminded me of my own troubled love life and my own dream guy who would probably never get a clue.

"You guys seem really happy together," I say smiling, though there's a sadness behind it I can't hide.

"We are," Ginny agreed, smiling. But then her face turned solemn. "You could have that too you know."

"Ginny…" I say warningly.

"But Hermione, I know you and my brother belong together. If anyone does, it's the two of you. And if you'd only tell him how you feel…"

"Gin," I start, getting her attention. "Stop," I say, with such finality, it surprises even me. But I have enough going on in my mind without having Ginny trying to pry into it too. If anything happens between Ron and me it will be on my terms and no one else's.

"I'm sorry. I just want you to feel as good as I feel right now…"

"Gin. I'm incredibly happy for you, and for now that's enough."

She sighs, but lets the subject drop. We spent the rest of our time discussing Ginny and Harry's date. Where they went, what they did, and what they talked about and nothing else was brought up about Ron and I, much to my content.

The rest of the day passed as any Sunday afternoon would, filled mostly with studying and finishing homework that had been put off till then. Everything was normal except, of course, for the budding relationship that was taking over the lives of two young Gryffindors.

Harry and Ginny could be seen sneaking off into secluded corners of the common room, where they would speak in hushed voices, not to be disturbed. It wasn't uncommon for me to catch a quick peck or embrace between the two of them as they settled into each other. They seemed happy, and it had me bursting with joy to see them so.

Ron, on the other hand, didn't seem to share my enthusiasm for the new couple. When Harry and Ginny disappeared to their little corner of the room, he pulled his chair around the table so his back was facing them. I couldn't help but smile at this, and congratulated him on how mature he was being. Apparently, this move wasn't enough though, and soon Ron was up and out of his seat muttering something about the library. I thought about getting up to follow him, but I figured that this is something that he needs to muddle through on his own. This isn't something I can coddle him through.

Looking at Harry and Ginny though…it makes me a little sad. I want that. I want to have those special moments that only two people who love each other can share. Those moments where they lose all sense of everything else around them and forget anyone else is there.

But, I'm not holding my breath. Things like that just don't happen to girls like me. Girls that have two guys for best friends and their heads stuck in a book. We don't get the fairy tale romances and the "Prince Charmings". No, we get crushes on our best friends that still think of us as one-of-the-guys.

And sometimes I'm okay with that. Sometimes I'm content to just play the best friend. 'Cause that's safe. I can't get hurt that way. I can't lose him that way. But other times…I just want so much more.