Putting Love on Hold Chapter 2:

Hermione's Point of View:

Sometimes it aggravates me, and yet sometimes I just sigh and forget. Well, not really forget, more like just put it to the back of my mind, because it is too painful to think about. I mean at least he could act like he notices me. Except, when I think that, I have to back track and correct myself. Because lately, he has noticed me, more than usual, and it is unnerving.

Like yesterday for example…I was walking in the corridor like usual on my way to breakfast. I have been waking up before Harry and Ron in the mornings lately, so I just decided to walk to the Great Hall without them. Nothing too out of the ordinary. It is more or less a silent agreement we all have. We don't always have to meet each other in the mornings and walk to breakfast together, we just know that when one of us gets there, the others will either be there or show up eventually. We have this certain spot at the table we always sit at. It is one of those things where everyone knows we sit there and they never sit in our spots. It's almost like we have this invisible tape that says "Don't Cross" that everyone but us can see…anyway…

I sat down at in my spot and waited for them. Knowing that they would be in here soon, I decided to get a little reading done. I can't do that when they are in here, because they spend the whole time convincing me that breakfast is for eating and NOTHING else. I was just putting my book away when they showed up.

Ron usually sits in front of me and Harry by him. Ginny sometimes keeps me company on my right side across from Harry. However, this morning, the ways of the universe turned on me and I never even saw it coming. Ron came automatically to my side and sat down. He smiled at me with that lopsided smile he always has and looked at me to ask what was wrong. He started to search himself as he thought he had something on his shirt or face. When he looked at me again, I just shrugged and put some food on my plate. Harry still sat across from me, which was comforting. When Ginny came in, I was surprised when she just sat down next to Harry as though this was how we did everyday. But then I began to think that that would make since, considering the fact that she still likes him. I sighed and went back to my food.

I guess you could say that the rest of the day went by pretty smoothly, but I just noticed little things that happened that never did. For instance, I was on the way to Defense Against the Dark Arts and my book sack fell apart. Books fell, ink spill, and quills rolled all over the floor. I told the others to just leave and go ahead to class. Harry just shrugged his shoulders and followed the crowds, but Ron refused to go. He got down on the floor with me and helped me pick up all of my lost items while I repaired my book sack. When he was done, he just helped me to my feet, smiled, and beckoned for me to follow him to class. I grabbed my things and followed him and we made it just in time. And during class, he looked over at me just as I looked in his direction and smiled. Let me tell you, that smile, no matter how many times I see it, can always make my day…

Ron's Point of View…

Man, I should have tried this a long time ago. I had made a decision this summer that I would act better towards Hermione, and I have been doing just that. But you see, if it wasn't for my wonderful friend (because, granted, it was his help that made me realize this) I would have never made this much progress in the first place. Seeing her smile is just…well, there are no words to describe it. I get this feeling inside, and I only want to make her as happy as I possibly can. I think I have always felt this way about her, it just took some help on my part to fully understand it. I can see that I may not be explaining this very well. Maybe if I went back to that day, it would make more sense. Yeah…

…FLASHBACK…

Harry walked into Ron's room and sat down on the bed. Even though Harry had been to his house almost every summer since he came to Hogwarts, it was always comforting to go into Ron's room and see Ron happy. However, ever since the minute that Harry came to the Burrow this year, Harry could tell something was up with Ron, and he was determined to find out what it was.

"Ron, come on, what's wrong with you?" asked Harry.

"Now why would you ask something like that, I am fine…" Ron said in an unbelievable tone.

Harry sighed and continued. "Yeah right, everything is just great, and that is why you are moping around the house and barely eating. Newsflash to you… you ALWAYS eat!"

He stopped talking for a minute to look up at Ron's reaction. Ron propped himself up on his elbow from his laying position. He looked at Harry, sighed in defeat and sat up.

"Harry, look…it is not anything serious. I just got this letter from Hermione and that is it. She isn't coming over this summer. I mean, not that I can blame her. Why would she want to come over here when she could go to Vicky's house?" he spat the name out like venom on his tongue.

"You can't be serious! Not this again. You honestly think that Hermione likes him?!? I don't think you are ever going to get that hint she gave you. I even got that, and that is saying something. You are my best mate and all, but sometimes you can be pretty stupid sometimes."

Ron raised his head in confusion and Harry finished.

"Ron, I know you like her. It is so obvious, and under any other circumstances, I wouldn't have told you this. I believe you should be doing something about this yourself, but you are taking way too long. I know deep down you know you like her, maybe you have known it for a while now, but you can't expect anything to happen if you just sit back and do nothing. If you want her to notice you, do something about it."

"Harry, I can't do that. Hermione is just so…perfect. There is not way in heck she would fall for a guy like me. Why would she when she has someone perfect like Krum to deal with? And plus, what if she did notice me and I did something about it, and I told her how I feel? If she doesn't like me back, it would ruin our friendship!"

"Ron, do you really believe that Hermione would run away from a six-year friendship over the fact that you may like her as more than a friend?"

Ron shook his head slowly.

"Plus, Hermione may be a complex person, but she is still a girl. And you never know…she just may like you back…"

Ron laughed nervously. "Yeah right! But you know Harry, you are making this seem like it is so easy, but it isn't. I have liked her for a while now, and I sure that you may have already known that. But this wouldn't be so hard if…well….if…man this is so hard…"

"What?" asked Harry.

"I think I may… I think I may …love her."

Harry stood dumbfounded for a minute. "Are you sure? Like and LOVE are two totally different things. Maybe you just think-"

"No, Harry, I do. I know I do. I may have not dated anyone else, but I am in love with Hermione. It is almost like my day starts and ends with seeing her face. And being away from her is torture, but being close to her and knowing that I can't have her is worse."

"Well, Ron, if you really do love her, you should try. But if things go wrong, like for instance if someone else dates her before you, are you willing to let her go if she is happy?"

Ron nodded his head. "I would do anything to make her happy, even if that means I can't have her, and sometimes I think that could be a good thing. I mean, I can't offer her anything, and we are constantly fighting. Maybe if she wasn't with me, she would be happy. But I have decided that before I completely give up, I am going to try and change. I can change for her, and I want to. I love her, and nothing is going to change that. I just hope she doesn't hate me in the end."

Harry stood up to leave the room and give Ron time to think. He could tell that the conversation was over from the finality in Ron's voice. But as he reached the door he turned around.

"You know Ron, you may be right. Try changing for her, maybe fighting is what kept you two apart in the first place. Maybe changing will stop the fighting. But don't give up on her. She doesn't deserve that if anything. I know you love her, but honestly, I think she loves you back. You know what?"

"What?"

Harry laughed. "Just listen to yourself. I have never heard you heard you talk about things like that, and if you did, it wasn't often. In fact, if I didn't know any better, I would almost think you are a totally different person. You have grown up, and you didn't even know it…"

END FALSHBACK…

And end chapter! Yes that was good, well I think. Sorry if it wasn't all that great, I wrote this late at night. I am having a hard time deciding where this story is going next, but I have some general ideas. School work is hectic, so please excuse the delays….

Angelface58