Moonlight

Hermione was feeling quite downtrodden by now. Why couldn't she simply admit her feelings? Would it endanger their friendship? Yes, she thought, it might. I couldn't bear to lose Ron as a friend. To lose someone who has so many times helped me. If he doesn't feel the same way…everything will simply be awkward between the two of us. That wouldn't do.

Slowly, she walked to the window, peering through. She was startled to see Ron down at the lake that resided in the Weasleys' backyard. He stood with his back to her and the house, apparently gazing out over it. She couldn't stand him this way. She retrieved her cloak from its hook by the bedroom door and ran out into the yard. It was time to finish their little chat.

Ron always felt at peace when he went into their backyard, especially down at the lake. Everything was still. There were no expectations for him to be perfect like Percy, and, most especially, no Hermione to nag him.

Just as he finished this thought, footsteps behind him told Ron that he had company. Damnit.

"Hermione, what on earth do you want now?" he asked, unable to suppress the annoyed tones of his voice.

"Ron, we still need to talk."

"We already talked. I'm done."

She came up beside him. "You look cold. Here," she said, spreading her cloak so it covered the both of them.

"I'm not cold," he replied, but took it anyway.

"Ron, what has been happening to you? Every time I even come close to you, you seem like you're pushing me away. If you're mad about the whole event that happened yesterday, I'd understand. But you haven't even mentioned that. What is it?"

"Nothing."

"Oh, come on, Ron, it's not nothing."

"Look," he said, facing her at last. "I thought you were avoiding me."

"I wasn't.'

"Hermione," he brushed a stray lock of hair back from her face. "I just…I don't want to lose you again. I don't want to get hurt."

"Who said I was going anywhere?"

Harry watched the scene below, unbeknownst to his friends. Was there really something going on between them? It wasn't like he'd never expected it, but it unnerved him, somehow. He was jealous, though he'd only admit it to himself. While Voldemort started taking over the world and killing people, his godfather, even, Ron and Hermione were getting romantically involved. This was all wrong. He needed Hermione more than Ron did. Why didn't he get her?

Ron was now keenly aware of Hermione's deep brown eyes and how he was so close to her. To distract himself from something shameful, he said, "Do you promise me this?"

"Ron, I cannot promise you anything. Everyone knows that Voldemort…"

"…is unpredictable. I know. Will you at least promise me that you will try to stay out of trouble?"

"Yes," she replied. "I can promise that much."

She buried her head into the crook of his neck, and, impulsively, he kissed her crown. "I'll try to do my best to protect you, Hermione."

"Who said I would be the one needing protecting?" she said, her head still buried comfortably on his shoulder. "It'll most likely be you, not me."

"Well, will you promise to protect me?"

"To the death."

Ron was now fully aware of how close they were. "Hermione," he whispered, lifting his chin from atop her head.

She seemed to know, as well as he did, what was coming. Slowly, their eyes met, and ever slowly, their lips did the same. It was gentle, not demanding, but almost hesitant. There was no question, however, that they belonged there,

Harry was now trembling with rage. He wasn't even sure why he was so furious. Honestly, the rational part of him said, is it so wrong that they're together now? Do you have to have everything and more than Ron does?

He might be irrational, but he was now plunging into full-blown jealousy.