"Bye Harry!" Hermione called out to him, as Harry left the Great Hall. She watched him as he walked away, a look of longing in her eyes. Thinking no one could hear her, she whispered "I love you.." under her breath. She didn't know how much that hurt.
If only she had said those words to me.
For now, she turned to look at me... and for now, that would have to be enough. She smiled, eyes twinkling and laughed a little bit. My heart constricted.
"Ron, are you okay?" It took me a second to realize she was talking to me.
"Yes. I'm fine." I didn't sound fine, but she didn't notice.
"Oh... good." She was distracted. She ran her hand through her hair, staring at the table, then she looked me straight in the eye. I looked back, trying not to wonder what it would be like if she were mine.
"Does.. does Harry like anyone?" she asked me, finally turning her eyes away from mine, blushing.
"I don't know. Why?" I tried not to let my heart show in my face, no matter how much pain I felt. They say you're supposed to let go of the ones you love. I've tried to let go of these feelings for Hermione.. but I guess I'm just selfish. I can't let go of her. I can't give her to Harry.
"...just, um wondering." Her blush deepened, and her face turned to just about the color of my hair.
"'Mione.. I know you like Harry. Just admit it, already." My bluntness suprised myself, and her, according to the look she gave me.
"Wh-what... how did you know? I mean, was I that obvious? I tried not to be, I mean, I didn't think I was. I don't think he knows. Does he know? If he does...ughhhh" Hermione talked quickly. Moaning, she put her head down on the table.
"I don't think he knows, and I just guessed."
"How did you guess?" she asked in a muffled voice,her head still on the table.
"I don't know." I didn't want to tell her how I knew. I knew that she was in love with Harry, because I'm in love with her. I knew because she looked at him like I looked at her. I knew because that same note of longing was in her eyes, and in her voice.
"Come on Ron, tell me... please?" Her eyes widened in beggary, and she began to frown. It was hard not to just come out and tell her everything. But I knew if I did, she would push me away... her friendship was the only relationship I could have with her. I wouldn't lose it.
"Look, it was just a guess."
"Fine." She huffed, and glared at me for a second. She was becoming her normal self, which basically meant she was mad at me.
"It was."
"Liar." She knew me too well. There was, of course one thing she didn't know. I still can't believe she hasn't figured it out. That I'm in love with her, I mean.
"Whatever." I was becoming frustrated. Talking about Harry with her usually made me feel that way. She could really get annoying sometimes, for all that I was in love with her. I got up to leave, before she started a fight with me.
"Wait-- Ron..." She placed her hand on my arm to stop me. Nothing could make me move now. Not the harsh words she said. Not even talking about her love for Harry.
"Could you find out.. how Harry feels about me?" She looked up at me, with those same longing eyes she gave to Harry. I couldn't say no. Maybe once she had Harry, she'd get bored of him, or something. I knew it was a pile of crap, but for some reason, I couldn't say no.
"Yea, no problem. You owe me one." Her smile was all the repayment I needed, but I couldn't tell her that. Now, all I could do was hope and pray that Harry didn't love Hermione. I didn't see how he couldn't-- she was perfect.