Chapter 21: And it all spills out

Hermione took in a breath as she turned the handle and slowly pushed the door open. Right away she smelled the scent of lit candles. As she opened the door so she could enter she noticed that instead of the empty classroom she had seen it as before, the room of requirement was now set up just like a common room. There was a fireplace, couches, chairs and tables.

But as her eyes scanned the room, they stopped on the figure in front of her. She couldn't tell by the shadows who it was or what color hair he had. So she took a step into the room, setting down her flowers on a table just inside the door. As she let go of the door, it fell back and made a click.

As the door fell, Hermione stopped. She knew that figure. She knew that hair. She knew that sweater. A smile grew across her face. She had been right.

When Ron heard the door click shut, he took another deep breath. He counted to five then gradually turned around. His eyes met her feet and made their way up to her face. She stood there, a smile on her lips, waiting, as pretty as always.

"Hermione..." Ron squeaked quietly, his mouth having gone dry. Hermione watched him then suddenly let out a little giggle. This angered Ron slightly. "Yeah it's nice to see you can laugh about something like this when I'm trying to pour my heart out."

Hermione stopped and walked toward him. "I wasn't laughing at you." She said solemnly. He looked up into her eyes and everything began to fall out.

"Hermione I love you. I have for years now. Since fifth year. But I've liked you since Halloween first year with the troll. I care about you Hermione. With all of my heart." Ron said, a weight lifting off his shoulders. "I am you secret admirer."

Hermione stepped forward, took Ron's hand and caught his eyes. "I know." She began then paused. She gave his hand a squeeze and continued. "Ron I love you too. I have for awhile but I hadn't admitted it to myself. For some reason I kept telling myself it was just a small crush because we were such good friends. But I realized today that's it not. I really care about you Ron. With all of my heart too." She explained.

Ron stared at her in disbelief. "Rrreally?" he stuttered. He was shocked. He hadn't expected it. He thought she would reject him.

Hermione nodded with a simple smile. "Yes really Ronald Weasley I love you." She said reaching up and touching his cheek with her free hand. Ron gazed into her eyes, relief spreading when he saw that it was true.

He didn't speak, he didn't think, he just acted. He stepped forward, pushed her chin up, and pressed his lips to hers. Hermione's eyes fell closed and she smiled under his kiss. Soon she let go of his hand and cheek and wrapped her arms around his neck. He wrapped his arm around her waist and brought them closer. She sighed and her body relaxed against his. This where she belonged. This is where she had been dreaming of being for the past few years.

Ron could feel her smile under his lip then her pressing back. He smiled too. He had been wishing for this for so long. He pulled her close and kissed her harder.

When their lips touched, fireworks erupted. Ron could feel every inch of his body that she touched. Hermione's lips felt like they were on fire. The kiss was passionate, tender, gentle, and most importantly, loving. It was the perfect kiss.

Slowly they parted lips. Ron looked down into her hazel eyes and smiled. He wrapped both arms around her and held her tight. She sighed and rested her head on his chest holding him just as tight. Together they stood there for a few minutes, happiness spreading throughout each of their bodies.

Suddenly, Ron remember something she had said. "Wait how did you know that it was me?" He asked loosening his hold on her. She stepped back and smiled up at him.

"It took me awhile but finally everything came together. And I didn't really know for sure. It was more of a guess." She explained.

"What gave me away?" he asked curious.

"Well earlier I kind of recongized the handwriting. It seemed so familiar but I couldn't place it. Secondly, you've been jumpy all day and it always seemed to be right around the time I found the notes. And lastly, you hid the answer to the riddle under the table you were sitting at this morning." She said with a chuckle.

Ron rolled his eyes. "Oi yeah I guess it wasn't that much of a secret."

"Yes it was. I didn't put it together until I was along the rose path. You seriously had me thinking. I felt kind of dumb." She said laughing again.

"Well it's nice to see you not being Miss-Know-it-all for once." Ron commented and she hit him playfully.

"Funny." she said, taking his hand and leading him over to the couch in front of the lit fireplace. She sat down and pulled Ron down next to her. "It's kind of cold in here." She commented. Ron immediately removed his Weasley sweater and gave it to her.

"Here. This will keep you warm." Hermione took it and slipped it over her head. Then she slipped her arms around Ron's torso and rested her head on his chest. Ron smiled and slipped his arm around her.

"So Ron, how did you come up with this whole idea? I know you are not a romantic guy. All day you've been talking about how you severely dislike Valentine's day. Why did you do it?" she asked looking into the flames and listening to the sounds of Ron's heart beating in his chest.

Ron too looked into the flames. "I thought of it last month. I was searching for a way to let you know that someone liked you without coming right out and saying it was me. I was so nervous all day and that's what held me back for so long. I didn't want our friendship to be lost because I loved how close we are. I was sure you would say no and then my dreams would be lost along with one of my best friendships. That's what I was really scared about. And you're right, I do hate this holiday but that was only because I was alone and so in love with you. Being alone of Valentine's and in love is pure hell." He stopped then for a moment and looked down at her. He lifted her chin with his left hand and looked into her eyes. "I know it's a stupid question now but Hermione will you be my girlfriend?"

Hermione looked up into his bright green eyes. "You didn't even have to ask." She replied. Ron smiled then leaned down and kissed her again.

When they parted, they snuggled close and looked into the flames, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and each others company.

And that is where they stayed all night. Some time past midnight, they fell asleep together lying in each others arms on the couch.