Chapter Eleven – Good Ol' Ron

Ron didn't know what to think when he saw Hermione and Harry avoiding each other's looks and not saying a word to each other. He felt rather disturbed by the fact that his two best friends were ignoring each other and when they did talk to him, they pretended as if the other didn't exist.

After a rather painfully awkward breakfast, Harry and Hermione went upstairs to their rooms and Ron didn't see them until after dinner. Getting fed up, Ron went upstairs to talk to them but didn't know who to start with. He decided to talk to Hermione first. He approached her door and knocked.

"Come in," said a gloomy voice from inside.

Ron slowly opened the door and peeked in. there was Hermione sitting on her bed staring up at the ceiling. He entered the room and sat down on the foot of her bed. She didn't say anything to him.

"So, what's going on?" Ron finally asked. Hermione didn't look at him.

"Nothing," she replied.

"Not true. I know what Harry talked to you about last night."

"Oh."

"Yeah. So why'd you stomp all over his heart then?"

"Oh sure," Hermione said sulkily, "take his side."

Ron rolled his eyes. "I'm not taking anyone's side. I just want to know what happened."

"He asked me out," Hermione said curtly. "There I said it. Are you happy now?"

"No. I know that he asked you out. I want to know why you said no."

"Because I felt like it!" she snapped. "Honestly Ronald, don't stick your nose in other people's businesses."

"Well this is my business! You're my friends and I hate seeing you being so mean and weird to each other. Now, tell me why you said no!"

Hermione finally sat up and Ron saw that she had tears in her eyes. "I said no because of you." She muttered.

Ron looked at her, his eyes wide. "Me? Me? You don't mean that you—"

Hermione looked at him like he was crazy. "Ew, no!" she sighed. "Not that… No, you're very likeable Ron, I just… don't like you, in that way."

"I'm appalled. Really, I am. But, this isn't about me. What're you worried about me for?"

"Well… I just thought… I thought if Harry and I were to start dating you'd feel left out and we'd ruin our friendship. I didn't want that to happen and I didn't want you to feel like we'd gone and abandoned you and put our needs before yours…" Hermione explained.

Ron scoffed. "Oh, come on. If you want to date him, date him. Honestly, I don't want to be the one to stand in your way. You know perfectly well I'm okay with it. So, go on then."

"But I've already said no! Do you know how stupid I'll look?"

"So? Would you rather have him miserable or would you rather you look stupid and give him and you the chance to be happy?"

Hermione thought for a moment. Ron smiled proudly as he knew he'd affected his best friend's decision. "Well," she said, "I guess I could… I want to… But what do you think he'll say?"

"Hmm… I don't know, hang on, I'll go talk to him," Ron stood up and ran to the other room where Harry was standing by the window, his forehead rested against the cool glass. "Harry?"

Harry didn't look at him. He mumbled, "It's going to rain…"

Ron steered him away from the window. Harry looked up at him blankly. Ron was afraid Harry was taking this a little too seriously and was afraid he'd gone insane. Just to be sure, he punched Harry on the shoulder. Harry's expression turned from blank to anger.

"What the bloody hell was that for?" he demanded rubbing the spot where Ron had hit him. "Have you gone mad?"

"Just wanted to see if you're still sane," Ron grinned. "So, listen. I've just talked to Hermione—(Harry sighed)—and she wants to talk to you."

Harry didn't seem glad about the news. "Oh. What about? Is she going to tell me more excuses?"

"No, she just wants to talk to you. Do tell me you're going to give her a chance. Please?"

"Why do you care?" Harry asked.

"Because you're my friends and I hate being stuck in the middle so, come on, go on and talk to her. She's waiting for you."

Harry sighed. "Oh all right…" he said and trudged out of the room. He slowly walked over to Hermione's room. Ron followed happily. He walked in and saw Hermione was sitting on the bed looking rather nervous. "You wanted to see me?"

"Shut the door," Hermione replied. Harry shut the door before Ron could come in. Hermione bit her lip. "Well, I wanted to talk to you about… About last night…"

"Hehe," said a voice from beyond the door. They both looked at it and rolled their eyes. Hermione gestured for him to come out of the window with her and soon they were sitting side by side on the roof.

Harry couldn't help but feel nervous. What did she have to say now? Was she going to add more to what she said the night before? He didn't know if he could handle if it she were. He twiddled his thumbs.

"Well… What is it you wanted to talk to me about," Harry asked. He might as well get it over with.

Hermione took a while to respond. Where to start? How to begin? She looked at him and found that everything she'd been practicing in her head had suddenly disappeared.

Well… I might as well get this over with… she cleared her throat. She opened her mouth to speak but shut it again. I can't do this! I can't! She shook her head. She had to do it. She wanted to be with him as badly as he wanted to be with her. Taking a deep breath, she opened her mouth again.

"Harry?"

Harry turned to her. She immediately looked away.

"Um…" she said. Okay… here we go…

Author's Note: I didn't mean for anyone to hate Ron! Lol, I can't believe I did that.. Lol anyway, Ron's cool! But like you care right? He's the comic relief lol. Anyways, thanks for reading and don't forget to review!