Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling

Hermione spent all the next day thinking about the party that night. Her job as a receptionist wasn't very taxing so it gave her plenty of time to think. She was worried that the kisses last night with Harry would make things awkward. Then again, with his new laid-back attitude, nothing seemed to faze Harry these days.

Hermione ended up working late and by the time she caught the bus home it was nearly 7:30. She returned to an empty flat and wondered where Ron was. It was unusual for him not be home this late and found a note explaining he'd gone to the movies with a friend. Hermione always found it cute that Ron would always leave little notes if he would be home late or out. She guessed it was left over from living with a mother that, with the best intentions, wanted to know where he was every moment of the day. She'd gotten know Ron a little better over the last few months as they were the two that kept 'normal' hours while Harry could be out at all hours. They still occasionally infuriated each other, but they had always been friends because they were both friends with Harry. It was nice to spend a bit of time with Ron without Harry.

'Oh shit!' Hermione exclaimed to the empty flat. Harry! She had just under an hour to shower and to get ready for the party before she had to leave. Hermione wasn't usually the type to fuss over what she wore and her makeup, but had decided to make a little effort for tonight.

At quarter to nine Hermione was ready and waiting for her taxi to take her to the party. She wore dark denim jeans with a floaty red top and her wavy hair piled on her head. She heard the taxi beep outside and with a quick spray of perfume, she ran out the door.

Hermione hesitated out front of the house that the party was quite obviously inside. Music blared from the windows and a steady stream of people moved in and out the front door. She hated turning up to parties by herself, always having the few first awkward minutes trying to find the person that she was meeting. And it was even worse if the person hadn't arrived yet. She hoped that Harry would be inside waiting for her and not hopelessly late… like he usually was. Suddenly Hermione had a feeling of dread wash over her. Was this really something she wanted to be doing? Shaking the thought away, she walked into the party and began her search for Harry. It wasn't long before she found him and he'd obviously already been there for a while and had quite a few drinks. He wasn't horribly drunk, but very loud and boisterous.

'Mione!' Harry exclaimed when he saw her, 'come over her and give me a kiss hello'

Hermione walked over to Harry and lent in to give him a peck on the check. Instead he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into him, leaning down with a deep kiss. Hermione thought how wonderful it felt and the passion of the previous night returned to her.

Breaking away, Harry introduced Hermione to the people he had been talking to and who had now been witnessing their display. Hermione looked at the three people standing opposite them, two guys (quite cute she noticed) and a girl that was looking at her in a rather unpleasant fashion.

'Ben, Sarah, Luke…meet Hermione, my flatmate' Harry said by way of introduction.

Flatmate? Hermione thought. That's it?

'Flatmate?' Sarah said disbelievingly, echoing Hermione's thoughts.

Harry seemed unfazed. 'Yeah we live with my friend Ron. Red hair, I think you met him at the pub the other night Ben'

'Anyway' Interrupted Sarah, her voice dripping with contempt, 'I think we'll leave you and your flatmate and get back to the party'

As they left the room Hermione commented to Harry 'Well she didn't seem to like me much'

'What? You're imagining things…Now, where were we?'

After spending a little more time in the kitchen, the two spent the rest of the time wandering around the party, Harry introducing Hermione to various people. It was odd how so many of the girls were cold towards her.

By eleven Hermione was getting tired. 'Harry, do you think we could leave soon? I'm pretty tired and have to work in the morning anyway'

'How about I call you a taxi, I want to stay on for a while. The party's only just getting started!' Harry replied.

'Oh, right. Yeah that's fine' Hermione tried to be cheerful, but was disappointed that Harry wasn't going to leave with her. She thought they could sit up for a bit talking and whatever, but she realized there weren't actually official couple yet and Harry really had no obligations to go with her…She just thought it would be nice.

Harry waited out the front with Hermione until her cab arrived. Giving her a soft kiss on the mouth, he put her in the cab and told her he would see her tomorrow.

On the cab ride home Hermione felt stupid about being disappointed that Harry wasn't leaving with her. So they'd kissed a few times and been on one date. That didn't mean that he was her boyfriend and had to follow her around. Not that she'd expect him to if he were. Hermione sighed. She didn't know what to think at this point.

As Hermione walked in the front door she was surprised to see a light on in the lounge room. Walking down the hall she called out 'Ron? You still awake?'

'Mmm, in here Mione' his reply filtered down the hall as she threw her shoes and bag into her room.

Walking into the lounge room she flopped onto the couch next to Ron. 'God, remind me never to wear high heels again, my feet are killing me'. Used to her usual style of flat mary-janes, sandals or runners, Hermione began to massage her aching feet.

'You look nice tonight Hermione' Ron commented. 'Hmm, combined with high heels…where have you been out to?'

'I went to a party' Hermione replied, 'with Harry…'

'With Harry? Why didn't he tell me about it?' Ron's feelings were slightly hurt.

'I mean with Harry' Hermione tried to clarify.

'I don't understand' Now Ron was just plain confused.

'We went together…like on a date'

'Oh' was all Ron replied with.

'Oh?'

'I mean, that's great Hermione, really. I'm, uh, really very happy for you two. It's just…great' Ron faked a yawn, 'Oh, I'm so tired, I think I'll head off to bed now. Night Mione'

Before Hermione could even say goodnight, Ron had dashed out of the room and headed towards his bedroom. Hermione thought it a little odd, but was too tired to consider his reaction much further and turned off the lights before heading to her own room.

As Ron lay in his on his bed, still fully clothed, his thoughts drifted back to an evening a few weeks ago at the local pub. He was with Harry having a couple of drinks, Ron just having finished his day working as a sales assistant in sports equipment store and Harry soon to start his behind the bar. Ron had seemed distracted and Harry was trying to coax out of him the reason.

'Come on mate, something's up. What is it?' Harry probed

'It's nothing, will you just leave it?' Ron replied, slightly irritated.

'It can't be nothing, you've hardly said a word so far'

Ron sighed. 'You really want to know that badly?'

'Would I be asking if I didn't?'

'OK, but you can't laugh'

'Why would I laugh?'

Ron sighed again. 'So you know how you work funny hours and aren't always home at the same times as Hermione and me?'

'Yes…'

'Well, Hermione and I have been spending a fair bit of time together, you know, just hanging out'

'And…?'

'And, well, it's been nice. I mean, we havn't always got on that well, but we're getting to know each other a bit better now. And it's nice…'

'That's it, it's nice hanging out with Hermione?'

'Well no, I mean, yes it is, but that's not all of it. I kind of realized the other day that, well, that…I, um, thinkIlikeHermione' Ron ended the sentence in a rush.

'Sorry?' Harry was confused.

'I think I like Hermione' Ron repeated, this time as separate words.

'And that's a problem why?'

'Well, I don't want to do anything in case she doesn't feel the same way. What if I said something and she was horrified and never spoke to me again. Or what if she wasn't repulsed by the idea and then we broke up and she never spoke to me again. I'd rather have her as just a friend if it meant that she was in my life' Ron blushed

Harry shook his head 'Right mate, you're a weirdo. Anyway, I've got to get to work, so I'll see you later.'

'Yeah, see you. And you wont say anything to Hermione will you?'

Harry laughed, 'I wont if you don't'

Ron's thoughts returned to the present. How could Harry do that to him?

Hope you enjoyed chapter 2! up next, Harry comes home from the party and Ron confronts him