I hate you Hermione. The words had hit hear clear in the face. Hermione's once pleasant smile turned into a sour glare. She suddenly felt cold and numb. But there was a third feeling. Being heartbroken.

"I d-didn't say a-anything..." Hermione stuttered, a single clear tear rolling down her porcelain complexion.

"I know-"

"He said he hated me," Hermione whispered.

"Yup he did," Harry replied casually.

"Harry! You not being very sympathetic here," Hermione whimpered.

"Well, you've been in fights with Ron before, Herm. It's not exactly anything new," Harry reassured, while taking a bite out of a donut.

"I know, but this fight, it feels different..."Hermione drifted on.

"What, were your past fights fuzzy and orange or something," Harry chuckled trying to make her feel better.

"Harry!" Hermione said disapprovingly. "I have to find Ron, or do something about this..."

"Just let me handle it, I'll talk to Ron," Harry offered knowing he had done enough damage already.

"No Harry. This one we have to work out ourselves," Hermione replied firmly.

Hermione checked everywhere, the Common Room, the Library, every place imaginable, but she could not find Ron anywhere. After an hour or so of looking, Hermione became discontent. "I give up," she murmured. "If he doesn't want to be found, I won't come looking."

She sighed and continued outside unto the grounds. The wet ground squished with her every step and she soon became exhausted. She stopped by the Quidditch pitch, sat down, and wiped a drip of sweat from her brow. She gazed over at the lake, sitting there for a while. And even though it was chilly and still early spring, she had the urge to just jump into the water and forget everything. Hermione sighed. She glanced out at the water and saw a flash of red hair. There he was the person she was looking for.

Ron was pacing back and forth down by the water's edge. Hermione broke out into a run. "Ron!" she shrieked while panting as she got closer to him. "Ron!"

Hermione stopped and sunk to her knees, taking in a breath. She looked up at Ron. "There you are, I was looking for you."

"Why? Coming to torment me some more?"

"Ron, I never said anything," Hermione sighed nervously. "What ever I did, I'm sorry."

Ron's eyes shone. "Really?"

"Yes really! Don't you see Ron? Your one of my best friends! I- I... oh never mind," Hermione said, looking away.

"No, wait. What were you going to say before you stopped," Ron asked cheerfully.

"Nothing," Hermione's heart melted.

"What were you going to say, 'Mione?" Ron pestered, hoping for the three dazzling words he longed to hear. Ron sat down on the cold, wet earth.

"Nothing, it doesn't matter," Hermione said rather quickly as she sat beside him.

"Hermione," Ron whispered, sitting next to her and looking out towards the murky lake. "Do you remember our sixth year?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I? It was only last year."

"No," he swallowed. "I mean, do you remember Valentine's Day?"

Hermione looked at the ground in front of her. "Yes," she choked, trying to avoid Ron's alluring violet eyes.

"And how we...-" Ron started nervously.

"-kissed?" Hermione replied, looking up at him.

"Why do you th- think it happened?" Ron stuttered.

"I don't know. I mean, we were in the middle of Charm's class; we were practicing those charms that make you delusional... I can't remember the name. I was feeling a bit out it, as were the rest of us... I swear Neville hit me with one, because I was feeling woozy. And well, it just happened," Hermione rambled on.

She paused. "But it didn't really mean anything...did it?"

"I dunno, did it mean something to you, I, umm, I admit I really like it, but-"Ron blushed darker than his hair color and stopped mid-sentence.

"Well, I supposed I kind of, erm," Hermione lowered her voice," liked you but I-"

Hermione returned her glance to the ground beside her; she could feel herself blushing more and more with every passing second.

"Her- Hermione?" Ron looked up at her longingly, his sapphire eyes glistening.

Hermione looked back at Ron, finally realizing something after all her denial that she was in love. "I love you," he whispered.

"Ron?"

"Yeah," Ron said eagerly.

"You're not kidding, right?"

Ron smiled. "Nope. Not at all."

Hermione beamed. "Ron," she began. "I feel the same." She leaned in and kissed him gently on the cheek, her soft lips combining with his fragile skin. A single tear rolled down her check. "I love you too."

Ron grabbed Hermione's hand. "Come on," he said, glancing at his watch. "It's getting late."

As the two walked up to the castle, the sun was slowly setting behind them in a mix of amethyst and navy. The crickets began to hum softly, singing their own sweet lullaby.

End.

Authors Note: Please Read and Review. Thanks!