More Than Just Friends

"Haven't had a date in while, have you, Granger?"

Hermione tore down the corridor, blinded by her tears. Malfoy's words continued to flash through her mind, no matter how hard she tried to block them out.

"And it's no wonder! Nose stuck in a book or behind a mane of bushy hair..."

Hermione knew that she was not beautiful, let alone pretty, and her hair took daily taming to no avail. She only read books to learn more and get good grades - was that a crime?

"The only friends you've got are those poor, pathetic Weasleys and that damned Potter, and even they can't find you attractive!"

Her friends loved her, no matter what she looked like. Ginny was her best friend, Harry was like a brother. And Ron...

"Who could ever love a mudblood like you?"

No, Malfoy was wrong. He was just some prissy rich boy - what did he know about love? And Malfoy had never been right before... so why did it hurt so much this time?

His words were like a slap in the face - because they were true. She wasn't pretty, she was a bookworm, she didn't have a boyfriend, only Ginny, Harry and Ron.

Ron...

By the time she reached the porthole, her sobs were uncontrollable. The Fat Lady tried to soothe her, but Hermione ignored her and fairly whispered the password. The door swung open, but Hermione barely made it inside, before she collapsed on the floor in bitter tears.

It was like rubbing salt in an open wound. How could Malfoy know exactly how to break her heart? She knew her dreams would never come true, but why sis she have to hear it so harshly? That she wasn't pretty enough or too much of a bookworm? Why did he have to say that she wasn't good enough for Ron?

"Hermione?"

Hermione felt her broken heart skip a beat suddenly and her sobs stopped momentarily. She picked herself up off the floor and moved to the end of the porthole, where Ron was standing in an empty common room.

"Oh, Ron..." she mumbled before throwing herself in his arms, sobs overwhelming her again. Ron held her fast and tried to console her, but it would not help. Even here, in the arms of the man she loved, wrapped in the strong, warm safe confines of Ron Weasley, Hermione knew it was friendship that made him hold her, not love. Ron was loyal to a fault, and he would hold her until her tears stopped because he was her best friend - and nothing more.

Ron suddenly picked her up and moved her to the couch, laying her gently there. Hermione half expected Ron to feel too uncomfortable about the whole situation and leave her to cry alone. But he sat down on the garnet sofa beside her, 'shhh'ing her fears and petting her hair to calm her. In the arms of the man she loved, all she could do was cry, because of what was so close, and yet so far away...

Hermione woke later on that night with a smile on her face. She had expected to be sore from crying and sleeping on a couch, but Hermione felt secure and content, and a permanent smile was stuck on her face. When she opened her eyes, she realized why.

Ron was laying on the couch beside her with his arms around her waist, her face mere inches from his. She could feel his steady breath on her face and it sent her pulse racing.

Hermione's hand reached up from its own accord and gently moved a strand of red hair from his face. She loved his red hair, it was so uniquely him. It said, "I am Ron Weasley." She loved the freckles that were sprinkled all over his body, his intense blue eyes, his crooked smile, his goofy sense of humor. She loved the proud twinkle in his eyes when he passed a test or saved a quidditch game. She loved the angry flare that occurred when Malfoy would insult her...

The memories of the day suddenly came flooding back to her and she wasn't so happy anymore.

Hermione had left supper early and headed to the library as she often did. Harry and Ginny were studying together, and Hermione asked Ron if he wanted to join her. She knew what the answer would be, but it didn't hurt to ask. After a few hours in the library, Hermione made her way back to the common room, only to be greeted unpleasantly by Malfoy. And his words hurt her far more than any physical harm could ever do.

But then Ron had come upon her in the Common Room and saved the day. Yes, he may be thick, stubborn and irresponsible, but she knew that she could always count on him. A loyal and trustworthy friend, he could be every bit of a hero as Harry. Shee just wished that it could be more than a friend someday.

She lay there in his arms, fingering his hair and running her fingers gently across his smooth skin. Hermione bit down on her bottom lip as her thumb traveled over his lips, wondering what it would feel like to be kissed by him...

At seventeen years old, Hermione had been kissed before. Of course she had. By Krum when she went to visit him in Bulgaria, and a few other times by some random boys at school, but never by theone she wanted. He on the other hand, had his share of kisses. Over the past year or two, Ron had grown quite into his own. As the Gryffindor Keeper and Captain, his popularity skyrocketed, and so had his physique. He was no longer the tall and lanky Weasley boy. He was the tall, muscular girl-magnet at Hogwarts. Which is why Hermione felt she had less of a chance to win him over. He had gorgeous girls throwing themselves at him - how could she compete?

Suddenly, she heard a chuckle and looked down at Ron who was now smiling with his eyes closed. "How am I supposed to get any sleep with you pawing at me like that?"

Hermione giggled and reluctantly withdrew her hand. "Sorry. I wasjust admiring," she said innocently.

Ron then opened his eyes and with that charming smile, Hermione was immediately lost. "You admire with your eyes, not your hands, love."

Hermione smiled. The nick-name of 'love' was just another thing she had learned to accept from Ron. It had started out as a joke, a term he used when they were arguing, which only caused to irritate her more. But as the war grew to a frightened height, such trivial things were no longer important. As Ron and Hermione had grown and matured, they had passed the stage of constant bickering and now shared a very real, very strong friendship. Any time he called her 'love' it somehow gave her hope, yet breaking her heart at the same time. Now it reminded her of how deeply they did care for each other. The strongest bond of love in friendship, and even though it was the romantic love Hermione wished for, she cherished it nonetheless.

"Now, how about you tell me what had you so worked up earlier?" he said, his blue eyes staring her down, awaiting the truth of it all. He was entirely too close for good comfort, but Hermione tried to remain calm.

Hermione bit her lip again and paused before she spoke. "It was nothing really. I just let something Malfoy said get to me, but it's no- "

Suddenly Ron was fumbling to stand from the couch. "Damn him, damn the ferret to hell! Why can't he just give it a rest? I could kill him, the bastard..." Ron rambled on, and Hermione reveled in it for a moment. The way Ron felt constantly protective of her was one of the things she loved abouthim the most.

"Ron, don't go." she said sternly, grabbing his hand. He looked back at her as she linked her fingers with his. "It's late. I don't want you to get in trouble."

Ron sighed and sat down on the floor in front of her, still holding her hand firmly. "I know it, I just can't stand it when he picks on the people I ... care about."

Hermione smiled sheepishly as she watched his ears go bright pink. No matter how mature or popular Ron got, he still had his trademark blush - and Hermione loved it.

"You're not going to join me?" Hermione said hopefully, patting the seat next to her on the couch. Ron smiled and squeezed her hand, then let go, much to her dismay.

"I'm a gentleman, 'Mione. I won't be taking advantage of you." Ron shrugged, getting comfortable on the floor by the couch with his hands behind his head.

Hermione laid on her chest and looked over the edge of the couch at him, then reached down and took hold of his hand. Ron opened one eye and kissed her hand, then squeezed it again and closed his eyes. Hermione needed reassurance, she needed a friend - she needed him. She needed him as so much more than a friend.

Hermione just watched Ron as he rested, and reveled in that fact that his thumb was aimlessly going in circles on her hand, and with her skillful placing it on his chest, she could feel his steady heartbeat and that brought the reassurance that she needed. But there was still...

After many long moments, Hermione finally broke the silence. "Ron?" she began timidly.

"Hmmm?" he said without opening his eyes.

"Do you think I'm pretty?"

Ron then opened his eyes, and in confusion looked up at her. "Are you kidding? You are the most gorgeousgirl on this planet."

Now Hermione blushed, but disappointed at hisdelayed response, she pulled her hand away. "I'm serious, Ron."

Then Ron sat up and cupped her face gently in his hand. "I'm serious, too, love." he looked steadily into her eyes as he said, "You are beautiful. Don't let anyone ever tell you differently."

Hermione blushed and looked away, and Ron kissed her hand gently again. "Is that what Malfoy said? That you're not pretty?" Hermione looked away and nodded. "Well, you should know better than to listen to him."

"It wasn't just that, Ron. He pointed out how I don't have a boyfriend. And all his reasons were very valid, so I guess it just hit home."

Ron blinked. "What did he say?"

Hermione shook her head. "It's not important now, Ron. I shouldn't let Malfoy annoy me so."

"No, I want to know what he said. I'm sure I can justify anything he said about you."

Hermione scrunched up her face at the memory of Malfoy's words. She began slowly, "He said... he said that I hadn't dated anyone recently, which is true, which is true. My last date was with Justin a few months ago, and that was only because I lost a bet to Harry."

Ron smirked. "He wasn't worth your time anyway."

But Hermione barely heard him, as she was deep in thought, staring intently at nothing in particular. "He said that... I'm always reading books and my bushy hair drives people away..." her voice trailed off, unwanted tears gathering in her eyes.

"Uh uh, love. Don't you believe that for a second." Ron said firmly. "You study a lot, but you don't study all the time. You were with me, Gin and Harry at Hogsmeade just last week. Yeah, you bought another book, but that's just what you like to do. A smart girl is always going to be intimidating for any guy... hell, you intimidate me all the time."

Hermione chuckled and wiped at her eyes.

"Don't you dare stop being smart, Hermione. Malfoy's just bitter that you got higher scores in O.W.L.'s. Besides, who would I copy all my notes from?"

Hermione gave him a playful shove, and shook her head. Some things never change.

"And as far as your bushy hair goes, I love it. Always wild and carefree - just like you. I would never want you to change it. Any how, there are plenty of guys who like you, 'Mione. I could name a dozen. Just in Gryffindor."

"Name one." Hermione smirked.

"You know, I would, but you probably wouldn't believe me even if I told you." Ron said, the pink shade returning to his face.

"That's not the point, Ron. I mean, of course it is, but that's not what bothered me so much..." she said, and instantly she regretted her words. "He said... he said that you and Harry don't acknowledge me as a girl and that no one else will either," she couldn't stop the tears that were flowing over her cheeks, but she tried to continue. "I should have realized it by now but... honestly, how could anyone notice me when there are so many gorgeous girls at Hogwarts? They're girly, flirty and obvious about such things. It's no wonder no one sees me - I'm none of those things. I'm just an ugly bookworm. Besides, there's only one bloke that's really caught my eye, only he's too thick to notice me. Or maybe I'm just not good enough..."

Again her voice broke and she covered her mouth with her hands to control the sobs that were trying to escape, tears trickling down her cheeks. Ron finally moved to the couch and took her in his arms, letting her cry.

"Come on, love, you don't really believe that do you?" Ron said gently in her ear, rubbing her back to comfort her. "You are an amazing girl. If no one can see that, then they're all blind."

"But Malfoy's right, Ron. No boys like me." she sobbed. "No one even considers looking at me like that. Because I'm not pretty and I'm too busy. I've constantly got a book or my blasted hair in the way. I'm nothing important, nothing special; and everyone knows it. I don't know why it took me so long to see it. How could anyone ever notice me?"

"Hermione, stop it." Ron demanded, pulling her away from his shoulder to look into her face. "I refuse to let you talk about yourself like this!"

"No, Ron, I know it's true. It just hurts. I'll get used to being alone, you don't have to humor me."

"Damnit, stop!"

Hermione looked up at Ron in shock. He had never directly cursed at her before. He stood to his full height and decided to give her a piece of his mind.

"You are an amazing, beautiful, intelligent young woman! You amaze me! Everyday you do something else to impress me. You're the smartest girl at Hogwarts, your beauty surpasses everyones, and if anyone could see what I see in you, they'd love you!"

Suddenly, Hermione was still. Her heart skipped a beat. The tears were gone, the sobs stopped. What had he just said?

Alone in the common room, by the light of the large roaring fire, Ron and Hermione were staring each other down. His face was completely red, but he looked frustrated, not embarrassed. As the clock struck once, Hermione looked away, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze.

"Don't say that, Ron." Hermione said in a small voice. "You don't mean it."

"Like hell I don't!" Ron shouted, not caring if he woke up al of Gryffindor. "I'm tired of you finding fault and belittleing yourself when you are the most perfect woman on this world to me."

"Ron," she said in an unsteady voice, tears of hope and fear gathering in her eyes. "It's late, and we're both upset. Let's just go to bed and-"

"No, Hermione. You're not going to stop me this time. I don't care if the whole world know it." His face was red enough to match his hair but that obviously wouldn't stop him this time. He took hold of her shoulders and looked down at her intensely.

"I love you, Hermione. You are my best friend, but you're so much more than that. I love you more than just friends. You are the epitome of the perfect woman to me. You're beautiful and sweet, and a sexy tease without even trying. You're smart, you're funny, quite scary sometimes, but you always know just how to put me in my place. I've loved you since you were a little brat of a thing, telling me I had dirt on my nose." He cupped her cheek and wiped the tears that were still streaming down her face, but there was a small disbelieving smile on her lips, so he continued.

"I love you just the way you are, 'Mione, bushy hair and all." Ron smiled, twirling a strand of hair around his finger. "I don't ever want you to change."

Hermione then laughed, throwing her arms around his neck. "I love you too, Ron!" she exclaimed.

He pulled her closer and held her for a long time, trying to swallow the pressure that was gathering in his own eyes and the lump that was developing in his throat.

"But why are you still crying?" Ron chuckled as he pulled away and cupped her cheek once more.

"I don't know! I'm so happy! I don't know how or why you fell in love with some one like-"

Her words were suddenly cut short from Ron's fingers on her lips. Instantly, she felt shivers down her back as she locked eyes with his intense blue ones. He pulled her close again, but now he felt her face gently with both hands, slowly rubbing his thumb across her bottom lip before bringing his lips down over hers.

And then he kissed her, most reassuringly.

Fin

A/N: Just a little story idea I had. Wanted to share. Please review and let me know what you think. I'm always up for constructive criticism. RonHermione forever!