Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Ron opened one eye. He could swear that he had fallen asleep with his arm around Hermione, but it couldn't be true. It had to have been a dream. He opened his other eye and looked to his right. There was Hermione, as beautiful as ever, leaning against him. His arm had fallen fast asleep by now, but he was still afraid to move it. He heard a rustle coming from the tent he shared with Harry, and practicality made him move it quickly. He shook it out, but only about half the numbness went away. It was good enough for the moment. He nudged Hermione gently.
"'Mione, Mione, wake up," whispered Ron into her ear. He was a smile play upon Hermione's lips, but she didn't wake up. She looks so peaceful and beautiful…I wish I could kiss her, thought Ron. He looked around, then looked back upon Hermione's sleeping face. He couldn't resist anymore. He bent down and brushed his lips against her left cheek ever so slightly. As he lifted his head he saw Hermione's eyes flutter and she began to sit up. She looked up at Ron and smiled, sleep still showing in her eyes.
"Were we out here all night?" she asked quietly. Ron nodded.
"I didn't want to wake you, you looked so peaceful, so I just fell asleep here, too," replied Ron.
Hermione laid her head back onto Ron's shoulder. "Thanks for being so concerned," mumbled Hermione. She signed deeply, and the hairs on the back of Ron's neck stood on end. What is she still doing here? Does she? Is it possible that she might feel the same way? Nah, that would be a dream come true.
"I supposed we should get up before Ginny or Harry finds us like this," said Hermione.
"Yeah, it would be another story for Ginny to tell," chuckled Ron. Hermione got up off of the bench, and Ron suddenly felt cold without the heat of Hermione's body next to his. He watched Hermione put another long on the fire and stoke it in preparation for breakfast.
"I'll be right back, I'm just going to change," said Hermione quietly. She ducked into her tent. Ron decided that he should do the same, and entered his tent quietly, not wanting to wake Harry. It was too late. Harry was wide-eyed and sitting on his sleeping bag as Ron entered the tent. Ron did not like the look of the smile on his face.
"So, why didn't you come in last night?" asked Harry wryly. Ron could see that this was not going to be fun for him, but it was going to be loads of fun for Harry.
"Hermione fell asleep outside last night, and I didn't want to wake her, so I stayed out there with her," replied Ron, trying to sound as casual as possible.
"Why couldn't you have just put a blanket over her or something? And why are you shaking your arm like that?" asked Harry. Ron didn't realize that he was still shaking out the arm that had fallen asleep.
"I still didn't want to leave her out there alone, and I guess my arm just fell asleep."
"Ron, I saw the two of you. If I were in the same position with the girl that I liked, I wouldn't have moved either," said Harry. Ron turned bright red.
"What are you talking about?" Ron said, again trying to sound casual, but the tremor in his voice gave him away.
"Oh, c'mon mate. I've known that you like her since fourth year. She doesn't seem too put off by you, either, why don't you do something about it?"
Ron stared at Harry with his mouth hanging open. How could he have known? Was I that obvious? Ron thought back to his actions fourth year. Yes, yes I was that obvious. I should be glad that Hermione hasn't said anything yet. Not wanting to be the center of attention, Ron threw the question back at Harry.
"Well, why don't you do anything about your feelings for Ginny?" he spat out. Harry turned pink, but as quickly as it came, it went. Merlin, I wish my face would do that, thought Ron.
"Maybe because I want to LIVE!" said Harry. A wry smile spread across his face. "But, since you seem so keen on me telling her, maybe I should."
"Hey, watch it. Just because I noticed doesn't mean you can go and snog my baby sister," warned Ron.
"Well you have proven yourself why I can't tell Ginny. Now, I'm still waiting for a good reason for you to not tell Hermione."
"And you all think that I'm dense! I can't tell her, because what if she doesn't feel the same way! I'm not willing to risk our easy-going relationship with awkwardness like that!" exclaimed Ron, pacing around the tent.
"But from what it looked like last night, I don't think you'd have anything to worry about," replied Harry.
"What are you saying?" asked Ron, staring at Harry with narrow eyes.
"Well, she looked pretty comfortable in your arms last night. And I don't think that you have the guts to initiate something like that," replied Harry.
Ron scowled, but didn't say anything. Suddenly the boys heard a burst of giggles coming from the girls' tent. Ron and Harry left their tent and sat around the fire, eating some cereal. The girls came out, huge smiles on their faces. Hermione's eyes met Ron's and she blushed. She quickly turned around and busied herself getting her own breakfast. Ginny promptly sat down next to Harry, a little too close for Ron's comfort. Ron thought about what Harry had said to him before and decided to keep his scowls to himself.
"So, I was thinking that I'd go for a brisk fly this morning," said Ginny. "I'm sorry, Hermione, I know you don't fly well, I hope that you don't mind."
"Oh, not at all Ginny," said Hermione.
"Anyone want to join me?" offered Ginny.
"Sure, I'll come along. I could use a good fly," said Harry. The two got up and went for their brooms. Hermione finished getting her cereal and sat down next to Ron. She smiled shyly at him.
"Aren't you going to go?" she asked quietly.
"No, I'd rather stay here today," said Ron, not elaborating why he'd rather stay at the campsite rather than go flying.
"Well, I was wondering if maybe you'd be willing to give me a small flying lesson? You know, to make sure that I don't' forget anything that you've already taught me," said Hermione shyly, a small smile on her face. She was still averting her eyes from Ron's.
"Sure, that's a great idea!" said Ron. Right after he said it, he wondered if he had sounded too eager. Thankfully, Hermione didn't seem to notice. Ron went to get the brooms.
"Hey 'Mione, did you bring a broom with you?" asked Ron, only finding one left.
"No, I didn't think we'd have a flying lesson," Hermione called back. Ron felt slightly giddy. She would have to ride with him again.
"Well, I think then we should do what we did the first time we flew. I'll sit in the back, and you'll sit in the front and do all the legwork. I'll just be there in case you lose your head," he jibed, grinning at Hermione. Unless I lose my head first from being so close to you, Ron thought to himself as he smiled. He figured that if he looked confident and normal on the outside, that's how he would eventually feel on the inside.
"Sounds perfect," smiled Hermione, uncharacteristically ignoring the jibe Ron made. He thought it was odd. Normally she might have taken it the wrong way and scoff at Ron, or else she would have joined in and retorted back.
Ron mounted the broom and felt a tingle as Hermione got on the broom in front of him, and his heart skipped a beat as he put his arms around her waist so he could hang on. "On the count of…" Ron was cut off as Hermione led the broom into the air with ease. She zoomed higher and higher at a much faster pace than Ron had imagined she would, but Hermione didn't seem worried at all.
"Woohoo!" shouted Hermione as they flew through the air, the wind in their faces.
"Since when do you fly like this?" asked Ron, awestruck.
"I've been practicing at night," said Hermione, looking back and smiling at Ron. Is she blushing, or are her cheeks just red from the wind? wondered Ron as they soared through the air.
"Look out!" shouted Ron as he looked beyond Hermione's face. Hermione expertly maneuvered the broom between two branches of a tree. Ron had to bend down in order to not get hit.
"Just imagine if you had tried flying earlier. You'd probably be on the house Quidditch team!" shouted Ron above the noise of the wind in their ears.
"I never had a reason to learn before," Hermione shouted back.
"What do you mean?" asked Ron, but his question died with the wind and he never got an answer.
"Hey Harry! Look who I found!" Ron turned his head to see Ginny flying to his left. Beyond Ginny flew Harry, who winked at Ron and gave him a big grin. For the amount of time they had been gone, Ginny and Harry weren't very far. Ron didn't want to think about what may have held them up.
The four turned around and flew back to the campsite and landed. Ron dismounted the broom reluctantly, wanting to stay on the broom holding Hermione. He wasn't about to let Hermione suspect anything, though, so he let go. Ron looked up and saw Hermione smiling at him, her face flushed and her hair windswept. Is she ever not beautiful? Ron asked himself. He shook his head to clear it of those thoughts, then said out loud, "So, what's for lunch?"
A/N: Sorry, I know this is a shorter chapter, but I like it all the same. The writing's not coming as easily as before, so please bear with me!