Chapter 9: Perfect

"Ron, listen, I only kissed Hermione because I knew that if you kissed her then she'd know," Harry said.

"Harry, Hermione hates me! She knows now I like her and I know that she doesn't feel the same way," Ron said, not looking up from the ground.

What had gone wrong? Harry knew Hermione liked Ron! He could just tell, but why did she just flee like that?

"Now we both know that Hermione loves you and you love her."

"What! Ron, you're such a prat! Just because Hermione may not have the EXACT same feeling for you as you do for her doesn't mean that she doesn't still love you!"

"She loves me as a friend, a brother!"

Frustration grew. Ron stood up and grabbed Harry by the shoulders and started to shake him.

"Don't you think I have enough siblings? I don't need or want another!"

"SHUT UP!"

Harry drew himself from Ron and paced around the room. Ron stood there, trying to understand why Harry just blew up.

"You're not the only one who can't have the girl you want, Ron!" Harry said, stopping.

"That's just it Harry! You can. Hermi…"

"I don't want Hermione!"

Harry turned his direction towards Ron.

"I love your sister! But it won't work."

"Why? She loves you too," Ron said.

He was so foolish. How could he have forgotten Ginny! Harry loved her. He even said and obviously Ginny loved him too. How could he have thought that Hermione and Harry could be together!

"No, I've lost too many people I love! I'm not going to lose her!"

"Harry, just stop thinking so into this. Ginny is a big girl. Harry you're the only one that could make my sister happy. She's the only one that can make you whole!"

"Don't even talk about thinking too far into this! You made me slave over a bloody caldron for…"

"Nothing."

Before Harry could reply the door open for the Common Room. Hermione came in shaking her head. She walked right up to Ron.

"Something went wrong. Something went wrong," she repeated. "Something I have to try and fix."

Hermione leaned up and kissed Ron on the lips. DIFFERENT! For the both of them. The kiss wasn't like kissing a sibling or a friend, but like sharing a kiss with the person you love. Their stomachs fluttered. Then Hermione pulled away.

"Why was that so different!" she said to herself then looked up at Ron. "The first kiss between us was…"

"Wasn't between us."

Hermione stared at Ron which persisted him to continue.

"Harry and I traded bodies. We used the Polyjuice Potion."

"Ron, how could you?"

"Hermione, listen, I only switched with Harry to see if you liked him."

"Oh course I don't like Harry, not as more then a friend. Anyways Harry loves Ginny."

"I somewhat forgot that. Hermione, please don't be mad. Remember I might have traded bodies but I never traded hearts. I still like you."

"That's what I was afraid of."

Hermione stumbled off on her own pass Ron. Ron didn't know what to say. If she was afraid of him liking her then why did she care so much about the kiss. Ron and Hermione turned then saw Ginny walk down the steps.

"Hey, Hermione, Ron…Harry," she said.

Harry clinched his eyes shut as tight as he could.

"Harry James Potter, stop fighting it!" Hermione yelled. "Talk to her."

"STOP TALKING ABOUT ME LIKE I'M NOT IN THE ROOM!" Ginny yelled.

"YOU TOO!" Ron scolded.

Ginny sighed.

"Harry," she said plainly.

"No, Ginny, you don't understand!"

Enough. It was done. Ginny could take it anymore!

"Stop trying to fight…"

"I'm not fighting! Do you want me to say it Ginny! I love you! Are you happy. I love you and I want to be with you. I never wanted to end it between us! Yes, it was for a stupid noble reason! But why is it so bad to want to keep you safe!"

"Harry, you're being selfish!"

That phrase made everyone in the room throw shocking glances at her.

"You're being selfish to me and to yourself. I want to be with you. By you trying to prevent it and stop me from getting hurt, when I can clearly care for myself, you're being selfish."

"I was…"

Ginny put her finger on his lips.

"You were only trying to keep me safe. I know, you know, everyone knows! So, I'm going you a choice! You can break both of our hearts and leave me or you can keep us both safe and love me the way I love you."

"I do lov…"

"Pick."

Harry turned away from Ginny. He had to decide between her safety and their happiness.

"Good-bye, Ginny."

Then he turned. She just stared at him. Ginny nodded and turned around. She made her way towards the steps very slowly. Hermione and Ron ran towards Harry but…

"NO!"

Ginny pulled herself around. She rushed Harry. Before he knew it Hermione and Ron were pushed out of the way and Ginny grabbed the back of his head and kissed him. Hard, fast, but she kissed him. Then after weeks, months, of waiting he kissed her back. Before he had time to think she pulled away.

"I'm not going to let you leave. This isn't a mistake. I know you may think so but when two people are in love you don't just forget about it! Look at Hermione and Ron, they are eachothers' opposite, they fight nonstop, but they are perfect. A little barrier like what is happening won't stop us Harry!"

Ginny finally kicked some sense into the boy.

"I'm a big girl. I love you and I can take care of myself. I'm not going to let you slip away."

"Gin, I love you too, and you're right. By preventing everything between us it didn't only kill me inside, but you too. I'm glad I know now that you'll fight back when I'm trying so hard to pull away."

Ginny nodded and grabbed Harry's hand. They left the Common Room and then it was quiet until Hermione laughed.

"Ginny thinks we're perfect."

"Yeah… Hermione, why are you afraid of my liking you."

Hermione shut her eyes then sat down on the couch. She couldn't look at him.

"Ron, it's because maybe I like you as more."

Ron sat beside her on the couch. He pulled her sight to only on him. He was so stupid. To think that she could have liked Harry. Ron could just see in her eyes who her heart belonged to.

"I've always loved you too. I didn't think you did, but now I know."

"Ron, oh course I did! I liked you ever since fourth year."

"Really? For me it was fifth. Although I could tell something was there since third though."

They both laugh.

"Maybe sometimes you don't have to trade bodies with your best friend just to see if the girl who likes you likes you back," Ron admitted.

"Not unless the girl you like is your best friend. I'd say that was a good decision."

Ron smiled at Hermione and she smiled right back. Ron grabbed her hand. They walked in the direction of the portrait hole and right though it. Once Hermione's feet were on the ground and Ron's was making his way though the door Hermione said, "Why didn't you just ask me though?"

Ron swiftly looked around, "Er- long story…"

The End