What Could Have Been

What if Ron and Hermione hadn't fallen out? What if they'd gone to Slughorn's party together? And what would happen after that? Hould Harry react? At the moment I have no idea how long this is going to be. Set in sixth year, of course. And it's sort of written around what actually happens, but obviously ignoring bits like the RonandLavender ones.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

The room was dark, hot and uncomfortable to be walking around in. Harry finished off a glass of ordinary water and wiped his forehead. Luna was happily chatting to someone, but Harry didn't really know who.

They were at Slughorn's Christmas party.

Harry wanted to find Ron and Hermione. He wanted to leave, but Luna seemed intent on staying. His two friends had gone off to find the drinks table. Harry still wasn't sure how he felt about them coming together - even though they had assured him they had only come as friends. He believed them, although he was scared that something else might happen. There was a lot of alcohol ...

He spotted Hermione with her back to him, a drink in her hand. She looked as though she was talking to someone - the red hair he could just see told him it was Ron. He smiled.

"Luna, I'm just going to see Ron and Hermione. Are you coming?"

"Oh, yes, OK! I haven't spoken to Ronald for a while. He's very funny, isn't he?"

Harry didn't reply as he weaved his way between people talking, trying to keep at least one eye on Ron and Hermione. As he drew nearer, he could see that Ron was also holding a drink. For two people talking, they weren't using body language as much as they should be. Harry instantly felt really strange for noticing something like this, but didn't care, because suddenly he saw that Hermione had a hand on her shoulder. It was Ron's.

When he was within five metres of them, something made him freeze in shock. However hot the cramped room was, he felt cold. He hoped Luna hadn't spotted it, too.

"Look!"

She had. Harry felt dizzy and had to take several deep breaths.

"Is that Ronald - and Hermione?"

Harry tried to say 'yes', but the word stuck in his throat. He nodded, coughing slightly.

"But - they're kissing!" Luna giggled, pointing at them.

"I know."

It had taken Harry a moment or two longer than it should have done to realise this - it wasn't very light, after all -but they were.

Harry was jostled by people pushing past him. He moved slowly to the side beside the drinks table. He looked at Ron and Hermione's drinks - both of them half-empty, they were held, forgotten, by ther sides.

Luna followed him. She seemed concerned. She'd obviously seen the expression on Harry's face.

"You don't want them to do it, do you?" she said. It would have been quiet, only the music made it impossible to whisper anything.

Harry wasn't sure. If that was what they wanted to do, then he was happy for them. But ... he'd thought over the possibilities before. He was worried about his future as their friend - or their future as friends if anything happened to them ...

They broke apart, and simply stared at each other. Harry hoped they hadn't seen him standing there ... he gently set his glass on the table, all the while wondering whether he should make his presence known to them. Didn't they have the right to know they were being watched?

'They should already know they were being watched,' he thought irritably, 'It's not like they were in an empty room or anything.'

Without thinking, he cleared his throat.

Ron and Hermione's heads both jerked round to look at him. He couldn't see their expressions very well, but he could tell how they were feeling - they both slowly realised Harry had seen what they had just done, and they were embarrassed.

"Hi Harry," Ron said, his tone nervous.

Hermione nodded. She didn't say anything, but walked over to Harry. Ron followed suit.

Harry wasn't sure what he should say. Or if he should say anything. He avoided all four eyes, uncomfortably aware of the fact that Luna was still beside him.

"I think I'll go," she said. She quickly walked off. Harry felt a bit guilty - Luna must feel like she wasn't wanted, or something.

They sat in silence for a few minutes. The music pounded on.

"What did you see?" Hermione eventually asked.

There was no need to lie. Harry opened his mouth and carefully considered what he was going to say before saying it.

"I saw - you two - you were, um - kissing."

Ron and Hermione glanced at each other.

"What happened?" Harry asked them.

"Well - you see," Hermione began, "I don't know, it's just - well - we were talking about - about Viktor, and -well - you know how that goes, and -"

This didn't sound right at all, and Harry knew Hermione wasn't up to telling him right now.All he knew was that his best friends had kissed.

"But - did it mean - anything?"

There was another silence. Ron and Hermione looked at each other again.

"Yes," they said together, then blushed, although it was hard to see under the light.

I couldn't think of anything else to put in this chapter because I'm tired. So I'll carry on properly next chapter. Please tell me whether this is worth continuing!