Disclaimer- I don't own the characters or the settings.

Chapter 8- Just Friends

(Hermione's point of view)

It's so nice to have a friend who cares. Even after a month went by after the accident, he still sticks around and we have a lot of fun together. Most people think that after what happened, we would be together, but no.

A/N- I know some of you are like "WHAT!"

Ron and I are not together. We might be someday, who knows? For now, I don't think I can start dating again. I will never forget what happened that day in St. Mungo's because it played a very big part in my life. I learned that friends will always be there for you, no matter what, even if they think of you as more than just friends.

"Hermione? What are two uses for the venom of a cober snake?" asked Ron. Ron, Harry, Ginny, and I were sitting in the Gryffindor common room couches in front of the fire.

"I think you mean the 'cobra', Ron," I replied. "The venom can be mixed with other chemicals to make medicine. Hunters use the venom in darts sometimes, too."

"Wow… I knew this Muggle Studies class would be hard! I shouldn't of let you drag us into it," said Harry as Ron wrote down the answer I had just given him.

"It can't be that hard," said Ginny.

"You don't take the class!" said Ron, scowling at her.

"Oh, stop whining, Ron! Not only does it look good on your permanent record, but you can learn a lot form this stuff!" I said.

Ron turned to scowl at me, so Ginny said, "She's got a point," only to make him turn back to scowl at her again. Ginny shrugged and went back to doing her homework.

"Hello, everyone," said a dreamy voice.

"Oh, hey, Luna," said Ron, not looking up from his homework. He was used to Luna's voice. They had been hanging out a lot since the accident because I refused to go out with anyone for a while.

"What's up?" I answered.

"Daddy got a new researcher for the Quibbler!" she said excitedly. "He's really great! He even invited me for supper during the summer so he can teach me some stuff about loads of both magical and Muggle creatures!"

"You could of just asked me, you know," I said in a falsely hurt voice.

"I know, but he's a real life professional researcher. No offence, Hermione," she added.

"It's okay," I said.

"Anyone who wants to can come with me," said Luna.

Harry and Ginny shook their heads no. "That's okay, Luna, I'll pass," said Harry.

"I'd love to go!" said Ron, looking up.

"Great, Ronald! It'll be so much fun!" Luna walked away.

"So…back to homework," Ginny tried to change the subject.

"I'll make you go, Ginny. I'll tell mum!" said Ron, slightly smirking.

"Ron! I already told her I wouldn't! I can't just go. Oh, Ron, you're so dumb! Well, you can't expect boys to know these things," she sighed. Gathering her things, she said, "If anyone needs me, I'll be in the library checking out a book about Blast-Ended Skewerts." She got up and left, muttering under her breath.

"I'll come with you," said Harry, getting up and following her.

Ron, who was sitting in front of me, got up and sat in the empty space next to me on the couch. After writing down two sentences, he dropped his quill, closed his inkbottle and pack it all in his bag. "I'm done!"

"Finally!" I had everything packed up already and was waiting patiently for him.

He ignored that comment. "Let's go meet Harry and Gin in the library."

"Okay." We walked out of the Gryffindor common room and down the hall.

"We've got time to kill," said Ron, going the long way. I followed him, not really caring.

We passed the Slytherin common room portrait, but Ron pretended not to notice. I knew he noticed, though, because he had a funny look on his face. I also pretended not to notice and quickly looked away.

"Well, look who we have here," said a cold voice.

I looked in front of me and saw Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy standing in between them. They were right in front of Ron and I.

"Taking Malfoy's place, now, are you?" said Ron.

"Of course not! Nobody could take his place," she replied with a sneer.

"Of course," I whispered. "He didn't deserve what happened." A tear ran down my face.

"Of course he didn't!" Pansy shot back at me. "He was one of the greatest wizards."

By then, I just couldn't take it anymore. Of course, I was crying hysterically. I ran away as fast as I could, ignoring Ron's cries of my name. I heard Ron's footsteps, so I figured he was following me, but that didn't matter. I just kept on running and flooding the floors with my tears until I reached the front doors. I swung them open and ran until I tripped and fell on my face.

Crying my eyes out, I heard Ron panting and struggling to reach me. Once he did, he crashed right next to me and gave me a tight hug. "Are you okay? He asked.

I nodded and clamed down a little. "It's just not fair," I said. "I loved him…and I still do. There was no reason for him to…to…to…"

"To pass on," Ron helped me out.

"Yes…that. I miss him so much."

"I think I understand how you feel."

"I doubt it."

"I know how it feels to love someone when they don't love you back."

"Huh?"

Ron sighed. "I've always loved you. But you never noticed until I told you."

"That's not true!"

"Yes, it is."

"Maybe a bit…"

"Maybe a lot."

"I love you."

"I…love you, too."

"Come on, let's go..."

"Are you gonna be okay?"

"Yeah, I think I will."

We got up slowly and, holding hands, walked back to the Gryffindor common room. There, sitting on the couch, was Ginny and Harry. They were reading a book together, probably the one on Blast-End Skewerts.

"Hello!" said Ginny, looking up from her book.

"Hi," Ron and I said together. We sat down next to them and helped them study.

The next morning, I woke up, changed into my school uniform and woke Ginny up. She groaned and went back to sleep, so I went to Harry and Ron's dorm and noticed Ron wasn't in his bed.

"Harry! Wake up!" I shook Harry from side to side until he woke up. "Get up!"

"What do you want?" he yawned.

"Come on! It's a brand new sun-shining day!"

"It's Sunday…let me sleep," he groaned. "Ron already tried to get me up and that didn't work."

"Fine…but do you know where he is?"

"He said something about going out to the castle grounds," he mumbled.

There was a little time of silence as I thought about what he might be doing. "He might be with Hagrid," I thought aloud. Harry snored.

I ran out the door and down the steps to the floor under me. I kept on going until I reached the front doors. I stepped outside and took in a breath of fresh air. I let it all out and walked to Hagrid's hut, knocking on the door.

"Hagrid! It's me, Hermione!" I called to him.

"Hol' yer horses, I'm cumin'!" He opened the door and smiled. "Hullo, Hermione! What can I do fer ya?"

"Is Ron here?" I said, peering into the hut.

"No, 'fraid not, but I did see 'im goin' further down through my window. Righ' next to the Forbidden Forest."

"Okay, thanks!" I ran off to find Ron.

I started to pant like a dog by the time I found the Forbidden Forest.

(Ron's point of view)

"Hello Ronald," said Luna's dreamy voice. She was leaning on the tree that we planed to meet at.

"Hey," I replied, walking toward her.

"I see you followed our plan."

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"

"Most people think I'm strange, so they don't like to be seen around me."

"I'm not 'most people', then."

"Guess not."

"Then…would that…make it okay for me to…kiss you?" I asked shyly.

"Yes, it would." Luna got up from leaning on the tree and leaned forward, closing her eyes and puckering up her lips.

I leaned in and kissed her. Apparently, she was thinking of a short kissing, because she tried to pull away soon after we started. I didn't let her go; as she moved back, to moved with her, causing her to put her arms around my shoulders.

I placed my hands around her waist as our kiss formed into a French kiss. I heard a scream of shock and opened my eyes to find Hermione standing in front of us.

"Oh, my," stated Luna.

'I should of known,' I thought to myself.

Hermione went crying off, but I didn't follow right away.

"Luna-" I started.

"I know…run off after her, go ahead. I know she's your friend, she's mine, too, but she's acting like a bit of a drama queen, now, isn't she?"

"You can't blame her! After what happened!"

"I know, but still. It was a month ago and if us being together bothers her, than either she has a very big problem, or she must like you a lot."

I thought about what Luna had just said. "You know, you're right…I bet she really like me," I grinned, happy at the though, but tried to hide my happiness when Luna glared at me.

"Look, if you don't want to be with me-"

"Of course I want to be with you!"

"If you don't want to be with me," she continued. "…you don't have to be. I don't want a relationship that's not going anywhere."

I seized the opportunity to show her that I love her. I leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips. Luna smiled and whispered, "Maybe you should go follow her," in a slightly regretful voice.

"Maybe I should," I whispered back. With one last kiss on the cheek, I left to find Hermione.

To make up for the last chapter, I made this one 3 pages longer than the normal size that I normally write. It may not seem like it, but it's true.