Chapter 7: Jealousy

The next day, Hermione handed me a sheet of paper at lunch. I gave her a questioning look.

"Put it away and read it later."

I nodded my head while putting it in my pocket, and then I glanced at Ron. He was switching his glances from Hermione to me, as he caught my stare he made sure to glare. I smirked knowingly. He is so jealous. Hermione smiled unknowingly, but I know that she gave me the paper now to see how he would react. I would have done the same thing if I was her.

That's when I started thinking. Yes, thinking. It sounded ridiculous even in my head. Anyway, I figure that while Ginny is with Harry, the least I could do is try to get the two lovebirds across the table to finally do something about it. First act: Jealousy.

I brushed my leg against Ron's. Yes, Ron's. He looked up, startled. "Oh I'm sorry I thought that was Hermione's leg." I winked at her, and she giggled, realizing what was going on.

"It's okay." Then, he went back to eating. He is really, really thick! I could tell the realization had dawned on him as he turned very red in the ears. He tried to act like nothing was wrong, but I could see otherwise. I need to go a step further…

"Do you want to come sit by me Hermione?" She blushed and nodded before sliding her plate across the table and walking around it. She sat down next to me, and I noticed that she was rather close. I turned to whisper in her ear.

"He is really jealous. How do you want this to go?"

She thought for a moment before saying "As close as you want." I knew why she had said this. To me it meant: However long you want to do this or, until he cracks. To him it meant: I'll be all over you if you just give me the okay. I smiled in understanding before pulling her onto my lap.

She giggled again causing Ron's whole face to turn red, so he concentrated on eating until he thought the color had died down. I placed one arm around her back, putting my hand on her waist, while I put my other hand on her upper-leg, which did not go unnoticed by Ron. He choked on his pumpkin juice.

"You okay there, Ron?" I asked, innocently.

"Yeah, it umm…I've got to finish up some Charms homework before class starts. I'll uh see you guys later."

"Wait, I'll help you. Just give me a second. I'll meet you in the Common Room in five minutes." He nodded before quickly walking away.

And as I knew he would, he turned around right before the doors and looked at her. Taking my chance at jealousy, I kissed her. He watched for a moment before running out the doors. Even though she wasn't kissing back, no one could tell by the way I was kissing her. I figured she was saving her first kiss for someone special, someone like Ron.

I pulled away once he was out the door. "Thanks." She whispered before slipping out of my lap, and heading out the door.

Suddenly, a wave of guilt washed over me. What if that ruins their chances of ever getting together? A second after that thought ran through my head, I knew I had to talk to him later.

I walked into the Common Room after my last class, and spotted Ron in an armchair in the corner, by himself. I saw my chance. I sat down in a chair next to him. He looked up, glared, and went back to reading a quidditch magazine.

"Look, I didn't realize until after that you might have er- feelings for Hermione, and uh I just wanted you to know that if you do I'll back off completely and let you have her."

H continued scanning the page, though I know he was thinking of the consequences. If he said yes, that he wanted me to back off, I could easily tell her that he liked her, which apparently he didn't want to happen. If he said no, it would be bad for all three of us, though he didn't know that. I didn't think he'd say no, because then he'd be giving me the right to flirt and date Hermione. Then, he spoke. "You can't tell anyone, especially not her."

Like the rest of the world doesn't already know! "I promise."

He sighed and threw down his magazine. "Yeah, I do like her, and I'd appreciate it if you did kind of leave her alone. Not that you can't be friends or anything," Like he could stop me, "I just – uh- I don't know."

"It's okay, dude. You can have her, I think she has a thing for you, anyway."

He grinned. "Really?"

"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't meant it, but, you should ask her out now. Since I've been here I have seen a lot of interested male glances at her, if you know what I mean."

He nodded. "Thanks Ian. You know, you're actually a pretty cool guy."

"Trust me, I know." I laughed to let him know I was joking. Honestly, I'm not that caught up in myself!

He laughed too. I put my hands in my pockets. I felt my fingers graze a piece of parchment. Remember the one Hermione gave me, I thought up an excuse to leave.

"I would stay and chat, but I'm tired, so see you tomorrow!" I headed up the stairs as he called out a 'night' after me.

I jumped onto my bed, pulling it out of my pocket. I unfolded it, and smoothed out its creases before I began reading.

A/N: Honestly, is this story really that bad? One review? But still, if one person enjoyed the story I musn't quit now and ruin their good spirits. By the way, thank you Perkey Terkey for the review. It was the only thing that made me continue! If you are reading the story, and haven't reviewed, please do so that I know the story is enjoyed by others. Thanks! R/R!