It was later that night. Ron hadn't been able to face his two friends yet. He was sorry and so was Harry; they both knew the other wanted to apologize but the two of them were too stubborn to actually muster up courage and so they all remained in the sorry state they were in.
Talk to her.
No.
Say something. Anything.
No.
Tell her you love her.
NO! Not happening.
But it's true…
Look. I don't need bloody idiots talking inside my head. Aka YOU!.
I'm serious about this.
So am I.
Alright then, I'll leave. We'll see how well you do by yourself then. Without me, your conscience…
Good. Now just LEAVE ME ALONE.
vanish
Great. Now everyone's mad at me…
The trio was in the common room. Hermione was reading (typical), Harry was polishing his Firebolt (also typical), and Ron was…well, doing nothing. Being Ron.
Totally typical.
Harry finally threw his stuff down. "Dang it, I can't stand it. Ron, I'm sorry I was in that fight with you and for everything I said. I didn't mean it. Happy?" Harry meant it, but he wasn't necessarily asking Ron if he was happy. More like if everyone was happy, if he himself (Harry) was happy. He hadn't been happy ever since he discovered he…well, never mind.
"Oh, and Hermione?" Hermione looked up inquisitively. "I'm sorry, but I don't love you," Harry added, grinning widely. Hermione returned the smile, then dove back into her book. Harry resumed polishing, eyeing Ron out of the corner of his eye.
Say you're sorry too.
AREN'T YOU SUPPOSED TO BE GONE?
Auto-reply: I'm not here right now because if I was Ron's unsmart side would kill me, so please ignore that former comment and all other wisecracks that may be directed at Ron's not smart, insensitive, idiotic, selfish side. :)
Thank y—hey!
(told you that side wasn't smart…)
Stop it! Wait, what started this whole argument?
(there's the proof of it…)
GO. AWAY. RIGHT. NOW.
Auto-reply: I'm not here right now because if I was—
I get it.
Ron sighed. "I'm sorry too. For…everything." Hermione glanced up. "That's meant for you, too." Ron added quickly.
Harry grinned. "Did you finish that Transfiguration project?" Ron smiled too as he shook his head.
"Me neither. Let's work on it, mate!"
Ron consented by saying, "How about if I get beaten up by my former best friend?"
"Awesome. I'll be murdered by a backstabber…" They went on and on.
Hermione looked up at them both. Why can't I talk to him like that…
You can. Nobody's stopping you.
Oh, stop it. You know very well that I'm too shy.
Yes…but one day he might be snatched up right before your eyes and then who's fault will that be?
Mine…I know, I know…
Tell Harry. He could help you out with it.
With what? Me and Ron?
Yeah.
Do you really think he'll be able to help?
He's still your best friend and deserves to know.
True…all right.
"Harry? Can I talk to you real quick?" Hermione blurted out randomly. Harry looked at her.
"Um…sure…"
"It's about…um…that Transfiguration essay…" Hermione provided lamely at Ron's inquisitive gaze. "I…I know you'll just tell Ron afterwards so it doesn't matter…"
"Then why not just tell both of us?" Ron asked fiercely.
Ron, don't you realize I'm trying to tell Harry I love you?
…No. I suppose you don't.
"Well, it's about who Harry likes, too…"
Ron jerked his head up at Harry. "Who do you like, mate?" Ron demanded. Harry blushed.
How did Hermione find out who I like? I haven't told anyone…
"We'll be back real quick, Ron. I promise."
Hermione dragged Harry out of the common room into the hall and then into a deserted classroom.
"I have a proposition for you…" Hermione began.
