Disclaimer - I regret to inform you that I own nothing. :P Other than the ipod I bought yesterday, but I love it too much to give it up.

Chapter Two: Longing

Her tears finally stopped. The staircase held her constant gaze. There was no sign of him. How could he just leave? Resigned to believe the worst, she stood erectly, and walked toward the girls' dormitory staircase.

She made her way up, her hand carelessly slid up the smooth wood. Before she had time to gather her thoughts she was at the top. She looked down wistfully…hoping that by mere chance he had come back, but it was not so. A sob again rose up inside of her to be stifled.

In her mind, she knew she had to forget about him. Doing so would be difficult, but necessary. Resolved to do the most difficult thing imaginable, she cast off her clothes, and donned her pajamas.

She crawled under the covers, and decided to do her best to not dream of him. It was not an easy task.


He determinedly moved down the staircase. If she was still at the bottom, he had a chance. If not, he'd forget his feelings. Hoping, he reached the bottom. There was no sign of her. A long sigh escaped, as tears silently rolled out of his eyes down his cheeks.

She didn't care for him.

He raced up the staircase, grabbed the nearest book and hurled it at the wall.

Unable to stand any longer, he sat down on the bed. Tears glistened in his deep blue eyes. He knew he shouldn't have kissed her…he shouldn't have held her…he shouldn't have done a damn thing.

She was Hermione. He was Ron. They were friends. Just friends.

He twitched, and his eyes immediately found her picture on his nightstand. She was laughing and there was that unmistakable sparkle in her eye. He remembered that day…

Hermione laughed as Ron chased her. He finally caught up with her and tackled her to the ground. She looked into his eyes, the sparkle in hers because of him. The usual lopsided grin formed on his face. He pulled out the camera that Ginny gave him for his birthday.

"What are you doing, Ron?"

"Holding you down, o' course, and now I will take a picture."

That he did.

"Why are you still holding me down?"

"Because I can."

"Oh, really? I could beat you any day Ronald."

"I doubt it."

She jumped up, reversing the tackle.

"Hey!" he yelled.

"Oh, what's the matter, Ronniekins?"

"Girls aren't supposed to beat up boys."

"Well, you'll soon find out that I'm not you're average girl."

"I already knew that."

Several minutes passed and the pair simply stared into each other's eyes.

"I give up."

"Already?" questioned the girl.

He nodded, and she got up.

"I'm tired."

"Why?"

"I just am," he replied as he lie down and shut his eyes.

She lay next to him, and landed on his arm.

He pulled her into his arms.

She dared a glance at him. Eyes shut. She suspected he was asleep and did the same herself.

He woke up an hour later to find the girl of his dreams, literally in his arms. In a panicked state, he jumped up and moved himself a safe distance away.

She woke up.

…the day he realized she could never be his.


"I love you Hermione," he lovingly declares, "I can't imagine the rest of my life without you. Will you marry me?"

"Oh, yes!" she shouts, closes her eyes, and leans in to kiss him. Moments later, she pulls away and opens her eyes, expecting to see shockingly red hair, but instead she saw the glaring darkness of her four-poster dormitory.

It had only been a dream. A dream that had ended all too soon. Frustration ran ramped through her veins as she let out a groan of despair.

It wasn't fair…the dream, it had felt so real. She had had dreams of him before, but never anything like this. This dream felt like reality.

Thoroughly disgruntled and unable to sleep, she got out of bed. She went down the stairs, and out the Fat Lady to the infamous fruit portrait and finally, into the kitchens.


His eyes were firmly shut, yet sleep was distant. As he lay there with his eyes closed all he saw was Hermione, as they held each other.

Ok, Ron, think something else…think Quidditch. Ok, here comes the Quaffle. It looks like it's going left, but I think I should go right. Right it is…yes, I caught the Quaffle. We've won the House Cup, there's Hermione in the stands…

He groaned. I can't get her out of my head.

Finally giving up, he gave into his grumbling stomach and headed down to the kitchen.


AN: Now comes the time when I thank the spectacular people who reviewed me:

Invaderk - I thank you for your review. I'm pleased that you found chapter one nifty, and hope you find this one nifty as well. Thanks a million!

Kate - Dude, you have another e-mail? Weirdness! Anyway, I thank you for your review. It was simply lovely. Rather smashing. Stupendous. Continue with this habit. I set you free upon thefan fictionworld.

If you want me to personally thank you in a chappie, then you MUST review. Please. I'll give cookies.