Chapter 1

Ron sat nervously in the deserted common room, waiting for Hermione. His hands were sweaty and his legs were shaking violently. He took deep breaths to calm himself but nothing seemed to be working. He didn't think he should be nervous, he was only going to tell Hermione exactly how he felt about her. What's the worst the could happen?

Well she could not feel the same way. But still, she couldn't be repulsed by him, after all they were best friends. Ever since his first year he had a crush on her but he would never admit to liking her then. They hated each other while for a while but the moment they became friends he saw something different in her. After time, it became more obvious to everyone, well almost everyone that Ron liked her. Harry was too busy being wrapped up in his own feelings between Hermione and Cho to notice.

Ron was wrapped up in his own thoughts when the portrait hole swung open. Hermione came bursting through the door in one of her sour moods but that didn't stop Ron from approaching her. She passed by Ron without acknowledging him at all. He ran in front of her to try and cut her off but Hermione was determined to get to her dormitory without talking to Ron. He would not let her pass so she found a chair and sat down.

"Ron, what do you want?" She said testily but Ron could not speak. He opened his mouth and looked at Hermione. Frustrated, Hermione stood up, placing her hands on her hips. "I'm really tired, can we talk later?" That was her way of saying she was not in a good mood. As she headed to her dormitory Ron once again got in her way.

"Really Ron what is so important that you insist on keeping me here. I am tired, let me rest and then we can talk."

"I love you." Ron blurted it out quickly. He wasn't sure if she had heard him in the first place. After hearing this, the prospect of a nap now sounded unappealing. Ron's heart had now leaped into his throat and he felt like he had a huge knot in his stomach. There was a strange silence between the two of them. Ron was even more nervous than he was before. The atmosphere was extremely tense as Ron waited for her to answer him.

"I love you." He spoke again, slower this time. He said it with the passion he wanted to say in the first place. Well the deed is done now. Ron thought to himself as he looked into Hermione's eyes. He smiled just a bit but it soon disappeared as the silence continued.

"What?" Hermione said after the long, unbearable silence. She made her way over to one of the chairs. She felt as if she was going to faint.

"I said -" Hermione cut him off.

"I know what you said. I just can't believe it. I never… I always thought…" Hermione was stuttering through her words. She could not seem to say what she wanted. "I never knew you felt this…" Hermione searched for the right word. It was clear that Ron always cared about her, he just had a strange way of showing it. "… strongly."

"I… I always thought that… that it was obvious." Ron said slowly, now shocked himself. There was a hint, well more like a tidal wave of disappointment in his voice. "I have always loved you. I just… well… I was afraid… that you wouldn't… well…" Ron was stumbling all over his words, knowing his worst fears had come true. Hermione did not love him.

"Ron, it's not like I don't care for you. I love you Ron as a friend." Ron was completely silent. He had just made the biggest mistake of his life. He was embarrassed that he had said anything at all. But he should have realized that she would not feel this way about him. After all… a horrible thought came to mind and Ron knew he might regret asking this question but he had to know.

"Do you love someone else?" He asked quietly, hoping Hermione would say no. but she couldn't say anything but nod her head slowly. "Harry." He whispered. Hermione nodded her head again. Anger began to build up inside of him. He felt like a brick had just hit him in the face.

"Why does Harry always get everything?" He said, his voice growing louder.

"Ron,"

"Don't." He said putting his hand up for Hermione not to speak. "Some best friend."

"It's not like he controlled how I felt about him."

"It wouldn't surprise me." Ron said bitterly.

"Don't talk like that."

"Why not? Harry gets everything. He is Quidditch Captain, he is always the hero. He is even better at school than me. I am just the lame sidekick."

"Ron don't say those things." Hermione said putting her hand on his shoulder.
"It doesn't matter. I should have realized you would fall for the hero. No one loves a sidekick." He was about to walk away but Hermione grabbed his arm, not wanting him to leave on such an ugly note.

"Ron, calm down. You are over-reacting. No one thinks of you as the side kick."

"You now think I'm over-reacting? I've waited years to tell you how I really feel and you just sit there acting like it's not big deal!" His anger at Harry was stirring inside of him so much that his face was now turning a similar shade to his ginger hair.

"Why do you always have to yell?"

"I'm hardly yelling Hermione. And how would you feel if you finally plucked up the courage to tell Harry that you loved him and he told you that he would rather just be friends? You'd probably want to yell and scream because then you wouldn't feel your heart breaking in two."

"You are so melodramatic Ron." Hermione said as Ron's attiude was beginning to get on her nerves. "You aren't the only one who has experienced pain."

"It was a mistake to tell you anything."

"Finally we agree on something." Ron looked at Hermione, even more hurt than he was before.

"Well, if you can't stand me that much, you can just leave." Ron said the words quietly as if letting their poison chill the air.

"I never said that!"

"You implied it!"

"Fine! I'll leave then." Hermione threw her book bag down and left.