Chapter 7 – The Three Broomsticks

A/N: Some info about this alternate universe; Hogwarts students in 5th year or higher are allowed to visit Hogsmeade at any given weekend they choose to go! 3rd and 4th years are the only ones who need to wait for a dedicated "Hogsmeade weekend" in order to be able to go!

Ron and Hermione spent nearly an hour together in the Gryffindor common room after they had already finished eating breakfast. They spent that hour, unlike many, with Ron teaching Hermione defensive spells, Hermione catching Ron up on Charms and the two of them reminiscing over their first year at Hogwarts.

"Gosh I was so nervous! Weren't you?" asked Hermione, concerning the Sorting.

"Well, yeah," said Ron. "My entire family had been in Gryffindor, imagine if they had chucked me elsewhere! I was dreading it! But you would've been fine. It would have been Ravenclaw or Gryffindor for you, wouldn't it?"

"Yes," said Hermione. "The Sorting Hat did consider putting me in Ravenclaw, but he ultimately —" Hermione hesitated.

"I promise, I won't laugh," said Ron, giving her a warm and sincere smile, and she knew he meant it.

"Well," continued Hermione. "It ultimately decided that 'my courage' outweighs 'my finesse' and put me in Gryffindor."

"I s'pose that makes sense," said Ron. "You're brilliant, simply put. But you also don't shy away from doing what's necessary and well…your brains help you with spells and all. Basically the w—"

Ron was about to say "the whole package", but realized it may be a bit too forward. Hermione blushed nonetheless.

"Not as brave as you," said Hermione, shaking her head whilst smiling at Ron. "I mean, you sacrificed yourself for Harry and I in the same year. I could never have done that." Hermione looked at Ron with such tenderness and admiration, as if she had just kissed him. This time, Ron blushed, including the tips of his ears.

"Well…maybe I'm a bit…, I s'pose," said Ron awkwardly and silently, looking at his shoes.

Ron looked up into Hermione's brown eyes, where they met his blue ones. A soft smiled was still spread across her face.

This woman is a bloody Veela…that smile…

Ron and Hermione held their gaze for an extremely long amount of time.

I love him so much…those eyes…

"There you are," came a voice from the spiral staircases. Both Ron and Hermione jumped.

"What are you doing up already?" asked Harry, who was now walking over to the two of them. The trays of their breakfast had long been removed by house elves.

"Couldn't go back to sleep," said Ron and Hermione at the same time.

Harry grinned inwardly to himself at this.

"Well, shall we go down to breakfast? I reckon we'll be the first one's down."

Hermione and Ron exchanged awkward glances.

"Harry…uhm…Ron and I already had breakfast," said Hermione, biting her lip after she'd finished speaking.

"But, how?"

"Kitchens, mate," said Ron. "Dobby and his pals brought some stuff to the common room when we asked them. There's still some—oh. Sorry, Harry." There wasn't any breakfast left. Ron had destroyed an entire buffet worth of food. Guiltily he cringed at Harry.

"Blimey…" said Harry, "you guys must've been up for hours, then?"

"Since like…five o'clock…" said Hermione. Ron nodded, gazing blankly at an empty armchair nearby.

"But we'll come down with you," added Hermione quickly. "Won't we, Ron?"

Ron blinked several times and nodded once again. Hermione looked back at Harry who silently agreed to Hermione's plan.

I'd much rather have you for myself, but being in your presence is enough of a Win anyway.

As the three of them took a seat in the great hall, seated with only three Ravenclaws who were in their seventh year, Harry sat himself across from Ron and Hermione. The two of them often instinctively wound up sitting next to each other. Harry grinned inwardly again.

Harry loaded his plate with scrambled eggs and bacon.

"I'm really glad the two of you patched things up," said Harry. "Your bickering seems to be at an all time low as well."

Ron and Hermione shot each other quick and awkward glances, both their cheeks turning faintly pink.

"Can't promise anything," chortled Ron, whose inner lion cheered at the sight of Hermione snorting and laughing at his remark.

"Let's not pull another Scabbers, though," said Ron, some seriousness finding its way back into his voice. Hermione kept quiet and simply nodded.

"That was quite the row, wasn't it?" said Hermione.

"A dumb one at that, too," said Ron. "Crookshanks was actually just being a true hero…"

"But you were right all along…Crookshanks was after Scabbers and I didn't want to listen… Sure it turned out to be Wormtail, but it does matter, Ron… it matters because we didn't know then, and I behaved like a daft dimbo."

"No you didn—"

"Don't you dare contradict me, right now!" scoffed Hermione, raising her voice ever so slightly. Harry looked up from his food for a moment, sensing there might be a row about to take place.

"I was blind and rude to you…" she said.

"And I wrecked you several times!" started Ron, his hand gestured towards her. Let's not forget the incidence in our first year… where I said that you were a … a—"

"You mean, 'she's a nightmare, honestly. No wonder she hasn't got any friends'?" said Hermione, raising her eyebrows and biting her lip.

She still remembered that line like it was yesterday. It had stung...especially because it had come from Ron. But...then again...she would not have needed saving from a troll and probably wouldn't be sitting here with Ron and Harry as her friends...

"Yeah…you see how I mean I can be sometimes…wasn't exactly fair for me to shout you down about…everything you'd done when I wasn't perfect either…" Harry kept to his food and pretended to not hear a thing, wishing he'd be sitting at the other end of the house table, so his friends could have this seemingly intimate conversation by themselves.

"No, you had every right, Ronald. I am far more critical of you than of Harry and it's really unfair. It's unfair that you always have to be the one doing his best without support, and then getting criticized over getting it wrong…" said Hermione tentatively. Harry shot Hermione a quick glance at the sound of his name before returning to his food and acting as if he hadn't just heard his name dropped casually in a conversation. Ron and Hermione seemed to have forgotten he was there, and Harry welcomed it.

"You're mental! Of course you support me! The amount of times you've helped me with homework and exams a—"

"No, I'm not mental! Hello?" scoffed Hermione. "Homework and helping you study is one thing, but emotional support is something else entirely!" said Hermione, furrowing her brows and shaking her head profusely.

"And I never told you 'you got this, Ronald' or 'you're a great wizard, you can do it'. Not once did I hear myself say that to you…especially in times when I should have…because…" Hermione broke their gaze and looked down at the hands in her lap shyly. "Because it's true," she finished. Ron's mouth fell open slightly, as if to speak, but not one noise came out. Hermione had just called him a great wizard. The lion within Ron roared. Ron stared at her. Harry furtively glanced at them.

"You…you really think…I am?" said Ron quietly.

"Yes. Of course. You are a great wizard," said Hermione, finally meeting Ron's eyes, who looked away shyly and blushed after their eyes had briefly met.

"Thanks," said Ron looking down into his lap, tears forming in his eyes. Something about all of this was making him feel very emotional and relieved. As if a giant burden had been lifted off his shoulders. For all these years he had had no idea that Hermione thought of Ron this way. And it made everything so much better. The soft and warm sunlight, that had begun to stream through the large windows of the great hall seemed much brighter and more vibrant than usual. Today had already been an amazing day, and it was barely past eight o'clock.

Harry cleared his throat and Ron and Hermione both jumped, and blushed at the realization of having had this conversation in front of Harry. Harry was going to make a couples joke directed at the two, but decided that he had already interfered and intervened enough times, and he also felt that the two of them were on their way to…something.

"So uhm…how about…the three of us go to Hogsmeade and have a Butterbeer later on…you know…as a reunited trio…" said Harry, lopsidedly smiling at the two. Ron and Hermione beamed at him and nodded in agreement.

Later that afternoon, after having done some school work in the common room, the trio went back to get their cloaks and winter apparel, and then made their way to Hogsmeade through the snowy castle grounds.

All the while the three of them chatted avidly about all the things they had to catch up on. Classes, Harry's lessons with Dumbledore, Professor Slughorn's Christmas Party and Ron's newfound motivation to study "practical" magic.

Ron happily explained which spells he'd been learning on his own, all the while Harry noticed Hermione softly gazing at Ron with admiration once again, taking in Ron's every word, not even daring to look away from him once as he talked about his spells. Harry thought that it might be because she was trying to get in Ron's good books and make up for her years of being critical of Ron, but Harry knew that there was far more to it than that.

He grinned as Hermione caught Harry's eyes, her face blushing furiously, the cold of the winter luckily serving as an excellent camouflage.

The Trio entered The Three Broomsticks, their pink faces heating rapidly, and Harry's glasses turning foggy. Hermione seated herself diagonally from Harry, and she was a little disappointed to see Ron hadn't sat down next to her, but opposite her instead. But Hermione was glad Ron sat across her nonetheless. The last time she had been in the Three Broomsticks, it was with Harry and Ginny. Harry had been consoling Hermione, whilst Ginny fumed about Ron to Hermione, which was Ginny's form of consoling.

But when Ron did finally take his seat, smiling at her as he entwined his own hands on the table, Hermione's heart must've skipped a beat, and all knowledge of the bad memory of the last visit to this place was now forgotten. Hermione groaned as she saw that Madam Rosmerta was about to bustle past their table. Strangely enough however, Ron shot Rosmerta a single glance, and returned his gaze back onto his entwined hands, indifferent to Madam Rosmerta's presence. Harry returned with three Butterbeers mere seconds later, taking a seat next to Ron.

"I do wonder what old Slughorn's gonna be serving at his party," said Ron. "I hope it's not just crackers and cookies…"

Hermione had to hide a grin.

"Do you ever think about anything other than food?" said Hermione.

"'Course I do." said Ron indignantly.

"And what, may I ask?" said Hermione.

You. Chess, Quidditch, you, Harry, you, Quidditch, you, you and you again. Oh and you of course.

Ron knew that the tips of his ears must've turned red because he could feel heat radiate from them.

"Well, you know…Quidditch…chess…and—" He hesitated for a moment, "stuff…" he finished, trying to sound casual. Hermione's disappointment must've shown in her face, as Ron quickly followed up his statement. "And obviously my two best friends pop up every now and then as well!"

Hermione smiled, her eyes closed, and shaking her head.

"Ha-ha," she said playfully, opening her eyes again.

"Well, what do you think about all the time then? Let's hear it," said Ron.

Hermione felt her heartbeat speed up drastically. But she figured out an answer.

"Uhm…classes, S.P.E.W. and my friends also," said Hermione casually.

"What about you, Harry?" said Ron, turning to Harry.

Harry had been staring straight ahead, lost in thought.

"W-what?" said Harry, blinking rapidly and turning his attention to his friends.

"Bloody hell…" said Ron. "You're not still on on Malfoy are you?"

"Harry, you've got to reel it in, you're becoming obsessed," said Hermione, the concern in her voice tangible.

"I mean sure, he's up to something, but it's Malfoy? What's he gonna do?" said Ron, looking at Hermione, rather than Harry. Hermione nodded at Ron and turned back to Harry.

"Exactly. Ron's right, Harry. It's only Malfoy…"

"I don't buy it, Hermione, for the last time," said Harry angrily. "He's not alone. He's got Death Eaters helping him from the outside, and I know it!"

"No you don't, Harry!" said Hermione impatiently. "You have no evidence to support that claim!"

"Exactly, and if I don't keep an eye on him, I won't find any, now will I?" Hermione opened her mouth to retort, but nothing came out.

"Harry, listen to Hermione," said Ron. Hermione's eyes shot over to Ron. "Keeping an eye on Malfoy looks different. You're straight up… stalking him, mate. It's not healthy…"

Harry swallowed trying his best impression of a deaf person. They were too stubborn…

Hermione looked at Harry for a while, but decided it was a lost cause.

She turned back to Ron to find him grimacing at a corner of the pub.

"Oh bloody hell," he muttered. Hermione looked over her shoulder to see Dean Thomas holding hands with Ginny, the two sitting very close to each other.

"Honestly, Ron, they're only holding hands," said Hermione in a voice trying to cheer up Ron. He had come to accept Dean and Ginny dating, but was apprehensive in their presence nonetheless. Dean leaned in to kiss Ginny.

"And snogging," finished Hermione, who turned back to Ron, her expression containing traces of shock. She hoped truthfully that Ron wouldn't make a scene. And she prayed that he wasn't going to remember the row he had had with Ginny, where Ginny had told Ron that Hermione and Victor had snogged.

"I'd like to leave," stated Ron, sounding oddly formal.

"What? You can't be serious?" said Hermione incredulously.

"That happens to be my sister!" hissed Ron in an indignant and lowered voice.

"So? What if she looked over here and saw you snogging me, would you expect her to get up and leave?" said Hermione, trying to sound casual, her face a faint pink however. Ron didn't retort, but his face shifted into a rather confused expression.

Why did Hermione use this particular …"visual image" to compare the current situation to? Hermione took to drinking her Butterbeer to hide her now worsening blush.

As Hermione felt that her blush had settled down, she set down her glass again, unaware of having obtained a Butterbeer-stache.

Ron, who's brows were still furrowed in confusion and thought, pointed at Hermione's lips as she looked at him.

"You've got a bit of…" said Ron. And Hermione understood. She tried to hide the embarrassment in her face and quickly wiped her mouth off with the sleeve of her sweater, turning back to Ron afterwards. Ron was looking down at his half empty Butterbeer, lost in thought, and Hermione was looking at Ron longingly, as if she simply wanted to do as Ginny had done with Dean this very moment; just snog him.

Harry, Ron and Hermione spent their remaining time at The Three Broomsticks talking about Harry's lessons with Dumbledore, discussing Voldemort, with Muffliato— after Hermione had consented— cast around them.

He was sure Malfoy was behind Katie Bell's incident a few weeks ago.

After another round of Butterbeers, paid for by Hermione, the Trio got up to leave the Three Broomsticks. Ron had put on his hat, coat and cloak the quickest. As he rummaged his pockets for his gloves, he found a Gryffindor scarf Hermione had lent to Ron several weeks ago, before Ron had learnt of her and Krum.

He handed Hermione her Gryffindor scarf, apologizing for having kept it for so long. Hermione didn't mind at all. In fact she welcomed that it had been in his cloak for so long. She pocketed the scarf, knowing that she was going to smell it later. She briefly considered wrapping her pillow with the scarf. Hermione fondly remembered wearing one of Ron's jumpers in the summer. It had smelled exactly like him. And wearing it, she had been encase by his scent, which she loved. It had made falling asleep that night very easy.

The Trio were on their way back from Hogsmeade, Hermione blissfully walking ahead of Ron and Harry. Ron fell into step with Harry and started whispering.

"Did you hear what she said about me and her snogging in the pub?" Truthfully, Harry had heard, and had an inkling as to why Hermione had said it, too.

Harry gave Ron a confirmative nod that he had heard.

"As if…" mumbled Ron, more to himself than Harry. His voice sounded rather disappointed than excited.

Constantly asking yourself "does she like me?" and trying to find answers on your own and interpreting the tiniest details wasn't useful, Ron thought.

There were many instances however, where Ron had thought that maybe…just maybe…she might feel the same way.

Ron remembered that kiss she gave him on the cheek, wishing him good luck for his first ever Quidditch match. Or the very long hug Hermione always enveloped Ron in when they met during the summer holidays. The memory Ron held most dearly, out of all the great moments that he and Hermione had had, was the first time he and her had gone to Hogsmeade. Harry wasn't able to join them, and he and Hermione had had the time of their lives.

That memory was always the happiest. Not because spending time with Hermione on his own, or Hogsmeade had been the highlight, but because Hermione enjoyed Ron's company so much that day.

He remembered how he'd made Hermione laugh so much, she had to wrangle for breath. He also remembered the way her cheeks turned faintly pink after having been out in the cold for a while. He also remembered the extremely lengthy, avid and enthusiastic conversations he had shared with her that day. It was his fondest memory because it was just the two of them, enjoying each others company.

Just Hermione and him, having a blissfully beautiful time together. He held this memory most dearly because of how much Hermione had enjoyed that day. Her being happy with him, made him happy.

It was also the day where Ron first admitted to himself that he had a crush on Hermione. He'd sort of guessed that perhaps he felt for her more strongly than for Harry, but that day he fathomed that it wasn't because he liked her better as a friend. But because he liked her.

That's when he truly saw that Hermione was a girl.

He'd later gone on to use that line on Hermione, to hide the fact that he had liked her, when he asked her to the Yule Ball. He thought it was the cleverest way to conceal that he was desperate to ask her, ever since it was announced they had to bring someone to the Yule Ball.

Asking Hermione had been his first thought, but a depressing one at that. He was dead sure he'd be rejected and things would get very awkward between her and him. So when he saw that perhaps there might be a chance, he took his shot, but she'd already been asked by Krum…

Ron had often asked himself, whether or not Hermione would have said yes if Ron had asked her early on. Or what might have been if she had said yes… would they have had an amazing evening, snogged him instead of Krum and become a couple?

Or would he have embarrassed her, made a fool of himself on the dance floor, making Hermione realize that it had been a mistake to say yes in the first place?

Ron had all the questions. And most questions raised even more questions. But he had none of the answers. None. And Ron's heart was beginning to scathe away every time he asked himself the same questions, or a set of new questions.

Hermione slowed down, falling into step with both Harry and Ron, walking in between them. She then put one arm around Harry and another around Ron, simply enjoying their presence. Ron felt his ears underneath his beanie glow, glad no one could see his ears turning read. As she was very close to him now; there it was again…roses and vanilla. Blissful.

A/N: So as you guys can tell, the "what if she looked over here and saw you snogging me?" moment is obviously taken from the movie, as I don't think that particular Romione moment/hint was dropped in the book. I've always loved the movie moment of this because of how Emma looks at Rupert in the scene with a face that says: "I'm saying this because I've thought about kissing you before...and I don't mind the thought whatsoever." It's subtle, but still pretty good acting in that scene from her. (in my personal opinion) :) Let me know what you guys think of that moment!