Yule Ball

When I look back now at that night in December, I have to supress a chuckle. How silly and immature we were over something so small. Ron was always in love with me, as I with him, and I think if either of us would have looked hard enough, we would have found our answer earlier. As Ron and I sit here in our old age on our porch at the Burrow,watching the sun set and the birds settle in their nests for the night I remember the conversation that was a turning point in our friendship...

...

Tap Tap Tap.

"Ronald"

Tap Tap Tap.

"Ronald"

Tap Tap Tap.

"Ronald"

"Who is it?" she heard Dean ask.

"Umm...its Hermione. Is it okay if I come in?"

"Sure"

She cracked open the door, carrying her wand to light her way, and saw that all the boys were sitting up in their beds, obviously finishing their conversation due to her presence. Harry looked apprehensive and worried as he looked between them, and the other boys held their breath as they waited for the first to talk.

"Everything alright Hermione?" Seamus asked. She pulled her dressing gown tighter around herself as she noticed him look her up and down. Her feet felt cold against the wooden floor, the cold December air chilling them all to the bone. She tried to make eye contact with Ron, but found he was picking at a bit of loose thread on his blanket, refusing to meet her eyes.

"No, it's not actually. I was hoping to speak with Ron".

This caught his attention. She finally made eye contact with him, and she saw his cheeks deepen in colour. He nodded and she stood by the door and waited for him. He got something from his drawer, and followed her down the stairs. She shivered as they made it to the common room, sitting down on the sofa in front of the fire. Luckily it was still going strong. Ron sat down on the chair near the fire, looking at her with expectation, and a little annoyance. He pulled out a pair of socks from his pocket and placed them on his feet. He then reached for his wand and summoned some from Hermione's dorm, he noticed she was feeling a little chilly. She thanked him and then began.

"So...I don't want to be in your presence for the next couple of weeks and it be as awkward as hell. After last night, you haven't spoken a word to me, and I really don't know what you want me to do-"

Ron gulped. You really dont want to ask that question.

Oh shut up Ron, it's Hermione for God's sake, this isn't happening !

"- and after our fight last year, I never want things to get that bad, okay, so..." she took a deep breathe "Why are you so mad at me?"

Ron spluttered "I'm not mad at you Hermione, I'm mad a Viktor pissing Krum. I saw you two you know, after the ball, snogging up a corner-"

"Excuse me, but you're mistaken. We shared one kiss, we absolutley were not up any corners!"

"Well... he's Harry's competition! You're decreasing his chances of winning!"

"What! How am I exactly?"

"The more time Krum spends with you, the less time we get with you, the less time you get to help Harry on figuring out what's coming next on this bloody rollercoaster ride of a tournament"

"That's not true! Who I spend my time with has never interfered with my friends before, so why should it now?"

"Because you've never spent it with anyone but us"

"Is that what this is about? You think you're losing me?"

"That's not it at all! You can go off with who ever you like !"

"Well I'll ask Viktor to meet me at breakfast-"

"Apart from him!"

"Ron you do not dictate to me who I can and cannot see. You are not my father, nor my older brother! You should be glad my hands are numb from the cold or I would slap you right now!"

"Hermione, he's 17, you do know what that means" he scoffed.

Hermione crossed her arms and tapped her foot. "Do enlighten me"

"He's an adult, your still under the age limit, and you know what boys his age are like!"

"Go on" Ron almost saw steam pouring out of her ears as she waited.

"Well, he wants something I won't be allowing you to give" he scoffed.

Hermione didn't know whether to be angry or touched. They were both standing by this point, having only sat on the sofa for 5 seconds. She felt herself blush and she knew what topic they were approaching now.

"How dare you even-" she spluttered "Viktor treats me with respect, carries my bags, he knows I'm a girl"

"I knew you were a girl I just wasn't willing to admit it okay?" he shouted back.

Silence ran through the common room.

"What does that mean?" she said, frustrated, almost stamping her foot. Despite the freezing cold temperatures, both were red faced and sweating buckets.

Holy shit.

Ron licked his lips and his eyes darted towards the stairs. He wandered if he could make a run for it.

"All I mean is...all I mean is...you're our Hermione, you know, and I don't want to accept the fact that you're growing up and ...one day we won't be the trio anymore. We'll just be us, living seperate lives, having careers and jobs and all that stuff. I just didn't think it would happen so soon"

Good one, that was convincing, right?

"Oh Ron" she stepped forward and they shared an awkward hug, Ron trying very hard to think about something else. "You don't need to worry about that. Viktor is nice, and he's a complete gentleman and all, but I don't see myself marrying him or anything. I don't even know if I want to get married" she watched his expression, and knew that he wanted to say something more, but she knew that he wouldn't. She looked at the clock and noticed it was close to two in the morning.

"Well...that's - yeah" he looked down at the floor, feeling relieved and dissapointed. She didn't even know if she wanted to get married. He felt torn as he looked at her, his Hermione, and felt a strong protection over her. Brotherly love he told himself.

"We should go to bed, we need our sleep" she said, now sitting back down and looking into the fire.

"Right...bed" he supressed a yawn.

Hermione got up whilst Ron stayed seated on the chair. She stood at the bottom of the stairs, and turned back towards him.

"Ron?"

"Yeah?"

"Goodnight"

"Goodnight Hermione"

rh-rh-rh-rh-rh

Did you like it? I had to do a Yule Ball chapter, what would a Ron and Hermione fic be without one, and theres a big bang theory referance at the start. cookie for anyone who got it "tap tap tap Penny...tap tap tap Ronald" xD

I wanna give you a teaser for the next chapter, but it being my last I'd rather keep it a surprise, but don't worry it's already written and its good !

Review please :D