The Ruined Moment

"Hermione, I want to tell you something."

She looked up at him and stared into his piercing blue eyes.

Ron knew that this was the moment. The moment. That one that he had been waiting for for so long. He had to tell her now.

Butterflies began racing through both their bodies.

"Hermione, I wanted to tell you for a while now that-" KNOCK.

Ron's heart fell. Someone was outside the door. Instantly it burst open and Harry and Ginny walked inside cheerily. That was it. The moment was over, gone, ruined.

"Hey guys, what have you been d-" Ginny said but stopped dead in her tracks. Shocked expressions appeared on her and Harry's faces at the sight of Ron's injuries.

"What's happened to you?" Ginny cried and ran to his side. Harry as well moved closer.

"This looks pretty bad, mate." he said pointing to the scratch on Ron's chest.

"Malfoy and some of his bloody friends offended Hermione." Ron said simply and you could tell that for him defending Hermione had been worth being hit for.

"They were about five or six and they beat him up really badly… He was unconscious until I brought him here." Hermione said, tears forming in her eyes. Ron blushed, embarassed by this sign of weakness. "It was horrible! I couldn't do anything. Malfoy and the others pushed me to the ground everytime I tried to do something. I'm so sorry, Ron!"

"It's not your fault, you don't have to apologize. I'm glad they didn't do anything to you." he smiled warmly at her and she smiled back. "By the way" he added towards Harry "I beat up Malfoy pretty bad as well."

"Glad to hear that." Harry smirked.

"By the way, Hermione, … how did you bring me here?" Ron asked.

"I lifted you with a hovering charm and brought you here by floo powder." she answered.

"Clever." Ron grinned.

"How are you feeling now, Ron?" Ginny asked in a concerned voice.

"Well it hurts a bit but nothing too terrible. I'm fine, really. It was worth it." At that he squeezed Hermione's hand which he had not let go of. She sniffed quietly and squeezed his hand back.

Harry and Ginny had completely ruined the moment. When was there going to be an opportunity like that agin? Ron was never going to tell her… Well, she would not have wanted him anyways: he looked absolutely awful when he looked into the mirror later that day. He could not open one of his eyes because it was black and swollen. A deep cut stretched over the same eye and the cheek below. The other black and blue marks on his body were not countable, there were so many of them.

What was he going to do now? He had not gotten her the bracelet, he looked worse than ever and he could hardly get a moment alone with her at the moment. How was he supposed to let her know? Maybe write her a letter? No, that would be awkward. But if he did not do anything about it soon, she maybe was going to be taken. She would not wait for him forever and he did not want to wait forever to kiss her again.

It was dark by now and he was staring at the ceiling of his bedroom hearing Harry's deep breathing. It was a warm night and he slept shirt- and coverless. He had only stood up twice today for going to the toilet because he was hardly able to move without wincing. The other Weasleys (who had come home from work or shopping) had all reacted exactly as Harry and Ginny and Hermione and Ron had to tell the story of how it had happened some more times.

Especially worried had been Mrs. Weasley who had begun to sob at the sight of her youngest son. She had cooked his favourite meal and he had eaten it in his room with Harry, Ginny and Hermione.

At least they were there to be his company because otherwhise he would have died because of boredom. But never did Harry and Ginny leave the room at the same time so that he could do what he had not done earlier.

Hermione was deep in thought the following days. Had Ron been up to what she thought he had been up to? His words echoed in her head. He had wanted to tell her something important, she had sensed that. And he had been trying to do so for a long time now. Had he been wanting to tell her that he liked her? Was it possible that he had finally built up the courage to do so and just then Harry and Ginny had walked in?

How ironic. Maybe it was just not supposed to be… Yes, it was! It was supposed to be, so why did it not happen!? Angrily Hermione pulled the covers off of her and stood up quietly. It was a really warm night… She went down to the kitchen and helped herself to some water. The moonlight flooded through the kitchen window and she stood very still when she heard someone move on the stairs. She stood in the dark but she could see flaming red hair and heard Ron wincing in pain. He was hobbling slightly when he walked over to the sink and got himself a glass of water as well.

"Ron?"

His eyes widened in surprise, he choked and began to cough. Then he saw her.

"Oh no, Ron, I'm sorry!" she wined running over to pat him on his back. "I didn't want to scare you."

"It's – alright." Ron said, still coughing and he sat down at the table. "What are doing up that late anyways?" he asked looking at her.

"Well, the same as you, drinking some water. The night is pretty hot…"

"Yeah…" Ron said. "And there was nothing else that stopped you from sleeping?"

His gaze was intense and she almost did not understand what he said but then she got out of her daze. "Like what?"

"Like… school… or people… well, I'm asking you." he said blushing noticeably even in the soft moolight.

"It's definitely not school." Hermione grinned and blushed as well. "In your case?"

"Definitely not."

"What is it then? You can tell me."

"It's a… girl." Ron stated carefully.

"Do I know her?"

"No."

What was that? No? Hermione had thought he would be talking about her! Was he really talking about another girl in front of her? With her?

Ron could not think. He had invented a lie in the last second. What was he doing? Was he mad? He could not just talk about some none-existing girl with her that kept him from sleeping! He had to tell her the truth or he would not have the slightest chance.

"Yes, yes, you do know her…"

Hermione had frowned and her face darkened with every moment that passed.

"Oh, still Lavender? Sorry, can't help you with that." she said coldly.

"No, of course not Lavender! Look, Hermione, I'm really rubbish at this, I'm sorry… I just wanted to tell you something else…"

Again, excitement rushed through her and she waited nervously for him to speak. Okay, no other girl, was this the moment?

"You look beautiful." Ron said suddenly into the stillness and watched her expression change into bashfulness. "Thank you." she wispered.

Suddenly she became aware of how she looked. She wore only a tank top and very short shorts, her curls were falling to her waist. She felt slightly exposed. Ron was bare chested and wore only his striped pyjama bottoms.

He looked a lot better than right after the incident. His body parts were not swollen anymore but there was a hint of a scar on his cheek.

They moved closer to each other, not thinking about what they were doing. Their faces inches apart, Ron said: "Why did you kiss me?"

"Didn't you want me to?" she asked leaning further in.

"Yes, I did." he whispered and closed his eyes. The next moment they were kssing.

The feeling of her lips on his own was awesome. Ron could not remember being happier or being more nervous in his life. Feelings rushed through his blood and his brain and he did not think anymore. He reached around Hermione's waist and pulled her onto his lap. They did not break apart. And they sat like this for an eternity, just kissing each other lovingly…

That was it for now, I'm going to update as soon as I can. Love Reviews!

saule-pleureur