It had all started three days ago, over the silliest of comments, and now Ron was avoiding her like the Harry avoiding Snape on a sunny day. Admittedly, she had reacted badly, screaming at him until she was red in the face and he a jabbering wreck but that wasn't the point, she was trying to apologise now wasn't she? Hermione had looked in the library, on the quidditch pitch and in the Great Hall. He was in none of those places. She had decided it was time to head back to the common room and wait for him by the fire.
She flopped into her favourite chair and pulled her book from behind the cushion, making sure she could see who was in the room. It wasn't long before Ron hurtled into the room, making a beeline straight for the stairs. "Ron," she said, flinging her book to the side. It looked as though she hadn't heard. "Ron!" she shouted. He didn't stop. "Ronald Weasley, don't you ignore me!" This time he turned around. His face was pale and she could see him swallow.
"Uh. Hi Hermione," he shrugged.
She licked her lips, her throat suddenly dry, "Look. About what I said the other day…" her voice died as she saw Ron smile. Ignoring it, she forced herself onward, "It was wrong and I'm sorry." She thrust her hand forward and screwed her eyes shut, would he accept or not? It had been awful. Warm fingers curled around her own.
"Me too," he said. She opened her eyes and his lopsided grin greeted her, "We friends?" Hermione nodded, her shoulders sagged and she returned Ron's goofy smile.
"Yes," she said. Her dropped her hand and grinned. He turned and headed up the stairs while she returned to the warmth of the fire, pleased that the situation was now resolved.