He was trying to study, he really was. It was just so darn hard. He knew no amount of wheedling would get him to pay attention. Nothing about Runes was even remotely interesting. The only reason he had even agreed to the lesson was engrossed in her own homework.
He often sat and watched her covertly. When one was stuck in the library for hours, one had to learn many ways of occupying one's time. Like right at this moment, he was pondering her hair. He would make a game of listing as many different adjectives to describe the color of her hair.
Honey, pecan, chestnut, chocolate, walnut, and cinnamon. 'That was a particular good list', although he could tell he had skipped breakfast. All of them had been food, his stomach gurgled in agreement, forcing Hermione to give him a stern look.
"Ron stop doodling and pay attention." Ron blinked, acromantula in headlights expression painted all over his freckled face. "What, I'm paying attention." he mumbled.
"No, you're not. You're thinking about food again." she snapped irritated by what she considered a sacrilegious waste of homework time. "Why do you always think I'm thinking about food. That's downright judgmental on your part, Mione."
Hermione fought the smile that wanted to take over her face. She secretly loved when he called her that plus he really did looked offended, his eyes were wide and indignant. "Because, Ronald. Look at what you were doodling." she remarked, grabbing hold of his parchment. She held it up in front of her, her fingers pointing to the incriminating sketches of pecans and chestnuts. "That's not about food, that's about…" he gulped. Ron knew when he was beat, he took the parchment from her, slouched over and sulked in his seat.
His face, the very essence of a little boy denied a cookie or in this case a chestnut. Hermione ignored how darling he looked and continued their reviewing. She had just started on the various ways Runes could be applied and changed by mathematic equations, when she heard the scratch of a quill.
Ron had dutifully taken out his quill, he had prepared himself to take notes and make her proud but his mind kept wandering. 'Is her hair really that bushy? If I brushed it out would it be all soft?' Ron felt this was perfectly acceptable train of thought. When he was smaller, he had brushed Ginny's hair. He somehow knew if he ever had the pleasure of brushing Hermione's hair, he would pinch himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
He heard something about how Runes could change according to patterns, but his thoughts zoned out. He was just finishing a chocolate pie. Sketching with quick strokes. He abandoned the pie, his quill flying over the page. He kept an eye on Hermione, if she caught him drawing, she'd skin him for sure.
Obviously he had not been paying appropriate attention, because she was suddenly yelling at him.
'Could it be, Ron was taking notes?' she stopped mid sentence ready to bestow a dazzling smile on him, that was until she saw the doodle. "Ron, for goodness sake." she hissed.
"What, I'm paying attention." He put his quill down quickly, 'Bloody Hell.' Ron looked down at his parchment hoping he didn't look guilty. "Ron!" she hissed. 'Nope no luck, there.'
"That paper is not due for another week, we've got loads of time." he explained. Ron had hoped that would mollify her, but after six years of friendship, he could always tell when he said the wrong thing.
Hermione put down her own quill, she moved in her seat so she was nose to nose with him. "Alright, what did I just say about pattern recognition in decoding?" Hermione crossed her arms triumphantly, "So help me. Ron if you don't answer, I'll leave you to do your paper alone."
Ron racked his brains but he had been so busy sketching he had no idea what she had just said. Besides if truth be known, she looked downright cute when she got all angry. 'That would explain why were always starting a row, she's barking mad sometimes.' All these thought were still circulating in his mind, but by the time he noticed she had gotten up and left.
"Hermione, wait. Hermione." he yelled jumping up from his seat. Madam Pince grabbed his shoulder and forced him back down. "Place of learning, Mr. Weasley not a quidditch pitch." Ron looked up at the obscenely angry librarian keeping his opinions of the library to himself.
He sat dejected, he looked around noticing people were talking and looking at him with sympathy. He growled and gathering all their stuff, made his way to the common room. "Snuddifoot."
"No need to shout, I'm not deaf." the fat lady huffed. "Couldn't tell with how long you take sometimes." Ron muttered darkly. "Well…" Ron didn't hear the rest of the sentence as he clambered through the portrait hole. "What did you do?" was the first question out of Ginny's mouth.
She looked up, noting her older brother's grumpy demeanor. "Nothing, lay off." Ginny looked slightly affronted but made no comment when Harry shook his head at him. "Ron, where's Hermione." Harry asked leaning much too close to his little sister that he was comfortable with. "I don't know. She's mental, that one, caught me drawing and she went off without so much as a damm word." Ron replied.
"Why don't you go look for her." ventured Ginny, smiling at Harry. Ron looked suspiciously between the pair, taking careful inventory of Harry's mouth and hands. "Yeah, might as well. I still need help with my Runes paper." he mumbled getting up and heading to the portrait hole.
"Honestly Ron, no wonder Herm is ticked off at you." Harry sighed shaking his head. Ron ignored the jealousy that coursed through him, "Hermione…" he paused emphasizing her full name "…and I had a deal." Ginny smirked and elbowed Harry.
"You go get her, Ron." Harry and Ginny shared a laugh at Ron's annoyed face, "Back to work Potter." Ginny whispered. "Whatever you say Gin." he replied kissing the tip of her nose.
Ron searched every corridor and classroom near the library. He began to wonder if she had slipped outside. He instinctively knew she hadn't, Hermione was never reckless. Funny, beautiful, brilliant and sometimes scary but never foolish.
If he was honest with himself, he knew he was the fool. He kicked at the stone floor, frustration at not being able to acknowledge his feelings for her souring his mood further.
'Bloody Harry, thinks he knows everything. Everybody loves him, he was the hero. The famous boy who lived, but who the hell was he? The sidekick of the chosen one, the comic relief of the trio. The fabulous trio that sometimes felt like a duo. Hermione and Harry, the ones who were so clever.'
Ron was glad Harry had taken a fancy to Ginny, foremost cause she was his sister and he wanted to see her happy but also because that meant Hermione might just look at him. "Yeah, of course because I'm such a catch." Ron sighed. He had a desperate longing to see her face, he wanted her to reassure him. He wanted her to make him believe, he could be more that just her friend.
He hadn't noticed that in his hurt, he had walked up several staircases. He saw the familiar tapestry and the blank wall. "Could it work?" Ron walked once, twice and a third time all the while thinking of his desire to see Hermione. The door to the Room of Requirement appeared and he gratefully opened it door.
He should have been surprised but he swallowed a chuckle instead. The doors had opened onto a huge library. It greatly resembled the one that he'd seen in that muggle movie, something about a beast. He walked in, a beautiful window complete with seat let in plenty of light to guide him.
"Hermione? Herm…Mione?" he moved through the room cautiously checking every possible alcove. He suddenly spotted bushy caramel hair draped over a chair. He smiled at the little snores coming from the chair, delighted to have found her at last.
Ron sat beside her, he moved her head gently so it rested against his shoulder instead of leaning awkwardly on the sofa. He inhaled her scent, oddly enough she smelled like parchment and books. Ron had never been fond of books but Hermione made him want to open his own bookshop. He placed his head atop of hers, her hand dangled at her side. Hogwarts: A History lay spread on her lap, Ron picked it up, browsing thought it.
He read and turned pages, absolutely amazed at how complex the magic around Hogwarts was. If they ever got in a battle he hoped they were here. Hermione stirred and was startled to see ginger hair in her face. "Ron, how did you find me." she quickly sat up, placing plenty of room between them.
"I figured, you'd be in a place with books so I came to the Room of Requirements corridor and just thought of you." Hermione scooted closer, "That was clever, Ron." she said a happy expression on her face. "It's been known to happen." he shrugged, dropping Hogwarts: A History.
Without warning fluffy brown hair was thrust into his face. He let Hermione hug him, enjoying that parchment smell he had come to associate with her. "Oh, I know you don't like mushy displays…" she trailed off, her arms sliding off him. He stopped them, hugging her back. "I don't mind once in a while, Mione." he exhaled shakily, his breath sending chills down her spine.
They pulled apart, not daring to look at the other. "I'm still mad at you." she said pushing her hair out of her face. "I know, I was a real prat. I'm sorry." Ron looked down at his shoes, unable to meet her gaze. "Next time you're hungry, just tell me." she said taking his hand and leading him out of the library and towards the Gryffindor tower.
They walked back in silence, chewing their own thoughts. They stopped at the fat lady's portrait, "How nice you made up. I'm glad." she beamed at both at them "Bloody portrait." Ron scowled making Hermione giggle. "Well…" again missing the outraged sentence.
"We'll finish the assignment tomorrow." Hermione told him, "and Ron…" he turned to look at her. "No distractions okay?" he smiled and headed towards his own room. Hermione gathered her books which were still on the table where Ron had left them earlier. She saw his doodles, "Who knew he could draw." she mussed out loud. She flipped though his sketches, 'he really is talented.' she thought.
Ron had made it all the way to his room and then he halted, all the color draining out of his face. He quickly left the dormitory, intent on getting his books before the next morning. He came to a screeching halt, his trainers having become rooted to the spot. Hermione was holding his notebook, a look of complete confusion on her face.
She looked up at him, he remained frozen. Terrified but with determination, Ron walked down the stairs and stood before her. He felt vulnerable and open, but he faced her. "Oh Ron, it's beautiful." she breathed, her eyes shiny with unspent tears. "That's how I see you. I…"she placed a finger on his lips.
"You don't have to say anything." she handed the portrait of herself back to him. It was a rough sketch but he had captured her face in a way she could never have envisioned. "You keep it." he replied, moving his hands over hers. Hermione pecked his cheek and ran up the girls staircase, Ron watched her until she disappeared from sight.
He went up his own stairs. Laying down to sleep, his question was answered. "Her hair is definitely not bushy." he pulled out another book and began to sketch, his curtained bed filling with the wonderful smell of parchment.