Chapter 3:

Ron had been showering Hermione with attention, and she loved it. He was constantly making sure she was warm enough, seeing if she wanted tea, or inquiring about her reading. She was touched that he had taken such an interest in her.

The truth was that Ron was finding it harder and harder not to just shout that he loved her at the top of his lungs. He figured showing her he could be a good boyfriend was a good start at winning her over. Little did he know, Hermione was already won over, but they were both clueless about just how much the other one cared.

It was another night that Harry was on watch. Ron was sitting on the couch trying to make the radio tune in. Hermione was across from him on the bottom bunk bed. She had her back propped up against the wall, her wand lighting a book she was reading about goblins. She put down her book and rubbed her head. "What's wrong?" Ron said noticing right away. These days he seemed to always have at least one eye on Hermione. "Just a headache," she responded with a small smile. "Not to worry."

Ron got up from the couch and walked towards her. "It's all that thinking you do," he joked. "I never get headaches." They both laughed. Hermione had hoped he was coming to sit with her or something but instead he just made his comment and passed by the bed towards the back of the tent. Hermione turned off her wand and threw her book to the front of the bed. She buried her head in her hands, rubbing her temples. Just then, she felt the bed shift and lifted her head to see Ron climbing in on the other end. Like her, he propped his back up against the wall stretching out his legs. He patted his lap, "Come here," he said. Hermione looked at him with curiosity wondering what he was up too. When she didn't move right away, Ron rolled his eyes. "Come here, Hermione," he said again. "I'm going to give you some TLC Muma Weasley style." He smiled as he said that. His blue eyes were dancing. Hermione was intoxicated by him.

"You want me to lie down," she asked. "Yep," he said patting his lap again. She saw now through the dim light that he had a washcloth in his free hand. Hermione turned her back towards Ron and did as he instructed laying her head down in his lap. He looked down at her and smiled. "Now close your eyes," he said. She did so as he placed a warm washrag across her forehead. "Too hot?" he asked as he adjusted it. "No," Hermione said honestly. "It feels great." The warm rag did feel wonderful against her cool skin, and Ron's hand on top of it gave her a sense of comfort that almost made her forget her headache completely.

"When we were growing up," Ron started, "Mum used to let us have one on one time with her when we were sick. We pretended to be sick a lot," he said and they both laughed. "With six of us, we rarely got Mum alone, but when we were feeling bad, she would take us into her room and let us lie on her lap. Then she would make up some silly rhyme about whatever was hurting us. I don't remember any but the headache one because it was my favorite. Ache, Ache, Ache in my head: Jump instead to George or Fred¸" Ron said in a sing-song voice. Again, they both laughed. "I loved being with her like that," he said softly. Hermione fell in love with him a little more at that moment. Before she could say anything, he started again. "It was also what she called our secret time since she so rarely had us one on one. She'd say, "so what secrets have you got for me Ronny," and then we would tell her whatever we wanted only her to know. A crush we had, what we wanted to be when we grew up, what we were plotting next to play a trick on one of our siblings. It was so fun, and then I'd always say, "And you Mummy, what's your secret?" and her answer was the same every time. "Well, don't tell your brothers or sister," she's say, "but you're my favorite." I'm certain it was the same secret for everyone, but it made you feel good you know? Special."

Hermione was nearly in tears. She wasn't sure Ron had ever told her something so private or emotional. The story also made her long for her own parents, whom she made forget about her to protect. "That's a beautiful story Ron," she said opening her eyes and looking up at him. She had completely forgotten about her headache. He looked like he might cry, and she was just about to reach her hand up to his face when he lightened the mood. "So," he said. "Secret time. Let's have one then."

The rag had gotten cold, and he removed it from her laid laying in over the side of the bed. To make sure she didn't get up though he immediately and gently put his hand back on her head.

"A secret from me?" She said. "Like what?"

"Anything," Ron said. "It can be something about you, me, Harry, anybody, just a secret."

"Hmmm," Hermione said thinking. She was crushing on Ron pretty hardcore right now, especially after that personal story, so she decided to fess up something about him. "Okay, I've got one," she said looking up at him. "You know last year when I took Cormack to Slughorn's Christmas party." Ron nodded his head. "I only did that to drive you crazy. I was so jealous about you and Lavendar, and I just wanted you to feel the same way. I knew I could have gone with Harry as friends, but I knew that wouldn't drive you mad the way McGlaggen would."

Ron smiled. "Well it worked you know?" he said. "Cormack was bragging about taking you to the dance at Quidditch practice, and it was all I could do not to rip his throat out," he laughed. "I made Harry promise to cast the death curse on him if he caught you two under the mistletoe." They were both laughing now. It was nice to hear Ron admit he was jealous. Hermione was glad that was the secret she'd chose to share.

"Your turn," she said.

"Okay," Ron said, "Let me think…okay, I know what happened in the hospital last year after I'd been poisoned. The real reason I broke up with Lav."

Hermione looked up in awe, "You remember?" she asked.

"No," I don't actually, but I forced Ginny to tell me over the summer. I knew there was something you all were keeping from me.

"Oh," Hermione said looking down. For some reason, it unnerved her that he hadn't remembered on his own. Maybe he didn't really mean it then. Ron reached down and tipped her face back up to look at him. He was now running the fingers of his other hand through her hair. "I wasn't surprised though you know, that'd I'd said your name?" He said. "You are the first person I think of both when I'm in trouble and when I wake up." The way he was looking at her, she knew he wasn't joking, and she thought her heart might stop beating right there.

It was no "I love you," but that was about the best admission of feelings that Hermione could ever hope for out of Ron. She had no idea what to say. Instead, she rose up off his lap, turned towards him and hugged him. He immediately returned her embrace. She pulled back a bit and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you Ron," she said. "My head's all better." She meant it in more ways than one. Not only was her headache gone, but also, she was more sure than ever that he returned her romantic feelings. Now was not the time or place to explore them, but once this war was over, she was sure they'd be together. She hoped so anyway.

About that time, Harry popped in. He was shaking snow off his coat and through the darkness could not see them in an embrace. They broke apart and hopped off the bed. "Can one of you keep watch for a while?" Harry asked looking up. "It's freezing."

"Sure mate," Ron said reaching for his coat.

"I'll make you some tea Harry," Hermione said.

"Brilliant," Harry said and walked toward the tent's table to grab Hermione's bag. He wanted to shed his coat and put on something dry.

As Ron made a move towards the tent flap, Hermione caught his hand. He turned back to look at her, and she stepped close so she could whisper in his ear. She put her other hand on his shoulder and leaned up so only he could hear her. "Ron," she said quietly," Don't tell Harry this, but you're my favorite, and I promise that's not something I'd tell him too."

Ron's cheeks were flushed with flattery. She was showing him how much the story about his mum had meant to her and admitting she liked him all at the same time. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and winked at her. He then leaned forward and gently kissed her on the forehead. Hermione thought she might melt right there. "Thanks Hermione. You're my favorite thing in the world," he whispered. With that, he turned and walked out to start his watch. Hermione spun around smiling.

"What's with you two?" Harry said.

"Oh nothing," Hermione said. "Just an inside joke." She had no plans of sharing her secret moments with Ron with Harry. "I'll get you that tea now," she said and trotted off.

Harry just smiled. They're so in love, he thought to himself.

***please review if you like this story; I have a few other ideas for moments