Interlude: Harmonie
Ron Weasley stared across the Gryffindor common room with a bemused expression on his face. Sitting together on one of the comfortable sofas were the two people he knew best in the world, but it seemed as if he were seeing them for the first time. Harry Potter, his best mate, was chatting and laughing with Hermione Granger, Ron's one-time girlfriend. The pair were so comfortable together, talking easily, full of happiness in each other's company.
It was more than just affection. They were in love.
Just a few years ago, this would have set Ron on edge. The green-eyed monster of jealousy would have sent him into an irrational rage as his territorial instincts would have kicked in. Hermione, was, after all, a girl. An attractive, pretty one he had begun to notice sometime around fourth year, and so it was only natural for him to have turned his attention to the young witch. So, for Ron to see just how close the pair were, to really see it, it would have sent him over the edge.
But that was then.
Now, Ron wondered how he had never noticed it. When Hermione looked at Harry, she had a fond expression in her eyes that seemed familiar to him but it took a bit for him to place. But before long, Ron realized what it was—it was the same look his mum gave his dad from time to time, the one that was soft and warm. Besotted. Harry, for his part, had the habit of stealing looks at Hermione when her attention was elsewhere. Harry didn't even realize he was doing it.
Neither of them did.
It had felt good to be Hermione's boyfriend for the short while he had, before that fateful day at Hogsmeade. It had been nice to have Hermione hold his hand, give him her attention, and let everyone know that they were together. It was validating. And if it weren't for the Death Eaters attacking that day, maybe they'd still be dating.
But the Ron Weasley who was looking at the two now had been through experiences that last year's Ron Weasley couldn't, with the limited range of his emotional maturity, have understood in the least. This Ron realized how much better Harry and Hermione fit together than he could ever hope to. This Ron had nearly lost his best mates friendship, had felt the pain of loss, and had learned to treasure what he had and not need to envy others.
And so it was that the red headed Gryffindor stood up and crossed the common room to stand just in front the pair.
"Harry. Hermione. You know, you two will make a great couple."
At Ron's approach, the two had turned their attention to him, their expressions expectant. At his words, their expressions immediately reddened half in embarrassment and half in defensiveness.
"Look, Ron, it's not…" Harry started protesting as Hermione started her own protestations. "Ron, we're just sitting and talking! Boys. Honestly."
Ron gave his friends a big grin. "That's just it, you're just sitting and talking. The two of you ought to be snogging each other."
Any idea that Ron was mad at them was destroyed by his cheery expression, but that left the pair sputtering at the suggestion itself.
"Ron, you prat! She's not interested in me that way!"
"Harry would never think of doing something like that with me!"
Ron grinned as the two looked at the two of them as they each realized what the other had said and stumbled awkwardly over trying to express how, yes, the actually would be interested in each other. "Well, my work here is done," Ron said and walked back across the Gryffindor common room.
Harry looked at Hermione, a sheepish smile on his face. "Well," the young wizard said, "He is a seer. Who are we to argue?"
Hermione shook her head in amusement at the absurd situation, a smile on her face. Then she took Harry's hand. "I guess there's only one way to find out if he's right."
And then she kissed him.
Author's Note:
I really have had trouble fitting this in and continuing the story from this point. I had hinted at Hermione and Harry's feelings in previous chapters, but really didn't pay it off. However, it just doesn't match the tone of the next chapter. So, I'm just throwing this up by itself. Forgive me.