A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature
To stop speech when words become superfluous.
~ by Ingrid Bergman ~
Chapter Two: Kiss, But Never Tell
Hermione sat on the garden bench, letting the delightful breeze play with her uncombed hair. It was six in the morning and no one else was up but her. Or so she thought.
Crookshanks darted by right then, but Hermione swung him up into her arms before he could escape.
"Why you loveable little furball, where do you think you're going?" Hermione cooed, giving the cat a light kiss on his wet nose. He purred, his eyes narrowing to slits.
"Morning, Hermione." Hermione jumped with surprise and spun around to see Ron slinking past her, a broomstick in his hand. His eyes were diverted away from her.
"I thought Ginny broke that," Hermione said, dropping Crookshanks and getting up to follow her friend.
"Oh, dad repaired it." Ron said, looking up at Hermione and smiling a little. The beauty she was giving off was incredible. Her hazel eyes shone from a pink-cheeked face and her hair, although messy, looked windswept and stunning.
"That's good. May I watch you?" Hermione asked, smiling sweetly. Ron looked thoughtful before nodding. Hermione beamed and hurried after him to the empty field they used as a Quidditch pitch.
Ron mounted his broom and was off, warming up by flying a few laps. Hermione seated herself in the middle of the field, looking up and smiling. Ever since she had seen him in his towel she couldn't help but think he was looking so muscular lately. She hadn't noticed it at school, but she thought maybe that he had been working out since they had finished Hogwarts.
"Watch out, Hermione." Harry was walking into the clearing with his broomstick over his shoulder, looking very tired. Hermione waved and stood up as Harry waved back then flew up into the air. She watched as her friends circled each other, obviously talking about something. She didn't wonder what they were talking about or who, but she did wonder if she should even be standing below them.
So she decided to go take a walk. She made her way through the forest bordering the Burrow and made her way up a hill to where she could see the amazing sunrise. She leant up against a tree and watched the glory of the pink and oranges, rising into the sun like a fluorescent lamp. If she knew then what she would know later, she'd never have stood there.
"Hermione, can we talk?" Hermione turned around and saw Ron lumbering up the hill towards her, his hands shoved in his pocket.
"Sure, Ron." She said, smiling. He stood beside her, his blue eyes studying the sunrise while Hermione studied him. I've never noticed how handsome he is, She thought dreamily before she could stop herself. Then, she mentally pinched herself.
"I wanted to say sorry about the time…I went to your door in a towel." Ron flushed as he said it, hoping that maybe the sunrise would shine it out. But Hermione saw it clearly.
"That's fine, Ron." She said, shaking her head and smiling at him. She felt her heart dip, which stunned her. No way am I falling for my best friend! She thought, trying to keep smiling although it had turned to a grimace.
"Are you alright?" Ron asked, walking closer to her. Hermione felt her heart thump painfully. She put up her hand.
"Of course I am. I'm fine, I really am." She said, smiling to the best of her ability. Ron nodded and looked down at his feet. She watched the top of his flaming head, watching it glint gold and red in the light.
"So, you forgive me right?" He asked, looking at her.
"What? Oh yeah, of course." Hermione had never felt so flustered in front of her friend before. But then, she had never thought she was in love with him, either.
"Good. Want to go to breakfast?" Ron asked, feeling his heart raise with hope. Hermione nodded and smiled, unconsciously melting Ron's heart.
They started walking and before her sensible, logical mind could stop her, Hermione wove her hand through his.
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That was the beginning of Ron and Hermione's relationship that went farther than being 'friends'. Harry and Ginny both instantly knew it when Hermione and Ron would blush whenever they made eye contact, and went off for secluded walks together.
One day, almost three weeks after their arrival, Harry and Ginny sat in the den, playing chess when the door slammed open. Hermione stomped past them and up the stairs, making an awful racket. A door slammed shut. They exchanged looks just as the door slammed open once more and this time Ron came by. He also went up the stairs.
"Go away, Ron!" Harry and Ginny could hear Hermione's muffled scream.
"No, Hermione! We need to talk!"
"Talk about what?" Hermione shrieked and both friends could hear the tears in the yell. Hermione had started crying. Ginny moved a queen between her fingers, concentrating on the conversation as Harry sat back in his chair and plastered his eyes on the bottom of the stairs.
"Just let me in, okay?" They could hear Ron's voice had lowered its level and was pleading. A door creaked open, then gently closed. Harry and Ginny looked at each other before shrugging and continuing their game.
Upstairs, it wasn't so peaceful. Hermione sat hunched on her bed, her hands over her eyes as she sobbed. Ron stood at the door, wringing his hands nervously. He never did learn how to stop a girl from crying.
"Hermione, please stop crying." He begged, but it only made her cry harder. Finally, he did the only thing he could think of. He sat down beside her and wrapped an arm around her shaking shoulders.
"You know I didn't mean to get mad at you." He said quietly, his hand absently brushing her head. "I guess I just got angry and you were there for me to be angry at, you know?" He only got a little choke for a reply.
"Well, I'm sorry, okay? I really am. Bloody hell, I don't do anything right for you, do I?" Ron said more to himself, his eyes attaching themselves to the window across from him.
"That's not true." Her soft, trembling voice broke through his daydream. He looked down at her and saw her red eyes peer back at him. He gulped, feeling uncomfortable with his arm around her all of a sudden.
"Hermione, I got mad at you because I was mad at Percy and what he was doing to my family, and you say I'm not a total idiot?" Ron asked, incredulous. Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Percy is a little prick, isn't he? I'm glad you got to vent, Ron. It's good for you." Hermione wiped her eyes on her sleeve and then looked back up at Ron. He nodded and smiled a little. It was a sad smile, Hermione noted, but at least he was smiling.
"Hermione…" Ron trailed off.
"Yes?" Hermione asked, trying to decipher his sudden change of expression. He looked nervous and uncomfortable. Then, she knew why. He grabbed her in his arms and pressed his mouth against hers. Hermione thought that maybe he'd smother her, but that was before they had actually touched. Now, with their lips pressed together, she could only feel a heavenly sense. It was wonderful; the gentleness and softness.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer until she was practically sitting on his lap. She could see his eyes fly open with surprise at her forwardness. She was surprised herself; she had never been one to act so explicit.
"Ron, I think I love you." She whispered, breaking their kiss. She felt his rushed breath blowing hotly on her lips.
"I think I do too." He said breathlessly.
"What, love me or love you?" Hermione asked, smiling a little. He blushed.
"I think I love you." Then, he resumed the kiss.
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