Take Me As I Am

Ron walked into the Gryffindor common room. Everyone was still up and once he walked in, everyone but Harry applauded. He smiled and scanned the crowd of Hermione. She was sitting next to Harry, watching him. He smiled at her. "Well, you did a good job," Dean said. "I'm sorry about the whole push thing," he said.

"No problem," Ron said. Everyone started to talk to him. He was suddenly popular. Harry glanced at Hermione. "Herm?" he asked. She looked at him.

"Yes?" she replied.

"I was wondering if you wanted to do something, you know tomorrow?" he asked. She smiled.

"Sure," she replied. Harry smiled and he pulled her closer. She rested her head on his shoulder.

"You know something? Ginny has been acting strange lately," Harry said to Hermione.

"I know. She has been going to the library a lot," Hermione replied.

*~*

Ginny was sitting in her normal spot at the library. She was reading up on some counter-curses for Defense Against The Dark Arts. She was so caught up in reading she didn't notice Hermione drop her books on the table. "Ginny, could you watch these for me? I have to find more sources," she said.

"Sure. No problem," she said without looking up. Ginny looked so consumed in the book. Hermione walked away and headed to the potions section. Hermione stopped halfway there because she saw Draco walking up to Ginny. He said something and Ginny nodded.

"So did you get an 'A' on your essay?" he asked Ginny.

"Yes, I did. Thank you Draco. You're a lifesaver," she said with a smile.

"Well, you know, if you have any trouble, just call me," he said. Ginny looked up from her book.

"It's strange. You're nice to me although I'm a Weasley. What's the matter with you?" she asked. Her voice had an unusual tone to it.

"It goes like this. I just..." he began.

"You like me don't you?" she said with a smile.

"Is it obvious?" he asked. Ginny didn't answer. She stood up and kissed him on the cheek.

Hermione was standing there awestruck. Oh my gosh. Did she just do that? Mental note: tell Harry and Ron. No not Ron. He'll freak! Tell Harry, she thought. She watched as Ginny continued to talk to Draco and she saw Draco's hand in Ginny's.

*~*

Ron was sitting in the common room all alone. He looked up and only saw the bright lights. Ever since he dropped Quidditch, his life has been boring. The fact that he's still trying to get Hermione was making him crazy. He got up and walked out of the room. He headed for the library. Halfway there, he crashed into Hermione.

"Hermione! I'm so sorry!" he exclaimed. He began picking up her massive piles of books.

"It's not your fault. I couldn't see," she explained. She looked up into his eyes and saw something she never noticed before. She saw happiness beyond belief in his eyes.

"Well, don't let me keep you waiting. You better hit those books, the potions test is tomorrow," he said. He smiled at her and he walked away.

"Ron!" she yelled. He turned around.

"Yes?" he said as he approached her. She looked into his eyes again.

"Well, I just thought, maybe we should study together. I mean it's been a long time since we actually talked. It would be cool to know what you were up to now and then," she said with a smile.

"I'd love to," Ron replied.

*~*

"Good job everyone. Remember, Hufflepuff will be a hard team to beat so keep practicing," Harry said. The Gryffindor team got up and left. Harry began cleaning his broom when he remembered he had to meet Hermione. He put away all his stuff quickly and ran to the Gryffindor common room. He was halfway there when he saw it. Ginny and Draco were holding hands outside the library. They were having a quiet conversation.

"You! Leave her alone!" Harry yelled. Everyone turned around.

"Harry, take a chill pill. It's ok," Ginny said. She smiled at Draco.

"No, it's not ok! You are dating this...this...this freak! How could you?" Harry exclaimed.

"Will you shut up? You have no right telling me what to do! This is my life and I could live it anyway I want to!!!!" she yelled.

"Oh really? What happens when I tell your brother?" he said.

"Are you going to tell him? I thought you are mad at him? You should just stay out of my life as well as Ron's life. Haven't you already done enough damage?" she yelled. With each word, her voice grew louder.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"You already broke my heart and now you are going out with Hermione? Are you nuts? Your own best friend likes her! You are one backstabbing guy! Didn't you get the picture during the talent show? He will do anything for her!" she yelled. Draco watched as the conversation, rather war, go on.

"How could you? How could you say that?" he said. His voice was wavering, and he turned and walked away.

"Leave him be Ginny. He's not worth the time," Draco said as Ginny rested her head on his shoulder.

*~*

Ron and Hermione were studying the aging potion process when Harry walked in, and he was mad. Hermione watched as he walked to the fireplace and sit next to it. "Harry, something the matter?" she asked.

"Oh yeah. Now that Draco and Ginny are together, Ginny has learned some bad things. She learned to yell at her friends," he said.

"WHAT?!?" Ron exclaimed.

"Calm down Ron," Hermione said. Ron shook his head.

"Calm down? Calm down? Are you crazy? My sister, out of all the people! He had to go and choose her!" he yelled. He began to breath very heavily.

"Are you ok?" Hermione asked.

"Leave me alone. I have to go," he said as he gathered all his notes. He picked up his bag and ran upstairs.

"Well, that went well," Hermione said with a sigh.

*~*

Ron sat in his bed, rocking slowly. He was overwhelmed. He had to deal with two relationships in one week. His mind was spinning. He reached over and grabbed a picture of him and Hermione. It was taken last year, during Christmas break. It was already October with Halloween right around the corner. He wished that maybe, just maybe, he could have her for one night. That wish never happened.

The night they took the picture, Harry and Ginny walked up to them. They had planned a little Christmas party. Ron never got any alone time with Hermione. "God, I have done everything. I study with her, I laugh with her and I have fun with her. Will she ever accept me? Will she ever take me as I am?" Ron asked himself. He put the picture away and slowly rocked himself to sleep.