In Front Of Me

Kat leaned her head on Ron's shoulder. It had been awhile since they could spend time together. He had his arms wrapped around her as they sat in silence listening to each other's heartbeat. The chilly, nearly winter breeze ruffled them, but because they were so close, they didn't feel it. The darkness was enveloping where they sat by the lake. The leaves on the trees nearby were ruffling softly.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked her.

She smiled at him and said, "Nothing, you?"

"Well, I was wondering what would happen if I kissed you," he said, his cheeks turning even redder than they were because of the frosty air. He kissed her without her answering, creating warmth between them. She smiled at him when they stopped, and they continued to sit in quiet.

"We'd better be getting back," Ron said, not wanting to let go of her.

"Yeah, we wouldn't want someone to catch us," she said. They walked quietly back to the school, hand in hand. Kat gave him a kiss goodnight before they departed. Ron walked happily to Gryffindor Common Room. He'd never felt so complete in his life. Kat was everything he wanted, but he couldn't explain a slight pin prick of guilt in his heart. He shrugged it off and entered the portrait hole.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Harry's words hit Hermione like the Hogwarts Express.

"What do you mean you're in love with him?" she asked.

"I-I don't know," Harry said.

"We shouldn't talk about this here. Let's go to the Common Room. It might be a little more private," she said, gathering her things and leading him out. When they arrived Harry dropped into a large soft chair. The Common Room was mostly empty, so they set to talking.

"So, what happened?" Hermione asked, sitting in a chair beside Harry.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"Well, what happened to make you like him? How long have you?" Hermione asked.

"Well, I don't really know. It just did," Harry said, reducing his voice to a whisper.

"Um...Harry...was it before I...kissed you?" Hermione said, now also whispering.

"No, right after actually. Why?" he replied.

"Well I was wondering if that was the reason you didn't want me to..." she stopped.

"No...no. It wasn't," Harry said awkwardly.

"So, when you realized you liked him, what happened?" Hermione said, dropping the subject of their kiss.

"Well, I was walking and I bumped into him. I looked at him, and it was like I couldn't breathe. I can't really explain it," he said.

"Does he know?" Hermione asked.

"Well, no. He probably thinks I have an illness or something," Harry said.

"Well, I don't think so. I think you might be making this out to be something it's not," Hermione said softly.

"No, I'm not! I'm serious. I...love him. I...need...I can't...never mind. I can't talk to you about this," Harry said, burying his face in his hands.

"Listen, ok, I'm sorry. I'm here to listen, not to judge," Hermione said quietly.

"But you don't understand. You don't know what it's like to need someone so bad, and then realize they would never see you that way," Harry said, not looking at her.

"You'd be surprised, Harry," Hermione said more to herself than to him.

"What? You...love Ron, don't you?" Harry asked.

"More than you know," Hermione said.

"What are we going to do?" Harry said, commiserating their situation.

"Well, I was forming a plan. It was actually devised by Malfoy before he told me he fancied..." Hermione stopped. She shook her head. Harry looked at her questioningly.

"Who? Who does he fancy?" Harry asked.

"Nobody," Hermione lied.

"Tell me Hermione, I deserve to know," Harry insisted.

"I can't...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to say anything," Hermione said.

"Hermione...please..." Harry begged.

"He fancies Kat, ok?" Hermione said loudly. Ron who had just entered after being outside with Kat heard Hermione's last statement.

"Who fancies Kat?" Ron asked, coming to where they stood.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kat walked slowly to her dorm not affected by her pace. Ron meant so much to her and she knew he felt the same way. Someone was walking behind her. Their feet were hitting the stone floor after hers. She turned around, seeing Malfoy behind her.

"Oh, it's just you," she said rolling her eyes and resuming her pace.

"And just what does that mean?" he asked, following closely behind her.

"Well if it had been anyone important I would have taken the time to give a shit," Kat said, continuing to walk.

"So I guess you're mad," Draco said, a smirk on his face.

"Wow, you're good," Kat said sarcastically.

"I hear that quite often actually," Draco said grinning.

"I care, really," Kat said, continuing on her way.

"I need to talk to you though," Draco said, his tone turning serious now.

"Well, I don't want to talk to you," Kat said.

"Why exactly are you mad at me?" Draco asked.

"Well, now you want to know? It's because you're a spoiled, snotty, pretentious, loathsome, rude, horrible, manipulating bastard," Kat said, out of breath.

"Feel better?" Draco asked, smirking at her last comment.

"Yes, actually," she said.

"Kat?" Draco started, but she began to speak.

"You know, you think you're so smart. You treat me like garbage, and now all of the sudden, you want me to forget all of that and give in to your bullshit? Well I won't! I refuse to..." she stopped when he cut her off pulling her to him and kissing her.