Just Friends... Right?

Hermione had been around Harry long enough to know when he was lying. Actually, anyone with any wits could tell when Harry was lying. He had always been a terrible liar. He just couldn't stand to be untruthful, especially to his friends. So when Harry started to babble about race cars, Hermione grew slightly uncomfortable. Something was going on and she was going to find out what it was, after going to the library of course.

She noticed that the weirdness level had escalated at the breakfast table, with both boys alternately blanching and blushing while they struggled for things to say. After Harry left the table for an unknown reason, Hermione took an inconspicuous glance at Ron who was loudly banging himself on the head.

Hmm... What's going on? She thought to herself. Should I talk to Ron, or let him wallow in whatever it is he seems to be wallowing in?

She was saved the puzzlement by the fact that it was time for class to start. So she picked up her books and left Ron sitting there looking at his hands with a pained expression on his downward tilted face.

It was good to be back in the common room. She was seated in a comfy chair by the fire, quietly doing her charms homework. The room around her was buzzing softly with the conversations of the Gryffindors. She looked around, Dean and Seamus were playing chess, a few others were watching. She saw with a slight pang, that Ron and Harry were sitting at opposite ends of the room. At first glance, it seemed that they were both watching the game intently, but Harry was leaning slightly to the side, most likely getting a good look at Parvati's bum, while Ron was staring none to inconspicuously at Harry.

There's the weirdness again. I can just feel it. Maybe I should go talk to Ron, she thought. She had stood up and started walking over to Ron. He saw her and quickly wiped the moisture from his chin.

She looked inquisitively at Ron as he looked in her direction with a desperate yet determined look on his face.

"Uh... 'mione... can I talk to you?" he asked in almost a whisper as she made her way over to his chair.

"What is it Ron?" she asked, a little bit afraid of what he was about to say.

"Well you see... this friend of mine has this other friend, whose friend thinks that..." he stopped, looking quite frustrated, and then continued... "Oh what the hell... I think I'm in love with Harry!"

And there it was. She had figured as much.

"Well have you told him?" she asked. She was actually quite curious about the matter.

"Well... no...." said Ron visibly uncomfortable.

Then why is Harry so uncomfortable around you Ron? Hermione thought to herself.

She actually felt quite bad for Ron, she was pretty sure Harry was quite straight. Especially seeing the way he was staring intently at Parvati's rear earlier.