Someone to Love

"How did things come to this?" Hermione wondered. "How on earth am I supposed to make this decision?" If you had told her a year ago that she would have to choose between Ron, whom she had always been somewhat in love with, and her irritable Potions Master, she would have laughed at you. Now, it was a different story.

"How am I supposed to choose?"

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Chapter One

Hermione and Ron hurriedly packed their trunks for Hogwarts. They couldn't believe that it was time for their seventh year already. Mrs. Weasley hollered upstairs that breakfast was ready, but the aroma of bacon and eggs drifting up had already alerted them to that.

After shovelling their breakfasts into their mouths in a most unbecoming manner, they were hurried outside. Mr. Weasley had once again borrowed a Ministry car to take them to Kings Cross Station. This year the car was much more comfortable as only Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had to fit. Harry had spent the whole summer at the Dursley's, giving Ron and Hermione time to realise their true feelings for each other.

Once they got onto platform nine and three-quarters, they realized that Mrs. Weasley's rushing had not been in vain. They only had two minutes to say goodbye and catch the train. In a wild fit of arms, Mrs. Weasley somehow managed to hug her two children and Hermione, as well as straighten Ron's shirt.

As soon as they got on the train, Ginny went bounding off to find her boyfriend, Neville Longbottom, so Ron and Hermione went looking for Harry. After searching the train, they were dumfounded to find that Harry was nowhere on it.

"Hey Ron! Hermione! You two lookin' for Harry?" called Neville. "You're not likely to find him."

"Hey Neville! Why won't we find him?" Hermione asked.

"He left for Hogwarts early, he was tired of being at his aunt and uncle's. My Gran told me, but I'm not sure how she found out."

After a few moments of catching up with Neville, Ron and Hermione went to go find an empty compartment.

"Ah, alone at last! I'm worried about Harry though." Ron sighed as he sank into a seat.

"Yeah, it's not like Harry, he could have came to the Burrow if it bothered him that much. It's nice being alone with you though. You know, I love your mum, but she's always just... right there. I was at your house for two weeks and we were never alone for so much as five minutes!" Hermione exclaimed as she plopped down next to Ron. Ron put his arm around her and she lowered her head to his shoulder.

"This is nice," she murmured. "Just sitting here." Ron nodded his agreement. Hermione lifted her head to look at him.

Ron put his hand on Hermione's cheek and whispered, "Just me and my girl," before lowering his mouth to hers. They had kissed before, of course, but never really had time to do it properly, it was always just a little peck before Mrs. Weasley or Ginny came into the room. This kiss was different. Without the fear of being caught, Hermione wrapped her arms around Ron's neck and he ran his fingers through her hair. He never knew how exactly she had managed to tame her hair from the bushy mane she used to have, to the soft curls she now sported, but he loved it.

Of course, he loved her not matter what type of hair she had, but he loved being able to run his fingers through it.

Hermione was pleasantly surprised when she felt Ron's tongue graze her lower lip, asking for admission. She immediately opened her mouth to deepen the kiss. Hermione was completely lost in Ron. It wasn't until he began to lean her back against the seat and she felt a hardness pressing into her thigh that Hermione realized what was happening. She slowly pulled her lips away and pushed Ron off of her. Ron let out a small groan when he realized that she wanted to stop.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm not ready yet."

"It's alright, Mione." He sighed. "From now on you can set the pace if you want."

"You mean, you don't want to..." Hermione blushed.

"I do... God, I do. But I don't want to hurt you. I can wait."

"Ron, you are so sweet sometimes!" Hermione said as she wrapped her arms around him in a gentle hug. He embraced her back, and after a few minutes, he realized that the gently sway of the train had put her to sleep. He stroked her head as she slept and watched the rain fall against the window.

A few hours later, when the train began to slow, Ron thought about how strange it was that Malfoy hadn't made his usual trip to annoy Harry. He must have heard that Harry wouldn't be on the train; somehow Malfoy always knew things like that.

Ron gently shook Hermione awake.

"Mione...Mione... wake up, we're in Hogsmeade," Ron softly said.

"Did I fall asleep?" Ron nodded. "I'm sorry! That had to be awfully uncomfortable!"

"It was brilliant actually. I played with your hair and watched the rain fall. That sounds corny, doesn't it?"

"No, it's sweet!" Hermione said. She stood, gave Ron a quick kiss and started for the carriages.