Finally

I'm not entirely sure that she will ever know how much she means to me. I'm not entirely sure I always show her how much she means to me. And I'm not entirely sure she even knows I care about her. But that's exactly it, I do care about her. I care about her more than anything, more than life itself. Life at Hogwarts would be completely miserable without her. She thinks I take her for granted, but the fact is I'm so afraid to lose her.

Not that I ever had her. I don't even know how to explain it. I don't even know where to begin. Should I start with the fact that she's beautiful? She thinks I find her ugly, but she's so unbelievably intriguing. Her honey brown eyes are so amazing. But they are also so full of hurt. I want to erase that hurt, just wash away her pain, just hold her in my arms...but she won't let me. Her face is like a porcelain doll, so perfect and elegant. And her hair, that's the best part. Although she finds it unattractive and unruly, I think it's a perfect flaw. Not that her hair is even that bad. It's gotten much better since our first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Much more sleek, a little bit longer. It just makes Hermione who she is.

Bloody hell, if Fred and George found out they'd be on my back so quickly that I wouldn't even have time to explain myself! If Harry found out he'd probably laugh at me. He wouldn't take me seriously. No one does. You know why? Because I'm Ron Weasley. Ickle Ronny-kins is never serious. He's always joking around. Well you know what? I'm sick of joking around! I'm sick of putting on this persona everyday and pretending to be someone I'm not. You may think this has nothing to do with Hermione, but it does! It has everything to do with Hermione! The reason I act the way I do is because of her. Sometimes I feel like she knows exactly what I'm thinking. I'm almost positive she's caught me looking at her in Potions. How can I tell her how I feel? Is it humanly possible to express my feelings to Hermione Jane Granger, the most pristine, perfect, beautiful person I've ever known?

I've finally built up the nerve to tell her. It was today. We were outside on the grounds. The snow was falling lightly on our heads; our noses and cheeks were rosy from the cold. And all I could think about was how beautiful Hermione looked. Hermione and Ginny were building a snowman in the shape of Hagrid and they needed help sculpting the head and shoulders because they weren't tall enough. Hermione came running over to me. She asked if I could give her a boost. And so I agreed. I wasn't about to turn down an opportunity to express my feelings. I kneeled down and she climbed up onto my shoulders, and I stumbled slightly. Not that she was extremely heavy, because she sure as hell isn't. Once she was up there, she put on the head and carved out the eyes, mouth, nose, and ears. Then I brought her back down.

It was then that I said it. I don't know why I chose that moment, and I don't know how I got the gut to say it. But I did. And I said it loud and proud.

"Hermione Granger, I love you!"

She turned back to look at me, her warm honey eyes staring at my blue/green ones. And it was then that she ran towards me, embracing me in a tight hug. And I hugged her back. I would've never let her go. Finally, at last, I was holding Hermione in my arms. Sweet Hermione, the Hermione I had wanted for so long. She was here, in my arms, crying. Her head was in my shoulder but she raised it just once to whisper in my ear:

"Finally."

She didn't need to say anymore. I got the hint. She felt the same way.