Three Little Words

"Hey Herm, have you found that thing on the Confundus thingy yet?" Ron asked, clearly puzzled.

"No, not yet, I'm working on it!!" replied Hermione.

They had been working hard on their project for almost an hour now. She sighed and closed her book.

"Well," said Hermione with a tone of finality," I think we have had enough for today, don't you?"

"Yes, definitely," agreed Ron, eagerly pushing his books into his bag.

"But we'll have to come back tomorrow to get it all done. Same time?"

"Works for me," said Ron with a grimace at the thought of more work. Hermione grinned at him.

"But I think tomorrow you should do most of the work, because I did most of it today!" said Hermione teasingly.

"Hey," cried Ron in mock anger. "Are you accusing me?"

Hermione laughed.

"What if I am?"

"Then I will have to punish you," said Ron, pushing her back on the couch and tickling her stomach.

"Ooooooo, Ron, stop!!!!!" Hermione giggled. Ron put his face right up close to hers, so their noses were almost touching.

"Do you surrender?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Suddenly Hermione felt short of breath.

"I surrender," she said softly, frozen.

He was so close... His lips were only inches away from hers....

Then suddenly the image of Harry burst into her mind. She immediately snapped out of it and sat up. She felt rather dizzy.

"I'm going back," Hermione said to Ron, avoiding his gaze.

"I don't feel so well."

And as she walked out of the library, leaving Ron behind, she tried not to think about the fact the she had almost kissed her best friend.

* * *

Ginny laughed uproariously at Harry's joke, and her laugh seemed to echo in the almost empty common room.

The Exploding Snap set had been pushed aside long ago, and Harry and Ginny had been talking and laughing ever since. It was late, and most of the students had gone to bed. The clock on the wall struck midnight. Ginny looked up, startled.

"Oh my gosh, I hadn't realized how late it was!" she said. Harry glanced at the clock as well.

"Wow," he said, looking at Ginny. "Time just flew by!"

"Well," Ginny said, gathering her things," I hate to be the one to say it, but we better go to bed! I have an early Herbology quiz tomorrow!"

"Yeah, you're right," said Harry, standing up. "Come on."

They trudged up the stairs together.

"Well, 'night Gin," said Harry.

"Goodnight Harry, see you tomorrow," replied Ginny as she pushed open the door to the girls' dorm.

Once inside, a huge grin broke out onto Ginny's face. Humming softly, she put away her things and climbed into bed.

"Maybe there is hope for me yet!" she thought to herself as she laid her head back on her pillow.

* * *

The next morning, Hermione was up early and was getting dressed.

She was deciding which blouse Harry would like better on here, the red or the green, to wear under her robes. Hermione was leaning towards the green, considering it was Harry's favorite color.

Then she remembered her necklace, lying on her night stand. She clasped it behind her neck, and right as she heard the click of the necklace being fastened, the thought struck her that Ron's favorite color was red.

"Hermione, let's go! We'll be late for breakfast!" Parvati's voice echoed through the dormitories.

"All right, all right, I'm coming," Hermione replied.

She looked at the two shirts for a long moment, and quickly pulled on the red one, leaving the green one lying on the chair.

As she raced down the steps, Hermione did not notice the bright glow of her necklace, gleaming at the base of her neck.

* * *

It was later that evening, and Harry had barely seen Hermione all day, much less talked to her. He and Ginny were sitting in the common room, again, talking and waiting for Ron and Hermione to return from the library.

In a burst of desperation, Harry had told Ginny about his problem with Hermione. Ginny had rose magnificently to the occasion, and was full of ideas and suggestions.

"Well Harry, it sounds like what you need is something to rekindle your flame, right?"

"Got any ideas?"

"Well, you know how we have the day off coming up soon?"

Harry nodded, and Ginny continued:

"Maybe you and Hermione could take a little trip to Hogsmeade together. Do something fun, spend a little time together!"

"You know, Ginny, that just might work," said Harry thoughtfully. He pulled her in for a quick hug. "Thank you, you always have great ideas!"

"Anytime," replied Ginny, smiling up at him.

* * *