Three Little Words

Hermione burst into the common room, her eyes searching for a certain familiar face, feeling rather panicked.

She didn't notice Harry walk up behind her, and her heart gave a little leap when he tapped her on the shoulder. She spun around, only to twist her face angrily at the sight of him. She opened her mouth to tell him to leave her alone but he spoke first.

"Look Hermione, I just wanted to say that I'm-"

Hermione cut him off.

"I know what you're going to say, Harry, but I'm sorry, I am still too angry to talk to you, much less forgive you."

Harry's face clouded over, and he set his jaw.

"Fine, if that's the way you want it," he snapped, and stalked off.

Hermione sighed.

"Well, maybe that was a little harsh, but things are easier this way."

Whipping around, she caught sight of Seamus sitting in one of the armchairs, chatting with Dean and Neville. She hurried up to him.

"Hi Seamus, do you by chance know where Ron is?"

Seamus looked up at her. He looked thoughtful for a moment.

"Um, yea, I think he headed up to the third level. Said something about practicing for Cha-"

But before he could finish, Hermione was streaking off towards the Third Floor.

Frowning, Seamus turned back to his friends. They all knew about her fight with Harry (Ron had told them), and each was wondering what was going on. The three boys exchanged weary looks before going back to their game. It didn't take a genius to tell that something wasn't right between the Gryffindor Seventh Years, but they weren't about to get in the middle of it.
* * *

It hit the beetle on the floor, making it scuttle in slow motion. Feeling satisfied with his spell work, Ron tucked his wand neatly into his pocket. He knew that he had better be going back to his dorm soon, but Harry would be there, and he would want to talk... Ron grimaced. He was good at a lot of things, but talking about feelings, especially girls...Suddenly the door creaked, and Ron turned in surprise to see Hermione sliding into the room.

Her cloak was draped over her small figure, and her eyes flickered in the half light as she carefully closed the door behind her. She smiled at him, and began walking towards him, the glow from her necklace illuminating her face in the dimly lit room.

"Uh, hey Hermione," said Ron, taken slightly aback. He absently ran his hand through his hair.

Hermione didn't say anything, but kept looking at him with that same odd expression on her face. She walked up to him, her face much to close to his... Ron panicked as he saw Harry's face in his head, his green eyes saddened. He put his hands up, pushing Hermione gently away from him.

"Look, about yesterday, I -I-it..."

He trailed off as Hermione slipped her arms around the back of his neck, and his eyes widened in surprise.

"Don't talk." Hermione whispered. Ron tried to speak again, more weakly, his resolve fading. She looked so sweet, so beautiful, so perfect there in his arms that he could hardly bear to let go...

"But...why...?" he managed to choke out, not breaking the gaze. Hermione smiled and slide her hand up his face, stroking his cheek with her thumb, causing little shivers to run down his back.

"I'm here to see you."

And when their lips met the whole world melted away.

* * *

"So anyway, she was just acting very oddly," Ginny finished.

She andht in a row, discussing what had happened earlier that day. Harry sighed.
"Thanks for the full scale report, Gin," he said softly," but right now I don't really care what Hermione does."

He smiled at Ginny and took her hand.

"You've been such a huge help to me these past couple days, Ginny. I don't know what I would have done without you."

Ginny smiled, and looked into Harry's bright green eyes. Neither one of them seemed very willing to look away when, suddenly; the clock on the wall rang eleven-o-clock.

Both of them looked up, startled.

"Well, I suppose we'd better get to bed," said Harry, in a sort of regretting voice.

"Yes, I suppose we better," replied Ginny, slowly.

The two rose from the couch and headed up the stairs, but their little fingers remained locked together. When they reached the landing, Harry looked around, and then back at Ginny, sliding his finger away, his hand falling to his side reluctantly.

"Well, goodnight then," said Harry, looking at Ginny.

"Good night," she answered softly. But as she turned to leave, Harry suddenly grabbed her and pulled her back.

"What am I doing?!" He thought desperately as his arms encircled her waist.

But it was too late. His lips met hers, and it blossomed into a soft, beautiful kiss.

When Harry pulled back, they both just stared at each other, cheeks flushed. Harry was struck by how beautiful she looked at that moment, amber curls hanging in loose ringlet around her wide hazel eyes.

"Well, goodnight then," said Ginny, a little breathlessly, before turning, and with a slight stumble in her step, fled into her dorm.

Harry just stood there.

"How could I be so stupid?! Hermione........."

But even as he stared up at his ceiling later, unable to sleep, a small smile played at his lips.

He was fast asleep when Ron wandered into the dorm, a few hours later.

* * *