An Odd Match

At the party, Hermione immediately spotted Harry, hand locked with Cho Chang. Ron saw them to, and started to raise his hand to wave, but Hermione grabbed and looked at him sternly.

"No. He mustn't know we're here yet. We should surprise him!" Hermione gave a small giggle, and dragged Ron off to the other side. There was very loud music, and they were giving out raffles. No magic was allowed inside, because someone might try and win instead of being fair. As you walked in, you gave your name and that was how you were entered. But that was by far the last thing on Hermione's mind, and actually the last thing on Ron's as well.

"Hermione, come on, do we have to stalk them?" Ron pleaded.

"We're not stalking, just, just..."

"Spying?" He cut her off. She looked away from him and was watching Harry and Cho contently.

"Look at her! She's all over him! What's her problem?" She yelled. A few Ravenclaws walked by and overheard, and Ron just nodded politely and turned to Hermione.

"Do you have to be so loud?" He question harshly.

"Come one Ron." She grabbed his hand and dragged him onto the dance floor. Harry and Cho were dancing, so Hermione decided she and Ron should as well.

"I have an excellent idea!" Hermione yelled. "Let's say we were to accidentally bump into him, that would get his attention, right?" Ron smiled in agreement. As the music went on and they began getting closer, they slowly shifted towards Harry and Cho. Then, the music was stopped, and a slow ballad came on over the speakers.

"Hey all you guys and gals! Let's take it down a little, with this nice slow jam. Grab your partner, and be sure to keep it clean!" Giggles came from the corner were some first year Slytherin girls were. They were eying Draco as he was sitting down having a soda with Crabbe and Goyle.

As the song started, Ron looked at Hermione. Wow, Ron said to himself. The light was hitting her hair just at that moment and it seemed almost as if she were glowing. Hermione wrapped her arms around Ron's neck, while Ron instinctively put his hands on her waist.

"Now, I expect you to behave Ronald Weasley," Hermione began "Oh, I do hope Harry behaves. I don't know if I could stand to see him all over her again." She began to look worried.

"Don't think about him. You should be doing this for yourself. It's not the end of the world you know if he doesn't like you back." Ron suggested.

"But that's where you're wrong. You just don't understand. I love him, with all of my heart, and it's just awful to see him infatuated with her." Then, Ron understood exactly what she meant. There was an aching desire for her to look at him the way she always gazed at Harry, but he realized it would never be true. He stopped dancing for a moment, as he suddenly realized something.

"Are you alright?" Hermione asked cautiously.

"Oh, er, yes I'm fine." He began to smile at her, and then saw her in a completely different light. Oh my God, I'm in love with Hermione! He said to himself. They began dancing once again, and this time Ron held Hermione closer, and her hair went into his face. He took a whiff of her hair, and instantly felt as if her were walking on air. But the only reason he had a nose full of hair was because she kept starring at Harry. Oh well, that doesn't matter, he stated silently. I'm holding her now, and that's good enough for me.

Just then, Hermione dragged Ron just a little to the left, and BAM! They ran right into Cho and Harry. "Oh goodness! I'm SO terribly sorry, are you alright?" Hermione asked. Cho smiled as did Harry, and nodded that they were okay.

"OH, uh, hey Ron. I forgot that you guys were going to be here." Said Harry, sounding a bit embarrassed. Harry then looked at how Hermione and Ron were dancing, and was a little startled. Ron and Hermione? He asked himself. That's a little odd. But I'm glad she's over me then.

"Hey Harry! What have you been up to?" Ron asked Harry casually. The song was over and some fast two-step music began blaring from the speakers.

"Oh, I have a bit of an announcement. Right Cho?" Harry turned at the radiant girl to his right, and they both began laughing. "Well, Cho and I are officially a couple now. Isn't it great?" he explained to them. Ron's heart gave a leap while Hermione's dropped in her chest.

"Oh, yes that's wonderful." Hermione said softly. "I must be going, those O.W.L.s are coming up fast you know." She grabbed Ron's hand and walked out. She walked down an alley and sat on the curb and began to cry.

"It's alright." Said Ron soothingly; trying the best he could to comfort her. He sat down next to her, and waited for her reply.

"But, I don't understand! I did everything I was meant to do. I was a good friend, I flirted wildly (as if he couldn't notice!), and, oh Ron! What am I going to do? What does she have that I don't have?" She turned Ron, who was now starring at the road.

"Honestly?" he started.

"Yes, please tell me!" she pleaded.

"Nothing." He stated. He looked at her and she stopped crying. She wiped her eyes, and they both just sat there starring at one another for a few moments. Ron wished he could take it back, but it was too late.

"Really?" she asked. She gazed into eyes, as if she could see his soul.

"Really." He gave a weak smile and turned his head. He then quickly turned back to her, and sighed. "Well, we better get back to that party." He said as he stood up. He gave out his hand for Hermione, but she wouldn't take it.

"Ron, I don't want to go back into that party. I don't want to see them together." She took his hand then, and held it tightly. Neither of them said a word, as they walked down the street hand in hand.

* * * * *

As they got back to the dorm, it was completely empty. It seemed as if the entire school was gone to that party. Hermione began to think of what Ron had said back in the alley.

"Ron?" Hermione asked when the walked through the portrait hole.

"Yeah?" he replied shyly.

"Did you mean what you said back there, about she has nothing that I don't have?"

"Yes." He said. He then turned to walk up to his room, when Hermione grabbed his arm.

"Thank you. I know you were probably just saying that to make me feel better, and it worked. Your such a nice guy, Ron, I'm glad we're friends." Ron felt crushed. He guessed Hermione figured out what he meant and was making it clear they would be no more than friends. He solemnly smiled and walked off to his room.

Hermione turned around after saying that and cringed. Why did I have to say that? She thought to herself. He practically just told me he liked me, so I had to go and mess things up. It's not like I love him or anything, but he does have the boyish look to him that is very seducing.

Hermione turned and watch Ron walk away. Then she turned, just as Ron stopped in his tracks. He turned around just in time to see her close the door, and simply shrugged it off and kept on walking.

 

About an hour later, still no one was back. The party lasted until 11 o' clock, and they had gotten back at 8. Ron, just out of sheer boredom walked into the common room. He set up his wizard's chessboard and began playing alone. He soon got tired of that and tiredly put it away. He looked at Hermione's door, and wished she would open it to talk to him. It was only 9 o' clock now, so he figured he had a lot of time to spare and might as well study like Hermione had told everyone.

He raised his hand to the door and knocked three times. She opened the door immediately as if she were waiting right there. The both blushed, and smiled timidly, not making eye contact.

"Ron, we must talk about this. This is just so very awkward, I can't stand it." Hermione said intently. She finally looked up at him and he looked serious as well.

"Well, er, where shall I start?" Ron asked. "Well, hmm, I guess its kind of obvious then?"

"Well, I guess so." Hermione stated. She didn't want to guess the wrong thing for fear of looking stupid.

"Alright, I like you." He finally blurted out. Hermione stared at him for a moment to see if he would laugh and say just kidding, but he didn't. He looked very serious and was anxious to see her reply. "I must be going now..." he was cut off when Hermione kissed him. She quickly pulled away.

"Sorry..." she said turning an awful crimson. Ron stood there stupidly in shock. Then, he kissed her back. Wow, I never knew he was such a good kisser she thought. He slowly put his hands on her back and held her close, for a long and passionate kiss. And then, the portrait hole opened.