An Odd Match

"Oh, I'm sorry for intruding, I just, er, needed something." Explained Seamus, almost as uncomfortable as Hermione and Ron. They were both just glad it wasn't Harry. Seamus ran up the stair while Hermione and Ron stood there awkwardly, not saying or doing anything. Seamus flew down the stairs and out the door, leaving them there, all alone again. Ron looked at Hermione, and they immediately kissed once again. She grabbed his hand and took him into her room and shut the door.

After a long make out session that lasted only about half an hour, then stopped. They had only snogged, although Hermione was willing to do more. Ron was very inexperienced, and did not feel like doing much more.... for the moment. They began talking about the whole situation to re-assure themselves it would be okay.

"We can tell Harry." Hermione suggested.

"No, we can't tell anyone." Ron replied

"Why not? Are you ashamed of me or something?" Hermione shot him a very serious look.

"No, no, of course not." He grabbed her hand, "It's just, I dunno. I think we should just wait a while. You know?" He gazed at her, and she kissed him, just a small peck of agreement. Now maybe Harry will notice me... Hermione thought

Hermione did enjoy Ron's company, and it was nice kissing him, but it wasn't Harry, who she truly wanted. The only reason she wanted to tell Harry was to make him jealous, but Ron didn't want to, and she didn't want to make him mad, or that might foil her plan. She felt a little bad, trying to use Ron like this, but it wasn't really using him, per say. She did have some feelings for him, but only to a certain extent. Obviously enough to kiss him, but she didn't want a relationship with him. But, she must play along with this, or it would ruin everything.

At breakfast in the dinning hall the next morning, Cho came over to join Harry, Hermione, and Ron. No one talked much, except of course Cho and Harry. They told everyone what a wonderful time they had, and also that they were now dating exclusively. When Hermione heard this, she had a brilliant idea.

"Well, Ron and I had a wonderful time, thanks for asking." She butted in. Ron flushed red, and gave a stare at Hermione. What was she doing? She promised she wouldn't say anything!

"Oh really? What did you two get up to?" Harry asked.

"Well..." Hermione sheepishly looked at Ron who grinned back. Then, Seamus came over.

"Oh, nothing much happened in the dorm last night while we were there..." she said loudly on purpose so Seamus would butt in. Seamus Finnigan had a reputation of having the loudest mouth in the entire school, so when Hermione 'accidentally' reminded him, it was just what he needed to start gossip!

"Oh, nothing much you say? That's not what I saw going on!" He began. Ron turned bright red and Hermione giggled.

"Oh, what happened?" chimed the whole table now. Everyone was listening intently. Cho thought it was hilarious, Hermione was glowing, but Harry and Ron were the only ones not interested in the story. Ron picked up his books and ran out into the courtyard. Harry almost went after him, but he had to know what had happened.

"Well, I walked in as things were just getting good," Seamus began. "They were snogging! He had her right up against the wall and everything!" Hermione blushed, and Harry looked down at his plate. He couldn't believe it, Ron and, and Hermione? This just wasn't possible. He almost felt, well, a little jealous. It was nice having Hermione like him, but now she has moved on. That's what he had wanted, but now he wasn't so sure. He walked out after Ron and Cho looked discouraged and almost followed. Hermione grabbed Cho's arm.

"I think they need to talk." She said sympathetically. Cho looked worried, and Hermione simply smiled.

"So, what else happened?" They all begged Seamus.

"I dunno, I walked out then! You should ask this little snogging queen right here!" He joked. Hermione felt great, she loved this attention. She felt her plan had worked. She could see the jealousy in Harry's eyes.

"RON!" Harry bellowed as it echoed off the walls of the courtyard. "Ron! Wait up!" Harry jogged to catch up.

Ron turned around, and he looked furious. "She kissed me first you know!" He yelled. "I mean, I did tell her I liked her first, but she made the first move. Harry, I told her to not tell anyone, I don't want everyone to know. Now Fred and George are going to tell my mum and they'll think it's just so funny! Why did she do this? I thought she liked me." Ron looked confused and sad. Harry didn't know what to say.

"Well, you didn't enjoy it that much, did you?" Harry asked.

"Actually, I did. So what's it to you if I liked it or not? The fact is now she's going to tell everyone." Ron stared at Harry, and Harry looked very odd. "Why, did you want me to tell you I hated it? That she was an awful kisser? You know I could have, but that would be lying. I think I like her, and, based on last night, I think she likes me too."

"Just, be careful Ron." Harry warned.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ron shot back.

"Well, I don't know, just, just, be careful." He repeated. "She may not feel the same way about you, because..."

"Because you think she still likes you?" Ron yelled. Harry looked shocked. They'd never had an argument like this before. "Well she saw how you and Cho were all over each other, and so I'm pretty sure she's over 'Mr. Potter, the great one, who has immeasurable talents.'"

"Hey now, your not being fair!" Harry replied.

"Why, because I'm making a point? Because she likes me now and you can't accept it? Well, get used to it. We had a long talk, and besides, it's none of your business what goes on."

"But you're my best friend, we are supposed to tell each other everything, remember? I'm just looking out for you..."

"Yeah, well don't. Maybe I'd like to make some decisions of my own sometimes." Ron was furious, and couldn't control what came rolling out of his mouth.

"Ron, come one, this isn't you. Just hear me out, okay?" Harry asked. Calming down, Ron nodded, so he continued. "Look, you are a good friend of mine, and I just want what's best. You know as well as I do, that Hermione does whatever she must to get her own way. I think you guys would make a great couple and everything, but the way she was acting in there, something wasn't right. Since I told her I didn't have any feelings for her, she's been doing things I've never thought possible. She's been spying on me, she's been telling people I like her, and now you and her are together. It's  just a little much, you know?" Ron finally understood that Harry wasn't out to get him.

"Yeah, I get what your saying, but, but, I don't know what I mean. Look at me Harry. I like her, a lot. Then all of a sudden she likes you, then she tries kissing me. You know, she wanted to go further but I stopped it. This whole situation is so confusing. But as for the moment, she seems to be interested, and that's all I have to go on." Ron looked up Harry gloomily as he sat on a bench. Cho and Hermione had just walked out of the dinning hall and were waiting at the door. Harry and Ron began walking towards them.

"I'm sorry Seamus told everyone!" Hermione said in the most real sounding voice of sympathy she could. It didn't sound very real to anyone else but Ron.

"Oh, that's okay, I was just embarrassed that's all, not mad." He smiled and she hugged him. As she hugged she gazed at Harry, almost in an 'I want you,' sort of way. Harry just shrugged it off and began talking with Cho as they all walked in together.

 

The rest of the day, Ron and Hermione were always seen together. She followed him everywhere, and he enjoyed her company. But whenever she began flirting with him, she always waited until Harry was around. If Harry wasn't there, she didn't waste her time. At dinner, Hermione was practically sitting in Ron's lap. Ron didn't object, but Harry felt a little 
uncomfortable at this sight. Ron's never talked about liking girls, never mind having a girl all over him. It was a very odd sight indeed.

"Ron, will you pass me the bread sticks?" Hermione asked. "Oh never mind, I'll get it." She reached over Ron and grabbed the bread stick right in front of Harry. She gave him that seducing look again, but didn't say anything. She immediately went back to flirting with Ron, and Harry couldn't take it any longer. He got up and left and went over to Cho's table. Ron watched him go and wondered if he should say something, but didn't. As soon as Harry left, Hermione stopped feeding Ron, and looked frustrated.

"Are you alright?" Ron asked Hermione.

"I'm fine." She said coldly. Ron thought nothing of it, so he just went back to eating as Hermione sat next to him, miserable, and trying to think of her next move to make.

 

Later that night in the common room, Harry and Seamus were playing Wizard's Chess, while Neville was looking at his cards of wizards he had collected from his candies. Hermione sat down, and loudly began to talk to herself.

"Oh, I wish Ron were down here. Ron and I get along just great. Aww... He's so cute, and sweet, shy, yet open."

"The only thing open your worried about in Ron is his mouth and his legs." Seamus mumbled. Harry laughed hysterically, while Hermione gave a fake giggle. She went over to watch Seamus and Harry's game, and leaned over, showing her chest to Harry.

"Nice push up bra baby!" Seamus yelled. Hermione turned bright red and so did Harry, but only because he was trying very hard (and not to well) to keep from laughing. Hermione sat down on the couch next to Harry, getting closer and closer to him with every passing moment, until she almost on top of him. Ron then walked down the stairs and Hermione jumped up to give him a hug and kissed him. They kissed, a long passionate kiss right in front of everyone, and Seamus was laughing the whole time, while Neville looked away and Harry was astonished.

"Nice to see you too!" Ron exclaimed. Ron looked over at Harry who had a very worried look on his face. Ron sat down on the couch next to Harry, and began giving him tips on how to play the game.

"Ron, I have to talk to you..." Hermione said, grinning slyly and opening the door to her room. The other girls were gone, off watching the Quidditch practice that Slytherin was having. Ron wearily laughed, but said he had to go to his room and study. Harry quickly followed him upstairs.

"Ron, there's something you need to know." Harry began, not waiting for his reply. "Hermione was just coming on to me down stairs." Ron turned quickly in disbelief. "And I think I've figured out why she's suddenly interested in you."

"No, you're lying." Ron said.

"No, I'm not, you can ask Seamus if you don't believe me."

Ron's face dropped, and his fists were clenched. Both boys stood there and stared at one another for what seemed to be an eternity.

"I think she suddenly likes you, because she wants to get to me."