Love's Labours

As much as she wanted to hang back, Hermione knew it would only get Harry in more trouble. She only wished she could be with him... to provide some bit of support. She sighed to herself. What bit of support could she give him? It wasn't like they were dating or anything. In the grand scheme of things, Hermione knew she didn't matter much in Harry's life. It was always Harry and Ron. The Dynamic Duo. She was just along for the ride.

"Is something the matter, Hermione?" Ron asked, looking back at his friend.

Hermione drew her attention away from the dungeon entrance to glance at Ron. A slight smile touched her lips, hopefully it would be enough to keep him from asking any further questions.

"I'm fine, Ron," she said with a shrug of her shoulders. She readjusted the books in her arms as they began to walk away. Every few feet Hermione would throw a glance over her shoulder to see if Harry had been sprung yet.

"Are you sure?" Ron asked again, watching her like a hawk.

Under the constant scrutiny, Hermione began to feel uncomfortable. Why was he watching her so closely anyway?

'Because he has--' her thoughts began.

"No," Hermione muttered under her breath, cutting off her thoughts. She didn't even want to entertain the thought of Ron liking her as anything more than a friend. The idea was preposterous.

"You're not sure?" Ron stopped in front of Hermione, facing her. "You know you can tell me anything."

Hermione laughed to cover up her faux pas. "Sorry Ron... I was just talking to myself. I really am fine. Trust me."

~*~*~

In his heart Ron wanted to believe her. But, as the old adage went, actions speak louder than words. Hermione couldn't take more than three steps without throwing a glance over her shoulder. She tried to cover it up, but Ron could see straight through her. He had known her for too long... he could read her body language like a book.

'Damn you, Harry,' Ron closed his eyes briefly. 'You get everything and I am left with nothing.'

Ron glanced at Hermione out of the side of his eye. She was so beautiful. It was amazing how much she had changed in just the past three years. She had filled out. Only in Ron's wildest fantasies could he finally see just what was concealed under those robes. How he longed to touch her...

"Ron, it's this way."

Hermione's voice broke through his thoughts as he realised just where he was. Cursing under his breath, Ron reversed his direction and hurried to catch up to Hermione.

"And you're the one who was asking me if I was alright." Hermione flashed him a smile and Ron felt as if he were on cloud nine.

Ron returned her smile with one of his own. "Yes, I'm fine... I just have a lot on my mind."

'Like how I'm going to win you away from that bastard.'

The two continued their hike back to the Gryffindor Common Room in total silence. Ron's mind was in a whirl as he thought of every scenario to win Hermione's heart, each one more erotic than the last. Luckily, he was able to hide his husky breathing from Hermione. She probably assumed it was from climbing the stairs.

Still a voice nagged in the back of his mind.

'You have no right to "steal" her away. Who she dates is her own decision. Besides... she's still with Krum and has shown no interest in Harry as of late.'

Ron managed to push the thought away with a counter of his own.

'All's fair in love and war.'

They were a few steps away from the portrait and Ron knew his moments were dwindling. It wasn't often that he had the chance to be with Hermione alone. Usually the three were together. And this was something he really couldn't say in front of Harry.

"Hermione?"

"Hmmm..." she answered, her eyes flicking behind her.

"Were you planning on going to the Yule Ball this year? I didn't know if you were going to skip it because Krum wasn't around." As he began to talk, an unknown feeling took over. One of fear. A slight stutter entered his voice. "I was m-merely wondering. I-I mean, it is our l-last year and a-all..."

Mentally Ron cursed himself. Did he have to be so blunt when it came to Krum? Two people he had to beat out for Hermione's heart. When was he ever going to get a break?

From the stunned look on Hermione's face, obviously Ron had caught her off guard. "I... I'm not sure yet," Hermione answered finally. "I'd have to owl Viktor... and it would depend on his training and game schedule..." she trailed off, suddenly sounding unsure of herself. The timbre of uncertainty was definitely a foreign sound for her.

But for Ron... it was an opportunity. From those few little words, he assumed that her relationship wasn't as strong as she made it out to be. As he thought... he realised she hardly ever spoke of the Quidditch player. It was a sign. Now all he had to do was get Harry out of the way.

Ron coughed to clear his throat. Hermione looked at him for the first time in the past five minutes. She opened her mouth to say something but Ron held up his hand.

"No... I need to say this. Hermione..." Ron took a step closer to her and put his hands on her shoulders. He positioned himself so that Hermione was forced to look up at him as he spoke. "If Krum is unable to come to Hogwarts in time for the ball, I would be honoured if you would be my date."

Now was the moment. If he didn't do it now, the chance would be lost forever. Ron lowered his head and lightly brushed his lips against her own. Hermione didn't back away from him, so he took that as a cue to let the kiss intensify. He never took into consideration that he was too shocked to do anything.

~*~*~

Hermione was trapped. Any moment, any one of the Gryffindors could exit the tower and see them, snogging in the hallway. Granted it was Ron who was taking the initiative, but no one would see it that way. When the news reached Harry... what would he think?

The thought never occurred to her to even consider what Viktor would think. Her mind was only on Harry. And how to get out of this current lip lock with Ron.

The pile of books toppled from her arms and fell to the floor with a thud. Ron jumped backwards, breaking the kiss rather awkwardly as one of the books hit his foot. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief, seeing the corridor deserted still. No one had seen the moment and for that she was thankful.

Hermione dropped to the floor, picking up the books. Ron was still bounding around, holding his foot. She rolled her eyes. 'Such theatrics...'

When Ron stopped hopping, he turned back towards her as if intending to finish what he started. His head bent down and Hermione felt like she was going to be sick.

"Ron... don't." Ron froze where he was as a look passed over his face. A look of rejection. Don't was a word Ron Weasley rarely heard. "I don't want either of us to do something we'd regret later. I'm going to the library. Please don't follow me."

~*~*~

Ron watched as Hermione turned away from him and retreated down the hallway. What had gone wrong? She hadn't protested the kiss... she had encouraged him. Now what did she think of him? Ron sighed to himself as he turned back towards the Fat Lady.

"Butterbeer," he muttered, stepping back as the portrait swung forward. He climbed through the hole and entered the deserted common room. Ron collapsed into one of the chairs, keeping his back to the rest of the house. He'd rather not speak to anyone passing through at the moment.

Only one thought repeated itself over and over in his head.

'Damn you Harry...'

~*~*~

As much as Hermione thought they were alone... one solitary person saw the kiss in the corridor. He watched as his best friend lowered his head to capture the lips of the woman who haunted his dreams. In that brief moment, all his hopes had vanished like the stain of breath upon a mirror.

Hermione had done nothing to pull away. Nothing. In fact, she encouraged him. No doubt she dropped her books to pull him into a more passionate embrace. At that point, Harry had turned his back on the scene. He didn't want to witness anymore. He felt betrayed. Granted, he had never admitted his feelings to anyone. But still... this was something you discuss with a friend, wasn't it?

After his strange meeting with Snape, he had hurried back to the common room to fill his two best friends in on what had happened.

"Ex-best friends," Harry muttered under his breath.

Even though Ron & Hermione's betrayal weighed heavily on his mind, he kept hearing the end of Snape's conversation in his head. It was so bizarre... it had to be true.

"Harry... I want you to know that we are on the same side, as much as you don't want to admit it. I keep up the facade to keep them guessing. If I were to show any bit of favouritism, it would return to the Malfoys quicker than you can say 'Riddikulus.' It's for your own protection."

"What about your hatred of Sirius?"

"I admit it's something I won't ever forget... but we've set aside our differences. We all need to be allies if we will have any hope of defeating Voldemort."

"I hope you'll forgive me for saying this... but this is rather hard to believe."

"I imagine so. But I am sincere. This conversation will remain between the two of us."

Well... it would now. There was no way he'd tell those two back-stabbers now. He was on his own... just like he always was. He should have known things would end up this way. Who was he to think that he'd finally have one chance of happiness?

With a heavy heart, Harry walked past the portrait hole. He didn't want to enter now... not when the lovebirds were probably enjoying a nice snog in the common room.

Instead, he let his feet lead him in the direction of the library. He just needed a place to think.