Etching in the Astronomy Tower

Etching in the Astronomy Tower

"Ron, what are we doing?"

"I told you, I need to show you something. You need to tell me if I should show Harry."

"But, where are we going?"

"Just to the Astronomy Tower."

"You're taking me to the Astronomy Tower on a Friday night?"

"That's where the thing is, Hermione. Come on."

~*~

"Good, it's empty."

"That's odd. I could have sworn Parvati was complaining about it being reserved."

"I did reserve it."

"What?!"

"I wanted to make sure I could show you the thing. Now, hang on while I find it."

"This is just an empty tower, Ron."

"No. It's here. I just have to- Aha! Here it is. Look."

"Oh! Wow... That is surprising."

"I know. I found it during our last astronomy class. What do you think it means?"

"Well, Ron, it says Padfoot + Moony in a heart. I think it's pretty self-explanatory."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Should we tell Harry?"

"I don't know. On the one hand, there's someone who misses Sirius as much, if not more than, Harry does. Someone he can talk to. On the other, it might make him feel more guilty."

"That's what I thought."

"..."

"Quite a shock, though, isn't it, Hermione?"

"Well, yes, but no as well."

"What?"

"Well, we knew they were close, didn't we?"

"Yeah, but they were best friends. You don't just fall for your best friend."

"...You don't?"

"Well... I mean, it isn't really done that often. If you don't look at Sirius and Remus, or Seamus and Dean."

"Just like falling for your enemy isn't done."

"Look, don't be sarcastic. You know what I mean. Besides, Harry and Mal- Draco are exceptions to the rule."

"So, what are Neville and Blaise?"

"They're another exception. Neville and Harry can have whoever they want for their bloody boyfriends, but that does not mean we all have to date Slytherins. Besides, I thought we were talking about best friends."

"We were. We are. I was just trying to make a point, Ron."

"And that was...?"

"That best friends falling in love is just as likely as worst enemies falling in love. Both of which we've seen plenty of."

"Yeah. Alright, but what are you trying to prove?"

"..."

"You're not secretly in love with Harry, are you, Hermione?"

"No! Why would you think that? He doesn't even like girls!"

"Well, you're going on about best friends being in love with each other, so I thought-"

"Ron! Harry is not my only best friend! Why do you always have to assume everything is about him? You're being so frustrating. This time it's about you! I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU, YOU BIG GIT!"

"Me?"

"Yes, you. Who else would I mean?"

"But- Why? How? I don't understand."

"Because, Ron. I just do. Because you're just you, and I like that. Because of who you are."

"But, I'm nobody. I don't mean anything."

"Maybe not to the world, Ron, but you mean a lot to me."

"But, I ... Do you mean it, 'Mione?"

"Yes, Ron. I do mean it."

"Oh... Well... I- I love you, too."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I just didn't want to say. I didn't think that you could love me."

"Well, I do. I really, really do."

"..."

"Wow... Where did you learn to kiss like that, Ron?"

"Nowhere. I've never kissed anyone before. Was it good?"

"Yes. Very."

"Shall we do it again? Maybe put the reservation to use?"

"Well... it wouldn't do to waste it."

~*~

"Where have you been?"

"Nowhere, Lavender."

"Don't lie, Hermione. I know the snogged look when I see it."

"No, I-"

"Who were you snogging? Tell me."

"Who's been snogged?"

"Oh, hi Parvati. Hermione's been snogging and she won't tell me who."

"Oh, do tell, Hermione. We tell you who we snog."

"But, I don't ask."

"Oh, that's not important. Tell us."

"Were you in the Astronomy Tower? I was really disappointed that Anthony couldn't book it, but if it was you, then that's alright."

"Really?"

"Of course. Us girls have to stick together, right?"

"Absolutely right, Parv. Now, tell us, Hermione."

"Well, I was in the Astronomy Tower."

"Oh! I knew it! With who? With who?"

"Ron."

"What? We can't hear you, Hermione. Speak up."

"Ron."

"RON!"

"Yes."

"Oh, my God! That's great!"

"Finally!"

"What? Finally? What do you mean, Lavender?"

"Oh, honestly, Hermione. Everyone has seen this coming. That Yule Ball fight two years ago was such a give away. Besides, I saw it in my crystal ball during the Divination exam in third year."

"Oh."

"Don't roll your eyes, Hermione. It came true."

"I suppose."

"Are you happy?"

"What?"

"Are you happy?"

"Of course, I'm happy, Parvati. The boy I've been madly in love with since I was eleven just snogged me for a good hour. And he loves me back."

"He does? Did he say that?"

"Yes."

"Oh. That is the most romantic thing."

"Isn't is, Parv. Oh, Hermione, you're so lucky."

"Hmm? Why?"

"Ron's really cute."

"Lavender!"

"Oh, don't sound so scandalized. You know it's true. I'm not after your man, or anything. I just think he's cute, is all."

"And he's on the Quidditch team."

"Parvati!"

"Calm down, Hermione. We're not after Ron. Just give us some details."

"No!"

"Why not?"

"Because it's private and I'm going to sleep now."

"Sure, you go to sleep all snogged out and leave us hanging."

"Goodnight, Lavender."

"Nothing? Not even one description?"

"I said, goodnight."

"Is he a good kisser?"

"He's great, Parvati. Now, goodnight. Stop asking questions."

"Lucky little witch."

"Goodnight."