One More Time

Five years, Hermione thought, five years since they had taken this train to school.

She remembered the first time she had taken the Hogwarts Express like it was yesterday- it was the first time she'd met her best friends in the world, the ones she impatiently wished the scarlet train would deliver her now.

This is insane. Why did I convince everyone to come to this? I could be on a relaxing holiday right now, trying to rest before the new term begins.

But Hermione knew why she wanted everyone to go to their five-year reunion weekend at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Yes, there was always seeing Harry, Seamus, Dean and Neville but these were people she received owls from and visited often. There really was just one reason. Ron.

Hermione hadn't seen Ron in three years. After the War Against Dark Magic was fought and Voldemort was defeated, they had all moved out of the flat they shared in London to start new lives. Hermione moved up to their old hangout, Hogwarts, to become the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Hermione, Ron and Harry had all been Aurors in the war creating perfect qualifications for Hermione.

.

Harry had moved into his parents' old village-Godric's Hollow- to straighten out his life. The War had taken much out of Harry. He'd lost his drive somewhere within the desolation of battle, and had been going through the motions for over two years. Luckily, six months ago an angel had entered his life, guiding him along the path of healing he had so needed. Ginny Weasley had always been fond of Harry, but one look at him in his desperate state after the War persuaded her to take care of him. Much to Harry's surprise (and not anyone else's) he quickly fell in love with Ginny. He saw such beauty in her because she so selflessly reached out to him when he needed someone the most. He had been crazy about her ever since.

Fortunately, Harry had kept in shape; his body was still lean and cut. The England National Quidditch team quickly picked Harry up as their Seeker once they noticed he had gotten his life back together. They were having a successful season too, something they couldn't have done without Harry's magnificent Seeker skills.

After the War, Ron stayed in London to continue working for the Ministry as an Auror. He was quite good at it too, which surprised everyone since Ron didn't quite catch on to the obvious often. This turned out to be a good skill when detecting the Dark Arts-something that wasn't always so obvious. He just hoped he wouldn't turn out like Mad-Eye Moody, their fourth year Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who was slightly nuts and VERY paranoid.

Their lives took very separate directions in the last few years, but still kept them close at heart. Harry came up to the school often to see Quidditch games and root for the old team. He and Ginny would also come up when they were visiting Ginny's brothers, Fred and George, who had set up a successful joke shop in Hogsmeade after Zonkos was forced to close because of some business with an exploding pudding balloon gone awry. In turn, he also the opportunity to spend time with Hermione, something they both looked forward to.

Harry got the opportunity to see Ron at the Burrow during holidays. Hermione was always invited, but she had other obligations; going home to see her Muggle parents, or staying at the school to chaperone the students who didn't go home for the holiday break. The same organized and anal-retentive person who had made Head Girl, Hermione consistently made sure to send an owl in thanks along with an update on her life.

Hermione sent most of her classmates' owls to catch them up. They would send detailed replies to inform her of the goings-on in their lives.

The only person she didn't send habitual owls was Ron. She always felt Ron was better than that. He deserved more than that from her. They were extremely close at Hogwarts and during the War. There were even times when she thought that she could live by his side forever. That was three years ago, and now she didn't know what was holding her back.

That was until she received her invitation from Hogwarts announcing the Five Year Reunion Weekend to be held that summer while all the students were on holiday for the summer months. The alumni were expected to clear their busy schedules for a few days, stay in their old houses and reminisce about old times. There would be events like Quidditch matches ("Something Harry and Ron would enjoy," she said to herself when she read the invitation for the first time), chess tournaments, duels and even a mini-tri wizard tournament, pitting the houses against one another. They would eat meals in the Great Hall, like they did when they were students, and on the last night there would be a Reunion Ball; a night when all the alumni could dress to the nines and let down their hair (like Professor McGonagall once said about the Yule Ball held eight years ago).

Hermione knew the weekend would be the perfect opportunity to get the three of them back together again: the perfect opportunity for her to see Ron again, something she'd wanted to do for three years. She immediately sent owls to Harry and Ron, asking them both to attend the weekend. Her letter to Harry was short and sweet, saying clearly that she expected him to be there and there was no way she was going to take a "no" for an answer, since it had been so long since the Trio had even been in the same room.

Ron's letter, on the other hand, was more personal:

Dear Ron,

It's been ages, I know. But there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you. I miss you, and I hope to see you at the Reunion Weekend. There is so much to say but so little space on a piece of parchment to say it. If I could ask Merlin to send me only one person that weekend, it would be you. Please come.

Always and Forever

Love, Hermione

The train was taking forever to come as Hermione waited patiently in front of the school. All of her old friends would be arriving on it. With them would come all the fond, and some not so fond, memories of their time at Hogwarts together.

She had decided to stay at the school for a little peace and quiet in the castle instead of going to visit her parents before the reunion. She wanted to catch up on her reading; it seemed like ages since she had read a book for fun. Her current read was American Witches: from Salem to Now. It was quite interesting to read about wizardry in other countries, especially the US, where witches were famous, even though people didn't know they were, in fact, witches. This Courtney Love witch seemed interesting enough to fill many books with her antics. And she read that a woman named Angelina Jolie came from a long line of purebloods, although no one was the wiser.

Finally, the engine arrived. Hermione held her breath for what felt like hours. A line of witches and wizards exited the train; they shoved one another trying to get into the boats that would take them up to the castle the same way they did their first year. At last, she saw them: One red head and a pair of sparkling green eyes.

"Hermione," Harry bellowed as he came running towards her and swooped her into his strong arms, "it feels like I haven't seen you in ages!"

Hermione had to laugh at his enthusiasm, a constant state since Ginny had entered his life. "Harry, you just saw me three weeks ago, but it's good to know I'm missed," she said as he placed her back firmly on the ground and released her from the grip he had around her waist.

Behind Harry, though, was what Hermione was most interested in. Her eyes caught Ron as he smiled down at her. For a moment, neither of them knew if they should hug or shake hands like new acquaintances. It had been so long since they had laid eyes on one another. It was refreshing to Hermione, like taking in a breath of fresh air when you have been underwater for too long.

"Hey, I think I know you," Ron joked as he reached down to hug her. His hug was strong and comforting and something she had been missing far more than she thought.

"How are you doing, stranger? Welcome to my castle," she replied with a smile, still not letting go.

The two lingered there for a while, making an uncomfortable situation for Harry. I should let go, Hermione thought, but I don't want to. She could feel his racing heartbeat and smell his fresh clothes and it invigorated her, tempting her to remain in this position for eternity and make up for all of their lost time. She was about to let go when Ron whispered in her ear, "I'm just so happy, Hermione...so happy." The embrace finally broke and the three made their way to the boats, laughing and smiling, glad to be in each other's company after such a long time.

***********

That night, Hermione and her friends were back in Gryffindor Tower in their common room, goofing off as they had done only five years before. Ron and Harry were playing a game of exploding snap while Hermione sat close by, talking to Neville about the Ministry and reminiscing about their days at Hogwarts.

"Remember that time we petrified you, Neville," Ron asked with a laugh in his voice, "that was bloody brilliant of Hermione to think of that on the spot!"

Hermione blushed, "Ron, it was nothing, really."

"Yes," Neville replied dryly, "how could I forget that night?"

"Oh, c'mon Neville! You got points for Gryffindor for taking that spell! The look on your face was priceless," chimed in Harry, trying to make the memory a happier one for Neville.

Neville eventually managed to laugh, realizing the silliness of the situation. "If we're talking about priceless looks, how about the time your name came out of the Goblet of Fire! Now that was a shocked face!" Neville and the others nearly fell off their seats remembering that instance in their young lives. Harry's face, which was stone at first, quickly swept into a smile, remembering the shock.

"Touché, Longbottom."

They quieted themselves down, attempting to relax, all trying not to burst out into giggles again as they sat on the soft leather sofas. The four of them were looking into the fire silently, and feeling happier then they had felt in a long time.

Hermione was sitting next to Ron, in the middle of the couch, trying to warm up to him as possible without him noticing she was nervous. But something about the moment they all were in made moving her body close, stretching herself out on the sofa and laying her head and shoulders on his chest completely normal, at least for her. She sat there for a few moments, staring into the fire, not noticing what she had done. And then it hit her.

Oh my God, what am I doing??? She screamed at herself in her own head. Get up casually! Get up casually! Maybe he didn't even notice.

But it was too late. Ron had absolutely noticed and was taken aback for a minute. But just for a minute. Just as Hermione convinced herself of the best way of getting out of her awkward and vulnerable position, Ron did something that made her body freeze in place. He draped his one arm over her shoulder and across her collarbone and the other hand closest to her head was running his fingers through her hair. His gentle touch made her body shiver with chills causing goose bumps to form all over her skin.

Hermione wanted to lay there forever with her friend's arms wrapped around her, playing with her hair and making her feel warm. But she was starting to notice sideways glances from Harry and Neville. She felt like she had put Harry in an awkward situation for the second time that day and since she had asked him to come tothe reunion also, she thought it rude for her and Ron to stay in their intimate position.

"Well, I am definitely tired enough to sleep for days," Hermione said, breaking the silence...and tension. She stood up quickly and brushed herself off. "I expect I'll see you boys in the morning at breakfast?"

"Of course you will. I'm thinking about heading to bed too, it's been a long day," Ron replied.

The other two got themselves up, knowing that it was probably best for them to get to bed also, as tomorrow was going to be a busy day. Harry kissed Hermione on the cheek and said goodnight and Neville gave her a hug, again reminding her that he missed her. Ron, however, lingered behind, walking slowly towards the steps up to his old room.

"So, I guess I'll be seeing you tomorrow then," he asked with a bit of awkwardness in his voice. He stood there looking at her with his big blue eyes, his red hair falling over his forehead in front of one of them, giving him the boyish look that he would never outgrow. His hands were behind his back, hidden by his dark blue robes, and his feet shuffled impatiently back and forth while he looked at her. The anxious look on his face made Hermione's stomach flip, and she wanting to reach out and hug him. But then she took a look at his lips. His half-smile was part of the reason she was finding him undeniably sexy at that moment. She could feel herself turning red around the cheeks and decided it best not to think about Ron that way. Not think about his smile and lips...

"Yes, if you're not up by noon, I'll come up and wake you," she replied with a smile, obviously looking flushed.

She was just about to climb the steps to her room when a hand clutched her elbow. She turned around to see Ron's soft face only inches from hers. He started to lean down to her with a look of adoration. She could see desire, lust and love in his eyes. Or maybe it was just wishful thinking on her part.

He's going to kiss me, Hermione's mind was swimming. He's going to kiss me...

As Hermione braced herself for a kiss she had been thinking about for the past three years she got a shocking surprise. Ron leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. But his eyes were so determined...I don't get it...

"Goodnight, Hermione," he whispered into her ear and marched up the steps into his room, leaving Hermione alone, a look of confusion on her face.