And She'll Never Know

Ron grumbled over his poor potions grade as he joined Harry and Hermione by the entrance to the dungeons. "Figures Snape would fail me," he muttered. "How did you do, Harry?"

"I did okay," he said. "I passed."

"Just barely," Hermione reminded him.

"Oh, whatever."

"Who cares?" Ron asked his friends. "Hermione, you can hex him for me."

Hermione laughed. "I'm not hexing anyone."

"Oh, come on. Please?"

"No."

"Not even for me?" Ron batted his eyelashes playfully.

"Especially not for you," Hermione responded, rolling her eyes at him.

"But Herm-"

"No, Ronald."

"I hate you," Ron pouted.

"I hate you even more."

Harry smiled as he watched his two best friends bicker back and forth. It had been like this for years, the constant "I hate you" that really meant "you're awesome." It was home to him, the yells of frustration that Hermione and Ron exchanged when they got fired up. But lately Harry had been feeling a bit jealous of the closeness of the relationship between Ron and Hermione. Everyone had said that they would hook up eventually, and eventually had never come. Harry had asked Ron time and time again if he liked her, and he answered with the same "no& the time.

Maybe Ron really didn't like her. Right, Harry told himself sarcastically. And maybe Voldemort will offer you cotton candy while wearing pink bunny slippers. Harry was hit best friend; he knew better. He knew that even though Ron wouldn't even admit it to himself, he was head over heels in love with her. It was practically written on his face. It showed in the way he blushed when Hermione nudged him to wake him up when he had fallen asleep in class. It was in the wistful tone of voice Ron had whenever he spoke of her. Harry sighed as he looked at Hermione, her eyes warm with false annoyance at Ron's begging.

Ron was done trying to convince Hermione to hex Snape, and had a new idea instead. "Why don't you do my homework for me!" he exclaimed, very proud of himself.

"No."

"But Herm-" he whined.

"Ron! No, no, no, and no."

"I'll love you forever," Ron teased.

"You already do," Hermione fired back smoothly.

No, Hermione, Harry thought, his heart aching to hold her in his arms and kiss her. I will love you forever. I'll be the one to hold you and make sure that you'll be alright. At least I would if you would give me a chance. If you would give me a second glance, I would be more than you would ever possibly need. I can face Voldemort repeatedly, but I cannot gather the courage to tell you that I love you.

Harry sighed sadly, knowing that he would never be able to hold her in his arms. He would never be able to kiss her good-night or tuck a strand of her brown hair behind her ear lovingly. He would never be able to carry her or tickle her or kiss her because she belonged to Ron.

And Harry had promised himself when he realized he had fallen for her that if Ron should ever decide he wanted her, he would renounce his love. Well, maybe not renounce, but he wouldn't act on it. And Ron had never said he wanted her, but Hauot;You alright, Harry?" Hermione asked, looking at him in concern.

"Fine," he lied. "Let's go. McGonagall hates it when we're late."