I Love You

Hermione and Ron sat together on the couch, Hermione had a book in her hands and Ron was looking over her shoulder. He almost didn't realize what she was reading until he came across the title of the chapter: Apparition and Muggle Artifacts in Hogwarts.

Oh so she's reading Hogwarts, A History. I wonder how many times she's read that, at least twice a year, six years makes twelve and this is the first time this year, so this is the thirteenth time. That's all right though. I think I'd even read that if she wanted me to.

Ron turned away from the book and started to look at Hermione's hair. He admired how the fire seemed to make it glow with an iridescent light; the browns were almost looking red. Hermione seemed to notice that someone was looking at her, and she looked up at Ron. She smiled, and then turned back to her book.

He's so cute. I can't believe he is sitting here reading over my shoulder. Although, I don't think he was really reading, I think he was studying my hair rather than my book. That's all right.

Hermione grinned slightly to herself. Ron seemed to notice, but he didn't say anything, for once he was happy to just sit there and not talk, or argue.

I can't believe how much we fight. I think that one time, after the Yule Ball, when Harry had overheard us, what he said that night really hit home. I think he said something along the lines that Hermione and I sounded like an old married couple. Like some couple from a Muggle VI show, or whatever it's called. But I guess that is what we are like.

Ron looked down at Hermione. She returned his gaze, and shut her book.

"Do you just want to sit?" she asked him quietly. Ron nodded, then put his arm around Hermione as she propped her legs up on the couch and slid so that she was lying up against his shoulder.

Sitting there. That's all they needed to be. Ron's arm was protectively around her, and he was holding her hand. Hermione slowly traced her thumb against his, just being. She leaned her head on his chest, listening. Listening to his heartbeat.

A heart beat is such an intimate thing, she thought. She was slowly becoming attuned to the beat, her heart starting to match his. Starting to become one.

This has to be right. If you can just sit with someone, and just enjoy being there, with him, it can't not be right.

Hermione closed her eyes, letting her breathing slow, relaxing into Ron. He noticed this, and he slowly leaned back a bit more into the couch, so Hermione was almost lying down completely. Ron looked down at her now sleeping form and brushed a stray hair off her face.

It doesn't matter. Fighting could never ruin this. Why didn't I realize this before? How could I have been such an idiot? Why couldn't I have seen her beauty before? I should have been able to look past her books and her annoying habit of telling me what to do. She only acted like that because she cared. She always has. And I guess, deep down, I've always cared about her.

Ron continued to gaze down on Hermione, totally lost in his thoughts. After a few minutes, Hermione slowly opened her eyes, to look directly into Ron's. They sat there for a moment, and slowly, Ron lowered his head, and softly kissed her lips. Then, together, they whispered, "I love you."