Disappointment

I'm late to Herbology, as I usually am on Monday mornings. It's hard to get across the grounds without being caught by someone, usually Filch. He doesn't care if you've overslept... He's not the sort of person who really cares much about anything. Everyone else is there as I sneak into Greenhouse three. She rolls her eyes and whispers the instructions to me as I quietly slip in next to her, just like I do every Monday morning. We're replanting Alihotsy. She's got dirt on her nose. I don't tell her, though. Not till the end of class.

She sits in front of me in Transfiguration. I barely even listen there anymore. It's impossible to pay attention. I spend the entire class staring at the back of her head. Her hair isn't as bushy as it used to be. It's different somehow. And the way she sits... her robes cling in just the right places. McGonagall's got us transfiguring Yorkshire pudding into Yorkshire terriers. She calls on me to demonstrate for the class how it's done. Why does she always call on me when I haven't been paying attention? All I can do is get my pudding to bark. She doesn't notice, though. She's too busy yelling at Crabbe for eating his pudding. Crabbe's a git.

She's next to me again in Charms. I can't wait any longer. I have to tell her. I have to ask her out. I pass her a note when Flitwick isn't looking.

I need to talk to you. Tonight.

She opens the paper up and reads it under the desk. Flitwick calls on her and my heart jumps into my throat. She performs the spell perfectly, as always. Vestius Reparo Glancing down at the hole in my trousers, I remind myself to remember that one. I glance over at her out of the corner of my eye. She's playing with a small piece of parchment. She's written something on it. Why doesn't she just pass it to me? There should be a spell for summoning things with your mind. Finally, she passes me the note under the desk. My fingers brush hers as the parchment is passed. A tingly sensation shoots up through my arm. Flitwick's not paying attention anymore. Neville hexed a giant hole in Seamus's shirt. "Reparo, Mister Longbottom! Not, Riparo!" I slowly unfold the parchment...

I need to talk to you too. Common Room. Midnight

I glance over at her and catch her eyes. I give her a nod and go back to staring at the parchment in my hand. What does this mean? I spend the rest of Charms staring at the parchment in my hand.

She sits across from me at dinner. I always end up staring at her and miss my mouth with a fork full of something. She always laughs and makes fun. I don't mind. When she laughs, her nose scrunches up and her eyes get all squinty. I love it when she laughs. She's got a Prefect meeting right after dinner and then rounds later in the evening, so Harry and I go up to the Common Room alone. We do our divination homework and play a couple of games of chess. I lose the first time, and he asks me what's wrong. I have to concentrate on the second game or he'll ask more questions. Why don't I want to tell him? We both head up to our room along with Dean and Seamus. I keep staring at the clock across the room. It's 11:15. It seems like the hands aren't moving, or if they are, time seems to be going backwards. Midnight will never arrive. Dean asks me why I keep looking at the clock. I tell him I'm not and pretend to go to sleep. 11:55. The lights are finally out, everyone's gone to sleep.

I can't breathe. I'm too nervous. I get out of bed and quietly tiptoe across the room and down the stairs. She's sitting on the couch in front of the fire, grinning. I relax a little. She didn't have to take any points tonight. She's always happy after a good night. I sit down next to her on the couch and toy with my hands nervously. "So, you wanted to talk to me?" It's probably about Transfiguration. She's always telling me how to do the spells or charms or potions.

Her nose is doing the srcunch up thing again. I love it.

"Yeah. I'm so happy, I just had to tell someone."

I nod and smile. She grins and leans towards me. My heart begins to race. This can't be happening. It's better than I imagined. She's going to kiss me. She's getting closer and closer... things seem to be moving in slow motion. I close my eyes and lean forward.

But she doesn't kiss me. She whispers something in my ear.

"Terry Boot asked me out."

I'm frozen in place. I can't seem to move. I realise I've still got my eyes closed, and my lips are sticking out. I probably look like an idiot. I open my eyes, hoping she didn't see, but she's looking at me with a confused look on her face.

"What are you doing?"

I panic.

"Duck impression. Do I look like a duck?"

Great save.

She raises an eyebrow. She's smiling again. Her eyes are all squinty. She throws her arms around me and hugs me.

"I'm just so excited, Ron. My first boyfriend!"

I smile and hug her back. It feels great. She smells wonderful. I yawn and say I've got to get to bed. Just as I reach the stairs, she calls after me.

"What was it you needed to talk to me about?"

I turn around and smile.

"It's nothing, Hermione."