Disclaimer: Ya'll know the drill-don't own it, don't make money off it. So don't sue.
A/N- *ducks from all vegetables being thrown at her* I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It's been what, two months. Two freakin' months. Thank you to all my reviewers, you guys actually made me break my writer's block. Now before I break into tears, here's the twelfth chapter of Watching
Ch.12
Hermione looked at the clock. Approximately 10 minutes have passed since she and Ron entered the common room. And about 15 minutes since she and Harry kissed. Despite the situation, she couldn't help the blush that was creeping down her neck. Without knowing it, a little smile was on her lips.
"And what the hell are you smiling about Hermione? Huh? This is not a laughing matter." Ron said in a stern voice that was eerily reminiscent of his mother. She tried to stifle the laugh, but it sounded like she was choking.
"Would you please stop laughing at me!" Hermione could practically see the steam blow out his ears. She sobered up. He's right, she thought. This isn't a laughing matter. She bowed her head, and stared at the carpet. She heard him shuffling around. She looked up and found him standing by the fire.
"Why...what..." He cleared his throat and started again, not looking at her but instead gazing into the slowly burning embers.
"Why?" Ron said in a desperate tone. She hung her head in shame. Passion? Yeah. Excitement? Sure. Love? Definitely.
Without even thinking she asked him, "Why do you think I did it?"
Ron looked at her in bewilderment.
"You can't be serious."
*
"Harry please stop pacing, you're beginning to wear the carpet down." Ginny said, looking at her friend worried.
"Yeah mate. We are planning on using it later." Draco said giving Harry a wink. Ginny gave him a death-glare and Draco wiped the smirk off his face and crossed his arms.
"Draco, why must you joke now?" Ginny said exasperated, placing a hand on her hip. Draco came and wrapped his arm around her waist.
"Because one day luv, we are all going to look back on this and laugh. You, Harry, Granger, the Weasel...ow that hurt luv...and yours truly, will be sitting at a big table, with a bouncing baby on your knee and Granger feeding a know-it-all kid...ow stop doing that luv...and Ron complaining that the kid is eating more than he is. Harry has to know that everything will be ok in the end." Draco said with a knowing smile. Ginny gave him a quick kiss on the lips.
"When did you get so optimistic Draco?" Harry said in a weary tone.
Draco shrugged before he replied. "Runs in the family I guess."
Harry sat down on Draco's bed, leaning his eyes against his right palm. Why did he tell her tonight? Why tonight, out of all nights. It was her engagement party for Merlin's sake? He hung his head lower after that thought.
*
"You can't be serious." Ron said sarcastically.
"Forget I asked that question Ron. I didn't mean to say that. It just came out. I'm sorry." Hermione said, suddenly finding the hole in the rug more interesting.
"And for what are you exactly sorry for Ms. Perfect-know it all-adulteress-who never makes a mistake in her life-doesn't care about anyone in her life-bitch!" No sooner had Ron uttered those words; Hermione's fist collided with his face.
"You have absolutely no right Ron! None. Do you have any idea what I've gone through these last few years?" He looked at her like she had just grown a second head. She sat down on the couch beside him. He was still nursing his rapidly bruising eye.
"I just want to know why Hermione. Why did you do this?"
She looked at him, nursing her own bruised hand.
"I think you know why Ron. It doesn't matter how much you try to deny it."
"I just want the truth Mione. Not some bullshit."
"Okay."
Even after they agreed to talk, they still didn't say anything. They sat on the couch for an endless amount of time. Both reeling in their thoughts. When the last ember popped, Hermione knew it was time to tell her story.
She turned to Ron, who was still gazing at the now dead fire. He seemed to know what was to happen, so he quickly lighted the fire and stood up.
Hermione took a deep breath and started her story.
"It all happened seven years ago, on a train bound for Hogwarts."
She paused, unsure of what to say next, when she heard a familiar sound. She turned and found Ron laughing uncontrollably. She stood up and placed her hands on her hips, reminiscent of her early years.
"And what is so funny Ronald Weasley?" She said in her bossiest tone. Ron stood up, took one look, at her stance, and began laughing again. Hermione felt the familiar twitch of her lips and fought against the smile that was threatening to surface. She couldn't help it; she fell against the couch and laughed along with Ron.
"It all happened seven years ago, on a train bound for Hogwarts." Ron said in a high-pitched voice.
"Hermione, this isn't a Jane Austin novel." He doubled over again.
"This is a tale of friendship and love." Hermione said mocking herself.
When they finally calmed down, both of them were side-by-side on the big couch.
"Do you love him?" He said, still looking at the fire.
When she didn't respond, he turned to her and took hold of her hand.
"It's ok Mione. I know you love him, you haven't even told me anything and I know. I guess I've known for a while, I just didn't want to admit it. You know me and those emotion-things."
"Oh yes, those pesky emotion things. They never end up where you think they will, do they? I've been with you for 3 years, and I've to be with Harry for 7..." Hermione said the last sentence without thinking.
"I'm sorry Ron..."
"No, it's ok Hermione. I know. I know everything. I know how you look at him when you think no one's looking. I know how miserable you were when Harry went away, and I know how happy you were when he came back. Most of all, I know that you love him." He said, somehow he got a hold of her hand.
The corner of Hermione's eyes started to water.
"How do you that Ron?"
He stared at the wall opposite of her shoulder.
"Because in all our kisses, and all our hugs, you have never looked at me the way you looked at Harry tonight. And I hate him for it. But I love him for it too. If he's the only one who could do that to you, then I hope you guys have a good life together."
Hermione stared at him in shock. Never in her 7 years of knowing this boy, has he said anything of this magnitude.
He smirked, "Cor, Hermione. You look like this is the smartest thing I've said. I've said some smart things before, haven't I?"
He picked up his sweater from the floor and headed off to the door.
"Blimey, I am famished. Why don't we head off to the party and get some food." At the look on her face, he smiled and added, "or I can go down to the party and get some food." He held his finger to his chin, as if pondering something of worldwide importance.
"I get to keep the toastie thing that Dean gave us. You can have the metrowave." He was surprised when Hermione gave him a hug, and a rather painful one at that.
"You haven't changed your mind have you?" He said in a mirthful tone.
"Ron, you are the greatest guy in the entire world."
"You mean second greatest, right."
"You know me too well." She looked around nervously.
Ron, knowing full well what was going to happen, rolled his eyes and grabbed her by the shoulders.
"That's your cue to leave and find Harry, luv. Don't worry, I'll tell everyone." She gave him one last hug and all but ran out of the hall.