"Love Almost Lost"
Chapter 15 Friends Again
A/N: Usual disclaimer. I own none of these characters. JKR does. To everyone I humbly apologize for taking so long to update. You won't have to put up with that happening again. To all who read, thank you. To all who reviewed, thank you also. Hope you enjoy.
Standing there, with a box full of Quidditch books and a huge grin on his face, was their best friend Ron. Hermione broke the lip lock on Harry and turned absolutely crimson with embarrassment. She quickly jumped up and retreated back to the couch by the fire while Harry was still flat on his back gasping for air. Finally, after a few moments, he was able to slowly stand up.
"Hey mate, what are you doing?" asked Harry with a big grin on his own face.
"Well, since Professor Dumbledore gave us the option of going home after exams, since you took care of, uhm, You Know Who, I came back to pick up some things I forgot to take with me. Uh, what's up with you?" asked Ron as he motioned with his head towards Hermione.
"Hmmm, nothing really, she was just very happy," said Harry with a slight smirk.
"That was bloody obvious mate. What in Merlin's name did you do to get a reaction like that from her?" asked Ron, still grinning.
Before Harry could answer, Hermione spoke, "I don't think we should say anything yet."
Harry walked over to her slightly puzzled. She still appeared a bit flustered from their earlier actions but looked very worried.
"Harry, I don't want to make Ron mad, I know he didn't take our change in relationship very well," said Hermione almost in a whisper.
"Mad about what?" asked Ron curiously.
He'd followed Harry over to the couch.
Ron noticed that Hermione seemed quite nervous, which caused him to become very concerned for her.
"What's wrong 'Mione? What would I get mad about?" he asked softly.
She looked Ron in the eyes, but was too apprehensive to say anything for fear of angering him. She really didn't want to start a big row between them, not now. Seeing Hermione couldn't bring herself to speak, Harry explained what was wrong.
"Ron, she thinks you're still upset about us being in love with each other," said Harry getting right to the point.
"Oh, that," said Ron.
He put down the box of books, walked over to Hermione, and knelt down in front of her. He looked her square in the eyes and said,
"Hermione, while you were in the hospital I had a talk with Harry about you two and my feelings. Since you were unconscious, obviously you didn't hear what I had to say. So, I'll tell you now what I told Harry. I apologize for being a big stupid git. Yes, I admit I was jealous and very hurt at first, however, after seeing how you two really feel about each other, I realized I couldn't be jealous of the feelings you share. I do love you Hermione, and I always will, but as my best friend. What you two have is much more special. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you will have me, I would still like to be your friend."
She looked at Ron in awe. In all the years the three of them had been together, she had never heard him express his feelings this way. She slowly leaned over, hugged him, and kissed him on the cheek. Ron's ears turned bright red.
"Thank you, Ron, you will always be our friend. Okay, Harry, I guess you can go ahead and tell him. He can have the honor of being the first to be told the wonderful news," she said smiling brightly.
"What news?" asked Ron as he stood up and walked over to Harry.
"Well Ron, I asked Hermione if she would marry me, and she said yes," replied Harry.
Ron's face went completely blank. He looked at Harry, then at Hermione, then back to Harry. Then the largest grin they had ever seen came on his face.
"Nice one, mate! Congratulations!" exclaimed Ron.
He shook Harry's hand and clapped him on the back. Then he went back over to Hermione and knelt in front of her again. For the first time, Ron gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
After Ron finished his congratulations, he stood up and went over to stand by the table where they usually played Wizard's chess. Hermione stood up and rejoined Harry, slipping her hand into his. They just stood there smiling at each other, until Ron spoke up.
"Oh, there is just one thing Potter. There's only one way I'm letting you two get married," said Ron very firmly.
He was now facing them, looking very serious, with his arms folded across his chest. Harry and Hermione looked at each other with great concern. They hoped, for whatever reason, that Ron hadn't had a change of heart.
"What's that?" asked Harry hesitantly.
Ron couldn't hold his serious gaze any longer and broke into a wide grin.
"I have to be your best man," said Ron.
They both breathed a sigh of relief as Harry walked up to his best mate and clapped him on the back.
"We wouldn't have it any other way mate," said Harry grinning broadly.
"You know what, Harry? I just thought of something," said Ron slightly troubled.
"What is it Ron?" enquired Harry.
"Mum is going to be unbearable when she finds out about this," said Ron with a worried look.
Harry and Hermione broke into a fit of laughter. They knew he was right.
Harry suddenly stopped laughing as he realized, with everything that was going on, he hadn't actually put the ring on Hermione's finger. As a matter of fact, when she had knocked him over backwards, the ring box had come out of his hand and landed on the floor somewhere. He hurried over to the couch and looked for the ring. After a moment, he saw the black box setting by the leg of a chair near the fireplace. He scooped up the little box and looked inside to make sure the ring was still there. It was.
"Miss Granger would you like to make this official?" asked Harry holding up the ring.
After Ron surprised them, she hadn't even realized that Harry had failed to put the ring on her finger. She walked over to Harry smiling brightly.
"Yes, Harry. I would like that more than anything in the world," she said gazing deeply into his green eyes.
He gently held up her left hand and slipped the ring onto her finger. It was a perfect fit.
"I love you Hermione Granger," said Harry.
"I love you too, Mr. Potter," she said playfully.
They leaned in and kissed gently, not lingering too long. They didn't want to embarrass Ron anymore than they already had by their earlier behavior.
Before Ron left, he said, "I promise I won't tell mum, I'll let you two take care of that. Oh, by the way, mum wanted you both at the Burrow after school is over. She said it would give you somewhere to stay, Harry, until they are finished renovating Number 12 Grimmauld Place. She also said it would give Hermione a place to stay until she could sort things out. Well, I'll see you two soon and congratulations again."
With that said, Ron exited the common room.