Summary: Okay, I added another chapter, this time from Ron's POV. Here are his musings on Harry, Ginny and Hermione at the very end of HBP.
=========================================================
The minute she ran towards him, I thought what the bloody hell is going on?
When my sister Ginny became Harry's girlfriend that May Saturday in the Gryffindor common room, I was gobsmacked, to say the least. After years of crushing on the Boy Who Lived, my sister finally moved on and started dating other boys, first Michael Corner then my roommate Dean Thomas. I had no idea that she still fancied Harry and vice versa.
If anyone was going to get together this year, I thought it would be Harry and Hermione.
First she told him that he's never been more fanciable; then she glowed when he complemented her and then I caught them whispering together after Quidditch tryouts. Finally, I walked in on what looked like a private moment between them last November after our first victory match. And then Hermione attacked me with canaries!
I wasn't sure if she was mad at me for snogging Lavender or for interrupting her private time with Harry. Mental, she was. Until she visited me in the hospital after I was poisoned and we made peace. She told me she wasn't jealous over Lavender, she was just angry that I had been such a git to her. Which, I have to admit, I was.
Anyway, Harry was so happy after getting together with Ginny that I decided to leave them alone. Harry's had a rough time of it for most of his life, and he deserved a little happiness. And maybe Ginny could finally get her crush on Harry out of her system.
When Ginny and Harry left the common room after snogging in front of most of Gryffindor house, I approached Hermione, who was standing around looking a little dazed.
"Hermione? You all right?" I asked.
"What, Ron - of course I'm all right." She replied, a bit flustered.
"You saw Harry and Ginny, didn't you?"
"Yes, I don't think there was anyone in this room who didn't." Hermione replied, a hint o of bitterness in her voice.
"I can't believe it. I can't believe that Harry fancies my sister. Or that Ginny still fancies him. Did you have any idea?"
Hermione nodded. "Yes, Ron. Harry has been lusting after Ginny all year, I can't believe you never noticed. He was always watching her when he didn't think anyone else was looking. And then he asked about her and Dean all the time."
"And Ginny?"
"Ginny was a little harder to read. But she seemed so happy to be free of Dean, that I knew it wouldn't be long before Harry would make a move."
"How do you feel about this?" I asked.
"I'm happy for him." Hermione replied, sighing. "Harry has suffered so much, he deserves a little happiness."
"But you'd be happier if it were you."
Hermione turned pink at this. "Ronald Weasley, where would you get an idea like that?"
"Well, when we made up in the hospital and I realized that you didn't fancy me after all, and you told me you've been venting your frustration because someone wasn't noticing you. You didn't tell me who it was, but I'm thinking it's got to be Harry."
"Oh Ron, that's ridiculous."
"Is it? Hermione, you've always been so devoted to Harry, to the point of obsession. It's always Harry this and Harry that…and he never seems to take notice."
Hermione shook her head. "Well, you're wrong."
"Then who is it? Who is this bloke you fancy?"
"None of your business." She huffed and turned to head up the stairs to the girls' dormitory.
That was proof enough for me.
Only a few weeks later, something else happened not only to confirm my suspicion that Hermione had feelings for Harry, but that she was in love with him.
We were waiting in the hospital wing for Harry to return. Professor McGonagall had told Ginny to find him and bring him back. Hermione was on pins and needles waiting as we sat around Bill's bed, staring at his wolf-bites.
Soon enough he returned, Ginny leading him by the hand into the hospital wing. Before I knew it, Hermione was off like a shot and threw her arms around Harry, much like she did last year at 12 Grimmauld Place. Harry let go of Ginny's hand and returned the hug, looking relieved to see her. I thought Harry would let go but he continued to hold her while he asked Madam Pomfrey about Bill's condition. This was proof to me that Hermione loved Harry. And that he loved her back, even if he doesn't know it yet.
That night I cried a bit, partially out of grief of losing Dumbledore but also knowing that nothing would ever be the same. Without Dumbledore around to protect Harry, Hermione and I would have to stick even closer to him.
At Dumbledore's funeral, Hermione cried in my arms. She was crying for Dumbledore, but mostly for Harry. She made me promise that I would stick by Harry now that he had lost his mentor. I promised her I would. She also confessed to me she was in love with Harry. I told her I already knew.
Harry just told me that he broke it off with Ginny. He was apprehensive about it, thinking I might hex him or something. I wasn't surprised at all after seeing Ginny lead him right into Hermione's arms. I knew it was a matter of time.
As promised, Hermione and I are going on the horcrux hunt with Harry. We aren't going to leave him because he needs us now, more than ever. But truth be told, Harry needs Hermione more than he needs me, he always has. He needs her brains, her support, her trust and her willingness to do anything for him. But most of all, he needs her love.
I hope someone will need me like that someday.
FIN
-->