In Her Touch
Advice
Here I am sat at the bar with a pint of Tom's finest pooling around my feet staring at Hermione as if I've never seen her thanks to Ron. Before she could get a clear look at my face and ask what in the name of Merlin is wrong with me I swivel my head around so fast I crick my neck. I'm staring at Ron and I register the look covering his face. Its equal parts amusement and determination. The amusement is easy enough to account for. I'm pretty sure I make a damn funny sight sitting here looking for all the world like I don't know my arse from my elbow. If I were judging by the half a grin that was turning the corners of Ron's mouth I would be sure that he'd just said what he said to take the piss. But that smile hasn't reached his eyes. And I've known Ron Weasley long enough to know that if he were taking the piss it'd show in his eyes. Instead of the humor I'd expected to see there was a look of determination; that fixed intense look that he gets when he's mulling over something truly important.
Ron's fiercely hurried whisper rouses me from my self imposed stupor. He reminds me of my words from earlier. He tells the exact thing I'd said earlier; that I wanted someone who I could build a life with, someone loving and understanding who would be there when I needed them, someone who wasn't after a bloody persona. He inclined his head ever so slightly over my shoulder and told me that whether I realized it or not the woman I wanted…the woman I needed…had been right there beside me all along and if I opened myself up to the possibility of Hermione and I being more than just mates I'd see that he was right. He then added that I shouldn't think it over too much and that I should ask her out.
I could hear the thud of her quickened footsteps as she neared the pair of stools we were sitting on. She'd seen my strange behavior and was probably near frantic worrying over what was wrong. Ron rose from his seat and with a wave of his wand cleared away the mess I'd made. He then ordered a fresh round and tossing a handful of galleons on the bar for Tom, patted me on the back reassuringly and reiterated his earlier declaration that I ask Hermione out. I looked up at him asked what made him think such a thing. His reply was that he'd seen the way she touched me. He pointed to the two foaming pints Tom had placed before me and said for me to drink up before turning to leave.
As he moved off I heard Hermione calling my name asking me what was wrong. Ron answered in my stead. He told her to give me a moment to collect myself; said I'd just had a bit of a shock and needed to settle myself down a touch before I'd be up to talking. I turned my head and stared at them. Hermione's brow was knitted in obvious disquiet. She looked as though she was about to question Ron further when he leaned down and whispered something in her ear that caused her to stare at Ron with a quizzical expression. Ron smiled faintly and tossed his head in the direction of the vacant bar stool to my right.
I averted my gaze and grasping one of the pints before me drank it down in one go. How could this be happening? It is true that Hermione is the most loving and understanding woman…person I've ever met. She knows me better than anyone and I love her as unconditionally as she loves me. But that love is only platonic isn't it? I shake my head to clear my confused thoughts. I'm about to reach for the second pint when I feel a gentle stroking at my temple. My eyes drift shut as Hermione soothingly rakes her fingers through my hair. I expel a breath that I wasn't consciously aware I'd been holding. A sense of calm engulfs me. How long we sit that way I'm not sure but I suddenly recall Ron's words when I'd asked him why he thought Hermione and I should be together. He'd said he knew because of the way she touched me. I open my eyes and turn to look at Hermione. Her brown eyes are edged with concern and perhaps for the first time I notice how beautiful her eyes are; so warm, deep and expressive. As I sit there staring at this woman who I've known nearly half my life I begin to realize what I haven't seen.
Again I'm pulled from my thoughts by the sound of a voice. Hermione is softly calling my name asking me if I want to talk about whatever it is that has me so turned around. I slowly shake my head no and before I can talk myself out of what I'm about to do I ask her if she would consider going out with me.
A/N: Now everyone join in and sing…I once was lost but now I'm found was blind but now I see.
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