Ugh, fine

"I told you it would work" Hermione said as she lightly slammed their glasses on the table. They were both full of warm butterbeer, and Ron waited for about a second before attacking his, leaving a foam mustache on his upper lip. "Thank you, 'Mione. Saved my life."

Hermione just laughed and shook her head, for the third time today. "I did not. It was a stupid curse."

"Certainly didn't feel like it when I blacked out for an hour."

"I really am sorry, Ron. About you missing the exam. And for running off like that! I should have stayed and helped you…"

"Nonsense. You couldn't miss your exam. You're the only one who actually stood a chance. I couldn't let you give up on a test. Not even for me." Ron gave Hermione a little smirk, but then immediately swiped the grin away.

"Look, If anyone should be sorry it's me. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't be getting bullied by those… vultures.” Ron knew Lavender and her possy never liked Hermione to begin with, but the last few days things must have been even worse for her. “Bullied? Please, I don't even bother listening to them.” Hermione said lightly, but Ron saw her reaction earlier. He could tell that they got to her, no matter how much she tried to rise above it.
“And besides, when was I even their friend?” Hermione said, teeth clenched.

Ron shifted uncomfortably in his seat; he didn't like to be reminded that she wasn't as popular as him and Harry.

Hermione settled in her chair. “I don't mind. Never liked that Lavender anyway.” She mumbled the last part and tried to cover it by taking a long sip, but Ron heard her.
He grinned at her, and without thinking he said “You’re jealous.”

Hermione’s eyes went wide and she looked at him like he just accused her of cheating on a test. “I am not!” (for the record, she did look shocked by the idea, Ron thought. It was almost insulting, really. But his head was no longer heavy and throbbing and the butterbeer for some reason was especially good, and he was in a good mood for a change. He was going to make the most out of it.)
“Come on, ‘Mione. I've known it for a long time. Since forever, actually. Everyone knows it. Even Harry.”
Ron saw Hermione grabbing her coat and marching out without saying a word. Ugh, he knew she was shaky today!

He found her pretty quickly, with him being the tallest wizard around and her being a walking head of hair. He grabbed her by the hand and made her turn around. (Which completely backfired because her hair was like a thousand whips smacking his chest)
“Hey hey hey, stop! Why are you getting so pissed? I was just teasing.” He actually wasn't just teasing, but he felt like a little lie would benefit them both at the moment.

Hermione sighed loudly and pouted. “Did you really talk to Harry about this?” she asked and crossed her arms.

“What?" Ron was surprised by the question. “I… what?”

“About this, Ron.” she turned her head sharply and lowered her voice to a whisper.“...Us.”

Ron stood still. Did she say ‘us’? Or was he hallucinating again? She never looked this upset in his dreams, so it must be real.

“Well, Ron, tell me. What does Harry think?" Hermione spat the words and looked at him so fiercely, that this time he did flinch.

Ron was confused. This felt like a trap. “Wha… what do you mean?” He asked, dreadful.

“Well, apparently everyone has an opinion in the matter, don't they? So tell me, what do other people think about the one thing you don't even talk to me about, huh? I’m just eager to know.”
Hermione uncrossed her arms and started walking quickly away, and right there and then, Ron’s heart broke. She seemed so hurt. By him. He couldn't stand the thought of himself making her this upset. He was the good one! Or at least he was supposed to be.

It didn't take much time for him to track her down. She was sitting on that bench from earlier, blocked by the trees. He got to her - shoved a bunch of third years out of his way - and just stood there, silent.

“I don't want to hear what you have to say for yourself.” Hermione said without looking up from the ground.

Ron didn't answer. He couldn't think of anything to say for himself, mainly because he was not sure what he was being accused of.

"I know I've been making a fool of myself," Hermione muttered. "I guess I always thought we had something far beyond anyone's understanding. And I thought…" her words were trembling, now that she'd started sniffing. "I thought you felt the same way. That someday along the way we would just… be." Tears began to fall silently on her cheeks, but she didn't look up yet.

Ron was struck. "I didn't know-"

"But you knew!" Hermione cried out and finally looked at him as she snapped. Her face was wet with tears and her eyes red and filled with embarrassment. "You knew. Everyone did. I was the only one dense enough to not see that I am delusional."

Ron stared at Hermione for a second, then smiled lightly. He bent down to meet her face. "There's no wood"

It was so random that it got Hermione to look up. "What?"

"Do you remember us being down the trapdoor when we were first years and were after the philosopher's stone? Me and Harry were being smothered by that weird plant-”

“Devil’s Snare” Hermione blurted out.

“Yeah. And you said that its leaves need cold air and darkness." Ron said quietly. "Harry then told you to light a fire and scare it off, and you said 'but there's no wood here'."

Hermione turned even reder and said "are you trying to make me feel worse?"

"I'm trying to get you to see how much I cherish every memory of you. You are probably the best thing that happened to me and Harry - actually, scratch that - the
best thing that happened to loads of people. You are adorable. And I don't just mean cute. I mean… you are so easy to adore. Not a day goes by without me thinking what would you have done, what would you have said.
Hermione, I admire everything about you. Even the part that is logical enough to make you forget that you're a bloody witch. How could I not feel the same way?"

Hermione squinted. "You do?"

Ron rolled his eyes. "Of course. I have been since we were 12."

"How come you didn't say anything?"

Ron chuckled awkwardly. "I did! So many times! Well, I mean, I thought I did. I figured you just didn't like me that way. At some point I believed what people said about me not being right for you, and how we would drive each other mad. I started to think you believe it, too. That I’m not good enough" He lowered his gaze to the ground, feeling embarrassed himself.

"We would drive each other mad." Hermione's voice said playfully. "I mean, we do anyway. Might as well enjoy it"

Ron couldn't believe his luck. He sat back on his knees and looked at Hermione. Her hair was a mess, her eyelashes were still wet from tears and her face was flushed. She was looking at him like he was more. His heart was about to explode. He wanted to kiss her so badly, but he wasn't sure how to go around it. Wasn't the last guy she kissed Cormac? Ugh, why was he thinking about Cormac right now?

"Oh, for crying out loud, Ronald" said Hermione and grabbed him by the shirt.