What Harry Didn't See: Ron and Hermione's Secret.

Train Journey

Another school year had come to an end. And it wasn't just any year. Hermione, Ron, Harry, and the entire Wizarding Community would always remember Dumbledore's final year as headmaster with nostalgia. From now on, the kind and powerful old man was just a memory.

The students of Hogwarts were on the train, returning home for the summer holidays with their families. Each year, Hermione had followed a small ritual during this journey. She sought a quiet space, and while looking out the window, she reflected on the best and worst moments of the past school year. In the earlier years, finding a peaceful corner to think had been difficult, but now she knew the prefects' carriage was always free after the meeting. And there was a perfect window, as she could look through it while standing, without needing to sit.

She allowed the serenity of the passing fields to engulf her. The best part of the year? That Ginny had finally managed to be with Harry. They complemented each other, needed each other. She was the family he wanted. Hermione was sure that after the war, they would find each other again. The worst part of the year? Dumbledore's death. And Ron's relationship with Lavender... Hermione still didn't understand. She thought that Ron and she were on the verge of something special, and overnight, he treated her with anger and fury, not hesitating to get involved with the foolish blonde.

"What's bothering you, Hermione? Whenever you think of something unpleasant, you scrunch up your nose like you're doing now."

She jumped in surprise. She hadn't realized someone had entered the compartment. Ron chuckled arrogantly; he knew there weren't many occasions when he could catch her off guard.

"Haven't you been taught to knock on the door before entering? I was just thinking, Ron."

"What were you thinking about?" He approached her a bit. Since Dumbledore's death, they had grown accustomed to closing the distances between them. Hugs and touches were now more frequent. Still, he stood beside her, looking out the window, just millimeters away, but not quite touching.

"I don't think you want to know, Ron."

"Yes, I do," he replied with a smile.

"I was thinking about Lavender. Now, do you regret asking me, right?"

Ron looked at her guiltily.

"I don't know how I could've been so stupid to do what I did."

"Yeah, Ron, we agree on that."

"Hermione, can I ask you something?" She nodded, maintaining eye contact without opening her lips. She turned around, putting the window behind her. He hesitated, took a deep breath, and asked his question.

"Hermione, when you invited me to Slughorn's party... Did you want us to go only as friends, right?"

That question caught her by surprise, even though she had been waiting for him to ask it for a while. She lowered her gaze to the floor for a moment to gather strength before meeting those attentive blue eyes again.

"No, Ron. I didn't want us to go as just friends."

He moved slowly, defeated, and rested his forehead against hers.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. I've been an idiot, a fool, a jerk, a..."

She silenced him by placing a finger on his lips.

"Yes, Ron, but you still have time to fix it."

He smiled shyly and shifted his gaze from her eyes to her lips. She slightly parted them, giving him permission to explore.

He leaned in. Slowly. They were just a millimeter apart when he growled and stopped. Instinctively, Hermione turned with her wand raised to see what was happening on the other side of the window. She saw Ginny there, looking at them with a smile. She had even had time to get off the train! But quickly, Hermione noticed that Ron's gaze wasn't directed at Ginny. Next to the Weasley parents, who were looking at them with excitement and intertwined hands, were the twins. Lee Jordan played a tune on an invisible violin as Fred and George pretended to be a very affectionate Ron and Hermione.

Ron pulled away from her, and Hermione saw that his ears were red (something that only happened when he felt very embarrassed).

"Sorry, Hermione, I have to go commit a 'brothercide.'"

"Fraticide," she corrected almost reflexively.

"Whatever," he replied before rushing out of the compartment door.

Hermione turned back to the window, unaware that Ron had returned. He gave her a tender kiss on the cheek and said, "I promise I won't let you down again." Then he ran off again, and only a few seconds later, Hermione saw him chasing his brothers along the platform. Ginny was still standing in the same spot, and through the train's window, she mouthed a word to her friend. Soon. Hermione nodded and touched the place where Ron had kissed her. Yes, she believed it too. Soon they would be together, soon there would be a new 'us'. But before that, there was a war to win.