(On Hiatus) "Always" (Dramione)

#1 First Real Conversation

Hermione walked into the Griffindor common room at late evening. She had spend all day in the library studying, and it was now 10 p.m.

Earlier that day she had considered staying in her room to read, but the boys, Harry and Ron, had gone outside to practice quidditch - and somehow the dorm just felt too quiet by herself.

Hermione was now walking in through the portrait door as quietly as she could. The quidditch match was tomorrow - the anticipated show off between Griffindor and Slitherin - so she was sure both Harry and Ron would be asleep after a full day of intense practice.

That's why she was even more surprised to see Ron sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace. "Ron?" she asked quietly. There were a few seconds of silence.

"Oh, Hermione! Hi, I didn't see you!" Exclaimed Ron, as he finally got out of his thoughts and noticed her.

"Is something wrong?" Hermione asked. "You don't usually stay up this late, and especially before a match".

"Oh..." Ron seemed to be lost in his thoughts again for a moment. "... Umm... No, nothing's wrong," Ron answered.

"Unconvincing as ever..." Hermione chastised him, as she sat next to him on the love-seat. "Spit it out, Ron". She gave him a stern look, but then put her left hand on his, and squeezed it slightly.

He looked at her, contemplating. Then finally seemed to relax, and gave in. "Well..." he sighed, seeming slightly irritated at himself. "Hermione, you're smart. You don't care about what others think. You don't need someone else's approval in order to be your best self and do the best you can. You don't need that to succeed. But..."

"Go on, it's ok Ron, whatever you tell me, I'll try to understand," Hermione encouraged him and smiled at him kindly.

"Well... Oh Hermione you might think this stupid. But I just... wish I had someone, for example, during quidditch games, who I knew was watching just me, hoping I would do well... And I could know that they're in the crowd watching me, and I could have their support give me energy, because I care for them just as much. And then.. after the game, if I lose, I would still have the complete support of this... One person... And if I win, maybe she would be proud of me, congratulate me not as a player but as someone who was hers and she was proud of that... "

She. Hermione couldn't help but focus on that one word.

"And... Well... I mean, Harry has Ginny now! Sure, they're on the same team, but still... They're there for each other, during and... And after, and before. I'm not saying I don't have people supporting me, sure I do. I have the whole Griffindor house hoping the team wins, and I have my friends of course. But... I don't know I just feel like I'm missing something... ".

"...You...want a girlfriend...?" Hermione half-asked, half stated.

Ron looked surprised at her question. Then he looked down at his hands, and sighed. "... Well, maybe? I'm not sure. I just... Wish I had someone who truly cared for me... And I knew that... Like, more than a friend can... There's nobody like that... And I feel almost, like nobody truly cares about me in particular. They care about the team, or about the house... "

"... Ron... Someone does care for you... I care for you".

"Yes, yes I know Hermione. You're a great friend to me. But... Harry is your best friend after all. He's still your number one. I'm nobody's number one really..."

"Ron... Harry may be my best friend, and yes he will always be that, but... I truly do care for you... As... An important friend...and... More than that..." She whispered the last part, but Ron heard. "If you truly want to know that someone specific is on the sidelines, watching you... Worrying, hoping you do great... Well you can know that, at least... I'll be there... Exactly the same way that I have always been there". Ron looked like his circuitry had fried out. "Umm... Well... Good night, Ron. Good luck tomorrow."