To Like; To Love [A Romione One-Shot]

[A/N: This is dedicated to @vidishaw because I wrote this at her request. @vidishaw, I hope your expectations weren't too high. - JustGini]

Hermione, Lavender and Parvati were the only girls in their dormitory that evening. Lavender and Parvati were seated on the floor right beside the window. Hermione was on her bed, reading and trying to block out their hysteric giggles and nonsensical whispers.

"Look at that one." Parvati whispered.

Were they star gazing? Hermione thought. Wasn't it a bit too early for that?

"He's so-" Lavender stopped mid-sentence and let out an annoyed huff. "He has a girlfriend."

Boy gazing. Hermione concluded with a small shake of her head.

"I thought you were dating Ron." Parvati whispered.

"I am. That doesn't mean that I can't look at other boys. Isn't he always staring at her?" Lavender asked bitterly.

Parvati didn't answer, but glanced slightly at Hermione, who seemed oblivious to their conversation.

But Hermione had heard every single word, and her heart skipped a beat when Ron was mentioned. Then, her stomach churned unpleasantly at the thought of Ron staring at someone else; another girl.

*****

"There!" Ron said with a swift move of his castle. "Your turn, Harry." He stated, smirking smugly at his best mate, who stared at the chess board in front of him in deep concentration.

Harry had to win this game. Ginny was sitting a few feet away. He couldn't look bad in front of her. But anyway, she was with Dean. She probably wasn't even paying attention.

Harry let his concentration waver for a moment as he glanced at Ginny and Dean. He watched out of the corner of his eye as Dean tucked a strand of Ginny's beautiful hair behind her ear and leaned in for a kiss. The monster in his chest was aroused with overwhelming jealousy.

"Bloody hell, Ginny! We're right here!" Ron protested indigantly.

"You're so hypocritical, Ron." Ginny shot back.

To prove Ginny's point, Lavender rushed into the common room with her infamous squeal of "Won-Won!"

She greeted Ron with a kiss, and soon, they were entwined in the armchair opposite Harry.

Ginny rolled her eyes, shrugged her shoulders and continued what she was doing before.

Suddenly, Lavender resurfaced. Ron was taken aback, as was Harry.

"Wha-?" Ron began, only to be interrupted by Lavender.

"Do you like Hermione?"

"No. Why?"

"I think she likes you."

"Why would she like me?"

"Well, you're handsome, funny..."

"Why do you think I like her? There's nothing to like in her."

There was a hint of bitterness in his voice.

Harry couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't listen to Ron say things about Hermione and he couldn't watch Ginny kiss Dean. He got up and turned to walk out of the common room. When he reached the portrait, he saw that it was slightly open. He cautiously opened it a bit more. He relaxed at the sight of Hermione, but a hint of worry appeared in his mind as he caught sight of her broken expression.

She had heard what Ron had said.

Harry nudged her shoulder and gestured for her to move out of the entrance. She obliged and started walking at a fast pace towards the library. Harry quickly followed her. When he caught up with her, he tentatively asked a million questions in a single question.