Hermione realised she couldn't hide behind her book forever. Slowly she lowered it and saw Anna and Claire standing behind Stacey. All three of them looked smug and as Hermione watched she saw Anna and Claire exchange a knowing look.
'Still a friendless know it all, I see' Stacey said picking up Hermione's book and chucking it to Claire. Hermione lunged after the book and managed to get a firm hold on it. She quickly slipped it back into her bag before it could be taken again. Claire looked startled, she obviously hadn't been expecting Hermione's reaction and neither had Stacey. Hermione felt a fleeting sense of triumph, she had managed to get the better of them for once.
Hermione didn't feel this way for very long though. Her actions seemed to have made Stacey angrier than ever and Hermione once again felt frightened as Stacey started towards her. Then out the corner of her eye Hermione saw Ron and Harry coming out of the sweet shop, Stacey noticed to.
'Hands off the black haired one he's mine' she said without pausing for breath. Hermione almost smiled, she wondered what Harry would say if he could hear them talking.
'Fine by me, the red heads much cuter anyway' said Anna patting her own red hair down. Hermione immediately stopped smiling, suddenly the situation seemed a lot less funny.
'There coming our way' Anna said in a low whisper.
Stacey turned to Hermione, 'Granger don't say a word, if they ask, your Claire's sister'.
Hermione just nodded she was afraid she might burst out laughing if she said anything. Both Ron and Harry looked puzzled as they joined the four girls.
'Um, sorry but who are you?' said Ron looking around at Stacey, Anna and Claire. Anna actually giggled and tossed her hair over her shoulder, Hermione scowled.
Harry shot an amused look at Ron and turned to Hermione 'Well can you tell us who these girls are, Hermione?' he said.
That wiped the smile off Anna's face. 'Your friends with that� thing?' she screeched.
Stacey glared at Hermione and then Harry, 'I don't believe it the booklover has a boyfriend.'
Harry jumped away from Hermione, just as she shrieked 'Ew no, Harry's like my brother.'
Hermione realised she must have sounded terribly rude but it was true. Harry and her were like siblings and to think of him that way was just wrong.
'Oh so your available then' said Stacey all smiles again.
Harry looked at her coldly 'I have a girlfriend' he said. Hermione and Ron could tell he was lying by the way he shifted uncomfortably and didn't look anyone in the eye. Stacey however looked disappointed, then she resumed her haughty manner.
She laughed unpleasantly, 'I should have known, I mean who'd want to date that�' Stacey finished her sentence with the muggle equivalent of Mudblood, Ron must have known what it meant though because he advanced on Stacey with such ferocity that Hermione considered pulling him back.
Ron drew himself up to his full height 'I happen to love Hermione' he said fiercely. Behind her Harry swore, Hermione didn't even both to reprimand him. She was to busy restraining herself from running out and hugging Ron, he loved her!
Stacey didn't miss a beat 'So Hermione's got two best friends, who are both boys and who both love her like a sister, quite touching really.' Stacey said it so sarcastically that Hermione wanted nothing more than to walk over and slap her. Something held her back however and that was curiosity, she wanted to hear Ron's reply.
'I already have a sister' Ron said crossly 'and I have enough trouble taking care of her as it is.'
Harry was muttering something about overprotective brothers but Hermione ignored him.
'So your just friends then?' Stacey said dropping the sarcasm but still managing to get on Hermione's nerves.
Ron turned away from Stacey and stared straight at Hermione. 'That Depends' he said.
'On what?' replied Hermione, barely daring to breath.
'On you' Ron said meaningfully.
Hermione forgot where she was, she forgot about what was happening and she forgot about everyone else, except for Ron. So when Claire's voice ended the moment it was certainly unexpected.
'Lets go Stacey, I don't think were going to be able to get to Hermione with these boys around, particularly this one' she said flashing a kind smile to Ron. Then Claire winked at Hermione who was taken aback but not too surprised. Hermione had helped Claire with homework enough times to know she was actually nice when she didn't let Stacey push her around. Hermione mouthed 'thank you' to Claire's retreating back as she dragged Stacey and Anna away with her.
As Hermione watched the girls disappear she tried to recall Ron's exact words, she hadn't imagined it, he had practically told her that he liked her as more than a friend. Hermione was so absorbed that it took her a moment to realise Harry was saying something to her.
'Are you alright Hermione?' he said.
'Yer� I'm just thinking' she replied blushing and beginning the walk back to her house.
'Good' Harry said following her, 'because you're probably going to want to give Ron a thank you kiss.'
'Oh, Shut up Harry' Ron mumbled 'and wipe that grin off your face.'
Harry just laughed and Ron quickly changed the subject. 'What was that about having a girlfriend?' he said. 'I thought you were waiting for Cho' that put an end to Harry's laughter. Hermione stopped walking abruptly 'Cho?' she said. Hermione cast her mind back to last year. The name Cho was familiar, she was Ravenclaw seeker and she had gone to the Yule Ball with� oh, Cedric. Harry hesitated 'its not Cho anymore' he said softly.
Hermione wondered if she should say anything but Harry had started walking again and he seemed ok.
'So who's the new lucky lady?' Ron said slyly. Harry blushed scarlet and shook his head 'believe me Ron' he said. 'You of all people do not want to know.' Hermione's brain was working quickly, who could Harry possibly like? Then slowly the answer dawned on her. Hermione clapped her hands together, if she was right, then that meant� She let out a squeal of excitement.
Ron was still pestering Harry for an answer when they arrived back at the Granger's. Hermione fumbled with the key to the front door but neither of the boys noticed, they were too preoccupied. Hermione finally managed to let Ron, Harry and herself into the house and she almost had to pull Ron inside, he was so busy nagging Harry.
'Come on, it can't be that bad' said Ron.
'Oh it can' said Harry running upstairs. Ron went to follow him but before he had gone far Hermione called after him.
'I have an answer' she said loudly, rushing the words so she wouldn't change her mind about telling him.
Ron turned around but before he could say anything, Hermione jumped in. 'You said before that what we are, depended on me, and I have an answer.'
Ron looked as though he might be sick, 'Hermione, if you don't feel the same way then you don't have to�'
Hermione cut him off , 'Ron I want us to be more than friends.'
Ron face, which had been a pale white, turned scarlet in a matter of seconds and his eyes sparkled brightly. Ron walked down off the stairs so he was level with Hermione, then without hesitation he kissed her.
It seemed strange yet familiar to be kissing Ron but before she could think about it too much he broke away. Hermione could have stood with Ron forever just looking into his eyes, until Harry interrupted.
'Ron were did you put my quill?' yelled Harry from upstairs.
Ron didn't look away from Hermione 'I'll come find it in a minute' he yelled back.
'No you won't, I need it now' Harry replied sounding cross.
'You better go Ron' said Hermione. He nodded and quickly kissed her 'I'll be right back' he said before hurrying upstairs.
Hermione sat down on a step to catch her breath and organise her thoughts. From upstairs she could hear Ron saying 'just tell me!'
Hermione thought she heard Harry mumble 'fine, I'll tell you who I like but you can't kill me.'
She was wondering whether she had heard right when an upstairs door slammed shut and a split second later Ron's voice bellowed 'YOU LIKE GINNY?!?' Hermione laughed as the sound of Ron and Harry squabbling floated downstairs.
She was still laughing when an owl appeared in the living room window. Hermione went over to let it inside. It was a well-trained owl and it neatly deposited three letters into her hand before immediately taking flight again. The letters were penned in a familiar green ink, and they were addressed to Ron, Harry and herself. They were their letters from Hogwarts.
Hermione picked up her own letter, she was sure that this year was going to be as eventful as the last but she was ready for it, because with a friend like Harry and, well� a boyfriend like Ron, nothing would be impossible.