Hermione's Reverie

From HP6, p. 185, Hermione has just identified Amortentia.

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"…and it’s supposed to smell differently to each of us, according to what attracts us, and I can smell freshly mown grass and new parchment and --”

But she turned slightly pink and did not complete the sentence.

Unbeknownst to her classmates around her, she was on the verge of saying “Ron.” Hermione’s mind backtracked to about three month earlier when she had gone with Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville, and Luna to the Ministry of Magic. That day stayed in her memory, not because of the battle with Death Eaters she had endured, but what happened before they even entered the Atrium that fateful night…

…After gratefully dismounting from her thestral, Hermione was eager to be on solid ground again. All too soon, Harry was urging them into a small, dilapidated telephone booth. Ron and Ginny entered first, with herself, Neville, Luna, and Harry following.

Hermione had had feelings for Ron for a few years now, and was determined to push these thoughts from her mind as she was steadily pressed closer to him as more people got into the booth. Suddenly, Hermione found herself right up against Ron as Harry shut the door.

“Whoever’s nearest the receiver, dial six two four four two!” he said hurriedly. As Ron was nearest, he reached his arm to the dial, and, in doing so, brushed his arm against Hermione, sending chills up her spine. She could feel her face growing warmer, and, for a split second, she made eye contact with Ron, who, unless she was imagining it, looked redder in the face than she had ever seen him.

Hermione suddenly had the impulse to kiss Ron right then and there, but before she had time to consider, a clanging sound brought her out of her foolish reverie. She reached down and handed the badges to everyone, trying very hard not to look at Ron as the booth descended, but rather, enjoy his warmth and his scent, as it might be the last time she would do so…

…Hermione was brought to the present abruptly and thought of how silly she had been, not thinking that she would survive to see Ron again that night. She looked over at him, and had a swooping sensation in her stomach when he smiled and his eyes met hers. At that moment, she realized that she, Hermione Granger, was in love with Ron Weasley.