A Ron and Hermione Love Story

Chapter 1
A Heart that soars

It all seemed like it happened an eternity ago... When danger lurked at every corner and fear tarnished the walls of Hogwarts, the school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. However, all this had finally passed. The great Lord had finally fallen and the world could now breathe easily. It was all thanks to a trio of magical sixth year students: the famous Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, who with their magic and strong friendship had come together (with the great Albus Dumbledore and other powerful wizards) and left "He-who-must-not-be named" nothing but a dark memory. Everything was peaceful and the trio had only one thing to worry about: The following year... and love! Summer had been longer than anything Ron had ever experienced. Harry had been very busy moving in with his Godfather Sirius Black and Hermione had not sent him any owls during those hot days in July. He looked hazily at the ceiling of his bedroom and wondered what he should do now. The Weasley house had become so quiet after Fred and George had left to start their own business and Percy had moved in with his girlfriend Penelope in London so he could spend more time working at the ministry. Ron just felt a gloom fall over him that day on August thirty-first when someone entered abruptly.

"Hello... Are you all right Ron?" said a sweet voice as they entered the room.

"Oh! Ginny, you startled me. Yes, yes I'm fine. Just a bit bored," he answered casually.

"Well... we start school tomorrow... aren't you exited about that?" she asked.

"I suppose... I wonder what will happen... Oh, right. Nothing will happen this year. I nearly forgot," Ron said sarcastically.

"But aren't you happy about this?" said the pretty ginger haired girl.

"You know Ginny... I'm not sure I am," Ron frowned.

The following morning Ron had gotten all his belongings together and placed them in his car. He had worked part-time during the entire summer to afford it and bought it second hand from an old flashy Wizard. He often used it to travel around the countryside when he had to think. The real reason he got it however was to visit Harry and Hermione, who both lived in Muggle surroundings. He placed Ginny's and his own trunk in the back and Ginny sat in front with him. No later than a minute after, they zoomed off to platform nine and three-quarters. The ride was long but after a while on the road, Ginny spoke.

"I can't wait to get back to school!" she said excitedly.
"Yeah, me too..." said Ron weakly.

"Ok... PLEASE tell me what's wrong Ron? You've been moping quite a bit and it's not in your nature at all!" Ginny pleaded.

"It's really noting you know!" he said as he drove past some cars.

"Liar! I told you what happened between Harry and I last year so why won't you tell me about this?" she asked.

"It has nothing to do with the same things you were dealing with Ginny... besides... we're here," he answered.

They were there all right! King's Cross-Station was right in front of them as they parked near an alleyway. Ginny took her things and put them on the floor.

Ron did the same but afterwards got close to the car and said, "Ok... now you remember what I told you? Go straight back to the Burrow girl, and DON'T pick up anyone! Just drive safely," he finished as he took out his wand.

"Illuros Persona," he said as a person suddenly appeared in the car, it was him!

Ron's conjured twin sat comfortably inside the vehicle as it began to move on its own. The fake Ron had decided to hold on to the stirring wheel, but had a completely vacant expression. The car gave a joyful BEEP and trailed off into the streets. Both Weasleys carried their things to the platform and passed through a solid barrier between nine and ten. Ron, still a bit distracted had barely heard a very familiar voice echoing behind him ... it was Harry.

"Ron!" said Harry as he ran along, his school robes already on.

"Harry!" said Ron as his face cheered up a bit.

"Hello Ron!" he said nearly making the tall, freckled boy topple over. "...Ginny," he finished. Harry slowly as Ginny looked at him with a friendly stare.

"Hello! How's life with Black?" said Ginny still smiling.

"Oh... err... good! He's great really, my dad couldn't have known a better man," he said cheerfully.

"Well that's great... oh! There's Katherine and Melissa! Would you mind placing my stuff on the train Ron?" she asked innocently.

"Sure princess!" he said in a sarcastic tone.

"Good! Bye-bye..." she said as she ran along to see her friends.

"Biggest mistake I've ever made!" said Harry in a deep sigh.

"It's ok Harry, it could have ended worse... besides, I hate the idea that I'd have to beat you up if it did," said Ron cheerfully, he was starting to feel like his old self again.

"Yeah, Herm's already in the cabin. I'll help you put everything away and we can go and see her!" Harry said.

"Sure," said Ron with a bit less energy.

Great, Miss Granger will finally grace me with her presence after not even writing to me for so long! thought Ron as everything was put away and they entered the train. Ron and Harry finally made it through the train into their cabin. As the boys sat down, the only thing that could be seen was a large book that hid a bushel of brown hair and a glimmer from the person's robes. Ron looked at the shine and saw it read: "Head Girl".

Of Course! thought Ron as he gently poked the girl of the shoulder.

"Herm... I don't know if you really care but I'm here!" said Ron sarcastically.

Hermione's eyes popped out from the top of the book and slid back down again. She marked the page she was on and placed it right next to her. By now Ron was looking at Harry like he'd had expected her becoming Head Girl all along.

"So Ron, how are you? See anything interesting during the summer?" she said pointedly.

"No... not really..." he said looking out the window. "Nothing seems very exciting after last year..."

"I know what you mean. It was so crazy! I remember when..." she said hurriedly, but Ron's mind did that same little trick it did last year.

He couldn't seem to hear a word she was saying anymore. She had started to play with her hair again. He HATED the fact that everything seemed so hazy when she did that. That she looked so coy and playful and that she made those same eyes... Ah, those glittery half closed eyes... It was always worse when she lowered her head and looked up at him through her eyelashes... Yes, just like that! And that smile... it was like she was playing with him. Like she knew that he enjoyed seeing her mouth move in that way. It was almost like he wanted to just release his emotions... but strangely enough... he wasn't sure exactly what they were.

"...So you can imagine what I thought about it afterwards!" Hermione finished as Ron snapped back to reality.

"Oh! Oh-yes! Yes! Wow! I can imagine!" he said trying not to look like an ignorant.

"You didn't hear a word I said did you?" said Hermione furious.

"What? Well..." muttered Ron.

"Sure he did... but let's not talk about this ok? The last thing we need is to be reminded of HIM!" said Harry, "So... I guess you have your work cut out for you now that you're head-girl?"

"Yes... But it's really too bad none of you got to be head boy," she said sadly.

"Do you really think I'd be head boy Hermione? I'd sooner be made Filtch's assistant!" said Ron.

"Nonsense! You're very bright Ron! You just have to realize the potential you have!" she said, looking at him.

"Yeah... Potentially nothing," said Ron with a laugh.

"That's not funny!" said Hermione crossly.

"Ok... let's try something else," said Harry who didn't want to hear silly arguments all day. "So Ron, how's your arm? Really for this season?"

"You bet, Captain! I've had less practice blocking Fred and George's bludger's and quaffle this summer cause they were so busy but don't worry! This Keeper is in good shape!" said Ron pulling up a sleeve and showing his biceps.

Ron HAD gotten bigger because of Quidditch and Hermione seemed somewhat surprised by the sudden bulge in his arm. Harry had decided to have fun and hang on to it and pull it down but although Harry had also gotten bigger, he was still skinnier than Ron. Harry couldn't really pull down Ron's arm without part of his weight helping him along. Harry had a nice slimness to him that was still perfect for his Quidditch position as Seeker.

"You boys!" sighed Hermione as they continued on their way to Hogwarts.

The train had stopped and the trio walked to their carriages. However, there was a face that they didn't expect to see at Hogwarts ever again... It was Draco Malfoy. Draco's had taken part in the trials they had faced against Lord Voldermort. And although he had ended up helping them in the end Draco had proclaimed that he'd never set foot in Hogwarts again... but that obviously wasn't the case. He was also absented of his two lackeys, Crabbe and Goyle, because of the tragedy that had befallen them that year. They had been hit with the most deadly of "Unforgivable Curses" and left Draco to wander about Hogwarts alone. They all wondered what to do. Should they go and talk to him? Even though he helped them during a crucial moment, he still wasn't their friend. So they decided to follow behind and try not to let him notice them. They arrived at the school and entered the Great Hall. Draco sat in a very deserted Slytherin table. Sadly, only twenty or so students were left as many of their parents, had joined with Voldermort during his highest reign in power. The first years arrived and the sorting was complete. Everything about Hogwarts seemed more cheerful and the feast never tasted better! Hermione had been circling around the Hall, saying hello to the first years. Meanwhile Ron and Harry were having a heated conversation about who'd they'd hired for the missing chaser position after their last player ducked out.

Hermione had then returned, looked about the room contented and strangely asked, "You guys want to leave early?"

"What? Why?" asked Harry.

"Because... I want to see how good you've both gotten at Quidditch... the pitch should be deserted," she said.

"Herm, are you ok? You don't feel ill do you?" said Ron holding his hand to her forehead.

"No! I'm just interested... get your things and I'll see you there!" she said as she winked and walked out of the room.

"Weird..." said Ron.

"Maybe she'll finally confess her undying love to you?" said Harry laughing.

"Yeah... I can see it, 'I love Ron... I love to HIT Ron... I love to tell Ron he looks like an idiot'..." said the boy with a girly voice.

"Well... then maybe YOU should be the one?" said Harry as he got up and out of the Great Hall.

"Huh... but why should I bother?" asked Ron to himself as he rose from his chair to meet Harry at the door.

They got their things and headed outside, the air was nice and fresh and both Harry and Ron were having fun making loop-de-loops around the goal posts. Ron closed his eyes for a moment. Maybe peacefulness wasn't so bad. Maybe it was about time they took the time to enjoy the simple things in life... maybe it was time he sorted out his feeling for a pretty, bushy-haired girl. Maybe he should USE what happened last year to his advantage. Maybe he should stop saying MAYBE and just go for it! And let tangled feelings un-messy themselves... Well, at least that what he thought until he saw a Hermione walking into the pitch... but she wasn't alone. Up and into the air flew Draco, shouting irritably at the Hermione who stayed glued to the floor.

"Now come on! I saw how miserable you were! And I can give you all the right to be here as a part of my responsibility as Head-Girl! Now fly!" she shouted.

"Granger! Don't you start giving me orders!" shouted Malfoy a few feet about Hermione.

"Oh, let your pride go Mal... Draco," Hermione said.

Ron was confused. She wanted to help him feel better? Since when did she ever care for him? Harry seemed to be just as puzzled as she swooped down near the floating Malfoy and Hermione.

"Er... What are you doing here?" Harry asked.

"Ask Granger..." Draco said crossing his arms.

"It is my duty to care for the well being of ALL of the Hogwarts students! So, that's what I'm doing," she said looking at them seriously.

"But..." Harry looked at Malfoy baffled. "He doesn't even WANT to be here!"

"That's right!" shouted Draco.

"What are YOU doing here?" said Ron flying in.

"Stop asking me! I've been brought here against my free will! Granger was going to tell the teachers something... err... something... if I didn't come!" Draco said, glaring at Hermione.

"That's right! Now, why don't you two practice Seeking..." said Hermione with the Quidditch box under her arm and releasing the Snitch, "and... umm... well... you can't really do much can you Ron?"

"Not without another player," he said shrugging.

"Oh..." said Hermione as she saw both Harry and Malfoy chasing the Snitch out of pure competition.

Ron saw another episode floating in his mind. Yes, Harry and Draco gone and he was alone with her again...Just like last year but there was no demons or Death Eaters chasing them this time... and sadly, that made all the difference.

"So..." he said. "What do you want me to do?"

"I... err... I don't know..." she said timidly.

"Want to run away?" he said in a whisper.

"What?" said Hermione lifting her gaze towards him.

"Just like the last time..." he whispered.

Hermione's eyes grew larger. She remembered this line. She remembered what had happened but did she want to relive it again?

"MOVE IT WEASLEY!" shouted Draco as he flew past the two on the floor.

"Ha! Got it! Go it you Slytherin GIT!" cried Harry moments after.

"What was that Potter?" shouted Malfoy. "A GIT am I?"

"Yeah..." laughed Harry and to everyone's surprise... Draco laughed as well.

Hermione looked very pleased with herself after she heard that laugh but then returned her attention to Ron and to the question he had just mentioned.

Ron smiled timidly and said, "I should really stop saying stupidities... Let's go before it gets too dark..."

And so they all left the pitch with Draco feeling more strangely comforted then he had in a while. Ron re-evaluated what he had said to Hermione as she stared at him from time to time. He wondered if running away was the real answer...