'I should have said this a long time ago'

Just Listen

So, here I am, staring at the ceiling lying on the bed, listening to Pig's noise. Harry's coming tonight. I must move my bed, so he would have a place to sleep. I hope he's feeling better now. Ginny isn't as happy and chatty as last year. I hate to look at her and see an unhappy expression in her face. I don't think Harry's feeling different.

But I can't stop thinking about her. Is she coming? What a stupid question. Of course she's coming!

It's been a week since her last letter. I hope someday she would forgive me. I can remember exactly how I held her after Dumbledore's burial. She's so...

Someone knocked the door.

'Who...?' said Ron, getting up of his bed reluctantly.

'Let me in, Ron!' said Hermione.

He opened the door.

'Er, hi Hermione! How're you?'

'Fine thanks. And you?'

'Pretty well, I guess.'

'I see... I'm sorry I never answered your last letter. I've been busy these days, and taking care of Errol as well. Please tell me it's going to be the last time you send me a letter with him. He's OK now, eating in the kitchen.'

'Oh, er... thanks. Next time I'll send Pig. I couldn't use him because Ginny had borrowed it from me to reply Demelza.'

Hermione smiled at him. She has such a beautiful smile...Wake up, Ron! Don't look as if you were completely fascinated for her!

'My parents were a little annoyed, you know?'

'Were they?' asked Ron, leaving his daydream.

'Yes. Well, it's a bit unfair. I haven't seen them until we left school, and I've only spent a week and a half with them...'

'Did you tell them anything about what happened with-?'

'No. That would scare them to death!'

'Yeah...'

They stood still for a minute. Ron felt he was blushing fiercely. Hermione started walking around the room.

'Where are you going?' he asked.

'I'm not going anywhere! I just wanted to look through the window. My! The garden's beautiful!'

But it is not as beautiful as you, Hermione. Your intelligence and beauty are so breathtaking and unique...

'Ron? Are you all right?' she said, walking towards him and putting his hair away of his forehead and then placing a hand over it.

Ron felt his head burning. Obviously, it wasn't because he had fever. After a few seconds, she realised what she had done. Quickly, she put her hand away.

'Er... I haven't congratulated Fleur yet...I'll see you downstairs...' And she closed the door.

What happened? Did she really touch my face? Hang on...CONGRATULATE FLEUR?

Ten minutes later, Ron was still standing in front of the door. Someone knocked it again. He opened it.

'Ron, your mum says you can stop wasting your time and help Bill and the others,' said Hermione.

'Yeah... I locked myself here because she's quite fussy... Anyway, yeah, I'm coming.'

************************************************************

While Ron and Hermione were going downstairs, they bumped into Ginny, and the three of them fell on the ground floor.

Hermione got up quickly when she realised she had her head over Ron's chest, and helped Ginny.

'You prat, Ron! Why were you running?' said Ginny angrily.

'It was you who was running, not me! And it's not my bloody fault you are upset! That's not a reason to shout unfairly at people!'

It seemed that Ginny wanted to answer Ron in a violent way, so Hermione, who didn't want to see Ron surrounded by a large cloud of Bat-Bogies, took Ginny's hand and the two girls went upstairs.

'What on-?' said Hermione.

'I dunno, I guess Ron's right, I'm being a bit-'

'I wonder how you are going to behave when he arrives!'

'I must get over it, but the harder I try, the stronger his memory comes to my mind!'

Hermione looked at her. Ginny wasn't the typical kind of girl that wept every time she remembered her ex-boyfriend.

'Honestly, I don't know what to say, I haven't got any advice,' said Hermione.

'Now we are supposed to be friends again...'

'Have you written to him?' asked Hermione.

'Yes, but only once,' Ginny answered.

'I see... Anyway, your mum's asked for our help, so...'

'Yes, I'll go down in a minute.'

************************************************************

At seven o' clock the doorbell rang. Ginny ran to open the door.

'Er... hi Ginny!' said Harry nervously.

'Hello, er... come in!' she said, her face turning faintly pink.

'Harry! At last you are here! I arrived at midday!'

'Oh, hi Hermione...It's great to see you too!'

'Harry! We've been waiting you for hours! Are you all right? Come in! You must be freezing and starving! Ron! Leave that piece of cake alone and help Harry with his trunk!' said Mrs Weasley.

'Hi Harry! Bloody hell, mate! Have you brought your bed as well? Your trunk's so heavy!'

'Er... no Ron. I must talk with you,' Harry said.

'OK, but not now. There are plenty of people who want to say hi...'

'Yeah, I guess...'

***********************************************************

After a huge dinner ('Harry, you are so thin! Why don't you have another piece of cream tart?') Ron and Harry went upstairs.

'So Harry, what did you want to talk about?'

'I'm sorry,' said Harry.

'Sorry for what?'

'Ginny.'

'Oh...er...you don't need to be sorry, mate. In fact, I'm glad that you were so worried for her,' said Ron.

'But still, I think, well, maybe I could've had another idea-'

'Instead of breaking up?' asked Hermione, who had just entered to Ron's room.

'Yeah...I mean...Is she all right? She's just written me once, and I don't want it to end in this way...'

'Harry, you are definitely apologising with the wrong person. You need to tell her everything you told us. Ginny has not spent entire nights crying, you know?' said Hermione.

'I know she's not that kind of girl. She's-'

'She is sick of being treated as a child. She thinks she can get over the end of a relationship,' said Ginny.

'Oh...er...'

'I was hoping you could have said all this things to me, Harry. See you!'

And she slammed the door.

'This is just perfect!' said Harry, throwing himself over the bed.

'Now what are you going to do?' Ron asked.

'Dunno... I... I'm such a stupid git!'

'No, you are not! Harry, for goodness sake! Stop blaming yourself!'

'No, Hermione, I don't want to stop blaming myself! Now I've lost any chance to...to...'

'I'm, er, I'm going to talk with her...'

'Good luck, Hermione. When my sister's angry, it's really hard to talk to her...'

She sighed and left the two boys alone.

************************************************************

'Er... Ginny, are you all right?' asked Hermione nervously.

'What do you think?' she said angrily.

Hermione looked at her.

'I...well, I do know it was a bad idea to slam the door and shout at him, but I'm sick of being treated as if I couldn't do anything by myself!'

'I know, but...he's actually regretting what he decided to do-'

'I still can not believe why...God! I swore I would never cry because of him!' she said, wiping her tears away.

'It's OK, Ginny; I know how it feels when you cry because of a boy-'

Ginny stood up and said: 'Did you actually cry because of a boy? Did you cry because a tall red-haired boy, perhaps?'

Oh dear! How stupid I am! I'm being extremely obvious! How can she know that I've cried because of...?

'What on earth do you mean? I'm sorry; I was trying to cheer you up, Ginevra! That's why I wasn't really aware of what I was saying!'

You are making it more obvious, Hermione! She knows now that you've cried because of her brother. It's official.

'All right, I'm sorry...it sort of slipped me...'

'Don't worry. Anyway, you are considerately feeling better now. Let's go downstairs.'

'Go downstairs? What for? We've already had supper,' said Ginny slightly bemused.

'Oh...er...I don't know, I think today my mind is in another place.'

Ginny grinned at her. 'So, I guess I'll go to sleep.'

'Yes, I'll do the same.'

************************************************************

'Ron! Wake up! Your mum says it's already late!'

Ron growled and mumbled in his sleep.

'Hey! We don't have all day!' said Hermione, shaking him softly.

Ron growled again and turned to the other side.

Hermione sighed and said: 'Aguamenti!' and a small stream of water fell over Ron's head.

'Bloody hell, Hermione! You didn't have to do that!'

'I'm sorry, I wanted to sprinkle you with some drops of water, but I couldn't control the quantity of it,' she said.

'Why didn't you wake up Harry in the same way?' asked Ron, annoyed.

'Because your noise has already woken up me!' said Harry, who looked amused at the sight of Ron's soaked head and Hermione's red face.

'I'm really, really sorry, Ron. Anyway, you two must go downstairs now.'

'Fine, fine...' said Ron, getting up of his bed lazily.

'Er... Hermione...Have you...? I mean...Is she-?'

'Maybe you can talk with her today, Harry; but I'll make sure you two are alone.'

'Thanks a million, Hermione.'

'Ron! What are you doing?' asked Hermione.

'Sorry, I slipped. Is that a crime too? Do I need detention?'

'No, I guess it's...' He looks so handsome with his hair wet... It matches perfectly with his blue eyes...

'Hermione? Hermioneee... Are you there?' asked Ron.

'What? Oh... I'm fine, Ron. Er... I'll see you in the kitchen...'

And she left the room.

'What the bloody hell was that?' asked Harry.

'What d'you mean?' said Ron.

'Never mind...' Did she really stare as if she was fascinated by him? It's clearer than ever that something's going on between them...

************************************************************

'Ah! At last you two are here!'

'Morning Muuuuum,' said Ron yawning.

'Morning Mrs. Weasley,' Harry said.

'Good morning boys. Harry, dear, have some bacon, I still can not believe how you survived the last few days without a proper meal,' said Mrs Weasley.

'Oh...er, thanks, Mrs...'

He stopped talking. Ginny had just entered to the kitchen without looking at him.

'Hello everyone,' she said, sitting between Fred and George and picking a toast. 'Mum, Phlegm has been asking for the last ten minutes where is ze best place to put 'er singing wooden nymph...'

'Yes, I'll go in a minute. And please don't call her like that. Bill doesn't like it, either,' said Mrs Weasley, nodding towards her eldest son.

'D'you reckon is a good idea to talk with her today, Hermione?' whispered Harry.

'Well, how am I supposed to know that she was going to act like that? She seemed perfectly normal after we talked last night!'

'OK, I'll try to do it...'

************************************************************

'Mum! Dad! Gabrielle! Alors vous êtes arrivés!'

It took some time to introduce Fleur's family to everyone. The house was beautifully decorated, as a result of all the hours the Weasleys, Harry and Hermione had worked.

'You must hurry up, girls! There's no much time to get ready!'

'All right, Mum!' said Ginny angrily after her mum had left the room. 'What a stupid zipper! Why didn't Phlegm choose another colour instead of gold?'

'Let me help you,' said Hermione.

'Thanks. Er... Can I ask you something?'

'Of course you can!'

'Right... I wanted to know if he...?'

'He's sorry of what happened last night,' said Hermione.

'I spoiled everything! I shouldn't have acted in that way!'

'No, you haven't spoiled everything. He really wants to talk with you. Ron and I-'

Ginny suddenly smirked and looked at her suspiciously.

'Ron and I think you two definitely need... Why are you beaming? Have I said something funny?'

'What? Oh, nothing...it was nothing...' answered the red-haired, although she looked as if she wanted to burst out laughing.

'Fine... Let's go downstairs; the ceremony will start soon...'

Am I that obvious? Why does she have to suspect that I...

'Hermione?' asked Ginny.

'Yes?'

'I...I'll talk to him.'

'Good.'

************************************************************

'Now, as the ceremony has finished, I'd like you to go inside for a moment...' said Bill.

'What for?' asked Ron.

'You'll see...' answered a smiling Hermione, who was sitting next to him.

I can't stop looking at her. She looks even more beautiful than in the Yule Ball. How I didn't dare to ask her to go with me? Now it's your chance, Ron. You HAVE TO ask her to dance with you. Who knows whether or not this is your opportunity to...

'Ron? Your dad has just said we can return to the garden...'

'Yeah, that's great. Hermione... I was just wondering if-'

'Look! There's a wooden stage over the grass!' she said, pulling him by the hand.

'It's fascinating. Hermione, I-'

' 'Ermione! I can't find Ginny. Could you give her this, s'il vous plaît?' asked Fleur.

'Sure. Ouch! Ron! Don't push me!'

'Sorry. Can I...?'

'Would you like joining me to find Ginny? I haven't seen her since we returned to the garden...'

'OK. I haven't seen Harry, either,' he said, sighing.

They looked for Ginny for about twenty minutes, until Ron had the great idea to open the broomsticks shed door, and...

'WHAT THE BLOODY HELL...?'

Harry and Ginny were locked in each others' arms kissing passionately.

They broke apart almost immediately. Harry didn't dare to move. Something similar had happened a few months ago, but this time it really seemed that Ron was determined to kill him.

'Before you continue yelling, big bro'; first of all, we weren't snogging in public! Second, think about that if you kill Harry, no one would save us from Voldemort! And it's time you stop shivering every time you hear that name! Third, we-'

'Ginny, Fleur told me to give you this...' said Hermione timidly.

'Thanks, Hermione.'

'Let's go, Ron...' whispered Hermione.

'No! I want a few words with this two!'

'It's time to go. Now!'

Ron mumbled angrily all the way to the garden.

'I really don't understand you, Ron!' said Hermione, when she had finally stopped dragging him by the hand.

'What d'you mean?'

'First, you were worried because Ginny was sad and quiet these weeks. Now that she has returned with Harry, you want to jinx or do something worse to him! For heaven's sake, he's your best friend! Do you really think he has bad intentions or what? You know he's not going to do nothing to Ginny! Besides, she's not a child anymore!'

'I get the point! But-'

'No "buts" allowed! You must admit that it's something normal! It's nothing to be ashamed, afraid or angry of, Ronald!'

'Fine!' he bellowed.

'Fine,' she said, breathing slower. 'There are no chairs surrounding the dance floor.'

A few moments later, they were sitting on two comfortable chairs.

'Nice spell, Hermione!' said Ron.

'Thanks,' she answered with her cheeks a bit red.

When she blushes she looks even more sweet and pretty...

'I'm sorry.'

'What for?' he asked.

'I think I interrupted you before we start looking for them...' said Hermione, nodding towards the happy and chatty couple who had just left the broomsticks shed.

'Yes...' he said after mumbling angrily a bit again.

'So...?'

'Er- well, I...' Are you going to ask her or not?

'Yes?' Relax Hermione; apparently you are a bit anxious...

'I...I was just wondering if maybe you'd like to dance with me?' OK, there's no way back, Ron...

Hermione looked at him. Has he said what I think he said? Is he really asking me for what he should have asked years ago?

'Hermione?' asked Ron, feeling his heart beating very fast.

'Yes, I'd love to!' Oh God. I've shown too much enthusiasm.

The both of them looked at each other awkwardly.

'Er- so, I guess we'd better...'

'Yes. There's an empty space near Ginny...'

'No thanks, I won't go over there!'

'Fine, let's go near Tonks, then,' said Hermione, rolling her eyes.

'OK.'

************************************************************

Definitely, this is so much better than I've ever imagined...I can't believe I am finally dancing with her! How I couldn't possibly have the courage at that time to do this?

Hermione was thinking more or less the same.

I've waited for this for so long...He dances even better than Viktor...Those dress robes really suit him... I hope everything would be as perfect as now...

But unfortunately, that was not going to happen.

'Finally, they've put a slow song! I was getting a little tired!'

'Yeah...' he said, looking at Harry and Ginny, who were wrapped around each others' arms and moving slowly.

Hermione looked at them, too. How would it be if Ron and I were dancing in the same way? No, Hermione. You know he definitely won't hold...

What had just happened? She couldn't explain it. No, Hermione, you are NOT hallucinating. He IS holding you by the waist and you have your arms around his neck...

Ron was the first one who dared to break the silence.

'This is, er...'

'It's a bit strange, perhaps?'

'Well, sort of... I mean... I guess something similar would have happened if...'

'If you...If we had done the same a long time ago...'

'Yeah, and if...'

Please Ron, don't say it!

'If you hadn't agreed to go with Krum,' he said.

He has said it. WHY?

'And if you had packed up the courage to ask me to go with you?'

Oh no! Me and my bloody mouth!

Ron, for a moment, was speechless. Hermione freed herself from his arms.

Why this does has to happen? WHY? Everything was amazing and now...

'This is unbelievable!'

'Yes, it is unbelievable!' said Ron, who had managed to speak again. 'It's unbelievable that you-'

'WHAT? Now it's my fault that you hadn't found the way to stop regretting your decisions?' said an indigenized Hermione.

'It's unbelievable that you had gone to the Yule Ball with Vicky!'

Why Ronald Weasley? Why? Why don't you get over it?

'Stop calling him like that! When are you going to get over it? When are you going to understand he's just my friend?'

'Oh yeah, and Lockhart really met a banshee. Just a friend...'

'Yes, he is just a friend! That's why we keep in touch!'

'Sure, and his letters are filled with corny sentences such as-'

'Such as "Hermione, I've proposed to a girl I met last year and she said yes?"'

'It's obvious that you are making it up right now!'

'How can you be so sure? You don't trust me, do you?'

'Not in this moment.'

'When are you going to grow up? Stop being stubborn for once!'

'Stubborn? I'm not being stubborn!'

Hermione snorted.

'Let me tell you something, Ronald!'

'Go on!'

'You spoiled everything again!' she yelled, pushing him aside the hardest she could, and then entered to the house with her eyes filled with fury and tears.

To follow or not to follow her, that's the question.

He looked at Harry and Ginny. They were... snogging again.

Ron sighed. To follow her. May Dumbledore's spirit be with me.

************************************************************

Hermione ran upstairs and slammed the door of Ginny's bedroom behind her. Wiping a tear of her face she thought:

Well, Ronald Weasley, I'm sick of this. It's over.

Suddenly, the door busted open. She didn't turned around, but started putting all her things in her trunk. Anything to bother or worry Ron- the greatest- idiot- on- earth is great.

'You can do it by magic, you know?' said Ron.

'What do you want?' she asked. 'Do you want to continue this discussion? Don't you understand? It's over, Ron!'

Now what am I supposed to say? Are you going to let her leave without...?

'Hermione, er- well... Can't you give me...?'

'Give you a chance? Ronald Weasley, you had plenty of chances all these years! But I'm sorry if you were too blind to notice them!'

Ron opened his mouth to answer, but Hermione continued:

'You definitely have no idea how upset I felt last year! How stupidly I've cried because of you! How worried I was when you got poisoned! I almost killed Harry because he didn't want to tell me what had happened to you! I can't believe I've been wasting, yes, wasting, my time on something that now I realise has no sense! I did it all because of you! I could have given up long time ago, but I was always hoping that someday...'

Blimey, this can't be good. I wonder what she is going to say next...

'You mustn't even ask if I kissed or not Viktor! Or if I really was going out with McLaggen!'

'I still want to know if it was true, Hermione!' demanded Ron.

'You are such a hypocrite! I know you wanted me to feel jealous, well, congratulations! I admit that I wanted to explode each time I saw you two eating each other's faces! But you were hurting me as well!'

Hermione's voice sounded as if she was going to cry on any second. Ron was staring at her, without daring to answer yet.

'I'm not only a bookworm, Ron! I care about more things than OWLs!'

'I know that!'

'Shut up, please! Because this is over! From now on, I won't give a toss about you anymore! Did you hear that? NO MORE!'

Hermione sat on the edge of the bed and hide her face behind her hands. She couldn't hold back the tears anymore.

I must do something! But what on earth can I do? thought Ron.

He kneeled in front of her, and took her hands into his.

'Get off me!' she said, pushing him.

'No,' he said, with a grave voice.

'Would you just leave me alone?'

'No.'

'You must be glad that I don't have my wand beside me!'

'Please Hermione, just listen to me,' said Ron.

She didn't say anything but turned her face to the other side.

'I... I should have said this a long time ago...' he said.

Why does he talk with that voice? My resolution won't stand if I listen to you! Shut up! You are making me doubt!

'Hermione, look at me.'

That sounded more than a request, an order.

'Why do...?' she asked without looking at him.

'Now, if you don't mind, I want to speak now. I think is my turn.'

I won't turn around. Then you are going to tell me how it feels when you are ignored.

'I...I...should have said this a long time ago,' he repeated.

Don't turn around, Hermione!

'I...I know I've been acting as a complete prat all these years...'

I bet you have, Ron.

'But, er... just let me say this.'

Hermione looked at him. I surrender. I can't ignore him in this moment!

'I know it's going to be almost impossible that you can forgive me after what I did last year, but, er... I...'

Ron, please say it! Don't stop... Wait a second! What am I thinking? I'm supposed to reject him! I MUST do it!

'I...' Don't be such a coward and say it!, he thought.

'I...' Why my head has to burn right now?

'I...I like you, Hermione. I like you a lot.'

What has he just said? What am I going to answer?

'No!' he said abruptly.

'WHAT? Do you really mean it or not? That's something you can't deny so quickly! I thought-'

'Hermione, I'll be able to continue what has taken me a lot of effort to confess if you let me talk! You prat! You could have said anything else to shut up her! I hate myself!

'I mean-' he continued.

'You mean what?' Just say it, Ron! I've waited for so long...Oh dear! What on earth am I saying?

'I...I reckon...'

You reckon? Are you sure or not? Ron, come on, don't stop!

'I...I'm in love with you, Hermione.'

WHAT? Have you really? Please, don't say "no" again! I wouldn't stand it!

'But, as you said, I was sort of blind. Well, the fact is that I hadn't realised it until the Yule Ball. I must say I was really jealous back then-'

Yes, you were. That serves you right for not asking me.

'-and if I went out with Lavender, er...it was to take revenge or something like that. I thought that today, when I asked you to dance with me, I was correcting the stupid mistake I had committed three years ago. I hadn't forgiven myself for not asking you...'

Hermione stared at him. Finally, he has said it. What now? I don't have a clue of what to do! I wonder if he is going to...

'Well, that's what I wanted you to know before it's too late... I hope it isn't so late anyway...' And he stood up and walked towards the door.

You must do something, stupid girl! Are you going to stare at him with your mouth shut?

'Ron, er...RON! Wait, you idiot!' Oh God! Why did I have to say that? Why? Next time use your brain! She had stood up too, and put a hand over his shoulder. He turned around and sank into her- beautiful and now dry, he thought- eyes.

OK, you have stopped him. He's waiting for your answer...

'I...' I what?

'I wanted you to know that... er...what you have said makes me...'

I need some help, but who is going to encourage me now?

'I mean...I have waited to hear that for so long...' Well, that is true.

Ron was staring at her, as if she was the only thing to look at in the entire universe, apparently unaware that his gaze was making her even more nervous.

Ginny! Where are you? You are the one who knows all about this stuff!

'And I, er...well...' I guess my face is as red as a tomato... Why do I have to be so nervous?

'I just wanted to say...' OK, Hermione. Ready, steady, go!

'I-'

Suddenly, she stopped talking, partly because she lost herself into Ron's blue eyes, partly because she was in complete shock, and partly because his lips were pressing against hers.

It took her five seconds to realise that what she had been dreaming with all this months had finally turned real.

This is not fair! Why did you have to kiss me just when I had finally been able to say that I'm in love with you too? I have never expected you would shut me up in this way! Although I must say it's an amazing system...

Ron was thinking something similar. I can't believe it! Finally I'm kissing someone I really like!

After a few moments, she tried to pull back to catch her breath, but it seemed Ron was determined to not let her go, because he was holding her by the waist. Ron! I'm enjoying this, but let me breathe for a second!

She surrendered. Noticing that her efforts to pull back were ineffective, she put her arms around his neck. They couldn't think about anything but the person they were standing in front of.

After several minutes, and realising that oxygen was required, they finally broke apart.

Too impressed to talk after what had just happened-and too embarrassed as well- they just timidly smiled. Hermione took Ron's hand and they went downstairs.

************************************************************

When they had finally reached the ground floor, Hermione let go Ron's hand. He looked at her. I wonder if Hermione would let me to kiss her again...

Apparently, Hermione had read his thoughts, because she said: 'No Ron. Not here, it's full of people.'

'All right then...' he said grudgingly.

'Ron! Where have you been? Your mum says you should stay here and help a bit. C'mon!' said Harry.

'Yeah...' said Ron, giving Hermione one last look.

'Hermione, Phlegm, sorry, Fleur, wants all the girls together...I have no idea what is she planning to do...' said Ginny frowning.

'Right...'

It seemed that everybody was trying to keep them far away from each other, because each time they wanted to talk a bit, someone called them or asked for their help.

This is rather annoying. Why can't we be together? Ron thought, trying to catch Hermione's gaze.

At last, they were staring at each other, despite the fact that each of them was standing in opposites sides of the garden.

Only moving his lips Ron said: 'When?'

'How about two?' she said in the same way.

'OK. Where can we...?'

'No idea.'

'Is it OK in my room?'

'No! Harry...'

'We can meet in the stairs...'

She nodded affirmatively and smiled.

I love when she smiles...

************************************************************

'Hermione?' asked Ginny. They were in Ginny's room, exhausted after the celebration.

'Yes?'

'Is everything OK? You seem nervous...'

'I'm fine,' answered Hermione.

'Are you really? So why are you walking fast all over the place? Maybe you're expecting something or... maybe you are waiting for someone...'

Hermione felt as if the ceiling had just fallen over her. This girl definitely has a sixth sense. How can she...?

'How...? Er...Who...? I mean-'

'Ron and you have planned something, haven't you?'

Hermione didn't say anything, but her red face was enough answer.

'I see...You don't have to be ashamed of that!' said Ginny, beaming.

'Erm... Do you know what time is it?'

'It's ten to three. Sorry, it's ten to two. Why? Oh... He's waiting for you, isn't he?'

'Yes, I suppose so...'

'You suppose so? God! You both need a slap in the face!'

'That's completely unfair! I mean, you have gone out with about three boys, and of course you have plenty of experience! I've seen you kissing Harry! Don't make fun of me!'

'All right then, I'm sorry. So, where are you going to snog...? I mean...Where are you going to meet?'

'We agreed we're going to meet in the stairs.'

'Are you going to meet in the stairs? Don't you know Mum is always patrolling them to check if everyone's asleep?'

'Oh yes! I completely forgot about that! I'll tell Ron we cannot meet there. Maybe we'll do it tomorrow...'

'OK, but where?'

'I don't know... Ginny, what time...?'

'It's two o' clock. Go! Good luck!'

Hermione smiled and left the room.

************************************************************

Please, Mrs. Weasley, be asleep...Ron, where are you? I'm getting tired...Come quickly or I'll dump you here!

She felt a hand over her shoulder. Fortunately, Ron had covered her mouth with his other hand, so no one heard her screaming.

'It's me! Calm down!' he whispered.

'Are you insane? Don't do that ever again!'

'OK, OK, I'm sorry...'

They stared at each other for an awkward moment, until Hermione said:

'Ron, I don't think is a good idea to meet-'

'What d'you mean?' he asked a bit alarmed. Have I done something wrong?

'It's not a good idea to meet in the stairs.'

'Don't tell me you are afraid of-'

'Afraid of you? Of course not! But what would happen if your mum sees us?'

'Oh...I didn't think about that either,' he said, scowling.

'So, I guess we'll continue this tomorrow...'

'Yeah...tomorrow,' he said.

'Well, good night,' she said kissing him on the cheek and then turning around.

'Wait! I know!'

'You know...?'

'We don't have to wait until tomorrow!'

'What are you talking about?'

'We can meet outside, in the garden,' he said.

'OUTSIDE?'

'Shh...!'

'Are you out of your mind? It must be freezing out there! It's two o' clock in the morning, Ron!'

'Accio cloak!'

'Oh, great!' she said sarcastically.

'C'mon Hermione, let's go!'

'Fine, fine...'

************************************************************

'It's cold...'

'Here, put this cloak on,' he said.

'I still feel cold!'

'If I lend you my jacket I would be freezing too and tomorrow Mum will do a complete investigation to find out why I caught a cold!'

'I was joking, Ronald Weasley. Ouch! I can't walk properly with these ruddy shoes!'

'Watch out!' He held her tightly just before she fell to the ground.

'Thanks. God! I hate using dresses and this kind of shoes when I'm walking in the garden!'

'Well, it's not my bloody fault that you haven't decided to change your clothes!'

'I beg your pardon? Mr. Weasley, let me tell you it was your idea to meet today in the stairs and then in the garden!'

'All right!' bellowed Ron. 'If you didn't want to continue this you could have said it before!'

'How could you...? I mean... Never mind, if you want me to go, I'll do it!'

'What? Wait! Who told you I want you to leave?'

'Let me think... If I'm not wrong, you did it with your aggressive words!'

'I'm sorry, Miss Granger!' he said.

Hermione looked at him. Is it a good idea to go out with him? Are we always going to fight like this?

'Ron, I hope you don't feel surprised if this doesn't work out,' she said earnestly.

Ron said nothing. Everything would be OK if you hadn't opened your bloody mouth, you stupid git!

'What? I can't be that stupid, Hermione. I surely won't throw away what took us six years to achieve!'

'So why do we have to ruin everything? Why do we always have to fight?'

'I don't like to fight with you, Hermione,' said Ron.

'I know, but you know very well how a tiny and stupid discussion can spoil our friendship, or in this case-'

'It can spoil something more than a friendship?'

'Well, if you want to call it in that way-'

'What? My apologies if I committed a vocabulary mistake!' he said annoyed.

'You are doing it again!'

'Do what?'

'We are arguing!'

'No, we are not!'

'Yes, we are!'

'No, we are not!'

'Yes, we...'

'Oi! Where are you going? Why are you running away?'

'How on earth can't you know why?'

'I'm not as smart as you!'

'Maybe is because none of us is mature enough to face a relationship!'

'EXCUSE ME? We are teenagers! We are supposed to be immature!'

'No, we are not!'

'Yes, we are!'

'I won't certainly continue this!'

'Me neither!'

'So, this is the end, isn't it?'

'YES!'

'Good bye!' she said crying and running towards the house.

'Wait! What were you talking about?' he asked, running after her and holding her hand.

'Let me go! So you just kissed me to know if I could do it in the same way as Lavender! Piss off, Weasley!'

'No, I really mean what I said!'

'Oh, yes you did! This is not the way to prove it!'

'Hermione Jane Granger, when I said "I wouldn't continue this" I was talking about the discussion!'

Hermione opened her mouth to answer, but no sound came out of it.

'How can you possibly think I was referring to...to...'

'I hate this!' she said.

'Now I'm the one who is saying this is the end!' he yelled.

'No! Is just that we are misunderstanding everything we say!'

'No, we... Yes, we are.'

'Sorry?'

'We are misunderstanding what we say,' he said.

They looked at each other for what it seemed to be ages. Ron was still holding Hermione's hand.

'I...'

'I'm really...so...'

'No, it's just...'

'Er...'

'I...'

They had said the last few sentences at the same time.

'You first,' said Hermione.

'I'm sorry,' he said.

'I'm sorry too.'

'You are sort of right, Hermione.'

'I know you would have never kissed me without meaning it,' she said.

'Yeah...that would have been really selfish...'

'I'm sorry I couldn't control myself. I yelled at you horribly!'

'Don't worry. Sometimes we can be really stubborn and impulsive...'

'Yes, we can,' she said grinning at him.

She had just realised that they were closer. Somehow, she had taken Ron's left hand.

'And I'm sorry about hurting you all this years.'

'It's OK, Ron.'

'Oh, and I'm sorry I didn't let you talk because I kissed you.'

'Oh well... You don't have to be sorry for the last thing!'

'What were you trying to say? It seemed to be something important.'

'It was. And it was really hard to say, by the way.'

'So...?'

'I...'

He was really eager to hear it, although he had an idea of what she was trying to say.

'Never mind,' said Ron. 'I know why it's so hard to say. It took me a great effort to say it, too.'

'No! I'm ready! I'm sure I'll be able to say it this time!'

Ron smiled. She looks so cute when she is nervous.

'I'm in love with you too.'

************************************************************

'So that's why you woke me up, Ginny?'

'Yep.'

'I knew something similar was going to happen someday. It was really obvious, wasn't it?'

'Yes! I can't believe it had taken six years! Oh my goodness! Somehow those months snogging Lavender were useful!'

'Yeah... Is he holding her by the waist?'

'I think so... Wait a second! She has put her arms around his neck!'

'That's an unknown facet of Hermione Granger!'

'Yes! They have stopped for a while... time to breathe... What is he saying?'

'Dunno... Oh, they're snogging again...'

Harry and Ginny were sitting at the kitchen table looking at the garden through the window, where a red-haired boy and a girl with bushy brown hair were... kissing.

'What are you two doing here?' asked Fred.

'Oh...er...nothing, Fred,' said Ginny, moving towards the window and trying to cover it with her back.

'I came downstairs 'cause I left some of my money here,' said Fred looking at Harry suspiciously.

'Your jacket it's over the chair,' said Harry.

'Thanks, mate. Ginny, why are you...?'

'No, Fred...' she said when her brother pushed her aside.

'Well done, ickle Ronnie! It was about time!'

'Oh no...'

'G' night, sweethearts...'

'Fred, please don't-' said Harry.

'Don't worry, mate. No one would know. Just Bill, George, Charlie, Mad-eye, Remus...' said Fred laughing.

And then he left the kitchen.

'They're going to kill us, aren't they?' said Ginny.

'There are plenty of probabilities...' said Harry.

'I hope they'd-'

'Blimey! Ron and Hermione are coming back!'

'We must get out of here!'

'G'night. See you tomorrow...' he said, kissing her quickly.

'Good night. I'd better go too.'

************************************************************

'Well, thanks for everything... I had a wonderful time,' said Hermione.

'So did I.'

They stared at each other for a moment. It was astonishing how everything had changed between them in a few hours.

Smiling, they sat on the stairs. Hermione put her head over his shoulder and he put and arm around her.

'I don't want this to end,' she said.

'Me neither.'

'But is time to sleep, I guess.'

'What a pity, isn't it?' he said grinning.

Then they stood up and before Hermione opened the door of Ginny's room, Ron held her hand and then he grabbed her by the waist, and after that, he kissed her again.

'G' night,' Ron said with a mischievous grin.

'Good night,' answered a beaming Hermione.

Whereas Harry and Ginny were concerned for their lives, Ron and Hermione couldn't sleep because they were thinking about the last moments they spent together, moments that make them extremely happy. Obviously, they didn't know what was going to happen the next day...

~΅Ω΅~