Chapter 1 – A Second Chance

It was late one Saturday evening and all the Gryffindors had already gone up to bed – all except one. He sat alone beside the fire in the Gryffindor common room, running his fingers through his flame-red hair, reflecting on everything that had happened to bring him to this exact point in time. Yes, suddenly he could see it so clearly in his mind – that exact moment when everything had changed. It was so vivid – he sighed as he remembered exactly how he had felt that night…

It was the night of the Yule Ball, back in fourth year. Ron remembered how beautiful Hermione had looked – she was breathtaking. And even now he could feel how intensely jealous he had felt that night, seeing her with Viktor Krum. At the time he'd told himself he wasn't jealous – it was all too confusing to comprehend – but he would never forget the row they had had that night. It all came flooding back to him now. She was furious and was screaming at him with an intense passion. He'd retaliated and things had escalated from there. And then, she'd said what he hadn't quite understood back then – She wanted him to take her to the ball, and if there ever was another ball, that he should ask her first. It was at that point that he'd started to look at her differently.

And as time had gone by, he'd started to notice little things about her that he'd never really seen before – like how her eyes sparkled every time she relayed some story about an ancient wizard she'd read about in the library, or how a cute little dimple would form around her lips when she laughed at one of his jokes. He would catch himself trying to impress her during his Quidditch games, much to Harry's annoyance, who often accused him of 'showing off and not concentrating on the game'. He couldn't help himself though – She had this effect on him – his pulse started racing whenever she entered a room; his heart would hammer incessantly against his chest every time she smiled and he felt hot under the collar whenever they were alone together.

And although he'd finally become aware of his feelings, things between them had remained the same – they were just friends - because there had been so much going on during fifth year, they'd hardly had time to consider anything apart from the war and the Prophecy. And then, sixth year happened and it didn't seem like he'd ever get the chance to tell her how he felt.

Sixth year had been difficult – although they were at school, it all seemed pretty pointless. Who could concentrate on studying for the NEWTS when the war was raging in full force? Voldermort and the Death Eaters were growing stronger and the Order was doing everything in their power to stop them. Dumbledore had instructed Harry and his friends to stay at Hogwarts, despite Harry's pleas. Harry had not coped well with Sirius's death and all he wanted to do was fight – but Dumbledore was adamant – the time wasn't right. He had assured Harry that when the time came for him to fight Voldermort, he would know. But in the meantime, they were to stay at Hogwarts, learning as much as they could for when they were needed.

It was during sixth year that he had realised the extent of his feelings for Hermione. They had been staying at the Burrow over the summer – Harry had grudgingly agreed to stay on at the Dursleys, now knowing that it was the safest place for him when he wasn't at Hogwarts – when they were attacked. It had happened so fast, no-one had seen it coming. It was a beautiful day and he and Hermione had been sitting outside, enjoying a delightful picnic under the willow tree – in fact, he was almost certain, had they not been interrupted, that the afternoon might've progressed into something more meaningful. The butterbeer always had a way of making him feel merry – she had just placed her hand on his and said "Ron" when a blood-curdling scream jolted them apart. A look of terror came across Ron's face as he realised who it was that had screamed - "Ginny!" They both jumped up and sprinted inside, Ron desperately wondering where he'd left his wand. As they came running inside, they saw Mrs Weasley crumpled in one corner and Ginny being held around the neck by a Death Eater. There were just two of them but none of the Weasleys had been prepared for the attack – In fact, no-one was home except for Ron, Hermione, Mrs Weasley and Ginny. Hermione drew her wand immediately "Let her go!" she yelled, as Ron ran over to Mrs Weasley "Mum – are you okay?" Mrs Weasley just nodded, but gestured towards Ginny.

Ron watched as Hermione walked towards the Death Eaters fearlessly – "Let her go right now or I'll…" she threatened. Ron couldn't help admiring her just then - she was so brave! Then a sudden wave of fear washed over him as he realised how much danger she was in.

"Or you'll what? You're just a filthy Mudblood, Granger!"

Ron knew that voice – it was Draco Malfoy. Malfoy pulled his hood down to reveal his smirk.

Ron frantically began searching for something to distract them. He had to do something! It reminded him briefly of the time he and Harry had tried to rescue Hermione from the mountain troll – Harry had wound up swinging from the troll's grubby paws and it was up to Ron to save the day – if only this situation required a simple "Wingardium Leviosa"!

"Malfoy – I should've known!" exclaimed Hermione "Bored, were you? Thought you'd get dressed up in daddy's robes and come and call us names for a bit of fun?"

Malfoy was not drawn in by her taunts "Actually, I've quite taken to Weasley's little sister over here – What do you say Weasley – reckon I can have a bit of fun with her?"

Ron strode forward "You leave her alone Malfoy!"

Ginny was trying to wriggle free but Malfoy held her firm "Come on Ginny, I could make it worth your while" he said, and made as if he was going to kiss her.

Ron knew they needed some sort of distraction so that Hermione could work her magic – and then he realised – he could be the distraction. He suddenly bolted across the room – he knew Malfoy would try to curse him – and while he did, Hermione didn't waste any time "Accio Ginny!" she recited and Ginny came flying towards her. The other Death Eater, probably Crabbe or Goyle judging by their size, sent a spell straight at Hermione, completely knocking her off her feet. Malfoy was furious that he'd been tricked so easily "C'mon Goyle – let's go – let's not waste our energy on the Weasleys – we have more important people to kill…" he said as they quickly made for the front door.

"Hermione!" Ginny yelled "Mum, Ron, come quick – she's not breathing!"

Ron had felt his heart stop the moment Ginny had said those words – he'd realised right then how much he loved Hermione – he couldn't live without her!

"Hermione!" he yelled "please wake up!" he was bent over her and had taken her hand in his.

Mrs Weasley got out her wand "Stand back Dears". Ron and Ginny looked up at their mother, uncertain but they did not move.

"Levitas Brecardium Deliruis" Mrs Weasley said, pointing her wand at Hermione.

Hermione awoke with a start. "Ron" she said, sitting up "Where am I? What happened?" she questioned inquisitively. Ron was so relieved he wrapped her up in a bear hug and would not let her go for several minutes "Hermione" he said softly "I thought you were…"

"I'm fine Ron" she had said, and then everything had just returned to normal.

That was almost a year ago now. At the beginning of their seventh and final year at Hogwarts, Harry had told Ron he wanted to ask Ginny out. Ron had been fine with it initially – his sister deserved someone of Harry's character – but they had been going out for several months now and they were starting to irritate him. They were so sickeningly in love, Ron couldn't bear to be around them anymore. All he could think about was Hermione, and how they weren't together. If he'd thought she was beautiful before, it was nothing to how he felt now – it was like she suddenly blossomed in seventh year – her hair had grown long and become more manageable – it fell gracefully over her shoulders in waves, and Ron just wanted to reach out and run his fingers through it. She'd grown into an amazing young woman, right before his very eyes, and he was tired of watching all the boys flirting with her every chance they got.

They had gone down to Hogsmeade that day – Harry, Ginny, him and Hermione – and were sitting in the Three Broomsticks, enjoying their favourite beverage, Butterbeer, when it had happened. Something that Ron had been expecting ever since fourth year, but had forgotten about as time went by, when it never happened. And now, suddenly, here it was again – staring him in the face - and he was totally unprepared for it…

"Hermione!" it was Parvati Patil. She came rushing over to their table. "Guess what? I've just heard – they're going to announce it tonight!"

"What Parvati? Calm down…"

"There's going to be a Yule Ball!" she squealed "Straight after exams – sort of like a farewell thing for the seventh years…"

Harry and Ginny grinned at each other "Well, I guess I know who I'm taking this time!" Harry declared.

Ron felt sick. He shot Hermione an anxious look but she was avoiding his eye contact. She became engrossed in conversation with Parvati until Parvati suddenly put Ron on the spot again "So Ron, would you like me to ask Padma for you again?"

"I don't think she'd go with me even if I bribed her" he grinned "Not after the last time!"

They laughed but he blushed when he found Hermione staring at him and he looked down into his Butterbeer, as Hermione's words from that night came rushing back to haunt him. You know what the solution is – next time there's a Ball – ask me first – and not as a last resort!

The four of them had spent the rest of the day avoiding the subject of the Ball – Harry and Ginny both knew what had happened last time and did not want to prompt any awkward conversations while they were present – so their conversation was steered towards the usual topics – Quidditch, homework, the Order and other school friends.

They had come back to the common room, and Hermione had hastily run off with Ginny, no doubt to talk about the Ball, while Harry had tried to broach the subject with Ron.

"Harry – don't look at me like that - we both know what you're thinking!" Ron couldn't take the underlying tension anymore – no-one had said anything, but everyone was thinking along the same lines.

"Well – what do you expect, after what happened last time? I walked in on you two having a huge fight about it!"

"I know – and now everyone's expecting me to ask her!"

"Everyone?"

"You, Her, Ginny - Everyone"

"Look Mate, I thought you wanted to go to the Ball with Hermione? I mean, it's hardly a secret that you like her – Ginny and I have known for ages!"

"Yes, but she doesn't know how I feel about her! And I didn't want to ask her like this, with all this expectation and pressure – I don't want her to think I'm asking her because I have to, because of what happened three years ago"

"Well, just a heads up – I overheard Seamus and Dean talking on the way back from Hogsmeade – Seamus is planning to ask her in the morning"

"Great! More pressure – thanks Harry" Ron said sarcastically.

And that had been hours ago. And now, here he sat. Turning it over and over in his mind. Here it was - the perfect opportunity to finally tell her how amazing she was – to finally tell her how much his heart ached to be with her – to love her, to look after her, to kiss her softly… just as he found himself starting to fantasise about her delicious lips, he was brought back to reality as someone came down into the common room.

Somehow, he knew it would be her. She was the only one who ever came to find him when he stayed up late and sat by the fire – she just knew somehow when he was there – it was like an instinct.

"Hey, what are you still doing up?" Hermione asked, coming over in her pajamas, and snuggling up next to him. It was something they did often – she would snuggle up next to him and they would talk for hours. It was the only time he didn't feel uncomfortable around her – something about it was just so familiar – he felt like he could tell her anything when she was snuggled up in his arms like that.

"I was just thinking" he said "remembering…"

"Mmm…" she said knowingly "about the Ball?"

"Well yeah – it's been a long time since the last one, but the thought of another Ball has just brought back all these memories" he said

"I know what you mean" she said "I've been thinking too"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah" she paused, wondering how to approach what she wanted to say next... "Listen Ron – we both know what I said to you after the last Yule Ball…"

"How could I forget…" he grinned "that's the biggest fight we've ever had…"

Hermione blushed slightly and quickly continued -

"Well, a lot has happened since then – we've become really close – and, well, I just don't want you to ask me to this Ball because you feel like you have to, because of what I said when I was fourteen years old…"

This was it – this was his second chance – Don't screw it up! He thought. It was now or never.

"Hermione – I want to go to the Ball with you…" the words tumbled out - but once they had, he couldn't believe how simple they seemed – why had it taken him so long to say something so simple?

She lifted her head and looked up at him in disbelief "Ron – are you sure? It's not coz you…"

"Hermione" he interrupted her, looking deeply into her eyes "I want you to go to the Ball with me" he emphasised, grinning at her. "So… will you?"

She smiled. "Okay" she said casually and snuggled back into his shoulder. He grinned. He knew her better than that – she wasn't ever casual about anything! He could feel the excitement rising inside his chest – she'd said yes! He asked and she said yes!

"C'mon" she said eventually "I think we better go to bed"

"Right" he grinned "yours or mine?"

Hermione blushed crimson "Very funny, Ronald Weasley! I'm going to my bed and you can go to yours…" she said and quickly headed for her dormitory. Ron couldn't resist beaming as he watched her leave – He loved making her blush like that! Suddenly he realised how tired he was - it had been a long day – but who could sleep! Hermione had said yes – She was going to the Ball with him! He finally had a second chance to show her how much he loved her – and he wasn't going to screw it up – he had to make sure it was perfect.