Disclaimer: I don't own any characters, names, settings, places, spells or parts therein of this story. I make no profit, i only write for the enjoyment of myself and others.

Blurb: Falling in love was never going to be easy...but for Hermione it just got harder. Her world is thrown upsidedown with the entrance of a mystery man who tricks her into something she thinks she'll always regret. She thought she 'loved' Ron, but really...the journey to who she might one day love, has only just begun.

Author's Note: Hope you like it! If you would like me to continue please review :)

"He isn't here!" Parvati giggled in Hermione's ear as the whole group shuffled to their right to avoid a rather violent dance that was taking place next to them. The great hall was thumping with music for the one official night a year where the students could organise their party their way. All the teachers had gone as far out of the way as possible accompanied by a handy house-elf, a mug of cocoa, or in some cases a glass of something stronger and the evenings marking. Hermione frowned,

"Who?" She looked around her but she wasn't looking for Paravti's mystery man, she was looking for Ron.

"Draco Malfoy!" Parvati lapsed into hysterics and Hermione giggled too. She wasn't shocked- most of the upper year Slytherins resolutely refused to join in these kind of celebrations.

"Oh so you're telling me," Hermione's words were louder than usual, and drunker than usual. "That even Lavender's begging couldn't bring the reclusive Mr Gorgeous out of hiding." She nudged Lavender and the girls pulled her into the centre of their circle, teasing her and tugging her hair.

"I wasn't begging." She protested with a blush,

"No, she's right." Ginny's face was mock serious as she pretended to take Lavender's side, "I don't remember the definition of begging having anything about cleavage in it." The girls laughed loudly and Lavender joined in, unable to make her point heard anyway. The music switched and simultaneously became even louder. The girls moved along with it, having given up on chatter where they couldn't be heard.

Hermione sensed Ron before she saw or felt him. He moved behind her, one hand just barely on her waste. He leant his head by the back of hers and gently blew her hair a little out of the way, Hermione trying to lean back without being too obvious but well aware that her skin had just changed to crimson.

"Meet me by the lake." He whispered and then moved along through the crowd. All the girls who had been vainly pretending to mind their own business set about raucous laughter again, jostling Hermione.

"Lover man."

"Ooh check out you two, coming out all of a sudden."

"Stop!" Hermione laughed, pushing her drink into Padma's empty hand and trying to leave, although she was not walking entirely straight.

"He wants you Hermione, he wants you bad." Cho started licking her lips and raising her eyebrows, the girls joining in with some obscene gestures. She made sshh-ing motions with her hands as she staggered out.

"Be safe!" Someone yelled between hiccups of giggles.

Hermione was insanely happy as she walked through the entrance hall heading quickly for the main doors. She wasn't sure how but somehow in the last few weeks her clumsy, annoying, infuriating best friend for years had managed to clumsily pushed his way into her heart. It was absolutely plain to everyone that she was besotted, every morning she woke up and couldn't believe it, she'd have to shake herself and think Ron Weasley? Am I serious? Everyone saw it but him, apparently until now, and she was very ready to go down to the lake and admit how she felt. She slipped hurriedly through the doors, so hurriedly she almost tripped on the first step.

"Over here." A whispered voice came from the shadows by the door. Her heart sung, she couldn't hear the voice properly but who else could it be?

"I thought you were by the lake?" She whispered as she snuck over, glancing furtively behind her before she followed her man into the shadows.

"What?" Hermione faltered,

"Well that's where you…never mind. Kiss me." She whispered.

"If you insist." He teased, arms reaching out to her, drawing her to him. Hermione felt herself pressed against his body and a soothing rush that came from it, a firm hand ran through her hair and held her head. When they kissed, his lips were moist and tender; exactly what she'd been waiting for. "I think I love you." She whispered.