"SO ... ehhh ... where does this leave us now?"

Ron and Hermione had escaped the rest of the Weasley's and had taken a walk through the crumbling halls of Hogwarts. The battle had left the castle in absolute ruins. Ron might have noticed the extent of the damage more, if he wasn't absorbed by a certain witch who was now occupying his vision. Ron knew exactly what he wanted now; he wanted Hermione to be his girlfriend. He wanted the world to know that Hermione Jean Granger was his and was the only one he had ever truly loved. The kiss they had shared only hours ago, felt as if it had been years, with so much that had happened that had changed both of their worlds completely. Ron feared that it might have also changed how he thought she had felt about him in that moment. Had it only been a spare of the moment thing? With the war waging, kiss whoever because it was probably the only chance you would get? Ron was beginning to fear that this was the case. He didn't want to confront losing her too, not after Fred, not after he had been so close to finally being able to admit his feelings.

"I don't know. So much has happened; I think we both need a little time to think things over. Re-evaluate and consider, you know?"

Hermione's words cut through him as if they were the sword of Gryffindor door slicing through his heart. What did she need to think about? Was he suddenly not good enough for her? Was she realising now that she could do better than him? It looked as if his worst fears were being realised. It was like he was watching the horcrux-locket scene unfolding before him again, yet this time, it was real and much worse.

Hermione must have noticed the bleak look on his face, because she gently placed her hands on his cheeks and pulled his face closer to hers so that their lips were almost touching. Ron, being the eager and impatience person he was, swiftly closed the gap between them, kissing her with as much passion and desire that he had been feeling towards Hermione for as long as her could remember. Maybe I could show her? Prove to her how much I want this?

Ron pulled away as quickly as he had kissed her, mumbling an apology before two of Hermione's fingers placed themselves over his lips to quieten him. He in the moment had forgotten what she had just said. She must have been taking pity on him, letting him down slow, 'That must be it'.

"Don't ever apologise for that Ronald."

"But you just said ..." Ron was slightly confused to say the least. Hadn't she just told him that they had to talk, re-evaluate or whatever? Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches had in no way prepared him for this

"That's not what I meant. I was giving you the chance to back out, seen as it was I who had practically mauled you before. I want more than anything to be with you Ronald; I have ever since you what out with that dimbo Lavender, perhaps even longer. I'm in love with you Ronald Weasley, but I understand if you don't feel the same way. We were in the middle of a war after all ... probably only kissed me because it could have been your last"

Ron was not expecting those words to come out of Hermione's mouth. The obvious hatred of Lavender and their relationship had been apparent by the way Hermione had acted towards Ron in the months he had dated Lavender, but he had never expected this. Ron couldn't believe his luck, the girl he was in love with, loved him too and better yet was jealous of the girl he had only dated in hope that she would recognise him.

"... I mean, you probably don't even think of me that way. We're friends and I – "

She was still rambling when Ron cut her off, he couldn't believe his luck.

"I love you too Hermione. Always have."

His words made Hermione smile, and seeing her smile made Ron smile too. It was the most beautiful thing is his world now. This would be his life purpose from now on he promised right then, to spend the rest of his life making Hermione Granger smile. He pulled her face close to his again, kissing her with more passion and devotion than he had before; this kiss felt to him more real and genuine than the previous two. It was a kiss that truly showed how the other felt, both now knowing the reality of their feelings for one another.

Hermione was the one that came up for air first.

"So do you mean it then? You want to actually be together for real?" for the smartest girl he knew, Hermione was being pretty clueless right now. Of course she needed to question it, analyse it, and probably research a few things first before they proceeded. If it were anyone else, this would have annoyed Ron, but it was Hermione, his Hermione (he couldn't believe he could finally think of her that way) and it was one of the things he most loved about her.

"Bloody hell Hermione, I don't just say I love you to anyone", Hermione laughed and pulled him in for another kiss. 'I could get used to this' Ron thought.


Authors Note: I dont own any of the characters affliated with the Harry Potter series.

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