Those who wanted a good old snog (to put it in GingerPygmys99's words - LOL) at the end of the last chapter need look no further than the end of this chapter! Hopefully this will end the confusion about the rings – or maybe it will make it worse – hopefully the former! *hopeful grin*. Thanks to everyone for their reviews on the last chapter and in the words of Laree England – OMG! (Loved that review by the way!)

Ron stared at the twins backs retreating up the dormitory staircase. Hermione turned to Harry.

'Did it really work, could you see everything?'

'Yes,' said Harry. 'I'm not quite sure whether they were having you two on though.'

'What do you mean?' Hermione asked.

'Well... have you thought that maybe those rings are just ordinary and not magical at all?' suggested Harry.

'But... why would they?...' Hermione began, then realisation hit her and she went red.

Harry looked awkwardly at Ron and Hermione. If he'd suspected that these two fancy one another for a while, then other people were sure to have thought the same. Especially the twins, who live with Ron.

'I'll kill those two when I get hold of them!' Ron said, furiously.

'Wait a minute,' Harry interjected. 'You've still got the rings on. Fred and George said they wouldn't work for a full on snog but they would work if it was just a peck on the cheek. Ron – could you maybe – you know? Just on the cheek? That would test it – I'll tell you if the rings work.'

Ron's jaw opened slightly as if he were about to say something, but then closed it again.

'Ron it's alright, just do it,' Hermione encouraged him.

'Sorry Hermione,' he apologised as he gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Suddenly for no good reason, Harry felt his attention turn to the fireplace; the area just to the left of Ron.

'Did it work?' Ron queried, now extremely pink in the face.

'I think so... I wasn't really paying attention. I don't know why – I meant to watch you both closely but I suddenly wasn't bothered,' Harry analysed.

'That sounds like they work then!' Hermione said. 'They really must have been testing them.'

'Yeah but I wouldn't be surprised if they hadn't chosen you two on purpose...' Harry uncomfortably reminded her.

Ron was determinedly looking at the floor as though he wanted to sink into it.

'Well, never mind that.' Hermione suddenly assumed her bossy nature, sitting in an armchair by the fire and picking up her book. 'You both need to get that homework finished.'

Ron whipped his head up and stared at her – how could she revert back to normal as if nothing had happened? She didn't want to kiss me, it was nothing to her, he thought.

Sighing, he sat down at the table to work again. Harry joined him, wondering why he always seemed to find himself in the middle of something awkward. He saw Hermione give Ron the slightest of looks but a second later she was reading her book again. He noticed her cheeks were a little bright.

Meanwhile Pig, (who had reverted to the safety of the lamp hanging from the common room ceiling) fluttered haphazardly down onto the table where Ron absentmindedly poked him with his quill, thinking he was the ink bottle.

After about half an hour of Ron writing nothing but the title of the essay on the top of his paper and staring off into space, Harry had finished his. He had tried to involve Ron but he seemed very preoccupied.

'What?'

'I said... oh never mind...' Harry muttered.

'I'm going to bed,' Hermione announced, shutting her book. 'Have you two finished?'

'I have...' said Harry, glancing at Ron.

'Ron!' she raised her voice.

'Eh?' He blushed and jumped, staring at her like a rabbit in the headlights.

'Haven't you even started that essay yet?'

Ron looked down at his paper with a surprised expression. Harry supposed he didn't realise how long they'd all been sitting there.

'No,' he realised, then continued in a depressed voice. 'Not to worry, just leave me here. I'll do it before morning.'

Hermione noticed his hand as he started writing on the paper.

'You've still got your ring on...' she stated.

He glanced at it.

'Oh yeah...'

'You can take it off now – Fred and George will want them back anyway.'

'Yeah they probably will. They'd never let me having anything for free. Except maybe a cold.'

At this point Harry felt the conversation could head in a very different direction so decided to make a break for it to the boy's dorms. There was a silence as he headed over to the stairs but then...

'Hermione...' Ron began, quietly.

(Harry stomped on the stairs as hard as he could and disappeared through the dorm door).

Satisfied that Harry really was gone, Ron took a deep breath.

It seemed however that Hermione now realised Harry was missing and knew she was on dangerous ground should she remain alone with Ron.

'Ron I really need to go to bed, I'll see you in the morning. Make sure you get that work done.'

Noting the look of heavy disappointment fall across his face she turned to leave.

'Oh... ok.'

She must be mad. Well, either that or a Gryffindor. Why the devil was she put in this house in the first place anyway?

She crept silently back to the sofa, bent over his shoulder and kissed his cheek. When Ron realised what was going on he closed his eyes. After about five seconds she pulled her lips away. Ron put his hand to his cheek in disbelief.

She was across the room before he could formulate words.

'Hermione,' he croaked desperately. 'Come back!'

'I need to go to bed Ron!' She tried to put on her bossiest voice, attempting to cover how nervous she was.

'Right...' He was momentarily thrown off course. 'But when you... what do you mean? I mean, when you... did you mean to kiss me or...'

Hermione sighed in an exasperated way.

'Of course I did Ron. What did you think I'd done? Tripped over the sofa and head butted you with my lips?'

Ron stood there flabbergasted; his hand still touching his cheek where she'd kissed him.

'But I thought – earlier when the twins had... that you didn't want me to do that to you! Afterwards you acted like nothing had happened...'

'Ron I let you do that to me!'

'You did, didn't you?' he realised.

Hermione watched as his brain ticked over.

'So that means...'

'I think you know full well what that means Ron.'

Hermione closed her eyes. Did he know how embarrassing this was?

She inhaled sharply as she felt a large hand touching her cheek.

'I can't believe it.' She stared up into his blue eyes as he spoke. 'Do you know how long I've wanted...'

He stopped suddenly and went a deep shade of red.

Hermione stared at him.

'Ron were you about to say what I think you were ...'

'Sorry! Just forget I said that!' He was frantically pacing the room, running his hands through his hair.

'I dare you to finish that sentence Ron Weasley. If you don't, I'll never speak to you again!' Hermione stopped him in his tracks, threateningly gripping the front of his uniform. (Pig was hiding in the lampshade again).

'Erm...' said a voice in the doorway. 'I forgot to pick up my homework...'

Harry was staring open mouthed at the scene, having bravely ventured down the stairs.

'Bugger off Harry!'

'Okay thanks Ron...' Harry retreated up the steps.

The two slowly returned their gaze to Hermione's hands which were holding onto Ron's shirt.

'You really want me to finish that sentence?'

Hermione nodded – her eyes were tearing up.

'I'm not very good at this am I?' he said, staring at her getting upset.

'No.'

'Well add it to the list of other things for future reference,' he joked feebly.

When nothing happened except Hermione sniffling, Ron decided it was safe to start again.

'Listen. I've wanted a lot of things over the years. I always wished Mum and Dad had more money, I wanted even half the talent my brothers have got, I wanted a little bit of recognition sometimes... but the one thing I want more than anything else...'

Hermione looked at him, captivated.

Blushing furiously he tried to form a sentence.

'I want...'

Giving up, he leaned in and met her lips except this time he didn't pull back. He slowly moved his mouth against hers; she moaned and he did the same in response. It seemed like he was releasing all his feelings into this one kiss, moving more ardently as the moments drew on.

He drew back, both of them breathing heavily.

'Ron,' she simply whispered his name as they embraced.

R and R – 'rest and relaxation'? Or 'read and review' – you the readers decide! :D