Chapter 3:

Ron heard Hermione going to downstairs and waited a few more minutes before going himself. He wasn't a hundred percent sure why, but he really didn't want Harry to figure out they'd slept in the same bed. He mostly knew it was because he wanted it to happen again, and if Harry knew and asked them about it, Hermione might not want to again.

Turns out Harry was talking to Kreacher, Dobby and Mundungus. The gang figured out that Delores Umbridge has the horcrux locket. They devised a plan over the rest of the day brewing up some polyjuice potion and working out all their moves. They were going to break into the ministry of magic. It was a dangerous plan, but they really had no other choice. The three ate an early dinner, and it was actually Ron who said they should go to bed early. Tomorrow was a big day, and they couldn't afford to be tired. They needed to have all their wits about them.

Harry agreed and got up and retired immediately. Sleeping in his godfather's old room had given him a sense of comfort and despite the battles he knew he was facing, he had been surprisingly able to sleep just fine. He said goodnight to the others and climbed the stairs. Hermione was washing the dishes in the kitchen. Ron joined her. "Why don't you use magic?" he asked. "I don't know," she said back. "I think I just like being able to control something." He approached her and put his hands over hers stopping her from continuing the task. "Let's go to bed," he said. She stared into his eyes. She wasn't quite sure if he was asking her to stay with him again, but she sure hoped so. She hadn't felt as safe in months as she had last night in Ron's bed.

"Okay," she said conceding. "You win."

Ron smiled. He wasn't used to Hermione listening to him so easily. They climbed three flights of stairs together. When they reached the top, Hermione made a move towards her own room. He reached out and grabbed her hand. She turned to look at him. "Stay with me?" he asked softly. She smiled and nodded. "Okay, I'll just go freshen up and change. Be there in 15," she squeezed his hand reassuringly and remained cool, but inside, she was doing somersaults. Even if it was just to make her feel safe, Ron wanted to be near her, and that was enough for now even if he didn't want to be more than friends.

They parted.

In his room, Ron changed into some navy blue cotton pj bottoms and a sleeveless Quidditch t-shirt. He tiptoed quickly and quietly to the hall bathroom to brush his teeth.

In her room, Hermione's heart was racing. Last night, she had sought out Ron, but tonight, he had asked her to share his bed. She was giddy. She chose her most flattering pj set out of her small beaded bag and brushed her teeth. She spritzed on a bit of perfume that smelled like cinnamon, and applied some clear lip gloss. She glanced at herself in the mirror. Her hair was down and looked good tonight; her cheeks were slightly rosy. This will do, she thought to herself.

She made her way to Ron's room and didn't knock. He was expecting her, so she felt fine just opening the door and going in. Ron was standing by the window looking outside at the moon. His sleeveless shirt showed off his muscles. Hermione was struck by how much he'd changed over all these years. An awkward and slight boy had quickly grown into a tough and strapping man. A man that she was crazy in love with.

He turned when he heard the door creak. He smiled and then allowed himself to take in her sight. Something was different. Is she trying to look like that? Ron thought also thinking that if she was trying to get him to notice her, it was working. Not that she needed to try. He had been noticing for some time.

Hermione was once again wearing long pj pants. They were cotton and light purple and gray striped. The top was a spaghetti-strapped camisole. It was the same light purple as the stripes in the pants and had a bit of lace around the top. It wasn't particularly revealing or anything, but she looked amazing in it. The top was just short enough that he could see the slightest sliver of her toned stomach above the waistband of her drawstring pants. Her hair was down once again, more tame than the night before. She was wearing a touch of gloss that made her lips shimmer. He couldn't take his eyes off her, but all he could manage to say was "Well, don't you look pretty?"

He regretted it a bit because she blushed, and he feared that he might have embarrassed her if she was indeed trying, but she just smiled and said "Thanks."

Without talking, as if they'd done it a million times, they made their way towards the bed. They both climbed under the covers and the tentativeness from the night before melted away. Hermione lay down facing the wall but closer to the center of the bed that she'd been initially the night before. Ron felt confident enough to snuggle right up behind her and put his arm around her waist so they were spooning. It felt so natural, like it was meant to be. His nose was near her neck. She smelled like cinnamon.

"Mmmm," he said against her ear. "You smell good,"

She smiled to herself and hugged him closer. Her arm was over his, her hand laced on top of his. "You can be awfully sweet when you try to be, you know?" she said.

Ron chuckled. "I have to be careful. I have a reputation to uphold you know. I have the emotional range of a teaspoon remember?" He was teasing her about something she had said to him more than 2 years ago.

"I remember," she said also laughing. "But I think you've changed."

"I have changed," he said seriously. "Facing death a few times makes you realize you should tell people how you feel."

Hermione's breath caught in her throat. Could this be the moment she'd longed for? Was he about to admit he thought about her as more than a friend? She still wasn't sure they shared the same feelings? He had been so kind to her and had showered her with affection recently, but in reality, she was the only girl around, and those gestures could have been just close friendship too.

They were both quiet, and just when Hermione was about to give up hope Ron spoke softly. "Hermione, I need to tell you something."

"Okay," she said.

He moved his arm from under hers up to her shoulder that was against the bed. He gripped it lightly and nudged her over so that he could see her face. She was on her back now, and he was looking down at her. Her big beautiful brown eyes were starting up at him. He swallowed and started. He was so nervous. "This is hard for me, so I just need to you listen deal?" he asked, and she nodded her head yes. Her heart was barely beating. "I like you okay. As more than a friend. I think I might even be in love with you." Hermione's eyes grew wide but she kept her promise and kept her mouth shut. "Tomorrow's mission at the Ministry of Magic is dangerous, and I just couldn't bear if something happened to one of us, and I had never told you that. Last night made me realize more than ever how I feel about you. When I woke up this morning, and we were all snuggled up, well, it just felt right."

Hermione couldn't believe her ears. She thought for a moment that she should check and make sure she wasn't dreaming.

"Hermione," Ron said pulling her from her stunned state. "You can talk now." His eyes were searching hers. He wasn't sure what he was expecting, but here it was. He had laid it all out on the table. The ball was in her court.

To his delight, a few tears welled in her eyes and she smiled broadly. "Ron, I feel the same way. Except, I don't think I'm in love with you. I know I am. I have been since we were 14. I've been dying to tell you, but I could never work up the courage. I've been waiting for this moment for so long."

They were staring at each other, moonlight streaming in.

"Hermione, can I?" Before he couldn't even finish the question with "kiss you?" She said "uh-huh", wrapped her arms around his neck and her lips were on his.

Sparks flew: it was a kiss that had been brewing for years, maybe even since they were 11 years old. Now here they were, almost adults. They had been through so much together, and all that emotion was coming out in the passion of this kiss. Hermione had only had a peck kiss before from Vicktor Krum, but somehow she knew exactly what to do when her lips found Ron's. He was a great kisser. He'd had a lot of practice with Lavender last year, but kissing Hermione was a whole new ballgame. He loved this girl. This was real. Ron slowed down the kiss a bit, and they finally broke apart for air. He looked down at Hermione pinned under him. She was so beautiful. Her perfect hair was now tossed about and her lip gloss smeared. He was grinning like a fool, and so was she. Hermione spoke first…"Umm…well then, that was," she searched for the right words. "Wow," she finally said. "Yeah, wow, "Ron said back leaning down and giving her another quick kiss. "I want to change what I said before," Ron said. "I'm with you, I don't think I'm in love, I know." Hermione smiled and wrapped him into another kiss, launching another full-on make-out session. For at least the next hour they talked and giggled and kissed until Ron finally and reluctantly said, "We really should go to sleep you know? We have a big day tomorrow."

"I know your right," Hermione said. "I just don't want this night to end," she said quietly.

Ron cupped her face in his hands. "I know what you mean Hermione, but nothing can change us now. We love each other. We've admitted it, and I promise I will do everything I can to keep you safe through all this." A single tear rolled out of her right eye, and he reached up and wiped it away. "I love you, Ron," she said. "I love you, too," he said back, and they kissed a final goodnight kiss. Hermione turned back over, and Ron pulled her tight to him. He meant what he said more than ever. He would die for her if he had too.