Chapter Four: News Travels Fast

Despite the winning of the Quidditch Cup, Gryffindor Tower was fairly quiet. This was due in part to the End of Year Examinations which were due to begin and the distinct lack of bickering from Ron and Hermione. Harry had been quickly assured by Ron and Hermione that he would not be cast aside. In fact, the three of them had become closer as Harry told Ron that he thinks of Hermione as a sister and that if he hurt her, would hex him silly. Hermione had been touched at Harry's care for her that she cried and told Harry that she thought of him as her "little brother". The after party of the Quidditch Cup victory would be one that no-one who was present would ever forget, however, it was eventually broken up at two AM by a reluctant Professor McGonagall, who, being a huge Quidditch fan herself, could not help but be happy for her Lions and regretfully could not join in the celebrations with them.

Ron and Hermione had been subject to being teased by Fred and George, but Seamus had apologised to Ron for winding him up and for saying the things he did about Hermione so they were good. Hermione had been grabbed by her two stupid roommates; Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil and they had given her a very long and irritating interrogation that caused Hermione to threaten the pair with her wand, before finally being allowed to go to sleep.

It had been a few days since the Quidditch Final and Ron was waiting outside of the Ancient Runes classroom for Hermione to emerge. When she appeared, they smiled at one another, they embraced and Ron took the heavy bag from her shoulder and put it on his own before wrapping his arm around her shoulders as one of her arms wound up around his waist. Unfortunately, as they rounded a corner, they were met by Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle.

'Oh, look who it is, boys, it's the happy couple!' drawled Malfoy, 'Blood-traitor Weasley and his ugly, buck-toothed, Mudblood!'

Ron was livid but didn't move to hurt Malfoy physically, instead he said, 'Why don't you go fuck yourself, Malfoy!'

Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle walked away. Ron turned to see Hermione in tears. She said, 'What are you doing with me? You heard him! I'm ugly! Look at me! You can do so much better than me – hey!'

Ron had literally swept her off of her feet and began to carry her.

'Ron, please put me down!'

'No,' he said simply.

'Ron!'

'Are you finished? Hermione Granger, you are beautiful and brilliant and if anyone can do better, it's you! Now, be quiet and I will put you back down, but don't try to run from me, okay?'

'Okay,' she agreed and Ron put her back down. Hermione then realised where they had arrived. They were outside the Hospital Wing. Ron pulled on her hand and entered before sitting down on one of the beds as Madam Pomfrey bustled over.

'Mr Weasley and Miss Granger, I suppose you two have been up to something dangerous, again?' she said.

'Who, us?' said Ron smirking at the Matron, 'never, we like the quiet life, Madam Pomfrey.'

'Hmph, I'm not going to dignify that with a response, Mr Weasley. Now what can I do for you?'

'Hermione would like you to shrink her front teeth because she's fed up with all the flak she's taken over them since I've known her – which is a lot.'

'But Ron, I can't – my parents –'

'No, you need to do this. Do it for you! Your feelings and self-esteem are more important than their professional pride. Please, love, let Madam Pomfrey do this, you won't regret it,' he implored her. Hermione turned to the Matron and gave her a nod of consent. It took a matter of minutes as Ron bent down to pick up her old brace.

'What's this?' he asked.

'A brace, Dentists use them to help their patients straighten their teeth,' she replied.

'Barmy,' said Ron as he threw it into the dustbin. Hermione turned and smiled at him and his breath was caught.

'You were beautiful before, but now, you are absolutely gorgeous, Hermione,' he said with awe.

'You've got a good boyfriend there, Miss Granger, it's obvious he cares very deeply for you,' said Madam Pomfrey.

'Oh, I know, Madam Pomfrey, thank you so much,' said Hermione.

'You're welcome, dear.'

Ron and Hermione then left the Hospital Wing and made their way back to Gryffindor Tower. Hermione then said, as they arrived, 'I'm going to have to write home and tell my parents what I've done.'

'Are you going to tell them about us?' said Ron.

'Of course I am!' she said indignantly.

'Good – oh, crap! I've got to write home too. Though I suspect Ginny and the prat twins will have broken the news to Mum and Dad,' said Ron in mild panic.

After an evening of studying and snogging, they retired to their Dorms and wrote their letters home.

Dear Mum and Dad,

Sorry it's been a while since my last letter, but things are getting hectic around here right now.

As I'm sure you've heard from either Ginny or the twins, I have a girlfriend, it's Hermione. Yep, that's right, Hermione Granger, the brightest witch of her age – maybe the age, is my girlfriend. Now before you worry, it's not interfering with our studies and, yes, I'm taking good care of her. I've never been this happy before, not even when the Chudley Cannons scraped that draw three years ago, but I still say they're going to turn things around any time now.

Harry is doing fine – he says hello, by the way, and he's not obsessing over Sirius Black.

The exams start soon and I'm reasonably confident, particularly about Defence considering we actually have a competent teacher who knows the subject. There's a good chance my Potions and Transfiguration exams will go well as I've been studying with Hermione (my girlfriend).

Anyway, hoping to stay out of trouble but you never know around here and what with being Harry Potter's best friend, anything could happen!

Love from Ron

Ron shrugged before he put his letter in an envelope, sealing it and going to sleep.

Dear Mum and Dad,

How are you? I'm fine and school is going well – really well in fact. The End of the Year Examinations will be starting soon and I'm reasonably confident – despite my workload.

I have some very important news.

One; I have a boyfriend, it's Ron. He's wonderful and he's been taking good care of me, and making sure I don't overwork myself. He's been an absolute gentleman. He does everything for me – even carrying my heavy schoolbag. I've never been this happy before. Our new relationship doesn't interfere with our studies, so don't worry. (You might want to look away here, Dad). Kissing is the most amazing thing in the world, why did no-one ever tell me before? But, my favourite part of the day is in the evening, the hour before bed, we're on the settee by the fire just holding each other, it's so romantic! When I'm in his arms I feel so safe, and, dare I say it – loved. I hope he can come over to the house in the summer because I'm going to miss him like crazy. Maybe, if it's all right, I can get Ron to ask his Dad about getting our house connected to the Floo Network so Ron can come over or talk to me. You can use the Floo like a telephone, too. Dad, you'll be able to introduce Ron to Football as it's the World Cup this summer – despite England failing to qualify!

Two; I did something else. Something about which I hope you won't be too upset?

After NINE years of insults, teasing and general bullying about them, I had Madam Pomfrey – the school nurse, shrink my front teeth. I did this for me. Ron and I were already together when I did it.

I know you wanted me to continue with my brace, however, enough was enough. NINE years of school is approximately two thousand, six hundred and fifty-six days. Say, three or four insults a day, such as "beaver", "buck-tooth", well, I'm sure you get the idea, that's TEN THOUSAND times I've been insulted and mocked because of them. I apologise if this comes across as a rant, but I think if either of you had had to put up with all that, you would say enough is enough too. If you look at the second envelope I'm enclosing you'll see a photograph of Ron and I together. Please look at how I'm smiling; I've never been able to smile like that and much less for a photograph.

Also, Harry told me that he thinks of me as a sister! So I told him that I think of him as my little brother, he was really pleased – we both were, so the three of us are even closer than before. Now if Harry could start seeing Ginny, Ron's younger sister, then it would be amazing! Imagine if Ron and I got married, and Harry and Ginny did too, we would all be related. But, I'm getting a little ahead of myself here. After all I think Harry likes this Ravenclaw girl called Cho.

As for Ron and I, well, I'm nearly fifteen and I KNOW Ron is the one. I just can't and won't imagine myself with anyone else. I love him. I haven't told him yet as it's too soon. I know you think I'm too young, but I defy anyone not to love someone when they defend your honour using a broken wand and spend the rest of the day burping up slugs!

Lots of love,

Hermione

PS: Please be happy that I'm happy.

Hermione then sealed the letter in the envelope, turned over and went to sleep