A/N: This chapter is dedicated to: angel-1844, LunaML, s3xy-Lady, SoulAstray, theinfamousredflag, and Snowbear. Thanks for your reviews!

Hermione hit the books fiercely when the school year hit. She was determined to score high on all of the end of the year tests, and slacking off in the beginning of the school year wouldn't help. Ginny seemed convinced though that they should try to salvage the last month of warmth despite the fact that school had started. School was something that also came fairly easily to Ginny though Ginny would never admit it. Hermione knew that there were tests she didn't study for at all yet still aced. Ron and Harry never studied either and almost flunked. Hermione on the other hand, studied very hard, and yes, got the highest score, but she would have done just as badly as Ron and Harry if she hadn't.

Ginny had managed to drag Hermione to do her studying outside which led Hermione's thoughts back to yesterday; yesterday which had brought back a few thoughts that Hermione had tried to cover up. Thoughts that- Hermione promptly jumped on these thoughts and turned her focus back to the large book in her lap. Ginny wasn't outside with her today, but had said she'd come outside later. So when Hermione heard footsteps behind her it was Ginny she expected.

"I was starting to wonder what was taking you so long," Hermione said not looking up.

"You were expecting me?" Hermione heard Ron ask.

Hermione jerked her head around and saw the older brother of the girl Hermione had been hoping to see.

"Oh, no," Hermione said quickly feeling her face heat up a little for some reason.

Ron sat down next to her and tried to look at the cover of the book before sort of realizing it looked like he was looking up her skirt.

"Advanced Transfiguration," Hermione said with a smile holding the book up for Ron to see.

"Studying, you must be crazy," Ron said with a lopsided smile.

"Crazy perhaps, but smart," Hermione explained, "This is why I don't have to bull shit my assignments."

"I don't bull shit my assignments!" Ron protested leaning closer as if to scan over the text. Hermione scooted away a little bit.

"I don't think you'd be interested in this," she told him lightly.

"How do you know I'm not interested in you?" he asked then coughed and blushed furiously and quickly corrected himself, "The book I mean. Interested in the book."

Hermione laughed but the air between them had gone uncomfortable she glanced at him meeting his eyes briefly and was startled at what she saw in them. Gods, what if Ron actually did like her?

"So what brings you down here?" Hermione asked, "Aren't you normally playing Quidditch with Harry around now?"

"I was just wondering what you were up to," he explained, "I feel like Harry and I have sort of been leaving you out. It doesn't seem as we're as close as we used to."

"Really?" Hermione asked, "Don't worry Ron, you and Harry will always be my best friends. And besides, I've been hanging out with Ginny."

Ron made a face.

"What, can't I have any friends that are female?" Hermione asked, "Or is it just because she's your little sister?"

Ron shrugged, "I don't mind you hanging out with my little sis', its just that I don't like hanging out with her all the time."

"Oh Ron, don't be so immature," Hermione scolded him, "You should be old enough by now to be able to hang out with your siblings in a civil way."

"She's my sister!" Ron protested. Hermione slapped the air in front of his face with a smile.

"Well, even if YOU aren't busy I am," Hermione said opening her book again and scanning over the text to try and find her spot.

"Oh, okay," Ron said sounding a little disappointed.

"Why don't we play chess or something this evening?" Hermione asked sensing this and feeling a little guilty for being so harsh to him. What had gotten into her lately? Maybe Ginny was affecting her in ways she hadn't noticed. Jesus, she really hadn't been spending that much time with them. Being with Ginny was somehow more fulfilling than with two boys.