AN: It's been a while but I've had serious computer issues. I've got this chapter and the next for right now. I'm working on finishing up. It'll definitely be worth the wait. ENJOY!

Ron looked toward the open window believing his eyes were playing tricks on him. Is that Hermione? She looked different to him as he drew closer to the house. It was Hermione! He broke away from Ariana's grip and ran to the house. Opening the door, he picked Hermione up in his arms and swung her around.

"Where have you been?"

"I'm surprised you noticed I was gone," she said sourly. She watched as Ariana stepped through the door. She was very beautiful. About the same height as her with Angelina's beautiful complexion, dark hair down to the center of her back and more curvaceous than she was, she could understand why Ron would be interested. She could feel fearless Hermione slowly retreating to the depths of where she had been.

"You've been at Viktor's for almost 2 weeks and before that I haven't seen you in at least 3."

"How did you know I was at Viktor's?" she asked glaring at Harry as Ron put her down.

"It's not how I know but why YOU didn't tell me? Let's go for a walk," he said taking her hand and leading her out the door he had just came in. He was going to do this now before she had a chance to run away from him again. They needed to talk and they needed to do it alone.

She followed him outside for no other reason than the warmth that was radiating through her as he gripped her hand. As great as it felt, it was also disconcerting. He'd never touched her like this. It was driving her a little crazy and making her heart pound in her chest. She was starting to feel faint and gave her hand a tug.

"Ron, you're still holding my hand. You can let go now."

"Why, is it a problem?"

"You never hold my hand for no reason."

"I have a reason."

Hermione wasn't sure what his reason could be but her heart started beating faster and she felt like she was losing her breath. She wasn't sure she'd be able to speak right now even if she tried. She wasn't sure what he would have to say but she had to find a way to relax before she caused herself to faint. Viktor had called her fearless and she was trying to be, dear god was she trying to be.

"And what reason is that?"

"I've missed you." Ron stopped at the largest tree in the yard and let go of Hermione's hand and leading her to lean against it. He'd had time to think this through and he just had to know how she felt. After a few days of being stuck with Ariana he was beginning to see something he never thought he would, other options. He loved her with everything in him but if she didn't want to be with him, he needed to know. He needed to know if they had a future.

"How was your visit?"

"It was fine. Viktor said hello."

"Tell him I said 'hello back'."

"Since when?"

"Since now. I'm not the kid I used to be Hermione."

"I've noticed," she said quietly.

"Have you? You haven't been around much."

"I have a family of my own Ron and they wanted to spend some time with me."

"You could have owled me, us." He looked at her taking in her beauty. God, he had missed looking at this face and looking into these eyes. He had been lonely and he missed her and yet now he wasn't sure what to do next. He just looked at her in awe of how much she still looked like the girl who told him he had a smudge on his nose first year and yet nothing like her at the same time. She was this woman now. This beautiful, sexy, smart, amazing woman and he heard this voice in his head.

'Just kiss her.'

He had to admit it sounded like the best plan. He put both hands on the tree, trapping her.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"This." Ron leaned in and kissed her. He wasn't surprised that her lips were soft or that they tasted like strawberries just that they were inviting. He moved closer to her as their kiss continued. When she parted her lips for a moment, he took advantage and deepened the kiss. His tongue caressed hers and he heard a low moan come from her. As their kiss continued, she leaned into Ron who wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her even closer. They kissed just enjoying each other and all Ron could think about was how he would always listen to that voice in his head.

Some time later Hermione was trying to pull away and Ron was holding on. He finally stopped kissing her but kept his arms around her waist.

"Wow!" Hermione said trying to look down at the ground but seeing his chest instead, "What was that for?"

"Are you kidding me?"

"No, I was just…" Hermione stuttered then clamped her mouth shut.

"You were just what?"

She didn't know what to say. The kiss had thrown her off. She was light-headed and her mind felt like a misty fog had just rolled in. Before she knew what was happening his head was on a collision with hers and he was kissing her again. She wasn't sure what to do but instincts took over when one of his hands moved up and under her shirt to her mid back. She in turn put her arms around his neck and played with the hair at the nape of his neck. It elicited a moan from Ron that was so erotic she felt it down to her toes. When he pulled away this time, he looked down into her eyes. His 5'9" statute only dwarfed her by three inches but right now it was her favorite three inches.

"So, Ms. Granger, is MY kissing more than satisfactory?"

She smiled. It was all she could do. Somewhere in the kissing he had stolen her words and her thoughts.

"Nothing to say then. Well, I was wondering if a smart girl like you would fancy a perfect catch like myself seeing as I am a great war hero and all and once we get back to school it may be too late and some other well deserving…" He was cut off by her mouth on his and when she moved closer into his embrace, he moved his hands over her rear and stuck his hands into her back pockets pulling her even closer.