A/N: Hey everyone, I'm so glad you like my story so far!! Here's chapter seven!!! (Emma Austen, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?!)

Caity sat upright in her bed, breathing heavily.

"Damn!"

Another nightmare, her third in four days. Ever since that bloody Boggart… She shook her head to clear it of any remaining cobwebs of the dream, and then tiptoed down into the Common Room. She selected her favorite armchair next to the dull fire. She did this whenever she had a nightmare. The fire would calm her and she would drift off into a dreamless sleep.

Fire had always been a calming factor for Caity, but she couldn't explain why. She wasn't a pyro, yet she felt soothed by the flickering light. Her head grew foggy, and Caity began to fall asleep peacefully, when a voice startled her and fully woke her.

"Caity?"

She gasped as Ron came into view.

"Sacre Bleu! Jesus, Ron! You scared me… a little warning next time?"

Ron shrugged his shoulders sheepishly. (A/N: ohh, tongue twister!)

"I heard someone clambering around down here and I decided to check it out. What's wrong?"

Caity shook her head dismissively.

"It's nothing, just a nightmare. They happen sometimes." Ron took her hands and pulled her off of the seat.

"Come on. I don't feel comfortable with leaving you here. Harry's had nightmares before, and usually they're out of the ordinary. God forbid there's a new Voldemort," he said jokingly. Caity paled.

"Please don't even joke about that. I'm worried enough about my family as it is…"

Ron hung his head. "I'm sorry, I keep forgetting. Hermione always says I'm tactless. I guess she's right."

Caity shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. I'm just being dramatic. It's just…" a tear slid down her cheek, "I miss them so much. I've never been away for so long, and even though I know its only been a week, I can't stand the thought of knowing that I won't see them till summer. Till a year from know. I don't think I can do it…" She pulled her hand away from Ron as she tried to muffle her sobs. "I'm not strong enough."

Ron muttered the password to his dorm under his breath and gently led Caity through the Gryffindor banner that opened. She stumbled, temporarily blinded by her tears. Ron picked her up and placed her on his bed. He pulled the covers over Caity and stroked her hair away from her face.

"You don't have to be strong enough. It's all right to show weakness. You're not Superman. You're only human."

Ron sat down next to her as her tears quieted. His fingers traced the side of Caity's face as her eyes fluttered shut. Before Ron could pull his hand away, Caity's voice stopped him.

"Stay. Please," she breathed, eyes still shut.

Ron nodded. "Okay."

Ron lay down next to Caity in his bed, on top of his sheets. His hand rested lightly on her bare arm. She shivered at his touch.

"Sorry," he chucked, "Mione always says my hands are like icicles. I guess she's right."

"You really like her, don't you?" Caity yawned.

"Well… I did. But now I'm not sure. She's so damn stubborn. I thought I lo- you know what, you don't care about my misadventures in love. Forget it… besides, I guess you could say there's someone new."

"Oh yeah? Tell me what she's like."

Ron thought a moment.

"She's brilliant. She's gorgeous and intelligent, and she's got wicked intensity about her. She has an attitude that makes you stand up and take notice. And, she's got a great bum."

Caity turned to look at him and laughed as he waggled his eyebrows at her.

"I knew it. It's Kelley, isn't it? God that skank!" She laughed. "First Harry, now you- sheesh, she'll conquer the whole student body by Christmas!"

Ron laughed softly. "Eh, she's not really my type."

Caity's eyebrows rose.

"Oh yeah? Then who were you talking about?"

She turned fully on her side to face him, and looked into his eyes. Her breath caught in her throat as his eyes darkened to a deep blue in the dim light. He moved forward slightly, as if asking permission. When she didn't pull away, he brushed her lips with his.

Caity froze. For all her confidence and cockiness, she had never really been kissed. She had been groped before and boys had stuck their tongues in her mouth, but she had never felt the tenderness that came from Ron at that moment. He pulled away carefully, searching her eyes.

"Is… is this okay?" he asked hesitantly.

Caity blushed. "I don't know… what exactly is 'this'?"

Ron chuckled. "Well, for one thing, this is a kiss." His lips brushed hers again, and she shivered from the soft intensity radiating from him. She loved it.

"Well, if you do that a lot, this should be very okay. But," she bit her lip, "what about Hermione?"

Ron exhaled. "She had her chance, I guess. I've tried to tell her, but it's never gotten through. Anyway, you can't miss what you've never had," he said dismissively.

Caity turned away as Ron's arm wrapped around her waist. You have no idea, she thought. Ron pulled her hair away from her neck and pressed a gentle kiss where it curved to meet her shoulder.

"Night love," he murmured. Caity fell asleep, warm and safe in his arms.

A/N: OH my God, you guys. I'm so sorry its been ages since I've updated!! Like three months nearly!! I've had schoolwork and college apps and rehearsals for the Fall Drama… it all piled up on top of each other! I've had these next two chapters saved in my cell phone for nearly two months. I'm so sorry, but please no flames!! I love you all! *~Kate~*