Author's Note: Hey everyone! Many thank you's, cookies, and hugs to those who reviewed. I had a rough week what with a funeral and things and you all really made me smile! I just got back from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which was amazing! If you get a chance to go, definitely do. Anyways, I hope you enjoy! :)

HARRY'S POV

The first day, I endured Ron's sulky silence and angry outbursts with patience. Rather than get angry, I tried to distract him with Quidditch, Wizard's Chess, and a trip to the Three Broomsticks to visit with Neville.

The second day Ron spent holed up in his room, so I turned instead to consoling Hermione. Ginny and I tried to no avail to get her to smile or laugh, but anything remotely related to Ron (and as we were living with the Weasleys, there tended to be something) prompted her to burst into tears.

The third day Hermione spent with her parents, so I was back to Ron again. He was surly and snappy, never letting me get in a word unless it was on the safe subject of the current Puddlemere United versus the Wimbourne Wasps game. It was beginning to wear on my nerves.

By the fifth day, we were back to hours of Hermione and Ron trying to avoid each other. When they did come in contact, Ron would start yelling for a stupid reason, and Hermione would tear up and flee the area. Although I said nothing, my temper was getting the best of me.

On the seventh day, I had had enough. I was degnoming the garden with Ron, who had taken to muttering under his breath about Hermione.

"Stupid… show her insensitive…." Ron swung a gnome around in circles. "...we'll see who's selfish….." He sent the gnome flying out of the garden. "Doesn't give a sh-"

"RON!" I snapped, unable to take it anymore. "Will you SHUT UP?"

He stared at me, surprised. "What?"

I glared at him, taking a deep breath to calm myself. "Just shut up, okay? I am sick of you acting like this is all Hermione's fault. You sulk and grumble and treat everyone like unicorn turds because of something that really was your fault! Hermione, meanwhile, is completely crushed and broken-hearted and can't stop crying because of you. You may be my best mate, but if you insult her or blame her one more time I'm not sure I'll be able to keep my temper. She's like my sister, and she deserves a hell of a lot better than that. If you keep treating her like this, you're going to have to answer to me."

He glared back at me, fury and disbelief mingling with a wounded expression on his face. Feeling slightly guilty, I gave him a warning look and turned towards the house.

Ron didn't speak to me all day. I was worried that my outburst had made him, well, hate me. However, I was willing to take the chance that it would make him see what a git he was being and he would fix things with Hermione. If not… well, I'll deal with that later.

I sat on the front steps of the Burrow, staring up at the rapidly darkening sky, a Butterbeer bottle dangling loosely in my hand. I tried not to dwell on Ron's expression as I walked away from him, but I was not having much luck. Ginny was out with Hermione, Luna, and Mrs. Weasley for "Witches Night" in an attempt to cheer Hermione up, so I had no distractions.

I sighed miserably and took another swig of Butterbeer. I tended to say rash things without really thinking…

"Hey, Harry."

I didn't turn round as Ron took a seat next to me on the step. He handed me one of his mum's homemade mince pies silently.

"Thanks."

A tense silence followed, pressing against my ears almost painfully as I prayed that Ron would say something.

"I'm sorry," we said in unison. We stared at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Look, mate," Ron began, his expression growing solemn again. "I know I've been a total arse."

"Too right you have," I said, half joking and half serious.

He grimaced and looked away. "I guess… I guess I couldn't handle the funeral and everything. I've never been good at the emotional stuff, you know? And then 'Mione tried to comfort me and I didn't want to seem weak so I pushed her away and when she came back… I couldn't apologize. I couldn't bring myself to do it." He looked back at me, his blue eyes widening with recognition. "I've really screwed up, haven't I?"

I clapped him on the shoulder. "Well, yeah. But that doesn't mean you can't fix it, Ron."

He shook his head. "She hates me."

"No she doesn't, mate."

"How can she not?"

I sighed. "Because she loves you, Ron."

"What?" He searched my face for any trace of insincerity. "No, she doesn't. You're completely bonkers."

"Ron, I may not know much about love or anything of the sort, but I can tell you without a doubt that Hermione looks at you the way your mum looks at your dad, the way Fleur looks at Bill, the way Tonks used to look at Remus. If that's not love, I don't know what is."

"I dunno, Harry…"

"Ron, you've gotten in fights before, and she's always forgiven you. She'll forgive you this time too." I grinned teasingly. "She's put up with way too much of your temper over the years to stop now."

Ron ran a hand over his face, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "Do you really think she will?"

"I do."

"How do you know?"

"She's like my sister. I know."

GINNY'S POV

"Shhh," I said soothingly, rubbing Hermione's back. "It'll be okay."

She sobbed into her pillow in my room, her wild hair fanning out over her back. "N-n-no i-it won't!" She cried, her shaking voice muffled. "I am s-such an idiot for believing he finally liked me!" I looked at Luna helplessly. She shrugged back at me, her big blue eyes sad.

"I'm going to make her some tea," Luna said quietly, rising from her perch on my bed and opening the door. "Ron?"

I whipped my head around, my eyes narrowing at the sign of my brother. His hand was raised as if he had been about to knock, his eyes comically widened like a unicorn caught in wandlight. Hermione raised her head slowly, pulling the pillow with her so that it covered her face, save for her eyes. She stared at him, her hair clinging to face, damp with tears.

"What do you want?" I asked, my tone icy and dangerous.

"I- I wanted to talk to Hermione…" he trailed off uncertainly, peering around Luna at the girl beside me.

"Oh so now you want to talk to her?" I snapped, striding towards him and jabbing him in the chest with my wand. "Who do you think you are? You're a git, you know that? A foul, inconsiderate arse. Just because you've decided you're ready to talk, doesn't mean you've got the right to come marching in here and-"

"Ginny." Hermione's voice, though quiet and tremulous, quickly silenced my rant. "It's okay."

"No it bloody well isn't-"

"Ginny. I need to talk to him."

"Like hell you-"

"Come on." Luna forcefully grabbed my wrist and towed me out of my room, down the stairs, and into the kitchen. I continued yelling at Ron all the way.

Luna forced me into a chair in the kitchen, her eyes clear of their usual mistiness and spacey look. "Ginny, you are not going to interrupt their chance to fix this."

"But-"

"No buts! Let them talk. If Ron continues to be an arse, you are more than welcome to curse him into oblivion. I will help with that. But until then, just stay out of it."

I sighed. I knew she was right. Since when did Luna know the exact thing to do in these kinds of situations?

"So, are you excited to go back to school?"

"Oh, yes. Rolf and I plan to do more research on the Blibbering Humdinger. He and his father saw one on holiday last Christmas," Luna said dreamily. "We're going to go on a trip to find their colony after school is over."

"You two have certainly gotten close."

"Yes, I would say so. He's rather shy, but we do have much in common. I rather like him."

"Like him or-"

Luna shrugged, her radish earrings bobbing slightly. "I prefer not to use labels."

"But do you just want to be friends, or…"

"I dunno, Gin. He's sweet and funny and has the same interests as me, but I've never had a boyfriend before. Would he even be interested in me? I think it's better if I just leave it be." I shook my head at her, and she frowned. "Don't do that disapproving nod at me, Ginny."

I stared at her and started laughing hysterically.

"Gin, what…?" Harry's voice came from the doorway.

I clutched my sides as I continued laughing, my breath coming in gasps. "Haha… disapproving… nod! Haha..." Over my head, Harry and Luna exchanged alarmed looks. I tried to control myself and wiped my watering eyes on my sleeve. "I'm okay… I swear."

Luna smiled slightly as Harry gaped at me.

"Anyways, Ginny," Luna continued, "I won't write it off as a possibility. I'm just not going to actively pursue it, 'kay?"

Harry looked utterly lost as I sighed. "Alright, Luna, but I really think-"

"RONALD BILIUS WEASLEY! WHAT IN THE NAME OF MERLIN DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"

Harry, Luna and I jumped as Mum's shriek carried throughout the house. We all stared at each other in shock for a moment before racing up the stairs to my room. We peered around Mum, who was standing red-faced in my doorway, trying to see what was going on. Ron was on the floor, rubbing his head, ears and neck the usual Weasley red. Hermione was still on her bed, her face also pink as she tugged her shirt into place. Her hair was distinctly disheveled and the bedcovers rumpled. I caught Harry's eye and giggled. Mum glared at me.

"We are going to have a talk, young man," Mum snapped, dragging Ron by the ear out of the room and down the stairs.

"All fixed, then?" Harry smirked. Hermione looked imploringly at me as Luna meandered into the room and took in the messy comforter. She turned to us, a resigned and indulgent expression on her face.

"Those Nargles are so pesky! They just love to jump on beds."

Author's Note: I like this chapter. I love having some of Luna's quirkiness liven things up. I would really, really appreciate it if you'd take the time to review; I love knowing that people are reading and what they think! Take care, and please review! :)