Author's note. I really sorry for not updating in about six months, I just got so caught up in other stories, that I haven't had a chance to update until now.

I know Ron is probably completely OC but I'm not really good at writing romance so just bare with me.

Enjoy and please review.

Continued from last chapter.

"We'd better get going" Ron said climbing onto his broom, leaving plenty of room for Hermione. Smiling Hermione climbed in front of Ron and he gently pushed off and they flew up into the cool night air.

Ron flew as slowly and carefully as possible, he knew Hermione wasn't good on a broom. As they rose slowly over the Castle, Hermione relaxed against Ron with a small sigh. Ron, with one arm around Hermione, the other guiding the broom, smiled. He was still wide awake after the adrenaline rush of being cornered but knew that soon, tiredness would overwhelm him.

Soon they were high above the Castle, leisurely moving through the night air. Hermione had never been very sure on a broom but tonight, it was completely different. She felt safe because she knew Ron wouldn't let anything happen to her. She peered down at the view below, Ron holding her firmly. At this time of night there were few lights from the Castle but the moon cast enough light to make the Castle shimmer.

The lake was particularly lovely, in fact, it reminded her of Snape's Pensieve. She still couldn't quite believe everything that they had found out. Not only had they discovered what happened to Harry but they had also learned that Snape had been friends with Lily Evans. Hermione couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for the Potions Master, he really was just a lonely man with no one to talk to. Thinking about him made her think about what he had offered in order to help Harry.

"Can you believe I'm going to learn Occulmecy and Legimency, that's really advanced magic," she said excitedly.

She felt Ron grin behind her, making her smile at the comment he was bound to make.

"I'm surprised you didn't discover it sooner, Mione. Next you'll be getting McGonagall to teach you Animagi," he said with a laugh. Hermione laughed at his teasing tone.

"You think I can do this? Learn two branches of equally complex and difficult magic and then teach it to someone else?" she asked softly.

"Of course," he whispered back. "You brewed Polyjuice Potion in our second year. I've never seen you fail at anything academic, except for Divination and we all know that doesn't count."

This caused Hermione to laugh out loud and Ron smiled happily, he loved hearing her laugh. Then he grew serious.

"I meant what I said back there," he said quietly. "I know you can do this."

"Thank you," she said simply.

They were still flying slowly so she gazed upwards, Ron holding her firmly. The stars winked down at her, and silently she watched the constellations.

"They're so beautiful, aren't they?"

"They're not the only beautiful things here tonight," Ron said without thinking.

Hermione turned a questioning look in his direction and his ears flamed red. But he decided to take a chance, just one chance and said.

"Hermione, when Snape almost caught us in his office, how did you feel?"

"I was terrified," she replied. "Apart from the trouble we'd have been in, I'd no idea how he was going to react."

She paused, and then said.

"Weren't you?"

"Actually, all I could think of was how......If he tried to hurt you...Well, he would have to have gotten past me first."

Ron's ears went an even deeper shade of red. Then he took a deep breath.

"What I mean is...I would never have let him hurt you," Ron said, gazing into Hermione eyes.

"You wouldn't?" she said, gazing back. The broom wasn't moving anymore. They hovered in the air but neither noticed.

"Never," he said. "I...I..."

But he couldn't finish his sentence, instead he slowly lent forward and kissed the edge of Hermione's mouth very gently. He was too nervous to linger so he pulled away to sheepishly look at her surprised face.

"Ron," she said softly. "You....like me?"

"Yeah," he choked out.

"When?" she breathed, willing him to say more.

"I...I don't know. I suppose when we started investigating, I started thinking of you...in a different way as in...More than a friend," he said with a nervous shrug.

"But if you don't feel the same way," he said quickly. "I can just love you as a friend.."

He stopped talking as Hermione pressed a finger to his lips.

"I think I've started thinking of you as more than a friend since last year, Ron."

Ron stared at her for a moment before realisation dawned on his face.

"You wanted me to ask you to the ball," he said slowly. "But like a prat I didn't realise."

Hermione just laughed softly as she touched his cheek gently.

"I should probably have given you more of a hint. After all, I was your best friend, I understand now that you just didn't see me that way."

"Not until I got mad with jealously at seeing you with Krum," Ron said wryly, before saying. "It wasn't that I didn't know you were a girl, it's just all the other girls I know are just so...girly."

"So I'm like one of the guys?" Hermione asked dryly.

"Yes. I mean no, not exactly," Ron said hurriedly. "I mean, you don't mind mucking in with us guys, and you don't just sit giggling over...hair or clothes, stuff like that. I mean there's some stuff me and Harry like that you don't like Quidditch but that's nothing to do with you being a girl, Ginny and McGonagall are two of the biggest Quidditch nuts I know."

Hermione laughed and his heart gave a sudden little thud. She gently stroked his cheek and he raised one hand to touch hers.

"I understand," she said softly.

They stared at each other for a moment, then, without any words, both leaned forward and kissed. The kiss steadily intensified until Hermione had wrapped her arms around Ron's neck as he passionately kissed her back. He unfortunately couldn't hold her back as he was still flying the broom but it didn't matter, he loved her the way she loved him and that's what mattered.

Finally, they broke apart and amazingly, Ron's ears weren't red. He grinned almost sheepishly.

"Hermione," he said seriously, somehow, his voice suddenly seemed deeper. "As much as I would love to continue this, we really should be getting back."

She nodded, understanding and Ron flew them the last bit of their journey, to Gryffindor Tower. He carefully helped her dismount into the room of the boy's dormitory before climbing in himself. With a sigh they both collapsed on top of his bed, the lateness finally catching up to them.

"I'm so tired, I think I could sleep all week," Ron muttered as he wrapped an arm around Hermione.

"Me too," Hermione said with a yawn, her eyes were beginning to close. She wished she didn't have to go all the way to her room. "I suppose I should get up and go so you can have some peace."

"You...you don't have to," came Ron's quiet reply.

She turned her head to look at him in confusion, noting as she did so his ears were red.

"This...this is kinda nice," he stammered slightly. "Just lying here with you, feels...nice."

She looked at him for a moment before smiling softly.

"I think it feels nice too," she whispered.

Without any more words, they sat up, removed their shoes and socks and then after taking off their outer robes, slipped into bed together. Hermione rested her head on Ron's shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her as they both settled down.

The last thing Ron did was to draw the drapes around his bed, before they both fell asleep.

Author's note. I think the next chapter might be the last chapter, and I'll try not to wait too long to update. If you think them sleeping together is a bit strange, well, they have been best friends for the last five years, I think they're at the point where their pretty comfortable with each other. Plus, they're too tired to be embarrassed.

Next chapter, Harry's reaction to what his friends have been up to. Till next time.