Chapter 21

"Okay!" said Harry the following morning as he and Ginny arrived back. The others were sitting around a small fire and yawning. " We have twenty minutes to eat breakfast and then it's up and moving again. I intend to reach Spinners End by nightfall."

"Oi Harry!" said Ron. "You have a bit of twig or something in your hair."

Fred and George sniggered. "Busy last night Harry? I happened to notice that neither you or Ginny came back!"

They both laughed at their joke for a few seconds until they realised the actual meaning of it.

"Oi Harry!" cried Fred. "She's sixteen remember? Not of age...very young...quite stubborn...a girl!!!

Ginny looked repulsed. "You mind your own damn business!" she shrieked at Fred. "What Harry and I decide to...HEY BUTT OUT OKAY!"

Harry blushed slightly. "It was all innocent okay?" he told Ron later as they packed up and set off on their travels again.

Ron grinned slightly. "Hey mate...its okay with me you know? Okay yeah it's a bit weird and all because she's my sister but you are a good mate...so I know you care for her. Just be careful okay? If Fred and George hear rumours about you and her...they tend to never forget them."

A good few hours later Ron and Hermione ended up walking side by side but neither would speak to the other person for sometime. Eventually Ron broke the silence.

"So you know where Spinners End is?" he asked her.

Hermione looked at him startled. "Er...yeah...I've a fair idea!"

Ron scratched his head. " I hope we get back in time for school. We dont have much time you know. Only about a week!"

Hermione smiled. "Thats the first time I've ever heard you worry about school Ron."

"Well yeah..." said Ron. "Well you know how it is with the OWLS and everything. I want to do as best I can obviously and the more time we miss the less I'm going to learn."

"Are you still thinking about becoming an Auror then?"

"Yeah!" he said. "You?"

She smiled. "I might...I haven't exactly decided yet. I don't even know where I'm going to live when I finish school!"

Ron paused. "You can stay with me and...er..." he blushed. "Well you can if you want...or...you..."

Hermione laughed slightly. "That's very nice of you Ron."

Ron sighed. "This is dead awkward isn't it Hermione? What's happened to us?"

Hermione froze. "I dont know."

Ron sighed again. "I think I do. I should have asked you out a long time ago. I've liked you for a long time Hermione and its you I wanted as my girlfriend."

"Ron it was mean of me to go out with Victor I know but..."

"NO!" said Ron. "Just because I didn't have the courage to ask you out shouldn't stop you from dating other lads. I was wrong to treat you like I did and I'm really sorry."

Hermione smiled. "I forgive you."

Ron nodded. "That feels better. So everything is okay between us then?"

Hermione laughed. "If you mean are you once again one of my best friends? Of course you are , you always were , even if we fought like hell."

"So how are you and Vicky...I mean Victor coming along? Any marriage proposals yet?"

Hermione frowned. "No."

"I'm only joking" said Ron. "Look if you are happy. I'm happy for you , but honestly I can't lie and say I'm happy about it."

Hermione nodded.

"Also" said Ron. "I support you 100 and I'm prepared to become on a friendship basis with Victor if you marry him but that doesn't mean that I have to go out anywhere with him in public and I promise I'll never ask you out Hermione I'll respect your current relationship."

"Thats a pity" said Hermione. "I guess that changes things now!"

Ron looked baffled. "What? Why?"

"Well if you aren't going to ask me out ever again , I suppose I'll have to ring Victor and tell him I do want to go out with him. It will be embarrassing though , because I let him down two days ago."

Ron beamed. "You mean...you'll give me a chance!"

Hermione smiled. "Yes Ronald! I will.

Ron smiled and grabbed her by the hand. "Hold still would you? I want to kiss you!"

"Ouch Ron you're crushing my foot!"

"Then move it out of the way! Hey when was the last time you and Victor kissed? An exact date would be useful!"

"Oh I dont know...a few weeks ago I suppose!"

"Oh thats all right!" said Ron and he kissed her. "Just wanted to make sure all traces of him were long gone!"

"Ronald Weasley you are sick!"

"Nope!" he smiled. "Just god damn lucky!"