Here's the next chapter. Please dont send me a nasty review when you hear this, but the next chapter will not be posted until Friday night. I have a home football game on a Thursday night (and it's suppose to pour rain and possibly snow) that my marching band has to play and do a half time show at. And I, as band equipment manager, have to put out all of our marching band uniforms, and then put them away after we're done. And on top of all that, I have at least two tests that I have to study for. So I don't see any possible way for me to post. I'm barely going to have time to do my homework!

Thank you for all of the reviews people have been giving. They've all been extremly positive and helpful, and it made me feel like Christmas had came early when I saw that I had over fifty reviews!
Keep reading and keep reviewing!

Chapter 26

The next morning at breakfast, Hermione's detention notice was delivered by one of the school's tawny brown owls.

Miss Granger:
You're detention has been scheduled for tonight, as previously discussed. Please come to my office at seven o'clock sharp prepared with a quill. You will be helping me to grade papers from other classes as well as helping me do some research on a subject I wish to learn more about.

Professor Warwick

Ron read the notice over her shoulder. "That shouldn't be too bad! You're getting off easy!"

"No, it won't be too bad" Hermione said. "At least it's something that I do for you and Harry on a regular basis."

"Exactly. Just keep that mindset and you're good to go. And just keep thinking about all of the horrible things Harry and I have done in detention."

The bell rang, signaling that the students had seven minutes to get to class.

"We should go. I really don't want another detention added onto this one for being late for Warwick's again. I wouldn't put it past him."

"Whatever you say, Mione" Ron joked, picking up her heavy book bag that was crammed to capacity. "Blimey! What do you have in this thing?"

"What I have in it every day, Ronald. You don't have to carry it, you know. I'm perfectly capable of carrying around my own books."

"Hermione, if I let you tote this thing around everyday, you'd have back problems by the time you were twenty!"

"Well then, thank you for being concerned for my well being" Hermione said with a smile.

"Wait! I need a better thank you than that! This thing weighs at least fifty pounds!"

"Oh?" Hermione feigned confusion. "What would that be?"

"Guess" Ron said, playing along.

She kissed him chastely on the cheek. "That?"

"Getting warmer."

"Okay, how's this?" she asked, sliding her arms around his neck and kissing him on the mouth.

"You're welcome. If that is my thank you, I will gladly carry your books every day. Now let's get to class."

They set off through the castle at a fairly fast pace, holding hands.

Although she knew it wasn't that big of a deal, Hermione was dreading her detention. The day ticked by quickly, her dread growing with each passed hour. Finally, at a quarter to seven, she stood from her normal spot in the common room and announced "I should be going."

Ron, Harry, and Ginny looked up. "Hermione, relax a little" Ron said exasperatedly. "It's just detention. And yours is something you are going to actually enjoy doing. Remember: it's good to live a little!"

"It's still going on my record, Ronald!"

"Yeah, well, look on the bright side. Your record's no where near as tarnished as Harry and I's."

"I don't care" she grumbled.

"Just go get it over with. See you later" Ron replied, taking her hand and walking her to the common room door. He stood just inside the hole, watching her figure moving down the corridor until the portrait hole slammed shut.

"Don't tell her I told you this" Harry said as Ron came and sat down, "but I couldn't wait for her to leave!"

Ginny smacked his arm and stood up. "I'm so going to tell!"

"What! No! Ginny!"

"What'll you give me Potter?" Ginny asked, dancing just shy of his arms, which were reaching out to grab her.

He finally reached her, and, totally oblivious to Ron, pulled her down onto his lap. Then he kissed her deeply, running his fingers through her flaming hair.

Ron cleared his throat, and the couple broke apart hurriedly, with looks of embarrassment on their faces.

"Sorry mate" Harry said apologetically.

"No your not" Ginny interrupted. "He's going to have to get used to it, Harry. Besides- what about him and Hermione? It was cute the first couple times we walked in on them snogging on the couch. But now? Not so much."

"It's my best mate snogging my sister! In what universe is that allowed?"

"The same could be said for you mate? Hermione's not technically my sister, but she's as close as it's going to get."

"It's still weird" Ron muttered. "Fancy a chess match, Harry?"

"Sure" Harry replied.

"Don't mind me, boys. I wasn't planning on having a nice evening studying with my boyfriend. Go right ahead and play your little game. I'll just go curl up in the corner by myself."

"Thanks, Gin" both the boys answered, not looking up from the chess set they were hurriedly set up.

On her way to her favorite armchair in front of the fire, Ginny reached out and hit them both over the heads.

"Love you too, dear" Harry called out after her. Ron nearly choked. "What?" Harry asked, sitting down on his side of the chess board. "It's your move."

"Did you just say the 'L' word to my sister?"

"Yeah- I've been saying it for a long time. Just not in front of you. Why? You haven't said it to Hermione?"

"No… my mum always told me to be completely sure before I said the 'L' word to a girl… to make sure I really meant it. And I intend to do that. I want to be ready to marry her before I tell her- I can't believe mum hasn't sat you down and talked to you about this!"

"She did a couple years ago" Harry said absentmindedly. "I decided that I was ready to tell Ginny that I loved her, and that I truly meant it, and that I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else."

"Harry, you're scaring me. You and my sister aren't getting… getting…?"

"No!" Harry cried. "Out of school first Ron. And with jobs preferably."

"Ok- making sure."

They continued on with their chess game with minimal conversation. And the game after that. And the game after that. Ron was glad to say that he won all three. Only then did he look up at the clock, and notice that it was after eleven.

"Hermione should be back soon" he muttered. And no sooner were the words out of his mouth, Hermione stormed into the common room, an tearful glare etched onto her face.

"I take it detention didn't go well?" Ron asked.

"No, it bloody well did not! It was awful!" she snapped, storming around him and plopping onto the couch.

"What happened?" he asked. "Talk to me. It'll make you feel better."

"Gladly."

What did Hermione have to do at detention? Find out on Friday. I PROMISE it will be up then!