Hermione just led the first years to their dormitories and gave them instructions. Ron had ditched her in prefect duties and stayed with Harry. As she entered her dormitory, lavender came over to her and said

"there you are! I have been waiting for you."

"Listen I really don't know about Harry..."

"No I don't want to know about Harry. Listen, I know you always said you and Ron are friends. Right!?" and hermione worst fear got confirmed. She has marked Ron for this year.

"Yes ofcourse!"

"So you're not into him. Right!?" hermione greeted her question with a silence. She should take the hint to not go after him but she was determinedly looking at her, waiting for her response.

"Uhmmm, listen Lavender, I don't think Ron would like you that way. He-he isn't like you think he is..."

"Oh don't worry about that. I know how to make boys go crazy over me. I know what they need." winking at hermione.

"She just wants to know you're not in the way cause Ron is way close to you." said Parvati.

"You can try Lavender but I'm telling you I know Ron, he doesn't notice girls or anyone. Don't get your hopes up!"

"Oh don't you worry about that Hermione. Im good at it. Just set me up with him. I never noticed how tall he grew. And he has gotten so handsome." said Lavender.

"I think as of now, he is the most good looking among our batch. Harry is decent too but he keeps his hairs messed up." said Parvati. Both of them had started to talk about boys again. Hermione had a sudden panic. Girls have started noticing Ron. But he is her Ron. He would never notice any other girl. But what if he did. Lavender is a girl who will make herself notice to any boy. I better make a move before anyone else tries on him. But how!?

.

.

"What's up hermione!?" said Ginny. They were walking out of Slughorn dinner. Harry had gone for Dumbledore lesson and Ron had to stay alone in common room. She was thinking what could Lavender be doing of Ron being alone with his friends.

"Whaa...oh nothing!?"

"Tell me Hermione!? Is it Ron!?"

"well, yea. Maybe. You remember that Lavender, she kind of likes Ron, she sort of asked me to set her up with Ron." Ginny started laughing, "You!? Set her up with Ron!?" and went into fits of laughter.

"Is that why you're sad!?"

"No.. I mean I know Ron isn't interested in her. I-I don't know how to make Ron make a move on me. Cause you know, Lavender is good, what if Ron..."

"Oh come on Hermione! If you're waiting for Ron to make a move I highly doubt he could. I know him. He's a baby in all this stuff. He has always been like this. Scared of feelings and all. You know, with us growing all together, mum never really paid attention to him. It was like after Fred and George, I was born. He is not use to attention or getting noticed. "

" I know... That's why I love...well...so you think I should make the first move!? "

" Yea! Why don't you invite him to Slughorn Christmas dinner. We are allowed to bring guests. "

" that's the thing. How should I invite him. Im scared Ginny. What if he says no. What if he gets into that Lavender, what if Lavender gets to know I asked him out. "

Ginny now stopped walking and stood against a pillar and said" So what you're going to wait for him and Lavender to kiss it out!? Hermione you are as bad as Ron. Who cares what Lavender thinks. You like or I should say love... " rolling her eyes on hermione" Ron, he loves you back, I don't understand the wait. "

" What if he doesn't love me back! "

" Don't be silly. He will be shock to know you loooouve him. "

" What should I say to him!? Oh Ginny I'm so bad at this. " said Hermione.

" Okay I'm pretending to be Ron. Just ask me out thinking I'm Ron"

"Errr."

"Come on! You can do it. Stop wasting time watching him go in someone else arm. Go get up and get him."

"Okay. So you're Ron. Just help me out what could Ron say you know. So uhmm Hey Ron. I-I just got invited to Slughorn Christmas party. Would you like to be my date!?" said hermione blushingly.

Ginny said in a strong voice "Oh yes Hermione! But first let me kiss you first! Mmm mmmm"

"GiNNY!" said hermione and started laughing embarrassingly.

"Okay okay! Let me give you the real answer of Ron. So would be like...Me!? Did you ask me to be your date!? Are you sure!? This isn't a joke right?" said Ginny in an imitation of Ron.

"Oh don't joke Ginny. I hope it goes well. You never know with Ron. I really want us to work out and get together. It has been so long. I just can't hold it anymore."

"Best of Luck Hermione and do let me know." said Ginny. And after a pause she asked"Who is Harry going with!? Any idea. Does he like anyone other than Cho!? "

Hermione looked up at her." You're dating Dean! "

" Yeah so. Im just asking. Does he like anyone this year." said Ginny. Hermione smiled.

" Oh I don't know. Let's see. "

" Who is it Hermione!? "

" I will let you know when he asks someone. Now let's go back to dormitory. I have to prepare myself for tomorrow. " Ginny started walking along with her and rolled her eyes.

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.

Ron, who was attempting to burst the pod in the bowl by putting both hands on it, standing up, and squashing it as hard as he could, said angrily, "And this is another party just for Slughorn's favorites, is it?"

"Just for the Slug Club, yes," said Hermione. Just then the pod flew away from Ron's hand and went far away. Harry went to retrieve it. She knew this is the moment she can asks Ron out. She didn't want Harry to know about it. She felt he would feel awkward and embarrassed. Ans she didn't want Harry to know what is going on in her head about Ron. She when she was about to open her mouth to ask Ron, he said "Sluggg Clubb! Couldn't he keep a better name."

Ugh Ron. When will he grow up. ""Look, I didn't make up the name 'Slug Club' —"

" 'Slug Club,' " repeated Ron with a sneer worthy of Malfoy. "It's pathetic. Well, I hope you enjoy your party. Why don't you try hooking up with McLaggen, then Slughorn can make you King and Queen Slug —"

HOW DARE HE. I'm trying to ask him out and he and his constant nonsense. Calm down Hermione. Just ask him. This is just Ron's insecurity. She turned towards him and said

"We're allowed to bring guests," said Hermione, who for some reason had turned a bright, boiling scarlet, "and I was going to ask you to come, but if you think it's that stupid then I won't bother!"

Ron turned towards Hermione, looked into her eyes. He couldn't believe she asked him. Him. Not Harry, not Mclaggen, Him. Does she fancy him!? Bloody Hell Ron, she likes you. She asked you out. It's you. Is it!?

"You were going to ask me?" asked Ron, in a completely different voice. Ginny was right! He wouldn't believe it. Why oh why Ron you're like this.

"Yes," said Hermione angrily. "But obviously if you'd rather I hooked up with McLaggen . . ."

But she wanted his reply. She waited. Looked into his eyes, waiting for the answer. Will he go out with her. They both were looking at each other.

"No, I wouldn't," said Ron, in a very quiet voice. A sudden smile came upon both of them. Did he just say Yes! Screw you Lavender. He's mine.

Ron eyes were wide in shock. She likes me. She likes me. She chose me. Screw you Viktor!

Both of them were looking into each other eyes. A smile had spread across their face. But just then something broke.

"Reparo," he said hastily, poking the pieces with his wand, and the bowl sprang back together again. The crash, however, appeared to have awoken Ron and Hermione to Harry's presence.

OH no, did Harry heard us. Oh what will he say. She immediately went looking for the book to avoid herself blushing.

Ron on the other hand couldn't believe it. She chose him. Does she like him that way. Was it him all along. Is that the reason she didn't go to Bulgaria. She likes him! Not Harry! Oh I can't believe it. Maybe I should buy a gift for her. I will wear the dress robes Fred bought for me. He started to dive back into the stump but his thoughts were full of hermione and what he should do on a date with her.

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"Well then, you're in," said Harry. "There's a practice tonight, seven o'clock."

"Right," said Dean. "Cheers, Harry! Blimey, I can't wait to tell Ginny!"

Hermione just left the transfiguration class and saw Ginny. Remembering to tell her, she said

"I asked him out. He said yes. Well not exactly yes but...well... He's going to go with me!" said hermione with a grin on her face.

"I knew it!" punchimg her fist in the air. "Well I don't want to know the details of not exactly, I knew Ron would screw up something. But tell me, what are your plans!?"

"Ginny he was really insecure you know. He couldn't believe I asked him. He kept saying why don't you go with Cormac. And I told him I would rather go with you but if you don't want I go with Cormac. And he said no he wouldn't like me going with him. So it's a yes. "

Ginny went quiet." Is that asking out!? Hermione, he should know you like him and he should say he would like to go out with you. You two! I swear!"

" Ginny! I know Ron okay. This is how Ron is. I know he knows I asked him out. "

" Okay, whatever you say. But make a move at the dinner. Atleast kiss to make it official. This is, I don't know what this invitation is. "

" Oh you don't get him Ginny. I know he is probably thinking what to do on this date. I'm actually looking forward for him to surprise her. And ofcourse I will kiss. I now know it. He wouldn't kiss me first. So I know I will be taking the lead. But now I know I can kiss him. Cause I know he wants to kiss back too. Do you understand Ginny!? "

" No. But I'm glad you understand this immature Ron and his wierd thinking. At this point I wish he does kiss you at dinner. And doesn't be like 'you want to kiss me' Me!? '" said Ginny imitating Ron.

" There you are Ginny! Harry just made me the chaser. So I will be joining the team too."

" Wow Dean that's great!" kissing Dean on mouth. Then Ginny turned towards Hermione and said" I will see you later and...this is called official. Okay! " whispering back.