A/N: Hello to all you wonderful readers! Thank you so much for following along with this story. Your comments are amazing, and I'm so grateful for them!

I just wanted to note here (and I probably should have done this before) that while fraternities and sororities are a very real, very American thing at colleges and universities, the amount of drama I'm creating is not actually real. Most of what you're reading is simply a plot device to make the Romeo and Juliet feud a thing in modern times! My apologies to anyone who is involved their own college Greek system, or for any non-American readers who are thinking...what the heck? Is this actually real? Nope, not at all.

I hope you enjoy Chapter 4 :)

"I fear too early, for my mind misgives; some consequence, yet hanging in the stars, shall bitterly begin." - Act I, scene iv

To say things had been frosty at the Sigma Del house over the next week was an understatement. Relations with the Taus were on thin ice, and as a result, many of Hermione's housemates were giving her the cold shoulder. Penelope was still holding out for Hermione to give in and beg Draco for a second chance, but that was never going to happen.

According to the gossip mill, Marcus had managed to grow a pair and wasn't catering to Draco's every demand, but they had dropped Sigma Del for the upcoming end of semester holiday mixer the two houses historically hosted together and invited the Thetas instead. Penelope was livid by the news, which found Hermione in her current situation.

She pulled her hair back and put on her jacket. Grabbing her phone and air pods, Hermione made a quick escape from the house. She could have sought refuge in the library again, but opted for a change in scenery. The weather was still relatively warm for Mid-November, so an evening walk would do. Double-checking her pocket for pepper spray, Hermione set her playlist to the latest Taylor Swift album before heading toward the nearby park next to campus.

The cool air felt comforting against her exposed skin after being in the stuffy sorority house for the evening. She walked down Greek row, glancing at each of the houses to make it seem less conspicuous when she walked by one in particular. No one was out as Hermione rounded the corner to a side street and continued on her route.

It wasn't terribly late, but the darkness deemed the park deserted for the evening, and that was exactly what Hermione was hoping for. It was a quaint area surrounded by woods that attracted many people during the day with its courts for tennis and basketball, as well as soccer fields, plus the playground and public swimming pool that made the area family-friendly for permanent residents.

Hermione made her way onto the well-kept walking path that she frequented often. It surrounded the perimeter of the vast green-space and disappeared into the adjacent wooded area. A small stream was tucked away in the woods, and Hermione often found herself on one of the benches that lined the path to read as she listened to the soothing sound of the water when she needed to get away from it all.

She hoped the familiarity of her surroundings would ease the sound of Penelope's words that were still ringing in her ears, despite her best efforts to drown them out with her music. 'The Thetas! You've got to be kidding me! We've done so much to raise the Taus' popularity, and they throw us to the curb over a stupid legacy member! And Marcus had the audacity to tell me we only received a courtesy invite because several of our members are dating! Is your pride really that important, Hermione? Is it?! Our social status is going to hell, and you don't even seem to care!'

Hermione found herself rolling her eyes at the recollection. If the pleasantries between a fraternity and a sorority hung in the balance of the relationship of two of its members, the system was seriously flawed. She was certain that life didn't work this way outside of the Greek system. No one was going to dictate who she became friends with after she'd earned her undergraduate degree. Hermione had had enough.

The ridiculousness of it all made her think about the feud between Sigma Del and Zeta Mu. Why did it even exist? Hermione had intended to ask around and do some digging that week, but Penelope seemed to have locked the archives up as if sensing that Hermione would want to find out more about the feud.

'You better not be thinking about that Zeta Mu trash!' she recalled Penelope's warning with a hollow laugh. Oh, she had no idea. The more Hermione tried not to think about Ron, the more her brain insisted on it. She'd thought about their kiss so often since last Saturday that she could practically feel his lips on hers if she concentrated hard enough.

Maybe it was a good thing their paths never crossed. Not that it stopped her from looking for him everywhere she went. Hermione noticed that she'd become hyper-focused on her surroundings and the people she passed while walking on campus. Plus, any time she'd stroll by the Zeta Mu house, she'd sneak glances to the door, hoping he might step out at that exact moment.

How could a guy she barely knew have such a profound effect on her? She was desperate to catch a glimpse of him anywhere, and as the days passed, she started to question whether she'd made it all up and was going crazy. Maybe it was for the better. Her studies were already beginning to suffer, and her supervisor had to call her name three times that day to get her attention during her shift.

Hermione needed to stop thinking about him completely, move on and focus on her classes. But the allure of the man dressed as Mr. Darcy, whisking her away from her awful date and dancing with her despite everyone's horrified reactions, was not lost on her. If only she knew how to—

Thud.

Hermione wasn't paying attention to where she was going when she ran into something—well, not exactly something, but someone. Startled, she reached up automatically to rip one of her airpods out of her ear as two strong hands steadied her by the arms.

"Fancy meeting you here," a familiar voice said.

Hermione looked up to see none other than the man who'd been invading her dreams standing in front of her. She could smell the faint scent of sandalwood from his cologne that had likely worn off as the day progressed. Her heartbeat quickened rapidly in her chest, and her knees felt weak. She wasn't sure she'd be able to stand on her own if he let go.

"Cat got your tongue? Or do you not recognize me now that I'm no longer dressed in my formal Regency attire?"

Hermione let out a sound that was half huff, half laugh. Finding her voice, she managed to respond with a simple "hardly."

"What are you doing out this late, anyway?" He asked.

"It's barely past nine. I wouldn't call that late. And if it was, I could ask you the same question," Hermione quipped.

Ron shrugged. "My roommate needed the room for things."

"Ah."

Things, Hermione thought to herself. She didn't know his roommate, but couldn't help the small pang of jealousy of knowing what others were getting up to. Not that sex was important to her, but her mind couldn't help but imagine Ron leading her to his room and kicking the roommate out instead so they could do things.

She noticed that he seemed to be waiting for more of a response, so she quickly added, "I just needed to get out of the stuffy atmosphere of the sorority."

"Want some company?" Ron asked, finally letting go of her arms and stepped away.

Hermione instantly missed his touch. "I really shouldn't," she answered.

Even as she tried to say no, she was tucking her headphones into her pocket, which indicated the opposite as she pulled out her phone to stop her playlist.

"Why? Would your boyfriend disapprove?"

Hermione paused what she was doing and narrowed her eyes as she looked up at him. "I told you at the ball I don't have a boyfriend. I'm not sure why you would be under the impression that anything has changed."

He searched her eyes carefully. Damn, those bright blue eyes are going to do me in, she thought as she strengthened her resolve to not look away.

"Really? I heard about Malfoy's ultimatum and assumed you relented."

"Well, you thought wrong," Hermione huffed as she pushed past him to continue walking down the trail that led into the woods.

Ron didn't leave Hermione alone as he turned to catch up with her. "So, is that why he's throwing the biggest tantrum I've ever seen a twenty-something have before? Because you won't date him?"

"I couldn't care less if he was, even if my sisters do," Hermione said, a small smile playing at her lips.

He was clearly still interested in her relationship status. She couldn't help the giddy excitement that was coursing through her as he walked closely by her side. His hand would graze hers every so often as the cover of trees enveloped them.

"Trouble in paradise among the Sigs and Taus?" Ron pressed.

"Why do you care so much? I thought you didn't believe in the feud," Hermione questioned.

"I don't, but Malfoy's a dick, and I don't like the fact that he thinks he can manipulate a relationship with you."

"Uh-huh, news travels fast through Greek Row, doesn't it?" Hermione said.

"What? That the Taus have partnered with the Thetas for their end of semester mixer instead? Yeah, I guess you could say word gets around."

"Yes, well, it's a small price to pay to avoid a forced relationship, even if my sisters don't seem to think so."

She didn't care about her reputation being dragged through the mud over this whole ordeal. If anything, she was proud of herself for standing her ground. It was clear that Malfoy only cared about appearances and making himself look good. Hermione was certain they had nothing in common, and she wasn't the least bit attracted to him. Why he continued to push for her hand was beyond her realm of understanding.

Her arm bumped Ron's again, reminding Hermione that this was probably a bad idea. Every time they touched, she felt a crackle of electricity shoot through her veins, and certain parts of her were begging for more. Her brain was subconsciously looking for stopping spots where they could disappear in the trees, and he could kiss her again, or maybe even more… No, Hermione, you need to stop, she thought to herself. There was no telling how long her self control would last if she didn't manage to continue on her walk alone.

"You know, you don't have to walk with me. You were clearly heading in the opposite direction when I ran into you." Hermione attempted. She decided it was a valiant effort.

"What makes you think I'm doing this because I have to?" Ron asked.

"Why else would you want to be out here with me?" Hermione couldn't help but respond to his question with one of her own.

"Because I like you," he responded simply.

Hermione stopped walking and stared at him. Her heart beat traitorously in her chest as her brain screamed even louder that this wasn't a good idea.

"Why?"

He paused and turned towards her once he realized she'd stopped a few paces back. "Why not?"

Closing the distance between them, Ron held out his hand and took it in hers as he led her off the path and deeper into the woods to avoid any other people who might have been out for their own late-night stroll.

"Because our houses are sworn enemies, and I've already gotten myself into enough trouble by simply sharing a dance with you!" Hermione protested, even though she continued to follow him.

"Just a dance?" he asked knowingly.

Hermione rolled her eyes and refused to respond, which in turn urged Ron to continue in his pursuit of calling her bluff.

"Then why are you still here with me? It's not like I'm holding you hostage. You're free to go at any time. If you ask me, I think it's because you like me, too," Ron said confidently.

Hermione scoffed at him. "That's a bit presumptuous, don't you think?"

He cocked an eyebrow as he smirked at her. "You're not denying it. Plus, you're still here, so..."

"Maybe it's because I was meaning to thank you," Hermione said quickly, desperate to distract him with something else.

But she could tell he wasn't buying her excuses. If she could think straight, she may have sounded more convincing, but her previous statement wasn't exactly a lie. Hermione attempted to back up a couple of steps to clear her senses. The closer she was to him, the less she trusted herself to not jump him again. Even in a pair of form-fitting sweats, a well-worn t-shirt and a light jacket, he was still sexy as hell. She stopped when she backed into a wide tree trunk.

"Thank me for what?"

"For not saying anything," she answered incredulously.

"About what?"

A smile played at the corner of his lips, and Hermione knew instantly that he was goading her. Oh, like you don't know. She looked him straight in the eye, determined not to let him win whatever game he thought they were playing.

"The kiss."

"Which one? Unless you meant all of them? I'm pretty sure there was more than one."

Why was he so relentless? she thought. "Yes, all of them. What did you think I meant?"

Hermione watched as his eyes drifted to her lips. Did he enjoy it as much as I did?

"Oh, I was hoping you meant all of them. And I told you, I don't kiss and tell."

"Would you keep the same promise if it happened again?" Hermione hadn't realized she'd even spoken until she could hear the faint echo of them in hanging in the air.

She watched as the brightness in Ron's eyes turned dark with want.

"Don't tempt me, Miss Bennet, unless it's what you really want," Ron whispered as he inched closer to her.

One more time wouldn't hurt, right? They were alone, and there was no way anyone would find out that they'd been together. She'd officially convinced herself as he waited for her response.

"It's all I've thought about for five days," Hermione purred softly.

This time it was Ron who closed the gap as his lips crashed into hers. Hermione couldn't help the mewl that escaped her mouth as his hands wrapped around her hips and pulled her into him. Her hands settled on his chest, caressing the firmness of his muscles underneath the thin fabric of his shirt. His tongue darted into her mouth, and she sucked on it playfully before entwining it with her own.

Her hands shifted up around his neck as her fingers raked through his hair. She felt his hands slip under her shirt and stop at the lacy edge of her bra. Her breath caught in anticipation as Ron pressed into her so she could feel his hardness.

Hermione heard a muffled sound come from her pocket. Hoping she'd somehow accidentally disconnected her airpods, and it was music playing from her phone, she ignored it. She focused her attention back on the attractive red-head with whom she found herself in yet another precarious position.

Part of her was hoping that if she kissed him again, she'd realize the attraction was a fluke. That perhaps it was all because of the romantic atmosphere of the vineyard. But this moment right here was proving that theory false. The sparks between them were real, and the more she kissed him, the more certain she was that she never wanted it to stop.

Her hands continued to wander across his body of their own accord as his lips continued to capture hers in a rhythm that felt like they'd known each other for years. She would have happily let him take her right here if that blasted sound from her pocket would cease its rude interruption.

"Do you need to get that?" Ron murmured against her lips.

"No," she said, as she leaned in and grazed his bottom lip with her teeth.

He groaned into her mouth as her phone finally quieted. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief at the silence. Her hands traveled down his body, and just as she reached for the hem of his shirt, her phone started ringing again.

"Ugh," Hermione said, reluctantly pulling away from him. It'd taken a monumental effort to release his lips from hers. She'd been fantasizing about this moment for too long, and she was pissed that someone was rudely interrupting.

She pulled her phone out of her pocket and saw three missed calls from Penelope and five text messages from Padma.

9:50: Emergency Meeting in 10.

9:55 Did you get my message?

9:58: Hermione seriously..where are you?

10:00 If you don't get back right now Penelope's going to lose it.

10:05 Don't say I didn't warn you.

"Damn it!" Hermione swore as Ron's phone buzzed in his pocket. He was still leaning against her, so Hermione could feel it against her leg. "I have to go," she said.

"Says who?" he asked before dipping his head down to kiss her neck.

Hermione sighed and almost decided to forget about whatever information was waiting for her back at the house. It would have worked, too, if Ron's phone hadn't buzzed again.

"Emergency sorority meeting."

Ron let out a sound that resembled a growl as he lifted his head off of her shoulder and reached into his pocket to check his own messages.

"Me too," he said regretfully after a quick glance.

"You have one, too?"

"Yup."

"I wonder what it's about," Hermione said as she led the way back to the path.

"No idea. Must be for all the houses if we're both being summoned." He reached out to take her hand, but Hermione pulled it away.

"We've got to stop this," she said automatically, even though she didn't fully believe it.

"Why?"

"You know why," she chided.

"Can I at least have your number?"

"I—I don't think so. I'd be too tempted…" Hermione bit her bottom lip.

He chuckled at her response, and she hoped that meant he felt the same way.

"Well, is there a specific place I might just happen to run into you, then? Aside from this particular walking trail, of course."

Hermione thought about Ron's question. Did he want to get to know her as friends? Did she? Well, that was a stupid question. Of course she did! But she was sure Penelope wouldn't take too kindly to that, either. Why did she have to be in the one sorority that was involved in a useless feud?

Her mind warred with itself, and she was torn on what to do. She knew he was addictive to her. Maybe if they casually met, it would scratch the itch without actually engaging in more of what they'd just done earlier. Though, it'd need to be secret. But how...

A thought suddenly came to her mind. Her favorite spot to study in the library was always deserted. What if she casually shared the location? Padma was the only one who'd join her sometimes, and if it came down to it, Hermione was sure her roommate would keep her secret.

That seemed to be enough to talk herself into it. Hopefully, he'd be up for the challenge. "I spend most nights in Ferguson on the ground floor. If you can't find me, then you haven't searched hard enough."

He flashed a lopsided grin her way. "Noted."

They got to the edge of the park when Hermione realized they needed to separate. The last thing either of them needed was to be caught together.

"I really need to go. I'm sorry I can't walk with you," Hermione apologized, but the look on his face indicated he understood.

"See you soon, then?" Ron questioned. His voice was quiet and hopeful, which made Hermione's heart melt even more.

I sure hope so, she thought. She nodded briefly before disappearing into the darkness before her mind could stop her.

Hermione decided to run back to the house in an attempt to clear her head. It also gave her an excuse for being flushed and out of breath. Plus, she hoped the sweat would cover up the smell of any trace of Ron's cologne that was left on her skin and clothes. The last thing she needed was for anyone to be suspicious about where she was or who she was with.

Those thoughts sent her right back to just moments before, where she wished she was still in his arms again. Hermione shook her head and attempted to push those thoughts aside to focus on the more pressing matter at hand. Penelope had called a meeting that she was very late for. She had no idea what the meeting was about, and so she forced herself to spend the rest of her jog home thinking of what she'd been summoned for