~~*Author's Note*~~
Hi everyone.Wassup? This one will be a little longer compare to the 5th part.
Maybe this will end in a Happy ending,OR maybe i'll add a little twist and-Hmm..
what do you think my deranged mind will do? ;) Scroll down and find out!
And special thanks to Vicky Riddle for your tip!! Really helped me a lot! :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Harry was staring around the Great hall.The students who had stayed for the Christmas holidays were either chatting loudly to each other about things like the presents they got or were spooning themselves their dessert.Alicia,Angelina and Katie had moved over to Krums side and were all talking to him excitedly while Krum,looking half confused and half amused,just answered all their questions and laughed with them patiently.
Fred and George were talking to each other in hushed voices over the checkered box that George had brought along with him.No doubt they were plotting on who to try the Sandman's sand on,thought Harry.Hermione,who took Ron's empty seat beside him,was poking at her vegetables absent mindedly.Harry wondered if she was thinking about what happened earlier when Ron walked out of the hall.
Harry heard a chair being pushed back,and Krum stood up over Hermione.
"I think i should go now." Krum muttered rather sadly."Oh.Well then,we'll see you to the door,right Harry?" said Hermione,and looked at Harry.Harry nodded and stood up to accompany Krum and Hermione to the entrance hall.
"Vill you still write to me? Herm-own-ninny?" asked Krum once they reached the large front doors of the school entrance hall."Yes,ofcourse i will.Thank you for visiting me Viktor,I will miss you." replied Hermione.Harry just stood awkwardly behind the two."I hope you enjoy your remaining holiday then...," Krum smiled at Hermione,then held out his big hand to Harry and said,"Your flying has improved,Harry,keep it up." Harry grinned back at Krum as he released Harry's hand.Krum turned towards the large oak doors,pushed it open and strode outside into the cold chilly air.
Harry and Hermione followed but stayed on the stone steps and watched silently as Krum trudged away slowly to Hogsmeade,his thin black cloak fluttering behind him.Hermione turned around and said,"Come on Harry,lets go inside,its awfully cold here."Harry agreed and followed her back inside,closing the doors behind them.
The two of them walked back to the common room,their fooststeps ringing in the silence,when Hermione began loudly,"I dont understand him Harry! I just dont-why did he have to walk out like that?"
she was obviously talking about Ron.Harry's thoughts were banging on his head wanting to explain everything to Hermione,about how Ron had been madly jealous of Krum since the first day he arrived,about the stunt Ron pulled off just to impress her and about the look he saw on Ron's face before he walked away from them at lunch.But Harry restrained himself and smiled calmly,and said,"Hermione.I think you know the answer to that one.",Hermione stared at Harry,but Harry continued."Why dont you go talk to him.Im sure he'll be sitting down somewhere inside the common room." Hermione answered back hurriedly,"But-I dont know what to say to him!","I guess it'll come to you when you see him." said Harry,hoping that his advise would be the solution to Ron and Hermione's problem.
"Password?",
"Flobberworms" mumbled Hermione when they reached the portrait of the fat lady.
The fat lady swung open,screeching "Merry Christmas!" at them.
Harry and Hermione entered the common room,and sure enough Harry spotted a familiar red head playing chess against himself in a lonely corner of the room.Harry glanced sideways at Hermione and saw that she too had spotted Ron in the corner.Hermione looked at Harry,and Harry gave her an encouraging sort of grin,before she walked off to Ron.
Harry seated himself in his usual chair near the fireplace,and started to open the book Hermione had given him for Christmas.
He began thumbing through the pages trying to find an interesting page to read,but unfortunately for Harry,concentrating on "The lives of all the famous Quidditch seekers" was a hard task since he could hear Hermione's voice carry through the half empty common room.
The Gryffindor team,who were seated together talking about something hushed up at once,straining to hear what the couple at the corner were beginning to say.
"Mind if i play you?" asked Hermione looking down at Ron.Ron grunted in reply and just stared at his chessboard.Hermione sat down on the empty chair infront of Ron.A few minutes passed.Ron and Hermione quietly moved their chess pieces all over the board,carefull not to glance at each other,while Harry eyed them from over his book.Harry was beginning to grow impatient,waiting to hear Hermione say the first words,when to his surprise he heard Ron say in a low voice as he moved his rook,
"Why did you kiss him?"
Hermione looked up at Ron,"Viktor asked me if he could,and i said Yes-","But why?" interuppted Ron,his voice a little louder,"Why did you have to say yes,Hermione? He hardly knows you,and you hardly know him.Did you really think he deserved that kiss?" Ron was looking straight at Hermione now,his blue eyes full of intensity.
"Yes,i thought he deserved that kiss." replied Hermione slowly.
A look of pain flashed briefly on Ron's face.
"I thought he deserved that kiss because i trust him and i know he didnt ask me just because-","How can you be so sure? Hermione,dont be blind! He just wants to add you to his fan club,thats all!" Hermione quickly retorted back acidly,"No he does not! Thats pure rubbish,Ron,and you know it! You just cant accept the fact that someone likes me!"
Ron stood up swiftly,his voice shaking while he roared,
"He'll break your heart,Hermione! He doesnt care about you! He's just toying with you! You dont know what he could be doing while he's away!"
Harry thought he heard a hint of desperate pleading in Ron's shaky voice when he said this.
Hermione jumped to her feet and yelled back," I just dont understand you Ron,why do you insist on seeing Viktor that way!?,"
Harry could now hear every word Ron and Hermione were saying at each other as they didnt bother to keep their voices down anymore.
"He hasnt done anything wrong to you! He's been polite and friendly to you ever since you met him!" Ron ignored this and snapped back,"Look,Hermione.Krum isnt the one for you! There are other people out there who care about you far more than Viktor Krum ever could!"
Harry shut his book and stared at Ron.Fred and George were also peering over the backs over their chairs,looking on earnestly at Ron and Hermione's argument.
"Other people!? Well then,Ronald Weasley,name one! Name one person who feels that way!"
Hermione spat the words out like a nasty dare to Ron.
Ron looked dumbstruck.
"Come on",thought Harry,"say it! say YOU feel that way,Ron!"
Harry was cheering Ron on in his mind,anxiously waiting for Ron's answer,while the twins were also muttering under their breaths "Say 'ME!' say 'ME!'"...
"I-"
for a minute Harry thought Ron was finally going to confess,but frowned when Ron continued,
"I dunno! But I'm dead sure that Krum could never be the one for you!"
And Ron turned his back at Hermione and stalked off to the portrait hole,threw it open and walked away out of sight.Hermione fell back into her chair with a dazed expression on her face.She stretched out her hand and moved her bishop across the chessboard and muttered "Checkmate".Ron's pieces looked up at her in awe and surprise,each one squeaking,
"Thats the first time Master Ronald has lost a game!!"
(Hermione's POV,sort of)
A few hours later,Hermione was still sitting in her chair infront of Ron's chessboard,thinking of the big argument she and Ron had earlier.Her eyes wandered restlessly around the common room.She saw Harry talking with his team mates infront of the fireplace,they were laughing at one of the twins jokes,and seemed to be enjoying themselves.She looked around again,and finally,her eyes landed on the bright Christmas star on top of the tree.
"What did he mean?" thought Hermione,still looking at the star she and Ron had made,
" 'There are other people out there who care about you far more than Viktor Krum ever could!'",Ron's voice echoed loudly in her head,and she repeated what he said over and over again,pondering the hidden meaning.
Then,she made up her mind.She was going to find Ron and straighten everything out.
Hermione stood up so fast she knocked off Ron's chessboard off the table with a loud clatter.
Everything made sense to Hermione now,and she dashed upstairs to her trunk and took out her coat then hurried back down to the portrait hole.Harry looked after her wide-eyed.And as soon as the fat lady had swung herself shut ,he said to to his team mates,"I think she finally got it."
Fred,George,Angelina,Alicia and Katie beamed after Hermione.
And they started to discuss the whole argument that went on a few hours earlier.
Hermione rushed through the corridors,looking for Ron.She had to speak to him,she had to know.
Hermione ran down the last flight of marble steps and crossed the entrance hall,to the big oak doors.She pushed them open and stepped outside into the snowy grounds of Hogwarts.A strong gust of cold wind blew by and Hermione drew her coat over her robes.
Hermione looked around the grounds."Where could he be?" she thought."The Quidditch field?-No,thats been closed.Hagrid's?-No,Hagrid's inside helping decorate the great hall for the feast tonight." Hermione walked slowly,out onto the icy snow.Another cold blast of wind blew past her and Hermione began rubbing her arms,shivering.She decided to walk by the lake,looking around for a shock of red hair amongst the white background.For the first few minutes she saw nothing but white snow,and the smooth surface of the frozen lake.Hermione was about to give up and turn around when a speck of red and black caught her eye.
She had found the person she was looking for at the other side of the lake,sitting on a frozen bench.
Hermione wanted to run to him,but thought she might slip on the icy snow covering the grounds and had to endure another few minutes of walking slowly towards Ron.
As she neared him,she could see that Ron was leaning on his knees,staring at the snow below him,his hands clutching his hair.He didnt seem to notice that Hermione was walking towards him,and only noticed when Hermione asked him quietly," Is this seat taken?"
"No," said Ron looking up,mildly surprised,and he moved over.Hermione sat down beside him.
A moment of awkward silence passed,then Hermione said,looking out at the Hogwarts castle and the orange yellow lights that were shining through its windows,"The castle looks very pretty from here,do you come here a lot?",Ron grinned a bit,"Yeah,I do.I usually come here when i need to think up some new Quidditch plays.This is my lucky bench you know..." said Ron.
Then he shifted his entire body and turned to look at Hermione,and said with a serious expression on his face,"Hermione,I'm sorry i blew up on you like that.I really shoudnt have-","Its okay,Ron." cut in Hermione,"Really,its ok." Ron turned back to look at the lake,then continued slowly,shaking his head ,"No...I have to explain.I know I'm being stupid but, I couldnt bare to see you kiss Krum.I just couldnt.I mean,I spent the whole morning looking for you-then-then,I find you kissing him...," Hermione listened to him intently,"And then you said you thought he deserved that kiss -","Oh Ron." said Hermione but Ron didnt seem to hear her and continued to ramble on,frantically looking for words that would explain his reasons,
"I -I just wanted to be the first -the first one to greet you this morning,the first one to give you your present in person -," Ron paused,"-the first one to kiss you..." Ron folded his arms and leaned back into the bench. Hermione didnt know what to say.She wasnt expecting Ron to say these things and when he did she felt something inside her squirm uncomfortably,was it guilt? or was it something else...
Hermione moved a little closer and put her hand over Ron's arm and gazed into his face.His face was sad and defeated,the usual glint of humour and sarcasm in his eyes were long gone,and there infront of her was a different Ron Weasley,perhaps the real Ron Weasley.
Ron turned to face Hermione,somewhat uncertainly and said,"I know its useless to say this now,but Hermione-I love you." It took a few moments for Ron's words to register into Hermione's dazed head.
Then she realized at once that that was all she wanted to hear.And she really didnt notice another cold wind rustle past them,she didnt notice that she was blushing again,infact she didnt notice anything else but Ron."Ron,I've always wanted to hear you say that..." muttered Hermione,Ron stared at her,surprise rushing all over his face,"What?", "I said,I've always wanted to hear you say that," repeated Hermione trying to hide the smile that was growing on her face,although Ron,on the other hand,couldnt contain himself and was positively beaming at her."But what about Krum? that kiss?" asked Ron,"Viktor - well,I wont lie to you,I do like him." said Hermione,"He was interesting and kind,funny and all...But he never really understood me,like you or Harry.When i told him about my worries about Harry and you-know-who and all the danger we've been through, he didnt understand why we'd put ourselves in danger to help a friend," Ron was still looking at Hermione listening to every word she said,"And that kiss...well,I didnt really feel anything different,when he kissed me..." Hermione stopped and glanced back at the castle,then continued,
"Ron,I'm sorry,if-if it took me such a long time to see -but,I love you too." Hermione looked nervously at Ron.
Ron was smiling at her,his once lonely and defeated eye's alive again.
"You do?" he asked,obviously fighting the urge to stand up and start dancing.
Hermione nodded.
And at that very instant Ron grabbed Hermione into such a tight hug that Hermione felt the wind squeezed out of her.
"Er-Ron,I cant breathe," gasped Hermione,"What? Oh,yeah.Sorry." and he let go,his ears awfully red.
"I havent given you your present yet,have I?" he said looking happier than he had since morning, pulling out a small black box from the pocket of his robes."Go on,open it." He urged,and placed it into Hermione's hand.
Ron watched Hermione pull up the top of the black box.
Hermione put the top of the box aside and let out a gasp of surprise as she saw what was inside.
Ron grinned proudly.
Inside the box was a small twinkling ball attached to a fine gold chain.Hermione held it up,and peered into the tiny ball,which was no bigger than a small marble.She saw a galaxy of stars,with planets and nebulas shining through to her."Ron,it so pretty!" she said,as she put it down."Its a gazer,Hermione.I picked it up at Hogsmeade yesterday...took me a long time to find one small enough to be made into a pendant," explained Ron."The big one's are usually bigger than chrystal ball's.Here,I'll show you what it does." said Ron,and he gently took the necklace from Hermione's hand and pulled out his wand."You see,it shows you the person whom you love or long to see the most.Even if that person is miles away," and Hermione looked on at what Ron was about to do,"you just put your wand to your temples and tap it." Ron placed his wand on his temples and after a moment,tapped the tiny gazer.The gazer gave out a bright blue glow,and Hermione moved closer to Ron to see what would happen next."It should show something soon," said Ron,and soon enough the gazer stopped glowing and Ron grinned."There.Come on,have a look,Hermione." said Ron,and Hermione looked into the gazer Ron held out for her to see.Hermione saw a girl with bushy brown hair and cinnamon brown eyes inside the gazer.It seemed like she was on a train talking to someone,then,the image drifted away and she saw the girl again,this time she was sobbing onto someone's shoulder.The image disappeared again and when the next one drifted into view,she saw the girl walk past a crowd of people,wearing periwinkle blue dressrobes,and enter a large hall.
"Ron! Thats me!" said Hermione tearing her eyes away from the gazer to look at Ron." 'Course it is." said Ron calmly,although he looked terribly pleased at her reaction."I told you,it shows you the person you love or long to see the most.And to me,that person's you,Hermione."
"Ron,thank you..." said Hermione trailing off,lost in Ron's pale blue eyes.
Ron smiled and moved a little closer to her,then bent his head down and kissed her on the lips.
Hermione suddenly felt very warm,even though she knew she was sitting on an icy bench at the far end of the lake,in the middle of december.
Ron's lips were soft and his kiss was slow and gentle making Hermione feel protected.
They broke away. Ron stood up,grinning, and held out his arm to Hermione,and put on an unusually cocky voice.
"Shall we go back to the castle my dear?",Hermione stifled a laugh.
She got to her feet and looped her arm around Ron's and they both made their way back to the castle.
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Disclaimer: I own nothing.Just the idea.
A/N: Umm......to tell you the truth,i had a really hard time with this part.So many ideas were flooding in on me left and right,that i couldnt figure out what i wanted to do.And there were some parts that had me stumped.But I've finished it,and read it through 3 or 4 times,and i think i did a pretty good job.You might be wondering about what will happen to Krum,well,i assure you that I'll fit him into the happy ending ;)
I dont know if i can put up the next part tomorrow,since i still havent started writing my damn essay and my conscience is really starting to haunt me,but it'll come soon.
Thanks again to the people who've reviewed the previous parts,I love all you all!! Honestly,the reviews are what i live for.Ok,nuff said,i have to go to sleep now....Cheers! Oh and PLEASE WRITE A REVIEW!
(P.S i got the idea for the "gazer" from MIB..*Grins*)
Hi everyone.Wassup? This one will be a little longer compare to the 5th part.
Maybe this will end in a Happy ending,OR maybe i'll add a little twist and-Hmm..
what do you think my deranged mind will do? ;) Scroll down and find out!
And special thanks to Vicky Riddle for your tip!! Really helped me a lot! :)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Harry was staring around the Great hall.The students who had stayed for the Christmas holidays were either chatting loudly to each other about things like the presents they got or were spooning themselves their dessert.Alicia,Angelina and Katie had moved over to Krums side and were all talking to him excitedly while Krum,looking half confused and half amused,just answered all their questions and laughed with them patiently.
Fred and George were talking to each other in hushed voices over the checkered box that George had brought along with him.No doubt they were plotting on who to try the Sandman's sand on,thought Harry.Hermione,who took Ron's empty seat beside him,was poking at her vegetables absent mindedly.Harry wondered if she was thinking about what happened earlier when Ron walked out of the hall.
Harry heard a chair being pushed back,and Krum stood up over Hermione.
"I think i should go now." Krum muttered rather sadly."Oh.Well then,we'll see you to the door,right Harry?" said Hermione,and looked at Harry.Harry nodded and stood up to accompany Krum and Hermione to the entrance hall.
"Vill you still write to me? Herm-own-ninny?" asked Krum once they reached the large front doors of the school entrance hall."Yes,ofcourse i will.Thank you for visiting me Viktor,I will miss you." replied Hermione.Harry just stood awkwardly behind the two."I hope you enjoy your remaining holiday then...," Krum smiled at Hermione,then held out his big hand to Harry and said,"Your flying has improved,Harry,keep it up." Harry grinned back at Krum as he released Harry's hand.Krum turned towards the large oak doors,pushed it open and strode outside into the cold chilly air.
Harry and Hermione followed but stayed on the stone steps and watched silently as Krum trudged away slowly to Hogsmeade,his thin black cloak fluttering behind him.Hermione turned around and said,"Come on Harry,lets go inside,its awfully cold here."Harry agreed and followed her back inside,closing the doors behind them.
The two of them walked back to the common room,their fooststeps ringing in the silence,when Hermione began loudly,"I dont understand him Harry! I just dont-why did he have to walk out like that?"
she was obviously talking about Ron.Harry's thoughts were banging on his head wanting to explain everything to Hermione,about how Ron had been madly jealous of Krum since the first day he arrived,about the stunt Ron pulled off just to impress her and about the look he saw on Ron's face before he walked away from them at lunch.But Harry restrained himself and smiled calmly,and said,"Hermione.I think you know the answer to that one.",Hermione stared at Harry,but Harry continued."Why dont you go talk to him.Im sure he'll be sitting down somewhere inside the common room." Hermione answered back hurriedly,"But-I dont know what to say to him!","I guess it'll come to you when you see him." said Harry,hoping that his advise would be the solution to Ron and Hermione's problem.
"Password?",
"Flobberworms" mumbled Hermione when they reached the portrait of the fat lady.
The fat lady swung open,screeching "Merry Christmas!" at them.
Harry and Hermione entered the common room,and sure enough Harry spotted a familiar red head playing chess against himself in a lonely corner of the room.Harry glanced sideways at Hermione and saw that she too had spotted Ron in the corner.Hermione looked at Harry,and Harry gave her an encouraging sort of grin,before she walked off to Ron.
Harry seated himself in his usual chair near the fireplace,and started to open the book Hermione had given him for Christmas.
He began thumbing through the pages trying to find an interesting page to read,but unfortunately for Harry,concentrating on "The lives of all the famous Quidditch seekers" was a hard task since he could hear Hermione's voice carry through the half empty common room.
The Gryffindor team,who were seated together talking about something hushed up at once,straining to hear what the couple at the corner were beginning to say.
"Mind if i play you?" asked Hermione looking down at Ron.Ron grunted in reply and just stared at his chessboard.Hermione sat down on the empty chair infront of Ron.A few minutes passed.Ron and Hermione quietly moved their chess pieces all over the board,carefull not to glance at each other,while Harry eyed them from over his book.Harry was beginning to grow impatient,waiting to hear Hermione say the first words,when to his surprise he heard Ron say in a low voice as he moved his rook,
"Why did you kiss him?"
Hermione looked up at Ron,"Viktor asked me if he could,and i said Yes-","But why?" interuppted Ron,his voice a little louder,"Why did you have to say yes,Hermione? He hardly knows you,and you hardly know him.Did you really think he deserved that kiss?" Ron was looking straight at Hermione now,his blue eyes full of intensity.
"Yes,i thought he deserved that kiss." replied Hermione slowly.
A look of pain flashed briefly on Ron's face.
"I thought he deserved that kiss because i trust him and i know he didnt ask me just because-","How can you be so sure? Hermione,dont be blind! He just wants to add you to his fan club,thats all!" Hermione quickly retorted back acidly,"No he does not! Thats pure rubbish,Ron,and you know it! You just cant accept the fact that someone likes me!"
Ron stood up swiftly,his voice shaking while he roared,
"He'll break your heart,Hermione! He doesnt care about you! He's just toying with you! You dont know what he could be doing while he's away!"
Harry thought he heard a hint of desperate pleading in Ron's shaky voice when he said this.
Hermione jumped to her feet and yelled back," I just dont understand you Ron,why do you insist on seeing Viktor that way!?,"
Harry could now hear every word Ron and Hermione were saying at each other as they didnt bother to keep their voices down anymore.
"He hasnt done anything wrong to you! He's been polite and friendly to you ever since you met him!" Ron ignored this and snapped back,"Look,Hermione.Krum isnt the one for you! There are other people out there who care about you far more than Viktor Krum ever could!"
Harry shut his book and stared at Ron.Fred and George were also peering over the backs over their chairs,looking on earnestly at Ron and Hermione's argument.
"Other people!? Well then,Ronald Weasley,name one! Name one person who feels that way!"
Hermione spat the words out like a nasty dare to Ron.
Ron looked dumbstruck.
"Come on",thought Harry,"say it! say YOU feel that way,Ron!"
Harry was cheering Ron on in his mind,anxiously waiting for Ron's answer,while the twins were also muttering under their breaths "Say 'ME!' say 'ME!'"...
"I-"
for a minute Harry thought Ron was finally going to confess,but frowned when Ron continued,
"I dunno! But I'm dead sure that Krum could never be the one for you!"
And Ron turned his back at Hermione and stalked off to the portrait hole,threw it open and walked away out of sight.Hermione fell back into her chair with a dazed expression on her face.She stretched out her hand and moved her bishop across the chessboard and muttered "Checkmate".Ron's pieces looked up at her in awe and surprise,each one squeaking,
"Thats the first time Master Ronald has lost a game!!"
(Hermione's POV,sort of)
A few hours later,Hermione was still sitting in her chair infront of Ron's chessboard,thinking of the big argument she and Ron had earlier.Her eyes wandered restlessly around the common room.She saw Harry talking with his team mates infront of the fireplace,they were laughing at one of the twins jokes,and seemed to be enjoying themselves.She looked around again,and finally,her eyes landed on the bright Christmas star on top of the tree.
"What did he mean?" thought Hermione,still looking at the star she and Ron had made,
" 'There are other people out there who care about you far more than Viktor Krum ever could!'",Ron's voice echoed loudly in her head,and she repeated what he said over and over again,pondering the hidden meaning.
Then,she made up her mind.She was going to find Ron and straighten everything out.
Hermione stood up so fast she knocked off Ron's chessboard off the table with a loud clatter.
Everything made sense to Hermione now,and she dashed upstairs to her trunk and took out her coat then hurried back down to the portrait hole.Harry looked after her wide-eyed.And as soon as the fat lady had swung herself shut ,he said to to his team mates,"I think she finally got it."
Fred,George,Angelina,Alicia and Katie beamed after Hermione.
And they started to discuss the whole argument that went on a few hours earlier.
Hermione rushed through the corridors,looking for Ron.She had to speak to him,she had to know.
Hermione ran down the last flight of marble steps and crossed the entrance hall,to the big oak doors.She pushed them open and stepped outside into the snowy grounds of Hogwarts.A strong gust of cold wind blew by and Hermione drew her coat over her robes.
Hermione looked around the grounds."Where could he be?" she thought."The Quidditch field?-No,thats been closed.Hagrid's?-No,Hagrid's inside helping decorate the great hall for the feast tonight." Hermione walked slowly,out onto the icy snow.Another cold blast of wind blew past her and Hermione began rubbing her arms,shivering.She decided to walk by the lake,looking around for a shock of red hair amongst the white background.For the first few minutes she saw nothing but white snow,and the smooth surface of the frozen lake.Hermione was about to give up and turn around when a speck of red and black caught her eye.
She had found the person she was looking for at the other side of the lake,sitting on a frozen bench.
Hermione wanted to run to him,but thought she might slip on the icy snow covering the grounds and had to endure another few minutes of walking slowly towards Ron.
As she neared him,she could see that Ron was leaning on his knees,staring at the snow below him,his hands clutching his hair.He didnt seem to notice that Hermione was walking towards him,and only noticed when Hermione asked him quietly," Is this seat taken?"
"No," said Ron looking up,mildly surprised,and he moved over.Hermione sat down beside him.
A moment of awkward silence passed,then Hermione said,looking out at the Hogwarts castle and the orange yellow lights that were shining through its windows,"The castle looks very pretty from here,do you come here a lot?",Ron grinned a bit,"Yeah,I do.I usually come here when i need to think up some new Quidditch plays.This is my lucky bench you know..." said Ron.
Then he shifted his entire body and turned to look at Hermione,and said with a serious expression on his face,"Hermione,I'm sorry i blew up on you like that.I really shoudnt have-","Its okay,Ron." cut in Hermione,"Really,its ok." Ron turned back to look at the lake,then continued slowly,shaking his head ,"No...I have to explain.I know I'm being stupid but, I couldnt bare to see you kiss Krum.I just couldnt.I mean,I spent the whole morning looking for you-then-then,I find you kissing him...," Hermione listened to him intently,"And then you said you thought he deserved that kiss -","Oh Ron." said Hermione but Ron didnt seem to hear her and continued to ramble on,frantically looking for words that would explain his reasons,
"I -I just wanted to be the first -the first one to greet you this morning,the first one to give you your present in person -," Ron paused,"-the first one to kiss you..." Ron folded his arms and leaned back into the bench. Hermione didnt know what to say.She wasnt expecting Ron to say these things and when he did she felt something inside her squirm uncomfortably,was it guilt? or was it something else...
Hermione moved a little closer and put her hand over Ron's arm and gazed into his face.His face was sad and defeated,the usual glint of humour and sarcasm in his eyes were long gone,and there infront of her was a different Ron Weasley,perhaps the real Ron Weasley.
Ron turned to face Hermione,somewhat uncertainly and said,"I know its useless to say this now,but Hermione-I love you." It took a few moments for Ron's words to register into Hermione's dazed head.
Then she realized at once that that was all she wanted to hear.And she really didnt notice another cold wind rustle past them,she didnt notice that she was blushing again,infact she didnt notice anything else but Ron."Ron,I've always wanted to hear you say that..." muttered Hermione,Ron stared at her,surprise rushing all over his face,"What?", "I said,I've always wanted to hear you say that," repeated Hermione trying to hide the smile that was growing on her face,although Ron,on the other hand,couldnt contain himself and was positively beaming at her."But what about Krum? that kiss?" asked Ron,"Viktor - well,I wont lie to you,I do like him." said Hermione,"He was interesting and kind,funny and all...But he never really understood me,like you or Harry.When i told him about my worries about Harry and you-know-who and all the danger we've been through, he didnt understand why we'd put ourselves in danger to help a friend," Ron was still looking at Hermione listening to every word she said,"And that kiss...well,I didnt really feel anything different,when he kissed me..." Hermione stopped and glanced back at the castle,then continued,
"Ron,I'm sorry,if-if it took me such a long time to see -but,I love you too." Hermione looked nervously at Ron.
Ron was smiling at her,his once lonely and defeated eye's alive again.
"You do?" he asked,obviously fighting the urge to stand up and start dancing.
Hermione nodded.
And at that very instant Ron grabbed Hermione into such a tight hug that Hermione felt the wind squeezed out of her.
"Er-Ron,I cant breathe," gasped Hermione,"What? Oh,yeah.Sorry." and he let go,his ears awfully red.
"I havent given you your present yet,have I?" he said looking happier than he had since morning, pulling out a small black box from the pocket of his robes."Go on,open it." He urged,and placed it into Hermione's hand.
Ron watched Hermione pull up the top of the black box.
Hermione put the top of the box aside and let out a gasp of surprise as she saw what was inside.
Ron grinned proudly.
Inside the box was a small twinkling ball attached to a fine gold chain.Hermione held it up,and peered into the tiny ball,which was no bigger than a small marble.She saw a galaxy of stars,with planets and nebulas shining through to her."Ron,it so pretty!" she said,as she put it down."Its a gazer,Hermione.I picked it up at Hogsmeade yesterday...took me a long time to find one small enough to be made into a pendant," explained Ron."The big one's are usually bigger than chrystal ball's.Here,I'll show you what it does." said Ron,and he gently took the necklace from Hermione's hand and pulled out his wand."You see,it shows you the person whom you love or long to see the most.Even if that person is miles away," and Hermione looked on at what Ron was about to do,"you just put your wand to your temples and tap it." Ron placed his wand on his temples and after a moment,tapped the tiny gazer.The gazer gave out a bright blue glow,and Hermione moved closer to Ron to see what would happen next."It should show something soon," said Ron,and soon enough the gazer stopped glowing and Ron grinned."There.Come on,have a look,Hermione." said Ron,and Hermione looked into the gazer Ron held out for her to see.Hermione saw a girl with bushy brown hair and cinnamon brown eyes inside the gazer.It seemed like she was on a train talking to someone,then,the image drifted away and she saw the girl again,this time she was sobbing onto someone's shoulder.The image disappeared again and when the next one drifted into view,she saw the girl walk past a crowd of people,wearing periwinkle blue dressrobes,and enter a large hall.
"Ron! Thats me!" said Hermione tearing her eyes away from the gazer to look at Ron." 'Course it is." said Ron calmly,although he looked terribly pleased at her reaction."I told you,it shows you the person you love or long to see the most.And to me,that person's you,Hermione."
"Ron,thank you..." said Hermione trailing off,lost in Ron's pale blue eyes.
Ron smiled and moved a little closer to her,then bent his head down and kissed her on the lips.
Hermione suddenly felt very warm,even though she knew she was sitting on an icy bench at the far end of the lake,in the middle of december.
Ron's lips were soft and his kiss was slow and gentle making Hermione feel protected.
They broke away. Ron stood up,grinning, and held out his arm to Hermione,and put on an unusually cocky voice.
"Shall we go back to the castle my dear?",Hermione stifled a laugh.
She got to her feet and looped her arm around Ron's and they both made their way back to the castle.
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Disclaimer: I own nothing.Just the idea.
A/N: Umm......to tell you the truth,i had a really hard time with this part.So many ideas were flooding in on me left and right,that i couldnt figure out what i wanted to do.And there were some parts that had me stumped.But I've finished it,and read it through 3 or 4 times,and i think i did a pretty good job.You might be wondering about what will happen to Krum,well,i assure you that I'll fit him into the happy ending ;)
I dont know if i can put up the next part tomorrow,since i still havent started writing my damn essay and my conscience is really starting to haunt me,but it'll come soon.
Thanks again to the people who've reviewed the previous parts,I love all you all!! Honestly,the reviews are what i live for.Ok,nuff said,i have to go to sleep now....Cheers! Oh and PLEASE WRITE A REVIEW!
(P.S i got the idea for the "gazer" from MIB..*Grins*)