CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Before Ron could count two, Hermione launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling his lips to hers. Ron's eyes flew open and he instinctively pulled her to his chest as they both melted into the kiss. Hermione was a little afraid that Ron would pull away but they both were pleased to hear little 'hmm, mmm' noises from them both as the kiss continued.

Pulling away for a chance to breathe they both grinned and stared at each other, both felt better than they had in weeks. Hermione said softly "I'm yours Ronnie, I missed you so much, you feel so wonderful."

To which Ron replied, "Godric Maya you're so beautiful and I love your kisses and just holding you. I'm yours, Maya, now and forever, you and me" as they both leaned in again, this time they both deepened the kiss and it turned into a full blown snog with them clinging to each other as if their life depended on it. Weeks of pent up passion and love were released in a few short minutes as they snogged and swayed and held each other in the Great Hall. It would have continued longer if there hadn't been cheers and whistles from fellow students coming in for lunch.

Ron pulled away slightly at hearing all the raucous noise around them, but did not let her go. He just beamed at her and started to say, "I didn't say three…" before Hermione interrupted him.

"I couldn't wait that long, sorry, I just had to kiss you. I knew what I needed to do I wasn't going to wait, I hope that's ok?"

"Maya, you've made me the happiest bloke on the planet, anything you do is ok. Everything just feels right now that you are in my arms. I hope this means that you'll be my girlfriend?"

Hermione nodded and said softly, "if you'll still have me?"

Ron smiled again, "of course, but there is a condition."

"A condition?"

"Yes, just like I had to stop swearing and to not eat like a caveman, one condition."

"Uh, ok, what's the condition?"

"That you let me do this whenever I want," as he took his hands and ran them through her beautiful soft curly brown hair, and then tucked a stray curl behind her right ear. "I've wanted to run my hands through your hair since the first day I met you and it feels even better than I hoped. I've always loved your hair especially when it's down."

Hermione stood there with her arms still around his neck laughing. "Oh, Ronnie that does feel nice, ok, deal, as long as you say you are my boyfriend."

Ron took his hands and placed them on her waist and looked lovingly into her eyes, "now and forever," as he leaned in for another kiss only to be interrupted by a loud growl from his stomach. Both he and Hermione looked at each other and laughed. Hermione lightly smacked him on his chest and pulled away, "looks like it's time to feed you, Ronnie, let's go get lunch."

Ron grinned back and reached down to take her hand as he turned them toward the Gryffindor table. "Ok, fine, I guess. But afterward I would like to talk with you some more, I've missed you terribly and we have a lot to catch up on. I'm sure there are several chapters of 'Hogwarts, A History' that you need to catch me up on, and there's just been so much we haven't talked about, like the holidays and such. I want to know everything about you, Maya, everything."

"I would like that very much, we have lots to talk about only now let's get some food in you. I'm sure you're hungry after your match."

They walked hand in hand toward the Gryffindor table, smiling at each other as they walked. Hermione looked down at their hands then leaned up and whispered in his ear, "hey, let's not tell anyone about this, let's just see if they notice, ok?"

"Fine by me, but I don't think we'll fool anyone, especially after Luna saw us hugging after the game, I'm pretty sure she's told Ginny already, and that means everyone will know."

Ron and Hermione let go of their hands and sat down next to each other at the Gryffindor table just as Luna, Ginny and the rest of the Quidditch team arrived. Ginny and Luna squealed and jumped and down with each other when they saw the two sitting together for the first time in weeks. Fred was the first one to actually speak to the pair.

"Oi, Ronniekins, I see you two are sitting together, are things all patched up? And by the by Granger, it's nice to see you here with us today."

Hermione smiled at the group and replied simply, "yes, Ronnie and I are friends again and we've reached an understanding with each other that we both find satisfactory."

Ginny gasped and disappointment filled her face. She looked at Hermione then Ron, "what? that sounds more like a peace treaty than getting back together!"

Ron smirked at his sister, "Oi, how can we be getting back together when we weren't together to start?"

Now the whole group was looking confused and disappointed at the same time. Luna was the only one to really figure out what was going on. "Hmm, Ron, Hermione, would you care to elaborate on what this 'understanding' is?"

Ron just looked innocent, "uhm, what, Luna?"

Luna just smiled and laughed which annoyed Ginny greatly as this is not what she expected.

Luna laughed again. "Ron, just tell us what your new understanding is with the Girl from Beauxbatons, please?"

Ron couldn't help but grin and put his arm around Hermione and pulled her close. "She agreed to be my girlfriend if I became her boyfriend and I agreed." He then leaned in and planted a chaste kiss on Hermione's lips. Both she and Ron couldn't help but smile at each other and blush.

Cheers and yells erupted from the Gryffindor table, except from Lavender Brown who looked angry. Luna leaned in and put her arms around Ron and Hermione and whispered to them, "I knew it, I knew it! The universe just felt so right and everything is at peace and harmony, so I knew you two found each other. You two are just meant to be together. Your auras are now merging and flashing together. You two are forever you know. Forever."

This time it was George who interrupted everyone and pointed at Hermione. "OK, we need details for the betting pool. We know the date, December 7, we know the place, the Great Hall, but what time exactly was the first kiss?"

Hermione looked at Ron scandalized. "A betting pool? Did you know about this Ronnie? Did you know they were betting on our relationship?"

Ron looked back at her sheepishly. "I heard something back in October but I didn't pay any attention."

Hermione now stood and addressed the entire Gryffindor table. "How may of you were betting on me and Ron getting together?"

The Gryffs all looked at each other and for a brief moment no one raised their hands, but after Fred and George raised theirs, soon the entire table had their hands up.

She looked angrily at Fred and George, "and how big was this pool of yours?"

Fred said proudly "300 galleons, the whole school was involved, not just our house. In fact a few professors who shall remain nameless also placed a few wagers."

Hermione was incensed and yelled at everyone eating lunch in the Great Hall, faculty included, HOW MANY OF YOU BET ON ME AND RONNIE?

Across the room and at the faculty table most hands went up, albeit reluctantly.

"OK, SO YOU KNOW, RON IS MINE SINCE OUR FIRST KISS TODAY AT 11:45! SO EVERYONE ELSE BACK OFF!"

She then looked directly at Lavender and said softly but firmly, "that means you Miss Brown. "

She turned toward Fred and George and said with a very serious expression, "I expect 10% of the take from you guys. You owe me 30 galleons."

Ron just sat there and looked on with pride as Fred reluctantly handed over the coins to Hermione, his new girlfriend.

Hermione sat down next to Ron and he wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear, "as soon as we're done eating, would it be ok if we went to the Room of Requirement just by ourselves so we can talk alone? There's so much to say and I'd rather this barmy group not be part of it." As he finished he took his arm and indicated everyone at the Gryffindor table. "These people are mental to have bet on us."

Hermione leaned her head against his shoulder and whispered, "that would be wonderful, I also have much to say and again, I'm so sorry I put this off for so long. It feels so right to be with you."

Ron leaned over and kissed her hair and pulled her close. "It does indeed."