"Hi," she said.

"Hi," Ron looked at her. She was even more beautiful in the moonlight.

"It's a bit chilly out here, isn't it?" Hermione said. She hoped it would work...

Ron hesitated, and then put his arm around her shoulders. "Er... is this better?"

'Yes!' she thought. 'It worked!' She gave him a little grin. "Yes. It does." She felt a bit tired. She rested her head on Ron's shoulder. 'This *is* nice.' she thought.

"Er... Hermione?" Ron shook his shoulder a bit. "Hermione?"

"Oh! Was I asleep? Oh no! I'm sorry! I was just so tired and-"

"It's okay, Hermione!" Ron looked down. "You look... er... cute when you're asleep."

Hermione laughed.

"You do!" Ron said.

"No! Hahahahaha- something's- hahahaha- tickling me! Hahaha!"

Ron looked down at Hermione feet.

"Oh my God! Hermione! It's a snake! Don't worry! I'll get it!" He pulled out his wand. "Fascius Berniculum!" The little garden snake jumped ten feet above their heads and skipped across the pond.

Hermione laughed. "All of that for a little garden snake? Thanks!"

Ron blushed. "Well... I didn't know... I thought maybe..."

Hermione laughed again. "That was really sweet."

"Really? Thanks."

"You all said a minute! I thought something horrible had happened to you!" Harry had come outside, too.

Ron jumped. "Harry! How long have you been there?"

He came to sit beside them.

Harry laughed. "Long enough to know that you have a real phobia of little snakes, Ron."

"Hey! It wasn't that little!"

Their laughter, rising in pitch, drifted out over the pond, through all the lawns, and to the horizon beyond.

~*~**~***~**~*~**~**~*

THE END!!

(A/n: Wasn't that wonderful? I loved it, personally!)