A/N: Hey there. It's been a while since I've written but I have had a lot to do. Sincerely, I really did. And I'm sorry to keep you all waiting. On with the chapter! *New Revised Chapter 11*

Chapter 11: What I really want to say

Ron had been walking around the castle for the past hour, calling out for Hermione after she didn't show in the Great Hall. He had a feeling that something was wrong because she always showed up. Except for that time in their first year, when she had overheard Ron put her down, she didn't show up for dinner and Ron felt terrible. Since then, he felt it was his duty to pick up the pieces whenever Hermione couldn't pick them up herself. Turning the corner, he had the choice to go down the stairs towards the dungeons or go up, towards the towers. Since he didn't really want to see Professor Trelawney outside of her class, he chose the first and started to trek down the stairs, occasionally calling out her name again.

Harry had wanted to come with Ron but Ron decided against it, seeing as there would probably be some sort of emotional dam that would burst if they had the chance to get near each other. So, instead, Harry went off the Great Hall and saved two seats next to him, anxiously waiting for the return of his friend and his girlfriend, not caring how it looked if Hermione sat next to him.

Ron slowed when he heard voices down the hall from where he stood. One, barely audible, was a male's voice which was quiet enough to be intimidating and the other, very feminine, was a bit louder and more demanding, but it had a fearful tone in it. Ron, deciding to follow his instincts, started towards the voices and walked about 5 minutes before he could hear what they were saying.

"Don't get him involved, you little ferret! I could just as easily speak to Dumbledore or McGonagall, and you know how much trouble you would be in so don't you dare threaten me like that." The female said icily.

Ron could hear feet shuffling and heard a noticeably loud sigh. Creeping closer, he peered into the crack of the door where the voices were coming from and tried to make out who was who. By now, he had enough evidence that it was Hermione and Malfoy speaking but in order to get a good jump on Malfoy, he would have to recognize which one he was. Ron pushed the door open a little more as the heated conversation continued.

"If I were you, I'd watch my tongue. You don't want to get involved with the son of someone so…powerful." Draco sneered, giving away his position.

Ron stood still for just a moment as he debated whether or not to make definite a detention. He decided against just grabbing Malfoy and wiping the condescending tone off his face and out of his voice. He quietly opened the door and waited for Malfoy to notice. Hermione eyes flickered toward the doorway and saw Ron standing in it, illuminated by light, looking somewhat like a superhero. Draco, noticing the light filtering in, scowled and grumbled incoherently as he pushed Hermione back from his grasp. She stumbled back and fell to the ground, dazed by the allusion of fantasy and the reality of her situation. Something clicked in her mind as she hit the ground and she quickly recovered and stood her ground, walking over to Ron and feeling a lot better now that she wasn't alone. Draco pushed pass Ron as Ron whispered a few threats just above a whisper and barely audible. After Draco left, Hermione raised her hands to her face and slowly dropped back to the ground, letting emotion take over as she scrunched up her face with anger, resentment and dejection.

" I hate the way he is!" Hermione said through her hands, as she slid her feet out in front of her. "He is such a spoiled git! You know what he said to me? He told me that if I try and get back together with Harry, he could do something to my family or one of you guys. He was so set on being in control that he would go that far, Ron. He would hurt someone just to get what he wanted…"

As Hermione looked up at Ron, he could see the ache in her eyes.

" I hate not being able to just go talk to Harry and I know that I put this upon myself. Did you know that we used to sneak up to the astronomy tower and watched the stars until the sun rose sometimes? I miss that and it's my fault we don't do that anymore. I'm alone now and I made it that way. I'm tired of feeling so …pathetic…" Hermione spoke, not really to Ron but just to confirm her choices to herself.

Ron kneeled beside her and looked straight into her eyes. They were dry but lamented.

"Let's go find Harry." Ron whispered to her, not breaking the steady gaze he held on her face.

Hermione nodded, not wanting to deny anymore that she needed to be around Harry. And Ron.

They slowly walked down the hall and up the steps, Ron's arm around her as he half lead her to the Great Hall. As they entered the room, Hermione breathed deeply and searched for Harry. But Harry saw her first and walked over to them, a questionable look on his face. Hermione abandoned all reason and wrapped Harry in her arms, clinging tightly to his collar as she breathed in his scent and closed her eyes, knowing that it was right. Harry was surprised but closed his arms around her also, ready to give up the stupid plan. He held her closely, wanting this moment to last for the rest of his life. By then, Ron had moved to the table and sat with the rest of the students rapt with the open show of long awaited affection. Harry ran his hands through the ends of her hair, taking in the feel on Hermione against him, like she was made to be this close to him and for the first time, he was absolutely sure that he loved Hermione. Just then, Hermione opened her eyes and realized the hall was quiet. Parvati and Lavender had their hands to their mouths, a smile on their lips. Ron was sitting back, smiling at her. Then she looked at the Slytherin table, with Draco scathing face looking back at her. She looked away and over to Ravenclaw, only to see Cho defeated face, slightly abashed. This was when Hermione knew she had really overcome the trial that was her relationship with Harry and she loved him.

Harry turned his head slightly and kissed Hermione's cheek, whispering, "I love you."

Hermione closed her eyes again and smiled, moving her mouth to his ear and whispering, "I love you too."

They finally broke their contact and the gravity of what just happened set in upon both of them as they looked around the hall and then to the floor. Hermione smiled as she sheepishly stared at the floor. Harry wrapped his hand around hers and pulled her out of the hall, Ron following closely behind them. As they exited, the din arose again but everyone who remained in the Hall spoke of one thing. Even the teachers were smiling and talking about how the reconciliation was perfect and it was about time. Even Snape was genuinely speechless, as he was surprised at the open display of affection in front of so many.

Back outside the Great Hall, Harry, Ron and Hermione were happily updating what had been happening the past week.

Ron grinned as he watched Harry and Hermione act like a proper couple, the way it was supposed to be.

"Now we just need to get Cho and Malfoy back properly." Ron said, smiling devilishly. " Let Harry and I think up an idea, though, Hermione"

Ron stared pointedly at Hermione, who just rolled her eyes.

Okay, revised chapter 11. Good, no? Anyway, there will be some more chapters, don't worry. I'm on Spring Break right now so I have revised Chapter 10 and 11 and maybe I'll get Chapter 12 finished. I will work as much as I can. Thanks for those who pushed me in the right direction and you know who you are. Just read my reviews. Very inspiring!

Homestretch