Title: Lumos My Way Into Your Heart
Chapter: 3, Questions and Answers
Rating: PG-13
Author: Kali Kato (SeekerGurl)
Year: 6th Year
Other: This fic is from Hermione Granger's POV.
Ships: Ron and Hermione! *Who else?*
Summary: Hermione finds much needed advice from an unusual source. And a few plot twists along the way.
Disclaimer: Everything, from all of Hogwarts to Hermione's hair, belongs to Mrs J.K. Rowling.
Notes: Excuse any spelling mistakes, I've had a long night. ^^ Also, I moved the rating to PG-13, because its more fitting.

Enjoy!


' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' LUMOS MY WAY INTO YOUR HEART ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

As I made my usual way from class to class that day, I couldn't help but wonder exactly *why* I was so against going to another Hogwarts dance. As I sat in Tranfiguration, my mind started doing excessive amounts of thinking... and it certainly wasn't on the lecture. Why, I kept asking myself... why don't I want to go? Why doesn't Ron look like he wants to go? But more notably, what is holding me back?

I suppose deep down in my heart, I knew why.

Its because of Ron.

Its strange, but I guess its true. The last dance we had was the Yule Ball. For me, and Ron, it didn't end very well. I went with Viktor, he went with that... that Padma girl. Although, Harry has said he didn't spend any time with her. He said he didn't dance with her. That his eyes happened to be on another. God knows, he was probably loooking at Fleur, who I think just might be worse than Lavender in some respects. I'm not one to judge people, but that Fleur certainly had her eyes on every boy there. Then there is that certain thought that nags me endlessly. What if, at the Yule, Ron wasn't looking at Fleur at all...

What if he had been watching me the entire time.

Its absurd, I know.

But, that testy fight he gave me at the Ball, and in the Dorms later that night might just tell another story.

He seemed... jealous. Yes, jealous of Krum... I mean Viktor, I think. I suppose, in Ron's eyes, Viktor is the person Ron wants to be, but he thinks he never will be. Viktor is this famous Quidditch player, he's handsome, (not that Ron isn't handsome,) and he seemed to grab attention of girls everywhere he went. There was the matter of Ron's outburst several times when we discussed Viktor, and many things after that. For goodness sake, I didn't even visit Viktor over the summer (I didn't really want to anyway) just out of sadness that Ron would be angry with me. I cared just a little too much what Ron thought of me.

I'd known for a while, actually, that I felt something more for Ron than just friendship.

I was sincerely upset when I wasn't his FIRST choice to the Yule Ball. I was very upset when we were fighitng. And there are those moments between us, even if I am the only one to notice. Except for that Lavender... oh lord, I hope she doesn't say anything.

"Hermione...!"

I turned around half step on my way to Potions when I heard my name being called.

Oh god, no.

It was Lavender.

"Hermione, I've been calling your name for the last five minutes! Where were you just now?"

None of your buisness, blonde.

But instead I said:

"Oh, sorry, I was just thinking..."

She then proceeded to half skip and half walk over to me. Typical Lavender.

"Hermione, I want to talk to you!" She said as she grabbed my arm and dragged me into a corner of the hallway.

Anyone, someone, save me from this girl.

"So, about Ronald...."

Help me.

"Um, What about him, Lavender?" I asked nonchalently.

"So, you like him, don't you?" She said, giggling slightly.

Why is it when you need Voldemort to strike you down, he is nowhere to be found?

I scuffed my foot against the floor, and looked down at the book in my hands, "Where would you get an idea like that?"

She then did something rather odd. She put her hand to her mouth, and squealed like a pig just thrown into the fire.

"Don't EVEN think you can get past me in this subject, Hermione. I am all knowing when it comes to matters of the heart."

Yeah, right.

"Umm, I really don't feel comfortable talking to you about thi--"

She then inturrupted me with a loud groan.

"SEAMUS!"

I spun around, half scared of her very loud voice. Seamus Finnigan looked even more frightened.

"Seamus Johnathan Finnigan, HOW DARE YOU DITCH *ME* at Hogsmeade! You'll pay for that!"

As quick as an owl, she was after a very nervous Seamus who was trying very hard to escape his girlfriend's loud voice. It was no use, because a second later Lavender had him by the ear and was dragging him into the nearest empty classroom.

If you ask me, that is no way to treat your boyfriend.

Oh well, at least she's forgotten about me. For the time being, I guess.

For the rest of the day, classes sped by me, and more homework was tossed at me. Night couldn't come soon enough as I made my way to the Great Hall for dinner. I did my best to avoid Lavender, who wasn't anywhere to be seen. She was probably off snogging with Seamus somewhere. I noticed on tonight's menu, chicken and lamb with rice was being served. Poor House-elves, probably had to work extra hard for such a feast. I took my usual seat at the Gryffindor table, joined minutes later by Harry. I couldn't help notice Ron's unexplained absence from our table.

"So, Harry, what's Ron up to?" I asked.

He looked at me, and swallowed the piece of chicken he had just put in his mouth.

"He's in the library." Harry said.

I broke out laughing.

"Doing what?" I asked, between laughter. All the years I had known Ron for, and he's never, ever studied witohut my encouragment, let alone miss dinner.

"Hermione, he's studying of course!" Harry said, and then went straight back to eating.

Well, this I had to see.

I excused myself and made my way to the library. The library wasn't very crowded, but a few students milled around. I walked through the sections, casually pretending to be looking at books. I kept my eyes open for a lanky, rather tall, red haired boy. I soon found him, standing by the Historical section. His back was to me, but I could see he was looking down at a book. I watched him for a moment, without him noticing me. He seemed to be in thought. Every once in a while, he'd scratch the back of his neck, like he was nervous. I noticed his hair had grown longer than ever, past his ears. He was starting to look like Bill, minus the earing. He was still the tallest member of his family, and towering over me by a foot even. His voice was deeper, but his silly jokes stilll remained. His robes were still old, his brother Percy's old clothes. They were kinda tight on him, he'd probably only be able to wear them for a few more months before new ones would be needed. After a few moments I realized what I'd been doing, and knew it was wrong to stare. I cleared my throat, Ron turned around, and looked at me with a surprised expression.

"H-Hermione!" He said. He quickly took the book he had been holding, and slipped it into his bag. I didn't see the title, but figured it was something to do with homework.

"Well," I said softly. "I can't beleive it."

"Can't believe what, 'Mione." He questioned as he dragged his large hand through his long hair.

"That you're actually taking an active role in studies. I'm proud of you, Ron!" I said, smiling.

He half smiled, "Yeah, whatever." He then mumbled something I couldn't hear, and said, "I'm pretty tired. I'll see you later." And then he walked away.

That was pretty abrupt, I thought to myself, even for Ron. I sighed softly and started to walk back to the dorm. I'd suddenly lost my appetite to go back to the Great Hall for that chicken and lamb.

A lot of the students were already in the common room, talking and doing homework. For once in my life I didn't want to study... I felt more tired than usual. I dropped my bag off at the end of the stairs, and went up to my room. The room I shared with Susan Bones was empty, nothing but our well-made beds and large trunks was contained there. Our room was closest to the boys', so natraully we always had Lavender and Parvati coming in trying to hear through the walls. But today, I had the room all to myself. I undressed and changed into my pajama's, which was a long sleeve sweatshirt and baggy sweatpants. As Lavender would say, it was as unsexy as you could get. Oh well, I was pretty sure boys weren't going to come into my room asking for my hand or anything. I laid down on my bed, which always felt comfy, and stared up at the ceiling that was painted a mixture of gold and red - Gryffindor colors. I wasn't sure how long it was until I drifted off, but it was much later when I awoke due to a soft knock on my door.

I awoke to the knock, my eyes blurry from being in deep sleep. I looked over at Susan's bed, but didn't notice a form laying there in the dark. The knocking persisted, and I stumbled over to the door. I opened it, and a stream of light entered my dark room, illuminating my body and part of the room.

My eyes adjusted to the light... and I was surprised to see Ron standing in front of me, his P.J.'s (boxers and a T-shirt) on and a small smile plastered on his face.

What was he doing here so late?

"Hello, Hermione," Ron said as he leaned against the doorway.

"R-Ron," I said, crossing my arms in front of my chest, suddenly very much aware of what I was wearing. "Whats wrong? Has something happened?" I asked.

"Would I be smiling if something was up, Hermione?"

He was right. That was a stupid question. He'd have to forgive me, its late and I'm tired.

"Well, what is it then?" I said softly. I was frustrated with his odd behaviour.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" He asked.

I looked at him like he was crazy.

"You know very well, Ron, that boys can't come into the girl's dorms, and vica versa." I said, shaking my head.

"C'mon, just this once. I know for a fact you're all alone, Hermione. Susan's snoozin' in the common room. I passed her on the way here. Please... just this once."

I suddenly found it hard to resist the puppy dog eyes he was giving me.

"A-Alright." I said, moving away from the door so he could come in. I went over to my nightstand and turned on the lamp I had sitting there, it lit up the room just enough to see Ron's tall outline. Ron looked around my room for a moment, glancing at Susan's posters of hunky (at least she thinks so) wizards through the ages.

"You like these fellows?" He asked.

I shook my head, and grinned slightly, "No, that poster belongs to Susan."

"Oh." Was all he said.

He looked around the room a bit more, eyeing the line of stuffed animals I had brought from home sitting on my shelf.

"These yours?" He asked.

"Um, yes," I said, blushing at the thought of still owning those things.

"They're cute." he said.

He shocked me with that... I never thought he would like my things.

He wandered over to my bed, and brushed a hand against the pillo.

"Is this your bed?"

"Yes," I wispered, growing more nervous by the second. He pressed his hand down on it, and then to my surprise, sat down. Why did he have to sit down on my bed?

"Its soft..." He mumbled.

Why was he doing this? I felt very nervous, my mouth was dry, and I couldn't find the courage to speak. Not talking... that was so unlike me. I guess this was the effect Ron had me. He smiled at me, and I thought my knees would buckle.

"You gonna sit?"

"What?!" I said much louder then I had meant to. He looked at me, like he was confused.

"Whats wrong? I don't bite or anything. Promise" He said, grinning, put a hand to his heart. I slowly walked towards him, and took a seat at the end of the bed, as far away from him as possible.

We sat in silence for a few minutes, until he spoke.

"Hermione, why are you so scared of me all of a sudden?"

I looked at him, rather surprised.

"I'm not afraid of you..." I said softly.

Then the silence commenced once again.

Then he asked me something really... embaressing.

"Have you ever been kissed, Hermione..."

I closed my eyes for a moment, questioning if this is real. I looked over at him, to ind him staring straight back at me. I looked down at the floor, and felt a warm blush creep into my cheeks.

"Why do you care?" I asked.

Silence. Again. I closed my eyes and waited for his reply.

A few minutes later, I felt sometihng tickle the back of my neck. It felt warm and inviting, like it was supposed to be happening to me. It felt like a gentle breeze, or the soft touch of someone's fingers...

When I relaized it was Ron's hand, I pulled away.

I jumped off the bed, and looked him straight in the eye. He looked emotionless, well, not enrirely, he also looked hurt. He then stood and walked towards me, stopping just a foot away from me. I tried to back up, but it was too late, I was already backed against the wall.

"What would you do, if I kissed you, Hermione?" He asked.

This was so unlike Ron, it was so out-of-character.

We stared at eachother, as a matter of fact I stared at him so hard, that I noticed the outlines of sweat on his forehead. He was nervous.

He took another step towards me. There was nothing I could do to stop fate.

He leaned forward, and I leaned upward. I had no idea what I was doing, let alone what I was going to do when I got there. He touched me first. He put his hands gently on the side of my face, but I left mine by my sides. He hands were rough, but still soft enough to be genle. He then leaned his head down, and did the one thing I had been anticipating, but also at the same time dreading.

He kissed me.

It was a soft kiss at first, and I knew I was mostly stumbling through it. It felt like he was more experienced in this, which felt odd to me. I never knew he had a girlfriend. Pretty soon he pressed his lips in a more rougher maner into mine, as if claiming me as his own. I couldn't help but moan.

And then I screamed.

I sat upright in my bed, sweat dripping off my forehead, my shirt soaked in it. I glanced around my dark room, and saw Susan sound aslep in her own bed. The lights were off, and the only light available was that from our windows. I laid back down in my bed, and pulled the covers up to my chin.

It had been a dream. All of it a dream. It had been my own, mixed up fantasy about Ron.

What was wrong with me?

I was never one to have these dreams or fantasies.

But, judging from some of the noises coming from the boys' dorm half the time, they had these dreams often.

I am also not one to imagine something that will never be.


' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' FIN ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '

A/N:

Heh, it should all make sense soon...
Remember to pretty please make my day and review! I hope ya'll liked it!