A/N: Okay guys, I know you're all worried about what goes down in this chapter, and I'd like to reassure you all that NO FUNNY BUSINESS GOES ON!! NONE WHATSOEVER! I know that all of the descriptions leading up to them waking up may sound like they're about to do something dirty, but I did it because I wanted to convey the compassion they share for each other, nothing more. All they end up doing is kissing, and lots of it, but that's it, so please don't accuse me of killing the story or making do stuff they normally wouldn't do, alright? Please? Plus, the situation they end up in leads to a lot of laughs, alright? So please enjoy! No dirty stuff! And please review! Good ones, no flames! If you don't like it, just walk away, no one will know you've read it…

~Lauren

Disclaimer: Yeah yeah, I don't own Harry Potter…but I do own $100…maybe I can bribe J.K. with it…hmm.

Chapter twenty-five

Shocking Situations

They headed up the stairs, and Ron kept looking back at her. Her eyes were burning brightly; the look was still there. They made it to the portrait hole in what seemed like forever to Hermione, and they stepped inside. As soon as the portrait swung closed behind Hermione, Ron turned around and took her into his arms. She slid off the jacket of his dress robe as he took out the bun in her hair and watched as her long hair fell down her back. She stepped out of her shoes and kicked them over into the corner of the room. Hermione stood on her toes to kiss Ron, but this time they never stopped. For the first time ever, Hermione was lead by her feelings instead of logic or thought. And she thought it was the most amazing concept, to suddenly be able to shut off her mind and listen to her heart.

Ron was wondering what she was thinking. But more than that, he was wondering what exactly they were doing. Not that it wasn't amazing and all, but he just wondered if Hermione was sure about this. He had seen that look, but whatever they were doing didn't seem like Hermione at all...for the first time, he was actually thinking through all of this. He was worried about Hermione. He couldn't know what was going to happen, but he wanted her to be okay. He pulled away from her kiss for just a moment-

"Hermione, what are we-"

"shh…" she whispered, calming him.

He had no choice, and as soon as he heeded, she stepped on the first stair of the staircase to reach his lips again. After a minute or so, they moved up the next step, and eventually they made it to the top of the staircase leading to the boys' dorm room.

(A/N: now, I know what you're thinking, but believe you me, they are NOT doing that!!! I promise you! They're just being very passionate, that's all. Passionate kissing! Nothing more! No dirty business, honest! I hope you understand, and that you don't hate me! Just wait till later, it explains it all…)

Harry and Ginny stepped into the common room. It was one in the morning, and the ball was finally over. As soon as they stepped in, Harry noticed Ron's jacket on the floor. Not completely surprised, but more worried about Ginny noticing, he kicked it under one of the chairs as discreetly as possible without Ginny seeing him. He also noticed her shoes in the corner, but figured that they weren't as suspicious, so he didn't bother. Sheesh, what's going on? I wonder what they're up to...wait a minute, no I don't!! Don't want to think about it...

They walked over to a couch and sat down. They both knew that they would fall asleep together on that couch, but neither of them said anything, thinking that the other, once this was pointed out, would be weird about it and sleep upstairs. Neither of them wanted this, so they remained silent about the issue. Harry leaned against the arm of the couch, and Ginny laid on his chest. Once again, they looked into the fire while they talked about the events of the ball. And of course, they both fell asleep within the hour, in each other's arms.

The next morning, Hermione woke up in Ron's bed. She felt extremely warm and comfortable, being wrapped up in Ron's arms. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at Ron's adorable face. He was smiling in his sleep. She turned over to face him when she felt blanket against her skin. Surprised, she looked under the covers and saw that she was in her underwear. (I absolutely LOVE the word knickers, but I realized that that would only imply the bottom, and not the top...ha! sorry...)She looked over at Ron; he was in his boxers. She sighed mentally, relieved. Though she felt extremely comfortable in her current situation, she knew she wasn't ready to go that far, not yet anyway. She pulled the covers back over her, burying her head into Ron's chest and closing her eyes. She slid her arms under his and fell asleep almost immediately.

Ron woke up to find Hermione sleeping contently in his arms. He pulled her a little closer to him and felt her skin against his. Surprised, he looked under the blanket and saw that they were both in their underwear. He sighed, relieved. He loved her, but he knew that neither of them were ready for that...He rested his chin on top of her head and fell back asleep.

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This time it was Ron who snuck out of bed an hour later. He had woken up to (fortunately) find Hermione still in his arms. For a while, he watched her sleep peacefully. After a while he realized that it may not be the wisest idea to have the rest of the guys come in with them in the same bed in their underwear. So he quickly slid out from under her head, resting it on the pillow, and off of the bed. He put on a shirt and the pants he found under the bed and headed downstairs. He saw Harry and Ginny sitting on the couch, hand in hand, reading the Daily Prophet together. They had already gone down to breakfast and the mail had come. He sat down in a chair near theirs, and they chatted about the ball. Harry didn't bring up the jacket that was still underneath the chair, but he kept it in the back of his mind with a sly grin. After only a few minutes, Ron couldn't fight off the hunger pangs, so he went down to breakfast by himself. He returned to the boys' dorms only 20 minutes later, carrying a large, stuffed napkin. He sat down on the edge of the bed and watched as the sleeping Hermione slowly sat up and acknowledged Ron's presence. She smiled at him, feeling very close to him indeed, then asked him what he had in his hands. He pulled back the napkin and revealed eight slices of toast. Of course, not all of it was for her, but he handed her three pieces anyway, and wrapped up the rest. Hermione smiled appreciatively, rubbing her foot against his ankle.

"Good morning," Hermione said playfully.

"Good morning," Ron replied, equally as playfully. They kept looking at each other and grinning uncontrollably. Neither of them could really believe that they were actually together now. It was amazing. Hermione was practically glowing, and Ron looked at her like he could see the light gleaming from her every pore. She is just so gorgeous...and I definitely don't mind her in her knickers...

Hermione reached for another piece of toast from Ron's hand and continued smiling. Even though they weren't talking, the silence was far from awkward. They were enjoying each other's company exactly the way it was.

Ron was putting the last piece of toast in his mouth when Hermione ripped the other half from his grip and giggled before sticking in her mouth. Ron's heart beat faster at the sound of her little laugh.

"Oh no you don't!" he growled playfully, reaching over and grabbing her around the waist. He began tickling her unremittingly. She involuntarily began squealing madly, and they rolled around on Ron's bed, trying to pin the other down.

After about fifteen minutes, Ron had been pinned down by a ferocious Hermione. They were both out of breath from all the excitement. Hermione, proud of her sudden strength, (it took a lot to pin down Ron Weasley) she laughed at Ron attempting to wiggle his way out of her grasp, but discovered that it was useless. After a moment of awed silence, Hermione lowered herself and engaged Ron in a sweet kiss. Hermione let go of one of his hands to touch his face, and he used his free hand to pull her closer...just then the door to the dorm room opened. Hermione quickly looked up to see...

Seamus. She had been seriously hoping to find Harry standing in the doorway, for then it would have been at least a little less embarrassing. But no, there stood Seamus, and as soon as he saw the two of them he let out a terrified, embarrassed yelp and shut the door. Hermione was frozen, and Ron was waiting to hear her freak out about him seeing them in their underwear, Hermione on top of him, but instead all he heard was her break into sudden laughter. Ron looked at her, surprised, but pleasantly. He hadn't really been embarrassed anyway. Okay, so maybe a little...