A/n: You guys are the best!!!!! All right!!! You guys were really pleased with my last chapter so :::bows::: thank you…you didn't decide to kill me for finding out about Serena, hehe…okay, so stuff is really gonna get freaky after this chapter. Speaking of which, you guys are gonna love this chapter…at least the end!!! I'm sooo sorry for the delay…I know I promised it faster, but I kinda got writer's block, but I wrote it anyway, so sorry if it sucks more than others, hehe…All right, all right, you can start reading :::winks:::
Disclaimer: If I owned any part of the Harry Potter franchise, I would eat hippo…but, alas, I only own this plot. I can still eat hippo, though…aaaaahhh, hippo…
Chapter 16: Of Porktkeys and Panic
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Breakfast on Christmas morning at the hotel was rather quiet. Harry and Ginny hadn't asked either Ron or Hermione about the previous night. They both had their suspicions, of course, and who wouldn't after hearing Ron's loud whoop? Anyway, they were sitting on the dining balcony at ten in the morning when Ron came in, already bathed and grinning from ear to ear.
"Top o' the morning!" he joked. Harry and Ginny exchanged amused glances before returning to their bacon and eggs. Ron sat down and stared at the sky in a sort of wonderful trance. Ginny bit her lip to prevent the giggles from escaping her mouth. Harry waved a hand in front of Ron's face; he didn't notice. The only thing that shook him from his reverie was the arrival of someone else.
"Good morning, everyone!" Hermione said cheerfully, pulling up a chair. Her eyes met Ron's and she froze. The smile she had been wearing faltered a bit. She blinked and looked away.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Puzzled" would have been the understatement of the year if he were to describe the expression on Ron's face. His eyes had clouded up and his mouth was just slightly open. He looked like a small child lost in the middle of nowhere. He shook his head a little, cleared his throat, and said, "Um, I'll see you guys later…"
Hermione stared at her plate and muttered a hoarse, "Bye."
"What's going on?" Ginny mouthed to Harry, who answered with a shrug. Ginny's eyebrows furrowed. Hermione's eyes were darting around nervously, first at the place where Ron had just been sitting, then out the window, and finally back down at her plate. Her breathing was rather uneven and she was holding her fork in midair.
"Um, Hermione, are you okay?" Ginny asked softly.
"What?" Hermione said startled, dropping her fork with a loud clank on her plate. She clenched her hands for a moment, then raised one of them to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "Nothing…I—I'm not hungry…" Swiftly, she got up and walked quickly out of the room.
"Okay, now I'm worried," said Harry, staring at her retreating back.
"Seriously. We can guess what happened last night…right?"
Harry shifted nervously in his chair. "Do you think he…you know…"
"Kissed her?"
Harry cringed. "Um, yeah, that."
Ginny shook her head. "Ron's way too chicken to just come out and kiss her. But I'm sure he told her about Serena and that he really likes her."
"And what do you think she told him?"
"That she likes him too." Harry's jaw dropped. Ginny shrugged. "Personally, I think she loves him but she doesn't wanna admit it." Harry's eyes widened and Ginny giggled. "What, don't you think so?"
"I think both of them…er…feel that way." Ginny nodded in agreement. Harry reached over and held her hand. "I can't believe we're leaving tomorrow."
Ginny sighed. "I know. Everything has been so perfect over here." She smiled shyly at him. Harry grinned, leaned forward, and gave her a soft kiss. "You are one amazing guy, Harry Potter," Ginny said.
"I can't be more amazing than you," Harry replied.
Ginny raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "Are you praising me to get another kiss?"
Harry tried to look innocent but failed. "Yes…and no. It's the truth, Gin!"
"Whatever. You don't have to praise me to get a kiss though. That's something I'll gladly do." And with that, she gave him a kiss, deeper than the one he had given her.
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Hermione's eyes snapped open when she heard a knock at her door. She was lying on her bed on her stomach, with her head resting on her hands. She was trying in vain to relax and sort out the jumble of thoughts in her head. "Come in," she muttered, and didn't look up when the door opened. Mrs. Granger came in, with a concerned expression on her face.
"Honey, are you feeling all right?" she asked softly.
Hermione began to nod. Then she stopped and groaned. "No."
Mrs. Granger walked over and sat on the edge of her bed. Stroking her hair, she asked, "What's wrong?"
Hermione sighed. "Boys are so complicated."
Mrs. Granger smiled knowingly. "Yes, they are. Until you figure out how to handle them." She chuckled and continued. "Let me take a wild stab in the dark here…it's not Harry." Hermione groaned again and Mrs. Granger's smile widened. "Ron's very charming."
"Mother," Hermione groaned, closing her eyes. She was praying that her mother wouldn't get the gushy-eyed look and start making "oooooh" noises. Luckily, she didn't.
"Spill it."
"Yeah, he's charming." Hermione chuckled and smiled. "He told me he likes me…last night…after I told him I like him. He was really happy."
"That's great, honey! Since when have you liked him?"
"Oh, probably since the day I met him. I just didn't realize it right then."
"That's typical. So how did he act at breakfast today?"
Hermione blinked rapidly. "He—he was really cheerful," she said, her voice quivering. "And…I ignored him."
Mrs. Granger looked puzzled. "Why, hon? What's wrong?"
Hermione bit her lip. In a whisper barely audible, she said, "Because I'm scared." At this, Mrs. Granger looked even more confused. Hermione took a deep breath as a tear began to make its way down her cheek. "Mummy, I'm just scared. I'm being selfish, but I can't help it. I'm thinking about myself right now. I'm in despair." She quickly wiped the tear with the back of her hand. "I don't want people to make fun of me. I mean, last year there was a ball. Ron wanted to go with this gorgeous French girl. She turned him down. When she did, Ron just assumed that I could go with him. Of course, I was already going with Viktor. You remember Viktor, right? The one I told you invited me to Bulgaria?" Her mother nodded. Hermione continued. "Anyway, I told him that I was already going with someone and he refused to believe me. Then he acted like a jealous prat—excuse me for the language, mum—and I finally told him he shouldn't leave me as a last resort. I yelled it at him and everyone in our house heard. So obviously the news traveled all around the school. And that kid, Malfoy, the one I told you I hate, has been bothering me about Ron all year. So if I ever become more than Ron's friend, Malfoy will make fun of me, just because he's a stupid evil git!" Hermione punched her pillow.
"Honey, you don't have to worry about what other people think or say," Mrs. Granger said softly. "If you let others get to you, then you might ruin what you and Ron have. You don't want that to happen, do you?" Hermione shook her head. "Well, then, he's your reason to ignore them. Do it for him and you'll see it's much easier."
Hermione smiled slightly. "But that not the only thing I'm afraid of…Mummy, what if it was all a dream? Or what if he was just joking around? I wouldn't bear it if that's the case, mum."
Mrs. Granger shook her head. "Hermione, listen to me. Ron doesn't seem like the type of person who would do that. It sounds to me like you're finding an excuse to run away. Why?"
Hermione stared blankly ahead, eyes wide as dinner plates. "I really like him…I don't wanna lose him…ever…that's what scares me the most," she murmured. "I don't think I could handle life is he wasn't a part of it. And I'm scared that if I start anything with him and…and I lose him, then I'll be too devastated to bear it. I know it's a possibility, since we are targets of the Dark Lord."
"Hermione, I understand." Her mother embraced her lovingly for a while. When she finally pulled away, she said, "But I don't think it would make a difference if you started anything with him or not…you would still be devastated if anything happened to him. Do what you feel is right." She gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek and left the room.
Hermione was left plagued with new thoughts that might just overpower her fears.
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Before dinner, Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione went outside for a last walk around Alexandria and the lighthouse. Harry had his arm around Ginny's shoulder and they both had content smiles on their faces as they looked up at the lighthouse. Ron and Hermione were walking next to each other, glancing up at each other and then looking away. They hadn't spoken since that morning, and this walk was no different. When the sun started to set behind the sea, casting an orange glow about them all, Harry said, "Guys, we better go, or we'll be late for dinner." Ginny nodded, and the two of them started to turn back. Ron was staring at Hermione, who was seemingly transfixed by the setting sun and the cool breeze making the waves dance.
Finally, when Harry and Ginny were quite a bit ahead of them, Ron reached for Hermione's elbow. "Come on, Hermione," he whispered. Hermione closed her eyes when his hand touched her elbow, and she felt a shiver go up and down her spine. She nodded and turned, managing to make Ron let go of her as she turned. Ron sighed and walked dejectedly behind her. She walked ahead rapidly, and he didn't try to catch up with her.
The four friends ate dinner with Hermione's parents. Mrs. Granger kept looking questioningly at Hermione, who kept shaking her head slightly. Harry and Mr. Granger got caught up in a chat about football, with an occasional grunt from Ron. Ginny listened in amusement.
Finally, after what seemed to Hermione like agonizing hours, Mr. Granger cleared his throat. "Well, everyone, we've had a jolly good holiday, but unfortunately it has come to an end. Harry, Ginny, Ronald, thank you very much for your company." Harry, Ginny, and Ron smiled nervously and nodded. Mr. Granger returned the smile and continued. "Please make sure you have everything with you, as we're leaving tomorrow promptly at noon." Everyone nodded, exchanged "Good-nights," and headed upstairs.
Hermione glanced at Ron as he stood up from the table. When he looked up, he caught her eye, and she looked away. Quickly, she turned around and walked towards the stairs. She could hear Ron's footsteps behind her, and she tried to quicken her pace, but Ron caught up with her. He grabbed her wrist and she turned around, glaring at him. For some reason, she wanted to scream at him, tell him to leave her alone.
"What's going on, Hermione?" he asked firmly.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Hermione answered stiffly.
Ron let out an exasperated groan. "You've been ignoring me all day!"
Hermione looked at the floor. "I'm sorry, I can't talk now, I've gotta pack up." With that, she turned and ran up the stairs and into her room, slamming the door behind her. After making sure it was locked, she got out her suitcase and starting throwing clothes in, which was most unlike her. She tried to ignore the feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach, but it was made only too obvious when she heard a knock at the door. When she didn't answer, she heard the doorknob rattle, and a minute late, Ron was half-yelling, "Hermione, let me in!" After she ignored him once again, she heard him mutter, "Alohomora!" Her jaw dropped as he strode into the room, his ears pink, his wand in his hand.
"You can't do that! You're not allowed to use magic outside of school!" she lectured.
"Save it, Hermione, this is important!"
"Oh, so what you have to say is important but I what I have to say isn't?"
"WHY THE HELL ARE WE ARGUING?!" Hermione narrowed her eyes dangerously. Ron either didn't notice or chose to ignore it. "There's no reason for us to be fighting! What, do you think I was lying last night or what?" When she looked away, Ron gave a hollow laugh. "Oh, Merlin, you do don't you?" He ran a hand through his red hair and said, "I wasn't lying. Why would I do something like that?" He stepped closer to her, and he could see her breathing grow slightly uneven. "What am I doing wrong?" he asked softly, the sharp tone gone from his voice.
Hermione didn't look up into his eyes. She was going over everything her mother had said. But the adrenaline coursing through her got the best of her. She finally looked up at him. "Get out," she muttered through clenched teeth.
Ron looked astonished. He stared at her for another minute, then left without another word to her, slamming the door behind him.
Hermione bit her lips, sank down to her bed, and stared at her hands for a long time.
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A low growl could be heard in the small dark room where a skeletal figure sat gazing at a crystal ball. A whimpering creature crouched next to him, glancing up at the crystal ball and wincing. In the crystal ball were two people, glaring daggers at each other, the girl obviously on the verge of tears, the boy apparently confused.
"You said it would happen soon, Wormtail," the skeletal figure barked, wagging a long white finger at the people in the crystal ball.
"It will, my lord, it will," Wormtail said in a shrill voice, his beady black eyes wide in terror.
"You said that the boy—Ron, as you referred to him—would activate the Portkey that night when the two brats were on the beach," his master said accusingly. "But you were wrong, and now my wait appears to be going on longer than expected! I'm angry, Wormtail. And you know what happens when I'm angry and you're wrong." He laughed a horrible, malevolent laugh. Lazily, he pointed his wand at the shaking Wormtail and muttered, "Crucio!" Wormtail's shrieks of pain were drowned out by his master's amused cackling. Finally, when his master seemed to no longer be amused by the sight of his servant twitching pathetically on the floor, he stopped the spell and turned his attention back to the crystal ball. "Potter will be mine soon only if that Mudblood decides to start talking to that Muggle-lover again. I will not allow them to delay my plans." Something slithered in front of him, and he reached down and stroked it. "Yes, Nagini, Potter will be here soon, and I will finally be able to do away with him. Potter will feel pain like he's never felt before, when he once again faces me, Lord Voldemort."
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"Oh, I'm going to miss you so much, sweetheart," Mrs. Granger said, embracing her daughter outside the oak front doors of Hogwarts. They had just arrived, and in the twilight they were saying their good-byes.
Hermione gave her mother a weak smile and said, "I'll miss you too, mum. I always do." She gave her one more hug and then did the same to her father. "Thank you both so much for my Christmas present again. I loved those quills, they're beautiful," Hermione said, grinning.
Mr. Granger bent down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "You deserve the best, Sunshine," he said. Then he turned to Ron. "It was a pleasure meeting you, young man. Although I do think my first impression of you was rather informal." Mr. Granger chuckled. Ron glanced at Hermione and back at her father, slightly pink. He shook Mr. Granger's outstretched hand and looked rather relieved that he had managed to come out of this holiday alive. Harry shook Mr. Granger's hand as well and Ginny gave him a quick hug.
Mrs. Granger hugged Ron and smiled at him. "Piece of advice, Ron: don't let fear get in the way of what you love," she murmured and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Ron turned red. Mrs. Granger hugged Harry, told him he was a great kid, and that it was an honor to have him as one of her daughter's best friends. She gave Ginny a warm hug and thanked her for being Hermione's most trustworthy girlfriend.
When both parents were done saying good-bye to everyone, they gave Hermione one last hug, climbed in their little Volkswagen and slowly drove away. Hermione waved until they were out of sight.
They grabbed their suitcases, and knocked on the oak front doors. Professor McGonagall greeted them warmly and let them in. She led them to Gryffindor Tower and told Harry, Ron, and Hermione to go down to the Great Hall when they were done unpacking. Intrigued, the friends threw their suitcases in their dormitories (well, except Hermione, who left her suitcase on her bed ready for unpacking) and rushed downstairs.
The Great Hall looked as magnificent as it always did in Christmastime. Twelve beautiful Christmas trees adorned the Hall. However, the garlands of holly and mistletoe were not what made Harry's, Ron's, and Hermione's jaws drop. It was the sight of their friend, Hagrid, waving at them, a warm smile on his face.
"Hagrid!" Hermione squealed. She ran towards him and hugged him.
"Hello, Hermione!" Hagrid said cheerfully.
Harry and Ron ran forward as well, stunned looks on their faces.
"All righ,' you two?" he asked, grinning. Harry and Ron nodded, beaming.
"I think it is right to say that they are glad to see you, Hagrid," said a voice from behind Hagrid. Harry looked around the half-giant and saw Dumbledore smiling at them.
"Hello, Professor Dumbledore," Harry said.
"Welcome back, Harry, Ronald, Hermione," said Dumbledore warmly, nodding at them in turn. They all grinned ant turned back to Hagrid.
"Where have you been?" Ron asked.
"Now, now, that will have to be for another time," Dumbledore said. "You three need some rest! I'm sure you'll make the best of your last days of holiday, and I'm afraid that can only be done if you're perfectly awake." He smiled. Then he took out his wand, waved it in the air, and a dish appeared before him. He took it and lifted the lid. "But I think it would be perfectly fine for us to have some nice fruit chews before bed." That was one offer no one refused.
After bidding goodnight to Hagrid and Dumbledore, Harry, Ron, and Hermione headed upstairs.
"I'm glad to be home," Harry said.
"And it's so great to see Hagrid," Hermione said, still smiling.
"And we still have a week of holiday left!" Ron added.
They came to the portrait of the Fat Lady, said the password ("Dancing Bears!") and went inside. When they reached the staircases, they said goodnight to each other. Harry turned and started going up the stairs. Before Hermione could do the same, Ron grabbed her hand, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and followed Harry. He could feel Hermione staring at him as he walked up the stairs, but he didn't turn back.
Hopefully he would be able to sort things out this week.
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The first three days back, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny settled down to do some of the little homework they had that holiday. Of course, the only did so after Hermione's incessant badgering. They finished quite soon, though, and had the rest of the week free.
And still, Ron and Hermione were ignoring each other.
Ginny was starting to get worried. She had asked Hermione what was wrong, and Hermione had merely said that everything was Ron's fault. Ginny wasn't convinced, but when she asked more questions, Hermione refused to answer.
Harry was sure that the two were being stubborn. First of all, Ron's temper had been very short the past few days. Second, Hermione kept gazing at him when he wasn't looking, but the moment he looked up she would pretend to be glaring at him, and that just made Ron scowl.
Luckily, Harry found a way to distract them both from their problems. Friday afternoon he asked them if they wanted to visit Hagrid, since they hadn't had time to when doing their homework. His friends agreed without any complaints, so the three made their ways through the castle and out to Hagrid's hut.
It felt great to be able to walk down and visit him again. For the past few months, Hagrid had been away on his secret mission. This was mainly why the trio wanted to talk to him. Of course, they were scared out of their wits because they knew Voldemort was indeed back, with what being part of the Order and everything. But they were still interested in whatever Hagrid had been up to, no matter if it did involve bringing up talk of Voldemort.
When they reached Hagrid's hut, Hagrid gave them a warm welcome and offered them the large seats inside. "Tea?" he offered when they were settled down.
"Sure, thanks, Hagrid," said Hermione, smiling warmly. It was such a relief to see him back safe and sound. Hagrid bustled about for a while, setting up his gigantic tea kettle and serving them rock cakes on a huge plate. Harry, Ron, and Hermione refused the rock cakes politely and waited while Hagrid served their teas and sat down.
"Glad ter be back, I'll tell yeh that much," he said, wiping his forehead and smiling.
"You can't imagine how great it is to see you!" Harry said. "All that matters is that you're safe." Hagrid nodded, but his eyes looked rather somber. "What's wrong?" Harry asked.
Hagrid sighed. "I've bin through a lot…yeh can' imagine what it's like, ter be away from Hogwarts an' all. But I gave Professor Dumbledore my word. I wasn' gonna let him down. Olympe and I went out ter find some o' the other giants…they weren' exactly happy ter see us."
Hermione gulped. "Are they part of the Order, Hagrid?"
"It took a lot of convincing ter get them to be part o' the Order, but they finally agreed." Hagrid dabbed at his eyes. "All thanks ter me mum, really…she was there. She told them ter help me, that her son was ter be trusted. So they're in. But I spect you haven' heard the news, bein' in Egypt an' all."
"What is it, Hagrid?" Ron asked.
"The dementors in Azkaban. They're gone."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione gasped. "What?!" they chorused.
Hagrid nodded. "Las' week, they were found missin.' The night before they were there but the next mornin' they were gone. And Fudge has bin tellin' everyone not ter panic. How can he ask them not ter panic? Lots more people have bin joinin' the Order since they found out that Fudge wasn' tellin' them Dumbledore's side o' the story."
"Oh…" Hermione was whimpering softly.
"It's scary, though. Dumbledore's bin really angry at Fudge fer what he's done. He told him ter take the dementors away from Azkaban when You-Know-Who came back. But he didn' and now people are panickin.' I don' blame 'em." He sighed again. "The giants said they would come whenever Dumbledore needed them. And that migh' be really soon." Hagrid lowered his voice. "The giants said the Dark Lord is much stronger now than that night he came back." He glanced at Harry nervously before he continued. "I wan' the three o' yeh to look after yerselves, and this time I mean it. Don' go wanderin' out o' school grounds. Yeh know yer the main targets and yer old enough to handle talkin' abou' it so let's make it clear. Be careful. I don' wan' any of yeh to get hurt." Harry, Ron, and Hermione nodded solemnly.
"We better go, guys," Hermione said, breaking the deafening that had settled just a moment before. "We better have dinner before it gets too late." Her friends nodded, so they said good-bye to Hagrid and Fang and left the hut. They walked in silence towards the castle. Harry was the first to speak.
"Hagrid's right. We're in danger, you guys." Harry gulped. "My scar has been stinging mildly for the past few days," he murmured.
"Harry! Why didn't you say something?" Hermione said, her eyes wide in concern.
Harry closed his eyes for a moment, then said, "Because I guess I sort of wanted to be able to ignore it. But I can't. This all won't go away by wishing it away." Ron and Hermione nodded. Harry stopped and looked at them seriously. "That's why you two should start talking again. Face it you guys. There's a war, and we're in the middle of it."
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To take their minds off the problems at hand, Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione went out by the greenhouses to relax for a while the next day. They brought out some food Ron and Harry nicked from the house-elves (Hermione kept shooting dirty glances at the basket the food was in) and they had a small picnic, though Hermione ate much less than she usually did. When they were done eating, Harry and Hermione suggested a game of Hide and Seek. They explained the rules of the game to Ginny and Ron and they were all for it. Unfortunately, Ron and Hermione apparently weren't ready to go of the stupid argument they had had at the hotel and still weren't talking to each other.
"Okay, so who's gonna be 'It'?" asked Harry. Ginny and Hermione shook their heads and looked at Ron. The redhead groaned and muttered what sounded like "Stupid girls." Harry sniggered and got a kick in the shins from Ron.
"Yeah, I'll do it," he growled.
"Just one thing," Hermione said, narrowing her eyes. "He can't seek me." She nodded her head towards Ron, who glared at her. Ginny and Harry rolled their eyes. "Whatever," muttered Ron, and he turned away and started counting.
"You are being so stupid, Hermione!" Ginny said. Hermione shrugged and sat Indian-style on the grass. Ginny shook her head and caught up with Harry. "She's gonna sit there and pretend she's not playing. Let's hide really far away so Ron has no choice but to stay and talk to her, goddamn it!" Harry nodded and the two walked away quickly.
When Ron opened his eyes after counting to one hundred, the first person he saw was Hermione, sitting on the floor inspecting her nails like they were positively the most interesting things on the planet. "Nice hiding place," he said sarcastically.
"Um, excuse me, you've got people to Seek," Hermione said without looking up at him.
Ron groaned and walked towards her. Now Hermione looked up, her brown eyes bright with a fiery spark of anger. She stood up and walked away from him, towards the back of one of the greenhouses. Ron was trudging behind her, his ears burning. He had had just about enough of this. Why the hell was she running away from him? When he was close to her, he grabbed her wrist, and she turned around swiftly. "Let me go!" she shrieked, trying to pull her hand away.
"Hate to break it to you, but that's one thing I'm never gonna do," he answered.
Hermione seemed startled by his response for a second. Then she twisted her face in anger and pulled her hand away. She turned and ran to the back of the greenhouse, where she laid her back against the wall and closed her eyes. Ron came up to her, put a hand against the wall on either side of her head and looked at her. She finally opened her eyes, which showed no hint of anger now, and surprisingly she didn't look away.
"Why, Hermione? Why are you doing this to me?" Ron asked. "I don't know what I've done wrong. I've asked you and you haven't told me. You don't seem to get it do you? What do I have to do to make it clear that I seriously care about you?"
When he said that last part, Hermione let out a choked gasp and a tear rolled down her cheek. She didn't wipe it away.
"Look, Hermione. You are one of the most important people to me and you're in danger. Harry and Hagrid are right. I'm not gonna let you get mad at me over absolutely nothing!"
"Stop it, Ron!" Hermione yelled, looking away. "I'm scared, okay? I'll admit it to you. I'm scared that if I ever start liking you more than I do and—and I lose you, I'll just be devastated! Don't you think about what I'm feeling?"
A weird feeling was settling over Ron. His heart was beating like mad, like it was about ready to jump clear out of his chest. His eyes would not leave Hermione's face. One thought—more like a phrase, actually—was blinking in his mind. He had to say it. Was he sure of it? Yes, he definitely was…but how could it be? He was only fifteen, for the love of Merlin! Was it possible? And, honestly, what were the chances of meeting that someone when you were only eleven years old?
But he had. And he wasn't about to lose her.
"Hermione, when I met you, I thought you were a stubborn snob. A very pretty stubborn snob, but a snob." Hermione gave him a "This-isn't-helping" look, but he ignored it. "So, okay, you were smart, but what reason did you have to brag about it? And then I got to know you and I realized you weren't a snob. I realized that you were this intelligent, funny, easygoing, beautiful girl and I could not believe I had ever thought of you as a snob." He laughed. "How ironic is it that my first impression of you is the total opposite of what I feel now? Now you're a brilliant, intellectual, sweet, kind, honest, loyal, and gorgeous young woman."
A rumble of thunder was heard overhead. Both of them looked up. "It's gonna rain, Ron. We should get out of here," Hermione murmured.
"No," Ron said firmly. "I'm going to tell you right now, dammit, or I'll never forgive myself. Yes, I know we're in danger, and that's exactly why we can't waste moments like this." Hermione now had a steady river of tears flowing down her cheeks, though she made no sound. Ron was too concentrated on what he wanted to notice he had tears rolling down his freckly cheeks as well. A steady rain started to pour.
"Ron, we're going to get soaked," Hermione moaned.
"I don't give a damn. Are you honestly going to let fear get in the way of your feelings? Are you telling me you're going to end all this before it even begins? I'm not going to let you. You're one of the only people who manage to make me feel like the person I am is perfect. Others make me feel like I don't live up to their standards. But not you. I still can't believe I've won the affection of someone like you, but I do know that I'm not going to lose it. And you know how? I'm going to tell you what I've wanted to tell you for the longest time. It's so clear it would be like me telling you that the sky is blue and that water is wet. I just want to tell you one thing that says everything." Ron could no longer see her tears or feel his on his face because of the rain.
"What do you need to tell me?" Hermione choked, her eyes never leaving his.
"That…that I love you."
With that said, Ron leaned forward, and slowly, as slowly as the turning of the earth, he pressed his wet lips against hers. It was the most wonderful feeling in the world. There was warmth coursing through him that made the chill of the rain disappear. A moment later he felt Hermione's hands on his cheeks. They weren't deepening the kiss, but holding on to the moment. The next thing Ron felt was a tugging near his navel, but he didn't take notice of it. All that mattered now as Hermione. Hermione.
Suddenly, in a whirl of wind and color, Ron and Hermione disappeared, leaving the rain to fall where their tears had fallen.
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So???? Cliffhanger???? Was this good??? Review PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!