Hey People! Sorry this chap has taken so long, I just need to perfect the last chapter in my favorite fanfic I've written so far. Also, I want to thank everyone who has reviewed since the first chapter!:
The Eighth Weasley CurlsofGold Hermione18 Tears from the Moon AniHope
Lily Barnes Neon Flower Powerer Ron Weasley Xinia Potter
Phoenix Feather Laly a hopeful writer hP fAn Fo LyFe Wiccan-one14 tnturner4 BabyIrish06 The Girl Who Loves To Read TheSweetestThing
*Chapter Seven- The Gazebo* Caution: Read at your own risk, extremely fluffy area ahead...
~+Hermione's Point Of View+~
Hermione looked at Ron during Herbology. He'd had that same distracted look in his eyes all day. And she had to admit, it was getting on her nerves. She wanted him to look depressed or anxious or something. Whenever she looked at him, even to give him an angry glare he had that same empty look in his eyes.
Lunch time rolled around and she and Harry sat in the Great Hall all alone.
"Where's Ron at?" Harry asked. Hermione had been wondering the exact same thing but, she didn't want to be the first to be interested in Ron's whereabouts.
"I don't know, I was going to ask you the exact same question." Hermione picked at her food wondering where Ron could be off to during his favorite time of the day... meal time.
~+Ron's Point Of View+~
Hermione had been glancing in his direction during classes all day, he had to admit that it was making him nutters. He was glad he was inspiring her notice but the looks on her face didn't feel like he should rejoice any time soon. Ron had been planning something all morning. Ever since the brilliant idea had come to him while sitting all alone in the Great Hall. Operation: Sweep Hermione Off Her Feet seemed flawless, if only he could carry it out correctly.
His stomach grumbled. Skipping lunch to prepare for this had to be worth it. Near the edge of the Forbidden Forest, Ron was busy planning his operation hidden behind a clump of trees. This just had to work.
**Later That Night In the Common Room**
Ron entered the Common Room around 6:30 to find Harry playing chess with Neville. Hermione was no where in sight.
"Harry!" Ron called Harry by the portrait hole. Harry walked over casually. "Harry, I need to ask you a favor." Ron explained that he needed the use of Harry's Invisibility Cloak. He told Harry everything, for once and about Operation: Sweep Hermione Off Her Feet. Harry's face went into a knowing smirk and he said,
"Sure, mate... just don't get caught." After Harry returned from the dorm, he handed Ron the cloak and Ron went out to wait for Hermione by the portrait hole. Finally, he saw her delicate form walking up.
"I thought we were going to talk in the common room," Hermione said coldly looking at the cloak behind his back with questioning eyes. Ron raised his eye brows uncertainly,
"Well, there's been a slight change of plan. Quickly, put this on." He ordered.
"Where- what?" She questioned glancing both ways down the hall.
"Just do it," Ron said. Hermione stood as Ron draped the cloak around him and her and grabbed her arm, directing her towards the Entrance Hall.
~+Hermione's Point Of View+~
Hermione felt the brisk autumn night air hit her as she stepped out of the castle underneath the invisibility cloak with Ron. She had to order herself not to blush at Ron's closeness and contact with her... this order however, wasn't followed and she felt her face burn as she and Ron set off towards the Forbidden Forest. What would they be doing there? Why does he want to talk all the way out here? Hermione felt a million burning questions circle her mind.
Hermione shivered but she dared not say a word. She cursed herself for forgetting her cloak, but then again she didn't expect their talk to be done outdoors. Suddenly, she and Ron entered the edge of the forest. It was pitch black and she was glad she didn't forget her wand.
"Close your eyes," Ron whispered in her ear. She shivered again, though not with cold at this act.
"But- Ron-" She stuttered not knowing what he was up to.
"Just trust me," he said and she reluctantly obeyed. He grasped her cold hand in his warm one. "Wow, you're freezing! Hold on a minute, we'll fix that." Ron removed the invisibility cloak. She heard a swishing of fabrics and he let go of her hand. Despite her anger, she felt really close to him and felt her anger at him slipping away. Why did he have to act so damn sweet now.
The next moment she knew what the swishing of fabrics was. Hermione felt a warm cloak drape over her shoulders and cradle her in its heat. Ron had removed his own and had wrapped it around her. Her insides burst with happiness at the feeling of Ron's body heat radiated in his cloak. It was so hard to hold a grudge against him, especially when he was taking such good care of her.
"Before you open your eyes, Hermione," Ron said, "I just want to tell you that since I found this place in fourth year. I've been coming here every time that we've had a major argument. It just reminds me of you, I dunno. Of course, I've dressed it up a little to suit the occasion," Hermione could sense the awkwardness and embarrassment in his voice after such a confession. "Now, open your eyes." Hermione did so and what she saw was amazing. Ron was standing on a beautifully carved gazebo and there were red roses surrounding the pillars. The roses gave off a strange sort of glow and upon closer inspection, Hermione saw that they were lit up with real fairies that were perched on the petals.
"I've never seen this place," Hermione said at last. Ron motioned for her to come over to him. She saw that there was a large, overstuffed maroon love seat underneath the gazebo. There was a small table with two mugs of butterbeer. By the mugs there was a piece of paper. It was rather tattered and looked like it had been folded numerous times. She could almost recognize her own writing upon it. She tore her eyes away from it and looked at Ron. Hermione was just in awe. She didn't know what to think anymore. What did all this mean?
"Ron, what is all this?" She looked at him sincerely.
"Do you like it?" He asked hesitantly.
"Like it? Ron, its beautiful! But I still don't understand what all of this is. Aren't we going to talk about-" Hermione stopped in mid sentence and looked at the pillar directly behind where Ron was standing. She walked over to it and looked closely. There was something carved into the wood. There was a large heart that surrounded initials. And, the initials were RW + HG. (A/N: I know.. I should've warned ya it was getting cheesier!) Ron saw what she was looking at and took her hands and led her to the loveseat. Hermione now had tears in her eyes. Did this mean what she thought it meant? Then, Ron spoke interrupting her thought process.
"Hermione," He picked up the paper lying on the table. "This is the letter you wrote me. I've been keeping it in my pocket since you gave it to me not too long ago. I've practically memorized it." He looked down at the paper and then looked at her. "But, every time I read it since I've given you my reply, I've felt this overwhelming guilt. Hermione, I lied. That note I wrote you was a complete lie. I lied about not liking you the way you like me and I'm sorry. I was just- I was just scared. Scared of losing our friendship if anything went wrong. Hermione, I know I was a coward. And that heart engraved in the wood, I did that. I did that last year. It was after one of our petty rows and I came down here to cool off, to get you off my mind. The truth is, you're never off my mind. I know I act like a prat just about all of the time but, will you please forgive me?" Ron looked at her with nothing short of true love in his eyes. Hermione saw it and her heart melted. How could she not forgive the boy she had given her heart to so long ago? Hermione couldn't find the words so she lamely nodded, overcome with all the power of the moment. Ron grabbed her cold hands in his warm ones and they looked at each other a moment. Ron's face came closer to hers and she closed her eyes. His lips touched hers in a gentle way and they kissed for the first time. After the awkward kiss was over Hermione felt like she was soaring. It was a natural high, she couldn't have asked for more.
The night was cold, but she didn't feel cold any longer. They spent the next few hours wrapped in each others warm embrace and kissing with more pent up passion than their first kiss had let them convey.
The gazebo Ron had showed Hermione that night wasn't a very well known place. Not many students had been lucky enough to find the secretive location. But, for Ron and Hermione it would always be special. And, five happy years later they shared another first kiss there... the first kiss as man and wife.
*sniff sniff* It's over! Aww, the ending is so sweet and endearing it brought tears to my eyes! Ok, I know that ending was EXTREMELY fluffy, but I thought they deserved a beautiful ending after all the hell the letters had caused! Please review and tell me how you liked the ending.... and, keep a look out for my other fanfics that I might be inspired enough to write! Thanks for everyone's support!
