***DISCLAIMER*** I don't own Ron and Hermione or any aspect of the Harry Potter series, JKR and Warner Bros. do.

Thanks to those who reviewed. Here is the next chapter!

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Summary in the first chapter.

Chapter 3 ~ I Challenge You

By: Americanangel

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Ron's face fell, "Prove it to you?! How am I supposed to do that?"

Hermione shrugged and looked down at the empty dessert bowl, "I don't know, Ron, but I'll know when you do. I challenge you to prove it to me, however, without touching me. No kissing, or anything more. These are your rules. True love has nothing to do with physical contact - it is a thing of the heart."

A smile played on Ron's lips, "A challenge, eh? To prove to you how much I love you? You're on. One thing - can I still hold your hand, or give you a hug?"

Hermione bit her lip. She had said no physical contact, but the honest truth was that she didn't think she could go without his touch on her hand; she would miss it too much. However, this would test her as well. If she could refrain from physical contact and still fall in love with a man who *supposedly* loved her, wouldn't that be an even better test of their love? Or a compromise; hands were okay, but hugs were off limits. They still had to appear to be a couple, after all.

"No, Ron, no hugs. Hands, however, are okay. We need to still look like a couple, you know, or people might get the wrong impression," Hermione replied, cracking a small smile at her boyfriend.

Ron laughed, "I see, so it's all for other people? Are you sure it's not because you can't stand to not have me touch your hand?" He winked at her, causing a blush to cross her cheeks.

"Ron! No! Well, yes, I guess, maybe, but only a little bit!" Hermione said, stumbling a bit over her response to the question she did not anticipate him asking. He laughed and leaned in to kiss her, only to pull away again when she gave him a look.

"Ah, right, sorry. Okay, I can do this. I can. So wait, what am I supposed to do?" Ron asked in confusion.

Hermione sighed, "Like I said before, Ron, I don't know. All I know is that when you finally *do* it, I will definitely know."

Ron gave her a mysterious smile, "So, I can do anything? As long as it somehow proves my love to you, and stays within the rules you have so graciously laid out for me?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes, "Yes, as long as it is within the rules; but be reasonable. I mean, common sense should dictate other rules, even if they are unspoken." She wondered what was going through his head at that moment, and her mind raced from thought to thought of all the possibilities. It was insane! There were so many things he could be thinking.

Ron nodded, "Right, okay, so I should check with my mum or Ginny first before I do something just to make sure I'm not breaking any common sense rules?"

Hermione laughed out loud, "If you wish, then so be it. I'm sure you could ask Harry, even. He has common sense." She laughed inwardly as she baited him, waiting for his reaction, and she was not disappointed.

Ron's eyes went wide and he opened his mouth to protest, "Hermione! I'm hurt! You are telling me that my best friend has more common sense than me! This is new, I can't believe you are saying this," he said and folded his arms, giving Hermione his best hurt expression.

Hermione was not one to crack too quickly. "Well, he does," she retorted.

Ron glared at her, "I have just as much common sense as the next chap. Give me a break here!"

Hermione laughed again, "Okay, Ron, I admit. You have some common sense. Some. Not common sense. Just some common sense." She winked at him and he nodded, satisfied.

"Thank you; even though I was still shot down by your last statement, you did say that I had common sense. So, I'll just check with Mum and Ginny then and make sure what I am going to do is okay, or maybe I'll check with Harry. . ."

Hermione smiled, "I'm sure whatever you decide will be fine. Shall we?" she said gesturing towards the door. "We've been here a while, and I should be getting home. I have to be at work early for an 8 AM meeting tomorrow, and I'm sure our mighty Auror needs his rest."

Ron laughed and replied, "Yes, of course. We all need our rest." He then stood and Hermione stood as well. He helped her with her coat and then took her hand as they walked out of the room and to the front hallway. The host nodded at Ron and he walked over to talk with him. Hermione heard snatches of the conversation; Ron was telling him to owl the bill to his house and he would send it back with the appropriate amount. The host nodded and Ron led Hermione outside into the warm early September air. They strolled in Diagon Alley looking in all the windows of the closed shops at the merchandise therein until it finally got dark and cool. Afterwards they Apparated to the door of Hermione's apartment, where Ron was slightly uncomfortable because he realized he couldn't give his girlfriend a goodnight kiss.

"Erm, goodnight Mione. I'd give you a kiss, but, well, I can't. I will see you tomorrow, however; I promise," Ron said, gazing into her eyes.

Hermione smiled, "Goodnight, Ron." Just before she turned to enter her apartment, he got a perfect idea and blew her a kiss. Hermione laughed, but she realized that this wasn't physical contact and thought *very clever of you, Ron. Very clever indeed.* Ron stood smiling outside the door for a full two minutes after she went inside just thinking about what had happened, before he Apparated to the apartment he shared with Harry.

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Hermione locked her door and went straight to get ready for bed. She was exhausted from the long day of finishing her report, cleaning her office, losing the report, turning the office upside down again, and then going out with Ron, which had been the highlight. First she put a Muggle CD in her Muggle radio and CD player which she had kept when she moved out of her parents' home. She had, however, enchanted a CD so that it would hold all the songs she liked and then put the player on random so she wouldn't know which of the hundreds of possible songs it would play. Music was something she enjoyed, and she listened whenever she was doing a routine activity. Slowly she took off her clothes and drew a bath, soaking in the warm water and bubbles. She loved taking bubble baths; they always calmed her and helped her think about the day. Finally, she stood and dried herself before slipping on a nightgown and climbing into bed between her soft covers, making sure to set her alarm clock beforehand. In a matter of minutes, she was asleep and dreaming about none other than Ronald Weasley.

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Ron opened the door to the apartment and yelled, "Harry! I'm back!" He heard the "fellyvision" on in the other room and figured Harry was back from his date and watching one of the programs in the little box. Ron had never quite understood its purpose, but Harry liked it for some reason, so he had consented to its purchase. He went to his room and changed into sleep pants and a shirt and came back to the living room.

"Hey there, Ron," Harry said sleepily, "How was your date with Hermione?"

Ron smiled and said, "Awesome, mate. She is so wonderful; I have to tell you about something though. Something big."

Harry's green eyes looked at him through his glasses, "What's going on?"

Ron took a deep breath and then told Harry about Hermione's challenge. It took a while, but Harry finally understood what Hermione wanted Ron to do. He gave a low whistle, "Wow, man, good luck. I'll help you if you need it."

Ron nodded, "Thanks. I have some ideas, but I'll run out eventually. Anyway, I'm going to bed now. I'm tired, and I've got an all day assignment tomorrow. G'night Harry."

"Good night, Ron," Harry replied, "I'm going to bed soon myself." But Ron was already halfway into in his room. Less than a minute later, he was asleep.

*fin*

What do you think? Please review!

It might take me a few days to get another chapter up, for several reasons. One, I have to write it. Two, I have SATs, APs, and SAT IIs coming up so time spent studying is increasing. Three, tomorrow I have to do homework all day and then I'm doing stuff with a friend all evening. So, I'm pretty busy but I'll be checking for reviews! Thanks.

~Americanangel