Author's note: Thanks to my reviewers! You really know ho to build up morale! And lots of hugs and kisses to Loran, aka Alizee, for changing my fic into microsoft word and uploading it for me! I wouldn't be here if u didn't! A round of applause for Loran!

Disclaimer: Me no owney, anything. I wish I owned Tom Felton though! He's so cuuuuute! Ahem *gains control of self, rolls sleeves up* Lets get cracking.

~*Chapter 2~*

***** After the kiss I stand, bewildered, not knowing whether to laugh, cry or run out. The latter seems incredibly tempting. But I'm going to stick it out. At least until Ron bolts, anyway.

"Herm, look, I-I, I still like you. And, I was wondering, whether, well, whether you would b-" I can't resist it any longer. I kiss him again, and it's so wonderful, I can hardly believe it. All the pain and hurt he caused me melts away. We're really getting quite carried away, his hands at the buttons of my shirt, when I hear a gasp from behind. I pull away from Ron. I turn. I gasp. Dean is standing there, looking furious.

"What the hell do you think you are doing? Can't I even leave her for one minute?" Ron is going so red I think he might burst. I stick up for him. After all, wasn't Dean going to dump me?

"Dean, it wasn't just Ron, it was me, too! And anyway, we weren't going anywhere. I didn't want to say it like this, but I can't be in a relationship where it's all physical and nothing else! And you can do better...can't you? I don't think you ever really liked me as much has I liked you...."

I'm lying. I didn't like him at all. I kidded myself I could get over Ron by going with Dean. It didn't work and now...now it was all wrong. Dean looks even more angry.

"Well, I should have known. I'll never get anything out of you, Hermione Granger? And you know why? Because you're so wrapped up in him"- he points a shaking finger of rage at Ron- "You don't notice anything! I'm through with all of you. I've always tried to be nice to you, Ron, and this is what you do for me? Well, go to hell!!!"

He storms out, slamming the door. I catch it with a Silencing Charm before it bangs, giving away our position to any prying eyes. I can feel tears in my eyes. I've always hated confrontation, even though I often got into them, with Ron, mostly. He comes over to me and puts him arms around me. The old Ron seems to ahve slipped away and the caring, gentle Ron I knew before Lavender ruined it all has taken his place. I cling to him, and he whispers tenderly into my ear;

"It'll be OK, Herm. Promise, it'll get sorted out. Now we're back together, nothing can keep us apart." I hold him, and know that this is true. Dean, Lavender, they can't touch us. We're stronger together, and stronger than ever before.

*****

Later on, we go up to Gryffindor Common Room. Ron has to break the news to Lavender, and I know where I'm going. Ginny's dormitory. I want to tell her more than anything else, because she's my best friend and she's been with me all the time through my depression over Ron.

I climb the stairs and knock softly. Gin sits up from her bed when she sees me.