Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the plot.

Thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews! Sorry for taking so long. I've started school and didn't have much to time write. But here it is now. Enjoy!

Chapter 12

For the next days, Hermione seemed to see Ron everywhere she goes. Whenever she's in the library, Ron was there with Harry and Ginny. When she's walking down the hall, she'll see Ron either in front of her, or behind her. When she's in class, of course, Ron would be there. When she's in the common room, he's there. When she's in Hogsmeade, in a specific place, he's there. And Hermione was finding it weird and uncomfortable, because she was reminded of Ron every moment everyday, and now that he's always around, he easily distracts her.

She was in the great hall, with Lavender on her left side and Parvati in front of her. They were having late breakfast because it was another weekend.

"How are you feeling, Hermione?" Parvati asked, observing her. "You don't look too well rested."

"I slept very late. I wanted to finish our Potions essay so I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore," Hermione explained.

"Hmm," Lavender said, shrugging. "That explains you."

Then Harry and Ginny arrived... with Ron. Hermione tensed up a bit as they approached them. Harry and Ginny sat beside Parvati, leaving Ron nowhere else to sit except beside Hermione. Ron looked around and noticed this, too. Hermione stared at her plate.

"Er..." Ron began uncomfortably.

"You can sit here, Ron," Ginny said, gesturing at the seat beside Hermione.

"Alright," Ron said quietly and sat down.

Their elbows brushed against each other and Hermione felt an electric shock. She tried scooting closer to Lavender, but there just wasn't enough space. Hermione decided to just forget it and each her breakfast. Both Hermione and Ron didn't notice the looks of Harry, Ginny, Lavender and Parvati to each other, since they were both concentrated on their food.

"Hey guys," Ron suddenly said. "Did you guys do that essay that Snape asked us to do?" Harry, Ginny, Lavender and Parvati shook their heads.

"I have," Hermione replied casually. "I finished it last night." She stifled a yawn.

"No wonder you look so tired," Harry commented.

"It's nothing. But I am sleepy." Then, obliviously, Hermione leaned her head on Ron's shoulder and closed her eyes for a moment. Ron looked at Hermione disbelievingly. The others grinned at each other. Ginny cleared her throat, making Ron look up at her. Ginny mouthed to him to put his arm around Hermione. Ron shook his head wildly.

"Just do it," Ginny mouthed sternly.

Ron cleared his throat uncomfortably and casually draped his arm around Hermione's shoulders. He felt Hermione relax to him and lean even closer. He looked at her, not noticing that Harry, Ginny, Lavender and Parvati had left.

Shortly after, Hermione opened her eyes and slowly surveyed her surroundings, her eyes resting last on Ron. She slowly moved away from him, her cheeks flushed.

"Sorry," Hermione muttered.

"It's alright. I didn't know whether to wake you up or not. You looked really tired," Ron said.

"Thanks," Hermione said slowly. "Where are the others?"

Ron looked around for the first time. "Oh. I... I don't know. I didn't notice that they left."

Hermione nodded. "So, um, I'll go ahead." She stood up and turned to leave, but turned to Ron at the last minute. "Unless..." Ron looked up at her. "Unless you want to come." She gave him a warm smile and Ron brightened up. He stood up and walked to her.

"I'd love to come," Ron told her.

They left the Great Hall together and proceeded outside of the castle. They weren't talking. Their feet just seemed to be walking towards the lake. They sat down and stared at the calm waters.

"Hermione," Ron began, breaking the silence.

"Hmm?"

"I... I'm sorry," he said, looking at her.

Hermione looked at him.

"I'm sorry for breaking our friendship, for not being loyal to you. I'm also sorry for the kiss," he continued.

The silence seemed to stretch for ages. Then Hermione spoke. "I'm not," she whispered.

"What?"

"I'm not sorry," she repeatedly softly. "I know that kiss made things complicated, but I'm not sorry it ever happened."

"I'm not as well," he said.

Hermione looked sharply at him. "You're confusing me, Ron."

"I know I am," Ron said. Hermione sighed irritably. Ron faced her and held her hand. "Look, Hermione, you know that I've never handled rejection that well. In everything that I've done, I had to be completely sure before I do something about it. And this is no different. In fact, this is one of the biggest risks I'll ever make." He paused. "Do you understand?"

"Tell me more," Hermione said after a while.

"Hermione, I--."

"Hermione! Ron!" Ron dropped her hand as they both turned around.

"What do you want?" Ron asked menacingly.

"Oh," Parvati said, biting her lip. It was obvious to her that she had disturbed them. "I'm sorry. I'll come back later."

"What is it, Parvati?" Hermione asked, willing herself to be calm.

"Oh. Well... we're thinking of going to Hogsmeade and wondering if you guys would like to come," Parvati explained hastily. "Listen, I'm really sorry for interrupting you guys. You can just stay here if you want."

"No, it's okay," Hermione said, standing up. "We'll go." Ron stood up as well.

"Are you guys sure?" Parvati asked uncertainly.

"Didn't we just say so?" Ron said spitingly.

Hermione smiled inwardly because Ron was upset of being interrupted, despite feeling pissed at Parvati as well. They walked back towards the castle and met up with Harry, Ginny and Lavender.

**

"What did you say they were doing?" Ginny asked.

"Ron was holding Hermione's hand and they were talking," Parvati repeated.

"That's all?" Ginny said, disappointed.

"Hey," Harry said, putting his arm around Ginny's waist. "They're taking it slow, so what? Give them time."

"Are you sure you didn't interrupt anything?" Lavender asked.

"Well... they said I didn't. But I think Ron was saying something important. He was quite pissed off," Parvati replied.

"You definitely did piss him off," Lavender said.

"Where are they, anyway?" Ginny asked, looking around.

"Hermione said she wanted to look through some books," Harry answered. "Ron went with her."

**

"Hermione, is this really necessary?" Ron asked as they walked through the aisles.

"Yes," Hermione said firmly. "Ron, if we want to get--."

"Okay, okay. I was just teasing you," Ron said, grinning.

"You just love teasing me, don't you?" Hermione said as she stopped and looked intently at him. Ron turned red and Hermione grinned. "I'm just teasing you. Anyway, I don't think there're any new books so we can just go and find the others." She walked out of the shop and Ron followed her.

"Hermione, wait," Ron called.

Hermione stopped walking at once. She turned around and faced him. "What is it?"

"Well... I was wondering if you'd like to go around... without the others," Ron said, looking at the ground.

Hermione decided to play dumb and ignored her racing heartbeat. "Why, is something wrong?"

"N-no!" he said. "It's just... well... I just thought... Nevermind. Let's just go and find them." He began to walk ahead when Hermione stopped him.

"Why don't you want to go with the others?"

"I just want to be alone with you," Ron answered very quietly.

Hermione smiled prettily clearly pleased at what Ron said. "Why didn't you just say so?" Ron looked at her. "C'mon. Where do you want to go?"

Ron smiled, held her hand and they began to walk around Hogsmeade, just the two of them. They went to all of the shops and met some of their schoolmates, who were also enjoying the weekend. Some of the other students teased them as they passed, but Ron and Hermione ignored them. They went to Three Broomsticks twice for a cup of butterbeer then went off again. Finally, they went to the Shrieking Shack for some peace and quiet. No one ever goes there because of the rumor that it's haunted, but they knew better. They sat on the wooden steps and rested.

They were just sitting there and not saying anything. Ron, in particular, didn't know whether to open his mouth or not and what he should tell her. Hermione, meanwhile, was enjoying the peace and quiet. She moved closer to Ron and leaned her head on his shoulder.

"I'm miss you, Ron," Hermione said quietly.

Ron glanced down at her, feeling confused. "What?"

"You heard me."

"I did, but--."

"I don't know why. I just do," she explained. "It's like... we're so far away from each other."

Ron put his arm around her shoulders and held her close. "I know. I missed you, too. But that doesn't matter anymore. All that matters now is, you're here and I'm here." Hermione cuddled even more to Ron and he held her tighter.

"I want nothing to even come between us again," Hermione whispered.

Ron sighed. "I can't promise that."