Chapter 9-

Harry was having quidditch practice, so Hermione and Ron were on their own. Hermione and Ron walked around the school grounds, which seemed deserted.

" So what is your next gift for Malfoy?" Hermione asked.

" Well I can't give him another bucket of owl droppings because that would be so unoriginal. I think maybe a bottle of drool from Fluffy."

Hermione laughed and Ron smiled, glad that he made her laugh.

" You and Harry are getting pretty close." Ron said.

" Yeah we really are," replied Hermione, looking at the ground.

" Did you guy's kiss yet?" Once Ron said that he immediately wished he didn't. He felt himself go bright red that he asked that.

" No. not yet." Hermione said turning red. "Why?"

" Oh. I was just wondering," Ron said with a little nervous laugh. In his mind, a little voice kept screaming, 'Tell her! Tell her how you really feel!'

"Hermione I have to tell you something."

Hermione lifted her head, looking at Ron with her eyebrows raised. ' Is he going to admit he has feelings for me?'

" I have been hiding this for a long time. I thought I could figure this entire thing out but. Hermione I have to tell you the truth. I'm. I'm in. I'm in lo."

" Yes?" Hermione said, her hopes rising.

" I'm in lo. I'm in big trouble with Professor Snape, if I don't finish my homework. I'm having trouble with the assignment, can you help me?" Ron said, looking at his feet.

" Sure," Hermione said, trying to cover up her disappointment. ' So close!'

They walked back to their common room and never spoke of their conversation again.



" Ron was so close to telling me how he felt!" Hermione told Harry as they walked around the school. They had nothing to do so decided to just walk. Ron was feeling a little weird about the conversation so he didn't go with them.

" Really? If only he suck it up and told you how he really feels! If he did then we can stop with this whole charade!" Harry exclaimed as they walked up the stairs.

" Maybe he doesn't even like me." Hermione said sadly.

" Are you kidding me? Ron is head over heels with you! It will just take a while and all we need to do is wait. We also need to find a way to make Cho jealous. I mean Ron is making more progress then she is."

" Don't worry she'll come around," Hermione assured Harry. " So what was your second gift from your secret Santa?"

" I got a broomstick kit. Like the things you use to get me for my birthday."

" That's great." Hermione said with a fake smile. She mentally kicked herself for giving such a stupid gift. It was just she didn't know what to get him and didn't have much time to think of anything. 'Next time it would be better,' she thought.

" What about you?"

" Oh. I got an angel bell. It's really pretty; it has this little angel girl on top. It's a magic bell; it's supposed to ring when I am swept off my feet. It's something to do with love. But that's not going to happen if Ron doesn't come out with his feelings!" Hermione said.

Harry laughed, and shook his head. The two of them walked to the great hall. Before the went in, they stood under the doorway to give each other orders on what to do when they go in.

" Okay, let's hold hands or do you want me to put my arm around you?" Harry asked.

" Hold hands," Hermione said, nodding.

" What else should we do?"

" Why won't we just talk about our date in front of Ron and after dinner, we make sure we walk in front of Cho and talk really loud about what we're going to do for our next date?"

" Good idea. Simple yet affective," Harry said. The two of them laughed for a while until someone interrupted them.

" Ahem," it was Professor Dumbledore. "It seems like two students has found themselves under a mistletoe."

" Dumbledore raised his eyebrow and laughed. He went between them and opened the door. Before he left them he turned around and said, " Well go on. You don't want to break a tradition."

He left them alone. Harry and Hermione raised their heads and saw mistletoe above them. They then looked at each other not knowing what to do.

" Well." Harry said.

" Well." Hermione said back. The two of them looked at the mistletoe again and then at each other. Before the two of them knew what was happening, they kissed.