Chapter Eight- Endings

Everyone in Ron's dormitory awoke the next morning to Neville's shout of, "SUNSHINE!" The curtain was removed from the window, and bright sun fell into the room.

Dean rolled over, groaning. Ron sat up, stretching. Seamus cursed Neville under his breath and fell to sleep again. Harry was still in the commons.

Ron strolled to the window, and sat next to Neville.

"It's a beautiful day, in'it?" Neville asked, scratching the foot of his teddy bear footie pajamas, not bothering to look away from the brilliance of the light.

"Yes, it is," Ron nodded.

Neville jumped. "Ron!" he squeaked. He backed up.

"Oy, don't be like that, mate," Ron declared. "I want to talk to you!"

"Y-you do?" Neville inquired, his lip twitching nervously.

"Yeah. Listen, I'm sorry about last night. I took out my anger on you, and that was very wrong of me. I was mad because, you see-" Ron lowered his voice to a whisper- " I like Hermione as well."

"Ohhh," Neville nodded, understanding what had occurred. "I apologise, too, Ron! I didn't know..I should have, though! Gosh.. I'm sorry!"

"You don't have to be sorry," Ron mumbled, shrugging. "I just want to know if it would be all right with you if I.. Approached her about the whole thing. Told her how I'm feeling, y'know?"

Neville nodded rapidly, resembling a little, eager kid. "Sure, it would be all right. I mean, it isn't like she's my girlfriend or anything, though I'd really like her to be." He fell silent. "But, yes, I believe you should go talk to her. I want her to be happy, and I reckon that she fancies you."

"You're lying."

"Nope."

Ron slugged Neville in the shoulder playfully, and walked off to dress.

Neville grinned after him, rubbing the throbbing spot on his arm.

After they were dressed, Ron and Neville headed out into the common room, where they were greeted by the girls.

Hermione didn't notice them, as she was peering down at Harry, who had tumbled off of the chair and was now curled up on the floor in a sad heap. His ebony bangs were flattened behind his glasses frames.

"Harry," she was saying urgently. "Wake up!"

Pavarti and Lavender were giggling.

"Look at his hair," Pavarti whispered loudly. They shrieked with laughter and ran out.

Harry sat up. "Huh? Oh. Is it time to go to school?" He ran his fingers through his hair, making it look even worse, and stood up.

"It's Saturday, wally," Ron smiled, as he and Neville drew closer.

"Oh. Right." Harry yawned and cracked his neck, while everyone stared at him patiently.

Hermione stole a glance at Ron. "Better?" she asked, trying to still sound annoyed.

"Completely," Ron nodded, and then turned away, pretending to be interested in asking Neville what he had dreamed about.

"You know, I think I'd better get dressed." Harry headed off to the dormitory.

"Take a bath, too, mate!" Ron yelled after him.

He, Neville, and Hermione walked out of the dorm and followed the staircases down to the main hallway.

Hermione and Ron were avoiding each other for their separate reasons: Ron felt embarrassed because of the night before, and Hermione didn't want Ron to know she'd heard him and had since forgiven him. Neville felt nervous, so he stood between the two of them and continued to talk about his dream. It was about various topics, including giant potatoes (that Seamus had sent from Ireland) chasing Neville, Gran and someone who resembled Professor Lupin through the Forbidden Forest. Ron and Hermione didn't really get it, but they managed to smile, nod, and gasp in the correct places.

Then, they were interrupted by a familiar voice belonging to none other than Draconus Lucifer Malfoy.

"Oooh, look! It's Hermione Longbottom!" Malfoy shouted, striding toward them with the ever hideous Crabbe and Goyle.

Determined to be the center of attention once more, Draco dropped to his knees and sang to the tune of a Motown Muggle song he had once heard by accident. " I guess, you say. What can make me feel this way?" He pointed at Hermione. " Mudblood, mudblood, mudblood. Talking 'bout Mudblood.. Granger!"

Some Slytherins laughed, though they were very confused. Ron clenched his teeth and cracked his knuckles.

"Don't pay him any attention, Ron," Hermione whispered, as they made a turn to go into the Great Hall. Malfoy hopped up and ran in front of them.

"Kiss me, Granger! Kiss me! I'm Neville... Ohhhh... Snog me," Malfoy taunted, pale lips pursed, tongue running across them sexually.

Hermione walked up to Malfoy. Everyone stopped giggling and talking, and watched them, wide-eyed.

She put her face close to Draco's, who stopped making kissy faces and stared at her open-mouthed, not really knowing what to do. Ron and Neville looked horrified.

Hermione put her hands around his shoulders, and then-

"Go play with yourself, you stupid, awful, buggering CREEP!" She yelled, shoving him backward.

The crowd screamed. It was a great mixture of cheering and booing.

Malfoy looked startled for all of two moments, before smirking calmly and making a big deal of brushing off his shirt.

"Excellent, excellent!" Ron yelled, clapping. Neville, too was amazed.

Percy Weasley bustled through the crowd, looking quite annoyed. "I really hate that I have to break up your little tea party, but you must stop this madness immediately."

"Granger told me to- well, she said something nasty to me," whined the simpering Malfoy.

With a roll of his eyes, Percy snapped," Like I believe that for a second! Go to breakfast, Malfoy, before I tell Professor Snape that you're making up lies."

Malfoy threw back his head dramatically, and stalked toward the Great Hall entrance, his admirers following close behind him. Fred and George followed as well, doing very accurate Malfoy impersonations.

"And that goes for you, too, Ron," Percy told him crisply. "Hermione, Neville. All of you to breakfast. And go easy, Ron. We don't want you sick like you were last night."

"Oh, Percy, like you know anything," Ron declared, grinning at Hermione, and leading the way into the Great Hall.

IN THE COMMONS

This day had gone fairly well, compared to the day before it. After what Hermione had done to Malfoy, no one had taunted she and Neville, besides Pansy Parkinson, who was not counted. When Harry heard of the happenings at breakfast, he laughed for three whole minutes, and wished he'd been there.

They were still discussing it that night in the commons, describing the series of events to people who were not fortunate enough to have been there.

" I didn't mean to say it, really," Hermione told them all quickly. "It just sort of slipped out. I've got a mind to apologise to Malfoy tomorrow, and-"

"You'd better not!" Angelina Johnson declared. "That was very bold of you. Besides, he deserved it. What a little pervert!" She punched a fist into her other hand.

Fred snickered. "He probably was glad you actually gave him permission to do it, that way he wouldn't feel so-"

"ALL RIGHT," snapped Percy. "That is QUITE enough. To bed, all of you. Right now!"

"Aw, Perce! Keep your trousers on!" George sighed.

"Yes, dear brother. Don't be like Malfoy!" Fred put in, and they ran off, cackling. It was good timing too, because Percy went sweeping after them, shaking his finger, his glasses slipping down his pointed nose.

The common room exploded with laughter, even though the younger kids had no idea what everyone was on about.

Not wanting to be attacked by Percy, the people filed up the stairs to bed.

"I feel bad that Malfoy was telling the truth about me, but Percy didn't believe him. That means that in a way, I lied to Percy," Hermione put in desperately, determined to be wrong.

Ron laughed. "He heard the story, though. I saw him try to hide a grin. Honestly, I think he's fine with it." Harry guffawed shortly, and gave Ron a look with hidden meaning, before turning to go up the stairs.

Hermione turned around very s-l-o-w-l-y, as though she was about to go up to her dorm room, when in reality, she was waiting for Ron to make his move.

"Uh. Ahem." Ron cleared his throat loudly. "Uhm, listen, Hermione?"

"Yes?"

Ron swallowed. "I've got to speak to you about something."

She looked at Ron expectantly.

He cleared his throat once again. "Look: I.. I'm." He paused, and then began again. "I'm..I'd like- I want..." He was beginning to feel queasy.

He closed his eyes for a moment. An image of popular and dashing Bill came through his mind. Then, Charlie, with his shocking eyes of golden green, nice square jaw and many boyfriends. A vision of Percy walking hand in hand with Penelope Clearwater filled Ron's mind- so perfect, and serene. But who was Ron?

Where was the charm and bravery of Ronald Weasley?

His ears turned pink. "It's nothing," he mutters, and shuffled away quickly. Hermione heard him mutter 'What a prat'. She felt something inside of her snap, and felt like she was falling.

"Wait!" she called. "WAIT!"

He turned around slowly. "What is it?"

Hermione walked toward him. "Ron," she said. "I might as well be honest now. Last night, I was restless. I couldn't sleep. I walked through the hallway, and was about to go into the common room, but then I heard you and Harry."

"What?" Ron demanded, even more embarrassed. "You didn't listen to us, did you?"

Slowly, she nodded. "Yes, Ron. I'm sorry-I-"

"Great," he snapped. "This is wonderful." He felt like disappearing. 'Or even better', he thought dryly, 'You- Know- Who could just finish me off.'

"Don't be angry," she said quickly. "I thought your speech was lovely, actually! I just wish you could have told it to my face."

"Yeah, well, you shouldn't have counted on it," Ron snarled, feeling abashed.

Hermione snorted. "Stop it! I want you to quit being angry for a change. I stopped you to let you know that I like you as well, but seeing as you're so moody, I'm thinking maybe I'd like to take it back." She smiled at him.

He looked astonished. "You say you- what?"

"I like you, too. Only I've fancied you since I met you on the train. I liked the dirt on your nose. I thought it was kind of stylish," Hermione told him with the straightest face she could muster.

"You're making fun, mate. I don't think you mean it," Ron declared, going red.

Hermione laughed. "How couldn't I like you? When you defended me, and ended up belching slugs, I knew I'd found a boy whose heart was in the right place," she told him honestly. "And what about being knocked out by the white queen in the chess game? You were willing to be brave enough to let her take you, and if you hadn't been there, how could Harry and I have survived? We're not exactly champions in the world of wizard chess."

Ron grinned. "Yes, but-"

"Has Bill ever done that?" Hermione prodded.

"No, but, Hermione- thanks," Ron told her, a relaxed smile forming upon his face. He felt much better, even though he had just been reminded of some of the most humiliating moments of his life. "Hermione," he began again. "I'm sorry, but I'm such a coward! Bill is so good with the witches! Even Percy!" he exclaimed.

"Yes, but have I ever wanted to kiss any of them?" Hermione inquired slyly.

Ron looked confused. "I derno.. Have you?"

"Oh, Ron!" she chortled, and with that, she kissed him on the lips.

At first, Ron just stood there, stunned. But then, he kissed her back, too. She placed her arms around his neck.

"RONALD WEASLEY!" bellowed a voice from the landing.

They pulled apart quickly, and looked. There stood Percy, looking down at them in astonishment, his bright red hair untidy.

"WAIT TILL I TELL MUM ABOUT THIS!" he went on. "She'll be in shock! Now, get to bed quick, before I have to give you both detention. Really, Hermione!"

"Sorry Percy," Hermione blurted out. "I was giving him an example!"

"I learned a lot from it, too!" supplied Ron, with a very goofy smile upon his face.

Percy made an appalled expression. "I don't even want to HEAR that, you foolish little twit! To your dorm rooms. AT ONCE!"

They rushed up the staircase.

Hermione waved, and turned to leave.

"Wait a moment!" Ron exclaimed. "Did that kiss mean anything? Like, do you want to be more than just friends?"

"Maybe," Hermione replied mysteriously, a tiny smile on her lips. She knew that she definitely did, and that she'd be happy with him always, even if they went their separate ways. But she wasn't thinking about that. As long as he was interested, she wanted to work on her flirting techniques. Maybe Pavarti and Lavender could help. She'd never asked them for anything before...

Ron stared after her happily, as though she shed a golden light. 'Don't blow this chance,' he told himself. He wanted Hermione to fancy him forever, and he truly didn't want any other guys messing up his chance. If only he could stay cool, he knew that he could be the best boyfriend Hermione would ever have. Maybe more..? A guy can dream, eh?

"Come on, lover boy," Percy sighed, dragging Ron out by his ear. "You're only fourteen years old, Ron. I suggest you keep on thinking about your studies, and not get off track."

"When have I ever thought about my studies, anyway?" Ron wanted to know, and Percy held his ear harder. "Ouch!"

Percy let go.

"What I mean is, Ron, don't do anything that I wouldn't do," Percy advised him.

"Don't worry," Ron replied. "It's not like we're going out. We just like each other. And she's one of my best mates. I'm not going to mess things up," he said determinedly.

Looking reassured, Percy left Ron at his dormitory. "Well, I never thought I'd see that."

"Neither did I!" Ron put in," but I'm bloody glad that I did!"