I'm TRULY sorry for the lateness! Please forgive me! ^_^'

Part 7- Confrontation

Hermione returned to classes the next day, still enthusiastic for learning as usual. First she headed to the dorms and freshened up. She ran into Lavender first thing that morning. It was a bit awkward, but Lavender apologized for what had happened later and asked if she was okay. Hermione assured her then went to the dorms.

Quickly she changed into new robes and grabbed her books and left in a hurry.

She headed down the stairs to the common room and ran into Ron. His eyes filled with delight as he saw her up and about. But he was speechless to the core.

Hermione blushed and turned away so he wouldn't see.

"I waited for you to awake you know." Ron began the conversation which both wanted to avoid- considering how awkward it would be.

"Why weren't you there when I did?" Hermione asked as she looked up at him once again.

"Harry insisted I head up to the dorms and rest there. You know, catch up on the assignments I'd missed." Ron explained.

She cocked her eyebrow in confusion.

"I missed about 3 days of school," Ron chuckled, "But it was worth it."

Instantly he covered his mouth with his hand when he noticed what he had let slip.

Hermione smiled up at him and pulled his hand away from his mouth.

"It's okay Ron. I know. Harry told me." She explained simply.

So many emotions were running around her that it was almost impossible to string words together to make logical sentences that weren't random.

Ron's face grew a little red as he bit his lip.

"So you know I like you?" Ron suggested.

Hermione nodded. She didn't notice the fact that she was still hanging onto his hand.

"And I guess you know I like you too," she said between laughs.

Ron squeezed her hand lightly.

"I missed your laugh."

Hermione blushed again but this time she didn't hide it, she simple mumbled a shy, "Thank you."

He bent down and kissed her on the cheek.

At that moment Lavender was reentering the Common room from the portrait hole.

"What the heck is going on here!? Ron, why are you kissing her!?" Lavender questioned angrily.

Her jealousy once again over took her emotions and actions, forcing her into a jealous rage - forgetting her apologies to Hermione earlier and what had happened before.

"Lavender what the heck is wrong with you!? I don't like you okay!? So just leave me and Hermione alone!" Ron yelled.

"Do you know what, have it your way. Good bye Ron. You better feel stupid later, because you just lost the best thing in the world!" Lavender replied hotly as she began to walk up the stairs.

"How am I going to feel stupid later if the best thing in the world is in my arms?" Ron called after her.

A stressful sigh of anger was released from Lavender when she heard it. A moment's silence then the sound of a door slamming told them that she had entered the dorm.

"Ron did you really mean what you said?" Hermione asked.

"What? To leave you and me alone?" Ron asked.

"You know what I mean!" Hermione insisted.

"No, I don't, seriously!" Ron replied sincere in his tone.

Hermione's jaw dropped as shock filled her body. Ron grinned,

"I'm joking. Yes I know what you mean and yes I did mean it. You don't know how crazy I went when you went into that coma Hermione." Ron replied. "I thought that if you weren't around what was the point of going around alone."

"There is Harry you know." Hermione suggested.

"I don't love Harry Hermione, I love you." Ron replied.

"But Ron? Where did we go wrong?" Harry questioned as he appeared at the bottom of the stairs, dramatically.

"Oh geez." Ron said.

Harry walked up to Ron, "Ron no! What happened between us? I thought you loved me!"

Ron just starred at him and Hermione was dying from holding in her laughter. Finally Harry burst out laughing and Hermione let loose as well. Soon after Ron was laughing as well. For the first time in awhile the three were together and laughing - just as before.

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Once again - I apologize for the lateness! R&R and I'll get going on getting the next chapter up! =)