Disclaimer: Obviously I'm not J.K Rowling, I don't have anything near her talent or skill... ::sniff:: Well, I hope you all like my horrible attempt at a fanfic, it's my first. Actually, it's my first time writing anything other than schoolwork in a long long time. I'll add more chapters if you guys want me to. And I'll assume you want me too if you review, hehe. I might change the rating to R for later chapters.. if there are later chapters I mean. But really, review please! Creative criticism is welcome too!!

Ron gave a heavy sigh. It was 1:00 a.m in the common room, and he was just about ready to give up his desperate attempt at his potions essay "Where's Hermione when you need her...?" he said out loud into the empty common room.

"Shuffle-foot" Hermione muttered the password to the fat lady. She had lost track of time in a dark corner of the library, and was now returning to the dorms with a heavy stack of books. She scrambled in and noticed a droopy redhead at a table, parchment and quills everywhere.

"Oi! Ron! What are you doing up?!" she asked

"What's it look like?" Ron grumbled.

"Snape's potions essay eh? Why, that's due tommorow, I finished mine last week" Hermione stated somewhat proudly.

"Well whoop-dee-doo" Ron retorted, raising his eyes to the girl. They were in their 6th year and Hermione had matured somewhat. Her hair was now tamed, and fell into soft ringlets all around her face, she had filled out and grown taller. She hadn't grown nearly as much as Ron though who was now 6 feet with a somewhat muscular build from hours of Quidditch practice.

"You know Ron, I would've thought by now you would have learned to take your schoolwork more seriously" Hermione sighed, pulling the scraps of parchment into a neat pile.

"Well, between an insane amount of practice, an insane amount of homework, and keeping my best friend from going insane it gets a little difficult" Ron growled

Hermione looked up startled, "I'm sorry Ron..." she said softly. She stared at him, noticing months of stress seemed to be taking its toll. Ron looked tired, good but tired... Wait.. she didn't mean the second part.. did she? With all the fuss with Voldemort, and the loss of Sirius Hermione had thought she was over her feelings for Ron. She had thought wrong apparently. Sitting in the dim light looking absolutely miserable Ron still looked adorable.

"Don't be sorry... I know I've been a bit of an arse lately.. I'm really sorry about all that Hermione" Ron muttered, sounding almost defeated. He had been rude lately and he knew it, he was being short with everyone, even his little sister. She didn't seem to mind though, she too was busy consoling Harry. A little too busy.. Ron looked up at Hermione again, he had forgotten how pretty she was. The summer had gone too quick, leaving no time for budding romances. A few awkward moments between them and that was it. Ron looked away quickly, he didn't have time for this now, he should go to bed, he snatched the pile from Hermione's hands.

"You outta go to bed" he nearly snarled.

"You shouldn't be so tense" Hermione replied, still softly, ignoring his harsh tone. She ruffled his hair a little then pulled her hand back quickly startled at her own un-hermione-like gesture.

Ron was also startled, Hermione not snapping back at him? Hermione playing with his hair and coaxing him to bed? It was late.. things were weird... Still, Ron couldn't help but feel pleasantly warmed at her gesture. He grinned at her. "Thanks Hermione"

"No problem.. err shall we go to bed?"

Ron raised an eyebrow.

"Separately I mean you dork!" Hermione laughed just a little uneasily.