"How are you feeling now?" Ginny kneeled down beside Harry's bed. "You're still smiling, that's good I suppose. Ron and Hermione have gone out flying or something… Did you overhear our conversation earlier? They're together now, you know. Properly. I don't quite know how it happened. I walked in on them kissing earlier, that's how I know. And… Fred and George wrote them a letter, saying about the bet you did with them. Ron's not that happy about it but probably he'll have forgotten by the time you wake up. Oh…"
She leaned her head on her elbows, which were resting on Harry's bed. "I didn't mean to say that. I don't want you to take ages to wake up, I want you to wake up now."
She looked up, almost as if she expected him to obey her wishes, but he showed no signs of waking and she continued. "Anyway, they've got a bet about…" she bit her lip, "well, us. Can you imagine? I suppose… maybe we're not much different from Ron and Hermione really. I mean… everyone knows we'll get together too… I know it. And I think you do too. I wouldn't say this, if you were awake you know," she reminded him, just in case he was thinking things. "Do you know what I think? I think that we both do… like each other… we've just been waiting for the right moment. Because we haven't really had a right moment so far, have we?"
Her feet were aching and she pulled them out from underneath her to sit cross-legged. "But we will," she assured him. "Oh, I hope you don't remember this conversation when you wake up. I hope it's one of those nice things that go into your sub-conscious without you knowing. You're smiling again! Why are you smiling? I'm going to stop talking about this now. Your smile's worrying me. So, shall I tell you about Fred and George's new products, instead?"
***
Hermione and Ron emerged cheerfully from the broom shed into the afternoon dimming light, hand in hand. They were both still feeling ever so slightly dizzy from their turbulent emotions, and every now and then Ron would squeeze Hermione's hand and she would giggle, or she would reach out and ruffle his hair and he'd push her hand away playfully.
"You do it all this time," Hermione said, handing him the broom. "I've had enough of all that. I just want to sit and enjoy things."
"Alright then." He climbed onto the broom and held it steady for her to climb on behind.
"Do you think we'll still argue all the time?" Hermione asked suddenly, as they took off.
"I don't know really, I mean, things still feel sort of the same, don't they?"
"Sort of," she agreed. "Just… more."
"Maybe we'll argue more then!" Ron teased.
"Oh, I hope not. I don't mind if we argue a little bit… but all the time would just be horrible. It'd be ten times worse than any of the arguments we've had before, just because…"
"Just because," Ron agreed.
"Oh, Ron." Hermione sighed, and kissed the back of his head. "Maybe we should've done this sooner. We've got three weeks left… and if we'd sorted this out before we'd have four weeks… maybe even five."
"Yeah, but we'll have other times alone. We've got… we've got the rest of our lives together."
Hermione sighed again. "Oh don't, I'll get like Ginny. All swoony and sighy just because of you looking at me, or something."
"So you should." Ron grinned. "I don't want you to just take me for granted.
"Don't be silly. I can find a balance. Somewhere in between swoony and ungrateful."
"I rather like the idea of you fainting at my every word."
"You'd soon get sick of that. Besides… think about it… I fell off a broom and into a lake when you first tried to kiss me... isn't that enough for you?"
"Bloody hell, yes. Are you holding on tightly?"
"Of course I am. I was just pointing it out, I didn't mean for you to get so protective of me," she rubbed her nose against his hair, not wanting to take either of her hands away from his waist.
"That feels nice."
"What does?"
"When you play with my hair. Do it again."
***
Dear Fred and George,
I found out about your bet about me and Harry, and you should've told me! I can't believe you got me to tell you about Ron and Hermione and you didn't tell me that. Anyway, that's not the point. I think that as Harry is ill he should be let off the Ron and Hermione bet. The bit about flying around in his underwear, anyway. If you let him off that bit I'll wash all your socks for a month (but don't tell him about that bit cuz he's probably too proud to have me get him out of trouble). And, please please please send some more sweets!
Love
Ginny
xx
Dear Mum,
Everything is fine and I have not died of starvation (the house elves are very reliable even in the holidays), I have not gone into any forbidden rooms or corridors (I wouldn't even know where to start) and I have been getting plenty of sleep (even though Ron snores. Its worse than you'd imagine when you're in the same room). Ron and Hermione are still alright, they have gone flying, I think. Fred and George are making silly bets again but I don't mind. Harry is fine. He is still smiling.
Love
Ginny
xx
Dear Hermione,
I'm going to leave this under your pillow because I'm tired and probably will be asleep when you get back and I have questions! You can write the answers on the other side of this parchment if you are shy about it, or you can just tell me whenever. If you want you can miss some questions out. 1. Is Ron a better kisser than Victor? (But don't go into too much detail cuz he is my brother!) 2. Do you think you'll live happily ever after? 3. What do you think you'll call your kids? Can I babysit when you and Ron are on holiday? 4. How long have you fancied each other? 5. Is it heavenly?
Love
Ginny
xx
Dear Ginny,
1. I never kissed Victor. Really. But Ron is a good kisser.
2. I hope so. Actually, I know so.
3. I have no idea, Ginny, it's only been a day. But I'm sure you can babysit.
4. Probably forever.
5. YES.
Love
Hermione
xx
