***DISCLAIMER*** I do not own Harry Potter nor anything affiliated with the series, JK Rowling and Warner Bros. do. I am not trying to make a profit, just have fun doing what I love to do, write. Harry and Ginny's romantic ideas belong to my friend Daniel, who used them to ask out one of my best friends, Adrianne. Happy anniversary, y'all.

A/N Apparently, I'm now "AmericanAngel1." Hmm, interesting. Well, I was thinking of changing my pen name anyway to either American Wings or Angel Wings. Angel Wings is already taken, but American Wings is not. Well, I'll think about it and let y'all know if I do decide to change it.

In terms of responses to reviews, I've used the numbers that fanfic.net has assigned to y'all to make it less confusing.

Songbyrd14 ~ Cute name, btw. Alright, yes, I agree, chapter three was a bit slow. I wanted to add more but I also wanted five chapters, it just seems sort of balanced that way. So, the last two will be much better. But also, a lot of times when people like each other they don't do anything about it and they sort of know but they sort of don't know and they are just playing with their emotions, unsure of what to do. That's what I'm trying to do. ; - ) And yes, you're right, Hermione is quite forward but based on the evidence in the books, she has liked Ron for quite a long time! And she wanted a guy to ask her to the Yule Ball, so I just think that she might possibly feel this way. Just a thought. ; - ) Thank you for your reviews!!! They were VERY appreciated and VERY helpful!

Ronsgf4ever ~ Haha, again, cute name. ; - ) Although, if I had it my way, Hermione would be his girlfriend forever. But hey, the problem with the symbols seems to be resolved now and I just reposted; it looks good as new!

Windswept (and Kara) ~ Kara! I'm glad you have joined the fan fiction universe. Windswept has been keeping you from it for far too long. ; - ) And I'm glad that you liked "How Many Ways." Windswept, yes, Ginny and I ARE conniving little buggers! I'm glad that you are enjoying it and hopefully after reading this you won't hex me. ; - )

Pawprints ~ Come home soon, girl! We miss you! I'm glad that you like the story so far - here is the next chappie!

Lolipop ~ Well, baby, why don't you tell me before I post things that things are spelled wrong. ; - ) I mean, come on, you're sitting two feet away from me right now.

Felicia ~ Thank so much for your faithful beta-ing! You are AWESOME!!! (even if it was just a comma, you are still the coolest!)

Thanks also to: delciousweasley, ice princess12, she-who-can-be-named-but- prefers-not-to-be, Ron Weasley2, and Kang. I'm glad you to know that y'all are reading and that you like my stories! Thank you so much for your reviews!

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Chase After Me

Chapter 4 ~ The Duo's Plan

By AmericanAngel

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Hermione turned to wave goodbye to her three friends and placed the ring on her finger, admiring the pure gold set with the scarlet stone. Just a few seconds later, she felt the tug behind her navel and her whole world spun out of control, until she landed in her living room where her parents were waiting for her.

Her mother ran up and embraced her, "Hermione, dearest, welcome home! We've missed you so much!"

Hermione felt her mother's tears of joy landing on her shoulder, "I've missed you too, Mum. And you, Dad."

Mr. Granger came and kissed his daughter on the cheek, oddly in the same place Ron had, before leaning his tall frame down to give her a warm hug, "We love you so much, sweetheart. How have you been?"

Hermione smiled, "Well, I've been alright. School is much harder this year, but I'm getting by. Harry, Ron, and Ginny are all on the Quidditch team and Harry was made captain, so they've been practicing a lot recently."

Mrs. Granger nodded, "We can talk over Christmas eve dinner. It will be done in a few minutes."

Hermione smiled and reached for her bags, but her father stopped her, "I'll take your things upstairs. You just relax, alright? Go in the kitchen with your Mum."

She began to protest, but he insisted so she gave in and followed her mum into the kitchen where she took flatware and set the table. She sighed and looked around the room; it felt good to be home.

* * *

Ron was sitting by the fire in the Gryffindor common room when Harry and Ginny joined him.

"Hey, where've you been, mates?" Ron asked with curiosity,

Harry shrugged, "Just the library."

Ron sighed, "Hermione loves to go to the library. She's always there."

Ginny stifled a giggle as Harry responded, "Yeah she does. I hope she's alright."

Ron nodded staring into space, as Ginny broke in, "Well, it's about time for dinner. Shall we go down?"

Of course, the pair agreed and the three of them went down together. As the entered the Great Hall, they saw Mr. Weasley talking with Dumbledore. Ginny walked up to him.

"Dad! What are you doing here?" she asked when she approached.

He smiled, "Happy Christmas, Ginny. I came to meet with Dumbledore and he invited me to Christmas Eve dinner, so your mum decided to come as well. She's upstairs unpacking; we'll only need to be here for one night, but Dumbledore invited us for a longer visit and we decided it would be nice to come see you anyway."

Ginny gave him a hug, "It's wonderful to see you." Harry and Ron said hello to Mr. Weasley and the boys and Ginny sat at the Gryffindor table. There were enough students staying for the holidays that one table, as used in past years, was not sufficient seating space and the House tables were still needed. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sat at the staff table along the top wall of the Hall and all enjoyed a large Christmas ham and sumptuous feast, followed by a variety of delicious desserts.

Following dinner, Ginny went to talk with her mother about Dean while Harry and Ron returned to the sixth year dormitory, as they were the only Gryffindor sixth years still at Hogwarts. Harry scoured over his Quidditch plans as Ron lay on his bed absently, just thinking, until he spoke up.

"Harry, has Hermione ever said anything about liking me?" Ron asked cautiously.

Harry nearly fell over, "Uh, maybe, why do you ask?"

Ron shrugged, "I just wish I knew. I mean, I've never really felt this way about anyone before and I feel really, I don't know, lost I guess. I don't know what to do."

Harry sniggered, "Well, I haven't exactly had good luck with girls, either. I had no idea what to do when I was around Cho last year, and I completely messed it up. Hermione really helped me, but you can't ask her."

The pair sat in silence for a few moments, and then Ron spoke up, "So, she has said something about me to you?"

Harry grinned, "Not to me, but to someone else."

Ron glared at his best friend, "Who?"

Harry replied simply, "Ginny."

"My little sister?!?!"

Harry laughed, "Well, she didn't want to. Ginny sort of goaded her into it, but I know that she does like you, however I don't think that she thinks that you like her, so she isn't going to say anything or treat you much different than she treats me until something happens, until you make a move."

Ron sunk in his chair, "Why do I have to do it?"

Harry shrugged, "I don't know."

"Because you should be a gentleman, Ron," Ginny said from behind the pair, causing them both to jump in their seats.

"Ginny!" Harry exclaimed, "Don't do that!"

"Yeah!" Ron puffed, "I almost had a heart attack!"

Ginny rolled her eyes as she sat down, "Oh, please you two. I couldn't possibly have scared you that much. Anyway, now you know Ron, and I advise you to do something. You've grown up a lot over the past six months and she's realizing that, so you should grow up a little more and learn how to treat a girl."

He glared at her, "I know how to treat a girl."

Ginny laughed, "Oh really? Tell me then."

Ron sighed, "Alright, well, always make her feel special, like a princess. You should open the door for her and let her go through first. Pull out her chair for her, you know, all that stuff."

Ginny nodded, "Pretty accurate, although, it would be better to treat her as a person you love than as a porcelain doll. Also, remember to listen to her, really listen; don't just pretend that you are listening. And talk to her, too. Don't let her do all the talking. And don't lie to her, be sure to tell her the truth or tell her that you don't know. If she finds out that you've lied, well, it won't be pretty. And try not to forget about her, as much as it may be convenient."

Ron looked horrified, "How could I forget about her?"

Ginny shrugged, "You never know, you might someday. Even if it's only accidental."

Harry looked bewildered, "So that's what you have to do?"

Ginny laughed at the pair, "Yes, that's what you should do. Of course, you're going to need an interesting way to ask her out, Ron."

Ron looked confused, "Why can't I just ask her out?"

Again, Ginny rolled her eyes, "You'll want to make it special, something that she will remember and love you even more for doing."

Ron gulped, "This is going to be harder than I thought."

She nodded, "Yes, it is, but it will be worth it. And Harry and I have an idea."

Ron whipped around at Harry, "You talked to Ginny about this already?!"

Harry grinned, "Yeah, sorry mate, but we had to collaborate. We knew we couldn't let the two of you figure it out on your own. Anyway, we have two ideas. One if you want to ask her in person, one if you are a little nervous and want to ask her through a note and then in person later, after she's received it."

Ron looked thoughtful, "Tell me both and then I'll decide."

Harry nodded at Ginny who began to speak, "Alright, well, both of them involve a dozen roses, red roses might I add. The more direct approach also involves other people. You give a rose to eleven different people."

Harry broke in, "We were thinking us two, Dean, Seamus, Lavender, Parvati, Neville, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Luna, Hannah Abbott, and Alissa Wood. You know, people she sees on a daily basis."

Ginny nodded, "Right. So, throughout the day, she gets eleven different roses. At the end of the day, you come with the twelfth rose, completing the bouquet, and you ask her out. What do you think?"

Ron sat there for a second, and then replied, "What is the other idea?"

Harry grinned, "I thought you might ask. The other idea involves a dozen roses and a note attached to them, left on her seat in Arithmancy."

Ron nodded, "A class we don't have together and which she has first thing in the morning."

Ginny agreed, "Exactly. So, you leave the roses and the note before class starts in the morning, but she can't know where you are while you are doing it."

Harry broke in, "So, you eat breakfast really quickly and then say you have to run back to Gryffindor Tower or something. You do run back to the tower, but then go to the Arithmancy room, leave the roses on her chair, and then dart off to, what, Divination?"

Ron nodded, "I can't believe we are still taking that stupid class."

Harry laughed, "Yeah, me neither, but we'll live. So, what do you think?"

Ron sat there for a few moments staring into the fire, attempting to make a decision. Ginny and Harry watched him and looked at one another, trying to read the emotions on his face.

Finally, Ron spoke up, "I'll do it."

Ginny raised her eyebrows, "Which one?"

"The one involving me placing the roses on her chair and then asking her after class," Ron replied, "I'm not feeling brave enough for the other one."

Ginny and Harry both laughed and Harry replied, "Alright, mate. This will be good."

Ron nodded, "Let's hope so."

* * *

Hermione spent a lovely dinner with her parents and afterwards, as was tradition in their family, her father lit a fire in the fireplace and the three of them sat together in their living room drinking hot chocolate and talking.

"So, Hermione, how has term been?" Mrs. Granger asked her daughter.

Hermione sighed, "Well, it hasn't been as good as in the past, but I've been getting by. I think the heightened security and stress from the war, never knowing what is going to happen, has been affecting my performance a bit."

Mr. Granger nodded, "I'm sure it has been. It's hard to study when there is so much going on in the world around you. I'm proud of you; you still have high marks, even if they weren't as high as before."

Hermione agreed, "Yes, and classes are much more difficult now as we are preparing for our N.E.W.T.S. next year. There is more material to read and memorize and more hands on activities in which to participate. I didn't think Potions could get any worse, but we're moving at a much faster pace now. Arithmancy is moving faster as well, actually, all the classes are moving much faster and giving more work. But, it will be good in the long run when we get out into the real world."

Her parents agreed with her and they sat in silence for a few minutes before her mother asked, "Has anyone at school been catching your eye since Viktor?"

Hermione blushed, "Mum! Viktor is, and always has been, just a friend."

She laughed, "Well, you didn't answer the question, my dear."

Hermione sighed and stared at the floor for a couple minutes before looking up again, "Well, I think I might have feelings for Ron."

Her father looked confused, "Ron Weasley? Your best friend?"

Hermione nodded, "Yes, I know it's completely outrageous and silly. I mean, how can two best friends date? It doesn't make sense. We know each other too well. We'd just end up hurting one another."

Mrs. Granger smiled, "Hermione, if you know each other already won't it make it easier?"

Hermione shrugged, "I don't know, I just don't want to hurt him. I can't tell him how I feel."

Mrs. Granger nodded, "That doesn't mean you can't hint at it."

Hermione groaned, "Mum, if there were ever a person unable to take a hint, it would be Ron Weasley."

Mr. Granger laughed, "Well, you can hardly blame the boy. Chaps don't take hints, you have to be blunt."

Hermione was silent for a moment, and then agreed, "Yes, I just wish someone else would tell him for me. Well, I don't tell him unless he asks."

Mr. and Mrs. Granger told their daughter how their dentist practice was progressing and what was going on with the neighbors. They told her how her cousins, aunts, and uncles were holding up and what their plans were for the immediate future. When the clock struck twelve, each family member opened one gift and then proceeded to bed, as they had done as far back as Hermione could remember.

Hermione drifted off to sleep, but was soon awakened by a commotion in the kitchen.

* * *

Albus Dumbledore remained in his office in the wee hours of the Christmas morn, engaged with his Pensieve and thinking of recent events in the wizarding world. Fudge was weakening as a minister, turning to Dumbledore more and more for advice, yet he seemed unable to give up his Pureblood sympathies and embrace those who were allies.

He was deep in thought when he heard what sounded like people falling on the carpet below. He looked down from his position and saw Hermione and her parents sprawled on the floor, bleeding and disheveled.

"Hermione! What happened?" he called as he sprang down to the family. Mr. Granger had stood and helped his wife to her feet, before turning to his daughter. Hermione cringed yet stood, clutching the back of a chair for support. She looked up at the headmaster.

"Death Eaters. Apparently, they knew where I was even before we used the Fidelius Charm. They Apparated in, however, they miscalculated and knocked over some dishpans in the kitchen, and in their haste and confusion several of their wands went haywire. My parents and I awoke and went down to see what was happening as the various spells caught our house on fire, among other things. My father started to fight one of them, but I called to him and we all managed to get away with the ring. They probably know the identities of the other students who returned home as well. Was there ever a list of the students?" she asked with curiosity.

Dumbledore nodded, "There always is. How they got a hold of it, I do not know. However, I'm glad that you and your family are safe. I can only hope that others will be as fortunate. I will contact the families and make sure that they are ready if need be, or see if they wish to send their children back to Hogwarts. Hermione, kindly escort your parents to Madame Pomfrey, if you would. I will make arrangements for you all, you need not worry. However, do be on your guard. I suggest that you stay in the hospital wing tonight and you can meet up with Harry and the Weasleys in the morning."

Hermione brightened, "All of the Weasleys are here?"

Dumbledore shook his head, "Ron and Ginny and their parents are here, of course, the other Weasleys are located in various parts of the wizarding world. However, I thought it necessary for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley to come for Christmas because I suspected some sort of Death Eater strike, although it seems to have been against your family instead of theirs. We will see. For now, just try to get some sleep."

* * *

Hermione awoke the next morning to commotion yet again; however, this commotion was due to a pair of sixteen-year-old boys at the foot of her bed trying to decide whether or not to wake her. Sleepily, she sat up.

"Good morning, boys," she said as they jumped and looked at her.

Ron spoke first, "Good morning, Hermione! Are you alright?"

Harry broke in, "Yeah, we've been so worried!"

Hermione smiled, "I'm fine, now that I've been all patched up. What have you been up to?"

Ron shrugged, "Not much, I mean, there isn't a lot to do when you can't go outside."

Harry agreed, "Yeah, we've been looking for a place to practice flying inside."

Hermione cocked an eyebrow, "What about that place where we held D.A. meetings last year?"

Harry's face lit up, "Yes! That could work. Let's try it later, Ron!"

Hermione grinned, "Well, boys, I'm going to get some rest. I'll talk to you later, alright? Happy Christmas."

The boys chimed together, "Happy Christmas, Hermione."

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Review! One chapter left, and you can only guess what events will transpire. Will it all go as planned, or will there be a hitch? *wink* Let me know what you think!

Hope y'all are having a great summer.

~AmericanAngel