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Chapter Three

Hermione laid in bed listening to the calm of the morning that she knew would not last long. Today she would be venturing to Hogwarts for her sixth year. Her nerves and excitement had woken her extra early; as she glanced at the clock, she saw it was 5:00 A.M.

'This year will be different.' she told herself. 'It will be better. I will tell him, I won't waste another year that we could spend together. Or won't.' she tried to block that possibility out of her mind. 'Well, you won't know what Ron thinks until you take action! You WILL tell him.won't waste more time. It will be okaywell, maybe.' After her inner speech of encouragement she stood up and prepared to 1) Wake Ginny, and 2) Prepare for change.

********

As practically every year had went, the Weasley's made it to platform 9 3/4 with about five minutes to spare. Luckily, this year they only had Ron, Ginny, Hermione and Harry to pass inconspicuously into the solid wall that divided platforms 9 and 10, and led to the Hogwarts express.

"Good bye children. Be good this year! Stay safe!" said Molly, her eyes streaming with tears as she made the round of Hugs.

"No going off the grounds or spying or anything! PLEASE be safe!" warned Mr. Weasley.

"I could say the same to the two of you" responded Ron, with and nod from Harry. They were of course referring to the duty's Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had in the Order of the Phoenix. "Really Dad, I think we should worry more about you!" said Ginny.

"Well it'll keep us safer if we don't have to worry about you getting expelled or playing hero" said Mrs. Weasley, remembering the events that led to Sirius' death. Obviously, those memories seemed to cross Harry's mind, because at her words his slight grin fell and his eyes were distant. Mr. Weasley also saw this. He put a hand on Harry's shoulder and said something quietly to Harry that woke him from his trance.

After a few more warnings, and hugs, the quartet made their way inside the train, each of them a bit misty-eyed.

********

'Today's the day' Ron told himself. Those two weeks of awkward glances and rushed conversations with Hermione were going to end today. Maybe just maybe if they had not shared that kiss he could have gone on as they had, avoiding the feelings they both had known were there for years. But that kiss had set things off. It made him want more.

'Plus, I don't want to avoid it. I know what I want, what I've always wanted' Ron thought.

He and Hermione sat in a compartment together on the train. Alone. Harry and Ginny had been in there with them for a while, but they could feel the tension between the two struggling lovers as much as they could. Hermione and Ron had actually both thought that they were playing it cool, and controlling their glances, blushes and stutters perfectly.

When the quartet had entered the compartment silence had replaced the usual conversation. For a bit Harry and Ginny watched as Hermione took out a book, read a page, stared at Ron, watched her glance at the page when he caught her staring, watched him stare at Hermione and so on, so forth. There was only so much snickering and observing Harry and Ginny could take before they announced that they were going to go for a search for the food trolley, a statement that earned a nod from both parties but no further response.

"I hope they work things out. Lets leave them alone for a while, okay?" said Ginny as she and Harry walked through the train.

"SureDo you wanna maybe find an empty compartment? So we could talk and stuff?"

"I'd love to; great."

Then with a blush, Harry awkwardly extended his hand to Ginny, which she gently took.

********

Hermione stared at page 285 of her book, as she had been doing for most of the train ride. She knew they were alone. 'Remember the last time you were alonemaybe you shouldn't Oh it was nice.'

Suddenly she felt someone sit down next to her. Hermione stopped breathing for a moment. She knew it was him who else would it be? But still she had to look up, almost as if it was programmed to do so. She waited and then very discreetly she lifted her head and looked next to heronly to find that he was staring right at her.

Ron watched Hermiones every move, until her brown eyes were gazing into his blue. She made to bury herself into her book again, but this time Ron didn't let her. He put his hand over the page, and then closed the book. "Not now Hermione."

She looked at his handsome face. His features were stern as he made his request. She noticed how his brow was knit and his mouth was grim; forced into decision His eyes were wide and luminous. She licked her lips nervously and said the only thing that came to mind. "Why not Ron?"

"We need to talk"

Hermione sucked in her breath nervously. 'What will he say? Is he mad? Will he say it was a mistake?' "OkayI guess we do."

"Hermione, do you remember what happened? In your room when I went to get you? Between us?" 'Of course she does you idiot.'

"YesI do. Perfectly."

"Well, I made a mistake."

She felt tears gushing out of the corners of her eyes. She tried to stop them, but they had taken on a life of her own. "Oh, RonI'm sorry. I just, I mean I couldn't help it! You were so close andI've had these feelingsI think you know what I mean. I'm sorry if I've made you uncomfortable." 'I've been agonizing these two week for this answer. The gods hate me.'

Ron's eyes widened as he caught Hermiones meaning. "Oh, no, no! I didn't think what you did, I mean kissing me and all, was a mistake; or me kissing you back. What I meant was it was a mistake that I didn't tell you how I felt then. It was a mistake for me to jump up like that. Because you see, I've felt things for you too. Not just friend feelingsmore."

"You have?" Hermione smiled. "I didn't think you liked me. I thought that you just didn't want to tell me that you weren't interested. To spare my feelings."

Ron put a hand on hers as he responded. "Oh I was!!! You see, I like you" and then he added in a softer voice "but, I also love you."

At that Hermione completely broke down. It was practically a dream. He, Ron Weasley loved her. At first she wasn't even sure if she could believe him. It could after all be a joke. But then, she told herself, he was not a cruel prat like Malfoy. Ron was something special, which is why she loved him.

"Ron I wish I would have known soonerI've been in agony since it happened; not knowing of I did something completely stupid. I was so upset that you brushed me off like that." She gave a small laugh and smiled. "At least the wondering is over."

"I'm so sorryI was so nervous, you see it was my first kiss. The one I had only dreamed of. Thank you for that by the way." He put his forehead against her own and took in her lovely appearance.

" It was my first too. I've loved you for practically six yearsjust thank you for loving me back." With that Hermione was preparing to lean in for what would be their second kiss, but Ron beat her to it. He bent his head to hers and then kissed her. It started as soft and tender but turned into more.

Their kiss became firm and passionate, and then as if a primal instinct had kicked in, their mouths parted. Hermione almost gasped when she felt Ron's tongue against her own. At first they made contact shyly, but when she got a hold of his sweet taste she wanted more.

When they broke apart, Ron winded his fingers through her chestnut colored hair while kissing her neck and face. She simply sighed and said "Ron, this is a dreamhow could this be happening to me?"

"Hermione I love you. Everything will be perfect from now on."

As they embraced one another they did not notice the brooding figure in the window that heard the confessions, and felt his heart break.

A/N: Chapter four is coming soon! Thanks for the reviews! Keep them coming, If you would like to read more!