CHAPTER 13

THE BEGINNING

''Hurry up baby.'' Harry called up the stairs leading to the girls dormitries. It was the morning that they were going to Hogsmeade, they had all had breakfast and were ready to go apart from Ginny and Hermione who didn't know what to wear.

''I'll be there now babe.'' Ginny called back, she had found the perfect pair of jeans to wear, that showed off her figure perfectly, she just couldn't decide what top to put on. Herm, what do you think?'' she asked, as she tried a low cut top on.

''Oh yeah that's great.'' Hermione said as she pulled on her skirt. ''Well that's me done, what do you think?'' she asked, ''Too tarty?''

''No, it looks really nice.'' Ginny replied as she looked at Hermione standing there in a denim skirt that came to the middle of her thighs and a vest top and a baby blue jacket, she had a pair of trainers on her feet. Both girls had used magic to do their make up and had both curled their hair into loose ringlets. ''Well we better go before they come and drag us down.'' Ginny said as the two girls walked down the stairs to meet Harry and Ron.

The walk into Hogsmeade was very pleasant, and the weather was quite warm considering it was the end of September. The four friends walked down into the village of Hogsmeade, and into the Three Boormsticks to have a few butterbeers before they started their shopping.

They stayed in the Three Broomsticks for a while and each had three butterbeers, before they decided to head up to Honeydukes to get their sweets. The queues in Honeydukes were ridiculously long and wound out of the door like long snakes. When they had all eventually paid for their sweets, they started wandering aimlessly up the road towards the shreiking shack.

''This is great isn't it?'' Ron asked, as he slipped his arm around Hermiones waist.

''What, Hogsmeade, or you having your arm around me?'' Hermione asked teasingly.

''Both.'' Ron grinned.

''I know.'' Hermione answered back, ''It is great.'' she was talking mainly about Ron's arm around her, and he knew it.

''What was that?'' Harry asked the group, straining his ears so he could hear it again.

''What was what?'' Ron questionned Harry, but before Harry could reply the terrifying sound came again. A loud piercing scream of terror coming from somewhere by the shreiking shack. Harry and Ron pulled out their wands and started running up to the place where the scream had come from, they were followed closely by Ginny and Hermione.

They all sprinted up to the shreiking shack, the closer they got the louder the screams became, they heard two small voices pleading and begging, and cold hard cruel voices laughing and sneering. The screaming pounded in Harry's ears as he ran faster and faster, not thinking about what he was going to see when he got there, just knowing that he needed to get there as fast as possible. He heard the voices begging and pleading, he heard a small girls terrified sobs and he heard the cold, sneering voice of a man muttering 'Crucio.' He heard the words, and memories flooded back to him, memories from his forth year, where he was tortured by Voldemort himself. He knew the fear that the girl must be feeling, he knew the excruciating pain and the pleasure that this would give the Death Eaters.

As Harry, Ron Hermione and Ginny rounded the corner the sight that met them, would remain embedded in their memories forever. A small girl and boy, who could have only been in the third year were laying on the floor in crumpled heaps, twitching occasionally . The girls face was red and tear streaked, she was crying softly and Harry just wanted to go up to her and cuddle her, tell her everything would be ok, that she was safe now, just as he had wanted someone to do to him while he was being tortured.

The groups presence obviously had an immediate affect on the Death Eaters as they all looked at each other, knowing that it would be only a matter of seconds before they were surrounded. Harry pointed his wand straight ahead of him, as did his friends, they shouted 'Stupefy' and four red beams went out from the tips of their wands just as a flash of blinding green light appeared and the sound of a loud crack.

The green light faded and Harry walked forward slowly, witnessed by the large group of people who had also run up to the shack when they had heard the bloodcurdling screams. Harry looked around on the floor expecting to see the four Death Eaters laying stunned on the ground, but the longer he looked around for them, he knew that the possibility of finding them was shrinking, he had to face up to the harsh reality that they had been too late. The Death Eaters had performed the killing curse, and had apparated before their stunning spells had hit them. Harry turned around to see Ron, Hermione and Ginny bent over something on the floor.

He walked slowly and dejectedly over to them knowing what he would find on the floor in front of them. The bodies of the two children, laying in a heap on the hard floor, looks of terror on their faces as they heard the dreaded words leave their tormentors mouths. 'Avada Kedavra.' two small words that had the power to suck the life out of any living being, the words that most wizards and witches feared above all else, the words that hadn't affected Harry when he was just one year old, but now needed to be said by him in order to stop Voldemort, as they couldn't both stay alive, Harry was either going to have to kill or be killed.

He stared down at the two children, absentmindedly brushing the girls hair out of her face, he felt a tear roll down his cheek as the Ministry officials came and took their bodies away. Ginny came over to him and put a comforting arm around his shoulder, she knew the affect that this would have on Harry. Practically all of his family had been killed by this curse, he knew how terrible it was and even though Ginny herself was terrified, having never witnessed anything like it in her life she knew she had to stay strong for Harry's sake.

She remained by his side all the way back up to the castle as Hogsmeade was evacuated. She refused to leave him on his own and Harry was glad that she was there, he didn't know what to do with himself so he just stayed in Ginny's arms, feeling comforted by the fact that at least he still had her to turn to.

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After the attack Hogsmeade had been evacuated by Ministry officials and all of the Hogwarts students were escorted up to the castle by trained aurors. After Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny had been interveiwed and asked if they could describe any of the Death Eaters (which they couldn't), all students gathered in the great hall under Dumbledore's orders. The house tables filled up and the students sat silently waiting for Dumbledore to addresss them Muffled sobs coming from every table as the terrible news spread throughout the school. Dumbledore stood up, ready to address his pupils.

''Now as I am sure most of you have heard by now, there has been an attack in Hogsmeade today. The attack was on two third year Hufflepuffs Freda Gregory and Samuel Young.'' Dumbledore paused as fresh sobs echoed through the great hall. ''The attack was made by Voldemorts Death Eaters, the two students were tortured and then killed by the killing curse. I am telling you this now, because only when we learn the truth can we start to deal with the aftermath of today's tradgedies. Freda and Samuel were murdered by Voldemorts supporters we must all try to ensure that their memory is honoured and that we don't let any others die in the hands of Voldemort. Ministry officials are looking into their deaths and as of yet we do not know why these two pupils were targeted.'' Dumbledore said quietly the twinkle in his eyes replaced by an angry glint.

''I bet I know why they were targeted, it's because they were both muggle born. Harry spat venomously, he continued not noticing the horrified look in Hermione's eyes. She had always known that she was at risk because she was muggle born, it was part of the reason she tried her hardest to learn all her spells, just in case. But it was only after the attack in Hogsmeade that she truly realised the horror of the Cruciatus curse and the blinding terror of the killing curse, she realised then that she should be petrified of being caught by DeathgEaters, and she was more at risk than her friends.

''So until the Death Eaters responsible are caught all future Hogsmeade trips are hereby cancelled.'' Dumbledore finished to a loud moan of protest from the Slytherin table, all the other tables were silent none of them were planning on going back to Hogsmeade after what had just happened anyway. They were quite content to stay in school under Dumbledore's protection. The only man that Voldemort had ever been afraid of.

Later that evening the Gryffindor common room was the fullest that it had been in ages, no-one wanting to venture up to bed alone. There were large groups of students all over the common room, all tightly huddled together whispering about the tragic events of the day.

One of theose groups was made up of all of the sixth year Gryffindors minus Parvati and Lavender who were as always with their boyfriends, and Ginny. They all sat toghether not gossiping about it like all of the other groups but talking about how they felt.

''You know what if we were a second earlier we would have caught those Death Eaters.'' Harry said regretfully to the group.

''Yeah I know.'' Ron sighed dejectedly, ''It just goes to show that we all really need to be prepared though, in case we end up in the wrong place at the wrong time.''

''Yeah.'' Neville aggreed, ''I'm glad I'm in the DA, that way I'll know more spells and hopefully be able to protect myself should the worst happen.'' Neville stopped and looked around slowly at the group, who were all nodding their heads in silent agreement.

The group of friends sat talking until most of the common room had emptied, no-one noticing that Hermione, who usually who had something to say about everything, hadn't spoken a word all night. No-one except Ron that is, he noticed that Hermione hadn't said a word all night, hadn't even moved for that matter - she just sat, pale as a ghost staring straight ahead of her.

Ron waited until everyone in the common room had gone up to bed before he walked over to Hermione and knelt down in front of her resting his hands gently in her lap. She jumped as though she hadn't even seen him walking over to her.

''Mione?'' Ron whispered gently.

''mmm'' came her reply. Ron looked at her closely and saw that silent tears were falling down her cheeks.

''Shhhh, don't cry.'' he said softly wrapping her in his arms, ''It's ok Mione, I'm here, don't worry.'' She hugged him back tightly and broke down in his arms.

''Oh Ron, that......that could've been me........you.......you heard Harry.......he said that......that they only did it.....because....they were muggle......born.......like me........What if......what if I'm......next?'' she sobbed, as Ron hugged her closer to him.

''Mione look at me.'' he said calmly as he lifted her face up so he could look her directly in the eyes. ''I promise that I will never ever let anyone hurt you Mione. I would rather die than see you feel one ounce of pain.'' she stared into his soulful blue eyes and saw that he was not lying, that he meant every last word.

''But.......I'm scared........I'm scared Ron.............I don't want to lose you.'' she said, her tears now falling freely down her cheeks, it was at this moment saw past her bossy exterior and saw that inside she was just a frightened little girl.

''You'll never lose me Mione, I'll always be there for you, don't be scared.'' he soothed her and smiled as he saw a small smile play across her lips.

''Ron?'' she asked timidly.

''Yeah Mi'.'' he answered as he stared into her chocolate brown eyes, that were shining from tears.

''Will you...Will you sleep in with me tonight?'' she asked quietly.

''Of course I will, you don't need to be afraid anymore Mione. I'm here for you and I always will be.'' he answered kindly. ''You mean too much to me for me to let anything hurt you.'' Hermione had never seen this side of Ron before, the sensitive side, the Ron she knew used to feel awkward comforting someone who had been crying, yet here he was hugging her, holding her in his strong arms and making her feel better without any signs of awkwardness. She leaned up and kissed him softly on the lips, only breifly to thank him for being there for her when she needed him. She opened her eyes and looked searchingly into his eyes. He leaned down towards her and kissed her again, this time longer and harder than before, he parted his lips and Hermione let her tongue slide out to meet his, the kiss deepened and their tongues rubbed together passionately, they explored every part of the others mouth hungrily, all the passion they had kept bottled up escaping in their kiss.

Hermione pulled away and looked up at Ron who smiled at her, she knew that she hadn't made a mistake and it was at that moment that she knew that all of the feelings that she had felt for Ron for so long were returned by him.

He took her small hand in his own and lead her up to her room, they both climbed into bed together and fell asleep in each others arms.

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The next morning Hermione woke up to find a slepping red head lying in bed next to her, she saw that she had her arms wrapped around him possesively. She sighed as she looked down on his sleeping form, he was beautiful, there was no other way to decribe him, his long muscular arms, his artistic hands with fingers that were curled around the sheets. She silently crawled out of bed, careful not to wake him and headed to the showers then down to breakfast.

When Ron woke up, he did not fing the beautiful girl he had comforted the night before, he did not find the girl who had kissed him so passionately, he found nothing. He rolled on to his back and stared up at the ceiling regretfully. You stupid idiot he told himself Why did you have to kiss her, she probably regrets it now and feels awkward, you had to take advantage of her when she was vulnerable didn't you, you just couldn't help yourself. You fool! He finished mentally scolding himself and decided that he would go and find Hermione right away and apologise for taking advantage. However this turned out to be alot harder than he expected as Hermione had made sure that she was never alone once that day, and her conversation with Ron seemed forced too, she only spoke to him when absolutely neccesary. Harry and Ginny both sensed the tension between the two, but just assumed that they had had another petty argument.

That night Harry and Ginny went of to the Library to 'study' leaving Hermione and Ron alone with each other for the first time all day. They were sat at the far end of the common room, that was empty. Hermione was sitting down reading one of her muggle novels, she stayed that way for ten minutes after Harry and Ginny had left, but not being able to stand the tension in the air got up to go to her room to finish reading.

''Wait Mione, we need to talk.'' Ron said as he grabbed her hand and pulled her back as she started to walk past him.

''What about Ron?'' Hermione asked innocently, knowing exactly what he was going to say but stalling for time.

''Last night.'' Ron stated matter of factly.

''Oh that.'' Hermione sighed heavily. She had been reaccounting the events of the previous night ever since she had woken up this morning in his arms. She remembered with sweet sorrow their first kiss, the passion that escaped her, the overwhelming desire for more. She came back to reality with a crash though as she realised that what had been love and passion for her had probably only been pity and lust for Ron. Last night she thought Ron had returned the feelings that she had felt so strongly for him over the years, but as she lay awake thinking in his arms, she couldn't help but wonder, what if she had misread his feelings, what if he regretted it. Reluctantly she pulled her thoughts together and found Ron was looking at her seriously. ''What about last night?'' she aked playing innocent.

''Well it' not really about last night, more about this morning actually.'' Ron started searching for the words. ''When.........when I woke up.....you were.......gone.....and I thought....Oh God I don't know what I thought.'' he said his face dropping to stare at the floor. Hermione walked up closer to him and silenced him by placing her finger gently over his lips, and looked searchingly into his fierce blue eyes.

''Its ok Ron, I understand.'' she said dejectedly, ''You felt sorry for me last night, you made me feel better the only way you knew how. I undertand it didn't mean anything to you, that's why I left this morning, so that you wouldn't feel awkward.'' she felt tears start to fall down her cheeks, she was powerless to stop them, she carried on looking into his eyes, feeling that if she could just stare into his eyes forever she would never drown in the sorrow that she knew she would feel when he confirmed her fears that last night had been a mistake.

''Is that what you thought?'' he asked her softly as he wiped her tears gentley from her cheeks with his thumbs. ''You thought I kissed you because I felt sorry for you.'' he asked not believing that she could've missed the passion in his kiss. ''I kissed you Mione, because I wanted to, I've been wanting to for ages, I really like you.'' he looked to the ground waiting for her rejection, but it never came. He looked up slowly to see her thinking, with the smallest trace of a smile on her lips.

''You.....you like me?'' she asked unbelievingly. ''So last night really meant something to you?'' she said slowly trying to understand everything that was happening.

''Yes it really did, and I thought it meant something to you too, but obviously I was wrong. I am sorry for taking advantage of you when you were hurt and vulnerable.'' Ron said sadly turning his face away from hers. She put both hands up to his face and pulled his face softly to face her own. She leaned up and kissed him softly and tenderly on the lips, the kiss held none of the passion and desire of the kiss last night, it held something deeper, an understanding, love? As he slowly pulled away, he opened his eyes and looked expectantly at her.

''Ron I left because I thought you only kissed me out of pity, and I didn't want to hear you say it was all a mistake, I feel the same about you, I always have.'' she finished quietly, ''I just didn't want to get hurt.''

''I told you last night Mione and I'll tell you again ,I don't ever want you to feel pain and I especially don't want to be the one to cause you that pain.'' as he said this he took her hands in his own and entwined his fingers with her soft delicate ones, reinforcing her belief in everything he had just told her. ''So this just leaves one question.''

''What?'' she replied curiously.

''Where do we go from here?''

''I'd rather that we take it slowly.'' Hermione said to him soflty. ''I don't want to rush into this incase we ruin our chance with each other for the future. You know what I mean?''

''I understand completely.'' Ron reasured her, he was happy to go at any speed with Hermione. If she had wanted to get married the very next day he would've agreed readily.

''And this will be my first real serious relationship. I want it to be special.'' as she said this she looked into his eyes and saw them sparkle with happiness, she knew that it would be special.

''Same here.'' Ron replied as he bent down and kissed her softly on the lips.

(A.N thank you millions to everybody who has reveiwed so far, this story that was planned to be just a bit of H/G R/Hr fluff has developed into a full blown story, completed with detailed (well what I call detailed) plot and everything, I have planned out this story for 6th year. I also have a pretty good idea what will happen in 7th year and after. I hope you will all be interested enough to read all three stories that I am planning to write from this one. Let me know what you all think, I'll probably write them anyway but it'd be nice to know that someone will actually be interested in reading them all. Sorry for the really long AN but please review. I collect them lol. ice princess x x x x x x x x x x x P.S I know that I got Ginny's ex-boyfriends name wrong in chapter 12, it's Micheal not Mark)