A/N: I don't think I made it clear in any other chapter, so I'm doing it now. DISCLAIMER: In a big way! I do not own any of the characters or anything else you may be reading about. They belong completely and totally to Ms. Rowling (lucky duck0. Don't sue me!

This is chapter four, and I'm just getting into it, so bear with me. The plot begins now! Also, I tried to make it a bit easier to read, so if you're still reading thank you for sticking with it.

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"Are you sure the whole thing on the train got cleared up, Ron? Hermione looked pretty shaken."

Harry asked Ron this question as they laid down for bed. He hadn't had a moment alone with Ron to discuss it before now, and though they were both about to collapse after being well fed, it needed to be talked about.

"Oh, I don't know Harry. She really was shaken last year. I know we all were, but I don't think she's as strong as she'd like to seem. Anyway, I said my bit, and it seemed to calm her down. I reckon if she has anymore problems, she'll talk to us. Right?"

Harry honestly didn't know if she would. She had seemed very embarrassed about the whole thing.

"All I know is, when she brought round the subject of her almost dying an' all, I nearly got as hysterical as she did. I had pushed it out of my mind, and it all came flying back to hit me in the face. I don't like thinking about it." Ron winced as he said all this.

"Yea well, try and get some sleep, Ron. With our luck, we'll have Potions in the morning."

"Right, well, g'night Harry."

"Night Ron."

Ron's last thought before he fell asleep, practically when he hit the pillow, was that he would give his life in exchange for Hermione's if it came down to it. He shuddered at the thought of losing her and rolled over to sleep.

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"Bugger this! Only two weeks in, our second weekend mid you, and we have homework in every subject!" Ron said frustrated. "Of course, Ron, it was all assigned on the third day in, but you decided to put it off, as you always do. It's your own." Hermione's scolding was quickly broken off as Ron finished for her.

"It's my own fault, I know it Mione, but do ya think maybe you could help me out?"

Ron and Hermione were studying in an empty classroom, seeing as everywhere else was filled to capacity. It was raining outside, and everyone had homework to do as well. The teachers really had decided to crack down on the homework. Hermione secretly thought it was ridiculous, but she would never let on.

"Ron, of course I'll help you, that's why we're here and not with Harry in the Common Room. When your with Harry, neither of you gets anything done at all. And since you needed extra help, and Harry didn't that's why I'm here. Now the charm for retrieving a fallen object is really quite simple."

Her voice became fainter as Ron lost himself in his own thoughts. It had been two weeks since that day on the train, and none of the four who had witnessed it had brought it up. It was all for the best, they supposed. Ron's thoughts, however, were constantly on Hermione. He couldn't figure out why, but he would have nightmares where she was pale and lifeless, and would wake up in a cold sweat. He hated them, but couldn't seem to make them go away. Little did he know that Hermione's thoughts had drifted towards him lately as well. She had thought of little else than the way Ron had comforted her on the train.
Ron stared at her. For the first time, he realized she was not a little girl anymore. This creature who had filled out and become beautiful was no longer "one of the guys". The hair that was her trademark, was bushy, yes, but attractive when placed on a head that contained the most appealing lips and charming smile. Oh and her eyes that were so soulfully brown. You could get lost in those eyes.

"Ron! Ron! Have you heard a word I've said at all? Ron-what? Is there something on my face?"

"No, no. Sorry, I just got lost in thought. Right, so you were saying?"

"Ronald Weasley! Just once in your life could you pay attention to something that is going to benefit you in the near future!?!"

The fuzzy feelings Ron had been having suddenly disappeared as his temper rose.

"Well, I'll thank you Hermione for holding my attention so well! "

"At least I'm trying!"

"I'm trying too! We can't all be so focused all the time!"

Their faces were inches apart now as they stood up and seemed to challenge one another.

"Well, Ron, it wouldn't kill you to focus for ten minutes at a time!"

"I'll be sure to put that in the notes for this lesson, Ms. Granger!"

"Oh Ron, your so.so.oh I don't know what you are, but it's infuriating!"

"Hermione, you're infuriating as well, but no in the way you think."

"Ron, what are you talking."
Hermione was cut of as Ron pulled her roughly to him and kissed her. She stood stiff and shocked for a fraction of a second and then began to respond. Ron Weasley was kissing her! His thoughts were along the same wavelength. Hermione Granger's kissing me! Or I'm kissing her, I'm not quite sure.
They broke apart, Ron still holding Hermione to him with an arm around her waist. They stared at each other.

"What just happened?" Hermione breathed.

"I'm not quite sure, but I know I enjoyed it."

"I did as well. Ron, I think.well.I think I've always liked you, but I didn't have the slightest idea how to tell you."

"I did as well, but it does seem a bit odd, doesn't it?"

"Yes, well, I'm sure we could work it out."

"Hermione, I think the question I should be asking is: Would you be my girlfriend?"

"Ron, of course I will. Do sit down, though. We have your homework to finish."

"Woman, you have a one-track mind," Ron said irritably, but he was smiling.

"Of course I do, it's what keeps me going. Alright now again the charm to retrieve a fallen objects."

Ron again let her voice drift away as he thought of his good fortune. The feelings he was having towards Hermione had been figured out. He thought now he would have some peace. Maybe. He glanced into her wonderful eyes, smiled and began to actually focus on what she was saying.

A/N: Don't worry more chapters to come. This story would have too easy an ending if I left it. Please R/R! Please! I'm begging you!