Chapter 6 - Making Changes (Part 2)

Dear Hermione,

Since you did not answer my last letter a few days ago I guessed you were very busy ('Well duh Viktor', Hermione said to herself sarcastically, 'what gave it away? The fact that you didn't get any mail recently or the fact that your head dosen't hurt after trying to concentrate on reading a letter I sent you?' Hermione felt bad though since Viktor was worried about her). The offer to go Bulgaria still stands. I would make you feel very at home there and I would do my best to make you happy. When or if you come here we could visit the historic cities in Bulgaria ('Great! When all else fails try to entice me with a history trip!') or we could go for a meal. Please answer this letter Hermione. I know we are only friends but perhaps we could try again ('No chance!'). I've told you I love you and you must have felt some feelings for me at one time. I've tried to move on Hermione but you're only girl for me. It's hard trying to be without you. Thankyou for the birthday and Christmas presents you have sent me. Now please give me the greatest present of all and come to Bulgaria to say that you want to be with me again.

All my love,

Viktor.

Hermione felt very sorry for Viktor since he did love her but she couldn't return his feelings. The letter would not change her mind and since she didn't really like cheesy, romantic gestures so she rolled her eyes at the last sentence of his letter. To put him out of his misery she wrote him a letter back.

Dear Viktor,

I'm sorry that I have not returned your letters but I have been very busy preparing to leave Hogwarts. Your last letter was very nice and I can't begin to thank you enough for the offer of visiting you in Bulgaria. However I must decline your offer. I'm afraid I do not love you in the way that you love me. I'm your friend and always will be. Please try to understand this. I don't want to lose your friendship so I think it's best that I don't come to Bulgaria. Thanks again! From,

Hermione.

She sealed the letter and gave it to one of the school owls to take to Viktor. She glanced down at the letter from Viktor in her hand and went back to her dormitory to put it in her trunk. Once again she noticed on the way to the Common Room that there were no Gryffindors around. Even as she came towards the portrait there was no sound coming from inside.
'Password?' the fat lady asked her.
'Devils Snare', Hermione answered.
'Hermione!' a voice called from behind her. It was Ginny and she was running towards her, very out of breath and looking utterly relieved to see her.
'Hi Ginny', Hermione said smiling as she was about to step inside the entrance.
'I've been looking all over for you!' Ginny said as she reached her.
Hermione laughed. 'Important was it? We'll talk inside.' She climbed into the Gryffindor Common Room as Ginny followed.
'Oh Hermione, you dropped your letter!' Ginny called, picking Krum's letter up. But her voice was drowned out by the loud shouts of 'SURPRISE!' coming from inside the Common Room.
As Hermione stepped into the Common Room all of the Gryffindors had jumped out to surprise her. A huge banner was hanging on the wall which read, 'The Smartest Girl in School' and a large table was set out with sweets and drinks covering it. All of the Gryffindors were smiling at her and some had party hats on.
'What's all this?' Hermione asked as she and Ginny stepped inside.
'It's a party for you!' Seamus cried handing her a drink of Butterbeer.
'To celebrate the fact that you're alright and a good friend to us', Harry concluded.
'You deserve it', Ron said coming forward. Hermione looked at him and beamed. Her dream had been horrible but seeing the real Ron made her feel better.
'For, for me?' Hermione asked, her voice shaking; she was about to cry.
'Yeah', said Neville, 'McGonagall thought of it but Ron arranged it.' Ron's ears went pink.
'It's wonderful', Hermione breathed, a tear rolled down her face.
'Yeah', Neville agreed, looking around, 'Do you like the banner? We got our inspiration for it from Ron's poem.' Ron's whole face now turned red.
'Yeah well, all the Gryffindors offered to help', Ron said shyly, 'and some other people too. We've got fireworks from Fred and George's shop and some erm, 'drink' from the Leaky Cauldron. Hagrid ordered it for us. He wasn't very keen on it, but since it was for your party. . .'
'McGonagall got us the sweets from the kitchens', Harry said, 'and as you're from a muggle family we got some muggle music for you. The room's enchanted so it can play it throughout the party.'
'I can't believe this', Hermione said smiling, 'thank you all so much.'
'No problem', Harry and Ron said together.
'Start the party!' everyone started chanting so Harry and Ron took Hermione to get some food and Seamus started up the music again drowning out Ginny saying, 'Here's your letter Hermione', so she decided to give it to her later.
For the first time in ages Hermione was happy again. She couldn't remember the last time she enjoyed herself as much as she enjoyed the party. She must have danced with every boy in the Common Room, except the first years (who were too shy) and Harry (who didn't like dancing much) and Ron (who was too busy eating the sweets which made her feel disappointed). A few times some sixth years asked her out so she tried to avoid dancing after this, as she felt awkward. Instead she went over to harry and Ron to eat some sweets and have a few 'drinks' but she didn't want to get drunk and make a fool of herself so she only took a few drinks of firewhiskey.
Ron wasn't eating or drinking much when Hermione came over. He kept glancing over at her when he thought she wasn't looking. This made Hermione blush furiously.
'Wanna dance?' Ron asked suddenly. It had been almost inaudible but he had definitely asked her. Hermione looked up quickly to see Ron, crimson with embarrassment looking at her. This was what she'd been wanting all night. This would make her evening complete, so why was she so shy now?
'Umm, ok', she said, trying hard not to smile like an immature first year being asked to go out with someone.
They both got up awkwardly to make their way out into the middle of the Common Room where everyone was dancing. Just then they heard someone from behind them.
'Hey Ron!' it was Lavender Brown. 'Where are you going? Oh are you going to get me a drink? Great, I'll have a . . . oh just a butterbeer! Don't want to get too drunk just yet.' Ron stood looking at her at a total loss for words. 'Oh, hi Hermione', Lavender said, giving Hermione quite a subtle dirty look. 'Nice party by the way. Go on Ron, I'm dying of thirst.'
Ron sighed heavily and turned to go to the drinks table. 'Just a minute Hermione', he said.
Lavender didn't wait for Ron, she followed him up to the table and stood beside him. Hermione was just left to stand near them awkwardly listening to their conversation, hoping to join in and get Ron to dance with her.
'This is a cool party Ron. Well you did arrange so it's what I expected.' Lavender was saying but Hermione couldn't help but notice the flirty tone in her voice. 'We should dance. This music isn't very good but we'd better make the most of it.'
'Well, I was going to dance with Hermione', Ron said quickly looking over at Hermione for support. Both Lavender and Ron were looking at Hermione but Lavender was giving her a threatening look.
'No, it's ok', Hermione lied. 'Maybe later, Ron.' Ron nodded and Lavender glared at her.
'Yeah maybe', Lavender said pulling Ron's arm and leading him out to dance. Hermione was just left standing again. She made her way over to Harry.
'Aren't you going to dance with Ginny?' Hermione asked him. Harry had been sitting on his own the whole night.
'Nah', he said taking a sip of firewhiskey. 'Besides, she's dancing with Colin.'
'Bet you wish Susan could be in Gryffindor so you could dance with her', Hermione said, referring to his girlfriend.
'Yeah sometimes', Harry said. He had now become more open about his feelings and talked about his girlfriends more to Hermione as she understood. 'But that's what makes our relationship so special. We're different and so we've got more to talk about. I used to think that the more I had in common with a girl the better our relationship would be. But that's not true. Susan and I do have things in common but we can talk to each other so easily.' Harry smiled thinking about Susan Bones, his girlfriend from Hufflepuff.
'You really like her don't you?' Hermione asked.
'No', Harry sighed, 'I think I love her.' Hermione understood his feelings completely.
The door of the Common Room swung open and Professor McGonagall stepped inside. She smiled at everyone having a good time.
'May I please speak to Mr. Ronald Weasley?' she called, looking around the room for Ron. The crowd parted and Ron came forward with a worried expression on his face.
'Uh oh Ron what have you done now?' Seamus joked, but McGonagall was beaming from ear to ear at him.
'Oh and I would also like to see Miss Granger if that's possible.' McGonagall added.
Hermione got up, wondering what she was wanted for and she followed Ron and McGonagall out of the Common Room. When the were out in a more private area McGonagall turned to them.
'I suppose you're wondering what I wanted to see you for', she began, 'well don't look so worried Mr. Weasley you're not in trouble. In fact you're far from it. I've just been to see Professor Dumbledore. I'm sure you'll agree that some changes have to be made.' Ron and Hermione didn't know what she was talking about but they nodded their heads anyway. 'You see Mr. Maloy has left us more problems than he intended to. So, Professor Dumbledore had decided the problem must be solved. Mr. Malfoy inconveniently left us without a Head Boy and although it is so close to the end of the school year we still need a Head Boy.
That is why Professor Dumbledore has appointed you, Mr. Weasley as Head Boy of Hogwarts. Because of your bravery and helpfulness you have earned the position. Congratulations! Here is your badge.'
Ron couldn't believe what he was seeing as McGonagall handed him a gold badge with 'Head Boy' printed in silver writing upon it. He took it with a shaking hand and smiled widely.
'Me? Head Boy?' he gasped holding the badge to his chest.
'Yeah!' Hermione said, smiling at him. 'Congratulations Ron.' This was what she wanted from the start. Now she and Ron would be together more often and she wouldn't have to put up with any trouble from the Head Boy. This was Ron of course!
'You will have access to the special Head Student's Room along with Miss Granger so enjoy having extra space to yourself while you're still here. It's not long left until you leave.'
'Thank you', Ron said to McGonagall. 'THIS IS BLOODY FANTASTIC!' Ron punched the air and grabbed Hermione around the waist, swinging her around. Hermione laughed as he set her down again. Ron then turned to McGonagall.
'Don't even think about it Mr. Weasley!' she said sternly but she had a slight smile on her face. 'Or I'll take you up into the air and I won't need to lift you physically.' She joked brandishing her wand.

Hermione and Ron had went back to the Common Room to enjoy the rest of the party but Lavender kept stealing Ron away. Very fast songs were playing in the Common Room. Lavender was dancing with Ron and he was almost out of breath. Harry was getting bored but Hermione didn't want him to go out because he was the only person she felt like talking to.
After a while Ron managed to escape from Lavender and sat beside Hermione and Harry to catch his breath.
'Get me a drink, Harry mate', Ron panted. 'I don't want to go over to the drinks table. Lavender's over there and she'll think I want to dance again.' Harry laughed and went over to the table for Ron.
'Having fun?' Hermione joked but she couldn't help feeling jealous of Lavender. Ron's cheeks were flushed from dancing and his hair was a little wet from sweat.
'Uh', Ron groaned, 'I wish a slow song would come on.' Hermione guessed he wanted a chance to have a romantic dance with Lavender to a slow love song. Her heart sank.
'Here.' Harry said, handing Ron a drink. 'That Lavender really fancies you. She's over there telling all her friends. Seamus isn't happy though. You know he used to go out with her. Just be careful mate. Oh, and she told me to tell you that you're a great dancer.' Harry hated getting stuck in the middle of romances. He hated giggling girls and giving messages like my mate fancies your mate. 'You're well in there.'
Lavender came running over and dragged Ron out to dance again. Luckily for Ron he had just finished his drink. Harry eventually got bored and left to look for Susan, so feeling left out again Hermione went outside to get some fresh air. She stood out in the Hogwarts Grounds in an area beside the Gryffindor Common Room. She could still hear the music playing and the laughter of the students.
The air was chilly and Hermione shivered. Ron would be dancing with someone else. He might even be kissing Lavender now. If Ron wanted to be with Lavender then that's what made him happy. Hermione realised that's what she wanted Ron to be. Hermione quickly turned around when she felt someone standing behind her. Her mouth dropped when she saw Ron standing smiling at her.
'Ron!' she said, 'I thought you were inside with Lavender. You scared me a bit.'
'Sorry', Ron said, his smile fading. 'I'll go if you want to be alone.'
'No!' she said, unintentionally loud. She lowered her voice, 'I mean I don't want to be alone.' Ron smiled and walked over to sit on the ground beside her. She sat down with him.
'So', she said, trying to make conversation but she couldn't help asking a question which was worrying her. 'Are you going to go out with Lavender?'
Ron looked surprised at this question but then shook his head. 'Nope.'
'I thought you liked her.' Hermione said. 'She like you.'
Ron laughed bitterly, 'Yeah, Lavender 'likes' everyone. She's the Hogwarts broomstick; everyone's had a ride.'
'Ron!' Hermione cried but tried hard not to laugh, failing of course.
Ron laughed too, 'What? She is. That's why Seamus dumped her, but he still wants to get back with her.'
'I had a dream about you last night', Hermione said, still laughing. Ron stopped laughing and looked at Hermione. Realising that what had said didn't sound quite right she went on, 'It's silly really. You were going out with Pansy Parkinson.' Hermione purposely left out some other details.

'Really?' Ron began to laugh again. 'Can you imagine that?'
'Yeah it is stupid now that I think about it.'
They sat in silence for a while until Ron blurted out, 'I also came out to ask you to dance . . . again, that is, if you want to.' A song was ending and Hermione nodded do that she could dance with Ron for the full length of the next song. They both stood up waiting for the next song to begin.
Oh no! Hermione thought, not this song! It's too slow, plus it's a love song!
It started to play and she felt Ron blushing as he realised it was a slow song. But he didn't recognise it since it was a muggle song.
'I, I, I don't know this song', Ron stammered.
'We can wait for the next song if you want', Hermione said.
'No, no, no, no I didn't mean I didn't want to dance to it. I just never heard it before that's all.' Without warning Ron stepped closer to Hermione and put his hands on Hermione's waist and began to dance with her. She instinctively put her arms around his neck and danced slowly with him.
'This sounds pretty good', Ron said against her hair. Hermione agreed as she felt that way for Ron. He started to hum the tune and Hermione couldn't help giggling slightly at his attempt to sing.
Ron pulled her away from him slightly so he could look down at her. She just realised how he had grown more tall and was less gangly. He looked gorgeous.
'Are you laughing at my singing Hermione Granger?' he joked, pretending to sound angry and hurt.
'Well it does sound pretty bad, Ron Weasley', she laughed.
'You know, if I didn't have much self confidence I would be hurt by that', he said.
'You mean if you didn't have such a big head you would be hurt by that', Hermione corrected him.
Ron laughed and then put on a really bad singing voice. Hermione laughed very hard and had to hold on tight around Ron's neck to keep her from falling over. Ron steadied her and looked at her seriously. His eyes were shining.
'You have a lovely smile, you know.' He told her. Hermione had to hold on to him even more tighter to stop her legs turning to jelly after he said this. 'You should smile more often.' She just looked at him trying hard not to blush. Afraid that it would turn into an awkward silence Ron laughed and quickly kissed Hermione on the cheek. But his face became serious again after he pulled away and slowly he moved towards her face once again. But this time he moved to her lips.
As his lips touched hers Hermione's heart beat faster than it had ever beat before. This time was different, he must mean what he said; he wasn't drunk. This wasn't some chance she had taken, Ron had done this himself. He actually wanted it and she wanted it too more than anything. Slowly his lips began to move against hers, as if he wasn't sure that she wanted to kiss him back. but his kiss became more sure when Hermione started to kiss him back.
She wanted this more than anything and she responded to him to very quickly. They kissed slowly for a while, exploring each other's mouths. Their kisses were very chaste to begin but as it continued Ron's tongue slid into Hermione's mouth and she parted her lips, allowing him to taste her mouth. This time he didn't taste like alcohol; he just tasted like Ron. It was the most wonderful feeling of her life.
Ron's tongue explored her mouth, savouring her sweet taste and the deeper the kiss became the weaker Hermione became. She felt powerless to stand and had to lean against Ron's chest to support herself. Their tongues touched and the kiss became more passionate. Hermione moved her hands up to Ron's hair to push his face closer to hers while Ron moved his hands gently up and down her waist.
They pulled away for a brief moment, both completely breathless. But Hermione didn't want him to stop. She moved towards him and began to kiss him again. Her tongue moved into his mouth straight away and he pulled her even closer against him. They kissed for what seemed like hours and hours, completely unaware of the whole world around them.
Suddenly, Ron pulled away and looked at her intently, 'I love you Hermione.' She didn't know how to react. She gasped and just stared at him. She felt the same way and HE LOVED HER!
BANG! BANG! BANG! Both Ron and Hermione jumped to see Seamus knocking on the window. They quickly moved apart but he hadn't seen them together. He opened it and called out, 'Ron! Harry wants to speak to you! I think he's lost the present he got for Susan! He says it's the gift voucher in an envelope! Would you help him find it?' Ron looked very annoyed.
'Can it wait till later?' he shouted back.
'No! Not really!' Seamus called. 'He's in a right state about it! Ginny's up in his dormitory helping him to look for it.' Ron tutted loudly and then turned to Hermione. 'Wait for me, yeah?' Hermione nodded and watched him run off to go to the Common Room. Hermione was speechless. She couldn't believe she'd kissed Ron Weasley. The person she loved more than anything. And he wanted to kiss her back. It wasn't as if he was drunk; he wanted it.
Everything around her suddenly seemed so beautiful and she felt like she was walking on air. This was like a dream. But she never wanted to wake up. She waited for about half an hour but she didn't mind. She could wait forever for Ron.
'Hermione!' She turned to see Ginny running towards her.
'Hi Ginny!' Hermione said brightly, but Ginny looked very worried. 'What's wrong?' Hermione asked.
'Hermione I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen. It was an accident.'
'Ginny, calm down!' Hermione said desperately. 'Tell me what's wrong.'
Ginny took a deep breath and started to explain, 'You know that gift voucher I was helping Harry look for? Well Ron came up to look for it too and when I was helping him I put your letter from Viktor Krum on Ron's trunk so I could look properly. You dropped the letter earlier. Ron found it, thinking it was the voucher and he opened it. He didn't really mean to read it but he thought it was his. He didn't read who it was addressed to. Now he's really upset.'
'But why?' Hermione asked. 'That letter is just about Viktor asking me to come to Bulgaria. Why's Ron upset?'
'Oh Hermione, don't you get it?' Ginny cried. 'He loves you! Ron loves you and he thinks that you love Viktor. I'm sorry you had to hear it from me but he told me a while ago. Now he's upset and I was thinking that maybe if you felt the same way about Ron you should tell him.'
Hermione was worried. What if Ron's feelings for her had changed after reading the letter. She loved Ron more than anything but would Ron still love her?

To be continued. . . In the next chapter Ron and Hermione explain their feelings to each other and there will be some . . . let's just say their relationship will 'progress' hehehehehe Yes I know Harry is going out with Susan Bones (sorry to all the Harry/Ginny fans), I just thought it's a change. More to come soon!!!!! Please review and tell me what you think!