Disclaimer: I solemnly swear that I do not own any of the Harry Potter greatness that is.

Previously in Harry Potter and the Final Request:

Ron began to feel the excitement swell up inside of him as he thought of this. Another grand adventure for the Trio. The Trio. Ron stopped.

What about Hermione? Ron had completely forgotten about her – and much to his dismay. He had to write to her as soon as possible.

She'll probably freak on me, he thought. How the bloody hell am I supposed to tell her that Harry's back from the dead?

"That'll be a pleasant conversation," he muttered aloud. "Guess what Hermione? Harry came back from the dead for awhile. He was to warn us that Voldemort's still alive and that we're all in danger." He sighed. I'll just have to do my best.

He eventually made it all the way upstairs to his room. Opening the door, he stopped dead in his tracks.

Sitting on his bed was a bushy-haired, brown-eyed girl, holding a cloak in her lap.

"Hermione?!"

Chapter 7

Ron stood in the doorway frozen in place.

"Hermione?" he asked again. "What – what are you doing here?"

"Dumbledore sent me an owl," she answered. "He said that he wanted me to come here at 7:00 tonight, so I came on the Knight Bus." Her nose wrinkled in disgust at the thought of the appalling purple triple-decker bus. It was definitely not one of her preferred modes of transportation. "Do you have any idea what he's talking about?"

"Yeah," Ron exhaled loudly. He walked over to the bed where Hermione was sitting.

"What's wrong?" she inquired, seeing the foreboding look on Ron's face.

He sat down next to her. "Hermione," he began slowly, "please try not to freak out. I know that it will sound a little bizarre, but you have to promise me that you won't go ballistic. Well, at least wait until I'm finished, okay?"

"Okay." Her features began to show looks of concern and befuddlement.

"Well, to put it bluntly, Harry's back."

By now she was completely lost.

"What?"

"Harry's back. Some Umbrae ghost thing, I dunno. Anyway. He's back. He's here actually – downstairs I think. But that's beside the point. Harry's back to warn us that Voldemort is still alive." He paused for a moment, wanting to allow Hermione the chance to reflect on what he had just said. After a minute, he asked, "Hermione?"

She stared blankly at him. "You're joking, right?"

Joking? She thinks I'm joking? Ah, well, can't really blame her. It does sound a bit outta there now doesn't it?

"Why would I make that up?"

"You're serious?"

Well, actually I'm Ron, but anyways... "Yeah." Oh Merlin, this can't end well.

Hermione got up and ran out of the room.

"'Mione!" Ron got up and ran out after her.

Well, that was better than I anticipated.

X X X

Hermione was standing in the kitchen staring at Harry by the time Ron made had it all the way down the stairs - and having accomplished falling down a whole flight.

"Hermione..." Ron panted, clutching a stitch in his side. "Hold..." gasp "on..." sputter.

She turned slowly to face Ron. He noticed that her eyes were brimming with tears. "Why didn't you tell me?" she whispered. She looked hurt. Ron hated to see her like that. He wanted to hold her, comfort her. He wanted to tell her that he was sorry, and that he loved her, and he would do anything for her.

Harry walked over to her and placed a transparent hand on her shoulder. She jumped. "'Mione, they only just found out. Dumbledore felt that it was finally the time for me to come and talk to you all." He looked at her sympathetically. "'Mione?"

"Oh Harry!" She burst into tears and threw her arms around him, sobbing uncontrollably.

Hey! I'm supposed to be the one who holds her when she cries! I'm supposed to comfort her, not some ghost thing! No offense to Harry of course. But ew, that's gross. That's like... shagging a mummy. Not that I ever think about shagging a mummy. Oh that's just wrong! AH! Stop it Ron! Next time, just stop at dead people. No, there WON'T be a next time because I'm not going to think about it. Let's think about something else, shall we? Okay... How about... chocolate frogs! Yes, chocolate frogs. Those are good. I have about a thousand cards already. I wonder if dead people like chocolate frogs...? NO!! STOP!!! NO DEAD PEOPLE!

"Ron!"

"Huh?" He was yanked suddenly from his thoughts - not that he was upset for being disrupted. He was quite annoyed (not to mention appalled) with thinking about dead people. He looked around to see everyone staring at him. He had been completely oblivious to them trying to get his attention.

"What were you doing?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

"Oh, nothing. Just thinking."

She sighed. "All right then. Well, dinner's in half an hour, just so you're aware. Why don't you go upstairs in the meantime?" She smiled at them, giving Ron a thought that she might be trying to suggest something. Oh dear Merlin! She better not be trying to get us together! Parents should not be doing that. Although a little boost wouldn't hurt anything... "Go on!" She began waving a dishtowel at Ron to get them moving.

"Okay, okay," laughed Ron. "We're going. C'mon." He led the way upstairs, Hermione following behind, and Harry gliding in and out of the walls.

X X X

Harry and Hermione were sitting on Ron's bed talking animatedly about something that sounded, in Ron's opinion, profoundly boring. They could easily give Professor Binns a run for his money (if ghosts had money). He hadn't the slightest notion on what they were discussing, but would give an occasional nod in agreement or a shrug if he was questioned about something. Rather than paying attention to the conversation, he studied Hermione: the way her bushy chestnut hair (which in Ron's opinion had "de- bushed" itself over the past year) bounced and fall ever so gracefully when she would turn or shake her head; the way her amber-brown eyes would light up with excitement at a certain point in their discussion; the way her nose would crinkle when she laughed or when she wrinkled it at a particularly disgusting idea.

Wait a minute. Am I supposed to be noticing all of these things?

Narrator: Yes you are, because you love her and you think she's a radiant angel.

Oh. Okay then.

Narrator: Okay. Back to the story.

"Ron? Something wrong?" Harry asked. Once again he was disrupted from his thoughts. Only this time he didn't wish to be.

"Oh no, nothing. Just thinking," he said quickly, surfacing from his reveries.

"If you say so," said Harry shrugging.

There was a moment of silence.

. . . . . . .

Or three or four.

Harry finally realized what Ron was thinking about. "Well then," he said, clapping his hands on his lap, "I'm just going to go and find Ginny. Lots to talk about you know. I'll just leave you two alone." Harry winked at Ron before he glided through the wall.

"That's a bit off-putting, don't you think?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, it is a little weird. Wish he'd stop doing that."

There was another moment of silence.

Damn the quiet and its awkwardness!

"Uh, Hermione?"

"Yes Ron?"

"Um, I want to tell you something."

"What is it?"

He gazed into her deep pools of amber. She seemed so innocent, so pure. So perfect. Just do it you fool.

"Hermione, I, uh..."

"Yes?"

"I... I love you."

And with that he kissed her.

) (
A/N's: YAY! another chapter! Go me! Hahaha. Well, hope you enjoyed. There will by more to come soon. I'm kinda on a roll here. Haha. If it wasn't apparent, I was having a bit of fun with Ron's thoughts. I find it all highly amusing. Then again I find everything amusing, so what else is new? Hahaha. OK, time for the thank-you's. heheh.

Val – o how I love my beta! Hahaha!

WotcherHarry/Magical Muggle – I would start stocking up on the tissues at the rate you're going. Lol. Thanks sooo much for your reviews. I love them! Haha.

EyesofEmerald – will there be sparks? Hmmm.... You'll just have to wait to find out!

Dragon Rider

Siriuslivs1488

rAVEN – a new reviewer!!! YAY!!! did I squeeze it out quick enough for you? Lol.

Jessica

Wow guys! I love you! All these great reviews. I have 35. 35! I'm so happy. Yay. I could dance! I could sing! Haha. Actually, I am singing at the moment. "the leaving song" by AFI. I love AFI. They kick booty. Haha. You should check 'em out. Haha. Anyways. Hope you liked. In my opinion it has gotten better; chaps. 5 and 6 were a lil iffy. But that's me. Ok. Well. That's all for now. Hopefully I'll update soon! Hopefully. Lol. Have a great night!!!
) Aerandir (