A/N: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the other characters!!! Oh, and in some of the reviews I've gotten, it sounds like you guys think this was the first fic I've ever written. I'll admit, I am a bit rusty and my first two chapters reflect this, but I've been around ff.net for a loooooooong time. Check out my other stories if you don't believe me. But, thanks for the suggestions all the same. This chap's a little longer. Enjoy!
Several awkward weeks passed for Hermione and Ron. Ron busied himself with Quidditch practice while Hermione buried herself in her school books and Ginny's magazines. Ginny's mum had been sending them magazines that she picked up while in Diagon Alley and the girls poured over them during late nights in the library. Hermione had been practicing her muggle make up while also teaching it to Ginny. "It just looks so much more real," Ginny said, amazed at the flawlessness of her face after Hermione had applied foundation. It was a Friday night, and the girls were sitting on Hermione's bed in the seventh year girls' dormitory. Lavender and Parvati were out in the common room with Seamus and Dean, their boyfriends, so Ginny and Hermione had the room all to themselves. "You're going to the Quidditch match tomorrow, aren't you?" Ginny asked, continuing to look in the mirror. Ginny had been moved to chaser after Harry had returned to the team in his sixth year, and Ginny had become one of the big stars of the team. After coming into his own during their fifth year, Ron was still the Gryffindor keeper. "Of course I'm coming!" Hermione said, smiling. Her stomach fluttered slightly as her thoughts drifted to Ron in his uniform; she was practically drooling. She wasn't exactly sure if she should or could fight the small crush that was turning into a big attraction, and at times, she was positive that Ron had feelings for her, too. "Ginny…" Hermione began, "can I ask you a question?" Ginny snapped the compact shut and turned to look at Hermione, sure that the question would involve her brother in some way. "How did you know when Harry liked you?" Hermione asked, pretending to be interested in the magazine that was in front of her. "Oh come on, Hermione, you've dated guys. Don't you know what it's like?" Ginny said, antagonizing Hermione on purpose. "Yes… but…" Hermione faltered. "But not someone like my brother, right?" Ginny said, mischief in her eyes. "How did you know?" Hermione gasped, her eyes wide. Laughing hysterically, Ginny said, "How could I not know? It's completely obvious, from both sides!" Hermione's face relaxed into a smile and said, "From both sides?" Laughing still, Ginny nodded. "Yes, from both sides."
On Saturday morning, Hermione walked down to breakfast by herself since Ron, Ginny, and Harry had to go to an early morning Quidditch meeting. She had looked out the window before leaving her dormitory, so she gathered up her scarf, gloves, and Gryffindor poncho since it seemed to be pouring outside. The ceiling of the Great Hall confirmed her observations. She sat down next to Neville and Luna Lovegood. Both were enjoying the newest edition of "The Quibbler" as they ate fruit and cereal. "Morning," Hermione said softly, smiling at them. "Good morning," they both replied in a sing-song way. Letting the conversation swirl around her, Hermione ate porridge and some biscuits with jam as members of the Gryffindor team began to appear. Ginny and Harry appeared in their Quidditch uniforms, holding hands and laughing, and sat down across from Hermione. "Mmm! Bacon!" Ginny said, grabbing a few pieces for herself and a few more for Harry. He smiled at her cheekily, stealing her biscuit right off of her plate. Hermione watched with amusement but discreetly looked up and down the table for Ron. "He forgot his gloves; he had to go upstairs to get them," Harry said, looking at Hermione. "Who?" Hermione said, startled. "Who do you think?" Ginny said, giggling.
Breakfast was ending and still no Ron. Hermione looked around anxiously, knowing that Ron wouldn't play well if he missed breakfast. The Great Hall was almost empty; even Ginny and Harry had left. Hermione grabbed a couple pieces of bacon and two biscuits and wrapped them up in a napkin. Grabbing her poncho, she walked out of the Great Hall just as the food began to disappear. The main hallway was empty as Hermione made her way back upstairs, positive that Ron was still looking for his gloves. Just as she reached the Fat Lady's portrait, Ron came bursting out. Swearing, he said, "Took me forever to find these bloody things, and now I've missed breakfast." Pulling her hand out of her sweatshirt pocket, Hermione said with a smile, "I brought it to you." Ron's demeanor changed instantly as he looked at Hermione, holding out the napkin. "You did this for me?" he said softly, reaching out to take the food. "I didn't want you to be hungry. I knew you would be upset if you missed breakfast," she said, trying not to burst into nervous giggles. "Thank you," he said, staring at her.
She wasn't exactly sure what was going to happen next, but before she knew it, Ron was hugging her. "I'm having a bad day," he sighed, still holding on to her, "It's the first time I've been nervous about a Quidditch match since fifth year." He released her, and for the first time, she noticed the he too was wearing his uniform. To conceal her shaking hands, she stuck them in the kangaroo pocket of her hooded sweatshirt as she and Ron walked slowly down the stairs, Ron eating his breakfast and Hermione trying not to laugh out of nervousness. 'This is ridiculous,' she said to herself, 'You've known him for seven years now. There's no need to act stupid.' "You okay?" Ron said, tossing the napkin in a trash can, "You seem quiet." Clearing her throat, Hermione said, "Oh, I'm fine. Just not looking forward to getting all wet outside." Ron laughed and said, "I think it's a bit funny." "What, me getting all wet? You think that's funny?" Hermione said, looking over at him, "I look like rubbish! My hair is all plastered to my head and my make up melts off, and you think it's funny?" "Yeah, I think it's funny. You look cute!" Ron said, still laughing. "We'll see how cute you think I look after the match," she said, secretly wanting to scream from happiness. "Okay, but that means you have to come see me in the locker room after the match, so I can see you at your most drenched," Ron said, pulling up his hood as they began to walk out the door. Hermione quickly transfigured her leather shoes to rubber as soon as she noticed that the ground was very muddy. "Alright, it's a deal," she said, "And good luck today." As they parted ways, Ron said, "Yell loud for me. I can always hear you."
Hermione was filled with butterflies, from head to toe. She squeezed in beside Parvati and Luna in the Gryffindor section of the grand stands. Through the rain, she could see the Gryffindor team making their way out of the locker room and onto the field. Seamus was the new announcer, and Hermione could hear his voice as she watched Ginny throwing the quaffle at Ron for a warm up. "How are things going for the pageant?" Parvati said to her, her head barely peaking out of her poncho. Brushing a few strands of soaked hair out of her face, Hermione said, "Good, I've got my robes and all, and I'm trying to pick out my charm, you?" Parvati embarked on a lengthy description of her robes and how they differed from her twin's, Padma. "Rumor has it, there's a celebration party after the pageant. Someone always spikes the punch. I'm looking forward to that part of the night the most!" Parvati said, laughing. "Eww, there's Malfoy," Lavender said, frowning as the Slytherin team lined up for the quaffle toss.
Slytherin was off to a good start, scoring 30 points right away. Harry was searching the rainy skies desperately for the snitch as Ginny and the other two chasers fought to get the quaffle back. "COME ON RON! YOU CAN DO IT!" Hermione yelled with Parvati and Lavender. Hermione saw Ron glance over and then looked back to the match, determination in his jaw. Ginny managed to squeak the quaffle past the Slytherin keeper twice before Slytherin could make another run at the Gryffindor goal. "BLOCK IT RON!" Hermione screamed loudly as the Slytherin chaser threw the quaffle at the goal opposite Ron. Ron made a spectacular dive and tipped the quaffle away with his fingers. The crowed erupted into screams as Ginny flew off with the quaffle. Dean began a rousing chorus of "Weasley is our King" and Hermione sang along loudly while Parvati screamed excitedly.
The first save seemed to snowball for Ron as he continued to make block after block. Malfoy and Harry were in a race for the snitch as Ginny scored another 10 points, raising the score to Gryffindor 70, Slytherin 30. Suddenly, Madame Hooch blew the whistle and Seamus shouted, "Gryffindor wins!" Hermione and Parvati screamed until they were hoarse as the rest of the crowd went wild. Both teams made their way to the ground, the Gryffindor team clapping and yelling all the way. "Party in the common room tonight, pass it around!" Dean whispered to Parvati, Lavender, Luna, and Hermione. "Unless the Head Girl objects," he added hastily. "Well, seeing as how the Head Boy is your Gryffindor keeper, I guess it will be alright," Hermione smiled. Dean let out the breath he was holding and yelled a loud, "WOOHOO!"
The group slowly made their way out of the grandstands and back to the castle. "Coming Hermione?" Parvati said as she and Lavender made their way up the path. "I'll be there in a few minutes. There's someone I have to meet at the locker rooms," Hermione said, pulling her hood down to let the rain soak her. "Sometimes I wonder about her," Parvati whispered to Lavender as they watched Hermione bounce down the hill.
Ron, Harry, Ginny, and a fifth year Hermione didn't know were standing outside the door to the locker room as Hermione came upon it. "I'll see you guys in the common room. I forgot my gloves inside," Ron said, looking at Hermione out of the corner of his eyes. "Alright, see you," Ginny said, a smirk inching its way across her lips as she saw Hermione walk up. The three left, leaving Ron and Hermione. Ron opened the door slightly and motioned for her to enter in front of him. "You're soaked," he said, flipping her hair. She laughed, her stomach in a nervous knot. "Where are your gloves?" she said, looking around. "In my pocket," he said, pulling them out to show her. His eyes glinted in the low candle light as Hermione looked at him. "Then why—" Hermione began, but was interrupted by Ron's lips upon hers. 'OH MY GOSH!' she screamed inside her head, kissing him back.
About thirty seconds later, Ron pulled away from her and clamped his hand over his mouth. "I'm sorry! I was just so happy that we won and… and… and you looked so cute," he babbled, "I just couldn't stop." Her hand on her furiously beating heart, Hermione said, "Did you want to stop?" Ron's eyes met hers. "No."
To be continued…