Disclaimer: The only thing in this story of my own invention is the plot (but not the previous plot of the first five Harry Potter books). I own nothing else.

Author's Note: Thank you all for the reviews! I'm so glad you're enjoying it! I should be done very soon... I'm planning on only one more chapter after this. Also, this is my longest chapter so far! Yay!

On the way down the stair, Hermione mentioned that Pigwidgeon had turned up in the common room that very morning.

"Where was he?" Ron asked, disgustedly.

"Well, actually, he turned up with Viktor's owl, Shannon." By that time, they had reached the bottom of the stairs, where they saw Pigwidgeon grooming Krum's owl. Ron gaped at him. Hermione laughed softly.

"What?" demanded Ron.

"The look on your face... It's just so..." ...cute, she thought. "...funny," she said.

Ron snorted, and then began to set up the chess pieces.

"So, Ron," began Hermione. "Aren't you glad there's no Yule Ball this year?"

"Where'd that come from?" he asked, confused as to why Hermione would suddenly bring up one of his least favorite subjects.

"Oh, I was just thinking about the fourth year and everything," she replied, looking down.

Ron grabbed a cookie. "Well, to answer your question, I am glad. I uh... don't have to wear dress robes, and, er... I won't get... uh... jealous." Why did I say that? Why, why, why? Soon I'll be spilling my feelings about her! But it seemed to have just popped out of his mouth.

"Why would you?" asked Hermione.

Shoot! thought Ron. Don't say anything, don't say anything! He took another bite of his cookie. "Er..." Don't say it! "I just see everyone else happy, with dates and all, and I just always seem to be unlucky," he said, without being able to stop himself.

Hmm... thought Hermione. Does this have anything to do with me and Viktor? "Want to play chess?" she asked.

"Yeah," Ron replied, jumping at the chance to change the subject. Thy both sat down and Ron started the game.

"May I have a cookie?" asked Hermione suddenly.

"Uh, sure," Ron replied, looking up from the chessboard and his deep concentration.

After a couple more turns, Hermione spoke. "About the Yule Ball, I don't see what's so horrible about dress robes."

Ron nibbled on his cookie. "Well, that's 'cause you look good in yours." What did I just say? he thought. I think I'm losing my mind! I can't seem to control what comes out of my mouth anymore!

Hermione blushed. "Well, I always thought you looked incredibly cute... even in your dress robes." Oh Merlin, did I just say that? Why? What's he gonna go now?

"Er..." said Ron, his ears reddening. Witty reply, he thought, grabbing another cookie and taking a large chunk from it. "Thanks. Your nose is dead center." Ron looked down, wondering why did I just say that?

Is that his way of saying I'm good-looking? thought Hermione. Well, it's not a very nice way! "Ronald Weasley! What is it with you and noses? And ears? Oh, everyone had to be perfect for His Majesty Ron." She turned around and started stomping away.

"Hermione!" Ron called after her. Me and my big, fat mouth, he thought.

"What?" she demanded, turning around.

"I didn't mean it! Uh... I did mean it, but it doesn't matter!" Her nose is dead center, he thought. "It's, er... your turn." He motioned towards the chess board.

"Fine," she breathed. There was silence for the next couple of turns. The cookies seemed to be disappearing rather rapidly, though.

"Well," began Hermione.

"What?" asked Ron.

What should I talk about? Hermione wondered. What subject will we not bicker about? "I'm so glad Parvati and Lavender aren't here for the Holidays."

Ron grunted.

"They're always giggling about boys and horoscopes and all that stuff... Writing in diaries... I could only begin to wonder what they write about!"

Ron felt the sudden urge to do something... well, daring. "We could find out," he replied.

"You mean what they write about?" she asked.

"Yeah," said Ron. "Lavender and Parvati... in their diaries." Nice one! he thought. Now I can impress her with a nice summoning charm! "Accio diary!" he shouted. A thick blue notebook came whizzing down the stairs, opening in Ron's lap. He saw his name. What could this be about? he thought.

Hermione wondered why Lavender's or Parvati's diary looked so similar to hers...

"September first," Ron read aloud. "I'll be boarding the Hogwarts Express in no less than two hours. I'm excited to see Ron and Harry—"

"Ron!" squeaked Hermione. "Give me that!" Then, without waiting for him to hand it over, she snatched it from him and raced to the girls' dormitory. What else did he read? she thought, scanning the rest of the page. I hope that this year will be different maybe, though I shouldn't get my hopes up with Ron, she read. He's oblivious to my feelings and always will be. There's still hope, though.

Hermione sat on her bed, regaining her breath. Does he know? she wondered. She didn't want to ever return downstairs. It was too risky... but nonetheless she felt as if something was tugging at her sleeve, pushing her down the stairs...

Bloody hell! thought Ron, back downstairs. Was that Hermione's diary? Blimey, I didn't know she kept one... What did she write about me? Will she ever come back downstairs?

At that moment, Ron looked up to see Hermione at the top of the stairs. As she came closer, he could see that she was blushing profusely. "Sorry 'bout that," Ron mumbled, looking at his feet.

"Oh, that's okay," Hermione replied cautiously. There was a moment of silence.

"Er..." said Ron. "Er... How 'bout out chess game?"

"Oh, right," Hermione said, her smile returning. "Who's turn?"

"Er... yours, I think..."

They played in silence for about ten minutes, and then Hermione asked Ron something. "What really did happen at the Yule Ball, Ron?"

Oh Merlin, he thought. I do not want to answer this. "Er... Uh... Um..." he stuttered. "I got really jealous of Krum 'cause... er... uh..."

Should I have asked him this? thought Hermione. Ron's face was deeper red than she had ever witnessed in her life. I wouldn't have normally asked, but it felt as if I had to do something daring...

"...I-wished-I-was-in-his-place," Ron finished quickly, and then resumed the chess game. It's hopeless, he thought. She knows. I'm dead, 'cause it's definitely not the same for her.

Hermione started at him intently for a minute or two. Does he like me, she thought, as more than a friend?

Ron stared at the chess board for the same amount of time. Dead, dead dead. I am so dead.

"Hermione," he began. "I understand..." Oh Merlin, don't cry! he thought. But the girl you've liked since the second year is about to reject you! another voice said. Oh great. Now I'm arguing with myself.

"Ron, you... you understand?" Hermione replied, full of hope. He likes me, he likes me! she thought gleefully.

Suddenly, that urge to do something daring came back to Hermione. She leaned forward to kiss Ron.

Wha—?? thought Ron. Then suddenly it came to him—She likes me! He was flooded with happiness. She... likes... me! Ronald Weasley! He leaned forward too, and their lips met.

Hermione pulled away. "Ron?" she asked.

"Huh?" Was this all a joke? he thought.

Suddenly Hermione found herself spilling her deepest secret. "I've liked you since the second year."

"M-Me too," he replied, without being able to stop himself.

Pretty soon, they were kissing again. Stupid, stupid! thought Ron. We've both liked each other for four years! Why'd we wait this long before telling each other?

But he was still happy.

Author's Note: How'd you like it? It was fun writing it. I'm thinking about maybe posting the last chapter before tomorrow, because I want to finish the story soon.
To my reviewers:
Tekvah Ariel: Yes there WAS a romance for Ron's owl! And you were just joking... :-) I swear, I planned it out before you even said anything!
ki-ki93: Wow. Thanks! (You spelled 'tomorrow' right)
Starriecat: I'm glad you liked the Fred/Angelina fluff, and I'm hoping to make my next chapter not so short (though not as long as this one).
Tina: Yeah, I'm not as good at making long chapters, though I'm glad to hear that I make the characters act normal.
trixie009: I hope I updated in time!
Everyone else: Thank you, once again! I was hoping that maybe I could get 100 reviews... There's still hope. ;-) (wink wink)

Next Chapter: What happens and Hogwarts and the joke shop next? Where do the leftover cookies go? What do Fred and George do?