Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the idea for this story. All else belongs to the wonderful J.K Rowling.

A/N: I have to say that this is my favourite chapter even though I'm really bad at writing this kind of thing... not any worse than writing about He-who-shall-not-be-named!

Sharing the screams

Hermione was finally well enough to leave the Hospital Wing. Madame Pomfrey had insisted on keeping her longer than Malfoy, Hermione had protested but secretly she was pleased that she had been able to spend so much time with Ron without having to go back to class. Madame Pomfrey had also made her promise to come back if she felt dizzy or had any trouble sleeping.

She made her way up to the common room taking in every detail of the over familiar walk. She was on a mission to live every day to the full and to not take anything for granted.

When she entered the common room she found no one, so she walked through the passageway to her private room. She was just about to go to her room when she heard a rustling from the couch.

Hermione could hardly believe her eyes; it couldn't be....

Ron sat alone; surrounded by books and parchment, in a position often Hermione could be found. In fact, you could easily transpose Hermione and Ron at that exact moment.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked, as she gaped at the surprising sight.

"I'm working, what does it look like?"

"I can see you're working, but who told you to?" Hermione asked, somewhat smugly.

"Professor Snape. Apparently he has just as much trouble with missing class as you do. He feels that we've all missed out and so has graced us with triple homework."

"Oh yes, I finished that this morning. Do you need any help?"

"In a minute... I want to take a look at you first." Ron said with a glint in his eyes.

"Take a look at me?" Hermione questioned as she watched him get up from the couch.

"Just to check you are alright and all." He said as a grin spread across his face.

"I'm perfectly fine." Hermione said defensively, not quite understanding what Ron was up to.

"Well you know it's better to be safe than sorry. So let me see... is your forehead sore at all?" Ron asked, trying to act seductive, as he neared her.

"No, why do you ask? Is there a big bruise or something? I haven't got to look in a mirror yet...I'm sure I look awf..." Hermione complained, but was cut off as Ron took a step closer, placing his index finger over her lips.

"You look beautiful. You are always beautiful. I just thought you might need some TLC." He said as he leant forward and kissed her forehead.

Hermione finally realised why he wanted to check her over.

After recovering from the shock of Ron being so sweet Hermione regained her voice and stated innocently, "Well now that I think about it I think that my right cheek is a little tender. I think I might have hit it when I fell." Ron reached up his left hand and softly ran his thumb across her cheek.

"Hmm.... Yeah, I think it might need some treatment." He said, fighting back a grin, as he leant down and softly laid a kiss on her cheek. He continued his kiss downward across her jaw and onto her neck, sweeping up to her ear.

"You really are beautiful." He whispered into her ear, causing her to giggle as his soft breath tickled her neck.

He brought his gaze back to hers and Hermione found herself once again lost in a pool of blue. She couldn't believe how much she had missed him. She missed those eyes, his smile, the way his ears tinted when he was nervous or embarrassed. She even missed the fact that she wanted to scream at him just because he wasn't kissing her.

Just as she was about to tell him so, he leant forward, keeping his eyes upon her until the very last moment. His lips captured hers as his hands slipped around her small waist.

She moved her hands up his muscular chest and curled them around his neck, messing his hair with her fingers. Just when Hermione felt she couldn't possibly get any closer to him, he pulled her in tighter, making her raise to her tiptoes whilst deepening the kiss.

It was long and passionate, but felt like a second and still maintained an edge of innocence. Reluctantly the two pulled apart, still maintaining eye contact.

Hints of blush rose to both of their cheeks as they caught their breaths.

"That was even better than I could ever have imagined. I've never felt as passionate or empowered by anything in my entire life." Ron said surprisingly forcefully.

"Sometimes we relate far too much. You took the words right out of my mouth."

"And what a perfect mouth it is." Ron stated as he leaned down to taste her lips once more.

"I'm really glad that we have our own private common room." Hermione said when they finally pulled apart.

"Yeah, it's makes everything a whole lot less embarrassing. Can you imagine the cheers and jests we would get in the Griffindor common room?"

Hermione giggled. "We really would never live it down. But then again, I don't think I would notice anyone else but you." She murmured as she took his hand and led him over to the couch.

Lifting his books and papers into a neat pile she pushed him down and sat upon his lap, resting her head on his shoulder. He placed his right arm around her waist as he pushed her hair from her eyes with his left hand. Their eyes met and Hermione melted in his embrace once again. She sighed as she closed her eyes and snuggled closer to him, breathing in his sweet smell.

Before long she was asleep and although Ron had long since lost feeling in his legs he didn't want to move, ever. She was even more beautiful as she slept. The steady, rhythmic movement of her chest slowly lulled him off to sleep.

They stayed in this position until early evening. They were woken abruptly by the door of their common room opening. Before they had even managed to open their eyes a hushed "Aww" filled the room, coming from another newly formed couple.

Ron was first to open his eyes, adjusting slowly to the amber glow that was flowing through the windows from the sunset. It wasn't long before his eyes had fully adjusted to the fact that his sister and best friend were standing right in front of him, Harry's arm around her waist.

"Bloody hell. What do you think you're doing Harry?" Ron asked angrily as he unsuccessfully tried to get up as Hermione was still sitting on his knee.

"Ron calm down. It was inevitable. You know how much Gin has liked Harry for forever. You also know that you don't think any other girl is good enough for our best friend. It makes perfect sense for them to be together." Hermione calmly suggested to her fiery redhead.

Ron pondered for a good five minutes. Hermione was right. No one was good enough for either of them, and if he was going to trust anyone with his little sister, then it really should be his best friend.

"Alright. I guess I trust you Harry, but if you do anything to hurt her then I don't really need to remind that I know where you live."

"Not for long Mr Weasley. Anyway, I could say the same thing to you. Hermione is just like a sister to me... so you better watch out."

"Don't worry, I wouldn't ever hurt her...but I can't promise I won't annoy her." Ron said with an evil grin and he quickly removed his hands from the small of her back and proceeded to tickle his girlfriend.

"Ron.... PL.... E...A.... SE...let me...go!" Hermione screeched as struggled to stop laughing, whilst trying to catch her breath and get free from his grasp. She slipped off his knee, landing at his feet, his hands now wrapped around her right arm as he attempted to catch her.

"I can't believe you would do that to me! You know how much I hate being tickled. I always end up on the floor in a heap!" Hermione said whilst attempting to stand so she could beat him senseless.

"Well if it makes you feel any better, I would join you down there any time!" He said as he moved down to sit beside her. He caught her hands in his own as she attempted to hurt him. He lifted them up, kissing each fingertip in turn as he stared intensely into her eyes, completely forgetting about his sister and friend. Luckily the couple had long since left to find their own private space, musing over how great it was to have Hermione around, though obviously not all the time...

Hermione finally calmed down as she allowed him to kiss his way up her arm to her lips.

"That really was quite soppy Ron."

"Yeah, I know, but I am a romantic at heart. I expect some in return though."

"I'll see what I can do." Hermione snuggled up against him once more, absentmindedly-tracing circles on his chest.

"We really should start work on your potions homework." She said as she willed herself to move out of his embrace.

"You can't honestly think I would chose potions homework over sitting here with you."

"Of course not, and I'm glad cause I don't want to go out with myself. I think you are rubbing off on me more than I am on you. Luckily I don't fear the wrath of Snape as I've already completed mine. Maybe we could try and do some work now together and then take a little break..." Hermione said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Okay, I'll try." Ron said with a pout.

After about half an hour of work, with the occasional order from Hermione for Ron to quit looking at her and concentrate on his homework, they had completed a lot of work and took a well earned break.

"It's even harder to concentrate now cause I know what I'm missing."

"So you didn't just find it hard to concentrate on work because of Quidditch?"

"Really I only think about Quidditch when I see orange or when Harry brings it up or when we are playing or a match is near or...oh okay, I think about it a lot, but not as much as you. I've thought about you everyday since the first day we met. Even back then I managed to mess up and show you how stupid I am..."

"Ron you are not stupid! You are smart, and witty and full of amazing character. Please, never change. Always be you."

Ron smiled a goofy, lopsided grin.

"You know, I love that smile. I love the way your eyes sparkle and look like sapphires. I love... I just love..."

"I can't believe it's happened twice in the same year. The great Hermione Granger, smartest witch in all of Hogwarts, is lost for words!" Ron said as his grin widened.

She reached behind her to lift up a cushion.

"What are you doing... Hermione don't... you know you'll only get hurt!" Ron said with "fake" fear.

"It would only be for your own good. Now promise me you'll never change... that you'll always be this infuriating!"

"I think that's something I can do. Who better to be me but me?" Ron said with his cheery smile returning.

"When did you realise all this stuff about me Mione?"

"Hmm... I guess I always knew. I mean I tried to hide it and bury myself in my studies. Then other guys started to notice I was a girl and I thought you never would. They showed me attention and were more open with how they felt, but none of it was real. It was more like one of those fairy tales. Everyone knows there's no such thing as happy Ever After, well not unless you have the right prince."

Hermione sighed as she brought herself back to her nightmare. "I guess when I finally let myself love you was when I thought I was going to die. I couldn't bear the thought of you not knowing, even if you didn't feel the same way. I'd spent so much time dancing around the issue when all I really wanted to do was have you hold me, and as I lay in that dungeon I needed you to hold me even more." She sobbed as she thought back to the darkness that had surrounded her.

"Oh Mione, I always wanted to hold you... now I'm never going to let go." Ron said as he engulfed her in a hug, whispering comforting words and slowly moving his hand up and down her back.

Hermione pressed her head against him and murmured, "Likewise, Romeo."

"Who?"

...The Beginning...

Well I'm afraid that's it from this hopeless romantic. I really have enjoyed writing about Hermione's roller coaster. I relate to her far too much but sadly I have not found my Ron. Ah well, I'll just have to write another fanfic about someone else's magical life. Suggestions are always welcome!

Polly and Bhekie...thanks for the reviews. I'm glad you liked it. Hopefully you'll like this chapter too.

Farewell to all!