A/N: Thanks for all those who reviewed. As I said previously the tension and trip chapter was extemeley long so I gotta cut it up. Ironically, I unintentionally wrote a tention and trip part with a break in between. this chapters is one of the breaks. Okay enjoy. :D

Disclaimer: Y'all know what's up.

Ch 9 Reassurance

Ron was on his bed punching the pillow as if it were Krum's face.

"Stupid Krum he messed up everything. I wish I never saw him!" He said with anguish. Growing tired, he stopped. Laying on his bed starring up at the orange ceiling, and making a T-shape with his body he was thinking to himself.

'Oh why did I start that stupid fight and say those awful things to her. Now she must hate me for sure. There's no use telling her how I feel anyway she's with that big oaf Vicky. I could see the hurt on her face and in her eyes and there was some concern to. She's so wonderful like that she can still be caring even when I insult her.'

He shot up rapidly and started thinking aloud.

"Oh why do I act like this sometimes? What is it?" He yelled in frustration. Just then Harry appeared through the doorway.

"That's what I'd like to know myself." Ron turned and looked up at him. "Ron what's the matter with you? Why do you keep jumping down her throat and starting stupid arguments? Huh?"

"You obviously didn't hear a word I just said."

"Ron I'm serious!" He said annoyed.

"So am I, and I don't know." He said distraught.

"Look, I saw you two and your little game of glances. What's obvious is how much she cares about you."

"Really you think so." He said optimistically.

"Ron get a clue."

"Very funny, and by the way don't ever kiss her again. You know you reminded her of that night."

"Ron don't worry it was platonic. It's like kissing your sister on the cheek; don't over react."

"What do you mean? Have you been kissing my sister?" Ron said defensively.

"Of course not. Ron focus. And I didn't mean to. I really feel guilty about that night."

"Well I wouldn't bring it up again if I were you."

"Yeah... hey don't try to change the subject. You said some pretty mean and stupid things to her. I thought you cared about her."

"I do...more than anything. It's just...that-"

"WHAT?!"

"I don't think she cares about me that way."

"With the way you're acting I wouldn't blame her." Ron gave him a frown. "I'm just kidding. Well how do you know? I saw the way she looks at you it would suggest otherwise."

"I mean you saw the pictures, heard about her and Krum, and how she's changed." Ron said sadly getting up and standing near the window.

"Minor things Ron. The point is-"

"No Harry you don't get it!" He said forcefully taking Harry aback. "She has money now, well more. You can sympathize with her on that level, but me I'm the bloody hand-me-down king. It's like I have nothing to offer her; not even a reason to love me."

"Ron how many times do I have to tell you; your love will be sufficient. She's not shallow, and she doesn't care about that stuff. She's right, you don't listen." Said Harry with a soft laugh. Ron glared at him. "Ron you should talk to her... nicely." Harry emphasized.

"Oh no I'm not." Ron said flinging his arms about. "She hates me."

"If she hated you Ron do you think she would still be your friend for all these years?" Harry asked. Ron's eyes grew wide.

"What if she's been faking that too." Said Ron frantically. Harry rolled his eyes and rubbed his forehead in unbelief.

"She doesn't hate you man, but if you keep this arguing up you'll push her to the edge and over. Why do you do that anyway?"

"I honestly don't know. I-It's like I'm programmed to argue with her ever since first year. Or I think it could be ever since Krum came in and messed things up." He said with contempt.

"Well you need to stop ok." He put a hand on Ron's shoulder and gave him a pat on the back. "Just calm down and apologize... profusely." He said laughing. Ron smiled too.

"I really shouldn't have said those things. I didn't mean them really."

"Yeah no kidding. Well I'm going downstairs." Said Harry reaching the door. "Please try to control your temper and whatever you do don't say anything insulting out of that big mouth of yours." Said Harry laughing and running out.

"Urg! get out." Ron said laughing and throwing his pillow at the door.

Ron flopped on his bed lying there for a while contemplating Harry's words. When he heard a voice at the door.

"You'll find it very hard to sleep without this." Ron immediately sat up to see Hermione at the door. "Uh can I come in." She said softly.

"Umm yeah." Said Ron uneasily with his head lowered. She came in and sat down on the bed next to him. She was fiddling with her dress contemplating what to say.

"Hi." She said in the same tone as before with concern.

"Hi." There was silence for a while. Then Hermione spoke up.

"Ron I'm just going to say this. What's wrong? What's the matter with you today? Are you alright?"

"No...I mean yes I'm fine."

"I just got here and within minutes were arguing again and saying hurtful things. I would like things to be different between us Ron. I just need to know why?"

"I don't know Hermione." He said earnestly looking up at her face.

"Yes you do, but you won't tell me. I'm your friend aren't I. You can tell me anything. I'll understand." Ron didn't want to tell her the real reason he was acting the way he was nor was he ready to tell her the truth. So he simply brought up another point.

"Am I really? What do I have to offer you that you don't already have or can buy with your new money."

"Ron how could you think of such things? Is that what you base or friendship on? Of course you're my friend." She put her hand on his. He felt this surge of energy go through his hand and all over his body. She felt the same and looked at him. "I care about you, and when you care or even love someone you don't look at the material things." When she finished Ron was looking intensely at her hypnotized by her words. She looked down at her hand. She moved it quickly and got up to continue. Ron wished she didn't let go. "Listen Ron. Y-You have something no one else has. You're funny, handsome, and generally kind when you want to be. I don't care if you have money. I don't care about my money. Why do you think I bought all those things? It was to share with you all. I don't need money as long as I have my family, your family, Ginny, Harry, and you I don't need anything else. So whether you like it or not you're stuck with me." Ron looked up at her wholesome truth-speaking face with adoring.

"Really?" Asked Ron.

"You know I don't lie." She said with a grin. He returned it. "Why would you think otherwise."

"Because all that talk about Vicky and-" Ron closed his mouth quickly. Realizing he had let something slip.

"Victor. I should have known." She said frowning. Ron wished he didn't open his mouth. "That's what this is really about isn't it Ron?" She said a little annoyed. "Well if you would have let me finish you would've found out that I didn't like him that way. He smokes and drinks a lot. He's also very snobby now with his new renowned fame. I just needed him to show me around. He's quite different from 4th year and our letters." Ron's expression lightened up. Hermione saw this.

"I told you Hermione he was interested in something else."

"You're still on that Ron!"

"Well it's true and he's-he's the enemy of Hogworts."

"No he's not. He doesn't even go to school anymore."

"Well... The Triwizads Tournament."

"Ron." She said dully. "That was 3 years ago."

"Well... umm."

"Give it up Ron. You know what forget it. How about we both apologize and let bygones be bygones. Ok. And I can get back to giving out the rest of your gifts." She said smiling.

"Okay. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean that stuff, and I really do like the game. And I'm sorry for acting like a-"

"Big prat." She said giggling. Ron frowned. "I'm just teasing. Ok I'm sorry too. Lets go." She said with a big smile. He returned it. "Are we ok now?"

"Sure. Uh...Hermione?"

"Hmmm?"

"Uh...I saw you wiping your eyes when Harry mentioned that...Uh night and I was wondering if things were alright with-" Hermione's smile was wiped away by that.

"Uh Ron I don't really want to talk about that night if you don't mind ok. I told you all I'm fine. I've forgotten all about it so can we uh...drop it." She said unconvincingly.

"Ok. If you say so." Ron dismissed it, smiled, and followed her down the stairs thinking to himself.

'She's such a sweet caring person. That's why I guess I fell in love with her, and she doesn't hate me. I hope she's alright though. Maybe I can tell her. Besides she thinks I'm funny, handsome and kind.'

Hermione was thinking to herself too as they ventured down the stairs.

'Oh that was a close one. Why won't they just leave it alone before I- UHH!!! Nevermind. Anyway I can't believe he said that. If he has to question our friendship over money and someone irrelevant, maybe I should just forget the whole idea of us being together. Maybe he's not the one for me regardless of how he makes me feel. Oh but I can feel his warmth. He's so...No Hermione! We're just friends and nothing more. Don't expect ANYTHING ELSE!'

A/N: Ok. Will Ron tell Hermione? Will Hermione give up on Ron? Will they ever stop fighting? And how does Hermione really feel about that night? Find out next time. When you R/R. HA!!!!!!! :D