A/N: Hey everybody. Thanks to those who reviewed. Well this chapter marks the end of the very long tension and trip. As I told you before that last 4 or 5 chapters used to be 1. Well it ends... Well I'm not going to tell you how it ends. You'll have to read it for yourselves. Enjoy!!!LOL : D

Disclaimer: Y'll know what's up. Me JK. I don't think so Man! LOL

Ch 10 Tension and Trip Part 3

As Hermione and Ron arrived downstairs, Harry looked at Ron and mouthed the words 'did you tell her?' Ron shot him a stern look and mouth 'NO!' behind Hermione. Mrs. Weasley then looked at Ron with that disappointed but cease of anger look.

"I hope you've apologized for your very rude and out of line behavior Ronald. Or do you need a swift lashing?"

"Mum!!!"

"Well..."

"Yes... I have." Mumbled Ron monotonously.

"Did he?" Mrs. Weasley asked dubiously to Hermione.

"Yes he did. Everything's all squared away. It was a minor...how do you say jealousy problem..." She said quietly leaning towards Ron and smiling menacingly. Ron's eyes grew wide. She just laughed lightly and turned around. "Okay I'm going on with the details of my trip." She said maneuvering around to several still full bags to the chair surrounded by them. "After Rome we went to America!"

"Hold on wouldn't it be easier to go to France then to America?" interrupted Harry. Ron and Ginny looked at each other and shrugged.

"Well you would think but it's not necessarily true. And my mum wanted to spend the last days of summer in France anyway."

"Oh ok just wondering. Sorry."

"It's quite alright Harry. Well in America I went to New York, which is right on the coast. America doesn't really have any wizarding organizations as strong or big as ours. In fact, it's only active in a small city in Salem, Massachusetts. Which is near by New York. I think it's Northeast...or..."

"Hand it to Hermione to give us a lesson on the history of American Wizardry." said Ron. Everyone laughed including Hermione.

"Oh shut up Ron. I was just telling you for information purposes."

Ron finished his teasing and laughing. Harry wrapped his index finger and thumb around his chin in deep thought.

"Salem, sounds familiar." Said Harry.

"Did you say something Harry?" Hermione asked directing her attention towards him.

"Well that wizarding organization in Salem... I got it!"

"What are you talking about Harry?" Questioned Ron.

"Remember we saw those witches at the Quidditch World Cup before forth year?"

"Oh yeah that's right." Remembered Hermione.

"You should. That's when we were walking around and that old wizard was talking about air around his privates, and you couldn't stop laughing." He said laughing. Everybody else joined in.

"Yes I remember." She said amused.

"Yeah But you know muggles in schools are led to believe that that whole incident was fake." Hermione's laughter was quickly brought to a stop by the comment.

"You know Harry I read that in a book. I think it was called..." Ron rolled his eyes.

"We're in for another lesson. Harry you should know better than to indulge this conversation. She can't resist." said Ron honestly.

"Ron! I-"

"Hermione!" screamed Ginny. "Why don't you just go on with the details of the trip? You were on New York, right?" Hermione stopped and refrained from her retaliation and decided to listen to Ginny.

"Yes Well while I was in New York, I went all over the place. I went to the top of the Empire State Building. It is so high up it's almost nauseating, but the view is remarkable. I went to baseball games, shows, clubs, restaurants, lots of other places and Times Square. Me and my older cousin got tickets to this muggle show called TRL."

"What kind of show is it?" Asked Ginny almost too avidly with her new-found liking for muggle television.

"Well, It's a live show where the viewers vote for their favorite music videos and the ten with the most votes end up on the top ten countdown. In between, they play games, give out prizes, have guests like celebrities that come in, and world and music news."

"So w-what does the T-R-L mean?" asked Ron bewildered.

"Total Request Live. It's a fun and really popular show."

"Oh ok." said Ginny nodding comprehensively. "Well it certainly sounds fun. I think I've seen it."

"What?! Ginny, you watch TV?"

"Are you kidding me?" said Ron disbelieving her statement. "That girl's been glued to that thing ever since dad brought it back as a souvenir from one of his raids." Ron laughed indicating to the TV set.

"Really now." said Hermione intrigued. Then turned towards the direction of Ron's finger. "Hmm I've never noticed it." She said quietly to herself and looking back at Ginny.

"No I haven't." Said Ginny unconvincingly.

"Oh don't lie Gin. What were you doing all day yesterday and this morning? Besides you were the only other person excited about it than dad. You even got Fred and George to put a spell on it to make it work."

Ginny looked back and forth between everyone's' stares.

"Well so what if I like television. It's not terrible is it?" She said exasperatedly.

Ron and Harry were laughing more in the background.

"Stop laughing, it's not funny."

"Aw Ginny it's not. Don't mind them." Said Hermione coming over to her and giving her a friendly hug. "It's just that I didn't know. It's ok." She reassured.

"It is when you become a couch potato." Said Ron laughing hysterically now with Harry.

"And what would you know about that Ron?" She asked crossly.

"Harry told me about it yesterday." The girls shot vexatious looks at Harry. Harry's laughter diminished to a feeble guilty smile.

"I was only joking with Ron."

"Mm Hmm. Whatever." She turned to face Ginny. She could still hear them snickering in the background. "You know what forget them I got something that will make you feel better. Come on. Follow me. Ginny followed Hermione to the bags.

"Another thing I did in New York was shop, and I can't come back without something. They have very stylish fashions over there." Ginny smiled at Hermione, who was searching vigorously through her bags. "I brought you some clothes!" Hermione's excitement got Harry and Ron's attention. Hermione began piling neatly folded clothes and shoes on Ginny's arms.

"Is all th-this... for me?" Ginny asked amazed at the hill of fabric mounted in her arms.

"Yes! Who else?"

"Hermione you've already given me so much I-"

"Not another word. They are gifts for you and I want you to have them. I won't take them back."

"Thank You so much Hermione. These are lovely. I'm going to go try on an outfit ok?"

"Ok" They watched her scurry up the stairs ecstatically wondering what all the hubbub was about. Hermione turned to look at the two of them on the couch and handed them each their own pile of clothes and shoes. Their piles weren't nearly as tall as Ginny's but they were gratified all the same.

"Thanks Herm!" They said together getting up to give her a hug.

"Oh you're welcome. Anything for my two favorite guys or should I say men." Hermione laughed as her two male friends blushed. "I do hope they fit you. It's hard shopping for guys especially if you don't know their size."

"Right you are dear." Hermione turned her head to see Mrs. Weasley coming in through the back door with a bowl of vegetables. She walked over to the kitchen, and through the back door she could see a small garden of various rows of vegetables in the distance. "I didn't know you kept a garden Mrs. Weasley."

"Well yes. It's better than buying, and it's only a few. I quite fancy it to tell you the truth. I picked it up after Ginny went to school." Mrs. Weasley responded.

"Well you're quite the green thumb." Hermione said. Mrs. Weasley looked at her thumb worried.

Hermione was coming in with Mrs. Weasley now and Harry returned from the bathroom.

"And that's what I meant with green thumb. I didn't mean to get you worried." Finished Hermione.

"Oh it's quite alright dear a neat little saying. Now I have to go wash these vegetables for dinner. Bean Thumb." Mrs. Weasley mumbled walking towards the kitchen. Hermione and Harry were laughing together.

"Just leave it Hermione." Harry said. Ron was a little jealous that they shared an inside joke and was compelled to ask.

"What does bean thumb mean?"

"Well it's green thumb, and it means someone who knows a lot about plants and how to take care of them. And plants are green and you use your hands, hence the name green thumb." Explained Hermione.

"Oh ok. I get it."

"Now where is Ginny? I want to see how those clothes fit."

"You know girls take forever to get ready for even the most casual event." Teased Ron.

"Oh hush Ron."

Just then Ginny had entered the living room.

"Ginny you look great!" Squealed Hermione. Harry and Ron drew their attention towards her. Ron and Harry mouths fell open. Ron saw the look on Harry's face and recognized it, because it was the same look he gave Hermione when she first arrived. Ginny looked over at Harry and smiled. He smiled back. Ron shot a glare at Harry and Harry quickly looked away. She was wearing a little tight peach and beige peasant top, matching beige mini skirt, and a beaded beige flip flops. Hermione went over to Ginny. "You look great."

"You really think so?" Ginny asked unconvinced and timid.

"Are you kidding? And you chose the skirt and shoes I picked to go with it. Here let me just tie the strings for you." Ron's overprotective gland kicked in and anger grew as Harry kept glancing back and forth at Ginny. Ron had enough.

"You're not going to wear that...in public are you?" He said disgusted.

"Well Ron, why can't I?" Asked Ginny confused.

"Yeah Ron. Enlighten us." said Hermione with a sarcastic intrigue.

"Because..."

"Because why?"

"She just can't... She's..." He said searching for a logical reason. "She's too young!"

"For what, wearing clothes?" Hermione asked with disbelief. "And as usual Ron you don't know what you're talking about. I think it looks wonderful."

"Mum won't go for this."

"Mum! Can I wear this?" Asked Ginny. Mrs. Weasley looked up and came over from her work. She looked at Ginny.

"I don't see why not dear. Where did you get them?"

"Hermione got them for me from New York." She said smiling.

"Oh that's nice. I think you look nice dear. Now I really have to get back."

"Thank you mum." The girls turned to look at Ron with smiles on their faces.

"Well it looks like your grounds for an argument are useless. Forget him. It looks lovely Ginny." Said Hermione.

"No it doesn't!" yelled Ron.

"Yes it does!" Hermione said growing tired of his persistence. "You know what, we've heard your bias opinion Ron. Why don't we ask Harry? Harry, what do you think?" Everyone turned to look at Harry whose eyes grew wide. He hoped they wouldn't ask him and he'd be stuck in the middle. He was quiet for that very reason.

"Well what do you think Harry?" Said Ron indicating he should side with him by his tone. Hermione looked at him sternly and Ginny gave a hopeful smile.

"Err... I-I...Um...Think it-it...she looks great." He said weakly.

"Thank you Harry." Ginny said smiling and blushing. Harry returned the smile. It was apparent that she liked him and Ron knew it for a fact. Ron glared at him through silted eyes. Harry swallowed hard.

Harry knew Ron was very protective of people who are close to him especially women. He also knew Ron didn't like to lose an argument or back out of one especially if it was with Hermione. They were both similar in that fact. Actually, to him this little spat was really about them. But Harry didn't want to lie or make Ginny feel bad. Besides... what he said was the truth. He was just afraid of what Ron would do.

"You see Ron." Hermione said in an I-told-you-so tone.

"Oh what does he know about this?"

"Well I can say the same for you Ron. What do you know about it or fashion for that matter?" Yelled Hermione turning a little pink with anger.

"Well..."

"Nothing. And who are you to tell Gin what she can and can't wear?"

"Yeah!" said Ginny chiming in.

"I'm her brother!"

"And so, she doesn't listen to everything you say. I bet if you asked her to clean your room she wouldn't do it!" Hermione said indignantly.

"Yeah! Because it's MY responsibility Hermione!"

"That's not the POINT Ron! The point is you're acting foolishly and-"

"I'm foolish eh?" said Ron with disbelief.

"Yes your acting like it."

"Oh please. She's just a little girl!"

"I'm not a little girl Ron! I'm 16, and if you haven't noticed Ron I'm growing up and can wear what I want!" said Ginny with anger and hurt in her voice.

"Well we all know Ron has a problem distinguishing the obvious." Said Hermione with her arms cross.

"Oh will you shut up!" Said Ron growing tired of her voice and very angry about the whole thing. Hermione gasped with angry shock.

"No I won't. The thing with you Ron is that you think you're always right-"

"No that's you Hermione."

"I can't believe you."

"Why, afraid of the truth? Well let me tell you all something. Can't you see she's just doing this to impress Harry! She's had this schoolgirl crush on him forever. When he'd never go for you! Look at his last girlfriend." yelled Ron red as a tomato. Ginny began to cry.

"How could you. You're a big stupid prat Ron, and I hate you!" Ginny said running upstairs.

"Oh Ginny!" yelled Hermione. She turned to Ron and stood right in front of him. "You see what your big mouth has done Ron! I agree with her. You can be such a stubborn pigheaded mule and an insensitive jerk sometimes. I don't know what's gotten into you, I don't like it, and I don't want to talk to you right now!" Said Hermione finally as she marched up the stairs to Ginny's room. Ron looked stunned by all the insults that came at him at once and was feeling a pang of guilt, but still angry. Then Harry spoke.

"Since when do you speak for me?"

"Not you too. You were supposed to be on my side."

"No Ron! You don't get it! No one likes to be on the losing side. Why did you drag me into this? And you had no right to bring up Cho. Ginny's nothing like Cho; she's probably better!" Harry said even louder. "You know what Hermione's right you do have a big mouth." He walked over to the back door and ran into Mrs. Weasley. "Excuse me." Harry spat trying to proceed but was stopped.

"What's the matter dear?" She said concerned.

"Why don't you ask Ron?" He said and walked off. Mrs. Weasley looked over at Ron, who was sitting ill tempered and arms crossed. She put her hand on her hips and walked over to Ron.

"I knew I heard screaming. Where is everyone? What did you do or say for that matter?"

"Nothing." He said scathingly.

"I bet it was your mouth. Didn't I tell you about keeping that trap of yours closed, I swear you talk more than gossiping girls do sometimes. You've single-handedly manage to make everyone mad at you haven't you? Go to your room, and no dessert for dinner! You've been misbehaving all day." She scolded. Ron stubbornly sat there furious. "You heard me. Move it young man before I really get angry!" Her voice boomed. Ron knew he'd better go at that point, and marched up the stairs mumbling. Not looking where he was going ran into Hermione coming out of the bathroom with tissues in her hand. Ron stared at her, and she did the same then spoke.

"I hope you're satisfied Ron, because you hurt her really badly. I'm immune to your insults due to past incidents. But she's your sister and did nothing but put on some clothes. She didn't deserve that. Ron I just don't get you sometimes, and I don't think I ever will." She said fed up. "I-I have to go. Excuse me. There's no room in this hallway for me and your mouth." She turned around and walked into the direction of Ginny's room. "You'll do well to stay away from Ginny for a while." She called to him before going into the room.

Ron watched her walk away. Right then and there he wanted to say she was right, and he didn't mean those things he said. He wanted to say sorry and that he loved her, but their bitter confrontation didn't permit it. Ron walked into his room and flopped on his bed sadly.

A/N: Aw. A little sad. Well time to ask the dramatic anticipation questions. Will Ron every be forgiven? Will he tell Hermione how he feels? Will Hermione and Ron every get together? Find out next time on the next chapter of From Break up to Make Up and Never Again. PLZ R/R!!! :D