A/N: Hey Thanx to everyone who reviewed. Much luv. Well I'm reviewing early now. I don't know why but i just am. Well and for Loony-Liv maybe you didn't understand what I meant. Book 6 is called Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince : D I like it! It's singlehandedly caused much debate and search of the book and who the pearson mught be. I encourage everyone to go to It has lot's of info directly from her and cool things you can do and get certificates to see some stuff and drawings no1 else will. That's for the die hard fans like me ok story sorry. : )

Ch 14 Just Friends

Hermione walked down the path her thoughts in a jumble. She was breathing hard with every step she took. And every step she took seemed heavy and hard. It was like slow motion.

She wanted to patch things up, but she didn't want to deal with any of it. She saw her cat chasing a gnome in a circle around her feet that brought her back to normal and to the realization that she didn't no where she had walked off to. She picked up the cat in one hand with the food in the other, and the bitter gnome ran off.

"Getting some exercise aren't we Crockshanks?" She said in a babyish voice smiling. Crockshanks just licked her face adoringly. "I can always talk to you about things and actually feel that you understand me right shanks?" She carried him on one arm and rubbed the back of his head with her chin. He purred and licked her face again. She sighed heavily and looked around to see which part she was in. Her brain was too baffled to think. She looked down at her cat. "Hmm I don't suppose you know where Ron is do you?" She sighed again.

Then he suddenly leaped out of her arms and onto the floor. He gave her a look and raised his tail then took off with a start. She had a suspicious feeling that he wanted her to follow him, so she did.

"Crockshanks! Crockshanks! Where are you? I'm not in the mood for games or running in this heat or these shoes." She saw nothing, but heard a distinct meow every once in a while and followed the direction of the sound. Soon she caught up to the cat's abrupt stop. "There you are where have you taken m-" she cut off and saw a clearing.

She glanced around the place. It had wide-open space and rich acres of green grass. The sky seemed to be more translucent and blue. In the distance, on the edge of the land, stood an immense collection of tall trees. Crooked benches stood on the sidelines opposite the forest, and separated by the fields of grass. Southeast of the forest she caught a glimpse of a clear lake gently rippling in the incoherent breezes. The gentile breeze tickled her cheek and blew through her hair. She was in awe of the great beauty that lied in the nature of her surrounding. In some way it reminded her of the Hogworts grounds, but everything was smaller in proportion. She wondered in all her years of coming to the burrow why she had never seen this place. It put her at ease and made her feel more relaxed.

The sun shone brightly upon everything. In the corner of her she saw a vibrant fiery blur of red-orange. She turned towards it not to her surprise to see it was Ron siting on one of the benches. She took one deep breath and slowly walked over to the bench. She walked slowly taking deep breaths trying to reassure herself that this was the only way to go. She forgot for a moment she had his food in her hand and the drinks and almost dropped them. She arrived at the bench silently. She thought Ron must have been in really deep thought to not notice anyone come behind him, or he had this feeling someone was behind him just not bothering to look thinking it was a squirrel. She looked at his carrot red hair wanting to reach out and put her fingers threw it and press her lips against his. She looked at him with adoring and came around to the side.

"Hem, hem." She said softly clearing her throat. She was amazed at how much it sounded like Umbridge, but she got his attention. Ron whipped around blushing and staring as he saw her there. She stared back. Awkwardness growing. "Um... C-Can I sit with you."

"Uh... yeah...sure." He said nervously brushing off the bench and scooting over. She smiled.

"Thanks." She said taking her seat and crossing her legs. Ron felt a jolt of energy as her hip grazed his. Ron's eyes unnoticeable, followed her long legs in a dazed state. He was brought out of his gaze by in his opinion, her sweet soothing voice. "This place is beautiful! Has it always been here?"

"Yeah sure it has. I always come here to think." He said nonchalantly.

"I don't think I've every been to this part of the land. It's a nice spot for picnics or swims and...such." She said trailing off growing uncomfortable.

"If you've never seen this part how did you get here?" He asked genuinely curious. Both of them were avoiding the topic they really wanted to talk about by making small talk.

"Oh! I found shanks chasing one of the gnomes again. I kind of wandered off aimlessly. Then I stopped and talked to him. I asked him rhetorically if... if he knew where you were." They chuckled a bit. "To my surprise he lead me here I didn't know why until I saw you. That cat baffles me sometimes it's like he's human or at least understands us." She said smiling.

"Well, not me I knew something was up with that cat in third year when it tried to eat sca- I mean the rat."

"Yes I remember we fought over them that whole...year." She said reluctantly. Ron frowned and went quiet. Hermione absently played with her hair wishing he would bring up the topic first. Her eyes wandered around the landscape and she saw the plate. "Oh I-I brought you some lunch and a drink. You left without finishing." Ron smiled at her inwardly jumping for joy.

"Oh Thanks. I'm starving." He took it from her and started eating. Silence settling again. Hermione watched him eat, which was uncomfortable for him but he was hungry all the same. Not to her surprise he finished within minutes. Awkward silence settled in again, and they didn't speak a word in minutes. The sun warmed their skin and the breeze sent their Hair flying. Ron side- glanced her admiring how the sun turned her long highlighted hair golden brown, her skin a warm rich and wholesome peach, and noticed her glittery pink nail polish on her toes, and smiled. Hermione grew antsy and hated the quietude and decided to speak. She knew he wouldn't make the first move just like the time they kissed.

"Ron, w-we need to talk."

"Yes we do, but I need to say something first. I am really sorry, but all the things I said. I-" She cut him off.

"Ron stop." Ron gave her a confused look.

"What? I need to say this."

"And I need to say this. I already forgave you."

"I know, but I didn't mean those things. It was stupid to insinuate something based on well...clothes. I honestly don't know what got into me. I'm sorry."

"Ron stop apologizing. You were right." She said frowning. " I don't like to admit I'm wrong. I didn't even want to admit that among other...things." She said trailing off.

"What?"

"The point is." She said raising her voice and turning towards him. "We both said things that are true, hurtful as they may be but truthful all the same." She said sadly.

Ron frowned sadly at her words, but he had to admit some of what she said was true, but the realization sunk in and hurt.

"So you really think I'm an insensitive jerk, stubborn mule, and foolish."

"Well Ron at the time you were acting like it." She said tentatively.

"Hmm, I don't see how you could have forgiven me; you must hate me then."

"No! No! Ron. I forgive you. I always do in the end. But I could...I will never hate you." She said defensively distraught. Ron seemed to be thinking over her words. "And some of those insults were a spur of the moment anger and exaggerated. You know what I mean?" She asked smiling lightly.

"What do you mean you always do?" Ron asked ignoring her last question. Hermione looked puzzled.

"What?"

"What do you mean you always forgive me in the end?"

"Oh. Well. Ron you can't deny that we've fought a lot in the past. You know and sometimes we never say sorry, but then we eventually just come to a silent...mutual...apology." She said trailing off. Ron's saddened expression remained. She knew she wasn't making him feel better.

"So that's what you meant when you said you were "immune to my insults." Hermione looked down feeling his eyes on her.

"Yes." She muttered reluctantly.

"I'm sorry I've hurt you in the past that you feel like that. It pains me to hear that I caused it." He said with contempt for himself.

"It's ok Ron. I'm sure I've made you feel the same way-" she said quietly.

"No it's not!" He said his voice elevating. "Sure we disagree and bicker a lot and you made me mad, but I brush them off everything back to normal. But you- I bet you remember every insult I've ever thrown at you haven't you?" He asked angrily. Hermione didn't say anything just avoided his eyes. Ron knew her answer. "Of course you have and it's never occurred to me."

"Not all of them."

"Oh yeah. Ok. In first year, do you remember a troll in the girls' lavatory attacked you?"

"Yes."

"Because I said something to you and you still know what it was don't you? What was it?"

"Ron don't-"

"No tell me...Go on!" He insisted. Hermione sighed.

"You called me a nightmare and said no wonder I didn't have friends. But we were really young and naive and weren't really friends back then. It was the first time."

"That's not the point Hermione. The point is I've been awful to you."

"No you haven't. Ron just drop it I have."

"I don't want-" he sighed and continued. "I don't want things to be like that b-between us. Where I say something we fight and make-up and you still remember it." He said sadly. "I'll change I promise." He said determinedly.

"Listen to me Ron." She said turning towards him staring at his face. "I'm going to be frank with you. Ron sometimes you just bug me." She saw the look on his face. "And I know I bug you." Ron lifted his face to respond. "And don't lie Ron. I know I bug you."

"Well... Ok. Yes you do bug me sometimes."

"Ok I understand that. It's ok. I don't want you to change yourself because of me, or that, or anything. We all make mistakes and get angry you know and it's nothing to get upset about. Plus I like everything about you Ron just the way you are." She said smiling and rubbing his hand. Ron looked at her and blushed too giving her a half smile.

"Even my quick temper and as you all say "big mouth?"Ron asked dubiously. Hermione giggled and Ron's grin went from ear-to-ear. She turned to the distance letting go of his hand.

"Well not all the time, but I accept it. You know and sometimes your quick temper gives some people like Malfoy...what they deserve." She laughed. "As for your mouth." She made and abrupt turn to see his face meet hers. Her eyes traveled down to his mouth slightly plump and a luscious shade of pink, as it was when she kissed him. She then flashed to that night and wanted to kiss him again but held back still in her daydream.

"Hermione! You-who." He called to her nervously, waving a hand in her face. She blinked and shook her head turning very red.

"Oh I'm sorry. What was I saying?" She said embarrassed.

"I was asking you your opinion of my so called big mouth." She looked at him smiling.

"It certainly has its good days, and more good than bad." She said smoothly. Ron blushed a little and turned his head. She didn't know what to make of his reaction but remembered the night and that he had told Harry.

"But speaking of your mouth..." She said seriously. "You told Harry about... about our...you know. That night when we said we weren't going to tell." This caught Ron's attention and he stiffened.

"OH-well...Uh...Um...I..." Ron said nervously stuttering.

"Uh...yeah. How could you? I thought we promised. We had a deal." Hermione said agitated.

"I know but-" Ron was beginning to think that he didn't need Ginny anymore to tell him what Hermione thought. Then it occurred to him. He didn't want Ginny to know in the first place just as she didn't want Harry to know. "Wait a tick...you told Ginny." Ron retorted. Hermione was taken aback by this, and felt the urge to ring Ginny's neck.

"Well...I...Um..." She searched for an excuse, so she wouldn't have to tell the truth.

"Yeah! How does it feel to get the 3rd degree." Said Ron with a smug smile. Hermione snorted. "I'm waiting."

"Well I asked you first." She said smugly.

"So! I asked next."

"So."

"Ok how about I ask another question." Said Ron.

"Fine." Said Hermione apprehensively.

"How'd you find out that I told him?"

"Well how'd you find out I told Ginny?"

"Hermione that's not fair."

"So what I asked first and you're just trying to get out of telling me."

"Well what do you call what you're doing?"

"Ron there's a difference I confide in Ginny- and Harry sometimes." She said rationally.

"Well I don't see one."

"It's different."

"How? From what I see I told my best friend and you told yours." He said calmly. Hermione's face was contorted with anger at his persistency to not oblige her question. He was starting to bug her again.

"So, are you saying I'm not your best friend either?" Ron was shocked at how she twisted that statement to her favor.

"No...No you are my best friend like Harry is too. But it's different between me and Harry. It's just that since you already knew about it I had to tell Harry. And Ginny's my sister I don't want her to know anyway. But she told me-" Hermione cut across him.

"What did she tell you?" Ron eyed her curiously.

"What did Harry tell you?"

"Ron!" She yelled standing very perplexed and desperate. "What did she say." Ron was thinking before he answered.

'What's wrong with her. She obviously thinks Ginny spilled something.'

"Hermione why do you want to know what she said so badly? I mean you should already know. Or is there something you don't want me to know?" Hermione looked around at him with an worried expression. She went to sit down next to him.

"Ron. You know what forget the whole he-said-she-said stuff Ok. Harry told me something, and Ginny told you something. Ok that's it." She said calmly.

"Ok." Said Ron confused. "but-"

"Ron, I need to ask you something?" She turned towards him on the bench and started sadly. Ron seemed apprehensive and worried to whatever she was going to ask.

"Ok. Shoot!" He said giving her his full attention. She tried to avoid his eyes.

"I-I need to know. How did you feel about...about...the kiss?" She couldn't help but look at his face. By his bemused expression and the certain reddening of his ears she could tell he wasn't expecting that.

"Well..."

"And please be honest."

"Ok. I would have to say I liked it. It was great." He said with a smile. Hermione filled with joy but cringed at what she had to do next. She stood up again. Ron's smile disappeared. He intended to tell her right then and there but held back as he saw her get up.

'Well he liked it. He actually enjoyed it! And now I have to go on with my plan. I don't want to do this, but I have to. I want him to love it...to love me. They say he does, but I don't know. AHHH! These next few days are going to be Hell. Or maybe not maybe he will give in sooner. Ok this could turn out good.'

She took a deep breath, turned to Ron, and sat back down.

"Um...can I...ask you something?" He said reluctantly yet avid.

"Of course."

"Um...what did you think...of the kiss? Be honest please."

"Well Ron to tell you the truth it was nice, but I didn't feel anything and we shouldn't have done it." Ron looked as though he had just been hit in the stomach.

"Oh ok." He said disappointedly.

"Yes, I wasn't myself. I was numb and in pain all over and y-you should have pulled out of it." She said rather loftily. Ron was sad but more angry at the fact that she accused him of taking advantage of her.

"Well excuse me Hermione, but you were the one who kissed me."

"I know, but I wasn't thinking. I was just so happy that you saved me. You know I was carried away. It was a mistake."

"Yeah you told me already." He said solemnly sliding away from her.

"Yes. We kind of avoided the topic when I got here and even in letters. But I need you to know that I didn't mean anything by it and that we are just friends." Ron looked away from her.

"Oh yeah just friends. I'm sorry it happened. Shouldn't have told Harry. In fact, I'm glad that you said something first. I didn't want to hurt your feelings...again. And you want to know something." Ron said his anger growing inside him but not apparent. "I was going to pull out of it, but I always wondered what kissing you would be like. As nice as it was. I didn't feel a thing either just the initial shock that you did it." He lied. "So all the awkwardness is settled. Thanks Herm."

Hermione was now staring at the back of his head on the verge of tears. She was expecting some resentment but not that response. His words penetrated her heart like a needle through a pincushion; it was very quick and sticking there in it's spot until pulled out again. But she felt the pin and couldn't pull it out. Though she brought it upon herself it still hurt her and she wondered if what he felt was real or not. A tear rolled down her face. She collected her emotions and wiped it away.

"Well." She said hoarsely. "I suppose you got what you wanted in a way. Glad I could extinguish your bottled curiosity." She said with a spiteful laugh. Ron turned around to say something but she silenced him. "I still...I have to tell everyone about-about the last place on my....uh...trip; France. And I know you'll like what I brought from...France." She said through choked words. She could feel tears welling up in her eyes.

Ron didn't say a word. The whole time she talked. He could hear the bitterness in her voice, and some discrete sniffs. He just felt angry that she would say that it was a mistake, that it didn't mean anything to her, and that she practically accused him of taken advantage of her vulnerability. It just pained him too much he had to get rid of it and saying what he was feeling at the moment, which was utter resentment, was a way of doing that. He knew she was trying to set things straight and avoid hurting him, but that didn't console him.

Hermione finished talking her sniffs becoming more discrete. Seeing that he had had nothing else to say. She decided to leave.

"Ron I'm-I'm...I'm going inside o-k. Are you c-coming?" He could hear her try to stifle her cry and soften his anger.

"Um... Yeah. I'll be in a bit later ok."

"Yes ok...I'll see you later. No hard feelings?" She said waiting for a response. When he gave none she got up. She put a hand on his shoulder. He watched it and saw a tear fall on it. He suddenly felt awful. "Ok Ron. Bye." And with that she walked off quickly. Ron put a hand on the spot she touched then turned rapidly to catch her.

"Hermi-" he said frowning at the space she was standing. He looked behind him in the trees and caught a glimpse of her golden brown hair moving away. He sat down feeling worse and buried his face in his hands.

A/N: Aw that was sad wasn't it. I fooled you all. Thought I was going to let it happen there for a minute. Well you were wrong got to let it play out. Ok no for the theatrics. Will Ron go after her and tell her the truth? Will Hermione now go on with her plan now that it backfired in her face. Will Ron give up trying to get Hermione? Did Ron really eat the plate of food within minutes? (LOL J/k bout that last one) Find out next in the next chappie of my fanfic! (writing the title is too long :D) PLZ R/R!