a/n: Hey everybody! Sorry for the long delay of this chapter, but I've been on vacation and didn't have a chance to post. I got this up as soon as I could. The end of summer is going to be very busy for me, but I'm going to try and add chapters as much as possible. I really like how this chapter turned out and I really think we're starting to get somewhere, so I hope you enjoy this chapter and chapters still to come. Please read and review, I need feedback! I love getting responses, so take the minute or two needed and give a quick message. Thanks to all my reviewers so far, I really appreciate your time and dedication to the story.

Happy reading everyone!

xoxoxoxoxo

Ron opened his eyes the next morning to find a blurry image of Hermione in front of him. He groaned as he stretched out on his bed and tried his hardest to wake up.

"Ugh... now this is taking it a bit too far, Hermione is NOT in your bedroom.." he muttered and rubbed his hands slowly down the side of his face.

"What are you talking about? I'm here to get you up and out of bed on this fine day. You're not sleeping until the afternoon while I'm around!" Hermione announced and pulled back his covers.

"ARE YOU OFF YOUR ROCKER!?" Ron shouted and quickly jumped out of bed throwing a dirty t-shirt over his head from off the floor, face red as a tomato.

"What?" Hermione asked, heart beating at a surprisingly fast rate.

"I could have been NAKED under there!" Ron shouted causing Ginny to run into the bedroom.

"What's going on?" she asked, finding a very uncomfortable Ron and Hermione, but Hermione wouldn't dare hint that she was even the tad bit nervous.

"Your brother is overreacting to a simple error in judgement on my part," she answered and tried not to stare in the vicinity of Ron's boxers.

"Well that's not unusual at all! And here I thought something major was taking place. But if it's so normal, why did I hear something about being naked?" Ginny asked mischievously.

"Well if you think it's no big deal that you've seen me in my skivvies, why don't you strip down to your skivvies and we'll see what THAT looks like!" Ron demanded, taking his shirt back off.

"RON!" Hermione shouted and backed away from him slowly. The gleam in his eyes was just a bit too unpredictable for her taste.

"Are you mad!? Seeing a girl in her under garments is completely different than a girl seeing a boy half-nude!" Ginny shouted, "besides, that's just frightening! Put your shirt back on for heaven's sake!"

Ginny covered Hermione's eyes, shaking her head and letting out small "tut"s. Hermione would never ever admit that she was enjoying the experience. Not if her life depended on it.

"WHAT!? Did you ever think that it might be EQUALLY embarrassing for me to be seen in my skivvies? What makes the situation different?" Ron asked extremely agitated.

"Don't you have at least the smallest trace of intelligence in that brain of yours? Anywhere? Think about it Ron! First of all, you were in boxers which are basically like shorts! You wear practically the same thing when you go swimming! And boxers don't accentuate anything you may have on you if you know what I'm talking about..." Ginny began to explain.

"EWW! I do NOT want to be hearing this from the mouth of my little sister!" Ron gasped in disgust. Hermione flushed and began to laugh as Ron threw his shirt on once again.

"You didn't let me finish! SECONDLY, unless you are suddenly going to grow boobs over night, which isn't unlikely with Fred and George hanging around, then your embarrassment will never compare to any Hermione might feel if she were to take off her clothes right now," Ginny finished with a huff and stormed out. Hermione leaned against the doorway and took long deep breaths before deciding to speak.

"Speaking of Fred and George..." she mumbled.

"I don't think that was the main subject of our conversation.." Ron stated and threw on a pair of jeans.

"Hmm, well... that's what I came to get you up for, your mum is going to the shop for a few hours and she'll be back for tea. Oh, and our owl results have come...maybe I'll burn them without even looking at my results if I'm feeling crazy enough," Hermione said excitedly and brushed some hair out of her eyes. Ron resisted the urge to moan and sighed instead.

"Hermione, you're never feeling crazy enough," he said and rubbed his shoulder. Hermione smiled at him and shook her head.

"Maybe your mum can buy you some new underpants as well?" she asked and smirked. Ron stared at her in awe. Did she really just crack a joke about something so... suggestive?

"Uh.... wha?" he asked completely out of it. Hermione shrugged and turned to leave, but before she did..

"Ron?" she asked quietly. Ron tilted his head to the side and watched her carefully.

"Hmm?" he replied.

"I'm sorry, that I was awful the other day. I... didn't really mean anything I said. I'd proudly wave a banner over your head... as long as it said 'Hermione is our Queen'.." she said with a shy smile and left rather quickly. Ron stood in wonder for a few minutes before grabbing some socks and following after her.

June 30

I hold in my left hand right now the results of my owl exams. I told Hermione I would look at them later, when I was feeling up to it. I played it off like it was no big deal, but I think she may know that deep down I'm nervous as hell. If she did, she didn't mention it. Probably thinks I'm still touchy from this morning, but I mean really! Who thinks it's perfectly okay to look at me in my underwear and act like it's the most normal everyday thing? She's Hermione! She saw me! In my boxers! The world is bloody mad.

I also have a letter here from Harry. Hermione got one too, but she says it's "confidential" and she'd rather not share it with me. So I snatched my letter up and refused to let her see mine either. Don't know why I always do things like that, but I guess it's beyond my control. My hormones are raging, I don't know any better. At least Dad says so, but Dad also fights off exploding toilets for a living.

I've just now read my letter from Harry and have decided to keep it right here in my journal for a re-read later. Ginny's calling so I'd better bugger off. She's got a big temper for someone so tiny...and feisty...and incredibly insane.

Dear Ron,

How've you been? Sorry for not writing sooner, but I've been a bit down and I haven't really had the energy to write anyone a letter. I hope your family is doing okay. Give the twins and Ginny a hello for me. Oh, and tell the twins their fruitcake was delicious, even if I couldn't get the mustache off for a week. Uncle Vernon wasn't too happy about THAT one. Especially since I couldn't figure out how it had gotten there in the first place. At least, not right away.

The Dursleys are treating me the same as usual. Every once in awhile they let me do some of my homework in the lower level of the house, but it's mostly on special occasions (when they think an order member is watching them)! I also received a new shirt, one that fits, but that's about all the "kindness" the Dursleys are willing to give. Aunt Petunia knows about Sirius, I know she does, but she refuses to say a word. I truly loathe her, I wish I could be with you and Hermione.

There isn't much else to say really, is there? I hope Percy isn't being too much of a git. I know it's tough on your mum. I expect to be out of here before July ends. See you then.

Harry

"RONALD WEASLEY! I'M CALLING YOU!" Ginny screamed up the stairs for the umpteenth time.

"Sorry I'm late. What is it your royal highness? I already told you I haven't found anything to rhyme with 'pools of emerald green' " Ron said with a smirk as he appeared in front of her.

"Funny. Just wait til Dean hears you talking like that," Ginny remarked and raised her eyebrows in warning.

"Ha Gin, won't work on me anymore. I found out from a certain blonde haired loony witch that you aren't actually DATING Dean, you just rate him. Tough luck, hope it goes better for you next time," Ron informed her and grinned in triumph.

"Ugh, having you for a brother is like a curse, one even Bill couldn't fix up. Where are your owl scores?" Ginny asked, trying to avoid more of Ron's gloating.

"Upstairs, I haven't looked at them yet," Ron answered.

"Well you better go get them and meet Hermione and I in the den. She's going to have a heart attack if she doesn't find out what she got," Ginny stated and rolled her eyes.

"Why doesn't she just open her letter and find out then?" Ron asked with a shrug.

"Apparently she wants to open them with you, but I have a feeling she's just scared," Ginny voiced her opinion.

"Scared? Why in the hell should she be scared? She's only the smartest witch in the year, if not all of Hogwarts," Ron wondered aloud.

"Don't know, why don't you go ask HER that question?" Ginny suggested as she walked away. Ron grabbed his owl results and ran back down the stairs to find Hermione curled up in an arm chair biting her nails.

"Calm down, you probably got all outstandings," Ron said nonchalantly and sat down on the arm of the chair next to her.

"Well, that may be true, but just in case could you look first?" Hermione asked and handed him the envelope.

"I guess so, if you want me to," Ron said, surprised, and took the letter from Hermione's hands.

"So, what does it say?" Hermione asked eagerly as his eyes scanned the page.

"Hmm... total score... all O's. Except it looks like one tried to give you an E in Arithmancy. Pity you that," Ron informed her. Hermione squealed and hugged Ron's arm as tightly as she possibly could.

"I knew it would turn out alright! Somewhere inside me I knew! Oh thanks Ron!" Hermione shouted and kissed his cheek. His eyes widened for only a split second, but his flushed cheeks stayed quite awhile longer.

"So, you can open mine I guess," Ron stated and handed her his results. She beamed up at him and opened the paper. Shockingly, her smile never faded.

"All E's and an O, and even an A for Divination," Hermione said, a bit more calm.

"Are you bloody serious? I didn't get any T's for Troll?" Ron asked in disbelief.

"Oh for pity's sake Ron, why would someone with your intelligence get a T?" Hermione asked, crinkling up her nose in amusement.

"You think I'm intelligent? I thought you were smarter than that," Ron replied and shook his head sadly.

"You know you're not that stupid Ron Weasley. Besides, I helped you study... now get out of here so I can read my letter from Harry," Hermione said laughing and shoved him off the side of the chair.

"I dunno, I was thinking I was comfy right where I was.." Ron responded and flopped down on top of her.

"Ummmfh! Ron, you may be skinny but you're heavy as bricks!" Hermione groaned underneath his body weight.

"What was that 'Mione? Did you say, Ron... I'm so glad you've decided to grace me with your presence? And look! You've even chosen me as your lounge seat! I feel so privileged to be your friend!" Ron said pretending not to hear her.

"Sure, being your friend is great! Now, if only you were dead... the ghost of Ron Weasley might be easier to deal with. Especially in a situation such as this," Hermione grumbled and tried to push him off.

"Alright, I'll just go kill myself then. A jump out of the attic window should do it, you think?" he asked, jumping off her and running up the stairway.

"RON! You're acting like Fred and George!" Hermione whined and headed up after him. Ron's heavy footfall pounded in front of her and she followed him to the attic.

"Watch out for the ghoul!" he shouted before propping himself up on the window's ledge. Hermione ducked as a strange creature lunged toward the top of her head, then she turned her attention back to the maniac in the window.

"What in the world are you doing? Have you finally gone mental?" Hermione asked as her dangled one leg out above the grass below.

"Just doing what you ask of me. I thought you've always wanted me to do what you say, you're extremely bossy..." Ron rambled on.

"What! I am NOT that bossy! For a second I thought maybe I'd want you to live, but go ahead! Throw yourself out. Hopefully no one will find you in time to take you to St. Mungo's" Hermione spat and turned on her heel.

"Alright then, here I go!" he shouted and began to leap.

"WAIT!" Hermione shouted.

"Aha, I knew you wouldn't want me to fall... ghost of Ron Weasley, sure.." he mumbled and pulled himself back through into the attic.

"You've gone nutters," Hermione said, shaking her head at him in awe.

"I guess I have," he said simply and walked back down the creaky steps. Hermione sighed and plopped down herself down on a trunk, panting. The attic ghoul moaned loudly and chucked a book at her head.

"Oh shut up!" she yelled and stormed back down the stairs to read her letter.

Dear Hermione,

I always thought you might like Ron, but I never thought you'd admit that to me. Unfortunately Ron hasn't mentioned anything to me about whether he likes you or not. He hasn't really said much of anything since Fleur was here for well, you know. I don't think he truly liked her or anything, she was just part veela and he couldn't resist. Ron always mentions you though, so that could be saying something. I suggest you just tell him how you feel and maybe he'll surprise you.

As far as having dreams about him goes, well I've never experienced that before. I mean, dreaming of a girl... not Ron. My dreams usually involve Voldemort and my scar hurting. I'd swap for yours in a second.

Don't worry about me. I'm getting out of here real soon and I can't wait to see you and all the others again. Take care, and don't fight too much with the red haired one. You two are crazy.

Harry

June 30 continued

Hermione is definitely acting weird. Ginny told me she was beating herself up over something that wasn't her fault. When I asked her what it was, she called me a prat and ran off like she usually does. I'm getting just a little annoyed with that girl...

Thankfully I got Hermione to cheer up and play a game of wizard chess. She's a genius, but no one beats me at chess. No one. Not even Dumbledore could.. Well, maybe he would be able to. Maybe I should challenge him to a game when school starts up again.

We have to go to headquarters soon. Ginny is positively miserable about the whole thing. She says that she'll never be able to handle being there with Sirius gone and that she won't let them take Harry back to the awful place. I asked mum if I could tear down Sirius's mum's portrait if we were forced to spend another summer with the order. She said she wished it were up for her to decide. I have no idea what that means, but that hag is coming down!

Hermione said that she never would have guessed that a house-elf could be so influential in such a dark way. I told her to get over it and look on the bright-side, I lived after being attacked by a brain. I guess it wasn't the best way to go, but she did seem a bit relieved. Good sign? Maybe not. She thinks I'm being arrogant and thinking only of myself. But I say I'm glad that brain didn't mess me up too badly!

Except, I did threaten to jump out a window today. I blame it on a temporary loss of sanity, but maybe Fred and George were channeling their spirits through me. I don't normally try and kill myself as a joke. I'd like to strangle that ghoul though. Hermione has a paper cut from where the stupid thing threw a book at her.

I got my owl results, I did great. Mum was so proud she almost went out and bought me a new broomstick! Almost... but the brownies were delicious. Anyway, I'm off to bed.

 Hermione sighed and tucked herself into the guest bed that was prepared for her. Being close to Ron was becoming even harder to do. Every time she looked at him she could feel her body tensing up. Maybe she should put him out of her mind. Was it weird that she enjoyed the little window jumping escapade? And what about that letter from Harry? There was no way she should have gotten jealous over a part-veela. Sleep would be a very good thing... but another dream was coming on....

"I'll jump off the astronomy tower!" Ron shouted at her in the common room.

"No Ron, you could get a paper cut!" Hermione shouted in fear.

"Then I'll just beat up the ghoul," Ron said with a shrug.

"I don't want you to be in danger again for me! Remember the brain?" Hermione asked. Ron shuddered and zoned out for a minute or so before snapping out of it.

"I don't care!" he shouted and took off.

"Ron, don't do this!" Hermione pleaded as Ron balanced himself on the edge of the tower.

"Say you love me and I won't, but I'm pretty sure it's a definite I'll be jumping," Ron told her and prepared himself for the fall.

"Why would you think that?" Hermione asked him, trying to remain calm.

"You hate me! You didn't even want to go to the Yule Ball with me! You wanted to go with Viktor!" Ron snapped.

"I only went with him because he was kind and I was afraid YOU would never ask me to go! You practically drooled over Fleur the whole time! And when you finally asked it was like you didn't want to go with me, you just wanted to have a date... and I was someone to fall back on!" Hermione explained, a tear in her eye.

"I ALWAYS wanted to go with you! I've only ever wanted to do everything and anything with you," Ron informed her.

"Then stop being a prat and get over and BE with me!" Hermione demanded, but before Ron could move another face appeared.

"Saw-ree Ronald, but I vant to be wit my her-my-own-ninny" Viktor said, an evil glint in his eye. He pushed Ron and watched as he teetered back and forth.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Hermione shouted and watched as Ron disappeared from sight.

"HERMIONE! WHAT'S WRONG?" Ginny asked as Hermione woke from her dream, tears stinging her eyes.

"I had a nightmare... it was.. horrible... and so not...probable!" Hermione murmured, placing her head in her hands.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Ginny asked, adjusting her nightgown.

"I don't think so Ginny... I'm just being silly," Hermione whispered and gave the faintest smile.

Off in another room of the burrow Ron Weasley jolted from bed and ran a hand through his hair.

"You've got to get over this fear of Viktor if you want Hermione to like you," he scolded himself and sat down on the edge of his bed.

'I'm going to accept Viktor no matter what it takes!'