A/n. Gypsy the Centaur is back with the next installment of "Night of the Patronus." Wow, I can't believe we're already on chapter four. Boy, how time flies. A thank you to reviewers new and old. Thanks to thenash- I update regularly so I hope that keeps you from going insane! To FlyingPurpleCat, mmelbear, row, and awesome islanders for their kind words and encouragement! You guys make my day!

Disclaimer: Do I own Harry Potter? No. But I don't hold a grudge against JKR because she thought it up first. More power to you!

And the last of the flashback...

CHAPTER FOUR: THE DARK DOORWAY

"I was just saying that me and one of dad's work friend's daughters went out on a few- lovely –dates." Ron thought back on what the dates had actually been like: dull conversation and awkward kissing to hide the fact that both parties were equally bored.

"Who?"

"Ruina Stassellback."

"Ruina Stassellback? That's a ridiculous name."

"Perfectly straight nose though..." Ron thought, thinking back on their row before the Yule Ball in fourth year.

"Oh, please. So. Was she your girlfriend or something?"

Ron had to play this carefully. He was just going to get her curious, not angry.

"Well...I guess....sort of...we weren't serious...just the fun stuff..." Ron muttered carelessly, stuffing his hands into his pockets and trying to look as though the memory delighted him.

"Really. Well, that's mostly what Viktor and I were about too," she drew a breathe and, stepping into the light, looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "In fact, we still are," Ron glanced up quickly. "Sort of."

Ron was petrified by what the hidden meaning of "sort of" could be.

"Oh?" he said in a high voice.

"Yeah," she muttered. "I mean it could...turn into more."

Ron's eyes darted to the floor. With a mix of embarrassment, determination, and hurt, he dared himself to go on.

"What d'you mean by...more."

"Oh, you know," Hermione looked embarrassed too. Ron had the distinct feeling, at that moment, that he was being lied to. If someone asked him to bet on whether or not Krum and Hermione had so much as kissed at this point, he would have had to go with not.

"No, I don't," Ron replied, not really knowing where the conversation was headed. "Enlighten me."

"Actually," she stuttered breathlessly, "it's none of your business."

With a surge of confidence, Ron glided up to her so they were about a foot apart.

"Actually," he said, half-hoping she'd look at him and half-hoping she'd run out the door, "I think it's very much my business. I like to know when the people I'm interested in are involved with other people...seriously."

Hermione slowly turned her head to look at him. Ron leaned in a bit, placing his hand on the doorframe. As he stared into her eyes, he drifted closer.

"I don't care about Ruina, Ron."

Ron thought it a rather odd time to be bringing up someone he really didn't care about, but he knew he hadn't been at all clear with Hermione about how little interest he actually had in Ruina Stassellback.

"Right." He moved closer.

"She doesn't think you're her boyfriend, right?"

"No, of course not." Closer still.

"And you don't want her to, right? To think of you as her boyfriend?"

"For god's sake, Hermione! SHUT UP!"

Ron pressed his lips against hers and she stumbled back against the doorframe. Ron felt like he was accomplishing a long-term goal or something. Sure, he'd kissed Hermione earlier, but this was it. This was what he wanted to think of as their first kiss. It was perfect. And this time she wasn't rushing off somewhere. She was really staying with him. He wanted to tell her everything, but he didn't want to break apart. He thought if he could just keep her here with him, then eventually she might figure out all the things he'd felt about her since he first saw her. And then she'd forget about her meeting with Krum the next day. And maybe she'd forget about all that wasted time before, all those rows, and even the Second War. If he could keep her here long enough, maybe she'd forget that she was kissing Ron Weasley, and not someone that she actually deserved, someone ten-times better.

She broke from him and, with a solemn look, said, "I'm sorry."

Convinced this was an apology for earlier misunderstandings, Ron leaned in again to let her know all was forgiven, but she drew back.

"I'm sorry, this is never going to work."

She headed for the door and it took Ron a moment to realize he should follow her. He heard the screen door slam and he ran to it, watching Hermione's dark figure fade into blackness. Why did she keep doing that? Was he that disgusting, that repulsive? 'Whatever,' he thought, 'nothing left to lose.'

"I love you and don't you fucking forget it!" He heard his voice echo into the night but the distant sounds of Hermione sobbing rang in his ears...from his first bottle of wine to his last butterbeer that night.

-End Flashback-

A/n. Ugh, why does she keep doing that? I guess we've all done that once or twice. I really hope you enjoyed, more fluff and some action/adventure to come! Hey, while you're near the button, why don't you drop me a line, I love reviews! It takes just a second for you to make me happy for the rest of the day!

Until tomorrow,

Gypsy the Centaur