Author's Note: Sorry it's taken me so long to update. I was in the car the whole weekend driving across the country, and it's taken me the past two days to come up with this. Anyway, thanks for the reviews everyone! Several of you clapped and TheHyperFreek even gave me a hug! Hugs back. Haha anyway thanks for all the enthusiasm and positive feedback. Read on!

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Two days later Hermione sat in an armchair in the Burrow's family room. It was just after dinner and she was reading Flying with the Cannons, which she had borrowed from Ron that morning. Harry and Ginny were playing Exploding Snap on the floor and Ron was nowhere to be found.

She looked up when she heard someone enter the kitchen. She couldn't be sure but she thought those were Ron's footsteps. Setting down her book, Hermione got up and walked into the kitchen.

"Hey," said Ron when she entered. He was leaning over the counter flipping through a magazine. A large bowl of whipped cream was in front of him and he was dipping his finger into it.

"Hi," Hermione said shyly.

"Want some?" Ron asked her, indicating the bowl.

"Sure." Hermione walked over to the counter and bumped Ron with her hip, knocking him out of the way so she could have full access to the bowl.

"Hey!" he said indignantly.

Hermione smiled sweetly at him, dipped her finger in the whipped cream, and tasted it.

Ron had his eyebrows raised but he was smirking. "Want some help with that?" he said.

Hermione paused halfway through dipping her finger again and looked at him in confusion. He had a mischievous grin on his face.

"Ron, what—?" She was cut off due to the fact that he had shoved the bowl of whipped cream into her face.

Hermione sputtered and wiped away the whipped cream from her eyes. "Ron Weasley," she huffed, "I am going to kill you."

Ron was doubled over from laughing. "You—should—see—your face!"

Hermione picked up the bowl off the counter and ran her hand through it, scooping up as much cream as she could. Ron looked at her for a second before she wiped her hand down his face.

"Urgh!" he muttered, mopping his eyes.

Hermione smiled a wide satisfied smile. Ron studied her for a moment and then headed for the refrigerator.

"Ron," Hermione said warningly, "don't even think about it."

Ron had his back to her and didn't answer. He was rummaging through the refrigerator. Hermione watched him wearily, slowly backing away.

All of a sudden he turned around and ran towards her carrying a bottle of chocolate sauce.

"No!" she yelled. She tried to run out of the kitchen but he caught up with her and squirted chocolate all over her head. Hermione shrieked and threw her arms over her head in vain. She could hear Ron laughing behind her.

Hermione turned around and lunged at him, knocking him onto the floor. She grabbed the bottle out of his hand and started squirting it all over his face.

Ron reached up blindly and tried to grab her hands. Hermione was laughing now as she watched him struggle unsuccessfully.

Someone coughed behind her and she turned around to find Harry and Ginny staring at them. Ron sat up and wiped some of the chocolate off of his face.

"Hi," Hermione said in a would-be-innocent voice.

"Having fun?" Harry asked. He smirked at Ron, who was still wiping at his face.

Ginny had her eyebrows raised at Hermione, who was trying hard to keep a straight face. "Um…I'm going to go get a shower," Hermione said.

"Good idea," Ron muttered. He stood up and followed her out of the kitchen. Hermione could feel Harry's and Ginny's eyes on them all the way to the door.

Once they were out of the kitchen Hermione and Ron both burst out laughing. "That was kind of awkward," said Hermione.

"Think they suspect anything?" Ron asked.

Hermione shrugged. She turned to look at him and grinned. "You have chocolate all over your face."

"Well you have whipped cream all over your face," he laughed.

Hermione licked her lips and tasted the whipped cream as they climbed the stairs. "I get shower first today," she said to him.

"On one condition."

"What's that?"

"I want some whipped cream," he said. He gave her a sly smile.

"Fine," Hermione replied. "But I want some chocolate." She grinned and stood up to kiss him quickly.

"Mmm," said Ron. "Good whipped cream."

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   Half an hour later Hermione heard a knock on her door as she was towel-drying her hair.

"Come in," she called.

Ron opened the door. He was wearing his Chudley Cannons tee shirt and a pair of pajama bottoms. His red hair was sopping wet but he was no longer dripping with chocolate. She smiled at him.

"You almost finished?" he asked.

"Yes, just trying to tame this a bit." She held up one of her long brown locks. "Why?"

"I thought you might want to come up on the roof."

"The roof?"

"Yeah," he muttered. "Haven't I ever showed you?"

"No…"

"Oh well then c'mon." He seized her wrist and pulled her out of the room. They walked up the stairs past several landings and finally came to a stop at the top of the house. A small ladder was leaning against the wall and a blanket was folded on the floor next to it.

Ron grabbed the blanket and started climbing up the ladder. Hermione followed him curiously.

He pushed open a door in the ceiling and Hermione could see the dark sky above him. She climbed up the rest of the ladder and soon found herself on a small deck on the roof of the Burrow.

"Nice, isn't it?" Ron asked her.

"Beautiful," Hermione replied. "Why haven't you ever shown me this before?"

Ron shrugged. He opened the blanket and set it down on the deck. Then he lay down on his back and folded his arms behind his head.

Hermione sat down on the blanket next to him and gently lay down on her back as well. She gazed up at the dark heavens and was greeted by thousands of blinking stars.

"Wow," she said softly.

"Yeah, it's a good view, isn't it? Ginny and I used to come up here all the time."

"I can see why." Hermione continued to survey the sky and found herself naming all the stars and planets in her head.

"Hermione, take a break from school," Ron muttered.

She turned to see him looking at her. "What?"

"You're testing yourself to see if you can still name everything, aren't you? Mione, we've already had our astronomy exam! Give it a rest."

She smiled guiltily. "How did you know?"

"Because you have that look on your face that you get when you're studying. And you're biting your lip."

"Oh," she said uncomfortably. She turned away from him and stared at a large star without really focusing on it.

Hermione slowly folded her arms behind her head, attempting to pull her tee-shirt back a little to expose a fraction of her stomach.

"Are you trying to drive me crazy?" Ron asked, glancing at her stomach.

"Maybe," she said sweetly. "Why, is it working?"

Ron paused. "No," he said defiantly.

Hermione laughed at the expression on his face. It was obvious he was trying to conceal a smile. "Okay, Ron," she said. "Whatever you say."

"Hermione, I don't want to do this, but you've left me no choice," he said solemnly.

"And what exactly are you going to do?"

Ron inclined his head like he was at a funeral. "I'm afraid," he said gravely, "I will have to tickle you." With that, he began to tickle her stomach and neck.

"No, you prat!" she giggled. "Ron, Ron, stop it!" She was shrieking now. Ron was laughing at her. "You—are—the—world's—biggest—git!" she choked out.

He finally stopped and Hermione clutched her side, panting. "That was too easy," he declared.

"I hate you," she breathed. She couldn't help the smile that formed on her face.

"Now I know what to do when we have a row," he said happily. "I'll just tickle you."

"Assuming I haven't cursed you into oblivion by then."

"Right."

Hermione smiled at him and reached for his hand. She held it loosely and turned over on her back again to watch the stars.

"Mione?"

"Hmm?"

"Er…what are we, exactly? I mean, are we dating?"

Hermione considered for a moment. "I have no idea," she said truthfully. "But whatever we are, I like it." She squeezed his hand.

"Okay, works for me."

Hermione scooted closer to him and laid her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her back and began rubbing it. She closed her eyes and sighed contentedly.

For several minutes they lay like that. Hermione felt like she was living in a surreal alternate reality. There was so much to be afraid of but right now she felt so secure.

The door onto the roof creaked open behind them and Hermione quickly moved away from Ron.

Harry held open the door above his head. "Er…am I interrupting something?" He raised his eyebrows.

"No, not at all."

"Yeah, we were just talking, mate."

Harry still looked unconvinced. "Mind if I join you?"

"Come on up," said Hermione. She patted the spot next to her. Harry closed the door and lay down next to her on the blanket.

"I wondered where you two had gone," he said. "What was up with the food fight earlier?"

"Um…well, Ron put a bowl of whipped cream in my face for no reason—"

"It was because you pushed me!"

"—and then he started pouring chocolate sauce all over my head—"

"—but then she squirted it all over my face!"

Harry laughed at them. "I take it you two are finally together then?"

"What?" Hermione and Ron said sharply.

Harry laughed some more. "I knew it."

Hermione turned to look at Ron. He just shrugged at her and laughed. She turned back to Harry. "Are we that obvious?"

"No, but I'm your best friend. I was bound to notice the lack of fighting."

"Good point," Hermione muttered. 

"Well?" Harry said.

"Well what?"

"How long has this been going on?"

"Um…a couple of days," Hermione answered tentatively.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked irratedly.

"Well…we weren't sure how you would take it."

"Yeah, but don't worry mate, nothing's changed," Ron chipped in.

"Nothing?" Harry said skeptically.

Ron paused. "Er…well, besides the fact that we aren't fighting."

"And?" Harry said mischievously.

"Er…and what?"

"Ron, are you really that thick? What else would I be talking about?"

Ron laughed. "Of course, and the snogging!"

Hermione slapped his arm. "Ron, you prat! Don't tell him that!"

Harry was laughing on her other side. "Well, was yours better than mine?"

"It was awesome," Ron said enthusiastically. Harry laughed heartily on Hermione's right. She slapped him too.

"Why are my best friends both complete prats?"

"Because your best friends are boys," said Ginny's voice from behind them. "Which is why you have me."

Hermione rolled over on her stomach and rested her chin in her hand. "Hi Gin. I didn't hear you come up."

"It doesn't surprise me with all the racket these two buffoons are making," she replied. Harry and Ron stopped laughing and looked offended.

"I resent that, Ginevra," Ron grumbled.

"So do I," said Harry.

Ginny sat down behind the blanket and rolled her eyes at them. Hermione laughed.

"I overheard your conversation, by the way," Ginny told her.

Hermione blushed. "Oh…yeah."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Hermione shrugged. "Sorry."

"It's okay," Ginny said with a smile. "About time, though."

"I'll agree to that," said Harry.

Hermione smiled and lay on her back again. She reached for Ron's hand and held it in her own.

The four of them settled into a quiet peacefulness. After a few minutes Hermione felt Ginny tugging on her hair and she sat up to allow her friend to gather it all. "What are you doing?" Hermione asked her.

"Braiding it. Ron won't let me touch his."

"Wow I wonder why," Ron said sarcastically.

Ginny scowled at him. "Bill let me braid his once."

"You never played beauty shop on him while he was asleep though, did you?"

Ginny and Ron started bantering back and forth. Harry was still staring up at the sky and Hermione watched him.

"You okay?" she asked.

He looked at her. "Mmhmm, fine." He returned his eyes to the heavens.

Hermione could sense something was wrong with him but didn't press him any farther. She had dealt with this sullen Harry many times the previous year and figured he would be back to normal soon enough.

"I was umm…I was thinking about Cho, actually."

Hermione was rather shocked. She had expected Harry to be dwelling upon Sirius' death. He never failed to surprise her.

"Cho?"

"Yeah. Well, I guess I was thinking about you and Ron together and my thoughts sort of drifted to Cho."

"You're better off without her, Harry."

"Yeah I know. She was too much to handle. I mean there's only so much crying a girl can do."

Hermione smiled. "Maybe you could use someone a bit more…eccentric," she hinted.

Harry raised his eyebrows at her. "Maybe…" he said uncertainly.

"Well, I'm sure you'll find someone."

"I hope so. Someone who won't cry when I kiss them."

Hermione laughed. She reached for Harry's hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

Ginny and Ron's bantering slowly died down and the four friends were left gazing at the heavens in a peaceful uninterrupted bliss. Hermione held the hands of the two boys she cared most about in the world and felt her best friend braiding her hair. It was tough to think about Voldemort tonight.

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The next day Ron and Hermione were able to show more affection for each other, due to the fact that Harry and Ginny had now been clued in on their relationship. They all spent the day outside and helped Mrs. Weasley de-gnome the garden.

Bill and Fleur dropped in for dinner, much to Mrs. Weasley's delight. Ron seemed to glance at Fleur frequently in-between bites and Hermione felt herself becoming slightly jealous. But then he would look at Hermione and his face would light up, and she knew without a doubt how much he cared about her. Her jealousy left as quickly as it had come. It also helped that Ron kept kicking her feet under the table.

After the meal was finished, Hermione and Ginny volunteered to help Mrs. Weasley clean up. Hermione brought the dinner plates over to Mrs. Weasley, who washed them and handed them to Ginny to dry.

"Hermione," said Mrs. Weasley after a few minutes. "May I ask you something?"

"Of course," Hermione replied as she carried a plate over. "What is it?"

Mrs. Weasley pursed her lips. "Is something going on between you and Ron?"

Ginny immediately started giggling and Hermione turned bright red. She opened her mouth and said, "Um…why do you ask?"

Mrs. Weasley smiled knowingly. "Well, you've been acting different around each other lately. And well," she laughed, "I saw your antics at dinner."

Hermione blushed a deeper shade of red. "Oh," she whispered.

"So? Are you two together now?" Mrs. Weasley asked curiously.

Hermione looked at Ginny, who laughed but nodded. She returned her gaze to Mrs. Weasley. "Yes," she muttered softly.

"Oh this is wonderful!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. "This is absolutely delightful! Oh, Hermione, I'm so excited for you!"

"Thanks," said Hermione embarrassedly.

Mrs. Weasley put her arms on Hermione's shoulders and looked kindly at her. "I couldn't imagine a better girl for my son."

Hermione beamed and blushed as Mrs. Weasley pulled her into a tight hug and kissed the top of her head. "Oh, my dear, this is just so wonderful."

"Mum, get a grip," said Ginny amusedly. 

Mrs. Weasley let go of Hermione and wiped at her eyes. Hermione stared at the kind older woman who had become something of a second mother to her and couldn't help but smile.

"Why don't you girls run along," Mrs. Weasley said. "I'll finish up here."

"Are you sure, Mum?"
            "Yes, yes, go on. Go find those boys. And Hermione, if Ron acts like a prat at all, you let me know so I can whack him."

Hermione laughed. "Thanks Mrs. Weasley."

She left the kitchen with Ginny and headed outside. They found Ron and Harry sitting at the wooden table and laughing.

"What's so funny?" Hermione asked.

Harry turned to her. "So you laughed, huh?"

Hermione blushed again and glared at Ron. "You told him that?"

"Sorry," he muttered, giving her a guilty grin. "I couldn't help it."

Harry started laughing again. Hermione hit him lightly in the back of the head. "Ouch!" he said, rubbing the spot.

Hermione sat down next to him on the picnic bench. Ron looked at her and asked, "So how did the cleaning up go?"

"Oh it was fine, I was just talking to your mother." Hermione folded her arms smugly and waited for the impact of her words to settle in.

"My mother? About what?" he asked carefully.

"About us," she said happily.

"You told her about us!?"

Hermione smiled angelically. "Mmhmm. She volunteered to whack you if you act like a prat at all."

"Glad to know Mum's on my side," Ron mumbled. "What else did she say?"

"Nothing really. She was just very excited."

"I can't believe you told her." Ron put his face in his hands. "Now she'll tell the whole family and they'll all tease me mercilessly."

"They would've found out anyway. And I didn't really tell her, she had figured it out on her own."

Ron sighed.

"Ron, cheer up, no one teases me about Dean," said Ginny.

"Just wait till the twins find out," he replied gloomily.

"Oh come off it, mate," said Harry. "They'll only tease you for about a day."

"Yeah, I guess. Anyone want to go play a bit of Quidditch?"

"Sure," said Harry and Ginny. They both got up from the table and started heading for the broom shed.

"Come on, Ron," said Hermione. She stood up from the picnic table and he rose from his seat too. The two of them walked to the broom shed together.

"The twins won't be so bad," she said reassuringly. "If they are, I'll just yell at them again."

Ron laughed. "You should've seen their faces after you did that the other night. They were speechless."

She smiled. "It'll be fine. Come on, I'm going to kick your ass in Quidditch."

"You wish."

Hermione raised her arm to slap him but he grabbed it. "I'm too quick for you now," he said.

Hermione raised her foot off the ground and kicked his butt. "You wish," she said sweetly. "And I just kicked your ass."

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Author's note: I hope that was well worth the wait. It doesn't feel like one of my best chapters but I liked writing it anyway. I probably won't update for a couple more days after this, because a) I don't know what's coming next and b) I have limited computer access. Anyway, hope that was okay and I'll try my best to update ASAP. Please review!