AHHH yes yes I know! Bad bad bad me for not updating!! Ive been soooo busy with everything so please do forgive me!

Special thanks to Micheley and Mansi for urging me continually to finish this chapter! I hope u like it!

Disclaimer: JK Rowling decided it was too much of a hassle to own Harry potter, so she sold it to me for 10 bucks. YAY FOR ME!

.....If u believe that, I'm really sorry for you.

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Previous: He shook his head but the dizziness lingered, making him feel lightheaded. The desire growing stronger, he raised a hand to cup her cheek...

...But stopped in midair.

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Hermione's heart thudded painfully loud against her ribs as she hastily tried to decipher the raging emotions that tumbled through her. Suspended in a fragile moment, she concentrated on breathing – something that had escaped her mind when Ron had decided to touch her with such overwhelming affection.

In. Out. In. Out. Merlin.

Her heart skipped a beat as she sensed Ron's face drawing closer to hers. Paralyzed in shock, she felt his warm peppermint breath caressing her cheek gently. The silence lay thick upon them, suffocating.

"'Mione...." He breathed, his voice barely audible over the stubborn pounding of her heart. Her voice caught in her throat. She couldn't speak, couldn't respond. Opening her eyes slowly, she focused in on the gorgeous blue eyes peering into her soul.

His fingers traced the side of her face in unmasked wonder. His eyes had a dazed look to them, as though he couldn't believe the slow torturously soft caresses that his fingers were capable of.

"...An angel bathed in moonlight," he murmured as his fingers continued their gentle exploration. A soft blush rose in her cheeks and a small burst of laughter erupted from her. She opened her eyes and faced his twinkling blues, raising her arm to swat his playfully.

Deftly, undoubtedly due to his trained Quidditch reflexes, he caught a hold of her wrist, his intense gaze piercing her.

"I wouldn't do that I were you Ms. Granger," he teased playfully, his eyes twinkling with amusement and a foreign emotion.

Hermione's reaction, however, was unpredicted. She gasped in horror and her doe brown eyes widened with shock. A vivid image made its way into her mind and her breathing grew raspy.

A high-pitched laughter resonated around in the closed alley, ringing shrilly in her ears. She raised her wand and screamed

PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!

The spell caught the death eaters off guard and they halted in their tracks.

I wouldn't do that if I were you Ms. Granger

A raspy sound reached her and the smell of rotting breath enveloped her in its disgusting fragrance.

Now, trembling visibly, she stared at Ron, frightened at the prospect of being so close to him. She couldn't. She shouldn't.

Voldemort...

Ron didn't know the rules of the treacherous game that they were playing. If he won, he'd die. If she won, she would be shattered. Ron would move on and learn to love someone else. Despite the constant battle between her mind and her heart, she knew what she had to do.

Yanking her wrist away from him, she backed away shivering furiously.

"'Mione... are you ok? Sweet Merlin's beard! You're shaking like a leaf!" he said, his voice now concerned.

"I-I'm all right... I-I need to go. More...uh-homework to do" she sputtered, rising to her feet unsteadily.

Ron's adorable blue eyes feigned belief but she knew that he was veiling disappointment. He nodded slowly and moved to pick his Cleansweep off the floor.

The cold air of the night gave rise to goose bumps on her arms and she ached for Ron's warmth. Somehow, the night had felt a lot friendlier in comparison a few minutes ago. Now, all she was left with was a dull cold throbbing pain in a chosen corner of her chest.

Yet, a fervent determination rose in her.

To be estranged yet alive was far better than being the cause of his death. She gripped the railing of the balcony tightly, her fists clenched around the cold metal. She turned to leave, her footsteps echoing loudly with each step she took towards the staircases.

"Hermione..." Ron started, a hint of sorrow in his deep voice.

Hermione winced and turned around, attempting to keep her face as blank and stony as physically possible.

Ron took a deep breath and continued "Forgive me, if... I –uh made you uncomfortable. I-I'm sor-"

Hermione cut him off smiling slowly at his thoughtfulness. "It's ok Ron... You don't need to apologize," she said, her eyes planted firmly at a spot above his right shoulder.

Shrugging, Ron turned, his back facing her in stony silence. Holding back tears, Hermione tiptoed down the staircase, making her way silently into the common room.

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"Checkmate" Ginny remarked smirking, her blue eyes sparkling in triumph.

Harry groaned in frustration, watching his white king drop the tiny sword with a distinct clang.

The two Gryffindors were sprawled on the common room's floor, playing a heated game of wizard's chess. The sun had retreated into its abode beneath the horizon, and millions of twinkling stars showered the sky with their presence and grace. A soft beam of moonlight filtered its way through the windowpanes and played dazzling highlights on Ginny's scarlet locks.

Apart from inheriting the famous Weasley red hair and hot temper, Ginny Weasley had also acquired unbeatable wizard's chess expertise. Although she was no match for Ron, she deftly and quickly defeated Harry in their 10th consecutive game.

Feeling strangely at peace, Harry smiled coyly at Ginny, his green eyes revealing a mischievous glint that went unnoticed by his red haired girlfriend, who was busy gloating her victory.

Creeping up behind her, Harry deftly placed his arms on the sides of her waist, pinning her hands to her side. Leisurely, deliberately, he traced his fingers along the sides of her bare arms, eliciting a shiver of delight from Ginny.

Harry's heart skipped a definite beat as Ginny's crimson head nestled at the crook of his neck, a few silken strands brushing softly against his skin. Bending his head to rest on hers, he drew in a shaky breath.

His arms wrapped themselves around her waist securely, drawing her into his cozy embrace.

Although he was unwilling to disturb the satisfied silence between them, a compelling urge willed him to question her thoughts.

"Ginny..." he murmured, a contented sigh filling his lungs with happiness.

Ginny shifted slightly in response, placing her small hands on top of his large ones.

Harry altered positions so that they faced each other, his eyes searching hers cautiously.

"How could I have been so blind as to not notice you thus far?" he whispered, shaking his head at his own stupidity.

"Stop..." Ginny said forcefully.

At Harry's questioning look, she continued softly

"It doesn't do to dwell on the past, Harry. All that matters is that you're here now... with me. No one can take this away from me..."

"But tomorrow, what if-"Harry started to ask, his brow furrowed at the thought of his impending destiny.

Ginny's hand covered his lips in a motion for silence. "Tomorrow is yet another day Harry. Dreading your prophecy will not make it go away... Prepare yourself, have faith and live life to the fullest."

Harry gazed at her in awe and leaned forward so his face was a mere inch away from hers. Swiftly, his lips arrested hers in sweet surrender. Sighing softly at the delicious imploring of his soft lips, she gave in, melting into his arms.

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Ron stared into the flawless black night, his eyes fixed into the distance, unwavering and unseeing. He saw not the rustling of the leaves on the willows surrounding Hogwarts; neither did he feel the soft breeze blowing across his face, ruffling his fiery red hair. A stony sadness clouded his azure eyes, his jaw clenched in frustration.

A hollow ache beat painfully in his chest again, a painful longing to retreat back to a few minutes ago, when Hermione had been inches away from him. Familiar with this emotion that toyed cruelly with him, he sighed heavily.

His eyes fell to the ground, misting over in bittersweet remembrance. His thoughts strayed back to his first meeting with Hermione, almost 7 years ago. Her bossy appearance had daunted him and he had uttered many cruel words that he deeply regretted. Shaking his head slightly, he racked his brain, forcing himself to try and remember the exact moment when he had fallen in love with her.

Try as he might, he couldn't. There wasn't one such occasion that had dramatically changed his indifferent irritation into esteemed love. Gradually, ever so slowly, it had happened.

...He was helpless to prevent it. Helpless to cure this addictive passion that filled him with such sweet agony.

Love... he scoffed, suddenly angry with himself. His brow furrowed deeply and he sighed again in resignation. Rubbing his hand over the back of his neck, he turned away from the mocking clear night and trudged slowly down the stairs.

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Safely nestled in Harry's arms, Ginny traced meaningless patterns on his well-toned chest. Contemplating carelessly about Christmas, Ginny barely noticed the portrait hole opening and Hermione falling through it, wayward strands of hair sticking to her tearstained face.

Harry's shocked exclamation of "Hermione!" got her attention and she followed Harry's gaze to the edge of the common room where Hermione sat on a couch, her eyes unfocused and bright.

Ginny glanced at Harry wearily and disentangled herself from him. Walking over to Hermione, she sat beside her, an arm around her shaking shoulder. The shudder that ran through Hermione broke the appearance of calm composure that lined her features. Harry sat down on the other side of Hermione and wordlessly wrapped her body in a brotherly hug.

Ginny watched solemnly as Harry shot her a helpless glance over Hermione's head. Although, she couldn't see Hermione's face, the older girl's body racked with dry sobs and muffled whimpers issued from her.

Stroking her hair softly, Harry hugged her closer, completely at a loss for words.

What do I say to her? 'I'm sorry Hermione, that I've ruined your relationship with Ron because Voldemort is now targeting my friends?'

His guilty conscience grew to disturbing magnitudes and worry lines creased his pale forehead.

"I'm sorry. 'Mione... I'm so sorry" he whispered, his voice hoarse with concealed emotion. Hermione looked up at him, unveiled surprise evident in her flushed face.

"What are you sorry for?" she asked him, her voice cracking slightly.

"For everything... If you had never known me... You wouldn't be endangered. Ron wouldn't be endangered. You wouldn't have to stay away from him. You wouldn't have nightmares about Voldemort." he whispered, unaware that Hermione had NO idea that he knew.

Hermione's eyes grew to the size of saucers, giving her an appearance that frighteningly resembled Trelawney. She turned to a very guilty looking Ginny and glared at her through her tears.

For a moment, Ginny thought that Hermione would start screaming about her betrayal, but Harry's arm on Hermione's seemed to distract Hermione's attention.

"I forced it out of her... she would never tell Ron. I'm sorry Hermione...I wish I'd never befriended anyone at Hogwarts" he trailed off miserably.

"Shut up! Don't you dare utter such rubbish! If you hadn't befriended me, I would've been killed first year in that girl's bathroom by that troll. We love you and we DON'T regret being your best mates." Hermione yelled, her tears forgotten in the face of such raging fury.

Harry pulled her into a hug again and kissed her forehead lightly. "Thanks 'Mione..." he said, holding back tears. Ginny's arms enveloped them both and they sat in silence, glad to have each other to hold on to.

Another fiery haired figure stumbled through the portrait hole, his eyes tired and wary. Hermione's body visibly stiffened at the site of Ron, and the trio separated slowly.

"Dumbledore sent this for us..." Ron said slowly brandishing a piece of parchment that was clutched tightly in his right hand.

"What is it?" Hermione asked, making her way towards him casually.

Ron shrugged and waited for Harry and Ginny to walk over. He unrolled the parchment and read the handwritten note quickly. His eyes widened and a wide grin broke out on his handsome face.

"What is it?" Ginny asked again impatiently, her face bright with excitement.

He handed her the letter and she read it, her face identical to that of her brother's. She dropped the parchment in surprise and let out a whoop of exhilaration.

The parchment fluttered to the floor slowly, landing on Hermione's feet.

"Dear Mr. Ronald Weasley..."

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MUAHAHA sooo how did u like it? Laden with fluff yeah? Well more plot stuff coming up in the next chapter or two.. things will move faster! Sooo bear with me!

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