I know I skipped a huge period of time during their summer but this is an important part to my story and I want them to go back to Hogwarts soon lol...I wanna start writing Ginny and Harry again I like them too )

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One Step Closer

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"Hey, you'll never guess what Fred and George sent this morning," Ron said to Hermione, taking a sip of his coffee.

"Another?! I still haven't forgiven them for the last one they sent."

"Hermione, that was three weeks ago!"

"Still..."

"You can't be still mad at me."

"I'm not mad at you, Ron."

"I mean...we've done fun things since then, haven't we? We've gone to the park, the pool, shopping, and one of those...modie things."

"Movie."

"Whatever...the point is, it was a one-time thing and we won't do it again, I promise."

"You promise?" He nodded. "Good, I've never felt so awful in my life."

"I'm not bloody surprised; you drank more than half the bottle!" She pointed her teaspoon wand-like at him, but didn't say anything. "What?"

"Nothing," she muttered and turned her back to him, pretending to be busy.

"If you want to say something to me, just sa- OW!" Something solid and feathery collided with the back of Ron's head.

"Are you alright?"

"Just dandy..." he grumbled, rubbing the spot on the back of his head where the owl had hit. "Here's your Hogwarts letter," he said, though he merely placed it in front of him on the table clearly stating that he wanted her to come get it herself. She put down her tea towel and picked up her letter while Ron skimmed through his. "Wonder who's filled the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher this year, huh? God knows it only- Hermione?" She stood against the wall, letter in hand and her mouth hanging open. "What's the matter?" She dug a fist into the envelope and pulled out a small badge, still gaping at the letter.

"Look..." she whispered. She held up the small square badge close enough for Ron to make out the words Head Girl on it.

"Head Girl?! That's fantastic! Aren't you pleased?"

"Of course I am but- I mean- me?!"

"Oh come off it...you were a cert from the start." Hermione blushed crimson.

"I can't believe they chose me." Ron rolled his eyes. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that Hermione wouldn't become the new Head Girl and knew that, deep down inside, there wasn't a doubt in her mind either. "Ron?" A broad smile emerged on her face.

"Hm?"

"I'm Head Girl!" she squealed, finally letting her real emotions shine through. She extended her arms out beckoning Ron to hug her. Ron stood up and put his hands on her waist.

"Congratulations," he said, smiling and kissing her on the lips. She swathed her arms around his neck and giggled through the kiss. "What's so funny?" he asked, pulling away from her face.

"Mum and dad will be so pleased when they hear." Ron's face contorted.

"I'm giving you a kiss and you're thinking bout your parents? I feel so violated..." She playfully punched his upper arm. "And now I'm being abused."

"I can't wait to tell them! Oh, and Ginny and Harry too!"

"Would you calm down? We're gonna see them next week."

"I know but I really want to send an owl-"

"Hermione," Ron said firmly, placing his hand on her shoulders. "Shh, ok? Let's just enjoy the rest of our summer together and we'll tell them as soon as we get to Diagon Alley next week, alright?" She nodded.

"Sorry. Just- just got excited." She stalked back to the kitchen. "So what about you?" she asked, drying a glass with her tea towel and placing it in the cupboard above her head.

"What about me?"

"Nothing in your letter?"

"Uhh..." Ron checked his envelope. "Nope. I'll bet you that Ernie Macmillan is Head Boy..." He felt a twinge of jealousy in the pit of his stomach. If anyone got to work alongside Hermione day after day and it wasn't Ron, then there would be hell to pay.

"Oh, you're right...here it is: 'You'll be fulfilling your duties as Head Girl alongside our newly chosen Head Boy, Ernie Macmillan of Hufflepuff house...That's a shame."

"Why?"

"Well, I mean- don't get me wrong, Ernie's nice and all...I just hoped it would be you." Ron snorted.

"Me? Head Boy? You've got to be kidding me."

"Well, it's not outside the range of possibilities! They made you a prefect, didn't they?"

"So? Who else were they going to pick...Neville?" Hermione scowled.

"For your information, they could have chosen Harry."

"So you still think Harry should be prefect then?"

"Ron, would you just take it as a complement?"

"Take what?"

"The fact that I think you'd make a perfectly suitable Head Boy and that you were chosen to be prefect for a reason." He didn't answer, only looked away from her and glared into his coffee cup. Hermione sighed.

"What's say we go for another walk in the park, hm?"

"Sure..."

"Right. I'll just take a quick shower and be down as soon as I can."

"Alright."

-

Ron grumbled to himself as he stalked up the stairs to get changed. He'd officially decided that he didn't like Ernie Macmillan anymore. Reaching the top stair, he noticed that the bathroom door was slightly ajar and Hermione's voice was flooding through the crack in the door. He slowly tiptoed down the hall and tilted his head so that his ear was facing the opening. She wasn't singing, only humming this time; either way it was something he enjoyed hearing.

"Hmm, hm hm hmmmm" was all that was audible over the running water. Ron's heart began pounding in his chest. It was incredibly exhilarating standing outside the bathroom, listening to the one person you loved the most humming in- dear lord- the shower. She shouldn't have left the door open; she had no idea what she was doing to him. He figured he had two options. He could a) Fling the door open, pull the shower curtain back and ravage her, or he could b) Remain clam, close the door and walk slowly back to his room like any civilized person would. For reasons unknown, Ron would thank himself later for choosing the latter. Sighing heavily, he closed the door and trudged back to his bedroom. He flopped half-heartedly on his bed and groaned. It had better be one hell of a walk in the park to make up for that...

-

"Lovely day isn't it?" Hermione commented as they strolled down the park's path.

"Real nice..."

"Over there," she pointed to a large oak tree. They made their way silently to the tree where Ron sat on the ground against it, Hermione sitting between his legs. She leaned back against his chest and sighed, "The summer's gone so fast, hasn't it?"

"Mm..."

"What's the matter? You sound depressed."

"Nothing." He shifted uncomfortably behind her, "Nothing's the matter." He placed his arms around her stomach, holding her closer.

"It's been a lovely summer." Lovely? Ron sniggered. Between the bickering and snapping at each other, he could hardly call it a 'lovely' summer...but at the same time, he'd never had a better time in his life. It just seemed like something, something important, was missing.

"Hermione?"

"Hm?"

"Do you...do you ever think about- you know..."

"All the time." This wasn't the answer he'd been expecting.

"All-?"

"The time. Yes. I know I'm a girl and girls aren't supposed to think about it a lot, or at least not as much as boys do, but seriously...I can't not go through a day without thinking about you...and me..." she trailed off.

"Oh..." was all he could bring himself to say.

"I know we're seventeen and responsible and everything, but- I don't know...I'm just not ready, you know?" Ron nodded feebly. "I know I want," Hermione blushed furiously, "my first time to be with you, Ron, but I just don't think I'm quite ready...If you understand?"

"I understand." Ron hadn't expected this in the least. He was just relieved to know he wasn't completely perverted but got a speech to boot.

"Thanks." He was going to say 'your welcome' but that seemed like the wrong thing to say. He simply hugged her closer to his body and put his face in her hair. Breathing in her scent, he closed his eyes and sighed, "I love you, Hermione."

"I love you too, Ron...I love you too."

-

Ron ran his hands under the running faucet washing away the crumbs from his almost-midnight snack. Hermione had already gone to bed and he'd been feeling peckish. Leaving his dish in the sink, he turned off the kitchen light and headed up the stairs. Carefully not to make any noise, he slid into his room and turned on the light. He shut the door behind him and slowly made his way over to the bed to find...a note on his pillow. Yawning, he picked it up and read:

Ron,

I'm sorry about earlier. Saying 'no' to everything has always been a big problem of mine...it's a knee-jerk reaction and I've got to stop. I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable or anything. I didn't really think hard, you know? I'm ready if you are.

Love,

Hermione

I'm ready if you are. The words stuck out on the page and became etched in his mind. I'm ready if you are. I'm ready if you are. Breathing heavily, almost hyperventilating, he stuck the note in his pocket and took three large strides towards the door. His hand shook on the doorknob as he opened it and sighed. I'm ready if you are. He made his way down the hall to Hermione's room. I'm ready if you are. Slowly, he placed his hand on her doorknob and turned it. Stepping inside, he closed the door behind him.

-

Ron awoke to find his chest rather itchy. He opened his eyes and looked down to find Hermione's abundant bushy hair fanned across his chest...then it hit him like a Bludger to the head. The girl whose small body was tucked beside his was the same one who he'd met six years previous on the Hogwarts Express...the same one he'd decided he didn't like very much. The same girl who'd yelled and screamed at him for years was lying stark naked beside him, her head rising and falling with his chest as he breathed. She stirred.

"Ron?" Hermione whispered.

"Hi." She flopped back onto his chest, breathing deeply.

"Good morning..." she mumbled, "how are you?"

"Alright, You?"

"She looked up at him and smiled, "Never better." Ron's heart stopped.

"Hermione, we forgot the-" She laughed feebly.

"Contraceptive Charm? Do you think I'm that irresponsible?"

"No...course not." He leaned forward and kissed her. She kissed him back.

Knock, knock, knock. "Hermione?" They both froze. "Are you awake, dear? Your friend Ronald's door is open and he's not in his room. D'you know where he is?" Hermione stared at him.

"Closet," she whispered, almost mouthed. Ron gathered his clothes that were strewn across her bedroom floor and dove into her closet, carefully shutting the door behind him. "Just a sec, mum," Hermione called, picking up her nightgown and pulling it over her head. She snatched her bathrobe from the floor and put it on, bustling to the door. "Mum?"

"Morning, dear."

"Hi. Hello- morning- yes."

"Darling, you look flushed...are you sick?" Her mother's hand flew to her forehead.

"No, mum." She pushed her hand away.

"Anyway...any idea where Ron might be?" Hermione thought quick.

"He might be at the park...he loves it there...he goes nearly every morning."

"Does he?" Hermione nodded. "Well then...I guess we'll have to wait a bit until breakfast." Her mother turned around and started down the stairs.

"Mum?"

"Yes?"

"I'm Head Girl."

"Oh darling, that's fantastic!" she squealed, running back up the stairs to strangle her daughter in a hug. "Oh, you wait 'til your father hears about this! Head Girl, Hermione!" She clapped a hand to her mouth, the tears beginning to start. "Oh, honey..."

"Mum..."

"Yes, yes...sorry." She turned and practically leaped down the stairs. Letting out a long sigh, Hermione retreated to her room, shutting the door behind her.

"Ron?"

"Cn I cmmout now?" Ron said through the closet door.

"Yes." Ron flung the door open and gasped.

"Gee, what do you know...It's hot in there!" he panted, fully clothed now.

"I know, I'm sorry. Mum would've had kittens if she saw...what she would've seen..." Hermione turned her head and blushed.

"Do- do you regret-?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Ron," she said, facing him again, "I'll never regret last night for as long as I live, alright?" She sat down on the bed, patting the space next to her. Ron sat and put and arm around her.

"Did..." Ron's ears went magnificently red, "did I, you know...hurt you at all?" He averted his eyes as Hermione let out a giggle.

"I suppose...A little bit."

"Oh God, I'm sorry. You know I didn't want to hurt you." She pressed a finger to his lips.

"Not your fault, alright?" He nodded. "Now," she started, "Mum thinks you're at the park." He opened his mouth to protest but she stopped him, "You've got to get out of the house quietly and make a show of coming back in...just so they think you really were out, ok?"

"Easy for you to say."

"Just do it, Ron."

"Distract them."

"What?"

"I need you to distract them."

"Um..."

"Just go, go," he waved a hand at her. Hermione stood up and made her way to the door, shooting puzzled glances back at Ron. Out the door, down the stairs, into the living room; each step she took, her heart skipped a beat. She prayed Ron would do this right.

"Hermione!" her father shouted, "Congratulations, honey!" He swept her off her feet into a rib-crushing hug. Her mother joined in. "What would you like?"

"What?"

"Anything. You name it, and it's yours. Head Girl definitely deserves a gift!"

"Oh..."

"Sweetie, we're just so proud of you, that's all," her mother cooed.

"I really don't know what to-"

"Morning!" Ron called from the front door. He moved quick.

"In here, Ronald!" Hermione's father said.

"What'd I miss?" he said, strolling into the living room.

"Hermione's Head Girl!"

"Head Girl?!" He said in mock surprise, "Why, Hermione! That's incredible!" He pulled her into a hug and made the biggest mistake he could ever make. He kissed Hermione...right on the lips. Her eyes widened as he pulled away. "Oops..." he mouthed. They both tilted their heads slowly to face her parents.

"Well," her mother said sternly, "You two have got some explaining to do..."

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short chapter, I know...sorry! Don't sue! Hehee I liked this chapter...it was a big step in their relationship and they both needed it...I just didn't want it to be really heavily detailed and smutty, you know? Anyways...hope you liked it ill have an update ASAP!!

Thanks for the awesome reviews!!!!!!