Yeah, in the last chapter I said I'd post soon. Sorry about that! Here's the next chapter for you!

Ron was now determined to ask Ginny what he could not ask Hermione. Why had she broken up with Viktor? But Ron didn't get his chance until late in the evening after night had fallen over them all.

Ron was sitting on his bed in his room. Harry had already fallen asleep, but Ron had fought to keep his eyes open in hopes of catching Ginny. Then he heard it, footsteps in the hall. He put his ear to the wall and listened closely. It was definitely one pair of feet walking. He got up and headed to the door. If it turned out to be Hermione, then he'd say good night and go to the bathroom or something.

To his great fortune it was Ginny. "Hey Gin." He said, hoping eh wouldn't startle her.

"Hey." She responded not stopping to see what he wanted.

"Wait, is Hermione with you?"

Ginny sleepily turned to look at him. "No, she's downstairs. Why?" she asked curiously.

"Ok, good." Ron looked over his shoulder to make sure Harry was still asleep and shut the door. "I need to ask you something." Ginny looked at him expectantly. "Why did Hermione break up with Viktor?"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Ask her yourself!"

"I—I can't do that! Besides, I'm sure she's told you."

"Yes, and that doesn't mean I can tell you."

"And why not?"

Ginny rolled her eyes again. "If I weren't so tired I would slap you. If you're that curious just ask her. She's downstairs by herself right now."

"Ginny!" he pleaded with her as she shut her door. "Fine." He grumbled. "Remind me not to buy you much for Christmas."

Ron walked down the stairs to find Hermione with her nose in a book, as he usually found her. She was curled up on the couch by the fireplace, and obviously cozy. His heart rate skyrocketed at the sight of her. Oh how he curl up with her on the couch! Ron shook himself out it.

"Hey." Said Ron as he sat on the opposite side of the couch. If he moved even an inch closer to her, his heart might give out completely.

"Hello." Replied Hermione, closing her book. She set it aside which sort of made Ron nervous. What was he going to say? Did he actually think he'd be able to ask her about it? Oh why did it matter! They were just friends! He reminded himself of this fact and tried to think of a way to make conversation.

Ron's mind wasn't the only one racing.

Hermione's was as well.

"Ok, just stay calm." Thought Hermione firmly, struggling to keep her cool. "Stay calm. Ginny is right. He probably didn't even notice!" Her thoughts relaxed her only a moment. "Then why did he look at me the way he did?"

"Erm—so..." said Ron trying to make conversation, but the only thing he could think to say was, "What book were you reading?"

Hermione slightly blushed, and so did Ron. The event that had taken place earlier was still present in their minds. "Oh—just one of next years books." They both smiled nervously, their eyes meeting for a brief moment; they immediately looked away, blushing even more.

After a few very awkward minutes Ron spoke again, but this time it wasn't a pointless conversation starter that led nowhere. This time it was something he knew he had to say. "I'm—err," And boy was it hard, "I'm sorry about earlier."

Hermione was quite surprised. Ron Weasley apologizing? Oh this was a first! Where was a camera?

What Ron said next stunned her and even Ron himself.

"A—and I'm sorry that things didn't work out with Viktor." Ron fought the erge to choke himself with a spoon. He knew he had said the right thing, but that did not mean he was not happy about the break up.

Hermione was taken aback, thunderstruck really. What had happened to him? He hated Viktor and now he was upset about the whole thing. She shifted nervously turning towards him as she spoke. "Oh—well—err—thanks, Ron."

Once again, silence. Did he have the courage to go on? "So—erm—what really did happen with you two anyway?" He didn't like referring to Hermione and Viktor as "you two".

"Oh," said Hermione, stalling. Ginny had been wrong! This is what she had been dreading, but now that the moment had come she didn't feel all too anxious. "Well, he is, as you know, a few years older than me and well he—wanted a more—mature relationship than I was ready for so—erm..."

"He didn't try anything, did he?" asked Ron quickly. Hermione didn't answer at first. "Hermione? He didn't, did he?"

"Well, there were other reasons I left him as well." Said Hermione quickly changing the subject.

This is what Ron had been waiting to hear! "Such as?" Asked Ron. His curiosity had gotten the better of him.

Hermione just looked at him nervously. What was she to do? What could she do? "I—I think I'm going to go to bed. Goodnight!" said Hermione picking up her book and leaving the room. He had come so close to figuring it out. So close! His heart ached as he watched her leave. Damn. He'd never find out at this rate.

So there it is! I'm not entirely sure what will happen next. I have a few ideas. I think maybe Ron will stop trying to figure it out and well... you'll see. I don't know. Anyway, thank you for reading! Misty.