A/N: This 'uns pretty short, but there is fluffiness galore and I am assured you will like it. It makes my heart smile, anyway. I know, I know, I was late this week, but I've got oober good news! I'm gonna finish this friggin story. I've gotta write Chapter 20 and 21 and I'm done! AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Ron and Harry didn't come around for a while after our talk. I thought they might be giving me a few days to mull over everything.

I would sink into a silence, just thinking. Baker was constantly asking me why I wasn't talking or where Ron was. I got so scared to leave her anywhere without me. I entrusted her only to Mrs. Weasley during the day and rushed home after work. Miles, noticing something was wrong, gave me a couple of days off.

I was asleep on Monday after I had discovered the truth, when my extra sensitive ears heard something pounding on the flat's front door. I glanced at my clock and, seeing it read 1:23, panicked.

I ran to the room next door and shook its occupant.

"W-what's going on?" Ginny asked, attempting to open one eye.

"Someone's at the door!"

She yawned. "They can come in if they won't wake me up."

"Ginny!"

"All right, all right." She pulled her covers back and just as her feet touched the floor, I heard the pounding again.

Ginny jumped up. "Someone is at the door!"

"I know."

We walked in silence up to the front of the house. Ginny reached the door and pulled out her wand. She motioned for me to do the same.

"Who's there?" she called. "I have three men standing right here, all ready to blow you away!"

"Bull shit!" returned a very familiar voice.

Ginny rolled her eyes and opened the door. "Ron! You idiot! You nearly scared us half to death!"

And there he stood, considerably dryer than the last time I'd seen him standing there.

"What do you want?" Ginny hissed.

"Hermione."

Ginny giggled and his ears went red. "Well, then...I'll just leave you two at it." She yawned. "I'm going back to bed."

We both stared after her, waiting for her to disappear. When I was sure she was out of earshot, I turned back to him. "Ron, what's going on?! Is this about Baker—and--"

He put his hand over my mouth. "Shh...you can't talk about that stuff here! You know that."

I nodded, removing his hand. "What is it then? What are you doing here?"

"I needed to talk to you."

"Oh." I turned back from him and found a seat on the couch. He followed.

"I'm sorry I haven't been here. I'm not avoiding you or anything. We've just been completely swamped at work. I really would've come here sooner. I'm not--"

"No, I know," I said, waving my hand for him to stop. "I don't blame you." Not that it didn't make me feel any better that he hadn't just stopped visiting us completely.

"I've been trying to get here. I've been so worried about you. About you guys," he said, blushing.

"Thanks."

"How've you been holding up?"

I wanted to lie to him—to tell his I was just dandy and things were absolutely perfect. But, there I was, staring into those eyes, and words were just spilling out of my mouth. "Oh, Ron, I'm so scared. I don't trust anyone; I don't know what to do with myself. And Baker—she's so young, Ron. And there are people out there—people who want to hurt her. She needs us. And I don't even feel capable anymore. I just don't know who I am or what's going on around me!"

Ron didn't even look alarmed at my outburst. As if he had been expecting this, he pulled his arms around me in some sort of awkward attempt as a hug. Beyond caring about hiding my feelings from him anymore, I leaned my head into his chest and cried. I felt his muscles un-tense under my weight. He sort of tossed the back of my hair around.

"Hermione, I know you're not used to all these complications in your life, and I know you blame me and Harry for bringing all this trouble, but really, we just want to protect you."

"I just want to protect Baker. I could care less about myself."

"I know. I think that's why I got appointed this job. So you wouldn't kill yourself. And believe it or not, I'm actually slightly worried about you as well," he said, letting my hair fall on my neck again.

"But, what sort of thing could happen? How powerful are these people? How bad do they want to hurt us? Or Baker?"

"Hermione, you need to calm down. You're taking this to extremes I didn't even know you could go to. This isn't all on your shoulders. I want you to be safe, so let's leave the worrying to me, all right?"

"Maybe I just don't trust you, Ron."

It came out before I could stop it. I looked up at him from where I was rested on his shoulder.

He smiled weakly. "So, the truth comes out."

"Ron, no. It's just—I just--"

"You want to know something, Hermione?"

I shook my head. No, don't tell me.

"When I was sixteen, or I suppose, the sixteen I remember being—I was completely, madly, crazily in love with this girl. And I mean, she was perfect. Dark cinnamon eyes, matching brown hair--" he let my hair fall through his fingers—"I wanted to tell her the truth, but I couldn't find it in myself. So, I chose other ways. Criticizing every boy she fancied, making her feel low every chance I got. I reckoned she's figure out how I felt—she knew everything else." He paused for a moment, so all I could hear was his gentle breathing in the empty silence of the house. "Then, a guy came along who I couldn't criticize—he was perfect. Perfect for her. And he was my best friend."

"Ron, why didn't you just--"

"What? Tell you? I wanted to. I said I would. I even sort of did, remember? That day I first kissed you? No potion could've made me do that."

I was too tired to be shocked by this news. "You mean, no potion—does that mean that when we kissed you were acting on your own free will?"

"Pretty much."

"When I kissed you, the spell broke—I remember that. How are those spells lifted?"

Ron's muscles all tensed up again. "Uhm—they can—er—be lifted in many different ways."

My hand involuntarily traced the length of his arm. I felt goose bumps rise on it. I just knew how much I loved it when he was near me—I felt safe, even when I didn't trust him to be there long. I didn't trust him not to leave me.

"Hermione, do you think you ever loved me?"

I didn't speak. Why would he ask a question like that?

"I mean, before you lost faith in me, how did you feel about me? I just feel like I get so scared when I'm not near you—worried about you. But, then, I'm even more scared when I'm around you. Bloody hell, what am I saying?"

Why did I have to find my voice in that moment? "I love you, Ron."

I'd never said that before. I knew Ron knew I'd never said it before. And I knew it was true. As far as I knew, it was the truest thing in the world. I loved him with every bit of my soul. I loved everything about him.

I didn't expect a response. He gave the one I was least expecting in the entire universe. "I love you too, Hermione."

There—we had said it. We would never have to broach the subject again. No more awkward silences when caught each other's eyes, no more badly laid out sentences resulting in a blush, no more need for a little physical interaction. Just pure love. We could both go through life with someone else, knowing we could never love anyone else in the same way. Sure, he'd have a certain type of love for Gris—a certain affection—maybe it'd be the way I would feel about Anthony, but it would never be the same.

I made a sigh of contentment against Ron's chest. I'd always have Baker, at least.

He resumed playing with my hair. I closed my eyes, taking in his scent. I loved him; why could I just have him?

There was everything. It wouldn't be fair to Gris. He had abandoned me. We didn't ever get along. He had his career. We didn't have time for a storybook romance. Nothing fit together.

Except us.

My eyes never opened.

It was so dark. Harry's, Ron,'s and my feet were pounding over the threshold of the astronomy tower. Suddenly, Harry flung out a hand, and Ron and I both stopped in our tracks, panting hard.

"I think we lost them," Harry muttered, leaning against the tall wall and bending over to catch his breath as well. "Did you two see Luna anywhere?"

We both shook our heads. Harry shook his as well; he massaged his scar and closed his eyes.

Ron suddenly shot me a nasty look. "Why did you have to be such a know-it-all? It nearly got us killed!"

I felt tears sting my eyes. Why did he have to attack me now? "Don't take that out on her!" Harry yelled at Ron. "Don't you dare!"

Ron looked ashamed. "Sorry," he muttered.

"Don't apologize to me!" I shot back. "Harry, I don't need you to tell him off for me; I'm perfectly capable."

"Great!" Harry yelled, throwing his hands up. "Let's fight! That's just great!"

I looked down too. Harry was very good at making you feel bad about things you did.

"Sorry," I heard myself mumble.

Harry pulled himself up from his leaning position. "We need to find Luna and Ginny. I hope they aren't with Neville; he'll get them both killed. They're after him."

Ron swallowed. "We have to find them. Ginny could be..."

"Don't think about that!" Harry instructed. "Let's just go before they catch up with us."

"And please, Hermione, don't panic," Ron whispered.

I knew he hadn't meant it as an insult, but I felt my temper rising. Was he trying to imply I wasn't as capable as he or Harry?

"Ron, I--"

The door flung open behind us. "I found them!" I felt people begin to chase us. A hole was blown beneath my feet and I jumped up on the wall.

I felt my feet slip. I lost my balance. I was falling in slow motion.

As my heartbeat reached its climax, I felt my hand grope out and just grab the edge of the wall. But, it didn't matter. I was dead. I could hang on for three minutes, maybe five at the longest. Harry and Ron were long gone and trying not to lose their lives. And I was going to die, right here, right now.

Why didn't I just let go? My arms wouldn't ache. It'd be quick and it'd be over. If I'd just let go.

I had unclasped one finger, than two, when my miracle arrived...in the form of Ron.

"Hermione, hang on. I'm going to get you up!" Ron said, looking pale. He reached his hand down and intertwined it in mine.

"Ron," I said weakly. "They're going to come and get you."

"No, they're gone. Just hang on, and I think I'll be able to pull you up."

"Ron, no! Just let go! I'll pull us both down."

"I'm not letting go!"

"Then I will."

"Hermione, you let go, I swear to God, I will come after you."

"Ron!"

"We're not fighting over this. You die, I do too."

"No!" I said, crying again, out of fear and frustration.

"Here."

"Ron, no!"

But before I could protest anymore, he had found his strength to pull me up back over the wall. Now sobbing, I fell into Ron's arms out of weakness. He hugged me tightly.

"I thought I was dead!" I bawled.

"I know. Shut up! I'm so sorry. I'm sorry that I fought with you. That could have been the last time I got to talk to you!"

I felt his grip tighten. "What if I'd never got to see you again, Ron! I love you!"

He pulled back, slightly shocked. "What?"

"What if something happened and I never told you? I love you!"

"I love you too, Hermione," he said.

He leaned in. I think he was going to kiss me, but I felt my dream leaving me. Why did I have to wake up then?

It had been so real. I couldn't believe it had actually happened. I wished I had been there to live it. Or had I been?

I pried my eyes apart and reached for Ron. He was gone.

And so was everyone else.

A/n: Y'all should kill me for my unusual new obsession with cliffies. Next chapter, you begin to build to the climax, and then, things get really exciting. Oh, it's so awesome! YEY! Some dude on TV just winked at me; it was weird. I'm scared. I hope he goes away.

I'm not going to ask you to review this chapter. You may do as you wish. This isn't a hint at all. If you want to review, do so. If you don't, don't. But, if you do, def take the time to review. I mean, you don't have to but. But if you really really want to, do. That's it; that's all I'm saying.

Kathleen: Thanks a bunch!

WeasleysWildHorseFeathers: How did I think it all up? That is a great question. I think I must've had an epiphany.

Mouskadiddle: God?! Where is he? JK-I love typos. I hope you are now well rested and dizzy-free. I try not to cause too much sleep deprivation.

Mel: Terrific spelling! You should my Spanish spelling. Me encantan Ron y Hermione tambien! Muchos gracias!

Gigglegirl13: So many Spanish speakers! Y'all are so talented. Mi espanol es muy mal! Of course, all that good stuff will happen.

Me: I hope you write two times better than me. I hope I make it farther than Fanfic too! All these reviews sure do make me feel better, of course.

Shelby6: Yey for me! Thanks!

YAK: I have an idiotic sense of humor. He was trying to make a cover up with the milk, you know. My beta warned me it was stupid. I'm gonna go sit in a hole. Yet another Laurie

PinkyTheSnowman: Prophecies are great, aren't they? Gotta love it.

Cheeseriot: Why the freak are you signed on?! Hey, I found out something for you. Me tortuga es enfuego! Great, right?! I'm still explaining that damn hilarious milk joke from last chapter to everybody. Damn my sense of humor!

Elijahsbaby1981: Ah, not that much planning. It sucked to write though. I never thought it would make any sense.

Lisa Riddle: So, one of your questions got answered this chapter. And I can't tell you what will happen when the worlds are remerged cause, hello, what else would I write the story about?! Loljk! Clever of you, trying to change your name on me like that.

Ilikechicken: Whoa, I'm crazy and I stayed true to the book. Hell yeah!

Tiffany-45: Omigod, I wish I was old enough to have known what X-Files was back in the day. But, the segment about it on 'I Love the 90s' looked awesome. I'm telling you about being mean to people what goes around comes around! Go, Ron, go!

Me The Cat: Eh, it'll be awhile before you're subjected to Moldie Voldie or Dumbly-dor, they're just chillin out in the background for awhile. Trust me, a great new asshole's coming up again pretty soon.

PiNaYPeAcHiE: Aw, thanks! You're a super duper awesome reviewer; I've mentioned that 11 or 13 times, haven't I?!

MPPSexxySiriusJamesRemus: Thanks!

Ron's goddess: Happily ever after?! Psssssssssshht! You obviously don't know me very well, do you? JK! Long live country music!

HogwartzBoizRHottiz: All right! Go you!

Maggie: Aww, thanks! I still couldn't find you freakin fanfic name thingy. This thing is such a pain in the arse. Thanks again for the kind words!

Hermioneron: I think I'll update...now!

Bhekie: Eh, that's not exactly it...but it is interesting.

Mufleta: Well, if you kinda know what's going on, we're getting a little closer.

Miss Mione: They live in the world WITH Voldemort. Sorry if that confused you. About your questions: We'll get to 'Daddy' eventually, so you know. I haven't decided about Harry/Ginny yet. Their future, I mean.

Alenor: Yeah, I made up the time split thing. It would be so cool if it was in the books—then I'd be like psychic. Haha, go me!

SinfulColors: Yeah, lots of plot thickness. Like Law and Order—chu chung!

Nattieb: You know, quite truthfully, when I started this story, I never saw that last chapter coming either.

Candyhearts23: Thanks! Ron doesn't want milk. That was a joke I found hilarious, went wrong. He just wanted to leave so he made something up. Forgive my sense of humor.