Note: Chapter complete

Chapter 5: State of Confusion

Hermione was smiling at him, her lips full and red. She was leaning in closer and closer….Ron could feel her against his face…so soft…almost too soft….wait, this isn't Hermione. Ron awoke with a start to find his pillow pressed tightly on top of his face. He sat up, and it took a few moments to realize it was only a dream and that he had been making out with his pillow. His room was dark, and it was still raining outside. The urge to pee took over his sleepy body, and he lazily slung his feet over the bed, and stumbled as he got up.

"Dammit!" He cursed as he stepped on something sharp.

"I need a light or something." He made it out the door without stepping on anything else, and wandered silently down the dark hallway. He did his business quickly, and then stopped when he was outside Hermione's door. He pressed his ear against the wood, almost expecting to hear Hermione doing something…but it was quite. He turned the knob, and opened the door slowly. Hermione was curled up under the blanket, only the back of her head viewable. Ron was tempted to crawl in there next to her, but realized how wrong that would look if she woke up before him, of if his mum came in. He couldn't seem to move as he watched her body rising and falling slowly.

"Ron? What in the world are you doing?" Ginny's voice came from the hallway.

"Just…just making sure Hermione is okay," he walked away from her bed and stood next to Ginny quickly. Even in the pale light from the window he could see Ginny's eye's glittering.

"Were you trying to get off on watching her sleep?"

"Ginny!" Ron said a little loudly.

"What exactly are YOU doing up?" She shrugged.

"I'm heading down for a three-in-the-morning snack. Care to join me?" Ron felt his stomach growl as she said it, and started to follow her down the stairs. She immediately started pulling a variety of things onto the table, and Ron looked out the window. For a split moment he thought he saw those red eyes, but when he blinked, they were gone.

"Just how hungry are you?" Ron asked as the food began to pile up.

"I don't know what I want, so I'm just going to have a little of everything!" Ginny declared. They sat together at the table, and Ron started aimlessly grabbing food, just hungry for anything. They ate silently, and both their eyes kept traveling over to the window.

"I know you like her," Ginny said with a mouthful of grapes. "You should just tell her already."

"But-" Ron started to complain that he didn't like Hermione, but he decided it was no use lying to Ginny, she was too smart. He sighed.

"I would, but I don't know what she thinks."

"She was holding on to you pretty tight earlier," Ginny said. "And the way she looks at you sometimes…"

"What? Really? What kind of look?"

"She just has a twinkle in her eye. Like when you guys were having your giggle-fest at dinner, I could see that twinkle from where I was."

"And wait, this twinkle is a good thing?"

"Yes, Ron. Very good."

"She did kiss me…" Ron said slowly, listening to Ginny choke on what she had in her mouth.

"But it was probably just a good night kiss. It was like a mum kiss."

"A mum kiss?" Ginny wondered with a giggle.

"Yeah, the kind that mum gives us."

"Oh, I see. But Ron, it was still a kiss!"

"I know."

"And?" She prodded.

"And what?"

"Was it good? Did you feel anything?"

"It was good. As a matter of fact, my pants were getting a little tight-"

"That's not what I meant!" Ginny interrupted with a laugh. "I mean, did you feel anything inside?"

"Yeah…my heart was jumping, head buzzing, felt a light go on somewhere inside….it felt a lot better then Christmas, actually."

"Okay, you really do like her," Ginny said almost proudly.

"So now all you have to do is tell her. Or I could tell her for you."

"No no, keep quite!" Ron said quickly. "I'll do it when it feels right, when the mood is good."

"Good luck with that then," Ginny ate a cracker.

"What do you think Harry will have to say about all of this? Think he'll be happy?" Ron's stomach sank as she said that. He had totally forgotten about Harry. But he never liked Hermione more then a friend….right?

"Um…I don't know what to think about Harry…do you think he'd be jealous?"

"Well," Ginny thought about it for a moment. "He might…you guys have always been that little trio…he might worry that you two will branch out without him."

"That would never happen, but what I mean is, do you think Harry likes Hermione like I do? More then a friend?"

"If he didn't before, he might now. She's gotten really pretty."

"Thanks for the confidence," Ron grumbled.

"But he's not here, is he?" Ginny grinned slyly. "So you have her to yourself to see what happens. Whatever happens will be best for everyone." Ron's heart lifted again, and he grinned.

"You are too smart for your own good sometimes," he teased Ginny.

"That's my job," she smiled. They munched together in silence, thoughts of how to tell Hermione how he really felt running through Ron's head. He could just come right out and say it, but that might be too weird. He could keep hinting at it for a while and hope that Hermione picked up the signals. And if everything else failed, there was still Ginny willing to tell her.

But then there was the other aspect to it all, Ron started thinking once he had gone back up to bed. What if he did tell her, and she laughed at him? Or said that she never felt that way? Thought it was gross and got mad at him? All these possibilities made Ron drift off into a very restless sleep.

"Ron…Ron….Ronald Weasley!" Came her voice, and Ron leaped up. Hermione was leaning over him, still in her pajamas, but a smile on her face.

"Hermione!" Ron gulped, hoping that nothing had "risen" during the night. He realized he was covered up completely, and smiled in relief.

"Can I help you with something?" he teased.

"Your mum just called us for breakfast, sleepy head. I'll let you wake up, and meet you down in the kitchen." She left his room, and Ron was still grinning. He started to keep a tally in his head; this was a thing that could show that Hermione liked him. Or it could just be a friendly wake-up call, he argued with himself as he washed his face. Hermione and Ginny were talking at the table, and Mrs. Weasley was plopping bacon down in front of Mr. Weasley.

"Hey Dad! When did you get home?" Ron sat next to Hermione.

"About four this morning. It was terrible, I'm telling you. The hospital had a break in; a lot of expensive stuff was stolen. I'll be heading back out after breakfast," Mr. Weasley replied.

"Glad we at least got to see a reminder of what you face looks like then," George said as he sauntered into the room.

"George," Mrs. Weasley warned.

"After this, I've got some vacation time, so don't you all worry," Mr. Weasley sipped his coffee cup. "Maybe we'll take a little family trip before school starts. Hermione is welcome to come long if she likes."

"That would be fun, dad," Ginny buttered a piece of toast. Ron couldn't help notice how sexy Hermione looked in her pajamas as he watched her pour herself a glass of orange juice. The pants were blue with clouds on them, and the matching tank top was the same color blue. The blue made her skin stand out. She caught him looking at her and smiled. She reached over and took his glass and filled it for him.

"Thanks," Ron grinned.

"No trouble."

"So what are you kids up to today?" Mrs. Weasley asked. "I appreciate all the time you all have spent on the gnomes, but they have returned I'm afraid. Quite a violent bunch this time."

"You could say that," Ron held up his arm for them to see.

"Poor Ronnie! Make sure you've washed that out properly," she warned.

"Or you might get an infection," Fred, who just joined them, mocked.

"I hope you get an infection after what you did last-" Ron started to say, but Ginny kicked him in the shin to shut up about where they had been.

"What did you guys do last night?" Mr. Weasley asked suspiciously.

"Just from when we had another go at the gnomes," Ginny lied. "The twins actually invented a liquid that makes them leave, but it also just angers them enough to return."

"We are going to have to take stronger action for those things," Mrs. Weasley sighed. "And it can get rather expensive to do so."

"We'll keep working on it," George declared. Ron wasn't listening, he was busy watching Hermione taking bites of bacon, and sipping her orange juice. She noticed him watching her out of the corner of her eye, but didn't say anything because she secretly had been sneaking glances at him when he turned away. She loved the way his hair looked all ruffled in the morning.

"Thanks for breakfast," Hermione said her thanks just like after any other meal.

"No problem dear, I'm glad you like my cooking!" Mrs. Weasley replied. Hermione got up, and Ron watched her leave the room, listening to her feet padding up the stairs.

"So you are sure that her parents don't mind that she's spending the time here?" Mr. Weasley asked.

"Not that we aren't happy to have her."

"Yeah, they didn't care," Ron half lied, not really knowing if they did care or if Hermione was lying. Her parents always seemed rather protective. He followed Ginny up the stairs five minutes later, and could here the shower water running in the bathroom. He stopped outside, and was tempted to look in.

"Ron, give her a little privacy!" Ginny demanded. "Until you are together at least!"

"I wasn't going to go in," Ron lied.

"Right." Ginny disappeared into her room, and Ron fought the urge to look in and just went back to his room and got his clothes ready for when Hermione was done in the shower. He paced the whole space of his room, muttering things he could say to her. Pig caught his attention, and he stopped and looked in at the tiny owl. He was sleeping again, nestled in a small ball. Ron actually hadn't seen Pig awake since he came home the other day, and he was worried that Pig was sleeping too much. There was a knock at the door.

"Come in!" Ron called. Hermione walked in, dressed in dark jeans and a red shirt, her hair wet. He could smell her flower scent were he was standing, and that almost made him crazy.

"Shower is free if you need to get in," she said happily.

"Great, thanks. You smell good."

"Do I?" She smelled her arm. Silence.

"What should we do today?" She ran her hand along Ron's dresser.

"We could go play some soccer in the field," Ron suggested, then slapped himself inside…Hermione didn't like soccer. Did she?

"Sure, that could be fun!" She walked over to him, and touched his hair.

"How in the world does your hair stand up like that!" She giggled.

"I have no idea," Ron almost choked at how close she was. There was one of those moments again. She seemed to be leaning closer to him. And closer. No sign of Ginny to interrupt this time. But when her face was inches away, Hermione backed off.

"I'll just wait in my room. Come get me when you are ready to go!" She darted away, and Ron started at her, confused. Wait a minute…here was the perfect time for it to have happened…but Hermione backed away! Does that mean she really isn't interested in kissing him? Maybe the setting was just too uncomfortable for her, Ron thought as he showered quickly. Standing in the shower where Hermione had been minutes previously could have lead him to do many things, but he held the urge in and finished his shower. Ginny was waiting to go in after him, and winked at him as he walked passed.

"Taking her to the field I hear. Trying to get her alone? Maybe I should come interrupt, I could use a good game of soccer!"

"That wasn't the idea; we were just going to play soccer. But now that you mention it…"

"Well, good luck either way!" She closed the door, and Ron floated happily back to his room, where he found his soccer ball. He knocked on Hermione's door, and she answered right away, her face looking flushed and her eyes looked wet.

"Ah...there you are. Now you smell good. Ready?" She said really quickly, shutting her door before Ron could catch the inside.

"Yeah, sure," he kept craning his neck to peek in until it was closed all the way.

"What were you doing in there?"

"Oh…just a little reading. Re-reading a text for school," she said quickly, hurrying down the stairs before Ron got a good look at her face.

"Are you okay?" He asked softly, trying to keep up. She swiped at her eyes quickly.

"I'm fine," she tried to sound cheery.

"Just a little nervous about how good my soccer skills are, haven't played in a while!" Ron knew there was something else up, but she obviously didn't want to talk about it, so he didn't press.

"Yes, you better watch out. I've gotten pretty good." It wasn't raining outside, but the clouds were still overcast in the gray sky, and everything was wet and slippery. They trudged together to the field behind the bushes, and started out by just kicking the ball back and forth, and trying to keep their balance. It was a good time for them both as they bumped into each other, trying to steal the ball. Not long into their giggling game, the twins and Ginny appeared to play along. The twins went on a team by themselves, and Ron was with Hermione and Ginny. Ron was impressed at how good the girls really were, and they had soon taken a 12-3 lead. George gave the ball a hard kick, and it flew right towards Ron, who wasn't expecting it.

"Ron, watch out!" Hermione and Ginny called together, but it was too late. The ball smacked right into the side of his head, causing Ron to lose his footing as he ran, and he fell down to the ground, his ankle twisted at a stomach-turning angle. He blacked out for a minute, but when he came back to it, the four of them were all staring down at him. The first thing he did was let a groan of pain out as he touched his ankle, which throbbed back.

"I'm sorry Ron!" George said quickly, trying to help Ron to his feet, but Ron yelped at the pressure on his ankle and fell back down. The whole side of his head was burning as if it was on fire.

"Can you walk?" Ginny asked.

"No," Ron groaned again, laying flat on his back.

"I'll go get mum, watch him" She sprinted off, and Hermione got down on the ground, and put Ron's head in her lap.

"Your face is changing to some funky colors," she said quietly, running her hand across his forehead and trying not to look at the bone that was protruding from his flesh. Ron was in too much pain to even notice that Hermione was touching him. George and Fred seemed fascinated by the amount of blood coming out, and how the bone was bent. Mrs. Weasley appeared in a cloud of smoke, and bent down to her son.

"Ronnie, Ronnie, what did you do?" She took one look at his ankle and her face turned a light shade of green.

"Are you going to use magic to fix it mum?" Fred asked.

"I could, but there is a risk that I might injure the other bones, so I can't fix it completely," she said taking out her wand.

"This might hurt, Ronnie." Hermione grasped his hand as the bones started going together centimeter by centimeter.

"What are you doing?!" Ron yelled in pain. They moved just a little bit more, then Mrs. Weasley wrapped a cast around it.

"We are going to have to let it heal a little more before I can risk moving the bone again," she stood up. The pain was emulsifying every second Ron lay there, and he highly doubted he'd be able to get up.

"It hurts," he groaned quietly. A small bottle appeared from Mrs. Weasley coat, and she shoved a small pill in her sons' mouth. She took her wand out, and Ron suddenly started floating in the air.

"I'll take you home Ronniekins." He floated the whole way home, Hermione still clutching his hands. The twins and Ginny continued playing with his soccer ball, while Mrs. Weasley laid Ron down on the couch. She set blankets over his shivering body. He suddenly felt very cold…even where the soccer ball had come in contact with his face.

"You are going to sleep now, the pill's reaction." She fluffed a pillow for him, and then was gone. Hermione knelt down in front of him, and he could see her figure in a blurry light.

"You're going to be fine Ron; I'll stay here with you." Her face was pale, and she looked terrified.

"Hey, don't worry about me," Ron whispered, reaching his hand up to move her hair from her face, but he was falling asleep. His hand never reached her face before he fell asleep. Hermione watched Ron, and took his hand and kissed it, then ran it along her face. It was cold on her warm face.

"How do I tell you…" she whispered….

Before Ron even woke up, he could feel the pain. Even when he was sleeping the pain was irking at him. Why couldn't mum just make it go away? His eyes fluttered open and the dark room over took him. His hurt leg was propped up on a pillow, and a blanket was lying across it. He noticed the figure lying on the floor next to the couch and looked closer. Hermione was curled up asleep, a blanket also draped over her. What in the world time was it? It was only darkness peeping through the windows.

"Hello?" He called in hopes that someone was listening. A minute later, Ginny appeared in the doorway.

"Hey you," she said softly, stepping over Hermione and leaning towards him.

"Feel better? That drug mum gave you really knocked you out!"

"What time is it?" he croaked.

"It's about three in the morning."

"What?! Holy shit, what did mum give me?"

"Calm down…the more you sleep, the better your leg is going to get." Ron sighed and plopped his head back on the pillow.

"I take it you have come for your three-in-the-morning snack?"

"Yep," she grinned, looking at Hermione.

"Hermione has been here all night."

"Really?"

"Mm-hmm. When you first went to sleep, she went upstairs and got her books. She was reading in here the entire time, except when she joined the rest of us for lunch and dinner. Then after dinner she came back in here, and fell asleep. Mum decided to let her stay in here, and covered her up."

"Wow," Ron said quietly.

"Must have been boring watching me sleep."

"She looked really worried about you. She must really care about you," her voice lowered.

"Well, I would have done the same thing if this happened to her," Ron realized.

"I have good new for you. Well, I guess you could call it good news."

"And what's that?"

"Dad is taking the next few days off, and he's taking us to visit Aunt Lola in the next town. Thing is, mum didn't think it would be good for you to do that much moving around, and Hermione volunteered to stay here with you. So you guys are going to have the whole house to yourselves tomorrow night," she wiggled her eyebrows.

"Not like I can really do much anyway," Ron said, but excitement was in his voice.

"Why, what did you want to do with her?" Ginny teased.

"I just mean I'll feel bad if I have to wait her around to get me things."

"I don't think she'll really mind. She's been sitting in here with you this whole time, so that says something."

"True…" Ron grinned. Ginny left and he laid there thinking about having the house to himself with Hermione.

Note: Poor Ron, hehe. Next chapter, I promise something is going to happen with the two of them.