Disclaimer: It's not mine. End of story.

Thanx K9 and Co! I know it was really short, butI didn't think it would fit into the 'sweetness' of this next chapter, so it had to be on it's own. Ginny's few lines of fame. lol

CHAPTER 5

Ron's Point of View

Boys' Dormitory

It did feel right, my hand in Hermione's. But I couldn't kiss her. I couldn't. And she couldn't kiss me. I saw it in her eyes. It was too strange.

"What are we?" I asked.

"I don't know," she whispered. She looked close to tears, so I put my arms around her.

Hermione's Point of View

Boys' Dormitory

I kind of like it when he puts his arms around me. He has really strong arms from Quidditch, but the action is gentle. And he smells good, I've noticed today.

However, with our problem still unsolved, I couldn't just lie there in Ron's arms. I reluctantly pulled away.

"I don't understand any of this. I don't want it to stay awkward through this year and the next! Why can't we move on? This is so stupid!" I cried, exasperated.

Ron's Point of View

Boys' Dormitory

That hurt. This wasn't stupid. 'This' was our feelings toward each other. It was everything from the first day on the Hogwarts Express on. Why couldn't she see that? Why did she want to move on? Was I not good enough?

The problem with me, is that whenever I think something, I usually speak it too.

"Can't you see it Hermione? This awkwardness is our relationship! Am I not good enough for you? What's your problem?"

"Ron-it's not that, I just don't want to be forced into a relationship-"

"Hermione Granger listen to me. You're in a relationship. You may not take this seriously, but I do. You know what? I love you. And if you aren't going to love me back, then forget it."

I stood up and almost walked out, but remembered where I was.

"You have to leave."

"Excuse me?"

"You have to leave."

"Ron, it's my turn."

"Fine. Have at it!" I said, sitting back down irritably.

"I have loved you forever. But now, you're, you're acting like we have to do dive headfirst into a complex relationship I've never had before. And I don't want that. I just want it to be okay for us to bump into each other and not feel like it's a big deal. I don't want us to have to hold hands in the hallways and kiss in alcoves and sneak out with the right as prefects to snog in broom closets!"

"What do you want?" I asked, holding back a comment about snogging in broom closets.

"I don't know."

"Do you know what I want?"

"No."

"For a long time, I've looked up at you and thought, kiss her, Ron. I've seen you run to your next class and I've thought, isn't there anything you can do? I've watched you smile and laugh at my stupid jokes and I've really wanted to wrap my arms around you and never let go.I've wanted to hold you and have you cry against my shoulder instead of against someone else's. When you went to the Yule Ball with Krum, I thought I was going to explode. You were right, I was jealous. It went further than 'jealous', Hermione. I was angry that you went with him and I was afraid that he would hurt you. I wanted to strangle bloody, stupid, insignificant…but I've held myself back all these years. I've been good. For you."

Hermione had tears in her eyes now. "Oh, Ron!"

Sometimes I hate it when she does that. This time, however, it was okay.

Hermione's Point of View

Boys' Dormitory

I couldn't stop myself from throwing my arms around his neck and sobbing into his shoulder, like he wanted.

He gingerly patted me on the back and I squeezed his neck harder and sobbed louder.

"Shh, Hermione."

I sniffed quietly, the tears were almost gone already, and sat up straighter. "What time is it?"

"Nearly six thirty," Ron said checking the clock on his bedside table.

"We'd better get to dinner then."

"Yeah, I guess so. I'm not really that hungry."

I grinned. "You shouldn't be. Not even now."

Ron laughed.

It was going to be okay now. We'd formed a silent understanding, how, I will never really know.

Next chapter could be the last...stay tuned.