A/N: Here's the fourth

Chapter Four: I can't say

"STUPEFY!!!"

"Petrificus Totalus!"

Ron had time to move but, he got distracted by one thought. "Why did I just hear two spe-" a force collided with his chest, hurling him backwards. Then he felt a sharp pain in the back of his head before blackness clouded him.

......

"Ron, come on Hermione will be here any minute!" Ginny shouted through his bedroom door. Ron was frantically searching his room. "I'll be out in a minute! Besides you don't need me there when you greet her." He snapped at Ginny, while flinging clothes out of his closet.

"Prat!" was all that was said then he heard footsteps heading down stairs. Ron felt bad he acted that way towards Ginny after the letter she got last week, but right now he was searching for the gift he bought for Hermione. "Why did I have to lose the BLOODY thing now!?"

Ever since third year Ron had been saving every Knut, Sickle, or if he was lucky, Galleon he could find or earn. After two and half years, of de-gnoming the garden, helping Hagrid tend to his creatures, or with Professer Sprout potting the mandrake pots; he still hadn't earned enough. That is until the start of summer when he helped Fred and George in their shop, not to mention test a few of their products. But, regurgitating and welts aside he wanted to get the best gift for Hermione, and being the twins' test subject did pay well.

However, it was all for nothing, because the necklace was missing. "RONALD WEASLEY!! COME DOWN HERE THIS INSTANT YOUR FATHER AND HERMIONE HAVE ARRIVED!!" Ron looked under the bed once more. Nothing but an old Cannon's shirt was there to greet him.

"FUCK!!"

Of course there was always the back up gift. He went to his sock drawer, reached in grabbed the small leather bound book. He looked at the gift in his hands. "Sometimes I wonder why I even try." This gift was his back up present if he were to chicken out of giving Hermione the silver necklace with a small gold book for a pendant and a saphire H on the book cover. He was now kicking himself for telling Hermione to expect a gift from him the last time he owled.

Ron headed down the stairs, he stopped at the foot to see Hermione being squished by his mother. "Mum, let up I don't think she can breath." He said, tucking the book in his back pocket. Mrs. Weasley let go of Hermione and turned to Fred and George, "You two! Take Hermione's bags up to Ginny's room."

"But we were on our way out mum."

"Yeah, me and Fred are looking for a flat in London."

"Well until that happens, you still live here..... so, I think you know where Ginny's room is." Mrs. Weasley said crossly. Fred glared and George huffed, however both Weasleys grabbed Hermione's things and made their way upstairs. Mrs. Weasley looked up at her ascending twin boys with her eyes beginning to well up."Ginny, I could use your help in the kitchen please." she said with a strangled sob, and proceeded towards the kitchen. Ginny and Mr. Weasley followed after her.

Ron and Hermione were now alone both feeling awkward of the situation that had just occurred. Now, Ron was feeling a little better about losing the necklace. There was no way he could tell Hermione how he felt after that.

"Hello Ron." Hermione said, rushing towards him. Ron barely let out the H in hello before Hermione wrapped her arms around him in a strong embrace. He felt his ears go red, his stomache was doing somersaults, his arms clinging back around her waist. Ron started to let go but Hermione embraced tighter to imply she didn't want out yet. So, Ron obliged, not that he would mind staying like this, he held her until she let loose a bit. Hermione looked right into his eyes. "I'm sorry.... it's just that I...... I missed you alot. But at the same time I feel guilty for being away from my parents. I worry about them, they haven't any clue as to what's going on."

"I'm sure they'll be fine Hermione..... I think it's more important to them, that your safe."

Hermione's mood went from sadness to anger in an instant. "You think!!" She exasperated , shoving Ron away. "How can you be so thick?!" Ron was taken aback by the change in emotion.

"I-I'm sorry Hermio-"

"Why can't you EVER say the right thing!? My parents are targets just like me and all you can say is (making her voice deeper) 'I'm sure they'll be fine' " Hermione kept her rant going regardless of seeing the twins running down the stairs and out the front door. "You can't fathom what it's like for me!! You're a pureblood!!" Ron hung his head in shame. "Your family is safe, you don't have to worry if Voldemort's- and yes I said VOLDEMORT, you really need to get over that it's just a stupid name- if his Death Eaters are waiting outside your home because your family is protected by WARDS and AURORS...or STUPID CLOCKS that tell you the condition of each of your family members...My, parents are MUGGLES!!! They can't protect themselves from Death Eaters...more and more muggle households are being destroyed....Don't you read the 'Prophet'? NO!! Of course you don't, if the subject isn't about Quidditch then it's of no conern to you, right?" she turned towards the fireplace tears streaming. "You know sometimes I feel Harry is the only one who understands me."

"You're right... it was stupid of me to.... to try and relate what your going through." He couldn't look at her because he felt so much shame right now, he didn't even know where this guilty feeling came from. "I'm sorry for ... being a daft git. I'm..... uh, here." he pulled the book out of his pocket and laid on the couch. "I.. better go help mum with dinner."

As he left the room , he could hear Hermione crying....... He felt pain in his heart for making her cry. Though that was nothing compared to the pain in his head.

"Pain in my head!?"

All he can see is darkness, and all he can feel was throbbing pain in the back of his head. "What happened?"

"Mr. Weasley....."

"Ron, please wa-"

"Silence Ms. Granger!! You're in enough trouble as it is."

"Hermione's in trouble!?" Ron opened his eyes instantly. Blurred images played in front of his vision, but the voices were unmistakable. "Well Mr. Weasley, at last your awake." Ron's vision was focusing and now he could clearly see Snape, standing over him. Hermione was kneeling right next Ron she looked as if she had been crying. "That will be a weeks worth of detention Weasley, for instigating a conflict in my class and causing me to cancel said class! Ms. Granger you will recieve three days detention for using your wand on a student while his back was turned. Both of you will start your detentions next week!!"

Harry, who was standing over Hermione spoke up, "Wait a minute it!! Hermione was only trying to protect Ron from Malfoy! You're being unfair, Profess-"

"Silence Potter!! Now Granger, you will release Mr. Malfoy from the binding spell so that I may escort him to the Headmaster's office." Snape said . Hermione released the spell and Malfoy who had been stiff as a board as well as quiet as one on the floor, was now limber and belting out obscenties at the trio, however Snape interupted his rant. "Mr. Malfoy!!! Considering that you yourself attacked an unarmed student you should be worried about facing expulsion!" He then grabbed Malfoy by the collar of his robes and dragging him out of the classroom. Before Snape could get him out, Malfoy turned to Ron and mouthed 'You're Dead'.

Ron tried to get up but the pain caused him to lie back down. He let out a small groan. "Stop! You're going to hurt yourself Ron, just lie still for a while, then we can try to get you to the Hospital Wing." As Hermione said this she was soothing him with her cool hand on his forehead.

"Well I hope you're satisfied Ron!! You got Hermione detention as well!!! What were you thinking!? Huh? That's right you only think of yourself!!! What if Malfoy's spell would been much worse!? You right fucking idi-"

"Stop it Harry!! Just STOP!!" Hermione stood up in his face. "It was MY decision to bind Malfoy not RON'S, and certainly not YOURS!!! Got It!!" Harry looked ready to challenge, but something told Ron, that Hermione always wins in their rows. Something also told Ron that Harry had a point.

"Harry's right. It's my fault, you have detention."

"No he's not, Ron." she said kneeling back down to him.

"Yes he is Hermione!!" Ron shot back, rising a bit on his elbows "Anyway you look at it, if I hadn't provoked Malfoy, you wouldn't have tried to stop him. That's why I have more detentions. So, Harry has a point I am a right fucking idiot."

Sadness washed over on Hermione's beautiful face. She placed both hands on either side of Ron's face causing direct eye contact. "Ron, I hate hearing you talk that way about yourself. You're much more, much better than that. Please take that back." She looked longingly at Ron, then turned to Harry. "Harry you too."

"No." Harry said simply, and walked out.

"Harry get back here!!!" Hermione shouted as she stood up. "We need to help Ron get to Madame Pomfrey."

"Forget it Hermione. Besides I don't need to go to-"

"Don't you dare say you don't need to go to the Hospital Wing, Ronald Weasley!! You might have a concussion."

"Fine take me to Pomfrey before you start spouting out the diffrent definitions of kunfusson."

"It's concussion, Ron." Hermione giggled. "Well, at least I still know how to make her laugh..." She extended her arms out in front of her. "Give me your hands."

"Why?"

"So I can help you up, silly."

"Um..... no offense Hermione, but you're not strong enough for that."

"Oh really Ron, I'll manage just fine. Now come on."

Ron sat up with both feet planted flat on the floor. He reached up an clasped Hermione's hands. It was here she noticed that his right hand was bandaged, and Ron noticed that she noticed. She knelt back down in front of him. "Oh no! I forgot all about that. She's going to freak out over this."

"What happened to your hand?" she said with worry, transfixed on the wrapped up appendage

"It's nothing don't worry about it." He said trying to pull away, but Hermione kept a tight grip on his wrist with one hand. The other was working on the bandage. "Hermione..... please don't!!"

She removed the bandage and gasped at the sight under it. Ron's hand definatly looked worse for wear. There was a huge gash between the middle and ring knuckles surrounded by a black and purple bruise. Hermione looked at Ron questioningly. "What happened?"

"Nothing, I told you."

"Who did this to to you?" Ron looked away afraid to answer. "She'll think I'm nutter if I tell her the truth. She'll probably have me checked in to the mental ward of St. Mungo's." "Ron, tell me!!"

Ron looked down shamefully, "I did it."

"An accident?"

Ron just shook his head. "Why Ron!?! Why would do that to yourself on purpose!?"

"I was real angry and I decided to hit a wall to vent. That's all."

"What were you angry about?"

"I can't say."

"Can't or won't?"

"I can't just please trust me on that." He looked up at her "Please?"

"You swear your alright, that nothing is wrong?"

Ron nodded "I swear, Hermione, I'm fine...... well except for this pounding headache. Let's go see Pomfrey before I have a combustion."

"Concussion." she said standing once more.

"Whatever." Ron reached up and Hermione grasped both his hands in her own and pulled. They were half way up and doing great, until Ron felt dizzy and fell back. Hermione followed down landing on top of him. He looked up to make sure she was alright "Sorry." But she didn't say anything, she just stared at Ron with a look he'd never seen before..... because well.... they've never been this close before.

Hermione and Ron just stayed in silence. Staring in each others eyes. Both feeling heat from the other, there faces started to flush red. "Neither of us wants to say anything. But someone has to. We can't stay like this forever. Can we?.....She actually stood up to Harry on my behalf..... I love her. I just want to hold her, kiss her.... " Ron suddenly realized the the predicament they were in, but he could care less. Right now it's just him and his 'Mione. Ron noticed she was glancing at his lips with dazed eyes, her breathing becoming shallow, she bit her lip.

"That did it."

Ron reached up and cupped her cheek. She didn't pull back, in fact she moved in closer. He pulled her down to him and their lips met. Hermione still didn't let up, she deepened the kiss by running her fingers through his hair. Ron decided to test the waters, and tried slipping his tongue in. When he did this she stopped for a split second, and accepted. The snogging continued for about a minute neither with a care as to where they are.

Then the door to the Potions Class opened.......