Chapter Three

What She'd Been Waiting For?

Two days passed and Hermione was able to leave the hospital. She packed all her things and picked Arianna up. With a small POP, Hermione apparated to her small flat in London. She carried her daughter into her room and placed her in the bassinet that sat next to Hermione's bed. Mrs. Weasly had given it to her a couple of months ago. Hermione sat on her bed and looked over the bassinet. Arianna cooed up at her mother. Hermione smiled and closed her eyes.

-FLASHBACK-

September passed by quickly. Hermione couldn't believe it was already October. Just like she predicted, there was a lot of work already. She immersed herself in her work, trying to forget the summer. Well, not really. She often thought of George. He even sent her a couple letters. She kept them hidden from her nosy roommates, at the bottom of her trunk.

Ron and Harry seemed better once they go to school. She didn't feel the need to take care of them like she had during the summer. If anything they all helped each other. Harry now managed to talk to her and Ron rather than yell at them, although he talked to Ginny a lot more. Hermione knew he loved her; he was just too thick to realize it. Ron started paying a lot more attention to her now too. Hermione told herself to be happy. She had liked Ron for so long. This was what she wanted right?

Hermione sat in the common room in her, Harry and Ron's usual place by the fire. She was bent over a piece of parchment writing madly. She felt someone plop down beside her and looked up. Ron stared at her.

"No Ron, I'm not letting you copy my assignment. You've got to do it yourself," Hermione muttered, frustrated.

"That's not what I wanted," Ron stuttered. He was nervous.

"Well, I'm not helping you either. If I always help you you'll never be able to do anything by yourself," Hermione turned her attention back to her paper.

"No, no, I…well…I…um…" his ears were turning a bright red.

"Go on Ron," Hermione turned her attention back to him but her voice was soothing this time, now that she knew he wasn't there to bug her about their assignment.

"Hogsmade weekend's coming up…and I was….well…Harry and Ginny are going together-" but Hermione cut him off before he could finish his sentence.

"Harry finally asked her? Brilliant. Ginny must be so happy," Hermione smiled, happy her two friends finally did something about their ever looming feelings for each other.

"Um, ya," Ron went to get up, his courage lost.

"Wait," Hermione called. "What were you going to say?"

"Oh, it was nothing. It's stupid really, don't know what I was thinking, you probably won't even want to," he rambled.

"No, say it Ron. I promise I won't think it's stupid," Hermione sighed.

"Well…I was just wondering you…maybe want…um…ifyouwannagotohogmadewithme?" he said the last part really fast so Hermione wasn't exactly sure what he had said.

"Pardon?" Hermione almost laughed.

Ron sighed. He seemed determined now to say whatever he was trying to say and get it over with. "Do you, Hermione Granger, want to go to Hogsmade with me?"

Everything seemed to go silent. All the noise from the common room faded into the distance. Hermione was blown away by the question.

"You…you want to go with me?" she asked, it was her turn to stutter.

All Ron could do was nod. He was scared to open his mouth. Slowly Hermione began to nod her head. "I'd love to go with you Ron," she smiled.

He seemed shocked she accepted. "Really?" he lit up. Hermione continued to nod. Without thinking Ron pulled Hermione into a hug. At first Hermione sat frozen but then gradually lifted her arms and placed them around Ron's neck.

How long had she been waiting for this moment? She should have been excited right? This was what she wanted. Wasn't it? She had been telling herself that but it wasn't true. If it was then why was the only thing she could think about George?