Emotional Range of a Teaspoon

Chapter 6: Finally

A/N: Sorry this one took so long. High school is really draining. I've had my mind on so many other things, including a new fanfic based on my own crazy life that I haven't had time to think of ERoaT. Sorry to all the readers who were waiting patiently. Anyway, this story kind of hit a dead end for a little bit too. But thanks to all the people who reviewed, and sorry for the wait.

So, without further ado, Chapter 6: Finally

It was a clear, crisp, not-too-hot-but-not-too-cold July day. The sun was out, but wasn't pounding. The birds were chirping but weren't being shrill and annoying. It was a perfect day for Quidditch in the orchard, and it was the kind of day where you would expect everyone to be cheery.

But no one in the Weasley home was happy.

Mrs. Weasley was unhappy because she barely saw her husband, he was working so hard. He had even forgotten her birthday. Ron was unhappy because he found a certain letter in a certain friends' room after they had certainly kissed. Hermione was unhappy because of her experience in Diagon Alley, and the fact that she couldn't find the offending letter, and the fact that Ron was avoiding her. Harry, who had arrived the day of Hermione and Ginny's gallivant to Diagon Alley, didn't really talk to anyone but Ron, preferring to stay in his own world, in his head, bound in grief. And Ginny wasn't really unhappy, per say, but merely annoyed and sullen because everyone was upset with each other.

Hermione sat in Ginny's room, an abandoned book, Hogwarts, a History: The Latest Edition of Utmost Accuracy and Detail (the latestin the Hogwarts, A History series), lay in her lap as she gazed out of the window.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Hermione wrenched her gaze away from the window at the same time Ginny's head snapped up from the letter she had been pouring over. She glanced over at Ginny, who shrugged, then got up and made her way towards the door. Hermione opened the door a crack and peered out, then sighed and opened it all the way. Ron was thumping down the stairs, frowning.

She stepped out onto the landing, right in front of him. He stopped abruptly, and looked at her, a mixture of anger and longing on his face. He stood unmoving on the landing where she had blocked his way, his arms crossed, looking insolent.

Hermione would have liked to hit him. He had no reason that she knew of to be so rude. If he would just say something. Right now she had no idea what was up with him. Well, she could always try being nice instead of fussing.

"Would you mind not stomping up and down the stairs, please?" she asked softly.

Ron stood resolutely, glaring to the left of her. "Ron, can we talk, please?" she asked, with a hint of longing in her voice. "I don't know what's going on. Can we please try to work out whatever you're mad at me about?" He still glared, this time looking at the ceiling instead of at her. He refused to speak.

She was so upset she almost stomped her foot. "Ron! What is it? What did I do?"

Hermione was near tears. Ron frowned at her. The he seemed to cave in. It wasn't forgiveness, but a sort of defeat came over him, as though he was tired of the little silent game he had started. He reached slowly into his pocket and pulled out Viktor's letter to Hermione.

Hermione froze. She stared at the letter in his hand and quickly calculated what had happened and what Ron must think happened. "Oh, Ron," she said softly. "No, no, it isn't what you think."

This was completely the wrong thing to say, she realized. Ron looked angry enough to hit her.

"YEAH?" he exploded, losing all self-restraint. "WELL WHAT THE BLOODY HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO THINK??" he shouted.

Hermione was very scared. They had had fights, but Ron was seriously hurt by what she had done. "Will you please stop shouting so I can explain things?" she asked meekly.

"NO I WILL NOT STOP SHOUTING! I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU, HERMIONE!" he roared at her.

"RONALD BILIUS WEASLEY! WILL YOU STOP THAT SHOUTING RIGHT THIS INSTANT!?" came Mrs. Weasley's voice up the stairs.

Ron looked forbidding. He glared at Hermione as he shouted "SORRY MUM." He started down the stairs, stomping even louder than he had been before.

"Ron, wait!" Hermione followed him, thinking quickly about how to explain herself to Ron without him hating her for the rest of his life. They had kissed, finally. The very next day, she had gone to Diagon Alley to see the one person Ron was most jealous of, and she had lied to Ron about why she had gone. Ron was probably thinking that she had spent the entire day shagging Viktor senseless. Although, if Ron knew her or listened to her at all, he would have known that Hermione was completely over Viktor. Well, she would just have to convince him that she liked him and NOT Viktor.

Ron flung himself into the kitchen and out the back door. He started off across the garden and out of the back gate.

"Ron, wait, please!" cried Hermione. "Listen, you don't understand!"

"I DON'T UNDERSTAND? LISTEN HERE, MISS KNOW-IT-ALL, I KNOW A LOT MORE THAN YOU THINK!" he shouted.

Hermione chased after him. "Ok, Ron. What is it you know?" she asked fairly.

Ron stopped abruptly and turned to face her. Hermione stopped as well, and looked Ron right in the eye. "You want to know what I know? Ok. Here's what I know." He took a deep breath, but did not break eye contact. "I know that I like you. I know that we kissed. I thought you liked me too. But then you run off with Vicky the very next day!! I knew you still liked him. So what does this mean? You pretty much slapped me in the face when you went off to Diagon Alley with that git. So now I don't know what to think." He looked at the ground for a few seconds. When Hermione didn't say anything, he scoffed softly and turned around, walking away, slowly and sadly this time.

Hermione was thinking fast. She didn't know what to do. Of course she still liked Ron, and she most certainly did not like Viktor, but how could she explain that to Ron.

"Ron!" she said, catching up with him. He kept walking, not turning around or acknowledging her at all. She grabbed his arm and spun him around so that he was facing her.

"What?" he said.

For an answer, she put her hands on his shoulders, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him.

Ron, who was completely not expecting this, was dumbstruck. After a moment though, he gently put his hands on her cheeks, and returned the kiss.

Hermione pulled away softly and looked into Ron's eyes. "Now do you believe that I don't like Viktor?" she asked quietly.

"Mm-hmmm," was all Ron could get out before he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her again, picking her up as he did so and spinning her around. She laughed loudly as she spun through the air, truly happy for the first time in months.

A/N: Again, I'm sorry that took so long! I've had lots going on, and life is hectic when you're in high school. Plus, my birthday is tomorrow!! I know this one was kinda short, and I was so excited to get it out I didn't proofread, hope it isn't too bad. Anyway, please review! Mmmwah!!

-FP