(((A/N: This chapter is EXTREMELY short, but my computer's been down forever and I'm trying to get back into my story. It's taking awhile...LoL Anyway, thanks for waiting so long and I'm really sorry for the wait. Thank you so much! 3))
Soon after Hermione drifted off, Fred carried her up to the boys dormitories and put her in bed next to him, not caring or realizing who would see in the morning. He crawled in behind her and soon had drifted off as well. He decided to have a talk with Ron as soon as possible...the sooner the better. He was in love with Hermione, and he didn't want his brother to deny him his love, but he knew that Hermione would never be happy until Ron was at peace with their relationship.
Meanwhile, Ron wassitting in the dark in the boys dormitories, his curtainsdrawn around his bed. He'd heard Hermione and Fred sneaking around through the roomabout an hour before, and nowthey were back--both of them. After a few minutes of silence, he snuck a peek through the curtains and saw Fred with his arm draped over Hermione. He waited for the anger to creep up on him. He waited for his cheeks toflush and his fists to clench, but they didn't. Then it hit him:he didn't love Hermione anymore. He just didn't want his brother to have her--she had always been his...he'd never had to share, other than with Harry of course. He decided to let go, and he also came to another realization...he needed and loved Lavender a whole lot more.
Ron was walking down a corridor near the Great Hall the next morningwhen he heard someone behind him.
"Ron--Ron wait! Please!" He turned around and saw Lavender hurrying towards him. Her face was flushed and she looked torn—broken—sad. She caught up to him and took his arm, dragged him into an empty classroom and slammed the door. "We need to talk."
"The four fatal words…" Ron smirked, then took a step toward her and backed her against the wall, full of confidence he'd never had before.
"Ron, please don't joke…I'm serious." He stepped closer and slid his arms around her waist, leaning down and kissing her softly on the neck. "Ron—"
"Lavender—calm down-- stop worrying so much." He growled softly as she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. He kept kissing her neck, massaging her waist softly with both hands. He nibbled on her ear, kissed her face and finally her mouth. Lavender slid her hands up to rest on his chest and pressed into him. He started to slide her skirt up over her thighs, but she pushed him away, gently. Ron pulled away and leaned on the wall, frustrated.
"Lav!" Ron groaned and slammed his head against the wall, over her shoulder.
"Ron—I told you I needed to talk to you!"
"Then talk already." He said, leaning against the wall and crossed his arms across his chest.
"Okay—" Lavender stepped from between the wall and Ron, and pointed to a desk, urging him to sit. He refused, shaking his head and relaxing a little, then taking her hand and leading her to a desk. He sat down, then pulled her down to sit in his lap.
"Now, what do you need to talk to me about?" Lavender hesitated, then--
"Ron, are you still in love with Hermione? Because, we've been dating for months now—and you still hardly acknowledge me as your girlfriend, and I was thinking we shouldn't see each other anymo—" Ron shook his head, reaching his hand up to softly cup her face and pull it towards him. He kissed her, cutting her off. "--if you can't respect me..." She said dazedly.
"I love you." He said huskily, pulling away once again. "I'd given up on Hermione a long time ago and you've become more to me than she ever could. And I'd love it if you were my girlfriend…" He kissed her again, long lingering kisses that filled Lavender with hope and feeling. He'd made these promises before, but he always broke them, and she always forgave and forget. She was so caught up in letting the boy she'd loved for so long kiss her, showing his love for her, that when he slipped his arms around her and pulled his school ring off her finger, she didn't even notice. It was strange, ever since he was a first year he'd worn the ring, never taking it off. His finger felt strangely light without it. He pulled Lavender away and hugged her, letting her cling to him. He knew he'd treated her horribly in the past few months, and he felt terrible about it. He finally pushed her away entirely, so she was sitting on his lap with his wrapped protectively around her and her hands resting on his chest.
"Lav? I know I've not been the best boyfriend...but I want a second chance. And I know you think I can't keep a promise, but I can I swear...all I want is for you to be happy. I promise I'll be here for you, and I'll be a better boyfriend. I love you, and I want you to wear my ring." He slipped the ring on her thumb, the only place it would fit. She squealed and threw her arms around him once again.
"Oh Ron! You don't know how much this means to me!" She kissed him firmly on the lips and he laughed, amazed at the light and airy feeling he felt when all the jealousy and frustration he'd harbored against Fred were gone.
