Thanks for all the reviews I've got )
I'm sorry that I took so long to write this chapter, but to tell the truth, I have pretty much had writer's block. I just couldn't get myself to continue on this story. But here it is. Hope you'll like it. Read and review )
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"Why are you so stubborn?" Ginny whispered to Hermione. They were both sitting on the sofa in the living room - Hermione in one of the corners, reading a book, and Ginny was cuddled up in the other corner. She had been out playing Quidditch with Harry, Ron and the twins, but then Mrs. Weasley had asked the boys to help her with the gnomes in the garden. Ginny, on the other hand, was allowed to go inside.
"I'm not -" Hermione began.
"Oh come on, Hermione!" Ginny snorted. – "Is it really so hard to admit that you have feelings for… Ron?"
Ginny whispered the last so that no one could hear – even though there was no one except them in the living room. Hermione didn't answer. It was hard to admit. If she said it out loud, it would mean it was true. And then things wouldn't be the same ever again. How could she possible be so close to Ron then? Not to mention, how would he react if he found out about it? She couldn't even imagine it!
No, not admitting it would make everything a whole lot easier for her. If she didn't think of it and if no one mentioned it to her, this would all pass. She buried her head in her hands and sighed. No, it wouldn't, she knew better. But this couldn't be happening! It was Ron of all people… Not that there was something wrong with him – he was definitely cute. He had always been so. But Ron was also one of her best friends…
'Yeah, but that doesn't mean you can't fall in love with him.'
"Hermione?"
Hermione snapped out of her thoughts and looked up to see Ron and Harry standing in front of them.
"Don't tell me you're doing homework?" Ron groaned. - "It's still two more weeks before the school starts!"
"Which is a better reason to get done with it," Hermione replied.
"I don't get that." Ron wrinkled his nose. – "Why not enjoy the summer now, while we're enjoying it, and then do homework with us when we're doing homework?"
"Yeah, right!" Hermione smirked. – "Just so you can copy whatever I write?"
"No, whatever gave you that idea?" Ron said innocently.
"Where's Fred and George?" Harry suddenly asked.
"Dunno… And frankly, I don't care. Whenever we're not playing, they're either bothering me or they're inventing some new stuff to their joke-shop. I prefer that they're doing the inventing."
Ginny giggled.
I think they're a bit funny," she whispered to Hermione. Ron, who heard it, narrowed his eyes.
"Of course you do. That's because they don't bother you."
"Oh yeah? Where have you been the whole summer? Who do you think they've been testing all their new inventions on?"
"Can you two please not fight? I'm trying to study," Hermione snapped, not even looking up from the book. Ron, Harry and Ginny exchanged looks and with a nod from Ron, Ginny grabbed the book Hermione was reading.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Hermione sprang up on her feet. She tried to take the book from Ginny, but she was to fast and threw it over to Harry who again threw it to Ron.
"As I said, Hermione, it is summer for two more weeks! Enjoy!" Ron said as he received the book.
"And as I said, Ronald, if I get it done now, I can enjoy the rest of the holiday."
"What are you reading anyway?" Ron asked, ignoring Hermione. – "'Defense Against Dark Arts.' Why are you reading that? We don't have any homework in that subject."
"Nevertheless, it's good to be prepared."
"Prepared? For what?"
"For the exam!" She snapped the book out of Ron's hands.
"That's a whole year to!"
Harry and Ginny, who were silently observing this, rolled their eyes. This was a familiar scene to them, and they both knew that this would not end well.
"So? I should be allowed to study whenever I want. If I want to be prepared two years in advance, it shouldn't be a problem for you!"
"Of course not, but I'm just saying -"
"If I want to study, I'm allowed to do that whenever I want and where I want!"
"Yes, I get that!" Ron's voice was getting louder now. Harry and Ginny now stepped a few steps backwards, quietly heading for the door.
"Then what's the problem!"
"There's no problem! I just don't see why you come over here if you're going to study anyway! You could have stayed home!"
That was it. Hermione looked thunderstruck. Ron gulped. He knew he shouldn't have said that. He looked around for help, but Ginny and Harry had already disappeared out of the room.
"I'm sorry if I am a hassle to you, Ron."
"You're not a hassle…" He took a long breath, not knowing what to say. Hermione tapped her foot.
"I'm what? Someone who, every time she studies, needs to take notes for other classmates? Or maybe I'm just an insufferable know-it-all!"
Her voice was about to crack anytime now. Ron didn't know what to say or do. He hated when Hermione was like this, and he hated it even more that he never could keep his big mouth shut when situations like this appeared.
"Bloody hell, Hermione! I think you're over-reacting a bit now!
"I'm over-reacting!" She yelled. – "Well, Ron, sometimes I have to 'over-react' to make you understand certain things!"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"That you can be so thick sometimes… So stupid! And so annoying! I can't believe that I even thought I had feelings for you!"
She gasped and slapped her mouth. It was now Ron's turn to look thunderstruck. His mouth was wide open, and finally did he manage to breathe out two words.
"You what..?
"Nothing." Hermione stuttered. She couldn't look at him. Most of all she wanted to sink to the ground and disappear. Ron shook his head, not sure if he had really heard correct.
"Did you just say-"
"That I found you to be thick time to time?" Hermione interrupted. She bit her lip nervously, looking everywhere else than at Ron.
"No."
"Annoying?"
"Bloody hell, Hermione!" He ruffled his hair nervously.
"This isn't easy, Ron! Nothing is ever easy with you! Sometimes we have such a good time, like this night for example. But then, all of the sudden… We fight over the smallest thing!"
Ron ruffled his hair nervously. It was an awkward moment, and Hermione couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable. It seemed like a thousand things appeared on her mind, and neither one of them could even relate to the situation that was happening. Right at that moment she wished she had paid more attention to the other girls as they went on about boys and dating. But, of course, she had only been rolling her eyes to it instead, and walked off to read a book or to do homework. Not that she was really that sure that listening to their chitchat would help much.
"I think I will…" she stuttered. "I think I'll…"
"Don't go," Ron interrupted, knowing precisely what she was about to say. Again he ruffled his hair nervously. Hermione didn't reply; even though she was curious why he didn't want her to go, she didn't manage to ask. She simply couldn't speak.
"You see," Ron continued. He looked a little uneasy there he stood, and he seemed to have difficulty finding the words to say. "The thing is…That… I sort of…" He broke off and sighed. Then, almost in a whisper, he added. "Bloody hell, Hermione. Don't you see I like you too?"
Hermione lightened up. Without a word she walked over to him, and standing on tiptoe she was suddenly doing something she had never dreamt she would be doing: she was kissing him. She was kissing Ron! His lips felt so soft, and she immediately knew it was right: and when they broke apart and Ron smiled to her, Hermione could not understand why it had taken her so long to realize how she felt about him.
"That was good," Ron grinned.
"No," Hermione said, beaming. "It was great!"
End!
Well, folks, that was that: the last chapter of this story. Hermione and Ron finally together )
And again, so sorry it took me so long to write it. I will try to be better at the next story. If I can think of one… Time will show ;) Anyways, I said I wouldn't nag about it if you reviewed, but knowing myself, I can't help it (grins): please review )