(I just want to take a little bit of the page up here to have a shout out to all my loyal reviewers.

RainDateChick-I am so glad that you love my fic. I only write to serve! Lol.

Liadan Hurricane- yes it will take forever. Ron and Hermione have been taking forever in the real books. What would be the difference now? That's how I felt. I like reading the 'straight to the point' ones too, but I wanted my first fic to be a little bit more like them.

Andy-may- I am glad that you thoroughly enjoyed chapter 14 the most. I had decided a while ago that Harry and Ginny, who aren't really as stubborn or as hard headed as Hermione and Ron, would get together sooner.

Granhermi- I'm glad you are enjoying it

SpikesDreamer- YAY YOU LOVE IT!

Kessemm- I'm not sure how to respond to your review. I thought the dialogue was pretty realistic, but then again I am only the author and authors sometimes don't see the error of their ways.

Hpfreak31- Thank you for correcting my spelling on Hermione's name. I feel incredibly stupid for making that mistake for so long.

Bhekie- Weasley? I've been spelling it wrong. I'm going to have to go back and look. I don't think that I spelt it incorrectly, but I will have to make sure on that. Thank you.

The Unknown Weasley- I'm making them longer. I do hope you enjoy them or that you are still with us.

Now onward to the next chapter! Thank you all again for reviewing! I love you all!

Short note to newcomers: PLEASE REVIEW! It helps me get motivated. Even negative comments. I'm deeply serious about that one. I know others do not like negative or criticism, but I am an aspiring author and through fan fictions I get a lot of feedback for my real books. THANKIES!

Mystic)

Chapter 16

The first Hogsmede trip was scheduled for the next weekend. For some odd reason there were random butterflies in Ron's stomach every time he thought about it. He had to buy Hermione two butterbeers. He thought about what was coming. Sure, Harry and Ginny would probably go off by themselves, leaving him entirely alone with Hermione.

It wasn't as if he hadn't been alone with her ever in his life. He had gone to Hogsmede with only her on their very first trip. But he hadn't been alone with her for long. Of course, no one else saw Harry, nor knew that he was even there. It was just Harry would be there, but not with him. That thought enough was turning his stomach into knots.

Throughout the week he kept looking over at Hermione, unsure of why he felt this way. She was his best mate! He wasn't suppose to develop any type of feelings for her.

Life was made harder with Harry and Ginny being all googley about each other. Yes, he had thought up the word googley and yes he knew full well that it wasn't a word at all, but it was the only way to explain it.

It was especially difficult at meal times. Harry would sometimes sit across from Ginny. Other times they would sit together and hold hands. Or they would sit there and say something and then both would start blushing.

Finally, that Friday night was enough for Ron. After Ginny had whispered something in Harry's ear and he had laughed, Ron got up and left the Great Hall. He started mumbling about how stupid they were before he felt a hand grab his. He spun around and looked down to see Hermione.

"I know what you are thinking," she said suddenly. He swallowed hard. Was it really that obvious?

"Really? Then tell me, because I don't think I know anymore," Ron said. Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Gin is your sister and Harry is your best friend. You don't want your sister to get hurt. I understand how hard it is to watch both of them together."

"You'd never understand," Ron retorted, pulling his hand away from her and spinning around. He took a few steps before her soft voice stopped him in his tracks.

"It's hard to watch your two best friends find love before you did." He turned around.

"What?" He asked her softly.

"You don't understand. Nearly everyone I know has someone that loves them. I see them all the time. They walk around here holding hands or kissing or whatever. You know Ron I am a girl. A girl that wishes that she was worthy enough of someone."

"What about Krum?" Ron asked her, sneering his name slightly.

"KRUM! Oh god Ron. Listen to me. We went on a date, but I told him that I didn't like him in that way. He's my friend. I can have friends that are boys. Heck, I'm friends with you aren't I!"

"What? But I thought. . ."

"You thought wrong."

They fell silent, just standing there looking at each other. Hermione blinked and rubbed underneath her eye.

"I never really thought that you would want a boyfriend," Ron admitted.

"Yeah well, that's my life. You want to know something else, Ron." He nodded and she sighed. She looked down at her hands.

"I wish I could be someone else," she whispered. She looked up at him, then turned away.

"Why?" She spun around and looked at him in disbelief.

"Why! Because maybe then I would be noticed! Think about it Ron. What do you think of when you hear my name?"

Ron didn't answer right away. He wasn't sure how to respond to that. There were several different things that came to mind. Right now he had to be honest. That he knew, but he was afraid that if he was then he would lose her friendship and that he could not deal with at this moment.

"I think of a bright, intelligent, loyal, brave, amazing witch that just happens to be my very best mate."

"Really? You don't think of books and always studying and S.P.E.W. and everything else?" Ron snorted. He had forgotten about S.P.E.W.

"No. That never comes to mind. Whenever someone says your name I see your eyes. I hear your joyous laugh. I hear you reprimanding me because I didn't do my homework again. I see your nose crinkle when you are thinking much too hard about something. . ." Ron trailed off, realizing that he was saying way too much.

"Really?" Hermione asked. Ron nodded.

"Yeah and I can guarantee that there is a guy that wants to be with you."

"Then where is he?"

"Let's just say he is too afraid that you'll hate him forever if you knew."

"You know who it is!"

"Yes."

"Do I know him?"

"Yes."

"Is he in Gryffindor?"

"Um… Yes."

"Is that all you're going to tell me?"

"Yes."

"Fine. Then tell him that he doesn't have to be afraid that I'll hate him. I wouldn't hate him."

"How could you guarantee you wouldn't hate him?"

"I wouldn't hate him. Dislike him for a while if it was a prank or something."

"Well I'll let him know."

"Thank you Ron."

"You're welcome."

"Come on. Harry and Ginny will be wondering were we had gotten off to," Hermione said. Ron smiled and nodded. Hermione turned away and headed back into the Great Hall. What had he just done?