Written in the stars

Hi everyone! This chapter is more of a sweet chapter as opposed to the previous humor ones, but I still think you will enjoy it. And once again, thank you SOOOO much for all the reviews

It was now almost midnight. Hermione had one more hour left before her watch shift was over. She was now laid out across the grass on a blanket; her head cradled in her hands.

For the past two hours she had laid there; wand in hand and her thoughts racing. They were the usual inner thoughts of a teenage girl. What was she to do with the rest of her life? Would her hard work in school get her somewhere successful? Would she make enough money to get her own flat? What about love and a family? Was she really safe now that the war was over? Looking out into the vast abyss of space always made her contemplate her life and all the possibilities.

Soon, the peaceful still of night was interrupted when Hermione heard the nearby tent rustle. She quickly turned over on her side and pointed her wand in the noise's direction.

She smiled weakly and lowered her weapon once she realized it was just Ron coming out of the tent. She lay back down and didn't look at him. She still felt a bit awkward around Ron.

As she stared up at the stars once more, she heard his large footsteps making they're way slowly towards her.

"Hey," He said quietly. Hermione looked up at him. If she thought he was tall before, he looked gigantic from the position she was in now.

"Hey," she responded shyly.

Their gazes locked for a moment before Ron looked away.

"Can I sit down?" He asked.

Hermione blushed and then looked back up at the stars. "Er-yeah," she answered.

Ron smiled weakly and then took a seat gently next to Hermione. He bent his legs up and let his arms drape over his knees.

"Is Harry alright?" Hermione asked. Harry had seemed in a better mood before he finally went off to bed, but Hermione never stopped worrying about her friends.

"He's sleeping like a baby," Ron answered.

"And what about you?" Hermione asked wondering why Ron was outside with her instead of asleep in the tent.

He shrugged. "I couldn't sleep," He responded simply. It was true that he couldn't get to sleep, but what had really kept him awake was Hermione. He was worried about her being out there all by herself and he also could not stop thinking about the amazing kiss they had shared at the stream. It had happened so quickly and so passionately that Ron couldn't help but think it had been a dream. Just like the first time they had kissed, they never spoke of it afterwards. This would be the same unless Ron grew some balls and said something. She'd probably apologize for it and tell him it will never happen again, or she would be furious with him for kissing her. There was probably no point in bringing it up.

"I suppose we were all a bit naive in assuming things would go back to normal right away," Hermione whispered. She knew that in reality all three of their lives would never be normal, but it was certainly something she aimed for in life.

"yeah," Ron agreed quietly. This was really tearing Hermione apart. Everyone in the wizarding world was looking to move on past the death and destruction. The three of them, and Ginny as well, may never be able to move on.

"Sirius," Hermione whispered; breaking Ron out of his thoughts.

"What?" Ron asked wondering why she would bring up such a topic out of nowhere.

She didn't look at him; her gaze was fixed to the stars.

"Sirius," She repeated and then finally averted her eyes to the side to look at him. "The star."

It was Ron's turn to look up at the sky and he searched the heavens for the so called star. He then realized that he should have paid more attention in astronomy class.

Hermione notice his desperate search for the star and pointed in its direction.

"It's the bright one over there, it stands out above the rest," She explained. She gazed up at the vivid star which twinkled at them. A sudden reminiscent feeling washed over her as she watched it. Despite its name, the bright twinkling star reminded her of Sirius laughing and winking at them when something funny happened.

Ron must have been thinking along the same lines because he appeared very distant as he softly spoke.

"I miss him," He stated.

"Me too," said Hermione, knowing exactly who he was referring to. Sirius had been a great friend to all of them. She had never told Sirius and he probably wouldn't have been able to guess it, but she really admired him. The man must have possessed so much love for Harry to be able to escape Azkaban and be able to continue on with such a hard, hidden life. She respected his strength and bravery and now she wished that she'd have told him so before he died.

"Do you watch the stars often?" Ron asked her.

Hermione smiled. Ron must think she's a silly little girl, but it was one of her favorite things to do. It wasn't just watching the stars that she enjoyed so much. Anyone who knew Hermione knew that there had to be something educational behind it.

She nodded in response. "I love learning the stories behind them all."

"Stories?" Ron asked. Hermione didn't respond. Ron probably thought that was pretty dumb. What kind of guy would want to be with a girl like her; who read fairy tales and enjoyed arithmancy. She didn't want to elaborate on the topic and embarrass herself any more.

"Tell me one," He added. Hermione's head shot up in his direction. He actually wanted to hear one of her stupid stories? He wasn't looking at her and she couldn't tell if he sincerely wanted to hear one or if he was just humoring her. Hermione bit on her lower lip and sat up beside him.

"Okay," She said. Hermione scanned the vast sky above, searching for the one that would give her inspiration.

"That one, right there," Hermione stated and pointed up to a large constellation.

"It's Orion. He was a great hunter who was loved by the goddess Artemis."

Ron watched as Hermione began her tale. She looked so beautiful in the dark as the shadows from the night sky played across her face. He loved to hear her talk, that's why he provoked her into so many rows as a kid. Ron couldn't stop staring at her as she continued to speak.

"She loved him so much that she failed in her duties as the moon goddess. The other gods tried to convince her to return to her duties and stop staring at the handsome man, but nothing could keep her form him. So, one day, the sun God Apollo let his light shine down; heating the earth. Orion, feeling the effects of the heat, waded into the ocean to cool down. Meanwhile, Apollo retrieved Artemis and showed her a shadow wading in the ocean. Apollo then challenged her to shoot it down. Well, Artemis being a competitive hunter took the challenge and successfully shot the shadow with her arrow. Later, when Apollo drew his sun away and the body of the shadow washed up on shore, Artemis realized what she had done. She had killed her beloved. She was so distraught, but she wanted to keep him somewhere where she could gaze upon him all the time. She put him up in the stars….she was still heart broken. That's why today the moon appears so cold and desolate, because that's how the moon goddess feels."

Hermione finished her tale and fell into silence. Ron pursed his lips and furrowed his brows before looking over at her.

"That's a horrible story," Ron said in a depressing tone. Hermione's mouth cracked in to a smile and she laughed lightly.

"The sky is filled with tragic love stories," Hermione replied and they fell into silence once more.

Ron began to run through things to say in his head. Should he start with a joke? No she'd probably slap him. Should he apologize? Compliment her? He really just wanted to kiss her again.

"Er, Hermione?" Ron asked shyly.

She turned to him. "Yes?" She asked.

Ron swallowed hard and thanked Merlin that it was dark enough out to hide his blush.

"About what happened today at the stream-"

"I'm Sorry," She spat out nervously. Ron nodded.

"Me too. I don't know what got into me," He lied. He knew exactly what had gotten into him and he wasn't sorry!

Hermione was regretful however. The experience must have disgusted and embarrassed her.

"You're a er- good kisser though," She stated shyly with a soft giggle.

Ron nearly chocked over her words, but tried to cover it up with a laugh. Maybe she wasn't disgusted. Maybe she was just as afraid as he was to admit how she feels.

Ron had made up his mind. It was time to be a man and go after what he wanted. He looked at her and cleared his throat.

"I er- I had a bit of a crush on you in sixth year," He stated. It was a start towards a confession at least.

Hermione turned to him with a half smile and wide eyes. For a moment he thought she would laugh in his face, but she didn't.

"I had a bit of a crush on you in fifth year," She said.

Ron was stunned and couldn't help but smile widely. It still didn't mean that she fancied him now, but it was still worth being giddy about.

"I fancied you in fourth year!" Ron admitted.

"And I fancied you in first year!" Hermione came back.

This confession shocked Ron. There was no possible way that Hermione fancied him in the first year! He was horrible to her.

"What?" He asked. "I thought you hated me!"

Hermione shook her head vigorously.

"I liked you," She repeated. "Why do you think I was so upset when you insulted me?"

Ron contemplated her words. He had never understood the inner workings of girls, but the more he thought about it the more he realized that if she hadn't of liked him, then she shouldn't have cared what he said about her.

He also hadn't realized back then that he actually fancied her as well. He was the classic boy pulling on the little girls pigtails. He picked on her simply because he liked her.

"I like you in third year, that's why I was so horrible to you…I was trying to cover it up."

She grinned at his words and then glanced away with embarrassment.

"I er- I liked you in seventh year," She admitted nervously. Ron looked at her curiously. If she liked him in seventh year that would mean that she liked him only a few months ago, which also means that there was a very good chance that she liked him now! Ron decided to take a chance. He was going to tell her! His heart beat started to race and he knew that this would be the most difficult thing he had to do.

"I like you now," he said barley above a whisper.

Hermione didn't turn to look at him; she kept her gaze fixed at the stars. It was finally happening. All of her silly little girl troubles and crushes would be solved this very night. She smiled to herself before whispering. "Me too."

There was an uncomfortable silence.

"You like yourself too?" Ron asked curiously. He blushed soon after. He knew what she had meant, but he was trying to make a joke. Not very smooth. However, strangely enough, she smiled.

"No, Worse," She said and smiled at him. "I like you."

Ron couldn't fight it and he smiled back; probably looking like a love struck dummy, but he didn't care.

"So know what?" Ron asked with a small laugh. There were no words for how awkward this conversation felt. It was as if one weight had been lifted only to be replaced by another heavier one.

She twisted her lips and shrugged.

"I'm not entirely sure," She said. "In most cases the profession of love comes before marriage, but we seemed to have gone a little out of order."

Ron was about to laugh at her comment when something about her words struck him.

"Love?" He asked with fright. Hermione's eyes widened immediately.

"It was simply a saying, you know? Love and marriage? It was a joke," She spat out quickly.

Ron nodded. "Of course!"

He knew deep down that he did love her and hoped that she loved him, but it was far too early to be saying it out loud.

"All joking aside though Ron," She said, now with a serious expression. "How should we handle this?"

How was he supposed to know? Sure, he had gone on a few dates with girls, but he had never really had a girlfriend. Why couldn't they just take it easy and have fun? Why did they have to TALK about it? Ron frowned at her.

"Why do you always have to do that?" He snapped.

Her brown eyes narrowed at him and she let out tiny huff.

"Do what?" She asked angrily.

"Analyze everything, talk it out, have a plan! Can't you just be spontaneous?" He asked.

Hermione's eyes flashed dangerously and she rose to her feet with lightning speed.

"Well," She hissed. "I guess our little snog session down at the stream wasn't spontaneous enough for you! I hope you enjoyed it Ronald Weasley because it's never going to happen again!" She yelled and Ron looked on angrily yet lost for words.

"It's your shift now, goodnight," She snapped before quickly storming off toward the tent.

Ron hung his head immediately in shame and silently scolded himself for being such a bloody, stupid, prat! He was just scarred. Ron had never done anything like this before and he was frightened of trying and failing. He had let his fear and frustration take over him and it resulted in him acting like arse.

All Ron wanted to do at that point was hex himself straight to China! He had finally worked up enough nerve to tell her how he felt, and he blew it! What a loser! Ron knew that he was going to spend the rest of his life making this up to her.

Ron collapsed backwards onto the blanket and stared up at the twinkling stars; wishing he could throw his own love tragedy up there with the rest.

A/N: Thanks everyone for reading this chapter! I'd love to hear what you think as always! I'm doing my best to respond to all the reviews. Sorry I made them end up fighting. I hadn't planned on it, but it just seemed too easy, there has to be conflict, especially between Ron and Hermione. It's just natural. Hopefully it will be resolved. Thanks again, see you next chapter!