A/N: Sorry I wasn't able to write anything to you guys so I am doing a repost of this chapter just so I can give my shout outs. I have been extremely busy. I've also been quite depressed because one of my friends died from getting hit by a car. And it's affected me in the worst possible way. My best friend had to upload this chapter straight from my e – mail so I didn't have time to give my shout outs. So here it goes.

Silktophat: I am so glad you like this chapter. The carpet in my house is a mixture of colors all thrown in. Such as white, grey, green, blue, etc. It actually ties in with the rest of the house and it looks pretty dang good.

Lady Pyrefly: Who is this PETA of which you speak? Ron and Hermione are pretty much together. Although, I think I will add another chapter just for grins and giggles.

Sucker4romance81789: I guess it is quite entertaining. I think Luna has the right idea too.

Flair Verona: You were actually in a situation at one point? Do tell! If you don't mind doing that. So I'm guessing you actually set somebody up? Because one of my friends did that to me and my ex – boyfriend and now we can't stand each other. Matchmaking is not her thing.

Gogglehead Lover: Yea . . . You're happy – go – lucky again. I wish I was. I could use some of that. Ever since this tragedy it's all I could think about. I have been thinking about death a lot lately. I'm not necessarily afraid to die. What I fear most is the pain that death brings, which depends on how you die.

Yami and Hikari Kaiume: I'm so sorry your chair broke. But I already have a beta reader. You really got 27 reviews? I wish I had that much. Sometimes I feel like nobody loves me. You're so cute sometimes you know?

Ronluver70: I have been so busy I have barely updated. I'm trying as hard as I can.

Chapter 9: Apologies

Ron came back to our table and sat down, putting his head on the table he moaned. I could just imagine how he felt about the argument. The look in his eye told me that he had lost one of his best friends, for good this time. And not just any friend . . . the woman that he loved and cared about more than anything else.

Hermione came back into the room and started dancing once again with Dean. Parvati had come back and sat next to Ron. I gave her a puzzled look and she just shook her head indicating that she didn't want to talk about it. Why couldn't anything go right?

It was time to take things into account. I was going to set more than one couple up tonight even if it killed me. Quickly standing up and my chair fell to the ground. The noise made Ron jump and I quickly said, "I really think you ought to talk to Hermione."

Ron looked as if I had made a sick suggestion. "Are you kidding me?" he said. "She'll kill me if I even try."

Parvati too stood up. "Harry's right. You wouldn't want to lose a friend like Hermione now, would you? Especially if she's the girl you love."

"If I love her? You guys are making it sound like I'm going to ask her to marry me – well for your information we're not dating, we never have and we never will."

I dropped my jaw and wondered how truly dense Ron could be.

"Why don't you just admit it? Tell Hermione how you really feel and stop acting like a big baby. If you don't make up with her now then you never will." I said this all in one breath.

Nodding in agreement Parvati dragged him over to where Dean and Hermione were. Tapping them on the shoulders she said, "Ron has something to tell Hermione."

Glaring at Parvati then glancing back to Hermione, Ron said, "Can we talk somewhere?"

Hermione thought for a moment that this would lead to another row but she nodded and followed Ron out of the Great Hall.

Luna and I followed trying to duck out of the Great Hall. We noticed that they were heading outside where they figured they wouldn't be overheard. But with the music in the Great Hall, how can you hear anyway?

We went behind the nearest bush as quietly as we could so that they wouldn't notice us. I gave Luna an extendable ear that Fred and George had given I was such a big help to their financial support.

"Look Hermione" Ron started not looking at Hermione and avoiding her eyes at all cost, "I just wanted to say that – I am really sorry for those nasty things that I said. I didn't mean them. I just hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for the stupid bloke that I am."

I expected Hermione to blow up at him for his rudeness, but instead she smiled and took his hand in hers. "I'm sorry too. I didn't mean what I said also. But I don't understand why you get so mad at me for showing up at a dance with a guy:

Even through the darkness I could tell that Ron's eyes were getting bigger. "Umm . . . I don't know." He stumbled "I guess you can say it's my brotherly instincts."

Quickly putting a spit wad into the extendable ears I spit it at him.

"Hey!" He shouted looking for the source of the disturbance. He must guessed I was there. I saw him notice the extendable ears was located and followed it all the way to the bush where Luna and I were sitting and listening.

"Hey what?" Asked Hermione confused.

"Nothing!" said Ron turning back to Hermione.

There was a long pause and many glances between both Luna and I as we noticed that there was a slow song that began to play. "W – would you like to dance?" stuttered Ron offering his hand which was shaking.

Surprised Hermione took it without hesitating, and they fit perfectly together. Everything seemed so perfect as they swayed to the music.

I'm so tired of being here

Suppressed by all my childish fears

And if you have to leave

I wish that you would just leave

'Cause your presence still lingers here

And it won't leave me alone

As we just sat there and watched them we noticed that they hadn't taken their eyes off of one another. They were smiling and looking happy. This is the happiest I have ever seen them in a long time. Since Hermione is always studying twenty – four hours a day, and Ron was feeling so down on himself because he has absolutely no money.

These wounds won't seem to heal

This pain is just too real

There's just too much that time cannot erase

"You know Ron! I was surprised when you asked me to dance!" she said breaking the long awaited silence.

"And why's that?"

"Because I never imagined you ever being this close to me, even if I did want you to be." Hermione replied blushing so badly she was literally the color of Ron's hair.

When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears

When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears

And I held your hand through all of these years

But you still have

All of me

I looked over and saw Luna practically crying because she was so moved. She couldn't believe Hermione had just told him that she liked him. I pleaded with Ron in my head, begging him to understand what Hermione was saying.

"I had no idea you wanted me close." Ron said with new found confidence. "Otherwise I would have done it a long time ago. I've liked you for a long time now Hermione." Ron admitted blushing just as badly his dance partner.

You used to captivate me

By your resonating light

Now I'm bound by the life you left behind

Your face it haunts

My once pleasant dreams

Your voice it chased away

All the sanity in me

Hermione was getting a little teary now. But this time it was a good teary cry.

These wounds won't seem to heal

This pain is just too real

There's just too much that time cannot erase

"Exactly how long have you liked me?" she asked curiously.

"Since the first time I ever saw you. I'd say it was love at first sight."

I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone

But though you're still with me

I've been alone all along

Hermione sniffed and said, "That's how long I've like you too."

Ron looked so relieved, "If I knew that, we could have hooked up sooner."

"But if we did that then we'd probably be broken up by now."

When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears

When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears

And I held your hand through all of these years

But you still have

All of me

All of me

All of me

"You know you really should let destiny run your course for you." Hermione said.

Hermione lost her composure at that precise moment and kissed him.