Chapter 3: Spending Time

Hermione woke one morning with a smile on her face. Not a normal, happy-go-lucky smile, just a content smile. 'Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but with the way things are going with Ron and me lately, maybe things will turn out great!'

Ron had been treating her great. Although there was the occasional fight, and who's to say there would not be more, things were progressing very smoothly between them. Ron had been waiting for her in classes and staying with her in the library every now and then while she was working on the latest homework assignment. The funny thing was that Harry did not seem to notice anything different. Even though Ron had been spending so much time with her and had changed his behavior so much, Harry did not show the slightest indifference. If Ron was spending so much more time with her, shouldn't he have at least said something? But every time this thought entered her mind, it vanished as quickly as it appeared. Ron and Harry had a special relationship that only they could comprehend, and obviously, if Harry had a problem, he could have just as easily talked to Ron about it without mentioning the first thing to her.

Hermione got dressed quickly and headed down the stairs. It was a Saturday, and for some odd reason, she had managed to finish her homework yesterday and had nothing to do today.

'I guess I'll just figure out something to do. Ron and Harry probably have to do homework or Quidditch or something, and Ginny has detention for mouthing off to Snape…'

By the time Hermione had finished breakfast and traveled back to the common room for some reading, Ron and Harry came down from their dormitory for the day.

"Good morning Harry, good morning Ron."

Harry didn't seem too happy. He had had detention with Snape yesterday, for the same reason as Ginny. He was obviously tired. He grunted out a greeting and left the room to eat. Ron on the other hand was dressed and looking at Hermione, but making no move towards the door.

"Ron, don't you want to go and eat breakfast? Surely you need to eat."

Ron just smiled and shrugged. "I already ate earlier this morning. I couldn't sleep and decided to get an early start on my homework. Turns out, I didn't have all that much and I just finished. Now I have the whole entire free to do whatever. Aren't you proud of me?"

Hermione laughed and shook her head. She was surprised, but mostly grateful. Now she could spend the day with Ron, and she was certainly happy about that.

"So what do you want to do today?" he asked her.

Hermione tilted her head to the side, thinking about what they could do. In doing so, she glanced out the window.

"OH! Look what a beautiful day it is outside! Let's go for a walk around the lake and talk."

To Ron, it seemed like great idea. He wanted to spend time with Hermione, and walking around talking to her, alone, seemed like the perfect day to him. He told her that was a great idea and started walking to the portrait hole. Hermione jumped up and left her book behind to follow. She looked really excited, and Ron wondered why. 'Maybe she wis happy to not have to work. Maybe sheis excited that she would get a chance to go outside. Or…maybe…sheis just excited that she was going outside with him, but that COULN"T be it.' 'Oh well,' Ron thought, 'whatever she may be thinking, it is going to be a great day.'

AN: IMPORTANT IF I DO NOT GET FIVE REVIEWS FROM THIS CHAPTER I AM NOT UPDATING. I NEED TO KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE ACUTALLY READING THIS STORY. IN THE PAST NO MANY PEOPLE REVIEWED, AND I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF ANYONE OUT THERE IS READING. SORRY THE CHAPTER IS SO SHORT, THEY WILL BE LONGER IN THE FUTURE. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE REVIEW!