Chapter Eight

The Ring

Author's Note: The chapter's title is an Asian horror movie but this time; let's give it a sweet meaning. :-)...

I hope those people who submitted their reviews are checking their e- mails. Please do so. I'm personally sending e- mails to you guys, showing my appreciation. Well, except for Marauder Angel because there is no e- mail address written on her bio. Anyways, here's my message for you:

You think my idea is great? Thank you so much! And I'm glad you still understood what I'm trying to say in my story. Keep reading and God bless.

And please try to understand my English. I really appreciate those criticisms you're giving me about my grammar. As I've said in my bio, I'm not from an English- speaking country. And it helps me a lot, your criticisms. And I'm not offended. But thanks for those who think my English is perfect… bwahahaha…

Disclaimer: (courtesy of LOTR: The Two Towers)

gryffinhauz88: What's happening? Harry Potter is already mine?
Legolas: Shall Idescribe it toyou or would I find you box? Harry Potter would never be yours!
gryffinhauz88: Ok... Harry Potter is still JK's... :sigh:

"I'm so excited! Bill will be here today!" said Ginny excitedly. It was a fine Saturday morning at the Great Hall. Bill will be arriving at Hogwarts later afternoon.

Harry, Ron and Fleur smiled. Hermione forcibly smiled.

All of them ate quietly when Ron stood up.

"Where are you going?" asked Harry.

"At the Tower. I'm going to do something that I suppose, I should do for ages. See you later." Then he ran.

"He looks as excited as you are, Ginny," said Harry.

Staring at the lake, Hermione just let the wind blew in her as her tears freely fall onto her cheeks. Then she felt someone was walking closer to her.

"Hermione," said a concern voice. The speaker was Fleur.

"Oh, Fleur," Hermione wiped her tears fast but Fleur offered a white handkerchief.

"T-Thanks," She had no choice but to accept it.

"I didn't know that Gryffindor students do cry," said Fleur as she sat beside her. "It's because of Ron, isn't it?"

Hermione looked at Fleur. She was smiling but full of concern. Is Ron saying every detail to Fleur? Even what happened yesterday? Hermione remained silent.

"I'll take that as yes," said Fleur calmly. "Have you opened Ron's Christmas gift for you?"

She realized that she hadn't opened Ron's present for her. She just dumped it at her drawer and never opened it. Hermione forgot it.

"No. I-I haven't." Hermione answered.

"You better open it. It will be the solution for your problem if Ron is your problem. I better go. See you around." Fleur left.

"Wait, Fleur! I'll come with you."

They're walking through the hall to the Quidditch field when Ginny called them.

"Hey! Hermione! Fleur! Bill's here!"

Together with her were Harry, Ron and Bill.

Hermione and Fleur stopped walking as Bill went closer. Fleur ran towards him. Hermione followed Fleur. And then Fleur just kissed Bill in his lips, making Harry, Ginny and Hermione confused while Ron smiled.

Harry, Ginny and Hermione exchanged what-is-happening looks. Then Bill let go of Fleur. Both of them were scarlet.

"Well, I would like you to meet Fleur, my fiancée," introduced Bill.

"What!" said Harry and Ginny in chorus.

"Ginny and Ron meet your future sister-in-law," said Bill, grinning.

Ginny gazed at Bill then at Fleur then at Ron then back to Bill.

"Nice meeting you, sis," said Ron happily, emphasizing the word sis then he hugged her.

"Well, so you'll be Fleur Weasley sooner, I guess." Then Harry hugged her, too.

Hey! What's going on? Hermione was so confused of what is happening around her. First, Fleur kissed Ron's brother in his lips; her boyfriend's brother. Then Bill introduced Fleur as his fiancée and now Ron was calling her sis.

"And what are you doing, you two? Just stare at the three of us? Yeah, I know what you're thinking and it's ridiculous, honestly."

Hermione looked at Ginny as she hugged Bill and Fleur. Then she looked at Ron, he was smiling at her and she was off- guarded with Ron's cute smile. Oh, no! Don't smile at me like that. She didn't know what to do.

They gathered at the Great Hall and all were shocked when they saw Fleur and Bill were so sweet in front of Ron. Ron was smiling.

"Quite surprising that everybody was looking as if I committed something against my brother," said Bill laughing after Dumbledore allowed him to be at the Great Hall for dinner.

"And as if we didn't tell you about that," said Fleur.

"But we thought, I mean, Ron announced that Fleur will be a part of the family," said Ginny.

"Am I the only son of Arthur and Molly Weasley?" said Ron indignantly but he laughed. It was been a while since they saw Ron laugh like that.

"Then you shouldn't proclaimed it to the whole Hogwarts that as if Fleur will marry you," said Ginny quickly.

"Is it wrong to be proud of my sister-in-law? Can you just be happy for me that at last, I'm free from those rumors," said Ron as he sliced his food.

"I can't blame them if they think that there's something between my girlfriend and brother. They told me that they kissed at the library, lips to lips," said Bill.

Hermione looked at Bill but she couldn't trace any jealousy in his face. Bill was talking about the accidental kiss in the library.

"It's just an accident. Well, we're in the library because Fleur was studying about dragons, to impress Charlie," said Ron.

"Wait, Ron. What are you reading a while ago when Ginny and I found you?" asked Harry.

Ron turned as red as tomato. Hermione gazed at him. After what happened yesterday, it was their first time to eat together.

"Well, I guess, there's no reason to hide it. It's… it's from… err… a gift from…"

"From the most important person in his life," Fleur finished the sentence for him. "I thought I was the most important person for you. That's what they're saying," said Fleur, acting as if she was hurt. All laughed. Hermione gave a little smile.

Ron pulled the book from his pocket. Hermione was surprised then quickly looked at Ron and again to her surprise, he was looking at her, smiling.

Harry and Ginny looked at the book and together, they read the title of the book. "100 reasons why I'm in love with you, my best friend?"

"I bet that's a nice book, right, Hermione?" said Fleur, smiling at her.

Hermione turned scarlet.

"I think I have something to discover here, mate. Finish eating? We need a man-to-man talk," said Harry in a serious voice but he was smiling widely.

"Sure, mate. You wouldn't mind if I'll get this Ginny?" Then he grabbed the book from his sister.

When Harry and Ron disappeared, Hermione and Ginny followed them at Gryffindor Tower. Bill and Fleur were so sweet to each other and they're becoming irritating. After how many days, Hermione felt in high spirits again.

"You're unfair not telling it to us," said Harry as Ron picked the book that Hermione gave him. He told Harry everything. "And that book is from?" said Harry, pointing at the book.

"Who do you think is my other best friend? Don't tell me, it's from you," said Ron then giving a high- pitched voice as his best imitation of a girl's voice. "Oh, Harry! I think I'm falling for you!" Then he and Harry laughed.

"Is this means that she feels the same way for you?" asked Harry innocently.

"I hope so." Ron turned scarlet.

"Well, if that's Hermione's present for you, what's yours?"

Ron grinned.

A ring!

Hermione saw a simple yet elegant ring when she opened the small box that Ron gave her. She gazed at it for a moment then she saw a letter attached at the box and read it.

Dearest Hermione,

Merry Christmas!

Surprise of what I had for you? I choose to give it to you personally. But I know that I'll just eat my tongue to explain the reason why I'm giving a ring. And how could I give it to you when Vicky sticks with you, I mean Viktor.

I know you're one of those who believe that there's something between me and Fleur, but nothing's happening to us. She just asked me for help about Bill. Since I'm the only Weasley she knew and she said that Bill's talking about me all the time, she went to me and asked for help. But what you all don't know is that Fleur and Bill were together for so long. It is Bill who taught Fleur English. They just had a fight. Fleur was Bill's girlfriend and not mine.

Why am I saying this to you? As if you're interested. I hope so. I wanted to clear everything before admitting and say that I'm in love with you. Hermione read that part scrupulously to make sure that she's reading it right. He loves me! Hermione thought excitedly.

And I don't know how to say it to you. I just hope you'll wear that ring. It's not a friendship ring, that ring symbolizes my love for you, Hermione Granger.

That's all. I miss talking to you or should I say I really miss you and I really love you. Take care.

Ron

PS. Don't you dare remove it when Viktor saw that ring! Though he's my idol, I'll never let him get you. Merry Christmas!

Hermione read the letter thrice and after her satisfaction, she felt her tears again but this time, those tears were not because of hurt. It was because she felt loved by the guy she also loves, Ron Weasley.

You don't know how much I love you, too. Hermione thought as she wore the ring. She fall asleep, thinking of Ron and kissing the ring.