A/N: Here I am again… you can't complain… I've updated really soon this time… Only because I have an exam on Tuesday and I don't want to study… but you benefit from this and me too because I love to write this story and to receive your reviews… So, you know what to do!

Disclaimer: If anyone thought I own the characters in this story or that I claim ownership over them I am very sorry to disappoint you!

The first summer of the rest of their lives

Chapter XI: The Snow Ball

Hermione had walked a few paces when she realized she was still wearing her bathrobe, so she dashed back inside, change at top speed into a bikini and a pair of shorts and scribbled a hurried note to Mrs. Weasley telling her she had met a friend and that she was going to spend the rest of the day with him. She was back at the beach before anyone could stop her.

"Wow, that was fast" Said Stephen looking appreciatively at Hermione's new outfit.

"Yeah, I didn't felt like chatting" She answered shrugging. "So, where are we going? Which direction I mean?"

"Well, if we go north we'll eventually find my grandparents house. I was thinking that perhaps you would like to spend some time there, to chill out, you know."

"I think that's a great idea." She said, particularly enjoying the reaction she knew Ron would have when he heard she had been all day with Stephen Palmer.

So they went. The house was a few miles away, so they had a long walk before reaching it. They talked all the way, about Medischool, how much they were both going to miss Hogwarts, N.E.W.T.S results, among other subjects. Hermione discovered that Stephen was really a very nice guy, serious but fun to talk to. It was true, he didn't make her laugh as much as Ron, but how wanted to think about that pratt now?

They arrived at the Palmer's house, where Hermione was received most friendly. Apparently everybody had heard a great deal about her from Stephen and were looking forward to meeting her, because of all the wonderful things he had said.

"Lately all he says is Hermione this, and Hermione that" Said Irving, Stephen's eldest cousin, making her blush "We were starting to think you were a fit of his imagination. I mean he made you sound so perfect, and it wouldn't be the first time. Did he tell you he used to have an invisible fiend hen he was young?" It was Stephen's turn to blush. Hermione noticed he didn't turn brick red like Ron, it was more a pallid shade of pink that could perfectly pass as a tan.

"So Hermione" This time she was being addressed by Mrs. Palmer "Stephen tells us you are muggle born like him."

"Yes, I didn't know you were muggle born. I mean I could have sworn you were al wizards."

"Well, half of us are. My grandmother is a witch, and two of her sons are wizards, but my father is a squib and my mother is a muggle."

"I think it's wonderful he found someone with muggle relatives, I'm sure you two can understand each very well, don't you?" Said one of the cousins, Hermione wasn't sure which, she was having trouble remembering all the names.

"Yes, from what he told us, both of you have many things in common, both responsible, hard workers who put much effort on your studies, etc" commented other of the cousins winking.

Hermione, as hopeless as always when it came to dealing with boy's feelings towards her, didn't get any of the hints the Palmers were giving her.

They spent a pleasant afternoon playing volleyball and doing muggle stuff. Hermione felt she had been transported to one of the summersfrom her childhood when she used to go to the beach with her own family. She had so much fun she almost didn't think about certain red-headed boy who wasn't worth even one of her thoughts. Of course the key word is almost, because from time to time his cute (scratch that, hideous) face popped up in her mind and she didn't seam to be able to stop it.

Time flies when you are having fun, and soon it was time for Hermione to return to the Weasley's. Stephen accompanied her back, even though she refused and said she had no problem to walk back alone.

"I took you here, it's only logical that I take you back, and I don't want to hear anything else ok?"

So they started the journey back, again walking through the beach by the shore. The sun was setting and it was a bit chilly, but it was a lovely view all the same.

"Are you cold?" He asked as he so her shiver in the wind

"A bit."

"Here, take my coat" He offered politely.

She wouldn't have accepted hadn't it been for the fact that she was a lot more than 'a bit' cold. Hermione couldn't help to think he was quite a gentleman, walking her back, giving her his coat; he was always courteous and sweet around her, unlike certain Gryffindor who seamed to enjoy disturbing her.

They were a few feet from the Weasley's house when Stephen stopped walking and turned to face her. Hermione felt she ought to say something.

"I had a great time, thank you… for everything" She said, standing in front of him but not looking at him, her stare was fixed in the sea instead. She might be clueless when it came to boys that liked her, but her sixth sense was extremely developed and told her that she didn't have to meet his eyes.

"It was my pleasure 'Mione, really!" He answered grabbing Hermione's chin and lifting her head towards him, forcing her to look at him. "Listen, don't let Ron get you…And if you want to talk to someone, you'll owl will know where to find me." Before she could reply anything, he kissed her softly on the cheek (but very close to the lips) and disapparated.

Hermione slowly made her way up the beach to the house, thinking hard on what she had seen on Stephen's eyes, on what he had said and done.

When she first entered the house, it appeared to be empty, but then she spotted Ginny's head on one of the couches. The youngest witch was reading, and only noticed Hermione when she sat next to her.

"'Mione, where have you been? I was getting worried. It's not like you to do this sort of things."

"I'll tell you, but first I want you to promise me that you won't say anything about your youngest brother, I don't want to talk about him, ok?"

"But why, what happened?... Ok, ok I promise I won't mention Ron" She added hastily seeing the expression on her friend's face.

So Hermione told her the full story, from waking up and hearing Fred to Stephen's kiss. When she finished the only Weasley girl had her mouth slightly opened and was staring at her with a mix of incredulity and indignation.

"I can't believe you didn't come to talk to me first… Really, anyone would have thought we weren't best friends."

"Well, I was upset and you were sleeping" Hermione apologized.

"Anyway… You got it all wrong, Ron didn't" But Hermione interrupted her,

"I've told you I don't want to here anything about that pratt."

"Well, he usually is a pratt, but this time."

"Ginny, seriously, I managed to have a great day in spite of everything. Don't ruin it for me, will you?"

"Ok" Agreed Ginny, thinking that she would have an opportunity to tell her what had happened once she had calmed down. "So, what about Stephen? Are you telling me you like him now?"

"No, well… I don't know… He is really sweet and kind"

"And hot."

"Gin, not helping! But yes, he is hot… And anyone could tell he is perfect for me, but it doesn't fell as right as it did with…"

"Ron?" Hermione glared at her, but she knew her friend was right. On her date with Ron everything had felt so natural. And today, although she had really enjoyed herself, there was something that had nagged her all afternoon.

"Anyway… I don't want to think about it right now… Is your mum mad because I left?"

"Nah, she said it was great you had met a friend and that you should invite him over sometime."

"Good! Although that is not going to happen, I'm glad she didn't get angry. And where is everybody?"

"The boys are playing quidditch and mum and dad went to Diagon Alley to 'cause they had some shopping to do."

"Great, then I'll go to our room to read a bit. I don't want to talk to anybody else right now."

"Do you want me to call you when dinner is ready?" Asked Ginny, perfectly understanding her friend's need to be alone.

"No, I'm not hungry. Thanks Gin" She said hugging her.

Later that night, Ginny tiptoed out of the room just as Hermione had done and dressed very similarly. A couple of minutes later she entered the kitchen to find Harry waiting for her. She blushed when he saw he was not wearing a shirt but only his pijama pants. She had to admit he had a very nice torso, and couldn't help but thinking that it was going to be a lot nicer after a few months in auror training.

"Hi babe" He greeted her, standing up and hugging her "I've missed you."

"Me too" She replied pulling him into a daring deep kiss. "Sorry, I've been wanting to do that all day" She said when the broke apart, both out of breath.

"Hehehe don't apologize. I thoroughly enjoyed it" Said Harry grinning "You know, if you keep doing that I will never tell your brother about us."

"Hmm, I don't think that's a good idea… If they find out by themselves… well I don't need to tell you it would not be a pleasant sight." Harry gulped. "Besides, I can keep doing that after they know." She said winking.

They spent and hour or so kissing and well, doing their stuff… and then suddenly Ginny remembered the second reason why she had told Harry to meet her there, (the first being obviously to snog him).

"Hey, we need to talk about Ron and 'Mione" She said breaking the sweet French kiss her boyfriend – she loved to think of Harry as her boyfriend- was giving her.

"Right, what did 'Mione tell you?"

"Well, that only half of what happened" He said when Ginny finished her recount of what Hermione had said.

"What do you mean?"

"Ron went to find her, and according to him she was hugging this Palmer boy. He is furious, more jealous than he was of Krum, and won't here to a word related to Hermione."

"She's taken more or less the same attitude… They are really perfect for each other, how is it that they don't see it?"

"I don't know, but we better do something soon, because this is like a snow ball and will only get bigger with time."

"Yes, I know… But I don't have any ideas. Do you?"

"Nop"

"Well, it's late… Perhaps tomorrow we can think of something" Yawned Ginny standing up, but Harry pulled her back down,

"I think there is time for one last kiss."

TO BE CONTINUED!

A/N: It's really late, so this is probably full of mistakes but I just couldn't abandon this chapter… I've added a bit of Harry and Ginny fluff for my faithful reviewers… I love you guys!

Leigh: Hehehe I certainly do! Thank you… especially for answering my question. And I have more jealousy from Ron in store for you!

I AM EOWYN: Oh yes… Life would be so much easier with magic! But I'm sorry to tell they will have to sort things out the muggle way.. at least partly ;o)

Emma-Lynn: You'll have to wait a bit longer for that… Thanks for reviewing.

One With A Constant Sugar High: Got your wish… by the way, I love the prhases at the end of your reviews!

Syd: Why thank you! There you got some fluff and as I've said Ron will be jealous for a couple of chapters ;o)

suckr4romance81789: Yes, I started reading it (didn't finish though) but I don't think is the same as this one… Anyway, thank you for answering.

Dancerrdw: Got your wish! Thank you!