A/N- I know… cliffhangers are cruel… Well, here's Chapter 10! Hope you like

Chapter 10: Verbal Constipation

"What's wrong Ron?" Hermione looked at him curiously "Why'd you want to meet me?"

Ron avoided her eyes and sat down at the base of the beech tree, she sat next to him.

"Well…" Ron shoved his hands in his pocket and started fidgeting with a rolled up piece of parchment. "I… I needed to umm; to tell you something…" he trailed off.

"Important?" she helped.

Ron tried to say something but he nodded instead. Hi looked down at his hands, they were sweaty and trembling. He swallowed hard.

"Well?" She peered at him, Ron looked like a nervous wreck "Is it about Harry? Voldemort?"

He flinched "N-no it's not that"

"You can tell me Ron. What's bothering you?" she gave him an encouraging smile.

"I uhh…" he mentally kicked himself for having verbal constipation. "You se… it-it's hard to tell you"

She looked at him.

"I kind of… sort of… well… a lot, actually but…" he stammered.

"What?"

"Just don't laugh when I tell you okay?"

"I won't" she was staring at him quizzically.

"I er… um" he swallowed hard "I really… er"

Hermione looked expectantly at him. What was it that was so hard to tell her? Ron was now fixing his gaze on a clump of grass and was twisting the hem of his robes in his hands.

"I… fancy you, Hermione" he looked away quickly, face beet red.

Hermione gave a tiny gasp. She was speechless, her cheeks burning. Ron fancied her… Ronald Weasley, her best mate, fancied her.

Ron turned around to apologize, he had been stupid, he shouldn't have told her anything at all.

"Hermione I'm-

He was cut off; Hermione hugged him tightly.

"I fancy you too" she said shyly.

"I what? You… you do?" he pulled away from her hug and looked at her, his face grew redder as she nodded.

"Yes Ron, I really, really do" she blushed at Ron's lopsided grin.

Ron hugged her again.

-o-

"Well, well, well… judging by that foolish grin you've had all day I'd say operation tell-her-the-amazingly-OBVIOUS was a complete success" Harry said in mock surprise.

Ron grinned and nodded, the flopped down on his bed.

"Well it's about bloody time mate!" Seamus laughed.

"Yeah, we were getting sick of you mumbling her name while you slept" Dean added.

"If things didn't work out tonight we were prepared to shove you two in a closet and duct-tape it shut" Harry laughed as Ron's face reddened.

"I knew it would happen sooner or later" Neville shrugged and patted Ron on the back.

-o-

"Ohmigosh Hermione is it true?" Lavender squeaked excitedly as Hermione entered her room.

"Is what true?" she grinned.

"You and Ron!" Parvati said.

"Duh"

"Yup! Harry told me a few minutes ago" Ginny peeked her head into the room and went in.

Lavender and Parvati squealed and jumped up and down.

"Ok, so spill!" Lavender said urgently.

"Spill what?"

"Is he a good kisser?"

"Oh gross me out! That's my brother we're talking about here!" Ginny gagged.

"Actually I haven't-

"Wait, wait… you mean to tell us that he confessed his undying love for you and you didn't snog the bloke?" Lavender appeared to be scandalized.

"No Lavender, I didn't snog him" she rolled her eyes.

"Why?" Lavender and Parvati asked in unison.

Meanwhile Ginny plugged her ears with her fingers and was singing loudly " La, la, la, la. I can't hear you talking about snogging my brother. La, la, la, laaaa"

"I just… didn't feel ready, I want to date him first you know…"

"Uh-wha? But you've known him for like… six years!"

Hermione shrugged " I'm old fashioned"

"So… what did you do?"

"We hugged… and held hands" she smiled looking away.

"Aww, that's so cute!"

-o-

Next morning Ron awoke feeling happier than he could remember. He looked around and found himself in his dorm and remembered the events that took place yesterday. He felt elated and got up quickly. As he was taking a shower a horrible thought crept through his mind. What in the bloody hell's name are we going to talk about? Am I her boyfriend? Do I have to ask? What if things get weird and awkward and we get into an argument and we never speak to each other again? He finished dressing and went downstairs to the common room and saw her doing the same. He caught her eye and smiled nervously at her, she smiled back.

"Er... Good morning"

"Good morning Ron" she smiled again. "Hey Harry"

Ron hesitated and grabbed her hand. She intertwined fingers and set off towards the Great Hall together, Harry and Ginny at their side.

A/N- This isn't over yet people! Just need one more chapter and voilá! Hope you enjoyed this!