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Big, big, BIG thank you once again.

Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter, don't you think I'd be living it up in some mansion in England right now, as opposed to sitting in this crappy computer chair with barely enough money to buy a pack of gum? J.K. owns it all. Kudos to her.

Chapter Four: Imprisonment

"This is outrageous," Hermione spluttered, staring at the sealed door. "Whatever drove them to lock us up together?" Ron sighed irritably.

"It was probably Fred and George's idea," he snorted. "They've had it in for me since I was three. All because I broke their toy broomsticks." Shaking his head, Ron surveyed the Room. It was on the small side, with an adjoining bathroom, a single, Queen-sized bed, a fireplace, a bookshelf, two chairs, and a refrigerator.

"This is ridiculous. It looks like they expect us to live here. We've got to get out of here." Hermione glared at him.

"It's your fault we're in here in the first place," she snapped. Oh dear, she thought miserably, watching Ron's face harden, that probably wasn't a good idea. It wasn't.

"My fault?" Ron yelled. "My fault? Who called me stupid? Huh? Who?" Hermione folded her arms.

"I never said you were stupid," she told him reproachfully. "We've been through this." Ron gave her a Look.

"Well, you insinuated it. We'd never be here if you weren't such a know-it-all," he retorted. That wasn't really fair, he told himself. I shouldn't blame her. It probably is my fault. Hermione sighed, her hair falling over her face.

"Why do you call me that all the time?" she asked softly, crossing over to a chair and sitting down. "Am I really that annoying?" Ron was tempted to answer yes, but restrained himself.

"No," he said, also sitting down. "It's just…you're so…I don't know. Nobody can ever be as good as you. Namely me." Hermione glanced up at him sharply.

'That's not true. You're loads better than me, in many ways," she said, her eyes looking melancholy. Immediately, she clapped a hand over her mouth. Must I give away all my emotions? Hermione thought despairingly. Ron glanced up, surprised.

"I am?" he asked wonderingly. Hermione nodded quietly.

"But…Ron, this is hopeless. We can't stay here forever," she said changing the subject quickly. Ron raised a brow, but went along with her.

"I could try breaking down the door," he offered. Hermione shook her head.

"No, no. Remember, Fred said that we couldn't leave until we've worked things out," she said quietly. Ron looked bemused.

"Worked what out? Our argument? We've already done that. You didn't call me stupid, and I was a jerk to say that you did. And mean to call you a know-it-all," he said, locking his hands behind his head. Hermione's eyes widened.

"You never said that before," she said, sounding surprised. You didn't hear apologies from Ron very often. Ron's ears reddened.

"Well, you know," he said gruffly. "It's true." A small smile flitted across Hermione's gentle features, and Ron's heart leapt. How he loved that smile.

"Thank you," Hermione said softly. "I'm sorry. For…for everything." Ron glanced up again.

"For everything? What do you mean?" he asked, a bit perplexed. Hermione sighed.

"For all these arguments we've had. For being awful to you all those times. I may not have started the fight this time, but I've done it before. You're a good friend, Ron. I shouldn't fight with you," she said, smiling a little. Ron was smiling too. Hermione's heart ached. Just seeing his face light up like that…it was worth all the arguments, just for the sake of making up.

"Me too," Ron murmured. He moved closer, and hugged her. "Friends?" Hermione smiled.

"Friends," she agreed. They pulled apart, and turned expectantly to the door. It didn't open.

"Well," Ron said, frowning. "What else is there to say? Shouldn't the door be open by now?" Hermione stared at it, confusion also clouding her features.

"It should…I don't understand why it isn't," she murmured, sighing. "Oh, well." Pushing her brown hair out of her eyes, she got up and sat down next to Ron's arm chair on the floor, nearer to the warmth of the fire. There was a moment of comfortable silence, before Hermione said softly, "Ron?"

"Mm?"

"Why do you think we argue so much?" It was a fair question, Ron thought.

"I—I don't know," he lied. In reality, he knew why he fought with her so much. It's because I love you, Hermione. I just don't want you to know it.

Hermione sighed.

"I don't understand why. I never fight with Harry. Nor do you. Or at least, you rarely do. Why is it that you and I are always at odds?" she wondered. Ron remained silent, so she thought it over herself. I love him. Why do I always criticize him? Why don't I flirt, like a normal teenager? Is it because I'm scared? Yes…that's it. I'm terrified he won't love me back. Sadly, Hermione closed her eyes, and leaned against Ron's legs. In a matter of moments, she had drifted off.

"Hermione?" Ron said, feeling her go limp against his leg. "Hermione? Wake up!" But Hermione was sound asleep. Sighing, Ron leaned down and picked her up. She was surprisingly light, and it was no trouble to carry her across the room to the large bed. He tucked her underneath the covers and then gently kissed her forehead.

Looking around for another bed, he was a bit shocked to find there wasn't one. Fred and George are going DOWN once we get out of here, he thought irritably as he climbed into the bed. Of all the NERVE…Sighing, he rolled over and stared at Hermione. Hermione, he thought as he drifted off to sleep. Hermione.

A/n: Ugh, this chapter was short. BUT...the next one is...the last chapter. And it's longer and better than this one, lol. So, reviews please? I'm smiling very winningly.