Disclaimer: I forgot to put one on the last chapter, but you all know I don't own anything. But I do own the message in this chapter. So, if you don't like it it's my fault.
Thanks so much to my reviewers! Even if the chapter wasn't the best, I'm glad to know people still liked it. There are a couple reviews that I feel a need to respond to personally:
Silver Weasley: Yeah, I know they wouldn't share a dormitory. But then it'd screw all my plans up. Besides, it's Fan FICTION, right?
Marie Terensky: That's a good idea you had there, about Ron writing separate notes to form one big poem. But I'm not that big on poetry. But great idea!
To the rest of my reviewers, I'm glad you enjoy this story. So, without further ado, here it is:
Early Wednesday morning, Ron awoke and ran outside. He searched endlessly for the necessary flowers and cut off the thorns. He dashed back to the dormitory and then to the mail room where he gave the letter to one of the school owls with the instructions to mail it to Hermione at breakfast. After re-entering the dormitory, Ron fell back into bed and went to sleep.
Later that morning, after Harry forced Ron out of bed and dragged him down to breakfast, Ron waited anxiously for the mail to arrive. He could also tell that Hermione was doing the same thing.
"Oh, Hermione!" cried Ginny. "Do you think you'll get another letter from X today?"
Hermione blushed. "I hope so, Gin. Maybe this time he'll tell me who he really is."
Ron then heard Ginny whisper, "Who do you hope it is?"
This alerted him immediately.
He didn't hear Hermione answer, much to his dismay, but he could have sworn that he saw her looking at him.
The screeching sound of owls was heard in the distance. Hordes of feathery birds flew into the window and toward the various recipients of the school. Like before, Hermione's owl was late, but when he did arrive her face lit up and a quiet squeal exited her mouth. Anxiously, she opened the letter and the yellow and white roses dropped out of the envelope. She read the message eagerly and her eyes glowed excitedly.
"What does it say, Hermione?" Ron casually asked.
She gave him the note, and he read it as Ginny impatiently yelled at him to read it aloud until she gave up and read over her brother's shoulder.
My beloved Hermione,
Please meet me in the library after dinner so that I may put my heart on the line for you. I will be waiting.
X
P.S. Go to your favorite table. You'll know me immediately.
Ginny screamed and started jumping up and down, trying to get Hermione to celebrate with her. But Hermione wouldn't budge. Suddenly her eyes dimmed and she bit her lip.
"What's wrong, 'Mione?" Ron asked her. "Aren't you excited about meeting your dream guy?"
"What if he doesn't show up?" Hermione cried. "Or what if I go there and it really is some sick joke? I don't think I could handle that. It'd be so mortifying."
"Don't worry. He'll show," Ron said, trying to lessen her doubt.
"Why do you seem so confident?"
"I have faith in this man's honesty. And just look at the roses he included. Yellow and white mean friendship and purity. And besides, he's included the roses to say just the right things. I doubt any one would do this much research just to humiliate you. Most of the guys here are too proud and lazy. So I'm positive he'll be there." Ron consoled.
"But how can you be sure?"
"Because he loves you, that's why. And it's not a joke. You can be sure of that."
Trusting her best friend's opinion, but still doubtful, Hermione nodded at Ron and tried to imagine meeting her mystery person. She'd walk down the empty rows of books to her favorite table. She'd arrive, and there her soul mate would be sitting, anticipating her arrival. He'd be handsome, and perfect in every way. He'd lover her and she'd love him and they'd live happily ever after. But she wondered how Ron could be so sure of his arrival. Did he actually know who X was, or was he just trying to spare her feelings? And how on earth did he know the meaning of yellow and white roses?
Breakfast soon ended and the four friends dispersed to their separate classes. Hermione could not think straight in any of them. She managed to keep her mind off of this boy who was supposedly in love with her, since she had spent many nights thinking about him, so her thoughts continued to wander towards a certain red-headed boy who had been acting so strange recently and being oddly reticent. She was worried about him, and desperately wanted to know what was in his mind. Earlier Ginny had asked her who she hoped it was, and to tell the truth she hoped it was Ron.
Dinner could not come soon enough for Hermione's liking. The couple hours before dinner were spent choosing the perfect clothing. Hermione tried on outfit after outfit but nothing struck her fancy. Ginny helped her as much as Hermione would allow, but she was so bossy and controlling when it came to fashion that Hermione eventually had to tell her to shut up. Hermione finally settled on a long denim skirt and gray long sleeve top. It was simple, yet stylish and even Ginny approved. They then left Hermione's clothing spread out on the bed and exited the dormitory to proceed to dinner.
She and Ginny made their way through the dining hall and to their regular table. When they arrived Harry and Ron were already sitting and talking about something or other but their conversation abruptly came to a halt when they caught a glimpse of Hermione. Ron quickly looked down at the table and anxiously waited for the food to arrive, not only because he was hungry but also because he anticipated the rendezvous with Hermione later that evening.
"So, Hermione, only a little bit longer until your meeting with your secret admirer," remarked Harry. "Are you excited?"
"I'm not sure if excited is exactly the correct word for it," replied Hermione. "It's more of a nervous, angsty feeling that I have at the bottom of my stomach. I don't think I've ever felt this apprehensive before in my life except, of course, the day I first boarded the train to Hogwarts."
The food then arrived and Ron rapidly ate his food.
"Ron, why are you in such a rush?" inquired Hermione worriedly. "You'll choke and for the record your uncouth demeanor isn't exactly wanted here."
"I'm hungry, 'Mione. And for the record I always eat quickly so really you should expect it of me," Ron answered with a mouthful of food, not really wanting to meet her eyes.
A few minutes later, Ron stood up and announced,
"Well, I'm stuffed. I better go. I have to do something later. See you guys."
And he left. After he was no longer in view, Hermione asked Harry, "He's been disappearing a lot lately. Do you know where he's off to?"
"No, not at all. He hasn't really told me anything. Anyways, you should go to the library soon. You don't want to keep your mystery man waiting."
"Harry!" argued Ginny. "The note said after dinner. Not during. Do you want her to seem desperate?"
"Of course not, Gin, 'course not. I reckon I'm just anxious to find out who it is."
And he gave the girls an impish grin.
After his exit in the dining hall, Ron rushed back to the boys' dormitories to change his clothes for the meeting in the library. He had spent almost an hour putting together a neat, impressive wardrobe. He swiftly combed his hair so that it looked a little less unkempt and brushed his teeth to get rid of all the excess. When he was settled with his appearance he grabbed the single red rose from his bedside table and scurried to the library.
Ron sought his love's favorite table and anxiously he cleared off the numerous books and papers scattered all over the top. He glanced at the clock on the wall and noted the time. Dinner would be over soon, which meant Hermione would be here soon. This was it, he decided. The moment where their entire fate would be determined. He breathed in deeply and chose a book to read to help him relax and pass the time.
This chapter...well...it isn't the best. But I will say there is only one more chapter left. So, you know what to do. Read and review!
