Hermione was sitting at her kitchen table the next morning with a cup in her hand staring aimlessly into space. Needless to say, Hermione did not get a good night's rest. Every time she closed her eyes she saw Charlie's face and her body would shiver thinking about how she had felt when he had kissed her.

How did she feel exactly?

Hermione was definitely confused, both in a good and bad way. He was absolutely right when he said that something had happened between them in the garden the night before, but she was caught off guard when Charlie admitted that he had felt that there was something there. Hermione was confident that she was the only one getting that feeling, and was quite shocked to find out the feeling was mutual. Charlie had asked her to think about it. Not a problem there, it was all she could think about. Hermione was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't even here the distinct pop signaling she had visitors.

"Hey Hermione!"

The voice startled her back to reality. It was Harry.

"I'm in the kitchen."

Harry walked into the room and grabbed a chair to sit in. He stared at Hermione.

"What?" she asked.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothings wrong. Why do you say that?" she said fidgeting with the mug in front of her.

"Well for one thing, its noon and you're still sitting here in your nightclothes."

"Can't a girl sleep in?" she asked innocently.

"Since when do you ever sleep in?" she heard a deeper voice ask sarcastically.

"Funny Ron" she replied.

"Secondly," Harry continued, "we've known you since you were eleven and I think it's safe to say that by now we can tell when something is wrong with you."

"Yup," Ron said sitting down in the seat next to Harry, "so out with. What gives?"

Hermione sighed. Sometimes she hated that they knew her so well, but then again, she loved her friends and was touched by their concern. However, this was one problem that she was not so sure she wanted to share with the two men sitting across from her at the moment.

"Nothing you guys want to hear about I'm sure."

"We wouldn't have asked if we didn't want to hear it."

"Does this have something to do with last night?" Harry asked

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it's just that Ginny and I noticed that you didn't seem as excited about our news as everyone else had, and then you went outside. If we upset you, we didn't mean to."

Hermione smiled at him.

"Harry, I'm sorry. I am happy for the two of you, very happy. You and Ginny are made for each other. I wasn't upset about your engagement. Well in a way, I was. It's stupid, I know, but I just couldn't help but think about how alone I am."

"You're not alone. You've got us." Ron chimed in.

Harry rolled his eyes.

"I don't think that's what she means Ron."

Hermione smiled at him, Harry was always the most sensitive and understanding of the two.

"I know I have you two Ron, and that you'll always be there for me. But don't you see, Harry has Ginny and well, you have Danielle. Get it now? Everyone is a couple; you have someone to love, someone to share your life with, and someone to come home to. I don't. And last night, well, I was reminded of that fact."

Harry reached out and put his hand on hers.

"We didn't know you felt that way 'mione. We didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"Oh Harry," she said patting his hand with her other, "I know that you guys had no idea what I was feeling. It's not your fault in any way. I just needed to get some fresh air and calm myself down a little. That's why I went outside. I didn't want to ruin your happy moment with my insecurities. Anyways, I'm over that now."

"Are you sure?" Harry asked.

"Yes" she assured him.

"So if you're over it, what else has you so upset?" Ron asked.

"I'm not upset Ron, just a little confused about something,"

"What about? Come on. Talk to us."

"I don't think so" Hermione said getting up from the table and putting her cup in the sink.

"Why?"

"Because Ron, it's complicated."

"Does this have something to do with a certain redhead man that happens to be related to the other red head in this room?" Harry asked raising his eyebrows.

Hermione spun around.

"Wait! What red headed man?" Ron asked confused.

"Well unless Hermione is having an affair with Bill, Percy, George, or Fred. I'd say it's safe to assume we're talking about Charlie."

"How did you know?" Hermione whispered, her face turning red.

"Easy. I saw the way he looked at you last night after you guys came back inside. That and Bill made a comment about how cozy you two looked sitting on the garden wall."

Hermione blushed again.

"Alright" Ron said as he took her shoulders and steered her into the living room and sat her down on the sofa. He sat on the coffee table facing her. "Spill it! What about Charlie?"

"Nothing, everything. I don't know!" Hermione threw her head into her hands.

"Ok, start from the beginning." Harry prompted.

Hermione sighed and related the whole story to her two best friends.

"And then he kissed me and told me to think about it. So that's what I have been doing, all night. Thinking about Charlie."

Ron let out a big breath.

"Wow. You and Charlie huh?"

"I don't know if there is a 'you and Charlie' Ron."

"Do you want there to be?" Harry asked.

"I don't know. I mean, if I'm honest with myself, then yeah I guess I do want it."

"So what's the problem then? You like him, he like you. There shouldn't be a problem."

"But there is Ron." Hermione started, "The problem is…why? Why me? Why now? Is it just because he was feeling lonely and I was there? Is it just because we're the only unattached ones left in the family, or is it because he feels sorry for me? I don't want his pity."

Ron leaned forward and took both of her hands in his.

"Look Hermione. I want you to listen carefully to me. I know my brother and I can tell you that Charlie cares for you. He would never do anything to intentionally hurt you and play around with your feelings. You're too close to him for him to do that. It sounds to me that he's serious about this. You just have to ask yourself if you feel the same way. Personally, I think its bloody brilliant."

"So do I" Harry added. "Charlie would be lucky to have you. Ron's right though. Do you feel the same way? Have you thought about it enough?"

Hermione smiled. She had thought about it. She knew what she needed to do.

Ron stood up.

"Well, I have to go. Danielle and I are going shopping."

"Shopping?" Harry smirked. "How did she get you to agree to that? Did she threaten to cut you off or something?"

Hermione laughed. Ron hated shopping!

"Naw, actually she threatened to name this baby by herself. If I want a say in it, I have to go shopping with her without complaining. She says we have a lot of stuff we are going to have to buy." Ron was grinning from ear to ear.

"BABY!" Hermione yelled engulfing Ron in a big hug. "Why didn't you say anything before now?"

"We only found out yesterday. We didn't want to say anything last night; we thought Ginny and Harry deserved the attention."

"Thanks mate! Congratulations!" Harry said giving his friend a hug himself.

"Besides, I wanted you two to be the first to know."

"Oh Ron!" Hermione said tears starting to fall from her eyes.

Ron looked worried.

"You ok with this Hermione? I mean …."

Hermione grabbed his hand in one of hers and then took Harry's hand in her other.

"Ron listen to me. Harry you too. I love you both so much and it makes me so happy to see how happy you two are. I want to share in your joy, so don't worry about me. Ok?"

"Ok" they said as the each gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Well you better get going both of you. And thank you, both of you."

"No problem. That's what friends are for" and with that Ron disapperated.

"You two Harry. Get going. I'm sure Ginny has a ton of wedding details to discuss with you."

Harry laughed. "Oh I've already told her, just let me know when and where and I will be waiting."

Hermione playfully punched him in the arm.

"You better by more involved than that Harry Potter!"

"I'm just kidding. We've actually already started the planning. But seriously now Hermione, Charlie is a good guy and you're a great girl. Don't overanalyze this too much. Listen to your heart."

Hermione watched her friend disappear. He was right; Charlie was a good guy, an amazing one actually. He was kind and thoughtful, brave, very smart, funny, and now that she thought about it, incredibly sexy.

She grabbed a quill and a piece of parchment.

Dear Charlie,

I've thought about it. Can you come over tonight?

Love,

Hermione

She attached it to her owl.

"Take this to Charlie."

Hermione went and showered. By the time she was done and dressed, her owl was back with a reply attached to his leg.

Dear Hermione,

I'd love to see you tonight. We have a lot to talk about I think. I'll be over at 8 o'clock.

Love,

Charlie

Hermione smiled. You couldn't wait.