The Way Things Should Be.
"Ron are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Yes Hermione and you will see that it is when we get where we are going."
Ron turned to face all of them.
"Ok I know it is four o'clock in the morning and we are all a bit sleepy but you guys are going to have to pay attention and keep up with me."
"Luna you are going to share Neville's broom and Hermione is going to share with me."
"Ok everybody get on your brooms and lets get going."
Hermione got on Ron's broom behind him and grabbed him tightly around the waist.
As soon as she was on Ron took off with the other right behind him. It was soon obvious to the others that they were heading to the mountains just north of Hogwarts. Ron noticed that Hermione had her face buried in his cloak.
"Hermione if you have your eyes covered you can't see it's a beautiful night."
"But we are so high." She stammered.
"Ok then don't look down just look up."
Hermione looked up and gasped. The stars were so bright and they looked huge.
"It's just amazing Ron."
"Yeah I never get tired of it."
They flew for about twenty-five minutes before Ron dove down into a valley and then started to hover.
"Ok you are going to have to follow me close. There is one small pass we are going through and it's the only way to get where we are going."
Everyone nodded and they took off again. Ron had been telling the truth, the pass was very small and Hermione got a bit scared at how close they came to the mountain. They made it through however and the sight that greeted her took her breath away. The mountains surrounded a good sized lake that seemed to be made of moonlight and in the center of the lake there was a large island with a rocky outcropping.
Ron headed towards the outcropping and landed there as did the other.
"Ron this is beautiful. How did you find it?" Ginny asked.
"Well do you guys remember the night of the first Quidditch game last year when I came back so late?"
Everybody but Luna nodded.
"Well I felt so bad about letting everybody down that I just got on my broom and flew because I didn't want to have to face everybody in the common room."
The look on his face was so crestfallen that Hermione reached out and grabbed his hand.
"Well I ended up here and after that I used to come out here when I started to get upset or angry that I couldn't tell Hermione what I was thinking.
"Ron this is very nice and I'm glad I came but why did we have to come so early?" Harry asked.
"Just watch right down there mate and you'll see for yourself ."
They all sat quietly for a good while. Ron had his arms wrapped around wrapped around Hermione and as he looked around he noticed that Harry had his arms around Ginny and Neville was holding Luna as well.
Good for you Neville it's about time you had somebody appreciate you.
Then down below them Ron saw a silver cloud moving through the trees.
"Ron, I think I see something." Hermione whispered.
"I see it too." Neville whispered.
"There is more than one I think." Harry added.
"What are they?" Ginny asked turning towards Ron.
"You'll see in just a minute Ginny."
Very soon it was easy to see that they were Unicorns, five of them in fact along with a foal.
"They are beautiful. I know we have seen them before but they are even more beautiful like this." Hermione whispered.
Ron looked around at all of them. "Hermione I think you, Ginny and Luna should walk down that path there. Remember what Hagrid said "they are afraid of men but they are ok with human women. Who knows they might even let you ride them."
Ginny, Luna and Hermione slowly walked down a short pathway to where the Unicorns had started grazing. To their surprise three of the Unicorns knelt down to allow the girls to climb on their backs and soon the girls were riding like silver angels through the forest.
Ron turned to Harry "How are you feeling mate? I'm still a bit sore from yesterday."
"I feel fine except for my shoulder but then you got hit a bit harder than I did." Harry smirked just a bit.
"Well maybe that will get you back for that spell you hit me with on Thursday Ron." laughed Neville.
Ron looked at Neville. Neville had never to Ron's knowledge bantered back with either himself or Harry and Ron had to admit it was nice having Neville around.
After about a half an hour the girls returned and all of the Unicorns headed back into the forest.
Ginny came running up first "That has to have been the greatest thing I have ever done. I owe you big Ron."
"Yes Ronald not even my father will believe I rode a Unicorn." Luna smiled.
Hermione never said a word, she just ran up to Ron wrapped her arms around him and kissed him with a passion that left both of them breathless.
"Hermione please, that is my brother you are mauling." Ginny teased.
Hermione looked up and then with a smile nestled her head against Ron's shoulder.
They sat in silence enjoying the view and each others company. Finally it was Neville of all people who spoke up.
"Wouldn't it be nice if we could just stay here?" he said with a sigh.
"Well I think so but Hermione would go crazy without any homework to do." Ron smirked.
Hermione faked an indignant look "I'll have you know that I don't just think about home work. This place is perfect. It's just like a dream."
"No this place is the way things should be." Harry sighed.