Disclaimer: Who owns nothing? I do! I do!

7/21/05- changing some mistakes that my beta, Katie, found.

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When Hermione woke up the next morning, she groaned and turned over to go back to sleep. She had been in the dungeons until almost one a.m. Once she did get to bed, she had trouble falling asleep. She kept thinking about what Professor Snape had told her. He had led such a hard life.

"Get up, Hermione! Don't you remember? We're going to Hogsmeade today!" Called Lavender. Hermione groaned again, but she managed to pull herself out of bed. Fifteen minutes later she walked down the stairs and found Ron waiting for her.

"Good morning 'Mione." Ron said cheerfully. His good mood was contagious and Hermione found herself becoming cheerful as well.

"Morning Ron!" She said brightly, "Shall we go down to breakfast?" Ron nodded enthusiastically. Hermione chuckled to herself. He was always hungry. "Where's Harry?" she asked.

"I'm not really sure." Ron scratched his head. "He said something about having some things to do today. I didn't really pry. Don't tell Harry, but I kind of wanted to just spend time with you today." Ron blushed bright red.

"That sounds fantastic!" Hermione agreed, she took his hand in hers and they headed for breakfast.

After breakfast everyone lined up in front of the doors and waited while Filch crossed their names off. Then they headed out in small groups towards Hogsmeade.

Ron and Hermione were having a wonderful time. They were exploring shops, talking, holding hands, and just enjoying each other's company. Hermione was surprised when Ron asked her to go to the Three Broomsticks, order some butterbeer, and wait for him.

"But where are you going?" Hermione called as Ron ran off.

"You'll see!" Ron hollered back over his shoulder, grinning like a madman. Hermione pushed her curiosity aside and walked to the Three Broomsticks.

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"Good afternoon sir!" A saleslady called. "How may I help you?"

"I'm looking for a ring," Ron said. " But I… erm… I'm on a bit of a tight budget."

"No problem sir!" The saleslady said, leading him over to a case of rings. "We've got an entire case of reasonably priced rings right over here. May I ask what exactly you're looking for?"

"Umm… I heard of promise rings. It's a sort of Muggle tradition. The ring signifies an intent to marry…one day…in the future." Ron started blushing again.

"Well, then. You might find one of these five to be to your liking." The woman pulled out a few choices. One of which was a beautiful silver ring. It twisted around itself in a lovely Celtic knot design. Ron immediately picked it up.

"This one," he stated confidently.

"Ah… excellent choice. That particular knot means 'undying love.'" The woman stated with a gleam in her eyes. Ron handed her a few Galleons, he had been saving for a long time, and the sales lady put the ring into a velvet box. Ron pocketed the box and ran grinning back to Hermione.

"There you are!" She called. "Where were you?"

"Hermione, I have something to give you." Ron sat down next to her. He pulled out the velvet box. Hermione's eyes widened in shock. "I was thinking of that time you explained promise rings to me and I err… I thought it was the perfect thing for us." He pulled out the ring and put it on Hermione's waiting finger. "I love you 'Mione! And I want you to know that I intend to marry you one day." Ron blushed again, but he was completely serious.

"Oh Ron! I love you too!" Ron pulled her in for a hug and Hermione placed her lips on his for a passionate kiss. They both looked up when they heard the door open. Harry and Ginny walked through, hand in hand. Hermione thought that Ron's eyes were going to pop out of his head. Harry and Ginny hadn't seen Ron and Hermione, so they sat down at a private table, sitting far too close for Ron's taste. Hermione immediately grabbed Ron's hand and hauled him out of the pub.

"What the bloody hell?" Ron sputtered. "I thought she was going out with Neville! That was a good arrangement! Neville would have never tried anything! But Harry? Harry is just as randy as the rest of us! If he so much as thinks about touching my baby sister I'll…" Ron was cut short when Hermione pulled his head down to hers and captured his lips in a kiss.

"Don't worry so much. You know that Harry will take good care of her." Hermione whispered, "Now lets go back to the castle before you make a scene."

They headed back to the castle, once there Hermione made to turn to go back to the Gryffindor Common Room, but Ron pulled her a different direction. They soon reached the Room of Requirement. They went in and sat down on a couch. Ron began kissing Hermione and soon his tongue was asking for permission into her mouth. She opened her mouth and wrapped her arms around him. Ron layed her down slowly on the couch. After awhile, Ron slid his hands under her shirt. He rubbed lazy circles on her stomach. Feeling emboldened, he unbuttoned her shirt. His hands began kneading her breasts. When he went to unclasp her bra, Hermione's eyes shot open.

"Ron. Ron! No! I'm sorry I can't. Not yet," she said heavily, her voice thick with arousal. Ron looked up at her and shook his head. He continued with her bra and soon had it off. Ron moaned and Hermione tried to get him off of her. "Ron! Please stop! This is too fast! I… get off of me! Ron!" Hermione tried to physically make him get off by pushing. Ron grabbed her wrists with one hand and held them above her head. He lowered his head to her breasts and began to suck on her nipples. When Hermione moaned and arched into him he looked up.

"See… you want this too." He said.

"NO RON! Please stop!" Hermione said, she was crying now. She managed to twist her torso enough that he fell off the couch and lost his grip on her arm. Hermione immediately stood up and grabbed both her bra and her shirt. She put them on as fast as she could, then began to run out of the room. "I have to go to the dungeon's now. Snape will be expecting me in a few minutes."

"Hermione, wait.." Ron groaned, trying to find his shirt.

"No Ron. Professor Snape will be waiting." Hermione ran through the door, tears still streaming down her eyes.

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AN: This one is a bit shorter, but I hope it was still good. A bit lemony, not too much. Next up will be Snape's reaction to Hermione's dishevelled appearance, and some alone time with the two. Please review!

Thank you to my reviewers gurl94 and Daru.

A big thanks to my beta, Katie!