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Chapter 33

Hermione yawned as she opened her eyes. Gazing at the ceiling of her dormitory, she took note of how utterly relaxed she felt. She could hear Lavender and Parvati moving about the room in preparation for breakfast. I think I could go back to sleep for hours! Hermione thought. She decided to get out of bed before she did just that.

Hermione was about to allow herself one long morning stretch when she realized that...she couldn't. There was something constricting her movement. It was a leg…a rather long leg that was resting heavily on her leg…and there was an arm, too. Hermione reached one hand up to the arm that was lying across her stomach. Oh Merlin's Beard! Hermione's heart began beating frantically. That was not her ceiling! And…

"Ah, damn it!"

"What?"

"There's a hol' in me last clean pair o' shorts!"

"Need a pair?"

"Uh…no thanks, mate. I think I'd rather go starkers…"

And those were definitely not the voices of her female dorm mates. That was Seamus Finnigan and Neville Longbottom outside her and Ron's curtained nest. Hermione turned her face to Ron's, which was a mere two inches from hers. His eyes were closed and his long ginger lashes were resting against his freckled cheeks.

Ever so softly, Hermione breathed, "Ron…Ron…" Was she mad? There was no way she could wake him with a barely audible whisper. She scooted as close to his body as possible; his leg tightened over hers and his hand gripped tightly on her side, just below her ribcage. This position was actually very arousing, but Hermione unfortunately didn't have time to think about that.

She tried once more whispering, "Ron…" against his lips. He stirred slightly. Nuzzling her nose against his cheek she kissed him on the corner of his mouth. He breathed a low sigh against her lips. She then locked her lips over his and, to her surprise; he kissed her back…rather passionately. Returning his kiss, her heart beating rapidly, she heard a quite repulsive belch from outside the curtains.

"Ahh...many pardons."

Shoot, what was she doing? Hermione pulled her mouth away and placed her hands on Ron's chest, attempting to push him off of her while calling, "Ron." But somehow he was still asleep! How could anyone sleep through a kiss like that?

The arm he had resting across her stomach gripped her ribs tighter as he began moving his torso on top of her. She gasped slightly and he took her mouth again, yet this time he deepened it. Hermione couldn't help but kiss him back. It was such a passionate moment. But when her head began feeling fuzzy and her body started tingling madly she had to stop it! She pushed against him as hard as she could and he rolled onto his back…bringing her with him. Could he make this any more difficult for her?

She was now lying completely on top of him, but finally, he opened his eyes. He looked up at her, his bottomless blue eyes causing her cheeks to flush as they took in her current position. His eyes went wide and he opened his mouth to speak. Hermione's hands were unavailable as they had become trapped beneath Ron's back. In a panic to shush him, Hermione filled his parted lips with a deep kiss. He moaned faintly as his hands gripped tightly to the flannel fabric of her shirt. She pulled her lips away quickly and hurried to whisper in his ear before he could speak, or heaven forbid, moan again!

"Ron, shh. We're in your dormitory, and we aren't alone."

He tensed beneath her and she pulled back to peer down at him. With a vague expression in his eyes, he furrowed his brow and began gnawing on his lower lip. Although, he was staring at her, she could tell that the wheels in his head were turning in search of a solution to this predicament. Her hands were going numb beneath him so she attempted to free them; Ron arched his back slightly to aid her, which did, as she was then able to remove her hands and rest them on his chest. However him arching his back had also sent a current of awareness through her that was a bit startling.

The door suddenly creaked open and Hermione and Ron's eyes both went wide. Yes! Hermione thought. Leave! However, she was sorely disappointed as the door was creaking open to allow someone entrance…not exit.

"Bout time!"

"Yeah. Well, some prats took most of the hot water."

"Rubbish. Admit it, Dean. You were buffin' yer wand-…"

"Shite, Seamus…Shut your trap!"

Suddenly two large hands closed over Hermione's ears. She cast a puzzled glance down at Ron, who was rolling his eyes and shaking his head slightly without looking at her. She reached up to grab his hands and remove them, but he wouldn't let her. Looking at her with his eyes squinted slightly; she could tell that he was still listening to his dorm mates' conversation. His expression was hard to read, for it kept changing! Frustration … disgust…more frustration…now that one looked a bit like amused…more frustration.

What in the world? What could they possibly be discussing that she wasn't allowed to hear! Once again, Hermione tried to pry his hands away from her ears, but this time he smiled weakly and brought her face down to his for a light kiss. He then slowly released his hold.

"Are you ready, yet?"

"Hol' yer horses ya' big arse!"

"Do you think we should wake Harry and Ron?"

Hermione's heart jumped into her throat, as silent fear screamed through her. She slowly lowered her head to rest on Ron's chest. His heart was beating just as quickly as hers. Along with her fear, she had a sudden bout of curiosity. Harry wasn't yet awake and ready, either? That was odd…

Ron squeezed her waist a couple of times. She raised her head and looking down at Ron, she saw that his eyes had gone a bit wider. He slowly and quietly rolled onto his side. Sliding her off of him, Ron looked as if he were about to speak. Possibly to holler, 'I'm skiving classes today,' or 'Bugger off.' But before he could Neville spoke.

"Nah. Leave them. I uh…they told me yesterday that um…that they were going to skive Healing."

A small smile crept onto Ron's face, which Hermione shared.

"Oh…well…if you say so."

Suddenly, there was the sound of three sets of footsteps and three sets of robes crossing the room and exiting the dormitory. Ron waited a moment after the door closed shut, at which time, he gave Hermione the shushing sign with his index finger. He then slipped out of the curtains. Hermione was left alone under the covers, her heart beating painfully fast. She heard the shuffling of Ron's feet followed by the hasty movement of a curtain and a soft thud. That must be Harry getting out of bed, Hermione thought.

"Hey." Harry said.

"Hey." Ron replied. Neither of them sounded like themselves.

"Why haven't you gotten out of bed?" Harry asked suspiciously. There was a pause.

"I...uh…I just couldn't sleep well last night, so I decided to skive, like Neville said."

"Did you tell him that we were both going to skive lessons?" Harry asked curiously.

"No, actually…did you?"

"No." Harry replied. Another pause…

"So, why aren't you ready for classes?" Ron asked.

"I…uh…"

Hermione heard more rustling of curtains and another, softer, thud. "Because of me." Hermione's eyes went wide…Ginny.

"Ginny…" Harry said anxiously.

"What in the bloody hell do you think you're doing in there?" Ron asked heatedly. Oh no…Hermione thought, sitting up straight.

"We were having wild, passionate sex all night, Ron. Didn't you hear?" Ginny asked with heated, mock-innocence.

"Blast it, Ginny!" Harry exclaimed.

"Well, it's none of his business what we do!" She yelled back.

"What…did…you…do?" Ron asked in a low dangerous growl. Hermione knew he was directing this question at Harry. She had to do something. Harry's response to this question could result in many things. Most of which made Hermione's stomach squirm. Hastily throwing the covers off of her, she moved the curtains and slid out of bed.

"Hermione?" Harry exclaimed in shock.

"Hermione?" Ginny echoed with an astonished smile.

Ron turned to look at her. His face was already red from his anger at Harry and Ginny, but as he looked at her he heaved a heavy sigh. "Hermione…" He said in a low whine. And then his eyes traveled down from her face and went a bit wide.

He approached her in twoquick strides, his back to his sister and Harry. He then hastily reached up to button the top button of her nightshirt at the middle of her sternum, making her heart leap. Her face went very hot. Her buttons were loose on this shirt anyway, and all the rolling around she and Ron had just done had caused a very curious-looking state to her clothing. Ron's arms then dropped down to his sides as he cast her a sheepish look before turning back around to Harry.

"What did I do?" Harry suddenly shouted approaching Ron until they were a foot apart. "What did you do?" Harry jabbed at Ron's chest with his index finger.

The bright smile Ginny had flashed Hermione upon her surfacing from the bed faded instantly as she watched Harry and her brother glare at one another, both of their faces were flushed now.

"Harry…I swear…don't push me right now." Ron growled. Harry looked as if he might definitely push him, so Hermione grabbed hold of both of their arms.

"Listen, Harry," She began looking into Harry's eyes, "It's my fault that we slept together last night, and-…"

"Slept together!" Harry cried looking up at Ron, who rolled his eyes at Harry, "What did you do! Did you…did you actually…" Hermione silently cursed her poor choice of words.

Ron's jaw muscle was working furiously, and Hermione released her hold on Harry to grip Ron's bicep with both of her hands.

Ron looked scornfully at Harry. "Do you really think that I would…" Ron's face somehow turned an even deeper shade of crimson, "I would never take advantage of her, Harry!" He yelled. Harry's glare lessened slightly, as he looked from Ron to Hermione and back.

Ginny suddenly approached Ron and Harry opposite Hermione, "No one got lucky, alright!" She exclaimed impatiently. "For heaven's sake! Hermione and I are both quite…pure." She finished, actually blushing a bit herself.

Ron peered down his long, freckled nose at Ginny, "You two really just slept?" He asked sternly.

Harry opened his mouth to respond, but Ginny scoffed, "I didn't say that." Harry's head dropped back and he looked to the ceiling in disbelief at Ginny's blatant honesty.

"Damn it, Harry!" Ron exclaimed, turning his back to his friend. He ran his hand angrily through his hair. Hermione glanced at Harry, and actually gasped. He looked at her suspiciously, so she cleared her throat and turned to Ron. Had she seen that green glow again? She must be going mad, she decided as she approached Ron.

"Ron?" She began timidly holding a tentative hand toward him. He looked down at her and despite his anger-stricken face, he grabbed her hand with his and held it gently as she continued, "We…I mean…" Hermione glanced to Harry and Ginny who were watching and listening intently, "They probably just snogged a bit, you know? I mean…no more than…than we did."

Ron's jaw muscle worked a bit more as he looked at her, and to Hermione's relief, the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

"See!" Ginny said suddenly squinting her eyes at her brother, "Hermione's right, you big hypocrite! Now can we please take our showers and be off? We might can make breakfast if we hurry."

Hermione nodded in agreement, and Harry and Ron looked at one another. "Sorry, mate." Harry said, looking down guiltily.

"Don't mention it." Ron mumbled, also looking down at his feet. Hermione nudged him in the side, "Oh…um, I'm sorry, too." Ron added. Hermione caught Ginny's eye and she had to look away for fear of laughing.

Harry turned to Ginny and shook his head at her while he gave her a disbelieving smile. She actually looked down looking slightly guilty. He approached her and bent down to kiss her gently on her nose. Ron still had a gentle hold on Hermione's hand, which he began absently stroking with his thumb as he stared at Harry and his sister.

Hermione tugged gently on Ron's hand; he looked down at her and she jerked her head toward the door. Once outside in the stairwell, Hermione whispered, "Give them a minute, okay? I'm going to go on to the showers."

He nodded at her and brought her hand to his lips for a kiss. She smiled at him before making the descent down the stairs. Well, Hermione thought as she replayed the course of this morning in her head, that was a bit frightening… yet well worth the fright.

"I think I left it under-…"

Hermione looked up to see Lavender and Parvati entering the portrait hole door. Her heartbeat faltered. They both stopped in their tracks as they looked at Hermione, who was standing on the last step of the boys' dormitory stairwell in her nightclothes. Lavender looked away quickly and cleared her throat.

"…um…Under the table there. Yes, there it is." She said crossing to the coffee table in front of the fire, where she retrieved a book on Muggle studies. Hermione waited until the two girls had left hurriedly through the portrait hole before she stepped fully into the common room and headed for the showers.

Things just got a bit more frightening…

Ginny sat with them at breakfast that morning. There were still school bags separating her and Harry on their bench, but Ron had the distinct impression that they were playing footsie under the table. After all, he and Hermione were. And it seemed that he and Harry had the same ideas when it came to intimate moments with their girlfriends. Brilliant minds think alike, Ron reckoned.

Sleeping with Hermione had been wonderful! Her body was so warm against him, and Ron had discovered something. He loved to snuggle! Snogging was amazing, obviously…but snuggling. Ah! It was blissful!

He had slept peacefully and soundly throughout the rest of the night with Hermione in his arms. Only to be awoken with her lying on top of him in an attempt to wake him. That had been…surprising. Pleasantly surprising…and then she had kissed him…very deeply. He could get used to waking up like that every morning.

Now in the Great Hall, eating and playing footsie, Ron looked at Hermione and smiled. What had made last night's slumber even better was the fact that his worries over Whitman and Neville had been mostly exterminated. He still felt suspicious of Whitman, but not of Hermione's feelings toward the bloke.

"Excuse me."

Ron snapped out of his thoughts to hear the faraway voice of Luna Lovegood. She sat down by his side and looked from him to Harry.

"I noticed both of your bandages from the Hufflepuff table." She stated plainly. "Was it the fish?"

Ron and Harry exchanged looks of slight awe before Harry responded, "Yeah. Detention with Snape."

"I know." She said almost sadly, "That's why I didn't tell you details. You wouldn't have been able to do anything about it anyway…so why make you worry? Right?"

"You knew that they would have to de-spine the lionfish?" Hermione asked curiously, as she had not been at the table with them yesterday during Luna's warning.

Luna nodded serenely.

"That's really amazing that you're able to See in that way." Hermione said with an awkward smile at Luna. Ron knew that Luna knew how Hermione felt about The Quibbler and Luna's beliefs. Hermione knew, as well, and Ron could tell that she felt badly about it.

Luna smiled back at Hermione and responded with, "Thank you. You are very smart and talented." Hermione looked a bit surprised at this blunt comment but she smiled.

"Thank you." Hermione replied quietly.

"Well…" Luna said standing from the table and looking around at them all pleasantly, "Bye." She then turned and walked off toward the exit doors.

"That was nice, Hermione." Ginny said sincerely. Hermione shrugged.

"Well, I've felt a bit bad for her. Besides…she really is a nice girl." Hermione said agreeably, before taking a bite of her bacon.

Ginny and Harry then began carrying on a conversation about Quidditch. Ron actually didn't join in because he noticed that Hermione was no longer responding to their game of footsie. He had his foot hooked around hers at her ankle. Every so often Ron would rub his foot against Hermione's, who then repeated the action. But, Hermione not only wasn't responding to this game, she was also staring off into space with a contemplative look.

"Hermione?" Ron asked, nudging her in the side, "You alright?" She looked up at him, her thoughtful expression remaining.

"Well, I've just been thinking…" She said casually, "Why would Dean be buffing his wand?"

Harry and Ginny's conversation stopped abruptly as Ron felt himself choke. He coughed a few times before resting his forehead in one hand. "Hermione…" He said quietly, as his face and ears began to burn. She could be just as blunt as Luna sometimes!

"Well, why was he?" She asked again, he looked up at her in disbelief.

"Hermione!" He said in exasperation. "What do you mean…why? You know…why he was… Hermione, he wasn't even really…" Sighing heavily Ron looked up at Harry, whose nose was a few inches from his plate. He was moving his food around with his fork. Ginny was smirking at him.

Hermione, however, was looking at him with furrowed brows as she shrugged, "Well, I'm sorry, Ron. I've just never heard of anyone buffing their wand before. Of course, I know some novelty stores make polishes, but I've always heard that they don't really work." At this Harry's fork suddenly flew out of his hand and hit the stone wall behind him. He turned around on his bench and ducked down to retrieve it. Hermione cast a puzzled look at Harry before continuing, "It's not even a big deal, but it's kind of odd that he would take his wand with him into the shower rooms, anyway."

Ron just gaped at her. Harry was coughing rather loudly now, still looking for his fork, and Ginny was slapping him on the back with an amazed look at Hermione, "Hermione…" Ginny began softly, "Are you serious? I mean, you don't… Hermione, Seamus was talking about-…"

"Ginny!" Ron and Harry exclaimed together. Harry had sat straight up, and was now turning around on his bench to stare back down at his plate. Ginny rolled her eyes at them. Hermione looked utterly confused.

With a sigh, Ginny said, "Fine, I won't tell her, but someone should. Honestly, Hermione…"

"Wha-…" Hermione began, looking a bit offended along with her confusion. She turned a hurt expression to Ron. "First you cover my ears, and now I find that I'm the only one that doesn't know! Ron-…"

"Hermione…just…" He began slowly, grabbing hold of her hand under the table, "We can…we can talk about this later, alright?" Ginny actually giggled as she stood to grab her satchel. Ron shot her a warning look. Hermione just stared at him with her brows furrowed deeply before they followed Ginny's lead of preparing to make their way to their first class.

On the way, Ron and Harry didn't look at each other. It was almost as if they thought that if Hermione saw them looking at one another she might figure out the answer to her question. This was extremely awkward because he and Harry had never talked of anything even slightly sexual in front of Hermione. It was like an unspoken rule of courtesy toward her. Of course, he and Harry didn't even talk about such things when Hermione was absent, either. Seamus was the only one of their dorm mates that could be so indiscreet with his words and thoughts.

Hermione's brow remained furrowed as they took their seats in Sinistra's classroom. Ron was positively astounded by her innocence. Did she really not know? Surely she had come across the topic in the many books she read. Didn't she ever read science books?

Ron's stomach was squirming with anxiety. He would just have to tell her to ask Ginny at a time when he and Harry weren't around. There was no way he could be the one to give Hermione…'the talk.'

Sinistra walked in, her lips and nails painted deep plum. The Baccaberrys' box was sitting atop her desk, so apparently they would be having a practical lesson today. Ron also noticed that there were three rather large and menacing needles atop their tables. She opened the box and motioned with her hand for everyone to claim his or her own hare. Ron volunteered to get two on his trip to the front of the room so that Hermione wouldn't have to bother. However, once he approached the box of hares, he suddenly wished Hermione were with him.

Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil were looking at him with strange smiles upon their faces. After they'd gotten their hares, he heard them giggle on their way back to their table. He had no idea what that was about, but it was a bit odd. He returned to his table and handed Hermione her hare. She had turned in her seat slightly to watch Lavender and Parvati return to their table with a small scowl on her face. She must have seen them giggling and looking at him.

"Do I have something on my face or... something?" He asked her curiously. Hermione looked at him for a moment as if trying to decide whether or not to tell him something.

"Just freckles." She replied with a smile. He returned her smile weakly, but her face suddenly went back to frowning. "Ron, why won't you tell me about-…"

"Hermione," He said softly, "Just trust me, alright? I will tell you. But not now." She nodded at him without looking a bit comforted.

"He fancies Ginny Weasley."

Ron started at the sound of his sister's name coming from a table behind them. Hermione wrinkled her brow and Harry looked up at Ron. Ron glanced over his shoulder. It was Cho and Marietta Edgecombe in a seemingly deep conversation. They appeared to be whispering, but their voices trailed easily to Ron's ears.

"Yes. I don't understand what he sees in her… She's so-…" Marietta seemed to be having trouble thinking of a proper word.

"Gorgeous?" Cho asked snappishly. "I understand what he sees in her. That's not the point."

Harry and Ron exchanged bewildered looks. Were they truly not aware that Harry could hear them perfectly? And how did they know about Ginny and Harry? Cho sounded so sure in her statement, 'He fancies Ginny Weasley.' Of course, Ron thought with trepidation as he looked at Harry, whose jaw was set, they might not be referring to Harry. Ron looked at Hermione, who was looking worriedly at Harry.

"The point is," Cho continued despondently, "He flirted with me all last term, and now he just ignores me completely. I thought he might ask me this term…I mean, it is my last year."

Okay, Ron thought, I'm pretty sure they're not talking about Harry. Harry had definitely not flirted with Cho Chang to Ron's knowledge.

"But Cho, he-…"

"Shh! He's just come in!"

Ron, Harry, and Hermione all turned to look over their shoulders at these words. Their curiosity superseded any concern they might have had over appearing to be eavesdropping. Entering the door was Dean and Seamus… Dean Thomas… Hermione had put a hand to her mouth, and Ron scooted his chair a bit closer to her. He didn't want to be too near Harry if he spontaneously combusted. Harry's expression was stony and unreadable, however, as he turned back around in his seat.

"Alright class." Sinistra began, calling Ron's eyes away from Harry, "Today's lesson is going to be a tad different than what you're used to in here. We are going to be draining and bottling the clear secretions from the Baccaberry Hares. Baccaberry secretions act as an anesthetic. I have been informed by St. Mungo's hospital that it would be much appreciated if we could help them replenish their supplies. There are many casualties and injuries being inflicted daily in our world at the present time. So once a week we will devote one class period to milking Baccaberrys, mixing Pain Relief Potions, or any other task I see fit."

"Now," She continued. "You may have noticed the bottles and hypodermic syringes on your table. I would like for each of you to attempt to fill three bottles of secretion. More than three might negatively affect your hare's health. So simply insert the needle into your hare's arm or leg, fill the syringe, and deposit the secretion into the bottles. Two of your bottles will be sent to St. Mungo's, while I will allow you to keep one for yourself. Since the secretions will not be diluted, a mere drop will be enough to numb a three to four inch area of skin. It is quite helpful when dealing with cuts and lacerations. You may begin."

"Did you hear that? Ron…Harry?" Hermione said leaning in toward them, "That will come in handy while you two wait for your hands to heal, won't it? You can put them in your healing kits."

"Yeah…" Ron replied absently, looking at Harry. He didn't think his mate had even heard Hermione at all. Harry was staring intently at a random spot on the sterile, white table and biting the inside of his cheek. Ron actually didn't know if Harry had even heard Sinistra's instructions.

Ron turned to frown at Hermione, who looked quite perturbed. "Harry…" She began; Ron shook his head at her. She frowned at him before rolling her eyes and reaching for a needle.

Hermione always had good intentions, but sometimes she didn't know when to let Harry be. Ron, on the other hand, knew that Harry was in intense thought. He was working out everything Cho and Marietta had said, word for word. Thinking of questions he might like to ask Ginny…ways he might be able to investigate without appearing suspicious…

Ron, Hermione, and Harry worked throughout the hour without talking. They were each able to fill three bottles. Ron had dropped a bit on his hand on accident, and Hermione had to help him fill his last bottle, as he wasn't able to use his hand properly after it numbed. After class, Harry left for History of the Dark Arts with a vague, brooding demeanor, barely waving to Ron or Hermione. Ron then walked Hermione to Arithmancy. On the way, they briefly discussed Cho and Marietta's comments.

"I don't understand." Hermione had said, "I thought Ginny had broken off her fling with Dean before the summer holiday even got underway."

Ron had informed Hermione that his sister and Dean had written throughout the summer, and it had looked as if they might start dating at the beginning of term. However, Ginny had changed her mind abruptly a few days before classes were to start. Ron had been suspicious of her abrupt change of heart, and he thought it was probably due to her feelings for Harry. She had tried to overcome them, but they had remained. So, she had turned Dean down.

The only problem with the way she turned him down, was that she had given him the reason of, 'I'm not ready for a relationship right now.' That was a very open-ended refusal. To a typical smitten male it simply meant, 'I think I like you, but you need to try a bit harder to win me over.'

Hermione had scoffed at this, saying, "But that's not at all what Ginny meant!" Maybe Hermione was right, but Ron knew that it didn't matter. He hadn't really learned anything new from Cho. Dean fancied his sister…anyone could tell. But until today, no one had said this out loud. Ron would never dare mention it in front of Harry, and Harry would never dare mention it at all if he could help it. But now…

Ron gave Hermione a light kiss before heading for his Geography of the Magical World class with Madam Hooch. He was a bit anxious because this would be the first time he'd seen Neville since the library incident. The inevitable hour ahead had 'awkward 'written all over it.

And, sure enough, as soon as Ron entered the room, he saw Neville sitting in the back looking rather peaky. He was tapping the desk rapidly and bobbing his knees up and down as Hermione sometimes did. Ron approached the table and sat down slowly without making eye contact. Who should speak first? Probably me, Ron thought with dread.

"Neville…" Ron began. Neville's tapping finger and bobbing knees ceased immediately and he looked to Ron nervously, "Um…I've talked to Hermione about the…well, about what I saw. She told me that she had just helped you find…something." Now that Ron thought about it, Hermione hadn't actually told him what Neville had been so ecstatic over.

Neville began nodding his head fervently. He cleared his throat, "Yeah. The Bundimun Fungus. I guess I kind of went overboard when she helped me find the last ingredient I needed to finish my Memory Potion."

"Memory Potion?" Ron asked curiously.

"Didn't she tell you?" Neville asked, before continuing, "Well, I'm making a Potion. I have a permit to do so, and I'm putting the finishing touches on it. You and Harry get free samples whenever you like, alright?"

"Oh…um…alright. Thanks." Ron replied with a polite smile. Although, he wasn't sure if he wanted to try a potion made by Neville. He was worse than Ron in Potions class.

"Hey, Neville," Ron began hesitantly. He suddenly had the urge to do a bit of investigating, "Can I ask you something about Edgar Whitman?"

Neville looked a bit confused but simply nodded.

"I uh…Have you noticed how he acts around Hermione?" Ron asked.

"Yeah." Neville stated plainly, "He's a bit brazen, isn't he?"

"Yeah…a bit."

"But, I wouldn't worry about it too much, Ron. He's a bit cheeky with all the girls, except Pansy, who I'm pretty sure tried to hex him when he tried. Maybe he's more so with Hermione, but I think it's because he respects her intelligence."

Ron merely nodded as an awkward silence fell over them. Neville's comment made him feel better and worse at the same time. He was hopeful that Whitman was just flirtatious by nature, but he didn't like that Neville had noted Whitman giving Hermione extra attention. Was it truly because of her intelligence? Ron began glancing around the room as if he might find an idea for something to talk about floating around in the air. He actually did. There was a notice board on one wall of the class that said, 'Flying lessons with Madam Hooch. Every Tuesday at 2:00 on the Quidditch Pitch.'

Two o'clock… "Hey, Neville…" Ron began slowly, "This morning…um…you said that Harry and I told you that we were skiving Healing, but-…"

"I saw them." He said almost apologetically, "Hermione…and, well…Ginny. I couldn't sleep last night. I couldn't seem to stop thinking about my potion. So, I kept waking up frequently…one of the times happened to be around one AM. That was Ginny. The other was around two AM. Well, that was Hermione."

Ron felt his face and neck burn, but he simply nodded. "And," Neville began again, "I know why Harry's not dating Ginny. The secret's safe with me. I think it's really noble of him. But, you ought to tell her not to take the invisibility cloak off until she's in the curtains. She took it off right after she entered the door. That's why I saw her. Kind of spooked me, to be honest."

Ron nodded again. "Thanks, mate. I'll tell her." Looking down, Ron pondered over what he was thinking of saying. His and Neville's conversation had already been awkward, why not push it? "About Hermione and me…we didn't…I mean. Hermione's a lady, you know?"

"I know." Neville said with a small smile just as Madam Hooch entered the classroom. Ron returned Neville's smile before turning his attention to the front.

Ron was able to enjoy Hooch's class more than he had anticipated. After he and Neville had righted their misunderstanding, the awkwardness between them only lessened as the hour went by. The only thing Ron wasn't too pleased with was the area that they were studying today. Australia… It seemed like a nice enough place, but it only reminded Ron of Whitman. They had learned about two magical creatures from the area. Bunyips and Dropbears. Bunyips were horrible creatures with flippers, walrus-like teeth, and horse-like tails that preyed upon human women. Dropbears, however, didn't actually exist. They were merely a 'tall-tale' as Hooch said. They were said to be carnivorous koalas that dropped out of the trees to attack passerby.

By the time Ron left the classroom and headed for the third floor to meet Hermione, Ron had an unpleasing image of Whitman dropping down upon Hermione during Defense Against the Dark Arts. Whitman was a bit predatory now that Ron thought about it. And Ron couldn't stop thinking of what Neville had said about him. "He's a bit cheeky with all the girls…Maybe he's more so with Hermione, but I think it's because he respects her intelligence."

Ron decided that during the fifteen-minute break he and Hermione shared on the third floor, he would speak with her about Whitman. Before he left her for Magical Law, Ron would have to get this off of his chest.

As soon as Ron saw Hermione, he dashed toward her and grabbed her hand, giving her a weak smile. She looked slightly worried and anxious as he began dragging her toward a large, stone statue of a gargoyle.

"Ron, is something wrong?" She asked urgently.

He didn't answer her. Instead, he pulled her behind the statue into the shadows. They could see those passing by, butthey couldn't see them. Ron would have to remember this spot for later, more passionate fifteen-minute breaks. What was he doing thinking about those things right now? With a heavy sigh, he looked down at her slightly fearful eyes.

"Ron…" She began hesitantly, but he cut her off.

"Hermione, I've just talked with Neville." He said quickly.

Her face fell even more, "Ron, you weren't mean to him, were you? He really doesn't fancy me."

"What? Oh…no, Hermione. It's not that. It's about…" Ron took a deep sigh, "Neville says that he's noticed Whitman favoring you above the other girls in the class."

Hermione looked rather taken aback. "Neville said that? But Ron…why would he fancy me? I just don't understand." She said earnestly. He frowned at her.

"What do you mean you don't understand, Hermione?" He asked. Why could she not fathom this?

"Well," Hermione said, suddenly avoiding Ron's eye, "There's Lavender and Parvati. Don't you think he would fancy them instead?"

"No." Ron stated simply. What was she talking about? She looked away from him again as she continued.

"It's just that…they're both much more…well…"

"Flirtatious than you?" Ron guessed with questioning eyes, "Hermione that doesn't matter. Men like Whitman like women that play hard to get."

"I'm not playing hard to get!" She said heatedly, glaring up at him.

"That's not what I meant, Hermione. I mean that if you don't show any interest in him, he'll see it as a sort of game." He said quickly. Her gaze softened.

"Oh…" She said quietly. She looked as if she were trying to understand what he'd just said, but she shook her head and began again, "Well, that's not what I was going to say about Lavender and Parvati, anyway…I was going to say that they're much more…" Again she faltered at this point of the sentence. With a deep breath she finished, "Much more attractive than I am, and-…"

Ron actually started laughing low in his throat and he pursed his lips together to try and stop himself.

"What's there to laugh about?" Hermione asked sounding slightly heated once more. His smile faded a bit, and he placed his hands on her waist, taking a step closer.

"Hermione…you really don't understand how beautiful you are, do you?"

Hermione rolled her eyes as she blushed, "Ron, that's sweet, but I know that I'm not beautiful...I"m just-…"

"You're mental!" Ron interrupted, shocked. She jumped slightly at his exclamation. Squeezing her waist, he leaned down a bit closer to say quietly, "Believe me, Hermione. With you sitting on the front row in his class, I'd be surprised if he's really even seen Lavender or Parvati."

Hermione gave him a feeble smile before clearing her throat and stating in a serious tone, "But Ron, you do believe me when I say that I don't fancy him?"

"Hermione, yes I believe you. But would you at least try and…and really watch him next time?" He asked trying not to sound too desperate.

Hermione took his hands from her waist and interlocked their fingers. She then closed the small space between them, tilted her head back, and closed her eyes. He leaned down, without delay, to kiss her. When he leaned back, she opened her eyes to smile at him.

"I'll watch him." She said simply. A rush of relief moved through him. She'll watch him! There was hope…Maybe she would finally see! Ron was on the verge of saying, "thank you," when he heard something rather unexpected…

"Hermione Granger wasn't in our room this morning when we woke, was she Parvati?" Said the voice of Lavender Brown.

Ron's hold on Hermione's hands tightened as she looked up at him with surprise. Hermione removed her hands from his and moved to peer through the crevice under the wing of the gargoyle sculpture. Ron stood directly behind her, gripping her waist with his hands, as he peered over the top of the wing, his heart pounding.

"She wasn't." Parvati answered.

"And?" Asked some brunette girl that Ron thought he recognized as a fifth year Ravenclaw.

"Well, this morning we were on our way to breakfast when I realized that I'd forgotten one of my textbooks." Said Lavender, excitedly.

In a whisper, Parvati added, "After going back to the common room to fetch it…we saw her leaving the boy's staircase…in her pajamas!" Ron's heart leapt into his throat. Why hadn't Hermione told him? Better yet, why were these girls running their mouths? Anger was beginning to pulse quickly through his veins.

"No…" The Ravenclaw girl whispered. "Isn't Hermione Granger that girl that's always acting so high and mighty? Right? The bookworm?" Ron gripped Hermione's waist a bit tighter.

"Well…she is very smart, but she's actually quite nice." Parvati said softly. Ron actually thought that she was beginning to look uncomfortable.

"Yes. She's nice," Lavender stated in a bored voice. She then continued with wide, smiling eyes, "But I just didn't expect her to be…well, like that. Especially with Ron. I always thought she might have a thing for Harry, though."

"Wait," The brunette said, "Which one's Ron? The Irish fellow?"

"No." Lavender said, "He's the cute redhead."

Ron felt his face blush, and Hermione suddenly scooted back against his chest.

"Oh! The freakishly tall redhead with like fifteen siblings?" The Ravenclaw girl said, "I mean, he is pretty cute, but his family mates like mad, don't they? I guess he has to get started soon if he wants a big family of his own, right?"

Lavender giggled while Parvati smiled feebly, crossing her arms uncomfortably. Ron encircled Hermione's waist from behind, pulling her completely against him. She was trembling. He felt absolutely horrible. How could he let this happen? He should have made Hermione go back to her room!

Suddenly, Hermione pulled away from Ron, who made to grab her and missed as she stepped out from behind the statue. Ron's heart clenched painfully in his chest as he realized that Hermione was trembling out of anger. Peering over the stone wing, he saw that Hermione was now face to face with a very horrified-looking Lavender. Parvati was red-faced and wide-eyed, and the brunette looked stunned.

"Hi, Lavender." Hermione said casually, although Ron knew there was an internal boiling cauldron sitting inside her stomach.

"Hermione…oh….I…" Lavender began shakily, which Hermione ignored and interrupted.

"Lavender, I hear there's a Quidditch game this weekend. Ravenclaw vs. Slytherin. I was just wondering…do you and Seamus have your seats reserved…under the bleachers?"

Ron's mouth fell open, as did Lavender's. Anger flashed in Lavender's eyes before she straightened up to her full height. She then flipped her hair off of her shoulder, and turned to stalk off down the corridor. The Ravenclaw girl still looked shocked, but she quickly turned and headed out of sight without a sound. Parvati looked at Hermione for a moment with an extremely shame-faced expression. She took a breath, as if about to say something, but she then quickly ducked her head, turned, and hurried down the hall after Lavender.

Ron was in mild shock. He had forgotten about the story Ginny had told them last term. Seamus had been dating that April Hannings girl, yet two-timing her with Lavender. Shaking his head in an attempt to clear it, Ron reached around for Hermione's hand and pulled her back behind the statue.

"Hermione," He began in a near-whisper, "This is all my fault."

"What are you talking about?" Hermione asked sharply. He grabbed hold of her arms and slid his hands down to her hands, which he held tightly.

"That story they were blabbing…it'll pass by every student in days, Hermione." He said gently. "People are going to think that you and I are…well…"

"Ron." Hermione began with her head held high, "It's just as much my fault as it is yours. We should have been more discreet. Actually, it's more my fault. I just waltzed right out of the boys' stairwell without thinking."

Ron felt miserable. "But the rumors this is going to-…"

"I don't care about rumors." Hermione said haughtily. "They can say whatever they like!"

Ron felt his heart tighten in anxious remorse. She was so innocent… She hadn't even had an inkling as to what Seamus' dirty comment had meant, and now her name would be slandered throughout the school as a floozy. What had he been thinking by inviting her into his bed? Gazing down at her, she honestly didn't look worried in the least…just heated.

Ron sighed and shook his head, "Hermione…baby, I don't think you understand what-…."

"I do understand, Ron." She said softly, suddenly hugging him around the neck and resting her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms about her as she continued, "I know what they're going to say about me. But as long as the rumors are about me and you…I don't care. I mean…even if the rumors were true…I wouldn't have anything to really be ashamed of, would I?"

She lifted her head and looked at him questioningly. He was speechless. She continued, "I mean, when two people love each other…well…of course, I'm not saying I want to…I just…there's nothing wrong with…well…" She was turning increasingly rouge as she continued, "I, of course, want to remain pure until I'm married, but…I…"

Ron couldn't take it any longer. He bent his head down and kissed her lips softly and lovingly. She had no idea the effect her words had just had on him. His heart felt so full of emotion for her, the excess seemed to be washing through his veins…cleansing his soul. Hermione slowly pulled away, kissing him gently on his chin.

With a sigh she said, "We better go before you're late for the Minister of Magic." Ron smiled down at her, squeezing her once more before releasing his hold. Hand in hand, they walked down the hall, looking at one another every few steps to speak silent, 'I love you's.'

Once they reached the door to her Ancient Runes class, Ron released her hand. She smiled and turned toward the doorway, but she stopped abruptly and turned to him. "Oh, and just so you know…" She began with complete seriousness, "You are not freakishly tall. I find your height to be quite attractive."

And with that, Hermione entered the classroom and left Ron standing in the corridor smiling stupidly, like the besotted fool that he was…

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Oh my... That's my two syllable review of my chapter... lol. But what do ya'll think? I have been loving your reviews! And, in response to whether or not I mind 'combined chapter' reviews. Not at all! I actually love reading them. Well, thanks again everyone! Chapter 34 is very rocky right now, and I have a roadtrip to take tomorrow...blegh. Hopefully I'll get to post it, though! Wish me luck!