A/N- Thanks for the wonderful reviews. I feel so good inside when people tell me that my writing is good, or that I'm an amazing writer.

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Chapter 6

Later on after breakfast, Ron had told Harry about him asking Hermione out earlier. Harry was happy and proud of him, but found it highly amusing and a bit annoying at the same time because, Ron would keep springing it on him that he was "going out with Hermione Granger". But Harry understood his excitement seeing as the he and Hermione had a rough couple of months concerning each other in the past year, Ron just wanted to steer things in the right direction for them.

Ron was really overjoyed to be going on this date with Hermione, but he didn't forget the fact that she was still going through a hard time coping with her personal problem at home in the muggle world.

Harry and Ron sat in the common room playing chess after they had just finished, Transfiguration. Ron felt a little distracted concerning the, "you know what", tonight, so Harry thought a game might help him get it out of his mind until tonight.

'Castle to B-9,' Harry said. The white castle moved forwards on the board, but apparently right next to Ron's black knight.

'Tsk, Tsk, bad move, Harry,' Ron said, 'Checkmate!' The knight took out his sword and cut Harry's castle right in half. Ron couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head.

'So your hair still looking all fancy, eh, Ron?'

'Yeah, I guess, Mione must have put a spell on it so it wouldn't grow back to fast,' said Ron, running a hand through his ginger hair, 'hey, do you mind if I use some of your hair jell? You know…for tonight.' Harry grinned at him and nodded. Interested to see how his best mate would look in hair jell.

The common room door opened, Hermione and Ginny walked in. Ginny seemed to be holding Hermione around the shoulder, she wasn't crying but looked as if she was fighting not to. Ron immediately stood up from the settee, so did Harry. They made their way over to the two girls.

'What's happened?' Ron asked, concerned.

'Hermione got a letter from the owlery, unfortunately it was from her dad,' Ginny said, said holding onto Hermione, 'and then to top things of Malfoy cornered us on the way here and tried to snatch it.' Harry sighed angrily, and went over to hug Hermione. Ron was, can you guess? Furious, his hands started to shake.

'WHO DOES THAT BLOODY WANKER THINK HE IS!'

'Ron lets not start anything-..' but Ginny got cut off by her brothers loud yelling.

'WHERE IS MALFOY? WHERE DID YOU LAST SEE THE GIT! I'LL KILL HIM!' Ron started trudging out of the Gryffindor common room, causing some first year boys to jump out of his way out. Hermione had enough to deal with at home, she didn't need Malfoy making things worse for her, and Ron took that with great importance. Ginny, Hermione and Harry stood there worriedly, not knowing of the trouble Ron will get himself into.

'It's ok, I'll get him,' Hermione exclaimed, running out the common room, hopefully being able to catch up with Ron.

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Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and the rest of the bad mouth Slytherins were all sitting along the corridors, all laughing at Malfoy's jokes.

'Granger thinks she can top everyone, right, I'm going to get that pathetic little mudblood, mark my--…' CUFF! Malfoy fell back with full force holding his face, and acting like a little innocent boy. Ron was standing above him. Ron grabbed Malfoy by the collar and pulled him up to his level.

'YOU NEVER CALL HER THAT, YOU HERE ME! YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO GET TO HER!' Ron threw another punch at him, but this time harder causing Malfoy's nose to crack and bleed. He tackled him to the floor, punching him numerous of times like there was no one else there. All the Slytherins, including Crabbe and Goyle, were just standing there not wanting to get into Ron's way. Malfoy had a bloodied face, and then yelped out in pain, when he got kicked in the groin. Ron was now sweating but, didn't seem to care. He stopped punching him, 'YOU LIKE HARASSING GIRLS, HUH! YOU LIKE HARASSING HERMIONE! IF YOU DO ANYTHING TO HER, YOU'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH ME, UNDERSTAND? NO ONE, AND I MEAN, NO ONE MAKES HER CRY OR TEASES HER EXCEPT FOR ME!' Ron slugged him again in the face. Then he heard a cry out from behind,

'Ron, please, stop!' Still holding Malfoy down, Ron turned his head back to see Hermione. She had finally found and caught up to him. 'Please, Ron…I don't want you to get expelled.' Ron was breathing heavily, he looked into those beautiful, brown, sparkling eyes of hers and saw the plead and desperation in her them, he couldn't resist that at all. Ron finally calmed down; he looked back at Malfoy and muttered,

'I'm warning you, Malfoy, if you ever, ever, come near Hermione again, I'll make sure you get the first hospital bed at St. Mungos, instead of in the hospital wing.' He roughly let go of his collar, and made his way over to Hermione. He stopped about two centimeters away from her, but then she threw her arms around his neck and the two embraced. Hermione leaned her head to his ear and whispered,

'Let's go back to the common room, before Snape catches you.' Ron nodded taking her hand in his and walked back together along the corridors back to the common room. When they got in, they saw Harry and Ginny rushing over to them.

'What happened, Ron?' Harry asked. Ron however for some reason didn't bother answering, he just put his head down still holding Hermione's hand tightly, not wanting to let go. She looked at him and sighed,

'He got into a fight with Malfoy…it was really scary.' Ginny and Harry nodded, not wanting to bother Ron about it by springing questions, and complaining that he shouldn't have done it. The four stood there in silence, before Ginny cleared her throat,

'Ok, well, we'll let you have your space,' she said, 'can you come with me to the owlery, Harry?' Harry nodded clutching her hand and walked out the common room. Hermione stared after them, and then turned back to Ron. She placed on hand on his shoulder, which made him look up.

'Are you alright?' Ron just shrugged his shoulders at her.

'Mione…can we sit down and talk?'

'Of course.' The two made their way to the red settee next to the fire place, with a little hesitation Ron plopped down next to Hermione, he gave a long sigh before speaking,

'I'm so sorry, I just lost it,' Ron said, 'I-I've never been so angry before.' Hermione placed a hand on his lap and started to stroke it. He blushed as a little tickling tingle came to that spot.

'W-Why did you feel that you had to go and do that for me?' Hermione asked, with a worried look.

'Well, Mione, you've already got so much hard ache to deal with at home, and I just didn't want any pressure to be on you here, especially from Malfoy,' he replied, shifting a bit closer for more of her comfort, 'you know, when I was fighting Malfoy, I imagined that is was your dad I was fighting…when you told me that your dad abuses you, it felt like my world ripped apart, knowing that you have to go through all that rub.'

No, no, I can't cry, I have to be strong, Hermione thought. But she let one tear slid down her face.

'I never knew I meant that much to you, Ron,' she said softly. 'Did you mean what you said…to Malfoy?' Ron took her hand in his and kissed it,

'Every word.' Hermione smiled, she blushed and hugged him again. She and Ron now felt a lot better, Ron broke the hug and looked at her grinning, and he cleared his throat nervously,

'So, um…are we still on for tonight?' Hermione giggled and said,

'I didn't know we were even off in the first place,' Ron sighed happily in relief, not wanting the incident with Malfoy to get in the way of his and Hermione's date. Hermione checked to watch, 'Speaking of which, I have to go and get ready.' Ron frowned in confusion, and called after Hermione,

'It's only quarter to seven; we're not leaving until a quarter after eight.' Hermione didn't answer back, but just smirked and waved. What to do now?

Ron sat there staring into space wondering how things are going to turn out tonight. Numerous of questions were running through his head: What if I don't look good enough for her? What if she doesn't like the place I'm taking her? What if she regrets the date? Will she hate me after tonight...Will I steal a kiss? Harry walked in after Ron's long various minutes of thinking.

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'Hey, mate, what's the time?' Ron asked him.

'Now, it's quarter after seven.' Ron immediately shot from the settee,

'Bloody hell, I should go get ready to!' Harry laughed at Ron nervously stumbling up the staircase anxious to hurry up and get ready for his date, he followed in after him. About ten minutes had gone by; Harry was sitting watching his best friend, stumble with the leather blue tie he was trying to knot.

'Honestly, Ron, you do this everyday.'

'I know! I-I'm just nervous,' he fiddled with the tie a little longer, then finally got it. Harry helped him in his muggle tux, patting it down from the back, while Ron looked in the mirror. 'Well at least I don't have to worry about my hair being a problem, I washed it so, I'll put some jell into it.' Harry gave Ron some of his masculine easy hair jells, Fred and George had gotten him last year for Christmas. For the finishing touch, Ron sprayed on a bit on cologne. 'Ok…how do I look?'

'Very hot, Ronald!' Harry said, in a "Hermione" expression. Ron playfully smacked him on the shoulder. 'Good luck, Ron, and don't worry, everything will be fine.' Ron nodded wishing to believe it, he made his way down to the common, and Hermione wasn't there yet. That started to worry Ron. Bloody hell, what if she changed her mind? But in a few short seconds, someone came down the stairs, someone very amazing and beautiful. Ron didn't know what to say, he was absolutely gob smacked. Hermione looked amazing! She was wearing a navy blue dress with spaghetti straps, with a grey short furry sweater over it, and like in fourth year, she had used the sleeky-hair potion, only wearing a brown bandeau.

'M-Mione…you…I-…wow,' Hermione softly smiled at him, 'you look sooo beautiful.' The brown cloth was still on her arm but that didn't matter, she was glowing.

'Thanks, Ron,' she said, 'and look at you, handsome! That muggle suit really looks great on you, and I like the scent of your cologne.' Ron grinned, glad that she liked how he looked, instead of taking her hand, he stood there not taking his eyes off of her, they stood in silence. 'So is this where we're having our date, are we going to Hogsmeade?'

'O-Oh, right, sorry, my bad.' Ron offered her his hand, she gladly took it and they made their way out. Ron and Hermione walked hand in hand all the way to Hogsmeade; they laughed together and took a look at the other stores.

They had finally reached the café, which labeled, The Hogsmeade Cuisine. Ron, wanting to be the gentlemen for the night, opened the door causally for Hermione, who smiled and said, "thank you". Hermione for one was absolutely amazed at this new cuisine Hogsmeade had built.

'W-What do you think?' Ron asked nervously. Hermione turned around quickly and pecked him on the cheek

'Oh, Ron, I love it, it's so fancy,' she said, excitedly, 'I could pay if you want.' Ron shook his head, grabbing hold of both her hands,

'I have it covered, Mione…I just want you to have a great time here with me.'

So Ron paid for their reservations and the two got seated and at a table near the corner of the dining room where they were next to the window and also where they had some privacy. There was a dance floor right in the middle of all the tables where nobody was dancing yet because the music hadn't started up yet. Ron and Hermione got seated on the red semi-like circle seats, while the waiter put menus on the table. Hermione ordered the ceaser salad with Swiss steak, and Ron ordered the steak with all the works.

'How's your salad?' he asked her.

'It's really good, they added a special sauce, want to try?'

'No, that's alright, Mione, I don't want to take your food,' Ron said, getting back to his steak.

'That would be a first,' Hermione said under her breath, Ron chuckled poking her on the shoulder with his fork. The music had finally started playing, the song, Slow Dancing was on. Ron looked over at Hermione again,

'Do you want to dance?' Hermione smiled,

'Absolutely.' So Ron got put from the left end and Hermione got out from the right end, he took her hand and led her to the floor. She put both hands around his neck, and Ron put his hands on her waist pulling her closer. As of everything was going in slow motion while they were dancing together,

"Slow dancing, swaying to the music. Slow dancing, just me and my girl.

We are…slow dancing (Ron twirls Hermione around twice), swaying to the music.

Slow dancing, just me and my girl, no one else in the whole wide world. Slow dancing

Swaying to the music, slow dancing, just me and myyyyyy my, my, my girl. (A/N- I don't really know this song by heart but that's how it basically goes, lol).

The two couldn't stop smiling or keeping their eyes off each other, Hermione sighed and said,

'Ron…thank you for bringing me here tonight, I'm glad that we were able to go out.'

'I should be thanking you for saying that you'd come with me,' Ron said, pulling her closer, 'besides, I owe you a couple of dances anyways.' Now bringing up this subject, Ron couldn't help but wonder if Hermione had been having a better time now with him here, or with McClaggen and Viktor. 'Is this better? I mean…better than when you went with Krum three years ago?'

'Defiantly, one hundred times better, going with Krum was ok, but not as good with you,' Hermione softly said, grinning, shifting her hands around his neck.

Ha! Who's the better man now? Krum, McClaggen, you gits! Ron thought with triumph. Hermione than ran her fingers softly through Ron's greased up hair. He didn't seem to mind, he just smiled, because he never felt this close to her.

'I like how you've done up your hair for tonight.' Ron couldn't take it anymore, it was bothering him through out most of the night, and it had to come out, still holding her close on the dance floor, Ron leaned his head in and pressed his lips against hers. Hermione hesitated a little before passionately kissing him back. The two didn't care that they were snogging right in the middle of the dance floor just that had each other.

After a couple of long minutes Hermione broke the kiss slowly, Ron's heart was definitely beating fast, she could see the hunger and passion in his eyes, Hermione broke into a smile and kissed him again, and the two made this date a memorable one.

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It was now 10:30 PM, and Ron and Hermione were now coming back from their date, walking up the stairs. They walked hand in hand, silently not forgetting that kiss, more like a snog, that they shared earlier on that night. Ron's hair was now drying out from the grease, he had unloosed his blue leather tie and hung it around his neck, and he was carrying his black tux with one finger on his shoulder. The two stopped at Hermione's dorm entrance, she turned around before going in letting go of Ron's hand.

'I had a great time tonight, Ron,' she said, taking of her bandeau smiling. Ron sighed and said,

'Me too, I'm glad you had a nice time.'

'You know, tonight was exactly what I needed,' Hermione replied again, 'I felt so free tonight, it made me take my mind off of working so hard, and my dad.' Ron stepped closer to her at that,

'That was sort of my goal, to get you to relax.' Hermione giggle shyly and said,

'Well it worked…thanks Ron.' Ron shook his head. It was time to say goodnight, much to their expense, they stood there for a while, but then Ron stepped a bit closer, he leaned his head in and they kissed for the last time that night. 'Goodnight.'

'Goodnight, Mione, and maybe- I mean- if you want- we could do this again sometime? Instead of me having to ask you…we could just plan it.'

'That sounds like a plan,' Hermione said, 'goodnight.' She finally quietly opened the door walking in, leaving Ron grinning like a fool on the door step. He felt like the luckiest bloke in the universe. He walked into his dorm still smiling; all the boys including Harry were asleep.

Maybe there is hope for Hermione and I, Ron thought happily. He went to sleep smiling, memories from a great night. 