Chapter 7

A/N- It was my birthday last Thursday on May 18th. I turned 14!

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Harry noticed the next morning that Ron was happier than usual; he would pause once in a while, while getting dressed and laugh to himself.

'So I'm guessing things went well last night, Ron?' he asked, putting his robes on. Ron sighed, after tying up his Gryffindor tie.

'Things went brilliant, mate,' he replied, 'Hermione and me danced the night away and…we even-…' Ron trailed off being a bit to happy, but Harry had already gotten the picture immediately.

'You-…no way…you kissed her?'

'Yes, and even more than that—

'You two snogged? Wow, congrats, Ron! Things went that well,' Harry said excitedly, chuckling. 'So you're going out now right?' Ron didn't answer but continued just to get dressed. 'You snogged and you're not dating?'

'I'm not sure, Harry, Hermione didn't exactly say straight out that we were…but hopefully we are. I have to talk to her.'

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'So you're now going out with my brother, Mione?' Ginny asked, smiling, really happy for her friend. Hermione sat down on the bed beside her and nodded, also smiling,

'He was so romantic last night, Gin,' she said, 'I've never seen that side of Ron before.' Ginny smiled, nodding her head,

'Well I hate to admit it but, Ron's matured this year,' Ginny replied, 'you're the only thing he had on his mind all summer at the Burrow.' Hermione's eyes shot up in shock and interest,

'R-Really? Did he tell you that?'

'No, but I know my brother very well, like when he reads the letters you sent him, he doesn't waste time replying back to you,' Ginny said, 'he even put Harry's letter aside so he could reply to yours first, once.'

He's been thinking about me all summer…oh, I love him, Hermione thought. Before she could answer back there was a knock at the door, Ginny got up to get it, and she opened the door a little bit so she could peer through. Ron was anxiously standing there,

'Morning, sis, is—

'Yeah,' Ginny giggled, 'she's here, hold on.' Ginny looked back in and gave Hermione a wink; she opened the door so Ron could step in. He blushed while looking at Hermione sitting on the bed,

God, she looks so hot sitting on the bed like that, so relaxed!

'Well, I'll leave you two alone, see you at breakfast,' Ginny said, closing the door behind her. Ron looked back at Hermione who was smiling softly at him, he smiled back still blushing and walked over to her. The two sat in silence on the bed for a while.

'I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed our date last night,' Hermione said, clutching Ron's hand. Ron nodded and squeezed her hand in his,

'Me too.' Without anymore hesitation, Hermione leaned in closer and kissed him. Ron snaked his arms around her waist and kissed her sound sly harder, she now shifted so that she was on his lap. Ron moaned, he ran his hands up and down her back, she even let him slip one under her blouse. Hermione played with the now small hairs at the naps of his neck. Ron shifted her on his lap, now kissing her cheek and down to her neck….after a few short minutes they broke apart breathing heavily, with Hermione still on Ron's lap.

'Hermione, I…I wanted to tell you this for a long time now…I love you.' Hermione smiled really widely at those three wonderful words, 'I'm really, extremely, crazy about you, I love you…and I want you to be my girlfriend.'

'Ron, I…I love you to, I have for so long now and I want you to,' Hermione happily said, 'do you think we could give us a shot?' Ron nodded rapidly, looking deep into her brown sparkling eyes.

'Defiantly.' Hermione laughed, and kissed him again. But then Hermione broke the kiss, bracing her forehead against his. Ron looked concerned, as touched her cheek.

'Hey, what is it?' Hermione sighed and got off his lap, leaving Ron looking worried; he got up after her, and wrapped his hands around her waist from behind. 'Did I do something?' Hermione turned around and shook her head, "no".

'It's not you, Ron…remember that letter I got yesterday…the one from my father?'

'Yeah, I remember. What did that bastard say in the letter?' Hermione went over to the drawer next to her bed, and pulled out a slip of paper, she handed it to Ron. Ron took her hand and led her back over to sit with him. He unloosed the string and opened it, but before getting to read it, Hermione gently touched his hand, 'I'd be in big trouble if he knew that I showed this to you.' Ron nodded understanding kissing her head, he then read the letter,

Hermione,

You're to come back home for the week that you've finally been given off by those crackpot professors of yours. Don't even think about going to any of those "people's", houses, or else you suffer some surprise with me and there isn't anything you or your mum can do about it. Just because you're at that school doesn't mean I still can't control your life. I know you won't disappoint me. I'll be expecting you home next week, girl.

David Granger.

Ron was totally disgusted at that man's nerve, if only he knew who he had been talking to. He looked at Hermione who had small tears running down her face; she took the letter back from Ron stuffing it in the pocket in the robes. Ron desperately wanted her to come spend the week with him at the Burrow, especially since now that they're going out, but his plans were ruined.

I'm going to rip that bastard to pieces, just like I almost did Malfoy, he thought angrily. Ron wrapped his arm around Hermione and kissed her forehead.

'Mione, I don't know how, but I'm not going to let him torture you anymore.' Hermione sniffed, and looked up at him again,

'I don't think there's anything you can do, Ron,' she said, 'I'm sorry. I really wanted to come to the Burrow with you for the week we have off…but I can't disobey my father.' Ron sat in silent wiping her tears from her face, Hermione gathered up her books, she bent down at kissed him before heading for the door. 'I love you, Ron. I'll see you in the Great Hall.' Ron sighed, standing up and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

I don't think there's anything you can do, Ron.' Her words kept repeating in his head. Ron kept thinking.

I love Hermione with all my heart, I'm not letting her go through with that torture, Ron thought, there's got to be something I can do…but what?

Ron then had an idea, he decided that he would owl his brother Charlie later on to ask his advice. He made a trip down to the owlery and posted his brother. Charlie was home from Romania, he took some time off from all those Dragons, like the Welsh Green, the Chinese Firebolt, the Swedish Short snout and the Hungarian Horntail. Ron was happy he had decided to come home for a change. But in the mean time while waiting for the letter to hopefully arrive back to Hogwarts today, Ron decided to take this mind off it and focus on his girlfriend.

Harry, Ron and Hermione had a period of Transfiguration next with the Ravenclaws. Today's lesson was on turning pieces of parchment into pieces of cloth. They were partnered up, Ron with Hermione, and Harry with Neville. Neville kept making minor errors like not waving his wand correctly and causing the cloth to burn.

While Hermione was writing some notes down with her quill, she stopped in mid sentence, and raised her eyes of the parchment, only to feel that Ron was playing footsie with her under the desk. She smiled and decided to play along, Hermione rubbed his foot back, then put her's over his so it wouldn't move. Ron smirked at her and winked.

'Am I ever going to be able to concentrate?' she asked.

'Wow, am I really that irresistant to you, Miss Granger?' Hermione laughed, and playfully hit him on the arm. 'What was the spell again?'

'Pockio.' So Ron conjured up the spell and his piece of parchment transfigured into a shiny red silk cloth. Hermione proudly smiled, and pecked him on the cheek. After three tries, I finally conjured it, Ron thought, relieved with himself. By saying that he meant by Hermione already done transfiguring her parchments a long time ago.

'Are you…are you mad at me, Ron?' Hermione suddenly asked, putting her quill back in the ink. Ron looking concerned and confused on why she would think he was mad at her.

'Mione of course I'm not mad at you, why would you even ask that?'

'Well, I just thought you would be disappointed that I wouldn't be able to come with you next week.' Ron shook his head, and took her hand in his.

'Mione, it's not your fault, I mean, you make me happy when you say you like coming to the Burrow….but I understand this time.' Hermione smiled, the leaned forward and kissed him, he kissed back, he wanted to grab for her waist but she stopped him and broke the kiss.

'No, Ron, not now,' then she broke out giggling, 'we're right in the middle of class.' Ron looked around also chuckling.

'If we were up in the common room, I would be fighting you on that.'

Class was finally over all the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw seventh years were now heading out the door to go to their next classes. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville packed up their books to leave but, McGonagall came up to them.

'Excuse me, Mr. Weasley,' she said, making them turn around, 'Professor Dumbledore wishes to speak with you in his office.' Harry and Neville looked confused, and Hermione had a worried look on her face. Ron sighed and nodded; he turned around and kissed Hermione then followed Professor McGonagall out the door.

Ron wasn't really worried because he couldn't think of a reason for Dumbledore to be mad at him. While walking down the corridors, he started to think, Maybe he wants to appoint me Head Boy, or better yet me Head Boy and Hermione Head Girl. Ron stepped up onto the stone eagle, and McGonagall muttered the password,

'Blueberry Trifles.'

Ron curved his finger and knocked on Dumbledore's door, he pushed it open and found the Headmaster feeding Fawkes bits of food from his hand. He turned and looked at Ron.

'Ah, Mr. Weasley, come in, please.' Ron closed the door behind him and sat down on the chair in front of the desk. Dumbledore plopped down on his gold chair, sighing, which was leaving Ron looking worried and nervous.

'Mr. Weasley, I've heard of the incident that happened between you and Mr. Malfoy yesterday,' Dumbledore said, 'you put the young man in critical condition.' Ron however, wasn't the least bit sorry of what he did to Malfoy, he didn't show any sense of remorse on his face.

'No disrespect, professor, but I don't regret what I did to Malfoy,' said Ron, without any hesitation. Dumbledore folded his hands on his desk leaning closer,

'What is it exactly Mr. Malfoy had done, that caused you to react the way you did?'

'He was harassing Hermione, professor. He has for years, but this year it's personal,' he replied, 'Hermione's going through rough times and I didn't want anything or anyone making her feel worse.'

'I know you had good intentions, Mr. Weasley, you're very protective of her.' Ron reassuringly nodded, resting his hand near the edge of his mouth.

'I am, because I love her with all my heart…I don't know what I'd do without her.'

'And I'm trusting that you'll help Ms. Granger through the personal problem that's accruing in her life right now?' Ron's eyes widened at that, he sat up looking concerned and confused.

'Professor, you know about Hermione's secret?' Ron asked.

'Oh yes, you see, I don't need Extendable Ears to know about those types of situations.'

'Well if you know about it, why haven't you said anything to me or Hermione? Do you know how much pain she's going through, and I can even mean that literally.'

Even though Ron was furious, which Dumbledore could defiantly see, Dumbledore just kept on talking.

'Because, Ronald, I am trusting you to take care of that, you honestly said that you love Ms. Granger, but its actions that will take over.' Ron nodded, clearly understanding that. 'Now, for your punishment…'

'My punishment, what about Malfoy?' But after seeing the look on Dumbledore's face, he sighed and stayed quite.

'Thank you, anyways, I will not expel you nor will I give you a suspension, but starting the week after you come back from your break, you will come to my office twice a week for a month and I will give you assignments.'

'Yes sir,' as much as it hurt Ron to say it, 'that's fair.' So much for my snogging plans with Mione. Ron got up from the chair and hurled his book bag strap over his shoulder and headed for the door.

'Oh, Mr. Weasley, one more small thing!'

'Yes?'

'Wise choices, make them, especially for where you're off to next week.' Ron nodded, not really understanding what Dumbledore meant by that. He had some thinking to do. Ron went to his dorm dropped off his bag, then went off by the lake to meet Charlie, who had previously written him back, to meet him at Hogwarts. While walking down the hill, Ron spotted his brother, who was standing there waiting for him to arrive.

'Hey, Charlie.'

'Hey, Ron, how're you doing, little bro?' asked Charlie, shaking his hand. He then ran a hand through Ron's hair.

'Nice hair looks hot! Did you cut it?'

'No…Hermione did, looks good doesn't it?' He laughed nodding his head.

'So, how's it going with her?'

'Well,' Ron started up, and then broke into a smile, 'we're going out. Hermione's my girlfriend now.'

'Congratulations, Ron! Did you ask her out yet?'

'Yeah I did, it went so well…I'll never forget it,' he said, 'anyways, and Hermione is the reason why I asked you to come here today.' Charlie nodded folding his arms, and scratched his chin with one finger.

'Ok, what's wrong?'

'I need your advice on something, Charlie, you see, Hermione's got this personal problem at home in the Muggle world. It's been bothering her for years now and I only just found out, and now it's bothering me too. Charlie observed Ron for a few seconds, before asking,

'What is it exactly?' Ron shifted uncomfortably standing, he sighed,

'Actually Charlie…I'd rather not say—

'Ok, ok, I understand, sorry. Go on, then.'

'Yeah so, because of this problem, Hermione can't come to the Burrow for the week all seventh years have off next week…she has to go home and she's not really comfortable going .'

'So,' Charlie said, 'you're concerned about what might happen to her if she does go back home?' Ron nodded a "yes".

'I don't want Hermione going home by herself; she's already been through enough. So what do you think I should do?' Charlie smiled and patted his brother on the shoulder,

'Real simple, Ron: Go-with-her,' he said clearly.

'W-What? You think I should go with Hermione to her house next week?'

'Yes, why not?'

'Well…I've never been to the muggle world before,' Ron nervously said.

'Exactly. Think of it as an adventure, little brother. You're not only going to look after Hermione, but you're also going to connect with her in a way by leaning the muggle ways.' Ron stood their thinking for a bit, stuffed his hands in his pockets, the grinned.

'Yeah, I guess you're right,' he said, 'I really love her, and I'll do anything for her. So I will go with her next week, will you tell mum?' Charlie nodded, smiling at him. 'Thanks, Charlie for coming out here and talking with me.'

'No worries, Ron,' he said, 'and Ginny told me you had to see Dumbledore, what's that about?'

'Uh…it's a long story. I'll see you later.'

Ron took off heading back to the castle to find Hermione, as he passed the corridors he saw girls staring at him they were Slytherin and some Ravenclaws. They all had sly smirks on their faces and waved at Ron. Ron just rolled his eyes annoyingly, then he shook his head and kept walking down the halls. Sluts, he thought. When he got up to the common room, he found Hermione sitting on the settee near the fire place reading a book, but rubbing her arm where he had wrapped the cloth to keep her bruise steady.

She's so beautiful and so innocent.

Ron sighed and walked over to her by the fire place.

'Hey, Mione,' he greeted, sitting next to her. Hermione looked up from her book and smiled,

'Hi,' she kissed him, 'w-what did Dumbledore say?'

'Don't worry, it's just about Malfoy. I'm not getting suspended or expelled, but I just have to write lines for him after we come back from the time off.' Hermione sighed in relief.

'Good, because I don't want to lose you, Ron, I love you.' Ron blushed; he shifted closer to her on the settee and took her hand.

'I love you too,' he said, and kissed her one more time, before stroking her hair, 'Mione…I wanted to talk to you about something.'

'Yes?'

'Well it's about next week, you not being able to come to the Burrow with me,' said Ron. Hermione sighed and put her head down back onto her book.

'Ron, I told you I was sor—

'No, not that…I have an idea,' he said in a hurry, 'we've always been talking about you coming over with me, but…how about I come with you to your house next week?' Hermione's eyes shot up from the book and onto Ron's eyes.

'What? You want to come with me?' Hermione broke into a soft smile, 'Ron…I…don't know if it's such a bright idea.' Ron looked confused at her. 'Not that I don't want you to. I would love to have my boyfriend over at my house…I mean which girl wouldn't (Ron laughed at that) but I don't want you feeling uncomfortable.'

'Hermione you know I never feel uncomfortable around you, not in the way you think,' he said, blushing, which made her giggle, 'I think it would be good if I came with you.'

'Do you know how much trouble I'd get into with him? He'll want you out of there, before you even take a step into the house. Then he'll come after me.'

'I don't think so, Mione, you've never had another person at you house, especially not another bloke,' Ron said, clutching her hand, 'so when he sees me, he'll be in shock, because he knows that you'd never do that.' Hermione was beginning to see the light of this situation but still had some doubts.

'But…w-what if h-he tries to…h-hurt you?' Ron sighed and held her face on his.

'Let him try, I'll beat him to the pulp just like I did Malfoy…and if he tries to hurt you or your mum and it'll be worse. And another reason why I want to go with you is because, I want us to connect in a way, you can teach me about the Muggle ways.'

Hermione looked down and chuckled, she finally gave in.

'O-Ok…I'll owl my mum and tell her that you're coming I think she'll be happy.' Ron nodded happily and embraced her, but then she let go to face him again.

'Ron, my mum…she's in a wheelchair.' Ron had remembered his dad telling him about wheelchairs, this had brought Hermione to tears. Ron looked as if he was about to cry too, but he stayed strong. I can't believe that sick bastard!

'M-Mione, oh God, I'm so sorry…how did it happen? Is she ok?'

'Yeah she's fine, don't worry,' Hermione sobbed, 'she was trying to defend me, but…' Ron didn't need her to say anymore, he brought her face to his and kissed her hard, then embraced her again.

'So she's a handicapped?' Hermione moved away quickly and stood up angrily.

'No she's not! Weren't you listening to me, Ronald? She's perfectly normal; she's just in a wheelchair!' Hermione didn't mean to yell at Ron, she started crying harder.

'I'm sorry, Hermione, I shouldn't have—

'No, Ron, I'm sorry…I just hate it when people refer to my mother as a handicapped, I know you didn't mean it.'

'So I'm guessing you have to help her out a lot at home right?' Hermione slowly nodded.

'Well listen, now that I'm coming with you, I'll help you and your mum with everything you need, ok?'

'You don't have to do that.'

'I want to Hermione, I love you.'

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After a 15 minute snog, Hermione and Ron went up to the owlery and posted Hermione's mother with Pig. She replied back a couple of hours later approving of Ron's visit, actually happy and excited in meeting Ron. Ron was also looking forward to next week, she couldn't wait to see the look on David Granger's face when he arrived. Next week was going to be very interesting.

A/N- I hoped you liked it as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you haven't already read my one-shot story, Love at Leavesden, please do so and review. Thanks. (Danielle D).