Chapter 20

"OY! That's revolting," George bellowed from where he stood frozen on the first floor landing. "I think I've lost my appetite."

"Get a room," Fred added, as he appeared behind his twin brother.

"Could we use yours?" Ron shot back, much to Hermione's dismay.

"Use your own bloody room," Fred argued as he descended to the ground floor and pushed past the couple on his way to the kitchen.

"I would, but that's the first place Mum will look."

"Ron!" Hermione cried, as she walloped him in the arm.

"OW!"

"That's true," George replied with a smirk, as he watched his younger brother unconsciously rub his arm. Hermione was petite, but apparently she packed a mean punch and George had more than a sneaking suspicion that she'd been coached by Ginny. "Doesn't mean I want you two shagging in my bed, though."

"We aren't going to..." Hermione started to shout, then caught herself, and stopped short. "Oh, forget it," she muttered under her breath, as she stood up, pushed past both the twins, and marched off towards the stairs leading to the basement kitchen. "You two have completely ruined the mood. I'm going down to dinner."

"Thanks a lot," Ron grumbled as he watched Hermione disappear.

"Any time," Fred laughed.

"Looks like our work here is done," George added, "I'm starved. Let's eat."

....................

Upon entering the kitchen, Ron was disappointed to discover Hermione seated beside Bill and already engrossed in conversation. As his father was sitting on the other side of her, he took the seat directly across and waited for her to acknowledge him. After a moment or two, she looked his way and smiled, then turned back to Bill and continued talking to him about some ruddy curse.

As the meal progressed, Ron noticed that Hermione was purposely avoiding the twins. Periodically she would glance at him or Ginny, but she hadn't looked at Fred or George once since they came into the room. It didn't take very long for him to realize she was worried she'd set them off if she did. Remarkably enough, the two of them had kept their mouths shut so far. Rather than tease him about the snogging session they stumbled on, the twins were talking quietly to his parents about atmosphere in Diagon Alley.

Having wolfed his dinner down at top speed, Ron was rather anxious to get out of the kitchen and away from prying eyes. The problem was, Hermione didn't seem to notice. He kept waiting for a lag in her conversation with Bill, but apparently it wasn't going to happen. Drastic measures were called for. He just prayed it was her foot he was about to nudge under the table and not his father's.

Summoning up all the courage he had, Ron extended his leg until his foot touched something directly in front of him. Nothing happened. Ron glanced quickly at his father and then back to Hermione, but neither of them reacted. Thinking that maybe it was a table leg rather then a human one, Ron lightly ran his toe downward and stopped abruptly when he realized that his foot was now directly on top of someone else's. It definitely hadn't been a table leg. He breathed a sigh of relief when Hermione glanced his way and he saw her cheeks flush slightly. Ron caught her eyes with his own before she had a chance to look away again, then he looked over at the door, and cocking his head subtly as if to say, "Let's go."

The rosy hue on her cheeks became a little more pronounced and she dipped her head forward just once, letting him know she understood. But unlike Ron, who stood up and walked his empty plate over to the sink, Hermione remained seated. He caught her eye again from where he stood behind Bill and looked at her questioningly. She held his gaze for a moment, then glanced at the door, and back to him quickly. Realizing that she wanted him to go first, Ron thanked his mother for the meal and left.

....................

A few minutes later, Hermione ascended the stairs followed closely by Ginny, who appeared to be in a sour mood.

"She could have at least let me finish before she kicked us out," Ginny fumed, as she stalked towards the stairs.

"She told you to take your plate with you," Hermione said in Mrs. Weasley's defense.

"That isn't the point. I was trying to listen to their conversation," Ginny replied.

"I know that," Hermione shot back. "So did she. That's why she kicked us out."

"What conversation?" Ron asked, as he got up off his trunk and approached the girls.

"The one your parents were having with Fred and George," Hermione explained. "About how people are taking the news that..."

"That what?" Ron asked, looking pointedly at Hermione and trying to figure out why she was suddenly on edge.

"That the ministry let Krum go," Ginny said warily, expecting to see her brother bristle.

"Oh," Ron said, after a prolonged silence. Ginny watched his eyes narrow, but before he could say anything else, Hermione grabbed his arm and dragged him down the hall and out of earshot.

As she watched them go, Ginny couldn't help but smile to herself when she realized what Hermione was doing. She had pulled him dangerously close to Mrs. Black's portrait, and Ginny had no doubt that she had done it on purpose. If Ron lost his temper now, he'd disturb the old witch and she'd out shout him. Not only would he have to deal with Hermione, but he'd have to face the wrath of his mother as well. While Ron wasn't always the sharpest tack in the box, he had enough sense to realize his predicament and keep his voice down.

Ginny watched with interest as Ron and Hermione conversed together in hurried whispers. Strangely enough, when he glanced her way, he didn't look angry. If she had to name it, she'd say he looked disappointed, but he turned away before she really had a chance to be sure. Hermione must have suggested something that her brother wasn't too keen on. Not only did he shake his head back and forth as he disagreed with her, he reached out and took both her hands in his as he pleaded his case.

The fact that he initiated the contact caught Ginny slightly off guard. Ron had never been the touchy-feely type, and until recently he had always avoided touching Hermione. She knew things were different now. She had walked in on them after all, but it still seemed a bit odd. She'd just never pictured her brother as the type of guy that would hold a girl's hand, especially in front of a family member. Yet there it was. They were holding hands and it had a visible effect on Hermione. Her face had softened and she was listening to whatever Ron was saying with no signs of interrupting.

That's new, Ginny thought to herself as she observed their interaction. Hermione had always been the one with the power in their friendship. She told Ron and Harry what to do and even though Ron might argue with her about it and Harry might complain, in the end, they almost always did what she wanted. Hermione on the other hand, very rarely listened to the boys once her mind was made up. But she was listening to Ron now. Not only that, she was considering whatever it was he had said. They weren't arguing, they were discussing. Ginny had never actually seen that happen before and it threw her. When Hermione dragged Ron off, Ginny had no doubt that she'd be the ultimate victor. But now that the discussion was over, and pair were walking back towards her, she had no idea who had actually won out in the end.

"Want some help with that?" Ron asked, pointing down at Ginny's trunk.

"No, that's ok," she replied, still a little shocked that Ron hadn't stormed off the moment Krum was mentioned. "I'm just going to take what I need upstairs. Mum will make Fred and George carry it up later," she added.

"Oh, ok then," Ron said, glancing at Hermione who arched her eyebrow and nodded her head at Ginny. "So what is it you need?" he asked lamely.

"What is it to you?" his sister shot back defensively. What the hell is going on here?

"Nothing," Ron protested. "I was just curious is all."

"Not that it is any of your business, but I thought I'd start my potions homework."

"Er... ok then."

"Ron and I are going to play chess in the drawing room upstairs," Hermione told Ginny. "You are welcome to join us," she added quickly. "If you want. There is a writing desk in there."

"Don't you two want to... be alone?" Ginny asked.

YES! Ron's mind shouted, but he had sense enough not to say it out loud. It had already been decided, much to his chagrin.

"This doesn't bother you, does it?" Hermione asked, her face flushing slightly as she pulled her hand, which was still intertwined with Ron's, up into the air for Ginny to see.

"No," Ginny replied honestly. "I think it's great. But that doesn't mean I want to watch you snog all night."

"We're going to play chess," Hermione clarified.

"Sure you are," Ginny snorted.

"We are," Ron sighed, letting his disappointment show. "So you may as well join us."

"RON!" Hermione cried loudly.

"What?"

"May as well?" she scolded.

"What's wrong with that?" he questioned. I invited her didn't I? It's what you wanted.

"It was rude."

"It was not," Ron protested. "Rude would be saying she is a better player than you are."

"Just for that, I'm not going to play you," Hermione informed him, letting go of his hand and folding her arms in front of her chest.

"Ginny, help me out here," Ron whined.

"You're a tactless git," Ginny said. "And beyond my help."

"But you'll still play, right?" Ron implored his sister.

"You are going to pester me until I say yes, aren't you?"

"You know you want to," Ron replied with a grin. "No one in their right mind would choose to work on potions if they had another option."

"Is that so?" Hermione asked.

"Quick. Arithmancy or Potions? Which one would you do first?" Ron shot back.

"Honestly," Hermione moaned, as she bit her lip and shook her head in exasperation. He had her and they both knew it.

"See, I'm right," Ron proclaimed with a smile. "So Gin?"

"One game," Ginny replied. " Then I'm working on my essay."

"Sure you will," Ron chuckled as he popped the lid on his trunk and retrieved his chess pieces.

....................

An hour and a half later, Ron and Ginny were in the middle of their third game. Hermione had relented and would have played the winner of the first game, if she hadn't fallen asleep before the game ended. She was now snuggled up against Ron, who was sitting comfortably on the couch with his arm wrapped around her shoulder, telling his pieces where to move.

"There you three are," Bill said as he popped his head in open doorway. "All clear."

"Are you sure?" Ron asked.

"Yes. It's perfectly safe," Bill insisted.

"What are you two talking about?" Ginny asked, looking away from the chessboard and at her eldest brother.

"Ron was worried Kreacher might have done something to your room."

"So that is what all this chess nonsense was about," Ginny said, looking insulted. "You were just trying to keep me out of there until Bill checked it out?"

"No," Ron answered truthfully. "That wasn't it at all." Hermione didn't want you to feel left out.

"I'm going to bed," Ginny said, rising up out of her chair and storming out the door.

"She's just upset because she can't beat me," Ron chuckled as Bill walked into the room and looked down at the chessboard.

With a chuckle of his own, Bill spun the board around so Ron could examine it from her angle. "She'd have had you in check in two moves," he laughed.

"No she woul--" Ron started to protest. "OH. I would have spotted that as soon as she moved her knight."

"No doubt," Bill replied, sitting down in Ginny's now vacant chair. Bill's eyes shifted from his brother to Hermione, who was sleeping soundly next to him.

"Fancy a game?" Ron asked his older brother.

"Not tired?" Bill questioned.

"Of playing chess?" Ron retorted as if the very idea was ludicrous. "Never."

"I may give you a run for your money."

"You can try," Ron sniggered. "But you'll fail like everyone else."

"You're a cocky one, aren't you?" Bill chuckled.

"The last time you beat me, I was 8 years old," Ron replied as Bill turned the board back around and replaced the missing pieces.

"Maybe I let you win," Bill challenged.

"For eight years?" Ron laughed, "White moves first."

"So things are serious between you two now, are they?" Bill asked as he advanced one of his pawns.

"Er...yeah. I guess so," Ron said uncomfortably.

"Congratulations."

"Um, thanks," Ron replied, purposely avoiding his brothers gaze by studying the board.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Er...," Ron stammered. "Uh... do I have a choice?" he finally asked as he sent his own pawn forward.

Ignoring Ron's question, Bill asked his own instead. "How in the world did you make up so fast after that fight?"

"What? Which fight?" Ron asked, as Bill made his next move.

"That row you had about what happened in the field. One minute she wouldn't even talk to you, then I leave for 10 minutes, and when I get back you two are acting as if nothing happened. I'm just curious how you did it."

"Oh, well...er...," Ron stammered, "Pawn to G5. She wasn't really that mad."

"She did a damn good impression then," Bill chuckled, "Bishop to C4."

"I reckon I just know her well enough to tell the difference."

"That's good then," Bill said, not buying Ron's answer. "It will save you both a lot of grief."

"What do you mean?" Ron asked, trying not to sound worried. "Knight to F6," he ordered, before he turned away from the board and looked down at Hermione who was still resting peacefully against his chest.

"The fact that you know her so well," Bill explained. "That you can do... whatever it is you did to make her forgive you... the next time you do something stupid."

"What makes you think I'm going to do something stupid?"

"I was 16 once, you know."

"So?"

"So I made a lot of mistakes. And I'm here to make sure you don't make the same ones."

"Bloody hell," Ron moaned. "I already had this talk with Dad."

"Yeah, I remember Dad's talks. But what I'm about to tell you may actually be useful."

For a moment Ron was torn between extreme embarrassment and curiosity. Useful in what way? Is he talking about technique? Or some secret way to a woman's heart? Ron wondered, glancing down at Hermione again just to make sure she really was asleep. "Ok," he said, his curiosity winning out. "What is it then?"

"Patience little brother," Bill laughed. "The wisdom I am about to impart took me years to gather. You wouldn't want to rush me would you?"

"Yes."

"I might skip something important."

"Why don't we skip the whole thing, then?" Ron retorted, his interest waning quickly.

"You love her, don't you?" Bill asked, suddenly very serious.

OK, this wasn't part of the bargain. "Er..."

"That is going to make it difficult."

"Make what difficult?" Ron demanded to know. "Why?"

"I'm getting ahead of myself," Bill said. "How do I say this?" he asked himself out loud. "Do you know what women really want?"

Ron gaped at his older brother in disbelief for a moment. "Oh sure," he scoffed. "How am I supposed to know that when they don't even seem to know?"

"You may have a point there," Bill chuckled. "So let me rephrase the question. Do you know what Hermione wants?"

"Um... I don't know. Maybe. I think. Sometimes."

"She wants that," Bill said looking at the couple seated together on the couch.

"Huh?" Ron blurted out. He was now completely lost and had no idea what Bill was talking about. "She wants what?"

"That," Bill explained pointing at them. "That right there. What you are doing right now."

"I'm not doing anything," Ron argued. "She isn't even awake."

"She didn't sleep very well last night. I could tell," Bill said when Ron started to protest. "But she's sleeping now. Why do you think that is?"

"Because she was exhausted," Ron replied.

"No," Bill informed him. "It's because you gave her what she needed."

"We didn't do anything," Ron protested. "Ginny was in here the whole time."

"And there it is," Bill replied with a smile. "Not only did you spring the trap, little brother. You just dove headfirst into the abyss."

"What are you talking about?" Ron asked. The longer this conversation went on, the more confused he seemed to be.

"You assumed what she needed was... physical. You are thinking like a bloke."

"I am a bloke."

"Hermione isn't."

"Not this again. Look, I've always known she was a girl." Even before she started screaming it at me 4th year. "It just took me a while to figure out she was... that she could be... more than a friend."

"The important thing is that you did figure that out," Bill said. "But that isn't what I mean."

"What do you mean, then?"

"Most girls your age don't really want the same thing blokes do. They want to be close to you. They want to feel loved. They want to hold hands and snuggle up with you. They want to kiss and touch a little, but that is really pretty much it."

"That isn't true," Ron insisted. It can't be true. "There are plenty of girls at Hogwarts that do more than that."

"Just because they do it, doesn't mean it is what they really want."

"Why would they do it if they didn't want to?" Ron asked.

"Because it gets them the other things I mentioned. A lot of girls do it because they are afraid a bloke won't like them if they don't."

Ron silently thought this over for a moment before he replied. "But that is ridiculous. Hermione would never think that. I mean... she has to know that I wouldn't drop her just because she didn't want to.... I mean... that's not why I... I'd... I'd wait," he stammered, the tips of his ears heating as his face flushed.

"Good answer," Bill said, giving his brother an encouraging smile. "You should probably tell her that."

"What? But she has to know it already."

"Does she?" Bill asked. "Step back and look at the bigger picture for a minute. Those other girls... the ones that do put out. They get a lot of attention from the blokes at school, don't they?"

"Well, yeah I suppose."

"And the girls that the boys aren't fawning all over... they see this, right?"

"Yeah."

"And they are probably a little jealous," Bill continued.

"I guess some of them might be," Ron admitted.

"What are Hermione's roommates like?"

"They are a couple of gossiping twits. They are nowhere near as great as she is."

"Are they... popular?"

"Well, yeah, but that is because they spend all their time trying to make themselves look good," Ron said, as if it was a bad thing. "Lavender carries her wand around just so she can curl her eyelashes with it, for Merlin's sake."

"So they are shallow?" Bill asked.

"You could say that."

"And yet all the blokes seem to like them? How do you think that makes a smart girl like Hermione feel?"

"What do you mean?" Ron questioned. "She thinks they are a couple of idiots."

"Merlin, was I ever this thick?" Bill muttered to himself.

"HEY!" Ron cried a bit louder than he had meant to, causing Hermione to shift in her sleep. Both of them froze when she groaned softly and nuzzled deeper into the crook of Ron's neck. The two brothers looked at one another silently for a moment, waiting to see if she was awake. But as she made no further attempts to move and continued to breathe deeply, they both decided it was safe to continue.

"Ok," Bill said softly. "Let me put it all together for you. Hermione's roomates are a pair of idiots. They are shallow and don't care about anything but how they look and catching the attention of the male population. Correct?"

"Yeah, that pretty much sums them up," Ron agreed.

"Hermione on the other hand is... what is she, exactly?" Bill asked.

"Amazing," Ron replied almost instantly.

"Can you be more specific?"

"Yes, but I'm not going to be," Ron informed him.

"Alright then," Bill said, knowing there was no point pushing him when he had his mind set. "So Hermione, who is this 'amazing' girl, has spent the past 5 years listening to her roommates gossip about various boyfriends. And of course being the smart girl that she is, she has figured out that some teenage boys care more about what a girl looks like and how far she will go, than who she really is as a person. It is a physical connection, not an emotional one those boys are after."

Ron's eyes got large as he remembered the way Hermione had yelled at him after he said he'd rather go to the Yule Ball alone than with a troll like Eloise Midgen. BLOODY HELL! She thought I was one of those blokes. "So basically, you're going to take the best-looking girl who'll have you, even if she's completely horrible?" he heard Hermione's voice shriek inside his head. "Yeah, that sounds about right," he heard himself agree with her. BLOODY HELL! I was one of those blokes. What if she thinks I'm still like that? "Why didn't you tell me all this two years ago when it might have made a difference?" Ron moaned. "So what am I supposed to do?"

"I'm not you," Bill said. " I can't answer that."

"What would you do?" Ron pressed him.

"At your age?" Bill asked. "I'd be dating her roommates. How do you think I figured this stuff out? It took me a long time to realize that there was more to it than just having a good time. Don't get me wrong. I wasn't a cad or anything. I just didn't take the time to really get to know any of them. That way when it stopped being fun it was easy to call it quits and move on. I've never had anything close to what you two already have. I've never really taken the time to get emotionally involved before the other stuff started. But you two are already there. You don't have to go through all those awkward 'getting to know you' chats. And you don't have to worry about uncomfortable silences or finding way to fill them, if you catch my meaning. That puts you way ahead of the game. Filling those silences is what steers a relationship in a superficial direction. On the other hand..."

"On the other hand what?" Ron asked, sounding a bit panicked.

"If things go wrong...,"

"Why would you assume things are going to go wrong?"

"You never know," Bill replied. "Something could happen to..."

"Don't," Ron interrupted when he realized what Bill was hinting at.

"I was there, Ron. I saw how you reacted when Mum told you she they had her."

"I don't want to talk about that," Ron said vehemently. EVER! I don't even want to think about it.

"I know you don't," Bill said. "But that is the down side to being emotionally involved. You run the risk of getting hurt. You aren't the only one taking that risk. She is a great girl. I don't want to see either of you get hurt."

"I would never..."

"Not intentionally," Bill replied. "But things happen. Just... take it slow and be sure you aren't unintentionally pressuring her into doing something she isn't really ready to do." Bill wanted to tell his brother that they would have the rest of their lives to do that, but he knew it wasn't a very strong argument at this point, considering they would soon be caught up in the middle of a war. "And if it is her idea," Bill continued, "take a minute and ask yourself why. Is it what she really wants, or is it because she thinks it is what you want?"

"Is that all then?" Ron asked sarcastically. I should turn her down, even if it's what she wants so she doesn't think that is all I am interested in?

"You still remember that charm I taught you?"

"Yes," Ron moaned, his face flushing again.

"If you are unsure..."

"No, I remember how to do it."

"Don't forget," Bill warned

"I won't."

"Mum WILL kill you."

"Don't I know it."

"You know that... women aren't the same as men," Bill said.

"I figured that out a few years ago," Ron snorted. "But thanks for the stating the obvious."

"No I mean... it isn't the same when you're... together. Especially in the beginning. It will be painful for...

"Bloody hell," Ron muttered as his ears colored to match his face and hair.

"This isn't fun for me to talk about either, you know. Especially with her sitting right there. I wouldn't put it past her to pretend to be asleep."

Ron actually laughed, despite himself. Me either, he thought. "Trust me," he said, "She's asleep. She'd be blushing like mad by now if she weren't. I don't want to hurt her," he muttered, more to himself then for Bill's benefit.

"You will. There is no getting around it," his brother said.

"I know."

"I'm not just talking about ...at first."

"What do you mean?" Ron asked, feeling that knot of panic coiling up in his stomach again.

"Well, all girls are different of course, but... you are my brother after all. And we seem to be about the same size."

"BLOODY HELL!" Ron shouted.

"Ron?" Hermione moaned, as her eyes fluttered open and she pushed away from him. "Wh...what is it?" she asked, and then covered her mouth to yawn. "Ginny didn't beat you, did she?" she questioned, turning to the person sitting in the chair across from them. "Oh, hi Bill," she said, "What happened to Ginny?"

"Unlike some people, she decided to sleep in her bed." Ron teased thankful that Hermione was still groggy and didn't seem to realize what she had woken up to.

"Oh, shut up," she said, as she smacked him lightly on the arm. "How long was I asleep? she asked, trying to stifle another yawn.

"A couple hours."

"Really?" she said, unable to keep the surprise out of her voice. "And you sat here with me leaning on you all that time?"

"It's not like you weigh anything," Ron answered quickly. "And I still have one hand free," he said, pulling her closer with the arm he had wrapped around her shoulder. "Besides, I didn't need either of them to give Ginny a sound trouncing."

"She would have had him in two moves if she hadn't gone to bed," Bill laughed.

"No, she wouldn't have. Speaking of bed," Ron interjected when Hermione yawned again. " I know you are knackered, 'Mione. Why don't you go get some sleep?"

"I'm comfortable here," she protested.

"Suit yourself," Ron said, looking down at the chessboard again. "I think I might turn in myself once we finish this game. I'll wake you up again then, shall I?" he asked studying the board. "Whose move is it?" Ron asked Bill.

"I don't remember," his brother answered honestly. "Guess we'll call it a draw, then."

"No way," Ron retorted, letting go of Hermione and sitting upright. "We'll just start over again," he said, rearranging his pieces. "Where are you going?" he asked Hermione when she stood up. "I thought you were staying."

"I just remembered something," she said as she walked towards the door. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

As soon as she disappeared from view, Ron looked over at his older brother seriously.

"We can finish this later," Bill said.

"No," Ron protested. "What did you mean?"

"It isn't anything you need to worry about right now," Bill replied quietly. "You aren't there yet, are you?"

"No," Ron admitted.

"Then don't worry about it."

"Oh, sure. You tell me that I am going to hurt her and then tell me not to worry about it?"

"Just realize that it will probably be uncomfortable for her for a while."

"You said painful before."

"It can be. It depends."

"On what?"

"Just make sure she is relaxed," Bill said. "And...," he looked over at the door and then back at Ron. "Keep in mind that the actual act itself probably isn't going to do it for her. Even after she is used to it."

"What do you mean?" Ron asked for what felt like the hundredth time.

"You'll probably have to take care of her in other ways," Bill said quickly.

"How?" Ron asked.

"All women are different. You'll have to figure that out on your own. Just pay attention to how she reacts when you... touch her. You'll be able to tell what she likes and what she doesn't."

"What if I can't figure it out?"

"Then ask her," Bill suggested.

"Are you mental?" Ron cried. "I can't do that."

"Sure you can. You just ask her what she wants."

"I can't."

"Well, you are on your own, then," Bill said. "Just remember this, because it is the key to everything. Take care of her needs first. She'll be more relaxed afterwards and... more eager to take care of your needs. But you don't need to worry about any of this right now," Bill said, as he stood up to leave. "Right now, you need to figure out a way for her not to feel pressured. Tell her what you told me earlier," he added, as he walked towards the door. "That you don't mind waiting. She needs to hear that. Don't worry about the rest. It will fall into place."

"He didn't beat you already did he?" Hermione asked, as she appeared in the doorway with a book in her hand.

"No, I decided to call it a night," Bill said, as he prepared to make his exit.

"Wait," Hermione said, as he went to push past her. "I've been thinking about that curse you are working on," she continued. "It sounded vaguely familiar. I was certain I had read about a similar curse somewhere. Here," she said, handing the book in her hand to Bill. "I marked the page for you," Hermione added when he looked at her. "It isn't the same of course, but it is quite close."

"Bloody hell, Hermione!" Bill shouted when he looked down at the book in his hand and saw Curses That Kill printed on the cover. "What are you doing with a book like this?" he demanded, looking at her with wide eyes.

"Research," Hermione replied quickly. "I borrowed it from Hogwarts so I'll need it back," she added.

"Why would you be researching something like this?" Bill asked, waving the book in front of her face.

"Because that is what Hermione does," Ron interjected. "She sees a book and she has to read it."

"Where did you get this?" Bill demanded.

"I told you, I borrowed it from Hogwarts."

"I never saw any books like this when I was at Hogwarts."

"Maybe you weren't looking in the right place," Ron said with a smirk. Bill had been Head Boy. He probably knew the library as well as Hermione did. But he hadn't known about the Room of Requirement.

"Maybe they've gotten some new books since then," Hermione suggested. "I don't know what to tell you. That is where I got it and I have to return it. If you don't think it will be helpful, I'll just take it back now."

"I'm not sure you should have books like this," Bill said, studying Hermione closely. "Maybe I ought to just return it to Dumbledore for you when I'm through."

"Alright," Hermione replied, not even batting an eyelash. "It doesn't matter as long as Madam Pince gets it back. I've already read it, you know," she added, as she walked over and sat on the couch next to Ron. "More than once, actually. So I don't really need it anymore."

"You are starting to sound like Mum, you know," Ron yelled at his brother after he nodded his head at Hermione and stepped out of the room. "He won't really give it to Dumbledore," Ron said quietly. "He was just testing you to make sure you really did get it at school."

"You'd think I was skulking around Knockturn Alley browsing for books on dark magic, the way he reacted."

"He probably did," Ron snickered. "You've had some rather dodgy stuff lately. Did you see the look on his face when he found out you had a potion that could blind people?"

You don't know the half of it, Hermione thought to herself. If they knew what I had locked in my trunk right now... "You think it's funny?" she asked.

"Hell, yeah," he laughed. "It's nice to see I'm not the only one you can intimidate. He was afraid you might have learned how to cast all those spells."

"I did," she replied seriously.

"WHAT?" Ron cried, his mouth falling open. "You ... wait... you're kidding, aren't you?" he said when he saw her fighting to hold back a smile.

"Even I couldn't learn them all that quickly," Hermione said with a smirk. "You do scare pretty easy, though."

"That was mean," Ron whined.

"How about if I make it up to you?" Hermione asked.

"What did you have in mind?"

"Well, a deal is a deal," she replied. "And I agreed we could have some 'alone time' as soon as Ginny went to bed."

"You aren't under any obligation you know," Ron said. "I mean... I know you are tired, and I don't want to keep you up if you'd rather go to bed... er... I mean to sleep. We can... we don't have to do anything."

"Did I miss something?" Hermione asked, giving Ron an appraising look. "Weren't you the one telling me that it was going to be near impossible for us to find time to be alone with your family around to watch us. And now that we are alone, you want me to go to bed?"

"I don't want you to," Ron said. "But I think you probably should. We have all summer, right?" he added, leaning down and giving her a quick kiss. "There's no point exhausting yourself," he continued as he stood up and held his hand out to help her up. "Besides, we have all day tomorrow to... be alone."

"Ok," Hermione said, taking Ron's hand and allowing him to pull her upright. She wasn't quite sure what was going on, but she didn't see any reason to argue with him about it. Maybe he was tired from his trip. The past couple days hadn't been easy on him either. Or maybe he was just worried about her and didn't want to say so because he thought she'd get defensive and stay up just to make a point. Whatever it is, I'll figure it out tomorrow, she thought as they walked towards the door and out into the hall.

"Well, goodnight then," Ron said, leaning down and giving her a chaste kiss on the cheek before he stalked off towards the staircase.

"Goodnight," Hermione replied, staring after him, her brow knit in confusion. What the hell just happened here? she wondered as she turned and retreated down the hall to her room.