I'm back! I've finished another chapter so you know what that means!

Now we get to find out what exactly Ron's big idea was through a flashback.

Thank you to Romione Granger-Weasley & the guest who reviewed. Thank you so much!

Also note: i mention Bill having scars from Greyback even though he gets attacked later in HPB. For the sake of this story it made sense for me to have him already have encountered Greyback, so lets just pretend he got attacked at the Ministry or something. Thanks!

Enjoy & review please!


"Oh Bill, wonderful to have you, you as well dear!" Molly exclaimed embracing Fleur.

Nearby, Ginny scowled to herself.

"Bill we're surprised you came so early." Fred commented.

"What?" The eldest Weasley asked confused.

"Well, we thought you only came out when the moon did!" George laughed.

"Boys!" Missus Weasley scolded, making a move to lunge at her two sons. However, a loud crack sounded, indicating they had left for work.

"Those two, I swear." Molly rolled her eyes.

"It's okay, you got a better welcome from them then I did!" Charlie's voice sounded from the steps.

Bill's face brightened instantly as he unashamedly went to embrace his younger brother. They'd written each other any chance they got. They remained close, but it wasn't the same as being with one another.

"Charlie, I've missed you!"

"Not as much as I missed you big brother." He breathed pulling away, "I haven't seen you in what a year? And you up and get yourself engaged. It's like your a new man." He teases. Charlie knew about the engagement from their correspondences, but had yet to see the ring on Fleur's finger in person.

"And you are one brave woman, agreeing to marry a Weasley." He said turning to the blonde.

"Oui!" She teased back, making the room erupt with laughs, even eliciting a chuckle from Ginny.

"Gin, why don't you show Fleur around while I talk to Harry?" He asked hopeful. It was his goal to get his fiancé closer with his little sister before the wedding.

With a small grunt, Ginny obliged as she ushered Fleur outside.

"Not that I'm not happy to see you Bill, but what is it you wanted to speak with me about? Things okay with the order?" Harry asked in a whisper once the girls had vanished.

Quickly, he nodded, "everything's as good as it can be these days, I just was wondering how Ron's been. He's written me quiet a bit."

"Oh," Harry said relieved, "well, he was in a funk for a while there, I reckon he still is, but now he's realized he's in a funk, which sort of makes things better, you know?" He tries, never been the best with feelings.

Bill chuckled, "alright I think I know what you mean. He wrote me yesterday, something about he had sort of broken up with Lavender, but made things worse with her." He didn't wanna say Hermione's name in fear she was around somewhere.

"Okay let me fill you in some. It all started two days ago in our dorms..."

After twenty minutes Harry had thoroughly filled in the details Ron left out in his letter. He had also recalled some of the conversation Ron had told Harry he and Ginny had, something the youngest Weasley brother failed to mention to Charlie.

When the chosen one finished, Bill let out a low whistle. He had known Ron's situation was messed up from the letters, but damn, his little brother, the heart breaker. Who would've thought?

"Speaking of, where is Hermione? I haven't seen her since we arrived." Bill asked next.

The dark haired boy nodded solemnly, "I'm afraid she won't leave Ginny's room unless your Mum makes her. She's pretty bummed out about her Gran, but she also agreed to 'stay out of Ron's way,' whatever that means." Harry finished with air quotes.

At this, Charlie clicked his tongue, "Ron is hopeless. This isn't exactly potions with Snape! It's an easy fix." He tutted.

"Where is Ron? Surely he'd want to greet his favorite brother." Bill says next.

"Hey!" Charlie retorts, making Harry laugh.

The oldest rolls his eyes, "all in good fun, but seriously."

"He's been working on something all night. I could hear him." Harry commented.

Charlie nodded, "he had some sort of epiphany last night. He's doing something for Hermione, all I know is that it involves Hogwarts, A History. He's mental."

"Ron wouldn't pick up that book for anything!" Harry soon points out.

"Well maybe not for anything, but for someone..." Charlie trails off.

Suddenly, Ginny bursts through the door, alone.

"Where's Fleur?" Bill questioned.

"She's discussing something about the wedding with Mum, I had to get away," she shakes her head, "anyone fancy a game of quidditch?"

At this both Charlie and Harry jump at the chance.

"Coming Bill?" Ginny asks as the other two boys disappear to gather their brooms.

He shakes his head, "no, I think I'll go say hi to Ronnie. Maybe when your done you should check up on Hermione, yeah?"

At this, his younger sister nods as he treks up to the attic.

Once reaching the door decorated with Chudley Canon posters and gold and red emblems, he knocks.

"I'm awake Mum!" Ron promises through the door.

"Not Mum." Bill says opening the door.

"Bill!" He exclaims excitedly, dropping the book to the ground and clambering off the bed, "how are you? How do you feel, wow, the scars have healed some. You look wicked! Like some bloke from those stories Mum reads."

At this, he laughs, "I feel great actually. Sometimes the full moon drives me a bit mad, but it's not like I turn or anything like that. Plus, Fleur has done wonders taking care of me, making sure I take my potions and all that." He assures, circling to sit on the edge of Ron's bed.

"Yeah I wouldn't mind if she took care of me either." He joked.

At this Bill jabbed him in the ribs with his elbow.

"Hey, kidding!" Ron laughed, "plus, I'm rather done with blondes. Forever." He shivers remembering Lavender Brown.

"Ah," his brother breathes, "your love life has become quiet the topic from what I hear."

At this Ron groans, "well I'm not to sure how many times 'Ron is fucking moron,' can be told but, glad your up to date."

Knowing Ron's probably had his fair share of feeling bad, Bill holds off on making him re live anything, for now, "well, rumor is you're working on something to fix your troubles."

The youngest Weasley boy blushes madly, "it's a bit stupid really."

"Come on just tell me." Bill encourages.

Ron breathes in defeat, wanting to tell someone, "alright well, Charlie said a gift might do then suddenly, I was reminded of this conversation from back in fifth year..."

Ron sauntered into the common room with a moody Harry by his side. This behavior from the chosen one had become typical since the start of term, he was always so worked up over You-Know-Who and the ministry these days.

And Ron could feel for him, he really did, he just wished Harry would drop the act around him and Hermione, who believed him completely.

"Hermione." Harry greeted too gruffly for Ron's liking.

In response, the bushy haired witch just hummed in acknowledgement. Hermione had been engrossed in her favorite book, so Ron knew better then to bother her and simply sat to her right.

It was odd, but he rather liked to see her like this. It was almost adorable to see how invested she could get into something like a book. He admired her for it.

Harry had fallen to her left and rolled his eyes, "are you good for anything but reading Hermione?" He asked viciously.

At this, Hermione's eyes finally left the pages of Hogwarts, A History and stared at her best friend in shock. Ron was past shocked and moved entirely to anger. Harry looked as if he regretted what he said right after it left his mouth.

"You say your sorry right now!" Ron roared jumping to his feet.

"Ron, it's alright," she began meekly from the velvet sofa.

"Like hell it isn't Hermione. Just cause stupid blokes like Seamus call you a liar doesn't mean you get to start on her!" He pointed out.

The dark haired boy sighed sadly, "I know, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it, really Hermione",

"It's alright Harry." She amended stiffly, "I think I'll go for a walk." The brunette quickly scrambled, grabbing her book before scampering out of the portrait hole.

As soon as she was out of sight, Harry turned apologetically to Ron, "I shouldn't have said that."

"You shouldn't have." The ginger replied softly, "and I know everything that happened with Cedric was really hard, but it's hard for Hermione too. She thinks she could've done more,"

"She couldn't have." Harry tells him sadly.

He nods, "I know, but she doesn't, so when you sound off telling her stuff like that, it just makes her feel bad."

The Boy-Who-Lived sighed, "I really didn't mean it. You were right, I was just so done with people like Umbridge and Seamus calling me liars, sometimes I forget not everyone feels that way." He admitted.

At this, Ron stood as he clapped him on the shoulder, "it's already done mate, just try to remember that from now on, alright?" He didn't sound angry anymore, much to Harry's relief.

Harry nodded as he watched Ron venture to out of the common room, no doubt to find Hermione.

"Hey Ron, wait." He called out, standing and walking to him.

"Yeah?" He asked.

"I know I was upset about you two spending summer at Grimmauld Place together," Ron opened his mouth to argue, but Harry stopped him, "and I know why you had to do it, I just wanted you to know, I'm happy you had each other. Well, I just, I reckon you two need each other as much as I need the pair of you, does that make sense?" He rambled.

"I think so Harry, you sound a little mental though." He joked.

"It's just, I know how you feel about her." He blurted out.

"Come again?" Ron had gone pale.

Harry's voice dropped to a whisper, "well I've always had some suspicions Ron. We do share a room you know, you mumble her name like every other night." At this Weasley turned a deep shade of red that rivaled his hair.

Soon after, the green eyed boy pointed to his face, "see that! You blushed like mad whenever she came around first year, just like you are now. I know you were taking my invisibility cloak to go down to the infirmary second year. I heard you tell Neville back in third about how much you enjoyed Hogsmede and you were painfully obvious when she agreed to go to the ball with Viktor Krum, I reckon that's when I really knew."

For a few moments Ron opened and closed his mouth like a fish, but in the end, he shockingly, didn't deny it, "why didn't you say anything?"

Harry shrugged and thought on it, "well, I suppose I was waiting for you to figure it out as well. It seems to me you have." He smiles slightly.

Ron nods, "yeah, for a while there I just thought blokes felt like that around their mates who were girls. Probably around third year I realized it was a little different with her then it was with you. Definitely sorted it all out during that ruddy Ball." He paused, "you're not, well, you're not angry?" One of the reasons Ron decided not to confine in Harry was because he didn't want him to think there was any sort of divide.

"Of course not. If anything I'm relieved I can stop pretending not to notice." He laughed.

At this, Ron let out an embarrassed chuckle, "well just don't tell her alright?"

Harry nodded, "will you ever? Tell her I mean." He asks.

At this the red head shrugs, "I dunno, I just, it's hard. I'd rather live my whole life watching her with other blokes then lose her as friend."

Potter let's out a whistle, "I can see The Prophet headlines now, 'Weasley has Feelings!'" He laughs.

They lapse into a brief silence, "you go after her."

Ron doesn't need to be told twice and simply nods to his friend.

"If it means anything, I think she feels the same Ron." Harry says rather vaguely before going to a dark corner of the common room.

For a moment, he considers staying and asking more about this theory, but instead decides to check on Hermione. Harry could wait.

After wandering the dark corridors for a few minutes, he soon feels the urge to slap himself for not thinking sooner. He hadn't checked the library.

Set out on a new mission, he stalks his way to his new destination. However, halfway to the library he suddenly remembers that it's probably closing soon, if not already. Inwardly groaning on not setting after her soon, he quickens his pace.

And just as he's about to reach the proper corridor something catches his eye. In between one of the many narrow hallways leading to nothing but a window, is someone sitting against it, book in hand.

And not just anyone, Hermione.

Breathing a sigh of relief, he slowly makes his way to her, "Mione." he begins as to not startle her, she hasn't seem to notice is presence.

Her brown eyes look up from her book, in the moonlight he can see them slightly glossed over as red rings appear around them.

"Oh hi." Her voice is croaked and throaty, it makes his heart break.

"I've been looking all over for you." He says softly, sliding down next to her.

"Oh I'm sorry Ron." She apologizes sincerely, "it's silly though isn't it, I've run off to read again. Maybe Harry was right." Her voice cracks.

"It's not true, you know it isn't." Ron fiercely assured.

"If he didn't mean it why did he say it?" The brunette asked.

He sighs sadly, "Hermione you know what he's been like lately. As soon as you left he told me how sorry he was."

"But it's true isn't it?" She asks after a beat, leaving no room for him to even protest, "all I do is sit here and read while Harry and you are off actually doing something."

"Hermione what?" He asks genuinely confused.

"Think Ron, who got rid of that troll first year?"

"Well you were only in the bathroom because of me and you were the one who got me through the spell,"

"Alright and who won the chess game the same year? Who got the philosophers stone?"

"Hermione we would've never even found the,"

She cuts him off again, "and who was laying useless petrified while you were in the chamber of secrets?"

He groans, "again if you hadn't had the note then Harry and I,"

She leaves no room for him to speak, "and third year you were the one who even spotted Sirius."

"I was also the one with a broken leg when the two of you,"

"Fourth year as well, you knew about the dragons."

"Only because Charlie told me, are you done?" He asks.

"Or even this summer. You were the one who knew about the Order, even knew to handle Harry." She's now close to tears.

Ron let's a moment pass before speaking, "are you finally finished?" He whispered hoarsely.

Next to him, she nodded, but didn't dare meet her eyes with his.

"You're mental Hermione. Mental. Don't you know we'd be dead without you? You're the one who figured out the Nicholas Flamel business. You realized how the Basilisk had been getting around. And who had the time turner that saved Sirius, Lupin, and Buckbeak third year?" He reminded, "not to mention that without you, Harry would've never gotten through any of those tasks. Not to mention, him and I wouldn't even be friends if you hadn't convinced me to talk to him. And this summer? You're the one who kept me sane when I was ready to hex everyone there."

He took a second to catch his breath after the long rant, "sure you read a lot of book, but that's not why you're brilliant. You're brilliant because you know exactly what to say to help your friends. You know exactly how to save the rest of us." At this, she completely broke down.

Hermione's head soon found a place atop Ron's shoulder as she burrowed into it and cried silently. If this had happened a few years back, Ron would probably stiffly pat her head, but now, he knew better.

Instead, he gently laid an arm across her shoulder and pushed her into him with a squeeze. His other hand made its way throw her soft hair, letting his finger gently massage her scalp.

"Thank you Ron," she managed soon after, "I've just been feeling so useless, hearing Harry,"

"Sh, Hermione," he assured soundly, "I know how it feels too, but being here, even making you feel the tiniest bit better, well, it makes me feel not so useless." He admitted, thankful she couldn't see his now red cheeks.

At this, Ron felt the witch nod into him, "you do make me feel better Ron. And you're not useless, if I hadn't made it clear, I think you're rather brilliant."

A small smile grazed his lips as he continued to stroke the expanse of her hair. Her cries had now slowed, but he still felt she was tense.

"You know Mione," he began, making her hum softly, an indication to continue, "I understand you wanna read all the time, but this old book, again? You've been picking it up since first year." He teased.

Thankfully, a small chuckle bubbles past her lips, making him feel warm.

"It's rather pleasurable Ron, I'd love if you read it. You have such an interesting point of view having grown up with this stuff, and well just being you, I'm sure your notes on it would be fascinating."

"Sorry to disappoint you Mione, as much as I love y," he pauses, "as much as I love reading," he amends sarcastically, "I'd need a bloody good reason to pick this thing up. And I mean important, life or death maybe." He tells her.

Again, a small laugh escapes from where's she's nuzzled into his side.

"One day Ron. One day."

They stayed like that until she fell asleep.

"I thought maybe if I read this damn thing and made notes on what I thought and gave it to her, then it would show her how much she means to me." He explained after briefly prefacing the significance behind it.

To this, Bill smiled brightly, "I think it's a wonderful idea Ron. Very thoughtful and personal to the pair of you, plus she'll go nuts when she's learned you picked up a book!" He teased, "what section are you on?"

"I've gotten past the four founders. Right now I'm in the middle of all the troll business. I mean, sure it sort of feels like a textbook, but part of it reminds me of her, then it's not so bad, is that mental?" He asks a little flustered.

His older brother shakes his head, "no Ronnie, not mental. It's almost romantic." He jokes lightly.

At this Ron rolls his eyes, but blushes none the less, "thanks."

A deep laugh escapes Bill as he stands from the bed, "I'll be on my way know. You have a lot of reading to do in just three days little brother."

"Oi! And don't I know it." Ron yells as he leaves the room.


And done! So what did you guys think of the flashback? It was so fun to write, I love fifth year Ron/Hermione too!

Next chapter we visit into what Hermione's thought and see what she got Ron and why, through a fourth year flashback. Any ideas?

Please review! Until next time.