There's never a better time to review.

Ron's Take

Hogwarts

The Fifth Day of School

Defense Against the Dark Arts Classroom

"Alright," I growled menacingly to the second years. "Let's review what we've learned so far. Could anyone tell me what a boggart is? Yes, you, Sarsin."

"A boggart," Joseph Sarsin said tentatively, "takes the shape of the target's worst fear."

"Correct, five points to Gryffindor. And how do we fight them?" Sarsin raised his hand again, but I preferred not to call on people repeatedly though, as a rule. "What do you think, Tarn?"

A girl who had been lazily chewing gum and clearly paying no attention at all suddenly snapped rigidly up. It was pretty obvious from a cursory glance at her notes that she had merely been doodling, and I felt strongly tempted to Summon them and announce their contents to the class, but resisted, preferring to tower over her in intimidation.

"A Tickling Charm?"

I shook my head at her sad attempt at answering a simple question. "Pay attention, Miss Tarn. That's five points from Hufflepuff. Alright, anyone else got an idea? Yes, Miss Bark?"

"Fight them in crowds," she said with a bossy tone in her voice. I restrained rolling my eyes with difficulty, and nodded to motion her to continue. "Think of something really funny and use the incantation Riddikulus, moving your wand in a -"

"That's quite all right," I interrupted hastily, noticing the class time was nearly over, and not wanting a lecture on the correct wand movements of Riddikulus. "Five points to Hufflepuff. Now, class," I said, taking a more commanding tone in my voice. "I expect you to practice Riddikulus several times over the weekend, as each of you will be able to have a go at a boggart on Monday. If you don't practice, it'll show, as this is a fairly tricky spell for your age. Clear? Good. Dismissed - have a fun weekend."

The classmates mumbled to each other as they went out in their typical packs, three or four shuffling out at a time. As soon as they were gone, I closed the door, leaned way back in my chair, and heaved an exhausted sigh. Teaching was satisfying, as well as enjoyable, but it was most certainly more tiring than I had been counting on. I closed my eyes, thinking of a later engagement I had planned with Hermione for tonight. We had had a blast on Monday at Hogsmeade, and, with the weekend now here, we would be able to indulge ourselves...go out for a drink at the Three Broomsticks. While seeing, talking, and being with Hermione without Harry was a little odd, as we had been around each other nonstop for years now, it was also an opportunity to talk to Hermione more. And of course, to finally make a move. While I could see that there would perhaps be some complications with two professors dating each other at Hogwarts, McGonagall and the rest of them would just have to deal with it as far as I was concerned.

I got up slowly, exiting the peaceful silence of my room to the bustling of Hogwarts. The air was brisk and chilly due to the fall weather, but otherwise nice, and there were many students taking advantage and spending every free moment outside.

"Ron! Wait up!" I heard Hermione's voice call out to me behind me, and I grinned at her as I turned around and waited for her to walk along side me.

"Hey, Hermione. Doing alright?"

"Very well, thank you. And you?"

I yawned exaggeratedly and stretched my arms. "Exhausted, but otherwise fine. I could do with some sleep."

Hermione smirked. "Isn't that a general statement?"

"Sorry?"

"I mean, it's more like a state of life, after all. It's like you being hungry."

I scowled but otherwise ignored Hermione's jibes at my lethargy.

"Well, whatever," she said. "You're not too tired to skip out on Hogsmeade tonight, are you? We can go tomorrow if you like."

I shook my head immediately, appalled even at the thought. "No way! I've been looking forward to going all week."

"Excellent. I'm going to go grade some essays I just got - meet you at 6:30?"

"Essays? You assigned your students essays already?"

"Of course, haven't you? I gave them one on the first day."

I laughed, glad that I was a teacher and not Hermione's students. "That's terribly mean, Hermione. I suppose it was the first years?"

Hermione shook her head. "Sixth and seventh each got one. I'm not that mean, Ron."

"Alright. What was the question again?"

"Is 6:30 fine for you?"

"Yeah, that's good. See you then?"

"See you then," Hermione confirmed, sweeping off to her room to grade essays. I chuckled as I went outside to see Hagrid, wondering if any other teacher had already assigned an essay.

Hermione's Take

That Night

I took a long look at myself in the mirror, staring pensively at my reflection. I don't know why this night is so important to me somehow, but in a way, it is. I just can't understand it, but in some way, I know that I want to look good tonight. I can't shake the feeling that now, after spending two weeks at Hogwarts, having fully settled in, and starting to become acclimated to our jobs - that now was the time for Ron and I to end years of ambiguity, sexually and romantically speaking. Not that I intended to have sex with him tonight. Although I couldn't pretend that I wasn't...interested in the proposition sometime in the near future, tonight, I would prefer for us to profess our undying and everlasting love for each other, then kiss romantically...and then kiss some more, and then maybe some more. Truthfully, I could only really guess what kissing Ron would be like, and despite my somewhat inhumanly high expectations, I had some hope that the experience would live up to - and perhaps even surpass - them. Of course, dating while teaching at Hogwarts would cause some complications, but honestly, I was confident that it was well worth it. Glancing at the time, I noticed that it was nearly 6:30, and made my way to the Great Hall.

"Hey, Hermione!" Ron greeted me as I came, throwing me a grin. He was leaning against the wall right next to the gate, looking less tired.

"Hey, Ron. How's Hagrid doing?"

"Same as always. He wants you to visit him tomorrow."

I nodded, as I had already intended to do this. "He doesn't have any monsters or anything right now, does he?" I asked tentatively. Most of the time, it seemed like Hagrid couldn't resist going a year without having us face a new crisis, whether it was a giant, a family of acromantulas (thankfully I had missed that one), a three-headed dog, or a dragon. This isn't even including the more minor problems, such as his terrifying cross-breeded Blast-Ended Skrewts.

Ron snorted. "Not yet, but give him some time. We've only just finished the first week. Anyway...shall we?" Ron acted with mock chivalry, half-bowing and gesturing with both arms out the door. I restrained a giggle and went out, hearing Ron come out behind me and close the gates. He caught up to me in a scant few long strides, his longer legs able to outpace mine without any effort, and ambled aimiably alongside me as we went.

"So, where's our first destination?" Ron asked after a minute, blowing on his hands and rubbing them together to warm them from the chilly night air.

"I'd figure a butterbeer would be good," I said, wrapping my cloak slightly tighter around me. I had brought my wand with me this time, but deemed it too warm for a charm anyway, and quickened the pace. Ron nodded and we went into the Three Broomsticks, bustling as a hive of activity. The Three Broomsticks had always been very popular with non-students as well, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Ron pointed to a table that would be nice and roomy, and coincidentally, was a little secluded from the rest of the room.

"That spot over there good?" I nodded. "All right, I'll get the butterbeers then?" I walked over to our table, depositing my jacket on the back of my chair, and waited for Ron, who was ordering at the table. I saw him grin, with two butterbeers in hand.

"I'll lay off the firewhiskey for you, Hermione."

"Cheers." I downed part of my butterbeer, feeling the usual warmth spread out, and felt my muscles involuntarily relax. We sat in friendly silence, taking in the atmosphere of the village of Hogsmeade. After we had each had two butterbeers, Ron suggested we go back now, and I agreed, grabbing my jacket and following him out after bidding our goodbyes to Madam Rosmerta.

"It's been a lovely night, Ron," I said with strong implications in my voice. It had worked last time, hadn't it? Besides, it wasn't like I was lying.

"Perfect," he said, clearly extremely content. Ron had always harbored a love for the village of Hogsmeade.

"Uh, Ron?" I said, noticing the direction we were going in. "Hogwarts is that way, you know." I pointed for emphasis. Ron rolled his eyes.

"Yes, I know. We're going to the lake."

"To visit the Giant Squid?" I quipped, masking my curiosity about what we were doing.

"Naturally." Ron didn't elaborate, although I could tell he seemed a little nervous, even in the dark. He stopped at the edge of the lake, staring up at the stars. I was reminded irrestisibly of how Harry and Ginny had gotten together a mere few days ago, on a similar night. She, of course, had promptly sent me a letter bursting with details (some of which I could have very well done without, since it was somewhat disturbing hearing about Harry's sex life) as soon as it had happened.

"Hermione..." Ron said, his voice trailing off into the darkness. "I figure this has been a long time coming."

"What?" I said. Ron didn't reply, but looked at me for a second, but then leaned in impulsively and kissed me, directly on the lips, then looked away, clearly wondering if he had done the right thing. And so, I showed him.

Ron's Take

I don't really know how long we spent out there, kissing. It was certainly darker than when we had started. It was a tough feeling to describe, whatever I had inside me right now. Well, no, it wasn't: bliss. Unadulterated bliss, where every minute seemed to last both a week and a second, where every other person could tell just how happy you were at the moment, when you were so giddy you could feel as though nothing could stop you. It was better than anything, feeling Hermione's hand softly grasped in mine as we walked down the halls.

Nothing could stop this. Nothing ever had before.

The End

Alright everybody, this is it. The End. Sorry. A new story will be up within a month at the very latest, as I have several ideas and no idea what to do first. As I said earlier, never a better time to review!