I don't own these characters, you know the drill.

Chapter 13, Empty Wishes and Christmas Gifts

Gryffindor Destroyed Slytherin in the opening Quiddich match 200 to 30. Without Professor Snape taking away points almost at random as he had in past years, Gryffindor dominated the house cup and was expected to dominate the Quiddich Cup. Following the match, the Gryffindor common room was packed in celebration.

As November eventually broke into December, Christmas decorations arose all over the castle. Spirits were high with the prospects of a nice, long break from studies. Harry, Ron, and Hermione would all be remaining in the castle over Christmas, however they were three out of only a few. On the count of the war against Voldemort, most families wanted their children home, seeing as how Dumbledore's death proved that Hogwarts was barely safe from the entrance of determined death eaters.

The fact that Hermione was pregnant was beginning to show as she entered her fifth month of pregnancy. This served to improve Ron's already positive disposition, which in turn improved hers. Harry, on the other hand was nervous these days at the prospect of Reverend Ewls' belief that he would soon be leaving Hogwarts, never to return. The thought of him leaving his best friends behind was not exactly pleasant to him, though he tried unsuccessfully to tell himself that it would happen anyways on the count of the fact that this was his last year after all. What was more unnerving was the fact that Reverend Ewls' nearly prophetic statements included predictions of the imminent fall of Hogwarts. This definitely made him uneasy as he prayed day-in, and day-out that such was not the case. His nervousness was not helped by the continuing failures of his and Reverend Ewls' Pensieve investigations.

Amanda Ewls, like many professors this year, secured for herself the whole break away from the castle and was taking her children to Kentucky to visit their maternal Grandparents. Her husband was persuaded to remain behind with the handful of professors who were staying by McGonagall, who feared that the school might be more vulnerable to attack over the Holidays, in spite of most of the children being gone which would make an attack no where near as costly.

Accompanying the Ewls family to the United States was Elliot's girlfriend of almost four happy months, Ginny Weasley. It seemed as though the couple was getting more and more serious by the day, which was, at first, to Harry's dismay. However, in the past few months, Harry had been able to come to terms with the probability that he and Ginny would never be together again as they once were. Harry and Ginny therefore managed to carry on as friends.

The Ewls family would be taking Muggle transportation home via airplane, which excited Arthur Weasley when the Owl arrived from his daughter explaining to him her plans. His return Owl said that he expected a full oral report on the intricacies of muggle air transportation. They would be departing the castle by way of the Hogwarts Express which would take them to Kings Cross Station, from there they would take a taxi to the airport.

Reverend Ewls stood saying goodbye to his wife at Hogsmeade station, where the Hogwarts express was waiting to transport several children and professors home for the holidays. Reverend Ewls' powerful gazed was fixed on his children, who were, by now used to it.

"Have you all got something nice for Grandma Creek?" He asked.

"Yes Dad," said Theo.

"She'll love it," said Elliot.

"What is it?"

"A Stratavarious violin, mint condition, 1921," Said Thaddeus.

"Hmm, she will like that," Reverend Ewls said. "How in the hell did you get a hold of one."

"Weasley's Wizard Wheezes' non-joke items," Came Back Rachel. "That shop truly has no clue how valuable certain muggle artifacts are, we bought it for twenty Galleons."

"Your grandmother will be impressed," Reverend Ewls told them. "Well I'll see you all come January. God go with you."

"God be with you father," Said Thaddeus as he gave his father a hug.

Reverend Ewls gave all of his children a hug, saving Theo for last.

"Theo," Reverend Ewls began when he came to him. "You know of your responsibilities as oldest, I'm counting on you to keep them safe."

"Dad you've told me before, I think I can handle it," Theo said moderately embarrassed.

Reverend Ewls nodded and smiled, the two then shook hands and embraced. Reverend Ewls turned to Elliot and Ginny.

"Now Elliot, I want you to take good care of Ginny, she's our guest, and not familiar with American customs."

"Come on Dad, they're not that much different from here."

"Oh, you might be surprised," Reverend Ewls came back, he then turned to Ginny. "Don't worry, you're in good hands."

Ginny shook Reverend Ewls' hand. "Thank you for letting me accompany them."

Reverend Ewls leaned his head next to Ginny's ear and began to whisper.

"Actually I'm rather comforted by your presence, it'll bring some reason into Elliot's life, life, keep an eye on him," he whispered.

"Yes Reverend," Ginny said smiling.

Reverend Ewls' children, along with Ginny, then boarded the train which was beginning the process of steaming up for its departure. Healer Ewls approached her husband before boarding.

"Perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad idea for you to stay in America," Reverend Ewls told her. "With the War raging over here, I think it best that…"

"Thomas, your place is here now, as is ours," Healer Ewls interrupted, placing her hand upon her husband's cheek and smiling. "You've seen what Ginny and Elliot are developing, you'd tear them apart?"

"To keep my children and my wife safe, absolutely, in a heartbeat."

Amanda Ewls' smile continued, she nodded and then fixed her eyes to where they peered straight into Reverend Ewls'. As powerful as his expression was, he still blinked in hesitation at the expression of his wife, this response was remnant of their courtship days, during which the good Reverend had difficulty breathing in his wife's presence.

"You can't always keep us safe," Healer Ewls responded. "Sometimes that isn't God's will, right?"

Reverend Ewls sighed, a flicker of worry coming entering his expression.

"I know, but I can sure try."

"Thomas, God's will is that we return to Hogwarts. I'm sure of it."

Reverend Ewls nodded in resignation.

"Well I don't think the children would have it any other way," he said. "I love you Amanda."

"I love you Thomas."

The two kissed, after which Amanda boarded the train which began to speed off toward London. Reverend Ewls stood on the platform waving to his children who stuck their heads out their compartment's windows as the train left, waving to their father.

"God go with you," Reverend Ewls muttered to himself, a hint of worry in his voice.

From Hogsmeade Station, Reverend Ewls returned to the castle, wherein Hermione, Ron, and Harry were the only Gryffindor students remaining. Reverend Ewls walked at a moderately quick pace to the Gryffindor Tower; arriving at the portrait, he gave the password, "Pachabel," after which the fat lady swung her portrait door open and he entered the common-room. Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat in a sofa near the fireplace waiting for him.

"Well, Professor Lovelace is attending a conference for Oxford Alumni this Christmas," Ewls began. "As such McGonagall assigned me to be your acting head of house. I'm sure you three know the drill. I'm trusting you, no dangerous Spells, charms, or curses, no wandering through the school alone, no going to forbidden areas, and…" his voice changed as if coming upon one of his own personal pet peeves. "No sleeping in the dormitory of the opposite sex. Ron, can I see you for a minute?"

Ron, figuring that he was about to get a personal warning about the last exhortation arose from the sofa reluctantly. The two left the common room, entering into the room with moving stair cases leading to the Gryffindor tower. When they entered this room, Ewls merely closed the portrait hole and turned to face Ron, he looked almost angry as his powerful stare fixed directly upon Ron's eyes. At first Ron was frightened, expecting to be told off about something; that was until Ron heard Reverend Ewls' question.

"Forgive me Ron I just have to ask," Ewls began. "Are you ever going to give her the damn ring or not?"

Ron's expression became one of extreme confusion, how did he know? Ron decided to play ignorance.

"What are y'talkin about?"

"Please, I've seen you playing with it in class under your desk when you think no one's looking," Ewls responded. "You may think it's none of my business, but it is my job to worry about the welfare of my students."

Ron gave him a look of sarcasm, as if to say, "yeah right." Reverend Ewls saw this look and realized immediately that Ron saw right through him.

"And," Ewls began after hesitating for a moment, a smirk grazed his lips. "There's a pool amongst the professors about how long it'll take you to pop the question. A hundred Galleons so far, the best money's on right after the baby's born, but my money's on Christmas or Christmas eve."

At this Ron sighed.

"I guess I'm waiting for the right moment."

"Word to the wise," Ewls responded. "Don't wait too long, you can still lose her," he then paused for a second, gathered his thoughts, then refocused his powerful gaze upon Ron. "Believe me I know. You are old enough, you have her right in your grasp, and you are sure that you want to marry her, therefore ask her, don't wait or she will slip through your fingers."

Reverend Ewls then gave Ron a quick pat on the shoulder and then began his journey down the staircase next to which they stood. Reverend Ewls went immediately back to his office, opened his desk drawer and pulled out a coke for himself. After opening it and taking a drink, he found himself surrounded by white light, a very angry Father bates stood before him, the coke disappeared from his hands.

"Hello Robert."

"I got your message," Bates began in a tone of annoyance. "Why didn't you present it to me in person?"

"Cowardice I guess Robert," Ewls responded. "It's been a frustrating term, and I didn't want to be yelled at, you know me."

"You always were afraid of authority my old apprentice," Bates proclaimed. "Yet so willing to wield it. Are you sure this is her final decision?"

"Yes, I will not force her."

"And you think that I would instruct you to?"

Ewls' usually powerful expression gave way to one of anxiety. He was truly afraid of Father Bates, he looked down at his feet, gathering his thoughts; he then looked back up at Father Bates, unable to look him in the eye, instead looking at his mouth.

"Yes I do," he said quickly, nervously.

"You're right I am," Bates said. "We can send someone to take her."

Bates turned as if to leave, Reverend Ewls walked toward him from behind.

"Don't do this Robert," He called, Bates stopped in his tracks. "If you do you destroy the very principles for which the order stands."

"Don't lecture me about ethics my old apprentice," Bates said, he then turned around and face Reverend Ewls with an expression of power twice the magnitude of Reverend Ewls, as if he had in fact taught Reverend Ewls how to wield an expression of power in the first place. "There's far too much at stake."

Upon saying this, Father Bates began to cringe in pain, he fell to his knees grasping his forehead with his hands.

"What's the matter Robert?" came Reverend Ewls almost sarcastically. "Bearing too heavy a cross, I would guess you have some repenting to do."

In midst of his pain, Father Bates cried out…

"Forgive me Lord,"

He suddenly stopped cringing, the pain had stopped.

"She will change her mind when the ministry of magic tries to abduct her," Ewls said, his own powerful gaze returning. "And when she does, I will take her to the temple."

"Let's just hope that you can get to her before they do."

"If it is God's will, then all will work out," Ewls pointed out. "'Trust in the Lord with all of thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding,' I believe you used to quote that proverb to me Robert."

"Point well taken Thomas," Bates' expression was not apologetic, rather it was one of recovery from pain. "I apologize, God be with you."

"And also with you my old friend."

The night before Christmas Eve, it was happening again! Hermione was walking through the dark, cavernous corridor of the castle toward the door from which she heard the woman's screams. As with every single time before, she entered the room, found herself giving birth, with Lord Voldemort next to her. As with every single time before, Voldemort cornered her against Lucious Malfoy, beckoning her to look at the child she bore, convincing her that she would die right there, she then awakening in screams of terror.

This time, no one was in the room to awaken to her screams, this time she was alone in her dormitory, but thankful nonetheless that it was, after all, just a dream. She rolled to her side, and noticed that the picture of she and Ron was still face down from when she was angry at him. She turned it up toward her, the happy couple waved and smiled at her. She smiled back at them, then arose from her bed dawning her night-slippers.

Ron had no such bad luck that night as to have a nightmare, instead he slept peacefully. Harry slept also, snoring slightly, in a bed across the dormitory as a figure emerged from the entrance wearing a female's night dress. The figure approached Ron's bed.

Ron was definitely not used to being awaken in the middle of the night. This night however, a new stimulus entered the world of his dreams, a whisper, a familiar, comforting voice invading his dreams. Hermione's voice!

"Ron," Hermione Whispered as she shook Ron in his bed. "Ron."

"er… I… spiders… McGona…." Ron Groaned as his eyes flickered.

"Ron," she continued, finally Ron's eyes opened, at first they gave an expression of happiness then realization, then shock.

"What the hell are you…"

"Shh!" Hermione snapped, as Harry stirred in the bed across the dormitory, she continued whispering. "I have to talk to you."

Ron rolled to his side to face Hermione, he took her hands in his, his eyes were somewhat drowsy but understanding.

"What is it?"

"Do you remember the night before Harry arrived at the burrow when I had the nightmare?"

"Vaguely, why."

"I had the same dream."

At this, Ron's face became concerned, Hermione's face already looked puzzled and slightly frightened.

"What happens in this dream?" Ron asked.

"It all starts in a corridor here at Hogwarts," Hermione's eyes did not focus on Ron as she recounted the tale, rather she looked off into Ron's covers, in reality staring into space, considering her words as she spoke. "I'm walking toward a room with it's door ajar, and a flickering light coming from the crack under the door, when I open the door, there I am, lying in a bed, delivering a child, and some strange figure is with me, I try to back away but Lucius Malfoy stops me, and then the figure, who is ugly and grey, and I can only assume to be Voldemort—oh Come off it Ron—holds my head in place and tells me to look at the child, who is deformed and evil, then I awaken."

"Are you alright?"

"I think so, just a little startled," Hermione replied. The two stared at each other for a few seconds. "Well, I thought I would tell you. Good night."

Hermione started to walk toward the entrance when a whispered voice from behind stopped her.

"Hermione!" came Ron, after hearing him Hermione turned back and faced him. "You know I'm always here for you."

"Thank you."

The two paused for a moment when Ron finally worked up the courage to say what both he and Hermione were thinking.

"You don't have to leave you know."

A half-way naughty smile grazed Hermione's lips.

"What about Reverend Ewls?"

"We're not going to do anything that violates Christian standards," Ron said. "And besides he'll never know."

Hermione then gave a smile as Ron uncovered half of his bed. She climbed into the uncovered half, placing her arms around his shoulders. Ron stroked her face gently with his hand, while the other arm rested underneath Hermione's side. Their eyes met, both breathed deeply.

"I love you," Ron Whispered to Hermione Gently.

"I love you," Hermione returned.

Hermione's face leaned into Ron's, she brought her lips to his, kissing him gently. Slick sounds of saliva filled the otherwise quiet room. A voice came from across the dormitory, making a hem hem sound, which startled both of them, causing them to jerk, and look over in the direction of Harry's bed.

"Hey you two," Said Harry sarcastically, a smile on his face. "No sleeping in the dormitory of the opposite sex."

Hermione laughed, and rolled over Ron, exchanging sides of the bed with him to where she was on the side closest to the window. Ron took one of his pillows and threw it at Harry, half-angry, half amused.

"Piss off!"

Harry laughed and rolled to his side to where he was not facing Ron and Hermione. Ron rolled onto his side to where he was facing Hermione, who was facing toward the window away from him. Ron placed his arms around Hermione's torso, and rested his head on the side of hers. With the one of his hands not laying underneath Hermione's side but resting atop it, he stroked the side of Hermione's extended stomach gently.

"Good night Ron," Came Hermione in a whisper, a smile still on her face.

"Good night Hermione," Ron said, after which he kissed Hermione on the cheek from behind, and then looked down at her stomach from his head's resting place atop her head.

"Good night little mate," he said to her stomach.

Ron then closed his eyes. While he fell asleep quickly, Hermione noticed something resting on the windowsill, something gold, sparkling in the moonlight peering through the window. She could not help but reach for it, picking it up, knowing immediately that it was a ring. At first Hermione eyed it curiously, but then out of hopeful curiosity she slid the ring down her left-hand ring finger. Upon discovering that it fit perfectly, a huge smile grazed her lips, she took the ring off quickly and put it back on the windowsill. She rolled to her other side, causing Ron's head to lose its resting place, now awake but drowsy, he pulled half of the pillow on which Hermione's head rested over to himself and laid his head upon it.

"I love you Ronald Weasley," She said, not whispering but speaking almost loudly. It was a declaration of fact for all the world to hear, she kissed him on the lips, their arms interlocked around each other's bodies. She rested her head upon his.

"ove yu too," came a drowsy response from Ron, which caused Hermione to giggle silently. Nothing in the world could possibly make her unhappy.

The Next Morning, Christmas Eve, while Ron slept in, Hermione and Harry took a walk on the snow-covered grounds of the castle. Hermione's joy radiated from her, Harry could tell that she was quite happy, even if she wasn't smiling or saying anything. To say that her disposition was quite pleasant was an understatement.

"Look, Harry," Hermione said to him as they walked next to the lake. "I'm sorry if I've offended you at all in these past few months, I know that you trust Reverend Ewls, I'm sorry that I don't."

"You're in a cheery mood today Hermione,"

Hermione paused as a huge smile came upon her lips.

"I know what Ron's getting me for Christmas."

"Really?"

Her eyes brightened, smile widened.

"I found it on his windowsill," she revealed. "Oh God I'm so excited."

Harry's voice became much more serious, more grave, Hermione, in her Euphoria did not detect this. She merely kept smiling, her bright brown eyes penetrating his own.

"You found the ring didn't you?"

"How did you know?"

"Hermione, he's been planning to give that ring to you since the end of summer," Harry said.

A tear of joy then escaped Hermione's eyes as she leapt forward into Harry's arms, her own arms tightening around his shoulders.

"Oh I'm so happy!

"I can tell," Harry said as a smaller smile took shape on his lips. "Look Hermione, the reason why Ron hasn't given you the ring yet is because he's… well…"

"A bit nervous?" Hermione said. "I understand, but it's Christmas, even he has to understand that there's not a better time. Now I can dream about our wedding, oh we've got so much work to do, I have to get a dress, oh I want it white, and flowers, oh how I've always dreamed of a wedding with lots of flowers, and a flower in my hair and… What are you laughing at?"

"You," Harry told her. His voice still significantly less excited than hers. "Hermione Granger has never cared about fashion, or flowers, or weddings or…"

"Harry, all girls dream about their wedding," Hermione said in an aloof voice.

"Well at the risk of being premature, I'm happy for both of you."

"Premature?"

"He hasn't asked you yet has he?"

"No but he's…"

"Good Morning," came a familiar American voice, approaching the lake.

Harry and Hermione turned to face the oncoming Reverend Ewls.

"Good morning," He said again. "Merry Christmas, "Would you two come to my office for a minute?"

Hermione and Harry (Harry gladly, Hermione reluctantly) accompanied Reverend Ewls to his office in the castle, where they found Ron already waiting for them.

"Happy Christmas you two!" Ron greeted.

The office was decorated in tensile, fake-pine-tree-vines, magic lights, angels, and crosses. The volume of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia was replaced by a nativity scene. Four easy-chairs sat in front of the fireplace.

"What is this?" Asked Hermione, trying to conceal her desire to be somewhere else.

"It's Christmas Eve, not enough students or professors have stayed in order to continue the tradition of the Christmas feast," Ewls stated. "And I thought that we'd be festive, so I took the liberty of acquiring for you all some gifts."

"Reverend, you didn't have to." Harry said. "We didn't get anything for you."

"No, don't worry about it," Ewls said. "You've all be exceptional students, and I thank you for that." He turned his gaze upon Ron who sat, sipping a coke. From out of his pocket, Reverend Ewls pulled a string of beads at the end of which was a round medallion and a necklace-sized crucifix. "Ron, I am a Disciple of Christ, and my denomination typically doesn't pray the rosary, but the order of the cross does, this was given to me by my mentor, it has always been a source of strength for me, I give it now to you, pray it regularly," Ewls handed Ron the Rosary. "You will find that the intercessions of the blessed virgin can be very powerful."

Ron's expression was excited. "Thank you Reverend, how do you…"

"I'll tell you later," His gaze then fell on Hermione who, along with Harry was still standing just inside the doorway to his office. "Hermione," The Reverend beckoned her to sit in one of the easy-chairs in front of the fireplace. She did so but protested.

"Reverend," She said, now almost apologetic, not knowing how else to respond to Reverend Ewls kindness to her in the face of her dislike. "I don't…"

Reverend Ewls silenced her before she could finish what she was saying. He walked around behind his desk and obtained a large box which was hidden behind the desk. He then walked back around to the front of the desk and set it in front of her. Her facial expression was now one of confusion.

"This is from Dr. Ewls and I," He said. "Bottles, parts to a baby swing, diapers, a cross section of what you'll need when the baby comes."

It was as if heaps of burning coals were thrown upon her head, she had no clue as to how to respond to Reverend Ewls' kindness. A tear came to her eyes. She hesitated for a second.

"Thank you Reverend," was all that she could say.

Ewls nodded and gave a friendly wink at her which made her smirk. Her irrational dislike of Reverend Ewls was now seemingly dissipating rapidly. Ewls walked back to his desk and opened the main drawer, out of which, he pulled a long instrument encased in cloth.

"Harry I don't have a present for you, but Dumbledore does, his explicit instructions were that you be entrusted with this."

He handed the instrument to Harry who could tell already that it was a sword. Harry removed the cloth casing revealing a sheathed sword.

"Take it out from its sheath," Ewls instructed.

When he did so, Harry noticed that he had born the sword before. The writing upon it read, Godric Gryffindor. Harry's eyes widened, he quickly re-sheathed it, recovered it in its cloth and laid it upon Reverend Ewls' desk.

"Sir, I can't take this," Harry said.

"Dumbledore didn't want you to have it as a keepsake Harry," Ewls clarified. "That is a tool, you see, in addition to being the founder of this School, and many other things, Godric Gryffindor was a devout Christian, and a Nasserite. To this day, part of what distinguishes Nasserites from other Wizards is that their primary weapon is not a wand but a specially charmed sword, the charm can only be done by one who has been called to be a Nasserite, and once performed, the sword of a Nasserite can make obsolete in battle the best of wands, deflecting even the Killing Curse if it is in the hand of a man through whom the love of Christ flows."

"But Reverend, I'm not sure I want to become…"

"I think you'll soon come to realize your destiny, Harry," Ewls interrupted. "In time you may find yourself in a situation wherein you have no choice."

Harry nodded reluctantly, retaking the sword into his hands and sitting down with it in one of the easy-chairs. Ron then took something out of his pocket, which Hermione noticed was a velvet black box. Upon realizing this, Hermione's breath intensified, she tried to conceal this from the others in the room but was unable to do so. Ron slid his chair forward and took her by the hand.

"Hermione," Ron began. "Since we're in a giving mood…" Hermione's free hand now covered her mouth as her whole body trembled in anticipation, tears of joy escaped her eyes. "I had this flown in by owl from home a few days ago," he then opened the box, revealing a very beautiful, silver, ornate necklace with a locket charm hanging from it. Hermione's heart sank, her shaking stopped, the tears which now fell from her eyes were ones of disappointment, Ron did not seem to notice this as he continued. "I hope you like it."

Hermione took deep breaths, she tried to wipe the tears from her eyes; she looked away from the necklace, not wanting to even behold the thing.

"Yes it's wonderful," She whispered softly, standing and walking toward the door, not taking the necklace. "Excuse me."

Hermione left the office, her sobs could be heard from inside the office as she walked across the classroom, made her way into the hallway.

"What was that?" Ron asked in confusion.

"She knows about the ring Ron," Harry said in a sorrowful voice.

"What?" Ron responded, his voice alarmed.

"Even if that was not the case Ron," Said Reverend Ewls in a very disappointed tone of voice, his powerful gaze converted into one of near anger. "If you were waiting for the right moment, that was it."

Ron quickly stood up and stormed out of the room and began to look for Hermione. After a half hour of searching, he found her by the lakeshore, sitting on the snowy ground, staring at the hills across. When Ron saw her thus sitting, he called out to her.

"Hermione!" She turned her head to him; seeing him still several yards off, she turned her head back toward the hills across the lake. Ron began to run, after arriving at the place where she was sitting, he sat next to her. "Hermione its cold out, you shouldn't be out here, it can't be good for the baby."

Hermione ignored him, by looking at the side of her head, Ron could tell that tears were falling from her face.

"Look, I didn't know that you found the ring I just though that I'd…"

"No, Ron it's alright," she said amidst her tears. "I love the necklace, I just found the ring and got my hopes up that's all."

Ron sighed and looked down at the ground in shame.

"Hermione I'm a coward," He said. "See, I know that you know now that I want to propose to you, and I thought that would make it easier, but it doesn't."

"If you're afraid of rejection I can assure you that it wouldn't happen."

"I know," he said. "I just guess I wanted the moment to be right, you know perfect."

Hermione turned her head to face him directly, she had, apparently been crying quite a lot. She kissed him on the cheek.

"I understand perfectly," Hermione said. "I'm the same way you know."

"You're a perfectionist? really?" Ron said sarcastically.

The two of them laughed, apparently Ron's joke succeeded for once at actually lightening the mood rather than making it worse.

"You wait Ron," Hermione told him. "Until you think the moment is right, and I will be here, waiting for you, I love you.

Her head turned back toward the hills, she took his hand in hers.

"Just don't wait too long alright," Hermione said as Ron's body slid over in order to position himself sitting right up against Hermione, his arm rested around her shoulder. "Merry Christmas Ron."

"Merry Christmas Hermione."

The two carried their relationship on, attempting to pretend as though nothing had happened. Though this proved impossible; there was definitely more of an awkwardness about them in their interactions with one another, and both were almost nervous when not around each other. Ron had finally come to realize the truth in what Reverend Ewls had told him about the potential of losing Hermione. This did not increase his courage to the point to where he was ready to actually propose to her, instead he continued, as he had done from the beginning, to play around with the ring in his robe pocket, sometimes out of his pocket when he thought no one was looking. For the first time since they had fully realized how much they cared for each other the previous summer, they felt their relationship in jeopardy.