Hey guys! Sorry it took a little longer for me to get this chapter out there. I've been a little busy.

Everyone who has reviewed- thank you so much! I love them!

Without further adieu, onto Chapter 3!

Chapter 3: Unveiling Emotions

"Wow. Mum and Dad sure weren't playing when they said seventh year would be pure work. Fred and George were right to get out while they still could." Ron had just finished his double lesson of Herbology, convinced there was more to life than learning about enchanted plants and their derivation. His lack of interest caused Professor Sprout to dock ten points from Gryffindor and give Ron a special assignment of writing an essay about the difference between lanforia and deforia. He looked pleadingly at Hermione.

"Really Ron, when will you realize that I'm not intelligent only to use at your convenience?" Hermione scoffed.

"Aw Hermione, come on, you know I didn't mean—"Ron was interrupted by a familiar snide voice.

"Can't wash himself, dress nicely, or do his homework without help. Granger, what exactly do you see in this blood traitor?" Draco crossed his arms, thoroughly pleased with himself. Crabbe and Goyle stood smugly at either side, both assuming roles of bodyguards. Ron turned a dark shade of crimson and looked as though he might burst.

"What do you want Malfoy? Hermione already has to wake up to your face every morning. Isn't that torture enough?" Ron was fuming. Draco's mouth shifted into his smirking trademark.

"For whom exactly do you mean, Weasley? The Mudblood or yourself?" Crabbe and Goyle snickered along with Draco and they turned to walk away. Ron tried to lunge at Draco, but Hermione and Harry held him back.

"Don't Ron. You'll only make it worse," said Hermione.

"Yeah, it's only the first week of school too. At least wait until next week." Hermione glared at Harry who was trying diligently to suppress a laugh. However, Ron was still red, literally, with anger.

"Hermione! You're living with him! Practically in the same room! He'll be using that to torment me the whole year!"

Oh no... He didn't mean to say that, thought Harry.

"Why, Ron? Why would he even care?" Hermione questioned.

"Because he KNOWS!" Ron spat.

No, he definitely did not mean to say that, Harry thought again. Ron, for Merlin's sake, just stop talking.

Hermione looked both puzzled and intrigued.

"He knows what?"

"That I like you! Obviously he's been making my life hell around you because I've liked you for years! And now that he's the one who gets to be close to you, it's like he's hit the bloody jackpot!"

No one spoke.

No, he DEFINITELY didn't mean to say that. Haha, about time though. Harry stood in the silence and musingly looked back and forth between Ron and Hermione.

Ron looked deathly ill. He debated between telling Hermione he was just joking and taking off on a full out sprint up to his bedroom.

Hermione didn't say a word. Instead, she walked over to Ron and kissed him quickly on the lips.

"I have Arithmancy in ten minutes so I'll see you both later at dinner." She walked off, a smile etched onto her face.

Harry and Ron started for the Gryffindor dormitory. Harry had to push Ron along for he was dreamily wandering off into a world of his own.

"Gosh Ron, good thing she didn't use her tongue. You would have surely died from shock." Ron shuffled along, unfazed by Harry's comment.

"That Malfoy, nice bloke isn't he?"

Before dinner, Hermione sat in her room and thought about the day's events.

I kissed him! I actually kissed him! I can't believe I did that! Is he my boyfriend now? Oh Merline, do I have to ask him if he's my boyfriend? Lets hope not. He'll stutter so much that I'll never get a clear answer. I guess I'll find out at dinner. What will I say? Should I say anything at all? She had many more questions to ask herself but her thoughts were interrupted by the same snide voice as before.

"Why Granger, where is your faithful Weasel? I thought for sure he'd become your personal escort to protect you from me." Draco leaned against the door, his eyes boring into Hermione's, daring her to stand up for her friend. However, Hermione had a better idea.

"Actually, I was waiting for you to come back here. I wanted to thank you for before." Hermione smiled sweetly as Draco's face fell into question. Hermione continued, "If you hadn't implied Ron felt something for me, then he would have never admitted it and I would have never kissed him. You were right- having you around isn't so bad after all." Hermione skipped out of her room, leaving Draco utterly confused.
Harry waited in the common room for Ron to come down. Most of the Gryffindors had already gone to dinner and only a few stragglers were left hurrying about the tower. Ginny flew down the stairs at rocket speed, not noticing Harry as she rushed by.

"Merlin, Ginny! Where's the fire?" Ginny stopped at the sound of Harry's voice.

"Haha sorry, my friends went down already and I want to actually sit with them this time. I didn't know Seamus had a crush on Lavender and I usually sit next to her, but he's taken it upon himself to steal my seat recently." Ginny looked up at Harry and noticed he was fighting a laugh. "Yes, yes, I know it's juvenile, but I don't want to get stuck sitting with first years again." Harry let out his laugh.

"Ginny, since when are we not friends anymore? You couldn't just sit with me?" Ginny blushed furiously and then giggled a little.

"Just you?" It was Harry's turn to blush.

"Erm... Ron and Hermione too, of course." He looked down at his feet. Nice, Harry. Real smooth. You could be taking tips from Ron at this point. Ginny smiled and held out her hand.

"Mr. Potter, I accept your offer." Harry laughed and shook her hand, holding onto it a little longer than neccessary.

"Alright then! I'm ready!" Ron came down the stairs quizzically looking at Harry and Ginny. He was wearing his favorite green shirt under his robe and smelled strongly of aftershave. Realizing Harry's expression, he explained, "Colin said this is what muggles use to smell nice. Is it too much?"

"Just a bit, mate. But... um... it's nice. Yes, nice." Harry shifted uncomfortably and Ginny let out another giggle. She pointed her wand at Ron.

"Desmelgify!"

The aftershave dulled to a polite amount and the three set off for the Great Hall. When they arrived, Harry noticed Ginny was right about Seamus. He was sitting with a group of girls obviously fighting for Lavender's attention.

Ron and Harry assumed their usual seats and Ginny sat next to Hermione. Hermione smiled at Ron, whose hair color matched those of his cheeks. The four fell into a deep conversation about the upcoming Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff when Hermione felt someone's eyes upon her. She looked up at Ron, but he was listening intently to Harry's game plan as Captain. Hermione searched around the Great Hall until she met the eyes she least expected to see fixated on her. The pair belonged to Draco. They stared at one another as if sharing a dark secret until Ron diverted Hermione's attention.

"So... the notice was put up today about the first Hogsmeade trip this year... erm... it's in two weeks. Well... anyway... I was kind of thinking that... erm... maybe you would like to go with me?" Ron spit out the question so quickly that it took Hermione a moment to realize he was asking her out on a date.

"Yes, Ron! I'd love to!" Ron was thoroughly relieved and even got up the courage to kiss Hermione on the cheek.

"Harry and I have Quidditch practice now and I know you'll want to finish your homework, so... I'll see you tomorrow?" Hermione nodded happily and set off for her room, unaware of leaving a confused and jealous Draco Malfoy in the Great Hall.
As Hermione got ready for bed, she found herself grinning from ear to ear about Ron. She was in such a euphoric daze that she didn't realize Draco was doing his work in the common room when she walked out in her silk maroon nightgown.

"Now, now Mudblood, I don't think Weasel would appreciate you trying to seduce me." Hermione gasped and froze out of sheer embarrassment. Draco smirked as he took a closer look at Hermione so scantily clad. Wow Granger, you've actually more than just 'attractive.' I was right, wasn't I? Living together won't be bad. No, not bad at all.

"Run along now, Granger. I don't want to have any impure thoughts." Hermione glared at him and ran back into her room.

So what did you think??? I hope you guys liked it. I definitely spent some time on it. I think it's a little too early to start leaving off on cliffhangers though, right? However, they WILL be happening in the future hehe. Review!!

Enchantress