Chapter 3: Apologies, and a Nice Night

Hermione's POV

Hermione was laying down on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

I cant believe I didn't get it. I mean, Im HERMIONE. (not to sound snobby or anything) But I was a PREFECT, I get perfect grades, and Im responsible. Maybe I didn't get it because of all the troubles Ive caused off with Ron and Harry. I guess I just have to get over it. It will be hard, because Ive been looking forward to it since FIRST YEAR, and Ive been so excited to get it all summer, and I dont. It's not the end of the world-yet. So calm down Hermione, its ok.

I feel bad for throwing something at Ron when he came up after me. I heard another crash, but I dont know what happened. Im too miserable to go see.

A little later there was a knock at the door, and Hermione opened it. It was Ginny with some food. "Thanks. Come in." She came in and sat down. They began eating in silence. "So, how are you feeling Hermione? I mean, we all thought you would get Head Girl. Especially Ron and Harry. They were really surprised." Hermione laughed shakily. "Yeah, I thought so, too. But Im still pretty miserable about it..."

"Well, feel better, Mia. And don't worry. It's not the end of the world." She grinned, and so did Hermione. "Thanks, Ginny."

Ginny remembered to ask Hermione something. She remembered Harry asking her earlier to find out if Hermione liked Ron, and Ginny had agreed. "Hey, Hermione, can I ask you something? It's sort of private, but we're best friends. We can tell each other anything."

Hermione nodded, wondering what Ginny was going to ask. "Im just going to come out and ask you it," Ginny said, grinning. "Do you or do you not like my brother and your best friend, Ron?" Hermione blushed. So thats what this is all about...

"Um, well, uh-ok, Ginny, you can't tell anybody anything Im about to tell you. Even though we bicker sometimes about stupid stuff-even though we're best friends, and we shouldn't-and theres so many what 'ifs'-I do, Ginny. I like Ronald Weasley." Might as well tell her...

Ginny grinned. "Do you know if he does, Ginny? Like me, I mean." Ginny slapped her head. "Oy! Im stuck in the middle of you two!" They laughed and grinned. Ginny became serious. "I think he does. More than you know, and more than he lets on." Hermione sighed. "Even if he does, he's too stubborn to admit it. I guess I am too." They laughed again. "So, what do you like about Ron?"

Hermione began rambling different things, turning pinker and pinker. They both talked baout the guys they liked for about an hour until Ginny left to go to Harry's room.

As Ginny was opening the door, Hermione asked her what that crash was before. She frowned and said, "Well, after you hit Ron, he stumbled out, rubbing a bump on his head. There was a bruise next to it that was bleeding. He was coming down the stairs and tripped. He got knocked out, and he's unconscious right now." Hermione got up, horrified. "IS HE OK? ITS ALL MY FAULT!"

Ginny looked at Hermione. "Don't worry, Mia. Mum said he's going to be ok. He should be coming around soon. It's no big deal. So don't worry." Ginny closed the door.

Hermione looked at the time: 11:45 PM. People were probably asleep by now, not counting Harry, Ginny, and probably Mrs. Weasley. I don't feel like dealing with anybody right now, besides Ginny and Ron. Ill talk to Harry tomorrow.

She waited until the clock struck 12 and saw that the house was still. Ginny had not returned. Probably off talking with Harry. She got up and changed into her pajamas. If anyone sees me, I'll tell them I was off getting a glass of water or something.

Hermione crept down the stairs. She walked into the living room and saw Ron on the couch. eyes closed, and an ice pack on his head. She sat on the floor, and held his hand. "Oh, Ron, Im so sorry. I didn't mean for you to be hurt. I was just-upset. Im so sorry. It's all my fault." Please wake up, Ron.

She leaned in closer, and touched his cheek with her other hand. "I wish I could take it back. Wish you would wake up." A tear went down her cheek, and landed on his cheek. He groaned, and touched his head with his free hand. "Ugh-what happened?" Hermione laughed a quiet laugh. "You're awake. Oh, Ron. Im so sorry about everything. Because of me you fell down the stairs and got knocked out. Im really sorry, Ron." Sorrier than you'll ever know.

Ron opened his eyes. "Hermione? Don't worry. It's ok, really. I'd love to fall down the stairs for you all the time-Did i just say that?" She smiled, and was about to reply yes, when they heard footsteps.

"Someone's coming," she hissed into his ear. "Probably mum coming to check on me,to see that Im sleeping, or that nobody's awake," he said, still holding the ice pack on his head.

"Ill get in trouble for being up this late now, Ron. Follow me. Come to my room, and we can talk there. Your mom will probably think you woke up, and went to your room. Anyway, Harry's staying in Fred and George's room. They left earlier in the evening. So come on, follow me."

Ron got up, and almost fell. "Lean on me," she whispered. "Gladly," Ron said, then blushing deep red when he realized what he said. (so did hermione) Did he REALLY just say that? She helped him up the stairs, and they made it into her room. Luckily, Ginny wasn't there.

She helped him lay down on Ginny's bed. She layed down on her bed. (which was stuck next to Ginny's so they were laying down next to each other) "Does your head still hurt?" she asked, getting really close now. "Here, come closer," she said, and she held the ice pack for him. "Thanks, Hermione. Thanks a lot." He could feel her breath on him. (thats how close they were)

"Its no problem, Ron. Anything for you," Hermione replied. And that's true. From the bottom of my heart. They both blushed light pink. "So, how you feeling-you know, about not being Head Girl? Don't worry, Hermione." Even though she'd heard don't worry a few times, she felt most reassured with Ron. She felt reassured and relaxed. "Its ok, I guess. As long as whoever got it really deserves it," She smiled. "Thanks, Ron."

Ron looked at her. "For what?" She smiled again. "Everything. You make me feel so calm. So happy." Ron looked at her, and smiled like he'd never smiled before. "No problem. Anything for you. You make me feel happy, too." He closed his eyes, and leaned his head on her shoulder. She did the same.

Before Mrs. Weasley went to bed, (around 12) she decided to go check up on Ron. He should be awake by now. As she got closer, she thought she heard voices. Who's not sleeping? They should be asleep. She stopped for a moment, and heard nothing. Maybe Im just hearing things. Everything seems quiet. Ron's probably still out, or he's sleeping. She went back to bed.

Mrs. Weasley woke up again an hour later, and went to check on Ron. Lets see how my boy's doing. She got to the couch and saw nobody was there. Oh, good, he woke up. He probably went up to his room to sleep in his bed.

Mrs. Weasley climbed the stairs, and went into Ron's room. "Ron? Are you here, honey?" But Ron was nowhere to be seen. Now she became a little worried. Maybe in the bathroom? She looked in the kitchen, living room, bathrooms, and her room. She got even more worried.

Maybe he's in Harry's room. Yeah, that's it! She got to Harry's room, and knocked the door. "Harry, dear? Is ron there?" She heard voices, but nobody answered the door. She knocked again and waited patiently. A few minutes later, she opened the door to see Harry there with somebody else, but not Ron. "Ginerva Weasley!" Mrs. Weasley screamed. She had seen Ginny making out with Harry. "DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS? I understand you guys are a couple, but this is OUTRAGEOUS! It's one in the morning! Go to bed! And Harry, Im a little disappointed in you and Ginny!" She huffed until Ginny got up.

Then she remembered why she had come. "Harry, dear, have you seen Ron? He's not in the living room, so he woke up. But he's nowhere to be seen, not even in his room!" Harry frowned, wondering what had happened to his best friend. "Im sorry, Mrs. Weasley, but I haven't seen him at all." Now Mrs. Weasley was frantic. "Thank you, Harry, and good night."

Mrs. Weasley took Ginny to her room. "Good night, honey. I need to go find Ron. You haven't seen him, have you?" Ginny opened her door. "N-Yes," she said grinning. Mrs. Weasley shook Ginny by her shoulders. "Where is he?" "In my room. Look." They looked inside and grinned.

Ron and Hermione were asleep next to each other. (not an inch between them i might add) The ice pack was at the edge of the bed, near their legs. They were both smiling, their heads leaning on each other. Their fingers were entwined with each other. They look adorable like that. "Im going to take a picture," Mrs. Weasley said. She came back moments later, and took a picture. "And Ill make a copy for each of them." Ginny grinned. They were going to be so humiliated tomorrow!

After Mrs. Weasley took a few pictures, she went back to bed. "Um, mum, I cant sleep here..can I sleep with Harry?" She smiled hopefully. Her hopes were dashed seconds later.

"Absolutely not! Go sleep in Percy's room!" Ginny went to sleep grumbling while 2 very special people were sleeping happily next to each other, having wonderful dreams.