Finally!

Chapter 6: A Punch to Ron's Heart...And Hermione's Eye

It was October 30th, and Ron's insides were eating him. They had been at school for 2 months, and things had been great between him and Hermione. As friends. (Unfortunately) On the bright side, however, they hadn't had any fights.

On October 1st, the Headmaster had told them something important. For the 6th and 7th years, they were going to have a Halloween dance after the annual feast for everyone. He had seen Hermione glance at him discreetly the moment he had announced it. Ron had wanted to ask her right then and there, but he was too scared. And now it was October 30th, and he still hadn't asked. He sat down next to Harry and merely stared at his plate. "Morning, Harry and Ginny," Hermione said, sitting down next to Ginny. "Ron," she grunted, glaring at him. Uh-oh.

"Hi, Hermione. Good morning. How are you?" She glared at him silently. Harry and Ginny looked at both of them, trying to figure out what was going on. "Just peachy, Ronald." Ronald is never a good sign. Ron mentally hung himself over and over again.

Harry looked at Ron, surprised he hadn't put anything on his plate. "Ron, what's wrong?" He looked up at Hermione, who was eating quietly, and said, "Just lost my appetite..." Hermione abruptly stood up and walked out out the Great Hall. He stood up and ran after her.

"Hermione, can I talk to you?" She ignored him and walked up the stairs that lead to the Gryffindor girls' dorm.

"Hermione...would you go to the dance with me?" She looked at him suddenly, and he saw her glimpse at him softly.

She ran her hand through her hair and sighed. "Ron...I would-" Suddenly, she looked at him, and cleared her face of any emotion.What is she thinking?

"Im your last option again, aren't I? Aren't I? How many girls did you ask before me? This is just like the Yule Ball, damn it!" Ron's eyes widened, and he shook his head. Hermione's voice got louder.

"No, Hermione. I didn't ask anybody...at all. I've been wanting to ask you all month, but I've been too scared that you would say no! And anyways when you went to the Yule Ball, you had a date."

"I do have a date. SOME PEOPLE, Ron, actually see me as a girl. SOME see me as pretty, and not just the girl who spends her time in the library reading or studying. SOME ask me as a first option, and not a last option!" Her face was red, and she was screaming by now, having reached the boiling point. The students in the Great Hall were pouring out, and they surrounded Ron and Hermione, witnessing everything from their own eyes.

"Who is your date?" Hermione smiled and laughed. "Are you surprised to hear somebody actually likes me, Ron? Matt asked me, the day after Dumbledore announced it."

"Who the bloody hell is Matt?" Ron was bewildered and hurt.

Suddenly, Matt came out from the crowd. "Me. I asked Hermione. Don't remember me?" Ron shook his head, puzzled. "We met on the train." A surge of memory came back at Ron from that day, and he sneered. "Ew, it's you." Matt frowned. "Ron!" Hermione yelled, and came down the stairs towards the 2 boys.

She was about to yell something further, but didn't get to, for Ron had taken action. He punched Matt, who fell back into the crowd. Matt got up and punched Ron back. Unfortunately, at that moment Hermione came between them, and Matt's punch landed on Hermione's eye. Hermione winced and fell to the floor. Her head made contact with the ground, and she blacked out.

"Look what you did, you idiot! She's hurt!"

By now, a teacher got to the inside of the crowd toward Matt and Ron. Coincidentally, it was their 'favorite' teacher. Our dear friend Snape.

"Detention, both of you. Tomorrow night."

"But tomorrow night is the dance, professor!" Matt scowled.

"I don't care. Twenty points from both of you, and detention tomorrow night helping Mr. Filch. Meet Mr. Filch outside the Great Hall tomorrow at 8. Now, Mr. Weasley, please take Ms. Granger to the hospital wing. "

Silently, Ron picked Hermione up into his arms, and began to make his way through the crowd. Before that, however, he whispered into Matt's ear, "This is all your fault."

Ron was NOT looking forward to tomorrow night. And would Hermione be mad at him when she woke up?

A/N: I AM SO SORRY IT TOOK THIS LONG TO UPDATE! I promise I will never give up on this story, no matter how long it takes me to update!

Next Chapter: Ron's detention with Filch & Matt, Hermione waking up, Apologies...and getting closer together or further apart? WILL THEY FINALLY BE TOGETHER? KEEP ON READING TO FIND OUT!

REVIEW...OR NO UPDATES...REVIEW...OR ILL MAKE THIS ROMANCE END IN TRAGEDY...(just kidding)...BUT REVIEW!