a/n: In honor of Valentine's day coming up, I decided it was time to write my first romione fanfiction. So here it is, set in Order of the Phoneix chapter twenty-five, a missing moment from Ron and Hermione's relationship that could be perfectly canon per se, because let's be honest, Harry's middle name really should be oblivious, not James. Could there have been another reason Ron was so glum he couldn't go into Hogsmead on the fourteenth, one that didn't have anything to do with quidditch? Just a disclaimer, if I owned Harry Potter I wouldn't be writing a fanfic, would I? I hope you enjoy, please leave a review and make sure to follow and favorite!

It was late one cold and blustery evening in early February and the halls of Hogwarts were utterly deserted, the entire student body seemingly huddled in their common rooms around the fire, wrapped in blankets and drinking a warm mug of tea or hot chocolate to keep warm. That was, except the hall leading up to the Gryffindor common room and dorms, where a slightly damp and rather disgruntled Ron Weasley walked along. He was walking alone because while his quidditch teammates were eager to return to the safety of the castle against the rushing wind Ron had wanted to avoid them all at any cost, so he'd stayed back in the locker room trying to drown out his worries about the dumpster fire of a practice with hot water.

So here he is, wearing only a t-shirt and sweatpants, arms covered with goose pimples from the cold with the ends of his flaming red hair still wet. Approaching the fat lady's portrait he shouted "Mimbulus mimbeletonia!". She swung ajar but made sure to give him a nasty look first for raising his voice. The common room was, as he'd predicted, packed to the brim, nearly all the seats taken and utter chatter everywhere. Ron groaned, he still had Transfiguration homework due tomorrow he hadn't finished yet and all this noise was just going to add to his mounting headache.

Raking the crowd for a bushy brown head he spotted his target, lying on a cushy sofa right up near the fire. Seeming to feel his eyes on the back of her neck she looked up from the essay she'd been scribbling away at propped on the arm of the couch and met his glance. Hermione waved him over, sitting up and moving her papers around to make room for him. He pushed through the sea of bodies towards her, plopping down beside her and propping his feet up on the table in front of them where what seemed like five years of Arithmancy notes lay in piles.

She opened her mouth to say something, Ron guessed to ask him how practice had gone but seemed to change her mind just when the words were on the tip of her tongue, shutting it again. All for the better, he didn't feel like retelling his failings, especially to her, of all people. Glancing down she seemed to fully take him in for the first time and her face formed a horrified expression. "Geez Hermione am I that unattractive?" he asked her, rolling his eyes. She grabbed his arm, running her small hand up it.

He shivered and his mind seemed to blur completely, enjoying the warmth of her affectionate touch, his eyes even closing for a millisecond before he was snapped back to reality by her voice. "No, it's not that, your freezing Ron! Why didn't you come straight back with the others you could have waited to shower in the dorms your going to get a head cold!" She released his arm but the worried expression remained, although now he felt enormously better, was grinning even. "Relax Her-mi-oneee I'm perfectly fine and capable of taking care of myself," he said with a smirk, pronouncing her name in three syllables.

He was quite enjoying the fact that she, Hermione, Hermione Jean Granger, his best friend, the brightest witch of her age, had been worried about him, Ronald Bilius Weasley, a six-foot-tall ginger-haired git, the worst quidditch keeper to ever step foot on the pitch. "Oh, don't start," she said, rolling her eyes right back at him and shuffling through all the papers, searching for something. "Go ahead, get sick, see if I care that should make it even easier to disarm you in the next DA meeting." She continued her search, rolling off the sofa next to him and settling down on the carpet.

Despite her ridiculous former comments, this gave him the perfect chance to admire her, take in every inch of her shiny hair whose ends curled and whose top was fluffed up as though in the moments before he'd interrupted her studying she'd been running her hands through it. She had on an oversized maroon jumper covering her uniform that came down just above her skirt. He initially hadn't recognized it but now looking at her up close realized was his own, the one he'd given her third year when she'd been shivering on their first-ever trip to Hogsmead.

"Is Harry at occlumency lessons with Snape again?" he questioned her. "Yes," she sighed, sticking her head under the table and groping around underneath it. "Have you seen my quill? I was using it before you arrived and now it seems to have disappeared." He shrugged, inspecting the sofa cushions in case it had slipped between them. She finally stood up. "I'll just have to go upstairs and get my spare I suppose. Do keep looking, won't you?" she instructed him, heading up the staircase leading to the girl's dormitories.

Just as Hermione had gone another face popped up beside him. Ginny's. He sincerely hoped she hadn't come to go over today's training and try to get him to discuss how to help his technique. "Have you checked the notice board lately?" she questioned, sliding into Hermione's empty seat. "Er no, why?" he asked, running a hand through his still not completely dry hair and wondering why on earth his sister would be checking to see if he'd noticed a new opening for gobstones club or a new Umbridge decree or something of the kind. "There's a Hogsmeade weekend coming up soon. On Valentine's day." she pressed, opening her eyes wider as though to send him some sort of telepathic message.

Ron did know this, the announcement had been posted in January and Harry was planning to go with Cho. The day he was guessing Cho had asked Harry was not long after it was put up when the three of them had spotted her in the hall and Hermione had hauled him off to the library, probably to stop him insulting Cho's quidditch team loyalty and completely ruining it for Harry like he had the last time they'd run into her. He remembered sidling into the seat in the library beside her and whisper shouting "What was that for?".

She'd let out an exasperated sigh. "Since there's that Hogsmead weekend coming up next month I'm assuming they want to go together and we don't need to be there when Harry gets asked on or asks to go on his first date with her!" Hermione had hissed. Ron had paused, considering the matter. He knew Harry fancied Cho, after all, he was his best mate, and regardless of whether they never discussed girls he knew it was true, after all, you don't snog someone unless you fancy them, right? Yes, that seemed about right. He had not, on the other hand, ever kissed anyone, much less an undeniably good looking girl who was also a good quidditch player and a year older than him. If he'd fancied such a girl and had the opportunity to go on a date with her he also wouldn't want his friends standing around while he undoubtedly awkwardly stumbled over his words trying to be subtle.

Ron snapped out of his flashback revelation and said "Yeah, I've heard, so what?". Ginny increased her bug eyes, drilling them into him. "So that means it would be the perfect opportunity to ask someone. Someone you know, you like." He shrugged. "There's no one I'd want to ask." Alright, so maybe that was stretching the truth just a tad. But still, he could never admit it to Ginny, especially not in a crowded room filled with all his peers. She rolled her eyes. "Are you sure? No one at all? Not one person you'd want to go with, someone you spend the majority of all your time with, who knows you better than almost anyone, who you can never take your eyes off of, who I know for a fact would love if you were to ask them, who is your best friend?" Her eyebrows had completely disappeared into her hairline now.

He did, of course, know exactly who she was hinting at, he'd gotten so much crap the last year about Hermione it didn't take a genius to figure it out, and contrary to popular belief he did not in fact "have the emotional range of a teaspoon" which still stung, but he refused to give his sister the satisfaction of knowing she was right and did fancy her. So instead he countered "You know Ginny, I dunno if Harry'd want to come with me, I'm pretty sure he's going with Cho, and word on the street is she's a much better date than me." He smirked with satisfaction. Ignoring her hints combined with a tiny zap about Harry dating Cho, she would be sure to leave him alone now. He was pretty sure she was over her schoolgirl crush on Harry especially now that she was dating that idiot Coroner bloke but he'd decided to add it just in case.

To his displeasure, she just scowled and hit his face with a throw pillow, unwilling to take the bait and give up. Just then last two freckly red-haired siblings at Hogwarts popped by, inviting themselves into the conversation and sitting parallel to Ron and Ginny on another sofa. "Well, well, well, what's going on over here? Nothing like a little family drama to cap off the night, wouldn't you say George?" said Fred who was sitting on the right. "Yessiree Fred, nothing like it indeed," said George with an identical cackle and smirk. Ginny sighed again, eying her three older brothers nastily. "We were just discussing Ron's love life," she said with narrowed eyes.

Ron slumped on the sofa. "Thanks, Ginny," he muttered over the twin's raucous laughter. "You can't discuss something that doesn't exist," said George with a maniacal smile. "Now, now, I'm sure we can help ol' Ronniekins out with his romantic crisis," added Fred. "There's no crisis!" Ron snapped, rolling his eyes. "Hey, I'm just trying to help you out, that way you don't become a hermit and live at home for the rest of your existence. Ginny snapped back. "Ahh," Fred sighed faking a concerned look. "Well, now we can't have that Ron's lack of romantic interests is going to blemish the Weasley name." Ron thought they were altogether deriving way too much enjoyment in his dating downfallings.

"Might this have anything to do with the upcoming Valentine's trip to Hogsmead?" George inquired. Ginny said "Yes!" just as Ron answered "No!. She gave him her infamous death glare which had an uncanny resemblance to their mothers. "I was just trying to get our dear brother to finally ask out the girl he's too haughty to admit he's madly in love with." Ron's ears felt as though they'd been lit on fire, he could feel his whole face turn red and whisper screamed "Not here Ginny!" in case anybody was listening in on their conversation. "Geez Ron, number one it's so loud in here no one can hear us number two everybody knows you fancy her there is no good in trying to hide it."

The twins were grinning from ear to ear now. "So your finally going to make a move on Granger?" George asked wickedly. "How do you know we were talking about her?" Ron said, flushing even darker. Did everyone know? "Sorry to say but it's incredibly obvious little bro. You spend all your time with her, particularly when Harry's in one of his raging moods, you stare at her constantly, and you talk in your sleep." Fred's last statement made Ginny choke on her knuckle to keep from laughing. "I do not!" Ron retorted. "No matter getting into that, the point is the signs have always been there," George added an even wider grin spreading across his face, "Which means, I'm officially owed five sickles from each of you!" He held out either hand to his twin and Ginny.

"No way! He hasn't even done the asking yet and who knows if she'd even say yes I don't remember her having some kind of concussion recently that would make her agree to go out with Ron!" Fred said, throwing up his arms in protest. Even though he was used to it, this did hit a rather hard blow to Ron's already incredibly lacking self-esteem, he'd even perhaps found himself considering the prospect of asking her out until Fred's lackluster comment reopened his eyes. Of course, she'd never say yes and if he asked her and she said no their friendship would be ruined for good, it would be too awkward to even look at her. Ron was so busy in his thoughts he didn't even fully take in exactly what was happening.

"Wait," he said, glowering at his siblings "You put bets on me asking a girl out?" His siblings exchanged looks but less "we're sorry Ron that was terrible of us please forgive us" and more "Yikes the blubbering idiot finally caught us". Ron raised his eyebrows questioningly. "Actually," George said solemnly, "We betted on when you and Granger would finally get together. We made it in your third year, I bet fifth, Fred was down for sixth, Ginny thought you'd never actually work up the nerve to get around to it and Percy," George shuddered as he said his name, they'd all been avoiding the topic as long as possible. "Said fourth. We said we'd each give five sickles to whoever w-" but Ron cut him off.

"Percy was in on this too?" Ron gaped at his brother. He couldn't imagine Percy, stuck up, pompous, family deserting Percy, to take a bet about him and Hermione dating. "Yessiree, and we would have gotten the rest of the family in on it but that day you two came back from Hogsmead and she was wearing one of our beloved family sweaters, we decided it would be a shame to wait because by then she might be apart of our family," Ginny said with a satisfied smirk. "Is each of your life ambitions to kill me?" Ron asked, slumping farther yet into the sofa. "Nah that'll just be a perk," Fred said. Just then, Hermione came rattling down the stairs carrying a new quill and inkpot.

"Sorry it took so long I couldn't remember where I'd left it and I finally found it tucked away in my-" Hermione's voice haltered as she approached them and saw Ginny and the twins gathering as well. "Talk of the devil," George said, looking from her to Ron. If looks could kill, three of the Weasleys would be one thousand feet under in a cemetery, Ron's death stare was grilling into them. "Weren't you just saying how tired you all are?" he said through gritted teeth. "Our practice was so exhausting today you really should be headed for bed Gin, and you two don't want to fail your NEWTS so," Ron grabbed Ginny by the arm and yanked Fred and George off the sofa.

"Night Hermione!" he called back to a confused looking Hermione still standing by the table and sofas holding her quill and dripping ink as he hauled his siblings towards the dormitories. His siblings yanked their arms out from under them. "No need to be so pushy I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to ask lover girl out before the big day arrives," Fred said, and he and George sauntered up the boy's dormitory stairs. Ron and Ginny were left standing in the slowly emptying common room. Ginny gave him a long once over. "You remember what I was trying to say, don't you?" she inquired. "Yeah, I do," he said with a sigh. "Good. Night Ron." With that, she disappeared up into the staircase.

"It's too bad I do," Ron murmured to himself as he climbed up to bed. Opening the door to the empty dormitory and changing into his pajamas Ron pondered the situation. He'd long since admitted to himself he fancied her, it wasn't something he necessarily went out of his way to hide but of course, he didn't want anyone, particularly her to find out. But if what his siblings had said was true maybe it was too late. What was it Ginny had said though, he tried to remember their conversation as he climbed into bed. "Who I know for a fact would love if you were to ask them." Yeah, that was it. Ginny and Hermione were rather close and didn't all girls talk about guys? Ron didn't know but what if, what if Hermione had confided in Ginny her true feelings for him. He convinced himself it was barking, no girl, especially not her, would ever want to go out with him. But the opportunity still taunted him as he tried to slip off into a strictly nonverbal sleep.

It wasn't until the next night during prefect duties with Hermione that the full capacity of the idea hit Ron again. The topic had slipped in and out of his mind all day making it difficult to concentrate in lessons but it wasn't as fully incapacitating as it was now. Maybe it was because it was night, or it was the rather endearing way Hermione was rattling on about her OWL study schedule or just the proximity to her which meant he was getting strong whiffs of the vanilla and rose scent coming off of her hair from the shampoo she used but regardless he going back down the Valentines day Hogsmead weekend rabbit hole. His logic and emotion were waging the ever-present war again.

"There is already an unspoken agreement your going into Hogsmead together this weekend while Harry's off with Cho, why rock the boat and risk messing up your entire friendship? Things have been so good between you two lately it's not worth it." logic argued relentlessly. Emotion snapped back, however, and stronger than ever. "It doesn't have to be a big deal. Just pretend you aren't aware of this unspoken so-called agreement and ask her if she'd like to go with you. By asking one simple question you could have the ticket to your first date, and with the girl you fancy! After all, she did kiss you on the cheek that day before the quidditch match and she didn't do that to Harry that must mean your different to her, Ginny's probably right you should just go for it!" Ron let out a deep sigh, knowing he was going to end up chickening himself out of it.

That was if he waited. "Ron, are you even listening to me?" Hermione asked, spinning around to face him and stopping dead in her tracks so that he bumped into her absentmindedly. "Oops, sorry Hermione," he said, she looked at him suspiciously as they continued walking down the hall. "You've been acting so strange all day." Ron's insides twinged and he hoped beyond hope she wasn't figuring out what was wrong. "Does this have something to do with last night?" Ron stuttered. "Wha-what?" he asked, feeling a bead of sweat roll off his wrist. "You know, about quidditch practice? You were very distant and then you headed straight up to bed once I'd come back," she said. Ron breathed a sigh of relief, she didn't know. "Oh erm, I suppose I was a bit upset yeah," he responded lightly. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to but you know I don't care how well you do at-" but she stopped mid-sentence as Ron seemed to be lost in thought again.

If he waited, he knew he'd never work up the courage again to ask her. He had to do it now. Right now. He grabbed her arm. Hermione froze, stopped by Ron's sudden lack of movement, and hold on to her. "What's wrong?" she asked, looking concerned. "Can I, um, can I ask you something?" She smiled kindly as he asked her, coming over to stand next to him. "Of course you can." It was time. "Erm, can we sit down?" he asked her, trying to postpone the horrible minute and thinking he might be able to breathe better on the ground. "Was that the question or preparation for the question?" she inquired as she dragged him with her over to a nearby staircase where she sat down on the bottom step. "Preparation I suppose," he answered, taking a seat next to her.

As she looked at him quizzically he knew it was the moment. Blowing out any remaining air in his lungs he said "Do, er, do you want to, um, go into, uh, Hogsmead, together?". A look of shock took over her face and she stared at him. "That's it, I've blown it," he thought, immediately trying to backtrack. "I mean if you want to, you know, and just well-" he started to ramble but she didn't seem to be listening. He felt a cool hand connect with his and felt a shiver up his spine. "For, for Valentine's day?" she asked in a small voice. "Um, well, that's when it falls so, erm, ya," he said lamely. He was staring at his shoes, anywhere but her. When he finally worked up the courage to look up he found she had a slight smile.

"I'd love to," she said, still not letting go of his hand. Ron's heart lept out of his chest, his mind began spinning again, wondering if this was all some sort of elaborate prank or worse, just a dream. "Re-really?" His eyes were wide and he bit his lip. "Yes," she said simply, and leaned into him, setting her head on his shoulder. Ron couldn't believe what he was hearing, what was happening. He was sitting on the stairs with Hermione Granger, his best friend who he had fancied for over a year, and she'd just agreed to come with him into Hogsmead in a week for Valentine's day. What on earth was happening? After a few minutes of peaceful stillness, their hands still intertwined and her head resting on his shoulder she got up.

"We'd better finish on rounds, hadn't we?" she asked lightly, taking his hand and helping pull him up since his knees were still recovering from the shock. "Yeah, we should," he answered, as they started back along the hall. For the third time that night, Hermione halted. "Ron," she breathed, deep brown eyes meeting ice blue. "Yeah?" he asked, hoping beyond hope she hadn't already changed her mind. "Thanks." Leaning forward she hugged him, and Ron was completely knocked out, wrapping his arms around her and taking a deep sniff, hoping this moment would never have to end.

When they finally broke apart they both smiled shyly at one another, having never experienced something together quite like this. Hand and hand they strolled along, starting conversation back up and talking and laughing all the way back to the common room. When they finally made it inside, they sat back down on the same sofas from the previous night, where this whole thing had started. Three days, three beautiful, wonderful days it went on like this, perfect hours spent during their prefect duties, their light old couple ish bickering sprinkled in, all in good fun. Nor Harry's moods or the twin's constant teasing and needling could ruin this. Unfortunately, as Ron was soon to find out, a full day of last-minute quidditch training could.