Soo, I thought a lot about this chapter, and the continuing of the story. I like Ron as a character - yes, he was grumpy and childish and stupid at times, but I can't deny he was loyal. Yes, he left Harry and Hermione in a crucial moment, but he did come back. So anyway I won't babble on, I just wanted to clarify why am I going to redeem him... for now. I'm not saying he will be good until the end of this story, but for now I'll let him and Hermione be happy, beacuse she's also sad.

Hope you like the chapter, I don't own Harry Potter, enjoy!

Chapter 6

The weekend finally came, and even though Hermione had a lot of homework she decided to read a book on Saturday morning. When she got dressed she went down to the common room and sat in an armchair, ready to spend a good two hours reading since it was very early. However, only five pages in, she heard a door open and saw Ron come down from the boys' dormitories. They hadn't spoken the whole week, though Harry did try to get them to talk to each other during classes and meals.

Their eyes met now, and Hermione saw the spark of friendship she was so used to but hadn't seen in so long.

"Good morning" he said uncertainly. Hermione thought he'd continue on as always, but he stood there, waiting for her to greet him too.

"It is a good one, now that you're speaking to me" she said kindly.

"I was an idiot" Ron said immediately. "A complete moron, childish, immature, mean prat."

"I will not disagree" Hermione said. "You were awful to my new friends without even giving them a chance."

"See?" Ron smiled sadly. "Even now, even though I was horrible to you, too, you defend your friends. I realized I shouldn't lose you because you are the most selfless person ever."

"And because Harry finally got some sense into you?"

"Er... yes." Hermione laughed.

"It's okay. The important thing is that you've realized your mistake."

"Yes. So what are you doing?"

"Reading."

"Why did I even ask?" Ron laughed as Hermione threw a cushion at him.

"Come sit here" Hermione said. Ron looked sheepish but came and sat on the floor in front of her. She closed her book and sat down next to him. "Friends?"

"Friends." Ron stretched out his arms, and Hermione hugged him.

"Let's play chess."

"Chess?" Ron let her go, looking at her disbelievingly. "But you always lose."

"Maybe I won't this time" Hermione huffed. He laughed and went to retrieve his chess set, taking Harry's pieces for her.

She did lose, and not once, but it was fun playing with Ron.

They had just finished their third game when the door to the boys' dormitories opened again, and Harry and Draco came out, talking amicably. They both stopped upon seeing Hermione and Ron sitting on the floor.

"Good morning" Hermione said to break the silence but no one answered her.

"Weasley" Draco spat.

"Malfoy" Ron said, though with less venom. "Listen-"

"No, you listen" Draco cut him off. "I'll say that once. Make Mia cry again, and you're dead."

Hermione looked at the two boys who were glaring at each other.

"Where did that nickname even come from?" Harry said conversationally.

"Cissa" Hermione said. Ron extended his hand towards Draco.

"Hermione's friends with both of us. Let's not kill each other, for her sake."

Draco considered him then shook his hand. "Fine."

Hermione stood up.

"Boys are so dramatic" she said. At this moment Susan came from the girls' dormitories. "Good morning, Susan."

"Oh, hello, you all. Why are you up so early?"

"Habits" Hermione, Harry, and Ron answered in unison. The trio looked at each other fondly.

"Want to go down to breakfast, Susan?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, why not."

Hermione smiled and made her way out with Susan, sticking her tongue out at the three boys and mouthing 'Try not to kill each other'. When the door closed behind them Susan asked "So you made up with Ronald?"

Hermione nodded.

"That's great. You're best friends, don't just fall out for nothing."

"You're right" the Gryffindor said. "Let's hurry up, I'm starving."

They sat together at the Hufflepuff table where Ernie and Hannah soon joined them. Hermione had a nice breakfast and was wondering what to do with her day when Draco came over from the Slytherin table.

"Perseus came back" he said, pointing at his black owl that was attacking Theo's cereal.

"Great. Give me a minute, and I'll be in the Entrance Hall" Hermione said and quickly finished her coffee. She bid Susan and the others goodbye, and left the Hall, spotting Draco by the doors outside.

"Let's go to the courtyard" he suggested. The brunette agreed and they walked out in the sunlight. The two of them sat down on a bench and Draco took a roll of parchment out of his pocket. He unrolled it and they began to read.

Dear Draco and Mia,

We're all right, we're glad that you're having a good time at the castle. We knew Mia would get along with the others, Draco, she's proving to be quite the Slytherin liker. As to the Weasley problem, Andy is the only thing stopping me from going to the Burrow and giving Molly Weasley a piece of my mind. She said that if you didn't send a note back, saying he apologized, she'll come with me. About Slughorn's apprentice, I can only say you know her.

Cissy is totally talking about herself, the show-off. She didn't want to tell you this summer, but she has had enough – she wants to work. You know she loves Potions, of course, always competing with Snape and Evans at school. You can tell Harry about it. Anyway, don't tell anyone about the apprenticeship yet, there's a reason she didn't want it to be known. We hope you're okay and having fun. Send us the note about Ronald!

Love,

Andromeda and Narcissa

Draco looked at Hermione and smiled.

"Your mother's found a job!"

"Yes, I know, it's great. I thought no one would take her on so soon after the war." Draco was practically shining with excitement. "Write the note now, or they're really going to go to the Burrow."

"Do you have parchment?"

"Yes" he answered, taking one out of his pocket. "Write it and send it now, Perseus will handle it. I have Quidditch training now, see you later. Congratulate Mother for me."

When he left Hermione realized she didn't have a quill and ink. She stood up and headed to the Common room to write their answer. When she got there she saw Terry and Theo playing Exploding Snap while Blaise was reading a book next to them.

"Hello" she greeted, and dashed up the stairs to the dormitory. Inside, she saw Pansy, sitting on her bed, struggling with an essay. "Hey, Pansy"

"Oh, Hermione, hi" Pansy responded, without lifting her eyes from the parchment.

"Let me guess, Transfiguration?"

"Mm" Pansy hummed.

"I have yet to start on it but it's bound to be hard. Human transfigurations are quite complicated, hm?"

Pansy made a noise of agreement, still not looking at Hermione. This surprised the brunette. This week the two of them had made big progress in their friendship - in fact, Hermione thought they were quite close.

"Is something wrong?" the Gryffindor asked, wondering if she had somehow offended her friend.

"No" Pansy said. She then looked conflicted for a moment before lifting her head up, looking Hermione straight in the eyes. "Congrats on making up with Weasley."

"What?"

"Draco told me at breakfast. All about you two making up this morning."

"Oh." Hermione didn't understand why Pansy seemed bothered by this. "Well, he apologized and I accepted."

"I see" Pansy said, her eyes dropping back to her essay. "One apology is enough to make you forget what he did?"

"I haven't forgotten" Hermione said quietly. "He's been my friend for seven years. A moment of childish behavior doesn't change that."

Pansy seemed to understand what Hermione had left unspoken. She sighed.

"You're right. I'm sorry, I just don't want to see you hurt again."

"Aww, that's nice. But don't worry, I'm sure he'll be better from now on. I'll tell him to apologize to you too."

"There's no need. I don't want his apology."

"But you're my friends, both of you" Hermione said. "He and Draco promised to be civil. I'm sure he'll do the same with you."

Pansy considered Hermione for a moment then rolled her eyes.

"Fine, fine, I won't kill him on sight" she said. "Now take your things and come here, this essay is giving me a headache."

"Just a moment" Hermione said and scribbled the note she had to send. "I've got to send this to Andy and Cissy but it can wait. Let's start now."

Pansy nodded and patted the place next to her on her bed. Hermione hesitated but nodded and sat next to the raven-haired girl.

They worked for almost two hours but in the end their essays were almost three feet long. Pansy whistled and lay down on the bed, closing her eyes.

"That was exhausting" she sighed.

"Yep" Hermione said, looking at her. She noticed Pansy had a great figure, and was even beginning to stare when the Slytherin opened her eyes. The brunette promptly looked away.

"So, Granger, have any plans for tonight?"

"Huh? Oh – tonight – no, not really. Just my Potions essay and a book, I guess."

"Hmm, that sounds boring. We should do something more interesting." Pansy put on a thoughtful face. "Like..."

"Truth or Dare" Hermione gasped.

"You read my mind, Granger."

"And that's one of many talents of mine" Hermione giggled. Pansy looked away, blushing slightly, but the Gryffindor was too busy laying out her ideas to notice.

"All of us should play. I mean us, the boys – all thirteen of us."

"All thirteen?" Pansy repeated with a laugh. "I'm sorry but I can't picture Weasley and Finnegan playing Truth or Dare with Slytherins."

"Oh, come on, we'll persuade them. It'll be fun." Hermione looked at the Slytherin and suddenly smirked. "Maybe you're just scared. Slytherins are cunning, not brave, after all."

"Oh, you'll see brave" Pansy huffed. "You just make sure your little Gryffindor group is there. I'll tell the others."

And Hermione watched her leave, laughing at the promises she was making to get Harry and Ron to run around the castle naked.