Very quick update I know, considering I don't think I've had any hits for that last part but here it is. Very fluffy. Just to say, I'm going away for a month on Wednesday and though I may get more in between now and then I may not, and this is just to say that you won't be getting anymore updates after Wednesday until I get back. So I'll just take the oppurtunity NOW even if I do write more, to say thank you SO much for all the reviews, for putting it on alert and faving, it means a lot. So once again, even if I DO write more, I'll say it now, have a fabulous August everybody and I'll see you (well, you know what I mean) in September. Unless, you know, I fall into a coma or get abducted or something. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Oh woops, correction, I have got hits, and reviews, but they're not getting emailed to me. I shall have to rectify that. Anyway, here's the chapter! xxx

That evening, after Lavender had helped a dazed Krum up and managed to get him apparated back to his hotel, and after she said goodbye herself, and after Molly and Arthur stopped wondering what happened in their absence, and after Ginny had told them "Nothing, nothing at all." and after they had surreptitiously cleaned the Bulgarian's blood off the floor, and after the king and queen had sentenced the rook to life-time imprisonment and after they had said their goodnights and after Ron and Harry had trudged up to the attic and after they had got changed and after Ron had turfed the ghoul out of his bed (narrator takes deep breath) he and Harry had a conversation.

"Mate." said Harry. "Why did you get so angry with Hermione?"

Ron sighed and stared at the ceiling.

"You know, that first chess game, when she beat me?"

"Yeah."

"She beat me because she mentioned me and her getting married."

"So?"

"So I was shocked. And she beat me what's more. Chess is the only thing I've ever been best at. I didn't want her to beat me at that as well. And then you said how everyone was expecting me to marry her, and when I thought about it that night. I thought maybe it wouldn't be bad actually. But then I suddenly thought that I couldn't stand it. Being married to her when she's better than me than everything. So I challenged her again and I was winning, but the thing was, she didn't mind. Because she didn't have to prove she was better than me. And she just didn't understand..." Ron trailed off.

"Ron." Harry knelt by his friend's bed. "If it matters that much to you, why don't you tell her?"

Ron laughed mirthlessly. "That I don't like the fact she's brilliant. Come on, I'm not that bad."

Harry smiled as he climbed into his own bed. "I'm wrecked. See you in the morning."

"Yup." said Ron and Harry turned over. Ron waited until Harry's breathing became slow, heavy and even. Then crept to the door and down the stairs. He very carefully turned the handle of the girl's door and went inside closing it behind him. "Muffliato." he whispered pointing at the door and then and Ginny.

Hermione was curled up on her camp bed, her hands near her mouth. As he watched, she clenched one of her fists tightly. He wondered what she was dreaming of.

"'Mione?" he said shaking her shoulder gently.

She opened her big Labrador eyes and looked at him. "Hey Ron. What do you want?"

He shrugged. "Just to talk to you." Hermione rubbed her eyes and sat up against the wall, flattening the duvet around her with her feet hanging out over the edge.

"Could it not wait until the morning?" she asked.

"No." he said.

She gave a weary smile. "Talk away. I'll listen."

"Okay." he climbed up onto the bed beside her and took her hand. "You wanted to know why I lost my temper."

"Yeah sort of." she said. "I won't get angry don't worry."

"It's just..." Ron passed a hand over his face. "I've never been better than anyone than anything. Except chess. And just you beating me, it all started coming back."

"But Ron, you're so much better than people at a lot of stuff!"

"Like what Hermione?"

"Well, you're better than me at Quidditch."

"No offence, but that isn't some great achievement."

"Thanks Ron. You're more tactful than Harry at any rate."

"Not by far." Ron said, deciding never to mention the last birthday gift Fred had given him to her.

"You make people laugh." continued Hermione.

"I do?"

"Yes, you know that. And you're by far the most accomplished person I know when it comes to making up obscene insults." she added.

"Well, it's a better skill than...than being able to drink through your nose, let's say."

"You're also the only person I know that can do that."

Ron laughed. "So you honestly don't think I'm completely worthless?"

"No!" she said and kissed the top of his head. "Definitely not. Is that really the only reason you were angry?"

Ron considered this for a moment. "Yes." he said.

"Well, that's sorted." smiled Hermione. "Don't worry about it, okay?"

Ron smiled. "Okay. Better get back, I'm falling asleep and I wouldn't like to get caught in here by Mum in the morning."

"You know I love you right?" Hermione said as he went through the door. He leaned against the opposite side and smiled.

"Love you too 'Mione." he said softly.

No need to tell her about his change of mind towards getting married. Yet.