A/N: I know this is Ron/Hermione tagged story, but I wish I could tag a third character. But it will make sense soon. Don't worry. Thanks for the reviews, they made my morning and made me want to update today! This will definitely be the last chapter of the weekend, so I wanted to give you guys a little info before the long update. So here ya go!

I don't own.

Talk is Cheap

Chapter 5

Hermione knew she had already missed half of Charms, but she needed to go anyway. However, she also knew that she would have to face Ron and Harry, and she definitely didn't want to deal with that. You'll have to face them eventually. Right after Charms was Transfiguration and she couldn't miss that one. She sighed deeply and headed to Professor Flitwick's classroom.

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Back in his office, Snape was trying to sort out what he was feeling. Severus, don't even think about it. She is 17, a student, a Gryffindor for crying out loud. This is wrong on so many levels. Snape knew that was the truth, but he couldn't stop thinking about her and that kiss. Of course he had been kissed before, but a kiss never seemed to mean so much. All the kisses he'd ever shared were meaningless and lusty. Yeah, lusty kisses were hot, but he had never received (or given) a kiss with so much heart and passion. He shook his head. No, Severus. She was drunk, so were you. That's all there was to it. If anyone were to find out about this, you'd lose your job, and she'd probably be expelled, the voice inside him said firmly. Severus nodded to himself; he knew he had to forget her and that kiss.

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Hermione slipped open the door to Professor Flitwick's room quietly and sat down next in an empty chair next to the door. Ron and Harry were on the other side of the classroom, and glanced in her direction when the door clicked shut. She turned up one corner of her mouth into a halfhearted smile. Ron just turned away, but Harry smiled back. Hermione sighed. Ron is never going to understand. Professor Flitwick looked her way. She winced; she knew he would ask why she was late at the end of class. By that time, class only had about 20 minutes left. She realized it probably would have been better if she didn't even come; she didn't pay attention to one thing Professor Flitwick was saying. When class ended, Harry and Ron came over to her.

"Wait here for me, he's going to want to know why I was late," she said, standing up.

"We'd like to know too, Hermione," Ron said matter-of-factly.

"I know, and I'm going to tell you," she said over her shoulder as she headed up to the front of the room.

"Professor?"

"Ah, yes, Miss Granger. Why were you late today?" he asked, not sounding annoyed, just concerned.

"Oh, I did poorly on an assignment in Professor Snape's class, and he wanted to talk to me about it. I'm very sorry, Professor," she replied. She hated she was lying, but what could she say? Professor, I was talking to Professor Snape about the snog we shared last night when I was drunk off my arse. No, that wouldn't work. Professor Flitwick looked surprised.

"You did poorly on an assignment?" he asked doubtfully, peering into her eyes over his little glasses.

"Yes, I didn't understand it very well, sir, and I pretty much bombed it," she lied.

"Ah, well, it happens to the best of us. Just try not to be late again. You're excused," he said good-naturedly, starting to clean up his desk. Hermione smiled slightly and turned away from his desk, walking towards Ron and Harry. As they stepped into the hall, Ron grabbed her wrist lightly.

"That was a bloody lie. You get top marks in Potions, just like every other subject. Come on, what gives? Tell us the real reason, 'Mione," he said angrily. Harry just stood there, waiting for an explanation.

"I can't tell you right now, Ron. This is neither the time nor the place, and we have Transfiguration," she said loudly. At that point, Professor McGonagall walked by briskly.

"Actually, Miss Granger, you don't. I had to cancel class today; I have a very important meeting to attend. My apologies. If you had reached the classroom before I saw you, you would have seen the note on the door. But I will see you all tomorrow, enjoy the day off," she said quickly, rushing off as quickly as she had come. Ron looked at Hermione smugly.

"Now, tell us," he said, pulling her toward Gryffindor Tower, Harry following close behind.

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By the time they had reached the portrait hole, Hermione was about to explode. She was sweating profusely and breathing hard. Ron muttered the password, "candelabra," and the Fat Lady swung open to admit them. They proceeded up to Hermione's dormitory and closed the door behind them. Hermione sank down on the bed.

"Okay, Hermione, tell us. What happened with Snape?" Harry said, pulling Hermione's desk chair up next to her bed. Ron sat on the bed Indian style facing her. Hermione's eyes filled with tears and avoided their eyes.

"I-I don't know if I can tell you guys," she murmured, wiping a tear from her cheek.

"Don't be stupid, 'Mione, you can tell us anything. Did that creep come on to you and take advantage of you when you were smashed?" Harry said, with a hint of anger in his voice. Hermione shook her head.

"No, Harry… You've got it all wrong…" she was speaking to Harry, but her eyes found Ron's. Ron could tell what she meant by the look in her eyes. He swallowed and started to speak.

"Hermione, you didn't…." Ron said miserably. Harry's mouth dropped.

"HERMIONE GRANGER. You came on to SNAPE????? How could you?" Harry nearly screamed, jumping up from his chair. Hermione's eyebrows furrowed.

"Harry, SHUT UP!" she yelled, standing up and pushing him back down. "Someone could hear you, you git!" Harry sat back and crossed his arms.

"What in the bloody hell were you thinking, Hermione? Coming on to a professor? At least you could've chosen one who isn't a slimy snake! That's fucking disgusting, I can't even believe you're telling us this," Ron said, keeping his voice low.

"That's just it, Ronald, I wasn't thinking! I was drunk… because someone made me shoot tequila until my blood alcohol level was at a dangerous high," she said, glaring at him.

"Oh, no! You will NOT blame me for your stupid actions! I didn't tell you to get up on that table and show everyone in Gryffindor your business, and I most certainly didn't tell you to snog Snape! I'd have to be insane to suggest such a sickening thing," Ron said disgustedly, becoming angrier and angrier by the minute.

"I- Oh, Ron, I know you didn't. I'm sorry… I just don't want to face what happened and it's easier to blame it on you," she said, trying to make him understand. Ron nodded and looked down. Harry took this opportunity to speak.

"So, Hermione, it was just a drunken mistake, wasn't it?" he asked, afraid to hear the answer. "You didn't really want to snog him did you?"

"Did I want to sn—of course not!" she said indignantly, "I was just trying to get out of a detention he had given me because I was wandering in the halls… and running into suits of armor," she shook her head, remembering how dumb she must've looked.

Ron and Harry exchanged glances. Was she telling the truth? She seemed to read their minds when she spoke again.

"Okay… I might've wanted to at the time, but it was just because I was drunk… and… I figured out last night that I get pretty horny when I'm drunk. And, well, Snape is really not that bad looking if you really…" she cut herself off, seeing the twin disgusted looks on their faces. Damn, I wish Ginny were here, she'd understand. "Never mind. Anyway, it isn't something I've been wanting for years, if that's what you guys are thinking." This really was the truth; she had never seen Snape in that way before; he was vile, cold, and he really hated her. Didn't he? "He was there, so I kissed him. It didn't mean anything."

Ron gave a bitter laugh. Hermione looked at him quizzically.

"Do you not remember what happened before your striptease?" he asked, barely believing his bravery. Harry looked uncomfortable. "Snape wasn't the only guy you could've kissed last night," he replied resentfully, looking away from her gaze.

"Oh, Ron. I'm sorry…" she said, reaching for his hand. He jerked it away.

"No, Hermione, I'm tired of your apologies. It took every ounce of courage in my body to try to kiss you last night, and this morning, and this morning AGAIN and you have rejected me EVERY time. No, I don't want to hear any more excuses or apologies," his voice was rising with every word, his freckled face becoming red very quickly. Harry stood up, knowing he didn't need to be there.

"I'm going to go, guys—" neither of them were listening, "—okay, see ya," Harry said quietly, slipping out the door.

"Ron, you did not try to kiss me last night. You came close then put me in a friggin' headlock, like one of your guys friends! What the hell was I supposed to do? Stop you and try to kiss you myself?" she stood up, her face reddening too. Ron stood up to face her.

"YES! Did that not give you enough of a hint that I wanted something more from you? Why is it that the guy has to make all the moves? I mean, what the hell? We are expected to be so damn brave and do everything, and that's just bullshit! Plus, you didn't seem to have too much of a problem with kissing SNAPE!" Ron was yelling forcefully by this time. Hermione clenched her fists.

"Well, did you ever stop to think that I didn't want to be drunk when I kissed you for the first time?" she blurted out, stepping closer to him, anger shining in her eyes. Ron's expression changed from angry to confused.

"Well, no, I didn—Wait, what? You actually wanted a first kiss from me?" he asked incredulously, wondering how much crazier this day could get. Hermione merely looked down, feeling her anger fading. Ron smiled, wondering if this was finally his chance. He put his hand under her chin and lifted it. "Did you?" he asked, looking tenderly into her eyes. She swallowed and nodded.

"Well, you're not drunk now, are you?" he teased, leaning closer. She smiled, the first real smile she'd had all day. She shook her head slightly and lifted her face to meet his. Her heart fluttered as she closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck. Ron could barely believe it. It was actually going to happen. Their lips brushed gently and he left his lips barely touching hers for a second, and an involuntary moan escaped Hermione's lips. Ron grinned slightly and closed his lips over hers. She melted into his arms, deepening the kiss. He wrapped his arms around her waist, seven years of love left unsaid radiating through his kiss. He ran his tongue along her lips, and she parted them, allowing him entrance. She did the same, and their kiss was soon more passionate than either of them had ever experienced. He pulled back reluctantly and looked into her eyes. Her eyes were twinkling with the fierceness of Albus Dumbledore, and she smiled brightly. How could I have never kissed Ron before? How could I have failed to see that this was what I have been looking for? Ron put his hand gently on her cheek. She is so beautiful, how did I not do that before?

All thoughts of Snape left both of their heads as they leaned in for a second kiss.

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However, Snape's thoughts were just beginning…

TBC

Okay, how was that? I knew I couldn't leave you all wondering where in the world I was going with this. I will update as soon as I can, I promise. Thanks for reading, and please, please, PLEASE review! )

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