.

Hogwarts: Year 7.5

Ron and Hermione would be seeing each other for the first time in a long time on the train to Hogwarts. Ron and Harry had jokingly named themselves 7.5 years. Hermione stay at St. Mungos had become lengthier, and it was determined she was allergic to the pet her parents had brought home from Australia. They had written her, but she wasn't allowed visitors. Ron had expressed in his letters his surprise that she had written Krum and told him she was sick, and couldn't even do that for him. She replied with a hasty letter, in which her handwriting was barely legible.

"woah" said harry. "She must be upset."

"I can't even read this' said Ron, squinting at the page.

"it looks like 500 different ways to apologize, to me" joked Harry.

"I'd rather get it in person" said Ron, tossing aside the letter.

A few days prior Ron had found out Lavender had started seeing Dean, so his back up was off the market.

"Dean snogged Ginny, and Lavender snogged Ron, so indirectly they snogged!" roared George.

Ginny grimaced, as did Ron, and Angelina, who had been spending quite a lot of time with them, giggled her head off.

"So what's the deal with them anyway" said Ron, nodding to George and Angelina.

"They've loved eachother since second year" yawned Ginny.

"How do you know that?" asked Harry.

"girl talk" said Ron, shaking his head.

"Ginny" asked harry, seriously "Did you really like Dean?"

"no" Ginny said honestly. "not even in the slightest. I just thought I had no chance with you, like, at all"

Harry smiled. "you did" he said softly. "I just thought your school girl crush died out with your second year"

"it didn't at all. It just blossomed into something real" Ginny said brushing his arm.

Ginny and Harry hadn't engaged in anything serious, just small bouts of cuddling or flirty conversation. They were taking there time, but there had to be a breaking point somewhere. They had all visited hogsmeade a week prior to the first day of school, and the excitement began. Harry loved Hogwarts; he loved everything about it. The upcoming year would be beneficial as well as exciting. Harry hadn't really enjoyed time while Voldemort was alive. He just counted his moments.

Harry, Ginny, and Ron kissed their family goodbye. Andromeda and Ted had even come to see Harry off. Harry kissed his godsons forehead, and Andromeda on the cheek. He shook George's hand, along with Mr. Weasleys.

"stay safe boys" bid Mr. Weasley, who's recent ease at work let him take off to say goodbye. Percy and Charlie had left the day before.

They boarded the train and immediately set off to find their friends. Neville and newly enrolled Hannah were in a compartment with Luna chatting away.

"D'ya wanna sit with them?" asked Ginny.

"why not" answered harry, while Ron swung his head around looking for Hermione.

"well Hannah, you've chosen to re-enroll!" said Ginny.

"yes, Neville convinced me too. We didn't learn a thing in our last year, and I have no idea what I want to do with my life. Neville's lucky" Hannah said, nudging Neville affectionately.

"I have to stay the whole year" complained Ginny.

"Now Ginny, must we start this again" said Harry, ready to comfort.

"No" Ginny replied, making a pouty face.

"Ron" breathed a voice at the door.

They swung there heads around to see an out-of-breath Hermione.

"Hermione!" Ginny squealed, giving her a hug.

"I almost missed the train" said Hermione with a frown. "and I see there is no room for me in here, there's an empty compartment across from here."

"Ron will sit with you" said Harry, pushing him out of his seat.

Harry watched as Ron reluctantly followed her. Once inside the compartment, Ron and Hermione shared an awkward silence.

"you never wrote me back" Hermione said, biting her lip.

"Letters don't do much" Ron said mildly. "thought maybe you'd be occupied with other letters, any way."

"now Ronald, that's not fair." Hermione began. "I waited for a letter every single day, I even considered showing up. I would've, if that wouldn't put everything else in our business."

"my feelings are hurt Hermione. We haven't spoken in over a month, I haven't seen you. It sucks. And when krum came in all high n' mighty. It just flooded back to me how you fancied him. You fancied him while I fancied you. Granted, I didn't tell you but I couldn't, not that it would've mattered."

"Ron I've had feelings for you for as long as I could remember. I finally thought something could happen at the yule ball all those years ago, but you didn't ask me! It stung so badly, but I dealt with it. And then you started with lavender when I decided to try again. And I couldn't deal with you seeing girls, kissing them. It was all surreal. I couldn't comprehend what I was feeling Ron, and I still can't. And then…our past year together, every moment was precious to me. When you left us that time I experienced pain I thought I never could. It scares me Ron. Fighting beside you, I was defending you more than myself."

Hermione was now crying hysterically. Ron flinched with each shudder she gave.

"I was so excited when it was all over with- not to see my family but to be with you freely. And finely tell you all these things, but life got in the way. And I became bitter so pushed it off longer and longer. I was so disappointed when I got sick, but I also took that as a sign to wait. When Viktor wrote me, hopping to meet, I boasted my affection for you and my dissatisfaction that I was sick and far away from you. Honest I did Ronald."

Hermione, deep in sobs, started to continue.

"Don't cry" burst Ron, with a contorted face. "Please stop crying, please, I'll do anything. Anything at all, I'm sorry I acted that way I'm sorry please stop crying"

Before she knew it his arms were around her, pulling her in tight. Hermione sobbed on Ron's shoulder.

"I was so worried when you were sick, and you can ask anyone, I was a terror to live with these past weeks. An absolute terror…" cried Ron.

Ron kept his grip around her tight.

"Listen to me Hermione, I've been a right git through these years. I've been horrid to you, but I swear, it's cause I didn't know what to do. In some ways I didn't want to feel how I did because I was always sure you felt differently. And I wanted to show off for you, but always ended up embarrassing myself. And then I started thinking you fancied Harry, which I know now was stupid and just created more problems. But love does crazy things to people, and-"

"what?" said Hermione pulling away.

"what what?" asked Ron nervously.

"love?" Hermione asked in disbelief.

"yes, love" answered Ron, eyes glued to the floor.

"you love me?" She asked even louder.

"yes"

"for how long"

"I'd have to say…since our fourth year here. The night you comforted me after Harry was selected for the triwizard cup. I'd say then." Ron answered with sweat on his brow.

"oh my god" said Hermione, blown away.

"ay" Ron said defensively. "I'm not ashamed of it. I love everything about you, even how your conceited over pretty much everything. Even when you make fun of me, or get all maternal. And even if you don't love me back, I'll wait until you do"

Ron was shut up by a pair of lips on his. Hermione kissed him square on the lips, her hands on his face. His arms found his way around her waist, one of the neck and one gripping the back. They parted and through tears she said

"Of course I love you. I always have."

(yes, finally some lovin' in this chapter. Review please! I want to spice things up with Ginny and harry soon but I don't want it to get boring. I find it a lot easier with Ron and Hermione)