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Hermione peeked through Ron's door and smiled slightly at the sight of him grinning at her.

"Ron, I've been thinking..."

She walked over to Ron's bed and sat down next to him. Ron put an arm around her, his expression puzzled.

"About what?" he asked.

"I want to go back to Hogwarts," Hermione said, sighing and looking up at his response.

"What? Why?"

Hermione looked into Ron's eyes, seeing the pain there, knowing that he was wondering what he would be doing without her for nine months.

"I... I want to continue on with my education," she said, tears forming in her eyes. "please let me do this, Ronald."

Ron let go of Hermione's shoulders and wrapped both of his arms around his knees, staring hardly at the bedcovers. Hermione watched him, a few tears leaking out of her eyes every once in a while.

"So... you're leaving... in three days, is it?" Ron asked, turning around to look at the calendar on his wall. It was August 29th.

"Yes," Hermione said, closing her eyes and wiping them on her sleeve.

The sound of her sniffing made Ron whip back around. "Why?" he asked, putting an arm around her once more and crossing his legs.

"W-What do you mean, why?"

"Why are you crying? Shouldn't you be happy that you're going back to Hogwarts?"

"I -- I am, but..."

"I'll write, Hermione. I promise."

Hermione stiffened and opened her eyes, giving Ron a gentle look.

"What d'you mean you'll write? You're... you're not coming with me?" she asked, new tears forming in her eyes.

"No. I think I'll work in Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes for a while, then probably... when I know what I want to be, sign up for it. But I don't need magical education anymore, Hermione."

"So how can I go there?" Hermione asked.

"By taking the Hogwarts Express, o'course," Ron said, starting to laugh.

"No... I mean, how can I go there... without you?"

The two shared a silent look full of meaning.

"Okay," Ron muttered, biting down on his lip. "just promise me something."

"Oh Ron," Hermione whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Ron grinned down at her. "Promise me you'll write every day."

"Every day? What with studies and all?!" Hermione asked, pulling away and looking angrily up at Ron. "Honestly."

"Blimey, just one 'hello' would be fine," Ron said, starting to laugh. Wow, he thought, he had changed the subject that easily?

Hermione's eyebrows furrowed. "Fine. But don't expect me to write you a novel."

"Expect me to," Ron said, grinning.

Hermione couldn't help but laugh with him.

"Wait, what if you find someone?" Ron asked, his laughter fading as he glared at her.

"What do you mean, Ronald?"

"You know bloody well what I mean," he said darkly.

"Oh, honestly, Ron. There isn't anyone out there for me."

"There is!" Ron said excitedly, un-crossing his legs and sitting closer to her.

"Oh really? Like who?" Hermione asked, now playing with him and grinning.

"I dunno, who d'you think?" Ron asked.

"Well, definitely not Viktor" -- Ron scowled loudly -- "so I don't know anyone else."

"Hermione, do you wanna be my girlfriend?" Ron asked, making his mind right up on the spot.

Hermione felt a pool of warmth spreading throughout her body at the words. Only now he had asked? she thought. After one year from their first kiss?!

"Oh, Ron! Yes!" She said, kneeling on the bed and throwing her arms around his neck. "I thought you'd never ask!"

Ron wrapped his arms around her back and grinned. Finally. They snogged twice already, or thrice, Ron thought sheepishly, yet he had never made it official that he and Hermione were together.

"I'll go get packed!" Hermione said, letting go of Ron and jumping off the bed.

"Yeah, yeah, you should!" Ron said eagerly, scooting over to the foot of the bed as to get a clearer view of the door.

"I'll be back," Hermione said, looking back and smiling the smile Ron had always loved.

And with that, she closed the door, leaving Ron flustered behind her, his insides dancing.