Disclaimer: I do not own.

Hermione P.O.V

After I pulled back, we were both smiling.

"Anytime 'Mione. But I better get going, it's getting late. Night."

"Night Ron." We both kept eye contact until I shut my door.

This had to be the most magical night at Hogwarts I've had in a long time.

The next day…

I woke up to the pounding on my door. Groaning, I stood up and made my way towards the obnoxious noise, careful not to trip over myself in the process.

"Hermione! Get up!" I rubbed my eyes and slowly opened the door, nearly falling when the person behind it burst into the room.

"Can I help you Ronald?" I turned towards him, a confused expression on my face. I watched as he stared at me, frustration in his eyes.

"Do you know what bloody time it is?" He exclaimed and finally woke me up.

Time…?

Why was he asking me that…?

Wait…

Aw damn.

"You overslept 'Mione! And you left me with your hellish children!" I smiled as he sat on the couch and put his head in his hands.

"Well it can't be that late I mean I can still go and…" I tried to slowly put this into perspective, thinking out loud.

"Classes have finished for the day. This is so unlike you, how the bloody hell did you manage this?" I watched as he stared at me, utter disbelief written all over his strong features. I bit my lip as I tried to get a grasp as to what just happened.

"I guess I didn't set an alarm last night, I'm sorry Ron. They couldn't have been that bad." I sat next to him, only to realize that I was still wearing my PJ's…as in shorts and a tank top. I felt his eyes linger over my body, and my face as a result started to turn a bright shade of pink. I cleared my throat and watched as his eyes returned to mine.

"I..er…" He stumbled over his speech and I rolled my eyes, noting that he hasn't changed all that much.

"Well either way Ronald, you should have woken me up earlier! I feel so embarrassed now." I stood up and felt him stand up as well, fixing his shorts.

"Don't get mad at me, I didn't want to wake you. All the other professors told me I should have come and let you know earlier, but I know how hard you've been working, and I thought you deserved to sleep in. I know it's not very professional, forgive me?" He swiftly responded, and I saw hope in his eyes, as weird as that may be.

Sighing, I shook my head slightly and gave him a soft smile.

"You're lucky I'm in a good mood today Mr. Weasley." I watched as he smiled right back, our stares just lingered for a bit until he finally broke the silence.

"Do you mind if I use the..umm…" He gestured towards the bathroom.

"Go right ahead. I'm going to go change into something more…presentable." I turned to walk back to my room when I heard him call out.

"You don't have to, I don't mind you in that one bit." My cheeks flared a deep red and I pushed open my door, making sure to close it before sighing and falling onto my bed.

That boy is going to be the death of me I swear it.

After finally collecting my thoughts, I put on a sweatshirt and a pair of jeans. Very casual I know, but hey I have no classes left to teach today, so why would I get all dressed up?

"Welcome back." I heard once I walked out of my room and saw Ron on the couch.

"Miss me?" I teased and sat next to him.

"You know I did." I blushed again and felt his eyes on me, digging into every curve and detail. Soaking as much up as he could.

"So, any plans for the day?" I quickly asked, trying to get my mind off of his wandering gaze.

"I was just gonna ask if you wanted to take a walk, you know maybe talk about the ball?" He asked, and I could hear nervousness tied into his voice.

"Yeah sure, it's going to be quite the night." We both stood up and made our way towards the door.

"It'll be refreshing to go to a ball that doesn't involve so much…drama." I swallowed when he finished that sentence and looked into his eyes.

I know, I know, I fucked up.

Bad.

But what did you want me to do? Krum was…well Krum was handsome and seventeen. Ronald was an annoying, jealous pest who didn't know how to control his emotions.

"Well that was…that night was full of emotions now wasn't it?" I replied once we started walking outside.

"It was an interesting night I'll put it that way." The cool air hit my face as we started our walk.

"Yeah, you and Harry were the only blokes not dancing." I watched his face go from angry to a little…was that depressed?

"Well, I didn't exactly get to dance with who I wanted to that night." He stared off into the distance and suddenly just, stopped.

"Ron?"

"I feel like just, sitting. Care to join?" He plopped himself down on the green grass and started picking at the dirt.

What choice do I have?

"Ron, that night was…one that needs to be replaced with better memories." I put my hand on his shoulder.

"I know, but it was our first real formal event. And seeing you so…absolutely beautiful that night, seeing you looking so gorgeous for Krum just drove me nuts." He sighed.

"I didn't know it upset you that much, I'm sorry Ron." I softly said and watched as he raised his head to make eye contact with me.

"Don't be, you deserve to get done up like that. I was only like that because you were all done up for him…not me." My breath hitched in my throat and I tried to read his eyes for any sign of emotion.

All I saw was hollow…maybe anger?

"But it doesn't matter now, we're older, not fourteen." He broke our gaze and went back to picking at the ground.

I…erm…what?

My head was spinning, trying to find an answer for what was going on. My thoughts were scattered, and my heart was beating faster than it has in awhile.

"And I remember how you yelled at me, and sent me and Harry to our rooms." He chuckled and I felt a smile tug at the corners of my lips.

"Then I broke down and cried on the stairs." I whispered and forced him to look at me. I saw sadness and pain in his eyes.

"I-I saw you. I wanted to come back and comfort you, but I knew that you would probably just push me away and get more frustrated with me." My heart dropped once I saw how much sorrow was filled in his eyes.

"I probably would have yelled at you more, but…your right what's done is done right? Time to move on." I finished and looked at the surrounding trees.

"Yeah…move on." He breathed out and we both sat there in silence.

"What if I told you I don't want to move on?" I watched the words spiral off his lips, leaving me breathless and nervous.

What if…

I was willing to give it another try?

I know I know, I took WAY too long. But, this is a pretty good development in their relationship I believe. I do think there is more flirting, but it was necessary. Please let your voices be heard and review!

REVIEW!

-Talar