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Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Ron tried his best to live up to his end of the deal. He ate regularly and he tried talking more. However, it was easier said than done. Nothing had really changed expect for the fact that he attended meals and all his classes.

It was September nineteenth and the first Hogsmeade visit was that evening. Everyone seemed excited about it except Ron. He didn't have a lot of money and he didn't feel like going anyway.

"Mails here," Harry said as the dozens of owls flew into the Great Hall. Errol barely made it to their table. Ron detached the letters from his beak and gave him a light stroke before sending him off again. He passed notes to Ginny and Harry. Ron rolled his eyes at a certain envelope. It was from his mother. She was making the annoying habit of writing him every week asking about how he was doing. She had never done it before. He didn't know if it was supposed to make him feel loved or pathetic that his mother only started to care about his well being after his girlfriend's death.

He put the letter down and instead looked at "The Daily Prophet". His eyes immediately grew. On the front page in large, bold letter read "Death Eater Walter Rapil Captured!"

"Who is Walter Rapil?" Seamus asked.

Ron looked up from the paper. Seamus too was reading "The Daily Prophet". "He's one of the death eaters who…attacked at Luna's house."

Seamus's face instantly flushed with color. He practically slammed the paper on the table and shook his head. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't know it was…shite Ron…I." He shut his mouth and bit his lip.

Ron felt a wave of annoyance but he held his feelings back. "I don't why you're apologizing to me. I don't care if you know his name or not. I think he would be the one offended."

Seamus smiled a bit and nodded. Ron gazed back at the paper. Steaming anger boiled his blood. He was staring at one of the bastards who killed Luna. He knew Walter's fate was in Azkaban, but he felt life in prison was not enough.

"Ron, are you alright?" Harry asked.

Ron blinked several times and looked up at him. "Yeah, I'm okay. I just…never mind."

Harry sighed and looked as if he was going to speak again but Hermione walked up to the table. "Hey, there's the birthday girl," he said instead.

Hermione beamed and gave a small curtsy. "Yes, I'm finally eighteen."

She sat next to Ron and grabbed toast from the plate. He felt his insides cool down. "Happy birthday," he breathed.

"Thank you," she replied. Ron smiled. After the first night he spent in her room, the two of them had been on better speaking terms. Ron didn't open himself up to her too much but he went down to her room sometimes to sit.

"What are you going to do today?" Ginny asked from across the table.

Hermione shrugged, "I don't know. I spent half the night working on the O.W.L draft plans with McGonagall. I'm pretty tired but I want to go to Hogsmeade for a bit."

"Well, I'm excited. There's this new coffee shop that's supposed to be really romantic and I want to take Ginny," Harry said. He ran a hand through her hair and kissed her lightly. Ron felt a pang in his heart. He glanced at Hermione and was positive she didn't look that happy either.

Ron hated his history class. It was incredibly boring and seemed to drag on forever. He was twirling his wand between his fingers with his eyes on the ceiling. Harry poked him in the ribs and slid a note over to him. Ron frowned a bit but read it. "Are you going to Hogsmeade with Hermione?"

Ron rubbed his neck and wrote back. "I hadn't planned on it, why?"

Harry sighed as he scribbled but Ron detected a small smirk on his lips. "I think you should. It would be a nice present."

"I already got her something," Ron said out loud.

Harry glanced at the professor and whispered, "No, you didn't."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Yes, I did."

"When did you have time to shop?" Harry asked.

Ron opened his mouth but didn't know what to say. He didn't want to explain it to him. "That doesn't matter. What is this about?"

Harry smiled. "Well, I think it would be great. It's her birthday, and she shouldn't go alone."

"Aren't you and Gin going?" Ron questioned.

Harry's face turned a bit red. "Well, yes, but…we aren't staying long. I've been so busy with organizing quidditch and with all the Head Boy duties that I haven't been able to…um-"

"Shag my sister properly?" Ron offered.

Harry appeared terrified for a whole minute before realizing that Ron was not upset. "Actually...that's exactly right."

Ron grinned a bit and sighed. "I guess I could go...for a fee."

"What do you want?" Harry asked nervously.

"Be careful alright? Ginny is only sixteen," Ron breathed.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Please, as much as you and Luna…," his voice trailed off. Harry shook his head slightly and looked away. Ron bit his lip and looked away as well. They didn't talk to each other for the rest of class.

Ron was pleased that classes were done for the day but he wasn't looking forward to spending time with Hermione. It wasn't because he didn't want to be with her. He just didn't want to go to Hogsmeade. People still came up to him with their regards and Ron didn't need any more reminders of what was already eating away at him.

However, he promised Harry and with a heavy sigh, he knocked on her door. He fumbled with the item in his jeans pocket and waited. Hermione opened the door and Ron once again cursed his eyes. She wore a white skirt that went to her knees and a snug fitting green shirt. Her hair was down and appeared a bit straighter than usual. She looked amazing.

"What are you doing here? Is everything alright?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, um, everything is okay. I just…thought I could go with you on the visit," Ron mumbled.

Hermione's eyes grew. "Really?" she asked a bit out of breath. Ron nodded stupidly. Hermione smiled. "That would be great, Ron. Let me get my purse."

They walked in silence around the village. Ron wanted to say something. He wanted to act better because it was her birthday but it was difficult. He missed Luna. He wanted to walk around the village with her and take her to the new coffee shop. He wanted everything but would never have it. Too much was running through his mind. He kept thinking about the newspaper heading and what he and Harry had talked about.

"Ron," Hermione breathed. He jumped a bit and stopped walking. He looked at her. She was frowning and had a distant look in her eyes. "We can go back."

Ron wanted to hit himself. It was her birthday and he was acting like a prick. He shook his head. "No, I'm sorry I'm like this. It's just a little…off being here." Hermione's frown grew. "But it's okay. I want to be here with you. You're the only person I would come here with. I'm sorry…look, lets go to The Three Broomsticks."

Hermione's expression changed a bit. "Okay," she whispered.

Hermione saved them a table while Ron got butter beers. "Here we are," Ron said. He sat on the other side of her and sipped his drink.

"Cheers," Hermione said.

They drank in silence for a bit. Ron cleared his throat. "So, how's being Head Girl?"

Hermione put her mug down. "It's great."

Ron gave her a look. "You're just as good at keeping stuff from me as I am with you. Now, how is it really?"

Hermione blushed and bit her lip. Ron cursed himself once more for liking it. "Well, it's okay. I just don't have my heart in it like I thought I would. It's almost anticlimactic. I worked so hard for it and it's like the journey was better than the destination. I don't know what's wrong with me."

Ron noticed the disappointment in her voice. "I don't think it's you. The look on your face when you first found out tells it all. I reckon I have a lot to do with it."

Hermione shook her head. "No, it's not your fault."

"Yes, it is. Everyone is supposed to be having a great time but I make them worry. You should be focusing on your duties and instead you're up with me staring off. It's not right." Ron couldn't keep himself from talking. Hermione made him want to speak. She made him express himself without having to do a thing.

Hermione reached across the table and took him hand. She rubbed it softly with her thumb. Ron didn't want his body to react but it did. Goose bumps pricked all over him. "Ron, I'm not mad at you. Of course I'm going to worry. I'm Hermione; that's what I do." Ron chuckled a bit. Hermione smiled and continued. "I'm not sorry that you come by at night either. I…like it."

Ron felt his heart skip several beats. Heat rose on his back. Hermione was staring at him with a gorgeous smile on her lush lips and her thumb was still rubbing his skin. It felt incredible yet so scary at the same time. He pulled his hand away. "I think I'm ready to go back now," he said sharply.

Hermione's smile vanished. She looked down and nodded.

When they got back to Hogwarts, Ron wanted to go straight to bed but Hermione insisted that they go to her room to talk. Ron sat on the floor and played with a loose string on his t-shirt hem. Hermione sat next to him. "We can sit on my bed," Hermione offered.

He could feel the blush on his cheeks. He hated being a redhead. "Oh…I like the floor," he mumbled. Hermione chuckled a bit and rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry that I'm not a good friend to you." Ron was thinking it but he hadn't meant to say it out loud.

Hermione looked taken aback. "You're not a bad friend. You're the best. You're my best friend, Ron. If anything, I haven't done my job very well."

Ron frowned at her. "Why would you think that? You're great. You always have been."

"Not lately. Not for the past few months. I know I haven't-"

"Stop it!" Ron demanded. He felt anger again. The last person he needed to hear the line from was Hermione. "Please, don't be like everyone else. Don't make what's going on with me your fault. You all have no idea how bad it makes me feel. The way I am and how I feel has nothing to do with you."

Tears swelled her eyes. "That's just it Ron. How you feel should be have something to do with me. I'm supposed to make you feel better," Hermione choked.

Ron didn't know what to do or say. "It's not your job to make me better."

Hermione gawked at him. "Ron, of course it is. It has been for the past seven years. I know you lost sight of that when you-"

"What?" Ron asked.

Hermione shook her head and wiped her eyes. "It doesn't matter now. I don't want to fight. I don't want to be upset with you on my eighteenth birthday."

All Ron's anger instantly vanished. He was making her hurt and he had to do something to make it right. Then, it dawned on him. "You're right. It is your birthday." He pulled the box out of his jeans pocket and handed it to her.

Hermione examined it. "What is this?"

"Your birthday gift," Ron breathed.

Hermione smiled a bit and opened the box. She pulled out the silver necklace. It had a small charm on the end. It was her initials HJG in silver sparkly letters. Ron held his breath. Hermione ran her finger over the letters. "I know it's not much but-"

"This is beautiful, Ron," she breathed.

A wave of relief came over him. "Really? You like it?"

Hermione looked up at him. "This is so lovely. I never get stuff like this. I always get books, organizers, and things like that."

Ron beamed. He felt tears in his eyes. "That's why Luna said you would like it. I showed it to her before buying it in Hogsmeade last year. She said you'd like it because it's out of the ordinary and yet so necessary for you."

Hermione laughed at the explanation. "Wow, only Luna would say something like that. She was right though." Ron stared at Hermione and the necklace. So much history and so many memories were in her hands. "Help me put it on," Hermione breathed.

Ron rubbed his neck. "Um, alright." Hermione grinned and turned around. She handed him the necklace and pulled her hair back to one side.

Ron licked his lips and with difficulty unsnapped the necklace. He reached around her body to connect it. He felt her warm breath on his skin and it made him sweat. His fingers fumbled with the lock. His hands were too big and the chain was too small. He finally managed to connect it. His fingers brushed across her neck and he felt Hermione shiver. It only made him hotter.

"Done," he said almost out of breath. Hermione stood up and peered in her mirror.

"This is so beautiful Ron. I'll wear it always," she said.

Ron got up and smiled. "I'm glad you like it."

Hermione walked over to him. She ran her hand across his forehead. "You're sweating."

Ron felt his blush return. "It's the red hair. I get hot easily."

"You're so cheeky," Hermione whispered before hugging him. Ron was caught off guard but hugged her back.

He couldn't help but notice the contrast. Hermione was a lot taller and a lot bigger than Luna. He gazed into the mirror. They looked less awkward holding each other. She wasn't lost in his long limbs and her hair didn't brush against his knuckles. She was just tall enough to almost rest her head on his shoulder. Everything about him and Luna had been big and small but he and Hermione were like puzzle pieces that always seemed to fit together perfectly. He didn't know if he liked it, but he definitely didn't pull away.

Hermione was the first to let go. "Thank you for coming with me."

"I know it wasn't that great," Ron said.

She smiled again. "You never give yourself enough credit. I enjoy spending time with you. I love you, Ron."

Ron returned her smile. Every time Hermione said she loved him, it made his insides heat up. It had been that way since he was eleven. He opened his mouth to answer but quickly closed it. At that moment, he realized that he couldn't say it back. Yes, he had said it to her many times before, but this was different. There was something about the way she was staring at him and the way her warmth practically radiated from her body that made him uneasy. Ron felt that if he looked her in the eyes and told her he loved her, the meaning would be different for him and he wasn't ready to feel what it really was.

"I…better go," he whispered instead. Hermione's smile disappeared. Ron didn't give her time to do anything about it. He left without another word.

So much was happening to him. So much always happened when he was with Hermione. It was becoming less and less straightforward. During the summer holiday, she made him feel nothing and he loved it. Now, every time he was in her presence a million thoughts and emotions came. He didn't know if he hated it but the feelings were familiar to him and a part of him definitely wanted it.

When he got to his room, he was surprised to see Harry inside. He, Seamus, Dean and Neville were laughing about something.

"Ron, have a good time?" Dean asked.

Ron frowned and walked to his bed which Harry was sitting on. He had an amused expression on his face. "Well, answer the man," Seamus demanded from Dean's bed. Neville leaned against Ron's night table and chuckled.

"What did I miss," Ron asked.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Where were you?"

"Hermione's room," Ron said truthfully.

"That's where we thought you were," Dean said.

"Why didn't you tell me? I thought we were mates," Harry said laughing.

Ron looked at each of them. Each had a grin from ear to ear. "What the hell is going on?"

Dean rolled his eyes, "Oh, you don't have to pretend with us. We're all grown."

"Yeah, Seamus told me that you've been sneaking off to Hermione's room at night," Harry said.

Like lightening, it dawn on him. He understood what was going on and why Harry had asked him to spend the day with Hermione. "Oh...no. There's no way you think that-"

"What I want to know is, how long has this been going on?" Seamus asked.

Annoyance hit him again. "Nothing has been going on, I swear."

"Ron, you don't have to lie-"

"I'm not lying," Ron pressed.

"So, you haven't been going to her room?" Neville asked.

"No, I've been going but it's definitely not for the reason you think. Wait, how do you know that's where I've been," Ron asked.

Seamus shrugged. "Why else would you leave the room at night so uptight and come back a few hours later all relaxed?"

Ron frowned at him. "We don't do anything. In fact, that's why I go. We just sit there."

"Ron, it's okay," Harry said touching his arm.

Ron pulled away. "No, it's not. I'm not doing anything with Hermione, and it's terrible that you think I would be."

Harry's smile instantly vanished. "Why?"

"I can't do anything with her. It's not right," Ron whispered with a frown.

Harry's expression was sympathetic. It was the expression he always gave when he has worried. "Oh, Ron don't tell me you think you can't be with anyone."

"Of course I can't," Ron said. The words made him feel cold but he tried his best to uphold them.

Harry glanced at the guys and then back to him. He licked his lips and gave a heavy sigh. "Ron, Luna's gone. You're not her boyfriend anymore and she's not your girlfriend. I'm sure she-"

Ron didn't know what happened next. All he knew was that something snapped. All the anger and emotion from the day finally erupted from his body. He punched Harry across the face and tackled him to the floor. Dean and Seamus tried pulling him off but it was almost as if he had obtained magical strength.

"Ron, let me go," Harry choked.

Ron had his hands on Harry's shoulders. "Don't you ever talk about Luna like that again! You don't know her and wouldn't have the slightest fucking idea what she would say!"

"I'm sorry, Ron. Please, get off me," Harry begged. "I don't want to fight."

Ron let Harry go and got off of him. Harry staggered to his feet and wiped the blood from his nose. "I didn't mean it."

"You have no right to talk to me like that. You have no right to accuse me of anything. None of you do!" Ron bellowed.

"Ron," Harry panted, "I'm sorry."

Ron breathed heavily. He had never hit Harry before and he never thought he would. He didn't know what to do or say. "Bugger off, all of you." He pushed past Harry and left the room.

He stayed in the bathroom until he was sure everyone in his room was asleep.

Ah, another nice happy ending, lol. I love all the drama and the moments between Ron/Hermione. Oh, they're so great... Review please and find out more!

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