CHAPTER EIGHT – Ron gets help?

The next morning was Friday, three weeks before Halloween. As soon as Ron was awake he looked over at the bed of his best mate, hoping he was awake. He sat up and ran his hand through his hair and stretched.

"Hey Harry, you awake?"

"mmhm, yeah, I guess so," Harry mumbled.

"Can I talk to you about something?, actually about two somethings."

Harry struggled to sit up and then put on his glasses. Something about Ron's tone of voice told him that Ron was in a serious mood.

"yeah, sure, what's up?"

"It's about me and Hermione, uh, actually, it's about me, Hermione and Luna."

Uh oh, this is going to get complicated or messy or both, I can tell, Harry thought to himself. "Uh, ok? What about you three?"

"Well, you know Luna is my girlfriend, right?"

"right, yeah"

"But I've loved Hermione since, I don't know, 2nd or 3rd year, or maybe forever, right?"

"Yeah, ok, don't tell me you're back in love with her?"

"That's the thing, I don't know, and I'm really confused. See, she's been really great since that whole luck potion thing, complimentary and stuff, not being so negative all the time, and I really like being around her again. She even told me that she loved me too, and still does and I've almost forgotten her whole quidditch comment, and now I'm remembering why I was sure I loved her before."

"Ok, Ron, everyone always assumed that you two would get together, you seem made for each other in some weird fashion, and we were all surprised you got with Luna."

"That's the thing, I really like Luna. We've gotten to know each other pretty well and I like being with her. But I know I don't feel as strongly for Luna as I did for Hermione, and that just might be a matter of time, I don't know, maybe I'll grow to love Luna, but it sure is nice to be with her now. She's calm and gentle and soft and I like that she's affectionate but not overtly, and we fit together like amazingly."

"So you really like Luna, but you also really like Hermione, right?"

"Uh huh, yeah"

"Well that can't last forever, you're going to have to choose at some point. You're going to have to break one girl's heart."

"So, what do I do?"

Harry laughed and got up and out of bed, put on his slippers and headed for the loo. "I have no idea, mate, you're on your own."

Ron saw him walk away and then suddenly remembered the second thing he needed to talk to Harry about. "Hey, mate," he shouted. "What's up with you and my sister? That was the other thing I want to talk about."

Harry kept on walking and simply waved back at Ron over his shoulder.

"Harry! Harry! We're going to have to talk about it sometime, mate, that's my sister."

Harry just waved again and opened the door to the bathroom.

Ron stood there speechless. Well that blows, Ron thought, I've got no help from Harry with the whole girl thing. Normally I'd go ask Hermione for help with any problems I had, but that won't work, and then Harry won't talk about Ginny. This morning is already in the toilet and I've haven't even gotten dressed.

That night, Ron spent all his time with Luna since he knew he wouldn't see her all day on Saturday and he was worried that she was worried about him spending that much time with Hermione in Hogsmeade. They talked and laughed and played chess together, but most of the time they were just cuddled together on the couch. Occasionally they chatted softly together and Ron kept running his hand through Luna's hair, trying to convey how he felt about her. But at the same time he watched Hermione across the room and noticed how good she looked out of her Hogwarts robes in just a jumper and some jeans.

Again the confusion ran through Ron's brain. He knew he still needed some help, and Harry was useless, so after concluding that the twins would be even worse than useless, he decided to ask Ginny for her thoughts. He might just ask her about Harry while he was at it, but he had no idea when he'd have the chance to actually talk to his sister.

Ron walked Luna back to the Ravenclaw at the end of the evening with his arm firmly around her waist, holding her close to him. As they walked he placed many small kisses on top of her head, nuzzling her beautiful blond hair as he did. When they arrived at the door, Ron spun her around and looked her in her striking blue eyes. He could see the beginnings of tears there and his heart clenched. He took one hand and gently tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear as he bent down and gave her a tender kiss. Luna returned the kiss, but increased the intensity as she pulled him to her and opened her mouth. The kiss ramped up into a serious snog as they held each other and swayed. Finally Ron broke the kiss and pulled back with a smile.

"I'll miss you tomorrow, Lu, I hope your project with Hagrid goes well, and I'll see you at dinner. Why don't we sit at the Ravenclaw table tomorrow night? Would that be ok?"

"Oh Ron, I will miss you as well, and I have to admit that I'm a bit uncomfortable that you and Hermione will be spending the day together. I'm glad she's your friend again, but I want her to just stay that, your friend, but I want you to stay with me. Promise me Ron that you'll stay with me, please Ronald, please?"

"Lu, I'm yours and you're mine and I'll see you tomorrow night. Good night, love, good night."

Luna leaned up and planted one last affectionate kiss on Ron's lips and reveled in the fact that Ron had called her 'love' for the first time. Ron left to return to Gryffindor while Luna went to her dorm treasuring the feel of Ron's lips on hers and clinging to being called 'love.' Oh she hoped it was true.

Returning to his common room, Ron walked over to where Hermione was reading. Casually he sat down next to her and gently tapped her leg.

Hey 'Mione, we're still on for Hogsmeade tomorrow, right? 9 am?"

Hermione looked up from her muggle novel and smiled at him. "That'd be wonderful, Ron, it'll be great. I can't remember the last time we spent a day together, thanks for going with me."

"No, thank you, it'll be fun. Is there anything specific you want to do? I know you want to go to Tomes and Scrolls as well as Florish and Blotts. We can do that and then have lunch at the Three Broomsticks, or we could just get some food and have a picnic, or whatever you want."

Hermione reached up and grabbed Ron's hand and gave it a squeeze. "That'll be wonderful, Ronald, I'll see you in the morning."

They said their goodnights and Ron headed up to his dorm, not quite sure what would happen tomorrow.

Hermione watched Ron walk away with hope in her heart.

The next morning Ron enjoyed a bit of a lie-in knowing that Luna would have left for Hagrid's at an ungodly early hour and he wouldn't see her at breakfast. He got to the Great Hall just in time to see Ginny walk in and sit next to Harry. He wandered over and sat on Ginny's side.

He grabbed some breakfast, but before eating he nudged his sister. "Hey Gin?"

Ginny snapped her head around to Ron, annoyed after the nudge. "What?" she spat out. "Are you going to ask about Harry and me?"

Ron hesitated, surprised at the outburst. "Uh, actually no. I have a more important thing to worry about, but don't worry, I'll get around to asking about you and Harry, but not right now. I need to ask for your help." He pointed to Harry. "Chosen one here refuses to help and beside I need a girl's perspective on this problem I have."

Ginny looked at Ron surprised. "What can I help with?"

Ron took a deep breath. "Well, it's about Hermione, Luna, and me. I'm kinda confused on what's happening and what I should do since I kinda fancy both of them right now, and I know it's going to be bad no matter what I do, so can you help? Any advice?"

Ginny blew her breath out slowly. "Ok, so you're not sure which girl to go with, right? And you don't know what to do with the other one, true?"

Ron hung his head sheepishly. "Yeah. Should I stay with Luna who's been great since we got together, or go for Hermione who I've loved since second year? Especially since Hermione admitted that she loves me back. I'm really confused, Gin, help me?"

Ginny sat back on the bench and leaned against Harry. "Well Ronald, half of me wants to say, 'good luck, you're on your own' and leave it at, but I figure that would just be mean."

Hearing this Ron glared at Harry who just cringed.

Ginny continued, "The only thing I can think of to help you understand what you want is to ask yourself, which of these two girls could you see yourself having a future with. If you look down the road after all this Voldemort shit is over, do you see yourself having a future and maybe even a family with Luna or Hermione? Ignore the right now and think about the future. Does that help?"

Ron was quiet for quite a while before looking up at his sister. "Uhm, I don't know if it helps, but it's probably good that I think about that anyway."

Ron ate his breakfast silently until Hermione came down. Ron was in his head so much he didn't even see her sit next to him. "Good Morning, Ron" Hermione said cheerfully, startling Ron out of his thoughts.

"Oh, uh, yeah, uhm, good morning, 'Mione," Ron said, clearly rattled and uncomfortable with her so close while he was trying to figure things out. He stood up quickly and gave her a quick smile before saying, "Uhm, uh I'll see you at nine."

Ron almost ran from the Great Hall as Hermione looked on perplexed. She looked at Harry and Ginny, "Is Ron ok? He seemed a bit off just now."

Harry gave her a small smile. "Ron's ok, he's just a bit confused and is trying to sort things out. If you think about it Hermione, you probably can figure out what he's dealing with right now."

Hermione blushed as she looked down and said softly, "does it have anything to do with me and Luna?"

Ginny gave a sad smile and just nodded.

"Oh."

Harry reached over and patted Hermione on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it Hermione, just have a good time today and just enjoy being outside the castle. Remember, it's just Ron, your best friend. It's just Ron, and it's just Hogsmeade."

Just before 9am when Ron and Harry were in their room finishing getting ready for Hogsmeade, Harry could tell that Ron was still thinking about what Ginny had said. Harry went up to Ron and gave him a side arm hug. "Ron, quit thinking about it right now and go have a fun time with your other best friend. Remember, it's just Hermione and it's just one day in Hogsmeade. Go have fun together and worry about the other shit later. Ok?"

Ron looked up and smiled with a look of relief on his face. "Yeah, you're right, it's just me and Hermione like we've done before, I'll be fine, thanks."

At precisely 8:59am, Ron and Harry walked over to where the girls were. Ron and Harry both gave each other a nod as they greeted the girls.

Harry gave Ginny and hug and a quick peck on her lips. Fortunately, Ron was looking only at Hermione as he gave her a kiss on her cheek and a hug as well.

Ron took Hermione's hand, put it on his arm and gave her a big smile. "Shall we go?"