:sob: I've had a lot of fun with you guys….and I've had a lot of fun writing this. I think this is the last chapter…:sob: Uhm….but don't worry! I will be writing more stories! Yes, indeedie:-D So, enjoy. And please please please review and tell me how you liked or disliked everything. Mucho love, grande style.

Ron spent the next day barely paying attention in all of his classes. He earned several glares from Hermione and concerned looks from Harry but he ignored them both. He was preparing himself for what he was going to do later that evening.

After dinner, Hermione gathered her books and walked down to the library to do some studying. Ron knew that this was his chance to talk to her on his own. He walked over to Ginny and Harry who were playing chess near the window. "Should I?" He asked her quietly. Harry looked at them inquisitively but they both ignored him. Ginny gave him an encouraging smile and pushed him gently towards the portrait hole. He stumbled a little as he stepped out into the corridor and made his way down to the library, trying to suppress the fluttery feeling in his stomach.

When he got to the library, he took a deep breath and entered. He found her bent over a long roll of parchment, a few opened books strewn around her. She was writing furiously, as she bit her lip in concentration. Ron smiled at her for a moment. He shook himself out reverie and walked bracingly towards her. "Hermione?" He said quietly.

Hermione looked up in surprise but smiled at him. "Hi, Ron. Come to do some homework?" Ron let out a strangled laugh.

"No, er, I need to talk to you."

She pushed he parchment aside. "Sure, Ron. What's up?" She asked, motioning for him to sit. He glanced around the musty, dimly lit library, and pulled on the collar of his robes.

"It's rather hot in the castle today." He said. "Do you think we could go out on the grounds instead?"

"Okay." Hermione made to gather her things.

"Forget about those." Ron said. He flicked his wand and her belongings disappeared. She raised her eyebrows, "Where'd you learn to do that?"

"I don't remember." He said absent-mindedly. He was feeling more and more worried by the minute.

The pair made their way out onto the grounds. Ron brought her to their favorite tree by the lake. The octopus was no where to be seen so Ron began skipping stones nervously. After a quiet moment, Hermione came up behind him and touched his arm. "Ron?" She asked. "What is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

Ron turned around and looked her straight in the eyes; she blushed and looked away first. A good sign? He silently asked himself hopefully.

When he was still silent, Hermione spoke, she made eye contact with him, causing him to look away first. "Just tell me whatever is on your mind.

"I'm afraid it won't make sense."

"It doesn't have to. I'll understand."

He took a deep breath. "It's about your clothes." He said, motioning to her denim skirt, and powder blue zip-up sweater over a white blouse. "And your makeup. And your hair." He said, fingering a lock of her newly straightened golden brown hair.

"What does my appearance have to do with anything?" She asked, trying not to blush beneath his touch.

Ron hesitated, struggling, trying to find the right words to say. "Just say words. Don't try to form sentences." She said.

He let her hair drop from his fingertips. "Boys…." He said, sourly.

"Boys…?" Hermione asked, confused.

"They like you now because of all this stuff."

"So what if they like me? Why is that an issue?"

He looked down at his rather large feet. "Because they don't love you like I love you, Hermione." He mumbled.

Hermione was taken aback. "What?"

Ron looked up and into her eyes and this time neither of them looked away. "I love you." He whispered.

Hermione's eyes welled up with tears. She threw her arms around his neck. "Ron, I love you too." She breathed.

Ron let out a nervous laugh. "You do?" He asked.

She looked up at him. "I always have."

Ron grinned a lopsided grin at her and nervously slid his hands from her back to her waist. She smiled up at him shyly. Ron leaned down and is mouth met hers for a soft, sweet kiss.

They broke away and grinned at each other. "Why didn't we do this sooner?" Ron wondered aloud.

"Because I was too afraid to tell you how I felt." Hermione said.

He laughed. "Yeah, so was I."

"But why?"

"Because look at you and look at me." He said, sadly.

"I am looking at you."

He opened his mouth to respond. "And I see my best friend and the only boy I've ever wanted to be with."

Ron's ears flushed red. "What about Vicky and Seamus?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Do you have to call him 'Vicky'"? She asked.

Ron's head snapped up. "Sticking up for him?"

"No, Ronald. Perhaps now you'll realize that Viktor was only a friend."

Ron looked suspicious. "Bit I thought you two kissed?"

"Where on Earth did you get an idea like that?"

He shrugged, looking sheepish. "I dunno I just assumed you had…." His ears turned red.

She laughed. "No, Ron."

"So wait…if you never kissed Vick- I mean Krum..." Hermione rolled her eyes. "And you obviously didn't kiss that git Seamus...then that means that I…?" Hermione nodded. Ron turned red. "You were mine too." He said quietly.

Ron pulled her closer and kissed her again, her fingers entwined in his hair. She pulled away, looking upset. I must be doing it wrong. Idiot. Ron thought, feeling embarrassed. "I'm sorry if I'm doing this wrong…." He said, his right hand at the back of his neck where Hermione's hands had been sending shivers down his spine moments before.

Hermione let out a bitter laugh. "It's not that."

"Then what's-?"

"Why did you tell me all this now? Was I not pretty enough for you before?"

"What?" He said incredulously. "No! I mean. Ugh. This isn't just because of your new look, 'Mione. I always thought you were beautiful."

"Really?" She asked, disbelieving.

"Of course! I was upset when you put all that goop on your face. It made me realize that other people were going to start seeing the amazing girl you are. I didn't want to lose you forever. Obviously you look bloody gorgeous now…but I miss the old Hermione…the natural beauty."

Hermione gave him a small smile. "I do think this would be better for special occasions rather than everyday. I'll take this off later. But I think I might keep my hair straight and some of these clothes."

"Yeah. Definitely keep this cute little skirt." Ron said, feeling braver, he let his hand slid down the side of her thigh.

She blushed scarlet and hit him in the chest. "Ronald!" She hissed, looking around.

Ron laughed. "What? You're mine and I'm yours now, right?"

Outraged, Hermione launched into a speech. "I will not be treated like an object, Ronald! And you shouldn't allow yourself to be treated that way either! We don't own each other, we just-!"

But Ron cut her off. In one movement he had her in his arms and he was kissing her with much more passion than he had before. He felt her melt beneath him as she slowly pulled his body closer to her own and kissed him back.

Fin