"Ron," Hermione managed to say through fits of giggles, "stop! You told me you wanted help with Transfiguration and that's what's going to happen…not this," she finished as she waved her arm to indicate the contact between herself and Ron.

Ron seemed a slight bit taken back by Hermione's attempted stern words.

"Hermione…" he whined, hoping to gain permission to continue stroking her in distracting places.

"No," she said firmly, "you need to understand this and I need to help you…your constant complaining is about do me in," she said, now turning to face him, with a smile on her face.

Ron threw himself back in his chair, into a slumping position. "All right," he grumbled.

Hermione rolled her eyes and said, "Ron, don't act like a first year who can't find his wand. N.E.W.T's are coming up-"

"Which are next year," he mumbled, more to himself than Hermione, but she heard him all the same and chose to ignore the comment and went on.

"…SO, I can't even begin to express how imperative it is that you not only understand to concept, but understand how to perform human transfiguration."

Ron sat up gingerly, took Hermione's hand and said, "I know…really I do. I understand that you are trying to help me and I am grateful to you for that. It's just…."

"Just what?" she asked, a little more sternly than she meant to.

"It's just that we are never alone together…and that's the only time where we can act like we are together. This secret that we have been living isn't fair to us or anyone else around us. I feel…I feel…I feel like we are lying to all of our friends. I don't know how much longer we can keep this up."

" Everybody has secrets Ron," Hermione answered, thinking not only of Ron and her.

"It doesn't feel right. This isn't how we are supposed to feel."

Hermione took a deep breath, closed her Transfiguration book and pushed it aside. She then took Ron's other hand that she was not already holding and said, "I know its not. I feel it too. But, this was your idea."

Ron gave Hermione a confused look and said, "But you didn't agree with me. You thought he needed to know…didn't you?

"Harry does need to know and he needs to find out from us. We need to tell him Ron, it's important," Hermione said in a tired voice, "But just like you, I'm not brave enough to tell him. We both need to think about how we are going to tell him"

"Hey," Ron said, releasing his hands out of Hermione's, "I'm brave!"

Hermione gave Ron a very vividly pointed look.

"So much for the valiant House of Godric Gryffindor," Ron said, surrendering.

Hermione gave a small giggle and asked, "So what do you want to do? How do you want to tell him?"

"I wish I knew, but I don't. All I know is that I want to be able to hold your hand, hug you, even kiss you anytime I want. Whenever you walk into a room, I want to be able to smile like a git, and not have to worry about anyone asking me what's the matter. I want to be able to lay my head in your lap when I'm tired, with your fingers running through my hair, while I just listen to your beautiful voice in conversation. I wish that I could ask, 'where is Hermione?' without receiving dodgy looks from anyone else. I want to hold you in my arms as you fall asleep and not worry that someone will walk into the room. I want to be able to tell anyone who asks: 'yes, that's her', I want to tell you things…things that I'm too scared to say…" he finally trailed off.

Hermione felt the same way Ron did and she knew what he was trying to tell her, and she felt the same way about that too. She knew that he wasn't the best at expressing the thoughts that he needed to express, and usually, they came out all wrong. Hermione knew that it was hard for Ron to show emotional sensitivity in almost every moment of his life and he was trying to say something that is very hard for a boy to say, especially one like Ron- but he was trying.

Hermione realized that it had barley been a week since Ron and herself had came to the light with one another in regards to their feelings. But, she had felt those feelings for so long, and now that they were not bottled up, she felt the immense freedom to express to him the things she wanted and she knew he felt the same, because knew him, because she………

"I love you too," she said in a whisper.

Ron's eyes grew as big as saucers as he said, "I didn't say that…did I?"

Hermione gave a small smile. She should have been terrified and heart broken at his question, but she wasn't. She knew that this was Ron and how he handled stuff like this.

"No, you didn't say it… but you wanted to."

Ron's face turned bright red and the tips of his ears pink. "How di…how...di..howdidyouknow?" he finished at an alarmingly fast speed.

"I know you!" Hermione replied with a huge smile on her face. Even though she wasn't terrified or heart broken, she was a slight bit nervous, regardless of her attempts to tell herself there was nothing to worry about.

"Oh…well…"Ron said quietly lowering his eyes to the floor, then raising them so they were locked with hers, "I love you Hermione."

Hermione reached around his neck and pulled him close to her. Ron returned the gesture. "I know," she said as she whispered into his ear.

Ron felt something wet land on his cheek.

Everything felt so cold; like the frozen ground around a campfire that never warmed. The walls were so cold, it seemed that if one hit them too hard they would shatter like this ice. The dungeon-like room was shrouded in depressing color; colors of green and black. What little fire that had now been glimmering had long burnt out, only to be replaced by an ashen log. The whole feel of the room felt somber and evil, just like its only inhabitant, Draco Malfoy.

The hour was drawing late and he was soon to meet Ginny. Ah Ginny…..what a demon she turned him into, and a demon that he was struggling with more and more everyday.

Draco watched the single candle in the room flicker to stay alive. The wax had melted along the edges and eventually onto the black marble table that was supporting it. The flame was about the fade away into an abysmal chasm, never to return to that candle ever again. Then, the cold room would be completely black- the only light, its only source of warmth would be gone. When that happened, Draco would be left alone in the dark; he wouldn't even be able to find his way out.

But wasn't that how he lived…in the dark? This is what he liked isn't it? To be alone in the dark was how all Malfoy's lived their lives. What happened when that fire went out, as it would this night for sure? Would he feel scared or would he feel brave? There was no way of knowing.

This feeling gnawed at Draco's soul, like a predator does to its helpless prey. Was a life without warmth and light a life worth living? Yet, this was the life he chose, a very long time ago. When he was younger, he felt that his actions rested entirely at the will of his father. He had no choice but to follow Lucius in every act of will, free or no. If he failed to act according to his father's will, then there would be the darkest hell to pay. From an early he leaned what the darkness really was and he was too young to act against it. The stage was set for Draco to be a perfect Death Eater, masked in darkness for all time. He would be a fearless follower of Voldemort; no one would stand in his way, and he chose it in reckless abandon.

Now, though, at an age where he could turn back a reject his destiny, he was lost. Draco didn't know how to step into the light. The dwelling darkness was all he knew. The one time in his life when he tried to do right, when he tried to make a change, he failed more miserably than possibly imagined…and her name was Ginny. Ginny was his angle in a dark and sinister world. She was his light of hope; she was his path to trust. He loved her more than she could ever know, but at the same time, he did not know how to love. Draco could not show her how he loved her and he never would, for he was not shown how to love. Ginny and he were the ultimate paradox in every way. His initial intentions were good and pure for her in the beginning. She was everything to him…she still was. Ginny was the only person that made him smile. But he was destroying her too, just like everything else in his life. He wished to the heavens that he had the valiancy to take back the way he was treating her…but he could not; he did not know how. Draco would give anything in the world to renounce his father and live in the light. But when your father is the right hand person the most brutal and evil wizard of all time, that choice is not your own.

By the day, Ginny's face grew thinner and her eyes darker. Draco saw this and cringed at the sight, because he did it to her. He should never have dragged her into his dark world, because in this world, there is no escape, especially for the innocent.

The tiny suffering flame disappeared over the mound of wax. Draco was alone in total darkness. He slowly rose from his position; it was time to meet Ginny.

"I'm so sorry, Ginny, my fallen angel," he whispered in vile regret as he walked out the door.

A/N: Okay, I know that everyone wanted to see the H & G side of this and I actually started that chapter, but decided to go in this direction instead. It just felt right to do it this way and since I have been writing with ONLY my instincts throughout this story, I decided not to stop now. By look on the bright side: 1. I have already started the H & G part and just getting started is half the battle for me. 2. This is out to you about three months earlier than my last two chapters were. 3. It is longer than the last chapter.

So, with all that said, PLEASE REVIEW! (and you can all yell at me for my evilness in them :D)

wandless

WAH! I was so looking forward to the next chapter, I'm dying for Ginny and Harry to get together, but no... I've spent all night reading this and then you so cruely ENDED IT! Come on, next chapter, next chapter! Please...

More Ginny and Harry, now. Oh this fic is so good. The Ginny and Harry stuff, anyways. It was a bit wierd when Ron and Hermione were all - feeling a connection and stuff...

Please keep writing, I'm dying to know what happens next. Waiting chapter 18!

Wandless

I am so sorry for ending it! I just felt that a cliffie was PERFECT there. (I really don't leave them that often) I am glad that you like it and I hope that you liked this chapter! Thanks for the review!

LOLmajor Chick

o my...o my NO NO NO NO GINNY BE STRONG! ok im done lol but you really need to update this story. the more i read the more in love i become with ron lol jk update. and i promise i will hex draco into 87 dementions from here if he does anything

Hey, there's nothing wrong with being in love with Ron. I am twenty one years old and have an AMAZING boyfriend and look at my penn name:P Thanks so much for the review!

SpaceyChic468

That's so evil! I hate cliffies! sigh Great chappie (except for leaving me hanging at the end)! You always have such great description in your hcappies! I can't wait to find out what happens with Harry and Ginny (and Draco) next! Update soon!

P.S. Great ending, by the way. I hate cliffies and all, but it gave me a really clear pic of what happened...:)

I am so sorry, but it was just a perfect place for one. I am glad that you liked the description, that is one thing that I try really hard at. Thanks so much for the review!

Elle-anna

Loving it so far. You are very talented on the description of what the characters are feeling and what's happening-and keeping the Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron all in character.

Can't wait to find out what happens to Ginny and Draco, and what Harry does to help. Great story overall, keep going, this is one of the best stories i've read in quite a while.

Elle

p.s feeling sorry for Ginny lol she's got herself into a bit of a mess there )

WOW! Thanks so much! What a great compliment. Glad to hear that you liked it!

x.Mrs.x.Hermione.x.Weasley...

oh my god! this story is so amazing! i've got my friend to read it and she likes it too. it made me laugh at points, cry, go "aw" out loud... it's just so descriptive and emotive and everything a fanfic should be! the chapter when they were in the snow was a lot like one of my chapters (the story named "as the snow began to fall" funnily enough lol D) i just wanted to say how good your story is. (i stayed up 'til 3am to finish it lol) anyway, excellent story, maybe give mine a read? thanks, jess x x x

YAY! Glad to hear you are sharing the story! That makes me feel really good to hear that! You stayed up till three! Wow, I'm lucky if I can stay up until twelve these days. Thanks so much for the review!

CamelKatie

Heyy

It's good to know my last review made you laugh. I like making people laugh. It happens often. Like when I sat in egg yesterday...never mind.

Anyway, I'm glad it looks like Ginny's finally going to get out of this pile of strongly-scented manure that is her relationship with Draco. She is getting out of it, isn't she?

Well, lets hope so. Seeing how I write one chapter at a time, and I pretty much go with what's going through my head at the moment, there is no telling what is going to happen!

Anya Urameshi

Malfoy must die. Bloody heck, anyone who even tries to force their girlfriend to have sex needs to be hexed. And how can Ginny not care! Oh dear, she's falling. This reminds me of a song...um Bring Me to Life, by Evanescence! Yes, that sounds right. This definately describes Ginny right now. I hope she works it out.

Oh, and YAY RON/HERMIONE! I is so very muh happy about them being together! Now, if only we could get Harry and Ginny, and maybe we could find Draco someone.

The only thing that could make this story better, would be if Luna, Tonks, and Lupin were in it...with Lupin and Tonks as a couple, of course.

You said you liked long reviews, so there you go. Sorry I haven't reviewed in awhile though...

I agree….lets kill him. :D I LOVE that song and yeah, it really does. Wow, I would love to out all those people in it, but the only reason it is decent is because I have kept it simple, I have no idea how messy I would accidentally make it if I added more characters. I do LOVE long reviews, they are so fun to read! Thanks for all the nice compliment.

MyStIcS number 42

OMFG! U DEFFINITELY NEED 2 WRITE SOON!
loved this chapter

Thanks so much! I have been REALLY busy with school, so I tried really hard to get this chapter out.

Taylor

Awesome plots! I like some pairings but some I don't.I really enjoy reading it. Please update soon.

Taylor

P.S. I love 'Moine and Ron together. You should put Ginny and Harry Together A.S.A.P

Let me guess…you dislike Ginny and Draco? So do I, that's the whole point. :D Thanks so much for the review!

B0rn-Slippy

Ok im gonna stick up for Ron, being a bloke and all your interpretation of the argument is, in my opinion, based on a womens POV. Hermione is as much at fault as Ron in this whole exchange, you see if theres one thing blokes hate its being ordered around, mollycoddled and generally being patronised. You see the fact that Hermione didnt seem to care if he missed the Quiditch match, something that is evidently very important to him and proceeds to tell him how useless he is the entire time, makes him feel small and insignificant. Hes always had is brothers puttin him down and now his best friend is doing it aswell, to be honest its not suprising he blew up. Hermione does act a bit like a godess sometimes making it out, perhaps unintentionally, that she's always right hence Know-it-all. Basically Hermione should also apologise for being so damn condescending the whole time and rubbishing things that are important to other people even if they arent to here (hence the know-it-all) again. Cool story though, just gotta thought i had to fight for our corner over here ;)

How do you know I'm a girl?...I know, the penn name gives it away:P Well, assuming you read chapter seven Hermione admits to Ginny that she was too bossy. In chapter eight, Hermione apologizes to Ron and Ron IS VERY mature then, and tells her that it was nothing. He realizes what is important and what is not. I find that very mature.

I really don't think Hermione does care a lot about Quidditch to be completely honest and yes, she is a know-it-all. But anyway, this whole story is my perception of how I think they all should act, nothing more.

You kinda went on a little rant there….that's okay, it was interesting to read, thanks for your review.

laura truewood

fabulous again! i luv u! yay harry is going to do something... i hope! plz make him stop malfoy!
great chappie
-Laura

Thanks so much! He may, he may not:P

harryluvergal

that was really good.So hurry up and post the rest before i go mad. i feel like i'm reading harry potter all over again. You are really good!

LOL! Thanks…hope you liked it!

Zarroc

good chapter, well not about the whole Ginny's soul breaking but your writing, i hope everything will turn out okay, maybe Harry will come to the rescue? keep reading and writing and post next chapters soon

LOL! I know what you meant. Thanks for the review!

tyger

god chapter. very pithy

Thanks!

Randomisation

no way is she going to go at eleven. if she does i will hare you! lol please please continue so good!

Well, we shall see! Thanks so much for the review!

Celi

Great! Want to read more:D

Thanks!