Ron opened his eyes and sat up. He heard laughter. Opening the curtains he saw Dean and Neville hunched over Seamus's bed.

"What are you blokes doing?" Ron asked while getting out of bed. They turned to him.

"Get over here," Dean ordered.

Ron rushed over and peered in the bed. A dozen pieces of pink and red letters were scattered around his bed. "What the bloody hell is this?" he asked picking a letter up. It was in very sloppy yet girlish looking handwriting.

"Dear Seamus, I've been thinking about you all day again…love Susan!" Dean and Neville burst into laughter. Ron smirked. "I take it Susan didn't write this…or any of these."

"No mate, but Seamus doesn't know that," Dean choked out.

"I don't get it," Ron said.

Neville smiled at him. "Seamus has fancied Susan for ages. We just thought it would be fun to give him an incentive to ask her out. He won't do it without a little push. If he thinks Lavender likes him back…he may ask her to go to Hogsmead with him tomorrow," he explained.

Ron smiled, "So, I take it you're going with Hannah."

Neville turned a bit pink. "I am in fact."

"You're not going to tell him are you Ron? The man needs help. He's my best mate and I want him to be happy," Dean explained.

Ron waved a hand. "Oh, of course I won't tell. I know exactly how you feel. Harry did the same thing to me. I mean, he didn't come up with a brilliant scheme like this but he and Ginny had to practically drag me down to Luna's Common Room."

Dean and Neville gave each other a look. "Sorry," Dean mumbled.

Ron smiled as best he could. "Don't be…it's the best thing they could've done for me and it worked didn't it?"

"Yeah, it did," Neville breathed.

Ron nodded, "So carry on, I didn't see a thing." He grabbed his clothes and tooth brush and headed out of the room.

His head felt a bit cloudy. He had brought up Luna and for the first time and did not feel tightness in his chest, however, he still felt lonely. He was sure Susan would freak out and snog Seamus senseless once he asked her out. Everyone seemed to be finding someone. Ron wondered where that left him. He already had his someone, but she was dead. What was he supposed to do now?

Ron went to the Great Hall to eat. Breakfast was almost over so it wasn't very full. He took a seat by himself and slowly chewed on his toast. He looked around the hall. It was his last year. It was the last year he had to sit amongst the houses. He looked to the Ravenclaw table. Ron exhaled deeply. He tried to think about happy memories. He wanted to get better. He tried to think about all the times he would look up and find Luna smiling at him or during Dumbledore's announcements Ron would randomly make faces and would hear her light giggle from across the room. However, all he could think about was how he would never do that again, and when he left Hogwarts for good, he would not be walking out with his girlfriend like he had planned to.

"Ron, what are you doing here?" someone asked.

Ron looked up. Harry was giving him a look. "Oh, nothing, I woke up late and wanted to get some food. What are you up to?"

"I just got out of a meeting with McGonagall. I'm going to find Ginny," Harry said.

Ron nodded, "Harry, when you think about Sirius…does it hurt?"

Harry stared at him. He sat next to him and looked down. "Yeah, no matter what I think of, it hurts."

"Is it supposed to be that way?" Ron asked.

Harry shrugged, "I dunno. I guess…if it doesn't hurt it didn't mean much in the first place."

Ron bit his lip and shook his head. "I'm trying Harry. It's just when I sit down and really think about things…it tears me up. How can I get over this if I can't even face it head on? I'm not used to loss. Not… like this anyway."

Harry smiled, "Mate, it's not about getting over anything. I'll never get over losing Sirius or even my parents but…it's more like finding a way to live with it. You shouldn't forget the pain. No matter how much it hurts."

Ron returned his smile. "You've been hanging out with Hermione for too long. You're getting smart like her."

Harry laughed, "No, I'll never be to her genius level but the girl does rub off on you doesn't she?"

"Yeah…she does," Ron said suddenly feeling a wave of warmth washing over him. "Do you think she's in her room?"

"Probably," Harry said.

Ron stood up. "Okay, see you later Harry...and be careful with my sister." Harry rolled his eyes. Ron cleared his throat and added, "I was always careful with Luna."

"I know you were mate," Harry said.

Ron nodded his head and walked off. He went to Hermione's room and knocked. There wasn't an answer. He waited for thirty minutes before figuring she was in the library. He looked all over and realized she wasn't in there either.

Ron gave up. He sighed and made his way down a corridor. He had his head down and bumped into someone. "Oh, sorry," he said looking up.

"It's okay Ron, although I don't know why you don't look up when you walk," Hermione breathed as books and papers scattered all over the floor.

Ron smiled, "Hermione, where have you been? I've been looking for you all day." He bent down and helped pick up her papers.

"Oh, I had a meeting today and McGonagall wanted me to take some things to Dumbledore's office," she explained sitting down.

Ron chuckled. "How is being Head Girl?"

Hermione shrugged, "Better than before. I'm getting use to a few constant annoyances but I like the responsibility."

"That's what I'll never understand about you. You want as much responsibility as possible. It's mad really," Ron said.

"Oh, no it's not. There's nothing wrong with wanting to take care of things," she defended.

"Well, at least you're good at it. Bloody hell, I would have been the worst Head Boy ever. I'm sure I would be the first in history to get sacked," Ron joked.

Hermione gave him a look. "Oh, I don't know about that. You never give yourself enough credit. I think you would have made an excellent Head Boy. It would have been fun with us working together."

"What? You don't have fun with Harry?" Ron asked.

Hermione shrugged, "Of course I do but I mean…he's Harry and he always has Ginny on his mind. At least we could've…I mean, oh never mind I have too many things going on in my head. Everything is bunching together." She kept shaking her head and tucked hair behind her ears.

Ron looked at her, "Do you want to go to Hogsmead tomorrow?"

"Sure I want to go," Hermione said.

"No, I meant…with me. Then maybe we could meet up with Harry and Ginny and it will be a bit more bearable because we can talk while they snog each other speechless," Ron explained.

Hermione's brown eyes grew. "Really? You want to go with me? Are you sure you want to?"

"Yeah, of course I want to go with you. We always have…up until…and now…we still should." Ron tried his best to explain without having to use the words. He already felt himself losing it.

Hermione rubbed her hands together and shook her head. "I'm sorry Ron; I don't think it's a good idea." She grabbed her books and walked away. Ron stared after her. He hadn't expected that. Ron sat there for several minutes trying to think of what he did wrong. Anger filled his veins.

He practically ran to Hermione room and banged on the door. She opened it. "What is your problem Ron?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Ron breathed.

Hermione rolled her eyes and let him in. She leaned against her vanity table. "I just don't think it's a good idea."

"Why not? I thought you said you wanted to go," Ron said.

"I do Ron….but I can't go with you," she breathed.

He felt his heart drop. "Why? What did I do wrong?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, it's not like that it's just…I…want to enjoy myself. It's my last year here and the last time I'll just have free time to go and get whatever I want. I…just want to have a good time…without worrying about if I'm saying the wrong thing or if I'm reminding you of something. I'm sorry. You act like you regret every time we're together and I can't take it anymore." She turned away and put a hand to her mouth.

Ron looked down. He felt his face blush. He was such a bastard. "Hermione, don't apologize. You're right. Of course you should have fun…that's what the visits are for. I'm anything but fun right now."

Hermione turned back to him. "No, Ron, don't think about it like that…you have every right to feel and be how you are-"

"Stop it Hermione. You don't have to do this. You're right…I've...been such a fucking prick. I say I'll try and I don't. On your birthday I left you upset. Every time you've opened up to me I panicked and make you feel like shit. I'm sorry. You're my best friend and all you've done is the right thing…me…I've been selfish." Ron ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry." He opened her door and left without another word.

The next morning, Ron got dressed but got a magazine. He decided not to go. It was probably better for him. He doubted he was ready to go alone anyway. There was a knock at the door. When he opened it and Hermione was on the other side smiling.

"You ready to go?" she asked.

"What?" Ron said.

Hermione put her hands on her hips. "Well, we don't have all day. We should get to Hogsmead while it's still a bit warm outside."

Ron wanted to protest but realized there was no point. Hermione looked amazing and his heart was already feeling lighter. He grabbed his coat and headed out. They walked around the village and Ron tried his best to talk. Once again people stared and once again Ron felt the familiar longing but he tried not to focus on it too much.

"Let's go to Honeydukes," Ron suggested.

They walked inside the colorful shop and Ron's mouth immediately watered for everything on the shelves. He spotted Neville and Hannah at the back looking at wiggling liquorish. With bulky bags they headed to the Three Broom Sticks next. The fall weather was not kind to their skin.

"Hey, over here," Harry said waving his arm. Ron and Hermione took seats across from him and Ginny.

"Surprised to see you two out," Hermione joked.

"Well, we wanted to see some things before heading back," Harry said.

Ginny smiled at Ron. "It's good to see you out here."

Ron returned the smile. "Yeah, I'm glad I came."

The four of them talked and sipped on warm butter beer. Ron really laughed for the first time. He felt a part of the group. There were memories all around him but he tried not to focus on it. However, when someone walked into the shop and said "Ron, Ginny" something changed.

"Mum," Ginny said getting up.

Ron turned around. Ginny ran over to their mother and hugged her. "Mrs. Weasley?" Hermione said.

"Is everyone alright?" Harry asked.

His mother smiled. "Oh, yes, everything and everyone is fine. I just need to see Ron and Ginny for a bit." Ron continued to stare at his mother.

"Sure Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said. She touched Ron's leg. "Ron, your mother needs to talk to you."

He nodded and stood up. He slowly walked over to her. She smiled. She seemed a bit older than when he last saw her. It didn't help that her brown eyes were painted with that same concern Ron had to face all summer. "I missed you Ron," she said hugging him. Ron tried to embrace her.

They walked outside. Ron was on one side of his mother, Ginny was on the other. "Let's go in here," his mother breathed.

They walked into a coffee shop Ron wasn't too familiar with. It was more for adults. They sat at a table. Ginny and Ron sat on one side facing her. His mother clasped her hands together and smiled. "How are you dears?"

"Better mum, I'm okay," Ginny breathed.

"I'm fine," Ron said instantly.

His mother frowned. "You haven't returned one single letter any of us wrote you. We had to get information from Ginny and Harry."

"I'm sorry...I'm not much of a writer," Ron came up with.

"That doesn't matter. We're your family and we love you. We worry about you Ronald. We just wanted to know how you were," she said slowly.

Ron rubbed his neck. He felt so guilty. "I'm sorry," was all he could say. They were quite. Ron felt his entire summer pass through him. His mother reminded him of all the pain. His family had been there through it all. They had seen him and Luna. They saw him break down and saw her body at the funeral. He didn't want to deal with it. He wished Hermione was sitting with him. He wished she'd hold his hand like before.

"Well, the reason I came is to let you know about Rapil's trial," his mother whispered.

Ron didn't register her words. All he could think about was the name Rapil and what that it meant. He heard Ginny take a sharp breath.

"Mum, what are you talking about?" Ginny asked.

His mother gave her a look. "I know dear but I thought you two would like to know he's in Azkaban."

"I figured that much would happen...I mean…he did murder someone," Ron pressed.

"Ron, please," Ginny choked.

"Well, it's official now Ron. He didn't give any names of course. Even with the serum he didn't give names. It's some dark magical memory bind or something," his mother explained.

"Wow, and there's no getting around it?" Ginny asked.

His mother shook her head. "They've tried. They've asked Xenophilius for his memory to help identify the others but he's memory isn't very good. Apparently he passed out right after-"

"Stop it," Ron demanded.

She frowned at him. "Ronald, do not talk to me that way."

"Well, don't talk about it. I don't want to hear it," Ron said.

"Maybe you don't but I'd like to know what's going on. My best friend was murdered and I would love to know her murders see justice," Ginny spat.

Ron got up. "Fine, I'll leave."

"Ronald Billius Weasley you get your arse in that chair," his mother warned. Ron immediately sat back down. He crossed his arms. She took a deep breath. "Ron, now I know this is hard for you but don't ever act that way to your sister or to me. We are your family."

Ron felt tears hit his eyes. "Mum, you don't get it. I don't care. I don't care that one of them is in Azkaban. I don't care that Mr. Lovegood is alive is well-"

"He's not well, he lost his daughter. She's buried next to his wife," his mother cut in.

Ron was silent. "But he's here isn't he? Luna's not, I'm trying to deal with it and here you come bringing me back. Mum, I can't take it."

His mother's eyes swelled with tears. "I know Ronnie. I've heard how hard you've had it. Why don't you ever write me?"

Ron tried to keep himself together. "And say what? Mum, dad, today I woke up and regretted it? Or that I can't even look two feet in front of me without hurting from memories? What good would that do? I'm sorry mum."

"I just worry. We all worry," his mother said.

"I know, and I'm trying. That's why I'm trying so hard, but this is too much. Thanks for telling me but it doesn't make a difference." He stood up and walked over to her. He kissed her cheek. "I love you," he choked.

He walked out of the shop and roughly wiped his eyes. He went back to The Three Broomsticks. "So, what was that all about?" Harry asked.

Ron shrugged, "I'm sure Ginny will tell it all but it's just stuff about…Luna." He rubbed his eyes and felt anger again. No matter what he couldn't get away from it. Ginny came back not too much later. She told them the story and Ron tried his best to tune it out.

"So, basically, Mr. Lovegood lost almost all control of his left arm. He can still move it but its rubbish," Ginny finished.

"He's lucky," Hermione said.

"It's great Rapil is going to Azkaban. It's what he deserves," Harry added.

Ginny shook her head. She had a pained expression on her face. "I don't think so. He needs to watch someone he loves get killed. If he's even capable of feeling anything that would be what he deserves," she said.

Ron nodded. "I agree."

She gave him a small smile. "He wants to see us."

"Who?" Ron asked.

"Mr. Lovegood. Apparently he keeps in touch regularly with mum and dad. He misses us," Ginny said.

Ron's heart beat picked up. He didn't even know what to say. "Why would he miss us?"

"Ron, you and Ginny have been a big part of his life for quite some time now," Harry said.

Ron couldn't even begin to think about what he would say to Mr. Lovegood. He never wanted to see him again. "Well, I'm sure he had bigger things on his mind. Hermione, are you ready to go?"

"Sure," she breathed getting up.

The two of them walked back to Hogwarts in silence. Ron was annoyed and frustrated. He was having a good day. He wasn't remembering but something always brought it all back. No matter what it came back.

They went to her room. Hermione sat on her bed and he sat next to her. "Sorry today was so terrible," Hermione breathed.

"It's not your fault. I just can't escape it. I had fun with you…maybe its best if we just do things together with no one else around. We're better alone," he joked.

Hermione's face suddenly turned very pink. He felt his own glow a bit warmer. "I don't know about that. We haven't done so great alone."

Even more heat hit his face. Ron knew he was blushing terribly but Hermione was as well. He liked it a lot. "Blame me for that. I never want to talk. I just wanted to sit. It isn't fair," Ron said.

"I can understand why," Hermione tried.

Ron looked at her. "I'm glad Rapil was caught. I'm happy Mr. Lovegood is okay…but all I can think about is Luna when I hear about them. I saw her dead Mione. I felt her cold body in my arms. I just don't want to think or talk about it."

"It's okay Ron. I don't mind if you don't want to talk about it. Believe it or not I like just not talking too. I have things on my mind that I don't want to think about," she explained.

Ron smiled, "So, what do you want to do?"

Hermione stood up and took off her coat. Ron did the same. She reached inside her desk and took out a pack of Exploding Snaps.

"Wow, I didn't know you were a fan," Ron said.

"Oh, I'm not. It was a birthday gift from your roommates. Something to keep me busy I guess," Hermione explained taking the cards out.

It seemed like forever the two of them played. Ron laughed which made Hermione laugh which made him feel better.

"I can't take it anymore," Ron said clutching his side sometime later.

Hermione wiped her eyes. "Yeah, dinner is soon. I'm sure I just laughed away ten pounds."

Ron stood up and held out his hand. Hermione took it. "Are you hungry?" he asked while feeling a rush from her warm, small hand in his.

She wiped her eyes again. "Yeah, I actually think I have some Ron Weasley sized hunger today."

Ron grinned. Hermione's face was flushed and her brown eyes were so big and bright. She was so beautiful. It was a beauty that was so natural and unexaggerated. Her hand was still in his. Ron didn't know what came over him. He pulled her into a hug. Hermione immediately wrapped her arms around his neck.

He took in her scent and held her tightly. "Thank you, I feel so bad and then…you just make me better. I want us to be okay like we used to be."

Hermione rubbed her thumb against his neck. It have him goose bumps. "Of course Ron, all I want is for you to be okay." He pulled away. Hermione's face was even more flushed. "Want to go eat?"

"Yeah, then we can finished round fourteen," Ron said.

They walked out of her room and down to dinner. Ron head was spinning and his chest felt tight but it wasn't from sadness, he was happy.

Ron was happy.

A/N: YOU NOW HAVE A LONG WAIT 'TILL NEXT CHAPTER. I WARNED YOU! I'LL TRY MY HARDEST TO GET IT OUT ASAP. MAYBE A COUPLE OF MONTHS !