Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Fate Don't Work Alone

Chapter 7

Ron and Hermione broke apart at the sound of someone clearing ones throat, and Ron turned around to see a smiling Ginny and a grinning Harry looking back at him. He felt his face go warm and he could have sworn that his ears had turned into a dark shade of red. He swallowed hard and looked back at Hermione, who was blushing violently. He smiled weakly at her and then turned towards his sister and Harry. He knew that he should say something to them, give them an explanation to why he had been making out with his best friend. But on the other hand they both already knew about his feelings towards her. 'Maybe I should say something to Hermione,' he thought as he looked at her once more. But the thought of Harry and Ginny standing there, looking at them made him change his mind.

Ron looked back at Ginny and Harry. He really had to make an effort not to laugh at the looks on their faces and the goofy smiles that were spreading across their faces. Ron knew that Hermione was blushing madly and he too would do anything not to have Harry and Ginny looking at them. 'Do something,' he thought, 'anything!' He looked at Harry and Ginny and then back at Hermione. Then he did something that surprised himself just as much as the other ones. He got up and held out his hand for Hermione to take. She followed Ron's lead and took it. Ron helped her up from the couch. When she stood up he bent his head down and placed his lips on top of hers.

When they broke apart Hermione smiled widely at him. Ron smiled back and while making sure her and was in his he turned towards Harry and Ginny, who were looking very surprised by his actions.

'I see you've gotten a picture about what's happened,' said Ron while smiling. 'I also suppose that it isn't a big surprise to either one of you.' Both Harry and Ginny nodded.

'But I still feel that I have to tell you what happened, give you an explanation,' continued Ron. 'As you both know I like Hermione, a lot, and you both told me to tell her. So I guess that the only simple explanation is that I did.'

Ron looked back at Hermione, he smiled at her and nodded. She smiled back and turned to Harry and Ginny. When she started to talk Ron squeezed her hand.

'I really do like Ron,' she started and looked at him for a second time before she continued. 'I never thought that I would find my "prince charming", even less so that I'd find him in my best friend. But it seems as though I have, and I couldn't be more thrilled to know that he feels the same way about me.' Ron smiled and squeezed her hand once more and Ginny's eyes had started to form tears.

There was a moment of silence; no one knew what to do or what to say. Harry's left hand had found its way to Ginny's right one. The silence was broken by Harry clearing his throat again.

'Wow,' was all that he managed to say.

'Oh, by the way,' said Hermione and looked up at Harry. 'I'm still mad at you for not telling me anything last night. Harry smiled weakly and glanced nervously at Ron, who smiled back at him.

'Well,' started Harry and looked as though he was desperately trying to find an explanation. 'I didn't think… that it would be… appropriate… for me to… tell you something… that… should be told… by the guy… who the… feelings… belonged to.' Hermione smiled at the effort he had made.

'Harry, you could just have told me that he didn't like some other girl or anything, instead of playing along,' said Hermione gently. 'It could have saved me a lot of tears.'

'I'm sorry Hermione,' said Harry honestly.

'I know,' said Hermione and smiled, she had noticed Harry's and Ginny's hands.

'So tell me,' she stared. 'How come the two of you are… how should I say it… giving each other a hand?' finished Hermione smiling teasingly.

Ginny blushed and Harry smiled embarrassingly and seemed to find that his shoes had become very interesting. Hermione looked at them and raised an eyebrow.

'Don't tell me that Potter's gotten himself a girlfriend?' she said in a very Malfoy-like way, her lips still formed into a teasing smile. Ron couldn't help but to laugh.

Harry looked up at his two best friends, his eyes sparkling and the embarrassed smile had been changed into an almost proud smile.

'Yes he has,' he answered and turned to Ginny. 'He's very much in love.' Ginny looked back at him grinning widely. She put her left hand around Harry's neck and pulled him into a deep kiss. Ron made a noise that sounded something like 'urgh', mostly to annoy them.

'So am I,' mumbled Ginny, as she and Harry broke apart. Harry smiled and pulled her into a kiss that seemed to be more passionate than the other ones. Hermione glanced at Ron who looked like he was going to be sick at any moment.

'Er… let's get out of here, shall we?' she asked and smiled at Ron. Ron looked at Harry and Ginny for half a second before he nodded and practically dragged Hermione towards the portrait hole.

When outside the Fat Lady's portrait Ron pulled Hermione into a kiss that lasted for quite some time. When they broke apart Ron rested his forehead against Hermione's, looking into her eyes he whispered; 'I'm in love with you, you know.' Hermione smiled.

'I happen to be in love with you too,' said Hermione and placed her lips on his again.

'What a coincidence,' said Ron before he yet again pulled her into another kiss.