Accepted

Chapter 10

As i stepped into the portrait hole, i was tired & groggy, but i had a smile on my face. My memories were back, the good & the bad, & all because of Draco's willing efforts to win me back, to make things the way they used to be. What made my heart sink is the very people that met me, waiting, when i arrived so late. Ron & Harry.

They both looked worried, & both pulled me into a hug as soon as they saw me come in. Harry was most relieved.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, Hermione!? It's two hours past midnight. We were so worried!" he pulled away when he talked, then yanked me back in again when he finished. Ron didn't say a word, only flung his arms around my neck so it would make it easier to kiss the top of my head when i got free of Harry's grasp.

When i got the chance to get away from them, i pecked them both on the nose with a quick kiss, then hurried off to my dormitory. I would've told Ron tonight, but i saw how he felt, & i couldn't bear to make him upset just yet. I fell asleep, simply wondering...

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"Hey, Ron..." i had a sheepish look on my face, but he didn't seem to notice, because he grinned wildly & yanked me down to sit next to him at the long Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. I saw Harry coming with Ginny, & got sat with her instead. When we were done, i hurried her out to the hall to ask for help.

"Ginny, help me!" i whispered. It was more of a hoarse hissing noise, like i was trying to scream quietly. "Hermione, this is RON we're talking about. If anyone knows my brother, it's me. Let him down easy. He may be a bit fussy at first, but if he really loves you," she lowered her voice. "And trust me, he DOES. He'll accept the fact. After all, if you love something, set it free." she winked, then returned to the table & sat next to Harry, leaving Ron to walk towards me.

"Something wrong?" he asked. He had a kind voice. "You remember that question i asked you down at the lake, about falling in love?" his expression remained gentle, but slightly shocked.

"Of course, but i thought Malfoy-" i cut him off.

"Love holds no boundaries, Ron." i looked away, afraid of what might happen next, but all he did was smile.

"If that's where you're happiest, then... I'll set you free." he kissed me on the forehead, then asked, "You guys will still be my best mates though, right?" he had a tone in his voice like he knew the answer, but wanted to hear it for himself. I giggled.

"Of course."

Draco was overjoyed. We walked down to the Lake, his arm swinging over my shoulder. He sat down in the grass & waited for me to pounce on him like i had just a few nights ago. Instead, i sat, back against the tree trunk, & waited for HIM. He took the hint & came in close, smiled, closed his eyes, & our lips touched.

That moment forward, he had a beautiful spark of life in his once dull gray eyes. He looked much healthier as well, along with a spring in his every step. Ron & Harry, on the other hand, loved to see me happy, no matter what it took for them.

Everything was perfect.