Do you Believe in Magic

Chapter 3

Hey guys,

This chapter might be kind of long (I couldn't find the perfect place to stop). But I hope you like it.

I'm not one to add notes in stories because I'm scared it kinda breaks the mood the author worked so hard to make. But I just wanted to let my lovely readers know that I will try to upload every weekend (Friday-Sunday) because of my tight schedual. However, your comments and votes will surly inspire me to write faster. =)

<3

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Seconds later, they Apperated into ankle-deep snow outside the Burrow. They both shivered worse than ever. Their pants almost instantly frozen at the bottom, they trudged their way to the backdoor, pulling it open quickly and hurrying inside to the warm kitchen.

Mrs. Weasley looked up from her book when they walked in. "Oh, really, stay where you are. I don't want you tracking water in the rest of the house," she ordered as she saw the snow all over their clothes and the water coming from the bottom of their pants from the snow unfreezing. "Let me just grab my wand in the other room so I can dry you off."

"No need, Molly," Hermione said as she and Ron grabbed their own wands.

While they stood drying themselves, Mrs. Weasley said, "You two are home early. I wasn't expecting you for another two hours."

"Well, it started to get pretty cold," Ron explained, "and Hermione needed to get Crookshanks, so we thought we'd grab coats while we're here."

"Oh, okay," Mrs. Weasley said, her smile falling a little.

"Ron, I suppose we could stay for a snack," Hermione said, eying Mrs. Weasley's expression. "Do you have anything?"

"Of course, dear!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, her smile hitched back into place. "I'll go put some tea on! Or would you prefer hot chocolate? Oh, nevermind. I'll make both!" She hurried off to the kitchen.

Ron looked at Hermione. She blushed but didn't look away.

"What?" she said as a small smile formed on Ron's lips. "Can't you see she's lonely?"

Ron looked to the kitchen entrance behind him and faintly heard his mother humming tunelessly even though he couldn't see her.

"I suppose you're right," he said, looking back to her.

He smiled at the thought that he had someone in his life that cared so much about his family and their feelings.

As if on impulse, Hermione grabbed Ron's hand and held it. Ron suddenly noticed how perfectly her hand fit in his. It was warm and delicate, as if too much pressure could break it in half.

Ron watched her cheeks get slowly redder. She turned to face him full on as her face turned a brick red. She searched his face, stopping at his lips half a second longer than anywhere else. Ron felt his own cheeks burn lightly as her brown eyes found his blue eyes once more.

'Kiss her!' every bone, muscle, and cell seemed to scream as Ron, for the first time, really took in the face of his beautiful best friend that he used to find 'mental.'

He remembered thinking she'd never have friends, only to find her to be a best friend to him.

The countless times he'd denied the fact that he loved her seemed so long ago now.

Ron let the realization wash over him as a smile grew on his face:

No more lying to himself.

No more denial.