CONFIDENT AND CALMER

Fifth year was going well for Ron Weasley. He even had a great summer holiday at The Burrow with Ginny and later on, Hermione and Harry. He had entered the year with a new attitude and to the surprise of Hermione he was doing well in his studies for the first time. Turns out at the end of his disastrous fourth year Luna Lovegood of all people helped him understand that he had dyslexia and that had made all the difference. After learning the correct spell he could actually read now so everything was much easier, and his attitude toward his studies had improved markedly.

His Quidditch play had improved too. His teammates all marveled at how calm and confident he was playing Keeper this year compared to the self-doubting player he was last year, and everyone wondered what had initiated the improvement. The team didn't complain of course at the change and they all were quite confident going into the Quidditch season. Everyone was looking forward to their first match against Slytherin.

Hermione too wondered at the changes in Ron. He was working hard at his classes and was much more focused, calm, and confident, even in potions with Snape. She found that they didn't row as much but had calm meaningful conversations about items and issues that in the past would have led to shouts and swearing. Hermione was quite fond of this new Ron. She had always fancied him, but now it might even be going beyond that.

She watched as he sat in the Common Room helping a few first years with their DADA homework and took a moment to appreciate how Quidditch training was having a very positive impact on his physique. He had grown taller over the summer and was looking quite fit and quite fanciable. Much to Hermione's concern other girls were starting to notice as well. She had caught Lavender Brown eyeing him too many times, as well as some Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw girls too. It was hard not to notice Ron's striking blue eyes, his strong shoulders, and that red hair of his and Hermione caught herself staring several times.

The night before the Slytherin match, Harry and Hermione were sitting in the Great Hall after dinner talking about classes and their current Transfiguration homework. Hermione kept looking around for Ron, but he was not to be found. She took this opportunity to change the subject to their missing best friend.

"Harry, do you know where Ron is?"

"He said something about going somewhere to get ready for the match tomorrow. Not sure what that means."

"OK, can I ask you something? It's about Ron."

"Sure Hermione, what's on your mind?"

"Ron is different this year, isn't he?"

"Huh?" replied Harry. "What do you mean?"

"I mean he seems more grounded, calmer, and he even cares about his studies."

"Yeah, I guess so, it seems that since Luna got him sorted with the dyslexia and stuff and he can really read now it's not so hard for him."

Hermione gave her forehead a light slap, "yeah, I can't believe I didn't catch that. But it also seems like he has more confidence and he's definitely calmer, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but he's gotten quite fit as well." Hermione looked down at the floor and felt herself blush.

Harry looked at Hermione and gave her a big grin. "Why Hermione, it seems that you fancy Ron even more than before. I so wish you two would quit dancing around each other and finally confess your feelings for each other. You both have been carrying torches for each other since 2nd year, but both refuse to acknowledge it. Everyone in Gryffindor and even some in Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw are waiting for you two to get together."

"Is it that bad, Harry?"

"Yes, but lately I'm starting to notice other girls checking Ron out and I'm worried that if you don't make a move some other girl will jump in and sweep him away from you."

Hermione kept looking at the floor for several moments before she raised head and looked at her best friend. "I know, I know I have to do something but I'm worried he doesn't feel the same."

"Well, Hermione, nothing ventured, nothing gained. You might as well try."

"You're right Harry, I have to try, and if what you say is true I shouldn't have any problems with him not feeling the same. "

Harry just smiled at her and waited and saw a look of determination cross her face.

"Ok, tomorrow, after the match I promise I'll tell Ron how I feel about him. Honestly Harry, I think I love him and that scares me."

Harry reached over and gave her a hug. "Good for you, Hermione. It'll be good to have it done. I look forward to seeing the two of you together. It will be brilliant."

The Quidditch match against Slytherin couldn't have gone better for Ron. He played exceptionally and blocked almost all their shots on goal. It was a quick 30 minutes until Harry caught the snitch and Gryffindor was victorious 270 – 20.

Ron flew down from his post near the goals and joined in the celebration with his team. All around him teammates and fellow Gryffindors were patting him on the back and congratulating him on a brilliant performance. Several chants of 'Weasley is our King' could be heard amongst the crowd.

Harry spoke up loudly to the group, "Congratulations on a brilliant win and a brilliant team, and especially to our brilliant Keeper, Ron Weasley! Celebration in the common room in 30 minutes!"

Ron couldn't keep from grinning as he headed to the locker room to change when a pair of arms grabbed him from behind. Turning around he saw Hermione laughing and he pulled her into a tight hug. He held her for a good long moment before letting her go and joining her in laughter.

"Oh Ronald, you were amazing! I always knew you would be awesome and you were today, totally awesome."

"Thanks Hermione, it was pretty amazing and I'm so glad to beat Slytherin. It always feels so good to beat the snakes."

"I'm sure it does Ron and you were a big part of it and I'm so proud."

Hermione now blushed just a bit and said softly, "would it be ok if we talked for a bit after you change? I really have something to talk about with you."

Ron smiled, "that would be great because I have something I need to talk to you about as well. I'll meet you in the common room in a bit. I'm sure I'm a bit whiffy and I really need a shower, so I'll see you in a bit, ok?"

"That will be great, Ron, see you soon."

Hermione headed up to the common room to wait for Ron. The celebration there was loud and raucous. She sat on a couch in front of the fire next to Luna. Luna leaned over and spoke loud enough for Hermione to hear, "wasn't Ronald wonderful today, Hermione? He really played well and the wrackspurts were nowhere to be seen around him, so no wonder he looked so calm."

"Yes, he really did well. He's been different this year, he seems to have found his confidence and I'm finding it quite attractive."

"Oh yes," replied Luna. "He's quite dishy these days, I do love what all that Quidditch practice has done for his arms and shoulders."

Hermione looked over at Luna with a puzzled expression. What was she doing looking at Ron like that?

Both girls sat and watched the crowd around them reliving the match when finally the portrait hole opened and in walked Ron, Harry, and Ginny. The crowd roared in approval and started chanting "Weasley is our king, Weasley is our king!" which caused Ron to blush and smile at the same time. He waved over at Hermione and started to head her way when the crowd rushed in and lifted him on their shoulders while still keeping up the chant.

Ron looked at Hermione and shrugged his shoulders and allowed himself to be carried over and placed on top of a table so that everyone could see him. The crowd was jumping and cheering as Harry was also placed next to Ron.

Harry made a motion to get the crowd to quiet down and he spoke to the crowd as he raised his and Ron's hands to the ceiling, "here's to the Gryffindors and here's to our keeper!" and the crowd went crazy. Ron jumped down from the table toward Hermione and was immediately hemmed in by everyone.

Hermione looked on in horror though as she watched Lavender Brown making a beeline toward Ron with a devilish look in her eyes. Hermione could see that Lavender was raising her arms as if to hug him as she got closer. Hermione held her breath as she herself rapidly pushed through the crowd toward Ron. She had every intention to follow through on what she had promised Harry and confess her feelings toward Ron and she'd be damned if she let Lavender get in the way.

Hermione came to a halt and froze as she saw Lavender reach Ron with a clear intent to kiss him. She watched amazed as Ron used his left arm to deftly deflect Lavender away as he reached out with his arms to embrace a completely different witch. Hermione's breath stopped and her heart fell to the floor as she watched her one true love pull Luna Lovegood into a hug followed by a passionate kiss!

The whole Gryffindor common room went silent as they watched this new couple snog right there in the middle of the room as if there was no one around. Hermione's shoulders slumped and tears began to form as she watched Ron and Luna break their kiss and grin stupidly at each other. Both looked into the other's eyes, communicating without words. Ron shrugged his shoulders and wrapped his arms around Luna and turned her around toward the flabbergasted Gryffindors.

"Oi, everyone," said Ron to the quiet crowd. "This is Luna Lovegood and she's my girlfriend. Actually Lu's been my girlfriend since last year, and we've just kept it secret, but we agreed last night to let everyone know. So, Lu's going to be around a lot, best get used to seeing her here."

To Ron's and Luna's and even Hermione's surprise, the entire Gryffindor crowd let out a roar of approval as their friends rushed forward to greet the new couple, all except Lavender who looked completely put out, and Hermione who quietly slipped out of the room. She stopped just outside the portrait door and leaned against the wall, closed her eyes and wiped the tears from her cheeks. She took a deep breath and wondered, 'how could this be happening? Ron was supposed to be hers, how long had he and Luna been together and how stupid was it for him to call her Lu?'

She pushed off the wall and took a step toward the library when the door opened and Harry and Ginny stepped out. Hermione immediately turned toward them with anger in her voice yelled, "why didn't you tell me Ron had a girlfriend! I was going to tell him today that I was in love with him, imagine how that would go over with him having a girlfriend? And Luna! LUNA! How in Godric's name can he be with that space cadet? He is supposed to be with me! Why didn't you tell me!?"

As she finished her rant she leaned down and put her hands on her knees and stared at the floor. In a very soft voice she looked up at Harry and Ginny with tears streaming down her face and said, "why didn't you tell me? You're his best friend and his sister, surely you knew something, and Ginny, you're good friends with Luna, she must have told you about being with your brother."

Both Harry and Ginny wrapped their arms around the sobbing Hermione. Ginny was the first to speak, "I'm really sorry Hermione, I know how much you like Ron, but I had no clue that he and Luna were together. I knew that sometimes she'd go out for walks in the castle, and she inferred that she was meeting someone, but I had no idea that it was Ron. And Ron never said anything either, although Luna did spend a lot of time at the Burrow over the summer holidays hanging out with me and Ron, but I never saw anything that would make me think they were together, although Ron did take his time when he would walk her home, but I had no idea, I'm really sorry."

Harry squeezed Hermione's shoulder and said softly, "I didn't know, I can't believe that Ron never said anything, but I didn't know, I'm so sorry. I thought that Ron really fancied you, Hermione, he was really down when he learned that you were going to the Yule Ball last year with someone else, and he talks about you all the time, so this is a complete surprise. I hope you'll be ok?"

Hermione continued to sob into Harry's shoulder. Harry and Ginny both rubbed Hermione's shoulders and back and whispered words that would hopefully comfort her. She took one last sniff and raised her teary eyes at her friends and shrugged her shoulders.

"Harry, you knew I promised myself I was going to tell him that I fancied him after the game. I actually was going to tell him that I loved him, and I do love him. What do I do now?" she wailed as she finished. "What do I do now?"

Harry hugged her again. "Well, I think we dry your tears and then head back into the common room and chat with Ron and his so-called girlfriend. Maybe you'll feel better after we talk with them about what's going on. Maybe it's not that serious, maybe they're just fooling around, and maybe it's all just a joke, I mean come on, Ron and Luna? No way." Harry smiled at Hermione and gave a short laugh.

Ginny also laughed and continued, "I'm sure it will be ok for you Hermione, there's no way Luna would be with Ron and not tell me, I mean, it's Ron!"

Hermione sniffed up one last time and gave her two friends a weak smile. "I hope you're right. I love Ron and it would kill me to see him with anyone else. At least it's not Lavender, that would be the worst."

Both Harry and Ginny laughed at that and Ginny said, "Oh, yeah, Ron and Lavender would be the worst!"

The three returned to the common room and found that celebration had toned down quite a bit. They looked and saw Ron sitting in a comfy chair with Luna on his lap. His hands were around her waist and hers were around his neck. Ron saw them reenter and waved them over. When they got close, Ron smiled at Hermione and said apologetically, "Sorry about this Hermione. I wanted to tell you about me and Luna, but it seems the news has slipped out before I could tell you alone. Sorry."

Hermione gave a weak smile and said, "It's ok Ron, although it is a bit of a surprise. When did this happen?

Hermione, Ginny, and Harry sat down near Ron and turned to him with expectant faces.

Ron took a deep breath. "It all started at the Yule Ball last year," Ron began. "As soon as the Ball was announced I knew I wanted to ask you, Hermione. I really wanted to but I just couldn't."

Hermione was puzzled, "why not? You did end up asking me later, but I had already accepted Viktor's invitation. I waited as long as I could for you to ask and put off Viktor as long as I could, but I finally gave in and said yes. I wondered why it took so long for you to ask. I would have loved to go with you, but it was too late when you did ask. Why did you wait?"

Ron blushed a bit a looked down at his hands. "Remember those hideous robes that mum sent me? The ones that looked like they belonged to my great aunt Tessie?"

Harry, Ginny and Hermione all grinned and laughed a bit as Harry replied, "yeah, I remember them, they were awful, what ever happened to them? You wore robes that were completely different."

Ron took a deep breath and smiled at Luna still sitting in his lap. "See, those robes were so hideous that I couldn't wear them without embarrassing myself and whoever I went with."

Ron looked directly at Hermione. "See, 'Mione, I couldn't ask you because I didn't want to embarrass you by being your date. If I wore those awful robes, I was worried you would be embarrassed to be seen with me. Bloody hell, I would have been embarrassed to be seen with me if I were to wear those awful things, so I couldn't ask you, Hermione because I didn't have anything to wear that would be acceptable for you to be seen with. It was awful, because I really wanted to ask you."

Ron finished and looked at this friends. All had puzzled looks on their faces.

Hermione shuddered as she realized that Ron had wanted to go with her. She almost cried as she whispered so softly that they almost didn't hear her, "oh Ron, I so wanted to go with you, I would have been ok with whatever you wore, I wish you had asked."

Ginny finally asked, "so what does that have to do with how you and Luna got together?"

Ron smiled at the memory, and playfully hugged Luna tighter to him. "Ok, so that's where Luna comes in. It was only a week before the ball and I was in the Great Hall after lunch one day. I think you were in the library Hermione, and Harry was somewhere with Dumbledore. Anyways, I was sitting there alone feeling sorry for myself when Luna came up and sat down beside me and she said…"

Luna interrupted Ron and continued, "I came up to him because I could see his aura had totally faded and was now the saddest pale yellow I had ever seen. Clearly he was upset and sad about something, and I thought that maybe I could help."

Luna stopped and looked at Harry. "You always said that friends help each other, Harry, and since Ron was my friend, I wanted to help."

Ron gave Luna a soft kiss on her cheek. "And I'm really glad you did, Lu, really glad."

Ron turned back to the others and continued. "After Lu asked why I was so sad, I explained about the awful robes I had and how I really wanted to ask you Hermione, but I couldn't and I really didn't know what to do."

Luna jumped back in, "I just asked Ron if he knew any glamour charms, because my mum had taught me some so I could fix my clothes and change the colors and other things if I wanted to. He of course told me no, so I offered to try and make his robes more appealing so he wouldn't worry about embarrassing anyone."

"Anyway," Ron continued, "we went to my dorm and sure enough, she was able to glamour charm Aunt Tessie's hideous robes into something that actually looked pretty good."

Luna looked directly into Ron's eyes. "I purposely chose the blue color because I wanted to match his beautiful blue eyes, and he did look really good if I do say so myself."

Ginny jumped up and pointed at Ron. "I wondered where those robes came from, and Merlin's beard, Ron, you did look good."

Hermione nodded her head sadly, "yes, Ronald, I remember you were quite attractive that night."

Ron grinned, "so anyway, as soon Luna did her magic and my robes were sorted and I wasn't going to embarrass anyone, I looked for you immediately, Hermione so I could ask you to the ball. For a short time there I was ecstatic about going with you. But it didn't last. Obviously by the time I got to you and asked, you had already said yes to Viktor and I was devastated."

Luna rubbed Ron's back as he finished. "I found him back in the Great Hall and his aura was back to that sad yellow again. I asked what was the problem now and he explained that you had said no to him because of Viktor."

Hermione frowned and a tear leaked from her eye. "Oh Ron, I so wish I could have gone with you, I'm so sorry."

Ron smiled at her, "no, it's ok, it all worked out. I know you had a great time at the Ball, and so did I. See, when Luna found me again I realized that since she did all the work on my robes, I should ask her to the Ball, and I did."

Ginny, Harry and Hermione looked at each other with confused faces. Ginny again spoke up for the group, "ok, we all wondered where the robes came from and we all know that you went to the Ball, and you went with Luna, but we all thought you went as friends."

Luna laughed again and Ron gave her his lopsided grin as he continued the story. "We did go as friends, at least that's how the night started, but it didn't end that way. We didn't plan on it but we ended the night together, and really Fred and George are to blame."

At this point now, Harry, Ginny and Hermione were really confused. Harry spoke up first this time, "what did they have to do with anything? They were either dancing with their girls or over in the corner all night, how could they have done anything?"

Luna looked at Ron with a loving expression and kissed him again then continued the story. "After a while of dancing and such, and oh by the way Ron is an exceptional dancer, Ron suggested we step outside for a bit of fresh air. Who would have thought that Ron would think of something that romantic? We were having a great time together laughing and dancing, oh I especially loved the slow dances when Ron would just hold onto me, anyway we were having fun just being together, and I found myself wondering whether I was happy just being Ron's friend or whether I wanted to be something more, so I agreed to step outside, thinking that maybe some time with just the two of us alone might push us more together."

Ron looked at Luna askance. "You never told me that, Lu. I didn't know you were thinking that way before, uh, uhm, you know."

Luna looked at Ron as if there was no one else around. "Oh Ron, of course I was, you're an easy man to love, Ronald Weasley and I was headed that way from before you asked me to the Ball."

"Huh," replied Ron returning the same loving gaze. "I thought it was just me, and you are an easy woman to love as well, Lu."

Ginny groaned at the couple and said forcefully, "Good Godric, just get on with the damn story! You two are unbelievable!"

Ron blushed just a bit and shrugged his shoulders. "Uhm, ok, so anyway we walked outside together and we weren't even holding hands yet. We were just chatting about classes and stuff. We were really close to each other when all of a sudden we realized that we couldn't move. We were stuck right next to each other."

Luna intervened, "we didn't know what was going on and we tried all the spells we knew to unstick ourselves when Ron looked up and groaned."

"Yeah, I looked up and saw Fred and George's obnoxious Christmas weaze. We were stuck under a Weasleys Mobile Magical Mistletoe. I knew we couldn't move until we kissed.

"Ah ha!" cried Ginny. "This where Fred and George got involved!"

"Right-o little sis, this is why we blame them. So, I looked at Lu and asked if it was ok to kiss her."

Luna jumped in, "of course I said it was ok."

"So I leaned in and gave Luna a quick kiss on the cheek."

Ginny laughed out loud, "that doesn't work! A kiss on the cheek won't cut it, Ron!"

Ron smirked at his sister. "Right again, Gin Gin. We still couldn't move so I leaned in again and gave Lu a quick peck on the lips."

Ginny sat there with a self-satisfied smirk on her face. "That didn't work either, did it?"

"No, it didn't."

Hermione finally spoke, albeit softly, "So, what did you do, Ronald?"

Ron took a deep breath and then looked in Luna's eyes and smiled. "So, I realized that the kiss had to be real, and honestly by this time I was glad that it did. So, I put my hands on Luna's waist and looked directly into her beautiful silvery blue eyes…"

Luna bounced on Ron's lap and interrupted him, "that's when the magic happened!"

Ginny jumped in, "the mistletoe let you go?"

"No, silly, when Ron looked at me like that and I looked back at him we both felt this spark, this connection and it was amazing, but nothing like what happened next."

Ginny was getting impatient and wanted more, but Hermione just hung her head at hearing this, as she knew what was coming.

Ron took over the story. "So, we're looking at each other and we both feel this connection, this spark, and I pull her to me and she pulls me to her and we share a real kiss and it feels like fireworks, like coming home, like being where I belong and then we could feel magic flowing between us, like we were supposed to be together, and the kiss was awesome, I mean it was my first real kiss but it was amazing."

"It was my first kiss too!" exclaimed Luna. "And it was a thousand times better than I ever imagined."

At this point, Ron and Luna were really just speaking to each other, ignoring those around them. Ron pulled Luna in for a brief kiss as they both just grinned at each other.

Ginny again interjected, "ok, so you had your first kiss at the Yule Ball last year, that was almost a year ago, why are we just learning about it now? Why did you never mention you were with my brother, Luna? I thought we were friends?

Harry also looked at Ron and was about to say something when Hermione asked softly and a bit sadly, "yes, Ronald, why did you keep this a secret from your friends? I thought we talked and shared with each other. I'm very disappointed to be learning about this now."

Ron shrugged his shoulders but his grin stayed in place. "So after the mistletoe let us go, I just kept hold of Lu and we decided that we would be boyfriend and girlfriend, but to avoid being teased by everyone, or pranked by the twins we would keep it as our secret."

Hermione continued, "Surely we would have seen you two together as some point."

"Oh, you did see us together, but we kept it platonic when we were with others, but we both knew and would wink at each other and stuff."

Ron looked at Hermione, "we do get together, but usually it's when you're at the library and Harry is off with Dumbledore. We like to walk around the halls and talk and when it's nice outside we go down to the lake. Occasionally we find a classroom or closet to snog in, but we try hard to be discreet. Last summer I used to walk Luna home after her visits to the Burrow and we would spend time together."

Ginny asked, "so why now are you 'going public'?"

Luna laughed at smiled at Ron, "we thought it was time and that we'd all grown up enough that there wouldn't be much teasing and people would be ok if we were together. We're sorry that we kept it a secret, and I'm sorry Hermione because I know you wanted things to be different, but Ron and I really feel like we belong together. Sorry if we hurt anyone."

Hermione gave an almost silent sniff and got up and left without saying anything. Ron watched her go and felt sad for just a moment before turning back to Lu and pulling her in for a sweet kiss.

Ron pulled back and smiled at Luna. "That's right, Lu, we do belong together, and I'm glad we are. Thanks to your love and support I feel so much more confident and calmer. I don't have to try so hard so I'm not nervous. I can just relax because I know I have you."

Luna smiled back. "Oh, Ronald."