Supplements

The empty goblet was still smoking.

* * *

Meanwhile, Ron and Hermione made their way towards Hogsmeade. The October air had a definite chill, but the pair found it refreshing as they walked toward the welcoming village.

"Oh where should we go first?" Hermione asked, almost anxiously.

"Well, how about Zonko's? Fred and George are always talking about how great it is."

"Yes, all right then. Erm…. Let's go."

They walked together down to the joke shop and browsed around for a while. Ron kept a running commentary on all of the various objects.

"Thos are Fanged Frisbees, wish I had one of those. Oh, and here's the Filibuster fireworks, and there are…." He went on for about an hour like that before Hermione finally insisted that they leave.

Next they went to the post office where they had a look at all of the owls. Ron quickly got bored and they left for Honeyduke's. Here Ron chose a few select sweets to take back for Harry. After purchasing the treats, the pair went off to The Three Broomsticks.

"You've got to try butterbeer," Ron was telling Hermione.

"Butterbeer? Does that have alcohol?"

"Not a lot," Ron assured her. "Or else they wouldn't let underage wizards buy it."

"All right then." They stepped inside and found a nice table in the back corner.

"Hey Hermione," Ron said, blushing slightly. "Do you think it'd be all right if you paid fir the drinks? It's just – well, I mean…." He was now very6 red.

"Oh yeah it's fine." She went off and came back with two foaming mugs of butterbeer. "There you go." She said happily as she set his mug down in front of him. "You don't have to be embarrassed about not having a lot of money, you know?"

"Mm," Ron mumbled indistinctly as he took a sip of his butterbeer.

"In fact, if you wanted, I could pay you back for the candy. My parents are both dentists. I don't know what the expression a hundred thousand dollars a year means to you, but it's a fair amount. You can ask me for anything, really. I care about you Ron and I'd be glad to help you out if you ever need money."

"Mm," Ron mumbled again, still very red. "You're-" he stammered. You're really something Hermione. But you don't have to pay me for the candy, it's fine."

"Oh Ron, you're so humble."

"Not like I've really had much of a choice."

"Not just money though. Your personality too. You're a really great guy."

"Thanks." Ron went even redder.

"Any girl would be lucky to have you. I know I'd like it." She leaned forward.

"A-Are you saying…." He trailed off.

"Kiss me," she whispered, still leaning in toward him. Their lips met in a beautiful tender kiss.

"Well," Ron said after a moment. "I think it's about time we got back to school."

"Oh – well, all right then."

"Not that I didn't like it, I just…."

"I understand."

"Okay, erm, yeah. And if we could just keep this kind of quiet. I'd rather Harry didn't know."

"I know exactly what you mean."

"Well, that's good then." Ron let out a breath of relief as his face began to regain its normal color.

"And Ron," she said quietly as they walked out into the street.

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

* * *

"There you go," said Ron. "We got as much as we could carry."