At the end of their 4th year...

Ron watched with a mixture of surprise and jealousy as Hermione gave Harry a quick kiss on the cheek goodbye; something she had never done before. By the look of surprise and slight embarrassment showing on Harry's face, he had not expected it either.

Ron raised a hand in farewell as Harry was taken away by his horridly large and beefy uncle.

When Harry was out of sight, Ron turned toward his waiting family; his father was in earnest conversation with Mr. Granger about microwaves, and how they functioned.

Ron turned around to look at Hermione, feeling suddenly awkward. He was about to say something but Hermione cut him off. "Just don't say anything about what happened this year, it's too much for us to handle right now."

"Right." agreed Ron, highly relieved.

She was right of course, with You-Know-Who coming back, the death of Cedric and, well, other things involving a certain famous Quidditch player, none of that needed, in any way, to be discussed. Best not linger on the past anyways. "Will you be coming to stay this summer?"

"Of course I will, after I spend a few weeks with my parents." Hermione smiled, "Write to me to keep me updated about everything that's going on."

"Definitely." Ron smiled back. Just then Mr. and Mrs. Granger said their goodbyes to the Weasley family.

"Well, I'd better go." Hermione glanced at her waiting parents, turned back towards Ron, stood on her tiptoes, and gave him a brief kiss on the cheek.

Ron looked momentarily stunned as Hermione waved goodbye to him. Just in time. he came to his senses and returned her wave of farewell.

"And thus our dear brother receives his first kiss." grinned Fred mischievously, as Ron walked over to them, still looking a bit dazed. The look was quickly replaced by one of defensive anger at Fred's words. "She did it to Harry too." He quipped aggressively.

"Yes, but if you noticed," said George, wearing a grin identical to his twin. "She didn't have nearly the same effect on Harry as she did on you."

Later, up in his room, after receiving a firm scolding from his mother for attempting to beat up the twins, Ron thought back to George's comment and admitted to himself that George was, after all, probably right.