Six months after.
"What's your favorite color?" Ron asked.
"Hm… I dunno. I suppose light blue is nice," mused Hermione.
They lay under a chilly October night sky, wrapped in a blanket, drinking hot tea. There weren't very many moments in which to relax like this. What with all the rebuilding of Hogwarts and re-establishment of The Ministry- the trio was busier than ever. Although it was a pain, it allowed for moments such as this to be that much more precious.
Ron kissed Hermione's nose. "Your turn."
"Uhm… let's see. One place you want to visit someday?"
"Well I'm quite content where I am now…" he pulled her tighter to his chest, "but if I had to choose anywhere but here… I suppose I'd love to visit America someday."
Hermione chuckled, "Why ever would you choose America?"
"I dunno! Just seems interesting, I guess. Plus everyone over there is practically mental over the way we talk. That's got to be funny." Ron smiled.
"Yes, I suppose you could rummage up some American girl to fawn over your accent," Hermione teased. "After all, you are quire irresistible…"
"Hush you. I only want you anyways." Ron brushed her curly hair from her cheek and kissed the soft skin he found underneath. "Why do you always assume I would want anyone else?"
Hermione bit her lip and averted his eyes. "Uhm… your turn."
"I do believe I just asked a question," Ron smirked.
Hermione gave a mock-exasperated sigh and mumbled, "I don't know. I just don't see it. I'm just a simple girl."
"That's not true for one second."
"Oh, don't start on that. Really. Bushy hair, no real hobbies other than studying, easily-angered… I could go on."
"I just wish you could see yourself how I see you. You have gorgeous hair. You're bloody brilliant. And passionate… yes, I suppose you are a bit ill-tempered-"
"Hey!" She smacked his arm.
Ron laughed out loud, "See! Don't get violent, you brought it up. I'm defending you against yourself, so you'd better cool it."
He grabbed the offending hand and studied her long, thin fingers.
She sighed and smiled, "I know… I'm sorry. Dunno why I get so…."
Ron began kissing her fingertips lightly. Hermione couldn't help but admire him for these gently affectionate gestures.
"…down on myself…" she trailed off.
Ron looked up and smiled. "Is this too distracting?"
Hermione blushed at his change of tone. His gaze was simply captivating… his long, light eyelashes fall over his blue eyes; the sweetest freckles peppering his fair skin. His lips curved into an innocent smile….
"Not at all…" she smiled, "Your turn."
"I do believe you missed my second question in a row," Ron grinned triumphantly.
"Wha- no! Not fair! I mean it."
"Hey, it was a perfectly fine question!" Ron began tickling her sides.
"NO! Was not- HA! That's not very nice!" she squirmed, "Stop, Ron, please!"
He smiled as Hermione wiggled in his arms, "Or what?"
"Or… AH! Ron, come on, please, I can't breathe!" She laughed, her nose crinkling in the cutest way, Ron thought. "Stop or I'll-"
But before she could finish her scolding, she bumped as mug of hot tea, spilling it all over Ron's shirt.
"AH! Damn…" he frowned.
Hermione gasped, "Oh I'm so sorry… I didn't… it's really hot, are you okay?"
"Fine, yeah. Just sort of…"
"Covered in tea… ha. I honestly didn't mean to…"
Ron fumbled with the front of the soaking wet, scalding hot tee shirt. "It's okay, love, I shouldn't have been so rough."
Hermione scrambled as he shrugged off the offending material. "No, I like it when you're rough. Well… not. Uhm… "
Ron laughed. "You like it when I'm rough with you? Wha- no, why won't you look at me? Oh please, it's not like you've never seen a bloke without a shirt before."
"Of course, it's perfectly fine. Doesn't bother me at all…" Hermione bluffed. Honestly, she was quite nervous. Of course she'd seen him take off his shirt before, but it was different now that they are together… "Uhm, whose turn is it?"
"I can't even remember. I guess I'll go… Have you ever had any dreams about me?"
"Goodness, yes, of course." It was true that she'd dreamt about him, but little did he know there were usually very little clothing and a lot of whipped cream involved…
He nuzzled into her neck. "Tell me about them…"
Hermione giggled has he kissed the skin below her ear. "Uhm… Well, they're not anything too interesting," she lied, "just regular dreams."
Ron came up for air. "As opposed to irregular dreams?"
"Well. Yes. No, I mean- they're…"
"Sexual?"
"Yes…. NO! What? Ronald!"
"Honestly, it's not that big of a deal. I'd love to hear about them."
Ron began slowly rubbing his hands over her jean-clad hips. Hermione sighed.
"Why must you be so damn-"
"Adorable? Irresistible? You said it yourself that I'm irresistible," Ron teased.
"I was going to say 'sexy' but if you'd like me to change my answer…"
Ron groaned and roughly grabbed her hips, pulling her closer.
"No, I very much like that answer. Although nothing could be sexier than you, love."
"RONALD, HERMIONE? Come in already, it's time for bed. You've got a long day ahead of you." Mrs. Weasley shouted to no direction in particular. Thankfully, the two were far enough away not to be caught in such a position.
Hermione whimpered and mumbled, "Why is it always when we get close…"
"I know, it's like she can tell. Bloody creepy."
"I don't want to go in, Ron. We never get to be alone together anymore."
Ron sighed. "I know. We'll get another change, I promise."
He began sitting up and collecting their items when Hermione pulled him back down onto the blanket.
"Whoa, careful! Wh-"
Before he could protest, Hermione pushed him below her and began kissing him deeply. Ron, wide-eyed but content, eventually began to relax into her mouth, kissing back with equal fervor. All he could comprehend was the warmth of her over him and how soft yet demanding her lips were. She smelled of vanilla and cinnamon, probably the sexiest scent in the world, Ron thought. Not so much because she smelled good, though she did, but mostly just because it was so like Hermione. For so long he reveled in the moments when she got relatively close to him, he detected just the slightest scent, and then it was gone once again. This time she was all his. He could talk, hug, kiss, and smell her whenever he pleased.
She pulled back regretfully.
"I'm sorry, I just really had to kiss you just then…" She smiled shyly.
Ron froze, still shocked, high on her ministrations. "No, that was nice…"
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing. Just… no, it was wonderful, really." Ron stood and gathered the blanket, blushing fiercely.
"It doesn't seem like nothing…"
"We should go in." Ron looked away.
"Ron, honestly… I'm sorry… I don't know what I did, I just acted on impulse and-" she began to tear up.
Ron sighed, rather uncomfortably. "Blimey, Mione, don't cry, it's not like that I promise. That was bloody amazing. I uh… am just a bit… indecent." He looked away, embarrassed.
"Oh… uhm. I'm sorry." Hermione couldn't help but gaze at the prominent bulge in his pants.
"No, please don't apologize. It happens, no big deal." Ron smiled gently, ducking to meet her eyes, pulling her chin up. He kissed her with soft, puffy lips.
Hermione chuckled nervously. "I guess we should go in before your mum comes looking…"
"Yes! Good idea."
So, hand in hand, they made their way back to The Burrow.
After being half-heartedly scolded by a busy Mrs. Weasley, the two hurried off to bed. Before Hermione turner into the room she shared with Ginny, Ron caught her hand and pulled her close.
"Sleep tight, okay?"
Hermione reveled in the comfort of his arms.
"Only if you do, too."
"I will," Ron smiled and kissed her forehead. "Sweet dreams tonight."
Hermione wasn't sure, but she though she noticed the faintest wink as he turned to head to his room.
She ducked into Ginny's room. Ginny, who was reading a Quiddich magazine, looked up suspiciously.
"What's all that smiling for? You were out late."
Hermione glanced at the clock. 11:34.
"Oh, I didn't even realize the time." She couldn't help but smile, thinking about how easily time flew by when she was with Ron.
Ginny's eyebrow cocked as she eyed Hermione suspiciously. "Hm, I wonder why you were so distracted…" She grinned evilly.
"No reason," Hermione couldn't help but smile as she crawled into her bed.
Ginny shrugged, "If you say so." She returned to her reading, flipping pages every couple minutes as Hermione drifted to sleep with thoughts of this wonderful nights' activities.
There it is! Hope you like it. Let me know if I need to keep writing. I'm open to constructive criticism!