Hey. I know I should be getting on with "Nothing More, Nothing Less," but this idea just came to me and I had the urge to write it down. I am working on the above however; it's just taking a little more time than anticipated!!!
I thought I should get it out before it disrupted aformented story. Or something.
It's just a bit off Ron and Hermione fluff, with Harry and Ginny on the side for good measure, because, lets be honest- it just makes sense!
I added in some commentary by Fred, George, Seamus and Neville. This got a little confusing, so I put their writing in Italics. Hope it doesn't get too difficult to follow, feel free to say if it does! Sorry! This is sort of set in sixth year, and I know that Fred and George wouldn't actually be there, but just humour me ok?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm guessing this will be a two parter, so I present to you, part one.
"All's fair in love and Chess."
Ron stared glumly out of the window in the common room, his nose pressed up against the glass. Outside, the rain poured down violently, showing no signs of relenting.
"Bloody English weather. It's supposed to be summer!" He moaned.
Ron turned from the window, regarding his best friend Hermione. She was curled up on a large, green, squashy sofa. It came as no surprise to him that her nose was buried in a book. He stared at her for a few moments; oblivious to the knowing looks the other Gryffindors were giving each other at this familiar sight.
Ron's infatuation with his female best friend was a source of amusement to the entire population of Gryffindor house, particularly since the red- head in question appeared to be completely oblivious to his feelings. The fact that Hermione quite obviously reciprocated his sentiments had provided further basis for general common room gossip.
Ron walked over, and slumped beside Hermione.
"So. How's my favourite bookworm doing on a miserable day like today?" He asked, looking hopefully at her for a few seconds, before realising he was to receive no response. Irritated, he leaned in to see what the name was of the offending piece of literature she was so engrossed in.
"Hogwarts: a History." He read aloud. "Hermione, for Christ's sake, you must know that thing off by heart by now!!!"
Ron had grown jealous of Hermione's alarmingly large book collection over the years, viewing them as his sworn enemy. The more time Hermione spent with said books, the less time she spent concentrating on Ron, thus ensuring Ron disliked them with a greater intensity than any other inanimate object known to man.
Hermione turned the page, steadfastly ignoring him. She tried desperately to concentrate on a chapter entitled, "1001 reasons not to go into the Forbidden Forest," rather than the redhead beside her.
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"Ten to one she's not really reading that book," Seamus whispered to Neville." The two boys appeared to be involved in a game of cards, but were really just throwing down cards at random, while concentrating on the far more interesting Saga of Ron and Hermione.
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"Hermione, I'm really bored." Ron moaned. "Talk to me."
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"What he means by that is," George whispered as he entered the common room, seating himself by Seamus, followed closely by Fred. "Take me to you're boudoir and ravish me!"
"That's it!" Fred laughed. "You've got to stop reading Ginny's romance novels! Honestly, who says "Ravish?"
George looked sheepish, before the four of them returned their attention to the duo.
*************************************************
Hermione tried to ignore the fact that she had read the same sentence three times.
Realising his campaign to attract her attention was not working, Ron reverted to faithful tactic number 57 on a list he had carefully drawn up in 4th year, entitled,
"Sure Fire ways to distract Hermione, without getting slapped in the process."
Ron had chosen not to tell any one else about the existence of this list, as Harry's comment upon learning of it was, "Mate, you spend way too much time thinking about Hermione."
"Bloody ridiculous" Ron said to himself, thinking about it.
He saw Hermione open her mouth to scold him, "Ron! Don't swear!"
Ron congratulated himself on having inadvertently used tactic number 12 with success. This success was short- lived, however, as she promptly returned to her book.
Ron reasoned it was time to bring in fail safe number 57. He leant purposefully over Hermione's shoulder, leaning on her slightly, and began to read the page she was on. He felt Hermione flinch bedside him.
Hermione snapped her book closed. "Ron, don't do that- you know I hate it."
Ron believed he had succeeded due to tactic 57, Hermione knew it was due to the little bolt of electricity which seemed to shoot through her at the unexpected physical contact. Darned hormones, she complained to herself.
Ron smiled in triumph. "A hah , so you're not deaf I see. That's a relief."
"To you maybe. I wish I could tune you out sometimes." Hermione retorted waspishly.
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"I hear you, sister!" Fred whispered to George who nodded profusely.
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"I'll choose to ignore that last comment." Ron stretched his legs in front of him, and cracked his knuckles. Hermione flinched. "So what are we going to do?" He asked.
"I was not under the impression that "we" were going to do anything, Ronald."
"See, friendly banter." Ron grinned good- naturedly. "I'm feeling more cheerful already."
"Believe me Ron, at no stage was I attempting to be friendly."
"I'll choose to ignore that as well." Ron paused. "I take it you're feeling in the mood to be well and truly thrashed, Miss Granger?"
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Fred, George, Neville and Seamus looked at each other in horror.
"Kin-ky!" whispered Fred.
They tried unsuccessfully to stifle their laughs.
****************************************
Hermione raised an eyebrow, looking as if she was about to erupt when Ron added hastily:
"You see, my chess set were informing me earlier that they craved fresh blood, and I think it's only right that I satisfy their whim."
"I don't see what your bloodthirsty chess set have to do with me, Ron"
"Don't you? I would have thought it was about time for a Weasley –Granger showdown. But you know, if you're not prepared to loose, I'll understand. Loosing must get pretty demoralising after a while." He absentmindedly picked up Hogwarts: a History, and began flicking through it.
Hermione looked mutinous, then her face broke into a smile. "You know, you're far too cocky for your own good, Weasley. I think it's about time I wiped that smirk off your face."
"Yeah, that's going to happen." Ron laughed. "But may I remind you of the whitewash that was our last game. Have your set quite recovered by the way?"
"Cut the chit chat Weasley, I've got a game to win." Hermione took her seat on one side of a small table, and began to line up her troops like a military commander. Ron watched, vaguely amused as she pulled her hair from her face and tied it in a loose ponytail
***************************************
"The boys' doomed." Fred told the others. "He stands no chance."
"What are you on about?" Seamus scoffed. "Ron's great at chess, he's unbeatable."
"Ahah, but you forget who his opponent is." George added.
"What are you suggesting?" Neville asked.
"I'm suggesting that little Ronniekins may get a little distracted. I mean look at him…"
The four turned to Ron, who was gazing at Hermione with a look on his face that none of them wanted to analyse.
"Pathetic." George spat.
"He's going to disgrace the family name!" Fred moaned. "I can't watch!"
*******************************************
"Ok. Are you sure you're ready for this Hermione?" Ron asked, questioningly, whilst performing a series of complicated stretches.
Hermione looked at him and burst out laughing. "What the hell are you doing?" She spluttered.
Ron looked puzzled. "Warming up," he said, as if it were obvious.
"Ron, we're talking about a game of chess, not a Quidditch match."
"It pays to be prepared, Hermione."
Hermione just shook her head in slight disbelief. "Well, are you prepared enough yet? Can we begin the match?"
Ron sat down opposite her, setting up his pieces. "Whenever you're ready, Mione, you just fire away."
Hermione didn't reply, but moved her pawn, before returning her eyes back to Ron, a defiant expression on her face.
"You're up Weasley."
***************************************
"Oh god, I can't watch this. It's like some form of extended foreplay!" George exclaimed.
Again, Fred looked at him, aghast. "Seriously George, what's wrong with you? It's a game of chess! An innocent pastime, not some illicit affair!"
"Fred, Fred. You're so naïve! Have you seen the looks their giving each other?" George gestured towards Ron and Hermione wildly.
"You're weird in the head, you know that? Those books have damaged you some how. I may well sue!"
*******************************************
Hermione looked at Ron expectantly. Ron eyeballed her, looking as if he were about to perform a dangerous move.
He moved a pawn.
Hermione snorted
Ron blew her a kiss.
The crowd (Fred, George, Seamus and Neville) went wild. "See?" George exclaimed.
"I think," Fred said, in a patronising tone, "That was supposed to be somewhat sarcastic."
"Fred, have you no romance in your soul? How can you blow a sarcastic kiss? Look a the subtext, Fred, the subtext."
*********************************************
As Hermione prepared to move again, Ginny entered the common room, looking slightly forlorn and muddy. She'd been out practising Quidditch with Harry, but it seemed they'd abandoned due to the rain.
"You alright, Gin?" Ron asked, in a concerned sort of tone, temporarily abandoning the game.
"Yeah, I guess", Ginny, replied, despondently.
"Do you want to tell us what's up, or should we not ask?" Hermione questioned.
"Bugger that," Ron exclaimed. "I'm asking. "Is it that twat, Dean?"
"Ron!" Hemione scolded, "You like Dean."
Ron humphed. "Not when he's messing my sister around I don't."
"Ron, it's nothing to do with Dean!" Ginny cried. "And he's not messing me around!"
"Yeah, well." Ron muttered, loud enough for both the girls to hear. "Still think you'd be better with Harry."
Hermione gave Ron a swift kick under the table.
Ginny looked tearful, "I don't think he's exactly interested Ron!"
At this Harry, looking equally dishevelled, wandered into the common room. He spotted Ginny and appeared not to notice Ron and Hermione. Harry's eyes softened and he looked set to walk over to Ginny, when Dean bounded in, knocking Harry in his haste.
"Alright Gin!" Dean didn't notice her puffy eyes. "I'm off to Dungbomb Filch! Wanna come?" Ginny quickly shook her head.
Ron noticed Hermione flinch at the mention of "Dungbomb"
"As a Prefect!" She began.
"Ron returned her kick, motioned to Ginny and said. "She'll just pretend she didn't hear that, mate. Off you go."
Dean laughed. "Nice one. You guys rock. See you soon Gin." He leant over and kissed her, before running off.
Ginny wondered if she'd imagined the slightly pained expression on Harry's face after he'd witnessed her exchange with Dean.
"What are you doing with that loser?" Ron exclaimed, once Dean had left. Ginny only shrugged, as she was thinking a somewhat similar thought herself.
Harry wandered toward the table, looking what can only be described as dreadful.
He seemed to address them all, but looked only at Ginny. "I er…I " He looked as if he were about to say something important, but seemed to change his mind. "I gotta………… go." With that he turned and ran up the stairs.
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"I sense there is some tension there." George confided in the other three.
This time George said nothing. He seemed more interested in what was going on with the chessboard. .
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Ginny seemed to be concentrating on that suddenly too. Ron noticed nothing, as he had once again been distracted by the colour of Hermione's eyes. Shaking himself out of his reverie, he chastised himself.
Ginny began to laugh, and Ron and Hermione looked at each other in relief.
"Er, Gin, what's so funny?" Ron asked. Hermione looked slightly nervous as she noticed that by this time Fred, George, Seamus and Neville had all congregated around the table as well.
"Ron, Hermione," Ginny said through her laughter. "Look at your chess pieces."
To be continued………………………..
What time is it? Oh yeah. Time for you to………………review!!!!
Ahem.
Please?