Watch the Hands!
Spoilers- up to and including HBP
Disclaimer- J.K is the owner; I just like to borrow the characters for my play dates.
Note- I can't even blame lack of sleep, my mind is just plain weird.
Note2- written prior to reading DH
xxx
"Ronald Weasley! Move your hands!"
There was an irritated sigh. "I told you, Hermione, I can't. The more we struggle the tighter these vines get."
Hermione huffed. "This was an excellent plan. 'There's three tunnels, we'll just spilt up.'"
"It wasn't my plan, Hermione."
"But you didn't say anything against it, Ron, and now look where it's got us. Poor Harry's out there on his own."
Ron snorted. "How was I supposed to know two of the tunnels merged?"
"There's a Horcrux here, Ron. Obviously it's going to be protected. Or course there was going to be a booby trap."
"Probably not the best words to use there, Hermione."
Hermione huffed indignantly. "Pervert! Ginny's lucky! At least Harry-"
"Harry's no different from the rest of us, and I don't want to know what went on with Ginny otherwise I'd have to hurt him."
"Not a problem, mate. Never was going to tell you a thing. I like my limbs right where they are."
"Harry!"
Harry grinned. These two had been so involved in arguing with each other they hadn't even noticed him standing there. Not that Harry minded, he needed a minute to sort out what he was seeing.
Hermione and Ron had obviously been captured by a modified Devil's Snare. The vines had wrapped around them and lifted them a few feet off the ground. It wouldn't have been too much of a problem, except booth of Hermione's hands were trapped on Ron's back while Ron had one hand curling around Hermione's hip and the other trapped somewhere between their chests.
Harry raised an eyebrow at them. "Do you two want some time alone?"
"No!" Hermione snapped. "Get us down now. And stop flexing your bloody fingers, Ron. It's irritating."
"They're going numb," Ron protested.
"I'm going to cut them off if you keep it up!"
"All right, all right! No need to get violent. Better get us down, Harry, before she works herself into a fine tizzy."
"Violent? Worked up? You're not the one being groped here!"
"Didn't hear you complain."
"I just did! Again!" Hermione growled fiercely.
Harry hurriedly transformed a rock into a mattress to soften the fall and cast a fireball at the vines holding his friends so tightly together. Predictably, the vines retracted and allowed Ron and Hermione to fall to the mattress.
Almost immediately, Hermione sprung to her feet. "Did you get the cup?"
"Yep." Harry patted the bulky velvet bag that was tied to his hip.
Hermione nodded. "Excellent. Shall we go?"
Without waiting for an answer, Hermione turned on her heel and marched briskly down the tunnel. Harry and Ron followed at a more sedate pace.
Harry casually looked up at Ron. "So…"
Ron cleared his throat. "So?"
"Did you really…?" Harry cupped his hands in front of his chest.
Ron broke into a grin. "Oh yeah."
"What were you doing before the vine-" Harry shook his head. "No, I really don't want to know."
Ron nodded on agreement. "Yeah, that's probably a good idea."
xxx
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