The Romanticism of Simplicity
Chapter One
Voldemort is dead, the Death Eaters have been scattered to the wind and peace has been restored. It had taken three long years, but it was finally over. Utterly, completely, undeniably over. The story of Harry Potter's defeat of the Dark Lord spread like wildfire throughout the wizarding community and within the hour the boy who lived had become the cause of mass celebration. Magical beings of all races, ages and creeds flooded the streets in honor of their new found freedom. Banners were raised, headlines were written and letters were sent in the unlikely case that someone hadn't heard the news. It was a glorious time indeed for wizards and muggles alike. It was the beginning of a world free of worry and the fear of the spread of Dark Magic. A world with promise so abundant that it was blinding. Evil had been dissolved and as far as they were concerned, was gone forever. And even if there was anything else lurking behind the golden haze, how bad could it be? The worst was over...right?
It had been four years since Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger had graduated form Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and with the absence of Voldemort they had managed to create a comfortable life for themselves. Harry had joined on as seeker for England and Ron and Hermione had become aurors for the Ministry of Magic. Something they were both very good at, but for very different reasons. If nothing, they were happy and happiness is nothing to be taken lightly. At least that's what Arthur and Molly Weasley say.
About a year after graduation, the trio had discovered an amazing building tucked away in a quaint, old wizarding community and it had been just the three of them ever since, Hermione on the top floor, Harry on the thrid and Ron on the second. But now, things were about to change. Their landlord, a dwarf by the name of Heymus Heffleman, came to them and told them that he had decided to rent out the first floor flat.
"A new neighbor might do you all some good," Heymus asserted, unlocking the door to the empty flat.
"But we like it this way," Hermione exclaimed, running her finger across the thick layer of dust that had accumulated on the mantle.
"And you'll like it just as much with one more person."
"What if this person is mental or something?" Ron pondered. "What if, what if this person..."
"What if you just left it to me?"
"Are we at least going to get to meet the person before you decide?" Harry asked.
"It depends," Heymus answered
"On what?"
"On how much I like the person. I'll probably just have whoever it is move in on the spot."
"Gee, thanks," Ron contorted.
He sighed wearily. "Don't you have any faith in me at all?"
Hermione, who felt bad for doubting him, gave him a small squeeze. "Of course we do."
"I'm not going to allow someone in here who would run off my other tennants. The whole point behind opening up this flat is to make more money."
"Oh, well in that case," Harry laughed. "We can rest easy tonight."
Heymus spent the next couple of months searching for the "right" person for his open flat. He ran people in and out of the place as though it were a wash and go, everyday going through about twenty people. Eventually though, the people stopped coming and Ron, Harry and Hermione began to wonder if he had given up. Before they ever got the chance to ask though, the answer showed up at the door.
"Hul-hullo?" A small, feminine voice rang out from the butler's horn in Harry's flat.
Ron, Harry and Hermione all looked up, confused.
"Is anyone there?" it spoke again.
Harry moved over to his door so that whoever it was could hear him better. "Can I help you?"
"Oh thank goodness!" she breathed. "Sorry to bother you, but I just moved into the downstairs flat and I've misplaced my key. Would you mind letting me in?"
"Sure. I'll be down in a second."
The trio shared an excited glance as they made their way down the stairs to the front door which opened to reveal a rather pretty girl about their age with long, dark blonde hair and shocking green eyes.
"Sorry," she grinned nervously. "I must have dropped it or something on my way here."
"No problem," Harry smiled, moving aside to allow her through. "I'm Harry Potter by the way and this is Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley."
"My word," she laughed, looking each of them up and down. "You are aren't you?" When it was clear that they had no idea who she was, she continued. "Gemma Herrin. We went to Hogwart's together."
It took a second or two, but it eventually dawned on them.
"You look fantastic!" Hermione cried, pulling her into a tight hug.
"So do you! You know, I didn't even know anyone else lived here until just now."
"Really? I'm surprised Heymus didn't say anything about us." Ron stated.
"Yes, well, he's a bit strange isn't he?" she smiled.
"A little."
"Anyway, I've gotta say, I've never been more happy to have flat mates in my life. When I couldn't find my key I was sure I'd never be able to get in," she laughed.
"Listen," Harry continued. "Is there anything we can help you with? Boxes," he looked around "...anything?"
"I sent almost everything through the Floo Network yesterday, which, come to think of it, is probably what happened to my key." She glanced down at the box she had been carrying. "This is the last of it."
Ron, beating Harry to the punch, picked it up and smiled brightly. "Lead the way."
Gemma couldn't help but grin at the guy as the four of them stepped into her spacious loft. He was rather cute with his red hair and blue eyes and she could tell straight away that she was going to enjoy having him as a neighbor.
"What a mess," she sighed, taking in the sea of boxes and furniture.
"I think I found your key," Hermione explained, picking up a small bronze trinket from the mantle and handing it to her.
"Thanks," she sighed. "Thoughtful of them wasn't it?"
"So," Harry chimed in. "Would you like some help sorting this all out?"
She shook her head. "I think I can manage."
"Right, well, you know where to find us if you change your mind."
Gemma maneuvered into the open living room as best she could so as to examine it a little more closely. "Thanks. I just might."
The three friends headed back upstairs to Harry's flat.
"She's something isn't she?" Ron asked. A broad grin had settle comfortably onto his face.
"Oh stop it," Hermione giggled. "She just got here."
"What's that got to do with her being good looking?"
"At least let her settle in before you go jumping on her."
The next morning Gemma awoke to sunshine as buttery as toast pouring in through the french doors of her bedroom balcony. She had spent the night sorting through those mounds of boxes and had almost completely gotten everything put away before retreating to bed. As she worked, she could here Harry, Hermione and Ron laughing upstairs and more than a few times had to fight the urge to run up there and join them. They seemed like such great people. People she had always wanted to get to know, but she didn't want to seem overbearing by pushing a conversation.
She spent the next few hours finishing up her flat and just being alltogether lazy. It wasn't until around 2 that she even considered getting dressed and that was only because her boyfriend, David, was bringing dinner. Since it was going to be a while before he'd show up though, she decided to take a long, leizurely soak in her claw-footed tub, indulging in all her favorite suds and potions. She came out of the heavenly water, feeling extremely content and completely feminine.
The smooth, sensuous scent of vanilla lingered in the air as she slipped on her favorite pair of slim-fitting jeans and a white, silk top that hugged her torso in all the right places. Her hair was left to dry in soft waves while she applied the tiniest bit of make-up, careful to remember the sultry lip gloss that she knew David liked so well. Once done, Gemma stood back to admire her self in the mirror. She wasn't at all bad looking, she thought. Her breasts were small, but full and quite appropriate for her height of 5'6". Her round hips were a testiment to her femininity and while she may not ever be a supermodel, she was quite pleased with herself just the same.
After a few minutes she was torn from her thoughts by a knock at the door and as she stepped out to answer it, she realized that her heart was beating rapidly with anticipation.
"Coming," she called, reaching out to twist the doorknob open. "Oh, hullo."
Ron smiled back at her from the other side. "I just ca-" he stopped suddenly, stepping back slightly so that he could take her entire self in. "You l-look great."
"Thanks," she grinned, feeling the heat rise to her already rosy cheeks.
He couldn't help but notice how the creamy fabric of her blouse pulled across her breasts with the greatest of ease and the how the light glittered tauntingly off of her full lips.
"G-going somewhere?" he choked out, trying to sound as non-chalant as possible.
"My boyfriend is bringing dinner later."
"Oh." Ron seemed rather dissappointed by this news.
"Did you need something?" Gemma asked, focusing hard on not letting her eyes travel down his long body. He really looked fantastic in that grey jumper and those faded jeans.
"Actually, I came to see if you'd like to have dinner with the three of us. You know, so we could maybe get to know eachother a bit, or, catch up I should say."
"That's a wonderful idea," she exclaimed. "I don't know if I can stop by tonight though. I'll have to see what David's planned."
"Great," Ron said. "We'll be at Hermione's, uh, the top flat. Come by if you get the chance."
She nodded. "If I can't make it tonight I'll come up tomorrow and we can work something out."
His smile was incredible. "Well," he began. "Have a good dinner then and I guess I'll see you around."
"I definately want to chat with you guys," Gemma assured him as he turned to walk back up the stairs. He was just about out of sight, when she blurted out, "And Ron,"
He stepped back down a couple of steps, staring at her. "Yeah?"
Suddenly, everything she'd ever wanted to say to him came tumbling out of the nooks and crannies of her brain like some horrendous avalanche and not a single word of it seemed to make since. "Er," she began, becoming very aware of her hands. "I was just wondering if you remembered me at all," she paused to find his eyes. "You know...from Hogwarts?"
"Uh," he took two more steps down to her. "Well,"
"It's all right if you don't," she quickly stated. "I was just wondering."
"I actually," he started to tell her about the time in Greenhouse 2, but thought better of it.
"What?" she asked, urging him to take the last steps down.
"I do remember you."
"Honestly?"
He nodded. "Really well."
She thought her cheeks must be glowing by now. "We never talked much did we?"
"Nope."
Gemma didn't know if it was because of nerves or what, but before she could stop herself, she started rambling on about a certain, random memory. "This is probably going to sound stupid, but it's always sort of bothered me."
"What is it?" He was now standing in front of her.
"Well, we were in Herbology once and you said something to me, or at least I think it was you, but I didn't quite catch what it was. And then, I could have sworn you were going to ask me something, but I got pulled away..."
"By James," he finished her sentence.
"You remember that?"
"How could I forget?" He appeared to be speaking more to himself than to her.
"What do you mean?"
He caught her eyes again and looked away quickly, scrutinizing his shoes. "I never got the nerve to start up that conversation again after that."
"What were you going to say?"
"I, well I-I sort of liked you."
"You did?" she laughed nervously, running her hands through her thick hair.
"Yeah I did." Ron flushed bright red. "I was going to ask you on a date. We had a Hogsmeade trip that weekend."
"I remember," she smiled. "You should have asked me."
"It's probably better that I didn't."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because you got together with James after that. You would have just said no."
"Ron," she giggled. "James was my friend. We never dated."
"But...Hermione said..."
"Hermione saw us together once."
"Doing what?"
She hadn't thought about all of this in years. "The day before that day in Herbology, James and I were in the library studying for something and Hermione was at the table across from us. I'm still not sure exactly what happened, but he kissed me and, well, that was it really."
"I always thought..."
"I think everyone thought that," she grinned. "But we never liked eachother like that. I think he was just making sure is all."
"Why didn't you ever say anything to me?" he asked, embarrassed that he had never had the guts himself.
"I dunno. Just scared I suppose."
"Wow,"
"I really wanted to seventh year, but with all that was going on, it just didn't feel apporopriate."
Ron thought back to the height of Voldemort's return. How much he had wanted and needed someone to confide in (other than Hermione and Harry). How lonely had had been. "I could have used you then."
"Even with everything else?" she questioned, amazed.
"It would have been nice to be in love with someone..." he realized what he had said and did his best to repair the damage. "Not that I'm saying I was in love with you or anything, er, I don't mean that I didn't , bugger, I hope that didn't come out as weird as I think it did."
"No," Gemma shook. "I know exactly what you mean. It was rough for everyone," she sighed deeply. "If I had know, I would have, well, I would have said something."
"Me too."
"It's kind of sad isn't it?" she looked back up into his eyes. "Realizing something like this."
He nodded.
"I mean, we could have really had something." The words gave her goosebumps.
Ron was already kicking himself inside for chickening out.
She continued. "And after all these years we meet back up and I've got a boyfriend. It's a shame."
"Well, friends wouldn't be so bad would it?" he suggested with a smirk. "We always got along back in school, you know, when we would talk to eachother."
"Friends actually sounds really good," she exclaimed.
"Friends it is then."
"Okay," Gemma giggled.
She watched him until he was gone and spent the rest of the rest of her time alone trying to cough up the butterflies that had flown into her throat.
Around 8 that night, David arrived with a basket full of warm Chinese.
"You look unbelievable," he murmured, pulling her close and kissing her deeply. "Mmmmm."
"Mmm what," she laughed.
He ran his tongue down her throat playfully, pressing his lips firmly against her supple skin. "You smell good enough to eat," he examined.
She drew his face back up to hers and pecked the side of his mouth softly. "If you play your cards right, I might just let you have a taste."
David grinned mischevously. "How did I ever get mixed up with such a magnificent tease?"
"Just lucky I guess," she replied, pulling away and taking the food over to the table.
As she set out the plates and opened the boxes, he had a look around the place.
"This is great," he said, testing out the overstuffed couch.
"Do you like it?"
"I love it. Who would have thought you'd find a place like this in such an old wizarding community."
"I can't believe it either. My neighbors are really great as well."
"You know, rumor has it the infamous Harry Potter lives somewhere around here."
"There just might be some truth to that," Gemma winked, setting out some eggrolls.
"Really?" David asked, getting back up and joining her in the dining area. "Have you seen him?"
"We can have dinner with him tonight if you don't mind postponing our little rendezvous."
"Oh, I don't know," he sighed, wrapping his arms around her tightly. "You look a little too good to put off, even if it is to meet one of the greatest quidditch players of this century."
"Keep touching me like that and we won't make it through the fried rice."
As it were, they hardly made it through dinner before giving into temptation and spent the rest of the night tangled up in her sheets, making a meal out of eachother.
When morning came around, they reluctantly rolled out of bed and she watched him as he threw on his clothes.
"You look even better the morning after," he moaned, slipping his arms into the robe she had pulled on and pushing her firmly against himself.
She kissed him feverishly, biting his bottom lip ever so slightly. "Careful," she grinned. "Don't want to be late for class."
"They would wait."
"Not long."
After readjusting her robe and making sure he had everyhting, Gemma walked him out.
"How about lunch?" He asked.
"I can't."
He kissed her deeply.
"I still can't," she giggled.
They were in the process of sharing another long embrace when they heard footsteps on the stairs.
"Oh! 'Scuse us!" Harry exclaimed, shading his eyes and trying to turn Ron back around.
"Oh no! It's okay really!" Gemma laughed. "David was just leaving."
The two of them came down slowly, unsure of what to do.
"Um, David, this is Harry Potter and Ron Weasley."
They all shook hands.
"Wow," David breathed, eyeing Harry's forehead. "It's a real pleasure."
"Same here," Harry replied.
"Where are you headed off to?" Gemma asked, ignoring the warmth that was quickly spreading though her body from knowing Ron's eyes were on her.
"Harry's got practice, and I was just on my way to pick up breakfast. Hermione's upstiars."
"Oh. Do you have a minute? I'll go with you."
Ron, who had been hoping to run into her anyway, nodded. "Sure."
She gave David one last, tiny kiss on the cheek and waved goodbye.
"Well, I'm off as well," Harry added. "Nice seeing you again Gemma."
"You too Harry," she agreed.
"We'll save some for you mate," Ron added.
"Thanks."
When David and Harry had both gone, Gemma ushered Ron into her flat.
"I'll just be a minute or so," she assured him. "Make yourself at home."
Ron gave her a comforting grin. "Take your time."
She dissappeared into the bedroom and he examined the space more closely.
"The place looks great," he called after her, examining the pictures on the mantle.
"Thanks. I finished it yesterday," she called back.
It wasn't long before she emerged, wearing a thick knit toggle cardigan and her second favorite pair of jeans.
"Ready?"
"Yep."
"I'm starving."
The streets outside their flats were bustling with witches and wizards of all ages and types all seeming to have somewhere extrememly important to be. A few were rather rude as they pushed by while others were quite sociable, stopping to utter polite salutations and well wishes.
Outside of Pennylow's Perfect Pasties, the neighborhood bakery, they ran into a couple of other old friends from Hogwart's, Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas.
"It's good to see you mate," Ron exclaimed, patting Seamus on the shoulder. "It's been a while."
"Been out of the country," He explained. "Working my bum off."
Dean, who had been staring at Gemma, chimed in. "Well, I've been right here all the time and look what I've missed."
Gemma wasn't sure whether she should be offended or flattered by his overly obvious gawking.
Seamus, who hadn't really noticed her at all until that moment, turned to get a better look at her. "No way...Gemma?"
She grinned in acknowledgement.
"I haven't seen you in years!"
"I know!"
"Where've you been?"
"Oh you know," she shrugged. "Around."
"So, are you two together or something?" Dean asked, remembering the crush Ron had had on her way back when.
The question brought a rosy flush to each of their cheeks.
"No," Ron answered. "Gemma just moved into our building."
"Well, in that case, I'll be coming around alot more often," he winked.
There was an awkward moment in which both Ron and Gemma weren't sure exactly what to say.
"Well, we beter hurry. Hermione's waiting," Ron finally choked out.
"Yeah, we've got to be going as well," Dean said, glancing down at his wrist watch. "C'mere you," he grinned, pulling Gemma into a tight squeeze. "Don't be a stranger."
"I'll do my best," she lied.
"Sorry about him," Seamus sighed once Dean was out of ear shot. "He's a bit off if you know what I mean."
"I'll take your word for it," she snickered.
"C'mon," Ron continued. "We probably should get back."
"They haven't changed a bit."
Back at Hermione's flat, they all shared a big breakfast of eggs and sausage, pumpkin pasties, cinnamon whirls and coffee. While they ate, Gemma told them as much as she could about herself and they did the same. Each of them shared funny stories from their days at Hogwart's and told jokes about their families (Ron's were always the best) and friends. When it was all said and done, they had ended up talking for a little over three hours and unknowingly had layed the foundation for three very strong friendships.
Over the next 4 months, Gemma and Harry also became aqquainted with eachother and before long, it was as if she had always been a part of the group. Hermione, especially, was thankful to have another girl around to talk to. She'd never had anyone that she could go to when she needed to discuss both Ron and Harry, or even just to kid around about them for that matter. Of course, there was always Ginny, but it would be a little awkward trying to strike up a conversation about Ron with her. Harry also loved to sit and chat with Gemma. It seemed like she always knew just what to say to make him laugh, even if he'd been having a particularly terrible day. Ron, on the other hand, enjoyed talking with Gemma, but for different reasons. Sure she was turning out to be an amazing friend, but he wanted more than that. Everytime he was with her, he had to fight the urge to reach out and pull her close. He found himself wondering what her lips must feel like and how he was ever going to be able to cope with being "just friends". How could he possibly keep his feelings for her bottled up? In a nutshell, she was everything he'd ever wanted and everything he'd never be able to have.
What Ron didn't know though, was that Gemma was experiencing those same exact feelings. She hid them well of course, but every day it got a little bit harder. She had an insatiable craving for his touch, his attention. So much so that she would linger in the hallways in the hopes of running into him and ask to borrow things just to strike up a conversation. 'This is wrong' she would tell herself when those oh so familiar butterflies would start fluttering around in the pit of her stomach. 'You're with David. You love David. Ron's your friend and that's all there is to it'. She convinced herself time and time again that if she were single then things would be different, but that just wasn't the case. She did her best to push him as far out of her mind as possible, but she too would lie awake at night, fanticizing about the moment at dinner when their hands brushed against eachother or when their bodies touched slightly as she passed him on the stairs. No matter what Gemma did, she couldn't get him out of her mind. Everything, every single, solitary thought, always lead back to him. She could be catching up on the history and survival of blast ended skrewts and suddenly she would be reminded of a joke he told two weeks prior. It was a pitiless situation to be in to say the least and left them both wishing for one of two things: 1. For Gemma and David to split up or 2. For their infatuation with eachother to fade.
"So," Harry asked one morning while they were having breakfast together. "What should we do today?"
"I'm not sure," Hermione answered taking a sip of her coffee and gently setting it back down on the table. "I'm free all day though."
"Same here," Ron added.
Gemma gave a small laugh. "We're a sad bunch aren't we? It's a Saturday and not one of us has a thing to do."
"I thought you were going out with David tonight?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, but that's not until around eight or something. 'Til then I'm free as well."
"At least you've got something planned, unlike the three of us."
"Hey, you all could have dates to you know," she stated matter-of-factly. "You just don't like to take chances. I mean, really Harry, you can't go anywhere without a flock of girls nipping at your heels and Hermione, what about that guy you're always talking about? What's his name...John? Why don't you call him up and ask him to dinner? And Ron, I'm sure there's tons of girls who'd like a little attention from you."
He shook his head. "Not that I know of."
"What about that Gillian girl from work? She's sweet."
"Not interested."
"Why not?"
"I'm just not."
"You have to have a reason."
"Well I don't," he contorted.
"It's worth a shot isn't it? I mean, you never know. She could be 'the one'."
"She's right Ron," Hermione exclaimed. "Wouldn't it be awful if the girl of your dreams were right in front of you and you never even knew because you were just too scared to ask?"
The girl of my dreams is right in front of me' he thought desperately. "If by not asking out this Gillian person, I spend my last days alone and bitter, I'll be sure to think of this moment so that I can give myself a good knock in the ass for the both of you. How's that sound?"
"I'll take it," Gemma smiled.
"I like being single," Harry stated, tossing the Daily Prophet aside.
"You do do you?" Hermione snickered.
"Yeah I do. Dating's not all it's cracked up to be."
"I don't mind it," Gemma declared.
"Well, It's a real pain if you ask me."
"You probably just haven't dated anyone you were that interested in."
"It's not that, I just don't like picking the person up and sitting through dinner and all that stuff."
Gemma got up and began to clear the table. "I guess I can understand that. It is a bit uncomfortable at first. You don't know what to say, you can't figure out what to do with your hands...it's kind of embarrassing."
"Exactly. I would rather just stay at home with my friends and be bored."
"Thanks mate," Ron laughed, grabbing his plate and glass and taking them over to the sink where she was standing.
"Don't you ever get lonely though?" she asked him while placing a dishwashing charm on the sink.
'You have no idea' he thought. "Not really."
"Hmm. Then I suppose you never get the itch to go out."
"Sure I do, but like Harry, I'd rather be with you all."
Chapter One
Voldemort is dead, the Death Eaters have been scattered to the wind and peace has been restored. It had taken three long years, but it was finally over. Utterly, completely, undeniably over. The story of Harry Potter's defeat of the Dark Lord spread like wildfire throughout the wizarding community and within the hour the boy who lived had become the cause of mass celebration. Magical beings of all races, ages and creeds flooded the streets in honor of their new found freedom. Banners were raised, headlines were written and letters were sent in the unlikely case that someone hadn't heard the news. It was a glorious time indeed for wizards and muggles alike. It was the beginning of a world free of worry and the fear of the spread of Dark Magic. A world with promise so abundant that it was blinding. Evil had been dissolved and as far as they were concerned, was gone forever. And even if there was anything else lurking behind the golden haze, how bad could it be? The worst was over...right?
It had been four years since Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger had graduated form Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and with the absence of Voldemort they had managed to create a comfortable life for themselves. Harry had joined on as seeker for England and Ron and Hermione had become aurors for the Ministry of Magic. Something they were both very good at, but for very different reasons. If nothing, they were happy and happiness is nothing to be taken lightly. At least that's what Arthur and Molly Weasley say.
About a year after graduation, the trio had discovered an amazing building tucked away in a quaint, old wizarding community and it had been just the three of them ever since, Hermione on the top floor, Harry on the thrid and Ron on the second. But now, things were about to change. Their landlord, a dwarf by the name of Heymus Heffleman, came to them and told them that he had decided to rent out the first floor flat.
"A new neighbor might do you all some good," Heymus asserted, unlocking the door to the empty flat.
"But we like it this way," Hermione exclaimed, running her finger across the thick layer of dust that had accumulated on the mantle.
"And you'll like it just as much with one more person."
"What if this person is mental or something?" Ron pondered. "What if, what if this person..."
"What if you just left it to me?"
"Are we at least going to get to meet the person before you decide?" Harry asked.
"It depends," Heymus answered
"On what?"
"On how much I like the person. I'll probably just have whoever it is move in on the spot."
"Gee, thanks," Ron contorted.
He sighed wearily. "Don't you have any faith in me at all?"
Hermione, who felt bad for doubting him, gave him a small squeeze. "Of course we do."
"I'm not going to allow someone in here who would run off my other tennants. The whole point behind opening up this flat is to make more money."
"Oh, well in that case," Harry laughed. "We can rest easy tonight."
Heymus spent the next couple of months searching for the "right" person for his open flat. He ran people in and out of the place as though it were a wash and go, everyday going through about twenty people. Eventually though, the people stopped coming and Ron, Harry and Hermione began to wonder if he had given up. Before they ever got the chance to ask though, the answer showed up at the door.
"Hul-hullo?" A small, feminine voice rang out from the butler's horn in Harry's flat.
Ron, Harry and Hermione all looked up, confused.
"Is anyone there?" it spoke again.
Harry moved over to his door so that whoever it was could hear him better. "Can I help you?"
"Oh thank goodness!" she breathed. "Sorry to bother you, but I just moved into the downstairs flat and I've misplaced my key. Would you mind letting me in?"
"Sure. I'll be down in a second."
The trio shared an excited glance as they made their way down the stairs to the front door which opened to reveal a rather pretty girl about their age with long, dark blonde hair and shocking green eyes.
"Sorry," she grinned nervously. "I must have dropped it or something on my way here."
"No problem," Harry smiled, moving aside to allow her through. "I'm Harry Potter by the way and this is Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley."
"My word," she laughed, looking each of them up and down. "You are aren't you?" When it was clear that they had no idea who she was, she continued. "Gemma Herrin. We went to Hogwart's together."
It took a second or two, but it eventually dawned on them.
"You look fantastic!" Hermione cried, pulling her into a tight hug.
"So do you! You know, I didn't even know anyone else lived here until just now."
"Really? I'm surprised Heymus didn't say anything about us." Ron stated.
"Yes, well, he's a bit strange isn't he?" she smiled.
"A little."
"Anyway, I've gotta say, I've never been more happy to have flat mates in my life. When I couldn't find my key I was sure I'd never be able to get in," she laughed.
"Listen," Harry continued. "Is there anything we can help you with? Boxes," he looked around "...anything?"
"I sent almost everything through the Floo Network yesterday, which, come to think of it, is probably what happened to my key." She glanced down at the box she had been carrying. "This is the last of it."
Ron, beating Harry to the punch, picked it up and smiled brightly. "Lead the way."
Gemma couldn't help but grin at the guy as the four of them stepped into her spacious loft. He was rather cute with his red hair and blue eyes and she could tell straight away that she was going to enjoy having him as a neighbor.
"What a mess," she sighed, taking in the sea of boxes and furniture.
"I think I found your key," Hermione explained, picking up a small bronze trinket from the mantle and handing it to her.
"Thanks," she sighed. "Thoughtful of them wasn't it?"
"So," Harry chimed in. "Would you like some help sorting this all out?"
She shook her head. "I think I can manage."
"Right, well, you know where to find us if you change your mind."
Gemma maneuvered into the open living room as best she could so as to examine it a little more closely. "Thanks. I just might."
The three friends headed back upstairs to Harry's flat.
"She's something isn't she?" Ron asked. A broad grin had settle comfortably onto his face.
"Oh stop it," Hermione giggled. "She just got here."
"What's that got to do with her being good looking?"
"At least let her settle in before you go jumping on her."
The next morning Gemma awoke to sunshine as buttery as toast pouring in through the french doors of her bedroom balcony. She had spent the night sorting through those mounds of boxes and had almost completely gotten everything put away before retreating to bed. As she worked, she could here Harry, Hermione and Ron laughing upstairs and more than a few times had to fight the urge to run up there and join them. They seemed like such great people. People she had always wanted to get to know, but she didn't want to seem overbearing by pushing a conversation.
She spent the next few hours finishing up her flat and just being alltogether lazy. It wasn't until around 2 that she even considered getting dressed and that was only because her boyfriend, David, was bringing dinner. Since it was going to be a while before he'd show up though, she decided to take a long, leizurely soak in her claw-footed tub, indulging in all her favorite suds and potions. She came out of the heavenly water, feeling extremely content and completely feminine.
The smooth, sensuous scent of vanilla lingered in the air as she slipped on her favorite pair of slim-fitting jeans and a white, silk top that hugged her torso in all the right places. Her hair was left to dry in soft waves while she applied the tiniest bit of make-up, careful to remember the sultry lip gloss that she knew David liked so well. Once done, Gemma stood back to admire her self in the mirror. She wasn't at all bad looking, she thought. Her breasts were small, but full and quite appropriate for her height of 5'6". Her round hips were a testiment to her femininity and while she may not ever be a supermodel, she was quite pleased with herself just the same.
After a few minutes she was torn from her thoughts by a knock at the door and as she stepped out to answer it, she realized that her heart was beating rapidly with anticipation.
"Coming," she called, reaching out to twist the doorknob open. "Oh, hullo."
Ron smiled back at her from the other side. "I just ca-" he stopped suddenly, stepping back slightly so that he could take her entire self in. "You l-look great."
"Thanks," she grinned, feeling the heat rise to her already rosy cheeks.
He couldn't help but notice how the creamy fabric of her blouse pulled across her breasts with the greatest of ease and the how the light glittered tauntingly off of her full lips.
"G-going somewhere?" he choked out, trying to sound as non-chalant as possible.
"My boyfriend is bringing dinner later."
"Oh." Ron seemed rather dissappointed by this news.
"Did you need something?" Gemma asked, focusing hard on not letting her eyes travel down his long body. He really looked fantastic in that grey jumper and those faded jeans.
"Actually, I came to see if you'd like to have dinner with the three of us. You know, so we could maybe get to know eachother a bit, or, catch up I should say."
"That's a wonderful idea," she exclaimed. "I don't know if I can stop by tonight though. I'll have to see what David's planned."
"Great," Ron said. "We'll be at Hermione's, uh, the top flat. Come by if you get the chance."
She nodded. "If I can't make it tonight I'll come up tomorrow and we can work something out."
His smile was incredible. "Well," he began. "Have a good dinner then and I guess I'll see you around."
"I definately want to chat with you guys," Gemma assured him as he turned to walk back up the stairs. He was just about out of sight, when she blurted out, "And Ron,"
He stepped back down a couple of steps, staring at her. "Yeah?"
Suddenly, everything she'd ever wanted to say to him came tumbling out of the nooks and crannies of her brain like some horrendous avalanche and not a single word of it seemed to make since. "Er," she began, becoming very aware of her hands. "I was just wondering if you remembered me at all," she paused to find his eyes. "You know...from Hogwarts?"
"Uh," he took two more steps down to her. "Well,"
"It's all right if you don't," she quickly stated. "I was just wondering."
"I actually," he started to tell her about the time in Greenhouse 2, but thought better of it.
"What?" she asked, urging him to take the last steps down.
"I do remember you."
"Honestly?"
He nodded. "Really well."
She thought her cheeks must be glowing by now. "We never talked much did we?"
"Nope."
Gemma didn't know if it was because of nerves or what, but before she could stop herself, she started rambling on about a certain, random memory. "This is probably going to sound stupid, but it's always sort of bothered me."
"What is it?" He was now standing in front of her.
"Well, we were in Herbology once and you said something to me, or at least I think it was you, but I didn't quite catch what it was. And then, I could have sworn you were going to ask me something, but I got pulled away..."
"By James," he finished her sentence.
"You remember that?"
"How could I forget?" He appeared to be speaking more to himself than to her.
"What do you mean?"
He caught her eyes again and looked away quickly, scrutinizing his shoes. "I never got the nerve to start up that conversation again after that."
"What were you going to say?"
"I, well I-I sort of liked you."
"You did?" she laughed nervously, running her hands through her thick hair.
"Yeah I did." Ron flushed bright red. "I was going to ask you on a date. We had a Hogsmeade trip that weekend."
"I remember," she smiled. "You should have asked me."
"It's probably better that I didn't."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because you got together with James after that. You would have just said no."
"Ron," she giggled. "James was my friend. We never dated."
"But...Hermione said..."
"Hermione saw us together once."
"Doing what?"
She hadn't thought about all of this in years. "The day before that day in Herbology, James and I were in the library studying for something and Hermione was at the table across from us. I'm still not sure exactly what happened, but he kissed me and, well, that was it really."
"I always thought..."
"I think everyone thought that," she grinned. "But we never liked eachother like that. I think he was just making sure is all."
"Why didn't you ever say anything to me?" he asked, embarrassed that he had never had the guts himself.
"I dunno. Just scared I suppose."
"Wow,"
"I really wanted to seventh year, but with all that was going on, it just didn't feel apporopriate."
Ron thought back to the height of Voldemort's return. How much he had wanted and needed someone to confide in (other than Hermione and Harry). How lonely had had been. "I could have used you then."
"Even with everything else?" she questioned, amazed.
"It would have been nice to be in love with someone..." he realized what he had said and did his best to repair the damage. "Not that I'm saying I was in love with you or anything, er, I don't mean that I didn't , bugger, I hope that didn't come out as weird as I think it did."
"No," Gemma shook. "I know exactly what you mean. It was rough for everyone," she sighed deeply. "If I had know, I would have, well, I would have said something."
"Me too."
"It's kind of sad isn't it?" she looked back up into his eyes. "Realizing something like this."
He nodded.
"I mean, we could have really had something." The words gave her goosebumps.
Ron was already kicking himself inside for chickening out.
She continued. "And after all these years we meet back up and I've got a boyfriend. It's a shame."
"Well, friends wouldn't be so bad would it?" he suggested with a smirk. "We always got along back in school, you know, when we would talk to eachother."
"Friends actually sounds really good," she exclaimed.
"Friends it is then."
"Okay," Gemma giggled.
She watched him until he was gone and spent the rest of the rest of her time alone trying to cough up the butterflies that had flown into her throat.
Around 8 that night, David arrived with a basket full of warm Chinese.
"You look unbelievable," he murmured, pulling her close and kissing her deeply. "Mmmmm."
"Mmm what," she laughed.
He ran his tongue down her throat playfully, pressing his lips firmly against her supple skin. "You smell good enough to eat," he examined.
She drew his face back up to hers and pecked the side of his mouth softly. "If you play your cards right, I might just let you have a taste."
David grinned mischevously. "How did I ever get mixed up with such a magnificent tease?"
"Just lucky I guess," she replied, pulling away and taking the food over to the table.
As she set out the plates and opened the boxes, he had a look around the place.
"This is great," he said, testing out the overstuffed couch.
"Do you like it?"
"I love it. Who would have thought you'd find a place like this in such an old wizarding community."
"I can't believe it either. My neighbors are really great as well."
"You know, rumor has it the infamous Harry Potter lives somewhere around here."
"There just might be some truth to that," Gemma winked, setting out some eggrolls.
"Really?" David asked, getting back up and joining her in the dining area. "Have you seen him?"
"We can have dinner with him tonight if you don't mind postponing our little rendezvous."
"Oh, I don't know," he sighed, wrapping his arms around her tightly. "You look a little too good to put off, even if it is to meet one of the greatest quidditch players of this century."
"Keep touching me like that and we won't make it through the fried rice."
As it were, they hardly made it through dinner before giving into temptation and spent the rest of the night tangled up in her sheets, making a meal out of eachother.
When morning came around, they reluctantly rolled out of bed and she watched him as he threw on his clothes.
"You look even better the morning after," he moaned, slipping his arms into the robe she had pulled on and pushing her firmly against himself.
She kissed him feverishly, biting his bottom lip ever so slightly. "Careful," she grinned. "Don't want to be late for class."
"They would wait."
"Not long."
After readjusting her robe and making sure he had everyhting, Gemma walked him out.
"How about lunch?" He asked.
"I can't."
He kissed her deeply.
"I still can't," she giggled.
They were in the process of sharing another long embrace when they heard footsteps on the stairs.
"Oh! 'Scuse us!" Harry exclaimed, shading his eyes and trying to turn Ron back around.
"Oh no! It's okay really!" Gemma laughed. "David was just leaving."
The two of them came down slowly, unsure of what to do.
"Um, David, this is Harry Potter and Ron Weasley."
They all shook hands.
"Wow," David breathed, eyeing Harry's forehead. "It's a real pleasure."
"Same here," Harry replied.
"Where are you headed off to?" Gemma asked, ignoring the warmth that was quickly spreading though her body from knowing Ron's eyes were on her.
"Harry's got practice, and I was just on my way to pick up breakfast. Hermione's upstiars."
"Oh. Do you have a minute? I'll go with you."
Ron, who had been hoping to run into her anyway, nodded. "Sure."
She gave David one last, tiny kiss on the cheek and waved goodbye.
"Well, I'm off as well," Harry added. "Nice seeing you again Gemma."
"You too Harry," she agreed.
"We'll save some for you mate," Ron added.
"Thanks."
When David and Harry had both gone, Gemma ushered Ron into her flat.
"I'll just be a minute or so," she assured him. "Make yourself at home."
Ron gave her a comforting grin. "Take your time."
She dissappeared into the bedroom and he examined the space more closely.
"The place looks great," he called after her, examining the pictures on the mantle.
"Thanks. I finished it yesterday," she called back.
It wasn't long before she emerged, wearing a thick knit toggle cardigan and her second favorite pair of jeans.
"Ready?"
"Yep."
"I'm starving."
The streets outside their flats were bustling with witches and wizards of all ages and types all seeming to have somewhere extrememly important to be. A few were rather rude as they pushed by while others were quite sociable, stopping to utter polite salutations and well wishes.
Outside of Pennylow's Perfect Pasties, the neighborhood bakery, they ran into a couple of other old friends from Hogwart's, Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas.
"It's good to see you mate," Ron exclaimed, patting Seamus on the shoulder. "It's been a while."
"Been out of the country," He explained. "Working my bum off."
Dean, who had been staring at Gemma, chimed in. "Well, I've been right here all the time and look what I've missed."
Gemma wasn't sure whether she should be offended or flattered by his overly obvious gawking.
Seamus, who hadn't really noticed her at all until that moment, turned to get a better look at her. "No way...Gemma?"
She grinned in acknowledgement.
"I haven't seen you in years!"
"I know!"
"Where've you been?"
"Oh you know," she shrugged. "Around."
"So, are you two together or something?" Dean asked, remembering the crush Ron had had on her way back when.
The question brought a rosy flush to each of their cheeks.
"No," Ron answered. "Gemma just moved into our building."
"Well, in that case, I'll be coming around alot more often," he winked.
There was an awkward moment in which both Ron and Gemma weren't sure exactly what to say.
"Well, we beter hurry. Hermione's waiting," Ron finally choked out.
"Yeah, we've got to be going as well," Dean said, glancing down at his wrist watch. "C'mere you," he grinned, pulling Gemma into a tight squeeze. "Don't be a stranger."
"I'll do my best," she lied.
"Sorry about him," Seamus sighed once Dean was out of ear shot. "He's a bit off if you know what I mean."
"I'll take your word for it," she snickered.
"C'mon," Ron continued. "We probably should get back."
"They haven't changed a bit."
Back at Hermione's flat, they all shared a big breakfast of eggs and sausage, pumpkin pasties, cinnamon whirls and coffee. While they ate, Gemma told them as much as she could about herself and they did the same. Each of them shared funny stories from their days at Hogwart's and told jokes about their families (Ron's were always the best) and friends. When it was all said and done, they had ended up talking for a little over three hours and unknowingly had layed the foundation for three very strong friendships.
Over the next 4 months, Gemma and Harry also became aqquainted with eachother and before long, it was as if she had always been a part of the group. Hermione, especially, was thankful to have another girl around to talk to. She'd never had anyone that she could go to when she needed to discuss both Ron and Harry, or even just to kid around about them for that matter. Of course, there was always Ginny, but it would be a little awkward trying to strike up a conversation about Ron with her. Harry also loved to sit and chat with Gemma. It seemed like she always knew just what to say to make him laugh, even if he'd been having a particularly terrible day. Ron, on the other hand, enjoyed talking with Gemma, but for different reasons. Sure she was turning out to be an amazing friend, but he wanted more than that. Everytime he was with her, he had to fight the urge to reach out and pull her close. He found himself wondering what her lips must feel like and how he was ever going to be able to cope with being "just friends". How could he possibly keep his feelings for her bottled up? In a nutshell, she was everything he'd ever wanted and everything he'd never be able to have.
What Ron didn't know though, was that Gemma was experiencing those same exact feelings. She hid them well of course, but every day it got a little bit harder. She had an insatiable craving for his touch, his attention. So much so that she would linger in the hallways in the hopes of running into him and ask to borrow things just to strike up a conversation. 'This is wrong' she would tell herself when those oh so familiar butterflies would start fluttering around in the pit of her stomach. 'You're with David. You love David. Ron's your friend and that's all there is to it'. She convinced herself time and time again that if she were single then things would be different, but that just wasn't the case. She did her best to push him as far out of her mind as possible, but she too would lie awake at night, fanticizing about the moment at dinner when their hands brushed against eachother or when their bodies touched slightly as she passed him on the stairs. No matter what Gemma did, she couldn't get him out of her mind. Everything, every single, solitary thought, always lead back to him. She could be catching up on the history and survival of blast ended skrewts and suddenly she would be reminded of a joke he told two weeks prior. It was a pitiless situation to be in to say the least and left them both wishing for one of two things: 1. For Gemma and David to split up or 2. For their infatuation with eachother to fade.
"So," Harry asked one morning while they were having breakfast together. "What should we do today?"
"I'm not sure," Hermione answered taking a sip of her coffee and gently setting it back down on the table. "I'm free all day though."
"Same here," Ron added.
Gemma gave a small laugh. "We're a sad bunch aren't we? It's a Saturday and not one of us has a thing to do."
"I thought you were going out with David tonight?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, but that's not until around eight or something. 'Til then I'm free as well."
"At least you've got something planned, unlike the three of us."
"Hey, you all could have dates to you know," she stated matter-of-factly. "You just don't like to take chances. I mean, really Harry, you can't go anywhere without a flock of girls nipping at your heels and Hermione, what about that guy you're always talking about? What's his name...John? Why don't you call him up and ask him to dinner? And Ron, I'm sure there's tons of girls who'd like a little attention from you."
He shook his head. "Not that I know of."
"What about that Gillian girl from work? She's sweet."
"Not interested."
"Why not?"
"I'm just not."
"You have to have a reason."
"Well I don't," he contorted.
"It's worth a shot isn't it? I mean, you never know. She could be 'the one'."
"She's right Ron," Hermione exclaimed. "Wouldn't it be awful if the girl of your dreams were right in front of you and you never even knew because you were just too scared to ask?"
The girl of my dreams is right in front of me' he thought desperately. "If by not asking out this Gillian person, I spend my last days alone and bitter, I'll be sure to think of this moment so that I can give myself a good knock in the ass for the both of you. How's that sound?"
"I'll take it," Gemma smiled.
"I like being single," Harry stated, tossing the Daily Prophet aside.
"You do do you?" Hermione snickered.
"Yeah I do. Dating's not all it's cracked up to be."
"I don't mind it," Gemma declared.
"Well, It's a real pain if you ask me."
"You probably just haven't dated anyone you were that interested in."
"It's not that, I just don't like picking the person up and sitting through dinner and all that stuff."
Gemma got up and began to clear the table. "I guess I can understand that. It is a bit uncomfortable at first. You don't know what to say, you can't figure out what to do with your hands...it's kind of embarrassing."
"Exactly. I would rather just stay at home with my friends and be bored."
"Thanks mate," Ron laughed, grabbing his plate and glass and taking them over to the sink where she was standing.
"Don't you ever get lonely though?" she asked him while placing a dishwashing charm on the sink.
'You have no idea' he thought. "Not really."
"Hmm. Then I suppose you never get the itch to go out."
"Sure I do, but like Harry, I'd rather be with you all."