The sun shined through the curtains and onto Hermione's face. She was smiling indulgently in her sleep as turned over, stretching and sighing deeply. As a soft thud came from the bed next to hers she blinked her eyes open, a light blush coming to her cheeks as she recalled the lovely dream she was so cruelly woken from and she placed her hands on her heated cheeks, smiling stupidly.
Slowly the events of last night started to replay in her mind and her smile turned into a huge grin. Ron asking her to dance, their heartfelt confessions then that earth shattering, spine tingling kiss. Hermione beamed burying her face into her pillow and let out a muffled scream of complete joy. She decided not to get up straight away and went back to daydreaming about Ron.
"Ron is my boyfriend, he loves me and now he's my boyfriend... yaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
She shrieked inwardly in total euphoria.
It's weird to think that yesterday morning Ron was still just "Hermione's friend" and now all her dreams had come true and they were an item for real instead of the imaginary couple she had so often dreamed about. She knew that she would never forget the look on Ron's face when she had told him that she loved him too. She thought she had seen every facial expression Ron had ever pulled but this one was new.
He had a look of happiness on his face and in his eyes that she was not quite familiar with. She couldn't really describe it but she knew at that moment, she had given him the best gift he had ever received. A warm fuzzy feeling brimmed her heart as she thought of him and finally giving in to her urge to kiss him, she decided to find him and make sure it wasn't all some kind of fantastic dream.
As Hermione was beaming upstairs Ron was situated in the common room downstairs, also beaming. Everywhere he looked something reminded him of her. The settee he was lounging on where they had sat together so many times before, the large rug in front of the fireplace where they had had many of their infamous fights.
He couldn't keep from thinking about her. Her long curly, unruly hair that he loved so much. Her beautiful hazel eyes that he never became tired of looking into. Her small Elegant hands and the warm, happy feeling it gave him when he held them. He couldn't wait to see her again, to feel her in his arms, to breathe in her scent, to love her... Oh Merlin did he love her. A loud yawn broke him from his ruminations and he smiled, instantly recognising that sound anywhere. As Hermione descended the stairs she stopped abruptly on the last one, having found exactly what she was looking for.
Ron got up slowly, moving round the furniture as he took in the sight of his beautiful girlfriend. They stood staring at one another for what seemed like a lifetime, just like they had the evening before as if making a mental note of every curve and impression of each others form. Hermione knew the minute she saw that unabashed, happy grin spread across his face that what had happened last night most certainly had not been a dream and she smiled back at him.
After several moments Ron moved forward closing the gap that had been set between them and Hermione practically launched herself off the last step, landing straight in his arms with her legs coming up to wrap round his hips. They stood gazing into one anothers eyes for the longest time but as Ron's line of sight dipped from her hazel stare to her lips, as though wondering if he was really allowed to kiss her she found that she couldn't hold back her rampant thoughts from earlier and instantly attacked his mouth with hot fervent kisses, coaxing his lips open with a swipe of her tongue.
Ron obliged willingly, letting his tongue caress hers while his arms held her tightly, pulling her into his chest. The heat of the moment seemed to catch up to both of them as Ron turned them slightly and pressed Hermione's back against the wall, effectively trapping her between that and himself, causing a small hmpf sound to escape the back of her throat. He pushed his hips up slightly to make sure she didn't fall and let his hands wander.
First cupping her face lightly, with his thumbs rubbing across her cheeks before running them down either side of her neck, across her shoulders and then down her arms, subtly skimming the outer curve of her breasts with his thumbs before coming to rest on her hips, all the while still attacking her mouth. When Hermione felt the small caress of Ron's hands a shiver ran through her sending a jolt of excitement straight to her stomach and left her gasping into his mouth. Eventually they were forced to break apart for air but they kept their foreheads together, their eyes still closed as they fought to catch their breaths. After a minute or so they both opened their eyes and smiled languidly at each other, never letting go of their hold on one another. Ron broke the reticent silence still sounding a little breathless by saying;
"Blimey"
Hermione giggled and replied;
"You can say that again."
And he did, causing them both to laugh. He kept her against the wall as he gently caressed her face while staring intently into her eyes. He smiled at her as he huskily whispered;
"I love you."
Her eyes were shining as she smiled happily and replied;
"I love you too."
Instantly Ron moved back in, locking their lips together again and snaking his arms around her back as he bought them away from the wall. After a moment Hermione slowly moved her mouth from his to trail hot, wet kisses round to his earlobe, which she caught between her teeth gently and down his neck then over his collarbone. Ron placed her back on the floor as she let her legs drop from his waist and a small moan escaped his lips, letting her know that he was enjoying the sensations her mouth was creating. With every good sound she pressed a little harder, pleasing him more and more till their lips met again. The feeling was strong and powerful and quite unlike Hermione to be so impulsive and forward. As the kiss intensified, they lost balance slightly and began walking backwards to try and steady themselves, not realising that they were getting closer and closer to the edge of the settee. Before they knew it the backs of Ron's legs were impacted against the arm and he was tumbling backwards, pulling Hermione with him and they were flung over it and onto the large comfy cushions of the sofa.
They were a little stunned at the sudden shift but were cracking up all the same and eventually their laughter slowed to a few smiling heaves. Momentarily returning to her usual harsh self Hermione poked a finger hard into Ron's chest.
"You know, if you hadn't attacked me we wouldn't have ended up like this."
She lectured with Ron feigning hurt from her jab.
"I'd hardly say I attacked you Hermione and anyway I don't know about you but... I'm kinda liking our current position."
He replied wriggling his eyebrows with a silly grin.
"Your a prat."
She giggled unable to look serious at Ron's words, intertwining their fingers together.
"Yeah but I'm your prat."
He replied devotedly and kissed her again, chastely. Ron smiled as the love he felt for Hermione washed over him all over again like a tidal wave going a hundred miles an hour. She had always been the most constant and perfect thing in his life and he loved it.
Suddenly he gained a devious look and let go of her hands and started tickling her sides with great effort. She laughed uncontrollably and gasped for air as Ron ran his fingers over her ribs. She was wriggling so much to escape that they managed to switch places with Ron ending up on top, straddling her waist. Quickly she raised her hands in a signal of defeat.
"Okay okay... I surrender... Stop, I surrender!"
She said loudly through fits of giggles.
Ron smirked before stopping and leaning in close, his lips inches from hers.
"A witch never gives up that easily."
He said playfully.
Hermione finally caught some of her breath and said;
"Well... I guess I'm not your average witch then."
"Your definitely not the average witch."
He replied with a permissive look.
"Is that a bad thing?"
Hermione asked, wondering if he meant something by his answer.
"No."
Ron said leaning down, connecting his lips with hers once more. Hermione returned the kiss fervently and with pleasure. After a five or so minute make out session they stopped for air and stared at each other intensely with happy smiles. She noticed Ron's blue eyes shining brightly with a look of pure infatuation on his face, making her heart beat a little faster than before. One of his hands moved up and brushed a stray curl out of her face, his eyes never leaving hers. He snaked his arms round her back and pulled her up to rest on his lap so that she was straddling him and pulled her into his chest for a hug. He stared at her intensely for the longest time, making her blush and shift under his hot gaze before he said;
"I am so happy right now."
She hugged her arms tighter around his shoulders and she pressed her head into the crook of his neck as she uttered back;
"Me too."
He gently massaged her back, sending shivers through her entire body. They sat like that for a few more minutes before Ron's stomach gave an almighty growl making them both laugh. Slowly she moved out of his embrace stating that "they should go before breakfast was over" but instantly missed his body heat and the feel of his arms around her and gave an internal sigh of disappointment. Ron seemed objective too but also knew how hungry he was so he made no fuss and they wandered off hand in hand down to the great hall with groaning stomachs and huge silly smiles for some much needed sustenance.
:X:
For Ron and Hermione the past few weeks felt like an enchanting, endless dream. Hermione had almost had to reacquaint herself with school work as Ron had taken up most of her usual study time with lazy afternoons in Hogwarts gardens. They spent the whole hour of their free period sometimes, just walking and talking. Usually in or around many of the same places they had ventured before their getting together.
With every loving word or heartfelt kiss, places that they thought they knew so well seemed to take on a whole new lease of life and retracing those steps with one another felt like the most amazing thing in the world. Mostly though, everything continued pretty much like it always did. Ron and Hermione would argue every once in a while (years of habit is hard to break sometimes) but unlike before it never lasted very long. She would try to be angry at him, even look angry but he would shoot her his signature lopsided grin or his best puppy dog eyes and it would turn her brain to mush.
Other times if she started rambling incessantly about homework or being on time for classes he would just kiss her to shut her up. She would attempt to pull back and protest but eventually give in, unable to resist him. Ron was incredibly sweet and most days after class he'd help her pack her stuff Up before they headed off together, her index finger firmly wrapped around his (a cute little habit picked up from their very first finger holding at the valentines ball).
Or if their classes were separate, he'd run to find her and grab her hand as she sauntered through the hallways, giving her a start. As they walked with their fingers entwined, Hermione couldn't help but smile wondering how she had lived without his hand in hers for so long. They both knew even without saying anything that they were meant to be in each others lives. Never separate but always together, knowing that true love can indeed be found in the most unlikeliest of places.
The cute couple spent most of their time completely absorbed by each other and soon became totally inseparable. For Harry and Ginny, this was a good distracter as it meant that they could spend more time alone too. As Christmas dawned Ron and Hermione decided to each send a letter to their parents asking permission for Hermione to stay with Ron over the holidays, so straight after eating breakfast a few weeks before christmas Hermione went up to the girls dorm to write a letter to her mother and father.
As she walked over to the dresser next to her bed to fetch a quill and some parchment, her eyes fell on a familiar image that took pride of place in front of the mirror. It was a black and white photograph in a vintage silver frame of herself and Ron, sat together on one of the old fireside chairs in the common room. Ron's right arm was wrapped round Hermione's waist with her corresponding arm resting on top with their fingers intertwined. His other arm came up to rest across her collarbone while hers was stretched backwards, cupping his cheek.
She was nestled on his lap in an intimate embrace and they both had beaming smiles on their faces. A wave of emotions washed over her as she picked it up, remembering every part of that day as though it had occurred only yesterday. Even with the photo taken in black and white she could still recall the vivid colours of all their clothes and when she closed her eyes for a moment, she felt as though Ron's arm's were still holding her and she shivered involuntarily.
After a moments reminiscing she placed it back on the nightstand and took her writing tools over to her desk and sat down. She knew her parents would want her to stay with them over Christmas but Hermione felt she could not be parted from Ron, even for a day so she began to scribble out what she wanted to say. After finishing rather quickly, she held out the letter and re read it, making sure she had made no mistakes.
Dear Mum and Dad,
I hope this letter finds you safe and well. I'm good... actually better than good. Since our last correspondence something wonderful has transpired. I suppose I should have told you sooner but I've been rather preoccupied. You see Ron and I have... Well we have confessed what we both knew all along and are now a couple. I'm not quite sure how it all happened but I do know it's the most unreal feeling in the world. Anyway, that is really what I'm writing to you about. Ron and I had a talk and I was really hoping that you would give your permission for me to stay with the Weasley's at the Burrow this Christmas. I know in your last letter you said that you both couldn't wait to see me after so long and I do want to see you too but I know that I would be miserable without Ron there and that would spoil Christmas for all of us. Ron has owled Mr and Mrs Weasley and they have consented on the grounds that we stay in separate rooms so there's nothing for you to worry about. Please write back when you can.
All my love,
Hermione.
Smiling nervously at what she had written, she sealed it and tucked it into the front pocket of her bag so that she could owl it later on her way to herbology. She knew what her mother and father thought of boy's, they even said that they couldn't believe her two best friends were boys and that they felt they would become a bad influence. They even said she should stop hanging around with them... To which she didn't of course.
She sighed and made her way down to the common room where she found Ron and Harry locked in an intense looking game of chess and Ginny reading the latest edition of witch weekly. The boys were so engrossed in their game that they barely even notice when Hermione bent down behind Ron and slid her hands down his back and round his waist.
Ron gave a little start when Hermione first touched him but instantly had a smile plastered on his face when he realised who the hands belonged to.
She rested her cheek against his back and sighed, listening to the steady beat of his heart against her ear. Ron ran his hands over her arm's, twining their fingers together and his smile grew into a full on grin, glad that she clearly missed their closeness as much as he did.
"Hey."
She spoke adoringly.
He turned his head a little and spoke over his shoulder;
"Hello love."
He unlocked her arms from his waist and pulled her round to his side, resting his arm across her shoulders.
"I missed you after breakfast, where'd you run off to?"
He asked, moving his hand down to her back as she settled cross legged next to him.
"I was writing a letter to my parents about Christmas, I'm going to post it off later. I'm hoping they give their consent."
She said looking worried about their reaction.
He began to rub her back in slow up and down motions.
"Don't worry, I'm sure they'll be fine with it."
He said soothingly.
"I hope so, I can't be stuck at home all Christmas without you."
She replied with a sad expression.
He leaned over and kissed her chastely in reassurance.
"You know, seeing you two together like this... It's kind of strange for me."
Harry stated in his usual droll voice.
"Really? How so?"
Hermione enquired.
"Well I mean... Not in a bad way it's just that... Well that I could tell you always had a thing for each other, even when you were screaming I knew it was just because you didn't want to admit your true feelings. (Ron and Hermione were looking at one another now with smiles) I guess I never really thought it would actually happen with you two and now that it has, I don't know like... It's great and I'm totally happy for you it's just... Weird I guess but good weird, you know?"
Harry finished smiling.
"I guess all that feigned indifference was worth it in the end."
Hermione said beaming up at Ron, seeing his azure eyes staring back at her lovingly.
"Definitely."
He agreed and leaned his head down to kiss her on the lips.
"Believe me when I say I am truly happy you guy's got together but do you always have to do that in front of me."
Harry asked scrunching his face.
"Guys... Hello... Guys!"
Harry waved a hand in front of them in an attempt to grab their attention as they had become a little to engrossed but it clearly didn't work as Ron seemed to pull Hermione further around him till she was practically sitting in his lap.
"No offence but I can't watch this."
Harry stood and walked over to Ginny who had witnessed the whole thing too and was also pulling a face.
"Hey Gin fancy a walk."
He extended his hand.
"Sure Harry I don't feel like watching them either."
She took it and they snuck through the door and were gone. Hermione and Ron stopped and turned when they heard the click shut of the portrait hole. They realised that their kissing habits had scared off the others and laughed. Ron looked back at Hermione to find her still starting at the spot where Harry had been and chuckled again at the expression on her face. Hermione snapped out of her daydream when she heard him and turned her head back to face him.
"What?"
She asked, spotting his look.
"Nothin'... You just get this really cute look on your face when your daydreaming."
He spoke sounding totally besotted.
"Do I?"
She returned coyly, lacing her fingers with his.
"You do... So what were you up to in that dream of yours? It's obviously way better than being here with me so..."
He trailed off, hoping she wouldn't agree that it was better than being there with him.
"Oh nowhere, just thinking is all."
She sounded dejected all of a sudden and Ron could tell she was fretting about something.
"So... Do you want to tell me what's troubling you or should I guess?"
He enquired with a little worry in his voice as she shifted uncomfortably.
"Hermione, what's the problem?"
He spoke softly trying to get her to open up.
"Problem?... There's no problem. I'm fine, totally fine. What about you anyway, How are you?"
Ron could tell she was trying to change the subject and he wasn't going to let her get away with it.
"I'm great love but I don't wanna talk about me, I wanna know what's up with you."
They were still holding hands and Ron was caressing the tops of hers gently .
"Nothing's up Ron, I'm fine really."
She was trying to sound chipper so that he would drop the subject but clearly it wasn't working.
"Hermione I've known you for a long time, you can't hide anything from me. You always get that far off look when something's bugging you."
She smiled at how he knew her so well.
"Ron I can't tell you..."
She trailed off, a blush coming to her cheeks.
"What?... Why not?"
He wondered, sounding a little put out.
"Because it's embarrassing and I can't say it out loud."
She felt self conscious and tried to look away but Ron pulled her closer and turned her face back around.
"Embarrassing eh? Well now you have to tell me, otherwise I won't leave you alone."
She had a look of pleading in her eyes as thought to say "please don't make me" but Ron's expression never faltered and she knew that she may as well just come out with it.
"Okay okay... I'll tell you (she paused a moment) Last night I had a dream."
"A dream huh, so who was in this dream?, what was it about?"
He was very intrigued, especially seeing the coy smile playing at her lips.
"Well... you and I were the only people in it."
She said, nervously playing with his fingers and purposefully avoiding his gaze.
"Okay so what happened? What were we doing?"
Hermione had really peaked his interest now, him knowing that the dream involved only the two of them and that it had caused her to blush quite profusely.
"Ummmmm... You know what, it's rubbish really, totally boring. Hey! lets do something else, fancy a walk?"
She said rather hurriedly and made to stand but Ron grabbed her hips and pulled her back down. She ended up sitting sidesaddle on his lap with his arm's wrapped around her waist to forbid her escape.
"Oh no you don't. You ain't getting away that easy. I want to know what's got you so embarrassed."
"Ron... Come on lets just do something else."
He just held her tighter in response and smiled.
"Nope, not till I get my story."
He had a smug look on his face and much as she tried, she knew it was no use fighting him.
"Alright! Okay... Well in the dream were walking back from a Quiddich match and your talking enthusiastically about a block you made right at the end of the game."
Ron thought this was all rather normal behaviour for them and couldn't understand her apprehension to continue. He moved one of his hands up, rubbing her back in an attempt to encourage her.
"So okay were walking and while I am listening, my mind keeps wandering and all I seem to be able to think about is how uh... How hot you look. Like with you all sweaty and your shirt clinging to your chest and... And..."
She slowly zoned out, her words falling short as she noticed his chests current state, clad in only a tight t-shirt that made her mouth go a little dry and she unconsciously reached out to it, ghosting her index finger down the middle of his pecks. That lopsided smile had returned to his face and he gave a low chuckle as he noticed where Hermione's line of sight was situated.
"Earth to Hermione."
He laughed out and took a hold of her outstretched hand, twining their fingers together. She immediately snapped out of her daydream and blushed at being caught ogling him.
"Uhhhhh... Where was I?"
She asked sheepishly.
"The part where you think I'm hot."
He said, his smile turning into a full on grin.
"Right okay, so... Your still talking and I keep looking at your mouth and thinking how your lips look really um... Tasty (her eyes now seemed fixed on his lips, something which did not go unnoticed by Ron himself) and so I grab your arm and stop you. You try to ask me why I stopped but I kiss you before you can finish what your saying. Your a little surprised at first but then you kiss me back."
A relentless blush was still present on her cheeks and Ron was grinning again, loving how attractive she was when she was all flustered, just like now.
"Uhuh... I think I like where this is going, keep talking."
He said cheekily which caused a boys are so typical eye roll from Hermione.
"Okay so we've been kissing for several minutes or so when I break the kiss and run off, laughing. You chase after me and we end up in the woods, just outside the grounds. You catch me quickly as your legs are much longer than mine and you twirl me around and pin me up against a tree. (Ron was internally thinking how he would love this all to be happening right now) You place kisses all over my face and neck whilst still holding my arms above my head. I catch your lips with mine and you slowly relax, letting my arms drop. (Hermione was staring off into the distance as though reliving the whole thing) We stay that way for a while and our desire for each other builds to the point where we can't hold back any longer so you take my hand, leading me over to a secluded area in between a cluster of trees and we begin kissing again and undressing each other slowly (she paused again, taking a deep breath as though calming her nerves) well then one thing leads to another and we..."
She made a gesture with her hands, hoping that would finish the sentence for her and looked timidly up at Ron for his reaction. Whereas before he had an expression of intrigue and excitement, he now looked a little dumbfounded. His paramour Hermione... Hermione Granger having a dream like that and clearly enjoying it too, there really were no words.
He cleared his throat.
"So you mean we had sex... Like actual sex."
"Yes Ron, actual sex."
She replied shaking her head and smiling at his incredulous demeanor. Hermione found that after that first not so innocent dream of herself and Ron in a very compromising position, that the fantasies seemed to occur more and more often. Probably a few nights a week in fact and they were nearly always different. One night they might be in an abandoned classroom then another they'd be somewhere in the forbidden forrest. The one thing that always remained the same though was how amazingly erotic they were and how different Ron and Hermione seemed. Where in reality they would just be nervous, bumbling teenagers (if they actually got any further than kissing) in the dreams they were like two x rated movie stars with absolutely no inhibitions.
"Bloody hell Hermione! I can't believe you dreamt that, that's like my ultimate fantasy."
He ranted.
"Well actually Ron... That's not the first dream I've had that's like that."
She spoke scrunching her nose slightly, wondering what his reaction might be.
"Wait Hermione you mean y... You've had other ones like that?"
He asked in disbelief.
"Yes... A lot of other ones actually."
Hermione smiled at Ron's stunned expression and when he seemed to come out of his stupor he asked;
""Uhhhhh hum, how... How many?"
He stuttered unintelligibly.
"Well, I haven't been counting but I have those dreams mabey (she paused, thinking) I don't know, like a few times a week. For a while now."
She answered sounding as calm and serious as if she were reading a passage from a book.
"And uhhh... There always like that. Us talking then..."
He trailed off making that same hand gesture Hermione had earlier.
"Well yeah normally that's how it starts, us talking or something and then... Yeah that."
She finished lamely, smiling shyly.
"Holy mother of Merlin."
He stated simply, mouth gaping and wondering where the sudden tightness of his trousers had come from. He shifted a little in his seat hoping Hermione wouldn't notice the bulge appearing. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable because he knew how much it had taken for her to confess such a thing. He couldn't believe that Hermione Granger, the studious bookworm had been having sex dreams.
Ron noticed that she opened her mouth as if to speak but closed it again and he questioned her hesitancy.
"Well I... I was just going to say that... That..."
She trailed off, suddenly nervous again.
"What?"
He picked up her hand and gave it a squeeze to try and encourage her.
"Well it's just... I've never done anything like that before, with anyone and I don't think..."
She looked down, turning red again at her confession. Ron smiled and lifted her chin up with his other hand speaking softly.
"Hermione, I haven't either you know. I might have kissed another girl before but that's as far as it goes. I would obviously love to go further than just kissing, I mean bloody hell when I'm with you... Sometimes I can hardly control myself but I always hold back because I don't want to make you uncomfortable."
He admitted letting his fingers drop from her chin to caress her forearm.
"You know Ron... I do have to control myself a little too. When were together I get so worked up but it's just... I don't think I'm quite ready for anything yet. I hope you can understand."
She replied sorrowfully.
"Hermione (he chuckled out) of course I don't mind. Just being with you like this is enough for me. We don't have to rush into anything and I would never make you do something you didn't want to. So don't worry, okay?"
He caressed her arm gently as he spoke and lifted her hand that he had been holding and planted a kiss to her palm. She smiled as their hands dropped back down and took his other hand from her arm and laced their fingers together.
"I love you so much."
She left a short kiss on his lips and beamed at him. He reciprocated her smile and replied;
"I love you too."
Before kissing her again.
After several moments Hermione drew away from their tight embrace but Ron, suddenly feeling abandoned, pawed at her waist to bring her back.
"Hey I was enjoying that, don't think you can just cosy up to me for all of two minutes then run away."
He protested as he tried to bring her closer to his chest once more.
"Ron your a wally, I'm not running away. I'm just going to fetch some text books and then I'll be right back. And it was not 'all of two minutes' it was much longer than that."
She smiled at his frowning expression and kissed his forehead, making his frown go away and put a smile on his face.
"I guess time really does fly when your having fun, huh?"
He grinned then leaned in for one more kiss. He broke it quickly though as he wondered;
"Wait... Why are you going to get text books? We don't have any homework due till next week."
"I know we don't... I just thought it would be nice to get a head start and do some studying together."
She smiled shyly, anticipating Ron's answer.
"Nice?! no Hermione not studying please, not on a Saturday."
He whined, pulling on her hand aimlessly.
"Ron why do you always do that? The minute I talk about school work you start complaining and making excuses."
Hermione asked sounding a little exasperated.
"Hermione, you know how bored I get with intelligent stuff. I'll just end up annoying you anyway. I mean what's the point in that when we could just be doing what we were doing in the first place."
He replied trying to reason with her.
"Come on Ron, just for an hour or so."
She tried, throwing him her best do it for me face but he immediately protested.
"An hour! You have to be joking. There's no way I can concentrate for that long. Please lets do something else, please."
He tried to think of anything else they could do instead but his mind just drew a blank. Hermione gave him another Pleading look and he crumbled. For some reason he never seemed to be able to say no to her these days and it annoyed him to no end.
"Owwhhh alright!... But no more than an hour, then we do something I want, okay?"
He breathed out, rubbing his face and wondering how it was that she could get him to do just about anything simply by looking at him.
"Yes! Ron I knew you would come around. I promise just an hour, then it's totally up to you."
She beamed rather overexcited and kissed him again but just as she started to pull away a moment later Ron held the back of her neck with his hand to deepen the kiss. She reciprocated willingly and they made out for a few more minutes before Hermione broke it off and said;
"Okay, I'll be back in a jiff."
She stood up with the help of Ron supporting her weight with both his hands and took off.
Ron watched Hermione walk away and as she turned to shoot him an adoring smile, his resistance at keeping himself from grabbing and kissing her was once again tested to the max. He sat grinning to himself as she turned back around and her small form disappeared round the corner.
Ron, if he was honest couldn't understand what Hermione would find so enthralling about a dusty, beaten up old book. The thought of sitting and reading for hours on end, so fully immersed in what you were doing seemed like a chore to him and he wondered how a person could upkeep that level of concentration for so long. Her constant chatter about the latest story she had just finished baffled him, mainly because he didn't really get what all the hype was about. The way she spoke so animatedly, conveying the plot in dramatic detail laid present her love for the written word.
That was one thing he most admired about her, that when life got too much, she'd go and find one of her favourite books and a quite reclusive spot to retreat from the world for a few hours. Reading was like therapy for her. Where some people sorted through their troubles by talking or whatever else they needed to do, Hermione found simple solace and pleasure through the words of books.
Her ambition and passion for learning and knowledge was one of the things that Ron loved about her and her abilities as a witch were if nothing else... First rate.
She had placed top in all her classes and yet was humble to a fault, never making others feel inadequate or unequal. He then realised that all of her (as he liked to call it) 'whinging' and 'carrying on' was simply in an attempt to encourage him and others to achieve their full potential and that all she was really doing was trying to help. Even if sometimes it didn't come across that way. He began recalling all the times she had corrected him or lost her temper at his lack of interest in any kind of homework or grade related activity and gave a low chuckle, wondering how they had gone from that to this in so short a space of time.
To Ron though she wasn't just some nerdy genius, she was also beautiful, kind and caring and one of the most incredibly decent people he had ever met. She affected him unlike anyone else, in a way that would be hard to explain to anyone that wasn't himself or Hermione. It was quite strange, how they could communicate with just a simple look or a gentle touch of the hand. They were always able to say whatever they needed to without having to speak a single word and when they looked into each others eyes it was like everything else stopped and the only people that existed were each other.
Time would never diminish the twinge of excitement Ron felt everytime he thought of his girlfriend and when they did argue Ron did not feel threatened by Hermione's comments at all. In fact he was quite the opposite and unlike before found her red faced shouting rather sexy. She could be at times... Infuriating but she was still Hermione. Still the girl that laughed at his terrible jokes, scolded him for his unwillingness, and lovingly kissed him for his sweetness.
In Ron's mind, he had no reason to fear others trying to bait her because to him, they had the most solid relationship of anyone he knew. They were just the right mix of serious and silly, like two sides of a brain. Hermione was the analytical, scientific left hemisphere while Ron was the creative, spontaneous right hemisphere. It was like they existed simply to make each other better. Ron brought Hermione out of her shell and in turn she helped him to think more deeply about the world, together making one perfect person.
To describe their relationship as love at first sight would be an overstatement to say the least, as it was not really like that at all. What started out as kind of an annoyed tolerance of each other slowly turned into mutual respect, which became friendship that unknowingly morphed into an everlasting and unshakable bond, that holds to this day.
Even that first moment they shared together on the train, somehow Ron knew right there that Hermione would play a huge part in his life. She had, over the years worked her way right to the centre of his universe. It had become a little more obvious how deeply he cared for her everyday. Everytime she was hurt or in danger his heart would race that little bit faster and beat that little bit harder. All those times he had nearly lost her had shown him what his life would be like without her in it and if anything, it merely reinforced his affection all the more.
As Hermione descended the last two stairs from collecting her stuff she found Ron laying sprawled out on the settee with a devious smile on his face. She observed him for a moment, wondering what he could be thinking about before he turned his head to look at her and asked her the same thing;
"What are you thinking about love?"
"Hhhmmmm, I think I should be asking you that. What was that devilish smile for just now?"
She asked as she stepped down the last few stairs and came to a stop right next to the sofa, placing her materials on the little coffee table in front of it.
"Nothing really, just thinking what we should do after we've finished studying."
He replied innocently, still smiling and caressing the side of her thigh with the hand that had previously been strewn outwards in a lazy, haphazard fashion.
"Oh and I suppose you have come up with something, judging by the look on your face."
She wondered, planting her hand over his on her leg and stilling his movements.
"Yep, I have and if you plan on me trying or even listening at any point within the next hour of your study session you better agree to it."
He stated plainly while grabbing her hand from on top of his and wrenching her down to sit straddling his hips. Hermione squeaked indignantly at the sudden shift but was more than happy to be in closer proximity to her boyfriend. She huffed a little though after he had finished speaking, thinking how annoyingly uncooperative Ron was being right now and she continued looking stern as she asked;
"Tell me what awful thing you have planned for us and I'll think about doing it."
"It's not awful... Well I suppose it would be to you but to normal people it's fun and... Pretty awesome actually."
A small smile spread across his face as he remember some of the best memories from his beloved hobby and he wondered if Hermione had figured out what it was yet. Obviously not, he deduced as he took in the mildly offended expression on his girlfriends face.
"Are you saying I'm not normal?"
She asked, her voice raising slightly. Ron wasn't really expecting that question and his smile fell as he immediately began wondering how he could word his answer so that she didn't hex one of his hands off. He cleared his throat quietly in the hope that his voice didn't betray his words and sought out her hands, intertwining their fingers together as he said;
"Of course not love, I just meant that for alot of people it is one of their favourite pastimes but that you have never particularly enjoyed it."
The comforting and sincere timbre of his voice seemed to have done the trick as she simply hummed, a little suspiciously and then replied;
"Alright, tell me what were doing."
He grinned triumphantly and answered;
"We're going flying."
"Fly... Flying. Y... You want me to go... To go flying with you."
She stammered hopelessly and stared at Ron like he had suddenly grown two heads. He uttered a simple yes as his response to which Hermione immediately got on the defensive.
"Oh no, no no no no no. Nu-uh, not going to happen, nope."
"Oh come on Hermione please, for me."
He put on his best puppy eyes but it clearly wasn't working.
"No, I'm not doing it. You'll have to think of something else."
She answered stubbornly and raised her nose in defiance, crossing her arms over her chest. Ron sighed and raised his hands and began caressing her upper arms, one of the actions he knew was the best way to calm her. After a moment her features softened and he unwrapped her arms, sliding his hands down slowly to take ahold of hers.
"I am willing to do your thing Hermione, because I love you and I love spending time with you. Don't you love me Hermione? Don't you want to make me happy. Won't you even try my thing?"
He spoke softly, attempting to look sad and sorry for himself and looked down, gently drawing little circles on the tops of her hands with his thumbs. He was hoping that the combination of the three as well as the innocent looking guilt trip would lull her into thinking that this was a good idea and she would agree. He noticed the silent war crossing her features as he said all this and when he had finished his mini speech she immediately did what Hermione does best. She fell for the faux sad, upset face and instead of denying his request once again, went with agreement and reassurance.
"Oh Ron I do love you, so much and of course I want to make you happy. Tell you what, we'll only study for half an hour and then we can go straight out and fly, how about that?"
She asked hopefully, silently willingly Ron to believe her. Ron had to look down further to keep Hermione from seeing the small smug tilt of his lips but managed to school his features when he looked up. He kept up the pretence a little by keeping his voice sombre when he replied;
"Okay and I love you too."
and then placed a chaste kiss on her smiling lips.
"Great, okay so I bought down the transfiguration texts because I know you were struggling with that last lesson. Don't worry I'll help you, you'll be a master in no time."
She smiled sweetly and got up off his lap, grabbed all the books then sat back down, still on his legs which he didn't seem to mind. Ron, true to his word did pay attention and did try hard to take it all in, much to Hermione's great surprise and happiness and so, just like she had promised half an hour later they could be seen making their way towards the Quiddich pitch, hand in hand. If you were to look closely you would notice a slight beading of sweat forming on Hermione's brow that was not caused by the warm summer weather. Usually in general she was the calm and collected one that had all the answers. Pair her with a broom though and she suddenly become an inarticulate bag of nerves. That is just what she was now and with their aimed target, the centre of the Quiddich field looming ever closer, her legs may as well of been made of jelly. If Ron noticed the current near breakdown state of his girlfriend he didn't say anything and Hermione couldn't help wondering why she had ever agreed to this in the first place.
They came to a halt somewhere close to the middle but Hermione couldn't of told you where or when they had even stopped because she was currently stuck in her own little world filled with visions of painful flying accidents and St. mungos hospital visits. Ron tugged on her hand lightly, pulling her out of her silent musings and braved a smile at her. She tried to smile back but it came out more like a grimace so Ron immediately came forward, wrapping his strong arms around her tightly and planting a kiss to the top of her head.
"It's going to be alright Hermione, I won't let anything happen to you. You know that, don't you?"
He spoke soothingly while gently rubbing her back up and down in an attempt to quash her fears.
"I know it's just... Flying makes me so nervous. It's silly really, after everything we've been through you'd think it would seem like nothing but... Merlin I wish I could get over it, it's just easier said than done, you know?"
She spoke, sighing sadly as she reciprocated his affections, snaking her arms around his waist.
"I know love. I only wanted to show you how great it is up there but I won't make you do anything you don't want to. We can just lounge around out here for a bit if you like or we could go back inside, your choice."
He finished and sighed sadly, hunching slightly and putting on his best dejected face again while still holding her in his embrace. Hermione caught the sad puppy like expression cross his features and her guilt rose once more. After all he had tried very hard during their study's and she did promise him she would do this. She raked a hand through her hair and exhaled heavily. Ron noticed Hermione's look of defeat out of the corner of his eye causing the edges of his mouth to turn up slightly in a self satisfied smile. She slowly bought her hand up towards the broom that was gripped lightly in his right hand. Mesmerised by the way Hermione moved, Ron watched, rapt as her slender feminine fingers slid slowly up and over the smooth handle, coming to a halt somewhere near the top. Ron remained captivated as she stepped around him, coming to stand right in front of the broom and only snapped out of his daydream when she spoke.
"I've always wondered what it would be like to really fly but I was just always too frightened to give it a go. I think though... Mabey if I had someone there to help me, I might be alright."
She stated with a hopeful tone to her voice.
Ron could tell that she was still very nervous but that she was also a little more willing than she had been a minute ago and he perked up considerably. Not amenable to letting her moment of temporary eagerness slip away, he glanced down at her hand that was still clutching the broom and he cleared his throat before saying;
"If you sit in front of me I'll be able to hold you more securely, that way there's no chance of you falling off."
He placed the broom between his legs and moved back, creating a space for her and waited with baited breath to see if she would concede.
A snippet from Hermione's latest naughty dream of her and her boyfriend, involving a broom and not many clothes flashed through her mind, bringing a redness to her cheeks and her body shook with a pleasurable shiver as she momentarily relived the scene in her head. Worried her voice would crack if she said more she nodded rhythmically, replying with a simple okay before she turned and moved forward. She looked back at Ron to see him smile encouragingly at her and she gave a timid smile back, carefully lifting her right leg over the broom till she sat astride, mirroring his stance. He waited for a moment, letting her get a feel for the broom so as not to scare her before he gently edged forward. Both of their hearts were beating hard and fast when he pressed himself against her back and as he slowly slid his arms down hers to rest his hands atop hers, effectively boxing her in, Hermione thought hers might beat right out of her chest at the contact. She bought her other hand up to a little lower than his but he gently took it and placed it further up the shaft to where his hand had just been.
"If you hold the broom here it's more secure and it means you have better control over it."
He spoke into her ear in a breathy, husky voice, causing another scene from her dream to come to the fore. From the timber of his words Hermione could tell that their embrace was affecting him just as much as it was her and she smiled a little at the thought. Once again talking into her ear in that sultry tone he asked;
"Are you ready?"
Feeling like she might not get more words out without her voice breaking she reciprocated with a simple yes.
Ron nodded and kicked off, rocketing upwards into the sky, causing Hermione to squeal and push back into his chest hard. He chuckled at her frantic reaction and tightened his hands around the wood, thus holding her tighter in the process. She clamped her eyes shut with a terrified whimper and prayed to Merlin that they made it to the ground in one piece. Hermione couldn't of told you how long they had been ascending but after a while she could feel the broom start to level out and then slowing down but she still refused to open her eyes. After a moment she felt Ron caress the tops of her hands with his thumbs as he leaned in to utter;
"Hey... You can open your eyes now."
"No, I can't... I can't, it's too high. I... I can't."
She murmured frantically, pressing into the heat of his body once more. Hermione's thighs were clamped on either side of the handle in a vise like grip and the knuckles of her hands had turned white with the pressure.
"Hermione come on open up. Nothing's going to happen, I've got you. Your safe in my arms, I promise."
He spoke softly, bringing the broom to a complete stop. Still when she wouldn't budge he moved one of his hands off of the broom and bought it up to gently caress the side of her face with the back of his fingers. He felt her lean into his touch and smiled as the edges of her mouth turned up ever so slightly. After a moment his hand moved a little to ghost over her jaw and down the side of her neck. Hermione's breath caught in her throat at the feel of his gentle ministrations and she wondered what his hands would feel like on other, not so exposed areas of her body. As his index finger began tracing the neckline of her top she suddenly grasped his hand tightly and pulled his arm across her collarbone so that his palm lay flat against the front of her adjacent shoulder.
He smiled happily, loving the intimate position she had created and he tightened his arm around her so that his hand now rested on her shoulder, pulling her more firmly against him. He felt her erratic breathing finally start to slow down and he was glad that his presence had made that happen. Feeling a lot safer and more relaxed with Ron surrounding her and knowing that they had actually stopped moving she dared to crack one eye open. Upon seeing the view she gasped audibly, immediately opening the other eye to fully take it in. He grinned widely at her reaction, gently resting his chin on the top of her shoulder and stared reminiscently at the scene in front of them.
This was truly one of his favourite places. To most people it would seem like just a black lake with some trees dotted around the edge but to Ron it was heaven and if you stumbled upon it at the right time, you'd catch the sunset as it hit the water leaving a trail of golden ripples in it's wake, just like it did now.
"Oh Ron (she breathed out) it's so beautiful."
She turned her head slightly to look at him and beamed happily. He fixed her with an intent stare which caused a faint blush to raise on her cheeks as he said;
"Yes it is."
The heat in his gaze never wavered and Hermione found herself squirming a little under the intensity of it. She quickly turned back to the picturesque image in front of her for fear that his gaze might actually pierce her soul or maybe just cause her to melt. When she had heaved up enough courage to finally take a look at how high they were, she noted belatedly that they seemed to be hovering over some kind of small mound and that they were actually low enough that she could swing a leg over the broom and sit side saddle, if she wanted to. Deciding that she did want to see his face she shifted a little, bringing her left leg up and over the shaft to sit side on. Ron wondered what she was doing at first but soon caught on and released the grip of his arm to allow her easier movements. He switched his arms so that his left now supported her back as well as the broom as she rested against his chest once more.
She exhaled happily into the crook of his neck as they continued to watch the sunset, both silently rejoicing the fact that they were with each other. Ron bought his free hand up and laced his fingers with hers and she began unconsciously drawing patterns over the top of his hand with her other index finger, earning her a contented sigh from her flying companion.
After a minute or so of comfortable silence Hermione shifted again, pulling back from his chest a little to look up at his face. They sat staring at each other for what seemed like a lifetime and without even realising it they both started leaning forward. Slowly their lips met, brushing gently in a chaste yet earth shattering kiss, quite different from most of their other kisses which usually turned into a full on make out session. It felt like their first kiss all over again and as they pulled back both of their faces broke out in shy happy smiles, just like they had that first time.
They carried on enjoying the fading sun until it was only the lights from the castle windows that lit their way and they decided that they had to get back.
Hermione turned back around on the broom and Ron steered it to the left slowly, moving at a more sedate pace than before. They headed back to the huge oak doors at the front of Hogwarts, gliding to a smooth halt under the expertise of Ron's flying skills. Both of them had happy, contented smiles on their faces as they stood looking at one another. After they had stared at each other for several moments, they made their way back to the common room for some relax time before dinner.