Chapter 2: Meeting in the Library
A/N I want to thank everyone who reviewed. I was a bit apprehensive about this story cuz its never been done before. To answer a few questions this story takes place 6th year and the reason Ron doesn't recognize Hermione is b/c he never paid much attention to her before and now she's changed. As for Ron not hurting Hermione....there are no guarantees. Sorry :o( On to the story.
During the Sorting Feast, Hermione had a strange feeling of being watched. She looked up and immediately locked eyes with the red-haired Slytherin. When their eyes met, Ron gave her a sexy smile and Hermione was glad that she was sitting down because she felt her knees go weak, but that didn't hide the blush creeping onto her cheeks. Neither one of them broke their eye contact; Ron because he wanted her to know he was interested and Hermione because she wanted to look into those blue eyes forever.
Their gaze was finally broken when Harry poked Hermione's side.
"Ouch! Harry what was that for?" she said, rubbing her side.
"I was asking you if anything new and exciting was happening this year, but you were off into space," said an obviously annoyed Harry.
"How the hell am I supposed to know that?" she asked, irritated about Harry's interruption. She quickly looked at Ron and saw him scowling at Harry. 'That's just how I feel' she thought.
"Well, you should know," said Harry talking slowly, as if to a small child trying to make her understand, "you are a Gryfindor prefect and we all now they get the inside scoop!"
"Harry," she said using the same tone of voice he was using, but not before looking at Ron once again and noticing he was staring at her again. She abruptly stopped her explanation as he gave her a wink. She felt her heart give on odd thump and she quickly looked down at her plate.
Once again Harry poked her side to get her attention and Hermione immediately began telling him off for it. Ginny, who was sitting right across from Harry, noticed Hermione's frequent glances towards the other side of the hall and quickly realized why...Ron. She turned around in time to see him give Hermione a wink. As Hermione looked down Ginny shot Ron a nasty look when he looked her way. She knew what Ron wanted to do with her best friend. He would pretend to be her friend, then tell her he fell in love with her, make her give up everything for him, then dump her. As much as she loved Ron, she hated what he would do to girls; as if they were toys and not living, breathing people.
Ron, having no idea what was going on through Ginny's head, misinterpreted the look for something else. He jerked his head towards Malfoy and mouthed an, 'I'm sorry about what he said,' and gave her a genuine smile (the one he only reserved for her) and she felt her disgust melt away. She mouthed an 'It's okay' and gave him a smile (the one that she reserved for him and, sometimes, Harry).
*~~*~~*
Ron and Draco made their way up to their dorm that they both shared, alone. In their 3rd year Draco's father had ordered that Draco and Ron have their own dorm so as to have some privacy. The two boys had used their new found privacy to the fullest extent, bringing in girls and alcohol and all kinds of other things teenage boys were known for.
Lucius Malfoy was, at first, very angry at the fact that his son had befriended a Weasley. But soon the youngest Weasley boy started to grow on him and Lucius started to very much enjoy Ron's company. As for Arthur Weasley, he quickly accepted the fact that Draco Malfoy was his son's best friend. After Ron's first month of Hogwarts (which nobody liked to talk about (A/N but I will in another chapter)) anything that made Ron happy and comfortable was quickly accepted by his family. Even if that meant befriending the family's enemy.
As Ron got ready for bed, a thought crossed his mind, 'Where was Ginny's friend?. As if reading his mind Draco asked him, "I didn't see Granger today. Did you?"
"I was just thinking about that," said Ron truthfully.
"Well, great minds think alike," smiled Draco. Ron was one of the only people who Draco was able to be himself without putting on any kind of act. Not that his whole life was an act, but there were some things about a Malfoy that people don't expect. Like having a heart or a conscious or the most unlikely, befriending a Weasley.
It was a matter of fate when Ron and Draco became best friends. During the beginning of the school year, Draco was making fun of Ron, questioning the Sorting Hat's decision and bad-mouthing the Weasley family. Ron, being the short-tempered person he was and already being overly sensitive at that point, started pounding on Draco and Draco being the little brat that he was didn't like the fact that a Weasley was fighting with him...and actually winning. Fists were flying, clothes were being torn and limbs were being broken. After they stopped fighting to take a breath, they both stared at each other, chests heaving and blood trickling down their faces, and did the only thing that made sense at that point: they laughed. They laughed and laughed and laughed some more until a Slytherin prefect sent them to the hospital wing. There they sat talking and shouting obscenities at Madame Pomfrey every time they felt a sting or a stab when she attempted to heal them. She, of course, was used to both the Weasley temper and the Malfoy haughtiness, though not both at the same time. After Madame Pomfrey told them to stay the night, they both got the time to get to know each other better. They told each other their deepest secrets and fears. Like Draco's fear of cockroaches and Ron's fear of spiders. Ron's hope to be something great and not to be overshadowed by his brothers and Draco's desire to do everything and anything to please his father.
Now in their beds they started to wonder where the Know-It-All Hermione Granger was.
"Maybe she finally realized that a Mudblood truly wasn't welcome at Hogwarts," thought Draco out loud.
"No that's not it," said Ron, "Maybe she got pregnant."
"Who would want to touch that thing?" spat Draco as Ron laughed.
"Yeah I guess your right. I bet her parents thought that she would more protected at home than in Hogwarts. You know, with the whole Voldemort thing..." Ron trailed off. He got up on his elbows and stared at Draco. "How was your summer?" he asked suddenly. To anyone else this question might seem a bit strange to ask now of all times, but Draco immediately knew Ron was asking about the Death Eaters and his association with them.
"Nothing happened," he said as Ron let out a great sigh of relief. "But that doesn't mean nothing is going to happen this year," he said quietly. Ron heard him, though.
"You don't have to do anything you don't want," said Ron carefully. This subject was an extremely sensitive one.
"I know," said Draco sounding a bit annoyed. "But its not that easy. You know how my father is."
"Screw your father!" exclaimed Ron. "If you don't want to then you don't have to. No one is forcing you. If you don't wanna be a Death..."
"I know I'm not being forced, but...you wouldn't understand," interrupted Draco. Ron was about to say something else but Draco cut him off, "Can we please drop it? I don't want to talk about it." He had a defeated tone to his voice so Ron kept his mouth shut. He hated seeing his friend like this so he quickly changed the subject to something he knew would make Draco happy.
"You know...I don't think that new girl likes Potter very much." Draco quickly sat up at looked at Ron unable to believe that there was someone else in the world who didn't like the Golden Child.
"Are you serious?" he asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Yeah. We were staring at each other and Potter tried to get her attention, but she completely ignored him. Then he poked her side and she blew up in his face. It was hilarious."
"How come you didn't show me this?"
"Because you were flirting with some Hufflepuff."
"Oh yeah, I got a date with her tomorrow. I'm gonna bring her up here at night. After that I never have to see her again," he said with a smirk. "Oh, by the way, we don't have class with any of the Gryfindors tomorrow."
"Really? Damn! Now I have to wait til we do have class to find out who that girl is," groaned Ron. As Draco closed his eyes ready to sleep he said, "I never thought I'd see the day when Ron Weasley wanted to have class with the Gryfindors."
Ron gave a forced laugh, "Yeah who would have thought," he said a bit dejectedly. He closed his eyes getting ready to drift off to sleep. Within minutes Ron...got up and threw a shirt over his head.
"Where are you going?" asked Draco lazily.
"The kitchens," replied Ron, "I'm hungry."
"What?!" shouted Draco as he sat up again. "How can you be hungry? You just ate!" Ron shrugged as he put on some shoes.
"Your a pig, Weasley," said Draco laying back down on the bed. "You truly are." Ron laughed and made his way to the door.
"I'll get ya something on my way back," he said. He knew the real reason Draco wasn't coming with him was because House-elves freaked him out.
"Thanks buddy."
"No problem."
*~~*~~*
Hermione was in her bed staring at the ceiling wondering what was up with the red-headed Slytherin. He kept was looking at her as if she were the most magnificent thing in the whole world and he made her feel beautiful and...desirable. She blushed as she remembered the way he looked her up and down when she was leaving the Great Hall and the way he licked his lips and blew her a kiss. She was glad that it was semi dark in corridor and no one could see her crimson face. If she was ever going to be able to look Ron in the eye, she would have to learn how to control that damn blush.
*~~*~~*
After their first day of classes, Hermione had her mind set to head down to the library, no matter what Harry and Ginny had said. They tried to convince her to oversee a Quidditch practice (Harry was the Seeker/Captain and Ginny was a Chaser). When that didn't work they tried to talk her into seeing Hagrid, but she said she would go see him on the weekend. With that said she got up and made her way to the library, hopefully for hours of peace and quiet.
However, across the Hall, someone got up and followed her up the stairs, threatening her quiet time.
*~~*~~*
Ron quickly got up when he saw the girl get up and leave all by herself. 'No Potter, no problem' he thought.
He followed her out of the Great Hall, but not before hearing Draco's catcalls. Ron made sure he was a little ways behind her so she wouldn't notice him. He kept watching her and couldn't stop his eyes from traveling lower to her backside which looked very firm from where he was standing. He also noticed the gentle sway of her hips and gazing lower saw her long, slender legs. His mind was reeling. If she looked this good from behind, then what would her front(and lower) look. His hands were itching to get to explore this exquisite creature in front of him. He suddenly wished that she would be heading down to an empty classroom, but no such luck. She made a beeline straight to the library and stepped in.
'Odd,' thought Ron, 'it took me 2 weeks to find the library when I first came here.' For the library had been a his sanctuary during his first year. 'But, then,' he thought, 'she probably asked Granger and everyone knows she practically lives there.
He walked into the library and looked around for the girl quickly. He stepped further in and was confronted by the librarian Madame Pince. "What are you doing here Mr. Weasley?" she asked with something like kindness. She normally didn't like many students, especially Slytherins, but she found Ron somewhat...delightful.
"Well, my dear, Irma," he said taking her hand and giving it a kiss, "I haven't seen you in a long time and well, I missed you. I missed the way you strike terror in the eyes of the first years who make too much noise or the seventh years who are making out in the corner. You know, you're my kind of woman! " Madame Pince shook her head but smiled anyway. He suddenly grabbed her round the waist and said, "Come with me Irma. I can take you away from this boring life and make all your dreams come true!"
"Out of all your brothers, you are the most charming, Ronald Weaslely," she laughed as she pulled away from him and walked back to her desk. Ron beamed at her compliment. He usually didn't get that kind of praise. He looked back at her and she motioned for him to come to her. She pointed towards the muggle section of the library, leaned forward, and whispered, "The young lady is over there," then she straightened and looked at him sharply, "but if you are intending on doing anything noisy or indecent, then make sure to take it out of my library." She huffed and walked away. "I love you, too, Irma," he laughed.
He walked towards the end of the library and found the girl looking at the books on the highest shelf. She went to reach for a book and Ron thanked the Gods above that the library had been stuffy and the girl was forced to take off her heavy Hogwart's robe. As she jumped a little to get the book her shirt slid up showing him a wide expanse of creamy skin. He decided to be a gentleman and walked up from behind her. He wrapped his arm around her waist to keep her steady and reached for the book easily, considering he was a good foot taller than she was. She spun around, Ron's arm still around her, and he looked down into the most wonderful brown eyes he'd ever seen in his life.
*~~*~~*
'Damn, book' thought Hermione furiously. Not only did it take her longer than usual to find the book, but now it was on the highest shelf and there was no stepping stool around. As she was jumping to try and reach the book, she suddenly felt something warm wrap around her stomach. She gasped and when she looked up she saw someone bringing down the book for her. She spun around and stared into the blue eyes that have been haunting her fantasies (yes she had fantasies) for the past 4 years. His arm was still around her waist, but now his hand was on the small of her back. She whispered a, 'thanks' and suddenly felt breathless, for now his fingers were making small, hot circles.
Hearing her voice snapped him out of his daze and he gave her a roguish grin. "No problem at all milady." Much to her disappointment Ron dropped his arm, but not before letting his hand drag across her skin. She suddenly felt cold. He looked at the book in his hand, "You like the Bronte sisters," he asked. Hermione looked at him amazed.
"Yeah, yeah I do. How do you know about muggle literature?"
"My dad is obsessed with anything and everything that has to do with muggles," he laughed as he remembered when his dad had almost been arrested by muggle policemen when he was at the park. He was so excited about the swings and slides that he kept asking little children to show him how to do it or help him on. Many mothers thought he escaped from some mental ward and quickly took their children home. A quick Memory Charm and the police suddenly forgot why they where at the park in the first place.
Hermione, however, mistook his laugh for something else. She knew all too well about Mr. Weasley's obsession, but she also knew about the Slytherin's house attitude towards muggles. "Do you have a problem with muggles?" she asked coldly. Ron looked at her surprised for a moment. That icy voice sounded somewhat familiar.
"No, I have nothing against them." He saw her eyes flicker to the Slytherin crest on his robes. "Don't let the snake fool you," he said quickly with a small smile, "I was brought up to learn and respect all people no matter what their background." Hermione looked into his eyes and saw that he was sincere.
"So if I told you I was muggle born, what would you say?"
"I'd say stay away from other Slytherins cuz they don't have the same beliefs as I do."
"So you don't care," she asked hopefully.
"Nope, just don't tell anyone else. I like the bad boy reputation."
"It suits you well," she said without thinking, but then quickly realized what she said when she saw the look Ron gave her.
"How would you know that? You haven't been following me around have you?"
"I might ask you the same thing, Mr. Weasley," she said while jabbing his chest with every word she said. He briefly wondered how she knew his name, but then realized that Ginny probably told her.
"What makes you think I was following you," he said airily, while grabbing her wrist, "I was simply making my way to the library, to get a book."
She was about to ask what book when someone cleared their throat behind them. Ron spun around and was relieved to see it was only Ginny. He was afraid that maybe it was one of his house-mates. She looked between the two sixth years and noticed that they were standing very close and Ron was holding Hermione's hand. Hermione noticed this, too, and she quickly took a step back and pulled her hand away from him.
"Hey Gin," said Ron with a forced smile that said 'Your gonna pay for this.' Ginny just ignored him. She turned to Hermione and said, "I was looking for you everywhere then I remembered you were gonna go to the library." Hermione looked at her with raised eyebrows and Ginny realized what she said, "...like you said you'd be," she finished lamely.
"Yeah," said Hermione, "like I said I'd be."
"Ginny, don't be rude," snapped Ron, "me and the lovely lady here were having a delightful conversation before you interrupted us."
:Shut up, Ron."
"Shut up, Ron," he mimicked.
"I mean it," she half shouted.
"I mean it," imitated Ron. He loved to tease his sister to no extent. But Ginny had an idea.
"I'm a slimy git who likes to screw Snape with the use of many snakes." She thought she had won until...
"You do?! Ginny I never thought of you to be like that!" said a falsely surprised Ron.
"UGGGHHH! I hate you Ronald Weasley."
"No one told you to go against the master," he laughed and Hermione, after watching their exchange laughed, too.
"Hermione! How could you laugh? Your supposed to be on my side," she huffed. Ron suddenly choked back his laughter and stared at the girl he had been talking to.
"Hermione?" he asked in disbelief, "As in Hermione GRANGER?" Both the girls looked at him with raised eyebrows.
"Yeah, who did you think I was?" He cocked his head from side to side and then started to circle Hermione who suddenly felt self-conscious. Ginny was looking at her brother in disgust as she saw him give a smirk when he saw Hermione's backside and breasts. He walked back in front of her.
"Damn! Summer was really good to you, wasn't it?"
"Well," she said openly looking him up and down, "summer wasn't that bad to you either." Which surprised both her and Ginny. Where did she get the courage to say that. Hell, where did she get the courage to actually talk to Ron without falling from weak knees.
"I see you finally came out of your shell," he said bringing his head closer to hers and cupping her face, rubbing his thumb over her cheek, "If you want, I can show you what you have been missing out on," he finished with a suggestive tone to his voice. Hermione trailed her hands up and down his chest and said in the same suggestive tone, "Who knows, maybe I could teach you a few things." Ginny looked taken aback, but Ron seemed to be over the moon.
"I'm sure the stuff I'll show you won't be in any books," he whispered hotly into her ear while wrapping both arms around her waist. She gasped and was about to answer him back when she heard a gagging noise next her. They looked over and saw Ginny pretend to vomit.
"Ronald Weasley, those lines are sooo old. Who taught you them, Dad?" Ron was more than irritated at Ginny's constant interruptions. He quickly let go of Hermione (who was thoroughly disappointed) pulled a book of the shelf and shoved it into Ginny's arms.
"Here Gin, be a good sis and check out this book for me," he said as he started to push her away. She looked at the book title then up at Ron.
"You sure you want me to check out this book for you Ron?" she asked.
"Yes! Yes! Just go! NOW!"
"If you insist," sighed Ginny and she headed up to the front desk. He looked back at Hermione and smiled.
"Now, where were we," he asked and Hermione was about to answer when Ginny showed up again.
"Ron are you positive you want me to check this book out for you?" She decided to get him back for the whole Snape thing.
"Ginny I'm gonna..." but Ginny quickly caught site of Hermione who mouthed 'I can take care of myself' with a smile to reassure her she wasn't mad.
"Okay Okay Ron," she said quickly and with that she left. Besides she had another way to tick Ron off. Hermione looked at Ron and asked, "How come you didn't recognize me?"
"Because you look really different...more like a girl," he said. Hermione huffed.
"As opposed to a boy?" she asked dangerously.
"No, no, that's not what I meant. See, before I saw you as Potter's friend. But now, your...not. I mean you are but your not ...uh...ummm," Ron couldn't explain himself and he was at a loss for why. He was never like this around a girl. Maybe it was because she was best Ginny's friend or Potter's right hand...girl. Hermione on the other hand was enjoying Ron's stuttering.
"Forget it," she said with a smile, "I know what you mean..sort of." Ron sighed in relief.
"So what are you doing tomorrow?" he asked after an awkward silence.
"I'm not.." she started but she was interrupted.
"Hermione, there you...What are you doing here?!" Harry shouted at Ron, which earned him a nasty glare from Madame Pince for yelling and yelling at her favorite Slytherin at that. "Get away from her," he snarled.
"Harry, I'm fine," started Hermione but Harry ignored her and pulled her out of the library, like a small child.
Ron now had a new reason to hate Harry Potter.
*~~*~~*
Harry dragged Hermione up to Gryfindor Tower muttering something about untrustworthy Slytherins. When they got to the common room it was empty. Everyone was probably still at dinner. Harry threw Hermione down onto a couch and crossed his arms looking furious but not as furious as Hermione.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" she shouted before Harry even had a chance to start, "What makes you think you can drag me up here like some little girl?"
"Hermione," started Harry trying to stay calm, "you were with Ron Weasley."
"Brilliant deduction," she replied acidly.
"You know how he is," said Harry is voice rising quickly, "he is a jerk, no ounce of humanity in his blood. He takes whatever girls like you have to offer and then throws them to the side."
"Harry, we were just talking," she said her voice rising, too, "Nothing else and I find it very rude for you to just pull me away like that."
"Hermione! I was just worried about you!"
"I was in the library with a whole bunch of other people including Ginny! Nothing would have happened! Besides, I can take care of myself!"
"I don't trust him at all and I want you to stay away from him." Hermione looked taken aback but her shocked expression was quickly replaced with a angry one.
"Excuse me?" she said in a dangerous sort of voice.
"You heard me. I forbid you to go near Ronald Weasley again," Harry stated firmly. Before he knew what was happening Hermione's hand connected with his cheek with such force that his head was whipped to the side.
"DON'T YOU DARE TELL ME WHAT I CAN AND CANNOT DO HARRY POTTER!" and with that she ran up to the girls' dorm. Harry just stared at the space that Hermione had just occupied and realized his very stupid mistake. Shaking his head he headed up to his dorm to try and figure out the best way to apologize to his friend tomorrow morning. For now, he'll leave her to Ginny.
*~~*~~*
Ginny headed up to Hermione's dorm to find out what happened between her and her idiotic brother. She loved Ron, she truly did, but sometimes he did things that made her wish he had a few extra brain cells. Flirting with Hermione was one of them.
She knocked on her door and she heard a muffled, 'Come in.' Ginny walked in and sat on the edge of Hermione's bed. Hermione was lying in her bed thinking about everything that had happened that evening. She looked at Ginny and Ginny had that look that said she wanted to know everything that happened. So Hermione told her everything.
"You slapped Harry?!" asked a surprised Ginny.
"It was on impulse, Gin. Besides I really regret it now," said Hermione looking miserable.
"It's okay, Hermione, I'm sure he understands where it came from. I'll talk to him for you, if you want," offered Ginny but Hermione said she would rather do it herself. They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes when Hermione noticed a book in Ginny's hand.
"Is that the book Ron wanted so bad?" asked Hermione with a smile on her face. That book was awfully familiar.
"Oh yeah," laughed Ginny. "Don't you have class with him tomorrow?" she asked. Hermione nodded seeing the wheels turning inside Ginny's head.
"Why don't you give him the book in front of all his Slytherin buddies tomorrow? As sort of a peace offering to Harry," she ventured and Hermione laughed and agreed. She took the book from Ginny and looked at the cover.
"I liked this book," Hermione said as she looked at the copy of The Feminine Mystique in her hand, "I wonder if his friends will look at him differently when they see him with this book?" she wondered out loud, picturing the look on the other Slytherin's faces. They both laughed and fell into another comfortable silence. It wasn't until Hermione looked towards the Quidditch pitch that she remember something.
"Gin? What happened to your Quidditch practice today?"
"Oh that," said Ginny with an impish smile. "Well when we went down we saw the Slytherin team already there. They told us that they booked the pitch all week and that we better shove off. So we decided to leave and book the Quidditch pitch two weeks before our game with the Slytherins so they would be completely out of shape."
"Ginny, isn't your brother the Slytherin keeper?" she asked, though she already figured it all out.
"Yup!"
"Then why didn't you tell him about it when we were in the library?" Hermione smiled.
"Ooops! Must have slipped my mind," said Ginny innocently. "That'll teach Ron Weasley to mess with me," she said. They both fell into a fit of giggles, wondering how long it will take him to realize that he was missing his practice.
*~~*~~*
Ron went to his dorm thinking of millions of ways to mutilate Potter. Why the hell did he have to interrupt them. And the way he pulled Hermione away...you'd swear he was raping the girl. 'Ah well,' Ron thought, 'I'm not giving up that easily.'
He started to undress for bed and wondered where Draco was. He wanted to tell him everything that happened. As Ron took his shirt off, he started to think about places that he might be. He lay down on his bed and was about to doze of when he bolted upright.
"Oh SHIT! Quidditch practice!"
And with that he threw his robe over his naked chest grabbed his Firebolt and ran towards the Qudditch pitch.
"I'm gonna kill you Ginny," he muttered furiously.
A/N I want to thank everyone who reviewed. I was a bit apprehensive about this story cuz its never been done before. To answer a few questions this story takes place 6th year and the reason Ron doesn't recognize Hermione is b/c he never paid much attention to her before and now she's changed. As for Ron not hurting Hermione....there are no guarantees. Sorry :o( On to the story.
During the Sorting Feast, Hermione had a strange feeling of being watched. She looked up and immediately locked eyes with the red-haired Slytherin. When their eyes met, Ron gave her a sexy smile and Hermione was glad that she was sitting down because she felt her knees go weak, but that didn't hide the blush creeping onto her cheeks. Neither one of them broke their eye contact; Ron because he wanted her to know he was interested and Hermione because she wanted to look into those blue eyes forever.
Their gaze was finally broken when Harry poked Hermione's side.
"Ouch! Harry what was that for?" she said, rubbing her side.
"I was asking you if anything new and exciting was happening this year, but you were off into space," said an obviously annoyed Harry.
"How the hell am I supposed to know that?" she asked, irritated about Harry's interruption. She quickly looked at Ron and saw him scowling at Harry. 'That's just how I feel' she thought.
"Well, you should know," said Harry talking slowly, as if to a small child trying to make her understand, "you are a Gryfindor prefect and we all now they get the inside scoop!"
"Harry," she said using the same tone of voice he was using, but not before looking at Ron once again and noticing he was staring at her again. She abruptly stopped her explanation as he gave her a wink. She felt her heart give on odd thump and she quickly looked down at her plate.
Once again Harry poked her side to get her attention and Hermione immediately began telling him off for it. Ginny, who was sitting right across from Harry, noticed Hermione's frequent glances towards the other side of the hall and quickly realized why...Ron. She turned around in time to see him give Hermione a wink. As Hermione looked down Ginny shot Ron a nasty look when he looked her way. She knew what Ron wanted to do with her best friend. He would pretend to be her friend, then tell her he fell in love with her, make her give up everything for him, then dump her. As much as she loved Ron, she hated what he would do to girls; as if they were toys and not living, breathing people.
Ron, having no idea what was going on through Ginny's head, misinterpreted the look for something else. He jerked his head towards Malfoy and mouthed an, 'I'm sorry about what he said,' and gave her a genuine smile (the one he only reserved for her) and she felt her disgust melt away. She mouthed an 'It's okay' and gave him a smile (the one that she reserved for him and, sometimes, Harry).
*~~*~~*
Ron and Draco made their way up to their dorm that they both shared, alone. In their 3rd year Draco's father had ordered that Draco and Ron have their own dorm so as to have some privacy. The two boys had used their new found privacy to the fullest extent, bringing in girls and alcohol and all kinds of other things teenage boys were known for.
Lucius Malfoy was, at first, very angry at the fact that his son had befriended a Weasley. But soon the youngest Weasley boy started to grow on him and Lucius started to very much enjoy Ron's company. As for Arthur Weasley, he quickly accepted the fact that Draco Malfoy was his son's best friend. After Ron's first month of Hogwarts (which nobody liked to talk about (A/N but I will in another chapter)) anything that made Ron happy and comfortable was quickly accepted by his family. Even if that meant befriending the family's enemy.
As Ron got ready for bed, a thought crossed his mind, 'Where was Ginny's friend?. As if reading his mind Draco asked him, "I didn't see Granger today. Did you?"
"I was just thinking about that," said Ron truthfully.
"Well, great minds think alike," smiled Draco. Ron was one of the only people who Draco was able to be himself without putting on any kind of act. Not that his whole life was an act, but there were some things about a Malfoy that people don't expect. Like having a heart or a conscious or the most unlikely, befriending a Weasley.
It was a matter of fate when Ron and Draco became best friends. During the beginning of the school year, Draco was making fun of Ron, questioning the Sorting Hat's decision and bad-mouthing the Weasley family. Ron, being the short-tempered person he was and already being overly sensitive at that point, started pounding on Draco and Draco being the little brat that he was didn't like the fact that a Weasley was fighting with him...and actually winning. Fists were flying, clothes were being torn and limbs were being broken. After they stopped fighting to take a breath, they both stared at each other, chests heaving and blood trickling down their faces, and did the only thing that made sense at that point: they laughed. They laughed and laughed and laughed some more until a Slytherin prefect sent them to the hospital wing. There they sat talking and shouting obscenities at Madame Pomfrey every time they felt a sting or a stab when she attempted to heal them. She, of course, was used to both the Weasley temper and the Malfoy haughtiness, though not both at the same time. After Madame Pomfrey told them to stay the night, they both got the time to get to know each other better. They told each other their deepest secrets and fears. Like Draco's fear of cockroaches and Ron's fear of spiders. Ron's hope to be something great and not to be overshadowed by his brothers and Draco's desire to do everything and anything to please his father.
Now in their beds they started to wonder where the Know-It-All Hermione Granger was.
"Maybe she finally realized that a Mudblood truly wasn't welcome at Hogwarts," thought Draco out loud.
"No that's not it," said Ron, "Maybe she got pregnant."
"Who would want to touch that thing?" spat Draco as Ron laughed.
"Yeah I guess your right. I bet her parents thought that she would more protected at home than in Hogwarts. You know, with the whole Voldemort thing..." Ron trailed off. He got up on his elbows and stared at Draco. "How was your summer?" he asked suddenly. To anyone else this question might seem a bit strange to ask now of all times, but Draco immediately knew Ron was asking about the Death Eaters and his association with them.
"Nothing happened," he said as Ron let out a great sigh of relief. "But that doesn't mean nothing is going to happen this year," he said quietly. Ron heard him, though.
"You don't have to do anything you don't want," said Ron carefully. This subject was an extremely sensitive one.
"I know," said Draco sounding a bit annoyed. "But its not that easy. You know how my father is."
"Screw your father!" exclaimed Ron. "If you don't want to then you don't have to. No one is forcing you. If you don't wanna be a Death..."
"I know I'm not being forced, but...you wouldn't understand," interrupted Draco. Ron was about to say something else but Draco cut him off, "Can we please drop it? I don't want to talk about it." He had a defeated tone to his voice so Ron kept his mouth shut. He hated seeing his friend like this so he quickly changed the subject to something he knew would make Draco happy.
"You know...I don't think that new girl likes Potter very much." Draco quickly sat up at looked at Ron unable to believe that there was someone else in the world who didn't like the Golden Child.
"Are you serious?" he asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Yeah. We were staring at each other and Potter tried to get her attention, but she completely ignored him. Then he poked her side and she blew up in his face. It was hilarious."
"How come you didn't show me this?"
"Because you were flirting with some Hufflepuff."
"Oh yeah, I got a date with her tomorrow. I'm gonna bring her up here at night. After that I never have to see her again," he said with a smirk. "Oh, by the way, we don't have class with any of the Gryfindors tomorrow."
"Really? Damn! Now I have to wait til we do have class to find out who that girl is," groaned Ron. As Draco closed his eyes ready to sleep he said, "I never thought I'd see the day when Ron Weasley wanted to have class with the Gryfindors."
Ron gave a forced laugh, "Yeah who would have thought," he said a bit dejectedly. He closed his eyes getting ready to drift off to sleep. Within minutes Ron...got up and threw a shirt over his head.
"Where are you going?" asked Draco lazily.
"The kitchens," replied Ron, "I'm hungry."
"What?!" shouted Draco as he sat up again. "How can you be hungry? You just ate!" Ron shrugged as he put on some shoes.
"Your a pig, Weasley," said Draco laying back down on the bed. "You truly are." Ron laughed and made his way to the door.
"I'll get ya something on my way back," he said. He knew the real reason Draco wasn't coming with him was because House-elves freaked him out.
"Thanks buddy."
"No problem."
*~~*~~*
Hermione was in her bed staring at the ceiling wondering what was up with the red-headed Slytherin. He kept was looking at her as if she were the most magnificent thing in the whole world and he made her feel beautiful and...desirable. She blushed as she remembered the way he looked her up and down when she was leaving the Great Hall and the way he licked his lips and blew her a kiss. She was glad that it was semi dark in corridor and no one could see her crimson face. If she was ever going to be able to look Ron in the eye, she would have to learn how to control that damn blush.
*~~*~~*
After their first day of classes, Hermione had her mind set to head down to the library, no matter what Harry and Ginny had said. They tried to convince her to oversee a Quidditch practice (Harry was the Seeker/Captain and Ginny was a Chaser). When that didn't work they tried to talk her into seeing Hagrid, but she said she would go see him on the weekend. With that said she got up and made her way to the library, hopefully for hours of peace and quiet.
However, across the Hall, someone got up and followed her up the stairs, threatening her quiet time.
*~~*~~*
Ron quickly got up when he saw the girl get up and leave all by herself. 'No Potter, no problem' he thought.
He followed her out of the Great Hall, but not before hearing Draco's catcalls. Ron made sure he was a little ways behind her so she wouldn't notice him. He kept watching her and couldn't stop his eyes from traveling lower to her backside which looked very firm from where he was standing. He also noticed the gentle sway of her hips and gazing lower saw her long, slender legs. His mind was reeling. If she looked this good from behind, then what would her front(and lower) look. His hands were itching to get to explore this exquisite creature in front of him. He suddenly wished that she would be heading down to an empty classroom, but no such luck. She made a beeline straight to the library and stepped in.
'Odd,' thought Ron, 'it took me 2 weeks to find the library when I first came here.' For the library had been a his sanctuary during his first year. 'But, then,' he thought, 'she probably asked Granger and everyone knows she practically lives there.
He walked into the library and looked around for the girl quickly. He stepped further in and was confronted by the librarian Madame Pince. "What are you doing here Mr. Weasley?" she asked with something like kindness. She normally didn't like many students, especially Slytherins, but she found Ron somewhat...delightful.
"Well, my dear, Irma," he said taking her hand and giving it a kiss, "I haven't seen you in a long time and well, I missed you. I missed the way you strike terror in the eyes of the first years who make too much noise or the seventh years who are making out in the corner. You know, you're my kind of woman! " Madame Pince shook her head but smiled anyway. He suddenly grabbed her round the waist and said, "Come with me Irma. I can take you away from this boring life and make all your dreams come true!"
"Out of all your brothers, you are the most charming, Ronald Weaslely," she laughed as she pulled away from him and walked back to her desk. Ron beamed at her compliment. He usually didn't get that kind of praise. He looked back at her and she motioned for him to come to her. She pointed towards the muggle section of the library, leaned forward, and whispered, "The young lady is over there," then she straightened and looked at him sharply, "but if you are intending on doing anything noisy or indecent, then make sure to take it out of my library." She huffed and walked away. "I love you, too, Irma," he laughed.
He walked towards the end of the library and found the girl looking at the books on the highest shelf. She went to reach for a book and Ron thanked the Gods above that the library had been stuffy and the girl was forced to take off her heavy Hogwart's robe. As she jumped a little to get the book her shirt slid up showing him a wide expanse of creamy skin. He decided to be a gentleman and walked up from behind her. He wrapped his arm around her waist to keep her steady and reached for the book easily, considering he was a good foot taller than she was. She spun around, Ron's arm still around her, and he looked down into the most wonderful brown eyes he'd ever seen in his life.
*~~*~~*
'Damn, book' thought Hermione furiously. Not only did it take her longer than usual to find the book, but now it was on the highest shelf and there was no stepping stool around. As she was jumping to try and reach the book, she suddenly felt something warm wrap around her stomach. She gasped and when she looked up she saw someone bringing down the book for her. She spun around and stared into the blue eyes that have been haunting her fantasies (yes she had fantasies) for the past 4 years. His arm was still around her waist, but now his hand was on the small of her back. She whispered a, 'thanks' and suddenly felt breathless, for now his fingers were making small, hot circles.
Hearing her voice snapped him out of his daze and he gave her a roguish grin. "No problem at all milady." Much to her disappointment Ron dropped his arm, but not before letting his hand drag across her skin. She suddenly felt cold. He looked at the book in his hand, "You like the Bronte sisters," he asked. Hermione looked at him amazed.
"Yeah, yeah I do. How do you know about muggle literature?"
"My dad is obsessed with anything and everything that has to do with muggles," he laughed as he remembered when his dad had almost been arrested by muggle policemen when he was at the park. He was so excited about the swings and slides that he kept asking little children to show him how to do it or help him on. Many mothers thought he escaped from some mental ward and quickly took their children home. A quick Memory Charm and the police suddenly forgot why they where at the park in the first place.
Hermione, however, mistook his laugh for something else. She knew all too well about Mr. Weasley's obsession, but she also knew about the Slytherin's house attitude towards muggles. "Do you have a problem with muggles?" she asked coldly. Ron looked at her surprised for a moment. That icy voice sounded somewhat familiar.
"No, I have nothing against them." He saw her eyes flicker to the Slytherin crest on his robes. "Don't let the snake fool you," he said quickly with a small smile, "I was brought up to learn and respect all people no matter what their background." Hermione looked into his eyes and saw that he was sincere.
"So if I told you I was muggle born, what would you say?"
"I'd say stay away from other Slytherins cuz they don't have the same beliefs as I do."
"So you don't care," she asked hopefully.
"Nope, just don't tell anyone else. I like the bad boy reputation."
"It suits you well," she said without thinking, but then quickly realized what she said when she saw the look Ron gave her.
"How would you know that? You haven't been following me around have you?"
"I might ask you the same thing, Mr. Weasley," she said while jabbing his chest with every word she said. He briefly wondered how she knew his name, but then realized that Ginny probably told her.
"What makes you think I was following you," he said airily, while grabbing her wrist, "I was simply making my way to the library, to get a book."
She was about to ask what book when someone cleared their throat behind them. Ron spun around and was relieved to see it was only Ginny. He was afraid that maybe it was one of his house-mates. She looked between the two sixth years and noticed that they were standing very close and Ron was holding Hermione's hand. Hermione noticed this, too, and she quickly took a step back and pulled her hand away from him.
"Hey Gin," said Ron with a forced smile that said 'Your gonna pay for this.' Ginny just ignored him. She turned to Hermione and said, "I was looking for you everywhere then I remembered you were gonna go to the library." Hermione looked at her with raised eyebrows and Ginny realized what she said, "...like you said you'd be," she finished lamely.
"Yeah," said Hermione, "like I said I'd be."
"Ginny, don't be rude," snapped Ron, "me and the lovely lady here were having a delightful conversation before you interrupted us."
:Shut up, Ron."
"Shut up, Ron," he mimicked.
"I mean it," she half shouted.
"I mean it," imitated Ron. He loved to tease his sister to no extent. But Ginny had an idea.
"I'm a slimy git who likes to screw Snape with the use of many snakes." She thought she had won until...
"You do?! Ginny I never thought of you to be like that!" said a falsely surprised Ron.
"UGGGHHH! I hate you Ronald Weasley."
"No one told you to go against the master," he laughed and Hermione, after watching their exchange laughed, too.
"Hermione! How could you laugh? Your supposed to be on my side," she huffed. Ron suddenly choked back his laughter and stared at the girl he had been talking to.
"Hermione?" he asked in disbelief, "As in Hermione GRANGER?" Both the girls looked at him with raised eyebrows.
"Yeah, who did you think I was?" He cocked his head from side to side and then started to circle Hermione who suddenly felt self-conscious. Ginny was looking at her brother in disgust as she saw him give a smirk when he saw Hermione's backside and breasts. He walked back in front of her.
"Damn! Summer was really good to you, wasn't it?"
"Well," she said openly looking him up and down, "summer wasn't that bad to you either." Which surprised both her and Ginny. Where did she get the courage to say that. Hell, where did she get the courage to actually talk to Ron without falling from weak knees.
"I see you finally came out of your shell," he said bringing his head closer to hers and cupping her face, rubbing his thumb over her cheek, "If you want, I can show you what you have been missing out on," he finished with a suggestive tone to his voice. Hermione trailed her hands up and down his chest and said in the same suggestive tone, "Who knows, maybe I could teach you a few things." Ginny looked taken aback, but Ron seemed to be over the moon.
"I'm sure the stuff I'll show you won't be in any books," he whispered hotly into her ear while wrapping both arms around her waist. She gasped and was about to answer him back when she heard a gagging noise next her. They looked over and saw Ginny pretend to vomit.
"Ronald Weasley, those lines are sooo old. Who taught you them, Dad?" Ron was more than irritated at Ginny's constant interruptions. He quickly let go of Hermione (who was thoroughly disappointed) pulled a book of the shelf and shoved it into Ginny's arms.
"Here Gin, be a good sis and check out this book for me," he said as he started to push her away. She looked at the book title then up at Ron.
"You sure you want me to check out this book for you Ron?" she asked.
"Yes! Yes! Just go! NOW!"
"If you insist," sighed Ginny and she headed up to the front desk. He looked back at Hermione and smiled.
"Now, where were we," he asked and Hermione was about to answer when Ginny showed up again.
"Ron are you positive you want me to check this book out for you?" She decided to get him back for the whole Snape thing.
"Ginny I'm gonna..." but Ginny quickly caught site of Hermione who mouthed 'I can take care of myself' with a smile to reassure her she wasn't mad.
"Okay Okay Ron," she said quickly and with that she left. Besides she had another way to tick Ron off. Hermione looked at Ron and asked, "How come you didn't recognize me?"
"Because you look really different...more like a girl," he said. Hermione huffed.
"As opposed to a boy?" she asked dangerously.
"No, no, that's not what I meant. See, before I saw you as Potter's friend. But now, your...not. I mean you are but your not ...uh...ummm," Ron couldn't explain himself and he was at a loss for why. He was never like this around a girl. Maybe it was because she was best Ginny's friend or Potter's right hand...girl. Hermione on the other hand was enjoying Ron's stuttering.
"Forget it," she said with a smile, "I know what you mean..sort of." Ron sighed in relief.
"So what are you doing tomorrow?" he asked after an awkward silence.
"I'm not.." she started but she was interrupted.
"Hermione, there you...What are you doing here?!" Harry shouted at Ron, which earned him a nasty glare from Madame Pince for yelling and yelling at her favorite Slytherin at that. "Get away from her," he snarled.
"Harry, I'm fine," started Hermione but Harry ignored her and pulled her out of the library, like a small child.
Ron now had a new reason to hate Harry Potter.
*~~*~~*
Harry dragged Hermione up to Gryfindor Tower muttering something about untrustworthy Slytherins. When they got to the common room it was empty. Everyone was probably still at dinner. Harry threw Hermione down onto a couch and crossed his arms looking furious but not as furious as Hermione.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" she shouted before Harry even had a chance to start, "What makes you think you can drag me up here like some little girl?"
"Hermione," started Harry trying to stay calm, "you were with Ron Weasley."
"Brilliant deduction," she replied acidly.
"You know how he is," said Harry is voice rising quickly, "he is a jerk, no ounce of humanity in his blood. He takes whatever girls like you have to offer and then throws them to the side."
"Harry, we were just talking," she said her voice rising, too, "Nothing else and I find it very rude for you to just pull me away like that."
"Hermione! I was just worried about you!"
"I was in the library with a whole bunch of other people including Ginny! Nothing would have happened! Besides, I can take care of myself!"
"I don't trust him at all and I want you to stay away from him." Hermione looked taken aback but her shocked expression was quickly replaced with a angry one.
"Excuse me?" she said in a dangerous sort of voice.
"You heard me. I forbid you to go near Ronald Weasley again," Harry stated firmly. Before he knew what was happening Hermione's hand connected with his cheek with such force that his head was whipped to the side.
"DON'T YOU DARE TELL ME WHAT I CAN AND CANNOT DO HARRY POTTER!" and with that she ran up to the girls' dorm. Harry just stared at the space that Hermione had just occupied and realized his very stupid mistake. Shaking his head he headed up to his dorm to try and figure out the best way to apologize to his friend tomorrow morning. For now, he'll leave her to Ginny.
*~~*~~*
Ginny headed up to Hermione's dorm to find out what happened between her and her idiotic brother. She loved Ron, she truly did, but sometimes he did things that made her wish he had a few extra brain cells. Flirting with Hermione was one of them.
She knocked on her door and she heard a muffled, 'Come in.' Ginny walked in and sat on the edge of Hermione's bed. Hermione was lying in her bed thinking about everything that had happened that evening. She looked at Ginny and Ginny had that look that said she wanted to know everything that happened. So Hermione told her everything.
"You slapped Harry?!" asked a surprised Ginny.
"It was on impulse, Gin. Besides I really regret it now," said Hermione looking miserable.
"It's okay, Hermione, I'm sure he understands where it came from. I'll talk to him for you, if you want," offered Ginny but Hermione said she would rather do it herself. They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes when Hermione noticed a book in Ginny's hand.
"Is that the book Ron wanted so bad?" asked Hermione with a smile on her face. That book was awfully familiar.
"Oh yeah," laughed Ginny. "Don't you have class with him tomorrow?" she asked. Hermione nodded seeing the wheels turning inside Ginny's head.
"Why don't you give him the book in front of all his Slytherin buddies tomorrow? As sort of a peace offering to Harry," she ventured and Hermione laughed and agreed. She took the book from Ginny and looked at the cover.
"I liked this book," Hermione said as she looked at the copy of The Feminine Mystique in her hand, "I wonder if his friends will look at him differently when they see him with this book?" she wondered out loud, picturing the look on the other Slytherin's faces. They both laughed and fell into another comfortable silence. It wasn't until Hermione looked towards the Quidditch pitch that she remember something.
"Gin? What happened to your Quidditch practice today?"
"Oh that," said Ginny with an impish smile. "Well when we went down we saw the Slytherin team already there. They told us that they booked the pitch all week and that we better shove off. So we decided to leave and book the Quidditch pitch two weeks before our game with the Slytherins so they would be completely out of shape."
"Ginny, isn't your brother the Slytherin keeper?" she asked, though she already figured it all out.
"Yup!"
"Then why didn't you tell him about it when we were in the library?" Hermione smiled.
"Ooops! Must have slipped my mind," said Ginny innocently. "That'll teach Ron Weasley to mess with me," she said. They both fell into a fit of giggles, wondering how long it will take him to realize that he was missing his practice.
*~~*~~*
Ron went to his dorm thinking of millions of ways to mutilate Potter. Why the hell did he have to interrupt them. And the way he pulled Hermione away...you'd swear he was raping the girl. 'Ah well,' Ron thought, 'I'm not giving up that easily.'
He started to undress for bed and wondered where Draco was. He wanted to tell him everything that happened. As Ron took his shirt off, he started to think about places that he might be. He lay down on his bed and was about to doze of when he bolted upright.
"Oh SHIT! Quidditch practice!"
And with that he threw his robe over his naked chest grabbed his Firebolt and ran towards the Qudditch pitch.
"I'm gonna kill you Ginny," he muttered furiously.