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CHAPTER 2.
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"Hi there!"
"Ron!" Hermione squealed as she almost dropped the glass that was in her hand.
Ron's wand held it in place till she retrieved it and placed it on the table top.
"You git! Don't sneak up on me! Some warning would've been nice!"
"What's the fun in that now?" Ron drawled, comfortably reclined against the wall of Hermione's living room.
His blue eyes shone bright in the morning light and Hermione noticed the look in them that she had quickly gotten familiar with. Two years ago, she would've never imagined Ron to be so confident and suave when it came to her. But one night, everything changed and now there was no guessing between them.
"You think scaring the living daylights out of me is fun?" Hermione reacted.
He moved towards her slowly and deliberately until there was no space between them. Her breath hitched in her throat as she looked up to meet his eyes. He didn't give her the chance.
He bent his head and took her lips in his in a swift motion that left her with no choice but to comply. Her hands wound round his neck into his hair and she immediately started running her fingers through his shaggy and unkempt red hair. Merlin! She loved doing that. And judging by how he always sped up in his passion while she did that, she was sure he loved it too.
They were both heaving and panting by now. A set rhythm had overtaken both of them. Just as Hermione was going to snake her hands into his shirt, he suddenly stopped short and disengaged himself from her.
"Yes it is." Ron said.
"What is?" Hermione asked irritated that he had so rudely interrupted her.
"It is my idea of fun to scare the living daylights out of you."
Hermione rolled her eyes and straightened her top and ran her hands through her hair so that she could at least look half as normal as she did when she woke up that morning.
"Finally got the time to come over?" Hermione sarcastically asked him.
It had been 2 days since Ron had sent the letter with Gurgles. As a rule, Hermione never contacted Ron first. He had a huge family to meet when he came down and Molly Weasley made a festival out of his arrival. Hermione would usually be attending the family events but after she and Ron had started their unusual ritual, she preferred her first meeting with him to be in private rather than in front of everyone with so many people around.
It was difficult to manage this and avoid the Weasley's and Ginny and Harry's questioning but somehow she always managed. She was half afraid that if she met Ron in the presence of his entire family, she probably wouldn't be able to control herself around him.
She remembered what she had told Ginny a couple of days ago. That everything was under control when it came to Ron. She seriously doubted herself.
All year round, everything was great. That time of the year, specifically June, when Ron made his annual trip, everything about Hermione Granger went upside down.
It was like she was another person altogether. Every time she told herself that this madness had to end. She had promised herself and Ron that this was clearly mutual as long as it had no adverse effect on their mental well being. After he would leave, everything would turn to normal, like nothing had ever happened. And in truth, that did happen. It was like out of sight out of mind.
Hermione would get busy with her work as usual and between that and all her other friends that left her barely any time to ruminate. But pre-Ron and post Ron, there were always these pockets of time when she thought about him and their time together.
The reason they worked so well was because there were no expectations, no questions and nothing was taken for granted. No one was responsible for the other and they never burdened each other with what they thought the other person should do or be.
No serious talks about the future and no talks about where they were going. It was all great while he was there. But at times, Hermione felt empty inside. She wished she could have all this and more. She was sure she didn't want this with Ron but with someone else she wouldn't mind it. Ginny had been right. Till she got rid of her fascination of her relation with Ron, she would never allow opportunities to come by.
But it was an addiction. A yearly one. And for most part, she had her head screwed tight on her shoulders. She wasn't emotional or needy about it. She could thank her busy work schedule and great friends for that. She really did want to find someone and settle down. But her problem was that no one was good enough. She didn't know what scale she was using to grade them, but she didn't happen to like men out of the blue like most of her friends did. Ginny always told her that she needed to rethink or at least lower her expectations a tad bit. There were great guys out there and she only needed to keep her eyes open.
It wasn't like there was a great deal of men lining up to be with her either, she thought. She knew she wasn't model material or downright gorgeous. She was pleasant looking but she knew she had to make an effort to look good. Of course Ginny, Luna and Pansy disagreed. But then again they were her friends. They would disagree with her self depreciation.
"So yeah... it was kind of busy..." Ron finished off.
Hermione snapped from her chain of thoughts and managed to catch only the last bit of what Ron was saying.
"I'm sorry what?" she asked.
"You did that again didn't you?" Ron asked with an amused look on his face.
"Did what?"
"Zoned out. I'm not sure when you picked up that habit. Or do you only do that when I'm around? Usually you're so observant and sharp."
"Shut up.I did not zone out.I just chose to stop listening to you. I tend to filter nonsense." Hermione retorted.
"In that case, must be quite an effort to try not to listen to your own mind then?" Ron said cheekily.
Hermione stuck her tongue out at him in response and Ron laughed heartily and that in turn got her laughing too and soon they were laughing hysterically.
"Okay, that wasn't even funny." Hermione said shaking with laughter still.
"I know! I don't know why you're still laughing then." Ron asked.
Hermione shook her head. Ron got up and came closer to her and hugged her hard.
She hugged back. He was warm. Like always. And secure. She always felt safe and secure and complete with him around.
He may have his fleet of female fans running behind him, but one thing she knew for sure.
What they had was special. It always had been. Even before their arrangement.
No one in the world could change what they had. They picked up right where they left. Every time.
The hug was friendly and familiar. Warm and platonic. And no matter what, that was a feeling Ron loved coming home to and so did she.
"Ginny was asking too many questions yesterday." Ron said.
"I know." Hermione stated. "Do you want some tea? Oh! sorry! You have coffee now don't you?"
"Lord no! Tea please! Can't stand that awful, black, mucky water they call coffee."
Hermione laughed. "She seemed to wonder why I was so excited that you were coming home. And she was resentful that you didn't write to her."
"I know just wanted to surprise everyone. You really should have come. I spent half the morning pretend wondering with all my brothers and their wives why you weren't here." Ron said.
"You only said that I behave weirdly with you around in front of everyone. I don't come so I can save you from all the questions." Hermione said as she handed him his cup. "Besides think it's in your head. I'm usually perfectly fine until you keep giving me these sidelong secretive glances and then my face has a mind of its own."
Ron laughed. "Yeah, you do blush easily."
"It's all your fault." She simmered. "Ginny and Fred and George are too sharp. I'm surprised they haven't figured anything out yet."
"Its best if they don't." Ron said seriously.
"I agree. Anyway enough with all this. Ginny will come home soon with Pansy and Luna and we plan on going shopping. So unless you want them to see you here I suggest you leave."
"Aww Hermione! Are you throwing me out from your house?"
Hermione playfully punched him. "Yes. I am. Unless you want to answer Ginny's countless questions and be the subject of Pansy's intense scrutiny."
Ron sighed. "We are friends you know. There's no reason we can't meet. In fact I think it would be weird not to meet. I don't think I'm scared of Ginny or Pansy. And tell me please again, why the hell are you all friends with that pug faced slytherin? I just don't get it."
"Shut up Ron!" Hermione said. "Pansy's a good friend now. And school got over years ago. It doesn't matter anymore. Even Harry likes her now. Can't you at least try to get to know her?"
Ron wrinkled his nose. "Fine I'll try. But only for you."
Hermione beamed at him. She placed a sweet kiss on his lips and said, "Thank you. I appreciate that."
He didn't let go and smelled her hair deeply as he held her. He kissed her bushy head, "I've missed you."
She disengaged herself from him and stepped away. She picked up his cup and made her way to the kitchen.
"Liar!" she said as she gave him a cheeky grin and left him staring at her back with an equally cheeky look as she disappeared from his vision.
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