AN: Wow I am so UNBELIEVABLY sorry for the long long wait. I became so busy with school I could barely breathe, let alone write. But I missed writing and writing this fluffy chapter relaxed me tired brain. I don't know the next time I'll upload, but if all goes well, it'll be by Sunday. Again 100000000000 apologies!
Like I said, this is a fluffy chapter(And my longest :D). A lot of this story will be fluffy because there isn't enough in the world and I really wanted to know more about Romione's relationship and whatnot.
A HUGE thank you to everyone who has reviewed and followed and favorited this story, or even if you're just reading and lurking there in the back, thank you. It means so much to me that people are actually reading this and enjoying it. Let me know if a character gets too OC, they will be a little OC because it's my first fanfic so I'm not the best, but if it's too much let me know. Again, thank you SO much. Now on with the show!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Chapter 4 – Thunder
Thunder clapped loud and I was running through my house. Only everything looked taller, newer. I looked down and instead of the 18 year-old body I was used to, I saw a little 8 year-old body clad in a Cinderella nightgown. There was more thunder, and I ran faster, until I reached the door at the end of the hall, my parent's room. I walked in and saw my mom sitting up in bed, reading. She looked up and smiled at me, gesturing for me to come closer.
"Did the thunder scare you sweetie? How 'bout you sleep up here?" she asked softly. I nodded and started to climb on the bed. I nestled myself between her and my dad's sleeping form. The movement woke him though, because he opened an eye and smiled at me, immediately knowing what was wrong.
"It's okay, Hermione. It can't hurt you as long as you're safe with us. And you'll always be safe with us." he said wrapping the blanket around me.
I woke up to the thunder roaring loudly outside Ginny's window. I had no idea what time it was, but judging by the silence in the house and the time all of our exhausted selves had gone to bed, it was probably around midnight, maybe later. The thunder sounded again, only this time I wasn't 8 or in my parent's bed. I was halfway across the world from my parents. I had always been afraid of thunderstorms at night. They'd wake me with a start and keep me awake. They were too loud. It was an irrational fear, a stupid fear in some people's eyes, but I couldn't help but be terrified of it. It was also one of the many things my parents undoubtedly soothed. Only this time I didn't have my parents to help me. There was no bedroom at the end of the hall to run to. I hated being alone during a storm. At least at Hogwarts, I could go to the common room and sit by the fire to do homework. I was always so focused on work that I could block out the storm. But I couldn't do that here. There was no Potions essay do at the end of the week, no Runes to translate. The school wasn't even fully standing. I knew what I needed: good old human comfort. And I knew just who to get it from.
I quickly glanced over at Ginny, and saw her fast asleep with her arms around a pillow. I got out of bed as quietly as I could, grabbed my wand and tiptoed to the door. It opened with a creak and was relieved to see Ginny hadn't moved an inch. "Lumos" I whispered into the darkness and began my careful trek up to Ron's attic room. I knew I shouldn't be doing this, but one more roar of thunder had me too scared to care. I rushed up the remaining steps and opened the door.
My eyes were instantly bombarded with the bright shade of orange nearly everything in Ron's room was. I'll never get used to it. I glanced at the cot near Ron's bed and quickly muttered "Nox" so I wouldn't wake Harry. I snuck over to Ron's bed and sat down on the side.
"Ron. Ron, wake up," I whispered, shaking his shoulders. Another clash of thunder sounded, this time louder than the others. The storm must be reaching its peak. "Come on. Ron!" He finally jolted awake after a few more shakes, sitting up straight and looking around confused until his eyes settled on my undoubtedly scared-looking face.
"Hermione? What're y – is – is everything okay? What's wrong?" he said, worry clearly etched into his voice and face. He reached up to cup my cheek and give me another confused look. This was a bad idea, wasn't it? What's he going to think once he finds out in afraid of a little thunder? Then another loud roar came from the sky and I jumped a bit, scooting closer to Ron.
"It's just…I know it's stupid, but I – I'm, um, – the thunder…" I said, feeling silly and looking down at his Chudley Cannons bedspread. I suddenly felt a pair of strong arms wrap around me and pull me closer. I rested my head against Ron's shoulder as he rubbed his hand up and down my back. The thunder sounded again and I jumped in Ron's arms, causing his grip to tighten.
"Hey, it's okay. I got you. There's nothing to worry about, it's just thunder. It won't hurt you. You're safe." Ron whispered against my ear. I started to tear up at his words; they reminded me so much of my parents. The ones who I want to see again so badly. I pulled back to wipe at my eyes and Ron looked at me curiously. Then he took my hand and began to climb out of bed, taking a blanket with him. "Come with me, I know what you need." He said, leading me towards the door.
Next thing I know, we're in the living room. Ron pointed his wand at the fireplace and it immediately sprang to life. He leaded me to the couch and threw the blanket around my shoulders. "I'll be right back okay? Don't worry; it'll only take a few minutes." He said, kissing my forehead before shuffling off in the direction of the kitchen. I lay down sideways on the couch, snuggling into the warm scent that was so distinctly Ron in the blanket. More thunder claps above and I wrap the blanket tighter around myself. 5 minutes later, I heard Ron returning from the kitchen, two steaming mugs in his hand.
"Is there room for me in there? I made you some hot cocoa." He said gently, handing me one of the mugs. I sat up and shuffled down the couch, making room for him behind me. Ron sat and stretched his legs until I was nestled in between his legs. I lay back on my side against his chest and drank some of the cocoa as his arms wrapped around me. I pulled on the blanket to make sure it was covering us both. We'd never really sat like this before, but it felt incredibly nice. It was comforting and intimate yet still innocent. I started to feel a little better until another roar came and I nearly spilt my cocoa. Ron's arms simply tightened around me and his fingers started moving up and down my arm. We finished our drinks in silence. I was trying to forget about every thunderclap I heard and focus on Ron. But they were so loud and it was so hard. When we'd both finished, Ron grabbed the mugs and placed them on the side table behind him.
"Thank you." I told him, nuzzling my head into his neck. "I know it's ridiculous to be afraid of thunder, but still…Thanks."
"Hey, no need to thank me, darling. If it makes you feel better, I'm happy to do it. Besides, this is much comfier than my bed. And it's not ridiculous. Don't think that. I can understand why you're afraid. It's loud. It's okay. It'll be gone by morning and until then I'll protect you. Do you feel any better?" Ron asked, kissing my hair. However, all I could do was nod stiffly as I focused on what he'd called me. Darling. He'd called me darling. I knew it was nothing to get worked up about, couples gave each other pet names all the time. But it still came as a shock to me. I wasn't expecting it. Somehow, it solidified their relationship even more than the kisses, or handholding, or confirming it to everyone who asked. Then pet name and our position showed me how he truly thought we were together. No more flittering around each other. The boy I'd been pinning over for at least 3 years, was finally mine. I sat up a bit and looked at his face, smiling.
"Darling? You called me darling." I said, tilting my head to the side a bit.
"Oh, I didn't even – I'm sorry – do – do you not like it? I'll stop if you want…," he told me, ears reddening and eyes saddening.
"No. I like it. A lot. Call me that whenever you want…sweetie."
He smiled widely at me and I returned it. We were in our own couple-y world and I couldn't ask for more. I slowly leaned forward and caught his lips in a kiss. We stayed kissing for a long time, before he pulled away. I laid my head back on his chest and he pressed his cheek against the top of my head. As the thunder faded, I allowed Ron's steady heartbeat and the fire's warmth to lull me back to sleep.