Hello everyone, I just want to say I'm sorry for the long wait in-between chapters. I have been getting busy recently. This chapter goes over some time that Ron and Hermione have alone in the Burrow before Harry arrives. Lots of tense moments in this one also! I had fun writing this chapter and I hope you all enjoy it! Don't forget to review!
*Disclaimer*- I do not own Harry Potter
Chapter 4- Normal is a beautiful thing
Ron and Hermione were eating lunch in the Burrow's kitchen, too embarrassed to even look at each other after the incident in the fireplace. Hermione was merely playing with her food, not bothering to eat, but she was deep in thought. I can't even look at him anymore without blushing like an idiot! Was he really going to kiss me? What if it had happened?
Mrs. Weasley noticed the two were avoiding each other's eyes. "Ron, Hermione, is everything alright?" she asked, clearly concerned.
Ron's ears went slightly pink. "Yes mum, everything is fine, why wouldn't it be? Bloody hell, why does she have to be so nosy sometimes?
"Well, you both seem awfully quiet," replied Mrs. Weasley.
"Mum! Really, everything is fine! I'm not really hungry anymore, thanks for the lunch Mum," said Ron, who was turning scarlet now. Without another word, Ron stormed out of the kitchen, leaving his food behind, not stopping until he reached his room on the fifth floor.
He sat down on his bed and thought about what just happened in the past few hours. Merlin, why did Ginny have to interrupt us? Now Hermione won't even look at me anymore! Way to go Ron, you really did screw everything up, like usual. He sighed, walked over to the window, and gazed outside. I thought this summer was going to be the best of my life, but now, it looks like it'll torture, she can't even look at me in the eye after what happened! We can't spend the entire summer avoiding each other can we?
Ron groaned slightly and buried his face in his hands. Blimey, I need to clear my head; maybe some quidditch will do me some good. I need to practice anyway if I want to be on the team this year. I'll just ask Ginny to practice with me for a while since she owes me for mucking up the whole thing. With another sigh, he left his room to find Ginny.
Back at the dining table, the mood was tense; Ron's denial was as good as a confession. "Mrs. Weasley, I'm not really hungry either," Hermione began, "I think I will just start to unpack."
Ginny jumped out of her seat. "I'll help you."
Hermione glared at Ginny, suspecting that she wanted to talk about what had happened in the fireplace.
"But the both of you have hardly touched your food!" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley. "Here, have some more soup," she insisted.
"No, really Mrs. Weasley, I had a late breakfast, but thank you," replied Hermione politely. I hate lying to her, but I can't just sit here, I need to think this through, she thought.
Mrs. Weasley gave an impatient noise, knowing that the battle was lost. "Okay then, I'll send up some tea later. Are you quite sure you don't want anything else?"
"Positive," replied Hermione. She left the kitchen to retrieve her trunk, which was still sitting in the living room. With the trunk in her hands, she walked upstairs to Ginny's room with Crookshanks following closely.
Ginny followed Hermione to her room, locking the door as she entered. "So, what happened between you and Ron?" she asked bluntly.
"Hmm?" replied Hermione, pretending not to have heard the question. Bloody hell, she knows!
"Oh bog off! I saw you two on the floor," said Ginny impatiently.
"Come off it Ginny, you know that was nothing," muttered Hermione, turning pink.
"Nothing, my arse," scoffed Ginny. "You were half an inch from snogging the magic out of my brother, don't you dare lie to me Hermione Granger!"
"You're barking mad, you know that?"
"So what if I am? But the truth is that you have feelings for Ron!"
"Oh come on Ginny, we've been friends for ages," Hermione was now positively scarlet.
"You avoided my point entirely—" started Ginny as she moved across the room to move Hermione's suitcase onto her bed. She paused, hearing a noise by the door; she knew it was Ron by the sound of his deep breathing. Ron's listening? Oh this'll be fun! Hermione did not hear him however. "Answer me Hermione! Do you have feelings for Ron or not?"
Ron was frozen, he had just shifted positions, and for a second, he thought that he had been discovered. His mind was racing with a thousand different thoughts. Shit, what did I just walk into? Maybe I should just leave before I get caught and Hermione hexes me into oblivion. But something kept Ron rooted to the spot, his legs would not move. Every inch of his body screamed in protest, but he pressed his ear tighter to the keyhole.
"Ginny!"
"So you're saying you don't have any feelings for Ron?"
"Of course I have feelings for him! He has been my best friend for ages now! He saved me from a mountain troll, he stood by my side when I got petrified, and we fought together last year in the department of mysteries! You don't go through that much with a person to not have feelings for them!"
Ron's heart was beating so furiously, he was afraid that Hermione could hear it. She has feelings for me? Oh bloody hell, this is getting good!
"What kind of feelings?" asked Ginny excitedly.
"What do you mean by that?" replied Hermione. Something isn't right, she thought. Ginny has never been this interested in her brother's life; she must have a reason for asking me these questions.
"You know…."
"Know what?"
But their conversation was interrupted by a loud crack in the kitchen.
Ron jumped and nearly gave himself away again. Damm, right when it was getting good! I better leave before they catch me. Reluctantly, he went to the kitchen to find out what the noise was.
It turned out to be Fleur. She was back from work early. Ron was immediately sucked in by her veela charm. "You're home early!" he commented with unusual enthusiasm.
Fleur smiled and pecked him on his cheek just as Hermione and Ginny entered the kitchen. Hermione's eyes gleamed dangerously; she had to resist the urge to slap Fleur in front of Ron and Ginny. What in Merlin's name is she doing here? That git looks awfully pleased with himself!
The conversation she had with her mother flashed through her mind briefly. Don't make the same mistake I did. Don't loose Ron. The words seemed to taunt her as she watched a cheeky grin spread across Ron's face. I can't avoid him forever, can I?
"Sorry," Ginny whispered." I should have told you she was staying here." But Hermione was paying her no attention; she was staring at Ron, who was grinning like an idiot.
"Yes, you should have," snapped Hermione. "Why is she here anyway?"
"She's marrying Bill, so he wanted her to spend the summer at the Burrow so she could get to know us better."
"Look at her, showing off like she is some kind of circus act, just who does she think she is?" scoffed Hermione.
"I know, she gets on my nerves also," said Ginny crossly.
"But I just don't get how she is getting married to Bill, they are practically opposites!"
"Like you and Ron?" smirked Ginny.
"Shut up Ginny! That's are completely different!" hissed Hermione
"Admit it," said Ginny
"Admit what?"
"That the only reason why you're overreacting is because you saw Fleur kiss Ron. Admit that you have feelings for Ron, it's not like a big secret or anything, the entire effing school knows! Even my mum and dad know for Merlin's sake!"
"Keep your voice down!" hissed Hermione.
"So you admit it!" Ginny grinned triumphantly.
"I admit nothing," replied Hermione defiantly.
"Whatever you say," mocked Ginny in a singsong voice, a plan was forming in her head.
"Shut it Ginny," said Hermione, who was half-laughing now.
"Make me,"
Ginny, ran towards the kitchen, hoping that Hermione would follow. If they are too scared to admit their love to each other, I'll make em!
"GINNY WEASLEY, YOU COME BACK HERE!" shouted Hermione. She ran to the kitchen and turned the corner, bouncing off of Ron who happened to be standing there. Ron quickly reached out and saved her from falling.
Hermione's eyes went wide in shock. I'm in his arms again! I could get used to being in his arms, he is really stronger than he looks.
Ron's heart quickened as he held her close for the fourth time in just a few hours; his body was on fire again, Hermione's skin burned against his. Then Ron noticed something else.
Ginny was standing n the corner, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. Fred and George would be so proud of you, he thought, making a mental note to thank his sister later. "You should watch where you are going Granger," teased Ron in a mock stern voice, trying to hide the blush coming to his face. He reluctantly let Hermione up, not wanting to raise the tension even further.
"Oh, very funny Ronald! Since when did you start calling me 'Granger'?" replied Hermione sarcastically as soon as she was on her feet again. It's so like Ron to make jokes in a time like this.
Ginny was watching, silently urging them on. Come on you idiots! This is perfect! Kiss NOW! NO Ron, why are you cracking jokes? Just kiss her! You two are hopeless, am I going to come over there and push your heads together? Why did you let her up? This is embarrassing!
"Since when did you start avoiding me?" asked Ron, turning scarlet.
"Since when did you tell me Fleur was staying here?" snapped Hermione, flaring up at once.
Ron and Hermione stared into each other's eyes, trying to read what lie beneath them. Blue clashed with brown and for a moment, something connected them.
"I-I didn't think it was that important," Ron stammered, trying to keep a straight face.
"NOT THAT IMPORTANT?"
"Blimey Hermione, I forget one thing and you jump down my throat?"
"Why were you down here anyway?" demanded Hermione. He's not getting off the hook that easily, even if I am being a bit ridiculous.
"I was going to ask Ginny to play some quidditch with me, do you want to watch?" replied Ron, trying to sound as casual as possible.
"And why would I want to do that? I still have to unpack."
"You know you want to."
"Do not!"
"Yes you do, you're a terrible liar."
"Shut it Ronald!"
"You still want to go, I know it."
"FINE!" snapped Hermione, half amused, half frustrated with Ron.
Ginny grinned broadly. "You're going down." She went to the broom shed to fetch the brooms.
The three of them left the burrow and walked to the orchard where the Weasleys built a makeshift quidditch pitch.
Ron was explaining the rules to Hermione as they were walking down to the quidditch pitch "Okay, rules are fairly simple, Ginny's the chaser, I'm the keeper, every time Ginny scores, she gets ten points, every time I save a shot, I get ten points. First one to reach five hundred points wins. You can be the scorekeeper."
Hermione said nothing, but kept on walking until they reached the quidditch pitch.
The quidditch pitch was a large clearing surrounded by trees. At two of the edges, there were three tall hoops made out of wood. There was even a makeshift commentator's box and stands that could seat about twenty people.
Hermione took a seat in one of the stands and got out a roll of parchment, some ink, and a phoenix feather quill that Ron gave her. Merlin, he looks good on a broom, she thought.
Ron was flying towards one of the goalposts. "Ready?" he called over to Ginny. I better win this time, or at least not lose too badly.
Ginny was now in the air and carrying an old and beat up quaffle in her hands. "Ready! You're going down Ron!" she replied
Ginny flew towards Ron's goal posts with breathtaking ease. Okay, I have to let Ron look good. She tried a shot right at him, taking care to not curve it.
Ron was disappointed, expecting better from Ginny. Disappointment soon turned into anger once he realized what Ginny was doing. She is letting me win! I don't need her help, I would rather win on my own. After he saved his tenth shot in a row, he had enough. "Oi, timeout! I want a quick word."
Hermione was puzzled; something is up, she thought. Why did Ron call a timeout when he was doing brilliant? Why did he want a word with Ginny? I suppose he could be giving some advice, but something does not seem quite right, Ginny's playing terrible! She's much better than this!
Ron and Ginny landed on the other side of the pitch, away from Hermione. It was several moments before Ron spoke up in a whisper. "Look, I know you are letting me win, you are better than this, I've seen you play since we were kids."
"Am not!" protested Ginny.
"Look, I'm not daft you know, I saw the grin you had on your face when I caught Hermione, you went into the kitchen for a reason! You thought that I might run into her! Now, you think she will be impressed if I win," explained Ron.
He caught me! "So what if I did those things? I'm trying to help you!"
"Look, I would rather win on my own skill, I don't need your help".
"You're so bloody proud, you know that?" replied Ginny.
"Maybe so, but please, let me try to win on my own skill," he asked, almost pleading.
Ginny sighed, but understanding dawned on her. Maybe it's for the best, she thought. "Fine, but you are going down," she said.
"We'll see about that," he smirked.
Both of them took to the air again and flew towards the goalposts.
"Everything all right?" called Hermione.
"Yeah, but we want to start over, there was something wrong with Ginny's broom, but I got it sorted," lied Ron.
Hermione was suspicious. "What was wrong?" she asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.
"Erm— " began Ron, but Ginny came to his rescue.
"Oh, it was nothing big, just a few loose twigs at the end, you ready Ron?"
"Oh," Hermione, did not believe them at all.
Ginny flew confidently toward Ron's goalposts. She faked going left and swerved right, shooting at the last second, but Ron saved it with the edge of his foot. Ginny was shocked for a moment before grinning. "Lucky save," she teased.
The game dragged on and Ron made some truly spectacular saves. The score was 370-50 in Ron's favor. Ron felt as if he could do nothing wrong. With each passing shot, his confidence grew.
Ginny approached the goalposts again, feeling increasingly frustrated. Nothing she tried worked. She tried the same fake she used in her first attempt. Ron, who was feeling too confident for his own good, fell for the fake and dived in the completely wrong direction. Hermione let out an involuntary giggle that didn't go unnoticed by Ron.
Ron gritted his teeth; his confidence broke immediately, his head was pounding, and he felt like he was going to be sick. Bloody hell, how embarrassing! I probably looked like I was confounded. Ginny is better than me anyway, I suppose I am lucky to even break three hundred, thought Ron.
Ginny started to score over and over with ease. With each shot she made, Ron's confidence sank lower and lower. The score was 460-400 in Ginny's favor now. She debated internally whether or not to let Ron win. Should I let him catch up before I destroy him even more? Naa, he's going to have to earn a win from me now. Gritting her teeth, she flew toward the goalposts.
Ron saw Ginny in slow motion. She is going to fake right and go left this time, he thought. He steered his broom to his left, but he swerved too fast. Instantly, he was thrown off balance. Gripping onto the broom with one hand, he saw the quaffle zoom toward him. Reacting instantly, Ron kicked the quaffle away with his left foot.
Hermione dropped her quill in shock. How in did he manage to do that and keep his balance? He could have broken his neck if he did not maintain his grip on the broom! Still, I can't say I'm not impressed; she blushed slightly.
Ginny was hovering in midair with her mouth open. How the hell did Ron manage to do that?
Ron's confidence was boosted and he managed to take the lead, the score was 490-480 in Ron's favor. I can do this!
Hermione was watching the match with keen interest and encouraged Ron on.
Ron's heart leapt when he heard Hermione encouraging him. There is no way I'm going to lose now. He closed his eyes momentarily and took a deep breath before turning to face Ginny. She dived left, but then swerved right, firing a shot that curved towards the far right post. He knew what he had to do immediately. I'm not going to get there on time! He gathered all of his courage and raced toward the right post, at the last second, he dove off his broom, punching the quaffle away with a fist. He crashed into a pile of dirt at the base of the goalposts.
Hermione dropped her quill and sprinted onto the pitch. Why does he have to be such an idiot sometimes? "RONALD WEASLEY, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? YOU COULD HAVE BROKEN YOUR NECK ALL OVER A STUPID GAME!"
"I'm fine Hermione, calm down! My ankle got roughed up a little from the fall, but that's about it."
Hermione examined his ankle carefully. "You probably sprained it," she muttered. "Can you walk?"
Ron tried to walk, but grimaced in pain. "A little," he said, "but not enough to walk home."
Ginny figured she'd give them some time alone and left for home, carrying Hermione's supplies along with her own equipment before they could protest.
"I don't think you fancy walking all the way home," Ron said.
"No, I suppose not."
"Well hop on then!" Ron gestured to his broom and Hermione climbed on. Ron tried to kick off from the ground, but he could not due to his ankle.
"Do you know how to fly?" asked Ron, grimacing in pain.
"Of course I do," snapped Hermione. "Lets go, everyone will probably be wondering where we are."
Hermione switched spots with Ron. He put his arms around her waist for support. Blushing furiously, he tried to keep a straight face, but could not. His eyes were full of the same desire that Hermione's showed when they arrived at the burrow. He allowed his hands to move slightly up and down Hermione's sides His heart felt as though it was going to burst, a thousand different thoughts raced through his head. Gulping gargoyles, she feels so perfect! He could not believe his own nerve.
Hermione gasped, but didn't say a word. She kicked up from the ground and the two of them were flying back to the Burrow.
The rest of the journey was completed in silence; both of them were wrapped up in their own thoughts.
Blimey! thought Ron. Is this really happening? This whole day feels too good to be true; maybe I'll wake up any moment now in my bed, preparing to pick up Hermione. But this is real! My hands are around Hermione Granger's waist! If I have the nerve to touch her like this, I can certainly talk to her! Stop being such a coward Ron, you're going to talk to her properly, it's the only way.
Hermione was trying to concentrate on flying, but it was proving difficult. Are his arms really around me? How long have they been there? I'm not even a good at flying and I am distracted, yet we are flying fine! I feel as if I can do anything in his hands. Ronald Weasley has come a long way from that eleven year old boy in the Hogwarts Express. He is not a little boy anymore; he is a man. Her breath caught on the last word. Yet here I am, embarrassed like a second year about some physical contact! I certainly enjoy it, so why am I hiding from him? No, time to swallow your pride Hermione Granger; you are going to apologize to him the moment you land. Her mother's words repeated themselves in her head, don't lose Ron, they taunted. No, I'm not going to loose Ron, not now, she thought defiantly.
They landed in the Burrow's garden. Hermione quickly put Ron's broom in the broom shed. When she returned, both of them stared into each other's eyes.
"Look—" they began at the same time.
Ron laughed before saying "you first."
"No Ron, you go first," replied Hermione.
Ron paused for a moment. She's so stubborn, but I like that about her, he thought. "Well, I was wondering when we can talk again, we've barely spoke since you got here!" he blurted out.
Hermione stood in shock. Did he just say what I was about to say? "I have been avoiding you, I just wanted to say I'm sorry," muttered Hermione.
Ron blinked; all of the pain in his ankle drained away at these words. The two of them stood in awkward silence before Ron spoke up. "So, does this mean we are back to normal?" he asked slowly.
Hermione allowed a small smile to spread across her face before replying. "Normal seems perfect to me," she whispered. "Now, lets get you back into the house before your ankle gets even worse."
Ron and Hermione behaved normally at the dinner table, laughing and talking with the rest of the Weasley family. Mrs. Weasley healed Ron's ankle with a wave of her wand and he was walking and making jokes about his injury in no time.
Ron and Hermione went to bed thinking the same thought; Normal was more than fine, it was just perfect.
Author's note- School is starting up soon, so I wont have as much time to write as I normally do, but I will try to continue this story. Next chapter will also be at the Burrow! Also, thank you to everyone that has reviewed so far you guys keep me going!