O my god…I am updating. I know it has been a very very long time. Nine months actually…a full pregnancy. I wish I had an excuse but I have none. Laziness, lost of interest, false alarms….really life just happened to me, got stepped on a bit and stopped writing. I have a new story out on called Distant Dreamer and writing that has sparked something. I am going to finish my stories. I am going to write and do something with my time instead of sitting around. I am going to be constructive! And so here it is…Chapter 7, finally.
Chapter 7—Winter Nights
Hermione laid staring at the ceiling of her room. Christmas Vacation had come and soon that dreaded Malfoy Ball would come as well. Ginny was fast asleep in the bed beside her. Last month, Hermione had taken to avoiding Ron at all cost. He touched her too much. Her mind constantly replayed the night she had come back from her duties late November.
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Ron had stayed up for her but had eventually fallen asleep on the sofa in the common room. As the portrait closed before her he woke, looking over at her as his vision cleared of sleep. He looked impossibly cute than. He smiled at her, a crooked sleepy smile before he yawned. Hermione became acutely aware of the temperature difference in the room. She shivered as the warmth flowed over her. Ron jumped up as she shook. "Alright there Mione? Merlin look at you, you're practically blue!" His hands gripped her arm and he slowly ran them across them, warming her. He pulled her towards the fire as he did so. She hadn't realized how cold she really was until he touched her. He was burning hot, his flesh feeling like heated silk against her hands. She blushed as he blew warm breath on her hands before rubbing them together. "Warm enough?" She actually was, but she shook her head. She wanted him to keep touching her. She moved closer to him, blushing deeper as his body heat radiated towards her. She pulled him to her, burying her face in his chest. "Hermione?" his arms tentatively held her, rubbing her back a bit.
"I'm very cold Ron. I just…You are very warm." She looked up at his confused face. "Could you just warm me a bit longer?" she asked boldly. It was unlike her to say something like that. It was his turn to blush as he looked down her. Her whole body was shaking. Even her lips trembled as she spoke.
"There's not much more I can do Mione. Maybe…maybe you should just take a warm bath." She didn't want a warm bath though. What she wanted was for Ron to notice her and hold her, just as he was. She looked up at him again. He was staring at her, his face etched in concern.
"I don't need a warm bath Ron."
"Well, I just thought that…" And she was kissing him. His face was between her palms and his hands had released her. She pulled back to see his eyes wide and face an almost blood red. He scrambled away from her, standing and dashing up the stairs. He didn't say anything. He didn't kiss her back. He just ran away.
Hermione groaned as she thought of that night. She had kissed him like an idiot. What was worse was that he acted as if nothing had happened. He continued being the same old Ron, as if she hadn't kissed him. Her mind replayed the day she had talked to him about that night.
"It's okay Mione," he had said. "I don't really know what happened, but I guess the cold really got to you." He laughed. He had actually laughed and Hermione had forced a laugh from herself when she really wanted to cry. Ron would never see her as more than a friend. She rolled over as the sun began peeking through the window. She almost cussed as she realized she had only slept for four hours. She got out of bed and dressed. She might as well help Mrs. Weasley with breakfast since she was awake.
That morning at breakfast Harry came bounding down the stairs with Ron grumbling behind him. He looked terribly excited. "Merlin you won't believe this!" he exclaimed. Ron had heavy bags under his eyes. He obviously hadn't slept. He sat next to Hermione at the table, leaning his head against her shoulder. She stiffened at the contact.
"I believe it!" Ron said as he adjusted his position. "I should, the wanker has been talking about it all bloody night," he mumbled against her cheek. Hermione stifled a laugh. So Harry had kept Ron awake all night?
"Yvette is coming! She is visiting her cousins in London and she decided that she could come by while she was here!" Harry looked like he was going to have a heart attack from his excitement. Mrs. Weasley smiled at the news.
"That is lovely dear! When is she planning on arriving?"
"Later this afternoon. After four." He could barely contain his joy. Ginny patted him on the back.
"So we finally get to meet this girl?" she asked. "Oh mum, Lavender owled and she asked if I could join her for a bit of shopping. I need to get new robes for the ball and…"
"You're going to that?" Hermione interrupted.
"Yes. And I expected you as well. Oh come on, when will you ever get a chance to embarrass Malfoy in his own home?" Hermione contemplated her words for a moment. Ginny half hoped that Hermione didn't embarrass Malfoy. Harry's words terrified her.
"I'll come. I'll even bring Yvette." A menacing grin spread across his face. Ginny had forgotten that his girlfriend was a muggle. A low cackle emitted from him before Mrs. Weasley promptly hit him in the back of his head.
"Stop it dear, you're beginning to sound like Voldemort…"
Eeek. So please review. I feel a bit rusty at fanfiction now. I am actually working on the next chapter now so no more long waits.
