Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny came tumbling out of the fireplace one after another. They looked at their surroundings in confusion.
"Is this the right place?" Ginny asked, wrinkling her nose.
"It must be," replied Hermione. We all arrived at the same place, didn't we? If we hadn't been clear, we'd be all over the place."
Ron walked further into the room. "Well, it certainly looks like Muggles live here," he commented, pointing to a television set standing against one wall.
"That's because some do," said a voice from the doorway. Dean entered the room to greet his guests.
"Sorry I wasn't in here sooner, I was getting things ready out back."
"Is that why we need the jumpers, Dean?" Harry asked.
"Yeah. My parents are going to be gone for another hour or so, and said that the only way that I could have friends over is if we stayed outside while they were gone." The others nodded in understanding. "So, do you want a tour?" Dean asked brightly.
"But Dean, you just said that your parents want us outside while they're gone," Hermione replied.
"Yeah, but it's just a tour. C'mon, I want to show you my football collection!"
"I told you we'd be playing football," Ron muttered quietly to Hermione. Hermione elbowed him in the ribs.
"Ow! What was that for?" Ron growled.
"You behave. Dean's been nice enough to invite us over. You're just not used to being a guest," Hermione said.
"What do you mean by that?" Ron whispered forcefully. His eyes darted to see Harry and Ginny looking curiously at them. Thankfully, though, Dean was a little farther ahead and couldn't hear him.
"I mean that we're always at your house, and you're used to doing what you normally do at home. This is someone else's house, and we need to respect that," Hermione explained.
"I can be a good guest!" Ron retorted. I'll show her. I'm going to be the best bloody guest ever!
"So, Dean, how do you play this football game of yours?" Ron asked as Dean led them down the upstairs hallway.
Harry cocked his eyebrows at Ron. Ron gave him a look that said, "What?" Harry shook his head and gave Ron a look that said, "I want an explanation later."
Dean's eyes went wide with excitement as he started to explain to Ron and Ginny all the rules of football. Harry and Hermione already knew most of them, as they grew up in Muggle households. Ron pretended to be interested to show Hermione how good of a guest he could be, but only after giving her a smirk that got him another elbow in the ribs. This time he didn't have to ask what it was for.
The tour was quick, and soon they were grateful that Dean had told them to bring their jumpers. Although it was summer, the night air was chilly. Hermione squinted her eyes and saw a light up ahead and what looked like to be some more people.
"Oh yeah, that's right. Seamus and Neville are already here," Dean said. The five got closer and saw Seamus and Neville taking up two of the seats around a large bonfire.
"Hey guys! What's up?" Seamus asked, getting up to give Harry and Ron half-hugs and pats on the back. He just waved to the girls.
"How've your summers been?" Neville asked, except he hugged the girls and waved to Harry and Ron.
"It's been good, how're your summers?" Harry asked. "Neville, how's Luna?"
Neville looked at his feet. Hermione was sure that if it were lighter out they would be able to see a fierce blush. Although he and Luna had been going out for a while, he was still shy about it.
"She's good. I miss her, though. She's been gone with her father for about a month looking for Snaketailed Snorkelfish in the Mediterranean," Neville explained.
Hermione rolled her eyes. She had never been able to just let Luna's crazy creatures go like the others were.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and sit down," Dean said, gesturing to the chairs that he had set out for them.
Harry and Ginny quickly grabbed seats next to each other, to Dean's chagrin and Seamus' amusement. Hermione noticed Dean's uneasy face. He must still have some feelings for Ginny. I sure hope for his sake that he gets over them quickly! Ron sat down on the other side of Harry. Hermione tried to sit next to Ginny, but Seamus quickly took that seat, Neville took the one next to him, and Dean took the one next to Neville. That left Hermione between Dean and Ron. She looked at Ron out of the corner of her eye as she sat down. She felt heat rising on her cheeks. Thank Merlin it's dark outside! Hermione thought. Not only did she not want Ron to see her blush, but she could just imagine what the others would assume!
Ron watched as all the boys blocked Hermione's chosen seats. How immature, he thought. Although…does this mean that Hermione doesn't want to sit by me? I mean, I know I got her upset in the house, but she knew that I was just kidding around, right? RIGHT! Ron argued with himself some more as Hermione sat down next to him. He could feel the tips of his ears burning. Good thing it's dark outside. There's no way I'd want the other guys to catch me blushing! They already give me so much bloody crap as there is.
The seven teens began to catch up on their summers, and then they started to recall embarrassing events from the past couple of years. Mainly the boys did this, of course, since they all shared a room and knew some things about each other that they themselves didn't know.
"So Harry, I see you got over Cho Chang," teased Seamus. Seamus always had to bring stuff like that up. Please don't mention Lavender; please don't mention Lavender, Ron thought, hoping that Seamus would telepathically get the message.
"Oh, maybe I have, maybe I haven't," replied Harry, only to get punched in the arm by Ginny.
"And the only reason it wasn't a Bat-Bogey Hex was because we're in a Muggle neighborhood. So I'd watch it if I were you," Ginny warned.
"Hey Neville, do you remember the time Seamus dreamt he was at a waterfall and he-"
"One more word Potter and you're dead!" Seamus yelled before Harry could finish his sentence.
The other boys knew exactly what Harry was talking about. Neville looked somewhat uncomfortable laughing at Seamus' embarrassing moment, but Ron had no qualms about it. He was laughing so hard he nearly fell out of his chair. That sobered Ron up a little and he climbed back into his chair. As the others were calming themselves Hermione leaned over and whispered, "What is that all about?"
"Like you don't know," Ron responded. "I'm sure you can figure it out."
Hermione gave Ron a confused look.
"Alright, I'll tell you later," he whispered. Ron turned back to the fire to see that everyone was talking quietly and looking at him and Hermione.
"What're you all looking at?" Ron said, clearly annoyed.
Everyone chorused, "Nothing," and went back to catching up with each other. Ron started to get antsy. His legs were bobbing up and down. He glanced over at Hermione and found her deep in conversation with Dean about, well, he didn't really know.
I can't take this anymore, I've gotta go do something! Ron thought. He looked around for an excuse to get up, and then he found it. Perfect! Ron got up and walked to the edge of the lawn where he saw a ball. It was one of those light, bouncy balls that are perfect for anything. He ran up behind Harry and threw it at the back of his head. Harry felt the back of his head, confused, then turned around to see Ron standing there with a big grin on his face. Harry looked down behind his chair, saw the ball and picked it up.
"You're dead, Mate!" Harry yelled as he got up and ran after Ron. That was exactly what Ron needed, some running around. Ron ran to the other side of the fire, behind Dean. Harry threw the ball at Ron, but the ball dropped to soon and hit Dean square on the top of his head. Dean's reaction copied Harry's: he felt the top of his head, looked up and saw Harry, looked down, picked up the ball, and got up.
This time it was Harry's turn to run. Ron stopped running and started to laugh at Harry, who Dean was chasing with all his might. Harry looked so funny that Ron doubled over in laughter. Before he could stand up straight again he felt something hit his back. He turned around and saw Harry standing there, holding the ball.
"I told you that you were dead, Mate," Harry said smugly, raising his arm to throw the ball again.
"Oh no you don't!" Ron shouted and dove for Harry, grabbing him around the middle and taking him to the ground. Ron fell on top of Harry, grabbed the ball, got up quickly, and ran toward the fire. Where Ginny, Neville, Seamus, and Hermione still sat. There's no way they're not getting involved in this¸ Ron thought.
Ron walked up to the campfire casually. He tossed the ball from one hand to the other, looking each person in the eyes. Ginny's eyes told him that if he knew what was good for him, he wouldn't throw the ball at her. Neville's eyes told him that Neville was very afraid of getting involved in such a violent game. Seamus' eyes challenged Ron to throw it at him, and Hermione's eyes…Well, Ron didn't know what Hermione's eyes were saying. All he knew was that he felt a chill go up his spine, although he was sweating from running.
Ron walked slowly around the campfire, making sure to still look everyone in the face, although he kept away from Hermione's eyes. The chill had been pleasant, but he didn't want to think about where it had come from. He inched around behind Ginny's chair, making Ginny twist around so she could keep an eye on him the entire time. Ron kept going and got closer to Neville's chair. When Ron was about a foot away Neville covered his face with his arms to protect himself from the possibility that Ron might throw the ball at him. Neville relaxed, though, when he saw Ron's shoes pass by his chair through the slit in his arms. Ron kept walking until he was behind Seamus and Hermione's chairs, exactly the same distance between them. Now, how was he going to accomplish this? He thought for a moment, and then brought the ball up to throw it. At first he looked like he was going to throw it at Hermione, but when he threw the ball Ron twisted his wrist, sending the ball toward Seamus. It hit Seamus' chair and bounced off in the other direction, hitting Hermione's arm. The two turned around simultaneously and glared at Ron, who gave them a big grin and ran off in the other direction. Ron could hear Ginny as he ran.
"C'mon Neville, we're missing all the fun!"
Ginny got up and pulled a very reluctant Neville from his chair. Ginny caught up to Ron, who was running away from Seamus, who currently had the ball.
"I thought you didn't want to play," said Ron, stopped briefly behind a tree to catch his breath.
"And miss this fun? No way. I just wasn't going to let my youngest brother hit me while I was defenseless," said Ginny. Hey look, Harry has the ball now."
Ginny pointed behind Ron, who turned around. Indeed, Harry had the ball again, and he was standing about a foot away from Ron.
Bloody hell, Ron thought as Harry threw the ball at Ron's chest. Ron quickly grabbed the ball and ran toward the middle of the yard. He looked around, trying to decide who to throw it at when THUD! He was facedown on the ground. He felt the ball get wrenched from his hands. When he got up, he saw Dean running away laughing with the ball in his hands.
Ron yelled to the person nearest to Dean. "Hey Neville! Get him!" Ron pointed to Dean.
Neville glanced at Dean, then back at Ron. His eyes went wide. He pointed to himself and mouthed, "Me?" to Ron. Ron nodded vigorously, still pointing to Dean.
Neville looked around, hesitating. He saw that the others were also pointing for him to get Dean. He kept hesitating, when suddenly he heard a voice yell behind him. "Now!" it said. Neville didn't think, but just acted. He grabbed for the ball, but was a second too late and instead grabbed Dean's ankle. That was enough. Dean hit the ground and Neville stood there, amazed at what he did. He heard Ginny yell, "Get the ball!" so he bent down, grabbed the ball, and ran. He ran harder when he saw that everyone else was chasing him.
Ron ran with the rest, chasing after Neville. Hermione started eeking out past the others, thought. I'm not going to be beaten by Hermione! Ron thought and ran even harder, quickly catching up with Hermione. He soon overtook her, jumped, and landed tackled Neville to the ground. He picked up the ball and waved it in the air while giving a triumphant yell. He had taken no more than two steps when he felt something hit his side and knock him over. He fell to the ground and rolled slightly so he was on his back.
Suddenly, he started to sweat profusely. He felt warm and tingly all over. He hadn't just been tackled, but he had been tackled by Hermione. And Ron had not just fallen down, but he had fallen down with Hermione on top of him!
Hermione bit her lip nervously. She couldn't believe that she had just done that! So now, for the second time this summer, she was on top of Ron Weasley. I'd better get off before anyone says anything, she thought. It was too late, thought.
As Hermione and Ron got up they heard loud catcalls and whistling coming from the others. Hermione risked a glance over at Ron out of the corner of her eye. She was glad to see that Ron was as embarrassed, if not more, than she was. His blush was visible even in the dark. Seeing Ron's flushed face, Hermione blushed herself. She'd had enough of this game for a while.
"I think I'm going to take a break for a while," Hermione said, dropping the ball to the ground.
"I'm with you there," Neville said. "I need to get by the light of the fire to check my bruises."
"Oh, you're not bruised, Neville!" Ron protested.
"Besides, even if you are bruised, bruises are cool!" Ginny proclaimed.
"Really?" Neville asked.
"Of course!" Ginny answered.
"Hey, if you two want anything to drink while sitting there, just look in the cooler by the back door," Dean offered.
"Cooler?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, it's a box that holds the cold well, so if you put drinks in with ice they stay cool," Harry explained.
"Something to drink? I think I'll come with you guys," said Seamus, walking toward the house.
Hermione, Seamus, and Neville sat by the fire. Hermione opened her bottle of water and took a large drink. That game really wore me out, she thought, closing her eyes and tilting her head back so she felt the cool night air on her face, rather than the hot air from the fire.
Hermione looked back at the fire and took another sip of water.
"So Hermione, are you and Ron dating?" Neville asked timidly.
Hermione spit out her sip of water and stared at Neville. "Umm…no," she said. I can't believe he asked me that! There is no way that I even gave the idea that we were dating…did I?
Seamus started to laugh. "What're you laughing at?" Hermione asked defensively.
"I can't believe Neville actually asked that! You beat me to it, Mate!" Seamus said.
Hermione stared at Seamus. "Now where would you get an idea like that from?" Maybe now I'll find out what makes them think that…
"Like you don't know," Seamus said, grinning.
Dammit! It didn't work! "Well, let's say I don't."
Seamus opened his mouth to reply, but Hermione never found out what he was going to say because just then Ron came up behind Hermione and asked, "What are you guys talking about?"
A/N: Well, here's a long one! Hopefully I'll be able to get the next one up soon, and with more Ron/Hermione in it. Be patient, though, because I have plans and I'm setting them up right now! Thanks for reading, and don't forget to review!