Ron groaned as the morning sunlight teased his closed eyelids. He tried to turn away, but the damned light surrounded him. Who knew artificial sunlight could feel so real in a dungeon?

He had no one to blame but himself and he knew it. He hated alarm clocks and the only way to get up in the mornings was to leave the curtains around his bed and the window open. It was a natural way to get up, and it was hell of a lot more soothing than a shrieking, beeping, or ringing alarm clock.

It was Saturday morning and he was loath to get up, but he knew he would not be able to sleep after all this. He rolled onto his back and rubbed his eyes open, kicking the sheets off of his body. As he did so, he was met with an unexpected and unwelcomed guest.

"You again?" he groaned. "I thought we talked about this. You need to be strong and leave me alone. At least until I need you." He was met with silence and shook his head. "Go away! I can't help you now. I know I don't have class or anything, but this...this is wrong. It's been years since I've done anything like that and I won't start up again. I refuse to." More silence. "Don't give me that look! I can't do anything about this...Okay, okay. It's not that I can't so much as I won't. But you have to understand where I'm coming from. You see..."

Just then Draco yanked open the curtains around his bed looking around.

"Who the fuck are you talking to!" the irritation in his voice evident. Ron's face turned red as he saw the realization dawn on Draco as he looked at Ron and then his boxers. "Are you talking to your hard on?"

Ron shook his head furiously. "N-no."

"Are you fucking mental? What is wrong with you?" Ron opened his mouth to deny everything, but Draco rolled his eyes. "Forget it. But do you mind if you keep your lovers' spat at a whisper?" He snapped back the curtains, not waiting for an answer, muttering "Stupid, demented bastard."

Ron stared down at his erection shaking his head. "You happy now? You've gone and embarrassed us. It's like I'm 12 again. I know what's going on. I'm not stupid. Granger put you up to this, didn't she? Oh that naughty little minx. She's trying to destroy me. I know it!" At the mention of Hermione, his member gave a little jump. Ron gave a soft moan. He couldn't be blamed for waking up every morning, hard and aching. Not after the last week he spent with Hermione. Although she never let it get far, she gave him enough to fuel nights upon nights of hot, steamy dreams with a slightly clad, incredibly sexy Hermione as the star. And each and every morning he was met face to face with a part of his anatomy that he prided himself on controlling. However, any thought of Hermione threw all that control out the window.

His boner was still staring back at him and he sighed. "Fine, fine. You win, but just this once!" He shifted a bit on the bed until he got very comfortable, and slowly dragged his hand down his chest and abdomen, taking a deep breath before moving his palm over the tent of his boxers. Just as he was about to make that sweet contact, Draco opened up the curtains again.

"I thought i told you to shut--" he stared at Ron's hand before looking up at Ron with a smug grin. "Whatcha doing?" he asked annoyingly. Ron groaned and jumped out of bed, heading into the bathroom. "Oh come on Ron! That's perfectly natural. It's a sign of weakness, yes, but I bet it feels oh so good!"

"Fuck you Malfoy!" he shouted as he slammed the bathroom door shut.

Draco laughed and laughed until his stomach could take no more.

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The best part about waking up early on the weekends, in Ron's opinion, was the fact that only a handful of people were in the Great Hall. There were the first years who didn't want to waste any extra time sleeping that could be spent on exploring the amazing castle. There were the nostalgic seventh years who felt the same as the first years, not wanting to waste any time in Hogwarts, wanting to comit everything to memory. Then there was everyone else: those who just could not sleep late, no matter what they tried, those who preferred to get their work done in the early part of the day so they can relax later, and those, like Ron, who just loved quiet mornings and savored them whenever he can drag himself out of bed.

He sipped on his orange juice, picking up the Daily Prophet he had swiped from the Ravenclaw table. Why pay five knuts when you can borrow it from someone else?

He sighed as he read the headlines, all saying the same thing: Voldemort was back and his troops were growing day by day. Ron shook his head, looking something more lighthearted and groaned as he read about another Cannons' defeat. What is wrong with the world?

He turned the page again, hoping his horoscope would give him something to smile about, when a familiar looking owl circled the Slytherin table and dropped off two letters into his porridge bowl. Just as well, he thought synically as he pulled the letters out of the ruined porridge. No point in bulking up and being too heavy for my broom.

He read the addresses and both letters and opened up the one addressed to him and finally smiled.

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An irate Harry and Ginny were glaring at a dazed Hermione who, the night before, insisted they get up early and get everything done ahead of time so come the fever pitch of Quidditch season, they wouldn't have a problem balancing school and work. They had humored her, saying they would get up, but little did they know that she'd send a flock of canaries to screech over their heads until they got up, or until their roommates threw them out of the room to stop the birds, as was a the case with Harry. She even went so far as having breakfast brought up to them by a happy Dobby who left with an armful of socks.

But now it was almost two hours later and Hermione had not turned a page in her Charms book. She was just staring out the window, a small smile on her lips and a blush on her cheeks, while Harry and Ginny rushed to finish their work. Finally, Harry cracked. He slammed his hand down on the table, making Hermione jump.

"Harry, what--"

"Hermione! You dragged us out of bed to work and you're not doing any of it! How fair is that?"

Hermione looked to Ginny for confirmation and she nodded. Hermione sighed, closing her book, slowly. "I'm sorry guys. I just wanted to help, but I can't seem to concentrate myself. You two can go and spend some alone time together, I know that's what you want."

She moved to get up when Harry held her hand gently. "No Hermione, we're sorry. And we don't want you to go either." Ginny nodded again.

"Yeah Hermione. You were right, this is one of the few weekends we can spend without worrying about the Quidditch scores and who needs to beat who to win." Hermione smiled.

"Whom," she corrected. Ginny frowned and Hermione sighed. "Okay, I'll stay, but we have to do our work later on today. Sounds good?"

Both nodded like obedient students. "Yes Professor Granger."

Hermione rolled her eyes, about to call them assesbefore shaking her head. Ron was having an awful influence on her. Just as she was about to suggest they go down to get something to eat, Harry asked if they wanted to go down and visit Hagrid. Both girls agreed and all headed up to grab their cloaks and hats since the weather was getting worst and worst.

-----------------

The three sat by the fire in Hagrid's Hut, trying to warm their blue little fingers around the cup of cocoa Hagrid offered them after their endless trek in the harsh, winter wind.

"I can't wait til it snows," said a shivering Hermione. Harry and Ginny looked at her as if she was crazy.

"You want it to snow?"

"Well, yeah. If it snows then there is a reason for it to be cold. Besides, it can't snow in really cold weather. The temperature has to go up for that."

Harry stared while Ginny laughed. "You're a human encyclopedia Hermione," she said and then added quickly "and we all love you for it." Hermione blushed and mumbled a thanks.

"We all love our lil Hermione," said Hagrid from his big armchair. He was sitting knitting a pink hat for Fang. By the looks of it, Fang wanted to rip it out of Hagrid's hands and bury it deep within the forest. "Speakin' of love, any boyfriends, Hermione?"

"Hagrid!" Why couldn't the earth open up and eat me now. She was even more infuriated when he shrugged indifferently. "Just an honest question."

Just then Fang perked up and bounded across the room, sitting obediently at the front door, and stayed there for about a minute.

"What is that about?" Harry asked warily. He never did trust that dog, or any of Hagrid's pets.

"Oh," Hagrid said nervously, "that's--er-- that's nothin' ter worry about." But even as he said his eyes were fleeting from the door back to Harry.

"Are you--?" Just then Fang started scratching at the door, barking loudly. On the other side of the door came a booming laugh.

"Is that Fangy? Didja miss me boy?"

Ginny rolled her eyes, looking at Hermione whispering, "Speak of the devil." Luckily Harry didn't hear her from the loud barks. Fang scratched at the door desperately now, and Hagrid finally opened the door, Fang pouncing on Ron, slamming him against the wall, licking his face. Ron tried to push him off, laughing the whole time.

"Geroff me you disgusting beast!"

Fang quickly got off and obediently stayed at Ron's feet, following him around the Hut. Ron walked over to Hagrid, wiping the smelly slime off of his face.

"What do you feed him, Hagrid? Baby trolls?" Hagrid laughed nervously, slapping Ron's back a little too harshly, sending him flying into the table. Ron's chin slammed against the table, making him bite his tongue.

"Shit!"

He heard someone gasp and looked up to see Harry, Ginny, and Hermione watching him with varying degrees of worry and humor. Damn that Ginny.

Hermione was sitting there, her cheeks a lovely shade of pink from the cold weather, her hair wind swept, and her mouth opened slightly in shock. As he stared at her, he felt a certain stirring in his pants. Traitor! He had to think of something quick or he was going to have to explain why his wand was standing at attention. Someone from above must have heard his prayer because just then some of the drool he forgot to wipe off dripped from his ear and onto the table. Well, if that didn't do it, nothing else would. And sucess! His pants were loose once more.

"Sorry there Ron. Don' know my own stregth, I guess." Ron got up and rubbed his chin, glaring at Ginny as she let a giggle escape.

"It's fine Hagrid. Stop laughing Ginny!" That just made her laugh harder.

"Fine, I guess I'll just take this letter from Charlie and give it to Fang." He waved around the parchment in Fang's face.

She quited quickly. "You got a letter from Charlie? Gimme it!" She flew out of her chair, grabbing the letter out of Ron's hand. Ron shook his head, smiling.

"Oh! Hagrid, Charlie sent you something, too." He handed over a bunch of picture featuring one of the scariests, ugliests pets Hagrid ever had.

"Norbert! Look at my baby. 'e's so big and healthy. Is 'e happy?" Ron nodded, smiling.

"Yeah, Charlie says he goes to sleep every night with a picture of you in his cave."

Hagrid started to tear up a bit, sitting down, watching as Norbert flew around, blasting the tops of trees and terrorizing a Muggle's cattle.

"Charlie says he has a girlfriend, too." Ron winked at Hermione, laughing as Hagrid perked up.

"Charlie has a girlfriend?" asked Ginny. Harry read the letter over her shoulder.

"There's nothing in here about a girlfriend. Just him saying he's gonna try to make it for Christmas this year." Harry was a little worried about that. Bill and Charlie were the scariest Weasley's in his eyes and now that he was with Ginny, he shuddered to think what they might do to him.

Ron stared at them increduously, and then looked over at Hermione.

"Help me out here. Maybe you can make them understand."

Hermione laughed. "He meant that Norbert has a girlfriend."

"Ohhhh," said Harry and Ginny simutaneously. Ron rolled his eyes.

"I think Potter's made you dimmer than usual Gin." Harry glared.

"How would you know what dim is Weasley?"

Ron snorted. "Great comeback Potter. Come up with that all on your own?"

"Okay, stop it Ron," Ginny piped up, noticing their fingers itching to grab their wands. Ron sighed and nodded.

"I'm going to go. Just wanted to give you guys the letter and pictures. See you later."

"Ron you don't have to go!" said an exasperated Ginny. He shook his head pulling her into a hug.

"I have stuff to do today, but I'll see you later, okay?" Ginny nodded, hugging him back, kissing his cheek. He smiled and kissed the top of her head. "Be good. Potter, Granger, see you around. Hagrid, Charlie wants you to write him back. Something about a merchant coming into town." Hagrid's eyes lit up. I don't even wanna know. He headed to the door and Fang chased him, whining loudly. Ron knealt down and patted his head. "I'll be back boy, promise." Fang licked his face one more time, before resting in front of the fire. Ron gave a quick wave and left the Hut, wiping more slime off. What a crazy day.

----------------------

Ron headed back to the Slytherin common room after a quick stop to the kitchens. As he went to his dorm, a girl walked quickly by with a Ravenclaw crest on her robes. She gave Ron a quick smile and headed out the door, straightening her skirt.

He opened up the door to his dorm, watching a sated Draco run a hand through his sweaty hair, a cigarette twirling in his other one.

"You just couldn't wait could you."

"Well after watching you this morning, I was so hard that I had to do something about it." He laughed at his own joke, pulling the covers up around his waist, lighting the cigarette with his wand, taking a deep drag.

"You're a sick fuck, you know that."

He nodded, as if it were a universal truth, blowing out smore circles. "Has a girl ever sneezed when you were doing her? Because that last girl couldn't stop."

Ron stared at him, and then grabbed his broom and left without an answer. Am I the only one who's not completely off his rocker today?