Thank you all again for such great reviews and for putting my story on alert and favs! It's been a pleasure getting to know some of you and geeking out over everything that is Ron and Hermione lol.
I edited the heck out of this one and had someone read it beforehand, but I did not have it proofread so if there are any spelling errors please try to overlook them. I didn't want to wait another day to post.
And I know I promised this chapter wouldn't be as late as the last one, but I've been so busy and unfortunately writing is not my first priority. I've been working on art commissions and trying to get caught up on my drawings. Right now I am working on a Rupert drawing. Can you believe someone is actually paying me to draw that man? This is my life…
Edit: I finally got this chapter proofread so hopefully there are no more mistakes. Happy reading!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter 10
"Pstt! Hermione!" Ron whispered from across the room. "Look at this."
Hermione stared at him blankly and said in a flat tone, "There's no one else here, remember? Why on Earth are you whispering?" She then noticed a book in his hands that he was regarding with a mixture of hilarity and disgust. "What is that?" she asked, her curiosity was peaked as she craned her neck to see the cover from where she sat.
They had converted their makeshift bed back into the desk and chair and were put in charge of packing her parents' office. It was Wednesday afternoon which meant they were leaving the next evening for her parents' London home. Luann and Hugo were out making arrangements and typing up loose ends in order to make Wendell and Monica disappear from Australia. Since they were leaving so soon and had a house waiting for them they were only taking their personal belongings which consisted mostly of clothing, books and important papers.
Hermione was sitting at the desk going through the drawers and cabinets organizing everything she found and placing them in various bins around her. She loved her parents dearly, but she often wondered where she got her neatness from because surely one or both of them never heard of labeling or filing before.
Ron grinned at her from where he stood in front of the wall covered in bookshelves and held up his hand. "No wait, don't move. Let me read from it first, alright?" he said almost unable to contain his laughter.
She sighed at the piles around her and, resisting the urge to tell Ron to stop fooling around and get those books packed, leaned her back against the chair crossing her arms. She couldn't help smiling at Ron's wide grin that lit up his entire face. Although she won't always admit it she loved how boyish and immature he was at times.
"Alright, I'm listening. What is so funny that we had to stop everything just so you can have a laugh?" Hermione asked trying unsuccessfully to suppress her own grin.
Ron cleared his throat and held up one hand and read aloud dramatically. As he spoke she closed her eyes and inwardly groaned knowing exactly which book he was holding having read it once or twice herself, albeit shamefully. The excerpt he chose to read was now having a new effect on her.
"Let's see…oh here's something good. 'Desire exploded in waves, curling in her stomach-' sounds like a gas problem if you ask me,' Ron interrupted himself chuckling at his own joke before continuing to read the passage "'wrapping around her heart causing her to crave so much more-' Wow they're really laying it on thick aren't they? Er…Hermione?"
"Yes! What?" Hermione said as she jerked her eyes open and focused on Ron who was peering at her in confusion.
"Did you fall asleep just now? I thought you loved books, Hermione," Ron teased. "I never thought you would find one so boring especially one with a cover like this."
He held up the book and she averted her eyes blushing madly. The cover had a very naked man and a barely dressed woman with a flowing dress, both bodies wrapped around each other with the title Body Heat typed across in big bold red letters. When she was 14 she found this book in her mum's closet and, being the curious reader that she was, had picked it up and read it. To say she was shocked was an understatement. That book will forever be imprinted in her mind as it opened up a whole new world of naughty daydreams she will never forget.
"No I wasn't sleeping. I was just listening. It is a rather silly looking book, isn't it?" she asked nervously.
Ron closed the book and looked at her thoughtfully. He rubbed his chin with one hand and darted his tongue out tracing his lips. All former thoughts were forgotten in that one action. She licked her lips subconsciously as she was bombarded with the memory of last night when those same lips and that same tongue were on her most private areas, trapped between her legs as she pulled on his hair-
"Are you blushing?" Ron suddenly said loudly. He laughed when she looked down at the desk and pretended to stack a pile of papers thoroughly ruining the arrangement of past bills and dentistry invoices she had just organized. She didn't know why she was suddenly so embarrassed. She certainly wasn't last night.
Ron threw the book unceremoniously into the box at his feet and sauntered up to Hermione stopping right in front of the desk. "So Hermione," he said leaning in close his hands flat on top of the papers that were strewn across it, "have you read that book before? Is this one of your little dirty secrets that I'm just finding out about?"
Oh why did he always choose the worst moments to be insightful and…so damn close?
"Er no of course not," she said not looking at him in the eyes and continued to stack random papers and place them into the closest bin. When he continued to taunt her with his unrelenting stare Hermione gave in and rolled her eyes. She stood up abruptly and placed her own hands on the desk staring him in his eyes. "Alright, fine. I did read it. I'm not ashamed to say that I read...trashy novels on occasion. I don't always just read text books you know," she hissed and glared at him when all he did was smirk and raise his eyebrows.
Despite her efforts to appear indignant she felt her resolve weaken as her body took over her mind. Being this close to Ron always had that affect on her, but given their recent physical activities she was finding it more difficult each day to hold back and not throw herself on him, especially in front of her parents. She didn't tell Ron, but she was a bit surprised when they took so well to him and how comfortable he was around them. The way he talked to her dad with confidence and ease and the way he treated her mum with the utmost respect and chivalry made him even more desirable. She had to literally stop herself from having her way with him right there on the sofa when her dad was showing him the inner workings of a lamp or in the kitchen as he helped her mum with the dishwasher or in the garden when he offered just that morning to throw the ceramic gnome they had as decoration over the fence.
"Oh never mind," Hermione said flopping back into the chair in a huff. She was slightly bothered by the fact that after so many years of winning every argument with Ron he now had the upper hand just because her brain was reduced to pudding in his presence. It wasn't fair and she vowed to try harder to win the next row no matter how ridiculous and irrational the subject was.
"Oh come on, Hermione. Is it that bad? Maybe you should take it with you to Hogwarts. Without me there you might get lonely and need something to what was it...wrap around your heart or something about a craving?"
Hermione glared up at him and bit the insides of her cheeks. She would not give him the satisfaction of letting him know he got to her. "Very funny, Ron. And what will you use? We all know you don't read," she said pointing her chin in the air.
Ron narrowed his eyes at her and backed up to the box reaching down to grab the book again. "I would read more if I knew there are nasty bits in it. Something tells me this one will do just fine," he said opening it once more skimming the pages.
"Oh no you don't! Give it here," Hermione said blushing furiously and stalked over to him yanking the book out of his hand. She knew if he read any more she wouldn't be able to control herself.
"Oi! I was just about to read something about heaving bosoms and sweaty loins!" Ron shouted and lunged for the book. He grabbed Hermione around the waist and reached around her back where she was attempting to hide it. Her breath caught in her throat at the sudden contact and she accidentally dropped the book to the floor with a thud.
"Aha," Ron declared bending down to retrieve it from the floor his hand still lingering on her lower back. Hermione felt her own 'bosoms' heaving and promptly kicked the book across the floor. Hermione felt a rush of energy fill her body that seemed to come from out of nowhere as she pulled Ron up by his collar until he was standing. She gave herself a reprieve from self control and pushed him against the bookshelf. A book fell from a high shelf and Ron dodged to miss it from crashing on his head.
"Bloody hell, woman!" he exclaimed holding the top of his head and staring at her in disbelief. "Are you mad?"
She stood on her toes and using her tongue she licked a trail from his chin along his jaw to his ear.
"Shut up and kiss me," Hermione whispered as she moved in even closer until their pelvises were aligned. She knew it was an overused and cliché thing to say, but she figured Ron wouldn't know that growing up as a wizard and all.
Hermione felt a certain amount of womanly power as Ron stiffened against her and let out a deep breath blowing it on her neck making her giggle. His hands came up to frame her face making her look at him. She saw the desire written in his eyes and knew her face was as red as his.
"Gladly," he muttered before crushing his lips against hers.
She moaned at the impact of the kiss and opened her mouth eagerly allowing the kiss to become deeper. Her hands slid up his arms and around his neck holding his head firmly in place as they attacked each other's lips. Their tongues were thrashing about into each other's mouths, lips sucking and teeth biting. Hermione heard Ron let out a low growl before grabbing her bum hard making her cotton shorts ride up between her arse and pulling her closer. She felt his hard length through his running shorts and reached around to grab his bum in retaliation.
"You feel so good, Hermione," Ron mumbled before clasping his lips on her neck. She was wearing a light pink top with buttons down the front. She didn't know how Ron did it, but he managed to loosen the top two buttons revealing the top of her chest beaded with sweat. He licked and kissed her chest nudging the shirt to the side with his chin. She threw her head back and pushed him against the bookshelf once again using her hips. Another book fell this time luckily missing her head by an inch. She quickly withdrew her wand and cast a protective shield around them.
Their mouths found each other again and they resumed their hungry kisses and roaming hands. Ron turned them around and slammed her into bookshelf. She cried out in surprise watching more books fall this time bouncing harmlessly on the bubble she created.
"Brilliant," Ron said looking down at the discarded books lying on the floor around them.
Hermione grinned and pulled him by the front of his shirt. "Do you want to know another dirty little secret of mine?" she asked and bit her lip. Ron nodded his head his heavy lidded eyes on her mouth. "I've always daydreamed about being with you like this…against a bookshelf. There was always something about the library that turned me on. I suppose this is close enough."
Ron shook his head and laughed. "Only you, Hermione. That's why I love you," he said and gave her a soft kiss.
"You have no idea what you do to me," Hermione breathed out her heart beating out of her chest.
They kissed again and as it became more passionate Hermione reached her arms up over her head and gripped the edge of a shelf. Ron pinned her back flush against the bookshelf and ran his hands leisurely up her arms and down her sides. She gasped when he used one hand to unbutton the rest of her shirt and sucked her nipple through her cotton bra. His hands then travelled inside her shorts massaging her bum through her knickers. He ground his hips hard against hers making her whimper as she could feel the rigidness of his erection slide between her legs.
Her knuckles were starting to turn white on the bookshelf as he moved again causing tiny fireworks to flash in front of her eyes.
Is every time I'm with him going to be like this? There's so much energy between us this can't be normal can it?
"Oh!" she cried out suddenly when she felt his hands kneading her bare arse. She bucked her hips hard against his making him groan into her neck.
"I want you so fucking bad you have no bloody idea," Ron grunted against her mouth between kisses and setting a slow rhythm to his hips. It felt painfully brilliant, but Hermione couldn't help but feel unsatisfied.
"I think…I have an idea," Hermione panted and arched her back. With her brain buzzing and lust clouding her judgment she suddenly pushed him away and hastily shoved her shorts and knickers off standing in front of Ron wearing only her bra that was wet from his mouth and an opened shirt that was hanging loosely on her shoulders. Without further hesitation she grabbed the top of his shorts and pulled them off along with his pants down to the floor to pool around his ankles. She sucked in a breath when she finally saw his erection jutted out from his body. She had never seen one before and suddenly felt very nervous. She was acting on pure impulse and while the adrenaline from moments ago was still pumping through her veins she felt her inexperience creeping up on her.
Ron looked shock for a second then stepped out of his clothes and trainers almost tripping over them in his haste and pulled his shirt off with one hand. He reached out and tugged her shirt off her shoulders letting it fall to the floor with the other clothes and books. She finally looked up at his face and saw as much want and longing in his eyes as she knew were in hers.
"Hermione, what-"
Before he could finish she flung her arms around his neck and pressed her lips on his, probing his mouth with her tongue. She wasn't sure what she wanted. All she knew was that she needed to feel the heat from his body up against hers and she wasn't going to get it with things like shirts and pants in the way. She pulled back and, breathing heavily through her mouth reached around and unsnapped her bra throwing it to the floor.
They stood there both breathing heavy and stared at each other's nude bodies. She was sweaty and red all over and she knew her hair had to be a frizzy mess around her head. She tried not to think about her small breasts and wide hips as she watched him ogle her, his eyes skimming up and down her body from her small toes to the top of her untamed hair. Hermione trembled slightly under his gaze and knew it wasn't from a chill in the room since the temperature seemed to have risen significantly in the last few seconds. She shifted from one foot to the other staring back at him in awe. It only took one second to take him in and really appreciate the man he had grown into.
Ron was not as thin as he used to be his shoulders having gotten broader over the past several months. He looked stronger and healthier than she has seen him all year. She also noticed as she looked lower that there were freckles along his upper thighs and ginger hair sprouting from his crotch. Hermione tentatively reached out one hand and touched him with one finger dragging it along its hard length. Ron drew in a sharp breath and braced one hand on the shelf next to her head. She looked up to gauge his reaction. He was staring at her so intensely that it made her shiver.
"It's alright. You can…touch it. Please," Ron said between clenched teeth then gasped as she wrapped her whole small hand around him.
"It's so…warm," she observed curiously and slid her hand up to cover the tip. When she did this Ron groaned loudly and pulled her into him by her waist kissing her fervently. The buzzing in her head grew louder and her body took over. She pulled back and quickly grabbed onto his shoulders hoisting herself up between him and the bookshelf so Ron could hold her up as she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist. With clothes no longer in the way they both gasped loudly when their private met in the middle, his erection nestled between her folds. Her eyes fluttered closed as she felt the tip poking at her opening.
"Hermione, love…are you sure? Right now?" Ron breathed into her mouth. All she could do was nod her head and bite her lip. Apparently that was all the encouragement he needed because in the next second he had his wand out and was muttering a protection charm over his lower body. He threw the wand aside and she then felt his hand between her legs. Before she could wonder how he even knew that spell she felt something thick and hard bumping into her trying to find an entrance. It was quiet in the room other than Ron swearing under his breath and muttering apologies with each clumsy attempt. Hermione bit her lip harder willing him to hurry up and get it in before she lost her nerve. Finally he grunted loudly as she felt him push into her with one hard thrust.
"Fucking hell!" he shouted and grabbed her in a tight hug trapping her between him and the bookshelf. She gasped at the sudden invasion and squeezed her eyes shut against the sharp pain that wracked her body.
"Oh shit. Are you ok?" Ron asked studying her face and smoothing her hair back away from her face. She forced herself to open her eyes and look at him. He looked so worried. The pain she felt was starting to go away so she gave him a small smile and nodded. "It's fine. Just…take it slow," she said quietly.
Ron, with his hands now clutching her arse to hold her up, closed his eyes and sucked his lips into his mouth in concentration as he set a slow and burning pace. Just as she was getting used to the feeling of him inside of her he would pull back too far and fall out having to readjust himself to find her entrance again. She was starting to get frustrated when Ron, still holding her in place spun them around and dropped them to the floor banging elbows into books and scattering clothes in every direction.
"Ow!" Hermione muttered rubbing her elbow then her head, removing a book from behind it.
"Sorry," Ron said sheepishly and used both hands to sweep the rest of the debris out of the way.
"No worries," she said hurriedly and pulled him down on top of her. She didn't want to stop to give the nervousness inside of her a chance to come out.
The adrenaline and excitement from moments ago came rushing back as Ron realigned his body with hers pushing into her even deeper. Hermione sucked in her breath and her eyes rolled back as the feeling of being full took on a whole new meaning.
"You're so bloody…soft and tight," Ron panted into her hair as he continued to slide in and out of her, first slow and gradually speeding up until she could feel herself being literally pounded into the floor.
She held onto his shoulders in a vice grip and gasped each time he entered her, her entire body humming with pleasure and pain.
"Ron…my back hurts," Hermione found herself saying out loud. She wished she had something sexy and appropriate to say in the moment, but she couldn't think of anything except how her back and bum were being rubbed into floor. When Ron lifted his head and chest to look at her she smirked at his puzzled face. "Sorry, but you're going to make a hole in the floor the way we're going."
Ron opened his eyes in shock and they both laughed nervously not sure what to do next.
"Alright, here," Ron said and flipped them over so Hermione was on top of him. She sat up straight arching her back to stretch out her sore muscles. He was still buried deep inside her and in this new position an immense feeling of power took over her. She tilted her head down and grinned down at Ron's shocked face.
"You're fucking gorgeous, love," Ron said as he slid his hands down from her shoulders, over her breasts and gripped her waist, his thumbs rubbing circles over her belly. Hermione blushed like mad trying to hold on to her newly found confidence.
"I love you," Hermione whispered before stroking Ron's chest and bending forward to kiss his jaw then his neck. Ron's hands traveled from her waist around to her back and down her arse squeezing roughly.
"I love you, Hermione," Ron whispered back his voice hoarse with emotion, "I want you so much it hurts. You're so fucking sexy." Hermione laughed softly and ran her fingers through his hair.
It all may be new and awkward for them, but Hermione never felt more safe and relaxed. Every negative or nervous thought she had vanished with his words. Hermione raised her hips slowly up in the air then back down. Ron groaned and squeezed her arse tighter.
"Mmm that feels really good actually," Hermione said in awe and repeated the movement again.
"Brilliant," Ron said turning his head and kissing her on the lips. "Do it again and I'll move with you." She nodded and sat up a little bracing herself with her hands on his chest. This time when she lowered herself down Ron bucked his hips to meet her. Hermione moaned and Ron cried out some choice swear words as they set a heated rhythm, their eyes never looking away from one another. As their pace quickened Ron pulled her head down to kiss her hungrily. They gasped and muttered nonsensical words into each other's mouths while their hands gripped a part of each other's body. Hermione was holding onto Ron's shoulders for dear life while Ron was gripping her waist as tight as he could.
Hermione felt the rush of heat and butterflies start to fill her up and knew what was coming. The other few times Ron made her orgasm it was a gradual pressure that slowly built up inside of her and let go on a high. This time, however she didn't expect it to suddenly hit her like a freight train.
"Oh! Oh god. Oh…" she could no longer speak except make loud whimpering sounds as her orgasm hit its highest peak making her body go rigid. As the intensity wore off she collapsed on top of him and dropped her forehead against his.
"I love you," she murmured against his cheek kissing him slowly across his jaw and lips. He had still not let go and she bounced on top of him as he bucked into her repeatedly.
"Fuck…I'm gonna… love you…Her…mione," Ron said in a low growl. He quickly moved one hand up her back to grab a handful of hair and the other hand down to her arse to hold her in place while he slammed erratically into her.
Through her haze she felt a warm tingling sensation inside of her and realized he had finally let go. He shuddered one last time and pulled out. He loosened his grip and turned his head slowly to kiss her head. Hermione ignored the soreness and stickiness between her legs and burrowed her face into his neck. He was still breathing heavily and she felt his fast heartbeat thudding against her chest.
"Did we really just do that?" Ron breathed as he lightly stroked her back. Hermione giggled and sat up slowly. She gently used her hand to move his wet hair away from his eyes and down his flushed cheek. It felt so good to see such pleasure on his face especially after all the times he selflessly gave it to her without asking for any in return.
"Yes I do believe we did, didn't we?" Hermione smiled down at him and his face broke into a lopsided grin. He pulled her down for a lingering kiss. When she sat back up she looked around the room at the mess they created. Reality started to set in. "As much as I would love to lie on the floor with you I think we should probably clean up before my mum and dad come back." She went to push herself off of him, but was pulled back down. She stopped when she saw Ron with a serious expression on his face.
"Hey…can I ask you something?"
"Of course," Hermione said immediately, her brows furrowed.
Ron peered in her eyes and tugged on a strand of her hair. "Was this alright? I mean I don't want you to have any regrets and I'm sorry it wasn't as romantic as you-"
"I think," Hermione interrupted and kissed him lightly on the lips, "that it was exactly how it was supposed to be. Not planned the way I had it in my head and a bit sooner than I thought it would be given our location, but it just felt…right. Does that make sense?"
Ron let out a breath and grinned. "Yea it felt right…also brilliant, fantastic, bloody incredible!" She laughed and smacked his arm. Ron gave her another kiss and said, "Next time I promise it will be more special. Perhaps even on a bed?"
"That would be nice," she said quietly. Hermione blushed at the thought of them trying again. As good as she felt she can only imagine how much better it will be in a more comfortable setting with the awkwardness of their first time now out of the way.
Ron sat up with Hermione in his lap and enclosed her in a warm hug. She wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes. She never felt so close to anyone in her life. She thought about the magnitude of what they just experienced together and knew in that moment she will never find anyone or anything that can make her as happy or mad as Ron does. They were meant for each other and for that reason she knew in her heart that there were no regrets. She felt her eyes water and she sniffed back her tears.
"I don't want to let you go," Ron muttered into her hair making them both chuckle. Hermione unwrapped her arms and pulled back. She was a bit shocked to see that Ron's eyes were wet. She leaned in and kissed his eyelids softly.
"Perfect. Now I feel like a poof," Ron said wiping his face.
"Not after you thoroughly shagged me right here on the floor. No, you are not a poof I can assure you," Hermione said and laughed at Ron's shocked face.
"You're mental. I love you," Ron said simply and grinned widely.
Hermione went to tease him some more when suddenly they heard movement from downstairs. A door closed loudly and she realized her parents had come back to the house. Ron and Hermione scrambled around the floor to disassemble themselves from one another and dive for their clothes which were strewn across the room. Hermione found her wand and performed a cleaning spell on herself before tugging her knickers on. She looked over at Ron who was already dressed and bouncing on one foot trying to cram his foot into his trainer. She wondered how he was able to get dressed so quickly while she barely had any clothes on.
"Hermione as much as I love seeing your tits you need to get dressed. Now," Ron hissed at her. Before Hermione could retort back with something about him being rude she got hit in the face with her bra.
"Sorry," Ron said and laughed at her.
"Oh very funny," she said. "We'll see about whether or not you ever see these tits again," Hermione whispered at him satisfied when he just stood there with his mouth open.
"Hermione! Ron! We're back!" they heard her mum shout from downstairs. "We're going out to dinner so get down here before your father eats everything in the refrigerator!"
Hermione, still in her knickers and bra, ran to the door and opened it a crack. "We'll be down mum! Just finishing packing the office!"
She quickly put the rest of her clothes on and with Ron's help they levitated the books and threw them haphazardly into the box and the papers into random bins no longer caring about any kind of order. If her parents didn't care to organize them why should she? She hurriedly gathered her hair in a ponytail and turned to Ron who was shifting from one foot to another.
"Do I look alright?"Hermione asked him nervously.
"You look great, Hermione," Ron answered distractedly while trying to tame his hair with both hands. "Hey do you think they would notice that we…you know? Do muggles have some kind of radar for this type of thing?"
Hermione covered her mouth with her hand to muffle her laugh then cleared her throat. "No, Ron there is nothing like that I promise."
"Oh good," Ron exhaled and grabbed her hand pulling her out the door and towards the staircase.
"Hey you were only joking about me never seeing your tits again, right?" he whispered from behind her as they made their way down the steps. Hermione just shook her head and laughed. They walked into the living room where her mum was waiting for them.
"Oh there you are," Luann said looking up from the mail she was sifting through. She frowned suddenly and said, "You know it's going to be strange not getting mail for Monica and Wendell anymore. It's hard to believe that before a few days ago that's who we thought we were. So strange."
Hermione stared at her mum and didn't know what to say. She honestly thought they would be furious with her once she got their memories back and would never speak to her again after what she did to them. Ever since she and Ron explained everything to them she was pleasantly surprised at how understanding they have been. Deciding to move back to London to get their old lives back so soon was also a shock to Hermione, but she was so overjoyed at having them back and getting them where they belonged that she didn't think about what it meant for them to leave this life in Australia behind. She felt Ron squeeze her hand and glanced up at his smiling face. He knew what she was thinking and for the hundredth time in just 3 days she was glad she decided to bring him along. She let go of his hand and walked over to her mum nervously.
"Mum, I know we talked about it before, but through all my preparations and planning for some reason I didn't think about how you and dad would feel about actually leaving Australia after being here for so long. It's like I'm uprooting you all over again. I'm so sorry," Hermione's voice broke and she shook her head looking down at the floor.
Luann pulled her into a hug and rubbed her back. "Oh honey I'm not going to lie and say we weren't shocked and upset with you after that first night. We stayed up very late talking that night, your father and I. We don't belong here. We know that now." She pulled away and placed her hands on Hermione's shoulders. Her mum glanced over towards the doorway and Hermione turned around seeing her father standing there watching them quietly. She could tell he had heard everything.
"Daddy, I'm so sorry!" Hermione cried out and ran to hug him.
Hugo sighed and squeezed his daughter tight before letting go to look in her face and speaking firmly, "We also talked about it again today while we were out and we agreed that while this is all new and well, for lack of a better term, insane, we still love you no matter what. We understand why you did what you did and we just have to learn to deal with it. We're not going to lose you again. Not over something you did to protect us for goodness sake," he finished with a chuckle. Hermione wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and smiled back at him. She felt better, but knew she would never stop feeling guilty over her actions.
She heard Ron clear his throat from behind her and the three of them all turned to him. Ron rubbed his neck with one hand and looked at them sheepishly. "Er…this is all great and everything, but did you say something about dinner or…"
Hugo laughed uproariously and walked over to clap Ron on the shoulder.
"Ron, my boy, you're a man after your girlfriend's father's heart," Hugo laughed and swung his arm over Ron's shoulders. "Let's go ladies, we men have to eat!" With that he steered Ron out the front door. Ron looked back to Hermione and shrugged his shoulders. Hermione laughed along with her mother as they followed them outside to the car. It never ceased to amaze Hermione how unknowingly charming Ron could be at times.
The ride to the restaurant was an interesting one. Ron was only ever in a car once when they took the taxi to her parents' house and that was in the backseat. Hugo insisted he sit in the passenger seat to get the 'full effect'.
It was starting to become dark out and the sky was a dark blue tinged with pink and purple. Hermione was sitting behind her dad gazing out the window and feeling really relaxed. Her mind wandered, as they drove, to their rendezvous on the floor. She couldn't believe that not even an hour ago she lost her virginity. She knew outwardly she looked no different, but inside she felt like a new woman. It was like something deep down inside of her was being awakened and it both scared her and peaked her innate curiosity. She shifted in her seat and tried to remain passive and not let her thoughts show through her burning face.
"The full effect would be actually driving the car wouldn't it?" Ron asked as they cruised down the street.
Hermione snapped her head up when she heard Ron's question, ears trained into the conversation. She was just getting Ron comfortable in the muggle world and she knew it would be a slow process as there was so much to learn. Driving a car would be absolute last on her list of Things Ron Should Do as a Muggle. She also knew her father and dreaded what his response would be. She was right to groan out loud and palm her forehead.
"Oh well I can certainly teach you! It's not as hard as everyone thinks it is, you know," Hugo said as he sharply turned a corner and then skidding to a stop at a red light. "See? Not hard at all."
"Dear please remember to slow down before approaching a light," Luann said flatly. "I mean honestly. Everytime…" she finished and shook her head turning to look out the window.
Ron beamed at him and turned around in his seat smiling widely at Hermione. She thought he looked adorable, but it wasn't going to work. She glared at him and slowly shook her head. There was no way she would allow him to drive any time soon, especially not with her father as the instructor who never found a stop sign he liked and yelled at yellow lights occasionally.
"Oh come on Hermione," Ron whined then quickly grabbed the dash as Hugo made another sharp turn. "He said he could teach me. It will be so much fun! I have driven a car before, you know."
"Ron that was a flying car. That wasn't driving. It was more like keeping it in the air before you plummeted into the Whomping Willow. Or did you forget that little accident?" Hermione said and crossed her arms across her chest knowing she was going to win this one. Ron opened his eyes giving her an innocent look and Hermione huffed at him and shook her head. She was determined not to back down.
"Wait," Hugo said, "You flew a flying car? How did no one see that?"
Ron turned to Hugo and grinned wickedly before saying, "You can make it invisible."
Hugo looked at Ron and they laughed together. "Of course you can! Why not right?" Hugo said with a chuckle shaking his head.
"Hugo, you just passed the restaurant, dear," Luann said calmly pointing out the window behind her. Hermione rolled her eyes and shared a knowing look with her mother. This wasn't anything new for them. She smiled as she thought how much she missed them.
Hugo made a U-turn in the middle of the street making Hermione shake her head again when Ron smiled back at her nodding his head. She mouthed the words 'No way' but he just shrugged his shoulders.
If he thinks he would win me over later he is sorely mistaken.
…..
Her parents had taken them to a nice casual family restaurant which was a relief given the fact that Ron and Hermione weren't exactly dressed for a more formal place. They were still dressed in shorts and t-shirts. In their rush to get downstairs they didn't bother to change clothes. Hermione was also grateful because she knew Ron would feel out of place and embarrassed in a more expensive setting. He would never say so, but she knew the lack of money in his family was a sore spot for him. Still, as casual as the place was it was not very often he went out to eat dinner if at all. He was used to home cooked meals every night made by his mum and the never ending supply of food that filled the great hall at mealtimes.
So far he was able to contain himself and as they ate most of the conversation revolved around dentistry and Ron's questions about why anyone in their right mind would want another person's fingers in their mouths. A concept that had all of them contemplating for several minutes. After eating his desert Ron announced he had to use the loo and Hugo offered to go with him since there were some muggle gadgets he said he should explain like the automatic hand dryer, sink and self flushing toilet. Ron and Hugo were talking loudly about soap dispensers on their way to the loo causing a few people at surrounding tables to stare. If Ron said muggle one more time Hermione swore she might stab him with a fork.
"So, Hermione tell me when this started with the two of you," her mum said after finishing her desert.
Hermione paused halfway through the most delicious chocolate cake she ever tasted and put down her fork to rest her chin in her hand. "Well I guess it depends what you mean by 'it'. For me it started around 4th year around Yule Ball time. I suppose it will be the same with Ron looking back at how jealous he was that I went with someone else." Hermione chuckled at the memory and how young and silly they were back then. It all seems so petty after everything they've been through together and all the obstacles they overcame to get where they were at now.
Luann peered at her and asked, "So you started going out at 14? How did we not know this?"
"Oh no," Hermione laughed, "We didn't start going out then. That's just when I realized my feelings for him and it all just kind of snowballed from there. No nothing actually happened until…well a few months ago. It was right in the middle of the battle at Hogwarts." She grimaced at her mum who looked confused. "I sort of…kissed him. Right there with all the fighting going on around us. We were inside away from everything, but we could hear everything blowing up and he said something so clever and sweet and I just couldn't hold it in any longer. So I kissed him, right on the mouth," she laughed out loud at the absurdity of what she was saying.
"Well Hermione I am surprised that you took the initiative. That's so spontaneous of you," her mum said chuckling along with Hermione. "I reckon he was pleased then?" Hermione nodded blushing. "And you've been together ever since?"
Hermione's face fell slightly as she recalled the circumstances around their making the relationship official. "Well not exactly. See…his brother had just died and living in that house with everyone grieving... it was difficult to get anything going. I didn't mind waiting," Hermione rushed to say and her mum nodded solemnly covering Hermione's hand with her own. "But being so close to him and not acting on those feelings was really hard. It wasn't until about two weeks after the war ended that we kissed again and we…said we loved each other. I think that made it official enough. It was after a panic attack actually…It seems nothing is ever easy for us is it?" Hermione said with a sigh.
Her mum squeezed her hand and said, "It looks plenty easy to me now. He takes care of you, Hermione. I can see that with just one look he gives you. And the way he helped you yesterday was just amazing. I can also see how much you love him."
Hermione smiled and felt her face grow warm at her mother's words. It felt good to hear that coming from someone on the outside looking in. "Thank you for saying that, mum. And you're right. It does feels a bit easier now and even if he drives me mental sometimes he's worth it. I really do love him," she said with a skip in her heart. She breathed deeply and let out a laugh.
"That is so sweet, honey. And you know we love him. He's so darling and I think your father found his new best friend the way he carries on about him," Luann said and looked past Hermione's shoulder. "Oh speaking of those two here they come."
"Hermione, did you know that you can use the loo and never have to touch a thing? If your dad hadn't told me about sensors and all that muggle stuff I would think there was magic going on around here!" Ron sat down across from Hermione and took her plate of half finished cake. "Oh cake. Thanks, love."
Hugo sat down next to him and ordered a coffee for him and Luann from the passing waitress.
Hermione rolled her eyes and smiled sweetly at the couple sitting next to them who was staring at Ron as if he were from another planet.
If they only knew, Hermione thought waving at them. They quickly turned around to their plates and Hermione regarded Ron who was shoving chocolate cake into his mouth.
"Oh my god this is fantastic," Ron said after swallowing and reached in with the fork for another bite.
"Oh sure just take it, Ron. Nevermind the bowl of ice cream you already inhaled before you went to the loo," Hermione hissed and snatched the plate back from him setting it in front of her before he could steal another bite. "And remember what I said about the M word?"
Ron had the decency to look guilty and swallowed thickly. "Oh right, your dad said something like that in the loo. Sorry, it just keeps slipping out. That really is good chocolate…" he said reaching again for Hermione's plate. She smacked his hand away and shoveled a huge bite into her mouth.
"Well that will show him, Hermione. Good on you," her dad said laughing into his cup. Ron cracked up laughing and clapped his hands watching Hermione work her way around the mound of chocolate in her mouth. Hermione snorted and laughed almost blowing cake out of mouth and quickly ate it then drank from her water.
"Mmmm so good," Hermione said dreamily after she swallowed and smacked her lips at Ron. His laughter slowed to a chuckle as he stared at her lips making her face grow hot. Suddenly she felt something touch her ankle then press up her leg to her knee. She coughed and sputtered reaching for her water once more and reaching down with one hand to swat Ron's foot away from her thigh.
"So we haven't talked about what you plan to do this September. Will the school be open to students? Seeing as you both didn't finish your last year it makes sense to go back, right?" her dad asked. Hermione was glad for the distraction and that no one noticed their brief exchange, but her stomach plummeted when she hear the topic of conversation. She was avoiding even thinking about September up until now. Before she could speak Ron chimed in with a smile in Hermione's direction.
"The school will be open, yeah. Hermione's going back of course." She smiled weakly at him knowing that what he was going to say next would only make her feel worse. "I won't be going back, though. The Ministry offered us early admittance into the Auror training program. Harry and I will be taking the NEWTS in December and start training in the Spring."
Hermione looked from her mum to her dad who both wore identical serious expressions. She held her breath waiting for their reaction.
"Alright," Luann said slowly looking at Hugo who shrugged. "Ron, honey…What's an Auror?"
Ron breathed out a laugh and said, "Oh right. It's a dark wizard catcher. They catch the bad guys, so to speak."
"Like policemen?" Hugo asked suddenly interested.
"Exactly,' Hermione said smiling at Ron to try and show him she wasn't bothered. She was still really nervous about him becoming an Auror, but she promised to be more supportive. If this is what he really wanted to do then she will have to learn to accept it. Her mum must have noticed her hesitation because she frowned and asked cautiously, "How do you feel about Ron being an Auror, Hermione?"
Hermione should have anticipated this question, but she still felt taken aback. "Er…well," she glanced at Ron who was looking at her with the same serious expression waiting for her answer. "I think that it's something Ron wants to do and something I believe he will excel in. I'm proud of him no matter what he does."
Rom smiled warmly at her from across the table and she smiled back easily. What she said was the truth. She had no doubt he would be an excellent Auror. The worries were still the same and as much as it upset her to know that eventually he will be putting his life in danger yet again she tried not to let her apprehension show. She knew she said the right thing when Ron reached across the table and kissed her hand. She blushed and saw her parents give each other knowing smiles.
Hugo set his cup down and beckoned for the check. "Well I think it's great, both of you. I'm so happy you decided to finish your education, Hermione. And Ron, no offense but I don't really see you in a classroom anyway. Dark wizard Catcher sounds like a more appropriate title I think."
Ron blushed and rubbed his neck. "Thank you, sir. That's really nice of you to say. I'm going to work hard at it. After everything…well it's just really important to me." He finished and looked down glaring at the table lost in thought.
"Well it is a dangerous job, I'm sure. Do you really want to go through that over again? It's such a risk," Luann asked.
"Mum please," Hermione muttered looking at Ron's flushed face.
"Luann, lay off the boy. He's obviously going to do it anyway. I think it's a noble profession. A career helping people and putting those sick and evil…people away is very respectable," Hugo said heatedly. The waitress came back with the check and they all stayed silent as he paid.
When the waitress finally walked away Luann said, "I can tell Hermione is upset about it and I have to admit I am too. We just don't want anything to happen to you, that's all."
Ron nodded and looked up at Luann with a forced smile. "Yeah I know. But Hermione and I talked about it already and she's alright with it, right Hermione?"
Hermione was listening to the conversation hoping she could just disappear without anyone noticing. Hearing her mum voice the concerns that were already in her head brought back all her insecurities about Ron going out and doing dangerous missions and possibly getting hurt or worse. Now she was thrust back in and once again forced herself to smile.
"Yes of course. We talked and like I said it's what he wants to do and I fully support him…Can we stop talking about this please?" she asked staring at her parents silently willing them to drop the subject. She glanced over at Ron who was glaring at her, questioning her with his eyes. He shook his head slightly and turned away from her. She felt the air leave her body and looked back to her parents smiling to cover her emotions.
"You're right, pumpkin. You are both adults now and can make your own decisions," Hugo said pointedly at his wife.
"Yes alright," Luann said rolling her eyes at him. She looked to Ron and squeezed his hand. "I really am sorry, Ron. I think Hermione's right that you will be an excellent Auror. Don't mind me being all motherly." Ron smiled genuinely at her and nodded his head.
"Thanks. But, it's fine. I understand. My mother isn't too happy about it either, but she's coming around." He glanced at Hermione and when she tried to smile at him he looked away again avoiding her eyes. Hermione's heart raced as she sat there confused at his behavior. Before she could think on it any longer her dad stood up ceasing any more conversation.
"Now that that's settled I say we get out of here. It's getting late and we have a long day tomorrow," Hugo said and they each followed him out the restaurant to the car.
The ride back was much quieter than when they were going. Ron was quiet in the front seat and only glanced back at Hermione a few times to catch her eye, not smiling. Hermione's heart ached at this and couldn't wait to get him alone to fix whatever was going on between them.
…..
"Just admit it, Hermione. You're still mad about me being an Auror aren't you?" Ron asked loudly with his arms wide. His face was flushed red and his chest was heaving.
"That is not true Ron! We talked about this and what I said tonight I meant that!" Hermione yelled back. She pulled her wand out and cast a silencing charm on the room so her parents wouldn't hear them. She threw it down on the bed and pulled her bag in front of her taking out their sleeping clothes and tossing them on the bed.
After an uncomfortable ride back to the house her parents had retreated upstairs after saying their good nights and Luann apologized to Ron again for making him upset. He was very gracious towards her and reassured her he was fine. When they were finally in their room Ron stalked upstairs and quickly turned the desk and chair back into the double bed without a word to Hermione. She followed him upstairs and after closing the door he had rounded on her asking her why she was acting so strange at dinner. Now she was stuck having to defend herself and try to convince him that nothing was wrong while trying to reign in her own anger.
"I don't know what you want me to say Ron," Hermione said yanking out her toothbrush and looked up at him. He was standing on the other side of the bed staring at her breathing through his nose.
"Look," Ron said quietly. He took a deep breath and walked around the bed to stand in front of Hermione. "I know it's going to take some time to get used to the idea. I'm not that daft that I thought you would just automatically be happy about it. What makes me mental is that you feel this need to try and hide it. I can see through you, Hermione. I can tell when you're lying and that burns me up like nothing else." He stared into her eyes and she suddenly felt very small. He called her a liar and she had to admit it hurt her. Really bad. She has been called many things in her life, but a liar, coming from Ron, cut her the most.
She took a shuddering breath and pushed him away from her. He stepped back and she walked around him to the other side of the room to pace the small area of floor in front of the door.
How dare he call me a liar! I am just trying to be supportive. Like he wanted me to be! If I say how I really feel I'm not supportive enough. If I don't say anything negative and only relay the positive things then suddenly I'm a liar?
"Hermione you can't talk your way out of this, you know," Ron said sitting on the bed to stare at a pacing Hermione and reached out to grab her hand. She snatched it away and crossed her arms on her chest.
"I'm not trying to get out of anything. Why would you presume to tell me what I'm thinking now?" Hermione said coolly.
Ron sighed loudly and rubbed his face aggressively. "Because I can see the smoke coming out of your ears and I know you're thinking of a way to make this my fault, but it's not this time, Hermione. I don't know why you insist on-"
"If you call me a liar one more time Ronald Weasley I will hex your bollocks off," Hermione said through her teeth and walked up close to Ron standing over him glaring. She felt satisfied when she saw him gulp and open his eyes wide.
"I wasn't…I mean I was just saying," he shook his head and gently pushed her away to a safer distance. "Blimey, Hermione. Don't say things like that. I'm sorry, alright?" She rolled her eyes when he warily hid her wand back further on the bed away from reach.
Hermione continued as if he didn't say anything. He wanted honesty she was going to give it to him.
"You know you say you want me to be honest, but admit it that you expect me to be happy about this when you know how torn up I am inside thinking of how you could get hurt or-" her voice got stuck in her throat and she closed her eyes briefly to regain more control. Ron stood up quickly and grabbed her shoulders, but she shoved him off backing up against the door. She looked at him squarely in the face.
"Don't touch me, ok? I can't think when you touch me."
Ron stood frozen to the spot staring at her. "Ok I won't touch you, I promise," he said slowly with his hands in the air.
"And don't talk like that either! I'm not a small child or a…a pet," she yelled pointing her finger at him. She needed space and the small room they were in felt like it had gotten even smaller as she looked around. She shook her head to clear her mind and took deep breaths trying to remember what she was ranting about.
Right, I'm not a child. He called me a liar. Expects me to play along as supportive girlfriend and not have any opinions.
"Hermione can I-"
"Don't! I…I can't pretend as if the thought of you…dying doesn't bother me. It's not fair to ask me in front of my parents to confirm that it's alright. It's not right," she said shaking her head vigorously. Tears were running down her face but she wiped them away frustrated at them. "I want to be fine with it, like Ginny. I want to be happy for you because it makes you happy…but how can something that makes me so unhappy make you happy? It's not logical. It doesn't make sense!" Hermione's voice became shrill towards the end and she hugged herself to still her shaky arms. She was looking at the floor and noticed Ron walk slowly towards her and stop in front of her close enough so he wasn't touching her, but she could smell him. The aroma of chocolate and soap filled her nose and she took a deep breath looking up at his face. She knew why she didn't want him close to her. She was so angry with him and if he was allowed to be near her she would forget all of that and melt into him. Just as she was about to do right then.
"Hermione?" Ron whispered and reached out a hand to touch her shoulder tentatively. She sniffed, but didn't answer him. When she didn't pull away he took her other shoulder and in one quick motion pulled her into his body squeezing her tight.
Hermione softened a bit and dropped her arms to her sides as she sobbed into his shoulder.
"Hermione I don't expect you to ever be like that. No one does. I don't think even Ginny is that nonchalant about Harry going, either. I want to make sure we're honest with eachother. I just want you to be happy and if me being an Auror makes you this upset then…I reckon I don't have to be one. It's not worth it."
Hermione sobered quickly and popped her head up to look at him. "Are you serious?" she whispered in astonishment. She couldn't believe he would give it up just like that, and just for her.
Ron kissed her forehead and smiled sadly. "I would do anything for you, you know that."
Hermione stepped back and stared at him in awe. "There is no way in hell I'm going to let you do any such thing," she said firmly.
"But you just said-" Ron started saying, but Hermione cut him off clamping her hand over his mouth.
"I said you are not going to give up on being an Auror, Not for me or anything else, is that clear?" She let go of him and stood back watching the confusion settle over his face.
"You're not making any sense. I thought you would be happy about this. Isn't that what you wanted?"
"What I want is for both of us to be happy. This is what you want and you should do it. What I want to be at a place where I can accept it. I'm twisted around bend about it right now, but it I will get better. I will never forgive myself if I allowed you to sacrifice something like this. I just don't want to be expected to love the idea just yet. I need more time. Do you understand?"
He peered at her as if trying to figure something out. "So you're saying you're alright with me being an Auror, but you're really not…but you want to be…and think you might be…just not yet?"
"Er…right. Exactly" Hermione nodding her head and sighing with relief.
Ron ruffled his hair and blew out a deep breath. "Well alright then. Auror career back on. Are we ok?"
Hermione thought about it and even though everything was still the same she felt different. She was able to hold back her anxiety without Ron's help and it felt good. She got out what she needed to let him know and they were still together. No one stormed off and they actually talked through it. She felt she got through to him which she considers a tremendous feat.
Hermione lifted her head up and kissed him lightly. "Yes we are. I'm sorry for acting like a basket case, once again," she said rolling her eyes. He grinned at her and cupped her cheeks in his hands.
"Basket case or not, you're mine. We take care of each other, yeah?"
Hermione smiled thinking about her mum saying the same thing earlier at dinner. She moved her hands up into his hair and her heart swelled as he closed his eyes and dropped his forehead on her shoulder.
"Everyday we'll take care of each other. That I can say for a fact," Hermione said kissing the top of his head and breathing in his scent that was so Ron. She felt her heart beat faster when his hands palmed against her back sliding up until they were on the back of her neck. He used one hand to let her ponytail loose and buried his hands in her hair.
"I love your hair." Ron mumbled against her shoulder kissing her lightly there and rubbing his cheek on her sighing contentedly.
"Yes I know you've told me…many times," Hermione giggled when he pulled on a thick curl at the nape of her neck
"Shut it. I can say I love your hair as many times as I want," he said yawning and fully rested his head on her shoulder pulling her close. "I don't like fighting with you anymore, Hermione. It's not as fun as it used to be," he said sleepily.
Hermione ran her hands up and down his back soothingly and whispered, "I know what you mean. Let's keep our fights to more useless topics like dirty noses and pesky cats."
He chuckled against her and squeezed her tight. She felt so at peace in that moment. Like nothing could touch them. She was reminded of what they did together just hours earlier and how they held each other afterwards. The memory made her blush and she wondered when they would be together like that again.
"Ron? Are you awake?" she asked quietly. He was starting to feel heavy leaning on her and his arms had slacked a little on her back.
"Yea! I'm awake," Ron said quickly standing up to his full height. "I guess I'm really knackered," he said sheepishly.
Hermione was disappointed, but then she found herself yawning and feeling drowsy. "Same here. We should just go to sleep. We do have a lot to do tomorrow."
"Yea you're right," Ron said stretching before grabbing his sleeping clothes and toothbrush from the bed and going to the loo.
When Hermione took her turn and came back into the room she grinned at the sight before her. Ro was in bed under the covers without a shirt on. He beckoned to Hermione to join him holding out his arms to her.
She stared for a second taking in the image of him in the bed and smiled to herself. She could get used to seeing this every night for the rest of her life. With that thought Hermione clamored into the bed and shimmied under the covers. Hermione gave Ron a soft kiss and turned her back to him. She felt him envelope her into his warm body pulling her close. She snuggled deeper into him and sighed heavily as she stroked his bare arm that was draped over her middle. He burrowed his face into her hair and found her neck with his lips planting a kiss next to her ear.
"Love you, Hermione. Good night," he whispered and settled his head behind hers.
"Love you, too. Good night, Ron," Hermione whispered back. Minutes later she heard the sound of Ron's steady breathing. Her body was tired, but her mind was racing, thinking about everything that happened that day. It was a long time before she could finally fall asleep.
A/N: I must have changed, rewrote, deleted and started this chapter over again so many times that it is a labor of love for me. I would really appreciate any and all feedback. Thanks so much!