A/N: Many thanks again to the wonderful LadyKahlan for agreeing to Beta this chapter.

This is the first Half Blood Prince moment, set some time during Will and Won't and Horace Slughorn.

Ron and Hermione begin to explore...

Chapter Twenty-Six: Recovery

Summer at the Burrow had not been an enjoyable one. Ron's arms had been bandaged up for the first three weeks, making him hot, cranky and extremely uncomfortable. He was only just getting used to having them free, but the pain remained.

As Ron lay in bed he could feel them prickle. It always happened. Every single night he would go to bed, have a vivid dream and wake up in a cold sweat. His arms would then prickle and burn for a few hours, making sleep impossible. Ron knew the dreams and the scars on his arms were connected. He knew what he saw at night were the thoughts and memories from the brain that had attacked him. Madame Pomfrey had said he would never be completely cured, but it was the best she could do. Thoughts left deep scars, and not just on the skin.

Ron sighed and got up from his bed. There was no point trying to get back to sleep whilst his arms ached. Instead he made his way down the first flight of stairs. As he reached the landing he heard a noise. He froze and listened. It was still dark outside; no one was ever awake at this time of the morning.

A moan issued from the door in front of him. It was the door to the bathroom and whoever was inside sounded hurt. Ron quickly made his way to the door and gently knocked.

'Are you alright in there?'

The door quickly swung open and he came face-to-face with his best friend. She stood in a fluffy white dressing gown, looking pale.

'Ron,' she whimpered, 'I woke up in pain, so I came in here to put some cream on. Only I've dropped the stupid pot and it's rolled under your bathtub.'

'Don't worry, I'll get it,' Ron said soothingly. He moved past her and quickly located the pot of cream. He bent down and easily picked it up, turning to smile at Hermione.

'Thanks,' she muttered, taking the pot from his outstretched hands.

'I thought you were all healed.'

'I have good days and bad days,' Hermione said, truthfully. 'I don't have to take potions anymore, but sometimes I feel like I'm on fire. I've got the cream to help soothe it.'

Ron nodded. He also had a soothing cream to help calm his prickly arms.

He felt his stomach twist as he looked down at her. She had arrived at the Burrow the previous day and Ron had been shocked to discover how much he had missed her. They had only been apart for three weeks, but it had felt like months. Just hearing her voice made him feel better, and, looking down at her now, he couldn't help but feel amazed at how great she was.

'How are your arms?' Hermione said, bringing her hand up and gently touching his scars.

The feeling made him shiver.

'Okay, just a bit tender,' he replied, watching her face as she examined him. 'It's the dreams that cause me the most shit.'

'Dreams?' Hermione asked, looking up.

'Yeah, I have these really vivid dreams. Sometimes it's just shopping or walking in a park, but usually it's gruesome stuff involving death.'

'Do you think it's the brain attack causing it then?'

'I know it is. I'm not sure how, but I do,' Ron replied, enjoying the feel of Hermione's delicate hands. 'Whoever owned the brain was not a nice person, he killed loads of people.'

Hermione stopped examining his arms and lightly held them.

'Oh Ron, that's awful!' she exclaimed.

Ron shrugged. 'It'll be alright, it has just taken some getting used to.'

Hermione nodded and let him go. 'Is that why you're wandering around the house at three in the morning?'

'Yeah, I couldn't get back to sleep.'

'I can't sleep either.'

'Well let's go and play a game of chess,' Ron said, moving out of the bathroom.

Hermione grinned, 'Okay, but I need to put this on first and it normally takes me awhile.'

She gestured at the pot in her hand.

'Bring it up to my room and I'll help you,' he said innocently.

Hermione blushed a pretty pink. 'I don't think that's a good idea.'

'Why?' Ron asked, confused.

'Well, I have to be topless to apply it, so...'

'Oh,' he replied, feeling his face heat up. She would have to be topless. That would mean no clothes. He would see everything. He felt himself throb at the thought.

She smiled, embarrassed, and Ron felt instantly annoyed at himself for making her feel uncomfortable.

'Sorry, I didn't think,' he said. 'I was only trying to help.'

'It's alright, I know you were.' She gave a jerk as she said this, and put her hand on her chest.

'You're in pain!' Ron exclaimed, moving forward. This was ridiculous; she needed help. What did it matter if she was topless? He would only be helping to ease her pain.

'Look, I'll keep my eyes closed as I apply it, and that way I won't see anything. You'll just have to guide me. It's not like I'm a stranger and it's not like I'm trying to... you know...' He gestured to her body, feeling his face heat up.

She hesitated, looking up at him with a thoughtful expression. 'I can do it myself. It's just a bit fiddly.'

'Well, I'll help,' he said, wondering what he was actually getting himself into. 'I promise I won't look and I'll be quick.'

Hermione bit her lip and wrung her hands. 'Will you promise not to tell anyone?'

'I promise,' Ron said, holding his hand out.

She stared for another second, and then let out a sigh. 'Fine, but if you tell anyone I'll curse your boy bits off.'

Ron chuckled and took her hand. She was so great. He had no doubt that she would easily be able to curse him, but he also knew he would never tell a soul. He quickly guided her up to his bedroom. With every step they took Ron began to feel increasingly nervous. He had just persuaded Hermione to let him rub cream on her, and she would be topless. Merlin, what was he about to do? He felt his hands become clammy and had to take deep breaths to calm his racing heart.

He opened the door to his messy room and led Hermione inside. She closed the door and turned to face him. They stood in silence. The air around them felt thick with anticipation, and Ron wondered for a second time what was about to happen.

'Erm...' he muttered feebly. 'What... I mean... how do you want to do this?'

His face felt like it was on fire.

'Well, should we sit on your bed and then just...?' she mumbled, quickly moving to sit on the edge of his unmade bed.

Ron followed and sat next to her, feeling his hands tremble. Hermione handed him the pot and he noticed that her hands were also shaking. He glanced up and was surprised to see how small and afraid she looked. His heart clenched as he realised that he was the reason she was afraid.

'Hermione,' he said gently, 'I promise I'm not going to hurt you. I'm just going to apply this and then we can play chess, alright?'

'And you won't look?'

'I won't look.'

She nodded, looking slightly more relaxed.

'You know,' she whispered, staring at his scarred arms, 'when I was little I always thought kisses healed everything. It's what my mum always said.' She smiled sadly at him.

'Well I reckon everything would be easier if that was true,' Ron whispered back.

Hermione watched him with a curious expression on her face. She then slowly pulled his arm up to her face and kissed the first thought scar. Ron's breath caught in his throat as she moved to the next mark. She was right; kisses did make everything better. He watched in awe as she kissed every single horrible blemish on his arm. Why had he been bothering with cream? This was clearly the perfect option to soothe and repair his marked skin. He wanted to moan when she dropped his arm, but stopped as she tenderly touched his other and began the process all over again. Small, perfect kisses rained on him, making him feel light-headed.

Hermione softly smiled as she finished her amazing work. She placed his arm down but didn't let completely go of him. Ron felt himself lean closer to her. Heat radiated off of him and he knew he was about to do something dangerous. He watched Hermione's face as he slowly moved his free hand to her left shoulder. She gave him a quick nod as he rested his hand on her dressing gown. Feeling terrified, but knowing he had to do this, Ron slowly pulled Hermione's gown down. Her left shoulder became exposed and the start of her purple scar shone in the darkness.

Ron felt his breathing hitch, and could see that Hermione's was no different. He leaned towards her and tentatively placed his lips on her shoulder. Hermione gasped at the contact and squeezed his hand. He took this as permission to continue, so he kissed the next part of the scar, and then the next. She smelled gorgeous; exactly as a girl should smell. He inhaled and felt his body react to her. He moved his hands towards the rest of the gown, needing to remove it from his way. Hermione obliged by helping him take off the fluffy garment and dropping it on the floor. Ron froze as he realised she only had a pair of knickers on. He quickly shut his eyes and Hermione chuckled.

'Ron,' she said gently, 'you don't have to close your eyes.'

'But y – you said that – '

'I know, but I like what you're doing,' she mumbled, blushing.

Ron's eyes flew open and he tried to stare only at her face. 'Are you s – sure?'

She nodded and lightly moved a hand up to his face. It was all the encouragement he needed. He leaned forward to claim her skin. As he did so Hermione leaned back. Ron followed, placing his lips on her scar and trailing them down her body. As he got to the curve of her left breast he felt himself tighten.

Merlin, she was perfect.

How had he not done this before? It made perfect sense. Hermione moaned as he kissed her harder. The sound made him feel dizzy and wonderfully warm. Ron gripped her waist and felt a desperate need to bite her, to taste her soft skin and mark her. Letting his instinct take over, he gently nipped at the curve of her breast. He was rewarded by another moan, unlike anything he had ever heard before. Ron felt himself become harder and moved to make himself more comfortable. Hermione seemed to sense what he needed because she opened her legs to allow him closer. He unconsciously moved over her, settling in the space between her creamy thighs.

Thoughts and feelings rushed through his body. Ron had never felt like this before. He wasn't even sure what was happening, but he knew that stopping was not an option. He continued his journey down Hermione's scar. He made the mistake of glancing up to check she was okay, and felt himself come undone. She lay on his bed, curly hair fanning out and naked from the waist up. She was breathing heavily, which caused her breasts to move enchantingly up and down. This alone could have floored him, but as he glanced at her flushed face and caught her eye, he groaned hungrily. Hermione was looking at him with an expression unlike anything he had ever seen before. It was a look that could make him do whatever she pleased. A look that could make his heart stop.

She lifted her hand to touch his face and he felt his eyes flutter shut. Heat radiated around the room and the only sounds were from them: panting, moaning and gasping at the new and exciting sensations they were both feeling. Ron felt like he was going to explode, and as Hermione wiggled underneath him he had to pull back.

'What's wrong?' she said, breathing heavily and sitting up.

'I need... I need...'

What did he need? He didn't actually know.

Hermione ran her fingers through his hair. 'Do you want to stop?'

Merlin no, Ron knew he never wanted to stop. In fact, this was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. He looked at his best friend, flushed and perfect, wishing he knew what to do.

'It's okay if you do,' Hermione whispered.

'I don't want to stop,' he said, sounding husky.

Hermione smiled and began to lie back down, but stopped and grabbed his pyjama top. 'Can you take this off?'

Ron nodded and, without hesitation, quickly pulled it off his body. He felt cold air hit his skin and shivered slightly.

'Thanks,' Hermione said, embarrassed. 'It was just rubbing a bit.'

Ron followed Hermione back down. Both groaned as skin met skin. The feeling was like nothing else, and it made Ron wonder why anyone wore clothes. Surely this was how they were meant to be?

Naked and completely free.

He continued to kiss her body, taking his time to touch, smell and bite her creaminess. As Ron reached her waist, and the end of her scar, he felt overwhelmed by the sensations of being so close to her. He didn't want to leave her. Instead he made his way back up her body. As he reached her shoulder, he glanced down at her face. Hermione smiled lazily up at him and placed her hands around his neck. Ron lowered himself onto her as she hugged him. He placed a soft kiss on her neck and breathed in deeply. They both sighed, enjoying such closeness and not really understanding why.

Ron felt Hermione gently wrap her legs around him and he closed his eyes. He could stay like this forever. Who needed anything else? Ron felt his breathing begin to return to normal and snuggled closer. Hermione let out another sigh and lightly ran a hand up his back. His erection continued to throb but he tried to ignore it.

'I reckon your mum was right,' Ron mumbled into Hermione's neck.

'What!' She exclaimed, sounding shocked.

'You know... kisses cure everything,' he said, sitting up and leaning on his left arm to stare at her.

She chuckled, 'I don't think this is what my mum meant.'

'Well, I feel great.'

'Yes, so do I,' she said, playing with his fringe.

'Do you still want me to put the cream on you?' he asked, enjoying the feel of her fingers in his hair.

'If that's okay?'

Ron got up to retrieve the cream, and quickly settled back down beside her. He took his time to apply the cold lotion, and gently rubbed the concoction into Hermione's scar. Ron wasn't sure who enjoyed it more. Hermione moaned with pleasure as he ran his fingers up and down her body, and he took his time to watch her; taking in every feature of her body, including her delicious breasts and hard nipples. He felt like the luckiest man in the entire world.

As he finished and placed the lid back on the tub, Hermione pulled his bed cover over the pair of them. Ron placed the tub on his nightstand and turned to face her.

'Can I stay in here?' she asked, moving so that they could both share his pillow.

Ron nodded and laid down. He still felt incredibly excited and tried to discreetly move his erection away from Hermione. The last thing he wanted was for her to realise he had a huge hard-on over her. He could just imagine the look of disgust on her face, and it would probably ruin their friendship forever.

Hermione fidgeted for a few seconds, trying to get comfy.

'Ron?' she said in a small voice, becoming still. 'Can I ask you something?'

'Of course,' he said, running his hand through her hair.

'Do you...' she paused, biting her lip and looking anywhere but at him. 'Do you like me?'

Ron chuckled, shocked that she had asked him such a stupid question. 'Of course I like you, you're my best friend!'

'Is that how you like me then,' Hermione mumbled, 'as best friends?'

'Yeah,' Ron said, feeling confused, 'you're an amazing best friend.'

Hermione looked at him for a second, before sighing and nodding. He could tell that this was not what she wanted to hear, but he didn't know what else to say. She was an amazing best friend, he had been completely truthful. No one else could make him feel so many wonderful things, and give him so much. She wasamazing. What else could he say?

'I think I'd better go back to my own bed,' Hermione said, sitting up and beginning to move over him.

'What?' Ron asked, even more confused. 'Why?'

'Because I'm your best friend,' Hermione snapped.

He grabbed her arms to stop her from moving, and became alarmingly aware that she was straddling him with only a pair of knickers on. Both moaned at the position they found themselves in.

'If I'm your best friend, why do you have this?' Hermione whispered, pushing down on his aching erection. He hissed at the contact and tightened his hold on her. Confusion and desire coursed through him. Why did he have a hard-on?

'I don't know,' he mumbled, burning red.

Hermione shook her head and placed her hands on his face. 'I think I should go back to my own bed, Ron.'

He nodded, feeling lost. Hermione gently eased off of him and turned her back to him, placing her dressing gown back on. Ron watched, feeling his heart sink.

'I'm sorry,' he whispered.

'Don't be,' Hermione said, turning to face him with a soft blush on her face. 'I just think it would be best if we didn't do that again. At least until you know what you want.'

'Okay,' he replied, feeling like he had missed a step.

Hermione quickly walked over to him and kissed his forehead.

'Thank you for looking after me and making me feel better,' she whispered, making her way back to his door.

'See you at breakfast.'

The door closed and she was gone.

Ron sat in shock, replaying what had just happened. What had he done wrong? Everything had been great and then she had left. He slammed his head down onto his pillow and tried to resist the urge to cry, or to punch something.

What was he meant to say to her?

They were best friends, he hadn't been lying. But then, she was right about his hard-on. He never got one for Harry. He snorted at the thought and turned over. Of course he wouldn't get one over Harry. Harry wasn't a girl. So was it the fact that Hermione was a girl that got him erect? He came face-to-face with girls every day at Hogwarts, but had he ever had a hard-on because of them?

No.

Looking back, the only person that had ever been able to make him hard was Hermione: his best friend Hermione Granger. Even Fleur, with her stupid Veela powers, had yet to have such an effect on him. Alright, he became a complete prat around Fleur, but she didn't stir the types of feelings that Hermione created. So what did that mean?

Ron stared at her tub of cream, and picked it up off of his nightstand. Hermione made him feel things that no one else could. Hermione made him want to do better, to be better. Hermione made him hard with desire.

Desire.

Ron desired her.

So that would mean he wanted her, which would mean he felt more for her than just friendship. Ron sat up, holding the cream in his shaky hand. Realisation hit him like a ton of bricks. He wanted her as more than a friend. This explained why he hated Krum so much, why he felt so many confusing emotions when he was with her, and why he got erections only for her!

He quickly got out of bed and threw his pyjama top back on. Holding the tub of cream firmly in his hands, Ron made his way down to Hermione's and Ginny's shared room. He hoped to Merlin his sister was still asleep, and knocked quietly on the door. He didn't have to wait long for the door to open and Hermione to come out.

'What's wrong?' she asked, looking more beautiful than he had ever seen her. How had he not realised sooner?

'You forgot this,' he replied, handing her the tub and beginning to feel nervous. What did he say to her?

'Oh... thanks,' Hermione said, taking it and looking slightly disappointed.

'Look,' Ron whispered, 'I meant what I said about you being my best friend. I couldn't handle it if we weren't, but you're not the same type of best friend as Harry.'

'I'm not?' she asked, puzzled.

'No,' Ron continued, running his hands through his hair. 'I feel differently about you, and I can't really explain it. You make me feel stuff that no one else does, and in a good way. I love having you as a best friend, and I don't want that to change. But there's something between us that I find difficult to ignore sometimes.'

Hermione stood frozen, listening intently.

'I haven't made any sense, have I?' Ron mumbled, feeling his ears heat up.

'No, I think you made perfect sense,' Hermione said, smiling her secret smile. 'I want to be your friend forever, but I also want to believe that some things might change.'

'Change?' he asked, placing his hands in his pockets.

'For the better,' Hermione clarified.

Ron nodded; for the better was okay with him. He smiled down at her, feeling slightly bashful.

'So... are we okay?' he asked.

'Yes, I think so,' Hermione replied, grinning.

'Good. I'd hate it if we spent the summer arguing with each other,' Ron said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek. 'I'll see you at breakfast.'

Hermione nodded, and he left her smiling after him.

They were on the same page, for the first time in ages. Both wanted friendship but knew that more might be available. Ron could handle that. Hermione was always going to be his best friend, she had said so herself, but clearly she was feeling similar things as him. They had something, and it seemed pointless not to explore it.

Ron smiled as he reached his bedroom and sat down. For the first time in months, he felt like a weight had been lifted. He looked around the room and noted that he could still smell her. He laughed as he felt his erection return. There really was only one thing to do now.

He got up and collected his things for a shower. He quickly made his way to the bathroom and locked the door. He turned the shower taps on and undressed. For the first time ever, Ron was going to wank over someone. Usually he just did it without much thought. Today, however, he was going to think about his best friend and her gorgeous body.

He felt no embarrassment or shame, only desire and pleasure.