(A/N: Drabble for Sugarquill. Prompt was Hesitate.)
Hesitation
"Expelliarmus!"
Her shout broke his trance and snapped him back into reality. Seconds later his wand flew from his hand and he was thrown backwards, colliding into a bookcase.
Her hands covered her mouth in shock as she saw what she'd done.
"Are you alright," she said running to his side.
"Yeah," he said, pride hurting as much as his backside. "I'm fine."
"You hesitated." She extended a hand to help him up. "You can't hesitate. You can't hold back because I'm a girl."
"I wasn't. I…" he stopped. This excuse was better than the truth. "I didn't want to hurt you."
Her expression was stern.
"You can't do that Ron. I need to be prepared. Death Eaters won't care weather I'm a girl or not, they won't hold back, so neither can you."
"Alright," he said, "sorry. No more hesitation, I promise."
He took his stance again. He wasn't trying to go easy on her. He wanted to take this as seriously as she was, but each session proved more difficult than the last.
They'd been at the Burrow for weeks now without Harry. In those weeks Ron was constantly reminded of things he was trying to hide.
Suddenly every touch became significant. Every look became a glimmer of hope. Most of his days were spent in contemplation. He wondered if it were possible that she could feel the same. He wondered if he should make a move. If he made a move, when and how should he do it? Questions only brought more doubt and doubt brought -
"Expelliarmus!"
- hesitation.
"Ron, you're still doing it!"