Again, I am sorry for the slow update. I have recently discovered the amazing (yet disastrous) Harry Potter Fanfiction Challenges Forum, and have been signing up for challenges left, right and centre. It is addictive! I can't stop! So I apologise that my updates will be less frequent. Though I am still very keen on finishing this story and begining my sequal. Yes - there is a sequal - it is somewhere in the depths of my mind. Please bare with me, and don't abandon this story, because I promise I won't abandon you, my lovely readers! Please enjoy this chapter :) xx
Inbetween
The mattress moved and an arm fell heavily on her ribs. Hermione gave a pained groaned and heard Ron make a startled gasp.
"Blimey, Hermione!" he half-whispered, half-shouted.
Hermione sat up and scowled at him. "You punched me in the stomach!" she complained, rubbing her side with a grimace.
Ron threw his hands up in exasperation. "Sorry! I forgot you were there. You scared my bloody socks off!"
At this, Hermione couldn't help but smirk. "You aren't wearing any socks," she pointed out.
With a dramatic eye roll, Ron kissed her nose softly and pulled her down beside him. Hermione smiled and wriggled her back into his chest as he arms wrapped around her waist. They intertwined their fingers together.
Ron burrowed his nose into the crook of her neck. "I didn't know the role of the boyfriend was to be a pillow. If I knew that, maybe I wouldn't have signed up for this."
Hermione huffed. "I thought you enjoyed this. What was that speech about 'sleeping with Hermione Granger'?"
Ron snorted. "That was before I realised you kick."
She turned her head and looked at him in surprised. "I kick?"
"Like an angry Grindelow."
His face quickly contorted into pain as Hermione kicked him hard in the shin with the back of her heel.
"Stop complaining, Ronald," she told him firmly. "Or there won't be a next time."
Ron grinned impishly and hugged her closer to him. "You snore too." He whispered, his voice light with humour. "And your hair gets all in my face."
Glaring at him, Hermione wrenched herself out of his arms and sat up quickly, turning her back towards him.
"Fine!" she snapped. "Let's just point out all of my faults, shall we? Don't even get me started on what it's like sleeping with you, Ronald Weasley!"
She made to stand up, when Ron's arms tackled her back down onto the bed. Before she had a chance to protest, he kissed her hard, knocking the breath out of her. Despite her anger, she couldn't help the way her body reacted to him and her hands instinctively wrapped around his neck and entangled themselves in his hair. Soon, her bitterness had been forgotten and all she could concentrate on was the feel of his lips against hers, the heat of his hands on her skin.
After a few blissful moments, they pulled away and stared deeply into each other's eyes. Ron grinned down at her, his blue eyes sparkling.
"Blimey," he smirked. "If only I knew that a good snogging would shut Hermione Granger up. All those times you yelled at me..."
Hermione rolled her eyes and smacked his shoulder. "I'm still angry at you," she told him, though her voice was lighter.
Ron brushed his lips softly against hers. "I love you," he murmured against her. She smiled and kissed him back.
"I love you too."
Ron eventually rolled off of Hermione stretched his long arms with a great yawn. Hermione watched him fondly. Despite how much he had matured over the years, she could still see parts of the lanky teenager he used to be. It was one of the things she loved about him. He could be so immature sometimes, counteracting her seriousness and he brought out her inner child. No one had been able to do that, and Hermione knew that was Ron was the only person who could.
Leaning over to plant a kiss on her cheek, Ron stumbled towards the bathroom, leaving Hermione by herself in his room. She crossed her legs and let her eyes drift about vaguely. She was suddenly overwhelmed with a vision of the future. An image flashed in her mind of her, sitting exactly where she was, wearing only Ron's shirt. He would wake up and kiss her sweetly, before getting ready for work and she would head downstairs to make to two of them breakfast. It would be a simple, pleasant life and Hermione couldn't help but wish that her future with Ron would be something like that.
Hermione smiled to herself and headed downstairs to the kitchen, to see Mrs Weasley sipping a cup of tea. The woman looked up as Hermione approached and beamed at her.
"Good morning, dear," she said pleasantly. "I trust you slept well last night."
There was something in her voice that made Hermione suspicious. Was it almost... humour? Did Mrs Weasley know about her sleeping with Ron last night? That's ridiculous; she assured herself and quickly composed her features into a genuine smile.
"Quite well, thank you, Mrs Weasley. And thank you for letting me stay here for the rest of the holidays. My parents really appreciate it."
Mrs Weasley shook her head. "It's no trouble, Hermione. With Percy, Bill and George all in their own places, it's good to have the company of you and Harry. Arthur and I love have you around. And I know Ron especially does."
Hermione flushed deeply and went to make herself a cup of tea. Again, she could help but notice what was implied in the statement. But Mrs Weasley said nothing, so Hermione was left to her own thoughts, trying to shake them from her mind. The only people who knew about her current sleeping arrangements were Harry and Ginny, and Ginny would never let slip that she was sleeping with Harry while her father was under the same roof. That thought gave Hermione a bit of comfort.
Before too long, Ginny and Harry bounced down the stairs looking surprisingly cheery for such an early morning. Ron followed behind slowly, his head buried in a letter. He didn't look up as his mother greeted him and sat himself idly next to Hermione, his eyebrows furrowing in concentration. Concerned, Hermione rested her hand on his knee and gazed over his shoulder. The handwriting was small and neat; a woman, she deduced from the way the text was slightly angled.
"Who's that from?" she asked.
Ron smiled at her. "It's from Tess," he announced, looking over at Harry. Harry nodded in recognition through a mouthful of porridge.
"Wadda she want?" he asked, hurriedly swallowing as he received a frown from Mrs Weasley for bad manners.
"She wants to meet up. Says that she's sorry she didn't get back to us about staying for Christmas. Nina and Felix invited her after all."
"Who's Tess?" Hermione asked.
"A friend from work," Harry supplied. "She helped Ron when I was – ouch!"
Ginny jabbed him in the ribs and Hermione smiled gratefully at her. She didn't want Mrs Weasley to find out what actually happened to Harry while he was in Norway.
"Yeah, she's a good mate," Ron interjected before his mother became suspicious. "Nicer than her sister, at least."
"Oh, well that's wonderful!" Mrs Weasley cried, clapping her hands together. Her eyes gleamed as she beamed around at them. "We can invite her over for dinner one night!"
Ron and Harry exchanged alarmed glances. "Er – " Ron began uncomfortably, fidgeting in his seat. "Actually Mum, Tess invited Harry and I out for a drink on New Year's. Hermione and Ginny are invited too."
For a moment, Mrs Weasley appeared crestfallen, but she quickly composed herself and smiled. Hermione felt a little sorry for her. With all of her children grown up and most living in their own places, the woman must get lonely without the company of young ones. The thought of another young person in the house must have thrilled her.
"No matter, that sounds like a wonderful idea," she assured him. "A New Year's celebration – my! Your father and I haven't had time alone on New Years for many years. This shall be pleasant."
A dreamy expression crossed her face and Ron coughed loudly, his ears turning red as imaging of his parents snogging filled his mind. Hermione sniggered and kicked him lightly in the shin, making him frown.
"You know what?" Ginny piped up, brushing her long, red hair over one shoulder. "Maybe we should invite a few friends ourselves! Luna, Neville, Dean and the others – it would be nice to catch up with them again, you know, away from school."
Harry grinned in agreement. "Yeah. It'd be good to see them again. Ron and I don't get to see them as often as you do."
"Great!" said Ron, folding up Tess' letter and rising from the table. "So I'll reply to Tess and tell her that we're good for New Years."
"And I'll send an owl to Luna and the others," Ginny added, standing up and stretching her body like a cat before skipping upstairs to her bedroom.
xXx
Harry decided to go and visit Andromeda and Teddy alone, so Hermione, Ron and Ginny were left to help Mrs Weasley clean up the house after Christmas. Bill and Fleur came around to help, which gave Mrs Weasley an excuse to make a large, delicious lunch for everyone. With so many people in the house, the chores were done relatively quickly and it gave Hermione some time to relax and study for her NEWTs. She went upstairs to Ginny's room to retrieve her Ancient Runes textbook, but ended up with five extra books as well.
The family had indeed settled down when Hermione returned. Mrs Weasley was sitting on the porch with her husband, drinking steaming mugs of tea. Ginny was watching a rather intense game of wizard's chess being played by her two brothers and Fleur was resting wearily on the couch, humming softly in French and rubbing her pregnant belly. Hermione decided to accompany her and put her heavy books on the coffee table. The beautiful Frenchwoman smiled up at her as she took a seat beside her.
"'Ello, 'Ermione," she said. "'Ow are you?"
Hermione beamed at her. "Rather splendid," she replied. "This has been a great Christmas, hasn't it?"
Fleur nodded and rubbed her belly affectionately, her dark blue eyes drifting over to her husband.
"Oui," she agreed. "Zis iz bettair zan last year."
Hermione nodded and pulled her Ancient Runes textbook into her lap and began flicking through the pages. She heard Fleur's tinkling laugh and raised her eyebrows at the Frenchwoman.
"It iz ze 'olidays, 'Ermione," she explained. "You are allowed to relax."
"I have my NEWTs next term. I need to keep on top of things." Fleur simply laughed and flicked her silvery-blonde hair over her shoulder. "How are Gabrielle and your mother?"
"Zey 'ave gone back to France – Gabrielle wanted to see 'er friends before she goes back to Beauxbatons. But zey enjoyed Christmas 'ere. It waz different for zem."
Hermione smiled and went back to her studying.
Moments later, she was interrupted by Bill swearing and slamming his fist down on the table. She looked over at him to see Ron grinning madly as he twirled Bill's beheaded Queen with his fingers. Ginny roared with laughter and clutched her sides at Bill's bright red face. Mrs Weasley's head appeared at the door and she frowned at her oldest son.
"William Arthur Weasley!" she scolded crossly, shaking her head at him. "Watch your language, young man!"
Bill winked at his mother cheekily, earning him a slap over the head with a newspaper.
"Why, Mum?" Ginny complained. "We're all adults here. Unless you count bubba in there." She pointed to Fleur's belly, who was rubbing it as though to shield her unborn child from the cursing of her husband.
Mrs Weasley frowned at her daughter. "Ginny! If I hear those words ever come out of your mouth, I will hex you so you can never talk again!"
Turning on her heel, she stormed back outside, missing the rude face Ginny was making behind her mother's back.
Fleur stood up and glided over to her husband, placing her hands on his shoulders and kissing his cheek softly.
"Guillaume," she began softly, "Your muzzer is right. We should not use such words around ze bébé."
Bill sighed and nodded his head, turning to kiss Fleur gently. "Sorry, love, I'll try and contain myself."
Ron and Ginny exchanged mischievous glances, obviously trying not to laugh, and Hermione caught Ron mouth the word "whipped" , earning him to be pummelled with a cushion by his brother.
Hermione rather enjoyed watching the events unfold. Seeing how the three siblings interacted with each other was hilarious and it made her wish for a sibling. She had always wanted a sister – someone she could talk to and play with – especially when she was younger. Her lonely childhood had made books her only companion, and she still found solace with them at the age of nineteen.
Ron looked over at her and beamed proudly, causing her to laugh. He looked adorable, his red hair dishevelled and his blue eyes bright. She nodded her head at him in approval of his success and went back to her textbook. Fleur rejoined her and stretched out her long, slim legs, resting them on the coffee table. She sighed deeply and shook her beautiful bead.
"Zese Weasley boys," she muttered incredulously. "Zey act like such enfants when zey are togezer."
Hermione laughed in agreement. "They're even worse when there are more of them."
Fleur tsked and chuckled softly. "But we love zem all ze same."
Hermione looked back at Ron, who was lording over his oldest brother as though he had become Minister of Magic, and smiled. "We do."
She turned back to Fleur with a slightly dreamy expression, which caused the Frenchwoman to smirk and raise her fair eyebrows. "So, it iz true, zen? You and Ron are sleeping togezer?"
Hermione faltered and blushed furiously, staring at Fleur with wide, incredulous brown eyes. "What – I don't – no!" she stammered, turning redder with every word.
Fleur merely chuckled. "Zere's nothing to be embarrassed about, 'Ermione. I waz caught wiz zat face after Guillaume and I – " she trailed off, her eyes glazing over, and Hermione wished she was anywhere by there at that particular moment.
"We're – Ron and I – we're not sleeping together," Hermione said, firmly.
Fleur looked surprised, but shrugged. "Oh well, zare iz plenty of time for zat. But when ze times comes, I must tell you, Weasley men are very good in ze bedroom."
Hermione coughed uncomfortably and felt her cheeks grow unbearably hot. The last thing she needed was a mental image of Bill and Fleur in her mind. Her eyes unconsciously drifted over to Ron. The thought of her and Ron, sleeping together, suddenly entered her mind and she clenched her thighs together deliberately. It was suddenly very hot and stuffy in the lounge room, despite it being the middle of winter, and Hermione needed to get out of there.
She quickly excused herself , muttering something about needing some air, and hurried out of the room into the front lawn. The cold air cooled her skin and she felt herself calm down considerably. As she sat by herself, she saw Harry appear in front of her and walk up to the house. When he noticed her, he stopped and sat down beside her.
"You alright, Hermione?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm fine," she squeaked, her voice a little higher than normal. Harry noticed but said nothing. "How was Andromeda? And little Teddy?"
"They were great!" he said, his face lighting up at the mention of his godson. It made Hermione smile – Harry was the best godfather that boy could ask for. He already treated Teddy as his own son, even when he was so young. "Andromeda's warming up to me slowly, which is good."
Hermione reached out and patted his knee. "She's just worried for her grandson. I mean, she lost her husband and daughter – she doesn't want to lose him too. She'll learn to trust you."
"Yeah, I know, thanks Hermione."
A cry of frustration erupted from within the Burrow and Harry rose, a little startled.
"I think Bill lost to Ron again in wizard's chess," Hermione explained with a chuckle. Harry laughed and helped her to her feet.
"I think we better make sure Ron doesn't get himself beaten up. I'd bet on Bill any day."
The two of them headed back inside, to see Fleur consoling an embarrassed Bill while Ron gloated, lounging back in his chair and hurling insults at his oldest brother. Harry went straight to Ginny and kissed her on the cheek, while Hermione sat on the edge of Ron's chair.
"You won again?" she asked, even though she already knew the answer.
"Yep! I thumped him. Reckon he's gone soft after getting hitched," he exclaimed, loud enough for Bill to hear.
Hermione frowned at him. "Ron! You should be nicer to him," she scolded. "He is your brother."
Ron brushed her aside. "So? This is the only thing I can beat him at. Payback for my childhood."
Hermione rolled her eyes at him but kissed him on the cheek. He wrapped an arm around her waist and tugged her into his lap, where she fell rather awkwardly. One of his hands slid up her back, massaging her skin lightly and she rested her head into the crook of his neck. She felt so safe and secure in his arms. He bent his head and kissed her forehead softly.
"I think I deserve some sort of reward for my champion effort," he mused against her temple.
She elbowed him playfully, understanding exactly what he was insinuating. "Your family's here," she whispered.
He grinned. "Later?" his blue eyes twinkled and she stifled a laugh.
"Maybe," she told him and closed her eyes as he continued to rub soothing circles along her back. She suddenly realised that in a few days, she would be heading back to Hogwarts, and wouldn't see Ron or Harry for several months. It made her sad – she would miss them both terribly. She would just have to make the most of those next few days. Sitting in Ron's strong arms, feeling his lips against skin, Hermione knew that she wouldn't mind one bit.
A/N: I hope that was enough to suffice you :) Please leave a review on your way out! Much love xx
