It was Friday morning, and they were heading to the Ministry for a meeting with Kingsley. Earlier in the week, Ron, Harry, and Hermione had received official summons letters, and assuming it was more follow-up depositions, they woke early, planning to meet in the kitchen, before flooing to the Ministry.
Hermione was just pouring herself a cup of tea to have with her toast, when Ron entered the kitchen wearing a dark blue button-up shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and dark jeans that fit his long legs perfectly. Her eyes trailed over his body and he stopped in the doorway when he noticed her staring. His ears turned red and he looked down at his clothes.
"What? Does it look bad? I can go change if you think –"
Hermione rose from her chair and went on her tiptoes to give Ron a kiss on the cheek. He looked surprised for a moment, then wrapped her up in his arms.
"I was just admiring the view. You look very handsome today Ronald, you always do," Hermione whispered in his ear and ran her hands over his broad chest. "This color blue makes your eyes look amazing…I could just eat you up." Hermione giggled at her own attempt at flirting and buried her face in Ron's shoulder. The smells of his toothpaste, aftershave, deodorant, and just him were not helping her cause of trying not to snog him senseless in the middle of the kitchen at half past eight in the morning.
Ron nuzzled his nose near her ear, and she heard his breath quicken, as he trailed his fingers down her back, then boldly cupped her bottom. His hands were big enough that he completely enclosed both cheeks and he lifted her right off her feet. "You look amazing in this dress babe…can't wait to get my hands under it later," he growled quietly. His attempt at flirting back quite successful. Hermione felt breathless as he peppered her skin with nibbling kisses from her temple to her lips.
"Oi! Really you two? What if I was your mother?" Harry's face was contorted in a disgruntled grimace as he made his way to the kettle.
Ron chuckled and moved his hands to rest on Hermione's hips, while she kept hers twined around his neck.
"Mrs. Weasley just went outside to feed the chickens, and you usually take forever to wake up, so excuse me if I thought we had a moment to ourselves," Hermione struck her friend with an admonishing glare. "Don't you try and embarrass me Harry Potter, it's too early and I haven't had my tea. You won't win."
Harry held his hands up in surrender and backed away slowly in a sign of self-preservation.
Ron gave Hermione a smacking kiss on the lips and went to the stove to make everyone bacon and eggs.
"Ginny and I are heading over to Andromeda's this afternoon to see Teddy, if you guys want to come hang out with us," Harry said, as he sat at the kitchen table.
"Sorry mate, but we –"
"We'd love to Harry, but we –"
Hermione felt her cheeks go hot, and she shared a knowing look with Ron. After many late-night chats on the sofa, Ron understood that the sight of Andromeda still often triggered Hermione's anxiety – because she looked so much like her sister Bellatrix. Not wanting to hurt Harry's feelings or give herself away, Hermione cleared her throat anxiously and took a deep breath.
"We'd love to Harry, but Ron and I had already made plans to go over some books –" Hermione felt her eyes go wide as she looked back to Ron, "uh travel books, for uh, our trip, to Australia."
"Yeah mate, sorry. Percy gave me a couple books about Australia, and I promised Hermione we'd go over them today, so we can plan the rest of our trip," Ron finished coolly as he walked back over and put his arm around her.
Hermione held back a sigh of relief. She reached up and gave Ron's hand a squeeze.
"All right, well, maybe next time," Harry said, and went back to fixing his tea.
The trio flooed from the Burrow and met their usual Auror detail in the Atrium. Avoiding reporters by the main entrance, they took a secret side hallway and made their way to the Minister's private office suite. Ron held tight to Hermione's hand, while they followed behind Harry and an Auror in the lead, with the second Auror covering the rear. Ron knew Hermione had too many bad memories of the battles they had fought at the Ministry, and so he made sure to squeeze her hand in reassurance every so often.
They had all been to Kingsley's personal office several times; to give unofficial off the record testimonies, to get their official stories straight – preparing to release a joint statement to the press – and before meeting with the Wizenagamot.
As they entered the outer reception area where they usually waited, Ron was surprised to find Neville sitting, staring nervously at the Minister's office door like he had been summoned to the Headmaster's office for punishment. Ron took a seat next to him, pulling Hermione down to share the sofa cushion with him.
"Hey mate, what are you doing here?" Harry asked, extending his hand, and shaking Neville's.
Before Neville could answer, the adjacent door opened and they were beckoned forward by Kingsley's personal secretary, an older woman in dark grey, tweed robes, with a kind face. "This way lady and gentlemen, the Minister is ready to see you now."
"Hello everyone, please have a seat," Kingsley said grinning, as he gestured to the wingback chairs in front of his desk, and then took his own seat.
"I'm sure you are all wondering as to why you've been summoned here today, as the last time we met I had assured you we had obtained all the preliminary testimony we needed before the trials begin next month. Which is all true."
He handed them each an official looking document with the Ministry insignia at the top.
"These are your official offer letters recruiting you to the new Auror Department under my leadership," he smiled. "We are in need of recruits for our brand-new accelerated training course and your exemplary skill sets make you well, overqualified, and needless to say, our top choices. Frankly speaking, you have far more hands-on training and field experience than qualified Junior Aurors have. The job comes with a full benefits package and a substantial salary for an entry level ministry position. You all have done so much for the wizarding community; it would be an honor to have you on my staff."
"Wicked!" Ron and Harry chorused, looking at each other with matching grins.
"But we don't have our N.E.W.T.s qualifications sir –" Hermione started.
"Sir, I – I think there's been a mistake, you see I didn't do anything –" Neville stammered.
Kingsley held up his hand, silencing them. His grin grew wider. "Miss Granger, Hermione, I am well aware that you were unable to sit for your N.E.W.T.s this past year, it is a requirement that we are waving for certain individuals we know possess the knowledge and skill set required for the job, and why the training for this next cohort of recruits will be fast-tracked from the usual full year schedule, to a nine-month intensive, classroom and field training experience."
Ron saw Hermione look back down at the official offer letter and frown, while she seemed to ponder that information.
Kingsley turned his attention to Neville, who still looked as if he were about to be reprimanded. "As for you Mr. Longbottom, I am also aware that although you did not accompany Harry, Ron, and Hermione while they were fugitives on the run," he chuckled, "I am aware of your previous assistance in the battle that occurred here at the Ministry three years ago against known Death Eaters…as well as your command and leadership this past year of a growing organization known as Dumbledore's Army." Kingsley fixed Neville with a knowing look. "Your outstanding service and assistance during the battle at Hogwarts, was invaluable to the destruction of Voldemort himself."
Neville blushed and looked down. Ron, Hermione, and Harry were all looking back and forth between Kingsley and Neville, as Kingsley's tone grew more serious.
"It takes a certain type of individual to lead others in covert rebellion, to organize, to strategize… to fight for what is right in the face of cruel and unusual punishment. Minerva – Professor McGonagall and I have spoken, and we are both immensely proud of you and how you defended Hogwarts and its students against Voldemort's regime this past year. I have also corresponded with your grandmother, and I know she is most proud of you as well. And your parents –" at this, Ron saw Neville look back up into Kingsley's eyes with a shocked expression on his face, "whom I knew personally, worked alongside for years, and considered dear friends; well there is no doubt in my mind Mr. Longbottom, that they would be enormously proud of you as well."
Neville nodded silently and a small smile lit his face.
Hermione cleared her throat nervously, "Excuse me sir, while this offer is more than generous, I had hoped to pursue a career in the legislative branch of government, working for the rights of underprivileged non-humans such as house-elves, eradicating old and biased laws, and reforming the wizarding community from the ground up so to speak. I'd like to be instrumental in making effective, long-lasting change…"
Ron noticed she bit her lip to stop her rambling and flattened the already flat letter in an anxious tic. He beamed at the sight of her, knowing she was going to change the world someday. Her brilliance never ceased to amaze him.
"Well Miss Granger, I think that is a magnificent idea. A young woman of your intelligence and passion is just the type of person we need in a position like that. You and I can meet privately to discuss goals and career path options when you get back from Australia if you'd like."
"Thank you, Minster, I would like that very much," Hermione looked over to Ron with an apologetic glance and then turned back to Kingsley. "However, I should let you know that I have been corresponding with Professor McGonagall and I have been invited to return to Hogwarts in the fall to complete my final year and sit for my N.E.W.T.s." Hermione turned back to Ron, a look of pleading in her eyes and spoke directly to him, "I – I've been made Head Girl."
Ron felt a deep ache start to grow in his stomach. Hermione hadn't mentioned a word about speaking with McGonagall. He felt the sadness of missing her already, creeping into his limbs and his chest.
Now that the bloody war was over, Ron had started to picture his future, a future irrevocably entwined with Hermione's. With her returning to Hogwarts, and he and Harry most definitely not, would their relationship last? It meant they would be apart, for almost a year. A lot could change in a year.
"Education is very important to me," Hermione continued, speaking to Kingsley, "as is finishing something I have started. If I am to fight for the rights of others, I, myself a muggleborn, am going to take full advantage of learning all that I can from my wizarding education. And should those I come in opposition to think to question my qualifications, there will be no doubt of my dedication or achievement," Hermione finished boldly, with that blazing look she had when she spoke of her convictions.
"Minister Shacklebolt –"
"Please Harry, we have been through too much, call me Kingsley," he said with a smile.
"Uh, Kingsley, sir – if I may be so bold as to use my privilege," Harry said sheepishly, his face turning scarlet, "I was wondering for a small favor…you see we haven't had much time to be normal teenagers and the girls, uh I mean Hermione and Ginny, uh Ginny Weasley, will be leaving for Hogwarts at the end of the summer. Ron and Hermione will be heading to Australia soon for an indefinite amount of time, and uh, I had planned to take Ginny on a surprise holiday for her birthday in August – and well honestly, I've never been on a holiday before," Harry shrugged unapologetically. "I was wondering if Ron and I, and Neville if he's interested, if we could start our Auror training together, after September first."
Harry turned to Ron, and Ron felt the grin starting to grow on his face. In his peripheral, he could see Hermione's jaw opened in shock. Harry was not one to use his status for personal gain, but Ron was sure he would do anything for his sister. They turned back to Kingsley, and Ron held his breath, waiting for the Minister's answer.
Kingsley rested his mouth on his tented fingers, humming in thought. He drew back and let out a booming laugh, "Well Harry, if anyone deserves a holiday, it is definitely you four and Miss Weasley! Why I must say, she would have been invited here today as well, for her outstanding work with Dumbledore's Army, but I know that she is still currently underage and has another year at Hogwarts – and I prefer to stay in the good graces of Molly Weasley," he finished in a mumbled aside. "I think a summer holiday is not too much to ask for. And well deserved."
After their new hire paperwork was completed and they bid Neville farewell – promising to invite him to the Burrow for a get together soon – Harry, Hermione, and Ron flooed home to the Burrow for lunch.
They joined Ginny, Mrs. Weasley, and Charlie at the kitchen table for soup and sandwiches, making idle chit chat – though Harry and Ron chose to withhold the news about their new positions, to avoid a confrontation with Ron's mum so soon. Her overprotective nature had increased tenfold since the war – and losing Fred.
The weather had turned dreary, but the roaring fire kept the chill out of the house, and as everyone finished their food, the room became quieter, settling into a sleepy lull. Ron noticed that Hermione had finished her soup but had barely touched her sandwich. He wondered if she was feeling well, she hadn't talked much during lunch.
"Well, Ginny and I are heading to Andromeda's. We'll see you guys later." Harry looked worriedly between his two silent friends, before following Ginny to the fireplace.
"See ya mate," Ron said, and watched them disappear into the flames.
"I think I'll go upstairs and rest for a bit," Hermione said in a quiet, tiny voice, picking up her tea and carrying it towards the stairs.
"Perfect day for a nap deary," Ron's mum said with a warm smile. "I'll call you down when dinner's almost ready. There's an extra quilt in Ginny's wardrobe if you get chilly," she called after Hermione with a concerned look on her face.
"Poor dear, I hope she's not coming down with something," Ron's mum said to herself as she started the dishes washing in the sink with her wand.
Ron thought he would head up to his own room. It was pretty obvious Hermione didn't want to talk to him and that she wanted her space. He dragged himself up the stairs to his attic room, feeling tired all of a sudden. Maybe he could use a nap himself, he thought.
He opened his bedroom door and his eyes widened at the sight before him, the thought of sleep suddenly the farthest thing from his mind.
Hermione was in his bed, sitting up against his pillows, her hair out of its plait and around her head like a lion's mane. The skirt of her dress fanned out around her, and her bare legs crossed at the ankles. Her tiny bare feet twitched at the sight of him and she clasped her hands nervously.
"We need to talk," she said, her voice thick with emotion.
She stood and started towards him.
Ron was still feeling… not mad, but maybe disappointed with her, that she hadn't kept him in the loop about her communicating with McGonagall.
Hermione reached out to him and brushed her fingers along his biceps. "I only just got the follow up letter from Professor McGonagall yesterday evening, confirming everything for the fall. I was still processing all of our other plans – for our trip… and the new intimacies of our relationship. I planned to tell you this afternoon. I swear. I didn't –"
Hermione's breath hitched like she was about to cry, "I didn't do so well the last time we were apart for a length of time. I wanted to have a plan before we had this conversation."
Ron flashed back to Hermione chasing after him in the rain, calling after him to come back. And then to the memory of when he returned, her face looking more gaunt and drawn than he had ever seen.
He reached for her then, hugging her fiercely – because he could, because he needed to. He rubbed his hands up and down her back and felt her shiver. "It won't be like last time. We'll see each other. There's Hogsmeade weekends and Quidditch matches, and I swear I'll write to you every day. Twice a day if you want."
Hermione let out a laugh that Ron thought sounded more like a sob and she anxiously fidgeted with the collar of his shirt. "Between Quidditch and Hogsmeade, we'll have opportunities to see each other about twice per month… that's if you can get away from training." Ron heard her breath hitch again. "And there's Christmas and Easter holidays. Oh Ron, I'm scared."
"Why? We'll hear from each other every day. Plus, you'll be so busy studying and being the best Head Girl Hogwarts has ever seen, time will go by fast and you won't even have the chance to miss me. Harry and I will be busy training, and then you and I will meet up, and I'll take you on amazing dates in Hogsmeade." He crouched down to catch her eye and waggled his eyebrows to try and get her to smile.
"That's not what I'm scared of. I love you so much, and I'll miss you terribly, but I know we'll be fine," she rubbed her hands up and down his chest in a soothing manner, then tucked her face into his shoulder.
"I'm afraid of you becoming an Auror," she whispered. "I've only just become resigned to the fact that we were done fighting. And I don't want you getting hurt anymore. We've only just figured things out… I can't lose you," she finished in the softest voice he'd ever heard her use.
"I'm not going anywhere. You heard Kingsley, we're already more experienced and more qualified than most Junior Aurors! Harry and Neville will have my back in the field. I trust them with my life. Plus, I know if I come home injured, not only will I have to answer to my mother, but you as well. Plenty of incentive to always do my best. The two of you are far scarier than any dark curses flying my way."
Hermione pulled back, frowning. "Oh Ronald, honestly! How ridiculous," she grumbled, then cuddled back into his arms, burrowing her face into his chest.
"I know you are more than capable and talented enough to be an excellent Auror. You're a natural born strategist and a skilled defenseman. You've always kept Harry and I safe… but it doesn't mean I still won't worry about you." She pulled back to glare at him. "And you better write to me every day. If you miss one letter, I'll be beside myself with worry."
"I'm the one who should be worried. Who will nag you and make sure you're eating and sleeping properly with all your N.E.W.T.s studying and Head Girl duties? You'll hide away in the Head Girl private suite, up to your eyeballs with revisions, and Ginny will be too busy being Quidditch Captain to even notice. She'll have her nose in her playbook or running herself ragged on the pitch, speaking of… Harry's going to be just as worried about her as I am about you…" Ron turned thoughtful, scratching his beard stubble.
"Maybe Harry and I can take turns using the map and cloak to sneak in to check on you two when it's not a Hogsmeade or Quidditch weekend."
"For goodness' sake Ronald, I will not go starving! And Ginny would kick Harry's arse if he thought she couldn't handle being Quidditch Captain! She did more than fine while he had gotten himself stuck in detention! And another thing, I'll have plenty of time to sleep because I won't have to spend all my free time helping the two of you with homework… or strategizing against our latest conflict with Death Eaters, Voldemort, or evil Ministry figureheads!"
Hermione pulled away to cross her arms and scowled up at Ron. He smiled widely in return, which only seemed to increase her frustration with him. He couldn't help it; she was so cute when she got all feisty like this. He rubbed her arms to calm her agitation.
"Okay, okay. So, we'll both trust each other to survive nine months apart, without injury, starvation, or insomnia. We'll write every day and see each other every other weekend. Sound like a good plan?"
Ron gently tugged her wrists, uncrossing her arms. He sat on his bed and pulled Hermione down to sit on his lap. He nuzzled his face into her wild hair and breathed deeply. "And you'll see Madame Pomfrey if you need calming draught or dreamless sleep potion, if you start having trouble sleeping or having nightmares again." He phrased it as a statement, not a question, and she tried to pull back again, but he held her tighter, and after a moment felt her body relax again.
"Okay," she grumbled into his shoulder.
Ron moved her hair aside and trailed soft kisses on her neck, lingering over the sensitive spot behind her ear. He felt her tremble and she let out a breathy sigh.
"Now that that's all squared away, let's get back to that image I walked in on – of you sprawled on my bed in this dress." Ron ran his fingers across the hem of fabric that fell across Hermione's knees. "A bloody fantasy come to life," he growled in her ear and heard her giggle in response.
"Well, we do have some books to discuss… and we've never had a proper afternoon snogging on your bed before…" Hermione said shyly, as she coyly trailed her fingers over the buttons of his shirt.
Hermione's suggestion and the sudden heat he saw in her eyes, had Ron fully hard and ready to give in to whatever she wanted. He trailed his hands up her arms and threaded his fingers into her wild hair.
"I stayed up quite late last night reading, studying," he added cheekily with a wink. "I wanted to see you could quiz me." Ron lightly brushed his lips along the shell of her ear.
Hermione's breath hitched and she fisted her hands in his shirt. "Well I – I did want to touch your penis…"
"Holy shit!" Ron breathed. He cleared his throat, "I mean okay, yeah, whatever you want."
"And you could touch me as well," Hermione said quietly. "That is, if you want to," she added with a bit of uncertainty.
"Yes of course. I – I had read the whole book that Charlie gave me and up to chapter twelve of the book you gave me…so I, so it should be good for you."
Ron saw Hermione relax and smile.
"Can you kiss me first?" she purred.
"Yeah," Ron chuckled. "I can definitely do that."
Ron brushed a warm kiss over her mouth, "I love you. You'll stop me if there's anything that you don't like," he said. He looked deep into her eyes to show her how serious he was. He watched until she nodded, looking back at him with trust, and something brighter – desire, love.
He grabbed his wand and sent every privacy, silencing, and repelling charm he could think of at his bedroom door, before placing his wand on the bedside table next to hers.
Ron scooted back until he was in the middle of the bed, and toed off his shoes, letting them fall to the floor with a thud. Hermione resettled between his legs and ran her hands over his chest. And then he kissed her, his lips brushing over hers, nudging hers to open so he could slip his tongue in, gradually going deeper, hotter, until they were full-on making out.
Ron cupped her breasts and let his thumbs play over her nipples. He loved Hermione's delicate curves. He lowered his head and gently nibbled on the curve of her neck, making her squirm, and he could feel her breasts heaving as she breathed deeply in anticipation and arousal. Ron continued to massage her breasts while lavishing her neck with open-mouthed kisses.
"Mmmm, Ron," Hermione moaned as she ran her hands through his hair – sending tingles of lust from the top of his head, straight to his dick.
Hermione stroked her hands back to his shirt collar, tugging firmly and letting out a small whimper when Ron sucked on her skin. She trailed her fingers further down and started to slowly unbutton his shirt.
Ron knew she didn't intentionally tease him – that she was lost in the moment – but he felt tortured by her painstakingly slow actions. He pulled back suddenly and ripped the shirt off over his head.
Hermione giggled and threaded her fingers through his chest hair, rubbing over his pecs and sensitive nipples. Ron growled and took her mouth in a fierce kiss. He left hot, open-mouthed kisses along her cheek and Hermione gasped as he nibbled on her ear with his teeth.
"I want to touch you," he rumbled in her ear, surprised at how husky his own voice sounded.
"Yes," she breathed.
Ron watched as Hermione arched her head back, giving him more access to her slender neck. Her eyes closed and she bit her lip sensually.
"There's a zipper in the back," she said quietly, and gripped his shoulders more tightly.
Ron buried his face into her hair, the comforting and familiar scent of her shampoo, heightening the experience of exploring her body.
"Merlin, you smell good," he breathed deeply. "So good." He rubbed his large hands over her small and delicate back, taking a moment to calm them both. The expanse of his fingers covered her petite frame, and he reminded himself to be gentle. That this was Hermione, and she was special and deserved every wonderful sexual experience he could give her.
He started on the zipper of her dress, while softly kissing her. He nuzzled against her mouth and slid his tongue past her lips.
The dress opened just wide enough for him to tug it down her shoulders and beneath her breasts. It caught at her elbows and Ron tugged, trying to free her arms, but she was seated, and her dress was stuck. Hermione's dress pulled tighter and forced her straining breasts higher and Ron felt his face heat with embarrassment. Hermione giggled. So much for a smooth seduction.
"Here, let me help," she said gently.
Ron watched as Hermione's delicate neck bent forward and she rounded her back. She shimmied out of the top half of her dress and Ron was captivated by the swell of her breasts, as they jiggled in the cups of her pink, lace and cotton bra. Damn, she was so fucking sexy.
Hermione scooted to the edge of the bed and stood, and Ron watched in awe as the simple cotton dress slipped from her body and pooled at her feet.
"Now you," she whispered.
His movements slow, as if in a trance, Ron stood in front of her, staring at the lace and cotton of her matching pink knickers.
Hermione boldly grabbed him by his belt and pulled him towards her. She ran her hands up his chest and around his neck, sinking her fingers into his hair.
Ron wrapped her in a tight hug, and she squeaked in surprise as he lifted her off her feet. He kissed her hungrily at the feel of her soft skin making contact with the heated flesh of his chest. Their tongues touched and the kiss turned clumsy, frenzied, desperate. Ron hoisted Hermione higher in his arms and she wrapped her legs around his waist. His hands instinctively went to her arse, holding her snuggly against him. He groaned into her mouth and she squirmed in his arms. The friction of her body, the heat of her silken skin on his naked torso was driving him mad.
He walked her back towards the bed and lowered her carefully to the mattress. She delicately rested her hands at either side of her head, on his pillow, palms up.
Ron inhaled deeply, "Merlin, you're beautiful."
He stood back and fumbled with his belt, then shucked off his trousers and socks. He didn't remove his boxers. It would be safer for now to leave them on, though the tenting of the fabric left little to the imagination. His body buzzed with excited awareness of what was about to happen.
Ron saw Hermione's eyes widen with fascination as she stared at his erection, then she rubbed her legs together in a blatant sign of arousal. She bit her lip, her body squirming in anticipation.
"You're so fucking sexy," Ron growled.
Hermione seemed to turn shy all of a sudden, but then her eyes turned determined as her gaze locked with his. Ron studied her face, her eyes heavy-lidded and her lips swollen from kissing, then she lifted her arms and reached for him.
Ron settled between her legs, wrapping his arms tightly around her and kissed his way from her ear to her jaw, up to her cheek, and then he finally took her lips in a soft kiss meant to be foreplay, but that quickly turned near-desperate. Her enthusiasm left Ron feeling singed and so primed, it was a wonder he hadn't come in his pants already.
He took a deep breath and reminded himself to be patient, but it was agonizing with her beneath him, writhing on his bed, arching up into him, whimpering and mewling with every movement.
Ron trailed kisses down her throat, sucking gently, but not hard enough to leave a mark. Hermione arched into him again, her chest lifting higher, and he kissed down the exposed swell of her breasts.
Hermione rubbed her hands through Ron's hair, and feeling encouraged by her ministrations, he boldly took her nipple into his mouth through the thin fabric of her bra. His hand moved to her other breast and he cupped her, running his thumb gently over the nipple, and he relished the sensation of her quick breaths against his temple.
"Take it off," she panted.
Ron looked up to see Hermione's head thrown back in pleasure, her teeth biting into her bottom lip, making him want to tug that lip back into his own mouth.
Ron must not have been going fast enough – while he admired the sight of her arousal – for she suddenly reached behind her back, and the next thing he knew, there was a scrap of lace and cotton sailing past his face, joining the rest of their clothes on the floor.
"Bra clasps are tricky, I'll let you practice tomorrow. Kiss me." Hermione's speech all blurred together as she grabbed for Ron's face.
She took his mouth in voracious hunger as he reached for her naked breasts. Ron massaged gently, squeezing the delicate mounds, and playing with her nipples, as their tongues battled for dominance.
They pulled apart gasping for breath.
"More," she panted.
Hermione's breasts were round and firm, her nipples a dusky brown, drawn tight, and Ron licked and sucked his way down from her neck to her beaded nipples, finally taking the tip of her breast into his mouth and sucking gently.
Hermione continued to massage and lightly scratch at Ron's scalp while murmuring words of encouragement. After switching his mouth to give her other breast some attention, his hand caressed a path down her ribs, to the flare of her hip.
Ron dug his fingers into the swell of her hip, kneading the soft curves of her body. He stroked down to her arse, cupping his large hand over her cheek, lifting her into his body, keeping her poised against him as he rubbed against her, making sure she was primed.
Hermione let out a moan and Ron pulled back to watch her embrace her heightened arousal.
Ron caressed his hand around Hermione's silky soft thigh, then slowly moved his hand down over her panties and between her legs. He could feel the heat and moisture through the thin fabric of her panties, and he bit back a groan, trying to rein in his lust.
Hermione shivered and her eyes flew open to meet his.
"Okay?" he murmured.
"Okay," she purred, lifting into his touch.
Ron lightly traced her cleft through the fabric, petting softly with his fingers. His awareness of her was so heightened, he felt everything, every tiny movement and sound she made.
Hermione's hands contracted on his shoulders and he leaned down to kiss her. Unlike the desperation they had been feeling up until this point, this kiss was suggestive, sensual, and intimate. And while they kissed, Ron slipped his hand into her panties, and her thighs opened instinctively.
Soft, springy curls tangled around his fingers and he simply cupped her, not moving, giving her time to get used to that.
They continued kissing and she ran her hands through his hair, over his shoulders, and down his back.
Ron paid attention to the cues Hermione's body was giving him, and the sounds she made – to make sure she was enjoying everything he was doing. And when her hips lifted, silently urging him on, he parted her gently and stroked one finger through her wet heat, sending his heart into a race.
Hermione mewled into his mouth and her body squirmed in anticipation.
Ron remembered that the books stressed the importance of gentleness, a slow pace, and to follow nonverbal cues.
He trailed his finger through her vulva, spreading her moisture up until he found her clitoris, and gently circled the small bud he found.
Hermione pulled back, gasping, and Ron watched her face, his own heartbeat roared in his ears.
As he continued to tease around her clit, her back arched off the mattress and he dipped down to suck on her nipples. He ground his cock against the mattress, trying to find some relief while focusing on her pleasure.
"Ron," she pleaded.
He loved hearing her say his name like that.
Ron took his time suckling her breasts, gently fingering her, enjoying her moaning and writhing body. Hermione's hips began to rock against his hand at a steady pace and he dipped his finger down, sinking into her. She was small and tight, her inner muscles squeezing his finger, and she groaned in excitement, even as she stilled in discomfort.
"Easy, relax," Ron whispered, moving his thumb to circle her clitoris, while his finger pet inside her, gently stretching her. "Am I hurting you?"
"No," Hermione gasped, and he felt her tiny fingernails dig into his back.
Ron kissed her, dipping his tongue inside, then licked her throat, nibbling back down to her breasts, suckling while gently fingering her.
He gauged her reactions, each shudder, each sound.
Her eyes squeezed shut and her teeth came out to bite down on her bottom lip.
Ron circled, rubbed again and again, while Hermione moved against him.
"Ron. Ron, I'm –" her breath hitched. "Don't stop," she breathed more frantically. Her thighs stiffened, her back arched, her body bowed off the bed, and she cried out with her orgasm, one hand knotted in his hair, the other fisted in his bed sheets. He continued to gently circle her clit as she rode the waves of pleasure, her mouth open in a silent scream.
Ron watched as Hermione sank back to the bed, limp and sated, and he wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her hair, feeling her heaving breaths, and thumping heartbeat, matching his own.
He felt her trail her fingertips up his spine and she sighed heavily, and then her body trembled in an aftershock.
"That was –" she sighed.
Ron lifted up on his forearms to look into her dazed, chocolate brown eyes.
"That was pretty amazing," she smiled, sweet and satisfied, and brushed her lips lightly across his.
Ron's arms constricted around her and she pressed a damp kiss to his jaw.
"Now you," she whispered.