Ron found it hard to get a full night's sleep some days, waking up in a cold sweat to spine-chilling thoughts, memories of previous lethal encounters and the terror of knowing it might – or even will – reoccur. But tonight was different. He was wide awake, sure, but for a completely unrelated, incomparably gleeful reason.
It was six in the morning now, and the sun was barely peeking out from the foggy horizon, the sky still a dark hue of purple, with bright golden streaks poking out here and there. Deciding it was too late, Ron abandoned any attempt to fall back asleep, instead preferring to get ready for the day and head down to the deserted common room.
There he lay, his long form spread out slackly on the ancient sofa, legs hanging leisurely over the left edge, as he threw the miniature leather quaffle Harry had given him for Christmas, up into the silent air above his head, and caught it back smoothly into his palm, his fingers enveloping it wholly, until it flew back up. Only one thought occupied his mind, the thought that had kept him awake, the thought that he was convinced could live in his head rent-free for the rest of his life and he wouldn't mind. All he wanted to do was replay the world-shattering proceedings of the previous evening, her light-brown curls lacing his long fingers, her warm chest heaving against his own, her lips, soft as cotton, devouring his mouth, somehow both gentle and intense. Just the memory tied his stomach up into tight knots, and for a split second he forgot how to breathe. They hadn't really discussed where they stood, what it meant, how they felt. But if Ron was usually cautious about letting optimistic thoughts swarm his brain, this time everything seemed unmistakably crystal clear.
So engulfed he was by his own mind's wanderings, that he hadn't noticed faint little footsteps approaching the seating area apprehensively.
"Ron?", her voice was sleepy and slightly raspy from lack of use, but the tone was balmy nonetheless.
He sprung up at the voice, flinging his legs hastily off the arm of the couch and back to the floor, before mumbling a sweet, "Hi". If anyone were to find him here at this hour, it would definitely be her.
Noticing the now empty space beside Ron on the soft cushioning, she seated herself elegantly several inches away. "Hi". There was a silence, neither of them sure of how to proceed, despite having exactly what they wanted right there.
"What has you up this early?", Ron began, turning to make eye contact with her.
"Uhm…", she hesitated, almost like she had lost her own train of thought. "I was going to read a little before class," she raised the thick book beside her, clasped tightly in her hand, then placed it back down.
The gallant and still slightly insecure side of him, prompted his next suggestion, "Oh, if I'm distracting I can-"
"No", she interrupted quickly, almost desperately, resting her hand delicately onto his own on the fleecy sofa. "Don't go," she mumbled timorously, which caused Ron to realise how anxious she appeared.
He twisted his hand swiftly so that their palms touched, the electrifying contact running a shiver down Ron's spine. "Should we talk?", he asked suddenly to break the uncertain tension, "about… us", he specified, gesturing between them, and throwing one bent leg onto the couch to face her directly.
"Yes, please", she replied immediately, doing the same. Her deep hazel eyes now focused intently upon his crystal blue orbs, both eliciting a gentle smile despite the nerves.
"I was going to say that…," he looked down, and gripped her other hand tenderly, unconsciously rubbing smooth circles with his thumb on the back of it. "It's pretty obvious probably, since, y'know," his gaze met hers again, "I fancy you", the words left his lips and with them, all the uncertainty, the terror, slipped away too, and he exhaled the breath he didn't know he was holding, "a lot."
Her soft features curved into a wide smile, her eyes adopting that same tender glossy look, as she clutched his hands tighter. "I fancy you too," she finally replied, almost choking with her own joyous sobs, "I have for a while now. I wasn't sure if you… felt the same way…"
Confident that there was only one fool-proof way to convey his indescribable feelings clearly, he pressed his lips softly against hers. Her velvety lips responded immediately, leaning closer in, savoring the moment. It was sweet, and relaxing, and even slightly chaste, yet just as passionate as last night, her taste intoxicating him as fireworks seemed to set off inside him. Pulling away, they beamed at each other dazedly, as he brought his thumb softly to her cheek to wipe away the tear of joy from before.
"You taste minty," she giggled absent-mindedly. "So I can do this as much as I want now?", she asked excitedly, her more confident tone reestablishing itself, as she placed another soft peck on his lips.
He grinned uncontrollably at her, even through the kiss. "You won't see me complaining," he chuckled softly, placing a loose curly strand behind her ear.
"And can I call you my… boyfriend?", she had a playful grin on, but there was a hint of slightly nervous anticipation at the label.
He placed another gentle peck on her hungry lips, "Only if I can call you my girlfriend."
She too smiled through the kiss, as she mumbled against him, "Deal."
When their lips were puffy and swollen and they had exhausted all the remaining air stored inside their lungs, they parted, and Hermione threw Ron's long arm around her tiny shoulder as they collapsed against the sofa, snuggling against his firm chest, playing with the fingers of his hand. It was pure bliss, as they sat there for what seemed like hours.
Both were equally dissatisfied to see two loud girls finally descend into the previously private common room, chattering away about something, and instinctively pulled out of their comfortable position. Ron felt empty at the loss of contact, and decided there was no point staying here any longer.
"You want to go for a walk?", he asked suddenly, and Hermione nodded vehemently.
Strolling around alone in the fresh morning air of the Viaduct courtyard, fingers intertwined eagerly, they rattled on, about everything and everyone, more freely and honestly than ever before. During a particularly passionate discussion about how infuriatingly bothersome it had been for Hermione to overhear Lavender chew over about Ron with Parvati on the bed adjacent to hers, he noticed that she was still proudly displaying the shiny bracelet on her left wrist, something that evaded his gaze up to that point, but caused a joyful bolt of electricity to rush through him. Something told him she would be even more protective of him now that things were different, and he enjoyed the idea.
As they finally made their way towards the still barely-occupied Great Hall, Hermione admitted, "And you were right about Aria too. She's very nice."
"I'm glad, you two seemed to hit it off, what with hating on Trelawney," he laughed as they sat down beside each other, definitely closer than normal, shoulders touching, fingers still laced together, unwilling to let go.
"Well, I think it's a well known fact I can't stand that…", she decided against finishing her sentence and just groaned.
"And you definitely do not have the self-restraint to sit through another one of her lessons," he chuckled as he noticed Hermione's lips press together in a mix of revulsion and rage.
She nudged his shoulder teasingly, and her scowl curved into an amused smile. Several minutes hadn't passed, before something that had become a constant reoccurrence in Ron's life over the past few weeks, happened again, and Fay Dunbar waved at him flirtatiously from the other side of the endless table. Observing Hermione's body tense up and her eyes fall nervously onto her plate, he clutched her hand tighter.
Then, she met his eyes again, that piercing look of determination he loved, "I want to make it public."
He stared deeply at her, trying to analyse her complicated expression. Hermione wasn't one to love attention, not this kind at least. They had discussed how outrageous she found Mary's unceremoniously blunt flirting, and how it had taken all the Gryffindor courage she had in her to put an abrupt end to it. And that was before, well, they were official.
"It's not like we're really hiding it," he gestured at their intertwined hands placed casually on the wooden table.
"Oh, you know what I mean, Ron," she glanced back at Fay, who was still gazing at him, and frightened her into turning away with her intimidatingly vexed nod. "I want them all to know…" she hesitated and looked back up at him shyly, "that you're mine." The last words were barely audible. "If you want to of course," she added nervously.
Ron's lips curved into a wide cheeky smile, both exhilarated by the sound of the statement, and pleasantly amused by her possessive nature. "I'm yours," he repeated, as much for her as for himself, which caused her to beam at him, teeth glistening in the bright morning light.
"Do you want me to snog you right here or something?", he joked, but to his utter astonishment Hermione seemed to look around and consider it. "I'm kidding!", he added urgently, "McGonagall's going to literally murder us," he pointed his eyes at their head of house, perched behind the staff table already, observing the tables like a hawk.
"You're right," she snapped out of the enticing image that seemed to form in her mind.
"I say," Ron began soothingly, turning Hermione's chin gently to face him, "we do what's comfortable for us, following the rules of public decency of course," he chuckled at her slightly disheartened expression, "and when we're out of teachers' sight, you can show me off for all I care."
"I don't want to show you off," she replied softly, "I'd prefer to be a little more private, I just… I don't know." She shook her head faintly in confusion.
"I'd be uncomfortable too if a bunch of guys were ogling you all day," he smiled, "heck I'd be out of my mind with rage." This seemed to cheer her up as her face lit up.
"Really?"
"Of course!", he half-screamed. "Bloody hell, I can't even begin to imagine what I would do." Then his gaze softened and fell back onto hers, "but if it's of any comfort, I don't want any other girl, I want you, only you."
Her features relaxed as she smiled gently, and he almost felt like she would've kissed him if it weren't for the surrounding crowd. Instead, she stopped herself, clearly remembering that fact as well, and blushed profusely. She released his hand for a split second, in order to slip her arm under his and intertwine their fingers tenderly once more.
"Just promise me you won't get detention first day of term for attempted assault," he laughed as she jabbed at his knee ever so slightly. "I know your 'I feel like punching someone today' face, Hermione", and at that she finally succumbed and let out a hearty laugh at the memory of their third year debacle.
Harry's messy mop had appeared several minutes later from the influx of arriving students, as he plonked himself opposite Ron, rubbing his eyes from the blinding rays of morning sunshine. Even in his drowsy state, his eyes fell to the braid of fingers before him. Hermione had been finishing up her jam-covered toast, unaware of the knowing look and satisfied grin Harry hit Ron with.
"Nice weather for a change, isn't it?" Ron attempted to avoid any conversation that would turn his ears pinker than they already were, and looked out the massive window behind Harry.
"Oh, yes, definitely," Harry chuckled glancing at Hermione, who appeared in an exceptionally joyous mood, then back at Ron, whose face was turning painfully scarlet.
Defence against the Dark Arts went quite smoothly, at least Snape didn't hand Harry another packet of detentions. Something that did however ruffle the dark-haired boy's feathers, was when Ron had unexpectedly chosen to sink himself at a dark wooden desk beside Hermione, an unusual happening that thrilled the bushy-haired girl, and astounded the rest of the female population of the class. After receiving a vexed glance from Harry, Ron noticed him join Aria at the furthest table, who was just as perplexed by the decision. What's more, he had gotten his essay on resisting the Imperius curse back, and had gotten a gratifying 'E', not without Snape's snarky comment.
"Very unconventional, Mr. Weasley…", he spoke in his usual detached tone, elongating his words spitefully, his large hooked nose hanging menacingly over Ron, "it should however, work. But for next time, stick to the standard description in the book." And with a swift swish of his long black robes, he sped away.
"I think that's the closest thing to a compliment you're going to get from him," Hermione smiled cheerily at him, with a hint of admiration in her warm gaze.
He had caught sight of Harry only once, and was glad to see him enjoy Aria's company in the shadowy corner of the class. His assumptions proved to be true, when Harry emerged from the room in high spirits, though his eye was contemplative. Reluctantly, he parted with Hermione, and speedily followed Aria to Hagrid's hut. As they trudged once again across the snow-laden path, the comfortably chilly air blowing against Ron's warm cheeks, he craved to know what she had discovered.
"So?", he asked expectantly.
"So, what?", she teased, a sassy grin forming on her features.
"Oh, you know what! There's only one thing that can get Harry walking on air," he chuckled.
"Quite pissed off he was actually, with today's seating arrangements. But he coped, suffered of course," she patted Ron in mock sympathy, "but coped."
When he responded with an impatient glare, her pale face, blotted with red patches from the change of temperature, leaned in closer as she whispered. "The Room of Requirement."
Ron pondered for a second, trying to deduce what exactly this meant. "What about it?"
"Well, I don't know exactly, but I bet you my Thunderbolt that whatever Malfoy's hiding, is there," she concluded with aplomb. As they descended the snowy hill, she retold the snippets of hasty conversations she had overheard, and it all seems to make sense.
"Speaking of walking on air", she grinned and Ron knew exactly where this was going, "someone looks like they've had a little too much gillyweed," she added in a business-like tone.
"Wouldn't that make me have gills?"
"Oh, yeah," she sighed, as she pretended to scrutinise the side of his neck, "those are just hickies," she chuckled, causing Ron to turn bright crimson and start springing around, straining his neck anxiously in an attempt to see for himself, "Where?! How!?".
He calmed down and stopped when Aria began to guffaw, struggling to control the tears of amusement emerging from her eyes. Though he was slightly enraged, the uncontrollable urge to smile wildly until his face muscles ached had overpowered his will to keep his composure, and he simply nodded timidly, answering the question she didn't need to ask.
"Finally a ray of sunshine in this gloomy world we live in," she exclaimed in over-exagerration. "Now, come on, move your legs, we're running a bit late," she finished as they began charging recklessly to the hut.
After a bizarre lesson with a Jackalope, a rather strange yet unintimidating creature Ron had heard Charlie and his dad exchange views on once, him and Aria headed peacefully to their desired spot among the imposing colossal bookshelves of the mystical library Ron had gotten so used to. Having hurriedly finished Snape's seemingly neverending assignment, and with no other homework yet, they embarked on a lengthy, elaborate conversation about the nature of the object Malfoy may be trying to hide, and the preposterous ways in which this object wasn't detected by the Hogwarts new security measures. Before he knew it, the period was over, and Ron was waving Aria goodbye whilst dashing to meet his friends on his way to the Great Hall.
Enlivened by the sight of Hermione, who seemed to be waiting with bated breath to see him too, they settled on an uncoventionally long and intimate embrace, parting only for Harry's sake, who was waiting impatiently beside them. Taking a similar approach they did that morning, their hands intertwined enthusiastically. It had become second-nature to them, even though it had only been several hours, but the feeling of warmth and constant reassurance was like a wave of tranquilising love, easily quelling any despair, anxiety or uncertainty Ron could've been feeling. This seemingly unremarkable display of affection though, considering Ron's recent attention, turned a few bewildered heads as they squeezed through the crowds of bypassing students. This attention, that Ron assumed would perhaps unsettle Hermione, instead spawned a proud yet slightly bashful smile, a thought that made him a little light-headed.
The rest of the day proceeded in an ordinary fashion, apart from Ron's keen insistence on sitting casually beside Hermione, who spent most of Charms open-mouthed with affectionate awe, finally getting the chance to witness Ron's admirable progress in non-verbal spells first-hand.
Once darkness had descended gradually over the castle, and their stomachs had been filled to the brim, they occupied the worn-out couch and armchair by the warm burning flames in the almost completely vacant common room, putting their heads together about what Draco has been conspiring so secretively, and what they could do to find out more. At the same time, Harry was trying ardously to contemplate an effective way of getting Slughorn to share this valuable memory, since all his recent attempts had proven to be utterly futile. Failing to come up with something, the conversation spiralled back to Malfoy.
"Well," Hermione began methodically, "we know it's in the Room of Requirement," she paused slightly crestfallen," but we don't know, what it is, what it does, what form the room takes or why," she sighed.
"We could…", Ron began but stopped himself, "Naah… that can't work…"
Harry and Hermione's head flew around and they stared expectantly at him, eyes fixed. Ron was oblivious to their movement, continuing to stare at his hands deep in thought, until Harry almost bellowed in slight annoyance, "Well, spit it out then!"
"Oh," the sound had startled him, "I was just thinking…," he sat up more upright, "we could always take the Umbridge approach, it did work," he looked up to see two confused faces, until Hermione's face started to light up in understanding.
"I'm not following," Harry stared at him, transfixed.
"Umbridge caught us, didn't she?" His two friends nodded. "Well, she knew about as much as we do about Malfoy. So… there's three of us. We spread out on different sides of the room, when we know he's inside, until he finally decides to come out. Maybe we'll get a glimpse of the room," he muttered tentatively.
Doubt and uncertainty flooded Harry's expression as he thought deeper about it. "But he has someone guarding it, with the polyjuice, right?"
"It's probably just Crabbe and Goyle though, Harry" Hermione chimed in. "You'll be under the cloak, and we'll hide. If anything, we can certainly take on those two."
"But how can we be sure that he's inside?" Harry protested, still irresolute.
"Two ways," Ron exclaimed more confidently. This was the part of the plan he was more certain in. "Firstly, there's the map. You'll see if he's heading out somewhere, or if he's nowhere to be found." Harry nodded. "And then, he usually does it when there are no lessons, so Aria can tell us if he's leaving the common room in the evening."
Harry's feautures appeared more optimistic, then fell back into doubt. "But how will she communicate this information to us discreetly and quickly?" he raised an eyebrow. It was true. Aria sprinting out hastily everytime Draco leaves, especially to talk to Gryffindors, would be bizarre and suspicious to say the least.
Ron, however, knew exactly how.
Grinning smugly, he reached out into the pocket of his trousers, and pulled it out swiftly, clutching the golden coin overtly between his thumb and index finger, as it shimmered in the bright firelight, "With this."
Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I think there one final one to go, that I'll try to post as soon as I can. There was more fluff here than usual, but I felt like it was nice to see them finally happy. Leave a review with your thoughts and opinions :)