Under the mistletoe
Summary: Ron and Hermione get caught under the mistletoe. After being egged on by a room full of family and friends, Ron kisses her. As they kiss something sparks inside them and everything changes.
AN: I loved the scene I wrote in Mistletoe Kisses but I wanted to explore more about what happened after they ran off as they are one of my favorite couples. Here it is. I do not own the characters.
"You, dear brother, are standing under the mistletoe. With Hermione."
"What?" I blurted out. I looked up quickly and saw the small bunch of mistletoe hung up above my head with a red ribbon. I could feel my face redden as I slowly looked down and over at Hermione. Her face flushed as she caught my eyes. Quickly, I looked down.
I knew what was going to happen. They all knew. If you meet someone under the mistletoe, you are supposed to kiss. It's an age-old tradition. They would expect me to kiss her and if I didn't I would be teased, picked on, yelled at and who knew what else.
It's not that I didn't want to kiss Hermione. I did. I really did. But a first kiss in front of all these people? A first kiss without her knowing how I felt? Without knowing how she felt? I didn't want it to happen this way. It didn't seem right. It was a moment that should have only been shared between the two of us.
That way if she rejects you, you can go off and cry and no one will know.
I had dreamed about kissing Hermione and telling her how much I cared for over a year now. There had been times when we had shared a moment together that I almost told her, almost kissed her. Once, when we were alone in the common room waiting for Harry to return, I had almost told her. We were sitting on the couch near the fire together and I couldn't believe how happy I had felt there. I wanted so badly to tell her how I felt that I opened my mouth but all that ended up coming out was a burp. I was so embarrassed.
There were other times I had done something that might have stepped over the line of just friend and I thought for sure she would figure it out. Touching her hand, brushing hair out of her eyes, comforted her with a hug or arm on the shoulder. I had even go so far as to say, "I love you Hermione" once when she had helped me with a rather difficult essay. She hadn't even reacted so I didn't either. But oh how I wanted to tell her then that it was true. That I really did love her.
I could just never make myself say the words. I could never get them past the lump in my throat. I know that the Sorting Hat put me in Gryffindor but sometimes I question that. Sure, I can be brave when lives are at stake but when it comes to telling the woman I love how much she means to me, I am the biggest coward alive.
I have loved Hermione Jean Granger for a very long time. Sometimes I think it is longer than I even realize. There is no one out there in the world like her. She's smart and funny. And sassy but sweet. She is brave and sincere and she cares about so much. She always gets good grades and always seems to know everything. I can't and don't want to imagine my life without her. She makes it right, full. And I think that is why I haven't told her how I feel. I'm afraid she already knows, what with her being so smart and my lack of subtlety, and she doesn't return my feelings. I tell myself that if I don't tell her, I can continue living in my dream world, living in a fantasy that one day we might tell each other and she will love me the way I love her. I know it's not a perfect world, but she's in it.
"Come on Ron, kiss her!" Harry encouraged. "Kiss her! Kiss her!"
Traitor! I thought. That's the last time I confide anything in him.
Yes, Harry knew all about my feelings for Hermione. How could he not? We were best mates and even if I hadn't confessed to him one evening when I was so hopelessly depressed, he would have figured it out. We've share a dorm for years and people say I talk in my sleep. After all the times I dream about her brilliant brown eyes and soft bushy hair, I've had to have muttered her name at least once or twice while I was sleeping.
A chant started up around the room after Harry's comment. "Kiss her! Kiss her!" echoed from the twins and Ginny and Harry. What was I to do? I couldn't not kiss her. I knew this was it. My stomach was in knots and I swear the lump in my throat was growing by the second.
I continued to stare at our feet, knowing that my face was on fire. I took a deep breath. There was no going back. This was the moment. I had to do it. I slowly looked up and I searched around inside for the courage I knew was there somewhere. She too looked up and our eyes met. In those deep brown pools, I saw her. Who she really was and I remembered that she is my best friend and all the things we have shared together, both good and bad. I tried to smile at her, though it came out a bit awkward. But she grinned back for a moment before her eyes darted away, bashful.
I, too, glanced away as I nervously ran my fingers through my hair. How did I do this? How did one go about kissing the women he loved who didn't know he loved her and who was also one of his best friends? I shoved my hands in my pockets as my breath seemed to stick in my throat.
"Kiss her! Kiss her!"
My heart was pounding in my chest and my stomach was twisting all which ways. This was the moment. Something deep inside me gave me a kick as I took a deep breath of courage to steady my nerves. I looked over at her then and caught her eyes again. There was nervousness in them.
She's nervous too!
With that thought, I leaned down, closed my eyes and pressed my lips to hers.
I felt her jump slightly under the kiss but then her body seemed to melt or sigh. And then she was pressing her lips against mine and something inside me sprang loose and I deepened the kiss, stepping closer. I felt her hands on my shoulders as she put them around my neck. Shivers of electricity flew threw my body at her touch. My hands slid out of my pockets and I wrapped my arms tightly around her waist, pulling her ever closer. I felt the uncontrollable urge to open my mouth to take more of her in. When I did, she gently licked my bottom lip and my brain went haywire!
I knew there was noise going on around me but I couldn't hear or understand any of it. It was just me and her in the world at that moment. All I noticed was how she was meeting my ravenous kiss with the same desire and passion that I was giving her. All I felt was her body in my arms, tightly pressed against my chest. All I could smell was the scent of her perfume and shampoo. The smell of her. It was amazing and intoxicating.
Suddenly someone bumped into me and I immediately jumped back. Hermione did too and we both stared at the floor. All I could feel at that moment was a deep sadness that she was no longer in my arms and an even deeper yearning to hold her close again. I blushed at this, knowing that my cheeks probably match the color of my hair. But part of me didn't care, it just wanted to be close to her again, to feel her touch again.
"What is going on here?" Mum asked. I couldn't speak so I slipped my hands back in my pockets. I didn't want to speak to her or anyone else in the room. I wanted only to talk to Hermione. The girl who I had just passionately kissed and who has passionately kissed me back.
As Fred and George filled my mum in, I chanced a glance at Hermione. She was looking down, staring intently at the toes of her shoes. But there was a faint smile upon her lips.
She was smiling! She had liked it! She had felt something! Something had clicked in her too! I thought happily. There had to be something there. Something between us. She had to feel something for me. That must have been the spark I felt. She had felt it too.
When mum turned to look at us, we both looked up. Mum gave us that questioning look but neither of us could say anything. I glanced over at Hermione, searching her brown eyes for the answer I was looking for. She looked way immediately, turning and fled up the stairs.
I watched her run up to the first-floor landing, pull open the door to Ginny's room and slam it shut. My heart almost broke at this before it sunk in that she was embarrassed about how she had reacted to the kiss.
Did this mean she didn't feel the same way?
I shook my head. We needed to talk. I had to know what was going on in her head, what she was feeling. With a glare in the direction of Harry, Ginny and my brothers, I rushed up the stairs after the women I loved. The universe had brought us together under that mistletoe tonight. It had knocked something loose in both of us and I was going to tell her how much I cared.
I heard the click of the door handle and watched it turn from where I sat on my camp bed. I knew who was coming. It was Ron. What I didn't know was what was going on or what I would say. For once I didn't know something.
I was still unsure of what had just happened between us. I had no idea what I was going to say to him. All I knew was that the kiss we had shared had been amazing and had made my heart beat rapidly in my chest. It had awoken feelings in me that I had never felt before. Something more than just the love I felt for him. Something much, much more intimate and deep. All I knew was that I felt goosebumps all over my body when I remembered how nice it felt to be held tightly to him. How much I wanted him to do it again.
"Hermione," Ron murmured as he slowly pushed open the door. I looked up at him taking a deep breath as I tried to calm my nerves. "Can I come in?"
I was so nervous right now. I had loved this red haired boy for so long. We had grown a comfortable relationship as friends and I valued it beyond measure. But I knew that our kiss had changed the dynamic between us and I wasn't sure what that would mean. I wasn't sure if I wanted it to change. I was afraid of losing our ability to sit comfortably together in silence and feel content in my life. I was afraid of losing our ability to joke and gently tease each other. I was afraid that things would become awkward and forced between us. I was afraid to lose him. I knew he had felt something in our kiss just as I had. But how would that change us?
I nodded my head, having not yet found my voice. He walked in and closed the door behind him, standing just behind it. Our eyes caught again and as I stared into his blue eyes I couldn't ignore the pounding of my heart and the intense urge to want to kiss him again.
"Hermione…" he said again his voice rough, almost strained. He paused. He seemed to be struggling with words. My mind ran to the worst possible scenario. I couldn't think rationally. My brain wasn't able to think with the adrenaline of emotions flowing in my veins.
Oh god, it was all a mistake. I thought. He hadn't felt what I had. I had been mistaken. I felt my heart ache in my chest and the tears gather in my eyes as I looked away from him so he wouldn't see. But I had been too slow. His brow furrowed and he rushed over and sat next to me upon the bed.
"Hermione," he said again, gently grabbing my upper arms. I looked up as a tear slipped from my right eye. His face filled with concern and he pulled me into a hug, holding me tight. His arms were so warm and comforting. I took a deep breath of his scent. I snuggled my head against his chest and a sigh escaped. This felt so good. I wanted him to hold me forever in his arms.
As I relaxed in his arms, I listened to his breathing and could hear his heart beating rather quickly. What was he feeling? What was he thinking? What was going on? For once in my life I had no idea. I had no answers. And no book in the world was going to lead me to any. Honestly, it was a little scary.
We sat for a couple minutes wrapped in that hug. I could feel the muscles in his jaw tighten and release slightly from where is rested against my head. I could hear him take a deep breath and then another.
Suddenly, he spoke after clearing his throat. "Hermione…" he started, his voice very quiet. "I love you."
The wheels in my head stopped. My ears rung. I was frozen for a minute. Did he just say "I love you"?
After the words sunk in, I pushed away to look up at him. He had said these words once before but I had not taken them seriously because they had seemed in jest. This time it was different. There was sincerity and seriousness in his voice.
His sky colored eyes looked down at me, almost frightened. His face almost sad. Why was he sad for saying those words? Did it hurt him to say them? Why?
I reached up and lightly touched his cheek. He closed his eyes at my touch, reaching up to encompass my hand with his. A melancholy small smile appeared on his lips as I tried to read what he was feeling from the lines of his face.
All of the sudden, he kissed me again. Passion filled his kiss as he pressed ferociously against my lips. My brain was shocked and my heart jumped. My body, however, melted into his kiss and kissed him back, as I put my other hand up to his other cheek. The hand not holding mine, pulled me close again. Held me tight. Took my breath away.
This was ecstasy. My thoughts were so jumbled and confused and the only thing I could concentrate on was kissing him. How good it felt. And that's all I really wanted to do. But deep down, my brain kept shouting, what is going on, what is going on? The logical part of me had to know. I knew that it would not stop and let me enjoy the kiss until I knew what was going on. Until I knew the answer.
I slowly broke the kiss, opening my eyes to consider his. In them, I saw a hint at the answer I was looking for but I had to ask. I had to know for sure.
"I don't understand. You love me?" I asked quietly as I dropped my hands to my lap. His arm left me and where he had been holding felt cold. But I could feel the heat on my cheeks returning.
He smiled kindly at me. A hint of that teasing nature in his voice. "For being the brightest witch I know; this seems to have escaped you. Though I'm not sure how because I thought I was being rather awkward and stupid about it." He said taking my hand and holding it in his. I looked down as he intertwined our fingers then glanced up as he continued. His eyes remained on our hands but I watched his face. "I do… I love you… I have for a while now but have been too cowardly to tell you. I've tried so many times but every time I opened my mouth, nothing came out. I just kept loving you from afar, hoping you would love me back some day when I could finally say it." He paused for a moment as he looked up at me. His eyes were bright and I could see that all he said was true. There was also a little bit of sadness still there. Did he think I didn't care? Did he not know how I felt? That's when I realized he didn't. He thought I didn't care.
"I didn't want it to happen like this but I'm glad it did." He continued, not breaking eye contact with me. "I'm glad you know that I love you and that you mean a lot to me. I'm glad we got share a kiss before…"
"I love you!" I shouted, interrupting him. "I love you Ronald Weasley!"
A shocked expression appeared on his face and his jaw seemed to drop slightly. I could tell he was searching my eyes for the truth. While I was so nervous and all I wanted to do was look away, I held his gaze. I could tell the moment it sunk in for him. His eyes became bright again, like when he smiled at me. When he was happy.
"You do, don't you?" He said finally smiling up at me. His smile was genuine, full of happiness.
"I do. I have for a while. I did notice some but my logical brain wrote it off as just being friendly. My heart, however, kept wishing and hoping that you would confess to it being more." I said, my voice picking up speed as I spoke. I was still so nervous. "I wanted to tell you but I couldn't. It's always been the three of us, you, me and Harry. I was so worried that if I told you and you didn't say it back that our friendship would be over. I couldn't stand that. There is so much about what we have that I love that I was afraid that if we went beyond being friends, things would get ruined."
He chuckled slightly as a I looked down at our hands still clasp. He placed a hand on my cheek and tilted my head up to look him in the eyes again. "I thought that too. But now, after telling you and kissing you, I can't see that happening. All I can see is our relationship becoming better for having told each other our deepest feelings." He said leaning in. His lips met mine again and my heart sored. God why did his kisses feel so good? Maybe he was right and taking this next step in our relationship would only be for the better.
As our kiss deepened again, all I could think of was he was right and this was so amazing. All I could feel was a rushing of adrenaline and the roaring of my heart in my chest. That was until he gently bit my lip. At this, a fire rushed through me and I jumped on him, knocking him back upon my pillow. It was so unlike me but I couldn't stop. Couldn't control myself.
Our lips never broke and I fell upon his chest, kissing him with wild abandon as I shoved my hands deep into his bright ginger hair. I felt as if something had been missing. As if I have been dying of something and his kiss was the only thing that could keep me alive. That if we stopped, I would perish.
I opened my mouth to take more of him as I moved my body so that I am almost sitting on top of him in a straddle. He opened his mouth and took mine, rubbing his tongue lightly along my lip as he slid his hands slowly up and down my back. A moan escaped when he rested a hand upon my butt and gave it a little squeeze. What is going on with me? Had I just moaned at such an immature gesture. Oh god I had. I was turning into some wanton women. But right I couldn't help it. It didn't matter to me. All I wanted was him and his kisses and his arms around me, touching me. All I wanted was to be close to him, oh so close. So close that nothing could come between us.
My brain was completely blocked out and I left the feelings and passions take control of my actions. I gently bit his bottom lip and a primitive growl issued from the back of his throat. The growl did something to me. It pushed me over the edge. I went almost animalistic. I couldn't stop, didn't want to stop. I was on top of him, pushing on his shoulder and forcing him into the pillow. I kissed him deeper, tantalizing him with my tongue and biting his lip as he moved his fingers up my back and plunged them into my hair. I knew that this is so unlike me but I couldn't stop myself.
That was until I heard the other door on the landing close loudly. Bill's room. I remembered where I was, who could walk in at any time. Something like a siren went off in my head. I broke the kiss and quickly climbed off of Ron. He sat up, a worried look appearing on his face. He must be thinking something was wrong. That maybe I regretted what had been going on. I looked at him, caught his eyes and tried to explain without words that I was unsure of what was going on, that I couldn't control myself. His look of concern turned to puzzled and then to understanding as he reached for my hand.
"You're thinking." He stated. "You are always thinking too much, my Hermione. You never stop to enjoy." It was as if he could see inside my head. How did he get to know me so well?
"I don't know what's going on with me. I can't think straight. All I know is that this feels so good. That I can't get close enough to you to quench some unknown thirst." I said, looking up at him. I noticed that his eyes had turned dark, almost a stormy blue. "Why does this feel so good? Between you and me. Why is this passion coming on so strong all the sudden? I've never felt like this before when I was with you alone. Why do I not want to stop kissing you, touching you? Why is my skin prickling?" My words rushed from my lips as I breathed heavily.
He smiled at me and I noticed that his lips were red from our kisses. I blushed profusely but the tiger within wanted to pounce and kiss him more.
"Hermione…" His voice was husky. The look on his face was somewhat of a scold. "Our kiss under the mistletoe let the flood gates open. We tasted the once forbidden fruit and we must have more." He reached up gently and brushed a stray hair away from my eyes. "Honestly, it's because it's us. You and me. We need each other. We always have but now our bodies know. And I need you Hermione." His voice deepened when he said my name the second time. A shiver ran through me as I understood that need. I needed him too. I needed him in the same way he needed me. My brain was fizzing. I'd lost all logical thought as I looked up into his deep, dark blue eyes. Smoldering eyes. I couldn't move.
Ron moved his face closer to mine and kissed my chin. He then slowly moved along my cheek making a path of kisses all the way to my ear. I sat there, melting slowly, and reveled in his attention, as fire ignited in my belly and my skin felt hot again but not from embarrassment. When he kissed my ear, I shivered as if electricity had gone through my body, originating at my ear lobe where he had nibbled. A sigh escaped me then and he continued to kiss down my neck and continued along my shoulder, pushing the collar and shoulder of my shirt and bra strap out of his way as he slowly drew a path with his lips.
Just as I didn't think I could stand not kissing his lips again, I heard a creak on the stairs and footsteps coming to the door. Ron must have heard them too because he looked up at me then, a sad but knowing look in his eyes as he slid my shirt back in its place along my collar bone and brushed some stray hairs back behind the ear he had just been kissing. Our eyes met for a moment as a knock came at the door and the handle began to turn. We were both breathing heavy. Things felt unfinished. I wanted more kisses. More caresses. I wanted more of him. I wanted to say more, to tell him again that I loved him but there wasn't time as the door slowly opened and Ginny announced herself.
I stood up quickly and tried not to sway as the blood came rushing through my body. I felt happy and numb and yet sensations were going off like fireworks all over my body.
She loves me too. I thought smiling. I looked down then at Hermione, my love, and noted that she bit her swollen bottom lip. I tried to hold in the groan rising in my throat. She looked so sexy, confused but utterly blissful. I wanted to take her back into my arms and continue worshiping her and her body but my sister and Harry had entered the room. Our moment was over for now.
"What's going on up here?" Ginny asked looking from me to Hermione, who had now popped up to stand next to me. I reached over and took her hand in mine, interlocking out fingers again. She looked over at me and I winked at her with a smile. She smiled back, a little blush sneaking up.
"I think it's finally happened, Gin." Harry said giving me a wide grin as he watched the interaction between me and Hermione. "I think they finally confessed!"
"It's about bloody time!" Ginny said, smiling as well. She tilted her head and eyed me suspiciously. "Well for taking so long to confess, they don't seem to be wasting time now. Look at their messed hair and clothes."
I blushed as I noticed that Hermione's shirt was twisted and her hair was flying all over the place. She looked absolutely gorgeous with her hair going everywhere, lips bright red and swollen from my kisses and her cheeks flushed. I had to hold on to every ounce of control I had, not to take her into my arms like one of those men on the cover of romance novels Mum read and kiss her again. Harry and Ginny be damned!
Instead, Hermione spoke, her voice catching slightly as if she hadn't used it in a while. "We did confess. Ron told me that he loved me and I told him that I loved him." She said simply. Always to the fact, my Hermione. I smiled.
Harry smiled at us. I could tell by the look on his face that he was happy for us. That he had been rooting for us to spill out hearts all along. I might have to thank him for egging me on downstairs. Had it not been for that and the pesky mistletoe, I might not have just been snogging the most wonderful girl in the world in my little sister's bedroom.
"I'm happy for you."
"Me too." Ginny said giving us a smile. "And I hate to break up the fun, but Mum and Dad will be up shortly and you don't want them to find you snogging like animals, as I'm sure that you were."
Hermione blushed stronger and I tried to hold back my laugh. Ginny didn't even realize how close she had called it.
"Yes Ron, we better get up to your room." Harry said motioning toward the door and upstairs. "Say your goodnights and make them quick."
I didn't move. I didn't know if I could. I looked down at Hermione and saw her chocolate brown eyes and knew I didn't want to move. Only closer to her.
When neither of us did, Harry took my arm and pulled me toward the door. I watched as mine and Hermione's hands broke apart and how her face fell. My heart clenched. I never wanted to see her sad. I never wanted to be the one to make her sad. I only wanted to bring her joy and pleasure and happiness.
I halted then. "Go on without me Harry. I'll be up in a minute." I said, reaching out for Hermione to take my hand. Harry looked at me, and decided that he didn't have to drag me, that I would behave and come up eventually. So he turned to Ginny and I watched as he leaned over and kissed my sister.
"Good night Ginny."
"Good night Harry." She said, smiling at him. I got an image then of my best friend doing more than sweetly kissing my sister and my stomach turned a little. I was happy they were together but I still hadn't gotten completely used to it yet. Definitely not with them doing what Hermione and I had been doing only moments ago.
Harry walked out of the open door and began to climb the stairs. I gently led Hermione over to the door way and stepped on to the first floor landing.
"I love you Hermione." I said looking into her dark brown eyes.
She smiled at me. "I love you too Ron." She said. Her body, that had so recently been buzzing and alive with passion seemed calmer, more Hermione like. That noticing made me a little sad. I had really enjoyed seeing that unknown side of Hermione, the one that had lit flames in my stomach and caused a good kind of throbbing pain down below.
Oh god, I was never going to sleep tonight. I was never going to get the picture of her hazy eyes and flushed skin and creamy white shoulder and neck out of my mind. I was never going to forget the way her lips felt against mine or how it had felt as she pushed me down into her pillow. I groaned slightly but remembered that Ginny was probably watching and my parents could be climbing the stairs at any minute.
"Can we talk more tomorrow?" she asked, her brow creased. Her brain had completely taken over again. I knew she was trying to comprehend all that had just transpired between us. I knew part of me was too. I guess I wouldn't be the only one lying awake this Christmas night.
I nodded. "Maybe we can take a walk in the snow?" I suggested, knowing this might be our only opportunity to be alone tomorrow.
She nodded and smiled. "That sounds nice."
I smiled back at her. "Good night Hermione." I said stepping closer to her. "I wish you all the sweetest of dreams."
"I don't know how I can have anything but." She murmured as she wrapped her arms around me and embraced me in a tight hug. I put my arms around her too and hugged her back. As soon as I wrapped my arms around her, I felt her body sigh. I desperately wanted to stand there all night with her wrapped in my arms, pulled close but I knew I had to high tail it upstairs before Mum and Dad found us. I broke away rather quickly.
"Good night, Ron." She said, a little sadness in her voice. I could tell she wasn't ready to part either so I leaned down and kissed her sweetly and tenderly on her red swollen lips. I lingered but a moment, otherwise I was unsure if there would be any going back by either of us. If we could have stopped.
Before moving toward the stairs, I smiled down at her, still holding her tightly in my arms. "I know it's only our first few kisses but I don't think I will ever get tired of kissing you, my love."
Hermione blushed. "Me either." She whispered, her voice carrying a hint of the naughty Hermione I had saw that night. Oh how I wanted to see more of that new Hermione alongside of the one I knew so well. I couldn't help but kiss her again before letting go.
As I moved to take the first step up, I whispered goodnight again.
"Good night." She breathed, waving just a little.
"Good night Ron." Ginny called, giving me the hint to get a move on.
I smiled at Hermione then, so very happy. She smiled back. It was unlike any smile I had ever seen on her face. It was happy, excited and oh so madly in love. Just like mine.