Games Are Afoot Chapter 27
Games Are Afoot Chapter 27
PDA
DISCLAIMER: THE IMPORTANT STUFF BELONGS TO JKR; THE FUN STUFF IS MINE
"Ron." Charlie warned in a stern voice. He didn't let go of Hermione, but she turned in his arms to face his brother.
"Just why are you snogging Hermione, Charlie?" Ron sneered. Charlie opened his mouth to speak but Hermione beat him to it.
"Ronald." She said very quietly and very firmly. Ron recognized her tone, but he needed answers and he wasn't going to back down now. "What Charlie and I are doing is none of your business."
Ron's face grew redder as his anger grew stronger. His eyes almost popped out of their sockets. "Yes it is when my brother is snogging the daylights out of my best friend in public!" He nearly shouted.
Hermione took a step forward but Charlie moved with her. "First of all, we are not in public." She hissed in her most controlled voice. "We are in a PRIVATE alcove sequestered from view. Secondly, YOU intruded on us. And, thirdly, Ronald, you are NOT my father." She raised her eyebrow at him and folded her arms gingerly across her chest.
Ron took a step back from Hermione's cold tone and demeanor. He sputtered several times before he could speak. "You…He…But…He's seven years older than you."
"Thank you Ron. I am glad to see you can do the math." She replied snippily. "He's also seven years older than you are but that didn't seem to stop you from singing his praises about Quidditch, or his job, or anything else!"
"Well I didn't say I didn't think he wasn't cool, I just don't understand why you two are out here together and…and…you know." He waved his hand in front of his face which possessed a most disgusted look.
Charlie was desperately trying not to break out in a fit of uncontrollable laughter. The look on Ron's face was priceless and the way Hermione was systematically shutting down each of his arguments was fascinating and completely entertaining. She reminded him a bit of his mum actually.
"Ron." Hermione said in a clipped tone. "You are one of my best friends, but…"
"Hermione, what are ya' doin?" Ron pleaded as he cut her off.
Charlie decided to intervene. "I think that she already explained to you that it wasn't really any of your business."
"Well, that doesn't mean she's right. Or that I don't care enough to know what's up with her." Ron shot back glaring daggers at his brother.
"Then why didn't you notice that this has been building for almost a year?" Charlie asked pointedly pulling Hermione back towards his chest.
"A YEAR! A YEAR!"
"Yes, Ron. Nearly a year." Hermione said calmly placing her hands on top of Charlie's on her waist.
"But…But…Bloody Hell…I must be blind." Ron ran his fingers through his hair and began to pace. He kept muttering, "I must be blind!" under his breath.
Charlie snorted and his laughter echoed through the dark quiet hallway. Hermione snickered and looked down. Ron continued to pace back and forth as his mind tried to comprehend what they had just told him.
"Where was I when all this was going on?" He demanded finally.
"Oh for Melin's sake, Ron!" Hermione's exasperation finally reached its limit. "It's not like we are carrying on an illicit affair. We played games last summer WITH you. We wrote letters to each other. We spent Christmas holidays at headquarters WITH you and then we have been writing--"
"Trying" Charlie inserted.
"Trying?" Hermione looked at him quizzically over her shoulder.
"Trying to write letters. I just finally got all yours at one time a couple of weeks ago." He said smiling.
Hermione sniggered. "Okay, we have been trying to write letters to each other." Hermione turned back to face Ron who had a look of incredulity at the two of them. How could they be joking at a time like this?
"So how do ya get from letters to snogging in the hallway then?"
Charlie grinned. "On a broom." He chuckled and felt Hermione start to shake with laughter as well.
"Or on a Knight Bus." She added giggling.
Ron just looked confused again.
"Charlie, you're my brother. And I love you, but if you think for one minute that I would stand by and let you hurt—"
"Are you giving me the brother talk?" Charlie interrupted. He had to give Ron some credit for retaining at least some of his faculties.
"Well," Ron stammered, "Yeah, I guess I am. Hermione is as good as a member of this family—no wait—that won't work…she's close enough to be a sister, and if you do ANYTHING to make her cry, so help me Merlin, I don't care if you do play with dragons everyday, I will make you suffer." Ron stood to his full height, which was now eye to eye with Charlie. He stared directly into Charlie's eyes so he would understand just how serious he was about this. Charlie did his best to look like he was taking Ron's message loud and clear, but he couldn't hide the twinkle in his eyes.
Hermione was just rolling hers. "OH honestly, Ron." But she smiled, grateful for his loving protectiveness. She knew how hard that must have been for him to say. Her relief and affection for him was, however, short lived.
"So does this mean we have your blessing then?" Charlie teased.
"NO." Ron said shortly. "I just know Hermione well enough that if I make too big of a fuss that she'll hex my bits off." Hermione glared and Charlie had to lean against the wall for support from the laughter he could no longer control.
Ron and Hermione were trying to stare each other down. Suddenly she began to cough. Charlie's seeker reflexes caught her before she hit the floor. He lowered her gently and slid down beside her.
"Are you ok?" He asked frantically. Hermione's eyes were wide as she coughed and clutched at her chest.
Ron ran to the infirmary to get Madame Pompfrey. They returned quickly and she gave Hermione a vile tasting potion which quieted her coughing fit.
"I believe that's enough exercise for one day, Miss Granger." She commented. Charlie scooped her up tenderly in his arms and followed Ron and the medi-witch back to the hospital wing. He murmured reassuringly and calmingly in her ear the whole way. Ron made faces as he listened utterly disgusted at the sheer sappiness of it all. He was glad neither of them could see his face. As it was, he was sure he was going to have nightmares from watching them kiss.
After Hermione was resettled in her bed, Charlie decided he really needed to go get cleaned up. Ron was supposed to stay in the hospital wing too. Madame Pompfrey had decided that they weren't ready to be up and about quite yet after all. So Ron promised Charlie he would keep Hermione entertained until he got back.
"So, Mione…" Ron began with a twinkle in his eye as soon as the door shut behind Charlie.
Hermione looked suspiciously at Ron. "Yes. What?"
"I never figured you for a PDA sort of girl." He said looking at his arm and running a finger over the fading lines.
"What's a PDA? What are you on about?"
"PDA, you know, public display of affection?" Ron made kissing faces.
"What! No! I am not a PDA girl! I would never—" Hermione sputtered indignantly at the accusation. Ron leaned back against his headboard.
He teased her gently, "And just what would you call your little display in the hallway then?" His grin grew wider with each gasp of indignation she huffed.
"A Bloody Private Moment!" She finally hissed. He could have sworn he saw steam coming from her ears.
"Mione, come on now. You were in the hallway." He prodded. He could see why George and Fred did this so often. It was quite amusing.
"We weren't in the MIDDLE of the hallway and no one was anywhere around!" She exclaimed defensively, trying to keep her voice down.
"Um, Hermione. Hate to argue with you since you are USUALLY right," he said thoughtfully.
"Usually?" She asked crossing her arms.
"Well, yeah, but not this time. You weren't alone."
"What are you talking about? Of course we were alone." She defended.
"Then how do you explain the burning pain in my eyes when I saw you snogging my brother?" He chuckled.
"I…you…we…" she couldn't even form a coherent thought. Ron thought he could enjoy this teasing Hermione thing. For so long he had gotten the impression that something was expected between Hermione and him and he had to admit, he had thought about it, but she could be intimidating. Whenever those sorts of feelings came up, all they seemed to do was fight. But he did love her. She would always be one of his best friends.
Somehow, now, the pressure was off. He felt strangely lighthearted considering the events of the last few days. He could see the wheels in Hermione's head whirring through the look in her eyes. She was trying to think of a way around what he said, but it had a grain of truth to it; after all, he had seen them. She was actually speechless. He put his arms up behind his head and grinned. Yes, having Charlie and Hermione together could open whole new possibilities.
Later that day, all the Weasleys came for a visit, except Percy. Harry was still having a hard time and came to visit, but only briefly. Ron had taken well to his new mindset of teasing. He even branched out a bit beyond Hermione. He noticed that Professor Umbridge was very jumpy especially with sudden sounds. He quietly made clip clop noises to see what she would do and was handsomely rewarded by the look of sheer panic on her face. He chuckled to himself. Yes, the pressure was off.
Fred and George brought a tableful of chocolate frogs and lots of stories about their shop. Charlie sat by Hermione and they kept stealing glances at each other. Mrs. Weasley leaned into Arthur's chest and sighed happily at the near perfection of the scene before her. There was still Harry suffering and Percy missing, but for the most part, there was a lot to be grateful for.
Charlie waited talking quietly with Hermione until everyone else in the ward was asleep. He needed to return to Romania and he wanted some alone time with her. Well, as alone as you could get in a hospital ward. Hermione sensed that he was getting ready to leave and fought the exhaustion and drowsiness she felt. She could sleep for a week after he left if need be. Her O.W.L.'s were done so she could relax and recuperate.
"I think everyone's asleep." Charlie said quietly scanning the room. Hermione beamed at him in return. She scooted over and he sat on the bed with her. She snuggled in to him as he put his arm around her and leaned against the headboard. She had been quiet yet agitated when he had returned from the prefects bathroom, shooting dirty looks toward Ron who was increasingly amused.
Hermione had finally spilled about the PDA talk and Ron's teasing. Charlie listened to her calmly and tried to tell her not to let it bother her, but he deep down thought it was funny that Ron was all of a sudden more brazen around her. He had no doubt that once she got used to it, she would find a way to humble him.
"Hermione?"
"Hmmm?"
"I talked to your parents."
"What? When?" She sat up straight and twisted, grimacing in pain. He eased her back again before he answered her.
"Professor Dumbledore needed to let them know about your condition so I went with him to reassure them."
"How did they take it?" She asked biting her lower lip nervously.
"They were upset that you got hurt, but they know that you are all right. We didn't give them details on the where or what. Just let them know that there had been a fight and you were injured, but…"
"But what?" Hermione asked impatiently.
"Well, I kind of told your dad that you won the fight. I let him know that you were the brains behind the success of the incident…" Charlie looked slightly sheepish. It seemed like a good idea at the time to sing her praises and minimize the trauma of the event, but seeing the look on her face made him wonder. Dumbledore had found it amusing.
"Hermione?" Charlie asked finally after a long silent moment. "Say something."
"You told my dad I was in a fight?" Charlie nodded.
"And you told him we won the fight because of me?" Charlie nodded again.
"And what did he say?"
Charlie laughed quietly. "He's very proud of you Bookworm. He said he knew you had it in you." Hermione laughed picturing her dad's reaction. "And my mum? How did she take it?"
"Professor Dumbledore explained to her that wand fights were a little more intense than fisticuffs and that it was a demonstration of sorts more than just a school yard brawl." Charlie looked down at her face to assess her reaction. She merely looked thoughtful.
"Your mother was worried about how badly you were hurt, but Professor Dumbledore assured her that you were well on your way to recovery and would be returning from school as scheduled." Charlie was relieved that she was so calm. "But he also told them about Voldemort's open return." Hermione gasped and held her breath, completely stiff under his arm. "He told them about how you were bravely standing by Harry and what sort of protection would be in place for your safety." Hermione let her breath out slowly. Her hand clutched lightly at her chest.
"And how did they take that news?" She whispered not looking at him.
"Fairly well considering. They are proud of you for taking a stand. It's how they raised you."
"And what is the plan? For my safety I mean."
"Your dad pulled me aside and we sort of planned something for you for after school is out." He ventured.
"You did? What?"
"You and your dad are going to come visit me in Romania for a week and then you will spend the rest of the summer at the Burrow with my family and Harry."
"Harry's coming too? So soon?"
"Yes. Dumbledore wants him to be looked after…well after losing Sirius. He didn't think his relatives would be all that concerned and my mum practically begged him to let her do it."
"I'm glad." She said quietly.
"I am glad too. It will be a relief to know you are safe…and can send me letters again."
"Letters? When I am coming so soon? Awfully demanding aren't you Mr. Weasley?" She flirted with a small smile.
"Yes. I am." He said clearly. He leaned over and kissed her forehead.
"So I have a week at home with my parents?" She asked.
"Yes. Tonks will spend that time at your house with you too. She's really excited about it. She's been having a hard time since…well you know. And she gets out of St. Mungo's tomorrow so…it all worked out well."
"So when are you going back?"
"Soon."
"Soon like days, or soon like hours?" She was way too perceptive.
"Like an hour." He murmured quietly.
She leaned her head on his chest and he tightened his arm around her shoulder.
"So soon."
"Yes. I left in sort of a hurry and they really need me. The hatchlings are a lot of work on top of all the regular crew and I raced out of there without much warning." Charlie explained. "Nothing could have kept me from coming, but now that you are ok and I know I will see you soon, well, I really should go back."
"You don't have to explain, Charlie. I understand and it's your job. It means a lot that you came. I will just miss you."
"I will miss you too Bookworm, but we'll be together soon. And, I could probably be persuaded to write you a letter as well."
"Persuaded huh?" She shifted slightly. "What would persuade you?" She asked curiously, her eyes dancing in anticipation.
He leaned in and kissed her gently. "That'll do it every time." He sighed and smiled at her. She leaned up and kissed him again.
"Now you owe me two letters."
"Cheeky aren't you?"
"Yes, very."
"I knew I liked you."
"I am glad to hear it. I would hate to think I was snogging someone that didn't want it."
Charlie chuckled enjoying their banter.
"I should go. I have to get to Hogsmeade so I can use the portkey Dumbledore gave me."
"Take care of yourself…and Shadow." Hermione smiled.
"You too…get better and come see me." He whispered. They looked at each other for a long moment before Charlie closed the distance and kissed her gently but with feeling. She felt as if she were melting into his lips. She sighed when he pulled away.
"I feel the same way Bookworm, but it won't be long." He quickly kissed the top of her head and then stood and walked away. If he waited too long he might not ever leave.
"Good bye for now Charlie." She said just loudly enough for him to hear.
He stopped and turned to her with a grin. "It's not good bye." With a wink he walked out the door.