The Houses Competition
House: Ravenclaw
Category: Short
Prompt: [First Line] She/He/They had missed the last train and there was only one person she/he/they could think to talk to at three in the morning, too bad they broke up last week.
WC: 590
He had missed the last train and there was only one person he could think to talk to at three in the morning, too bad they broke up last week. Hermione was the only person he knew that lived anywhere near the train station, just a couple minutes away and completely within walking distance. He walked briskly, opening up his brolly to shield himself from the light drizzle that always seemed to be present in London. Ron felt rotten, tired, hungry and soaked to the skin. But, of course he would get himself into this awful situation, he had the worst luck out of anyone he knew.
After a few more minutes of walking underneath the hazy glow of the streetlamps that lined the roads, he came to Hermione's house. It was a place that he'd made so many good memories in; times full of laughter and fun. Now, though, he wasn't sure he'd be welcome in this place that had started to feel like his own home. Taking a deep breath, he walked through her small front garden and up the steps to her door. Really, he had no other option unless he wanted to sleep on a bench in the park. Hermione, even an angry, hurt Hermione, would always be a far better option. Taking a deep breath, he raised his fist and knocked lightly on the door.
It took a few minutes for her to respond, but soon the door opened with a low creak. "What do you want, Ronald Weasley?" Hermione asked, sounding tired. She had her wand out, but quickly stashed it back into her flannel pajamas once she realizedsaw it was only him. Ron could tell that she had just woken up; her hair was a halo of frizz surrounding her tired face and she yawnedwas yawning as she spoke. Despite all that had happened, he still thought that she looked beautiful.
"Um… I missed the train," Ron said. He looked at her sheepishly. "Can I come in?"
Rolling her eyes in, (almost fond), exasperation, Hermione stepped aside. She shut the door behind Ron and walked over to the sofa. "So why couldn't you just apparate?" she asked.
"Got my license taken away as part of auror training. We have to know how to get around in the muggle world," Ron explained. This was true, although Hermione looked suspicious for a moment. He followed her into the kitchen where she brought out two mugs from the cupboard.
"Take the bus," Hermione said, setting her kettle on the stove to heat up.
"Well, I actually kinda wanted to talk to you. About…"
"Ronald, we've been through this before. It's just not going to work," Hermione interrupted, instantly frustrated.
"Why not, why won't you even give it a decent shot?" Ron asked.
"I have, and it didn't work," Hermione snapped, trying to keep her emotions from flooding her voice.
Ron noticed and stayed quiet for a moment, watching her make the tea. "Why didn't it work?" he asked, keeping his voice even, but earnest.
"It won't work because you'll just run off again doing whatever suits your fancy," Hermione said, spinning to face him.
"I'm not gonna leave you Hermione. Not ever again."
"I know, I'm just scared." Hermione tucked her frizzy hair behind her ear.
"Then let's take it slow." Ron sighed., just "pPlease Hermione, I need you," heRon pleaded,
After a while, Hermione finally nodded, and smiled quietly at him. Ron let out a breath he didn't know that he was holding, as Hermione picked up the kettle and poured two cups.