Padma's Quest Chapter 8 Outtake (A Simple Touch)

A/N:   Sorry for the delay in chapters.  That is, if anybody's actually been reading this here.  Due to the lack of reviews, I'm starting to wonder…  Enough self pity!  This is from Ron's PoV. Warning: extreme R/H fluffiness coming up! My poor beta-reader, Zsenya, the stuff she has to put up with! I made so many typos on this, I'm surprised she didn't give up on me! Oh yeah, the last bit is in Harry's PoV.

Ron groaned as he hoisted himself off of the ground. His throbbing knee felt tight, as the blood had already started to dry into a scab. He dusted off his robes, slapping his hands over the dark, dusty material. Ron glanced towards the castle and sighed, wishing he had Harry's Invisibility Cloak with him. It was late, his knee hurt, he was out of bounds and most of all, he was confused. He ran his hands through his hair frantically, trying to make sense of what had just transpired. He had just experienced his first 'real' kiss ever!

Padma Patil had kissed him! On the mouth! Ron passed the tips of his fingers over his lips trying to recapture the feel of Padma's kiss. He blushed, remembering the way Padma had played with the hair on the back of his neck, the way she pressed her body tight against his chest…Ron rubbed his chest lightly, a goofy grin spreading across his face. He stopped suddenly, conscious of the fact that his body had just responded in a way that was quite normal for a fifteen-year-old boy in this situation. He glanced about surreptitiously, reaching under his robes to readjust the front of his jeans. Of course, no one was about as it was rather late. Ron glanced about once more, his gaze falling on the Durmstrang ship bobbing softly on the shores of the lake. Take that Viktor Krum! Thought Ron. See, you're not the only one who has girls falling all over him. He couldn't wait to get back to the dormitory to tell Harry. He couldn't help but feel just a little smug, knowing that he had kissed a girl before Harry. Hell, he couldn't wait to get back and tell all his dormmates about it. He would finally be redeemed after that one horribly embarrassing incident. Ron cringed with humiliation, remembering the whole thing in great detail…

It was a couple of days after the second task. Ron's roommates had grown a little tired of hearing him brag about getting kissed by Fluer Delacour. Exaggerated bragging is a common pastime whenever a group of young men gets together, and indeed, the fourth year Gryffindor boys' dorm was no different. But Seamus said he had a spell that would make their late night brag sessions a lot more interesting. Said spell was cast on a room and caused everyone inside to speak the truth or risk having their clothes become transparent down to their drawers. Seamus had learned the spell from his mother who told him about it from her own days at Hogwarts.

***

"Come on Finnigan! You got the spell down, or what?" asked Dean as he checked the door to make sure his Locking Charm had worked.

"Okay! Okay! Just give me a second, will you?" Seamus practiced, silently muttering the spell to himself. Ron gave Harry a pointed look, both of them thinking the same thing. It was most likely that the spell wouldn't work at all anyway. Charms were definitely not one of Seamus's strong points. Finally, Seamus raised his wand.

"Wait!" Cried Neville. "Shouldn't we lay down some ground rules?" His voice rising into a squeak.

"Come on Longbottom!"

Neville's question earned him exasperated protests and a barrage of pillows flung his way. When they settled down, Seamus raised his wand and cried, "Veritacalsonus!"

Ron was quite surprised by some of the things he learned about his roommates.

"Neville," asked Dean, "who was the first person you kissed and where?"

Neville hesitated, stammering nervously until Seamus reminded him that the spell only allowed for fifteen seconds before his pajamas would become transparent. "It-was-Milicent-Bulstrode-behind-Greenhouse-number-three!" his sentence coming out in one frightened breath.

"What?"

"That's disgusting!"

"Way to go Neville!"

Neville blushed deeply, and explained sheepishly, "She asked me to meet her there 'cause she needed help with Herbology."

"You sure she didn't mean Care of Magical Creatures?" asked Ron, gasping with laughter.

"Weasley," began Dean, "the first time you had, you know, one of those dreams, who was the girl?"

Ron felt the color rush to his ears and face, but figured he'd answer truthfully as it was still early. "Madam Rosemerta," he answered through the jeers and catcalls.

"No need to ask Harry, right Potter?" snickered Seamus, followed by a long, low groan. "Ooh Cho! You can play with my Firebolt anytime, Love!"

Ron laughed right along with the rest of them, while Harry lamented the fact that the curtains on their four posters weren't sound proof, something they had all complained about in the past two years or so.

The questions went from bad to worse. Dean was already sitting in his underwear, having refused to answer the question, 'what is your sexual fantasy'? Ron was surprised to learn that two of them had already lost their virginity. "So Neville," aid Harry, "let me get this straight, you did it with your cousin, in the basement of your grandmother's house, at a family reunion?"

"Third cousin! Twice removed!" protested Neville. As his pajamas faded away to reveal his purple boxers with yellow stars he muttered, "Okay, okay. She's my great Auntie Enid's daughter." Neville's confession was in vain as his time was up when he answered.

Ron was both disgusted and envious. Neville had lost his virginity and he hadn't even kissed a girl yet! "Okay Weasley," began Seamus, "we know you've been kissed by a half Veela or whatever she is, but now, how far have you made it with a girl?"

Ron cast about desperately, then thought, so they see my skivvies, big deal? It's not like they haven't seen them before in four years.

"Oh I've done it too. I met this Muggle girl in Ottery St. Catchpole and…"

Ron's voice was drowned out from the roar of laughter that descended over the room. He looked down in horror and realized why.

"Damn Fred and George!" he said vehemently. Too late, he realized he was wearing one of the pairs of briefs Fred and George had ruined during their turn at laundry duty last summer. Mum had asked them to cast a Spring Blossom Charm on the laundry. Unfortunately, they had bungled the spell and now, somehow all the laundry that was in that load (which mercifully contained only socks and underwear) burst into bloom when exposed to light. Ron would've chucked the things, but underwear was a precious commodity at the Weasleys and he figured he needn't worry so long as he didn't change in front of anyone...

"Aaaaargh!" Ron dashed for the curtains of his four-poster as his underwear burst into bloom with dozens of tiny, fragrant, pink, red and white flowers. Ron had to endure his dormmates humming 'Tiptoe Through the Tulips' at him for days.

***

Now, however, Ron was almost willing to play again just so he could brag about tonight's events. He had finally had a real kiss and let's face it and he had to admit, Padma Patil was a very pretty girl. Ron turned to walk towards the castle with a little swaggering strut when suddenly he stopped. Wait, Padma had kissed him, but she had also said that she…she loved him! What did this mean? Was she his girlfriend now or something? Ron thought he wouldn't mind doing some more kissing, and even more if Padma was willing, but for them to actually be a couple, well, that scared Ron to no end. What did 'being a couple' mean? Did this mean he had to go around acting like a prat like Percy did with Penelope? He'd rather face Aragog again before he did that! What would he say to Padma the next time he saw her? Did he really have to talk to her?

Ron came to the conclusion that he just wouldn't talk to Padma. As much as he wanted to kiss her again, it was just best if he avoided her all together. How hard could it be? After all, it was a big castle and they were in different houses. It was a wrench though, because kissing was really something he could go for, but there were plenty of girls. Ron thought this over as he gave the Fat Lady the password and entered the common room. He swung the portrait hole shut behind him and turned around to find himself face to face with Hermione.

"Hermione!" gasped Ron, startled to find her awake and blushing for having been thinking of kissing.

"Ron! I…I…" stammered Hermione.

"What are you doing up at this hour? asked Ron, avoiding her eyes and moving toward the dying fire where he took a seat in one of the armchairs of the deserted common room.

Now Hermione blushed. "Well, I came down because there was some kind of commotion with Parvati's sister and Professor McGonnagal looking for her. Then I wanted to wait for Harry to come back…"

"Is he back?" interrupted Ron with concern.

"Yes, he's back. He went straight to bed though. I'm worried about him, he seems a little down about Snuffles having to live in that cave. And then I…well I…was worried about you because you hadn't returned…" Hermione trailed off. She prodded the dying embers with the poker, casting sideways glances at Ron.

"You were worried about me?" asked Ron sheepishly. "I thought you were mad at me."

'Well I was!" burst out Hermione indignantly. "You were being such a prat, going on and on about how I'd insulted the house-elves and now they'd be sending us substandard food. Honestly Ron!" She lowered her voice, remembering that it was late and fearing that someone would come and interrupt them. "But I was worried about you since you didn't come back and I knew the library was closed. Uh…where did you go?" She asked him in a would- be-calm voice.

Ron felt the tips of his ears grow hot, but he forced his voice to stay steady as he answered, "Went for a walk."

"Oh," said Hermione nonchalantly, although she gripped the poker tighter. "By yourself?"

For one fraction of a second, Ron considered lying to her, and wondered why. He told her the truth however, fearing that Parvati or someone would tell her different. "No…er…I went with Padma."

Hermione turned to him with a frown. "But I thought Parvati…"

"Long story," interrupted Ron, " but trust me, it was Padma."

Hermione uttered another poignant, "Oh."

"We…er…went stargazing," said Ron carefully, "for my Divination journal. You know, practical information and all that."

Hermione's jaw tightened. "How very…clever of her."

They both started as the embers that Hermione had been stirring suddenly burst into flame, casting a warm, flickering light over the room. "I was cold," said Hermione in response to Ron's questioning look. "Anyway, did you um, have a good time?"

"Huh? Oh yes, yes, she's a really nice girl," said Ron absentmindedly. Ron's eyes strayed to Hermione's mouth, an astonishing question crossing his mind. What would it feel like to kiss Hermione? He shook himself. What was he thinking? This was Hermione! How could he even think about kissing Hermione?

"Ron!" Hermione's voice broke through the fogginess of his thoughts. "Have you been listening to anything I've been saying? And why do you keep staring at my face? Do I have a bogey or something?" She brushed at her nose quickly.

"NO, you're fine. I'm sorry, what were you saying?" asked Ron, forcing himself to look at her eyes. Her, wonderful, brown, sparkling eyes…

"I was just saying that not only is Padma clever, she's very pretty as well." Hermione's mouth pulled in tightly at the corners. She flicked a lose curl self-consciously over her ear.

Ron willed himself to focus on her words. "Oh, yeah, she's pretty," he said neutrally.

Hermione sighed sadly and started to get up. "Right then, I'm going to bed."

"Wait!" cried Ron, unsure of what exactly he was asking Hermione to wait for. Hermione slid back down on the armchair looking at Ron expectantly. "Hermione," he began, "I've been thinking…"

"Yes?" Hermione gripped the armrests of he chair tightly.

"About Harry," said Ron quickly, grateful to have thought of something. "Yes, about Harry."

"Oh?" Hermione exhaled loudly as though she had been holding her breath. "What about Harry?" Ron frowned, looking intently at the fireplace. "I think you're right about him being worried about Snuffles and everything. And I don't think it helps him when his two best friends are bickering."

"No," Hermione grimaced guiltily. "I suppose you're right."

"What's say we call a truce?" Ron stuck his hand out and looked at Hermione hopefully.

She hesitated, then slowly she reached out and clasped Ron's outstretched hand, her eyes riveted on his. They stayed like that for several long seconds without saying a word, their gaze never faltering. Ron marveled at the way Hermione's hand fit inside his. Finally, they dropped their hands, simultaneously turning away, breathless and red-faced. Hermione smiled nervously, while Ron marveled inwardly at the fact that the simple touch of Hermione's hand could cause all the same emotions that Padma's kiss had given him, even as a little voice inside his head screamed, 'It's just Hermione!'

"Well," said Hermione, "good night Ron."

Ron stopped as they reached their respective staircases. "Say, did you know the Patils own house-elves?"

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? I didn't know that. Padma never mentioned it and neither has Parvati."

"Yeah," said Ron, "you should really think about implementing some kind of screening process for your Spew membership process."

For a moment Ron was afraid that he'd unintentionally started another fight, but after a few seconds, Hermione grinned and punched him playfully on the arm. "Truce, remember?"

"Ow!" Ron rubbed his arm in exaggeration as Hermione turned and ran up the stairs. Ron started up his own staircase, hand still rubbing his arm, once again marveling at the feeling Hermione's simple touches caused.

He took the stairs two at a time.

***

Harry stared at Ron and Hermione over the platters of eggs and sausages in admiration at Ron and Hermione in admiration. It never failed to amaze him how quickly those two could get over a quarrel, no matter how fiercely they fought. He shook his head, helping himself to some eggs and kippers that were just as tasty as always despite Ron's dark predictions.