The Blood of Ronald Weasley
How's it going peeps? Hope you liked the last chapter…But anyway, here's chapter eleven. I am no JKR and I don't pretend to be. (Oh well…)
CHAPTER ELEVEN: BROTHERLY LOVE AND ROMANTIC GOOD MORNINGS
Tuesday morning, Ron rose early to talk to Ginny alone. He wanted to speak with her about Harry.
He dressed quickly and made his way down the stairs. Ginny had always been an early riser, so he wasn't surprised to see her reading on one of the sofas.
"Morning, Gin."
Ginny looked up. She was shocked to see Ron down so early. He usually slept until the last minute and then rushed around to get ready. Harry and Hermione seemed to be the same way, although they did allow themselves more time.
"Hello Ron," she replied.
Ron took a seat next to her. "Are you angry with me?"
Ginny looked up from her book in surprise. "Sort of," she answered.
"Has it got to do with you and Harry?"
"I'm not mad at Harry and I don't think I'm all that mad at you. It's just…you've put me in a rough spot. I can't side with Harry against you, and I can't side with you against Harry. You say Harry and I can't carry on a normal relationship, and then he says you're being stupid about the matter. I happen to agree with both of you."
"How can you agree with both of us?"
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Because I love you both and I—" She suddenly realized what she said and the impact it was having on Ron. All the blood drained from his face and his sparkling blue eyes darkened. She swallowed hard, waiting for him to scream, to yell, or to say something. But he remained quiet for a really long time.
"Oh," he finally said.
"Do you understand what I mean, Ron?" she asked quietly.
He nodded.
"Good. Now, will you stop pestering me about my relationship with Harry and berating him for kissing and flirting with me?"
"No."
"WHAT? RON YOU ARE BEING SO—"
"I won't stop pestering you because you're my little sister and it's my job. But I'll try and be better about it," Ron said.
"And you won't give Harry a hard time?"
"No, I won't. It's just awkward…you know when guys talk about their dates and things, he doesn't want to hear it because I'm talking about Hermione and he's one of her best friends, and he talks about you and I REALLY don't want to hear that."
"You—and he—talk about me?"
Ron shook his head. "Not in the context you're thinking of. Do you really think I'd press him for the details of your dates?"
"Well, no. All right, all's well that ends well. I'm starving. Do you want to wait for Harry and Hermione or shall we head down to breakfast without them?" Ginny asked.
Harry had heard Ron get up and leave, and had followed suit. But he stopped at the top of the boy's staircase and overheard their conversation. He was really pleased that they'd reached an understanding and the awkward moments between him and Ron would hopefully become few and far between.
"You don't have to wait for me to wake up," Harry said as he descended the stairs.
Ginny jumped up from her seat and gave him a hug and a kiss. "Good morning."
"What a great way to start the day, with a kiss from my best girl." Harry grinned.
"You two head on down to breakfast. I'll wait for Hermione and join you soon," Ron said.
Harry checked his watch. "Well, if she doesn't get up soon, she'll be late."
"Shall I go wake her up?" Ginny asked.
"Nah, you go along. I'll take care of Hermione."
Harry raised his eyebrows at his friend but refrained from comment. "Okay. Watch the time, though, mate." With that, Harry and Ginny climbed through the portrait hole.
Ron grinned. He tiptoed up the stairs of the girls' staircase and stealthily opened the door to her dormitory.
Hers was the second bed from the end, near the window. The scarlet curtains were drawn, but he was positive that was her four poster.
He walked as quietly as he could and pulled back the curtains in the same fashion.
All he could see was a great lump and some unruly brown hair peaking out from under the covers. All the rest of her was hidden.
He pulled a handful of blankets down so he could see her face. It was pale in the morning light, and her big brown eyes were closed with thick lashes laying peacefully on her cheek. He gently rubbed his forefinger to her soft cheek, and it caused her to stir a little.
He bent down and whispered in her ear, "Are you awake, love?"
Her eyes remained shut, but she nodded her head slowly and made a noise that Ron deduced was "umm hmm." Then she shook her head and scrunched up her nose and murmered, "uh uh."
Ron chuckled softly. He tried again. "You're going to be late."
He got more of a response this time. She rolled onto her stomach and murmured, "I don't care. Go away."
"Well, that's a fine way to say good morning. Okay Hermione, you asked for it." Ron whipped the covers off of her and watched her recoil from the cold. Her nightdress was up past her knees and Ron tried not to look there, but at her head.
She rolled over onto her back and opened her eyes, then closed them again. Then she opened them again, this time more slowly.
"Ugh, Ron, what are you doing?"
"Making you get up so you won't be late."
"I'm seventeen years old, Ron. I'm perfectly capable of getting myself up and dressed." She tried to sound firm, but her smile ruined it.
"And you're doing a fabulous job this morning."
"Yeah, well…Grab my socks* over there, would you? My feet are cold." Hermione stretched and took her socks from Ron.
"Thanks. Where are Ginny and Harry?"
"Breakfast. Well?" Ron asked, sitting next to Hermione.
"She cocked her head. "Well what?"
"Well, where is my good morning kiss?"
"I haven't brushed my teeth yet."
"I don't care," he said, and he pressed his lips to hers. "Good morning, Hermione."
She laughed. "Good morning, Ron. You know, I kind of liked having you wake me up."
"You did? Well, maybe I should make a habit of it, then." He grinned.
"I don't know about that. I imagine Eloise, Bella, Lavender and Parvati are listening intently." She raised her voice at the end of this speech, and in reply got a chorus of giggles.
"You caught us, Hermione," Lavender said.
"Yeah, nothing gets by you," Parvati added.
"I wish my boyfriend did romantic stuff like that," Bella said sighing.
"Well, that'll teach you to date a Ravenclaw. All brains but no imagination," Eloise said.
"C'mon girls, leave them be. We'll see you at breakfast, Hermione. And if you don't show up, we'll know why." Lavender winked and hustled the other girls from the dorm.
Ron chanced a glace at Hermione. He thought she'd be angry at the comment, but he found she was grinning.
"Let me just get dressed and then we can join Ginny and Harry for breakfast." She rose, but stopped when Ron put a hand on her arm.
"Would it hurt if we were just a little late?"
***
After Ginny stepped out of the portrait hole with Harry, she took his hand.
"Ron won't bother you about us anymore, I imagine," she said.
Harry didn't want her to know that he'd listened in on their conversation, so he said, "Why not?"
"I had a talk with him. I really don't like it when he treats me like a child. I've seen things he can't even imagine. Torture, pain, death. I grew up in that death eater camp, damn it. You had to. You had to scrimp and steal and do things for yourself because no one else would. I appreciate his concern, but he has to let go. Honestly, he's worse than mum and dad."
Harry's heart gave a painful tug. He hated thinking about what Ginny and Hermione had gone through last year. It tortured him to know that it was his fault. He put Ginny in danger.
"I'm sorry," he breathed.
"Sorry for what? Don't you dare apologize for me getting kidnapped last year. How many times do I have to tell you, it wasn't your fault. Don't put yourself through that again. I was the one who was bloody kidnapped, and I darn well don't apologize for it," she said sharply. She took a breath, and spoke again, more gently.
"Things happen, Harry. Sometimes there is a reason, sometimes there isn't. Time heals all wounds, and it's about time you let it heal yours. I have. You have to get over it, or you won't be able to go on. Take life day by day, darling, and make it what you want. Don't waste precious time dwelling on water under the bridge." She squeezed his hand tighter, and he planted a kiss firmly on her lips.
She was amazing, he thought. She was so strong, so brave, and so beautiful. And he was in love with her. He almost said just that, but he stopped himself. He wanted it to be in a special time and place when he said those words for the first time. She deserved at least that much.
*See Sussy, I included socks. And Hermione wasn't wearing them. Don't get any dirty ideas, I can see those wheels turning.
Hats off to all you HP fans that reviewed my story!! PS—Did you all see the trailer to the Chamber of Secrets movie? Doesn't Dobby look like Yoda?? And Rupert Grint's voice—wow. It's REALLY deep. LOL…