Disclaimer: Everything belongs to JKR, except the plot.
A/N: Thank you, everyone, who has left such kind reviews. I am enjoying writing this so much, I will try to update as often as possible.
Thanks to my beta-reader Sunglow999. Read her Buffy/Spike fic Soulmatchers. It's brilliant!
Chapter 2 - Ron/Girl's night in
Hermione was up early the next day. She decided to take her own advice and meditate for a short while to prepare herself for her first Potions lesson of the new term. She wondered briefly how Neville was getting on. Feeling refreshed and relaxed, she still made it to the bathroom before Lavender and Parvati. As she shampooed her hair she thought about number one on her list. She really should visit Myrtle soon. It would be impolite of her to invade her domain without permission.
Hermione had felt enough of an outsider in her first year to know how Myrtle had felt about her, Harry and Ron's invasion in their second year. She shuddered at the memory of the infamous Polyjuice potion. God, the last thing she wanted her animagi form to be was a cat!
Slathering on double-strength conditioner she combed her fingers through her hair and daydreamed as she waited for it to work on the tangles. A dog maybe? No, Sirius would never stand for that - Remus might get a sniff of her while in werewolf form, and Sirius was extremely possessive of the DADA teacher.
She smiled at the thought of Remus. He had broken many a young girl's heart when he'd finally come out of the closet. He'd had some idea that it was against the law to be gay, and that it would prevent him from being an effective teacher. It had come as a great surprise (to him at least) that people had been very tolerant. The war had broken down many prejudices; who cared what sexual orientation you were as long as you could fight?
Sirius and Remus were very discreet, though, and there had been very few complaints. In fact, they were a popular choice for chaperoning groups of older girls' outings.
Not a dog then. Eagle? No, no birds. Learning to ride a broom was one thing, flapping and getting airborne herself was quite another. She would have to discuss it with McGonegall later today.
As she rinsed her hair she thought about the days lessons. Double Potions after breakfast, Advanced Arithmancy, lunch, double Charms and then to McGonegall's office while the others had Divination. Hmm..., Potions = Snape.... Hermione shivered under the hot water and then shook herself sharply. Get a grip! She shivered again. She knew now what, or who, she'd like to get a grip of!
It had been brewing for quite some time now. She snorted. She really must get her mind off potions! After Voldemort had been defeated there had been an overwhelming sense of euphoria and everyone had grabbed the nearest person. Through her tears she thought she'd hugged Sirius, but it had turned out to be a very unresponsive Potions professor. He'd been slightly apart from everyone else, standing there, when Hermione had flung herself at him. He'd stood for a moment, and then crushed his arms around her. She'd been surrounded by his scent; an enticing mix of musk and herbs, and then he was gone, striding back through the battlefield to his dungeon. Dumbledore had steadied her and they had watched him retreat.
Hermione shut off the shower. That had been the start of it, she finally admitted to herself. She would watch him, she decided. If there was any spark there, she would know. Drying her hair with a quick spell and braiding it neatly, she emerged from the bathroom. Rats - Lavender and Parvati were waiting.
"Hermione! What's this about you and Neville?" Parvati pounced.
"Way to go, Parvati. Just jump right in there. Ever heard of the fine art of interrogation?" Lavender rolled her eyes.
"Look, you two. I really don't have time for this, but I'll indulge you. There is nothing between Neville and I, not now, never will be. I'm helping him with his self-confidence, that's all. Do you want him exploding cauldrons forever? Thought not. This is just between us though," she held up her hand "I know that's an alien concept to you, but just run with me on this one, OK? Please do not blab about this." Hermione pinned them with one of her quelling looks.
"Does that mean..?" Parvati looked hopeful.
"Be gentle with him." Was all Hermione said.
"No, No, 'Mione. We don't want him that way!" Parvati spluttered. Hermione raised her eyebrows. Well?
"No, what I meant was... are you giving lessons?"
"What?!"
"Yes. I don't know what you did, but he looks amazing! We nipped downstairs and you can see the difference. How did you do it?" Lavender chipped in.
"Can we discuss this tonight? I've got a lot on today." Hermione was feeling slightly claustrophobic now, with both of them invading her personal space.
"Sure, we can have a girly night in. We'll get Ginny over too." Parvati giggled.
God give me strength! Thought Hermione. That was the last thing she wanted, but didn't have the heart to refuse. Must put "Be more assertive" on next years list, she thought.
Finally escaping to get dressed, Hermione sank down on her bed. Breathe in, breathe out. That's it, girl, calm down! Scrambling into her clothes, she grabbed her bag and ran lightly down to the common room. She spotted Neville, who gave her a thumbs up sign. Harry looked up and signalled her to a seat beside him.
"Hey, 'Mione."
"Hi, Harry. Where's Ron?"
"Gone to breakfast. 'Mione....?"
"I know what you're going to say, and no, there's nothing going on with me and Neville."
"How did...?"
"Come on. I'll tell you on the way to breakfast. Did you get the short straw?"
"No, I volunteered. It seemed the best option, given Ron's mood this morning."
"I'm sorry, Harry. I know it must be difficult for you, being stuck in the middle."
"Tell me about it. If Neville wasn't bigger than Ron now, I'd be picking bits of him from our ceiling."
"That's just it, Harry. Ron needs to calm down and realise that we'd kill each other within a week if we got together. We're not made for each other at all."
"I know that, you know that, but Ron doesn't."
"I know. Which is why we have to be devious."
"What? Straight-laced, uptight, know-it-all Hermione Granger, be devious?" Harry stopped.
"Uptight? Me? I'll have you know I can be as loose as the next girl, Harry Potter!"
A shadow moved slightly behind them, then stilled. It watched them enter the great hall, and then turned and swiftly made its way back down to the dungeons. Breakfast would have to be missed.
As Harry and Hermione made their way to their usual seats they spotted Ron talking to Susan Bones. He looked up, guiltily, as they sat down. Hermione caught Susan's eye. Ron immediately launched into a Quidditch discussion with Harry, and Hermione leaned closer to Susan.
"Hi. Lavender, Parvati, Ginny and I are having a bit of a get-together tonight. Do you want to come?"
Susan looked surprised. She'd never been part of that group, although she always wondered what it would be like. And for one of the most popular girls to invite her into their circle....
"Yes, I'd love to. Thanks. What time?"
"Nine? Just bring a candle."
"Candle?" Ron stopped and turned his head, eyes agog.
"None of your business, Ron Weasley. This is girl talk." Hermione sniffed at him and winked at Susan, who blushed.
"I'm not sure you want to know, Ron." Harry had been primed by Hermione, and was dying to know what she had in store for him.
He'd noticed how much Hermione had changed over the summer. She'd become even more determined than usual, more confident; and he wondered what, or who, had happened to make her like this. He saw her eyes stray to the top table as if searching for someone or something. He looked too - nothing unusual there, though. All the teachers, except Snape, were there, discussing whatever they discussed at breakfast. He shrugged, and turned back to Ron and Quidditch.
After breakfast, the three of them made their way down to the dungeons for Potions. Snape was already there as they filed in and took their usual places. Hermione sat next to Neville and noticed him breathing deeply, in and out, his eyes focussed slightly over Snape's head. Good, he wasn't panicking, which was more than could be said for her pulse rate. God, he looked good! All dark and mysterious. And she was probably the only one who knew how strong his arms were. She was glad the darkened room hid her pink cheeks. Either that, or she could blame it on the heat from her cauldron. Breathe, girl, breathe.
Neville glanced at her. Blimey, is she as scared as me? He looked at Snape, who was glaring at them, and gulped. Then he remembered Hermione's little pep talk and straightened his back instead of slumping over the desk. He was as good as anyone here (except Hermione) and he knew all the properties of most potion ingredients. He would get through this. He nudged Hermione and smiled at her.
"Find anything amusing yet, Mr Longbottom?" Snape had glided silently up to their desk.
"No, sir."
"Good. Because for every cauldron you melt this year, you will earn a weeks detention and 20 points deducted. I expect Mr Filch will be seeing a lot more of you than the rest of your year will." He glared at Hermione and then turned back to his desk.
Amazingly, Neville and Hermione got through the lesson without any mishaps, and their potion actually worked, given Hermione's almost overwhelming need to follow Snape with her eyes.
The lesson over, Snape slumped in his chair behind his desk. Only ten more months of this, he thought, not counting holidays. He pinched the top of his nose between two long fingers to try to ease the tension there. She'd followed him with those cinnamon eyes all lesson. Gods, he wished he hadn't overheard her conversation with Potter earlier. The thought of her being loose...... His chair crashed to the floor as he stood suddenly and almost ran to the sanctuary of his private quarters, berating himself all the way for such thoughts....
Much later that evening, five girls gathered in Hermione's room. Big cushions had been arranged on the floor, and soft music was playing in the background. Lavender, Parvati, Ginny and Susan each held various candles. Hermione looked at them and started giggling.
"I meant tea light candles." She sank down on one of the cushions. The others looked at her and then at the candles.
"Uh.. we weren't sure what they were for.." Susan had a rather large church candle, Ginny, ever practical, had a box of white household candles, and both Lavender and Parvati had rather phallic-looking ones.
"Atmosphere" choked Hermione, and then howled with laughter as she remembered Ron's face. Susan soon caught on and sank down holding her sides. Ginny stared at Lavender and Parvati and grinned.
"Wooo, boy. What do they think we're going to do with them?" Parvati giggled. Hermione sat up and took a deep breath.
"Yes, well. Let's get started, shall we?"
She explained the methods she'd used with Neville, and also the yoga exercises she used herself.
"These will keep you supple, help concentration and are great for internal muscle control." She glanced round at the other four.
"Muscle control?" this was Susan
"You know.... Internal muscles?"
"Oooh..." all four blushed as they caught on.
"Do you think that was what Ron was thinking..." Susan bit her lip.
"Don't worry, Susan. He's a man. It will never click with him. This is just between us five. To be honest, Ron isn't my type. He needs someone who'll put up with Quidditch and doesn't think the Library is her second home." She smiled.
"Someone like you, Susan." Ginny chipped in.
"Don't you mind?" Susan asked Hermione.
"God, no. You'd be doing me a favour."
"And me." Said Ginny. "Anything to keep him out of my love-life."
Susan smiled. "Anything you want me to do?"
"As a matter of fact there is...."
Next morning there was a note on Ron's pillow.
"Meet me in the Astronomy tower, 9pm tonight" It was signed H.
It was what he'd been waiting for since the fourth year, so why did he have the feeling it was a bit of an anti-climax? He thought of a pair of grey eyes with sooty lashes, and long straight blonde hair. For the life of him he couldn't remember what colour eyes Hermione had. He shrugged. Looks like he'd have to let her down gently, he thought. I hope this doesn't mean we won't be friends anymore.
Nine o'clock came round rather more quickly than he would have wished. He made his way to the top of the tower and saw the hundreds of candles flickering. He gulped. Gods, she'd gone a bit over the top hadn't she?
"Hello, Ron." Hermione walked towards him so he didn't notice someone in the shadows off to the side.
"What's up, 'Mione?"
"Not a lot. I thought you might like a chance to have a ....chat... tonight."
"Why the candles?"
"Much more romantic, don't you think?" she trailed a finger up his arm and flicked his chin with her nail. He stiffened and swallowed hard.
"Come on, Ron. I think it's time we talked, don't you?" she led him over to a sofa she'd transfigured earlier. The look on her face reminded him of his mother when she'd given him "the talk". He cringed. It would be just like Hermione to get straight to the point.
"Errr... OK." They sat down and Hermione faced Ron.
"Ron... kiss me."
He fell off the sofa.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Kiss me. This is what you want, isn't it?"
"Yes...No...wait a minute!" Ron was backing swiftly away from the sofa and came up against a wall. A very solid, immovable wall. Hermione advanced on him and pinned him there with a look. Ron straightened up.
"There are some things that just aren't done, 'Mione! And, blast it, a man likes to make the first move! " he almost stamped his foot.
"You've had three years to make your move, Ron. It's now or never." She moved closer.
"Never, then!" he squeaked, definitely sure that Hermione had turned into a man-eater over the holidays. First Neville, now him.
"Thank God for that!" she sighed, and stood back.
"What?!"
"I love you, Ron, but I'm not in love with you. You're like a brother to me, and I want to keep it that way." She smiled and made a slight movement with her head. A shadow detached itself from the wall, and Ron then noticed the blonde, grey-eyed girl for the first time.
"Susan!"
"Hello Ron." She smiled shyly at him.
"Ron, Susan, Susan, Ron. There's a picnic over there by the sofa. Go and talk." Hermione gave them both a gentle push.
"What about you, 'Mione?" Ron gazed into Susan's eyes.
"Me? I'm going back to the dorm. I've had enough matchmaking tonight." She grinned and trotted down the stairs.
"Here again, Miss Granger? No Longbottom this time?" that voice again.
"Blimey, why don't you wear a bell?" Hermione clapped her hand over her mouth as the words slipped out, horrified.
"Insolent girl. Twenty points from Gryffindor. Why are you here?" Snape drew himself up to his full height and glared down at her.
"Errmm...er."
"'Mione! You forgot..." Ron crashed into the back of her and catapulted her into Snape's arms. She breathed in musk and herbs for about two seconds before she was pushed away again. Drat!
"Mr Weasley..?" he was lost for words.
"Errr.."
"Severus? You are needed in the dungeons. A slight accident in the common room has occurred." Dumbledore appeared from the shadows as Ron fidgeted from one foot to the other. A strangled sound came from Snape, who spun away quickly.
Dumbledore surveyed Hermione and Ron.
"You can come out now, Miss Bones." He twinkled. "Picnics are much more fun outdoors and in the sunshine. I suggest you all get back to your rooms." He paused as Susan and Ron walked past him.
"Please stay a moment, Miss Granger."
She bit her lip. Dumbledore was a dear, but if you broke the rules...
"I hear Neville managed Potions without melting anything today." He rocked backwards and forwards on his toes, smiling at her. She breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't going to be a ticking off.
"Yes. I..I've been helping him." She wasn't sure how much she should tell him, but then Dumbledore always seemed to know what was going on.
"Admirable, my dear, admirable. It seems to be working. Keep up the good work." And he watched as she sped away. He walked up the stairs and saw the abandoned picnic and candles.
"Care to join me, Minerva?" he glanced down at the tabby cat.
"Love to, Albus. I gather you'd like me to find out what's going on with our Miss Granger?" the tall witch sat down next to him on the sofa. Hmmm, very comfortable.
"No, no, Minerva. It's quite obvious what's going on. Have you looked at Severus lately?"
"Nooo... really? When did that happen?"
"It hasn't... yet. They'll dance around very much like we did."
"And after she graduates?"
"Stand well back. The fireworks will be spectacular."
TBC
A/N: Thank you, everyone, who has left such kind reviews. I am enjoying writing this so much, I will try to update as often as possible.
Thanks to my beta-reader Sunglow999. Read her Buffy/Spike fic Soulmatchers. It's brilliant!
Chapter 2 - Ron/Girl's night in
Hermione was up early the next day. She decided to take her own advice and meditate for a short while to prepare herself for her first Potions lesson of the new term. She wondered briefly how Neville was getting on. Feeling refreshed and relaxed, she still made it to the bathroom before Lavender and Parvati. As she shampooed her hair she thought about number one on her list. She really should visit Myrtle soon. It would be impolite of her to invade her domain without permission.
Hermione had felt enough of an outsider in her first year to know how Myrtle had felt about her, Harry and Ron's invasion in their second year. She shuddered at the memory of the infamous Polyjuice potion. God, the last thing she wanted her animagi form to be was a cat!
Slathering on double-strength conditioner she combed her fingers through her hair and daydreamed as she waited for it to work on the tangles. A dog maybe? No, Sirius would never stand for that - Remus might get a sniff of her while in werewolf form, and Sirius was extremely possessive of the DADA teacher.
She smiled at the thought of Remus. He had broken many a young girl's heart when he'd finally come out of the closet. He'd had some idea that it was against the law to be gay, and that it would prevent him from being an effective teacher. It had come as a great surprise (to him at least) that people had been very tolerant. The war had broken down many prejudices; who cared what sexual orientation you were as long as you could fight?
Sirius and Remus were very discreet, though, and there had been very few complaints. In fact, they were a popular choice for chaperoning groups of older girls' outings.
Not a dog then. Eagle? No, no birds. Learning to ride a broom was one thing, flapping and getting airborne herself was quite another. She would have to discuss it with McGonegall later today.
As she rinsed her hair she thought about the days lessons. Double Potions after breakfast, Advanced Arithmancy, lunch, double Charms and then to McGonegall's office while the others had Divination. Hmm..., Potions = Snape.... Hermione shivered under the hot water and then shook herself sharply. Get a grip! She shivered again. She knew now what, or who, she'd like to get a grip of!
It had been brewing for quite some time now. She snorted. She really must get her mind off potions! After Voldemort had been defeated there had been an overwhelming sense of euphoria and everyone had grabbed the nearest person. Through her tears she thought she'd hugged Sirius, but it had turned out to be a very unresponsive Potions professor. He'd been slightly apart from everyone else, standing there, when Hermione had flung herself at him. He'd stood for a moment, and then crushed his arms around her. She'd been surrounded by his scent; an enticing mix of musk and herbs, and then he was gone, striding back through the battlefield to his dungeon. Dumbledore had steadied her and they had watched him retreat.
Hermione shut off the shower. That had been the start of it, she finally admitted to herself. She would watch him, she decided. If there was any spark there, she would know. Drying her hair with a quick spell and braiding it neatly, she emerged from the bathroom. Rats - Lavender and Parvati were waiting.
"Hermione! What's this about you and Neville?" Parvati pounced.
"Way to go, Parvati. Just jump right in there. Ever heard of the fine art of interrogation?" Lavender rolled her eyes.
"Look, you two. I really don't have time for this, but I'll indulge you. There is nothing between Neville and I, not now, never will be. I'm helping him with his self-confidence, that's all. Do you want him exploding cauldrons forever? Thought not. This is just between us though," she held up her hand "I know that's an alien concept to you, but just run with me on this one, OK? Please do not blab about this." Hermione pinned them with one of her quelling looks.
"Does that mean..?" Parvati looked hopeful.
"Be gentle with him." Was all Hermione said.
"No, No, 'Mione. We don't want him that way!" Parvati spluttered. Hermione raised her eyebrows. Well?
"No, what I meant was... are you giving lessons?"
"What?!"
"Yes. I don't know what you did, but he looks amazing! We nipped downstairs and you can see the difference. How did you do it?" Lavender chipped in.
"Can we discuss this tonight? I've got a lot on today." Hermione was feeling slightly claustrophobic now, with both of them invading her personal space.
"Sure, we can have a girly night in. We'll get Ginny over too." Parvati giggled.
God give me strength! Thought Hermione. That was the last thing she wanted, but didn't have the heart to refuse. Must put "Be more assertive" on next years list, she thought.
Finally escaping to get dressed, Hermione sank down on her bed. Breathe in, breathe out. That's it, girl, calm down! Scrambling into her clothes, she grabbed her bag and ran lightly down to the common room. She spotted Neville, who gave her a thumbs up sign. Harry looked up and signalled her to a seat beside him.
"Hey, 'Mione."
"Hi, Harry. Where's Ron?"
"Gone to breakfast. 'Mione....?"
"I know what you're going to say, and no, there's nothing going on with me and Neville."
"How did...?"
"Come on. I'll tell you on the way to breakfast. Did you get the short straw?"
"No, I volunteered. It seemed the best option, given Ron's mood this morning."
"I'm sorry, Harry. I know it must be difficult for you, being stuck in the middle."
"Tell me about it. If Neville wasn't bigger than Ron now, I'd be picking bits of him from our ceiling."
"That's just it, Harry. Ron needs to calm down and realise that we'd kill each other within a week if we got together. We're not made for each other at all."
"I know that, you know that, but Ron doesn't."
"I know. Which is why we have to be devious."
"What? Straight-laced, uptight, know-it-all Hermione Granger, be devious?" Harry stopped.
"Uptight? Me? I'll have you know I can be as loose as the next girl, Harry Potter!"
A shadow moved slightly behind them, then stilled. It watched them enter the great hall, and then turned and swiftly made its way back down to the dungeons. Breakfast would have to be missed.
As Harry and Hermione made their way to their usual seats they spotted Ron talking to Susan Bones. He looked up, guiltily, as they sat down. Hermione caught Susan's eye. Ron immediately launched into a Quidditch discussion with Harry, and Hermione leaned closer to Susan.
"Hi. Lavender, Parvati, Ginny and I are having a bit of a get-together tonight. Do you want to come?"
Susan looked surprised. She'd never been part of that group, although she always wondered what it would be like. And for one of the most popular girls to invite her into their circle....
"Yes, I'd love to. Thanks. What time?"
"Nine? Just bring a candle."
"Candle?" Ron stopped and turned his head, eyes agog.
"None of your business, Ron Weasley. This is girl talk." Hermione sniffed at him and winked at Susan, who blushed.
"I'm not sure you want to know, Ron." Harry had been primed by Hermione, and was dying to know what she had in store for him.
He'd noticed how much Hermione had changed over the summer. She'd become even more determined than usual, more confident; and he wondered what, or who, had happened to make her like this. He saw her eyes stray to the top table as if searching for someone or something. He looked too - nothing unusual there, though. All the teachers, except Snape, were there, discussing whatever they discussed at breakfast. He shrugged, and turned back to Ron and Quidditch.
After breakfast, the three of them made their way down to the dungeons for Potions. Snape was already there as they filed in and took their usual places. Hermione sat next to Neville and noticed him breathing deeply, in and out, his eyes focussed slightly over Snape's head. Good, he wasn't panicking, which was more than could be said for her pulse rate. God, he looked good! All dark and mysterious. And she was probably the only one who knew how strong his arms were. She was glad the darkened room hid her pink cheeks. Either that, or she could blame it on the heat from her cauldron. Breathe, girl, breathe.
Neville glanced at her. Blimey, is she as scared as me? He looked at Snape, who was glaring at them, and gulped. Then he remembered Hermione's little pep talk and straightened his back instead of slumping over the desk. He was as good as anyone here (except Hermione) and he knew all the properties of most potion ingredients. He would get through this. He nudged Hermione and smiled at her.
"Find anything amusing yet, Mr Longbottom?" Snape had glided silently up to their desk.
"No, sir."
"Good. Because for every cauldron you melt this year, you will earn a weeks detention and 20 points deducted. I expect Mr Filch will be seeing a lot more of you than the rest of your year will." He glared at Hermione and then turned back to his desk.
Amazingly, Neville and Hermione got through the lesson without any mishaps, and their potion actually worked, given Hermione's almost overwhelming need to follow Snape with her eyes.
The lesson over, Snape slumped in his chair behind his desk. Only ten more months of this, he thought, not counting holidays. He pinched the top of his nose between two long fingers to try to ease the tension there. She'd followed him with those cinnamon eyes all lesson. Gods, he wished he hadn't overheard her conversation with Potter earlier. The thought of her being loose...... His chair crashed to the floor as he stood suddenly and almost ran to the sanctuary of his private quarters, berating himself all the way for such thoughts....
Much later that evening, five girls gathered in Hermione's room. Big cushions had been arranged on the floor, and soft music was playing in the background. Lavender, Parvati, Ginny and Susan each held various candles. Hermione looked at them and started giggling.
"I meant tea light candles." She sank down on one of the cushions. The others looked at her and then at the candles.
"Uh.. we weren't sure what they were for.." Susan had a rather large church candle, Ginny, ever practical, had a box of white household candles, and both Lavender and Parvati had rather phallic-looking ones.
"Atmosphere" choked Hermione, and then howled with laughter as she remembered Ron's face. Susan soon caught on and sank down holding her sides. Ginny stared at Lavender and Parvati and grinned.
"Wooo, boy. What do they think we're going to do with them?" Parvati giggled. Hermione sat up and took a deep breath.
"Yes, well. Let's get started, shall we?"
She explained the methods she'd used with Neville, and also the yoga exercises she used herself.
"These will keep you supple, help concentration and are great for internal muscle control." She glanced round at the other four.
"Muscle control?" this was Susan
"You know.... Internal muscles?"
"Oooh..." all four blushed as they caught on.
"Do you think that was what Ron was thinking..." Susan bit her lip.
"Don't worry, Susan. He's a man. It will never click with him. This is just between us five. To be honest, Ron isn't my type. He needs someone who'll put up with Quidditch and doesn't think the Library is her second home." She smiled.
"Someone like you, Susan." Ginny chipped in.
"Don't you mind?" Susan asked Hermione.
"God, no. You'd be doing me a favour."
"And me." Said Ginny. "Anything to keep him out of my love-life."
Susan smiled. "Anything you want me to do?"
"As a matter of fact there is...."
Next morning there was a note on Ron's pillow.
"Meet me in the Astronomy tower, 9pm tonight" It was signed H.
It was what he'd been waiting for since the fourth year, so why did he have the feeling it was a bit of an anti-climax? He thought of a pair of grey eyes with sooty lashes, and long straight blonde hair. For the life of him he couldn't remember what colour eyes Hermione had. He shrugged. Looks like he'd have to let her down gently, he thought. I hope this doesn't mean we won't be friends anymore.
Nine o'clock came round rather more quickly than he would have wished. He made his way to the top of the tower and saw the hundreds of candles flickering. He gulped. Gods, she'd gone a bit over the top hadn't she?
"Hello, Ron." Hermione walked towards him so he didn't notice someone in the shadows off to the side.
"What's up, 'Mione?"
"Not a lot. I thought you might like a chance to have a ....chat... tonight."
"Why the candles?"
"Much more romantic, don't you think?" she trailed a finger up his arm and flicked his chin with her nail. He stiffened and swallowed hard.
"Come on, Ron. I think it's time we talked, don't you?" she led him over to a sofa she'd transfigured earlier. The look on her face reminded him of his mother when she'd given him "the talk". He cringed. It would be just like Hermione to get straight to the point.
"Errr... OK." They sat down and Hermione faced Ron.
"Ron... kiss me."
He fell off the sofa.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Kiss me. This is what you want, isn't it?"
"Yes...No...wait a minute!" Ron was backing swiftly away from the sofa and came up against a wall. A very solid, immovable wall. Hermione advanced on him and pinned him there with a look. Ron straightened up.
"There are some things that just aren't done, 'Mione! And, blast it, a man likes to make the first move! " he almost stamped his foot.
"You've had three years to make your move, Ron. It's now or never." She moved closer.
"Never, then!" he squeaked, definitely sure that Hermione had turned into a man-eater over the holidays. First Neville, now him.
"Thank God for that!" she sighed, and stood back.
"What?!"
"I love you, Ron, but I'm not in love with you. You're like a brother to me, and I want to keep it that way." She smiled and made a slight movement with her head. A shadow detached itself from the wall, and Ron then noticed the blonde, grey-eyed girl for the first time.
"Susan!"
"Hello Ron." She smiled shyly at him.
"Ron, Susan, Susan, Ron. There's a picnic over there by the sofa. Go and talk." Hermione gave them both a gentle push.
"What about you, 'Mione?" Ron gazed into Susan's eyes.
"Me? I'm going back to the dorm. I've had enough matchmaking tonight." She grinned and trotted down the stairs.
"Here again, Miss Granger? No Longbottom this time?" that voice again.
"Blimey, why don't you wear a bell?" Hermione clapped her hand over her mouth as the words slipped out, horrified.
"Insolent girl. Twenty points from Gryffindor. Why are you here?" Snape drew himself up to his full height and glared down at her.
"Errmm...er."
"'Mione! You forgot..." Ron crashed into the back of her and catapulted her into Snape's arms. She breathed in musk and herbs for about two seconds before she was pushed away again. Drat!
"Mr Weasley..?" he was lost for words.
"Errr.."
"Severus? You are needed in the dungeons. A slight accident in the common room has occurred." Dumbledore appeared from the shadows as Ron fidgeted from one foot to the other. A strangled sound came from Snape, who spun away quickly.
Dumbledore surveyed Hermione and Ron.
"You can come out now, Miss Bones." He twinkled. "Picnics are much more fun outdoors and in the sunshine. I suggest you all get back to your rooms." He paused as Susan and Ron walked past him.
"Please stay a moment, Miss Granger."
She bit her lip. Dumbledore was a dear, but if you broke the rules...
"I hear Neville managed Potions without melting anything today." He rocked backwards and forwards on his toes, smiling at her. She breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't going to be a ticking off.
"Yes. I..I've been helping him." She wasn't sure how much she should tell him, but then Dumbledore always seemed to know what was going on.
"Admirable, my dear, admirable. It seems to be working. Keep up the good work." And he watched as she sped away. He walked up the stairs and saw the abandoned picnic and candles.
"Care to join me, Minerva?" he glanced down at the tabby cat.
"Love to, Albus. I gather you'd like me to find out what's going on with our Miss Granger?" the tall witch sat down next to him on the sofa. Hmmm, very comfortable.
"No, no, Minerva. It's quite obvious what's going on. Have you looked at Severus lately?"
"Nooo... really? When did that happen?"
"It hasn't... yet. They'll dance around very much like we did."
"And after she graduates?"
"Stand well back. The fireworks will be spectacular."
TBC