Kiss the Girl
Chapter 12
Winners and Losers
~*~
Author's Note: Once more, I apologize for the wait on this. However, it's here now, and I hope you enjoy the last chapter before the epilogue. Also, I'd like to point out that the reference to the Order of the Phoenix in the last chapter was just that: a reference. I have no intention of elaborating on it, and only did it because I cannot even fathom what J.K. Rowling has planned for us in the next book. If you wondered why I was so vague while writing about it, you now know. Kudos to all who realized that, and my apologies to those who thought I was turning this into some angsty drama that would go on for 78 more chapters. ^_~
Disclaimer: I am not able to put any claim upon Harry Potter and those associated with him. Indeed, I cannot even make a claim to a parking space within one mile of my school. J.K. Rowling owns Harry and Co., but I can't speak for the parking space.
***
There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.
-Friedrich Nietzsche
***
When Hermione and Ron collapsed onto the couch in Gryffindor Tower both were still encompassed by fits of laughter. They'd run at top speed to get away from Filch, even hurdling Mrs. Norris at one point in order to get away faster. They were both still in shock that Filch had let them go, and expected the whole trip back to the tower to see his form chasing after them, having changed his mind. The Fat Lady had given them disapproving looks as they entered the common room, obviously annoyed at being awoken so early in the morning.
However, all the excitement only increased the adrenaline rush they were suffering from, and it wasn't for another ten minutes that they could stop laughing. Both were a mess by that time, their robes stained with filth from all the "cleaning" they'd done in the dungeon. There wasn't even the slimmest chance that Gilderoy Lockhart would have nominated them for the award he distributed every year, the "Almost As Gorgeous As Me But Not Quite" Award (it had been discontinued, however, for obvious reasons after their second year, much to the media's misery.)
"I feel like I'm dreaming," Hermione finally said. "This night has been so…peculiar."
Ron smiled. "Which part? The one where I kissed you or the one where you told Filch you fainted."
"Both actually. And for your information you told Filch I fainted." Hermione pretended to be cross.
"Right, but I didn't tell him you fainted "dead away"."
"Oh, shut it!" Hermione leaned over to swat Ron on the side of the head. She wasn't fast enough, though, as Ron caught her hand and grasped it in his own. Both stopped bickering abruptly and stared at each other, unable to make any sort of movement. Slowly, Ron took Hermione's hand and placed it palm down in his own, entwining his calloused fingers through her soft ones.
The recipient of this gesture said nothing, though her heart was beating wildly. A tiny fraction of her mind was scolding her, telling her it wasn't right that she and Ron were sitting alone by the fire, without an escort in sight. An even larger bit was whooping and cheering, and if given shape might have even been holding large banners with encouraging statements.
"What are you thinking about?" Ron's voice broke through Hermione's stupor, and she shook her head before smiling up at him.
"I was thinking that, for the first time in my life, I'm glad I got detention." This made Ron blush furiously, and Hermione's smile widened. "I guess Snape actually did us a favor," she continued.
Ron blanched, "Please, don't even think such a thing. If Snape were doing us favors the whole order of life would have to be rearranged and altered."
Hermione didn't respond, only stared at the boy who had kissed her only fifteen minutes beforehand. Her stare became intense without her knowledge, and she subconsciously studied every inch of his face.
"Hermione, you're getting kind of creepy," Ron protested, squirming in his chair. "Like you're going to pounce any moment."
Still Hermione didn't move, just watched him. Suddenly, she extracted her hand from Ron's and brought it to his cheek for a moment. "Do you remember the first time we met, Ron?"
"How could I forget?" Ron studied her anxiously. "You came into our compartment looking for Neville's toad."
"What if I told you that I knew Trevor wasn't in there, and that you hadn't seen him?"
Ron put a hand to Hermione's forehead. "I'd say you need sleep."
Hermione brushed the hand away and hurried on. "I saw you in there, sitting with Harry, and I wanted to meet you. You had a smudge of dirt on your nose, just like you do now."
Ron started to rub furiously at his nose, until Hermione's giggling stopped him. "I think you've made it worse."
Ron grumbled something that sounded suspiciously like Hermione in a much higher pitch before continuing the conversation. "You wanted to meet me, you say? You got in there and treated me like the scum of the earth."
Hermione shrugged, "It seemed like the right direction to go in at the time. Anyway, it's not like you were nice to me."
"Well, I'll tell you one thing," Ron said with a sly grin. "I plan on being much nicer to you from now on." With that he leaned in and cupped her face in his one hand, then leaned in for a kiss. Hermione obliged, deepening it even.
It occurred to Hermione that when she kissed Ron he was an entirely different person. He wasn't the boy she was kissing, but the man he would one day become. In his kiss lay her future, her past, and quite the pleasant present. For the first time in her life she realized why Parvati and Lavender obsessed over their first kiss, and why they adored having a boyfriend so much. However, with that thought came another, one that immediately caused Hermione to break the kiss.
"What is it?" said Ron, eyeing her warily.
"This isn't just some fling, is it, Ron? You're not just kissing me because you want to kiss somebody, are you? Because if it is, and you are, I swear I'll never speak to you again! I've been pouring out my soul to you, and you may not even feel that way about me! Tomorrow you could wake up and be totally—"
Ron put a hand on Hermione's lips, his brows furrowed. "Stop," he said, "just stop." Hermione opened her lips to protest. "No talking. Not. One. Word." Ron took his hand off and looked the girl dead in the eye. "For somebody who's got the highest marks in the class, you can be incredibly dense."
"I'm not!"
Ron put up a hand. "No speaking, Hermione. Now, listen. I've been trying for months to have this moment. I've become something so obsessive and sick that it's not even funny. I'm always thinking about you, and when I'm not doing that, I'm thinking about if you're thinking about me. I've made a complete fool of myself lately trying to get that message into your head." When he was done Hermione had the dignity to look ashamed.
"What's that?" Ron put a hand to his ear, causing Hermione to look around the room.
"What, what?" she asked.
"It was Hermione Granger…and she was speechless."
"Ron!" Hermione grabbed an end pillow and started to pummel it into Ron's head. The romance that had filled the area only moments ago was replaced by a warmth that had no definition whatsoever.
"Hey! Ouch! Watch it, Hermione!" Alas, Ron's pleas for help went unanswered.
***
It was an evil grin that had spread across Fred Weasley's face as he looked out on the scene in the Gryffindor Common Room. His twin, George, looked equally malevolent as he rubbed his hands together in glee. "Freddy boy, I feel as if it should be illegal for us to be enjoying life so much."
"It's not. It was, however, when we took a ride on Lee's old carpet. Good thing his Mum never found about that one," Fred replied.
Fred and George Weasley didn't move from their places behind the large red curtains that hung over the tower's large windows. Luckily, those they were watching didn't hear their voices, as they were rapped up in the pillow fight of the century.
"So, how do you think we should spread the news tomorrow?" one twin asked the other.
Both put a finger on their own respective chins, a trademark sign of devilish planning. At last, George spoke up. "Why don't we…"
***
When Ron and Hermione finally stopped battering each other with their weapons of choice (Ron had upgraded to a couch cushion only seconds into the battle) both were completely breathless, and not to mention exhausted. As they prepared to go to bed Hermione looked at Ron fondly. The redhead prepared himself for some mushy words on how much she cared for him.
"Don't forget, we have a study session with those Ravenclaws tomorrow, you have to be up early." Hermione started to walk up the stairs.
"What?!?!" Ron's jaw dropped.
"Don't you remember, Ron? We're studying for the History of Magic exam."
Ron put a hand on the back of his head. "Sure I remember, Hermione, but that's no way to tell a guy goodnight."
"Honestly, Ron. What do you want me to do, profess my undying love to you?"
Ron kicked the floor with his foot. "A peck on the cheek would have done well," he muttered.
To his surprise, Hermione laughed, causing him to look up at her twinkling eyes. He noticed the black circles under them and briefly wondered if he looked much the same.
"Goodnight, Ron." Hermione started to ascent the staircase.
"G'night," Ron murmured, turning to go himself. Sadly, he didn't make it very far, for the second he tried to put his foot on the stair he tumbled backwards, and in the end landed flat on his rear.
"Oh…" Ron shook his head a little to clear it. "Why do I feel like fate is telling me I can never get to bed?"
"Ron, are you alright?" Hermione had come back down the stairs the instant she heard Ron crash, and was now examining him fretfully.
The boy grimaced. "I think so, but what did I trip over?"
Hermione looked towards the stairs and raised an eyebrow. "There's nothing there, you must have just stumbled on your feet."
Ron shook his head. "I'm telling you, it was like running into a wall." With hesitant steps he walked over to the stairs, feeling very foolish as he prepared to poke it with his wand. Lucky Filch threw these at us as we were leaving, he thought to himself. Finally, Ron gave the air a prod.
"Ouch!" Harry's voice came out of nowhere, and it was distinctly groggy. "I wanna go back to sleep, Hedwig." If there had been any doubt in Ron and Hermione's minds as to who their "attacker" was, they were now quite assured.
"Why you little bugger." Ron reached out a hand and pulled off what had to be the Invisibility Cloak, ignoring Hermione's comment on his language. What he saw made him drop the clock back down on Harry's head, and when he turned to Hermione he was sputtering like a madman.
"What is it?" Hermione quickly pulled the cloak away herself, expecting to find Harry in a pool of blood, or something equally horrific.
Instead, she saw what brought a smile to her face. Ron, however, didn't share her fondness for the sight. For there sat Harry and Ginny, cuddled up on the stair. Harry had his head resting against the wall, and Ginny's was on his shoulder. Her arm was resting lightly against his chest, and in turn his circled behind her. They were the picture of bliss with Ginny's long hair spread out around them like a golden-red blanket. They had obviously been spying on their friends (and in Ginny's case, her brother) but had lost interest somewhere during their attempt, falling fast asleep.
"Aren't they adorable?" Hermione asked.
Ron made a face to show he thought them anything but "adorable." "They're revolting, that's what they are! To think, Harry taking advantage of my own sister, I—"
The rant was cut short as Hermione fixed him with a pointed glare. "Ron, you will let them be. I doubt they planned this!"
"They better not have," Ron threatened.
Rolling her eyes, Hermione put a hand on Ginny's shoulder. "Ginny?" Hermione shook the girl a bit, and was not disappointed as a pair of disoriented eyes stared back at her.
"Where am I?" Ginny looked around and was shocked to find herself resting against Harry, who had awoken up with Ginny's jolt. Each turned a brilliant shade of scarlet, and Ginny promptly got up and ran to her dormitory.
"Didn't plan this, eh?" Ron shot Hermione a look, but was ignored.
"Harry, what were you thinking?" Ron smiled as he listened to the lecture that Hermione would shortly be delivering to his friend. "You should be in bed!" she continued, causing Ron to stare at her in incredulity. He was so shocked that he could only follow as Harry started up to the large chamber they slept in when not having pillow fights and playing matchmaker.
"Harry, I've got a bone to pick with you—" Ron was cut off by a large yawn from Harry.
"No you don't, there's nothing to pick. Now, go to bed or I'll tell Filch what really happened in that dungeon."
Ron just stood in justifiable shock as Harry plopped on his bed and fell asleep.
***
The next morning was quite an interesting event. As it was a Saturday, most students had decided to sleep in and reap the benefits of a class-free 48 hours. Of course, Harry, Hermione, and Ron had had to wake up bright and early to participate in their study group. It finished at about ten, and all were left to their own devices.
The new couple that was Ron and Hermione had the matchmakers that were Harry and Ginny basking in the glory of their genius (but neither did so together, as they were avoiding each other after the incidents of the night before.) The two fifth-years acted a bit odd around each other at first (neither said a word to each other until they actually reached the study group), but eventually got back into a routine. They even managed to bicker over the way Ron was taking notes—which stemmed from Ron's improper bulleting method—much to Harry's amusement. He found it was even more amusing when they'd pulled their chairs closer to each other in the library, something that had never before been done.
When the three were finished, and on their way to the Great Hall for a late breakfast, Hermione looked over at Harry and bit her lip. She opened her mouth as if to say something, then closed it again. After a moment she just stopped walking all together, causing Harry and Ron to walk back to her.
"Hello, is anybody there?" Ron waved a hand up and down in front of her eyes, causing her to swipe it away impatiently.
"I just—well, it's Harry. He's been bothering me all morning."
Harry's eyes opened widely. "What did I do?"
Ron's did the same. "Yeah, what did he do?"
Hermione gave both boys an annoyed glare. "He didn't do anything! It's just…I never considered how awkward he may feel by you and I being more than just friends. If I'd been myself, I could have made a list of the pros and cons that are a result of—"
"Hermione!" Harry cut his friend off before she could go on, noticing that Ron looked a bit concerned as well.
"Well, Harry, she's right," interjected the redhead. "It's not fair for you, to be hanging around with us when we make you feel weird."
Harry groaned. "You don't, I swear. Neither of you are into scarring public displays of affection, and I really have been expecting this for a while now."
"You have?" Hermione looked taken aback.
Harry looked at Ron, who was trying to send a telepathic message to Harry that contained a detailed list of all the reasons why he shouldn't let Hermione in on the matchmaking scheme that had been going on for the last few months.
"Erm…well, yeah. I mean, the Yule Ball last year kind of gave it away."
Ron shot Harry a look that could kill, and Harry found out why only moments later. "Oh yes, that's right!" Hermione was saying. "Ron was acting absolutely horrible about my going with Viktor, I still can't believe you were so immature." The last part of her rant was directed at Ron.
"How was I supposed to know you weren't going to fall madly in love with Krum?! How'd you like it if you realized the girl you liked was dating a Quidditch star from Bulgaria?"
Much to Ron's surprise (and initial alarm) Hermione's eyes softened as he spoke. "You were scared I'd fall in love with Viktor? You liked me?" she asked.
Ron mumbled what might have passed for a forfeit, and Harry had to try very hard not to roll his eyes. Even after they had admitted their feelings to one another, they still acted floored whenever they were reminded.
"Okay, you two. Let's get some food, I'm starving." Both Ron and Hermione smiled sheepishly at their actions. The three walked off, smiling and laughing about the things that friends talk about, and as they did so, all noticed with intense relief that very little had changed between them.
***
The Great Hall seemed to be filled with hungry students who had slept in. Some were speaking loudly while other stared down at their breakfast, wishing they had given in to sleeping into the afternoon.
"Oi! You three!" Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked up to see Fred and George Weasley standing on their seats and pointing to them. Ron looked horrified, and walked over to ask his brothers what was going on. Hermione and Harry followed, equally curious. When all three surrounded the Weasley twins, George cleared his throat.
"Hear ye, hear ye!" Fred began. He had amplified his voice to reach all corners of the hall, and all were looking up with interest. Luckily for the twins, it was only Dumbledore and McGonagall who sat at the staff table, drinking their morning tea as they waited for the rush of students to subside.
"Right then," George continued. "On this day, my brother Fred and I can proudly announce the commitment of our brother Ron to Hermione Granger. As of early this morning they became a couple, and that means we have a winner in the pool!"
"It's me, it's me! I did it, I won!" A sixth-year Hufflepuff was up in a flash, running over to Fred and George. "My winnings, please." She held out a hand. Fred nodded to George, who handed the Hufflepuff some coins. Audible moans could be hear from all four tables in the hall as those who had not won the pool Fred and George had held repented choosing another date on which to place their money.
"Of course, there's another winner, but he chose to remain anonymous," George continued. Harry couldn't be sure, but he thought he'd seen Fred wink at the headmaster. Ron and Hermione were bright red by this point, and Hermione was raging about the lack of ethics involved in gambling.
Harry looked around the Gryffindor table and noticed Ginny staring at him intently. He caught her gaze, and to his surprise she held it, only revealing the tiniest trace of a blush. She smiled, and he knew that he could rely on her to act as if what had happened between them last night had never come to pass. Perhaps in a few months, Harry thought, if I'm not off fighting evil, I'll remind her of it.
Nobody in the hall noticed it, but Draco Malfoy took out a list that had been folded into countless squares and began to add on to it.
***
Meanwhile, at the staff table, Professor McGonagall was passing the sugar to Professor Dumbledore. Both were watching the activities before them with unusual leniency. However, one was smiling and one was not.
"Honestly, Albus! I'm surprised you let this scandalous behavior continue," she was not smiling said.
He who was smiling replied, "Now, Minerva. You're just upset that I won and you didn't."
McGonagall frowned and stirred her tea a little harder than was necessary. "I wonder why that could be."
An eyebrow was raised. "Are you suggesting that I won by fowl play," asked Dumbledore.
"No, Albus, you know I would never go that far. I simply find it quite surprising that you won this bet as easily as the one on James Potter and Lily Evans."
The headmaster sipped at his tea demurely. "I'm simply lucky, that's all. I'm sure I won't win the one that's going on concerning Mr. Potter and Miss Weasley."
McGonagall's annoyance was anything but reflected. "Yes, that's what you always say." She glared as Dumbledore smiled at her innocently. She vowed then and there to keep a closer eye on Hogwart's chief of staff.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
That was it, folks, the last chapter. It was quite hard to write, as my fingers were reluctant to bring this story that I've grown to love so dearly to an end. Do not fear, however, as an epilogue is in progress. And let me tell you, it's going to be good!
Please review!