AN: Sorry this took so long! I've been really busy with the holidays and all that. Finally I have some time to myself. I've decided to alternate between R/H and H/G. This chapter R/H, next H/G. Hope you've all had wonderful holidays! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter 4: Studying, Embarrassment, and Professor McGonagallRon stared at Professor McGonagall, not exactly hearing the words coming out of her mouth. It was the first day back to classes after the holiday and Ron was practically crying. Now kissing Hermione and playing chess would be replaced with doing homework and studying for tests. Of course studying with Hermione was always better than studying by himself. And they didn't have to study all the time. A grin slowly spread on Ron's face.
"Something funny about that, Mr. Weasley?" Professor McGonagall asked. Ron looked around. What had she said? Hermione and Harry were both looking at him funny.
"Er...no," Ron muttered. She stared down at him for a few more moments before continuing her lecture. Ron breathed a sigh of relief. Pay more attention, Weasley, he told himself. Soon the lesson ended and Ron gathered his books to go back to Gryffindor tower. Finally the day of classes was over.
He walked with Hermione and Harry complaining the whole time about the test they were going to have in Potions the next day. "It's not fair! I can't believe we have to have a test two days after break. I don't remember anything from before Christmas!"
"Well, we'll just have to study a lot tonight!" Hermione said. "I'll meet you two in the library after dinner."
"Er…I can't," Harry said quietly.
Hermione looked at him. "Why not?"
"I…er…already promised Ginny I would help her study for her Charms quiz," He said in a rush. Ron watched as Harry's face turned an interesting shade of red, but then his words began to sink in.
"Excuse me?" Ron shouted. "Did you just say you were studying with Ginny? As in alone? As in my little sister? As in studying alone with my little sister Ginny? No way!"
Harry pushed his glasses up his nose. He seemed to be getting angry. "Ron you can't tell me who I'm allowed to study with!" He yelled just as loud as Ron had.
"Oh, yes I can!" Ron screamed at the top of his lungs. People were starting to stare. Hermione was glancing back and forth between the two of them as if not sure if she should get involved. Harry glared at Ron. "Come on Harry! Anyone else…anyone else but her."
Harry sighed. The anger seemed to leave his face. "Look…would you rather some prat like Malfoy be studying with her or your best friend?"
Ron considered this for a moment. He had a point there. Maybe Harry was the best man for the job. He walked up to Harry and stood at his full height. "Alright Harry. Fine. Go study with her, but if you do anything to her that I don't like, that little best friend bit won't save you from being beat to a bloody pulp."
Harry grinned and Ron did too. Hermione rolled her eyes. "If you two are done arguing, can we please get to dinner?" She asked.
They nodded and followed her out the portrait. Everything was well until they reached the Great Hall and three empty seats were waiting innocently by Ginny. Harry was first to reach them and seated himself beside Ginny. Ron threw them a warning glance. "No public displays of affection, Potter," Ron muttered in Harry's ear.
"You're one to talk," Harry said at normal volume. "What did I catch you and Hermione doing in the Common Room? Is that how you study?" He lowered his voice. "Studying in the library tonight, eh?" Harry winked and Ron punched him in the shoulder.
Harry's words put Ron's mind on his own situation. He would be alone with Hermione. He felt a nervous jump in his stomach every time he thought of it. Alone with Hermione would mean emotions he could barely keep in check and no doubt he would embarrass himself. He sighed.
"What's wrong, Ron?" Hermione asked. Ron flinched and received a funny look from Hermione.
It was odd thinking about someone and then realizing they were right beside you. Ron couldn't help but wonder if Hermione could hear his thoughts. Were there spells for something like that? He hoped not. "Nothing," He said, finally answering her question.
The meal ended and Harry hurried off to study alone with Ginny. Ron stared at the pair as they exited the Great Hall. "Ron!" Hermione shouted. Ron broke out of his trance and turned to her. "I've been yelling your name for the last five minutes."
"Oh, sorry," He muttered. "I have my Potions stuff. Are we going right to the library?" Ron worked to keep his voice steady and at its normal tone. Hermione nodded and they made their way to the library without saying another word.
When they reached the library, Hermione sat down at a large table near the front. Ron quickly tried to think of an excuse to get near the back. "Er…Hermione? Can we go to that table back there? We should be closer to the reference section just in case we need to clarify something." He congratulated his brain on thinking of such a wonderful excuse.
Hermione studied him for a minute, perhaps wondering if he had ulterior motives. Let's hope she doesn't figure them out, Ron thought to himself. "Alright," She said finally. Ron followed her to the small two-person table in the corner near the reference section that Ron had pointed out. Perfect. He thought. Hidden by a few shelves and small enough that she can't be too far away. The table was pushed up against a shelf of books so only one side of it was vacant. "Are you sure this is big enough?" Hermione questioned staring down at the small table.
"It's fine," Ron said quickly and pulled her down to sit next to him. They opened their books and Hermione began to ask him questions. When he didn't know any of the answers, Hermione grew frustrated and began to read long passages aloud from the book.
Ron chose that moment to study her. Her bright brown eyes were staring down at the huge textbook. She picked the book up and set it on her lap. Oh to be that book, Ron thought. Her brown curls were thrown up in a messy ponytail, but Ron still thought she looked beautiful. "Did you hear what I just said, Ron?" Hermione asked haughtily.
"Uh…yeah," Ron muttered barely even listening to her now.
"What did I say then?" She challenged him. Uh-oh. Ron's brain struggled to think of something that had to do with what they were studying. What were they studying again?
"That's what I thought," Hermione said glaring at him. "Ron if you're not going to pay attention, what's the point of me helping you?"
"We can be alone," Ron blurted out. His eyes widened in horror at his own words. He put his face down on the table not wanting to see her face. Ron felt his neck burning. Why did he have to have a one-track mind around her? Why couldn't he think normally?
After a few minutes he chanced a glance at her. She rolled her eyes at his timid look. "Honestly, you must think I'm stupid," Hermione said in a tone he recognized. It was one of half annoyance and half amusement. "Let's get this small private table Hermione. It's near the reference section," She mocked. Ron grinned. This meant she had known what he was up to and had allowed herself to be tricked. "See if I ever come study with you again." She went to hit his shoulder, but Ron grabbed her hand before it reached its destination. They stared into each other's eyes for a moment before Ron leaned in and kissed her.
"I think you will," Ron said when they broke apart. He smiled, as she looked a bit embarrassed.
"Ron, we're in the library. We can't do this here," She whispered. He began to gather his things. "What are you doing?"
"We are going somewhere else," He said in a screechy voice. He kicked himself for not being able to control it as Hermione giggled. "Can we keep the giggling to a minimum? It's not my fault!"
"Alright, sorry," She said a bit breathlessly. She followed him out the door of the library. It was rather late. They shouldn't have even been out this long. If a teacher caught them…but Ron didn't want to worry about that. Hermione could worry about teachers enough for the both of them. He needed to kiss her again.
They walked silently until they reached a small corridor near Gryffindor tower. Ron couldn't help himself any longer. He pressed his lips against hers and she responded back rather forcefully. He felt Hermione open her mouth slightly and he dragged the tip of his tongue across her lower lip. They stumbled to the wall. Ron's back was pressed against it as they kissed. Hermione's body was right up against his and Ron could think of nowhere else he would rather be. Suddenly he heard footsteps.
Hermione backed away from him. She had heard them too. "Let's get out of here," She whispered in his ear. Ron tried to ignore the tingling in his ear as they hurried to get back to Gryffindor Tower. However, someone was waiting for them at the end of the corridor.
"Mr. Weasley! Miss Granger!" It was Professor McGonagall. "What are you doing wandering through the halls at this hour?"
Hermione spoke rapidly. "We were studying for out Potions test in the library," She said holding up the book. "We lost track of time and we were just going back to Gryffindor."
Professor McGonagall studied them for a moment. Ron thought he saw the corner of her mouth twitch as if she were going to smile. "Well, alright. Get back to Gryffindor right now. No more late night study sessions you two." This time she did smile and rather slyly at that.
Professor McGonagall continued on her way and as she rounded the bend Hermione groaned. "She knew! She knew exactly what we were doing! Did you see her smile?"
Ron laughed. "Hermione what's the big deal? Who cares if she knew?"
"Ron!" Hermione shouted as if that was the most absurd question she had ever been asked. "She's our professor. We have to see her at class three times a week. And now all I'm going to be able to think about is how she knows that we…what we were doing."
Ron grinned slyly. "Well if you're not paying attention in Transfiguration we might need to study together a bit more."
Hermione rolled her eyes, but smiled too. "Maybe," She said and ran up the girls staircase. Ron trudged up the boys one and fell into bed without changing into his pajamas. He closed his eyes and fell instantly to sleep, dreaming of more study sessions.
AN: Thanks for reading and please review! Next chapter: H/G!