Title: Between the Lines
Author: LaurelSolo
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters associated with the Harry Potter series.
Summary: Set before (and eventually through) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Ron and Hermione find themselves alone for a month before Harry arrives at Number 12, Grimmauld Place. My take on what happens before Harry arrives and the consequences that Harry takes no notice of.
Author's Notes: Thank you to my incredible beta-reader Freelancer! You have really made this story sound professional! And thank you to Deanna and Ruth for their unwavering commitment to reading this story! You guys are incredible friends and I'm so glad to know you!
Dedicated to my fellow Hot-Box Chicks- Guys and Dolls wouldn't be the same without you!
~*~
Hermione was completely shocked. She was kissing Ron Weasley-the boy that teased and infuriated her to no end! The boy that she had met so many years ago on the train was now pressing his lips tightly to hers and creating the most incredible sensations throughout her body. She felt like she was floating. And then, all of a sudden, it stopped.
He pulled away from her and hugged her hard. She was amazed that someone so much taller than she could wrap her up so that she felt completely safe in his arms. She would have thought the height difference would have made it uncomfortable, but this was perfect.
She tucked her head and closed her eyes. He pulled her tighter to him, and she sighed. She could feel his heart beating wildly in his chest and then his hand reach up and stroke her hair.
He shifted slightly, and she felt his mouth lightly brush her neck as he mumbled something.
"What?" she asked.
He shifted again. This time he pulled away and looked her in the eyes. She had to look down. Her face flamed, and she had never felt so awkward. He seemed to understand because he bowed his head too, except he pressed his forehead to hers. "Was that all right?"
She was confused. "What do you mean?"
He took a deep breath. "That. that kiss."
Something wonderful welled up deep inside her that made her want to throw her arms around him. except her arms were already around him so that wouldn't make much sense. There was something so perfect about him. Something so incredibly RON about that comment that made her confident this was right. "I'm just glad you did it, so I wouldn't have to!"
He pulled back all the way and grinned broadly. "You serious?"
She smiled and looked down. His eyes were so intense it almost frightened her, "I've been wanting you to do that for a long while now." She couldn't believe that she was confessing this to him, but for some strange reason, no matter how embarrassing it was-it still felt perfect for them.
Ron threw his arms around her and hugged her tightly. "You're fantastic, you know that?"
Hermione giggled. "This is kind of odd. don't you think?"
Ron pulled away and blushed. "Yes."
He stepped back and ran a hand through his hair. He looked nervous about something.
"Hermione, are you sure you want to do this?" he asked.
She just stood there and stared. "What are you talking about?"
"Are you sure you wouldn't want someone better. someone like Krum?"
Hermione laughed. "Ron. you're an idiot."
He looked confused. "What?"
"Krum is a great friend, and we did have a nice time at the ball, but I want you."
"Ron?"
The two of them sprang apart as Ginny's voice was heard outside the room.
She burst in and then smirked knowingly. Hermione looked to Ron whose face was a deep shade of red. They both looked away, and Hermione was so embarrassed that she felt like crawling under a rock would be a reasonable living arrangement for the rest of her life.
"Well, Mum wants you downstairs," Ginny said, giving Hermione a knowing glance.
They nodded and followed Ginny down the stairs and into the kitchen where Mrs. Weasley was sitting and talking to Sirius.
"Oh good," Mrs. Weasley said as the three entered. "I've just received an owl from Dumbledore. He's coming tomorrow to talk to the two of you-something has come up this evening. He apologizes for the inconvenience."
Ron and Hermione exchanged a worried look. They weren't sure if they were ready to swear not to tell Harry anything.
"He'll be here first thing in the morning, so you need to get a good night's rest."
Ron and Hermione nodded and sat down at the table. They weren't hungry, but Mrs. Weasley put some fresh bread in front of them, and they nibbled at it, all the time exchanging shy glances from across the table. Ginny sat next to Ron and grinned at the small looks. Hermione could tell she was about to burst if she didn't talk to her soon, so she looked up at Mrs. Weasley after only a few minutes.
"Mrs. Weasley, may I be excused from the table? Today has just wiped me out, and I'm really not hungry."
Mrs. Weasley nodded fervently. "Oh yes, you poor dears have had a very odd day. Why don't I make you a sleeping draught so you'll get to sleep right away? You need to put your sleep schedules right. Yes. that's what I'll do. Go on upstairs, and I'll bring it up to you."
So Ron, Ginny, and Hermione trekked all the way back up the stairs - none of them tired and none of them wishing to take a sleeping draught. Hermione walked slightly behind Ron and Ginny-her mind occupied in what had happened several minutes before between her and Ron. She didn't notice when Ron lagged slightly behind to walk next to her. The next thing she felt was his hand nudging hers and then his long, slender fingers pushing through hers and holding her hand tightly. She looked up at him and saw him grin.
When they reached their rooms, Ron let go of her hand, but not before Ginny saw. He pushed a hand through his hair, and Hermione watched, fascinated, as the bright red locks slipped through the hand that had just been holding hers.
"Night, Gin," he said, smiling. And then he looked straight at Hermione. "Goodnight, Hermione."
Hermione felt her heart drop. For some reason the way he said her name was different. It wasn't like the other times he said it. This was reserved specifically for her and her alone. She kept his gaze.
"Goodnight, Ron."
She turned around and ushered Ginny inside their room, closed the door, and leaned against it the bliss evident on her face. She had never been so content.
Ginny was up in arms. "WHAT HAPPENED?!" she demanded immediately.
Hermione looked at her in a mock astonishment. "What are you talking about?"
Ginny glared at her. "Hermione Granger. I know something is going on!"
Hermione laughed. "Well, you're a clever witch, Ginny!"
"That may be true, but even a stupid witch would be able to see it- oh, Hermione. the way he was looking at you."
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, I've only seen one other Weasley look at a woman like that, and that's my dad at my mum."
Hermione looked at Ginny. "And I look at him right back."
Ginny grinned. "Yes, you do."
Hermione sighed contentedly. "Let's get ready for bed, and I'll tell you everything."
~*~
The next morning, Hermione awoke to Mrs. Weasley's gentle voice. Hermione rolled over to find Mrs. Weasley sitting on her bed, shaking her softly.
"Good morning, Hermione dear. I didn't want to wake Ginny just yet. Professor Dumbledore is going to be here shortly."
Hermione sat up immediately, and the events of the previous day came flooding back to her.
"What time is it?" she asked quietly.
"It's almost eight. Dumbledore should be here within an hour-most likely less."
Hermione nodded. "Thank you, Mrs. Weasley; I'll be down for breakfast in a few minutes. I just need to wash up."
Mrs. Weasley nodded and then left the room-presumably to wake Ron.
Ron. Hermione's heart lurched. She threw off her blankets and grabbed anything she would need with her in the toilet. She rushed down the hall to get a shower. The sudden thought of seeing Ron energized her more than a hundred nights' worth of sleep.
~*~
As Hermione dried herself off, she suddenly realized that she was in quite a pickle. In her rush to get a quick shower, she had completely forgotten to grab a change of clothes or a dressing gown. Her pajamas had somehow got wet when she had stepped out of the shower and now lay in a puddle by the toilet. She didn't really think running out and down the hall in nothing but a towel was a bright idea. Particularly when Fred and George were close by. And Ron.
She was trying to decide the best way to go about getting to her room, when she heard someone walk towards the door and then a small knock.
"Hermione? I need to get in the shower now."
It was Ron. She was going to simply die of embarrassment.
"Hermione? Are you in there?" He knocked again.
"Ron." She was just going to have to ask him to go get her clothes or a dressing gown or something.
"Yeah. I need to get in there. Are you almost done?"
"Well." She mustered up everything she had. "I. that is, I kind of have a favor to ask you."
She was answered by a pregnant pause followed by a snicker. "Did you forget something in there?"
She shut her eyes briefly. Why did he have to tease? "Yes. I need, well."
She heard him laugh. "Oh come on, you don't want to come out in the hall in your towel?"
She felt tears prick her eyes. "Please, Ron. If you could just get me a dressing gown or some clothes. Anything."
He must have heard how upset she was because the laughter stopped. "I'm sorry, Hermione. Of course I'll get something for you."
She heard him pad down the hall, and then a few moments later, he came back. She wrapped her towel tight around her and opened the door, so she was hiding behind it.
Ron's hair was rumpled and sticking up, and his face had creases from his pillow on it. He gave her a small smile and handed her a big, blue dressing gown. She took it and smiled her thanks.
She cocooned herself into her robe and then cleaned up what was left of her shower things. She opened the door, and Ron walked past. She turned and saw him staring after her.
"Thank you."
He grinned sheepishly. "No problem. that's what I'm here for."
She got dressed and managed to get a brush through her hair, before she dried it with a drying charm. She glanced at her watch and realized she needed to go downstairs and eat before Dumbledore arrived.
She arrived in the kitchen and immediately felt Ron's eyes on her. She slid into a seat across from him, just as Mrs. Weasley began placing food on the table. They ate in silence as Mrs. Weasley talked to them briefly about what Dumbledore was coming for. Soon after, a doorbell chimed, and Hermione heard screaming.
"THEY'RE ALL RUBBISH!!! WHAT ARE THEY DOING IN MY HOUSE? MY GOOD- FOR-NOTHING SON IS THE REASON FOR THIS, I'M SURE!!"
Hermione started. She looked at Ron, whose face indicated he had also been startled by this new voice.
"Sirius!" Hermione heard Mrs. Weasley call. "Will you please do something about your mother?!"
Hermione and Ron looked at each other, instantly intrigued, and then exchanging mischievous glances, raced off to find where the strange, scary voice was.
When they reached the source of the horrible noise, they were surprised to find Sirius struggling to close heavy moth-eaten curtains over a very ugly, old portrait of a woman.
"Molly!" Sirius shouted desperately. "A little help, if you would!"
Mrs. Weasley began to help him shove the curtains in front of the horrible, screaming woman and, after several failed attempts, accomplished their goal.
Ron and Hermione looked from one to the other. Sirius was the first to speak up.
"Ron, Hermione-meet my lovely mother."
"Not keen on you, is she?" Ron asked.
Hermione nudged him with her shoulder, and Ron looked at her, pretending to be insulted.
Sirius only laughed. "No. not at all!"
Their conversation was interrupted as Mrs. Weasley led Dumbledore into the hallway.
His eyes twinkled at Ron and Hermione, and Hermione could swear he could see all of the things running through her mind right then. He thanked Mrs. Weasley for letting him in and then proceeded towards the sitting room. Hermione looked towards Mrs. Weasley who beckoned them to follow.
When they entered the room, Dumbledore had settled himself quite comfortably on the couch and had propped his feet up on the coffee table in front of him. Ron and Hermione grabbed a couple of chairs and sat down.
Dumbledore smiled at them. "Good morning to you both!"
Hermione grinned. "Good morning, Professor Dumbledore!"
Ron echoed her. "Yes, good morning."
"I assume you two are having a pleasant summer." He looked knowingly at Hermione and then Ron, and Hermione wasn't sure, but she thought she might have seen a wink aimed in the direction of Ron.
Hermione blushed and nodded as she looked down at her feet-the hint of a smile lit up her face. How did he know? How could he tell?
Dumbledore grinned as well. "I'm glad to hear it. Sadly I'm not here for mindless chitchat."
They both nodded and looked at him with interest.
"I want you to know that you are not to supply any information to Harry this summer. None. I don't want anything to be intercepted."
The twinkle of Dumbledore's eyes was gone and was replaced by an intense stare. Ron and Hermione glanced at each other. This wasn't going to be easy.
"You are allowed to send him owls of course but be cautious with what you write. Anything could be intercepted."
Hermione raised her hand as if she were in class. Dumbledore chuckled, and Ron rolled his eyes. Hermione ignored him. "Sir, is Harry safe?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, Hermione. He's quite safe. He's under constant supervision and is being followed wherever he goes. He's going to be fine."
"Well then, why can't he come here?" Ron asked.
Dumbledore sighed. "Sadly, I'm not the one to answer that question. Perhaps you'll find out some day. Just take to heart that he will not be harmed."
Ron nodded, and Hermione looked at him. His brow was furrowed, as if in deep concentration, and he seemed to be contemplating something. Dumbledore stood suddenly and then looked down at his wrist, as if there was a watch there.
"Look at the time. I must run. Tell your mother I'm terribly sorry to have missed one of her amazing meals, but I'll drop by some other time."
He smiled at them once more then looked at them with piercing eyes. "Not a word. Please, you must trust my judgment."
Hermione nodded. "Yes, sir."
Dumbledore looked to Ron who nodded along with Hermione. "Yes, sir."
With a flourish of his wand, Dumbledore Apparated out of the room.
The two looked at each other and sighed.
"I don't like this," Hermione said first. "I feel as if we're lying to Harry!"
Ron nodded. "Yeah, I know. I know it's necessary, but I'm not any happier about it than you are."
They walked out of the room and ran straight into Mrs. Weasley. "Oh good, you're done. Where's Professor Dumbledore?"
"He left, and he sends his apologies," Hermione told her.
Mrs. Weasley nodded. "Yes, of course he had to go. I was almost certain he had many other things to do. well, now that you're through, you can come help start cleaning with the twins and Ginny."
Ron and Hermione followed Mrs. Weasley into a dusty room. She handed them sponges and a bucket of purple foam, and they began to clean the furniture and floor. Ginny and the twins looked none too thrilled about this. When Mrs. Weasley bustled out of the room, the twins glared daggers into her back, but they obeyed, and Ron and Hermione scrubbed along with them.
Several hours later, Mrs. Weasley returned and ushered everyone into the kitchen for sandwiches and pumpkin juice. Hermione was starving, and she ate quickly. Sirius entered the kitchen when they were almost done and sat down at the table with them.
"All right, Ron?" he asked conversationally.
"All right," Ron replied, giving Hermione a brief glance. She felt butterflies fill her stomach. Something about the look he gave her sent warm tingles all the way to her toes.
Sirius took notice of the interaction between the two and gave Hermione a pointed look. "Hermione?"
She blushed and grinned. "I'm well; how about you, Sirius?"
He smiled knowingly. "I'm well. So what have you heard from Harry?"
Ron and Hermione went into a long explanation about the frustrated owls they'd been getting from him and the caution they had received from Dumbledore. Surprisingly, Sirius was adamant about this as well.
"If anyone wants him here, it's me. And I want him to know everything-I really do, but right now things are just too dangerous. He'll be here soon enough. If I know him, he's probably going to be very unhappy by the time he gets here." Sirius sighed and then abruptly left the table.
Hermione looked around the table and saw that Fred and George were whispering heatedly amongst themselves and Ginny was staring off into space. She looked at Ron, and as if he were reading her mind, he asked if she wanted to go write Harry a letter. She nodded, and they excused themselves from the table.
As they walked up the stairs, Hermione briefly touched Ron's shoulder. "Thank you for this morning. I was in a real pickle."
He blushed and placed his hand over hers. "Yeah, well."
They reached Hermione and Ginny's room and grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill. They sat on the floor, and Hermione wrote a brief and very uneventful letter to Harry, and then they both signed their names at the bottom.
"He's going to be quite angry at us, isn't he?" Hermione asked fretfully.
"I'll be surprised if we don't get a howler from him," Ron said wryly. "Hermione?"
Hermione looked up. "Yes?"
"Well. umm." he stuttered, looking down at his shoes.
"Come on, Ron! Spit it out!" She giggled.
"What do we tell him about this?" He motioned to her and himself.
Hermione bit her lower lip. She'd never really thought of that, and now that she did-loads of questions came to her mind.
"Well. what exactly is this?"
Ron sighed. "I know what I want this to be; the question is what do you want it to be?"
Hermione looked into his eyes. "I want it to be exactly what you want it to be." She placed a hand over his. "I want to be with you and there for you. But most of all, I want to continue to be your best friend."
Ron grinned. "But would your best friend do this?" He took her hand in his and placed a light kiss on the palm of her hand. He looked up at her and waggled his eyebrows.
She giggled. "Oh, I don't know. do you think Harry would do that?"
Ron grinned and pulled her to him and put his hands on either side of her face. She thought he was going to kiss her again, but instead he kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Would Harry do that?"
She laughed and looked him in the eyes. "Where on earth did you learn to do that?"
He blushed and looked at the floor, keeping his hands on either side of her face. "My dad does it to my mum sometimes. She seemed to enjoy it."
Hermione giggled again. "Well. I think Harry would do that too." She knew where this was leading to, and butterflies filled her stomach.
"Well, do you think Harry would do this?" He leaned in, and she slid her eyes shut as he kissed her gently on the lips. She sighed, and he pulled away, looking at her mischievously.
"Now, I think I would be very worried if he did that," she said, grinning at him with a twinkle in her eyes.
He took her hand and smiled wryly. "We still need to talk about what we're going to tell Harry."
She looked at him. "I don't know; it sounds like you already know what you want to do."
He nodded. "Yeah, I've got an idea, but you have to hear me out."
She nodded, and he continued. "I don't think we should tell Harry."
"What?" Hermione gasped.
"You said you were going to hear me out. Just let me finish. I don't think we should tell him, because I'm afraid if we do, he's going to get all weird around us. I actually don't think we should tell anyone. If we don't tell him, then he'll just continue to think that we're still the Three Musketeers and whatnot, but if we do tell him, he's going to sink even farther into himself and continue to throw himself a pity party. He'll insist we spend time together, even when we want it to be the three of us. I think we should just wait for a while."
"What if I've already told Ginny?"
Ron grinned. "Don't worry about it. She's a deadbolt when it comes to secrets. Just tell her not to say anything."
"You really think this is a good idea?"
"I really do. Besides, we'll be hiding all sorts of stuff from him. What's one thing more?"
"I'm worried about him, Ron. I hope he's able to visit soon." Hermione took her hand from Ron's and went to sit on the bed. Ron sat next to her and pulled her into a big hug. She sighed as he wrapped his arms comfortingly around her.
"Me too, Hermione. Me too."
Author: LaurelSolo
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters associated with the Harry Potter series.
Summary: Set before (and eventually through) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Ron and Hermione find themselves alone for a month before Harry arrives at Number 12, Grimmauld Place. My take on what happens before Harry arrives and the consequences that Harry takes no notice of.
Author's Notes: Thank you to my incredible beta-reader Freelancer! You have really made this story sound professional! And thank you to Deanna and Ruth for their unwavering commitment to reading this story! You guys are incredible friends and I'm so glad to know you!
Dedicated to my fellow Hot-Box Chicks- Guys and Dolls wouldn't be the same without you!
~*~
Hermione was completely shocked. She was kissing Ron Weasley-the boy that teased and infuriated her to no end! The boy that she had met so many years ago on the train was now pressing his lips tightly to hers and creating the most incredible sensations throughout her body. She felt like she was floating. And then, all of a sudden, it stopped.
He pulled away from her and hugged her hard. She was amazed that someone so much taller than she could wrap her up so that she felt completely safe in his arms. She would have thought the height difference would have made it uncomfortable, but this was perfect.
She tucked her head and closed her eyes. He pulled her tighter to him, and she sighed. She could feel his heart beating wildly in his chest and then his hand reach up and stroke her hair.
He shifted slightly, and she felt his mouth lightly brush her neck as he mumbled something.
"What?" she asked.
He shifted again. This time he pulled away and looked her in the eyes. She had to look down. Her face flamed, and she had never felt so awkward. He seemed to understand because he bowed his head too, except he pressed his forehead to hers. "Was that all right?"
She was confused. "What do you mean?"
He took a deep breath. "That. that kiss."
Something wonderful welled up deep inside her that made her want to throw her arms around him. except her arms were already around him so that wouldn't make much sense. There was something so perfect about him. Something so incredibly RON about that comment that made her confident this was right. "I'm just glad you did it, so I wouldn't have to!"
He pulled back all the way and grinned broadly. "You serious?"
She smiled and looked down. His eyes were so intense it almost frightened her, "I've been wanting you to do that for a long while now." She couldn't believe that she was confessing this to him, but for some strange reason, no matter how embarrassing it was-it still felt perfect for them.
Ron threw his arms around her and hugged her tightly. "You're fantastic, you know that?"
Hermione giggled. "This is kind of odd. don't you think?"
Ron pulled away and blushed. "Yes."
He stepped back and ran a hand through his hair. He looked nervous about something.
"Hermione, are you sure you want to do this?" he asked.
She just stood there and stared. "What are you talking about?"
"Are you sure you wouldn't want someone better. someone like Krum?"
Hermione laughed. "Ron. you're an idiot."
He looked confused. "What?"
"Krum is a great friend, and we did have a nice time at the ball, but I want you."
"Ron?"
The two of them sprang apart as Ginny's voice was heard outside the room.
She burst in and then smirked knowingly. Hermione looked to Ron whose face was a deep shade of red. They both looked away, and Hermione was so embarrassed that she felt like crawling under a rock would be a reasonable living arrangement for the rest of her life.
"Well, Mum wants you downstairs," Ginny said, giving Hermione a knowing glance.
They nodded and followed Ginny down the stairs and into the kitchen where Mrs. Weasley was sitting and talking to Sirius.
"Oh good," Mrs. Weasley said as the three entered. "I've just received an owl from Dumbledore. He's coming tomorrow to talk to the two of you-something has come up this evening. He apologizes for the inconvenience."
Ron and Hermione exchanged a worried look. They weren't sure if they were ready to swear not to tell Harry anything.
"He'll be here first thing in the morning, so you need to get a good night's rest."
Ron and Hermione nodded and sat down at the table. They weren't hungry, but Mrs. Weasley put some fresh bread in front of them, and they nibbled at it, all the time exchanging shy glances from across the table. Ginny sat next to Ron and grinned at the small looks. Hermione could tell she was about to burst if she didn't talk to her soon, so she looked up at Mrs. Weasley after only a few minutes.
"Mrs. Weasley, may I be excused from the table? Today has just wiped me out, and I'm really not hungry."
Mrs. Weasley nodded fervently. "Oh yes, you poor dears have had a very odd day. Why don't I make you a sleeping draught so you'll get to sleep right away? You need to put your sleep schedules right. Yes. that's what I'll do. Go on upstairs, and I'll bring it up to you."
So Ron, Ginny, and Hermione trekked all the way back up the stairs - none of them tired and none of them wishing to take a sleeping draught. Hermione walked slightly behind Ron and Ginny-her mind occupied in what had happened several minutes before between her and Ron. She didn't notice when Ron lagged slightly behind to walk next to her. The next thing she felt was his hand nudging hers and then his long, slender fingers pushing through hers and holding her hand tightly. She looked up at him and saw him grin.
When they reached their rooms, Ron let go of her hand, but not before Ginny saw. He pushed a hand through his hair, and Hermione watched, fascinated, as the bright red locks slipped through the hand that had just been holding hers.
"Night, Gin," he said, smiling. And then he looked straight at Hermione. "Goodnight, Hermione."
Hermione felt her heart drop. For some reason the way he said her name was different. It wasn't like the other times he said it. This was reserved specifically for her and her alone. She kept his gaze.
"Goodnight, Ron."
She turned around and ushered Ginny inside their room, closed the door, and leaned against it the bliss evident on her face. She had never been so content.
Ginny was up in arms. "WHAT HAPPENED?!" she demanded immediately.
Hermione looked at her in a mock astonishment. "What are you talking about?"
Ginny glared at her. "Hermione Granger. I know something is going on!"
Hermione laughed. "Well, you're a clever witch, Ginny!"
"That may be true, but even a stupid witch would be able to see it- oh, Hermione. the way he was looking at you."
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, I've only seen one other Weasley look at a woman like that, and that's my dad at my mum."
Hermione looked at Ginny. "And I look at him right back."
Ginny grinned. "Yes, you do."
Hermione sighed contentedly. "Let's get ready for bed, and I'll tell you everything."
~*~
The next morning, Hermione awoke to Mrs. Weasley's gentle voice. Hermione rolled over to find Mrs. Weasley sitting on her bed, shaking her softly.
"Good morning, Hermione dear. I didn't want to wake Ginny just yet. Professor Dumbledore is going to be here shortly."
Hermione sat up immediately, and the events of the previous day came flooding back to her.
"What time is it?" she asked quietly.
"It's almost eight. Dumbledore should be here within an hour-most likely less."
Hermione nodded. "Thank you, Mrs. Weasley; I'll be down for breakfast in a few minutes. I just need to wash up."
Mrs. Weasley nodded and then left the room-presumably to wake Ron.
Ron. Hermione's heart lurched. She threw off her blankets and grabbed anything she would need with her in the toilet. She rushed down the hall to get a shower. The sudden thought of seeing Ron energized her more than a hundred nights' worth of sleep.
~*~
As Hermione dried herself off, she suddenly realized that she was in quite a pickle. In her rush to get a quick shower, she had completely forgotten to grab a change of clothes or a dressing gown. Her pajamas had somehow got wet when she had stepped out of the shower and now lay in a puddle by the toilet. She didn't really think running out and down the hall in nothing but a towel was a bright idea. Particularly when Fred and George were close by. And Ron.
She was trying to decide the best way to go about getting to her room, when she heard someone walk towards the door and then a small knock.
"Hermione? I need to get in the shower now."
It was Ron. She was going to simply die of embarrassment.
"Hermione? Are you in there?" He knocked again.
"Ron." She was just going to have to ask him to go get her clothes or a dressing gown or something.
"Yeah. I need to get in there. Are you almost done?"
"Well." She mustered up everything she had. "I. that is, I kind of have a favor to ask you."
She was answered by a pregnant pause followed by a snicker. "Did you forget something in there?"
She shut her eyes briefly. Why did he have to tease? "Yes. I need, well."
She heard him laugh. "Oh come on, you don't want to come out in the hall in your towel?"
She felt tears prick her eyes. "Please, Ron. If you could just get me a dressing gown or some clothes. Anything."
He must have heard how upset she was because the laughter stopped. "I'm sorry, Hermione. Of course I'll get something for you."
She heard him pad down the hall, and then a few moments later, he came back. She wrapped her towel tight around her and opened the door, so she was hiding behind it.
Ron's hair was rumpled and sticking up, and his face had creases from his pillow on it. He gave her a small smile and handed her a big, blue dressing gown. She took it and smiled her thanks.
She cocooned herself into her robe and then cleaned up what was left of her shower things. She opened the door, and Ron walked past. She turned and saw him staring after her.
"Thank you."
He grinned sheepishly. "No problem. that's what I'm here for."
She got dressed and managed to get a brush through her hair, before she dried it with a drying charm. She glanced at her watch and realized she needed to go downstairs and eat before Dumbledore arrived.
She arrived in the kitchen and immediately felt Ron's eyes on her. She slid into a seat across from him, just as Mrs. Weasley began placing food on the table. They ate in silence as Mrs. Weasley talked to them briefly about what Dumbledore was coming for. Soon after, a doorbell chimed, and Hermione heard screaming.
"THEY'RE ALL RUBBISH!!! WHAT ARE THEY DOING IN MY HOUSE? MY GOOD- FOR-NOTHING SON IS THE REASON FOR THIS, I'M SURE!!"
Hermione started. She looked at Ron, whose face indicated he had also been startled by this new voice.
"Sirius!" Hermione heard Mrs. Weasley call. "Will you please do something about your mother?!"
Hermione and Ron looked at each other, instantly intrigued, and then exchanging mischievous glances, raced off to find where the strange, scary voice was.
When they reached the source of the horrible noise, they were surprised to find Sirius struggling to close heavy moth-eaten curtains over a very ugly, old portrait of a woman.
"Molly!" Sirius shouted desperately. "A little help, if you would!"
Mrs. Weasley began to help him shove the curtains in front of the horrible, screaming woman and, after several failed attempts, accomplished their goal.
Ron and Hermione looked from one to the other. Sirius was the first to speak up.
"Ron, Hermione-meet my lovely mother."
"Not keen on you, is she?" Ron asked.
Hermione nudged him with her shoulder, and Ron looked at her, pretending to be insulted.
Sirius only laughed. "No. not at all!"
Their conversation was interrupted as Mrs. Weasley led Dumbledore into the hallway.
His eyes twinkled at Ron and Hermione, and Hermione could swear he could see all of the things running through her mind right then. He thanked Mrs. Weasley for letting him in and then proceeded towards the sitting room. Hermione looked towards Mrs. Weasley who beckoned them to follow.
When they entered the room, Dumbledore had settled himself quite comfortably on the couch and had propped his feet up on the coffee table in front of him. Ron and Hermione grabbed a couple of chairs and sat down.
Dumbledore smiled at them. "Good morning to you both!"
Hermione grinned. "Good morning, Professor Dumbledore!"
Ron echoed her. "Yes, good morning."
"I assume you two are having a pleasant summer." He looked knowingly at Hermione and then Ron, and Hermione wasn't sure, but she thought she might have seen a wink aimed in the direction of Ron.
Hermione blushed and nodded as she looked down at her feet-the hint of a smile lit up her face. How did he know? How could he tell?
Dumbledore grinned as well. "I'm glad to hear it. Sadly I'm not here for mindless chitchat."
They both nodded and looked at him with interest.
"I want you to know that you are not to supply any information to Harry this summer. None. I don't want anything to be intercepted."
The twinkle of Dumbledore's eyes was gone and was replaced by an intense stare. Ron and Hermione glanced at each other. This wasn't going to be easy.
"You are allowed to send him owls of course but be cautious with what you write. Anything could be intercepted."
Hermione raised her hand as if she were in class. Dumbledore chuckled, and Ron rolled his eyes. Hermione ignored him. "Sir, is Harry safe?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, Hermione. He's quite safe. He's under constant supervision and is being followed wherever he goes. He's going to be fine."
"Well then, why can't he come here?" Ron asked.
Dumbledore sighed. "Sadly, I'm not the one to answer that question. Perhaps you'll find out some day. Just take to heart that he will not be harmed."
Ron nodded, and Hermione looked at him. His brow was furrowed, as if in deep concentration, and he seemed to be contemplating something. Dumbledore stood suddenly and then looked down at his wrist, as if there was a watch there.
"Look at the time. I must run. Tell your mother I'm terribly sorry to have missed one of her amazing meals, but I'll drop by some other time."
He smiled at them once more then looked at them with piercing eyes. "Not a word. Please, you must trust my judgment."
Hermione nodded. "Yes, sir."
Dumbledore looked to Ron who nodded along with Hermione. "Yes, sir."
With a flourish of his wand, Dumbledore Apparated out of the room.
The two looked at each other and sighed.
"I don't like this," Hermione said first. "I feel as if we're lying to Harry!"
Ron nodded. "Yeah, I know. I know it's necessary, but I'm not any happier about it than you are."
They walked out of the room and ran straight into Mrs. Weasley. "Oh good, you're done. Where's Professor Dumbledore?"
"He left, and he sends his apologies," Hermione told her.
Mrs. Weasley nodded. "Yes, of course he had to go. I was almost certain he had many other things to do. well, now that you're through, you can come help start cleaning with the twins and Ginny."
Ron and Hermione followed Mrs. Weasley into a dusty room. She handed them sponges and a bucket of purple foam, and they began to clean the furniture and floor. Ginny and the twins looked none too thrilled about this. When Mrs. Weasley bustled out of the room, the twins glared daggers into her back, but they obeyed, and Ron and Hermione scrubbed along with them.
Several hours later, Mrs. Weasley returned and ushered everyone into the kitchen for sandwiches and pumpkin juice. Hermione was starving, and she ate quickly. Sirius entered the kitchen when they were almost done and sat down at the table with them.
"All right, Ron?" he asked conversationally.
"All right," Ron replied, giving Hermione a brief glance. She felt butterflies fill her stomach. Something about the look he gave her sent warm tingles all the way to her toes.
Sirius took notice of the interaction between the two and gave Hermione a pointed look. "Hermione?"
She blushed and grinned. "I'm well; how about you, Sirius?"
He smiled knowingly. "I'm well. So what have you heard from Harry?"
Ron and Hermione went into a long explanation about the frustrated owls they'd been getting from him and the caution they had received from Dumbledore. Surprisingly, Sirius was adamant about this as well.
"If anyone wants him here, it's me. And I want him to know everything-I really do, but right now things are just too dangerous. He'll be here soon enough. If I know him, he's probably going to be very unhappy by the time he gets here." Sirius sighed and then abruptly left the table.
Hermione looked around the table and saw that Fred and George were whispering heatedly amongst themselves and Ginny was staring off into space. She looked at Ron, and as if he were reading her mind, he asked if she wanted to go write Harry a letter. She nodded, and they excused themselves from the table.
As they walked up the stairs, Hermione briefly touched Ron's shoulder. "Thank you for this morning. I was in a real pickle."
He blushed and placed his hand over hers. "Yeah, well."
They reached Hermione and Ginny's room and grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill. They sat on the floor, and Hermione wrote a brief and very uneventful letter to Harry, and then they both signed their names at the bottom.
"He's going to be quite angry at us, isn't he?" Hermione asked fretfully.
"I'll be surprised if we don't get a howler from him," Ron said wryly. "Hermione?"
Hermione looked up. "Yes?"
"Well. umm." he stuttered, looking down at his shoes.
"Come on, Ron! Spit it out!" She giggled.
"What do we tell him about this?" He motioned to her and himself.
Hermione bit her lower lip. She'd never really thought of that, and now that she did-loads of questions came to her mind.
"Well. what exactly is this?"
Ron sighed. "I know what I want this to be; the question is what do you want it to be?"
Hermione looked into his eyes. "I want it to be exactly what you want it to be." She placed a hand over his. "I want to be with you and there for you. But most of all, I want to continue to be your best friend."
Ron grinned. "But would your best friend do this?" He took her hand in his and placed a light kiss on the palm of her hand. He looked up at her and waggled his eyebrows.
She giggled. "Oh, I don't know. do you think Harry would do that?"
Ron grinned and pulled her to him and put his hands on either side of her face. She thought he was going to kiss her again, but instead he kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Would Harry do that?"
She laughed and looked him in the eyes. "Where on earth did you learn to do that?"
He blushed and looked at the floor, keeping his hands on either side of her face. "My dad does it to my mum sometimes. She seemed to enjoy it."
Hermione giggled again. "Well. I think Harry would do that too." She knew where this was leading to, and butterflies filled her stomach.
"Well, do you think Harry would do this?" He leaned in, and she slid her eyes shut as he kissed her gently on the lips. She sighed, and he pulled away, looking at her mischievously.
"Now, I think I would be very worried if he did that," she said, grinning at him with a twinkle in her eyes.
He took her hand and smiled wryly. "We still need to talk about what we're going to tell Harry."
She looked at him. "I don't know; it sounds like you already know what you want to do."
He nodded. "Yeah, I've got an idea, but you have to hear me out."
She nodded, and he continued. "I don't think we should tell Harry."
"What?" Hermione gasped.
"You said you were going to hear me out. Just let me finish. I don't think we should tell him, because I'm afraid if we do, he's going to get all weird around us. I actually don't think we should tell anyone. If we don't tell him, then he'll just continue to think that we're still the Three Musketeers and whatnot, but if we do tell him, he's going to sink even farther into himself and continue to throw himself a pity party. He'll insist we spend time together, even when we want it to be the three of us. I think we should just wait for a while."
"What if I've already told Ginny?"
Ron grinned. "Don't worry about it. She's a deadbolt when it comes to secrets. Just tell her not to say anything."
"You really think this is a good idea?"
"I really do. Besides, we'll be hiding all sorts of stuff from him. What's one thing more?"
"I'm worried about him, Ron. I hope he's able to visit soon." Hermione took her hand from Ron's and went to sit on the bed. Ron sat next to her and pulled her into a big hug. She sighed as he wrapped his arms comfortingly around her.
"Me too, Hermione. Me too."
