"Really don't know *what's* gotten into you. I've already had Head Girl taken away from me for skipping class. What will they do when they find me along the halls in the middle of the night?"
"They won't find you, they'll *hear* you," Ron hissed. "We're under the invisibility cloak, but it doesn't block out your loud voice."
"That's it, Ron, piss me off then tell me I have a loud voice," Hermione snapped. "It seems like we've been walking for an hour. Where are you taking me, again?"
Ron grinned. "You'll see, Mione. It's way down here. Doubt anyone even knows about the place . . ."
Ron stopped suddenly. "It's just around the corner. But . . . see that closet there?"
Hermione nodded, not seeing anything unusual about it.
"I locked Harry and Ginny in there earlier."
* * * * *
**Earlier That Evening**
"Okay, people, let's go over this one more time. Harry, the house-elves are . . ."
"Preparing your meal right now," Harry answered in a bored tone.
"What will our meal be?"
"Chicken."
"I want more detail than that, Harry."
"Chicken that's been cooked in an oven."
"What will be *on* the chicken, Harry?" Ron sighed.
"Mushroom sauce. Homemade."
"Good, good. Not exactly what I was expecting but . . . well. Okay, Ginny, your poem
is . . .?"
"On my nightstand. You can just summon it here," Ginny said. She seemed much more perky than Harry.
"And the room looks spectacular," Ron added as an afterthought, looking around him. "Splendid job, Harry."
Harry looked vacantly at Ron. "Uh-huh. So, when can Ginny and I go back to sleep? We're tired."
"Your invisibility cloak?"
"I'll give it to you once we get back to the tower." Harry groaned. "Which seems like never. I didn't get any sleep last night because of you and this room, Ron. Can't you at least let me sleep tonight? I have a bloody head ache and--"
"Fine, fine," Ron snapped. "Let me see the cloak, we won't need it until we get up the staircase. Check the Mauraders Map, Harry."
"Coast clear."
"All right then, guess it's off." Ron took one more nervous look around, then landed his eyes on Ginny. "You're sure she'll like the poem?"
"Well . . . I worked hard on it," Ginny said, tossing her hair as if she were insulted he'd question her abilities as a poet.
"Good, good," Ron muttered. "Just nervous -- you know?"
"Don't worry, I think she likes you," Harry said.
"Whatever gives you that idea?" Ginny asked sarcastically.
Harry glared at Ginny. "I haven't slept more than three hours for nearly two days now. Don't mess with me."
"Somebody's grumpy," Ginny said, not looking the least bit frightened. She smiled at Ron. "She's going to love this, Ron. Let's go to sleep for Mr Crankypants over here."
Harry gave Ginny a forced smile. "When I have more energy . . ."
So the three descended down the hallway, quietly so as not to attract attention, though nobody was near by. Ron considered his plan once more, glancing at Harry and Ginny. Harry's eyes kept closing for brief moments, and he seemd in a trance as he trudged slowly forward. Ginny was close to twirling, a giddy look on her face. Ron suspected she was happier about this all than Hermione would be. Ginny was more of a romantic than Mione.
Speaking of Mione . . . Ron noticed the closet coming up ahead. He and Hermione had never really discussed their plans to get back/get together Harry and Ginny, but Ron had taken the initiative and found a closet near the room the dinner would be in. He had already sound proofed it, and made sure it was big enough for the two to sleep in since he wouldn't want to deal with Harry after three days of sleeplessness.
Ron pulled his wand out slowly, trying not to get attention from the two beside him. Then, in a fast, firm voice, he disarmed the two, shoved them roughly into the closet, and performed a quick locking charm that couldn't be broken without a wand.
Ron smiled to himself and slipped on the invisibility cloak, heading up to Gryffinder to wake his lovely Hermione and bring her for his declaration of love.
* * * * *
**Present**
Hermione giggled, looking at the door as Ron retold the events, excluding the parts about what he had planned for her.
Ron grinned at Hermione, took her hands, and led her into the dungeon. Hermione's eyes widened as she looked around her. The walls were decorated in a rich gold color, that shined beautifully from the various candles around the room. Up above was a crystal chandelier with dozens of candles bouncing their orange glow on the twists and turns of it. The carpet was plush and creamy, like walking on clouds. In the very center of the room was a table for two with a lace table cloth. Against a wall a fire cackled appealingly, letting in a warmth. Hermione also noticed, with a small chuckle, a bed off to the side in the room, the same lace from the table cloth on it. Ron obviously had ideas for later that night . . .
Hermione spun to Ron and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in for an emotional kiss. "Oh, Ron . . . it's so beautiful," she murmered.
Ron was looking quite pleased with himself. He took her hand led her to the table, then pulled the chair out for her. He sat down himself and looked eagerly at her. "You like it?"
Hermione wanted to say something sarcastic, but the boyish look on his face stopped her. "Of course I do! I have to admit, I never thought you'd be capable of something this . . . romantic, Ronald Weasley."
"Dinner'd ready," Ron acknowledged when the golden plates in the middle of the table suddenly filled themselves with a delicious smelling meal. "Hope you like it."
Hermione flashed Ron her charming smile and piled food onto her plate. "Oh, I love this all!"
Dinner passed quickly, Ron making stutters about various things and Hermione gushing over how romantic everything was. Ron was very surprised at her reaction. Hermione had always been so practical and he'd never have thought her a romantic as she seemed at the moment. He shrugged it off as another thing about girls he still didn't understand, and gave Hermione another eager smile as she finished off the cheesecake they'd had for dessert.
Ron cleared his throat and muttered a summoning charm to get the parchment from Ginny's nightstand. He ran his eyes over it quickly and felt himself begin to blush. And everything had been going so well!
*I knocked you up,
But it's all right.
I won't marry you,
But then again I might.
I love the sex,
What we have is, er, great.
Remember when,
Your period was late?*
Ron did a reverse spell and the parchment disappeared from his hands as his ears turned even redder than he'd thought possible. When he got his hands on Ginny . . . he sighed, realizing that that didn't matter now. Hermione was looking at him expectantly and after a quick thought he decided to just speak from his heart. That was the last time he ever asked one of his siblings for help!
"Hermione . . ." Ron trailed off, trying to come up with words to make Hermione smile at him like she'd done when he'd introduced her to the room. "You are so beautiful. The best thing about your beauty is that you don't even realize it. 'Course, most of what I love about you is on the inside. I love your mind, you're so smart and witty . . . one of the only ones who can keep up a good banter with me." He smiled nervously at her. "I love the little things too, of course. Like, when you pull your hair in a pony tail whenever you're doing homework. That way I can see your face clearly, no hair to hide it with. The way the fire lights up your face, sparkling your eyes. The way you chew on your bottom lip and your eyes light up when you come across a hard question, or something that interests you. Maybe that's why I never get my homework done . . . always staring at you. I-I love you, Hermione. Everything about you."
Hermione seemed to contemplate his words thoughtfully, as if decided whether to reject or embrace them. She smiled slowly at Ron. "I love you too." She paused for a second and Ron didn't speak, sensing that she was going to continue. "Did you love me that night at the Leaky Cauldron?"
Ron considered this. "I-I don't think it was love exactly, just extreme like. But I'm not much one for all of this. I think I began to love you when I realized what it was like to have you, then suddenly not have you. You know what my favorite part of that night was? Waking up with my arms around you."
Hermione couldn't help the giddy smile that lit her face. "You may pretend, but you really do know how to put all the right words to use." She glanced at the bed. "Is that a feather bed?"
"Yeah." Ron blushed.
"Wanna put it so some use?" Hermione suggested slyly as she used her foot to slide up his leg.
Ron let out a tiny shudder at the electricity running through his body and managed to nod weakly. "Oh!" Ron suddenly remembered. "There were . . ." He trailed off with a satisfied smile at the strawberries and warm chocolate sauce that suddenly appeared, as if reading his mind.
"Yummy," Hermione said, grabbing the chocolate sauce. "I do think that it would taste better on things other than strawberries, though, what do you think, Ron?"
Ron barely managed to nod as he wondered what had happened to this Hermione throughout the years. She was very . . . enticing. He gulped unknowingly as she sat on the bed and began to undress.
Tonight was going to be one wild ride, he could tell already from the hunger in Hermione's eyes.
* * * * *
**Back to Earlier, After Ron Shoved Ginny and Harry into the Closet**
"Ow!" Ginny moaned as she hit her head against the wall. She spun around just as darkness fell around her. "Ron!"
"Do you have your wand?" Harry asked.
She put her hand out in front of her until she felt Harry's body, then kept her hand on it so she could be sure he was still there. The darkness seemed less scary knowing he was there. "No. Ron's not so stupid as to let us have our wands."
There was a second's silence. Then: "What is it with us and closets?"
Ginny laughed nervously. "This one is smaller than the other one."
"I noticed," Harry pointed out. She felt him drop and realized after a second of panic that he was merely sitting down. She followed swiftly.
"I wish we had our wands . . ." Ginny said. She huddled close to Harry's warmth. "A simple *Lumos* spell would do. Ron simply has no consideration for others . . ."
"I'm tired," Harry suddenly moaned and she heard a thump. He had obviously hit his head against the back of the closet.
"I know," Ginny snapped. "Shut it, though. I don't want you moaning all night."
"All night?"
"Well, yeah. Ron's not going to let us out, and there's certainly not enough room to sleep in here unless you want me on top of you."
Harry grumbled inaudibly for a second, then sighed. "Well, do you know how to pass the time, Gin?"
"I'm not your rescuer," Ginny said. "If you want to pass the time you'll just have to think of something."
"I know something we could do . . ."
Ginny shivered. His words were low and she wondered if he was implying what she thought he was. She blushed quickly and scolded herself. She hadn't had feelings for Harry for years, and now just because she was close to him in a tight, dark, secluded place her feelings were surfacing again.
"What?" Ginny asked quietly.
"Truth," Harry said simply. "You ask a question, I ask a question . . . we can learn more about each other. Besides, it'll be fun to know all of your juicy secrets."
"Isn't that kind of . . . well, juvenile?" Ginny pointed out, feeling nervous.
"Well, yeah," Harry said, sounding annoyed. "But you try coming up with something. I need to do something to keep my mind off of this tiredness that is making me want to fall asleep with or without you on top of me."
Ginny's eyes widened. "Oh," she whispered, feeling daft. "I suppose I can go first since I'm prettier than you?"
"Ask away, oh beautiful one."
Ginny giggled and slapped him playfully on the leg. "Okay . . . I can come up with a good one, I'm sure."
"Are you talking to me or yourself?" Harry inquired.
Ginny slapped him again, this time harsher than before. "Have you ever kissed a girl before?"
Harry seemed to tense under her hand. "No," he admitted. "Have you ever kissed a boy before?"
"No," Ginny admitted, feeling just as he had a second ago. Both felt relieved at having the same problem, though. "Do you still like Cho?"
Harry snorted. "Nope. Do you still like . . . me?"
Ginny stiffened as he had earlier. How dare he ask her such a personal question! She shook it off, though. She had to tell the truth . . . but did she even know the truth anymore? She would have said no less than half an hour ago, but being this close to Harry was making her wonder if the answer was yes.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Author's Note: Okay, I want ninety reviews before you find out exactly *what* Ginny feels about Harry, and what his reaction will be. I promise, also, that when Christmas comes 'round we'll go for a visit to the Weasleys and you'll all get to see Mrs. Weasley's reaction. I was originally going to have a Howler for Ron, but I decided that Mrs. Weasley does seem to like Hermione a lot and wouldn't want the whole school to know what happened. So she'll give them both a nice, long lecture, don't you worry! And the whole Weasley family will be there too -- what more could you want? (by the way, I don't know when this is going to happen, so don't assume I mean in the very next installment, because I know for sure it won't be that soon.)
~HJtheB
"They won't find you, they'll *hear* you," Ron hissed. "We're under the invisibility cloak, but it doesn't block out your loud voice."
"That's it, Ron, piss me off then tell me I have a loud voice," Hermione snapped. "It seems like we've been walking for an hour. Where are you taking me, again?"
Ron grinned. "You'll see, Mione. It's way down here. Doubt anyone even knows about the place . . ."
Ron stopped suddenly. "It's just around the corner. But . . . see that closet there?"
Hermione nodded, not seeing anything unusual about it.
"I locked Harry and Ginny in there earlier."
* * * * *
**Earlier That Evening**
"Okay, people, let's go over this one more time. Harry, the house-elves are . . ."
"Preparing your meal right now," Harry answered in a bored tone.
"What will our meal be?"
"Chicken."
"I want more detail than that, Harry."
"Chicken that's been cooked in an oven."
"What will be *on* the chicken, Harry?" Ron sighed.
"Mushroom sauce. Homemade."
"Good, good. Not exactly what I was expecting but . . . well. Okay, Ginny, your poem
is . . .?"
"On my nightstand. You can just summon it here," Ginny said. She seemed much more perky than Harry.
"And the room looks spectacular," Ron added as an afterthought, looking around him. "Splendid job, Harry."
Harry looked vacantly at Ron. "Uh-huh. So, when can Ginny and I go back to sleep? We're tired."
"Your invisibility cloak?"
"I'll give it to you once we get back to the tower." Harry groaned. "Which seems like never. I didn't get any sleep last night because of you and this room, Ron. Can't you at least let me sleep tonight? I have a bloody head ache and--"
"Fine, fine," Ron snapped. "Let me see the cloak, we won't need it until we get up the staircase. Check the Mauraders Map, Harry."
"Coast clear."
"All right then, guess it's off." Ron took one more nervous look around, then landed his eyes on Ginny. "You're sure she'll like the poem?"
"Well . . . I worked hard on it," Ginny said, tossing her hair as if she were insulted he'd question her abilities as a poet.
"Good, good," Ron muttered. "Just nervous -- you know?"
"Don't worry, I think she likes you," Harry said.
"Whatever gives you that idea?" Ginny asked sarcastically.
Harry glared at Ginny. "I haven't slept more than three hours for nearly two days now. Don't mess with me."
"Somebody's grumpy," Ginny said, not looking the least bit frightened. She smiled at Ron. "She's going to love this, Ron. Let's go to sleep for Mr Crankypants over here."
Harry gave Ginny a forced smile. "When I have more energy . . ."
So the three descended down the hallway, quietly so as not to attract attention, though nobody was near by. Ron considered his plan once more, glancing at Harry and Ginny. Harry's eyes kept closing for brief moments, and he seemd in a trance as he trudged slowly forward. Ginny was close to twirling, a giddy look on her face. Ron suspected she was happier about this all than Hermione would be. Ginny was more of a romantic than Mione.
Speaking of Mione . . . Ron noticed the closet coming up ahead. He and Hermione had never really discussed their plans to get back/get together Harry and Ginny, but Ron had taken the initiative and found a closet near the room the dinner would be in. He had already sound proofed it, and made sure it was big enough for the two to sleep in since he wouldn't want to deal with Harry after three days of sleeplessness.
Ron pulled his wand out slowly, trying not to get attention from the two beside him. Then, in a fast, firm voice, he disarmed the two, shoved them roughly into the closet, and performed a quick locking charm that couldn't be broken without a wand.
Ron smiled to himself and slipped on the invisibility cloak, heading up to Gryffinder to wake his lovely Hermione and bring her for his declaration of love.
* * * * *
**Present**
Hermione giggled, looking at the door as Ron retold the events, excluding the parts about what he had planned for her.
Ron grinned at Hermione, took her hands, and led her into the dungeon. Hermione's eyes widened as she looked around her. The walls were decorated in a rich gold color, that shined beautifully from the various candles around the room. Up above was a crystal chandelier with dozens of candles bouncing their orange glow on the twists and turns of it. The carpet was plush and creamy, like walking on clouds. In the very center of the room was a table for two with a lace table cloth. Against a wall a fire cackled appealingly, letting in a warmth. Hermione also noticed, with a small chuckle, a bed off to the side in the room, the same lace from the table cloth on it. Ron obviously had ideas for later that night . . .
Hermione spun to Ron and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in for an emotional kiss. "Oh, Ron . . . it's so beautiful," she murmered.
Ron was looking quite pleased with himself. He took her hand led her to the table, then pulled the chair out for her. He sat down himself and looked eagerly at her. "You like it?"
Hermione wanted to say something sarcastic, but the boyish look on his face stopped her. "Of course I do! I have to admit, I never thought you'd be capable of something this . . . romantic, Ronald Weasley."
"Dinner'd ready," Ron acknowledged when the golden plates in the middle of the table suddenly filled themselves with a delicious smelling meal. "Hope you like it."
Hermione flashed Ron her charming smile and piled food onto her plate. "Oh, I love this all!"
Dinner passed quickly, Ron making stutters about various things and Hermione gushing over how romantic everything was. Ron was very surprised at her reaction. Hermione had always been so practical and he'd never have thought her a romantic as she seemed at the moment. He shrugged it off as another thing about girls he still didn't understand, and gave Hermione another eager smile as she finished off the cheesecake they'd had for dessert.
Ron cleared his throat and muttered a summoning charm to get the parchment from Ginny's nightstand. He ran his eyes over it quickly and felt himself begin to blush. And everything had been going so well!
*I knocked you up,
But it's all right.
I won't marry you,
But then again I might.
I love the sex,
What we have is, er, great.
Remember when,
Your period was late?*
Ron did a reverse spell and the parchment disappeared from his hands as his ears turned even redder than he'd thought possible. When he got his hands on Ginny . . . he sighed, realizing that that didn't matter now. Hermione was looking at him expectantly and after a quick thought he decided to just speak from his heart. That was the last time he ever asked one of his siblings for help!
"Hermione . . ." Ron trailed off, trying to come up with words to make Hermione smile at him like she'd done when he'd introduced her to the room. "You are so beautiful. The best thing about your beauty is that you don't even realize it. 'Course, most of what I love about you is on the inside. I love your mind, you're so smart and witty . . . one of the only ones who can keep up a good banter with me." He smiled nervously at her. "I love the little things too, of course. Like, when you pull your hair in a pony tail whenever you're doing homework. That way I can see your face clearly, no hair to hide it with. The way the fire lights up your face, sparkling your eyes. The way you chew on your bottom lip and your eyes light up when you come across a hard question, or something that interests you. Maybe that's why I never get my homework done . . . always staring at you. I-I love you, Hermione. Everything about you."
Hermione seemed to contemplate his words thoughtfully, as if decided whether to reject or embrace them. She smiled slowly at Ron. "I love you too." She paused for a second and Ron didn't speak, sensing that she was going to continue. "Did you love me that night at the Leaky Cauldron?"
Ron considered this. "I-I don't think it was love exactly, just extreme like. But I'm not much one for all of this. I think I began to love you when I realized what it was like to have you, then suddenly not have you. You know what my favorite part of that night was? Waking up with my arms around you."
Hermione couldn't help the giddy smile that lit her face. "You may pretend, but you really do know how to put all the right words to use." She glanced at the bed. "Is that a feather bed?"
"Yeah." Ron blushed.
"Wanna put it so some use?" Hermione suggested slyly as she used her foot to slide up his leg.
Ron let out a tiny shudder at the electricity running through his body and managed to nod weakly. "Oh!" Ron suddenly remembered. "There were . . ." He trailed off with a satisfied smile at the strawberries and warm chocolate sauce that suddenly appeared, as if reading his mind.
"Yummy," Hermione said, grabbing the chocolate sauce. "I do think that it would taste better on things other than strawberries, though, what do you think, Ron?"
Ron barely managed to nod as he wondered what had happened to this Hermione throughout the years. She was very . . . enticing. He gulped unknowingly as she sat on the bed and began to undress.
Tonight was going to be one wild ride, he could tell already from the hunger in Hermione's eyes.
* * * * *
**Back to Earlier, After Ron Shoved Ginny and Harry into the Closet**
"Ow!" Ginny moaned as she hit her head against the wall. She spun around just as darkness fell around her. "Ron!"
"Do you have your wand?" Harry asked.
She put her hand out in front of her until she felt Harry's body, then kept her hand on it so she could be sure he was still there. The darkness seemed less scary knowing he was there. "No. Ron's not so stupid as to let us have our wands."
There was a second's silence. Then: "What is it with us and closets?"
Ginny laughed nervously. "This one is smaller than the other one."
"I noticed," Harry pointed out. She felt him drop and realized after a second of panic that he was merely sitting down. She followed swiftly.
"I wish we had our wands . . ." Ginny said. She huddled close to Harry's warmth. "A simple *Lumos* spell would do. Ron simply has no consideration for others . . ."
"I'm tired," Harry suddenly moaned and she heard a thump. He had obviously hit his head against the back of the closet.
"I know," Ginny snapped. "Shut it, though. I don't want you moaning all night."
"All night?"
"Well, yeah. Ron's not going to let us out, and there's certainly not enough room to sleep in here unless you want me on top of you."
Harry grumbled inaudibly for a second, then sighed. "Well, do you know how to pass the time, Gin?"
"I'm not your rescuer," Ginny said. "If you want to pass the time you'll just have to think of something."
"I know something we could do . . ."
Ginny shivered. His words were low and she wondered if he was implying what she thought he was. She blushed quickly and scolded herself. She hadn't had feelings for Harry for years, and now just because she was close to him in a tight, dark, secluded place her feelings were surfacing again.
"What?" Ginny asked quietly.
"Truth," Harry said simply. "You ask a question, I ask a question . . . we can learn more about each other. Besides, it'll be fun to know all of your juicy secrets."
"Isn't that kind of . . . well, juvenile?" Ginny pointed out, feeling nervous.
"Well, yeah," Harry said, sounding annoyed. "But you try coming up with something. I need to do something to keep my mind off of this tiredness that is making me want to fall asleep with or without you on top of me."
Ginny's eyes widened. "Oh," she whispered, feeling daft. "I suppose I can go first since I'm prettier than you?"
"Ask away, oh beautiful one."
Ginny giggled and slapped him playfully on the leg. "Okay . . . I can come up with a good one, I'm sure."
"Are you talking to me or yourself?" Harry inquired.
Ginny slapped him again, this time harsher than before. "Have you ever kissed a girl before?"
Harry seemed to tense under her hand. "No," he admitted. "Have you ever kissed a boy before?"
"No," Ginny admitted, feeling just as he had a second ago. Both felt relieved at having the same problem, though. "Do you still like Cho?"
Harry snorted. "Nope. Do you still like . . . me?"
Ginny stiffened as he had earlier. How dare he ask her such a personal question! She shook it off, though. She had to tell the truth . . . but did she even know the truth anymore? She would have said no less than half an hour ago, but being this close to Harry was making her wonder if the answer was yes.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Author's Note: Okay, I want ninety reviews before you find out exactly *what* Ginny feels about Harry, and what his reaction will be. I promise, also, that when Christmas comes 'round we'll go for a visit to the Weasleys and you'll all get to see Mrs. Weasley's reaction. I was originally going to have a Howler for Ron, but I decided that Mrs. Weasley does seem to like Hermione a lot and wouldn't want the whole school to know what happened. So she'll give them both a nice, long lecture, don't you worry! And the whole Weasley family will be there too -- what more could you want? (by the way, I don't know when this is going to happen, so don't assume I mean in the very next installment, because I know for sure it won't be that soon.)
~HJtheB