Draco Malfoy may have been a lot of things, but stupid was not one of them. As such, he took a precautionary step back as the very tall, muscled and broad shouldered Ron moved in front of Hermione.
Crabbe and Goyle both moved forward a bit, most likely in an effort to protect Draco's precious face, Ron thought.
Quickly realizing the impending disaster, Hermione grabbed hold of Ron's elbow.
"Don't, Ron. He' not worth it!"
Ron smiled down at her in a way she'd never observed before. His finger grazed her cheek in a small caress as he replied softly, "No, he's not. But you are. You're worth everything."
Hermione's face went wide with shock, but before she could reply, Ron was already moving away towards Malfoy.
"All right, Malfoy. This has been a long time coming. Before we're done, you're going to apologize for every filthy thing you've ever called her." Ron unclipped his robe clasp, letting the material fall to the floor.
"Oh, really, Weasley? I don't think you could afford the amount of balls you're pretending to have."
"And your bravado, Malfoy, doesn't fool me or anyone else."
Ron continued moving forward towards Draco, staring right through Crabbe and Goyle to meet Malfoy's eyes dead on.
"Contrary to what you and your fuck of a father think, we Weasley's aren't stupid. Did you really think I wouldn't cotton on? After five years of your threats, your unimaginative insults? Interesting, though, isn't it, that they didn't really get going until Hermione was fully entrenched into our little trio?"
"Funny how you hardly ever bothered to speak to us after second year unless Hermione was with us, or within hearing distance. Tell me Draco, what would your father say if he knew his pureblood pride and joy had feelings for a Muggle born?"
The collective gasp from everyone in the immediate vicinity would have been comical if the tension hadn't been so thick. Every head whipped from Ron to look at Draco.
Draco looked like he'd just been caught red-handed. His eyes bulged as he sputtered in a rather high pitched voice, "Wh-whhat? You're o-out of your mind!"
Wow, Ginny thought wryly, Draco's acting is so bad I think I would actually pay him not to. To Ginny, Ron's assertion actually made a great deal of sense. I bet he threw rocks at the girls he fancied on the playground.
Even the Slytherins looked unconvinced, and a few were actually beginning to move back a bit from the crowd, obviously attempting to distance themselves from Malfoy.
Hermione couldn't believe this particular turn of events. True, Draco had always been particularly venomous to her, but she'd always assumed it was because of his disdain for her heritage as well as her continual besting of him in marks. It couldn't be true, she thought. It just couldn't.
Malfoy looked around frantically, becoming even more incensed at his Slytherin peers' behavior.
He screeched at Ron, "You take that back, you bastard!"
Ron's grin turned feral. "Make me, shitface."
His face contorted in fury, Draco moved in front of his bodyguards, swinging suddenly at Ron's head.
Dodging easily, Ron hit Draco full force with a right hand to the jaw. Draco's body flew back between Crabbe and Goyle.
Ron kept going towards Draco, and Crabbe and Goyle moved to block his path.
Without so much as a blink, Ron drove a fist each into their stomachs simultaneously. When they bent over, clutching their midsections in pain, Ron brought both his elbows down with a vicious strike to their backs. They both dropped to the floor like dead weight.
Hermione moved to somehow stop Ron before he got himself expelled, but Harry and Ginny each grabbed an arm and held tight.
"Don't worry," Harry murmured to her. "I expect he's needed to do this for a while."
Draco managed to stumble up to his feet. He was perhaps still dazed from Ron's first punch, because he foolishly swung at Ron again.
Ron stopped the punch with the palm of his left, then held tight and began to squeeze Draco's hand, almost crushing the bones. Draco whimpered, close to falling to his knees from the pain.
Ron took that opportunity to punch him once in the stomach, then again to the face, holding fast to Draco's right hand all the while.
After that, Ron then let go, and Draco fell back against a dining hall table, a dramatic spray of blood running from his nose down his face.
"Apologize!" Ron's voice was pure steel, and Hermione couldn't help but sigh inwardly, despite this horrific situation. Why hadn't she ever heard that particular tone before?
Draco managed to spit out, "Sod off, you nesh prick!"
Ron calmly replied, "Wrong answer," and backhanded him (also known as a pimp slap).
Ginny could see Professors Snape and McGonogall coming towards them.
She whispered fiercely to Harry, "I think it's time to do something. Professors are coming!"
Harry nodded in reply, and started towards Ron.
By this time, Ron was thoroughly fed up. He drew his right hand back, preparing to knock Draco unconscious. Apparently Draco had some idea of what was to come, and sputtered, "I'm sorry Hermione! I'm SORRY! I swear!"
Ron glanced back up at Hermione, and asked, "All right?"
Hermione nodded quickly, and Ron let Draco fall to the floor once more,
before uttering a few last words. "This never happened. And don't ever bother us again."
Ron got to his feet just as Professor Snape broke through the crowd.
"What," he thundered, "is the meaning of this? Malfoy?"
Malfoy looked at Snape, then Ron, who shook his head slightly from left to right.
Malfoy allowed Crabbe and Goyle to help him up, then said sullenly, "Nothing, Professor."
"I doubt that very highly, seeing as your face is dripping blood onto the floor."
"He, uh, fell and hit his nose on the table, Professor!" Fred's voice was dripping with false sincerity.
"Yes, that's right!" Angelina piped up. "Tripped over his robes, the poor thing. We all came over to see if we could help, but he's all right now, aren't you Draco?"
Draco nodded sharply again, then abruptly turned and left the Great Hall, with Crabbe and Goyle trailing him as usual.
Most of the students wandered back to their respective tables, but the majority of Gryffindor stayed alongside, knowing full well Snape wasn't done.
"Trust that I will indeed get to the bottom of this, and the parties responsible will be dealt a most appropriate punishment!"
Ron put on his most innocent face. "He said he tripped, Professor."
Snape turned towards Ron, his expression full of malice. After a moment, he said, "Let me see your hands, Weasley."
"Whatever for, Professor?" Ron replied in a guileless tone.
"Now, Weasley!"
Ron brought his hands forth, and everyone could see the raised, red and swollen flesh of his knuckles.
"It appears as though Mr. Malfoy did not sustain his injuries from a table, after all.
Can you explain the reason your hands are swollen?" Snape's face mirrored his satisfaction.
Hermione closed her eyes. Ron was going to be expelled. She just knew it.
Ron's smooth tone interrupted her panic. "Of course, Professor. I just came from Quidditch training. Fred and George were a bit overenthusiastic with the Quaffle."
Snape's gaze could have frozen Hell. Obviously everyone knew that Snape knew Ron was lying, but there was no way he could prove it, short of a truth potion.
"Fine, Weasley. I haven't caught you this time, but I will eventually, that I can promise you." And with that, he swept away, black robes billowing behind him.
Professor McGonogall remained, staring at Ron. He met her gaze, and after a time, she sighed, shook her head, and bid them good day, after stating, "Watch yourself, Weasley."
Fred waited until he was sure she was out of earshot, before exclaiming, "Holy Shit, Ron! That was incredible! Where'd you learn all that?"
Ron shrugged, a faint blush on his cheeks now that it was all over.
"Bill and Charlie showed me some stuff this summer, just in case of, well- you know."
George's eyes widened at that, and he responded, "Wonder if they'll show me how!"
Fred nudged him with his shoulder. "Get in line, mate! I'm their favorite!"
George let out a comical gasp. "The hell you say!"
They continued bickering as they left the Great Hall. Ron watched them leave, then stood awkwardly, unable to meet Hermione's eyes.
Catching the drift, Ginny murmured, "We'll see you later," grabbed Harry, and they quickly left the hall.
"So…" Ron started.
"So…" Hermione echoed.
After a deep breath, Ron blurted, "Do you hate me? Are you really cheesed off?"
"Oh, no, Ron. Not at all! You were, after all, just defending me. It was….really nice. A bit scary, but really nice. Thank you."
It wasn't so much her words, but the look of absolute adoration on her face that convinced him she meant every word.
Ron shrugged bashfully in response, and they fell into step together as they left the Hall.
"Of course," she continued, "You can't ever do that again! You could have been expelled, Ron! Think of your future!"
Ron didn't respond outwardly, but thought to himself, I was.
"I don't think I've ever seen a Wizard move like you did! At home, we have martial arts films, but I didn't know Magical folk employed the same sorts of techniques. We might be able to use some of them if we ever get cornered without our wands."
"Yeah, that's the reason my brothers taught me. They said that I might as well know how to use the strength I've gained, instead of relying on a wand where physical size and power don't mean as much."
"They're quite right! Would you mind teaching Harry and I? Oh, and maybe Ginny?"
"Sure," Ron replied easily, as they reached the Fat Lady and gave the password for entry. They walked inside, and began to ascend the stairs toward the common room.
"It will have to wait until after Quidditch trials though."
Hermione started. "Oh, but Ron, when you make Keeper you probably won't have any time to spare!"
Ron stopped climbing the stairs, then grinned down at her. "When I make Keeper? Are you a Seer all of a sudden?"
Hermione blinked, then said airily, "Well, of course not. But it's quite obvious. You're miles ahead of everyone else. You train harder than anyone I've ever seen!"
Ron brought a finger up to maneuver a wayward strand of her hair, caressing the side of her face in the process. In a much softer tone, he responded, "And just when were you watching me train? I don't recall you ever dropping by the pitch."
Hermione shivered in response to his touch.
"Well, I ju-just wanted to see what you were up without disturbing your regiment."
Ron moved closer to her, a teasing glint in his eye.
"Or maybe, you wanted to spy on me all sweaty and shirtless?"
Flustered, Hermione stammered out, "Of c-course, not!"
Ron put his hands on either side of her head. Leaning in slowly, he whispered, "Now why don't I believe you?"
Hermione's shoulders lifted in a half-hearted shrug, while her eyes were focused on his mouth, drawing ever closer to hers.
Ron halted an inch from her face, silently asking permission. Hermione's only movement was the parting of her lips. Ron slowly, softly, touched his lips to hers. After a moment, their kiss deepened, as she opened further, welcoming him in a way she lacked the courage to before. She stirred against him, excited by the long, hard feel of his body next to hers.
Hermione clung to him as the kiss deepened, Ron using his tongue to toy with hers. He was pinning her against the wall, ravaging her mouth, and all she could think was, more.
More touch, more taste. More feeling.
Her fingers threaded their way his hair, glorying in its silken texture.
Despite Ron's passion, there was a tenderness inherent in his touch. He tasted of pastries, sweet and sugary.
She was beginning to feel overwhelmed. She brought one hand down to his chest, whether to pull him closer or push him away, she wasn't sure. She could feel his heart beating beneath her palm, strong and fast.
A floating sensation overtook her, as though she was someone else, someone beautiful.
She never wanted it to end.
Soon though, it did. Ron suddenly let go of her, then quickly moved to the other side of the stairwell. Hermione leaned against the wall, using it for support, as she didn't know whether she was capable of standing at the moment.
After a time, Ron murmured, "Wow."
Hermione giggled. She couldn't help it; she was suddenly giddy with happiness.
"Wow definitely works," she responded.
Ron stared at her face, noting how pink and full her lips were from his kisses.
So beautiful, he thought. So absolutely sexy.
Once he caught his breath and was back under control, he said, "Hermione, would you be m-" Ron cut off, as several second years entered the stairwell behind them.
Hermione sighed inwardly. Was he going to ask me?
Glancing at her watch, she said, "Ron, I have to get to the library. I've forgotten all about it. Talk later?"
Ron nodded resignedly. "Course. Bye, Mione."
She started down the stairs, then, on impulse, darted back up and kissed him full on the mouth. "See you," she whispered, then dashed off.
Ron bemusedly touched his lips, then continued climbing the stairs, ignoring the wide-eyed expressions of the second years. By tomorrow, the whole school would know about that kiss.
Ron grinned. And that was just fine with him.
At the other end of the castle, Hermione settled down with her books at a library desk. Opening one, she found her observation parchment. Dipping a quill, she was about to write another entry, but stopped short. Glancing down at the book page, she saw it was on page 567. She had specifically put the parchment between the 700 and 701st page. It had been moved. Realizing the only other person who'd had access to it, Hermione covered her face in her hands and plaintively wailed, "Oh God! Ron!"
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A/N- So sorry guys! This took much longer than I thought it would. I rewrote this darn thing 5 times, before I thought I got it. Fight scenes are much harder than they seem. Oh, and nesh, if you didn't know, means pathetic in Brit slang. I found a whole page of goodies to use in my next stories to make them more authentic.
This will be, 12 chapters, and perhaps an epilogue if you so desire. I was originally going to do a another 12 pager as as sequel, starring Ginny and Harry, but I know I won't have enough time before June 21st. I am going to at least do 4 or 5, though. I am moving back from college (I'm graduating) this week, but expect another chapter on the weekend. Oh, and PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!