~There are other ways to win at Quidditch ~
Ron felt his face turn red with embarrassment. 'What if she didn't like what she saw?' he asked himself. Ron quickly changed into his nightshirt and shorts. Hermione's shocked, red face kept entering his mind. 'Should I confront her about it? Or just act like nothing happened?' Frustrated, he walked towards his room.
"Oof!" he exclaimed as he landed with a thud on his stomach. He looked around to see what had tripped him.
"GINNY!" he growled. Her shoes were sitting in the hallway.
Picking up her shoes, he went to her door and knocked.
"Come in!" said Ginny.
Ron opened the door and stuck her shoes out in front of him. "Ginny, your shoes were in the hallway and I tripped and almost broke my neck!"
He looked at Ginny and then noticed Hermione sitting across from her, with a book in her lap. She was wearing a pale blue nightgown that accentuated her small curves nicely. Ron stared at her openmouthed. Without thinking, his eyes scanned her body quickly, pausing on her bosoms. Realizing what he was doing, he felt his ears turn scarlet. Before Ginny could respond, he dropped her shoes and turned around, closing the door quickly behind him. 'I can't believe I just did that!' he thought. 'I just checked Hermione out!' he thought dreadfully. 'What if she noticed? She'll think I'm some kind of pervert.' Ron frowned at himself as he opened the door to his room and threw himself on his bed.
Suddenly, he heard a light rap on his door.
"Come in," he said gruffly.
Looking up to see who it was, he felt his heart catch in his throat. It was none other than Hermione.
"Hey, can I come in?" she asked apprehensively.
Sitting up quickly, Ron said, "Yeah, sure."
Hermione walked in and sat lightly on the edge of his bed. Ron looked at her, there on his bed, and could only keep from reaching out and kissing her. Hermione looked up at him, blushing, then looked down at his quilt.
"Um.I just wanted to say sorry for walking in on you before." she said, tracing the stitches on his quilt with her finger.
"Oh, that's all right.You didn't see anything right?" he said with a smile.
Hermione looked up, wide-eyed, "NO, of course not!"
Her expression only made him laugh.
"I don't think I look that bad!" he said with a grin.
"Definitely not." she said in a whisper, "I mean to say.you shouldn't think that way Ron!" she added quickly, blushing furiously.
Ron laughed, 'Is it me, or did she just say she doesn't think I look too bad?'
"It's okay, Hermione. I know it was an accident," he said, feeling himself flush as badly as she was.
"Okay, just wanted to get that worked out," she said, slowly rising from his bed.
It took everything Ron had to not pull her back down onto his bed and kiss her with all his might.
"Okay," he muttered weakly.
Putting her hand on his shoulder, she turned and said, "Goodnight, Ron."
Feeling her warm fingertips through his shirt sent Ron into a quiet frenzy.
"Goodnight," he said a bit breathlessly.
She turned and walked out of the room, quietly closing the door behind her. Ron let out a breath.
Wiping at his forehead he muttered, "I don't know how I'm going to get through this."
The next few days passed without too much awkwardness between Ron and Hermione. Indeed, before he knew it, a week had passed and it was the day for Harry's arrival. Waking up early and dressing, he went downstairs for breakfast. Harry was already there.
"Harry! You've already arrived mate!" he said, as he gave Harry a quick punch in the arm. "How's life with the Dursleys?" he asked, a smile on his face.
Harry laughed and said, "Actually, they weren't too bad this time. I told them that since I'm in my last year, we're are allowed to do magic outside of school."
Ron smirked mischievously, "Nice one, Harry!"
Sitting down at the table, Harry asked, "So, is Hermione here yet?"
Ron nodded, "Yeah, she's been here a week."
Harry looked at Ron knowingly. "So, are you ever going to tell her how you feel?" he asked.
"What? What are you talking about Harry?" Ron said, his eyes wide.
Harry laughed, "Ron, do you think I'm blind? I've known about your feelings for Hermione since our fourth year!"
"But..I..how?" Ron managed to spit out.
Harry shook his head, "You really should tell her, you know."
At that moment, Hermione came down the stairs with Ginny in tow.
"Harry! It's great to see you!" she said as she flung her arms around him.
"Hey, Hermione, it's great to see you too."
Ginny also flung her arms around Harry, "Harry!" she exclaimed, quickly kissing his cheek. "Everyone's finally here now!" she said with a smile.
Harry who had reddened a bit at Ginny's kiss, smiled too. Ron, who had been too busy staring at Hermione, hadn't even noticed the kiss. And if he had, he probably wouldn't have cared, seeing as Harry was his best friend.
"So Ron, fancy some Quidditch?" asked Harry.
"I'd really like to practice a bit, seeing as how I haven't been able to all summer."
"Sure thing, Harry", said Ron. "Let me get my broom. Accio, broom!"
His Nimbus 2000 came speeding down the stairs.
Harry stared in amazement, "You've got a new broom!?"
Ron smiled widely, "An early birthday present from Fred and George."
"Brilliant", said Harry. "Now, let's see what you can do on that broom."
Together they walked to the yard. Hermione and Ginny exchanged a look that said 'Boys', but followed anyway.
Harry turned to Ginny, "Why don't you get your broom and play with us?"
Ginny thought for a moment, "Alright, that sounds fun."
Hermione looked around at the rest of them, "Well, I'll just watch you all play."
"Nonsense Hermione, we're just playing for fun, right guys?" she said urgently.
Harry took the cue, "Oh yeah, why don't you join us Hermione?"
Hermione smiled, uncertainly, "Well if you wouldn't mind--I've never really been a good flyer-" she said.
"No problem, Hermione, I still have my old broom", said Ron raising his wand and summoning his old Cleansweep.
Hermione took the broom hesitantly. Mounting it, she kicked off slightly from the ground.
"Alright, let's play!" yelled Harry.
"We don't have beaters," Ginny said with a frown.
Abruptly, Fred and George apparated out of nowhere.
"Oh yes you do!" said Fred with a laugh.
They must have been watching from the upstairs window because both twins were already carrying brooms. Releasing two large balls, which they had charmed to fly at them, and a small Snitch sized ball, which they charmed to fly around chaotically, the six of them took off.
Zooming around on their brooms, Ginny grabbed a hold of the ball that was supposed to be a Quaffle.
"Here we go," she said passing it to Hermione.
"Whoa, almost caught me off guard there!" Hermione said as she caught the Quaffle.
She zoomed towards Ron, and attempted to throw the Quaffle into the old butterfly net behind him, but Ron was too fast and quickly blocked it. His skills as a Keeper had really improved since his fifth year.
Ginny called to Hermione, "Don't worry, we'll get the next one!"
George and Fred flew about, hitting the Bludger-like balls away.
"I daresay Fred, this is like the old days!"
"Tell me about it George, I remember them well," said Fred, misty-eyed.
Unfortunately, in their moment of reminiscing, neither Fred nor George noticed one of the Bludger-like balls flying towards Hermione.
"Hermione, watch out!" screamed Ginny.
But it was too late; it had already hit her, and had succeeded in unseating her.
"HERMIONE!" screamed Ron, lunging towards her falling body.
Down she fell, with Ron in pursuit, and Harry and the twins too far away to reach her in time.
"I've got her!" Ron yelled, catching Hermione in his lanky, but strong arms.
Balancing them both on his broom, Ron looked down at her flushed face.
"Hermione, are you all right?" he asked, hastily.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she smiled lopsidedly.
"You saved me," she said in barely a whisper.
Ron smiled widely, "Of course."
Hermione, staring into Ron's crystal blue eyes, leaned in and kissed him gently on the cheek, "Thank you."
Now it was Ron's turn to smile goofily.
"My pleasure," he said dazed.
With his face, now beet red, he landed softly and helped Hermione off his broom. The rest of the gang landed and rushed over.
"Hermione, we're so sorry-"
"Yes, it's all our fault-" rushed the twins.
Hermione put a hand up to stop them, "It's ok, really, I wasn't paying attention, and I wasn't hurt, thanks to Ron," she added quickly giving him a quick smile.
"But, I think that's all the Quidditch I'll be playing for today, so I'll just sit and watch," said Hermione with a smile, "You all continue."
The team looked at each other uncertainly.
"Please, I'll feel horrid if you don't!" said Hermione.
When the team was still looking at her and hadn't moved, she said impatiently, "Now I say, go play, right now!"
"Well..alright," said George,
"If you're sure.." said Harry.
"I'm sure!" said Hermione. "Now, GO!"
The team went back to their positions and kicked off again, but because there was only one Chaser this time, the game quickly ended. When everyone went slumping back to the Burrow, Ron went to sit beside Hermione.
"You're sure you're all right? You're not bleeding internally or anything?" he said smiling.
Hermione looked at him. "Yes, I'm all right," she said, "Thanks again," gently placing her hand on top of his. "Now we should go inside, you need to get washed up!" she said commenting on the sweat on his brow.
"Alright, but no peeking in on me in the shower this time!" Ron said with a mischievous grin, to which Hermione playfully hit his arm.
"Like I'd want to see that again!" she said teasingly.
"Like you wouldn't!" said Ron, making Hermione give him an unpleasant look. Both of them laughing, they made their way up to the Burrow to join the others.
~*~*~*~*~
All right people, that's Chapter 2, hope you like it! Thanks for all the reviews, and please tell me what you honestly think! I enjoy Constructive Criticism ~Cheers :)
Ron felt his face turn red with embarrassment. 'What if she didn't like what she saw?' he asked himself. Ron quickly changed into his nightshirt and shorts. Hermione's shocked, red face kept entering his mind. 'Should I confront her about it? Or just act like nothing happened?' Frustrated, he walked towards his room.
"Oof!" he exclaimed as he landed with a thud on his stomach. He looked around to see what had tripped him.
"GINNY!" he growled. Her shoes were sitting in the hallway.
Picking up her shoes, he went to her door and knocked.
"Come in!" said Ginny.
Ron opened the door and stuck her shoes out in front of him. "Ginny, your shoes were in the hallway and I tripped and almost broke my neck!"
He looked at Ginny and then noticed Hermione sitting across from her, with a book in her lap. She was wearing a pale blue nightgown that accentuated her small curves nicely. Ron stared at her openmouthed. Without thinking, his eyes scanned her body quickly, pausing on her bosoms. Realizing what he was doing, he felt his ears turn scarlet. Before Ginny could respond, he dropped her shoes and turned around, closing the door quickly behind him. 'I can't believe I just did that!' he thought. 'I just checked Hermione out!' he thought dreadfully. 'What if she noticed? She'll think I'm some kind of pervert.' Ron frowned at himself as he opened the door to his room and threw himself on his bed.
Suddenly, he heard a light rap on his door.
"Come in," he said gruffly.
Looking up to see who it was, he felt his heart catch in his throat. It was none other than Hermione.
"Hey, can I come in?" she asked apprehensively.
Sitting up quickly, Ron said, "Yeah, sure."
Hermione walked in and sat lightly on the edge of his bed. Ron looked at her, there on his bed, and could only keep from reaching out and kissing her. Hermione looked up at him, blushing, then looked down at his quilt.
"Um.I just wanted to say sorry for walking in on you before." she said, tracing the stitches on his quilt with her finger.
"Oh, that's all right.You didn't see anything right?" he said with a smile.
Hermione looked up, wide-eyed, "NO, of course not!"
Her expression only made him laugh.
"I don't think I look that bad!" he said with a grin.
"Definitely not." she said in a whisper, "I mean to say.you shouldn't think that way Ron!" she added quickly, blushing furiously.
Ron laughed, 'Is it me, or did she just say she doesn't think I look too bad?'
"It's okay, Hermione. I know it was an accident," he said, feeling himself flush as badly as she was.
"Okay, just wanted to get that worked out," she said, slowly rising from his bed.
It took everything Ron had to not pull her back down onto his bed and kiss her with all his might.
"Okay," he muttered weakly.
Putting her hand on his shoulder, she turned and said, "Goodnight, Ron."
Feeling her warm fingertips through his shirt sent Ron into a quiet frenzy.
"Goodnight," he said a bit breathlessly.
She turned and walked out of the room, quietly closing the door behind her. Ron let out a breath.
Wiping at his forehead he muttered, "I don't know how I'm going to get through this."
The next few days passed without too much awkwardness between Ron and Hermione. Indeed, before he knew it, a week had passed and it was the day for Harry's arrival. Waking up early and dressing, he went downstairs for breakfast. Harry was already there.
"Harry! You've already arrived mate!" he said, as he gave Harry a quick punch in the arm. "How's life with the Dursleys?" he asked, a smile on his face.
Harry laughed and said, "Actually, they weren't too bad this time. I told them that since I'm in my last year, we're are allowed to do magic outside of school."
Ron smirked mischievously, "Nice one, Harry!"
Sitting down at the table, Harry asked, "So, is Hermione here yet?"
Ron nodded, "Yeah, she's been here a week."
Harry looked at Ron knowingly. "So, are you ever going to tell her how you feel?" he asked.
"What? What are you talking about Harry?" Ron said, his eyes wide.
Harry laughed, "Ron, do you think I'm blind? I've known about your feelings for Hermione since our fourth year!"
"But..I..how?" Ron managed to spit out.
Harry shook his head, "You really should tell her, you know."
At that moment, Hermione came down the stairs with Ginny in tow.
"Harry! It's great to see you!" she said as she flung her arms around him.
"Hey, Hermione, it's great to see you too."
Ginny also flung her arms around Harry, "Harry!" she exclaimed, quickly kissing his cheek. "Everyone's finally here now!" she said with a smile.
Harry who had reddened a bit at Ginny's kiss, smiled too. Ron, who had been too busy staring at Hermione, hadn't even noticed the kiss. And if he had, he probably wouldn't have cared, seeing as Harry was his best friend.
"So Ron, fancy some Quidditch?" asked Harry.
"I'd really like to practice a bit, seeing as how I haven't been able to all summer."
"Sure thing, Harry", said Ron. "Let me get my broom. Accio, broom!"
His Nimbus 2000 came speeding down the stairs.
Harry stared in amazement, "You've got a new broom!?"
Ron smiled widely, "An early birthday present from Fred and George."
"Brilliant", said Harry. "Now, let's see what you can do on that broom."
Together they walked to the yard. Hermione and Ginny exchanged a look that said 'Boys', but followed anyway.
Harry turned to Ginny, "Why don't you get your broom and play with us?"
Ginny thought for a moment, "Alright, that sounds fun."
Hermione looked around at the rest of them, "Well, I'll just watch you all play."
"Nonsense Hermione, we're just playing for fun, right guys?" she said urgently.
Harry took the cue, "Oh yeah, why don't you join us Hermione?"
Hermione smiled, uncertainly, "Well if you wouldn't mind--I've never really been a good flyer-" she said.
"No problem, Hermione, I still have my old broom", said Ron raising his wand and summoning his old Cleansweep.
Hermione took the broom hesitantly. Mounting it, she kicked off slightly from the ground.
"Alright, let's play!" yelled Harry.
"We don't have beaters," Ginny said with a frown.
Abruptly, Fred and George apparated out of nowhere.
"Oh yes you do!" said Fred with a laugh.
They must have been watching from the upstairs window because both twins were already carrying brooms. Releasing two large balls, which they had charmed to fly at them, and a small Snitch sized ball, which they charmed to fly around chaotically, the six of them took off.
Zooming around on their brooms, Ginny grabbed a hold of the ball that was supposed to be a Quaffle.
"Here we go," she said passing it to Hermione.
"Whoa, almost caught me off guard there!" Hermione said as she caught the Quaffle.
She zoomed towards Ron, and attempted to throw the Quaffle into the old butterfly net behind him, but Ron was too fast and quickly blocked it. His skills as a Keeper had really improved since his fifth year.
Ginny called to Hermione, "Don't worry, we'll get the next one!"
George and Fred flew about, hitting the Bludger-like balls away.
"I daresay Fred, this is like the old days!"
"Tell me about it George, I remember them well," said Fred, misty-eyed.
Unfortunately, in their moment of reminiscing, neither Fred nor George noticed one of the Bludger-like balls flying towards Hermione.
"Hermione, watch out!" screamed Ginny.
But it was too late; it had already hit her, and had succeeded in unseating her.
"HERMIONE!" screamed Ron, lunging towards her falling body.
Down she fell, with Ron in pursuit, and Harry and the twins too far away to reach her in time.
"I've got her!" Ron yelled, catching Hermione in his lanky, but strong arms.
Balancing them both on his broom, Ron looked down at her flushed face.
"Hermione, are you all right?" he asked, hastily.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she smiled lopsidedly.
"You saved me," she said in barely a whisper.
Ron smiled widely, "Of course."
Hermione, staring into Ron's crystal blue eyes, leaned in and kissed him gently on the cheek, "Thank you."
Now it was Ron's turn to smile goofily.
"My pleasure," he said dazed.
With his face, now beet red, he landed softly and helped Hermione off his broom. The rest of the gang landed and rushed over.
"Hermione, we're so sorry-"
"Yes, it's all our fault-" rushed the twins.
Hermione put a hand up to stop them, "It's ok, really, I wasn't paying attention, and I wasn't hurt, thanks to Ron," she added quickly giving him a quick smile.
"But, I think that's all the Quidditch I'll be playing for today, so I'll just sit and watch," said Hermione with a smile, "You all continue."
The team looked at each other uncertainly.
"Please, I'll feel horrid if you don't!" said Hermione.
When the team was still looking at her and hadn't moved, she said impatiently, "Now I say, go play, right now!"
"Well..alright," said George,
"If you're sure.." said Harry.
"I'm sure!" said Hermione. "Now, GO!"
The team went back to their positions and kicked off again, but because there was only one Chaser this time, the game quickly ended. When everyone went slumping back to the Burrow, Ron went to sit beside Hermione.
"You're sure you're all right? You're not bleeding internally or anything?" he said smiling.
Hermione looked at him. "Yes, I'm all right," she said, "Thanks again," gently placing her hand on top of his. "Now we should go inside, you need to get washed up!" she said commenting on the sweat on his brow.
"Alright, but no peeking in on me in the shower this time!" Ron said with a mischievous grin, to which Hermione playfully hit his arm.
"Like I'd want to see that again!" she said teasingly.
"Like you wouldn't!" said Ron, making Hermione give him an unpleasant look. Both of them laughing, they made their way up to the Burrow to join the others.
~*~*~*~*~
All right people, that's Chapter 2, hope you like it! Thanks for all the reviews, and please tell me what you honestly think! I enjoy Constructive Criticism ~Cheers :)