Alesco
Chapter Fourteen---Six Teens
*
Ron curled his legs up under him as he watched Harry make another move. He laughed, before instructing his queen to take out one of Harry's powerful pieces. Harry had made a move that left the piece entirely vulnerable. Ron thought he'd taught his friend better...apparently not.
Hermione was sitting close to Ron on the couch, and Harry was sitting in a chair on the other side of a short table they had levitated over to use for the chess board. Hermione, at the moment, was reading...but every now and then she would reach over, out of Harry's sight, and rub Ron's knee. It made him smile with glee every time. Ron could swear he heard Harry gag a couple of times when he smiled like that, though.
It was four days after Ron saw Malfoy lurking around the dungeons. That night, he and Hermione had searched thoroughly around the area where Draco had been kneeling, but they couldn't find anything. They'd stopped looking when Ron had seen a spider crawl out a hole in the wall, where a large piece of stone had fallen away near the floor. Hermione said they needed to get back upstairs, since Snape's quarters were nearby. She didn't want to answer any questions about why they were there. Ron was only too happy to agree.
They argued all the way back to the Room of Requirement--Hermione insisted upon checking on the party, and making sure the Gryffindors got back in time for curfew. Ron kept insisting Malfoy was up to something, and Hermione said they had no proof, and until they did, there was nothing they could do. When they arrived at the Room of Requirement, nobody wanted to leave, so Hermione became greatly irritated. Finally, Ron, Hermione, and Harry were able to persuade everyone to go back to the common room.
.......That Night........
As the group reached the stairwell, Ron noticed that Harry and Susan were falling back. He stopped in the middle of the hall, and Hermione ran right into him.
"What now?" Hermione asked grouchily. Her hands had fallen on his waist, and she wasn't pulling away from him. He grabbed her hand momentarily, and then focused on Harry and Susan. Susan was hugging Harry, and they were talking to each other happily. Ron and Hermione were too far away to hear what they were saying.
Hermione laced her fingers into his, and said, "They're a nice-looking couple."
Ron let out a brief grunt and said very softly, "So, my sister isn't good enough..."
Hermione backhanded his chest. It hadn't hurt, but she looked very angry. "Ron...your sister is with Neville."
"That prat?" Ron snorted. "By the way, I hadn't meant to say that first bit out loud."
Hermione backed up, taking her hands off him. "Oh, you hadn't, had you?" She crossed her arms and glared.
"Hermione, you're not angry with me, are you?" Ron said, astounded. She wasn't going to get upset with him, after all that had happened. Would she?
Harry and Susan had apparently finished their good-byes, and Harry was walking up to Ron. As Harry began to say something, Hermione just raised one eyebrow toward Ron and turned to go up to the portrait hole.
Ron watched her soundlessly, and then he heard Harry say, "So you won her, only to lose her again?"
"Oh shut it, Harry!" Ron glared at Harry.
Harry put up his hands and shrugged. "What did I do?"
"More like--what didn't you do?" Ron said, feeling satisfied he'd gotten Harry back for the confusing line Harry had said to him after Ron asked Harry about Hermione's birthday. He turned to follow Hermione up to the common room.
He was not able to catch her before she went up the stairs to the girl's dormitory. Instead, he went up to his own, and lay in his bed for a very long time, unable to go to sleep. Finally, he took out some parchment and quill, and wrote a letter to his brother. He insisted that Bill explain to him everything. Of course, it was very unlikely Bill would explain by owl post, but it was worth a try. He'd have Pig deliver the letter in the morning.
He was willing to bet that Bill wouldn't let Professor Forester begin with the sessions. What would Ron do? He lay back trying to decide if this was a good or a bad thing. Of course...Ron wanted to learn the powers deep inside him...but at what price?
The last thoughts that passed through his mind were about Hermione...and he hoped she wasn't all that upset with him.
~*~
Thankfully, Hermione had only been upset with Ron for the rest of the weekend. Harry hadn't been phased by Ron's attitude, so they'd continued their friendship as normal.
Now, remembering the incident, Ron realized he still had to order Hermione's birthday gift. He just didn't know what it was going to be.
Ron now realized how much Hermione studied...an awful lot. Whenever he tried to persuade her to come with him so they could be alone, she always cited a homework assignment...which she was actually working on. Every night, she would give him a long hug before bed, and every night, he wanted to drag her up to the dormitory.
He began to wonder if she was worried about what had happened in the Room of Requirement. Ron certainly wasn't sorry they had done it, but he was amazed at how up-front Hermione had been. Having two brothers like Fred and George around, he had never been certain they were telling him the truth about a woman's...body. Apparently, they had at least one point in their favour, because one particular fact they'd given him was true.
And Hermione had asked him what it felt like....to.... That's when he'd lost control...as if he'd ever regained it.
Now, as he was playing chess with his best friend, he was pleased to be sitting close to Hermione, enjoying the evening. She'd kept teasing him all night, and so he hoped they might share a moment together before going to bed.
"So.." Harry said, "Why do you think Professor Forester was acting so strangely today in class?" He looked up at Hermione, then Ron.
Ron gulped and looked down. He had an idea why, but how could he phrase it to his friends? That he thought his brother and the professor had some sort of secret past together...and that the professor had hurt Bill somehow?
So, instead of saying anything, he shrugged. Ron could feel Hermione's eyes on him, but he dared not look at her.
"Well, at least she told me that I could start the D.A. again. She's even thinking about helping me put together a training plan and everything! And what do you think of that awesome spell she taught us today?" Harry exclaimed excitedly, before muttering, "Knight to H-5."
Ron had been impressed by the simplicity of the "affero terrigenus" spell the professor had taught them. It caused any person it was cast at to fly straight into the air and flip over, then hang motionless upside-down. Of course, they could still cast spells...if they still had their wand.
"Queen to H-5. Checkmate. Sorry, Harry." Ron stretched his hands over his head, and then yawned. He absentmindedly reminded himself to look into the Invalesco Mirror before bed. He'd been looking at it every night as the professor had asked him to, and each time had brought him back further into past memories....the first ride on the Hogwart's Express, the time he and Harry had landed in the Whomping Willow with his father's car...they were great memories. As of yet, he had only seen the past in the mirror. He briefly wondered why he continued to see bits of the future every now and then, when he wasn't expecting it. His life was becoming spooky.
"Tired?" Hermione whispered silkily.
"Nope." Ron said immediately. Hermione chuckled.
Harry was putting the check pieces back in their case. Suddenly, Ron remembered what he wanted to talk to Harry about.
"Hey-ya, Harry?" Ron began awkwardly.
"Yeah, Ron?" Harry closed the chess case, and placed it next to the table.
"Uh...so, how did you and Susan start...you know, how did you two get together?" Ron asked smoothly, trying to put on his "I'm-the-least-bit-interested" look. He felt Hermione sit up straighter next to him. He didn't look at her.
"I dunno. We started talking, it just happened. She's really nice, I hope you two get to know her." Harry said happily.
Ron grunted, and Hermione began to talk excitedly. She said she was happy for Harry, and that she had spent time with Susan before.
Ron was about to say something, too, when Harry suddenly got up.
"It's pretty late, I think I'm going to turn in." He looked briefly at Hermione, and then turned to climb up the boy's dormitory stairs.
"Good-night..." Ron said quietly, wondering why Harry ran off so quickly. He looked around, realizing that he and Hermione where the only two people left in the common room.
Hermione leaned toward him and gently kissed his cheek. Ron smiled, and was about to pull her into his arms. He was stopped when she held up her hand.
Ron inwardly growled. "You know, it's not nice being a tart."
"What?" Hermione frowned, and moved away.
"Ok, I'm sorry, but you've been teasing me all night." Ron started toward her, his palms up, hoping she would let him kiss her. Instead, she turned her mouth away at the last moment. He ended up kissing her cheek.
"Ron, I need to talk to you." She looked deep into his eyes when he moved away.
Ron blushed deep crimson. "Not about that..."
"No...I mean, sort of. I was just so curious about all of that. I still am. But what I really want to ask you is..if you want this thing between us to be long-term." Hermione's eyes were glazed over with moisture, and she looked a little ashamed.
Ron stared at her. He had wanted to say that he loved her so many times over the past couple of days, but it just sounded so stupid. People said it to each other all the time, and it was beginning to lose its meaning. Merlin, even Ginny had told him last night before bedtime, and Ron had instinctively said it back. It had reminded him of their childhood, and he had smiled at her. Saying it to Hermione would be....not good enough somehow.
I practically told her already, anyway, Ron thought to himself. Why can't she just see it in my eyes?
"You know, Hermione, that I...care about you a lot." He took her hand, and she smiled. "I'd never do anything you wouldn't want to do--and this is definitely very serious for me."
"I care about you a lot, too." Hermione whispered huskily.
They spent the rest of the evening kissing for a while, and then Hermione insisted they go up to bed--alone. Ron wasn't pleased with that...but he accepted it gladly. He would hate to do anything that would damage their relationship at this point.
~*~
19 September
*
Ron was in a panic. He hadn't heard back from Bill, Professor Forester kept avoiding him after classes, and his nightmares had returned.
And, to make matters worse, it was Hermione's birthday.
Of course, he'd bought her a present he hoped she would like. He's used the last of the meagre amount of money he'd been able to make during the summer, doing special chores for the Order.
Hermione had seemed concerned that Ron wasn't taking their relationship seriously. So Ron had researched in some muggle books from the library, and found reference to something called a "promise ring." Wizards and witches had a similar custom, but it was given to a witch at the one-year anniversary of their meeting. As far as Ron was concerned, the shiny silver ring in his pocket was far past-due.
He'd had the stressful duty of organizing a party for Hermione that evening in the Room of Requirement, and now he had to figure out a way to get Hermione there. He'd invited everyone in Gryffindor. To his dismay, Ginny was going with Neville, and Harry had invited Susan. Ron wasn't pleased, but there was very little he could do. Harry and Ginny were happy...and that was the hardest for Ron to accept. He continued to wish that Harry would realize his sister was worth dating..and then Harry would truly be a part of the family.
Classes had just finished, and Ron and Harry had met everyone else in the Room of Requirement after Divination. Now, Ron was on his way to the common room to pick up Hermione. They planned on eating the evening meal in the Room of Requirement, as the house elves had promised to magic some up.
Ron stepped through the portrait hole to see Hermione sitting at one of the tables there, studying as usual.
"Hermione!" Ron said happily, and took one of her arms. "Come on, I want to show you something."
"No, Ron, I'm busy. Maybe later." She looked at him with a twinkle in her eye, and then went back to work.
"Oh come on, Hermione...." Ron tugged at his hair, licked his lips, and desperately tried to think of a way to get her away from her work. "Hey, Hermione, I think I heard a rumor in Divination about someone causing trouble in the Room of Requirement. We've got to get up there stop them...after all, we're Prefects." He ended this seriously, and tried to look as though he was worried.
Hermione put down her quill and looked at him, eyebrows raised. "Do you know how many times you have given me that excuse in the last couple of days?" Then, she looked down, and turned to look around the common room...apparently noticing how empty it was. "You're serious this time, aren't you?"
"Uh, yes..." Ron squirmed in place, hoping she'd take the bait. When she got up heavily and started walking toward the portrait hole, Ron was delighted. He began to follow her.
She turned abruptly, and Ron almost ran into her.
"I think I can handle this. Why don't you just stay here, and I'll be back in a minute?" Hermione grinned mischievously, and then Ron frowned. "But, Hermione--" Ron whined. If Hermione left without him, he'd miss out on the surprise...but then...
"Wait a minute..." Ron said. He thought to himself, maybe she already knew.
"Yes, Ron?" Her left eyebrow was arched. She was holding back a smile.
"Hermione, I...we...Hermione, I have something." Ron stated the first thing that came to his mind, and then he felt his face burn. "I mean, what I meant to say is...I have something for you."
"Oh?" This time, a pleased look crossed her face.
"Yes, but after I give it to you, will you promise to come with me to the Room of Requirement straight away?" Ron choked out, hoping she'd say yes.
"Fine. I won't, however, promise to be surprised at the party you planned."
"Oh, Hermione!" Ron scowled, angry that his plans were ruined. He took out the ring box from his pocket and practically threw it onto her hand. Hermione was not pleased. She just stared at him, and the box, and then back again.
"Well, aren't you going to open it?" Ron shouted.
"Not if you're going to have that attitude!" Hermione's eyes flashed.
Ron grabbed the box. "Fine, I'll open it." He opened the box, took out the ring, and slipped it onto the closest finger of Hermione's left hand. "It's a promise ring. Are you satisfied?" He crossed his arms, his face hotter than before.
Ron was totally surprised when Hermione practically cooed with pleasure and leapt into his arms. She placed a firm kiss on his lips and pulled back, and tears were forming in her eyes. "I....love it, Ron." She said, the last three words very softly as she looked down and fingered her ring. "But Ron...how much did it cost?"
He'd been expecting this reaction....it was what he had feared. Anything he ever got for anyone was always viewed as a tremendous sacrifice, and he was sick of it. "It doesn't matter, Hermione." He said gratingly. "Now, can we please go to the party?" He held out his hand, hoping she would take it and come with him.
After a moment, she looked into his eyes. There was an imperceptible look there, but she took his hand, and he walked her to Room of Requirement...in total silence.
~*~
Even though Ron wasn't pleased at the course of events leading up to the party, he found himself loosening up there, and regaining his spirits. He thought that perhaps he needed to look into the Invalesco Mirror more now than once a day? Professor Forester was of no help these days. He hadn't told her yet about his nightmares returning, but he felt he would need to soon, as he wasn't getting very much sleep.
Finally, the party was winding down, and curfew time loomed. Professor McGonagall had been informed of the party, and she had volunteered to come and remind the students when 15 minutes remained.
Only Hermione and Ron, Ginny and Neville, and Harry and Susan were still there when the professor arrived. Ron saw her look directly at him when she opened the door, and the six teens stopped dancing. Professor McGonagall walked straight to Ron.
She looked at him gravely and said, "I was already on my way up here when Professor Dumbledore met me in the hall. He was going to my quarters so he could inform me about your brother, Bill. I'm sorry to say this, Mr Weasley, but your brother is missing.
"A witness claimed they saw him late tonight, being ambushed in Diagon Alley. It appears he has been abducted."
Chapter Fourteen---Six Teens
*
Ron curled his legs up under him as he watched Harry make another move. He laughed, before instructing his queen to take out one of Harry's powerful pieces. Harry had made a move that left the piece entirely vulnerable. Ron thought he'd taught his friend better...apparently not.
Hermione was sitting close to Ron on the couch, and Harry was sitting in a chair on the other side of a short table they had levitated over to use for the chess board. Hermione, at the moment, was reading...but every now and then she would reach over, out of Harry's sight, and rub Ron's knee. It made him smile with glee every time. Ron could swear he heard Harry gag a couple of times when he smiled like that, though.
It was four days after Ron saw Malfoy lurking around the dungeons. That night, he and Hermione had searched thoroughly around the area where Draco had been kneeling, but they couldn't find anything. They'd stopped looking when Ron had seen a spider crawl out a hole in the wall, where a large piece of stone had fallen away near the floor. Hermione said they needed to get back upstairs, since Snape's quarters were nearby. She didn't want to answer any questions about why they were there. Ron was only too happy to agree.
They argued all the way back to the Room of Requirement--Hermione insisted upon checking on the party, and making sure the Gryffindors got back in time for curfew. Ron kept insisting Malfoy was up to something, and Hermione said they had no proof, and until they did, there was nothing they could do. When they arrived at the Room of Requirement, nobody wanted to leave, so Hermione became greatly irritated. Finally, Ron, Hermione, and Harry were able to persuade everyone to go back to the common room.
.......That Night........
As the group reached the stairwell, Ron noticed that Harry and Susan were falling back. He stopped in the middle of the hall, and Hermione ran right into him.
"What now?" Hermione asked grouchily. Her hands had fallen on his waist, and she wasn't pulling away from him. He grabbed her hand momentarily, and then focused on Harry and Susan. Susan was hugging Harry, and they were talking to each other happily. Ron and Hermione were too far away to hear what they were saying.
Hermione laced her fingers into his, and said, "They're a nice-looking couple."
Ron let out a brief grunt and said very softly, "So, my sister isn't good enough..."
Hermione backhanded his chest. It hadn't hurt, but she looked very angry. "Ron...your sister is with Neville."
"That prat?" Ron snorted. "By the way, I hadn't meant to say that first bit out loud."
Hermione backed up, taking her hands off him. "Oh, you hadn't, had you?" She crossed her arms and glared.
"Hermione, you're not angry with me, are you?" Ron said, astounded. She wasn't going to get upset with him, after all that had happened. Would she?
Harry and Susan had apparently finished their good-byes, and Harry was walking up to Ron. As Harry began to say something, Hermione just raised one eyebrow toward Ron and turned to go up to the portrait hole.
Ron watched her soundlessly, and then he heard Harry say, "So you won her, only to lose her again?"
"Oh shut it, Harry!" Ron glared at Harry.
Harry put up his hands and shrugged. "What did I do?"
"More like--what didn't you do?" Ron said, feeling satisfied he'd gotten Harry back for the confusing line Harry had said to him after Ron asked Harry about Hermione's birthday. He turned to follow Hermione up to the common room.
He was not able to catch her before she went up the stairs to the girl's dormitory. Instead, he went up to his own, and lay in his bed for a very long time, unable to go to sleep. Finally, he took out some parchment and quill, and wrote a letter to his brother. He insisted that Bill explain to him everything. Of course, it was very unlikely Bill would explain by owl post, but it was worth a try. He'd have Pig deliver the letter in the morning.
He was willing to bet that Bill wouldn't let Professor Forester begin with the sessions. What would Ron do? He lay back trying to decide if this was a good or a bad thing. Of course...Ron wanted to learn the powers deep inside him...but at what price?
The last thoughts that passed through his mind were about Hermione...and he hoped she wasn't all that upset with him.
~*~
Thankfully, Hermione had only been upset with Ron for the rest of the weekend. Harry hadn't been phased by Ron's attitude, so they'd continued their friendship as normal.
Now, remembering the incident, Ron realized he still had to order Hermione's birthday gift. He just didn't know what it was going to be.
Ron now realized how much Hermione studied...an awful lot. Whenever he tried to persuade her to come with him so they could be alone, she always cited a homework assignment...which she was actually working on. Every night, she would give him a long hug before bed, and every night, he wanted to drag her up to the dormitory.
He began to wonder if she was worried about what had happened in the Room of Requirement. Ron certainly wasn't sorry they had done it, but he was amazed at how up-front Hermione had been. Having two brothers like Fred and George around, he had never been certain they were telling him the truth about a woman's...body. Apparently, they had at least one point in their favour, because one particular fact they'd given him was true.
And Hermione had asked him what it felt like....to.... That's when he'd lost control...as if he'd ever regained it.
Now, as he was playing chess with his best friend, he was pleased to be sitting close to Hermione, enjoying the evening. She'd kept teasing him all night, and so he hoped they might share a moment together before going to bed.
"So.." Harry said, "Why do you think Professor Forester was acting so strangely today in class?" He looked up at Hermione, then Ron.
Ron gulped and looked down. He had an idea why, but how could he phrase it to his friends? That he thought his brother and the professor had some sort of secret past together...and that the professor had hurt Bill somehow?
So, instead of saying anything, he shrugged. Ron could feel Hermione's eyes on him, but he dared not look at her.
"Well, at least she told me that I could start the D.A. again. She's even thinking about helping me put together a training plan and everything! And what do you think of that awesome spell she taught us today?" Harry exclaimed excitedly, before muttering, "Knight to H-5."
Ron had been impressed by the simplicity of the "affero terrigenus" spell the professor had taught them. It caused any person it was cast at to fly straight into the air and flip over, then hang motionless upside-down. Of course, they could still cast spells...if they still had their wand.
"Queen to H-5. Checkmate. Sorry, Harry." Ron stretched his hands over his head, and then yawned. He absentmindedly reminded himself to look into the Invalesco Mirror before bed. He'd been looking at it every night as the professor had asked him to, and each time had brought him back further into past memories....the first ride on the Hogwart's Express, the time he and Harry had landed in the Whomping Willow with his father's car...they were great memories. As of yet, he had only seen the past in the mirror. He briefly wondered why he continued to see bits of the future every now and then, when he wasn't expecting it. His life was becoming spooky.
"Tired?" Hermione whispered silkily.
"Nope." Ron said immediately. Hermione chuckled.
Harry was putting the check pieces back in their case. Suddenly, Ron remembered what he wanted to talk to Harry about.
"Hey-ya, Harry?" Ron began awkwardly.
"Yeah, Ron?" Harry closed the chess case, and placed it next to the table.
"Uh...so, how did you and Susan start...you know, how did you two get together?" Ron asked smoothly, trying to put on his "I'm-the-least-bit-interested" look. He felt Hermione sit up straighter next to him. He didn't look at her.
"I dunno. We started talking, it just happened. She's really nice, I hope you two get to know her." Harry said happily.
Ron grunted, and Hermione began to talk excitedly. She said she was happy for Harry, and that she had spent time with Susan before.
Ron was about to say something, too, when Harry suddenly got up.
"It's pretty late, I think I'm going to turn in." He looked briefly at Hermione, and then turned to climb up the boy's dormitory stairs.
"Good-night..." Ron said quietly, wondering why Harry ran off so quickly. He looked around, realizing that he and Hermione where the only two people left in the common room.
Hermione leaned toward him and gently kissed his cheek. Ron smiled, and was about to pull her into his arms. He was stopped when she held up her hand.
Ron inwardly growled. "You know, it's not nice being a tart."
"What?" Hermione frowned, and moved away.
"Ok, I'm sorry, but you've been teasing me all night." Ron started toward her, his palms up, hoping she would let him kiss her. Instead, she turned her mouth away at the last moment. He ended up kissing her cheek.
"Ron, I need to talk to you." She looked deep into his eyes when he moved away.
Ron blushed deep crimson. "Not about that..."
"No...I mean, sort of. I was just so curious about all of that. I still am. But what I really want to ask you is..if you want this thing between us to be long-term." Hermione's eyes were glazed over with moisture, and she looked a little ashamed.
Ron stared at her. He had wanted to say that he loved her so many times over the past couple of days, but it just sounded so stupid. People said it to each other all the time, and it was beginning to lose its meaning. Merlin, even Ginny had told him last night before bedtime, and Ron had instinctively said it back. It had reminded him of their childhood, and he had smiled at her. Saying it to Hermione would be....not good enough somehow.
I practically told her already, anyway, Ron thought to himself. Why can't she just see it in my eyes?
"You know, Hermione, that I...care about you a lot." He took her hand, and she smiled. "I'd never do anything you wouldn't want to do--and this is definitely very serious for me."
"I care about you a lot, too." Hermione whispered huskily.
They spent the rest of the evening kissing for a while, and then Hermione insisted they go up to bed--alone. Ron wasn't pleased with that...but he accepted it gladly. He would hate to do anything that would damage their relationship at this point.
~*~
19 September
*
Ron was in a panic. He hadn't heard back from Bill, Professor Forester kept avoiding him after classes, and his nightmares had returned.
And, to make matters worse, it was Hermione's birthday.
Of course, he'd bought her a present he hoped she would like. He's used the last of the meagre amount of money he'd been able to make during the summer, doing special chores for the Order.
Hermione had seemed concerned that Ron wasn't taking their relationship seriously. So Ron had researched in some muggle books from the library, and found reference to something called a "promise ring." Wizards and witches had a similar custom, but it was given to a witch at the one-year anniversary of their meeting. As far as Ron was concerned, the shiny silver ring in his pocket was far past-due.
He'd had the stressful duty of organizing a party for Hermione that evening in the Room of Requirement, and now he had to figure out a way to get Hermione there. He'd invited everyone in Gryffindor. To his dismay, Ginny was going with Neville, and Harry had invited Susan. Ron wasn't pleased, but there was very little he could do. Harry and Ginny were happy...and that was the hardest for Ron to accept. He continued to wish that Harry would realize his sister was worth dating..and then Harry would truly be a part of the family.
Classes had just finished, and Ron and Harry had met everyone else in the Room of Requirement after Divination. Now, Ron was on his way to the common room to pick up Hermione. They planned on eating the evening meal in the Room of Requirement, as the house elves had promised to magic some up.
Ron stepped through the portrait hole to see Hermione sitting at one of the tables there, studying as usual.
"Hermione!" Ron said happily, and took one of her arms. "Come on, I want to show you something."
"No, Ron, I'm busy. Maybe later." She looked at him with a twinkle in her eye, and then went back to work.
"Oh come on, Hermione...." Ron tugged at his hair, licked his lips, and desperately tried to think of a way to get her away from her work. "Hey, Hermione, I think I heard a rumor in Divination about someone causing trouble in the Room of Requirement. We've got to get up there stop them...after all, we're Prefects." He ended this seriously, and tried to look as though he was worried.
Hermione put down her quill and looked at him, eyebrows raised. "Do you know how many times you have given me that excuse in the last couple of days?" Then, she looked down, and turned to look around the common room...apparently noticing how empty it was. "You're serious this time, aren't you?"
"Uh, yes..." Ron squirmed in place, hoping she'd take the bait. When she got up heavily and started walking toward the portrait hole, Ron was delighted. He began to follow her.
She turned abruptly, and Ron almost ran into her.
"I think I can handle this. Why don't you just stay here, and I'll be back in a minute?" Hermione grinned mischievously, and then Ron frowned. "But, Hermione--" Ron whined. If Hermione left without him, he'd miss out on the surprise...but then...
"Wait a minute..." Ron said. He thought to himself, maybe she already knew.
"Yes, Ron?" Her left eyebrow was arched. She was holding back a smile.
"Hermione, I...we...Hermione, I have something." Ron stated the first thing that came to his mind, and then he felt his face burn. "I mean, what I meant to say is...I have something for you."
"Oh?" This time, a pleased look crossed her face.
"Yes, but after I give it to you, will you promise to come with me to the Room of Requirement straight away?" Ron choked out, hoping she'd say yes.
"Fine. I won't, however, promise to be surprised at the party you planned."
"Oh, Hermione!" Ron scowled, angry that his plans were ruined. He took out the ring box from his pocket and practically threw it onto her hand. Hermione was not pleased. She just stared at him, and the box, and then back again.
"Well, aren't you going to open it?" Ron shouted.
"Not if you're going to have that attitude!" Hermione's eyes flashed.
Ron grabbed the box. "Fine, I'll open it." He opened the box, took out the ring, and slipped it onto the closest finger of Hermione's left hand. "It's a promise ring. Are you satisfied?" He crossed his arms, his face hotter than before.
Ron was totally surprised when Hermione practically cooed with pleasure and leapt into his arms. She placed a firm kiss on his lips and pulled back, and tears were forming in her eyes. "I....love it, Ron." She said, the last three words very softly as she looked down and fingered her ring. "But Ron...how much did it cost?"
He'd been expecting this reaction....it was what he had feared. Anything he ever got for anyone was always viewed as a tremendous sacrifice, and he was sick of it. "It doesn't matter, Hermione." He said gratingly. "Now, can we please go to the party?" He held out his hand, hoping she would take it and come with him.
After a moment, she looked into his eyes. There was an imperceptible look there, but she took his hand, and he walked her to Room of Requirement...in total silence.
~*~
Even though Ron wasn't pleased at the course of events leading up to the party, he found himself loosening up there, and regaining his spirits. He thought that perhaps he needed to look into the Invalesco Mirror more now than once a day? Professor Forester was of no help these days. He hadn't told her yet about his nightmares returning, but he felt he would need to soon, as he wasn't getting very much sleep.
Finally, the party was winding down, and curfew time loomed. Professor McGonagall had been informed of the party, and she had volunteered to come and remind the students when 15 minutes remained.
Only Hermione and Ron, Ginny and Neville, and Harry and Susan were still there when the professor arrived. Ron saw her look directly at him when she opened the door, and the six teens stopped dancing. Professor McGonagall walked straight to Ron.
She looked at him gravely and said, "I was already on my way up here when Professor Dumbledore met me in the hall. He was going to my quarters so he could inform me about your brother, Bill. I'm sorry to say this, Mr Weasley, but your brother is missing.
"A witness claimed they saw him late tonight, being ambushed in Diagon Alley. It appears he has been abducted."