Alesco
Chapter Twenty-One---Sempiterna Flamma
*
"Close your eyes,
Give me your hand, darling..
Do you feel my heart beating?
Do you understand?
Do you feel the same?
Am I only dreaming,
Or is this burning an eternal flame?"
The Bangles/Atomic Kitten--Eternal Flame
*
Ron scooted closer to Hermione at the table in the Great Hall. She was talking excitedly to Harry, who had met them prior to the meal in the entryway. She had asked Harry about Susan Bones immediately, as if she knew that was where he had been. Sure enough, Harry said he had needed to speak with her.
"So, Harry, do you feel better?" Hermione asked lightly, and delicately placed a spoonful of potato soup into her mouth.
Ron turned to Harry. He had a very pleased look on his face. Apparently, a visit with Susan had done the trick. "We had a nice long talk in the garden near the greenhouses. Thank you for asking."
Ron smothered a laugh. "Yeah, I bet it was a nice TALK." He gave Harry a dark look, and turned his attention to the plate of fish in front of him.
"Oh shut it, Ron." Harry frowned at him. "By the way, you too are sitting awfully close. Did you have a nice long TALK?" It was his turned to laugh.
"Never you mind, Harry." Hermione said smoothy, and asked Ron to pass her the bowl of peas.
Ron did, and made every effort to touch her hands thoroughly in the exchange. Hermione didn't attempt to hide her smile, and then said, "Oh, and the sea bass, please." Ron grinned and happily complied.
Harry muttered something under his breath which Ron couldn't hear. Hermione tut-tutted, and finished re-filling her plate.
The meal passed considerably fast, with Ron weighing his options. He could practice some of his powers, but all at once he didn't feel like it. After all, he knew he could do it.
Or maybe it was because he was terribly occupied with the hand that was firmly grasping his knee. Must be it, Ron thought, as he tried to eat without squirming too much. His face was on fire. Ginny was giving him a look that told him she knew exactly what was going on. He immaturely stuck his tongue out at her, and she returned the favor. The unfortunate part was, though, that she had a mouth full of food.
"So very attractive, sis." He said loudly, so the entire table could hear. He noticed Neville giving him a dark look. Instead of making Neville poke himself with the fork he was holding, Ron simply forced him to spill his plate onto his lap.
Ginny stood up, furious. "Ron, stop it. You're being a git!"
Neville was pulling the plate from his lap, trying to clean up. He said morosely, "This isn't Ron's fault. It was an accident." He gave Ron a scared look.
"No, it--" Ginny stopped, realizing that many students were staring at her. She sat back down, and then muttered, "Oh, never mind. Let me help you."
Ron went back to eating, and Hermione's hand was no longer on his knee. In fact, she looked upset.
Blimey...probably shouldn't have done that, Ron thought.
~*~
Once the meal was over, Ron decided to test the waters. "So, Hermione, would you like to see Crookshanks again before curfew?"
Hermione looked up at him, and he was pleased to see her give him an appreciative smile. "No, I think he'll be fine with Hagrid. Did you notice how Fang was protecting Crookshanks?"
Ron laughed inwardly, and said, "Once a flea comes near Crookshanks, Fang will limp off."
"Oh, Ron." She said it chastisingly, but she didn't appear upset.
Ron noticed that Harry was talking to Susan at the Hufflepuff table. He steered Hermione over to them, and Hermione said to Harry, "We're going back to the common room now. Don't be too late." Hermione gave Harry a pointed look, and clutched Ron's arm.
As they moved toward the Gryffindor table again, Ron noticed that his sister and Neville were still there, talking intimately. Hermione said quietly next to him, "You know, Ron, I think you should apologize."
"Apologize? If I do that, Neville will know." Ron said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Hermione sighed. "You don't have to say why you are apologizing, just do it."
"Okay, fine. If you want me to, I will." Ron moved toward his sister and Neville, and Hermione breathed an exasperated, "Ron!" behind him. He was now standing behind his sister and Neville, and Neville turned around abruptly and scooted backward on the bench. The expression on his face said he thought Ron was going to hit him.
Prat, Ron thought to himself. Instead of hitting Neville, he said quickly. "Neville, I'm sorry."
Neville looked confused. "For what?"
Ron rolled his eyes. He thought quickly, and then said, "For hitting you after Quidditch tryouts."
Neville looked immensely surprised. "Uh...well, uh, Ron, I understand why you...I mean.."
"Look, just accept my apology." Ron said impatiently. He was never good at this, but he was only doing it because Hermione wanted him to.
"All--all right, Ron. Thanks." Neville was blushing brightly. Ron risked a glance at his sister, and she was smiling happily at him. He gave her a quick smile of his own, before reaching out and tugging one of her long red locks very gently.
She got up from the table and briefly hugged him.
"I think there's some hope for you after all." She said.
Ron noticed her give Hermione a long look, before Hermione tugged him toward the doorway of the Great Hall.
~*~
Once they reached the common room, they spent several moments arguing whether to play chess or study. Finally, Ron caved because he didn't want Hermione to be upset with him. They'd made a silent agreement not to talk about Hermione's plans until later....
While they were learning about one of Hagrid's new animals, Hermione gave Ron a strange look. Ron stared at her for a moment. Finally, she said, "Ron...how are things....going? With your training?"
Ron didn't want to talk about it....he didn't even want to think about it. Today, he had successfully closed his mind to all those worries. "Hermione...it's best if we don't talk about it."
Hermione's brow furrowed. "I don't believe you. You need to let it out. Otherwise...."
Ron sighed. "Hermione..."
"No, Ron. Remember when I stayed with you all those nights? How you would talk me to sleep with everything you had seen? It was terrible, and I keep thinking about those memories." Hermione gave him a sad look, and then she said shakily, "I missed not sleeping beside you. It felt like you were a long way away."
Ron nodded. He had felt the same way. That's why it had hurt him so badly, making her stay away.
"It doesn't have to be like that anymore, Hermione. You can stay with me as much as you like." Ron said it desperately. "We can talk about whatever you want to."
Hermione leaned across and hugged him. "I really shouldn't be with you in the dormitory." Her face turned red. "We're prefects...but it's hard not being close to you."
"I know, Hermione." Ron said. It took a long time for them to get back on task.
As they were finally reading quietly, Ron thought he felt a prickly sensation, as if someone was looking at him. Turning around to a corner of the common room, he saw that nobody was sitting at the small table there. Turning back around to his book, he shook his head. It had happened before; maybe he was getting tired.
His thoughts were interrupted by Harry climbing through the portrait hole. He had the pleased expression on his face again, and Ron shook his head. It was nice that Harry was happy with Susan, but did Harry really have to look so smug? He briefly wondered if he looked like that after snogging Hermione.
Hermione stood up at that, and bid them both a good-night. She gave Ron a hard look, and he nodded. As she ran up the stairs to the girl's dormitory, Harry nudged Ron in the arm.
"What was that all about?" Harry chuckled, and patted him on the back.
"What do you mean?" Ron said it distractedly, trying to appear very interested in his Care of Magical Creatures text.
Harry reached out and spun the book 180 degrees. Ron hadn't realised he had flipped it upside down when he had looked behind him. "Kind of hard to read your book like that, mate."
Harry got up and started up the dormitory stairs. "Just make sure you put a silencing charm on tonight...okay?"
"Shut it, you wanker." Ron muttered under his breath.
"I heard that." Harry laughed loudly as he skipped up the stairs.
Ron put the book away and heard something moving behind him. The common room was empty now, as it was late. Ron stared at the small table behind him, and then took a closer look. He didn't see anything.
Packing up his belongings, he walked up the dormitory stairs.
~*~
Ron lay in his bed, in the dark. He had pulled on pyjama pants, and left his top off. Pulling the quilt partially over him, he drowsed. He couldn't sleep with the thought of Hermione coming to him tonight.
Then, he felt her soft hands brush over his bare chest. He blinked open his eyes when he heard her casting some charms. She turned to him. Her wand tip was now lit, and her face looked down at him happily.
"Hi." She said, almost shyly.
"Hi." He said back, and then tugged at her free hand.
She curled up beside him, placing her small arms around his neck. He put his arm around her, and then she said, "Nox."
The wand light went out, and he felt her slip her wand underneath the pillow they shared.
"I did a silencing and impenetrable charm."
"Okay."
Her head lay on his chest. He brushed his free hand through her luxurious hair, and his body began to respond to her nearness. This was lovely. He had missed it so much.
"Do you really love me?" Her voice said it so softly, he wasn't sure she'd asked.
His body burned. "Yes, I do." He tightened the arm he had around her shoulder.
"Good." Hermione sighed, apparently greatly pleased. Then, he felt her lift herself up. In the dark, it appeared she was doing something with her hands. She lay back down, and Ron felt something cool and small on his chest.
"It's my ring." Hermione said. "I made some changes to it."
Ron scooted up a bit in the bed. "That's what you meant, right? Something to tell you when I'm in danger?"
"Yes. It'll start to warm and glow yellow when you are in trouble. Then, if you're in mortal danger....." Hermione broke off, a little catch in her voice. She was putting the ring back on her finger...he could feel her hands moving against his chest. Then, she gave him a tight hug.
"It's all right, Hermione." He hugged her tightly in return.
"I did something else to it, too." She muttered. "I placed an inscription inside."
Ron grunted. He'd considered doing that...but couldn't think of anything appropriate. "What did you put?"
"It reads, "sempiterna flamma." Translated, it means, "eternal flame." Hermione whispered into his chest.
Ron felt intense warmth fill him, and he smiled. Leaning down, he kissed the top of her head. His lips lingered there for a long time.
After a few moments, he felt Hermione move over him, and her mouth was on his. She kissed him eagerly. He reciprocated, tugging her ever closer to him. He was deeply surprised, but pleased, when she lifted a leg, and was now sprawled across him. He was between her legs. His heart skipped a beat. The warm center of her was very close to his, and they were only separated by layers of pyjamas and underclothes.
Then, she did something he least expected. She moved her hips back and forth over his hard arousal, and let out a little moan.
All at once, Ron began to think of his powers. He hadn't even thought about making her do anything against her will. He was amazed. Maybe it wouldn't be as hard as he thought, being with her and holding that part of him back.
He reached up and kissed her eagerly. She responded in kind, and her hands were braced against his chest. She continued to move her hips back and forth over him.
"Do you like it?" Her voice was low and silky.
"Oh, yes." He responded, his voice deeper than he ever remembered it being. "Do you?"
She only gave a low moan, and tried to get closer to him. That's when she reached up, and Ron heard something rustling.
She grabbed his hands, and then his heart nearly burst. She was placing his hands against her.....
"Bloody hell!" He blurted very loudly. Thank Merlin the silencing charm is in place, he thought briefly.
"Touch me here." Hermione said huskily. She pressed his hands into her flesh, and Ron was stunned. He swallowed, amazed at the feel of her small but plump breasts under his hands. Two round, pointed nipples were jutting into his palms.
"Gods, Hermione, I think you should warn me before you--" Her mouth was on his again, and he couldn't think. He didn't dare move the hands still on her breasts for several moments. Finally, as he continued to snog Hermione senseless, he couldn't help but gently squeeze the flesh there. She moaned a little, and he rubbed his fingertips against the pointed nipples. She started moving her hips against him faster and faster. "Oh, it's so very nice." She said under her breath, when she relinquished Ron's lips.
"Yes." It was all Ron could say at the moment. Her lips were back on his.
For a very long time, they continued these pleasant motions. Finally, Ron grasped her hips and tugged her underneath him.
"No more." He muttered. He couldn't take how large his arousal was right now. Instead of making him feel good, her movements were instead hurting him.
"I'm sorry, Ron." It was as if she knew what she'd been doing to him.
"It's all right, Hermione." He took one fingertip, found what he was searching for in the darkness, and teased the nipple. She giggled, but then sighed when he knelt down and gave into one of his deepest desires. He brushed a tongue over it, and experimentally suckled. She grasped his hair and let out a pleased sigh.
"I guess you like that." Ron said in a choked voice.
"Yes, very much." He could barely see Hermione's eyes looking into his in the darkness.
There was silence for a few moments, while Ron brushed light fingers over her chest. He marvelled at how soft her skin was, and so different she was from him.
At that moment, he was awed. This was Hermione...the bookish, gorgeous young woman he'd loved for so long. She was laying there, enjoying his touches and kisses. It was more than Ron had ever hoped for.
That was, until she whispered, "Can I touch it?"
Chapter Twenty-One---Sempiterna Flamma
*
"Close your eyes,
Give me your hand, darling..
Do you feel my heart beating?
Do you understand?
Do you feel the same?
Am I only dreaming,
Or is this burning an eternal flame?"
The Bangles/Atomic Kitten--Eternal Flame
*
Ron scooted closer to Hermione at the table in the Great Hall. She was talking excitedly to Harry, who had met them prior to the meal in the entryway. She had asked Harry about Susan Bones immediately, as if she knew that was where he had been. Sure enough, Harry said he had needed to speak with her.
"So, Harry, do you feel better?" Hermione asked lightly, and delicately placed a spoonful of potato soup into her mouth.
Ron turned to Harry. He had a very pleased look on his face. Apparently, a visit with Susan had done the trick. "We had a nice long talk in the garden near the greenhouses. Thank you for asking."
Ron smothered a laugh. "Yeah, I bet it was a nice TALK." He gave Harry a dark look, and turned his attention to the plate of fish in front of him.
"Oh shut it, Ron." Harry frowned at him. "By the way, you too are sitting awfully close. Did you have a nice long TALK?" It was his turned to laugh.
"Never you mind, Harry." Hermione said smoothy, and asked Ron to pass her the bowl of peas.
Ron did, and made every effort to touch her hands thoroughly in the exchange. Hermione didn't attempt to hide her smile, and then said, "Oh, and the sea bass, please." Ron grinned and happily complied.
Harry muttered something under his breath which Ron couldn't hear. Hermione tut-tutted, and finished re-filling her plate.
The meal passed considerably fast, with Ron weighing his options. He could practice some of his powers, but all at once he didn't feel like it. After all, he knew he could do it.
Or maybe it was because he was terribly occupied with the hand that was firmly grasping his knee. Must be it, Ron thought, as he tried to eat without squirming too much. His face was on fire. Ginny was giving him a look that told him she knew exactly what was going on. He immaturely stuck his tongue out at her, and she returned the favor. The unfortunate part was, though, that she had a mouth full of food.
"So very attractive, sis." He said loudly, so the entire table could hear. He noticed Neville giving him a dark look. Instead of making Neville poke himself with the fork he was holding, Ron simply forced him to spill his plate onto his lap.
Ginny stood up, furious. "Ron, stop it. You're being a git!"
Neville was pulling the plate from his lap, trying to clean up. He said morosely, "This isn't Ron's fault. It was an accident." He gave Ron a scared look.
"No, it--" Ginny stopped, realizing that many students were staring at her. She sat back down, and then muttered, "Oh, never mind. Let me help you."
Ron went back to eating, and Hermione's hand was no longer on his knee. In fact, she looked upset.
Blimey...probably shouldn't have done that, Ron thought.
~*~
Once the meal was over, Ron decided to test the waters. "So, Hermione, would you like to see Crookshanks again before curfew?"
Hermione looked up at him, and he was pleased to see her give him an appreciative smile. "No, I think he'll be fine with Hagrid. Did you notice how Fang was protecting Crookshanks?"
Ron laughed inwardly, and said, "Once a flea comes near Crookshanks, Fang will limp off."
"Oh, Ron." She said it chastisingly, but she didn't appear upset.
Ron noticed that Harry was talking to Susan at the Hufflepuff table. He steered Hermione over to them, and Hermione said to Harry, "We're going back to the common room now. Don't be too late." Hermione gave Harry a pointed look, and clutched Ron's arm.
As they moved toward the Gryffindor table again, Ron noticed that his sister and Neville were still there, talking intimately. Hermione said quietly next to him, "You know, Ron, I think you should apologize."
"Apologize? If I do that, Neville will know." Ron said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Hermione sighed. "You don't have to say why you are apologizing, just do it."
"Okay, fine. If you want me to, I will." Ron moved toward his sister and Neville, and Hermione breathed an exasperated, "Ron!" behind him. He was now standing behind his sister and Neville, and Neville turned around abruptly and scooted backward on the bench. The expression on his face said he thought Ron was going to hit him.
Prat, Ron thought to himself. Instead of hitting Neville, he said quickly. "Neville, I'm sorry."
Neville looked confused. "For what?"
Ron rolled his eyes. He thought quickly, and then said, "For hitting you after Quidditch tryouts."
Neville looked immensely surprised. "Uh...well, uh, Ron, I understand why you...I mean.."
"Look, just accept my apology." Ron said impatiently. He was never good at this, but he was only doing it because Hermione wanted him to.
"All--all right, Ron. Thanks." Neville was blushing brightly. Ron risked a glance at his sister, and she was smiling happily at him. He gave her a quick smile of his own, before reaching out and tugging one of her long red locks very gently.
She got up from the table and briefly hugged him.
"I think there's some hope for you after all." She said.
Ron noticed her give Hermione a long look, before Hermione tugged him toward the doorway of the Great Hall.
~*~
Once they reached the common room, they spent several moments arguing whether to play chess or study. Finally, Ron caved because he didn't want Hermione to be upset with him. They'd made a silent agreement not to talk about Hermione's plans until later....
While they were learning about one of Hagrid's new animals, Hermione gave Ron a strange look. Ron stared at her for a moment. Finally, she said, "Ron...how are things....going? With your training?"
Ron didn't want to talk about it....he didn't even want to think about it. Today, he had successfully closed his mind to all those worries. "Hermione...it's best if we don't talk about it."
Hermione's brow furrowed. "I don't believe you. You need to let it out. Otherwise...."
Ron sighed. "Hermione..."
"No, Ron. Remember when I stayed with you all those nights? How you would talk me to sleep with everything you had seen? It was terrible, and I keep thinking about those memories." Hermione gave him a sad look, and then she said shakily, "I missed not sleeping beside you. It felt like you were a long way away."
Ron nodded. He had felt the same way. That's why it had hurt him so badly, making her stay away.
"It doesn't have to be like that anymore, Hermione. You can stay with me as much as you like." Ron said it desperately. "We can talk about whatever you want to."
Hermione leaned across and hugged him. "I really shouldn't be with you in the dormitory." Her face turned red. "We're prefects...but it's hard not being close to you."
"I know, Hermione." Ron said. It took a long time for them to get back on task.
As they were finally reading quietly, Ron thought he felt a prickly sensation, as if someone was looking at him. Turning around to a corner of the common room, he saw that nobody was sitting at the small table there. Turning back around to his book, he shook his head. It had happened before; maybe he was getting tired.
His thoughts were interrupted by Harry climbing through the portrait hole. He had the pleased expression on his face again, and Ron shook his head. It was nice that Harry was happy with Susan, but did Harry really have to look so smug? He briefly wondered if he looked like that after snogging Hermione.
Hermione stood up at that, and bid them both a good-night. She gave Ron a hard look, and he nodded. As she ran up the stairs to the girl's dormitory, Harry nudged Ron in the arm.
"What was that all about?" Harry chuckled, and patted him on the back.
"What do you mean?" Ron said it distractedly, trying to appear very interested in his Care of Magical Creatures text.
Harry reached out and spun the book 180 degrees. Ron hadn't realised he had flipped it upside down when he had looked behind him. "Kind of hard to read your book like that, mate."
Harry got up and started up the dormitory stairs. "Just make sure you put a silencing charm on tonight...okay?"
"Shut it, you wanker." Ron muttered under his breath.
"I heard that." Harry laughed loudly as he skipped up the stairs.
Ron put the book away and heard something moving behind him. The common room was empty now, as it was late. Ron stared at the small table behind him, and then took a closer look. He didn't see anything.
Packing up his belongings, he walked up the dormitory stairs.
~*~
Ron lay in his bed, in the dark. He had pulled on pyjama pants, and left his top off. Pulling the quilt partially over him, he drowsed. He couldn't sleep with the thought of Hermione coming to him tonight.
Then, he felt her soft hands brush over his bare chest. He blinked open his eyes when he heard her casting some charms. She turned to him. Her wand tip was now lit, and her face looked down at him happily.
"Hi." She said, almost shyly.
"Hi." He said back, and then tugged at her free hand.
She curled up beside him, placing her small arms around his neck. He put his arm around her, and then she said, "Nox."
The wand light went out, and he felt her slip her wand underneath the pillow they shared.
"I did a silencing and impenetrable charm."
"Okay."
Her head lay on his chest. He brushed his free hand through her luxurious hair, and his body began to respond to her nearness. This was lovely. He had missed it so much.
"Do you really love me?" Her voice said it so softly, he wasn't sure she'd asked.
His body burned. "Yes, I do." He tightened the arm he had around her shoulder.
"Good." Hermione sighed, apparently greatly pleased. Then, he felt her lift herself up. In the dark, it appeared she was doing something with her hands. She lay back down, and Ron felt something cool and small on his chest.
"It's my ring." Hermione said. "I made some changes to it."
Ron scooted up a bit in the bed. "That's what you meant, right? Something to tell you when I'm in danger?"
"Yes. It'll start to warm and glow yellow when you are in trouble. Then, if you're in mortal danger....." Hermione broke off, a little catch in her voice. She was putting the ring back on her finger...he could feel her hands moving against his chest. Then, she gave him a tight hug.
"It's all right, Hermione." He hugged her tightly in return.
"I did something else to it, too." She muttered. "I placed an inscription inside."
Ron grunted. He'd considered doing that...but couldn't think of anything appropriate. "What did you put?"
"It reads, "sempiterna flamma." Translated, it means, "eternal flame." Hermione whispered into his chest.
Ron felt intense warmth fill him, and he smiled. Leaning down, he kissed the top of her head. His lips lingered there for a long time.
After a few moments, he felt Hermione move over him, and her mouth was on his. She kissed him eagerly. He reciprocated, tugging her ever closer to him. He was deeply surprised, but pleased, when she lifted a leg, and was now sprawled across him. He was between her legs. His heart skipped a beat. The warm center of her was very close to his, and they were only separated by layers of pyjamas and underclothes.
Then, she did something he least expected. She moved her hips back and forth over his hard arousal, and let out a little moan.
All at once, Ron began to think of his powers. He hadn't even thought about making her do anything against her will. He was amazed. Maybe it wouldn't be as hard as he thought, being with her and holding that part of him back.
He reached up and kissed her eagerly. She responded in kind, and her hands were braced against his chest. She continued to move her hips back and forth over him.
"Do you like it?" Her voice was low and silky.
"Oh, yes." He responded, his voice deeper than he ever remembered it being. "Do you?"
She only gave a low moan, and tried to get closer to him. That's when she reached up, and Ron heard something rustling.
She grabbed his hands, and then his heart nearly burst. She was placing his hands against her.....
"Bloody hell!" He blurted very loudly. Thank Merlin the silencing charm is in place, he thought briefly.
"Touch me here." Hermione said huskily. She pressed his hands into her flesh, and Ron was stunned. He swallowed, amazed at the feel of her small but plump breasts under his hands. Two round, pointed nipples were jutting into his palms.
"Gods, Hermione, I think you should warn me before you--" Her mouth was on his again, and he couldn't think. He didn't dare move the hands still on her breasts for several moments. Finally, as he continued to snog Hermione senseless, he couldn't help but gently squeeze the flesh there. She moaned a little, and he rubbed his fingertips against the pointed nipples. She started moving her hips against him faster and faster. "Oh, it's so very nice." She said under her breath, when she relinquished Ron's lips.
"Yes." It was all Ron could say at the moment. Her lips were back on his.
For a very long time, they continued these pleasant motions. Finally, Ron grasped her hips and tugged her underneath him.
"No more." He muttered. He couldn't take how large his arousal was right now. Instead of making him feel good, her movements were instead hurting him.
"I'm sorry, Ron." It was as if she knew what she'd been doing to him.
"It's all right, Hermione." He took one fingertip, found what he was searching for in the darkness, and teased the nipple. She giggled, but then sighed when he knelt down and gave into one of his deepest desires. He brushed a tongue over it, and experimentally suckled. She grasped his hair and let out a pleased sigh.
"I guess you like that." Ron said in a choked voice.
"Yes, very much." He could barely see Hermione's eyes looking into his in the darkness.
There was silence for a few moments, while Ron brushed light fingers over her chest. He marvelled at how soft her skin was, and so different she was from him.
At that moment, he was awed. This was Hermione...the bookish, gorgeous young woman he'd loved for so long. She was laying there, enjoying his touches and kisses. It was more than Ron had ever hoped for.
That was, until she whispered, "Can I touch it?"