Chapter2:  Hogsmeade and Kisses

            I hadn't planned on seeing them again. My uncle and I had been busy researching my curse, trying to find some kind of counter curse. So far we hadn't even found where Tom had gotten the curse. During class hours I would browse the restricted section.  Loaded with books and on my way back to my room I didn't notice anyone else until it was too late

            Suddenly I bumped into something hard and solid sending my books everywhere and me tumbling backwards. Strong arms wrapped around my waist catching me before I hit the ground. Blinking in surprise I looked up into very familiar brown eyes.

            "Ron!?"

            "Chandra!?"

"What are you doing here?" we said at the same time.

I heard some one laugh and looked over his shoulder to see Hermione and Harry standing there looking amused.

 I blushed and pushed out of Ron's arms.

            "We're on our way to see Dumbledore." Ron said.

            "Oh, I-I was on my way back to my room." I bent down and began picking up the scattered books, Ron and his friends knelt and began to help.

            I blushed again, "Thanks" I said as they handed me the books.

            "That's quite a bit of Dark Arts stuff." Harry noted.

I shifted, "I-yeah."

            Harry nodded, "Well if Dumbledore's okay with it there must be a reason."

My mouth fell open, I quickly shut it, "How'd you know about Dumbledore?"

 He held up the note Dumbledore had given me. I blushed again, "Oh."

            Ron chuckled, plucked the note from Harry and placed it inside the top book.

 "Thanks."

            "Don't be a stranger." Ron said softly. "How about coming with us to Hogsmeade on Saturday?"

     "No, I'm pretty sure Dumbledore's going to need me on Saturday." I smiled to hide my lie "But thanks."

            Hermione spoke up, "Speaking of, Guys we're supposed to go see him." 

They all said their goodbye then hurried away. I let out a relieved sigh and hurried back to my room.

Dumbledore's meeting went short. He wanted to know about anything odd about Harry's scar. Other then the normal prickling sensation he had often nothing new. Dumbledore seemed concerned about this. He asked me if I had heard from my brothers, and asked Hermione to stay after wards.

            Saturday bloomed unusually sunny and warm for November. Harry elbowed me as we headed down the stairs from the Gryffindor tower. He pointed to the bottom of the steps.

  Chandra stood there looking nervous. She was wearing a dark blue cloak lined in gold thread with enchanted leaves that glittered at the ends. She was wearing a pale purple dress that looked slightly medieval being laced up the front. The skirt flowed around her legs down to her ankles. She had curled her hair at the ends and had clipped half of it back with a phoenix clip that glowed as if real fire.

            I stopped in front of her, "Hey."

            "Hi." She smiled shyly, "My uncle didn't need me. I was wondering if your offer was still open."

            I grinned, "Yeah, of course."

  I offered my hand and ,pink in the cheeks, she took it. Hermione giggled from behind me but I  ignored her as I led Chandra down to the front doors.

Chandra giggled delighted at the effects of a fireball. I was making a complete fool of myself but because she was laughing and smiling at me I didn't care. Her giggles subsided but her smile remained. She looped her arm in mine and began walking down the streets of Hogsmeade. She looked at some shops in surprise and then would grin and drag me into them.

     I laughed at her look of delight at seeing Zonko's the joke shop. "Haven't you ever been to Hogsmeade?"

       She looked at me and blushed again, "Yes, but it was when I was in school. Things are so different now. "

            I smiled at her and watched her look through the shop. She blushed a lot which I found refreshing. It took a lot to get a real blush to grace a girls face now. Chandra seemed so innocent and I freely admitted I was already in over my head. I wanted to curse You-Know-Who for what he'd done to her.  At first I had though the idea of staying young a great gift. But spending time with Chandra made me realize what it does to a person. Even with her ready laughs and constant smiles she couldn't hide the bleakness in her eyes.

            She looked up from a book she had found and noticed my staring. She smiled and tucked an escaped lock of glossy black hair behind her ear before turning back to her book.

I continued to lean against the wall and watch her. I  was having a great time and I couldn't remember any of the shops I had been in. Chandra had taken all my attention and just watching her was enjoyable.

            She walked up to me and I looked down at her with a smile.

If I were to lean against her, her head would come just below my jaw, a perfect fit.

            "Ron? Earth to Ron?"

I blinked, realizing suddenly she had been talking to me.

            "I'm sorry what did you say?"

She gave an over exaggerated sigh, "I was wondering if we could go get something to drink."

I bit my tongue trying not to laugh. She was adorable. I looked at my watch.

"Harry and Hermione should be waiting for us at the Three Broomsticks. Why don't we go have lunch?"

She smiled, "Perfect!"

Again she looped her arm in mine and we made our way to the Three Broomsticks.

An uneasy feeling settled in my stomach as we made our way down the road. Ron laced his fingers in mine and I smiled to myself. Ron was wonderful. He hadn't voiced any opposition to anything they had done, nor had he offered an opinion. He seemed quite content just being outside. I knew I shouldn't, for more then one reason, but I felt myself starting to like Ron. More then an acquaintance even more then a friend. I suppressed a sigh. Ron was great, nice, hilariously funny, and handsome. But I couldn't let myself get attached. There was to much at risk, for him and me. But that didn't mean I couldn't enjoy the moment.

Harry and Hermione were waiting for us in a booth near the back of the Three Broomsticks. Well waiting wasn't really it, more like passing the time mooning until we showed up. We slid in beside each other, forcing Harry an Hermione to scoot closer. Personally I don't think they minded. A waitress came by shortly after we sat down. We ordered butterbeers all around and then something to eat. When the waitress left Hermione spoke.

            "So how's the site seeing things been? Bet everything's different then from the last time you came."

 Chandra smiled, "Oh yes, greatly. I had a great time looking at all the new shops."

"She practically drooled over the book shop. Hermione I'm almost certain she's your twin." I joked, "Except she found Zonko's equally as fascinating."

She blushed, "Ron."

I smiled at her and she relaxed a bit. I pulled her hand in mine under the table and squeezed it gently. She seemed nervous around Harry and Hermione, particularly Harry, but I shrugged it off as shyness. If only I hadn't been so blind.

            I looked up from the book I was currently reading. Ron's eyes shifted back to the book before him but a smile still lingered on his lips. I looked back at the book before me, but didn't see the words before me. Ron's thumb was making lazy circles on the back of my hand as he held it captive under the table. It was hard to concentrate when that small action sent shivers down my spine.

            "Chandra?" Ron's voice in the silence caused me to jump in surprise.

"What is it?" I asked.

 He looked almost nervous. His thumb stilled.

            "Tomorrow's Halloween and-"

"Is it?" I asked surprised, "I hadn't realized so much time had passed."

He laughed, "You haven't let me finish."

I blushed, "Sorry, go on."

"Tomorrow's Halloween, and the school's holding a dance."

I blinked, a dance, how interesting, I though to myself.

"I was wondering if you'd come with me, as my date."

I couldn't help but smile, "I'd love to! Is it costume or just nice?"

He seemed to relax a bit, "Costume."

I leaned over and wrapped my arms around him, "Thanks Ron, It's been forever since I've been to a dance."

He smiled and kissed my forehead, "I should get going. It's late."

I smiled, "yeah."

"Where should I pick you up?"

"Oh just wait for me in the common rooms. Hermione and Ginny will probably want to help me get ready, and visa versa."

I walked him to the door we hugged goodbye. After he left I got to work.

I had no idea what was taking the girls so long. Harry, Dean and I waited impatiently for them to come down. We continually bumped into each other as we paced the common room. Occasionally we could hear giggles floating down from the girls dormitory.

            Hermione had insisted that we all go as some kind of couple. Chandra and I had ended up with the roll of Prince and Princess, original right? I was simply a Prince, Chandra was also a fairy, which fits her perfect, because she's cast a spell on me that I didn't want countered.

            There was a cough and all three of us turned and looked up the stairs. My breath caught in my throat.  Chandra descended the stairs gracefully. Her hair had been charmed into long curls then piled onto her head and held in place by a crown made of frost kissed leaves. Glitter covered her eyelids and lashes and her lips had been adorned with cherry red lipstick. She wore a turquoise gown that laced up the front with long robe sleeves. Her skirt glittered in the firelight and flowed around her legs down to her green slippered feet.

            She spun around, small fairy wings were attached to the back a mixture of greens and oranges swirled on them and they had been enchanted to flutter occasionally.

            "What do you think?"

I swallowed my mouth suddenly dry. She took my hand and smiled her spell weaving deeper.

            "I think I am the luckiest prince that has yet graced this earth."

She giggled, "You are handsome."

            I bowed over her hand and kissed it lightly, "My lady, I spoke of you and your unearthly beauty."

A blush graced her cheeks, "My lord is to kind." She said mimicking the old English accent.

            "Ugh please, lets just go!" Ginny's voice broke the spell.

We both laughed, I tucked Chandra's hand securely in the crook of my arm.

            "By all means my dear sister, lead the way."

Ginny rolled her eyes, took Dean's hand and  headed out of the common rooms. We all followed.

            The dance was beautifully decorated. Jack-O-Lanterns floated above the students and bats weaved in and out of the light. The teachers patrolled the dance floor and corners.  Ron kept his arm around my waist most of the night. I caught several cold stares from several of the female attendants.

            As we danced to a slow song I felt myself finally begin to relax. Over Ron's shoulder I watched my friends dance. Ginny looked gorgeous in her phoenix outfit. The skirt was cut to look like fire and enchanted to imitate the action. Her hair was left free to flow and I noticed that Dean couldn't seem to keep his hands out of it. Hermione had decided on a black cat, and Harry was continually sending death glares to guys who started to long.

            "Lets go outside." Ron whispered into my ear sending a shiver down my spine.

I smiled and let him lead me into the gardens.

   I led her out of the great hall and through the gardens, we past several students actively engaged in a snogging session. I hurried past them.

            "Ron, where are we going?" she asked.

I looked back at her and winked.

            She rolled her eyes but didn't say anything else. I stopped and one of the many fountains that littered the gardens, this once was a statue of the Greek goddess Athena. Taking a deep breath I turned and looked down at Chandra. She stood barely inches from me. Her warm breath caressed my neck making the urge to kiss her even stronger.

            " Chandra, I know it's only been four months but-" I stopped, I couldn't say it. What if she rejected me, or worse, laughed? She was supposed to be seventy years old. Would she think me to young for her?

            "Ron-"

"No, let me say this. Chandra, I'm sixteen years old, I have a whole life a head of me. But I don't want to be alone through it. Chandra, I want you there with me. I love you. I know where young, and I wont ask you to marry me until your ready, but I can't image a life with out you."

            "Ron," her voice choked and tears began to cascade down her cheeks, "Ron, you don't know me! Take it back, "she moaned as if in pain, "Oh please take it back."

            The dagger stuck, I sucked in a breath, was she rejecting me? No, I could see it in her eyes she loved me. Then why was there pain?

            "I wont take it back Chandra, I'm giving you my heart, " Before she could reject it I kissed her. Hard at first then slower. When she began kissing my back I thought my knees might give out. She melted into me. When I pulled away to she was still crying.

            "I've tried not to, oh how I've tried. I didn't want to but I couldn't help it." She looked up at me, "I love you Ron."

            I kissed away her tears then clamed her mouth as my own once again.

A/N: So? What do you think? Did ya like the mushy scene? I enjoyed writing it. He he, there's like only two more, maybe three, depends. Well Please Review! I live on reviews, I thrive on reviews. I chapter a week! Cross my heart if I get ten reviews for each chapter.

Or is that just wishful thinking on my part? TTFN