Hermione woke up and put her arm around the warm body next to her. She had
forgotten how nice it was to snuggle next to someone's warmth. Ginny just
happened to jostle slightly. It was a rare summer morning; it had just
rained the night before. Hermione saw it fit to fall back to sleep. The
slight humidity enabled her to doze off quickly.
A green field was across the distance. The apprehension in the air was overwhelming. "Hermione" "Hermione" Hermione turned to see what was calling her. The footsteps fell lightly on the grass, it was right behind her. As she walked through a ruined gate way a shadow passed her.
"Hello??" only a laugh answered her back
Hermione ran under the stone archway as her dress trailed behind her. The world seemed to be in a feverous endless swirl with laughter and mocking words chasing her.
"Can't you run faster?" it said, "I'm one step closer Hermione"
Her breathing only seemed to quicken more as everything seemed to grow darker. A pair of arms encircled her waist as the hot breath whispered into her ear
"Boo"
"AHH, GET AWAY GET AWAY, NO NO NO!!!" Hermione kicked furiously and punched as hard as she could to who ever it was.
"Owww, Alright, Stop, OWWW QUIT IT", he said as two arms pinned Hermione from inflicting anymore damage.
"Psycho", a voice muttered
Hermione was panting in a frenzied panic only to see Ron doubling over in laughter while Ginny stood with her face flushed and contorted in anger.
"Ha, Ha, Ha, That was great, Ha, ha, the look on your face, HA, HA, HA Brilliant, absolutely brill. OWW .. HEY!!!" Ron was greeted with a pillow across his face.
"THAT WAS NOT FUNNY!, In fact Ron it was idiotic and irresponsible, What if I hurt Ginny? I could of broken your nose, And worst of all you could of ruined my new book, Ronald Weas.."
"Alright, Alright, It was a joke, Please you're starting to sound like my mother," Ron replied, "Besides you look cute when you're mad, it adds a color to your cheeks." Ron was greeted with another pillow. Hermione seemed to have calmed down. Ginny had long since gone downstairs to fix her hair. The entire room was now a haphazard mess with dozens of pillows, feathers and girls clothes hanging around the room. A moving poster of the Weird Sisters seemed to stare disapprovingly at the newly created mess. Ron seemed to be eyeing a particular piece of clutter next to the bed. With a quizzical look Hermione tried to track what had caught Ron's immediate attention. She wasn't fast enough.
A little pink bundle was twirling around his finger, "Nice knickers Hermione. I never knew you fancied pink" Ron had the most evil of grins on his face. She leapt for them but he was too fast for her.
"GIVE THEM BACK YOU PERVERT!!", With another fruitless grab
"I think these should be framed in the prefects common room", he was now bouncing them up and down just within her reach.
"Ron, will you please give them to me, don't make me beg", her eyes pleaded in all their blushed glory.
"I'd rather make you work for it; though making you beg is quite appealing", they magically slipped behind his back out of view, "Well what are you waiting for?"
Hermione dove for them. Her hands deftly worked their way to his back. As she tried to pry his fingers loose his arms flew around her holding her in tight grip. They fell over on the pile of blankets and pillows laughing. As the laughter died down, the moment sunk in. The previously hard and friendly grip loosened to a softer and much different embrace. Their eyes deadlocked in a silent interlude. Not one word, just energy.
"Ron, If your going to snog Hermione, please go to your room", Ginny coldly remarked, "Could you get off my blankets!"
Hermione jumped up startled, "Nothing happened, we fell".
"Uh huh, then why are your knickers in my brother's pocket? ... Wait, RON GIVE ME MY KNICKERS!!"
"Huh? Yours?" Looking confused, "EWW YUCK GROSSS!!!" Ron stumbled with the pink bundle as Ginny ran and snatched them faster than he could throw them.
"GET OUT, OUT, OUT!!!!" Ginny pushed Ron and Hermione out the door, all that could be heard was Ginny's murmuring, "Dean will be here soon, my room is a mess.."
Next Ron was pounding on the frail room door " WHAT, WHO, I DON'T THINK SO VIRGINIA!! SINCE WHEN?" Hermione stared and cackled in laughter over the irony of the situation. Ron stormed off downstairs.
"Look who's flushed now, ha ha ha" Hermione chuckled.
"Well at least I don't have a fresh pimple on my nose" He yelled back muttering to himself.
"I don't have a pimple on my nose. Do I?" she pondered as she walked to the bathroom.
Mrs. Weasley was making breakfast downstairs. She was happily humming a popular tune as she turned the eggs. "Come and get it!!" she yelled. Immediately a stampede of red hair came down the stairs. Mrs. Weasley stood at her post by the stove as she witnessed her newly polished floor muddied and scuffed by the recent stampede.
"Must you always run to the table as if it were your last meal?"
"Well it may well be, you know mum product development can be a risky business", piped up Fred.
"Or Deatheaters.", said George. No sooner had the words left his lips Mrs. Weasley's face blanched with the most paralyzing face of fear and anger.
"GEORGE, don't you ever dare say that at this table, Excuse yourself from this table young man", she pointed towards the nearest exit.
"Well someone should make a joke of it around here" George murmured as made his exit.
Hermione walked downstairs from the bathroom to see the serious scene at the table. Fred was toying with his fork and knife while Mrs. Weasley was standing with the pan in her hand. Ron had his head down while Ginny looked at her pleadingly to say something.
"What is for breakfast Mrs. Weasley?" Hermione interrupted.
As if getting out of a daze, Mrs. Weasley's head popped up immediately with her usual bright overly cheery smile. "We're having eggs with sausage and potatoes, sit down sit down dear, you'll have your breakfast cold", Immediately Mrs. Weasley resumed her post as the doting mother and quickly served an oversized helping of breakfast onto Hermione's plate. Hermione looked at Ginny with a perplexed look.
"Why was she acting so strange?" Hermione whispered.
"George mentioned the "D" Word" Ginny replied
"Deatheaters?", She whispered back a bit too loudly. Mrs. Weasley jumped as she murmured loudly about having chores in the garden. The entirety of breakfast went uneventfully. Breakfast was nearly ending as Pig flew into the wall and slid into Ron's oatmeal. Pig popped his leg up from the oatmeal allowing for Ron to take the oatmeal soaked letter from him.
"Hermione, it's from Harry!" Ron waved the letter excitedly, "Its about time, he hasn't sent any post for a week". He eagerly ripped the messy envelope; the ink was runny but still readable.
Dear Ron and Hermione,
I hope all is doing well, I wish I could say the same. The Dursley's thankfully are allowing me to send mail (it took some persuasion). Thanks for the picture I needed some cheering up. Its almost time for school (Thank God!). I was thinking we could meet at Diagon Alley this Saturday, since we need to get our books and stuff. I hope this Mrs. Matisse is not a nutty teacher (We've had too many of those) the bad news is that I hear she is Snape's cousin. Anyways, if you're reading this Hermione I need your help. The Marauder's Map is acting strange. I noticed it moving on its own and when I opened it there were weird names I never recognized that are very strange ( Higs and Bella were the names). I locked it in my chest for now, I'll bring it on Saturday but in the mean time do you think you could investigate it?. I miss you guys, maybe I could stay for the remainder of the break, I've been kind of lonely so... It's weird not getting letters from Snuffles. The weird thing about that map now is that whenever I touch it my scar hurts A LOT. So I guess I can meet you at The Leaky Cauldron around 1:30 I hope to see you guys then! Tell Hermione I think she is starting to get acne, by the way Ron are you going to tell her ever?
See You Soon,
Harry P.S. Here is a muggle picture of me hugging Dudley. Aunt Petunia thought we should look more like cousins. ( Things are getting strange around here) Uncle Vernon Has no clue!
Hermione and Ron stared at the ridiculous picture with mixed emotions. Dudley had his huge arm over Harry's shoulder as if they were old pals. The forced grins on both of their faces gave the impression of being constipated for a week. Dudley was wearing his boxing shorts which revealed his reddish fat legs which resembled hams.
"Well I guess this confirms that you have acne" With a playful smirk he elbowed her. They started to walk outside onto the patio in silence. The weather was pretty nice
"What do you need to tell me Ron?", Her curiosity had gotten the best of her.
Turning a dark shade of red, "err, nothing Hermione, you have acne that's it"
"I know that already it's been advertised, but I know your keeping something from me" she looked him square in the face but there seemed no sign of him relinquishing. "Never mind Ron, you're obviously not going to tell me so I won't even bother". Hermione turned around and looked at the letter again. He needs my help? She looked at Ron with a certain resignation at his freckles. Ron had grown a tiny bit over the past year; he was most definitely taller than Harry. His hair maintained it's near carrot red character but thankfully they had convinced Ron to cut it from its previously wiry state. Ron was actually fairly cute, he wasn't nearly as handsome as Harry but he has an eccentric and clean cut charm that she found appealing. Hermione couldn't deny the fact that once or twice she had looked at them in a more than friend way. She carried a secret crush on Harry for a brief period in their 3rd year, it didn't last long. Her thoughts were disturbed by the feeling of being watched, "Ron, why are you staring at me?" Ron looked as if he was snapped out of a daze.
"I wasn't staring" he stammered "I was looking at your pimple"
"Ugh, would you stop it already!" throwing up her arms "You're really creep.". She was immediately silenced by a pair of lips crushed against her own. Hermione's senses were on fire, she had softened up until her mind sent a news flash to the rest of her body. She immediately tried to push him away, the more she fought the harder he resisted.
"What the hell are you doing??" , Hermione stared at a very flushed and breathy Ron while wiping her lips.
"I need to go Hermione, I'm sorry." He turned on his heel and left Hermione there wondering on the patio.
A green field was across the distance. The apprehension in the air was overwhelming. "Hermione" "Hermione" Hermione turned to see what was calling her. The footsteps fell lightly on the grass, it was right behind her. As she walked through a ruined gate way a shadow passed her.
"Hello??" only a laugh answered her back
Hermione ran under the stone archway as her dress trailed behind her. The world seemed to be in a feverous endless swirl with laughter and mocking words chasing her.
"Can't you run faster?" it said, "I'm one step closer Hermione"
Her breathing only seemed to quicken more as everything seemed to grow darker. A pair of arms encircled her waist as the hot breath whispered into her ear
"Boo"
"AHH, GET AWAY GET AWAY, NO NO NO!!!" Hermione kicked furiously and punched as hard as she could to who ever it was.
"Owww, Alright, Stop, OWWW QUIT IT", he said as two arms pinned Hermione from inflicting anymore damage.
"Psycho", a voice muttered
Hermione was panting in a frenzied panic only to see Ron doubling over in laughter while Ginny stood with her face flushed and contorted in anger.
"Ha, Ha, Ha, That was great, Ha, ha, the look on your face, HA, HA, HA Brilliant, absolutely brill. OWW .. HEY!!!" Ron was greeted with a pillow across his face.
"THAT WAS NOT FUNNY!, In fact Ron it was idiotic and irresponsible, What if I hurt Ginny? I could of broken your nose, And worst of all you could of ruined my new book, Ronald Weas.."
"Alright, Alright, It was a joke, Please you're starting to sound like my mother," Ron replied, "Besides you look cute when you're mad, it adds a color to your cheeks." Ron was greeted with another pillow. Hermione seemed to have calmed down. Ginny had long since gone downstairs to fix her hair. The entire room was now a haphazard mess with dozens of pillows, feathers and girls clothes hanging around the room. A moving poster of the Weird Sisters seemed to stare disapprovingly at the newly created mess. Ron seemed to be eyeing a particular piece of clutter next to the bed. With a quizzical look Hermione tried to track what had caught Ron's immediate attention. She wasn't fast enough.
A little pink bundle was twirling around his finger, "Nice knickers Hermione. I never knew you fancied pink" Ron had the most evil of grins on his face. She leapt for them but he was too fast for her.
"GIVE THEM BACK YOU PERVERT!!", With another fruitless grab
"I think these should be framed in the prefects common room", he was now bouncing them up and down just within her reach.
"Ron, will you please give them to me, don't make me beg", her eyes pleaded in all their blushed glory.
"I'd rather make you work for it; though making you beg is quite appealing", they magically slipped behind his back out of view, "Well what are you waiting for?"
Hermione dove for them. Her hands deftly worked their way to his back. As she tried to pry his fingers loose his arms flew around her holding her in tight grip. They fell over on the pile of blankets and pillows laughing. As the laughter died down, the moment sunk in. The previously hard and friendly grip loosened to a softer and much different embrace. Their eyes deadlocked in a silent interlude. Not one word, just energy.
"Ron, If your going to snog Hermione, please go to your room", Ginny coldly remarked, "Could you get off my blankets!"
Hermione jumped up startled, "Nothing happened, we fell".
"Uh huh, then why are your knickers in my brother's pocket? ... Wait, RON GIVE ME MY KNICKERS!!"
"Huh? Yours?" Looking confused, "EWW YUCK GROSSS!!!" Ron stumbled with the pink bundle as Ginny ran and snatched them faster than he could throw them.
"GET OUT, OUT, OUT!!!!" Ginny pushed Ron and Hermione out the door, all that could be heard was Ginny's murmuring, "Dean will be here soon, my room is a mess.."
Next Ron was pounding on the frail room door " WHAT, WHO, I DON'T THINK SO VIRGINIA!! SINCE WHEN?" Hermione stared and cackled in laughter over the irony of the situation. Ron stormed off downstairs.
"Look who's flushed now, ha ha ha" Hermione chuckled.
"Well at least I don't have a fresh pimple on my nose" He yelled back muttering to himself.
"I don't have a pimple on my nose. Do I?" she pondered as she walked to the bathroom.
Mrs. Weasley was making breakfast downstairs. She was happily humming a popular tune as she turned the eggs. "Come and get it!!" she yelled. Immediately a stampede of red hair came down the stairs. Mrs. Weasley stood at her post by the stove as she witnessed her newly polished floor muddied and scuffed by the recent stampede.
"Must you always run to the table as if it were your last meal?"
"Well it may well be, you know mum product development can be a risky business", piped up Fred.
"Or Deatheaters.", said George. No sooner had the words left his lips Mrs. Weasley's face blanched with the most paralyzing face of fear and anger.
"GEORGE, don't you ever dare say that at this table, Excuse yourself from this table young man", she pointed towards the nearest exit.
"Well someone should make a joke of it around here" George murmured as made his exit.
Hermione walked downstairs from the bathroom to see the serious scene at the table. Fred was toying with his fork and knife while Mrs. Weasley was standing with the pan in her hand. Ron had his head down while Ginny looked at her pleadingly to say something.
"What is for breakfast Mrs. Weasley?" Hermione interrupted.
As if getting out of a daze, Mrs. Weasley's head popped up immediately with her usual bright overly cheery smile. "We're having eggs with sausage and potatoes, sit down sit down dear, you'll have your breakfast cold", Immediately Mrs. Weasley resumed her post as the doting mother and quickly served an oversized helping of breakfast onto Hermione's plate. Hermione looked at Ginny with a perplexed look.
"Why was she acting so strange?" Hermione whispered.
"George mentioned the "D" Word" Ginny replied
"Deatheaters?", She whispered back a bit too loudly. Mrs. Weasley jumped as she murmured loudly about having chores in the garden. The entirety of breakfast went uneventfully. Breakfast was nearly ending as Pig flew into the wall and slid into Ron's oatmeal. Pig popped his leg up from the oatmeal allowing for Ron to take the oatmeal soaked letter from him.
"Hermione, it's from Harry!" Ron waved the letter excitedly, "Its about time, he hasn't sent any post for a week". He eagerly ripped the messy envelope; the ink was runny but still readable.
Dear Ron and Hermione,
I hope all is doing well, I wish I could say the same. The Dursley's thankfully are allowing me to send mail (it took some persuasion). Thanks for the picture I needed some cheering up. Its almost time for school (Thank God!). I was thinking we could meet at Diagon Alley this Saturday, since we need to get our books and stuff. I hope this Mrs. Matisse is not a nutty teacher (We've had too many of those) the bad news is that I hear she is Snape's cousin. Anyways, if you're reading this Hermione I need your help. The Marauder's Map is acting strange. I noticed it moving on its own and when I opened it there were weird names I never recognized that are very strange ( Higs and Bella were the names). I locked it in my chest for now, I'll bring it on Saturday but in the mean time do you think you could investigate it?. I miss you guys, maybe I could stay for the remainder of the break, I've been kind of lonely so... It's weird not getting letters from Snuffles. The weird thing about that map now is that whenever I touch it my scar hurts A LOT. So I guess I can meet you at The Leaky Cauldron around 1:30 I hope to see you guys then! Tell Hermione I think she is starting to get acne, by the way Ron are you going to tell her ever?
See You Soon,
Harry P.S. Here is a muggle picture of me hugging Dudley. Aunt Petunia thought we should look more like cousins. ( Things are getting strange around here) Uncle Vernon Has no clue!
Hermione and Ron stared at the ridiculous picture with mixed emotions. Dudley had his huge arm over Harry's shoulder as if they were old pals. The forced grins on both of their faces gave the impression of being constipated for a week. Dudley was wearing his boxing shorts which revealed his reddish fat legs which resembled hams.
"Well I guess this confirms that you have acne" With a playful smirk he elbowed her. They started to walk outside onto the patio in silence. The weather was pretty nice
"What do you need to tell me Ron?", Her curiosity had gotten the best of her.
Turning a dark shade of red, "err, nothing Hermione, you have acne that's it"
"I know that already it's been advertised, but I know your keeping something from me" she looked him square in the face but there seemed no sign of him relinquishing. "Never mind Ron, you're obviously not going to tell me so I won't even bother". Hermione turned around and looked at the letter again. He needs my help? She looked at Ron with a certain resignation at his freckles. Ron had grown a tiny bit over the past year; he was most definitely taller than Harry. His hair maintained it's near carrot red character but thankfully they had convinced Ron to cut it from its previously wiry state. Ron was actually fairly cute, he wasn't nearly as handsome as Harry but he has an eccentric and clean cut charm that she found appealing. Hermione couldn't deny the fact that once or twice she had looked at them in a more than friend way. She carried a secret crush on Harry for a brief period in their 3rd year, it didn't last long. Her thoughts were disturbed by the feeling of being watched, "Ron, why are you staring at me?" Ron looked as if he was snapped out of a daze.
"I wasn't staring" he stammered "I was looking at your pimple"
"Ugh, would you stop it already!" throwing up her arms "You're really creep.". She was immediately silenced by a pair of lips crushed against her own. Hermione's senses were on fire, she had softened up until her mind sent a news flash to the rest of her body. She immediately tried to push him away, the more she fought the harder he resisted.
"What the hell are you doing??" , Hermione stared at a very flushed and breathy Ron while wiping her lips.
"I need to go Hermione, I'm sorry." He turned on his heel and left Hermione there wondering on the patio.