The Romanticism of Simplicity
Chapter Two
That afternoon, Hermione and Gemma did a little shopping, buying a few new robes for work and a couple sexy undergarments each just for fun. Harry and Ron went too, but spent most of their time staring at the latest quidditch gear.
Time flew by and soon they were back home and Gemma found herself getting ready for her date with David. Eight o' clock came and went though and at eleven thrity, when she still hadn't recieved any word, bad or good, she decided it best to go look for him.
Gemma rapped on the door to David's flat and when there was no answer she turned the knob and pushed the unlocked door open. A quick scan of the area told her that he was most certainly there. His shoes and pants were strewn carelessly about the living room floor and as she got closer to the bedroom, she found the remaining articles laying across the backs of chairs and on the sofa table. She also noticed a pair of heels and skirt that she was quite positive didn't belong to her. She took a few small steps closer to the bedroom, and stopped dead in her tracks as her ears picked up on soft giggles and moaning. Her heart began to pound rapidly in her throat as she quickly shoved the door ajar.
"Oh my God!" she cried, taking in the unwholesome sight. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Oh God, Gemma," David shrieked, pushing the young girl, who at the moment was straddling him, to the side. "Uh, I-I can explain."
Gemma's entire body felt as though it would explode with anger. "Don't bother."
She turned on her heel and began making her way back through the living room.
David fumbled after her, fighting to keep the twisted sheet in place around his waist.
"Gemma please!" He begged, making a wild grab for her arm.
"How could you do this to me!?" she spat, throwing his hand back in his face.
"I can explain," he repeated.
There were so many different emotions whirling through her head that it was becoming increasingly diffucult just to see straight.
"How could you possibly explain this David!?"
"It's not what it looks like?"
"I walked in on you fucking her for God's sake!"
"W-we were just..."
"Just what!? Checking eachother for warts!?"
He fumbled desperately for an explanation. "Gemma I-I..."
She threw up her hands in utter disgust. "I can't believe this is happening," she breathed, grabbing her head to steady herself. "I can't believe after all this time..."
"Gemma please!"
"How long huh?" she asked, rounding on him. "How many times?"
Just then, the girl he'd been riding emerged from the bedroom looking very disheveled. It was then that Gemma actually got a good look at her. She was tall and blonde and very young. Not a day over 19 by the looks of it. And even worse, Gemma recognize her.
"Oh David..." Gemma moaned in disbelief. "A student?"
His cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson. "Well, I,"
Her eyes were now stinging with hot tears. "An entire year we've been together David. An entire year!" She turned to meet the girl's eyes. "Did he tell you that?" she inquired of her. "How about the fact that he's been telling me he loves me...or," she averted her attention back to David. "Do you tell everyone that these days?"
"I-I'm gonna g-go," the girl stammered, searching hopelessly for her right shoe.
"Oh no," Gemma shook. "I am the one who interrupted after all."
Before she could reach the door, David took her by the hand and pulled her back.
"Please don't leave it like this Gemma!" he pleaded.
She shook him off forcefully. "What do you want me to say?" A few fresh tears slid from her cheeks to the ground. "I'm sorry you forgot to call. I'm sorry for worrying. I'm sorry to pop in on you at such an inopputune time. I'll just head back home and pretend I didn't see anything at all. Would that make you happy?"
"At least let me apologize."
Despite her stern stance, her voice was shaky and broken. "Empty words David...they're as worthless to me as you."
He watched her dissapparate with a loud 'CRACK', knowing without a doubt that he had just made the biggest mistake of his life.
She apparated in the living room of her flat and stood for a moment as though frozen in disbelief. Her insides were bubbling over with a mixture of anger and confusion and she couldn't help but feel like a complete fool for having been with him. She went over it again and again in her head, trying to pinpoint the exact moment where things went awry. Had he acted strangely in any way? Had he said anything that would have suggested he was losing interest? What could she have possibly done to bring this on? If he didn't want to be with her, why would he tell her he loved her? The questions came rushing over her like a tidal wave.
Ron, Harry and Hermione, who had just returned from dinner at The Leaky Cauldron, heard the crack andwent downstairs to see if everything was all right. They had never know her to have a date with David that didn't last until the next morning.
"Gemma?" Hermione asked, knocking a couple times on the door before entrering. "Oh no," she gasped when she saw that she was crying. "What happened? Is David all right?"
"David's just fine," she exclaimed, wiping away two big tears threatening to drip from her chin. "He's just bloody perfect."
"What happened?"
"I walked in on him with another woman."
"No way!" she gaped, plopping down next to her on the sofa. "He's cheating on you?"
"Yeah. And with a student no less!" Gemma declared.
"Oh Gemma I'm so sorry," she whispered, placing a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"I feel like such a git!"
"Don't say that. He's the one who should be beating himself up right now, not you."
"What a bastard!" Ron spat. "How could he do that to you?"
"You should have seen them together."
"I can imagine," Hermione sighed.
"How long has this been going on?" Harry asked her, sitting down on the unoccupied side of the couch.
"I dunno...I don't think I even want to know for that matter." She got up and began pacing back and forth in front of them. "I'm so mad I feel like I could explode! God, and I'm embarrassed! And confused and...and... God I dunno!" She stared at them all desparingly. "It just doesn't make since!"
"C'mere," Ron sighed reaching out to her.
Gemma, feeling feeble and defeated, wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder. "It just doesn't make since," she breathed.
Every day after that for a week, David showed up to "talk things through", but Gemma wasn't willing to listen. 'He'll just try to get me back,' she contemplated. 'He'll tell me he's sorry and I'll believe him and then I'll just get hurt again'. But when he finally did stop coming, she started to second guess herself. 'What if he really was sorry? What if it was just that one time and it really never does happen again?' She wanted desperately to hate him, but it seemed like the harder she tried, the harder it got.
The world kept turning though and she began to realize that time does heal all wounds. But that's not to say that it still wasn't tough. Every now and again, David would cross her mind and the old wound on the base of her heart would open back up, leaving her as miserable as the day it was inflicted. As time ticked by, the pain subsided and she was able to move on.
A couple of months later, for the first time since she had moved in, she was going to be alone with Ron. (Harry was in Egypt for a week for qudditch and Hermione had been sent to Romania to keep an eye on a shady character the Ministry had grown weary of). He did everything he could to keep her spirits up, from making her breakfast in bed to reciting rotten jokes, which, more than a few times, succeeded in getting a laugh. It was awkward at first, it being just the two of them, but it didn't take long for them to grow quite fond of the situation. It gave them the chance to really get to know one another. Some nights they would chatter on for hours about nothing in particular, recalling random things from their pasts and telling long drawn out stories that always wound up losing their point. Other nights they wouldn't say anything at all, just sit and enjoy the other's company. Many times they would fall asleep on the couch and wake up tangled in eachothers arms. Those were the nights that Ron liked the best. It felt so good to lay there next to her, to take in her warmth. He could have held her forever and a day and still not gotten enough. 'This is it', he thought to himself the first time he woke up beside her. 'This is how I want to spend my life. Right here. With this woman'. He wondered if he would ever get up the nerve to pursue a relationship with her, which was an option now that she was single again, and tried to decide what an appropriate period of time to wait would be. Neither of them had said anything about their past crushes on the other since that day in the hallway and there was no way of knowing if she even still felt that way about him.
"I think I should meet your family," Gemma asserted, setting her book down on the coffee table. "What do you think?"
"If you want to," he answered.
"Do you think they'd like me?"
"If I like you they'll like you."
"And do you?"
"Do I what?"
"Like me."
Ron turned to meet her eyes, a playful smirk spreading across his face. "No."
"Well!" she smiled, pushing herself off the couch and starting towards the kitchen. "You really know what to say to break a girl's heart Mr. Weasley."
Laughing, he got up and joined her. "Ah, you know I love you."
"Well, I don't love you!"
"Oh come on," he pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm such a loveable guy."
"That's what you think!"
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," he began. "Can you ever forgive me?"
She let go and set her glass in the sink. "I suppose."
"Good," he replied.
There was a short silence between them.
"Well," she sighed. "I think I'm going to go to bed. I'm beat."
"Yeah, me too."
"Do you have anything planned for tomorrow?" Gemma asked.
"Nothing," he answered.
"Me either. Oh, wait...Harry's coming home tomorrow isn't he?"
Ron thought for a second. "Yeah. Tomorrow night."
As she talked, she made her way to her bedroom and he followed.
"I'll make sure and get something for dinner then."
"What are you gonna get?"
"I dunno. Does it matter?"
"Not to me."
Gemma opened the doors to her wardrobe and pulled out the old button-up shirt of David's that she had grown accustomed to wearing every night.
"What's wrong?" Ron asked, noticing the way she was scrutinizing it.
"I think I need a new shirt for bed. This one comes with baggage."
"I know what you mean," he snickered.
She sifted through her things, but nothing seemed suitable for some reason so she turned back around to Ron.
"I"m going to borrow something of yours."
"Just like that huh? You're not even going to ask?"
"Do I need to?" When all he did was shrug, she took his hand and lead him back up to his flat. "Okay, you choose."
"You want me to pick it out?"
"It's quicker this way."
"Ah," he nodded. "Right then."
After a couple minutes of searching, he pulled out one of his old button-ups from Hogwart's and handed it to her.
"You still have these?" She smiled in astonishment.
"I was saving them for a special occasion."
"Really? Well, thanks. I'll be careful with it I promise."
"Anytime."
She folded it neatly over her arm and reached up to kiss him softly on the cheek. "I don't know what I would do without you."
"Same here."
"'Night Ron."
"'Night."
He watched her leave and after hearing the door click shut, threw himself down on his bed, his cheek still tingling from the touch of her lips. The thought of her down there, wearing nothing but his shirt was sure to keep him up all night.
Ron wasn't the only one who had a restless night though. Gemma was finding it increasingly difficult to get him off her mind. His smile, his laugh, everything about him. After David though, she wasn't sure she wanted to get involved with anyone else. It had crushed her to see him with that other woman and she didn't think she had it in her to get over another heartbreak like that.
The sound of clinking in the kitchen caused Ron to wake with a start. He sat up, taking a moment to focus in on the room. Warm, glittery sunlight was pouring in through the windows giving everything a dream-like glow. He listened closely, trying to decide if he should whip out his wand or run and just as he was about to brace himself to do the later of the two, he caught the sound of soft singing.
"Morning," Gemma beamed at him as he emerged from the hallway. "Did I wake you?"
"It's all right," he assured her. If ever he was going to be woken up by someone he would definately want it to be her.
As he sat down at the breakfast table and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, his vision became clearer and he examined her more closely. Suddenly it felt as though his heart had somersaulted into his throat. There she stood wearing nothing but the shirt he had lent her the night before and a pencil whcih was holding her hair up in a loose twist on the top of her head. She looked absolutely increadible to say the least.
"I came down to borrow some sugar and saw that you had some dishes that needed done, so, I'm doing them," she explained, finsihing the last cup and drying her hands.
"Y-you didn't have to do that," he sputtered, watching her sit down across from him and fold her smooth legs one over the other.
"Just say thank you," Gemma laughed, pouring them each a fresh cup of coffe.
"T-thank you."
"I needed something to do anyway. I couldn't sleep."
"Why not?" It took every ounce of his strength not to focus on her hand as she ran it up and down her calf.
"Dunno," she lied, avoiding eye contact. "Had alot on my mind I guess."
"Mmm. I know how that is."
"The longer I sit here though, the harder it is to stay awake. I might go lay back down for a couple of hours. It's early still."
Ron nodded in agreement. "Sounds good to me."
She stretched her arms up high over her head and yawned deeply. "What about you? Did you sleep okay?"
"Not really."
"Any particular reason?"
'Yeah. You' he thought. "I don't think so. Just restless."
Gemma stood up and motioned for him to follow as she headed back to his bedroom.
"We always sleep better when we sleep together," she explained, folding back his sheets and climbing in.
He stood, watching the woman he had fallen head over heels for crawl into his bed, and became torn between hiding and getting in next to her.
"What's the matter?" she asked.
"Er, nothing," he exclaimed taking a few steps closer.
"Come on then. I don't bite."
'I wouldn't mind it if you did'. Slowly, he inched in next to her and, without thinking, she moved closer, resting her head on his chest. His heart was pounding madly.
"What's wrong?" she questioned, looking up at him.
"Nothing," he replied.
"You're tense."
"Just a little."
"Am I making you nervous?" She smiled.
"Just a little."
Without warning, her heart also began to speed up. "Is it good nervous or bad nervous?"
Ron stared at her. "I'm not sure what I should say."
She pondered on whether she should go there or not. "Well, are you nervous because I'm not someone you want this close to you, or, are you nervous because I am someone you want this close to you."
His brain was screaming at him to take things slow, but his body was practically aching with anticipation. needless to say, his body was winning. "The last one," he retorted.
"Then," she began, throwing caution to the wind and scooting a little closer. "What can I do to help you relax?"
He took in a long, deep breath and wrapped his arms around her waist. "More of this."
She slid her hand up his chest to his cheek. "How's this?" she continued as she lifted her face closer to his.
"Closer," he whispered.
Gemma happily oblidged, slipping one of her legs between his and letting her hands slide back down his body. "How about now?"
"Closer," he repeated, taking in another deep breath as her hands found the bottom of his shirt, sliding underneath.
As she talked, their lips touched slightly. "And now?'
He let his own hands begin to wander. "Closer."
She pressed her lips gently against his, pulling back slightly to allow him the chance to decide the intensity. Wanting to keep her as tight to him as possible, he rolled her over on her back. 'What are you doing!' he thought to himself as her tongue mingled with his. 'Not now. Not without her knowing how you feel'.
"Gemma," he whispered, pulling back from her tender kisses.
"Please," she begged. "Don't say anything."
"I don't know if I can do this."
"I need you to Ron," she breathed.
He brushed a few stray strands of hair from her face, letting his fingertips linger on her cheek and neck. God knows he wanted to. "I love you Gemma.
Her breath caught in her throat and she felt as though she might loose herself in the moment. "What?"
"I'm in love with you."
His words were sincere and had such a powerful effect on her that when she opened her mouth to reply, no sound came out.
"If we do this," he continued, finding her hand somehow and intertwining their fingers. "Everything changes."
She nodded weakly.
"It won't ever be the same between us."
"Do you want that?"
"I want you Gemma. All of you, not just this."
She wasn't sure if she was crying out of happiness or fear, but a few tears streamed down her cheeks just the same.
"Don't hurt me Ron," she begged, thinking of David. "I don't think I could manage it."
"I could never hurt you," he swore, kissing the tears away softly.
Their lips met in a soft kiss and from that moment on, their lives as they knew them would never be the same.
Chapter Two
That afternoon, Hermione and Gemma did a little shopping, buying a few new robes for work and a couple sexy undergarments each just for fun. Harry and Ron went too, but spent most of their time staring at the latest quidditch gear.
Time flew by and soon they were back home and Gemma found herself getting ready for her date with David. Eight o' clock came and went though and at eleven thrity, when she still hadn't recieved any word, bad or good, she decided it best to go look for him.
Gemma rapped on the door to David's flat and when there was no answer she turned the knob and pushed the unlocked door open. A quick scan of the area told her that he was most certainly there. His shoes and pants were strewn carelessly about the living room floor and as she got closer to the bedroom, she found the remaining articles laying across the backs of chairs and on the sofa table. She also noticed a pair of heels and skirt that she was quite positive didn't belong to her. She took a few small steps closer to the bedroom, and stopped dead in her tracks as her ears picked up on soft giggles and moaning. Her heart began to pound rapidly in her throat as she quickly shoved the door ajar.
"Oh my God!" she cried, taking in the unwholesome sight. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Oh God, Gemma," David shrieked, pushing the young girl, who at the moment was straddling him, to the side. "Uh, I-I can explain."
Gemma's entire body felt as though it would explode with anger. "Don't bother."
She turned on her heel and began making her way back through the living room.
David fumbled after her, fighting to keep the twisted sheet in place around his waist.
"Gemma please!" He begged, making a wild grab for her arm.
"How could you do this to me!?" she spat, throwing his hand back in his face.
"I can explain," he repeated.
There were so many different emotions whirling through her head that it was becoming increasingly diffucult just to see straight.
"How could you possibly explain this David!?"
"It's not what it looks like?"
"I walked in on you fucking her for God's sake!"
"W-we were just..."
"Just what!? Checking eachother for warts!?"
He fumbled desperately for an explanation. "Gemma I-I..."
She threw up her hands in utter disgust. "I can't believe this is happening," she breathed, grabbing her head to steady herself. "I can't believe after all this time..."
"Gemma please!"
"How long huh?" she asked, rounding on him. "How many times?"
Just then, the girl he'd been riding emerged from the bedroom looking very disheveled. It was then that Gemma actually got a good look at her. She was tall and blonde and very young. Not a day over 19 by the looks of it. And even worse, Gemma recognize her.
"Oh David..." Gemma moaned in disbelief. "A student?"
His cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson. "Well, I,"
Her eyes were now stinging with hot tears. "An entire year we've been together David. An entire year!" She turned to meet the girl's eyes. "Did he tell you that?" she inquired of her. "How about the fact that he's been telling me he loves me...or," she averted her attention back to David. "Do you tell everyone that these days?"
"I-I'm gonna g-go," the girl stammered, searching hopelessly for her right shoe.
"Oh no," Gemma shook. "I am the one who interrupted after all."
Before she could reach the door, David took her by the hand and pulled her back.
"Please don't leave it like this Gemma!" he pleaded.
She shook him off forcefully. "What do you want me to say?" A few fresh tears slid from her cheeks to the ground. "I'm sorry you forgot to call. I'm sorry for worrying. I'm sorry to pop in on you at such an inopputune time. I'll just head back home and pretend I didn't see anything at all. Would that make you happy?"
"At least let me apologize."
Despite her stern stance, her voice was shaky and broken. "Empty words David...they're as worthless to me as you."
He watched her dissapparate with a loud 'CRACK', knowing without a doubt that he had just made the biggest mistake of his life.
She apparated in the living room of her flat and stood for a moment as though frozen in disbelief. Her insides were bubbling over with a mixture of anger and confusion and she couldn't help but feel like a complete fool for having been with him. She went over it again and again in her head, trying to pinpoint the exact moment where things went awry. Had he acted strangely in any way? Had he said anything that would have suggested he was losing interest? What could she have possibly done to bring this on? If he didn't want to be with her, why would he tell her he loved her? The questions came rushing over her like a tidal wave.
Ron, Harry and Hermione, who had just returned from dinner at The Leaky Cauldron, heard the crack andwent downstairs to see if everything was all right. They had never know her to have a date with David that didn't last until the next morning.
"Gemma?" Hermione asked, knocking a couple times on the door before entrering. "Oh no," she gasped when she saw that she was crying. "What happened? Is David all right?"
"David's just fine," she exclaimed, wiping away two big tears threatening to drip from her chin. "He's just bloody perfect."
"What happened?"
"I walked in on him with another woman."
"No way!" she gaped, plopping down next to her on the sofa. "He's cheating on you?"
"Yeah. And with a student no less!" Gemma declared.
"Oh Gemma I'm so sorry," she whispered, placing a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"I feel like such a git!"
"Don't say that. He's the one who should be beating himself up right now, not you."
"What a bastard!" Ron spat. "How could he do that to you?"
"You should have seen them together."
"I can imagine," Hermione sighed.
"How long has this been going on?" Harry asked her, sitting down on the unoccupied side of the couch.
"I dunno...I don't think I even want to know for that matter." She got up and began pacing back and forth in front of them. "I'm so mad I feel like I could explode! God, and I'm embarrassed! And confused and...and... God I dunno!" She stared at them all desparingly. "It just doesn't make since!"
"C'mere," Ron sighed reaching out to her.
Gemma, feeling feeble and defeated, wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder. "It just doesn't make since," she breathed.
Every day after that for a week, David showed up to "talk things through", but Gemma wasn't willing to listen. 'He'll just try to get me back,' she contemplated. 'He'll tell me he's sorry and I'll believe him and then I'll just get hurt again'. But when he finally did stop coming, she started to second guess herself. 'What if he really was sorry? What if it was just that one time and it really never does happen again?' She wanted desperately to hate him, but it seemed like the harder she tried, the harder it got.
The world kept turning though and she began to realize that time does heal all wounds. But that's not to say that it still wasn't tough. Every now and again, David would cross her mind and the old wound on the base of her heart would open back up, leaving her as miserable as the day it was inflicted. As time ticked by, the pain subsided and she was able to move on.
A couple of months later, for the first time since she had moved in, she was going to be alone with Ron. (Harry was in Egypt for a week for qudditch and Hermione had been sent to Romania to keep an eye on a shady character the Ministry had grown weary of). He did everything he could to keep her spirits up, from making her breakfast in bed to reciting rotten jokes, which, more than a few times, succeeded in getting a laugh. It was awkward at first, it being just the two of them, but it didn't take long for them to grow quite fond of the situation. It gave them the chance to really get to know one another. Some nights they would chatter on for hours about nothing in particular, recalling random things from their pasts and telling long drawn out stories that always wound up losing their point. Other nights they wouldn't say anything at all, just sit and enjoy the other's company. Many times they would fall asleep on the couch and wake up tangled in eachothers arms. Those were the nights that Ron liked the best. It felt so good to lay there next to her, to take in her warmth. He could have held her forever and a day and still not gotten enough. 'This is it', he thought to himself the first time he woke up beside her. 'This is how I want to spend my life. Right here. With this woman'. He wondered if he would ever get up the nerve to pursue a relationship with her, which was an option now that she was single again, and tried to decide what an appropriate period of time to wait would be. Neither of them had said anything about their past crushes on the other since that day in the hallway and there was no way of knowing if she even still felt that way about him.
"I think I should meet your family," Gemma asserted, setting her book down on the coffee table. "What do you think?"
"If you want to," he answered.
"Do you think they'd like me?"
"If I like you they'll like you."
"And do you?"
"Do I what?"
"Like me."
Ron turned to meet her eyes, a playful smirk spreading across his face. "No."
"Well!" she smiled, pushing herself off the couch and starting towards the kitchen. "You really know what to say to break a girl's heart Mr. Weasley."
Laughing, he got up and joined her. "Ah, you know I love you."
"Well, I don't love you!"
"Oh come on," he pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm such a loveable guy."
"That's what you think!"
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," he began. "Can you ever forgive me?"
She let go and set her glass in the sink. "I suppose."
"Good," he replied.
There was a short silence between them.
"Well," she sighed. "I think I'm going to go to bed. I'm beat."
"Yeah, me too."
"Do you have anything planned for tomorrow?" Gemma asked.
"Nothing," he answered.
"Me either. Oh, wait...Harry's coming home tomorrow isn't he?"
Ron thought for a second. "Yeah. Tomorrow night."
As she talked, she made her way to her bedroom and he followed.
"I'll make sure and get something for dinner then."
"What are you gonna get?"
"I dunno. Does it matter?"
"Not to me."
Gemma opened the doors to her wardrobe and pulled out the old button-up shirt of David's that she had grown accustomed to wearing every night.
"What's wrong?" Ron asked, noticing the way she was scrutinizing it.
"I think I need a new shirt for bed. This one comes with baggage."
"I know what you mean," he snickered.
She sifted through her things, but nothing seemed suitable for some reason so she turned back around to Ron.
"I"m going to borrow something of yours."
"Just like that huh? You're not even going to ask?"
"Do I need to?" When all he did was shrug, she took his hand and lead him back up to his flat. "Okay, you choose."
"You want me to pick it out?"
"It's quicker this way."
"Ah," he nodded. "Right then."
After a couple minutes of searching, he pulled out one of his old button-ups from Hogwart's and handed it to her.
"You still have these?" She smiled in astonishment.
"I was saving them for a special occasion."
"Really? Well, thanks. I'll be careful with it I promise."
"Anytime."
She folded it neatly over her arm and reached up to kiss him softly on the cheek. "I don't know what I would do without you."
"Same here."
"'Night Ron."
"'Night."
He watched her leave and after hearing the door click shut, threw himself down on his bed, his cheek still tingling from the touch of her lips. The thought of her down there, wearing nothing but his shirt was sure to keep him up all night.
Ron wasn't the only one who had a restless night though. Gemma was finding it increasingly difficult to get him off her mind. His smile, his laugh, everything about him. After David though, she wasn't sure she wanted to get involved with anyone else. It had crushed her to see him with that other woman and she didn't think she had it in her to get over another heartbreak like that.
The sound of clinking in the kitchen caused Ron to wake with a start. He sat up, taking a moment to focus in on the room. Warm, glittery sunlight was pouring in through the windows giving everything a dream-like glow. He listened closely, trying to decide if he should whip out his wand or run and just as he was about to brace himself to do the later of the two, he caught the sound of soft singing.
"Morning," Gemma beamed at him as he emerged from the hallway. "Did I wake you?"
"It's all right," he assured her. If ever he was going to be woken up by someone he would definately want it to be her.
As he sat down at the breakfast table and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, his vision became clearer and he examined her more closely. Suddenly it felt as though his heart had somersaulted into his throat. There she stood wearing nothing but the shirt he had lent her the night before and a pencil whcih was holding her hair up in a loose twist on the top of her head. She looked absolutely increadible to say the least.
"I came down to borrow some sugar and saw that you had some dishes that needed done, so, I'm doing them," she explained, finsihing the last cup and drying her hands.
"Y-you didn't have to do that," he sputtered, watching her sit down across from him and fold her smooth legs one over the other.
"Just say thank you," Gemma laughed, pouring them each a fresh cup of coffe.
"T-thank you."
"I needed something to do anyway. I couldn't sleep."
"Why not?" It took every ounce of his strength not to focus on her hand as she ran it up and down her calf.
"Dunno," she lied, avoiding eye contact. "Had alot on my mind I guess."
"Mmm. I know how that is."
"The longer I sit here though, the harder it is to stay awake. I might go lay back down for a couple of hours. It's early still."
Ron nodded in agreement. "Sounds good to me."
She stretched her arms up high over her head and yawned deeply. "What about you? Did you sleep okay?"
"Not really."
"Any particular reason?"
'Yeah. You' he thought. "I don't think so. Just restless."
Gemma stood up and motioned for him to follow as she headed back to his bedroom.
"We always sleep better when we sleep together," she explained, folding back his sheets and climbing in.
He stood, watching the woman he had fallen head over heels for crawl into his bed, and became torn between hiding and getting in next to her.
"What's the matter?" she asked.
"Er, nothing," he exclaimed taking a few steps closer.
"Come on then. I don't bite."
'I wouldn't mind it if you did'. Slowly, he inched in next to her and, without thinking, she moved closer, resting her head on his chest. His heart was pounding madly.
"What's wrong?" she questioned, looking up at him.
"Nothing," he replied.
"You're tense."
"Just a little."
"Am I making you nervous?" She smiled.
"Just a little."
Without warning, her heart also began to speed up. "Is it good nervous or bad nervous?"
Ron stared at her. "I'm not sure what I should say."
She pondered on whether she should go there or not. "Well, are you nervous because I'm not someone you want this close to you, or, are you nervous because I am someone you want this close to you."
His brain was screaming at him to take things slow, but his body was practically aching with anticipation. needless to say, his body was winning. "The last one," he retorted.
"Then," she began, throwing caution to the wind and scooting a little closer. "What can I do to help you relax?"
He took in a long, deep breath and wrapped his arms around her waist. "More of this."
She slid her hand up his chest to his cheek. "How's this?" she continued as she lifted her face closer to his.
"Closer," he whispered.
Gemma happily oblidged, slipping one of her legs between his and letting her hands slide back down his body. "How about now?"
"Closer," he repeated, taking in another deep breath as her hands found the bottom of his shirt, sliding underneath.
As she talked, their lips touched slightly. "And now?'
He let his own hands begin to wander. "Closer."
She pressed her lips gently against his, pulling back slightly to allow him the chance to decide the intensity. Wanting to keep her as tight to him as possible, he rolled her over on her back. 'What are you doing!' he thought to himself as her tongue mingled with his. 'Not now. Not without her knowing how you feel'.
"Gemma," he whispered, pulling back from her tender kisses.
"Please," she begged. "Don't say anything."
"I don't know if I can do this."
"I need you to Ron," she breathed.
He brushed a few stray strands of hair from her face, letting his fingertips linger on her cheek and neck. God knows he wanted to. "I love you Gemma.
Her breath caught in her throat and she felt as though she might loose herself in the moment. "What?"
"I'm in love with you."
His words were sincere and had such a powerful effect on her that when she opened her mouth to reply, no sound came out.
"If we do this," he continued, finding her hand somehow and intertwining their fingers. "Everything changes."
She nodded weakly.
"It won't ever be the same between us."
"Do you want that?"
"I want you Gemma. All of you, not just this."
She wasn't sure if she was crying out of happiness or fear, but a few tears streamed down her cheeks just the same.
"Don't hurt me Ron," she begged, thinking of David. "I don't think I could manage it."
"I could never hurt you," he swore, kissing the tears away softly.
Their lips met in a soft kiss and from that moment on, their lives as they knew them would never be the same.