Common Room Chatter
(Chapter Nineteen)
The Holiday went by quickly and the friends were already back at Hogwarts and the year was well into February.
It was a late Tuesday afternoon and quidditch practice had just ended. Ginny, Harry and Ron had just entered the common room, all three dropping their bags and brooms unceremoniously on the floor next the big comfy chairs that surrounded the fire place. Hermione was already there curled up in one of the chairs reading a book. Ron walked up to her and leaned down a great distance to claim her lips in a virtuous kiss. This had been the normal greeting for Ron and Hermione the past month and everyone had grown used to them together. Not that it had taken a long time; most people had expected it to happen anyway.
"What are you reading?" Ron asked smiling down at his girlfriend.
Hermione smiled, battling on whether to look at the book she was obviously taken by or her beloved boyfriend.
"The Crucible, by Arthur Miller," Hermione stated and Ron stared at her blankly.
"It's a muggle book about the Witch persecutions," She explained.
"Oh," Ron uttered while slightly frowning and he instantly looked uninterested. This naturally set off an alarm in Hermione.
"It's actually very interesting reading the events from a muggle perspective."
Ron shook his head. "I don't need or want to read the reasons behind muggles murdering Witches"
"Well that's the thing; most of those killed weren't witches at all!" Hermione explained.
Ron huffed. "Yep, and that restores my faith in muggle intelligence!" He said sarcastically.
Hermione frowned. "Ron! My family are muggles!"
Ron and Hermione broke into an argument. Even being a couple hadn't changed their occasional fight sessions. It was a relief to know they hadn't changed to much.
Harry and Ginny sat back on the couch across from the bickering couple. Harry mused at the thought that any girlfriend and boyfriend could break into such a fight over literature, But Ron and Hermione never ceased to amaze him.
At the current moment however, Harry was too tired to listen to them. He turned to Ginny and smiled.
"Do you reckon we break up their fight?" Harry asked.
Ginny returned him a lopsided smile. "Please hurry, I really don't want to see them make up."
Ron and Hermione were also notorious for long make up snog sessions.
Harry smiled and cleared his throat. "Hermione?"
Hermione who was now standing facing Ron, stopped talking and turned to Harry
"Yes?" She snapped.
"I er was just wondering if you finished your essay for Defense against the dark arts," Harry asked.
Hermione cooled down and took in a deep breath. Ron seemed to have relaxed now as well and sat down in Hermione's seat and pulled her down gently to sit on his lap. He wrapped his quidditch uniform clad arms around her gently.
"Yes, I finished just before you lot arrived," She answered.
Ron looked shocked. "You finished already!"
Hermione smiled and shifted in his lap so she could face him. "Well, I do manage to get a lot done when you're not around distracting me," She said teasingly. And Ron cuddled her playfully back.
"You get distracted? I haven't been able to do anything properly the past month!"
"Except be a perfect boyfriend."
Harry and Ginny loved their friends together but sometimes it got annoying when they were ignored.
"We were discussing your essays…" Ginny chimed in.
Hermione and Ron brought their focus back to their friends.
"Sorry," Hermione blushed.
"Well, what did you write your essay on that you finished it so quickly?" Harry asked.
"I wrote about the Circulus Flabra charm, about five pages."
"The what charm?" Ron asked and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Honestly, don't you listen at all in class?"
"Not really."
"Come on, you have to remember! It's a very complicated defense charm, one that Professor Jones discussed…."
Ron thought and then had an epiphany. "Oh yeah! I remember, how d'ya manage to write five pages on that?"
"Lot's of research, and a few helpful hints from Professor Jones."
Harry frowned. "I've only written one paragraph."
Ron frowned even more. "I've got an outline."
Hermione sighed deeply. "I'll tell you what; I'll let you both read my essay. So you can see how I formatted it and so you can learn more about the Circulus Flabra charm, it's something you should know about, especially you Harry. It's a very rare high level charm. Apparently only three or more witches or wizards who share a deep bond of love can perform it."
Harry sighed and cut Hermione's lecture off. "Thank you, Hermione."
"Yeah, thanks. You're the best," Ron said and kissed Hermione passionately.
Ginny sighed with a disgusted tone and turned to Harry. "Do you wanna go for a walk or something?"
Harry blushed and bit his lower lip. "Er, actually, I should really get working on this essay."
"Oh, Right" Ginny said trying to hide the disappointment in her voice. She got up, grabbed her stuff and headed up to the girls dormitory.
Harry watched her go wondering what he said wrong and then his glance fell back onto his two best friends who were still kissing with enthusiasm. Harry sighed with frustration and ran his hand through his already messed up hair. He got up abruptly and stormed off up the stairs. He was happy for his friends but he couldn't help feeling like a third wheel. If only there was someone else he could hang out with…
Hermione and Ron finally pulled away from each other and smiled.
"So, This Saturday is Valentines day," Ron said smoothly. "What do you want to do?"
Hermione smiled with her nose and forehead pressed against Ron's.
"Surprise me."
"Ok," Ron said and placed a short kiss on her lips.
"I have an idea; let's just go out somewhere in Hogsmead. I don't want to exchange gifts, I just want to spend the day with you," Hermione requested.
The request was sincere. She really just wanted to spend the day with Ron, but she also didn't feel it necessary for him to spend money on her.
"I think I can survive that," Ron teased and kissed her again.
"Hey," Hermione stopped and looked around the room. "Where did Harry and Ginny go?"
Ron looked around the room once more but soon focused his attention back on his wonderful girlfriend.
"Don't know," He answered casually and his lips met Hermione's once more.
Once again, I really hope that you enjoyed it! Please leave a review!