Ch. 5: Oh…

"Oh…"

But for that word, Ron was speechless. Here he was, painfully aware of his near-nakedness (and the effect that she was producing in the only covered part of his body). Here was Oliver's cousin; not only in the flesh but also staring wide-eyed at his body. Damn, was she better in person.

For several moments they were both speechless; she not quite daring to look at the ever-increasing bulge in Ron's boxers and Ron too red to say anything. The silence in the compartment was nearly deafening.

The door slid open. "And what would we-Oh," Danae, the new vendor, stood drinking in the scene in front of her. "I, uhm, hope I'm not interrupting anything?"

Ron let out a muffled noise. This was all he really needed to make his week. As if Hermione telling him off hadn't been enough, Gwen's first impression of him would forever involve his boxers –and not in a good way, either- and the snack lady now officially thought she had stumbled upon a snog session. I only wish, thought Ron, turning redder.

"I'll, uhm, go then?" Danae asked. Ron nodded.

"Wait," Gwen's voice was like a song. "Two bags of Chocolate frogs, please." Drawing out six knuts, she placed them in the hand of the abashed vendor. "Have a nice day."

Danae muttered that sounded vaguely like thank you and disappeared.

The second she left Ron burst out laughing, nearly forgetting he was in his boxers. "Did you see the look on her face? God, she must really have thought we were hot and heavy."

When he heard her laugh in a reply, he felt a not-so-vague weakness in his knees. It was like- like some romantic fluff that you read about in old Muggle novels, he realized, so classic and pure.

"I'm Gwen Wood, by the way." She shot out her hand.

"I know," Ron nearly whispered. "I mean," he got louder "I'm a friend of Oliver's. I recognized you from the picture on his wall." He took her hand, shaking it firmly. Add pompous ass to her description of you.

Her hand was warm and inviting, and he was almost reluctant to let it go. It was so soft, he thought. On a whim, he brought it up to his mouth, shaking, and gave it a light kiss.

"Lady Wood, it is of the greatest pleasure to make your acquaintance at long last. Ron Weasley." He bowed, deeper than he ever had.

She giggled. "Sir Weasley, the pleasure is all mine." It was only when she curtsied, with all the grace of a real lady (Despite the Chocolate Frogs) that he noticed that she, too, was red.

"Right," Ron said, looking at the floor. Shit, I'm still in my boxers, he realized with growing horror. "I-ahem- Milady, it appears that I am not adequately attired. Would my Ladyship pardon me for but a moment, I could…"

"Ron," she giggled again. "It's not as if I could possibly see any more, but if it would make you more comfortable I could turn around."

With a small degree of reluctance-where the hell did that come from?-he reached for his robes.

Looking up, he realized that she had, indeed turned around.

Damn.

Where did that come from? Gwen thought. He's only putting on his robes-

Yeah, and covering up abs he probably worked on all summer…

You couldn't stop staring at them even though I expressly told you to. Are we forgetting Norman?

And since when is the voice of reason boss?

Since forever-Norman- hey, turn around!

Reluctantly Gwen turned on her heel, suddenly aware of how her new Hogwarts robes fit- that is, a lot more flatteringly than her Beauxbatons ones had. Looking down, she realized that they rode her curves, emphasizing certain aspects…

This was going to be an interesting year.

What about Norman?

What about Him?

Suddenly, her mind tugged back to the "dream". Interesting wouldn't even begin to describe if He visited her as often as he had of late. Sadness washed over her, overwhelming her temporary happiness –and lust, a voice interjected- and she sat down. He ruined everything, took everything alive and smothered it, turned everything ripe rotten-

"You know, you can look up now."

His voice was like a Lumos in the darkest of caves, a rainbow brightly shining despite the rain. Smiling, she looked up at him teasingly, staring straight into his eyes.

"Oh…" It was a perfect imitation of him in every facet, even the look in her eyes seemed to betray a deep embarrassment.

"Shut up!" Ron giggled, and patted the area-immediately- next to him. "Sit down, now." When she sat in the middle seat, he shook his head. "No, closer. I don't bite." Nodding his head, he looked down. She could almost read his mind, confirmed as she herself looked in that area. Damn, no- Hell, is this embarrassing.

"You know," she dared to sit just a tad closer, "A small girl like myself has no hope of finishing all these Chocolate frogs by myself. Wouldst my knight take on this daunting task and save this damsel in distress?"

"For thou, My lady, no task is too daunting," Ron smiled, almost in a relieved way. Gwen could tell instinctively by the way his robes fit he was not in the best of financial situations –and, judging by the fact he hadn't asked her for any, that he had a sense of pride as well. She gave herself a rare pat on the back- she had showed tact and perception.

Five points, Wood.

That was something so Norman that she almost doubled the distance between herself and Weasley. Ron, however, seemed not to notice as the train slowed.

"We're there," he said with a smile.