Disclaimer: J.K.Rowling owns everything, I don't. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 5
With the concerned stares of her friends following her, Ginny left the Gryffindor Common Room and headed for her sleeping quarters. Carefully opening the door to her darkened room she saw the figure of her roommate crouched over her bed quickly covering her precious treasure box.
Ginny had seen the looks thrown at her by the other Gryffindors lounging in the common room and knew she had to check on her friend. When Hermione had entered the room she had looked about to make a quick getaway before turning around and stiffly walking to her bedroom, seemingly oblivious to her surroundings. She was sickened when she overheard a comment thrown at Hermione's retreating back "look at the mudblood -- too good for us I guess," and the agreeing, "good riddance." She understood that many would be afraid to associate with a 'Death Eater orphan' for fear of retaliation, but she was their housemate and friend. Ginny couldn't even count how many times Hermione had put her own needs aside to assist others. When she needed support however, they were nowhere to be found. It wasn't as if the entire school had turned against her, but they were vocal enough to quell the mutiny from her supporters. It brought to mind the quote 'In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.' She could only imagine what her friend would remember when this was all over.
"Mione?" She began carefully, "is everything ok? You said you were going to join us in the common room tonight. Did you forget?" She was trying for lighthearted banter, and thought she succeeded fairly well.
"Oh-- sorry Ginny, I did forget. I've had a lot on my mind I guess." She speculated that the other girl was going for that 'Absent Minded Professor' tone, but stifled the giggle just in case.
"Anything wrong?"
"Just a bump in the road, slight detour -- nothing I can't handle," Ginny heard her friend reply over-confidently. After all that had happened in the last year she had never heard her so undaunted. She remembered looking up to the older witch during her earlier years at school and modeling herself after the girl academically. Just academically mind you, as her personal life was non-existent. For all of the talk around school of Hermione's 'special friendship' with Ron and her beloved Harry, she knew the truth. She also knew what that particular lie was covering. So while she may very well be the schools biggest gossip since her mother, when it came to anything Hermione Granger -- her lips were sealed.
Walking further into the room she cast a quick "Lumos" and flopped onto her own bed. Noticing that her roommate's wand wasn't in its usual place on her nightstand she casually asked about it. For such an innocent question, she hadn't expected the dissertation that followed.
Ginny sat patiently and listened as Hermione summarized the unimaginable events that had taken place since they had last talked. She described in detail the disturbing conversation overheard in the library. She then went on to construct an unimaginable story involving a very unusual plan, while admitting to throwing an array of wholly inappropriate comments at the gentle headmaster and the most feared professor the school had even employed.
Finally after noting the silence indicative of a completed story, Ginny asked rather hesitantly, "So Snape's got it?"
"Got what?" was the guarded reply.
"Your wand. I asked you where your wand was."
With an exasperated sigh Hermione threw her hands in the air and said "Yes, he has my wand -- he grabbed it from me before I could break it, and I think he still had it when he was walking me back here. I was going to go back for it, but-- honestly Ginny, did you not hear a word I said?"
The younger girl, realizing she needed to proceed with caution, began slowly "Mione, I know you've been under a lot of stress lately, and this law very unsettling for you--"
"You don't believe me!"
"Mione, you're not even 18 yet and won't be until the end of summer. I'm telling you, don't worry about this law. It won't affect you." Ginny didn't really understand where her friend's fabrication was coming from, but she knew that a conversation with Professor McGonagall was in order. With regular meetings the two had been keeping a close (and quiet) eye on her since her bout of depression. While Harry and Ron were great to pal around with (well Harry was great at other things too), the Professor correctly surmised that the boys didn't have the tact necessary to participate in such a delicate task.
After an appropriate grieving period the main concern for everyone had been to bring back their Gryffindor know-it-all. When she pulled herself out of her own self-imposed stupor they happily moved on to greener pastures -- taking their recently returned friend along for the ride. Professor McGonagall wasn't so quick to be dissuaded. She had feared that her newly found strength would at times falter and was ready to give her the necessary support, but not with the heavy-handed approach that the boys doled out so regularly. She had enlisted the help of the younger girl to keep tabs on her roommate's activities. For all their meetings though, neither of them had ever discussed a scenario in which she turned delusional.
"Oh yes, I forgot to tell you that part. Do you remember me telling you about my using the timeturner in my third year?" Ginny nodded and waited for another boring installment of "As the Timeturner Turns" staring Hermione Granger. With a wry smile she instead continued, "well, it appears that my extra time has been added to my age -- Dumbledore just informed me that I've turned 18 years old today."
Shocked by the fact that her account could possibly be true, Ginny said the first thing that came to her mind. "Wow... Umm... Happy Birthday Mione."
Just as the words left her mouth she realized how unbelievably stupid and insensitive they were. Looking at the other girl's expression of horror she decided she needed backup to handle the unfamiliar situation. While Professor McGonagall was great with the understated support, her conversations tended to be stilted and awkward. Ginny quickly decided that what the distraught girl needed was to be in a place where she felt free to express herself, and there was really only one place for that. So with a false sense of giddiness she suggested that they go visit Harry and Ron for some much needed relief from the situation.
Seeing that Ginny was obviously out of her league and definitely wanting to quell the animosity she felt building towards her, Hermione seemed to ponder the idea. Then remembering the headmaster's words she shook her head and said "I can't, Dumbledore told me to stay in my room until the hearing tomorrow."
Not able to stop herself, Ginny just looked at her -- and with a twinkle in her eye very much like to the old man's, replied, "what's he going to do if he finds out... make you marry Snape?"
Feeling the stirrings of rebelliousness at the truthfulness of the comment, she jumped off the bed and called out, "You're Right -- I'm In, Let's Go!"
By the time they got to the boys room a bit of apprehension had entered the two of them. After sneaking past the throngs of students in the common room, Hermione was again reminded of how disconnected she was from the rest of the students. Ginny on the other hand was more worried about what they would encounter when they told the boys. Although they kept quiet about it, she figured that the two of them talked about her eligibility status and would not have been surprised if they were planning some crazy scheme. That it was now out of their hands, she knew, would not sit well with them. That is if they believed it, which truthfully she still wasn't even sure if she did.
With a quick knock on the door and an "are you decent?" Ginny flung open the door and bounded in. Accustomed to her usual entrance the occupants of the room grumbled jokingly and chuckled until they came across the sight of their second visitor. Hermione stood in the door looking apprehensive at best. This used to be a room where she felt welcomed. She was the one that would fling open the door and come bursting in with the enthusiasm of youth. As she stood in the doorway she thought about how much had changed and wondered how much of it was her own fault. As if on cue she moved into the room and found some clarity in the actions that followed.
Seamus Finnigan quickly rose from his bed and grumbled something about dinner as he headed for the door. Before leaving however, he shot Hermione a scathing look that reminded her why she avoided most of the other students. She supposed (or rather hoped) that Seamus' anger was directed more at the situation than at her, but you couldn't be sure these days. It was almost as if he personally blamed her for his father's desertion and Dean Thomas' departure from school.
The two boys had been best friends since their first year without any regard to Dean's muggle heritage. In fact, Seamus' own mixed heritage provided the shared experiences that drew them together. When the Death Eaters started targeting the muggle born witches, Seamus' parents began having regular arguments. Although Seamus wasn't there for all of them, he knew most centered around the fact that his mother had kept her magical abilities a secret until after they were married. Choosing the safety of the muggle world over the dangers of the magical world, his father eventually walked out and hadn't returned. His parting gift had been to inform Dean's parents of the future atrocities that their son would face. The Thomas', fearful for their child, gathered him up and left the country. Seamus apparently wished Hermione had been the one to go and she heartily agreed with him. She almost laughed at how two people wishing for the same results could evoke such different emotions.
So caught up in her own thoughts, she didn't see Neville until he was standing by her side. The once chubby, apprehensive child had grown into a strapping, self-assured man. Cognizant of his own personal history he displayed none of the pompousness usually found in someone so blessed. With a quick hug and a peck on the cheek he whispered quietly in her ear "don't worry about him luv, we're all glad to see you out and about." He gave a playful tug to one of her curls and then with a knowing smile he turned to the group and yelled out with mock severity "I can see by the gleam in your eyes that you are all up to no good, so I'm leaving now. I have enough detentions lined up to last me till the end of the year!" With a chuckle from all he swept out of the room closing the door firmly behind him.
Finally alone, and with a bit of the tension broken by Neville and his self-deprecating humor, Harry and Ron took turns welcoming her back to their lair. The boys looked as if they were ready to settle in for an evening of merriment when they noticed the stilted looks being passed between their company. After their few inquiries were met with hesitation as each girl indicated the other should start, the boys became clearly agitated.
Eventually Ginny broke rank and told them the whole sordid tale. Harry alternated between urging his girlfriend to continue and darting looks to his friend as she relaxed into his roommate's comforting embrace. While Harry interrupted occasionally to ask a question or clarify an unusual point, Ron hadn't spoken a word. Thinking that actions do speak louder than words he noticed that Ron had moved to hold her against him in what looked like an effort to combine their strength.
Almost as an unspoken request they didn't speak ill of the parties involved, or invent shortsighted plans as they would have in their youth. Simply stating the facts and offering Hermione the support that she obviously needed was more than enough. Hours later their discussion, which had been interdispersed with silence, became silence interrupted by the growling in their stomachs. Ron finally spoke to quietly suggest that Harry and Ginny go to the kitchen to get them all a late snack. An understanding look was passed between the two roommates before Harry grabbed his Invisibility Cloak and dragged his girlfriend out of the room.
As the other couple left she noted that she didn't feel uncomfortable being alone with Ron in the room. Lying with him on his bed, entwined in the companionable sprawl that only years of close friendship can produce, Hermione gave herself over to the emotions that had plagued her throughout the day. As quiet sobs racked her body he sought to ease her tired nerves by running his fingers through her hair and whispering calming words over her head. Neither attempted to move as he cradled her in his arms and soothed her like a wounded child.
As her tears subsided she noticed that he had begun to elongate his stroke, allowing his fingertips to lightly brush her back and tickle the curve of her spine. She felt his warm breath as he began to nuzzle the hair at her temple and kiss her soft mass of curls. Hermione felt a warmth spread throughout her body at the intimate contact and noticed with bashful delight that his heavy breathing matched her own. Timidly she raised her face to meet his and saw him regard her through heavy eyes before dipping his head and kissing away the tears at the corner of her eyes. Following the path they had established his lips edged to the corner of her mouth and she moaned as his tongue darted out to taste the salty tears he found there. Raising his head to look into her eyes, he sought answers to an unspoken question before dropping back to gently taste her waiting lips.
The kiss was so sweet that it made her wonder why they hadn't been doing this all along. Then, remembering their years of friendship, she realized that she couldn't just use him to erase her pain. His friendship meant more to her than a few stolen kisses that she would later regret. Sensing her change of mood he broke off the tender kiss and, exhaling slowly, rested his forehead on her own.
With a husky voice she said slowly, "we can't -- I can't hurt you like this."
He hesitated for a moment, about to say something, and then with a quick nod of his head he rolled over and pulled her with him to sit on the edge of the bed. Looking like he was going to change the subject in an effort to save their friendship, he quickly jumped from the bed and headed toward his school trunk. While it appeared that he had moved on as if the matter had been of no consequence, the abrupt loss left her feeling dejected and unsure of whether she had made the right decision.
"I have something for you. I got it over the summer, actually I've been looking for it for longer than that, but finally got it this summer. Anyway, I've been waiting for the perfect time to give it to you. I didn't think it would be so soon, but -- " Ron said the words matter-of-factly, but with plenty of his usual playfulness.
"Oh no, not more Weasley pranks" Hermione said with a forced laugh. She loved a good joke as much as anyone else -- ok, so not nearly as much as anyone else -- but she really wasn't in the mood for something that would make her turn purple or sprout wings.
"No Mione. Don't worry, this isn't a prank." She wasn't sure, but she thought she detected a hurt tone in his voice. She groaned inwardly at the thought of having to stroke his ego over some silly gift. It's not that she didn't appreciate him thinking about her, she was just surprised that he had. Sure Ron was a great friend, but he was a rather 'out of sight, out of mind' kind of guy.
While she had spent her summer under Dumbledore's supposed care, he had spent it working for his brothers at Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. Harry had written to her a few times and told her that they started him in the warehouse to 'learn from the ground up.' Ron quickly learned that was a business phrase for 'we aren't going to pay you much money, but we are going to work you to death with the most menial tasks we can find.' She knew that he showed a strong work ethic when he put his mind to it, but even she thought the job would break him. Ron surprised all by not only sticking to the exhausting labor, but also taking the initiative outside of work to promote the business. By the end of the summer the twins were regularly eating a lunchtime meal of Crow a la Ron.
Hermione noticed that Ron was spending an awfully long time fumbling around in his school trunk and was almost tempted to tell him it could wait for another time when he suddenly popped up and looked at her staring at him. With a quick blush he averted his eyes and sat down next to her on the bed. He stared out the window for a few moments obviously deep in thought and with a deep sigh he said, "I don't want you to say anything yet. Just think about it ok?"
She stayed silent and wondered what was going on. She loved gifts that she had to think about. Actually she loved anything that she had to think about. Using her mind to solve a problem was what got her through the day -- these days especially.
Awkwardly he got down on one knee and took her hand. She then noticed that in his outstretched fingers he held a beautiful diamond ring. With a princess cut and gold band. it was the classic standard of every young girls fantasy. She gasped and quickly looked up to meet his hesitant but loving gaze.
"Hermione Granger, will you marry me?"
------------
A/N: Big Thank You to my new beta NegativeNine!! Better than I had ever hoped for!!
For all of you that were surprised that this little twist, you should be thanking (or blaming) the following folks who inspired it: Deb ^..^ (it's not even the twist I was planning, but when the muse strikes); Karena Elizabeth for reminding me that some snogging was in order (but spaz141 was right that it can't be Sev just yet); and spaz141 for unknowingly making me feel guilty for putting Ron's feelings out there in the first chapter and then ditching him without more explanation.
shiv5468 - thanks for the helpful comments. It's funny that you should mention about the vigorous sex life -- there is actually more planned for that topic, but by the time I got to writing the rest it was sounding so heavy handed that I pulled it out for later use. Hopefully that will be tightened up later when the topic comes up again.
FYI - "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." quote from Martin Luther King, jr.
Chapter 5
With the concerned stares of her friends following her, Ginny left the Gryffindor Common Room and headed for her sleeping quarters. Carefully opening the door to her darkened room she saw the figure of her roommate crouched over her bed quickly covering her precious treasure box.
Ginny had seen the looks thrown at her by the other Gryffindors lounging in the common room and knew she had to check on her friend. When Hermione had entered the room she had looked about to make a quick getaway before turning around and stiffly walking to her bedroom, seemingly oblivious to her surroundings. She was sickened when she overheard a comment thrown at Hermione's retreating back "look at the mudblood -- too good for us I guess," and the agreeing, "good riddance." She understood that many would be afraid to associate with a 'Death Eater orphan' for fear of retaliation, but she was their housemate and friend. Ginny couldn't even count how many times Hermione had put her own needs aside to assist others. When she needed support however, they were nowhere to be found. It wasn't as if the entire school had turned against her, but they were vocal enough to quell the mutiny from her supporters. It brought to mind the quote 'In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.' She could only imagine what her friend would remember when this was all over.
"Mione?" She began carefully, "is everything ok? You said you were going to join us in the common room tonight. Did you forget?" She was trying for lighthearted banter, and thought she succeeded fairly well.
"Oh-- sorry Ginny, I did forget. I've had a lot on my mind I guess." She speculated that the other girl was going for that 'Absent Minded Professor' tone, but stifled the giggle just in case.
"Anything wrong?"
"Just a bump in the road, slight detour -- nothing I can't handle," Ginny heard her friend reply over-confidently. After all that had happened in the last year she had never heard her so undaunted. She remembered looking up to the older witch during her earlier years at school and modeling herself after the girl academically. Just academically mind you, as her personal life was non-existent. For all of the talk around school of Hermione's 'special friendship' with Ron and her beloved Harry, she knew the truth. She also knew what that particular lie was covering. So while she may very well be the schools biggest gossip since her mother, when it came to anything Hermione Granger -- her lips were sealed.
Walking further into the room she cast a quick "Lumos" and flopped onto her own bed. Noticing that her roommate's wand wasn't in its usual place on her nightstand she casually asked about it. For such an innocent question, she hadn't expected the dissertation that followed.
Ginny sat patiently and listened as Hermione summarized the unimaginable events that had taken place since they had last talked. She described in detail the disturbing conversation overheard in the library. She then went on to construct an unimaginable story involving a very unusual plan, while admitting to throwing an array of wholly inappropriate comments at the gentle headmaster and the most feared professor the school had even employed.
Finally after noting the silence indicative of a completed story, Ginny asked rather hesitantly, "So Snape's got it?"
"Got what?" was the guarded reply.
"Your wand. I asked you where your wand was."
With an exasperated sigh Hermione threw her hands in the air and said "Yes, he has my wand -- he grabbed it from me before I could break it, and I think he still had it when he was walking me back here. I was going to go back for it, but-- honestly Ginny, did you not hear a word I said?"
The younger girl, realizing she needed to proceed with caution, began slowly "Mione, I know you've been under a lot of stress lately, and this law very unsettling for you--"
"You don't believe me!"
"Mione, you're not even 18 yet and won't be until the end of summer. I'm telling you, don't worry about this law. It won't affect you." Ginny didn't really understand where her friend's fabrication was coming from, but she knew that a conversation with Professor McGonagall was in order. With regular meetings the two had been keeping a close (and quiet) eye on her since her bout of depression. While Harry and Ron were great to pal around with (well Harry was great at other things too), the Professor correctly surmised that the boys didn't have the tact necessary to participate in such a delicate task.
After an appropriate grieving period the main concern for everyone had been to bring back their Gryffindor know-it-all. When she pulled herself out of her own self-imposed stupor they happily moved on to greener pastures -- taking their recently returned friend along for the ride. Professor McGonagall wasn't so quick to be dissuaded. She had feared that her newly found strength would at times falter and was ready to give her the necessary support, but not with the heavy-handed approach that the boys doled out so regularly. She had enlisted the help of the younger girl to keep tabs on her roommate's activities. For all their meetings though, neither of them had ever discussed a scenario in which she turned delusional.
"Oh yes, I forgot to tell you that part. Do you remember me telling you about my using the timeturner in my third year?" Ginny nodded and waited for another boring installment of "As the Timeturner Turns" staring Hermione Granger. With a wry smile she instead continued, "well, it appears that my extra time has been added to my age -- Dumbledore just informed me that I've turned 18 years old today."
Shocked by the fact that her account could possibly be true, Ginny said the first thing that came to her mind. "Wow... Umm... Happy Birthday Mione."
Just as the words left her mouth she realized how unbelievably stupid and insensitive they were. Looking at the other girl's expression of horror she decided she needed backup to handle the unfamiliar situation. While Professor McGonagall was great with the understated support, her conversations tended to be stilted and awkward. Ginny quickly decided that what the distraught girl needed was to be in a place where she felt free to express herself, and there was really only one place for that. So with a false sense of giddiness she suggested that they go visit Harry and Ron for some much needed relief from the situation.
Seeing that Ginny was obviously out of her league and definitely wanting to quell the animosity she felt building towards her, Hermione seemed to ponder the idea. Then remembering the headmaster's words she shook her head and said "I can't, Dumbledore told me to stay in my room until the hearing tomorrow."
Not able to stop herself, Ginny just looked at her -- and with a twinkle in her eye very much like to the old man's, replied, "what's he going to do if he finds out... make you marry Snape?"
Feeling the stirrings of rebelliousness at the truthfulness of the comment, she jumped off the bed and called out, "You're Right -- I'm In, Let's Go!"
By the time they got to the boys room a bit of apprehension had entered the two of them. After sneaking past the throngs of students in the common room, Hermione was again reminded of how disconnected she was from the rest of the students. Ginny on the other hand was more worried about what they would encounter when they told the boys. Although they kept quiet about it, she figured that the two of them talked about her eligibility status and would not have been surprised if they were planning some crazy scheme. That it was now out of their hands, she knew, would not sit well with them. That is if they believed it, which truthfully she still wasn't even sure if she did.
With a quick knock on the door and an "are you decent?" Ginny flung open the door and bounded in. Accustomed to her usual entrance the occupants of the room grumbled jokingly and chuckled until they came across the sight of their second visitor. Hermione stood in the door looking apprehensive at best. This used to be a room where she felt welcomed. She was the one that would fling open the door and come bursting in with the enthusiasm of youth. As she stood in the doorway she thought about how much had changed and wondered how much of it was her own fault. As if on cue she moved into the room and found some clarity in the actions that followed.
Seamus Finnigan quickly rose from his bed and grumbled something about dinner as he headed for the door. Before leaving however, he shot Hermione a scathing look that reminded her why she avoided most of the other students. She supposed (or rather hoped) that Seamus' anger was directed more at the situation than at her, but you couldn't be sure these days. It was almost as if he personally blamed her for his father's desertion and Dean Thomas' departure from school.
The two boys had been best friends since their first year without any regard to Dean's muggle heritage. In fact, Seamus' own mixed heritage provided the shared experiences that drew them together. When the Death Eaters started targeting the muggle born witches, Seamus' parents began having regular arguments. Although Seamus wasn't there for all of them, he knew most centered around the fact that his mother had kept her magical abilities a secret until after they were married. Choosing the safety of the muggle world over the dangers of the magical world, his father eventually walked out and hadn't returned. His parting gift had been to inform Dean's parents of the future atrocities that their son would face. The Thomas', fearful for their child, gathered him up and left the country. Seamus apparently wished Hermione had been the one to go and she heartily agreed with him. She almost laughed at how two people wishing for the same results could evoke such different emotions.
So caught up in her own thoughts, she didn't see Neville until he was standing by her side. The once chubby, apprehensive child had grown into a strapping, self-assured man. Cognizant of his own personal history he displayed none of the pompousness usually found in someone so blessed. With a quick hug and a peck on the cheek he whispered quietly in her ear "don't worry about him luv, we're all glad to see you out and about." He gave a playful tug to one of her curls and then with a knowing smile he turned to the group and yelled out with mock severity "I can see by the gleam in your eyes that you are all up to no good, so I'm leaving now. I have enough detentions lined up to last me till the end of the year!" With a chuckle from all he swept out of the room closing the door firmly behind him.
Finally alone, and with a bit of the tension broken by Neville and his self-deprecating humor, Harry and Ron took turns welcoming her back to their lair. The boys looked as if they were ready to settle in for an evening of merriment when they noticed the stilted looks being passed between their company. After their few inquiries were met with hesitation as each girl indicated the other should start, the boys became clearly agitated.
Eventually Ginny broke rank and told them the whole sordid tale. Harry alternated between urging his girlfriend to continue and darting looks to his friend as she relaxed into his roommate's comforting embrace. While Harry interrupted occasionally to ask a question or clarify an unusual point, Ron hadn't spoken a word. Thinking that actions do speak louder than words he noticed that Ron had moved to hold her against him in what looked like an effort to combine their strength.
Almost as an unspoken request they didn't speak ill of the parties involved, or invent shortsighted plans as they would have in their youth. Simply stating the facts and offering Hermione the support that she obviously needed was more than enough. Hours later their discussion, which had been interdispersed with silence, became silence interrupted by the growling in their stomachs. Ron finally spoke to quietly suggest that Harry and Ginny go to the kitchen to get them all a late snack. An understanding look was passed between the two roommates before Harry grabbed his Invisibility Cloak and dragged his girlfriend out of the room.
As the other couple left she noted that she didn't feel uncomfortable being alone with Ron in the room. Lying with him on his bed, entwined in the companionable sprawl that only years of close friendship can produce, Hermione gave herself over to the emotions that had plagued her throughout the day. As quiet sobs racked her body he sought to ease her tired nerves by running his fingers through her hair and whispering calming words over her head. Neither attempted to move as he cradled her in his arms and soothed her like a wounded child.
As her tears subsided she noticed that he had begun to elongate his stroke, allowing his fingertips to lightly brush her back and tickle the curve of her spine. She felt his warm breath as he began to nuzzle the hair at her temple and kiss her soft mass of curls. Hermione felt a warmth spread throughout her body at the intimate contact and noticed with bashful delight that his heavy breathing matched her own. Timidly she raised her face to meet his and saw him regard her through heavy eyes before dipping his head and kissing away the tears at the corner of her eyes. Following the path they had established his lips edged to the corner of her mouth and she moaned as his tongue darted out to taste the salty tears he found there. Raising his head to look into her eyes, he sought answers to an unspoken question before dropping back to gently taste her waiting lips.
The kiss was so sweet that it made her wonder why they hadn't been doing this all along. Then, remembering their years of friendship, she realized that she couldn't just use him to erase her pain. His friendship meant more to her than a few stolen kisses that she would later regret. Sensing her change of mood he broke off the tender kiss and, exhaling slowly, rested his forehead on her own.
With a husky voice she said slowly, "we can't -- I can't hurt you like this."
He hesitated for a moment, about to say something, and then with a quick nod of his head he rolled over and pulled her with him to sit on the edge of the bed. Looking like he was going to change the subject in an effort to save their friendship, he quickly jumped from the bed and headed toward his school trunk. While it appeared that he had moved on as if the matter had been of no consequence, the abrupt loss left her feeling dejected and unsure of whether she had made the right decision.
"I have something for you. I got it over the summer, actually I've been looking for it for longer than that, but finally got it this summer. Anyway, I've been waiting for the perfect time to give it to you. I didn't think it would be so soon, but -- " Ron said the words matter-of-factly, but with plenty of his usual playfulness.
"Oh no, not more Weasley pranks" Hermione said with a forced laugh. She loved a good joke as much as anyone else -- ok, so not nearly as much as anyone else -- but she really wasn't in the mood for something that would make her turn purple or sprout wings.
"No Mione. Don't worry, this isn't a prank." She wasn't sure, but she thought she detected a hurt tone in his voice. She groaned inwardly at the thought of having to stroke his ego over some silly gift. It's not that she didn't appreciate him thinking about her, she was just surprised that he had. Sure Ron was a great friend, but he was a rather 'out of sight, out of mind' kind of guy.
While she had spent her summer under Dumbledore's supposed care, he had spent it working for his brothers at Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. Harry had written to her a few times and told her that they started him in the warehouse to 'learn from the ground up.' Ron quickly learned that was a business phrase for 'we aren't going to pay you much money, but we are going to work you to death with the most menial tasks we can find.' She knew that he showed a strong work ethic when he put his mind to it, but even she thought the job would break him. Ron surprised all by not only sticking to the exhausting labor, but also taking the initiative outside of work to promote the business. By the end of the summer the twins were regularly eating a lunchtime meal of Crow a la Ron.
Hermione noticed that Ron was spending an awfully long time fumbling around in his school trunk and was almost tempted to tell him it could wait for another time when he suddenly popped up and looked at her staring at him. With a quick blush he averted his eyes and sat down next to her on the bed. He stared out the window for a few moments obviously deep in thought and with a deep sigh he said, "I don't want you to say anything yet. Just think about it ok?"
She stayed silent and wondered what was going on. She loved gifts that she had to think about. Actually she loved anything that she had to think about. Using her mind to solve a problem was what got her through the day -- these days especially.
Awkwardly he got down on one knee and took her hand. She then noticed that in his outstretched fingers he held a beautiful diamond ring. With a princess cut and gold band. it was the classic standard of every young girls fantasy. She gasped and quickly looked up to meet his hesitant but loving gaze.
"Hermione Granger, will you marry me?"
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A/N: Big Thank You to my new beta NegativeNine!! Better than I had ever hoped for!!
For all of you that were surprised that this little twist, you should be thanking (or blaming) the following folks who inspired it: Deb ^..^ (it's not even the twist I was planning, but when the muse strikes); Karena Elizabeth for reminding me that some snogging was in order (but spaz141 was right that it can't be Sev just yet); and spaz141 for unknowingly making me feel guilty for putting Ron's feelings out there in the first chapter and then ditching him without more explanation.
shiv5468 - thanks for the helpful comments. It's funny that you should mention about the vigorous sex life -- there is actually more planned for that topic, but by the time I got to writing the rest it was sounding so heavy handed that I pulled it out for later use. Hopefully that will be tightened up later when the topic comes up again.
FYI - "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." quote from Martin Luther King, jr.