Hello again everyone! This is part two (of three) of my fic 'Snowball', and I hope that you will all enjoy it!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, and never will, so that's why I write the disclaimer.
Before I go on, I must tell you that there is much WAFF and FLUFF to be read, so go brush your teeth before you get cavities! (LOL!)
On with the story!
you know where we last left off, so I'll get right into it!
'Snowball' - An R/H two-shot fic (part two)
The holiday season at Hogwarts was generally a pleasant, peaceful time of the year. This year, however, was far from relaxing. People were wondering about the most highly anticipated event of the year, and on top of that, there was a certain feeling in the air, it mingled into the already crazed atmosphere, and turned it into a rather frenzied one.
The result of all this being constant whispering, all hours of the day, and well into the night too.
"Honestly! Have people not heard of the word 'Quiet'?"
Hermione was mumbling to herself. She was in the library to try to escape the noise in the common room, but found out shortly that it didn't matter where she went. The noise was all over the school. It was like an infection. An epidemic. She sighed, and rubbed her temple, staring at the mass of papers sitting before her.
"I still have SOOO much work to do . . . "she trailed off, and leaned back in her seat. The holidays had only just started, but Hermione was already deep into her homework as per usual. The ball was in one week, and Hermione knew that if she didn't get her homework done before then, she wouldn't get it done at all.
"I just wish there was some way to get some piece and quiet!"
Suddenly she sat bolt upright, as realization hit her. Of course! How could I be so thick? Shaking her head, Hermione gathered up her books, and quickly left the library, heading for her own private dorm. Why she didn't think of the idea before, she didn't know. I must be ill she decided, and then chuckled to herself. No I think I'm just severely tired. All this talk about the ball is making me sleepy
And so humming to herself, Hermione reached Gryffindor tower, and made it safely into her dorm, where she was sure to get some serious work done. But Lavender and Parvati had other plans for her . . .
"So you think we should talk to Hermione now?" Lavender asked Parvati, a few minutes later. They'd seen her come into the common room, disappear into her dorm. They'd figured she was doing her homework, but how could she even be thinking about homework when something like this was going on?
"Of course we should! We should have done it when she got in!" The two girls eagerly approached Hermione's dorm, and knocked.
"Who is it?" came her muffled reply.
"It's us." Parvati said. She knew Hermione would know who it was. Sure enough, she heard a sigh, and then her voice.
"Coming."
Seconds later, the door opened to reveal a slightly impatient Hermione.
"What do you want?" she asked, politely enough.
"To talk." Lavender said simply.
"Well I'd like to, but I have a fair amount of work left to do, so if you'll excuse me . . . "Hermione began to close her door, but Parvati stopped her.
"It's important."
Hermione gave another sigh, and stepped out into the hallway.
"You have my attention." she said, crossing her arms over her chest.
"It's about the ball."
Hermione gave a sarcastic laugh. "I'd hardly call that important!"
"Come on Hermione, just listen to us." Parvati said, ignoring the annoyed look Hermione was giving her.
"During the ball, you have to find some way to be alone with Ron."
"Why?" Hermione gave them a confused look. Both girls were exasperated.
"So you guys can do some talking "Lavender said, an amused grin on her face.
"I talk to Ron all the time! Why would I need to be alone with him?"
Both girls shook their heads, and stared at Hermione as if she'd just asked the dumbest question in the world.
"That's not the kind of talking I mean Hermione." Parvati said.
"Then what do you-"Hermione stopped short, as it hit her. A hint of a blush appeared on her cheeks.
"I couldn't do that with Ron! We're just friends!"
"You say that, but it's not what you feel." Lavender said knowingly.
"What I feel? I care for him yes, but not more than a friend."
"So you say, but I've seen how you look at him when you think he's not looking, and I'm sure you've seen him look at you."
Hermione paused, and thought about it. Yes she'd seen Ron staring at her occasionally, but she didn't think much of it. She thought that he was just thinking about something, and daydreaming.
And as of late, she HAD been staring at Ron, because something inside of her was beginning to realize a few things that she didn't quite want to be discovered yet. Like how she may have crossed the threshold between 'friend' and what lay beyond that. But to actually tell him that? Why the very thought of it made her nervous enough to vomit.
Not getting an immediate reaction to what was said, Lavender and Parvati had their proof that Hermione liked Ron. So now they could set them up at the ball somehow. The wheels has been set in motion, so now all they had to do was sit back and enjoy the show.
"Well we should let you get back to your work Hermione!" Parvati said brightly.
"What?" Hermione snapped out of her daze, and stared at the two girls as if she were realizing that they were there.
"We'll see you in the morning Hermione!"
The two girls disappeared down the hallway, going back to the common room, and Hermione went back into her dorm to finish off her homework, and do a little much needed thinking . . .
The next morning, Hermione woke up a little early, and felt a charged excitement in the air. Her room was nice and warm, and she curled up under the blankets, feeling rather blissful. She ran over in her mind the conversation with Lavender and Parvati the night before. Their words had stirred the part of Hermione that she had kept well hidden.
Until now.
Now that part of her was rising to the surface, and with it, emotions that not only terrified her beyond belief, but also gave her a feeling of giddiness, like she'd drank too much butterbeer. She smiled to herself, and just then, there was a loud knock on her door.
"Hermione! Hermione!" It was Ginny.
"What?" she called out.
Her door was flung open, and in came Ginny looking all excited.
"Hermione it's snowing!"
She went over to the curtains (which were closed) and pushed then open. White light filled the room, and it suddenly felt colder.
"Well maybe we can go outside and build a snowman later." Hermione said, staring at the blinding whiteness.
"I don't know, it depends on how much there is, 'cause you need a lot of it to make a really good one."
"Well who knows if it'll be snowing later on or not."
"Come on and get up! We can go get breakfast, and then we can start on our homework, before going outside."
"Ginny . . . I've already done my homework."
Ginny gave her a look of surprise.
"But we've only been on vacation for 3 days!"
"Yeah, well I thought if I did mine early, I wouldn't have to worry about it."
"Well then maybe you could keep me company while I do mine!" Hermione also got the underlying message, and sighed.
"Well I also have to convince your brother to stop being lazy and do his soon." she paused, an idea coming to her. "Why don't you ask Harry to keep you company? I'm sure he will."
She saw Ginny's face redden slightly. Hermione knew that she still liked Harry, and she also knew that Harry was starting to develop feelings for her, which he had confessed to her recently, because he could never talk to Ron about it, seeing as they're family and stuff. She smiled at the thought of Ron.
"What are you smiling about?" Ginny looked suspicious. "Do you know something I don't?"
"Ginny, I'm Head Girl! And a year older than you! Of course I know things you don't! Now go talk to Harry!"
"Sure. I'll do that. Thanks Hermione!"
Ginny went back into the hallway, and Hermione got out of bed, dressed in a pink sweater and blue jeans, and went down into the common room.
"Morning Hermione!" Ron greeted her when she sat down on the couch.
"Morning Ron." she said, a hint of surprise in her voice. From what she knew, Ron wasn't exactly a morning person, and now here he was, all smiles.
"What's going on?" she asked, giving him a look.
"Nothing's going on." he was now grinning at her, and it made her feel warm and gooey inside.
"Well why are you smiling like that?"
"Because it's snowing!"
Hermione shook her head. She should've known. Ron's passion for snow was something like her passion for doing so well in school.
"So why aren't you out in it then?" she asked, and saw his grin fade.
"Because no one else wants to come out with me." he gave her a look.
Aha! Now she knew why he was so smiley; he was sucking up.
"Maybe later Ron." she said and paused. "After you've done some of your homework"
"Awe! Come on 'Mione, the snow's only going to be around for a few days!"
"Sorry Ron." she said, trying not to grin. He'd called her 'Mione. It increased the feeling of warmth she was feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"Party pooper." he mumbled to himself, but she caught it.
"What was that Ron? Didn't quite catch that."
"It's nothing." he was obviously in one of his sulky moods now, and Hermione thought it was rather amusing.
"Well I'm going to go have some breakfast. See you later." She got up from the couch, and headed slowly towards the portrait hole.
"Wait for me!" Ron leapt up, and bounded towards the door. Hermione couldn't help but laugh. It was certainly going to be an interesting day . . . .
The day wore on, and Hermione was finding herself feeling increasingly bored as the hours ticked by. At lunch, she ate by herself, because none of her friends were anywhere to be seen. Perhaps I should have spread my homework out over the holidays, then I wouldn't be so bored . . . she thought to herself.
" . . . having fun Hermione?"
Startled, Hermione looked up from her lunch to see Lavender and Parvati sitting near her.
"Actually, I'm a bit bored." Hermione confessed.
"Well why don't you go play chess or something with Ron? I think he mentioned earlier about his being bored too." Lavender gave Parvati a look, and she caught on.
"Yeah!" she chimed in. "He was in the common room a few minutes ago, saying something about how bored he was."
There was something not quite right with what the girls were saying, but Hermione decided to let it be.
"Well I have been practising my chess skills, and I was thinking of challenging Ron sometime . . . "she trailed off, not noticing the looks of glee on the girl's faces.
Hermione gathered up her things, and left the table, calling goodbye to Lavender and Parvati. When she was gone from sight, Parvati turned to Lavender.
"That was brilliant! How did you think of it?"
"Well I happened to see Hermione in the library a few weeks ago, reading up on how to play wizard's chess, and I figured she was trying to learn how to play for some reason or another."
The girls grinned at each other, and went back to eating their lunches.
When Hermione went into the common room, she was surprised to find it devoid of people. All people that is, but Ron. He was sitting by the fire, looking quite content, reading a book that was undoubtedly about Quidditch.
"Hello Ron." she said, approaching the couch.
He looked up, startled, and his blue eyes met Hermione's brown ones.
"Hey Hermione, what's up?" he asked, putting his book down.
"Well today seems so much longer than usual."
"Oh really?" he gave her a questioning glance.
"It's almost kind of . . . boring in a way I suppose."
"Well why don't you read a book? I'm sure you've got a book you've only read 10 times around somewhere."
"Actually Ron" Hermione said, ignoring his comment. "I'd like to play a game of chess with you."
"Really?" he raised his eyebrows.
"Really. I think that you'll be quite surprised how much better I've gotten." there was a smug look on her face that made him respond to her challenge.
"I accept your challenge! Let me go get my board."
There was a gleam in his eye as he raced upstairs to retrieve his beloved Wizards Chess board. When he got back downstairs, Hermione was already sitting at the couch.
"Say Ron . . . would you like to add a little something to this game of ours?" she asked, with an amused look on her face.
"Like what?" he was growing suspicious.
"Well if I win, you have to do your homework the rest of the year without my help."
Ron stared at her in shock.
"And if you win" Hermione continued. "I will give up S.P.E.W"
That got Ron out of his daze.
"Really?" he asked.
"Really." she replied.
Ron knew that he was one of the best chess players in school. So why was Hermione wagering such a large price if he won? He knew how passionate she was about the elves, and couldn't understand why she'd want to wager it all on a game she couldn't possibly win.
"Well I suppose I'll say yes to your bet, but I thought you cared about the house elves?"
"Of course I do Ron." she assured him, and motioned him to sit down.
"Now come on, let's play!"
Two hours later, there was a triumphant yell.
"Checkmate!"
Ron stared at the board in shock. How had that happened? I mean one second he had Hermione in check, and then she does some weird move with one of her knights, and then all of the sudden-
"There's no way that's possible." he said. "There's got to be a way out of this."
"There isn't Ron. No matter where you move I can take your king." Hermione looked gleeful, and Ron felt sick. He had lost his first ever wizard chess match since coming to Hogwarts. Worse yet, he lost to Hermione. There was a reasonable explanation for this madness, but Ron couldn't think of it. Instead, he uttered the first thing that came to his head.
"You cheated!"
He saw Hermione's face darken, and it made him angrier.
"I did not cheat!" she glowered at him.
"You must have, because no one had beaten me since I first learned how to play."
"A little arrogant are we" Hermione's look was so heated, Ron had to look away. "News flash Ronald; you're NOT the center of the earth."
"Shut up, Miss-Know-It-All"
"RONALD WEASLEY" Hermione yelled. "HOW DARE YOU-"
but she was cut off when the lights were suddenly extinguished, and the room was plunged into darkness and cold.
There was a silence that seemed to press down on their ears, and Hermione was feeling rather scared, though she didn't know why.
"Ron?" she whispered, her anger dissolving away. She needed to know that he was there.
There was no answer.
"Ron?" she called out, a faint note of panic in her voice.
There was more muffled silence, and Hermione was feeling more scared by the second. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder, and she screamed.
"Hermione, it's just me." came Ron's voice after she'd voiced the panic she was feeling.
Her eyes were slowly getting used to the darkness, and she whirled around, and saw the red hair that was visible even in the dark. Relief flooded through her.
"Ron!" she threw her arms around him, completely forgetting that only minutes before, she was angry with him. Ron awkwardly hugged her back, feeling his face heat up. Good thing it's dark he thought to himself.
"What do you think happened?" Hermione asked, suddenly all business like.
"Probably the blizzard or something." Ron muttered.
"That would make sense."
A sudden draft blew by, and Hermione shivered. She only had her thin sweater on, and it didn't do much good right now.
"Here." Ron said suddenly, taking off his maroon sweater, and handing it to Hermione. Now he was just wearing a blue shirt. She took the sweater gingerly,
"You sure you won't be cold?"
He grinned at her, and she felt warm all over.
"Positive."
So Hermione slipped on the warm sweater, and smiled to herself. It smelled like Ron. It was a good smell, one that Hermione could easily find herself being caught up in.
Suddenly, the portrait hole opened, and Harry and Ginny came rushing in.
"What's up?" Hermione asked, seeing their looks of relief.
"We were looking all over for you!" Ginny said.
"What's wrong?"
"Dumbledore wants us all in the Great Hall right now!"
Unconsciously, Hermione reached for Ron's hand, and she felt his hand lacing through hers, offering comfort. The group walked towards the great hall, and all Hermione could think about, was Ron's warm hand in hers.
It was much later, when Hermione realized that she still had on Ron's sweater. Actually, it was Parvati and Lavender who pointed it out to her when they were getting ready for bed. Hermione had come to say goodnight to Ginny, but found Parvati and Lavender there instead.
"Hey Hermione . . . isn't that Ron's sweater?" Lavender asked, giggling a little.
"What?" Hermione looked down, and saw the red sweater she was still wearing.
"Shoot! I'll have to give this back to him tomorrow."
"What were you two DOING today?" Parvati asked, collapsing in a fit of giggles.
"Nothing happened." Hermione said crossly. "There was a blackout, and it was cold, so Ron offered me his sweater." and his hand she thought to herself.
"Sure. We believe you." Lavender said, in a tone that suggested that she didn't.
Hermione looked annoyed.
"I'm going to bed."
She went back into the hallway, and down to her room. Once she was in her own space, she gave a loud sigh, and flopped back onto her bed.
Hermione remembered how his hand was holding hers, and how warm and comforting it was. She remembered how his sweater had smelled so good when she had out it on. Now she lifted the sweater to her nose, and breathed in. Yes. It still smelled like him. Reluctantly she removed the sweater, and got into her pajamas. She carefully folded the sweater, and put in by her bed.
"Goodnight." she said to no one in particular, and then climbed into bed.
She closed her eyes, and slept. A certain red-head invading her dreams.
When Ron woke up the next morning, his first thought was Hermione still has my sweater his second thought was about how her hand felt in his. So small, and yet so strong at the same time. It made him feel rather giddy.
"What's up with you Ron?" Harry asked, a few minutes later, as Ron came down into the common room with a smile on his face.
"Nothing." he sat down on the couch, continuing to look happy, and Harry was completely puzzled. After a few moments, he shrugged.
"Suit yourself."
And Harry got up off the couch, heading towards the portrait hole. But on the way, he spotted two girls coming downstairs.
"Good morning Gin. Morning Hermione." he greeted them.
"Morning Harry." they chorused.
Hermione was holding a red sweater in her arms, and also had a contented look on her face.
"Coming down to breakfast?" Harry asked her, when she reached the bottom.
"Um not yet. There's something I have to do first." the faint hint of a blush appeared on her cheeks.
Harry shrugged, and said.
"Well we'll be down there, so come join us later." he grabbed Ginny's hand, and led her out of the portrait hole, talking to her like she was an old friend.
When Harry and Ginny had gone, Hermione approached the couch. Ron was sitting there, looking lost in thought.
"Good morning Ron." she said.
Ron's head whipped around, and he saw Hermione standing there. He couldn't help but blush, and then mentally cursed himself.
"Hello." he mumbled, praying she wouldn't notice his red face.
"You um, forgot your sweater last night." Hermione said, gesturing to the sweater she held in her arms. For a fleeting second, Ron wished that he was in her arms, and then blushed again, and had another mental swearing session.
"Thank you." he mumbled again, and he took it from her. Their hands touched, and both of them instantly pulled away like they had been burned.
"I'm going down to breakfast." Hermione said, trying to sound normal, but inside, her heart was racing.
"I guess I will too."
And as they made their way towards the portrait hole, Hermione unconsciously reached for Ron's hand, and he took it, and held it in his firm grasp. Both of them blushed, but didn't seem to notice that they were holding hands again.
It just felt natural.
After breakfast, everyone headed back up to the common room.
"What shall we do today?" Ginny asked.
Harry looked longingly at the window.
"Why don't we go outside? I think the snow has stopped."
"Great idea!" Ginny raced back up to her dorm to get her things, and Harry followed suit. Ron turned to Hermione.
"Coming outside?" he asked.
"Well I would," she replied. "But I have a few things I have to do . . . "
"Like what? You've already done all your homework! What else do you have to do?"
"How do you know that I've done all my homework?"
Ron rolled his eyes.
"Puh-lease 'Mione! It's you! Of course you've done all your homework.!"
Hermione felt that little twist inside her stomach again, and it made her feel reckless.
"Fine then Ron. I'll come outside." then she turned on her heel, and went upstairs to get her things, and Ron followed right behind her.
The snow felt cold and clammy, and stuck to Hermione's jacket like glue. She took her mittened hands and added the finishing touches to her snowman.
"There. I think that's perfect." she stepped back and admired her work.
Suddenly a rogue snowball came whizzing through the air, and it hit her snowman. The head fell off, and became snow once more.
"What the-?"
Hermione looked around wildly for her attacker, and caught a flash of red running away from her. Ron she thought, trying to be angry, but she wasn't. An idea formed in her mind. She crouched down behind what as left of her snowman, carefully packed a snowball, and waited.
A few minutes later, Ron came into sight again.
"Hermione? Where are you? Sorry about your snowman! It was an accident."
Behind the severed snowman, Hermione suppressed a giggle. She heard Ron muttering as he turned back around.
"Typical woman, always obsessing over things that don't matter-"
Then she struck. Hermione stood up, and threw the snowball. It hit Ron in the back of the head.
"What in the-"he whipped around.
Suddenly he was hit by another snowball, this time in the face, and a giggle.
"Hermione!" Ron yelled. "I'm going to get you!"
He heard a shriek, and he laughed. He packed a snowball, and threw it. It hit Hermione in the leg.
Now there was a snowball war going on.
Hermione and Ron chased each other with snowballs, and soon they were both covered in snow.
"That was fun." Hermione said, after the last snowball was thrown. She took one look at Ron, and began to giggle uncontrollably.
"What?" Ron asked, making her giggle harder.
"You look . . . "Hermione was laughing too hard to continue.
"I look what?" Ron was starting to get annoyed.
"You look like the abominable snowman!" And Hermione collapsed on the ground, laughing.
Ron didn't understand, but her laughter caught on, and soon he was laughing too.
When they had calmed down somewhat, Hermione asked
"Hey Ron?"
"Yeah?"
"DUCK!" she threw a snowball at him, and took off. Ron wiped the snow off his face, and yelled.
"You're going to get it 'Mione!" running after her. His legs were long and he had no trouble catching up to her. Hermione was laughing again, and was trying to get away.
"Not so fast!"
Ron wrapped his arms around her waist, and held her close to him so she couldn't get away, and he began tickling her mercilessly.
"S-stop Ron!" she cried in between fits of laughter.
"No way!" he said, a grin plastered on his face.
Only when Ron was sure that he had had his revenge, did he let go of Hermione, and then suddenly realize what had just happened. He blushed, and looked at her, and saw to his shock that her face was red too.
"'Mione?" he whispered.
"Ron?" she looked into his gaze, and her heart was racing so fast, she was feeling dizzy.
Closer his face came towards hers, until she could feel his breath on her face. He gently put a hand on her cheek, and Hermione shivered under his touch . . .
The suddenly a snowball hit them, and they broke apart. In the distance, they saw Harry and Ginny laughing. Hermione looked at Ron, and back at them.
"Let's get 'em." she said, a wicked gleam in her eye.
"Let's" he grinned at her, and they both packed snowballs, and ran after Harry and Ginny. The moment between them earlier was abandoned, but definitely NOT forgotten.
A/N: I've decided to make this a chaptered fic. (Well only one more chapter!) because if I didn't, this chapter would have been TWICE as long, so you'll just have to wait for the conclusion a little longer. But I promise you it'll be good. I told you it would be fluffy! But just wait until the next chappie! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it! Please R&R Love ya lotz! Bandana Gurl.