Chapter fifteen

Even with Ron's arm around her shoulders, standing at the train station in Hogsmeade, Crys couldn't warm up in the cold. She looked over at Ginny, on the other side of Ron in the same position as herself, and couldn't help but notice her frown as she stared out into the countryside. She smiled at her boyfriend's sister but it went unseen.

The train slowly pulled into the station and Ron kissed both of them on top of the head before grabbing their luggage, bag by bag, and handing it to the baggage boy, who gave Ginny a once-over before turning with the baggage trolly to load them into a cargo car.

They climbed into the train and found a compartment of their own. The five of them (including Harry and Hermione who were also coming to the burrow) all took a seat. Ron again sat jokingly on Crys' lap and the other three positioned themselves comfortably on the seat opposite.

Harry and Ron again got started on Quidditch. How they can talk about the same things over and over, no one else in the compartment understood, and Crys could see it on the faces of Hermione and Ginny. Boredom. Why not make things interesting? Crys let her curly hair fall in her face and bent over Ron's neck slowly before making a wet circle with her tounge. Harry hadn't noticed and kept talking. She pulled back a bit and blew on the spot slowly, sending shivers up his spine.

"B-but everyone knew th-that it w-was only a-a one s-season th-thing." he wanted to groan and if she kept this up he would. Hermione giggled at it and Ginny smiled lighty. They were the only one's who knew what was going on. Harry remained clueless.

"But the Tornadoes are making a comeback, just last week-" he stopped as Ron stood up.

"Crys," he said slowly, "could I see you outside for a minute?"

"Why yes, dear." Crys responded, mockingly innocent sounding. Hermione giggled again and Ginny shook her head before turning to stare out the window.

Ron pulled her up and out of the compartment. She was smiling giddily.

"Do you find this funny?" he asked her.

"Yes."

"You're insane."

"I know."

Ron had no idea how to respond so he walked back inside the compartment, leaving her in the hallway alone. She felt a light tap on her shoulder and spun around. Malfoy.

"If you would kindly move, mudblood." he drawled.

"That's not even insulting anymore," she said, "It's just annoying."

Draco leaned back to whisper to Goyle in a tone that he clearly wanted her to hear, "Damn Griffindors. Half of 'em are mudbloods and the other half are orphans. Thinks it gives 'em special rights."

Crys didn't even speak. She just punched him in the nose and he fell backwards, knocking the compartment door open and falling in on Cry's friends.

"Now Draco, if you can gather the courage, go tell Snape how you stood up to the poor mudblood orphan Griffindor, but the little girl clocked you. I'm sure I'll get at lest two detentions." She stepped over him and sat down next to Ron. Everone there was gaping at the scene in front of them. Malfoy stood up hastily and scrambled out of there as fast as a ferret.

Ron just hugged Crys as they pulled into King's Cross station.

After the usual Weasley greetings (Mrs. Weasley hugs everyone at least twice) they set off for the Burrow and arrived in half an hour. Hermione, Crys and Ginny set off for Ginny's room and Harry and Ron for Ron's. After they were all settled in Ron gave Crys the grand tour while the rest went downstair to tell Mrs. Weasley about Hogwarts.

Ron saved his own room for last. He stood in front of the door and made her close her eyes. He pulled her through the doorway and gave her permission to open them. She saw the orange and smiled.

"Reminds me of Steffie." she said still looking around.

"Who's Steffie?" Ron asked.

"My best friend ever."

"I thought that Jenna-"

"Is my best friend in the UK. Steffie is my best friend ever. I've been friends with her since the first grade when we spit gum in each other's hair and had to get it all cut off. She loved orange," Crys ran her fingers along the steel wires of Pig's cage, "Her room is the same orange. I stay there each summer. Honestly I don't think it would ever be summer without Steffie's orange room." She flopped down on Ron's bed, "Mmm, I like it."

Ron nodded as he flopped down next to her and shimmied his arm under her and around her shoulders. He turned his head and just breathed in her scent. Lilac. Always lilac. She turned to face him. They both smiled, their faces just centimeters apart. She kissed the tip of his frekled nose and pulled away to the same distance as he scowled.

"You don't like your freckles do you?" she asked him in a whisper.

"No. I've always hated them. They just always seemed in the way."

"I like them." she whispered as they leaned in towards each other.

"How touching." came a voice from the door. Fred.

"Dinner." George.

Crys laughed and hopped off of the bed. They all walked down to dinner together Fred and George subtlely whispering about how they liked each other's freckles.