The Allure of Ronald Weasley: Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. J K Rowling does. The only thing I own is the plot! ;)

A/N: Thank you so much for your reviews! Pinkpygmypuff, you read my mind… Emily, how did you know that I'm an Alfonso Cuaron fan? Orli-enthusiast (I'm one too!), thanks, I hope you like where the story is going!

And please review, so I know there's still interest for my story! Thanks :)

Chapter 2: Awakened Desire

Once Ron had left, Hermione began to unpack her shower things. As she did this, she began to get lost in thought.

Ron had grown a lot in just a month's time, she noticed. Yes, they were entering their seventh year and he was pretty tall already, but he seemed to have grown more, manlier, so to speak. His shoulders had broadened and he didn't look as lanky as before. Heck, he even looked kinda handsome.

Hermione, what are you thinking? It's just Ron, she thought, as she walked to the bathroom. Same old irresponsible Ron.

She smiled as she opened the door, took off her clothes, and turned on the faucet.

But he did seem to be checking me out when I came…

No, he was probably just disgusted at how dirty you were.

He was definitely looking at my legs.

Because your skirt is so short! Anyone would look!

Maybe I wanted him to look.

Don't be ridiculous. Why are you even thinking about this? It's just Ron.

Hermione quickly pushed the thoughts aside as she began to shower. As she finished, she wrapped a small towel around her body. She had forgotten to bring extra clothes into the bathroom, so she quickly walked back to her room and shut the door.

Too lazy to dress, she plopped down on her bed and closed her eyes. Her mind wandered as her thoughts dwelled on Ron. In reality, she was exhausted and must've fallen asleep, because the next thing she realized was a quiet knock on her door as it squeaked open.

"Hermione, I'm starving… how about y-" Ron stopped dead in his tracks as he noticed her sitting up suddenly, clutching the towel tightly around her body.

It took Hermione a few moments before she realized that she wasn't still dreaming, and she let out a delayed "eep!" before Ron could speak.

"OH. I'm… I'll just… yeah…" he stuttered, as he turned around quickly and slammed the door behind him.

Hermione nervously giggled and bit her lip. Well that was a little awkward, she thought.

She quickly dressed and went up to his room to get Ron. She quietly opened his door and saw him lying on his bed, eyes wide. He was startled by her entrance and sat up quickly.

"I… I'm s-"

"Don't worry about it Ron, lets just go get something to eat." Said Hermione. She was surprised at herself how confident she had become. She couldn't even imagine how she would have reacted even one year ago. She would have been embarrassed for weeks. But she felt comfortable now, especially with Ron. There was just… just something about him, and she couldn't place what.

Ron nodded uneasily and followed her out to the kitchen.

After they ate dinner, they both felt more relaxed. They decided to go out into the yard to talk more, because it was nice out.

It was about 8 o'clock and the sun was beginning to set. The air was warm and a soft breeze played upon their faces. It was actually quite nice. They decided to sit on the grass and talk about how excited they were to start their final year at Hogwarts. Actually, it was more like Hermione talking about how she was excited and Ron agreeing, though secretly not wanting to go back to school at all.

The week seemed to go by quickly. Ron and Hermione almost always had the house to themselves, because Mrs. Weasley needed to leave for work for the Order daily. They often found themselves talking late into the night, laying on the cool grass and looking up at the stars.

On the day before Harry was to come to the Burrow, Ron and Hermione found themselves lying on the grass once more, looking up at the stars.

"Say, Ron," said Hermione, after a long pause in conversation.

"Yeah, 'Mione?"

"Isn't it amazing? How many stars there are… billions and billions of galaxies…I mean, I've read about them in all of my Astronomy books, but I still find it hard to comprehend just how big everything really is…"

"Yeah, it is pretty wild."

"It just makes you realize how small you are, in comparison to everything else. It's like this war. It's so insignificant and stupid… costing all these lives… and in the broad scheme of things, we're really just a grain of sand on the huge beach of the universe."

Ron nodded in silence as he gazed up at the heavens. "Say, Hermione, do you believe in soul mates?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like, there's one person out there for you… that you would be perfectly happy with for the rest of your life."

Hermione turned her head and looked at Ron, who was lying down, with his arms behind his head. He turned his head and started into Hermione's wide, hazel eyes. The full moon bathed her face in moonlight, making her look more stunning than he had ever seen her. She smiled, and reached for his hand.

Ron's stomach lurched. He didn't know why, and he wasn't sure he really wanted to know.

"Well Ron, I really think…"

BANG!

Ron held his breath. Hermione had been interrupted by a loud noise coming from over by the house.

"What was that?" whispered Hermione, but Ron hushed her. He strained to see, but the darkness was pressing in from all around them.

"I don't know that that was." said Ron. But he dared not speak the rest of what was on his mind.

All I know is that we're in danger.