Valentines Day part 1
That Friday flew by for Ron classes, the library, dinner, Quidditch practice, a fast shower and prefect rounds with Hermione and finally back to his bed. It was well after midnight before he could close his eyes, exhaustion overwhelming him enough to go to sleep ….
That night Ron found himself walking down the same dark street he had seen many times before. He waited under the lone street light for his visitor. It didn't take long for a figure to appear, making its way out of the shadows. This time, however, Ron was in for a bit of a shock.
"Where's the old man?" he demanded of the smaller figure.
"It was my turn to come this time," the figure answered. "I had some questions."
Ron took a moment before he replied using the time to examine the boy. The skinny kid couldn't have been more than twelve and seemed to be a mass of bright red hair and freckles wearing faded, too short school robes and a Gryffindor tie.
"Well, what do you want to know?" Ron asked recognizing himself.
The kid looked at the ground for a long time shuffling his feet, the tips of his ears turning red from embarrassment; finally he looked Ron in the face, "Am I ever going to stop being such a prat?"
Ron laughed out loud and ran his hands through his hair. Once he had recovered, he turned back to answer the kid, noticing the scowl on his young face.
"Well, really everybody acts like a prat sometimes you know. Did you mean anything in particular?"
The scowl got a bit bigger and the ears turned redder, but the kid finally answered in a quick burst, "Do I ever stop making Hermione mad at me?"
This brought a smile to Ron's face, "Honestly, I still manage to upset her from time to time but we seem to find ways of making up."
The kid looked confused at this point but then a look of surprise ran across his face "Are you telling me I snog Hermione Granger?"
"Only as often as possible kid," Ron chuckled a bit and then walked over to the kid and patted his shoulder. "I'll let you in on a secret; she's bloody brilliant at it too."
The face the kid made threatened to send Ron off into gales of laughter but he somehow managed to keep a straight face.
"Well at least we don't fight as much," the kid answered almost glum. He looked back at the older Ron asked hopefully, " I don't suppose I ever get to play Quidditch, do I?"
Ron nodded "Yep, we play Keeper, this is my second year."
"Are we any good?" the younger Ron asked worried.
"At first we didn't play so well, but then at the end of fifth year we played great in the last game and helped win the Quidditch cup for Gryffindor," the older Ron couldn't help but feel proud of the memory.
"That's bloody brilliant!" the twelve year old smiled in response.
"Yeah I thought so as well," Ron agreed and then sighed remembering where he was, "Ok I have a question for you. Why are you here instead of the old man? Do you have something you're supposed to tell me?"
The kid turned bright red and shuffled his feet for a bit "Yeah, the old man said I should come and remind you of something. He said to remind you of how bad you felt when Hermione got petrified."
"Trust me, I haven't forgotten. It was one of the worst days of my life."
"Yeah, well, I was scared to death. Scared for her, scared for Harry, scared for Ginny and scared for me, too. The old man said you're not scared enough. He said you're getting over confident and it's going to cost you if you keep it up."
Ron had to fight down the surge of anger that seemed close to overwhelming him. "Tell the old man I'm doing the best I can." He turned away breathing deeply trying to force his body to relax.
"Listen to me;" the younger Ron demanded his seriousness startling the older Ron, "He said," the younger boy paled and met the older boy's eyes, "He said they are going to try to kill Hermione. They know if they do that you and Harry will lose hope. Then they can finish Harry off and pretty much run wild."
Ron clenched his fists in rage, "You can be sure I'm not going to let anyone hurt Hermione. I don't care who it is."
"That's the point; she is important to winning the war so you can't just hide her away. You're going to have to remember how it was. Hermione always comes up with the right thing to do and then you're going to have to listen."
Ron opened his mouth to reply when the kid spoke up. "I have to go now; don't forget what I told you, it's important."
Ron just nodded as the kid made his way into the shadows and Ron opened his eyes to the cool darkness of his bed curtains.
"Oy, Weasley, you better hurry up if you're not going to be late for the Hogsmeade trip!" Seamus yelled at him.
"Seriously Ron," Harry added, "We are supposed to meet Ginny and Hermione in front of the school in ten minutes and they will both hex us if we're late."
"Alright Harry I'm up," Ron jumped out of bed forgetting the younger Ron's warnings as he ran into the showers accidentally knocking Neville down as he ran past. "Sorry 'bout that Neville mate," he called over his shoulder.
"No problem Ron," Neville laughed as he picked himself up off the floor, "If I were you I'd be scared of what Hermione would do to you if you're late."
The hiss of the showerhead drowned out the remainder of his roommate's sarcastic remarks.
Once Ron had taken one of the quickest showers of his life, he and Harry sprinted down to the front doors of the castle arriving just in time to start off. He slipped both arms around Hermione's waist and kissed her softly on the base of the neck.
"Looking forward to today's visit love?" he whispered into her ear.
"I am now that you've finally gotten here," she said smiling and turning to look at him. "I was sure you would be late."
Hermione stepped away and reached out to take his hand in hers as they started down the path a few feet behind Harry and Ginny. The couple seemed to be laughing about something involving Quidditch.
Something tugged at the back of Ron's mind as he walked until dawning struck him, "Oh you guys," Ron called to Harry and Ginny, "Before I forget, Daphne and some of her friends are going to be joining us at the Three Broomsticks later."
Both Harry and Ginny stopped and turned to stare at him.
"Ron, are you saying you invited a Slytherin to have butterbeers with us?" Ginny asked incredulously.
Ron took a moment to clear his suddenly scratchy throat, "Sort of, though it might be more accurate to say I may have invited Slytherins to have butterbeers with us."
"Have you gone mad?" Ginny asked. "All those chocolate frogs finally got to you didn't they?"
"Ginny does have a point here Ron; though I can see the value in what you're trying," Harry added placing a hand on Ginny's shoulder.
"Listen Ginny, Hermione has been right about the Sorting Hat's warnings all along. I've just been a bit too thick to understand it. Not all the Slytherins are evil and the sooner we figure out which ones are which the better off we all are."
He felt Hermione tugging very slightly on his hand so he turned to look at her. "I think it's wonderful that you're able to look past stereotypes and get to know how people truly are. Hermione smiled at Ron surprised at his change of attitude.
At that point, Ron would have invited every Slytherin that had ever gone through the doors of Hogwarts just to have her smile like that at him again. He missed the frown that Hermione hid as she looked away. Ron only registered an odd fluttering from his necklace as Hermione quickly hid her own doubts.
The February chill caused the four of them to hurry in their walk towards Hogsmeade where they looked forward to sampling Honeydukes treats and warm butterbeers. Despite the rush, Ron found himself unwilling to surrender Hermione's hand. The cold air had brought a blush to her cheeks that seemed to make her glow even more than normal, if that was even possible. It amazed him how he could miss her when he saw her every day, but life was too much for them at the moment. A day without other worries getting in the way and to spend time relaxing with his girlfriend rather than homework, prefect duties, Quidditch, and his other training was a day to treasure.
"Me too," Hermione smiled up at him again one hand resting against her neck.
The smile she gave him reminded him of how she looked just after their last late night snog. Enough so that he was briefly tempted to pull her aside as soon as they reached Hogsmeade, but he was quite aware that Hermione was still just a touch uncomfortable about his rampant public displays of affection. A huge grin threatened to totally engulf Ron's face as he remembered their last "public" moment the night before.
They had been on the last leg of a rather boring night of prefect patrols and had just finished telling off a bunch of Hufflepuff third years who had been sneaking up to the Astronomy tower. In all honesty, Ron had been a bit impressed with the fact that the Hufflepuffs had been willing to try such a little adventure and had been able to convince Hermione out of giving them more than a stern talking to. As soon as the Hufflepuffs were out of earshot, Ron had broken out into laughter.
"Just what are you laughing at Ronald?" Hermione had questioned in a disapproving tone of voice as she continued up the Astronomy tower stairs.
"Those three Hufflepuff boys, I think the sorting hat made a mistake with them. If they have the guts to take girls up to the Astronomy tower in their third year I think they should be in Gryffindor," he responded with a chuckle.
"Honestly, breaking the rules isn't funny and you shouldn't encourage them," Hermione huffed.
"If you recall, I didn't encourage them, I just didn't want to see them punished for something everyone at this school has done or wants to do," Ron replied with an evil little grin at her back.
"Not everyone wants to break the rules," Hermione replied ignoring him.
Ron caught up to her on the step above where she paused to pull open the door to the tower. He bent down close behind her and whispered, "Are you sure you wouldn't have wanted me to take you to the Astronomy tower in our third year?"
Hermione shuddered against him and walked into the light of the Astronomy tower. Ron could make out the blush that graced her cheeks at his boldness. Even though, she replied saucily, "I think you were too angry at me about Scabbers to want to do that sort of thing."
"Don't be too sure of that Hermione, even when I was really mad I still thought you were the most wonderful thing I had ever seen," Ron answered beginning to think the Hufflepuff's had had the right idea.
"Oh please, you were too wrapped up in Quidditch and the entire Sirius episode to give me any thought at all," Hermione replied walking away to look over the tower.
Ron stalked her, his senses focused on his prey. She stopped beside one of the telescopes giving him the perfect opportunity to come up behind her and run his hands up her arms. It had been weeks since they had been alone together. Hermione leaned back against him as he moved her hair out of the way and bent his head down to gently nibble at the base of her neck just over the pulse point and whisper to her, "Well that was just when we were all talking. At night though when I was alone I spent a great deal of time thinking about you, all of you I might add."
Ron wrapped his arms around her small frame and rested his chin on top her head enjoying the scent of her, Hermione wrapped her arms over his own and whispered "You...you umm thought about me a lot at night?"
"I still do," he replied, his voice sounding deeper than it had moments before. As if to underscore his last remark he lowered his head, nuzzling her hair aside and took her earlobe between his lips and tugged on it gently. He could feel Hermione's reactions through the necklace and didn't bother hiding his own feelings from her.
When he had tugged on Hermione's ear she had gasped out loud and pulled away enough to turn and wrap her arms around his neck. Ron had taken this as a sign that Hermione was thinking the same thing he was and might be willing to break the rules enough to spend a little quality time alone with him. Ron, ever happy to accommodate her, never sensed the approach of Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall until the door opened. Ron dropped his arms, certain that they hadn't seen anything when he realized that Hermione still had her arms wrapped around his neck.
"I trust you have had an, umm… productive patrol Mr. Weasley?" asked Dumbledore his eyes sparkling. Hermione dropped her arms and stepped away from him her face bright red.
"Yes Professor, you wouldn't imagine the number of students who try and sneak up here for a quick snog," Ron replied grinning.
Hermione had turned to him with a look of absolute disbelief etched on her face. He could feel Hermione's embarrassment and anger and knew that he was in for it after the professor's were out of ear shot.
Even Professor McGonagall had to choke back a chuckle at the look Hermione gave Ron. At least Professor McGonagall could take a joke.
"Well, now that you are here Professors, I guess Hermione and I should go back to our dorms for the night. Good night Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall." Ron wanted to make a hasty retreat before anyone thought too much about what had happened.
Not waiting for the professors to respond, Ron took Hermione by the elbow and steered her out of the Tower and towards their common room. He had about two minutes of silence before she erupted at him. She read him the riot act the entire way back, but it had been worth it just to see the look on her face.
The hustle and bustle of Hogsmeade woke Ron from his memories as Harry and Ginny stopped before them.
"So where do you want to start love?" Ron asked Hermione with a smile.
Hermione paused a moment as if struggling with something and finally answered, "We could go to Honeydukes first."
Ron felt a surge of affection for her at that moment. Harry and Ginny's jaws dropped open surprised at their studious friends choice. To Ron, it was obvious she wanted to go somewhere that she knew he wouldn't enjoy, so she had decided to wait. That of course made giving in to what she really wanted easier.
"Why don't we go to Flourish and Blott's first and then we can go by Honeydukes. A very beautiful witch told me that there will be a new shipment of books set out on the shelves today."
Ginny and Harry's look of shock changed to looks of disgust, making gagging motions at the way Ron and Hermione were behaving.
Hermione to her credit ignored their looks and focused totally on Ron, "Have I told you how wonderful you are lately?"
Ron put his hands on his hips and frowned in concentration, "No you haven't. As a matter of fact, I have been sorely mistreated and ignored these past few days," he said placing one hand over his heart in mock sincerity.
The small grin and knowing look that Hermione turned on him made him think she hadn't forgotten about the night before in the Astronomy tower. That look and the impressions he was getting from his necklace caused him to feel quite warm and he was certain that he was blushing up to the tips of his ears.
"It seems I will have to find a way to make sure you are feeling appreciated then," Hermione said slowly, her eyes growing warm and inviting. It may have been just coincidence, but at that moment Hermione licked her lips and Ron thought his heart was going to stop. However, he felt certain that other parts of his body reacted even more strongly.
If she keeps that up I'm in for a long slow painful afternoon, Ron thought
Ron's downward thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Ginny's indignation, "Ugggg that's it, come on Harry. I don't think I can stand to be around the two of them for one more second."
Harry laughed at the face she made.
Ron shook himself out of the spell Hermione had caught him with and responded, "Oh look who's talking Ginny! You two are plenty friendly if the rumors are true."
"Yes we are, you great prat, but we aren't so sickeningly lovey dovey as you two," Ginny made a face taking Harry's hand, "It's so sweet you should get Honeydukes to sell it."
Ron smiled at Hermione and draped an arm across her shoulders, "But Ginny, Honeydukes doesn't have anything nearly as sweet as my Hermione and I don't want to share."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "See that's what I'm talking about. Let's go Harry before they declare their undying love for each other and I lose my breakfast!" Ginny pulled Harry along behind her towards Honeydukes.
"Don't forget to meet us at Three Broomsticks for lunch!" Hermione shouted to their retreating backs and Harry waved back in response.
Two hours later Ron was certain that he was paying a harsh penalty for some sort of horrible crime he must have unknowingly committed. That was the only explanation for the horror he had endured in Flourish and Blotts. Soon after they had entered the store Hermione had found a book on Ancient Runes she had been looking for and began to expound on the theories contained inside, which she, being brilliant, found fascinating.
Ron could handle Hermione waxing poetic about five thousand year old squiggly lines; sadly, several Ravenclaws who had been in the store had heard her as well. This led to a two hour discussion which Ron had barely understood on the various methods of translating the Elder Futhark runes. Several times the Ravenclaws had politely tried to include him in the conversation only to find him day dreaming about Hermione in the locker rooms wearing a scandalously short set of Quidditch robes. This had led to a very uncomfortable set of trousers and a seventh year Ravenclaw who kept staring at his discomfort.
Hermione, of course had failed to notice any of it and was expounding to the assembled Ravenclaws on her preferred method of deciphering Runes. Seeing Hermione in her element brought a wide smile to Ron's face. It was a widely regarded rumor in the Ravenclaw common room that the Sorting Hat had been drunk the night it placed Hermione in Gryffindor. As such, Hermione was regarded as something of a long lost Ravenclaw cousin. So much so that when the news of Ron and Hermione's relationship had spread about the school more than one Ravenclaw boy felt like he had lost out on a prize to a "barely awake Quidditch goon".
Hermione had been enjoying herself so much during their impromptu study group that Ron had been hesitant to interrupt them. Now, however, he felt as if he heard one more "I find it prudent to.." statement that he would stuff a Quaffle down the throat of the offender. It was hard enough for Ron to stand still even when he was doing something he greatly enjoyed, it was all but impossible for him to do so when bored out of his mind. Just as he thought he was going to have to scream, he heard Hermione gasp.
"Ron, how long have I been standing here talking?" she demanded turning towards him.
"What year is it?" he asked jokingly.
Hermione frowned and he thought for a moment he was going to get a lecture on being polite when Hermione surprised him again.
"I'm so sorry Ron. I know you don't have any interest in Ancient Runes at all and yet here I've been going on and on," she apologized.
Any irritation Ron might have felt evaporated in an instant.
"Don't worry love, we still have plenty of time," Ron smiled innocently remembering her implications from earlier.
The blush that crept across Hermione's face was worth all the time he had spent in this hell hole of a bookstore. She had not forgotten her promises either.
Ron looked over at the Ravenclaws and clarified, "Before we have to go to the Three Broomsticks." He couldn't help the slow wink he sent in Hermione's direction.
Hermione looked down at the stack of books she had acquired in the short time she had been looking before the Ravenclaws had descended on her.
"I don't want to take all these into The Three Broomsticks, maybe we should drop them off at the cottage just to be sure," she fretted with a distinct glimmer in her eye.
Ron could only stare at Hermione in amazement as she licked her lips. The look on her face was priceless. Ron paused only a moment before realizing,
I think she's daring me to kiss her right here.
Never one to ignore a dare, Ron approached her and reached out a hand to push her hair away from her face. He wound the fingers of the other hand through her thick curls at the base of her neck. He watched her face grow pink from the blush that was rapidly forming as Ron lowered his head and trapped her bottom lip with his mouth. The pile of books still clutched in her hands between them. Ron took just a moment to sweep his tongue across the soft, plump flesh and then pulled back to look Hermione in the eyes.
"Now would be a good time to say good bye to your friends wouldn't it love?" Ron murmured his voice rough as he nodded towards the Ravenclaws that had seen the whole thing.
To his amazement Hermione just nodded quickly and turned to the Ravenclaws standing nearby.
"Well it's been lovely but it seems I need to go. Enjoy the rest of your day," she smiled towards the Ravenclaws.
As soon as she got the words out, she handed Ron her amazingly large stack of books, quickly paid for her purchases, and pulled him out of the store.
A/N I just wanted to say I'm sorry it has taken so long to update. I should be able to update at least once or twice a week from now on. This is due in large part to bellana30 who has stepped in as a beta and is doing a wonderful job. I cannot overstate the help she has been.