Disclaimer: None of the people, places, or things surrounding Hogwarts and the Wizarding world are my creation; they belong to the wonderful Ms. Jo Rowling.
A/N: Tee hee, I fooled you all about this chapter being at Dumbledore's funeral! No, well, I'm kidding…I really was planning on it, but then something that suckr4romance said (and you should all thank her, by the way) really stuck in my head. What was happening in the days leading up the final Qudditch match? I almost put in the bit where Ron disappears to "throw up" and Hermione rushes off "to ask a question," but I thought that a Prefect duty gave them more innocent alone time.
Also, to allow myself the continued joy I find in writing this story, I am going to morph it just a teensy bit into being Harry/Ginny, as well. Basically for the added fluff factor. However, there won't be abrupt point of view changes…everything will happen through the eyes of Ron or Hermione…their thoughts on Harry and Ginny's relationship, something we didn't see in HBP. Cheers!
letsseesomeid: Yes, it is a very sad fact, but alas, all Missing Moments stories do come to an end. But just because this one will be ending in a few chapters does not mean that I will go away...you will most assuredly have more to come!
DCoD: I'm so glad that you found the last chapter humorous. I started to think that I wasn't putting in enough comedic moments...so I tried really hard to dig into Ron's brain during the break-up. As sensitive as we've discovered Ron can be, he's still Ron, and I can honestly see him cracking jokes in his head while a girl is yelling at him. And yes, I thought that Hermione deserved a little slip as well; in her mind, there's nothing left for her. An insecurity issue, and though we've seen in the past that Hermione is fairly self-confident, like you said, it's something that all women go through with the men in their lives. The snuggling I put in there mainly for my own pleasure...I didn't want there to be too much of that--a sort of fluff over load, you know--but in the end, I went back and changed it, because I was in a bad mood and wanted a guy to snuggle with me. (I too have a "Ron" who seems to be permanently stuck in his "clueless phase.") I'm working hard to make the chapter in and around the funeral the best it can possibly be...I will definitely keep your suggestions in mind. Thanks again, as usual, for your amazingly brilliant comments:-)
Blonde-Titch: You're still here! Thank you...I'd forgotten that it won't let you review for the same chapter twice (stupid, if you ask me). I agree--Lavender is certainly the character that annoys me the most. I can put up with her, mostly because I know that she's not evil...not like Draco, whom I absolutely cannot stand. I tried to handle the break-up as delicately as I could; but also with some Lavender-drama thrown in, because you know that it was there! Thank you gobs for your lovely review!
Phillyactress: A chapter in the Hospital Wing with Bill? Huzzah! Something like that hadn't even crossed my mind...what with all these beautiful ideas that are now popping into my head, this story might be a teesny bit longer than I'd originally thought. Yay for you and your smashing brilliance!
suckr4romance: I did mean to put the "not" in there..oops! That's what I get for proof-reading in a hurry. Thanks for noticing! And I've already thanked you above for your wonderful idea about a Missing Moment from page 521. Though I didn't use that specific one, I can honestly say that your idea is the basis for this chapter. THANK YOU SO, SO, SO MUCH! You are amazing...I look forward to hearing how you think this chapter was. :-D
hogwartsgirl52: I love hearing how your sisters react to seeing/hearing you read this! It reminds me a lot of myself and my sisters. And I understand how serious you were about "the whole update thingy." I try, my friend, I try. Tootles!
Machiavelli Jr: I did have a time trying to decide what Hermione's reaction to things between Ron and Lavender finally being done would be. I had one version where she did give him a "roasting" as you put it, but for some reason, I liked the reaction I put in the last chapter. I just think that after everything that has happened, Hermione wouldn't want to waste time by starting yet another fight with Ron...BUT, that's not to say that she wouldn't want to take things slowly. Nothing can mess this new relationship up, right?
fernie172: Aw, no problem about the review thing. I heart your story, and can't understand why it doesn't have 200+ reviews. It's brilliant, fluffy, and just a bunch of all-around goodness! All right, talking about my story now (lol!), I'm glad that you liked Hermione's use of a (gasp!) swear word...I thought, "she's 17 now--she's bound to swear at least once or twice," right?
RonMione4eva: Yes, I know, I'm sorry...I didn't remember that you couldn't review more than once for the same chapter. Sorry! I wasn't yelling--merely curious, but now feel rather stupid about it. ;-) Yay! You thought the last chapter was sweet...I really wanted it to be! For the first time since before Slughorn's party, Ron and Hermione can be as freely adorable together as they were before Lavender happened. And yes, Ron's comment about Hermione's use of a swear word was rather brilliant, I must confess (modestly, of course!). I just thought: "That's what he would do." Thank you SO much for your comments...I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this chapter!
ScarletPhoenix1: You're welcome for my comments! Lol. I love your pen name, by the way. That's why I decided to reply to your comments! Haha...I'm just a little weird, aren't I? Anyway, thank you SO much for your review...please write back soon, ok?
Hermione-is-my-Goddess: School has a tendency to happen, my friend. I usually start typing the next chapter the day I post the current one, but with homework and tests every single day, writing gets bumped down on the list, and I don't get a chance to finish until Saturday or Sunday. As it is, I have a gigantic AP Physics test tomorrow...which all of my friends are currently busy studying for, and I'm sitting here at the computer. How Harry Potter has taken over my life:-D And yes, Ron would of course want things to go faster...you'll see evidence of this in this chapter (hint, hint!)...but Hermione is just really scared that something bad will happen to the relationship.
legolascrazy17: Sugarquill hugs legolascrazy and does a happy dance. THERE YOU ARE! Oh, words cannot express how happy I was to see your reviews pop up! (As you can see, the utter joy finally seeing your comments gave me is still wearing off.) I'm so, so sorry to hear that school got crazy-insane. Trust me, I know EXACTLY how you feel! Things got like that for me awhile back...it doesn't really get better, I'm afraid to say, as high school goes on. You do learn to let some stuff go, though, so scheduling gets a bit easier. But yes, I understand the stress of not having enough hours in the day. But I'm still SUPER GLAD that you're back!
I enjoy Missing Moments for the same reasons you do. It is like reading the books, only much better because you get to focus on something besides Harry. (Don't get me wrong, I love our hero...but I sometimes wish that the books wouldn't be narrated only from his point of view.) Chapter 9 is the best? So far, I have to agree with you! Lol, trust me, I'm liking my own story as much as you are. But I do have to tell you: Ron and Hermione haven't told each other that they love each other yet...that will definitely be worth reading...I'm starting to work on that chapter now, and believe me, if you're not crying by the end, I haven't done my job. Yay! So, look for that.
I do agree with your analysis of Hermione's incredible self-restraint. You're possibly the only person who's agreed that it makes sense that Hermione (ever the practical and logical one) wouldn't want to jump into things head first. But I also agree with what you personally would do. If "my Ron" suddenly came to his senses (possibly getting hit in the head by a soccer ball, which he so gracefully bounces around for his life...see my Author's Note at the bottom!) and was kissing my cheeks and forehead, you can bet that I'd have his lips on mine in a heartbeat. SIGH. That is actually a rather pleasant thought... Sorry! I was drifting off there for a second. Anyway, you asked for snogging? Hee hee...READ ON, my lovely reviewer, read on. I gave you a taste (there will be more where that came from) of what you're looking for!
To everyone else who reviewed: Thanks a million! I'm sorry that I can't personally reply to each and every one...that would take ages and ages...and I simply don't have enough time! Just please know that I read and appreciate every review that pops up in my inbox! Happy reading!
Chapter 10: Stealing Happiness
Although she could scarcely remember a time when she was this happy, Hermione was beginning to wonder if there were many merits to taking the relationship between Ron and herself slowly, not to mention trying to make sure that the general public didn't find out about it. True, she didn't want to be caught snogging intensely in the hallways (though the idea of snogging Ron did indeed send chills down her spine)…but not being able to tell Harry the details of her life was hard. Even though those details were about her personal life. She wanted to be able to explain to Harry why she suddenly was beaming all the time, and why she and Ron kept sending each other small side-along glances.
Such as now, when the trio was gathered around a table in the Charms classroom, discussing Harry's success in retrieving the memory from Slughorn. As Harry recounted the events of the previous night, Hermione tried to concentrate, but her train of thought was constantly being interrupted by Ron's hand, which was playing with her fingers underneath the table. Ron was waving his other hand absently at the ceiling, and Hermione's only saving gratitude was that he sounded a bit out of character as well.
"Wow…you're going to and destroy…wow," he was saying inattentively, as if he couldn't quite keep his mind on the topic on hand.
Finally, Hermione decided to take matters into her own hands, so to speak. She gently removed Ron's hand from her own, but not before she pressed a discreet kiss to her fingers, relaying it to his hand. Ron jumped, then sighed at the loss of contact when she redirected his hand to the table. Glancing above their heads, she noticed small snowflakes beginning to fall from the ceiling.
"Ron, you're making it snow," she said patiently, smiling softly, as she turned his wand hand in another direction. He truly was the most adorable human being she'd ever met.
Their eyes met and once again, Hermione felt the sparks burn between them. She vaguely wondered how on earth Harry could simply sit there, and not notice what was happening between his best friends. "Oh yeah," said Ron with a hint of surprise. "Sorry…looks like we've all got horrible dandruff now…"
This is how it should always be, he noted happily, brushing some of the 'snow' off Hermione's shoulder. Sure, they weren't completely out in the open about their, er, relationship, but it wouldn't take a complete git to see that something had changed.
Hearing a sob behind him, Ron glanced over, then grimaced. Correction: a complete git OR Lavender Brown. He sighed heavily, feeling immensely guilty, and turned his back on her. What else was he supposed to do now? He'd never like Lavender in the first place…so it wasn't as if he was going to try and be good friends with her again.
Later that afternoon, they had one of their joint free periods, and on the walk back to the Common Room, Harry seemed to notice that both Ron and Hermione were in exceptionally good moods. "Hermione," he began with a half-smile on his face, "You seem pretty happy today. What's up?"
Harry knew that answer to that question, and Hermione knew that he knew the answer to that question. She shrugged happily, not able to fight the grin on her face, and replied: "It's a nice day."
Harry raised his eyebrows. "Yes…but that's not necessarily cause for—"
"Can't a girl tell her best friend that it's a nice day?" Ron interrupted before Harry could complete his thought. He turned to Harry, punching him playfully on the shoulder. "She says it's a nice a day…so it's a nice day."
Harry snorted. If they'd been obvious before the Lavender-Krum debacle happened, he didn't even know if there was a word to describe his best friends now.
In the days that followed, Ron and Hermione tried very hard to find as much time alone together as they possibly could. Trouble was, Ron was finding, was that every way he turned, Harry seemed to be there. Like a pesky insect who didn't know when his welcome was worn through.
"Or a best friend who simply wants to spend time with you," Hermione told him on one precious Harry-free Prefect duty. He and Hermione had been patrolling the corridors, and Ron was taking immense pleasure in being able to hold Hermione's hand, and occasionally stop to hug her to him. The freedom that confessing his feelings gave him was certainly not meant to be taken lightly, he reckoned.
"Well, yea…but bloody hell! Can't a bloke be apart from his friend for a few minutes a day? Harry's got loads of strategies for the match to work out…shouldn't be doing that?"
"He is, Ron," Hermione reminded him gently.
Ron turned away, huffing a bit. It wasn't that he was angry…he just wanted to able to have Hermione to himself whenever he wanted.
"Can't we…can't we—you know…say some—"
Hermione was shaking her head before he'd even finished. "No, Ron, we agreed, remember? If Harry finds out on his own, then, well, we can't very well have stopped that…but he has way too many things he's dealing with right now. We don't need to bring our lo—I mean, our lives on him."
"But he's our friend," Ron whined.
"I am perfectly aware of that. I simply think that—"
"Well, if you ask me, you think too much."
Hermione giggled. A few months ago, the old Hermione would have snapped into anger. This new, a little more carefree Hermione, simply laughed and let it go. Ron didn't mean anything by nearly half of what came out of his mouth…she only wished she'd realized that sooner.
"Yes, well, somebody has to think for us," she quipped, nudging Ron's hip with her own.
Ron responded by grabbing Hermione around the waist, and pulling her close to him. He buried his face in her neck, snuffling and tickling her with his nose. She laughed, pushing him away gently, but not letting him take his arms away. They felt too good; warm and comforting.
Ron sighed, pulling away and pouting. Hermione rolled her eyes. "What, Ron?"
His face grew serious and contemplative. "I..I ju—just," he stammered. Hermione simply peered silently at him, and he heaved a sigh. "Look, I—I really want to…to kiss you," he finished in a whisper.
Hermione's jaw dropped and her cheeks pinked, despite the fact that there was no one in the hallway besides them. Her mouth opened and closed for a few moments as she tried to form words to her thoughts. She'd always known that Ron spoke his mind…but this was almost too blunt, even for him.
"I…I know," she began carefully so as not to add to the tension. "I'm just…Ron, don't you see? What if something bad happens to us? What if a relationship doesn't work? What if—"
Her last words were cut off by Ron's mouth pressing a bit harshly on hers. For a moment, she thrashed around—more surprised than afraid—but soon realized how hopeless fighting this kiss was, and leaned into him. She placed her arms around his neck cautiously, as if asking a silent question: "Do you know what you're doing?"
It only took Ron a moment to respond and soon she was crushed against his chest, her head tilted up as he took control and deepened the kiss. His tongue weaved around her lips before she opened her mouth. Hermione gasped; she and Viktor had certainly never done this. And what was even more surprising—a wonderful surprise, to be sure—was that Ron was quite good at kissing. She would even go as far as to say he was brilliant at it.
She sighed audibly. This was the single most wonderful feeling in the world. Ron pulled away and smiled warmly, yet also a bit smugly, at her. "Well, if I'd known that would shut you up, I would have tried it ages ago," he said.
For her part, Hermione was too stunned to respond. She touched a hand to her lips, looking repeatedly between Ron and the stone wall over his shoulder.
"Uh, Hermione?" Ron's voice came through her foggy brain once more. "A little reaction here would be nice…"
She shook her head vigorously and looked at him. He was pacing slowly from foot to foot, looking very much like a young boy trying to impress the first girl he'd ever fancied. When she still didn't say anything, his face drooped and he threw his head against the wall.
"Oh, hell, I was awful, wasn't I? I knew it…Lavender was just being…she's just—"
Hermione stopped forward, took hold of his arm, and dragged him away from bashing his head in. With her other hand, she grabbed his chin and forced him to look at her. "Ron…that was the most amazing kiss I've ever had…or imagined, for that matter. I was just too—too happy to respond for awhile. Shock to the system, you know?"
Ron's smile very nearly blinded her. He reached for her hand, twining his fingers with hers. "Well, all right then," he said a bit sheepishly, and though he continued to grin down at her, Hermione noticed his ears and neck turning a light crimson.
They began walking down the corridor again. Hermione was still attempting to process the kiss. Why again did I say that we had to go slowly? She asked herself. She glanced down at their hands. Hers fit so perfectly in his.
"You understand that we can't just…do this…whenever it crosses our minds," she spoke up suddenly, completely defying what her heart was telling her.
Ron groaned, but didn't immediately start to argue with her. "I s'pose," he said gruffly, "If that's the way you feel about it. But I just don't understand why…"
"Well, I reckon partly because of Lavender." Ron made a face, and Hermione rolled her eyes. "I know that neither of us cares for her very much…but still, we don't need to throw this at her. And—and Harry—"
"Oh, come off it, Hermione, you know ruddy well that Harry's got his own life to sort out. It's not like he's going to notice us snogging in the hallways."
Hermione's ears perked up at Ron's observation. "What sort of things is he sorting through?" she asked slowly, wondering if Ron was possibly even more in tune to other's feelings than she'd realized over the past weeks.
Ron looked away a bit angrily. "Merlin, Hermione, you've got to have noticed it too!"
"Noticed what?"
"The way he looks at my bloody sister, that's what!"
Her mouth dropped open at Ron's outburst. "Well, then…" she said, but trailed off, utterly shocked that Ron had noticed the way Harry had been looking at Ginny for the past few months.
"We've got—well, we have to do something," Ron continued, dropping her hand and beginning to pace wildly in front of her.
"Ron, what are you talking about? You've said yourself that you'd rather see Ginny with Harry than Dean…or any other bloke for that matter. This is a good thing."
"Has he said anything to her?" Ron asked, apparently not even listening to Hermione.
"Ronald! Of course not! He's not stupid. If anything, he's terrified of you and what you'd do to him."
He paused, nodding decisively. "That's right. He should be scared."
Hermione snorted. Stupid, machismo coming through, that was. "Look, Ron, all I can say is that Harry and Ginny are perfect for each other. And while I'm extremely impressed that you've noticed that Harry likes her, I would say to try taking a look at Ginny's face whenever Harry is in the room."
Ron raised an eyebrow warily. His eyes told her that he wasn't sure if he wanted to know what was coming next. "She has feelings for him as well, you prat," Hermione said distinctly. "So get off your—your high horse and deal with it." With that, she turned and flounced away. She wasn't angry with him; she simply needed to be firm—he had to understand what was happening.
After a few moments, she heard Ron's footsteps hurrying to catch up. "But he hasn't done anything, right?"
A few days before the final Quidditch match, Hermione found herself nearly alone in the Common Room, Ginny studying intently beside her. Where Ron and Harry had disappeared off to, she didn't know, but she furiously hoped that Ron wasn't giving Harry the "talking to" he so—according to Ron and only Ron—desperately needed where the issue of Harry-and-Ginny was concerned.
"What an idiot," she murmured out loud, catching Ginny's attention.
"Did you say something, Hermione?"
Hermione shook her head. "Oh, it's nothing…just your brother."
"But you two are getting along so much better…"
"That doesn't mean that he's stopped being a prat," she quipped.
Ginny nodded sagely. "Ah yes, all that snogging has probably gone to his head."
Hermione gasped, whirling around to make sure no one had heard Ginny. "WHAT?" she asked in a harsh whisper.
"Honestly, Hermione, I'm a girl. It's not as if I'm not going to notice when you and Ron conveniently hurry off to 'ask Professor McGonagall about Prefect duties.' Which, I might add, has become to the whole of Gryffindor code for 'we're going to find an abandoned classroom, don't follow us.'"
Hermione wasn't sure if her face could become any redder…how absolutely embarrassing! "But that's—that's not what we're…I mean, sometimes we do ask about duties. I, er…" Hermione groaned and covered her face with her hands. "I told Ron that excuse was terrible," she said from behind her fingers. "And we DON'T snog…."
Ginny giggled softly. "All the time, you mean," she added, watching Hermione dip even more embarrassedly into her chair. "Oh, Hermione, this is good! Can't you see that? We've all been waiting for it to happen…"
"We?"
Ginny waved a hand in the air casually. "Well, myself, Harry, though I'm not sure he's completely picked up on all the obvious hints. Neville, mostly because he just wanted to know if he still had a chance, despite nearly everybody telling him that it was useless. Fred and George…they need more teasing ammunition for Ron, you see. Oh, and my mother! She'll be so happy, Hermione…"
Oh…my…god, Hermione was thinking, feeling very much like her death had come early.
"Some of my fifth year friends, of course, but they're only happy because that means that you and Harry won't be together…they do have these awful crushes on him. Let's see…well, then, naturally there are the teachers."
Hermione's head snapped up, her eyes turning into large cinnamon 'o's.' "What?" she asked in horror.
Here, Ginny paused, wondering if she should go on. "Well, you and Ron have been quite obvious for years. And our professors are some of the most brilliant witches and wizards… Professor McGonagall—oh, you must promise not to say anything…it would give her hard edge away, you see—has actually asked me how you and Ron get on together when school is not in session."
That was it. She'd KNOWN a relationship between herself and Ron was doomed from the start. The fact that everyone in Hogwarts had apparently been taking bets on it, was proof enough. "That's it, then," she said, voicing her thoughts. "I told him this would never work…" She stood and prepared to leave, but Ginny threw out an arm, halting her.
"Wait, wait, wait. Don't go do something to ruin this, Hermione. The only reason people talk about you and Ron is because you're so perfect together. You—you two just…fit, you know."
Though a burst of pleasure swept through her, Hermione reluctantly sat down, still prepared to argue. "Ginny, were you not here during Christmas? He and I barely spoke for three months!"
"Arguing is just what you two do," Ginny insisted. "I wish I could somehow record every you and Ron whenever you think people aren't watching. A real eye-opener, that." Hermione didn't reply, merely looking away, pleased, but trying very hard not to show it. "You make people remember love," Ginny added softly…and a bit sadly.
Hermione whirled to face her friend, a sympathetic smile already on her face. "Oh, Ginny…he'll come 'round. You must know that. He's just…he has a lot going on right now, what with the match coming up in a few days."
Ginny sighed, shaking her head unhappily. "That's what you've been telling me for years, Hermione. Years!"
"How do you know that I'm wrong?"
"Well…you're Hermione," Ginny observed. "You know everything…so…"
"So therefore, I can't possibly be wrong," Hermione finished resolutely. "Especially about this. It's Harry—my best friend. I know him better than he knows himself. And what I know is that every time you're in the room, he stares at you, with either this intense look of thought on his face…or a strange, goofy smile."
Ginny grinned in spite of herself. "Harry's never been goofy in his life," she muttered, though her cheeks pinked.
"Well, he is when he's around you." Hermione reached over and patted Ginny's hand comfortingly. "Don't worry, Gin. You've done a wonderful job of loosening up; Harry's gotten to know the real you over the past years. Something will happen…just wait."
"For how much longer!" Ginny burst out. "I've been waiting since I was ten years old."
"I waited for Ron since I was eleven!" Hermione threw back just as passionately.
Silence followed their respective outbursts, followed by laughter. "Oh, Hermione," Ginny giggled. "We really picked two wonderful boys!" she said sarcastically.
Hermione nodded through the happy tears. "It's a good thing that they're friends. Otherwise the unfortunate women—well, I suppose that would be us—who end up with them would have to be in it alone.
At just that moment, Ron and Harry themselves walked through the portrait hole, stopping to gaze in shock at seeing Hermione and Ginny rolling around on the floor, laughing.
Girls…I will never understand them, Ron thought in amazement. Still, he paused to take in Hermione's blissful face; her head was thrown back and he could tell she was truly happy. A beautiful sight, it was, seeing Hermione laugh. He made a mental note to try and keep that grin on her face whenever possible.
Beside him, Harry was also watching Ginny. Out of the corner of his eye, Ron watched his best friend's face as he gazed at his sister. Ginny, too, looked perfectly content, half-sitting on her chair and the floor, laughing about nothing. Harry's face suddenly erupted into a wide grin, and Ron couldn't fight his answering smile. True, he didn't like the thought of Ginny with any bloke…but she really seemed to make Harry happy. And if there was anything Harry needed in his life, it was happiness.
Hermione glanced up and saw them standing—looking for all the world like two love-struck idiots—near the portrait hole, simply watching them. She poked Ginny, whose head popped up from behind her hands, and gestured toward Ron and Harry.
"Speak of the devils," she murmured and Ginny giggled even harder. They slowly stood and walked over to the boys, each turning to the one they considered "their's" without consciously thinking about it.
They needed more of this, Hermione noted, watching Ron's eyes light up as she reached up and pecked him quickly on the cheek. More happiness, more carefree and lighthearted moments. That time would come, she knew.
For now, she was content to steal as much happiness as she could.
A/N: What a cheeseball ending, eh? I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself. I started with the ending (à la, the title) and basically worked up from there. I wanted to give you all some much needed Ron/Hermione fluff. With each chaper comes more marshmallow goodness, just like Hermione (I think, at least) would have wanted it in the book.
On a VERY HAPPY note, our boys' soccer team won their semi-final game on Saturday! For the first time in our school's 5 year history, we're going to the STATE FINALS! So I will be heading up to that on Tuesday…then, depending on the outcome, with either be celebrating for the rest of the week, or wallowing in chances missed. :-)