The Characters and situations of Harry Potter depicted in this story are the legal property of J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury, and AOL Time Warner, and have been used without permission. No copyright violation is intended. No profit is being made off this site. It is for entertainment purposes only.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, guess what… I believe that it is necessary to inform everyone of the nearness of my story's finale. I have had sooo much fun writing this story, and it's not over by any means, but I thought that I should warn everyone of how close the ending is becoming. Imagine that Behind Closed Eyes is an actual bound book. Well, you are now at the point that when you close the book and look at your bookmark, you say, "Oh my gosh! How in the world is the author going to wrap everything up in so few pages?" I have almost laid everything out there, and now the time for me to tie all loose ends is approaching.
ALSO: The ending of chapter 38 was altered very slightly b/c of a mistake on my part! Uh oh… Thank you to Katherinep for bringing something to my attention. After you said, "I still don't really get Harry's glowing eyes." I read back over the parts of this chapter that involved Harry's eyes and I realized that I jumped the gun a bit with Ron's train of thought. The part at the end where he's thinking, "Harry's eyes weren't glowing. If he thought that this incident had anything to do with Ginny…wouldn't his eyes be glowing?" That was just a flat out booboo on my part b/c he shouldn't have come to that conclusion…yet. I forgot that there is something you guys (and Ron) don't know about Harry's power. That made me angry with myself that I did that. I tried to find a way around not changing that part of 38 (so I wouldn't confuse anybody further), but I decided I really needed to. There's more that Harry is going to discover about his new Power that will hopefully clear everything up. (Not necessarily in this chapter, though). If anyone is thoroughly confused now, don't be afraid to ask me what the heck I'm talking about! Because there's a slight chance that I might know! Lol…Now Please Enjoy! Thank you!
Chapter 39
Seven words in over two hours? That wasn't normal for Ron, was it?
Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Ginny were all walking slowly and lethargically up the Grand Staircase to their Tower. They had just returned to Hogwarts from the hospital, and Hermione felt as if she had been given some of Fred's anesthetic. Only, her emotions were numb, not her body.
After Tonks and Lupin had explained the break-in to Hermione and Ron, everyone had resettled themselves in the plastic waiting room chairs. During the rather tense hour of waiting, Ron had asked Hermione, "Are you alright?" quickly followed by, "Are you sure?" But the rest of the hour he had simply stared blindly into space. When Healer Gadgil summoned the Weasley family and friends to room one-thirty-two, they found Fred fast asleep from heavy dosages of Sleeping and Anesthetic Potions. He was lying peacefully underneath the covers of his hospital bed, but the outcome of his surgery was evident. From his elbow down, Fred's right arm was gone. The base of the stub was thickly bandaged.
Since Fred was asleep, no one had really said much of anything. Hermione made it through the visit without crying. Actually, she hadn't felt even the tiniest of lumps form in her throat. Even after Angelina approached Fred's form and kissed his right shoulder, no tears had fallen from Hermione's eyes. Angelina had started crying, which had prompted Ginny and Mrs. Weasley to cry. But still…no tears from Hermione. It had been a very touching scene…hadn't it? Hermione had felt numb to it.
Charlie had finally arrived from Romania to see his brother. He hadn't been able to come sooner because he had been on the reserve with some injured Norwegian Ridgebacks. At his entrance, Ron had said, "Hello…" But nothing more…
Shortly after Charlie's arrival, Tonks decided that, due to the unexpected break-in, it would be best for the four teenagers to return to Hogwarts before the Hogwarts grounds curfew of four PM. The four had not been able to speak with Fred, but they had each written him a short get-well letter before flooing back to McGonagall's office. They had waved to Percy, who was grudgingly emptying his pockets for one of the guards in the Floo Station. But none of them, including Ron, actually spoke to him before entering a fireplace. Tonks had urged them to rush through the Floo Station without loitering.
So here they all were, walking up the staircase, and Hermione could count the number of words Ron had spoken since the break-in on her fingers. She had seen the poorly concealed horror on Ron's face as Tonks and Lupin had explained what they knew of the intruder's intentions. She knew exactly why he was being so silent. He was thinking about that Death Eater.
Well, Hermione was too. And in fairness she could count the number of words she'd said over the past two hours on one hand. Although, she couldn't begin to count the number of words she'd said to herself. 'I can handle this. I can turn my fear into determination, just as McGonagall suggested earlier in the week. Then I won't be afraid any longer. I will be determined to help in the fight against that awful monster.'
She had repeated these words to herself over and over. Yet, she still felt numb. Numb to every emotion except fear… Ron had believed for some time that Harry's dream was authentic, but Hermione had not fully accepted it. It was always in the recesses of her mind… She could remember Harry's words… 'He was really angry because Wormtail had failed at some important mission…the mission had something to do with kidnapping a Muggle-born.'
But despite the horrifying assumptions that vision evoked, Hermione had found ways around believing that it was her that Voldemort was after. There were tons of Muggle-borns…besides, Harry's dream might not have been real in the first place!
Then Lucius Malfoy had escaped over the holidays…the day before her family's home was attacked. She knew that it had been this incident that had truly confirmed Ron's belief in Harry's dream. He believed that Wormtail's failed mission over the summer was aiding in the breakout of Malfoy, whom was to have the task of kidnapping Hermione. But No!…Hermione had thought once the fear and anger subsided. The attack on her home over the holidays could have been conducted simply because she was Muggle-born. That's what Moody had said. They weren't after Hermione Granger, they were after any and all Muggle-borns.
But now…what excuses could she develop? What explanation could she conjure to escape from her fears? The first time she'd left the grounds of Hogwarts since the start of term, a lone Death Eater had appeared, looking for a female visitor of Fred Weasley… Her mind had yet to find an adequate explanation and the result seemed to be this horrible numb feeling…
"Lemon Meringue." Harry muttered to the Fat Lady.
The portrait door swung open wide, allowing them entrance into the quiet common room. There were quite a few students scattered about, undoubtedly waiting for the evening meal, and the fire was roaring. She spotted Parvati in one corner reading a book…Seamus was playing chess with an older boy…several young girls were sitting around the lounge chairs in quiet conversation…
"I…am…so…sleepy." Ginny said through a long yawn.
"Why don't you take a nap?" Harry asked quietly.
She nodded at him and smiled weakly, "I think I shall." She replied before giving a slight wave and turning for the girls' staircase.
Just as she turned, however, Harry grabbed her hand. Ginny turned to him with questioning eyes. "Can I at least get a hug?" He asked with the smallest of smiles.
Ginny glanced about the room before whispering, "Harry…you don't have to do this…"
Without hesitation, Harry pulled her to him and wrapped his arms about her. Ginny's body shook with a soft sob as she clung to him. Hermione noted a small drop in the noise level of the room, and glanced around to see quite a few people watching her friends. And as Harry bent his head to kiss her, Hermione saw someone descending the stairs to the boys' dormitories. Dean faltered a bit on the last step as he saw Harry and Ginny embraced and kissing, but he ducked his head and began walking toward the portrait hole door.
After Harry and Ginny broke their kiss, Harry happened to glance up and see Dean just as he was reaching the exit. "Dean!" Harry called.
Dean stopped in his tracks and slowly turned to look at Harry. The room's noise level decreased again, and Hermione saw many people blatantly staring.
"I'd like to speak with you." Harry said evenly. Dean looked a bit hesitant, but he nodded. Hermione glanced over at the chess table, and saw that Seamus was staring intently at his friend and Harry.
"You go take that nap." Harry said softly as he looked down at Ginny. She smiled up at him and wiped her damp eyes before standing on her toes to kiss him one last time. She then ascended the stairs to her dormitory.
Harry turned back to Dean, who was staring straight down at the floor. Hermione grabbed hold of Ron's hand and quickly led him to the boys' dormitory stairs. She knew that Harry meant to apologize, and she figured that he and Dean should probably have some privacy. Of course, the two boys would probably have to leave the Tower altogether in order to have adequate privacy. But Hermione didn't want her eyes and ears to be a part ofany eavesdropping.
So up the stairs she led Ron and into the empty dormitory. Empty… Harry's words from earlier suddenly echoed in her mind… He had said that he'd prefer to drop his defenses "as soon as we get a chance alone in the dormitories…"
"Ron…" Hermione began apprehensively, "Where is Neville?"
"It's Saturday." He said quietly, not even looking at her. His voice was almost lifeless as he took a seat on the edge of his bed. "No one stays up here much on Saturdays."
Hermione simply nodded. She knew that they would find a moment alone in the dormitories sooner or later. But Hermione had hoped it would be later.
"Hermione," Ron began in the same lifeless tone, only he did look at her, "Don't feel like you have to stay in here when Harry drops his defenses."
Hermione crossed the room to sit down on the bed next to Ron. "I don't feel like I have to." She began quietly, "I want to."
Ron's expressionless eyes turned sad just as the door opened slowly with a creak. Harry entered, closing the door behind him. He waved his hand over the handle and Hermione heard a soft click. She had never been claustrophobic, but she suddenly felt as if the walls were closing in around her.
"We need to hurry." Harry said hastily as he crossed to the middle of the room. "I don't expect Seamus, Dean, or Neville to return any time soon, but I don't know how long Ginny will nap."
"So you aren't going to tell her about this?" Hermione asked blandly.
"No." He replied, taking off his glasses and tossing them on his bed.
Ron stood up from his own bed and slowly approached Harry. "How'd it go with Dean?" Ron asked.
"I apologized; he apologized." Harry said hurriedly. "Let's get this over with."
Ron sighed, "Alright. Ready?" He asked hesitantly. It looked as if Ron were just as apprehensive about this as Hermione. Harry closed his eyes and nodded.
Just as he'd done at Grimmauld Place, Ron moved to stand behind Harry, where he then put his arms firmly around him, pinning Harry's arms to his sides. Harry took a deep breath, and then everything was completely silent except for the sound of Hermione's jeans rustling as she bobbed her knees up and down rapidly. Harry and Ron both had their eyes closed, and neither of them were moving a muscle.
"Hermione…" Harry said suddenly, causing her heart to stop. Ron's eyes shot open as he looked to her worriedly.
"Imperturbable." Harry added quietly. Hermione breathed a deep sigh as she slowly stood from the bed.
"Blimey, Harry." Ron said as he breathed a sigh of his own. "You trying to kill me?"
"Sorry." Harry said sincerely, keeping his eyes closed tight. Hermione quickly crossed to the door and uttered the Imperturbable Charm.
"Alright." Hermione said once finished. Her legs suddenly felt a bit unstable so she decided to remain by the door in case she couldn't make it all the way back to Ron's bed.
Once again, everything became silent. From her current location, she could only see the back of Ron, standing tall. She couldn't see Harry's face…and that was a good thing. She remembered the horrible pained look on Harry's face from last time, and she didn't want to see it again. Maybe he just won't see anything. Hermione thought. Oh, please don't see anything.
Suddenly, however, Hermione heard Harry take a sharp intake of breath, and she saw Ron readjust his footing. Harry wasn't moving or convulsing as he had before. But his breathing was quickening. Was his expression pained? Were his eyes still closed? Were his eyes open and fearful? Oh! Hermione thought miserably. I can't stand this!
She quickly marched around Ron and Harry so that she was standing a few feet from them. Ron's blue eyes were open and anxious as his gaze met hers. Harry's expression didn't look pained, yet his eyes were still tightly closed. He was breathing heavily, with a worried wrinkle above his nose. He suddenly took in another sharp breath. His frown seemed to deepen as his shoulders flinched one time. This was horrible. He was seeing something. He was receiving a vision…one of those awful visions…and Hermione was confined to standing and watching in silence. Her numbness to emotion seemed to lessen a bit as sadness coupled with her fear. The only thing that was keeping her from crying was the eye contact that she held with Ron.
"No." Harry said firmly. Hermione's heart rate quickened. It wasn't a whine or a plea. It almost sounded like a command. Harry then clenched his hands into tight fists as he spoke again. "No! I won't leave, you bastard!" Harry shouted.
Hermione didn't realize she was backing away from him until she bumped into the stone wall behind her. Ron was still gazing at her, but his eyes were now wide with confusion and worry. What was happening? Who was Harry talking to? Was he talking to…? Hermione's head was beginning to feel fuzzy.
"It's been a while." Harry said through clenched teeth. "Haven't you missed me?" Some sort of a deep, almost malicious sounding chuckle followed Harry's question. "Is that fear in your voice? You sick coward! AH!" Harry suddenly jerked his head back fiercely into Ron's chest and his knees began to buckle. Ron moved his own head back, but stood his ground.
Harry's eyes slowly flickered open, and he looked straight at Hermione with pain now etching every feature of his face. He was completely still again.
"Harry?" Hermione asked tentatively, taking a step toward him.
"It's over." He said weakly.
Ron slowly released his hold on Harry, who stumbled to his bed and sat down quickly. He pressed two fingers to his scar and closed his eyes.
"Harry?" Ron asked quietly.
"I entered his mind." Harry muttered. "I entered his mind, and he…he saw me…or felt me…or whatever. He knew I was there."
"Does your scar hurt?" Ron asked.
"Yes." Harry said as he lowered his fingers from his forehead and looked up at them both. "Before he knew I was there, I saw him torturing Lucius Malfoy." Harry looked down after these words with a disgusted look.
"Malfoy?" Hermione asked, feeling her numbness return. "With the Cruciatus Curse?"
Harry shook his head slowly before glancing up at Hermione with a look that appeared somewhat apologetic. It made Hermione's stomach churn.
"Voldemort said that…" Harry began. He faltered and took a breath before continuing, "He told Lucius that he'd had his last chance. Then he…he told him that he needed to remind him of his oath. He grabbed Malfoy's arm and began cutting the outline of the dark mark into his skin with some sort of wandless cutting spell." Hermione put a hand to her mouth as the sick feeling in her stomach worsened.
"Last chance?" Ron asked hoarsely, ignoring the last bit of Harry's comment.
"Yeah." Harry said, not looking at either of them.
"What were his exact words to Malfoy?" Ron asked hurriedly. Hermione could see that Ron was breathing heavily by the heaving of his chest.
Harry looked from Ron to Hermione and back. "You've failed me twice." Harry began quietly, "That was your last chance. The task is no longer yours." Harry looked down at his knees before muttering, "After that is when he felt me in his mind."
Hermione watched as the color drained from Ron's face and he turned to look at her. She was now leaning fully against the cold stone of the wall because she felt quite faint. Ron broke their stare and ran one hand roughly through his hair before taking two long strides to his bedside cabinet. He gripped the top of it with both hands and leaned against it briefly. She could see his knuckles turn white and she thought that he might turn the cabinet over, but instead, he picked up an empty water glass and turned to throw it across the room, where it shattered against the wall opposite Hermione. He then shouted an expletive that she had never heard him use before, but she wasn't about to reprimand him. He sat down hard on the edge of his bed, rested his elbows on his knees, and dropped his head to his hands.
Closing her eyes tightly, Hermione willed herself to refrain from running to him. If she did, she would start to feel again, and she found slight solace in her numbness.
"So…what task is he referring to?" Hermione asked dully. Both Ron and Harry looked at her with puzzled expressions. She knew the answer to her question, but she needed to hear someone say it. Then it would be real. Then she might comprehend it. Because at the moment, nothing seemed real. Not even the moment itself. She felt as if she would soon wake from this nightmare.
"Hermione…" Harry began softly, "I think it's…it's about you." Hermione simply nodded.
Ron was staring at her sadly, and he made a move to stand, but she stepped away from him. He slowly settled back down with a look of slight confusion and hurt. He had been about to come to her side and comfort her. But if he did that, she would definitely start to feel again. She might even break down and cry… She chose to remain numb… It was better this way.
"Were you talking to him?" Hermione asked, and she was surprised that her voice sounded steady and almost casual.
Harry nodded. "Once he knew I was invading his mind, he yelled for me to get out. I could feel him trying to push me from his mind. He was afraid." He said firmly, almost to himself, "He was eventually able to push me out, but…he was afraid."
"Were you?" Asked Hermione.
"No." Harry stated firmly, before looking up at her and thenRon, who now had his head in his hands again.
"Listen…that vision I had of Ginny over the holidays…" Harry began dazedly, now staring out of the window, "I don't think it was from Voldemort."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked; Ron looked up from his hands.
"I mean…I didn't see it through Voldemort's eyes." Harry began, "I know what it feels like when he's in my mind, and I know what it feels like when I'm in his. When I had that vision of Ginny, I was seeing it through my eyes."
Hermione and Ron exchanged a quick glance before Ron spoke in a hoarse voice, "Are you saying you…saw it? As in…you have an inner eye?" He asked skeptically.
"Yes. No." Harry replied, before releasing an impatient sigh, "I don't know."
"But…" Hermione began,"Harry, you've had visions before that you didn't realize were from Voldemort…"
Harry shook his head and stood from his bed. "No. This is different. I can't explain it, Hermione. It's just different."
"You should tell Dumbledore then." Hermione said firmly. "If you go now you might can catch him before dinner."
Harry nodded at her. "Alright." He said as he began walking toward the door, "If I'm not back for the meal, tell Ginny the truth. I've gone to speak with Dumbledore about my vision of her. Just leave out the part about me dropping my defenses again."
He exited the room, without waiting for a response, leaving her and Ron alone in the dormitory. Ron was staring absently into the center of the room. Hermione didn't know what to do. Seeing him throw that glass across the room had been one of the angriest outbursts she'd ever seen Ron have. Did he want to be alone? Did he want her to comfort him? And what about her? Did she want to be alone? Did she want to be comforted? She honestly didn't know anymore.
"Harry, you can't let yourself believe that you can shield Ginny from all harm because you can't."
Those were Hermione's exact words to Harry just hours earlier. Ron had agreed with her completely. Harry needed to get a firm grip on reality because it seemed to be slipping from him. He had to understand that he was only human. But now…Ron was looking at those words in a whole new light. Turning the tables a bit, he tried to tell himself, Ron, you can't let yourself believe that you can shield Hermione from all harm because you can't.
In that light, the words angered him. He was sitting on his bed in silence. But his insides were screaming. Screaming in fury and confusion… disgust and hatred. He shouldn't have shown his feelings like he had after Harry revealed Voldemort's words. He hadn't made Hermione feel any better by blowing up like that… and she had even backed away from him.
Suddenly, however, Ron felt a warm body sit down beside him on his bed. While in his daze, Hermione had come to his side with an unreadable expression. How was she being so calm? So seemingly unconcerned?
"Ron…" Hermione began as she locked her eyes on his with an intense gaze, "I don't think he's going to stop until someone completes his task…until someone has taken me."
Ron felt as if her words had taken the breath out of him, but he swallowed hard and turned toward her to take her hands in his. "You don't know that." He said in the strongest voice he could muster, "Lucius Malfoy is probably one of his strongest men, and he's failed twice. We're one step ahead of him, and that's why he won't be able to…to find you." Ron finished with some difficulty. He had meant to say 'to take you,' but he couldn't.
Hermione began shaking her head as he finished his statement. "Ron, we're talking about the most powerful dark wizard of our time. He knows that if he wants to live, he has to kill Harry. And he's found a perfect way to get Harry to come to him. Me." She said quietly.
"But it's not a perfect way." Ron said firmly. "He'll never be able to get to you, Hermione. You're too well protected."
Hermione suddenly stood up from the bed. "Lord Voldemort, Ron! Voldemort! He's been sending Death Eaters to take me!" She yelled as she began pacing, "And it's not as if Malfoy's mistakes were huge! If I had been at my house over the holidays…he would have succeeded. If his Polyjuice Potion hadn't worn off when it did…he would have succeeded. These are small mistakes, Ron. One's that can and will be easily rectified! I am only standing here in front of you right now because of luck! It has nothing to do with me being well protected."
"Hermione…please…" Ron muttered low in his throat as he stood from the bed. She took a step away from him again, so he stood his ground.
"You know what McGonagall said to me after class that day?" Hermione asked feverishly without giving him time to answer, "She told me that I wasn't performing well in Defense Against the Dark Arts because I had developed a fear of Death Eaters, but she also told me how to fix that problem! She said I just have to change my fear into determination to fight against them. So I just have to be determined to fight, Ron!" Hermione paused, looking into his eyes before adding, "I can't be…afraid…"
Hermione's voice broke slightly on this last declaration. She turned her back on him then and quickly covered her face with her hands as a soft sob shook her. He didn't know whether or not she wanted him to touch her, but he had to… Ron approached her slowly from behind and placed his hands gently on her shoulders. She immediately turned toward him and threw her arms around his neck, where she began sobbing against his chest. His arms encircled her.
"I'm scared, Ron." She cried into his shirt. "I'm just really scared."
A huge lump formed in his throat, but he only allowed one tear to roll down his cheek. He had to be strong for Hermione. Her arms were still about his neck, so he scooped her up and cradled her. Her small body went almost limp as he carried her to his bed and laid her down gently. Sitting down beside her, he leaned over her, placing his arms on either side of her head and resting his forehead against hers.
"Listen to me, Hermione." Ron began, whispering against her damp cheek as she continued to sob, "I know you're scared, love. I know you are. But I'm right here…and that's where I'm always going to be."
He placed a warm kiss upon her cheek as her sobs subsided slightly and she looked into his face and nodded. He thought she looked as though his words had really meant something to her. She brought one hand up to wipe at her eyes.
"Ron?" She asked in a pitiful tone that prompted him to kiss her on each eyelid.
"Yes, love?"
"Can I ask you for something?"
"Anything."
"Can I have one of your shirts?"
Ron leaned back from her slightly so that he could see her face. Her eyes were red and puffy, her hair was messy, and her cheeks were splotchy. She'd never looked more beautiful.
"One of my shirts?" He asked curiously, removing a stray strand of her hair from her forehead. Had he heard her right? She simply nodded at him. "Why do you want one of my shirts?"
"I want to enchant it to…" Hermione began, sounding a bit timid, "…to smell like you…and…and sleep in it."
This unexpected comment caused Ron to raise his eyebrows and smile dumbly. "You want to sleep in a shirt that…smells like me?" Ron asked, actually quite flattered. She bit her bottom lip and nodded. "So…what do I smell like?" He inquired.
"The earth…" Hermione said matter-of-factly, "…and soap."
This made Ron chuckle for some reason. She gave him a small smile, yet her eyebrows were still raised in an inquisitive arch.
"Of course you can have one of my shirts." Ron said softly as he took hold of her hands and lifted her into a seated position. "Take your pick." He added indicating to his trunk at the foot of his bed.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a soft kiss before she stood slowly from the bed and crossed to his trunk. She then sat down on the floor after opening it. He sat watching her as she rummaged through his things. Watching her was bittersweet after the revelation of Harry's most recent vision. Sweet…Noting how absolutely adorable she looked picking up articles of clothing, looking them over, only to replace them and scrutinize another. Yet bitter…knowing that, because of her fear,she was looking for a shirt to sleep in that could possibly give her a bit more comfort and feelings of security. Suddenly, however, she gasped and looked up at Ron with wide eyes.
"What?" Ron asked hurriedly, standing from the bed.
She reached one hand into the trunk, while keeping eye contact, and pulled out a small pair of pale pink knickers. "Ronald Bilius Weasley!" She exclaimed, standing hastily from the floor with the knickers held out in front of her with two fingers.
"Oh, blimey…" Ron groaned, "They aren't yours? Hermione, I can explain…I thought…"
"Yes, they're mine!" She cried, her eyes still wide with shock.
"Really?" Ron asked with an unintentional smile that he quickly wiped from his face, as Hermione's eyes got even wider.
"Did you nick these?" She asked in disbelief.
"No!" Ron exclaimed quickly, "I did not nick your…knickers." His face felt very warm as she raised a disbelieving eyebrow at him. He continued quickly, "My mum stuck them in my laundry by accident over the holiday. I just threw them in there and forgot about them. Honest, Hermione."
Well, Ron thought. That was honest for the most part. He had thrown them in there and forgotten that the actual article of clothing lay in his trunk, but he hadn't forgotten the images that they evoked. Of course, he wasn't about to tell her that.
Hermione's eyes had gone from wide to squinting and her lips were pursed. "Well…" She began slowly, still holding the garment out from her, "I believe you. But if this ever happens again, Ronald, could you please return my unmentionables?"
Ron tried not to smile at her stern expression, but he didn't do a very good job. Fortunately Hermione's response to his smile was a timid one of her own. Just then, however, something very unfortunate happened. The door to the dormitory swung open without a bit of warning and Hermione's eyes went wide once more as she quickly shoved her knickers into her jeans pocket.
Ron spun around and saw, to his great dismay, Seamus Finnigan. A wide-eyed and roguishly smiling Seamus Finnigan.
"Be the bleedin' 'oly…" Seamus breathed. "If yer two are playin' dress up, can I make a suggestion as ter who gets ter wear those beauties?"
"Seamus…" Ron warned, trying to keep his cool despite Seamus' smirk.
Seamus chuckled before looking at Hermione and wagging his eyebrows at her a couple of times. "Although…I prefer green, sweetheart." He said. Hermione crossed her arms uncomfortably and looked down at her feet.
"Shut it, Seamus." Ron said harshly as he moved slightly in front of Hermione.
"I'm just jokin' around, mate." Seamus said with a shrug as he crossed to his bedside cabinet to dab on some cologne for the evening meal. "Don't get yer knickers in a knot." He added with a mischievous smile.
Ron took a deep breath as his heart rate began to quicken considerably. His tolerance for this playful banter about Hermione's undergarments was virtually nonexistent. "I'm warning you now…to stop." Ron said quietly. Hermione was remaining very silent as she averted her eyes from Seamus completely.
Seamus rolled his eyes. "Ya know…yer not as bad as Harry, but you could both chucker with a better sense o' humor. I won't forget tha' shite he pulled on Dean yesterday…apology or not." He said, sounding quite agitated as he headed for the door, where he paused, "If yer worried 'bout them rumors, don't be. Why would I give a pixie's arse who ya screw, anyway?"
Ron's eyes began to burn with his anger as he took a couple of long steps toward Seamus, who looked a bit startled. Ron grabbed a handful of Seamus' shirt collar as he glared at him. Seamus' startled expression quickly turned to anger, though,as he balled his fist and reared it back.
"If she weren't here…I swear…" Seamus said glaring at Ron.
"Ron, don't!" Hermione cried suddenly. He heard her approaching and then felt her squeeze in between himself and Seamus. She then wrapped her small arms around his waist.
With a sigh, Ron encircled Hermione's waist with his free arm, and released his dorm mate's collar…taking care to push him quite hard in the chest in the process, which caused him to stumble into the door. Seamus quickly and roughly righted himself and straightened his collar.
"I take it back!" Seamus exclaimed angrily, "Yer as much a nutter as yer bloody friend!" Before Ron could retaliate to this remark, Seamus had hurried out, slamming the door shut behind him.
Ron took a deep breath as he glanced down at Hermione, who was still clinging to him. "I'm sorry, Hermione." He said.
"For what?" She asked, lifting her head from his chest with furrowed brows. She actually truly looked confused.
"For that?" Ron said with wide eyes. "If I hadn't kept those," He patted her pocket containing the knickers, "in my trunk like a prat, that wouldn't have happened."
"Ronald, if you're going to apologize…"Hermione began, moving back from him slightly and placing her hands upon her hips, "…apologize for almost taking Seamus' head off. You really need to work on your temper. What if I hadn't been in here? Would you have punched him?"
Ron looked down at her serious expression. They were only a foot apart, and he'd really like to embrace her again, but he knew she would only back away from him until she'd had her say.
"Yes." He responded truthfully.
"Well, you'll just have to work on that." She said matter-of-factly, walking over to his still open trunk and squatting down beside it to rummage some more, "Not that he didn't deserve to be slugged." She added as she rummaged, "It's just that…well, you are a wizard. And it doesn't matter that your brute strength could throw him across the room like your water glass while he could probably only push you mildly hard."
Ron smiled to himself. Hermione had never complimented his brute strength before. Of course, it was in the midst of a reprimand…but he'd still enjoyed it. She finally stood from the trunk with a plain white t-shirt in her hands. After holding it up and looking it over she smelled of it and actually hugged it to her before turning to him and continuing as if she hadn't just lovingly embraced a piece of his clothing.
"You are a wizard." She repeated with a nod of her head, "You may throw a punch, but your opponent could throw a really bad curse or hex! Slight boys like Seamus won't always use their hands to defend themselves, Ron. Okay? So…so just be more careful."
Ron approached her slowly and placed his hands on her hips. She smiled up at him, and she seemed to be blushing a bit at his sudden nearness. "I'll be more careful." Ron replied. She nodded at him, and he noticed her eyes move to his lips. As he began bending down to kiss her, however, she placed her fingers over his mouth with one hand. The light touch was a tease, even if she didn't realize this fact.
"Oh…and…" She began, "Thank you."
"For?" He asked against her fingers before kissing them. She traced her fingers down over his chin and down over his Adam's apple, and then removed them as she placed a tender kiss at the center of his collarbone. He gripped her hips tighter, and she whispered against his neck.
"For almost punching him."
He chuckled at her, but she kissed him just under his chin in a way that he found very seductive. It stopped his laughter abruptly.
"Are you three coming to dinner?" The unexpected, and frankly unappreciated, voice of Ginny called as the door creaked open. Ron and Hermione both turned to look at her tired and cross expression, which was quickly changing to confusion as she looked about the room. "Where's Harry?" She asked.
Grudgingly taking a step away from Hermione, Ron told his sister about Harry's trip to see Dumbledore. The three of them then made their way out of Gryffindor Tower and down to the Great Hall. A few people stopped them along the way to offer their condolences to Ron and Ginny for Fred's injury. Surprisingly, Lavender Brown was among them, and she and Hermione shared decently civil smiles.
The three of them then stayed in the Great Hall long after they were finished eating and until all of the plates had been cleared, just in case Harry had shown. He hadn't. Only then had they left for the common room, where they resumed their wait for Harry. It was now nearing nine o'clock, and Ron was really beginning to wonder how his friend's meeting was going. Ginny seemed to be wondering too, but a bit less patiently than Ron. She kept asking the same two questions over and over as they sat in the common room playing wizard's chess.
"So what was he going to ask him about, exactly?"
"The vision he had of you over the holidays." Hermione replied calmly, moving a pawn in a not so strategic position. "He doesn't think it was from Voldemort." She added.
"Right…" Ginny said nodding her head absently and looking toward the portrait door. "But when do you think he'll get back?" She asked anxiously.
Ron sighed heavily as he took one of Hermione's knights. "Ginny…" Ron began, as Hermione was busy reprimanding her knight for being too slow. "You know Harry and Dumbledore's talks always end up being hours long."
"I know." Ginny said softly, "But you don't think…"
Ron and Hermione both looked up as Ginny's voice cracked slightly and she swallowed hard. Her eyes looked teary, but she was keeping her tears at bay.
"Ginny?" Hermione prompted gently, turning in her seat to address her.
"Well," Ginny said in a small voice, "You don't think that Dumbledore would advise Harry not to see me anymore, do you?"
"Ginny…" Hermione said crossing to sit beside her friend on the small sofa and put her arm about her, "That is truly something you don't need to waste one moment worrying about. Harry has made up his mind on that issue."
"How do you know?" Ginny whispered.
"I just know." Hermione said soothingly, glancing up at Ron. He knew that one of the reasons Hermione was so firm in that belief was because they had recently witnessed Harry willingly dropping his defenses again…but they weren't to tell Ginny that.
Ginny nodded at Hermione, looking slightly mollified, and rested her head upon her friend's shoulder. "I think I'd like to go on to bed. I won't worry about him if I'm asleep." Ginny said softly, lifting her head.
Hermione stood up immediately, "Well then that's what we'll do." She said firmly. "Let's all go to bed. We've had a long and stressful day."
That was true, Ron thought. Was it the same Saturday that he had enjoyed a romantic broom ride on the Quidditch pitch with Hermione? And he was a bit sleepy. Maybe an early bed would be best for all of them. He and Ginny stood up with Hermione, who looked down at the chess table and gnawed on her bottom lip.
She reached down and moved one of her pieces to take one of Ron's. She then looked up at him rather innocently, causing him to bite the insides of his cheeks to keep from grinning. As he looked back down at the board, his poorly concealed smile escaped him. Glancing back up at Hermione with an innocent look of his own, he reached down and moved one of his knights without bothering to look at the board. He deliberately kept eye contact with her.
At the sound of a shattering piece, Ron simply said, "Checkmate." Hermione's mouth fell open slightly and Ginny giggled.
Hermione placed her hands just below Ron's ribcage, where she then squeezed hard, causing him to jerk and wheeze with laughter. She began giggling as she continued her sudden bout of tickling. Instinctively, Ron grabbed Hermione's wrists and pried them away from him while he continued to laugh. Ginny apparently got bored as she waved at them both halfheartedly and headed for the girls' stairwell.
With Hermione's small wrists clasped tightly, he placed her hands on the nape of his neck as he pulled her to him. He heard a couple of low whistles, which caused Hermione's cheeks to rouge and Ron's stomach to turn.
"I sort of forgot we weren't alone." He muttered truthfully. He anxiously thought of the rumors of he and Hermione and realized what some of the minds in this room would be thinking as they watched them flirting.
"Me too." She whispered, but she stood up on her toes and placed a lingering kiss on his lips. This got them a few more whistles and a couple of claps, but Ron ignored them and hugged Hermione to him.
It meant a lot to Ron that she didn't care enough about the rumors to hide any emotions she had for him. He would have loved to invite her up into his dormitory for a while. Seamus and Dean usually stayed up late on Saturday nights. But he wasn't about to walk up into his empty dormitory with Hermione in tow with all of the people currently present. So, as they broke away from their embrace, he kissed her once more on her lips before leading her to her stairs, where they bid each other goodnight.
Once Ron was in his empty dormitory, changing into his pajamas, he began smiling to himself. Hermione wanted to sleep throughout the night…wrapped in his scent. Wow… that thought definitely made the room feel a bit warmer. Ron decided he could just sleep in his flannel pants… It was just too warm for a long-sleeved shirt.
As Ron tossed his shirt back inside his trunk, he thought of the wide-eyed look he'd seen on Hermione's face when she'd found those knickers…that truly were hers. Wow…Ron wiped a hand over his brow as he pulled the covers back on his bed. Of course, he then saw the stupid smiling face of Seamus Finnigan when he'd seen those knickers… Now it was even warmer, but for a completely different reason. Ron stripped his pants and threw them in his trunk as well before closing it shut. This was definitely a night for boxers.
"Careful!"
"Sorry, Hermione! …whoa, watch it!"
"Oh shoot! That was close…"
Hermione and Ginny were slowly maneuvering their way between the many Gryffindor students, still awake in the common room on this rainy Saturday night. They had finally reached the boys' stairwell when a fifth year boy had run passed them and had almost barreled right into Hermione. That would have been horrible. They were so close to Ron and Harry.
A few minutes earlier, Hermione had been lying awake in her bed, trying her hardest to go to sleep. She just wasn't all that sleepy! And she missed Ron terribly… He had been so caring earlier… So she had been pleasantly surprised when Ginny's voice had whispered through her curtains, inviting her along on a late night run to the boys' dormitory.
Of course she had consented. She had been lying awake in her bed for a full hour, and she was nowhere near drifting off to sleep! Ginny hadn't been asleep either when she'd overheard one of her dorm mates exclaiming excitedly that Harry Potter had just arrived in the common room and held a brief, yet civil, conversation with Dean Thomas. Ginny had then wasted no time in donning the Invisibility Cloak and coming for Hermione.
And now they had finally reached the dormitory. Pushing the door open ever so gently, they stepped inside the quiet, dark room. Harry, Ron, and Neville's bed curtains were all pulled closed. Ginny quickly led Hermione over to Ron's bed, their feet patting softly on the hard floor. Hermione moved the curtains back slowly and peered inside. All she could see was a large mass hidden under the covers, which seemed to be breathing heavily. She already had experience by now with waking Ron, and knew that it could sometimes take a moment. So she went ahead and crawled onto the bed, waving at Ginny, who then tiptoed away, allowing the curtains to fall closed around Hermione and Ron.
He was definitely asleep. She could now hear a soft snoring from him. Maybe she could jus slip under the covers without waking him. Gently, Hermione pulled a section of the covers down and slipped beneath them into the cool sheets. With some awkward maneuverings, she was finally able to lie down beside Ron's warm body…
Very warm body… naked body? Hermione's heart began beating rapidly in her chest as she reached a hand out to Ron's shoulder. He was lying on his back, with one leg bent at the knee. She slid her hand down his bare chest, slowing as she past his navel. Okay, Hermione thought. Good. Elastic waist… She breathed a sigh of relief and scooted in closer to him. Wait…
Her legs were touching his as she lay next to him on her side, with her hand now resting on his chest…but… Hermione moved her hand down to one of his legs and rubbed her hand across his thigh…his bare thigh. Was he in his boxers? Hermione covered her mouth with her hand. She had just gotten in bed with Ron while he was merely wearing his underwear?
He would be mortified if he awoke with her lying here beside him! He'd never let her back in his bed again! Should she leave? Should she just get out of the bed and run for it? No! The common room was packed! Suddenly Ron stirred…And Hermione froze. Okay, Hermione thought. She had made up her mind. She would go over to Harry's bed, and get Ginny to walk her back to the girls' dormitory…
Hermione slowly raised back into a seated position, pulling the covers down off of her. But as she turned her torso to drape her legs over the side of the bed, she felt a warm hand clasp tightly over her arm.
"Hermione?"
Closing her eyes tight, Hermione sighed slightly before turning back around to look at Ron, who was sitting up on his elbows. The covers were now down around his waist, exposing his naked chest to her wandering eyes. He looked incredibly appealing with his sleep tousled crimson locks accentuating his pale, freckled face. His face was so stern and handsome with his current expression of disorientation.
Since Hermione was too engrossed in gazing at Ron's body to speak, he sat up fully and turned toward her, which caused the covers to move down to his mid-thigh, exposing his red and orange plaid boxers. She closed her eyes tightly as she felt his hands grip her upper arms.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" He asked urgently. She slowly opened her eyes and forced herself to keep eye contact with him.
"You…you're unclothed." She breathed. Even in the dim light, Hermione could see his face turn a darker shade as he glanced down at his body.
He quickly released her arms and pulled the covers up around his waist again. He then opened his mouth a couple of times without saying anything and she knew the mortification she feared he would suffer was taking effect.
"I'm sorry, Ron." She whispered. "I just couldn't sleep, and then Ginny invited me under the cloak. I really wanted to see you again, but I hadn't even thought that you might…well that I might see you in…in your shorts. I'm going to get Ginny to take me back."
"No!" Ron whispered quickly, grabbing hold of her hand before she could move one muscle. "Please…just…just wait right here."
Quite without warning, Ron threw the covers from him, flung his legs over the edge of the bed, and exited the curtains, leaving Hermione with her mouth hanging open. He had left the bed with haste, but she had still seen a glimpse of his body in the moonlight, and she was suddenly quite breathless.
She still hadn't moved a muscle by the time the curtains moved once more and Ron entered, now wearing flannel pants. He still had no shirt on, and for that Hermione was glad. She could honestly stare at him all night and be perfectly content! What was the matter with her? Was she so base that Ron's nude form could strip her mind of rational thought?
A large, yet gentle, hand suddenly gripped her chin and turned her face upward to look into two blue eyes. Smiling eyes…
"Sorry…" Hermione said quietly.
"It's quite alright." Ron replied with a grin. "I seem to be missing my favorite white t-shirt, though…so I was forced to sleep without one." He said, placing a hand on his chest.
"Oh, is it really your favorite?" Hermione asked, glancing down at Ron's t-shirt, which she was sporting over her blue, cotton, sleeping shorts.
"It is now." He replied evenly. She glanced up and saw him looking at her with a playful smile.
"Ron…" She chastised, slipping back beneath the covers. He chuckled at her and joined her in lying down fully.
They were each on their sides facing one another and gazing into one another's eyes. Ron immediately wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against his chest; a warm current moved through her body that was only intensified when he moved his hand under her shirt to rub her back. Her hand, which was resting on his chest, soon slid around the side of his torso to his back.
"Hermione…" Ron began. Their faces were touching and she felt his lips move across hers as he spoke.
"Yeah?"
"I have a confession."
Hermione leaned her head back slightly to better see his expression, which was frowning. A confession? Hermione had no idea what that could be, but it was causing her to hold her breath so she wished he would hurry and tell her.
"Hermione…you know how I've been sleeping like hell, lately?"
"Ron…"
"Okay…you know how I've been sleeping poorly?"
"Yes."
"It started the night after we slept together."
"Oh?" Hermione asked a bit breathlessly. She was fairly sure she knew where this was leading and it had caused her heart to begin beating rather quickly.
Ron squeezed her a bit tighter, and the hand that was rubbing her back stopped to hold her. "I slept better with you than I think I've ever slept." He whispered, his mouth now moving against hers again.
"Me too." She replied truthfully.
After her response, Ron's lips locked over hers. He began kissing her so slowly and passionately, it nearly took Hermione's breath away. All things were swept from her mind, except this strange…rhythm that began coursing through her veins. She didn't understand it really, but it was a rhythm that matched Ron's kisses, which were actually more like loving caresses…it was a rhythm that was guiding her hand along his back…and it was a rhythm that made her entire body suddenly move against his, causing him to moan deeply and her to gasp.
She turned her head from his lips as she tried to catch her breath and understand what had just happened. Ron's hand had now moved from her back to her waist, where he was continuing this rhythm in the way he moved his fingers along her side. She opened her tightly closed eyes to peer into his, which were, however, still closed. His jaw muscle was working fiercely…she had bet on that… And his chest was heaving with his breaths. She was fairly sure that he wasn't really consciously rubbing his fingers on her side in that strange rhythm… which is what had happened to her. It hadn't happened consciously.
Embarrassment at her action was flooding her face, but she didn't know what to say. What had come over her? What was Ron thinking? And why, despite her embarrassment, did she really just want to kiss him more?
"Hermione?"
Even the unexpected sound of his voice and the feeling of his breath on her cheek sent wonderful chills over her! She tried to open her mouth and say, 'I'm sorry,' but nothing came out.
"Hermione, are you alright?" Ron asked tentatively.
Hermione took a deep breath and then let it out before rolling onto her back and looking up into Ron's concerned face. He was peering down at her, now propped up on his elbow.
"I don't really know what to say to that." She replied truthfully.
"Well, what do you mean?" He prompted as his hand moved around to rest on her stomach.
"I mean that I don't know if I'm alright." She said softly. "I didn't mean to…to move against you like that. I wasn't trying to be more desirable to you or anything. It just sort of happened…and I'm sorry."
When Hermione finished her lame excuse for an explanation, Ron just continued to stare at her, gnawing absently on his bottom lip. Hermione realized that she was rapidly tapping her fingers on his back, so she stopped herself.
"Hermione…" Ron began with a note of uncertainty in his voice, "I'm a beginner at this too, but I know that you moving like that is just…well…natural. I mean I think it is. I don't know because I've never been with anyone else…obviously. And I know you weren't trying to be more desirable…Quite frankly, I honestly can't imagine how you could become any more desirable to me than you already are." He said with a somewhat nervous chuckle before clearing his throat and continuing with a serious expression, "Anyway, the point is…you shouldn't be sorry for anything. It just shows me that you find me desirable too. Well, I mean…I reckon you do." He finished before glancing down nervously.
"Of course I do!" Hermione cried, placing her hand over his, which was still resting on her stomach. "My heart is still beating like mad justfrom kissing you."
A small smile spread across Ron's face. "Still?" He asked with an adorable expression of boyish excitement.
"Yes, still…" She replied softly…and truthfully. Her heart was still beating frantically, and its pace was beginning to quicken at the urge she was suddenly tempted to act upon as they stared at one another.
Hermione held her breath as she took hold of Ron's hand and, keeping eye contact, placed it over her heart. "Can you feel it beating?" She whispered. She was sure he could now; as it had begun beating so hard she could feel it in her ears.
He simply nodded slowly as his look became stern. She glimpsed his jaw muscle twitch once before he glided his hand gently across her chest and tucked it underneath her shoulder blade. She gasped slightly, and by his stern expression, she thought he might swoop down and kiss her madly as they had done many times before…but he didn't. He lowered his head down slowly to rest beside hers as he slid his arm down her back and pulled her onto her side to face him.
Closing his eyes he rested his forehead against hers and said simply, "I love you, Hermione," against her lips.
"I love you, too." She whispered back before closing her eyes and kissing him tenderly.
He returned her kiss and they soon found another rhythm. However, this one was different. This rhythm was slow… It was extremely caring… It made Hermione feel secure. This rhythm lulled Hermione into the most peaceful sleep she'd ever experienced.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! I know it took a while for me to post it, but it is really as long as two chapters! So that's good, right? I hope so. Please continue to review! I want to know what everyone thinks of this chapter! Thank you thank you thank you!