Chapter 10

Professor Dumbledore had just finished giving Hermione back her memory, when a loud shout drew everyone's attention.

"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?" Mrs. Weasley roared, as she glared in Ron's direction.

Even though he hadn't done a thing, Ron immediately jumped backwards. It wasn't until he realized everyone was looking past him, that he spun around and saw his father frozen a few inches from the door leading out of the kitchen.

"Nowhere, Molly," Mr. Weasley sputtered. "Nowhere."

"You were going to look for that RUDDY MUGGLE POTION!" Mrs. Weasley bellowed as she advanced on her husband in a fit of rage. "OH, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE! That's all we need right now. You to sneak off and blind yourself."

"No... no, I wasn't," Mr. Weasley protested, as he shrunk away from his wife.

Hermione couldn't help herself. She started to laugh.

"You won't think it's so funny when she turns on you," Ron whispered at her side. "We better get out of here. Quick," he said, pulling her towards the door. "And... I reckon you better hide that stuff from Dad."

As they entered the hall, Hermione doubled over in a fit of laughter. Ron just stood there looking at her.

"Oh, it hurts," she cried, clutching her side. A tear rolled down her cheek as she tried to stifle her laughter. "Make it stop."

"You've gone a bit loopy there, Hermione," Ron chuckled. "I think Mum's right. You need to get some sleep," he said as he tried to steer her down the hallway. "It really isn't that funny," Ron told her as she continued to laugh.

"Yes it is," Hermione sniggered. "Did you see him hunker down and try to lie to her?" she asked, her eyes dancing with amusement. " I just suddenly saw it."

"Saw what?" Ron asked as he held Hermione's arm and helped her climb the stairs to the second floor.

"What Bill meant."

"What are you talking about?" Ron questioned, as he fixed Hermione with the expression he usually reserved for Mad-Eye Moody. "What Bill meant about what?"

"Us."

"US? Hermione, you aren't making any sense," Ron said as he opened the door to Percy's room and led her inside. "C'mon." He motioned for her to follow him over towards the bed. "You need to get some rest."

Why would she ask Dumbledore for that memory back? Why would she possibly want to remember all the horrible things that happened? Ron asked himself as he reached out, grabbed the sheets, and pulled them down so Hermione could climb into bed. She was terrified of that snake, even without the memory. No, it wasn't the snake she was afraid of, Ron thought silently, it was...him. It was... He mentally forced himself to say it...Voldemort. I'd want to forget it. Actually, that's not true. As much as I hated watching it, I'm glad I saw it. I'm NEVER going to forget what they did to her. And I don't ever want to forget what she did for me. She refused to tell that twisted bitch anything about me, even though she knew they'd use the Cruciatus Curse to get the information. How many times did she take that bloody curse for me? I lost count after...

"Ron?" Hermione asked, pulling him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see her standing right beside him, all traces of her earlier amusement gone. "Are you all right?" she asked, her somber brown eyes searching his own.

"Me?" he replied, startled by her question. Why would she be worried about me?

"The color drained out of your face," she said, studying him closely. "What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing important, " Ron replied, dropping his gaze to the floor as he stepped away from the bed and towards the door.

"Don't go," Hermione said quickly as she untied the sash around her waist and slid Ginny's dressing gown off over her shoulders. "Please," she added, as she draped it over the chair next to Percy's old wooden desk.

Ron had to struggle not to look down at her body. It took every ounce of strength he had to keep his eyes focused on hers, but somehow he managed to do it. Unfortunately, Hermione seemed to realize his struggle, and rather than climb into bed, she took a step towards him.

"Why don't you lock the door?" she said.

"Wha...why?" he stammered.

Hermione smiled up at him. "Just like your father," she replied, as her eyes came alive and danced with suppressed laughter. "If you cower, I swear, I won't be able to stop myself from..."

"I don't cower!" Ron shouted indignantly.

"Then why are you backing away from me?" Hermione asked.

"I'm not," Ron protested, but even as the words left his mouth, he realized his back was practically against the closed door. DAMN IT! he thought and forced himself to close the distance he had created between them. Coming to a halt right in front of her, Ron continued to look down into her eyes. You're too bloody close, his mind screamed. She's right there, wearing nothing but your shirt. All you have to do is reach out and touch her and ... his eyes shifted. BUGGER! he swore internally as he realized his gaze had wandered down her chest and was now locked on her exposed thighs. He immediately flicked them back up to her face and saw her smile knowingly at him.

Bloody hell, he thought.

"All right, Ron?" Hermione asked innocently. "You're looking a bit... flushed. Maybe you ought to... sit down," she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards Percy's bed. Not too obvious there, Hermione, she thought as she tried hard not to blush. What am I doing? What's wrong with me? When did I start channeling Lavender Brown? Oh, dear God! I'm flirting with him. I'm going to make a complete fool out of myself. Then again, this is Ron we're talking about. He probably won't even notice, unless... I make it so obvious even he can't miss it.

Before Ron even had time to realize it, they were both sitting on the edge of the bed, his hand still grasped in hers, and now resting on...

BLOODY HELL! his mind screamed. She placed it right where I was looking. Right on her bloody thigh. Unable to stop himself, his eyes flicked down to look at his hand and where it met with her exposed flesh. You can't do this, the sensible side of his brain warned. Not like this. She's vulnerable. You can't take advantage of her. She'll regret it. You'll regret it. No, I Bloody Well Won't, another part of his mind shouted. Kiss her. KISS HER NOW!!! it demanded.

Unsure what to do, Ron looked into Hermione's eyes. He almost wished he hadn't when he saw the desire there. His pulse quickened as watched her dart her tongue out and unconsciously wet her lips.

She's going to kiss me, he thought a split second before he realized he had already leaned down and was about to kiss her first. Knowing what he was about to do, Ron froze, inches from her lips. "Hermione?" he whispered.

"Yes?" she asked, her eyes now closed.

"I don't want to take advantage of you."

Ron wasn't expecting her to giggle. Hermione DOESN'T giggle, he thought. Well, that's not true. She giggles with Ginny sometimes, but only about girly things. She never giggles with me or Har... All conscious thought left his mind as he felt her press her lips to his and kiss him tenderly. It wasn't like the kisses they had shared earlier. It wasn't full of passion and desperation. It was soft, and gentle, and so full of love that it made his heart ache nearly as much as his body did.

"I know you'd never take advantage of me," Hermione whispered, just before she kissed him again lightly. "I don't want to take advantage of you either. I don't want you to think that's what this is," she said softly. She hovered there, her mouth mere inches from his, waiting.

Ron felt each breath that passed though her intoxicating lips as it swept gently across his own. Even though he was too close to her to see those lips, especially given the fact his eyes were still closed, they were clearly visible in his mind. All he wanted to do was kiss them; taste them; taste her. He hesitated a moment longer, then gave in to the temptation, leaned in, and covered her mouth with his own.

He kissed her lovingly, ruminating on just how soft her lips really were; how soft her whole body was as she brushed up against him. Then Hermione intensified the kiss. Ron's stomach fluttered with desire as she opened her mouth and he felt her tongue run lightly across his lower lip. Moaning softly, Ron opened his own mouth to taste her back, and was pleasantly surprised when he felt her tongue push inside and hesitantly brush against his. It lasted only a moment, but it was enough to unleash something within him. Nearly two years of pent up frustration and suppressed desires came surging forward as her kiss obliterated the barricade he had constructed to hold it all back.

As their kiss became more heated, Ron slowly ran one hand up Hermione's back and unclasp the clip that was keeping her hair bound in place. Dropping it to the floor, he buried his hand in her still damp hair as it spilled down across her shoulders. Driven by his own need to taste her, Ron used his other hand, which was still resting on her lower back, to crush Hermione's body against his just before he pushed his own tongue into her mouth.

For a moment or two, Hermione seemed uncertain how to react to this. She just sat there, her body pressed firmly against his and let him stoke her tongue with his own. Then inspiration stuck and she acted on the impulse, sucking hard on his tongue and catching Ron totally off guard. He moaned loudly into her mouth and pulled away to look at her.

As Hermione's warm brown eyes fluttered open and slowly they came back into focus, Ron recognized the emotion he saw within them. It was the same emotion he was feeling; the same burning desire. His body instantly responded to her need, and his already tight jeans became immensely tighter.

Breathing heavily, Ron closed his eyes and willed himself to be strong, but his body was starting to fight him. All he wanted to do was pull her close and kiss her again, but rather then give into to the impulse, Ron stood up and took a step away from her. Don't do it, the sensible part of his mind shouted. If you kiss her again, you won't be able to stop.

"You... you should get some sleep," Ron said, finally trusting himself enough to open his eyes and look at her again.

"I don't need sleep, Ron," Hermione replied, her eyes dark and sultry.

Unable to stop himself, his own eyes dropped down to her chest and he watched, mesmerized, as it rose and fell rapidly with each of the deep breaths she took. Bloody Hell, he groaned internally. She isn't saying what I think she's saying. Is she?

"I'm sorry," Hermione said, sensing his hesitation and interpreting it as something else. "The last thing I wanted to do was make you uncomfortable," she continued as she rose up off the bed. "I guess I'm just... not myself right now. I'm having a hard time focusing on anything but...you... and," she quickly closed the distance between them, leaned in, and kissed him again softly, "...how right this feels. I'm sure I'll be properly mortified in the morning, but right now...I just... we've already wasted so much time and... I don't want to waste anymore. But if you don't want to..." she added.

"I do want to," Ron practically shouted. "There's nothing in this world I want more."

"But?" Hermione asked uneasily.

"I don't want you to regret it," he replied honestly.

"There are a lot of things I regret, Ron. But this," she said, kissing him again lovingly, "could never be one of them." When she pulled away and looked up at him, he was horrified to see she had tears in her eyes.

"Hermione..." Ron stammered. "I didn't mean to... I'm sorry. I... please don't cry," he said, as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I don't ever want to hurt you. I... I love you."

"I know," she whispered. "That's why I'm... crying. You are so unbelievably sweet," she said, reaching up to touch his face. "Ron, I want you to know that you've taken what could have easily been the worst day of my life, and turned it into the best. When I look back on today I'm not going to remember it as the day the Death Eaters grabbed me. I will always remember it as the night you told me that you loved me."

Hermione reached up and wiped the tears from her own eyes, then leaned forward and rested her head against Ron's shoulder as she hugged him. "Thank you," she whispered. "You've really been amazing. You haven't left my side all night. I want you to know how much I appreciate that. How much I appreciate you. I don't tell you that nearly enough, and I really should."

Ron was glad she wasn't looking at him, and couldn't see just how deeply he had blushed at her words.

"You've always been there for me," Hermione continued. "You look out for me. You protect me. You take care of me. And I love you for that. I don't know what I'd ever do if I lost you."

"I'm not going anywhere," Ron replied.

"Will you stay with me tonight?" Hermione asked as she pulled back to look at him. "Please, Ron. I won't do anything to make you uncomfortable. I promise. I just want to be... with you. Be near you. You make me feel safe and ...loved. I need you .... I need you to hold me. Please. Just until I fall asleep."

Rather than reply with words, Ron kicked his shoes off and climbed up on the bed, then scooted over to the far side and lay down. He shot Hermione one of those lopsided grins of his that unbeknownst to him, always melted her heart while he patted the spot on the bed beside himself, motioning for her to come and lie down. Without saying a word, Hermione sat down, pulled her feet up on the bed, and snuggled up against him. She placed her head on his chest, and almost instantly felt his hand in her hair, stroking it gently.

"Your heart is beating so fast," she said, as she pulled her head up off him and turned so she could look into his eyes. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied.

"No, you aren't," Hermione stated. "You're all frustrated from...earlier," she said with a guilty smile. "That's my fault. I'm sorry. I didn't realize I'd have such a...strong effect on you."

"I'll live," Ron assured her, trying hard to hide his embarrassment.

"Ron?" Hermione said softly. "I know I promised I'd be good, but... if you want..." she paused for a moment and bit her lip, deliberating whether or not she should finish the thought. "I'd like to... um... help you," she finally finished, turning a deep shade of red.

Ron groaned and shifted uncomfortably as his jeans once again became excruciatingly tight. "You don't have to do that," he said, unable to look her in the eye. How can she look so innocent and so alluring at the same time?

"I know I don't have to," Hermione replied. "I said I'd like to, but... you'll have to...show me what to do," she admitted, her blush becoming even more pronounced.

As she looked at him, Hermione saw Ron's face flush and quickly become a brilliant shade of red that she knew matched her own. "What are you embarrassed for?" she asked him. "If anyone should be, it's me. I'm the one that just admitted that I wanted to... touch you. Does that make me... a scarlet woman?"

"No," Ron laughed, noting that her face was indeed scarlet as she asked him the question.

"If you're sure then," Hermione replied, kissing him lightly on the cheek before she flopped back down and snuggled up against him once more.

Wait a minute, Ron thought. "You do realize when I said no, I only meant that you weren't a scarlet woman, right?" he questioned.

"Um hum," she replied from her position against his chest.

"Oh. Ok then." Ron let his head drop down to the pillow, uncertain as to what he ought to do.

Hermione had to bite her lip to keep from smiling as she lay there listening to his heart hammer loudly. She didn't want to push him, so she figured she'd just wait and see what he'd do.

"Hermione?"

"Yes?" she asked.

"Do you mind if... that is... " BLOODY HELL, why is this so difficult, he thought. "Would it bother you if I ... took my trousers off?"

Hermione raised up on her elbow, twisted around, and looked into his embarrassed face. "Not at all," she said. Recognizing his mortification, she quickly looked down. "I'll look away if you like," she said turning over and facing the door to give him some privacy. "You can cover up with the bedspread," she told him as she felt him stand up. "I'll just use the sheet."

"Ok," Ron agreed.

Hermione felt the bed give as he sat back down and turned over to face him again. "Better?" she asked as she pulled the sheet up over her legs.

"Yeah," Ron replied, lying on his back so she could rest her head against his chest. As soon as she did, he draped his arm around her back, prepared to hold her that way, even though he knew his arm would fall asleep within a few minutes. Maybe the buzzing sensation will distract me, he thought.

"Are you comfortable now?" Hermione asked, restlessly.

"Yeah, I'm good," he lied.

"Goodnight, Ron."

"Night," he replied, not even bothering to close his eyes.

Ron lay there in the moonlit room, looking up at the ceiling for a good 10 or 15 minutes, judging by the way his arm was now cold and stinging. It was getting rather painful actually, but he didn't want to disturb Hermione if she was actually asleep.

Which of course, she wasn't. Hermione was just as agitated as he was. She had lain there for the past 15 minutes listening to his heart rate slow, and his breathing become steady, but she couldn't fall asleep.

"Mione?" she heard Ron whisper. "Are you asleep?"

Rather then answer him, Hermione closed her eyes and pretend that she was, just in case he leaned over to check.

"You can stop pretending," he said quietly as he pulled his arm gently out from under her and rolled on his side. "I know you aren't."

"How?" she questioned, as she rolled over and rose up on her elbow to look at him.

"You weren't breathing deep enough," Ron stated.

"Then why did you ask?" she questioned.

"Why didn't you answer me?" he shot back.

"I didn't want you to feel like you had to stay," she replied.

"I don't want to go," Ron admitted. "Do you mind if I stay here all night?"

"You don't have to do that, Ron."

"I know I don't have to. I want to."

"Oh, ok," Hermione replied. " I'd like that then."

"Hermione?"

"Humm?"

"You must be knackered. Why aren't you asleep?" he asked.

"I don't know. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that... I can't stop thinking about you... you keep asking me questions."

"Oh, sorry 'bout that. I'll shut up now."

Hermione closed her eyes, nuzzled up against him and waited, knowing it would come.

"Hermione?" Ron asked quietly.

"Yes?" she replied.

"I can't sleep."

There it was, she giggled again. Ron found it most unsettling. Most un-Hermione like.

"Maybe you ought to start on your Transfiguration essay," she replied with a smirk.

THAT, however, was very Hermione like.

"I'm sure that will put you to sleep," she teased.

Ron sighed loudly. "I tore my books up," he admitted.

"Oh, well, you can borrow mine later."

"Really?" he asked, unable to hide the astonishment in his voice.

"My books, Ron," Hermione clarified. "Not my essay."

"Not even a peek?" he asked dejectedly.

"No!"

"Mione?"

"What?"

"I don't want to do homework," Ron whined.

"What do you want to do?" she asked, her eyes still closed.

"Can I... kiss you again?" Ron asked timidly.

The question certainly caught her attention. Ron felt her pull away from him as her eyes flew open and she looked up into his face. She tried to suppress her smile when she saw the yearning in his eyes and the embarrassment on his face, but was unable to do it for very long.

"I thought you'd never ask," she replied giving in and beaming up at him.