I was very surprised to see so many of you wanted Hermione to hit Tabitha! In fact, in the original draft of the fic Hermione did hit Tabitha but I thought I'd get a lot of flames saying that was a stupid thing to write so I changed it. I guess I should have left it in. But oh well, what's done is done.
You have not seen the last of Tabitha.
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update! But here it is. Thanks to all my reviewers! You are so awesome!
Lindsay- I never said that Fred and George's shop was in Hogsmeade. I know it's in Diagon Alley and not in Hogsmeade. If it were in Hogsmeade it wouldn't make sense for them to do the business merger because Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes wouldn't be too far away from Honeydukes. The merger is to branch them out so they'd be selling in more than one place. I'm not trying to be rude, but I was agitated that you made the assumption that they're shop was in Hogsmeade in my story. It is possible for Fred and George to travel from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade between the morning and the afternoon, you know.
Nancy Naimes- Yes, I love My Chemical Romance and Green Day. But I do not like Evanescence. In face, I hate Evanescence. But that's not important…I'm glad you like my story!
ronsREALgirl- Practice with what, exactly?
Brianna- I shall not kill you for forgetting about the Skiving Snackboxes. But I do hope you've read up on them now. I love your reviews. You rock, darling.
Genny- Thank you so much for the terrific compliments. They made me feel really good. You're very sweet. I'm glad you like my writing!
Chapter 8: The First Date
Hermione stepped out of the shower. She smiled happily as she dried herself off with her towel. Ron had told her he'd pick her up at seven o' clock for their first official date. She could barely stand the feelings she was having. Never in her life had she ever been so nervous, scared, and happy all at the same time.
Ron hadn't told her where they were going so she wasn't exactly sure what she should wear. She decided to just put on jeans and a t-shirt. When she'd gotten completely ready, she examined herself in the mirror. She took a deep breath. She didn't know why she was so nervous but the butterflies in her stomach were having a field day. It wasn't like she hadn't ever hung out with Ron without anyone else around. They'd spent time alone on many occasions. It was just this was the first time it was in a romantic way.
At a couple minutes before seven there was a knock on her door. She jumped up and pulled the door open. Ron was standing there wearing casual clothes too. She was glad she'd decided against dressing up.
"My mum wants us to stop by and see her," he said after she'd given him a hello hug. "Is that alright?"
"Yeah, that's fine," Hermione said.
They exited Hermione's apartment building into the cool night air. The sidewalk was soaking wet under their feet but it had stopped raining. It wasn't quite dark yet but it was getting there. They Disapparated and reappeared in the front yard of the Burrow. Hermione followed Ron inside. When she entered she was attacked by a squealing woman who pulled both her and Ron into a bone-crushing hug.
When they were released Hermione rubbed her ribs and looked up.
"George just told me!" Mrs. Weasley said happily. "Oh, you two, I'm so happy! I've been hoping you'd get together since you were children. And now you are!"
"Mum," Ron pleaded.
"Oh, and if you get married…" Mrs. Weasley continued, ignoring her youngest son. "Hermione, I wonder if you'd fit into my wedding dress."
"Mum, please!"
"Of course we'd have to tailor it. You're quite a bit smaller than I was when I got married but it would look wonderful on you and--"
"Mum!" Ron shouted.
"Yes, dear?" Mrs. Weasley answered, seeming to snap out of her verbal reverie.
"We're not quite ready to talk about marriage," he said exasperated.
Hermione then noticed that Fred, George, and Ginny were standing in the doorway between the kitchen and the living room grinning at them. "Hi, guys," she said smiling.
"What is it that you wanted, Mum?" Ron asked impatiently.
"Just to congratulate my son," she said innocently.
"Alright," Ron sighed. "Well, we're going to go. I'll talk to you later."
"Wait!" Fred said. "You might need this!" He took something out of his pocket and threw it at Ron.
Ron caught it in one hand and looked at it. Hermione's face tinged pink when she saw what it was. Ron's ears burned bright red as he stared at it. In his hand was a tiny square package containing a Muggle condom.
Ron threw it back at his brother who was doubled over in laughter along with George and Ginny. "Not funny!" Ron yelled as he grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her out of the house. They heard Mrs. Weasley yelling at Fred through the door. Hermione started to go toward the Apparation spot but Ron gently tugged her arm and said, "No, this way."
She followed him down the long length of the Weasleys' yard until they were pretty far from the house. It wasn't even visible from where they were standing. Ron smiled and took out his wand. Hermione watched him conjure a large blue blanket and a picnic basket. After that he took six candles from the basket and lit them with his wand. He made them float above them so that there was efficient light in the pale darkness that now surrounded them.
Ron sat down and Hermione mimicked him. He took two glasses from the basket and a bottle of wine. Hermione took the glass he handed to her and let him pour some of the red wine into it. After he'd poured himself some he corked the bottle again and looked at her. He took a sip of his wine.
She smiled. She couldn't believe Ron…her Ron…the Ron she'd known since she was eleven years old was being so…romantic.
He leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips. She tasted the sweet wine on his lips as he pulled away. Hermione looked up and saw threw the candles hovering above them that the sky had turned black and stars littered it while the half moon loomed over them. She positioned herself beside Ron, making sure her wine glass was steady in her hand, and lay on her back. He did the same and they stared up at the heavens.
"It's so beautiful," Hermione said in an almost whisper.
"Yeah," Ron agreed.
"You know," Hermione said, leaning her head up a bit so she could take a sip of her wine. "I've always wondered if there were other life forms out there. It seems impossible for there not to be, doesn't it? I mean, it's kind of ignorant to assume that Earth is the only planet that contains living forms. I once read a book that said--"
She looked over at Ron who was looking at her intently.
"I'm sorry," she said with a small laugh. "I was rambling."
"No," he said. "I feel the same way."
They each sipped their wine silently for a while. Hermione stared up at the stars and sighed serenely. After they'd both finished drinking their glasses of wine they lay on the blanket and talked. She soon felt Ron slip his hand in hers and lace their fingers together. She smiled to herself.
"You didn't plan this yourself, did you?" she asked.
Ron's face fell slightly. "No, I didn't," he admitted. "But why? Are you not having a good time? Was this stupid? Of course it is. I just thought you'd like it when Ginny suggested it. I should've--"
"No!" she interrupted. "No, this is wonderful. It's just I was wondering who told you to do it, because it just doesn't seem you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked, removing his hand from hers.
Oh, please don't let him get mad, she thought. It'll just ruin it.
"Nothing," she said truthfully. "I was just--"
"You just didn't think I could be romantic?"
"Ron, please don't do this," she said. Tears were vaguely shimmering in her eyes. Do not start crying, she told herself. That's just stupid.
Ron sat up all the way and rested his elbows on his knees. He looked down at the blanket and remained silent.
Hermione sat up too. "I'm sorry," she said. "I really didn't mean to imply anything. It's just…I was just curious."
He looked over at her. "I'm sorry too. Truthfully, I'm not exactly romantic. I didn't think of this by myself. But I can be romantic…I think."
She smiled. They stared at each other and then Ron leaned in and kissed her once more. He guided her to lie down on the blanket as they kissed passionately. Ron's hand found its way up Hermione's shirt and was resting hesitantly on her stomach as they kissed. It was inching upward when Hermione grabbed it. She pulled away from Ron and sat up, pushing her hair away from her face.
"Ron, I think we should slow down," she said, licking her swollen lips. "We just started seeing each other and it's moving a bit fast."
"A bit fast?" he repeated. "Hermione, it took us about twelve years to just kiss!"
"Well…" she began. "Yes, but…"
"Hermione, this isn't like we just met each other today!" he insisted. "We've known each other half our lives. The only thing we don't know about each other is what we look like when we're naked!"
Hermione turned scarlet and looked down at a piece of grass that suddenly became extremely interesting. She bit her lip but she couldn't stop the smile that was spreading on her face.
"What?" he asked.
"Um…well, about that," she began. "One of us has seen the other naked."
Ron's eyebrows shot up. "What are you talking about?"
"Well…" she said. "Do you remember the day after your birthday party? When you go out of the shower?"
"You said you didn't see anything!" he said, but she was relieved to see him grinning.
"Well, I lied," she laughed. "I saw a lot."
Ron turned bright red. "How much is a lot?" he asked.
"Everything," she answered. Before she could stop herself she burst into a fit of laughter because of the look on Ron's face. His features were contorted into a look of amusement and embarrassment.
"Well, so much for the whole 'I'll show you mine if you show me yours' tradition," Ron joked bitterly.
Hermione laughed for another minute before calming down and looking at him. She leaned in and kissed him on the mouth. It wasn't a passionate kiss. It wasn't really a romantic kiss. Mostly, it was a loving kiss.
"You are my best friend," she said. "You always have been my best friend, and you will always be my best friend."
He tilted his head and seemed to be taking in the words she'd just said to him. He pulled her over to him so that her back was resting against his chest and held her hands. They spent the rest of the night looking up at the sky and talking.
Oh, Lord. This is getting so sappy. LOL. Well, it is what it is. Please review!
