QLFC — Round 10 — Captain: use the same character as your Keeper and Seeker as the main character (we chose Hermione)

Witch Weekly Award: use the last line of your teammate's story as your first: "Nothing would ruin his plan this time." from The Lady Arturia's story 'Rogue Bludgers and Broom Closets.'

Summary: Ron sneaks up to the Astronomy tower after midnight to escape the demands of being Harry Potter's best friend, but finds himself with some unexpected company.

WC. 1390

Warning: probably AU. Who knows.

How The Stars Shine More Brightly

Nothing would ruin his plan this time.

He had Harry's Invisibility Cloak over him and the Marauder's Map in his hand, and for once, the corridors were deserted. It was the Ravenclaw prefects' turn to prowl the castle tonight, but they appeared to be two floors below.

And Ron was going up.

He needed to escape for a few hours, a few moments when it was just him and the world, where Harry wasn't angry, and where he could escape the continuous taunts of the Slytherins' song Weasley is Our King.

But whenever he tried, there was always someone or something there to stop him. Peeves, Filch, a teacher, Peeves… despite his many attempts to steal a few hours at midnight, Ron was always forced back to the overcrowded common room, where either Harry would lose his temper at something, Hermione would berate him for not doing his homework, or he would endure the disappointed looks from the other Gryffindors because of his abysmal performance on the Quidditch pitch a few weeks ago.

Not tonight, though. Tonight he was prepared, and the weather worked in his favour. It was cold and windy. No one else would be up on the Astronomy tower at this time, in these conditions.

Reaching the bottom of the staircase that led up to the tower, he stuffed the map into his pocket without looking at it and started to ascend. Harry had barely acknowledged him when he'd asked to borrow it, apparently too engrossed in his own misery. Their fifth year at Hogwarts was really turning out to be a rough one.

The cool air whipped at his face the higher he climbed. He had only thrown on a jumper over his pyjamas, which he realised now was not enough. The Cloak, whilst magic, did not protect him from the cold.

As he reached the top, he spotted old telescopes in the corners of the tower and charts of the planets and stars lining the walls. He'd never particularly enjoyed Astronomy, but the tower always had a calming effect on him, especially when there were no classes. It was well worth the journey and the risk of getting caught.

The view from up there was breathtaking, overlooking the whole grounds and the mountains stretching beyond. Slightly to the right a light from Hagrid's hut flickered, indicating he was still awake. Straight ahead were the posts of the Quidditch pitch — a place that, at this very moment, did not bring him any joy.

But the most beautiful thing about being up there, the most calming, was the stars. Despite the cold weather, it was a clear night, and every single star flickered brightly against the black backdrop.

He liked the stars.

Smiling, he took the Cloak off, and leant against the railing to get a better view. He was alone at last.

"Ron?"

Ron spun, the Cloak slipping from his hands and landing on the cold stone floor.

The owner of the voice emerged partly from the shadows, and the first thing Ron noticed was the bushy, wayward hair that he had become so accustomed to over the years. Hermione was wrapped in a thick coat, her arms drawn around her body in an act to keep in the warmth. Maroon slippers decorated her feet, and poking out from the bottom of her coat were her pyjama bottoms.

"Hermione?" he said, his ears burning red at the intimate sight of her. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question," Hermione said, and she stepped fully into the starlight. Her pyjamas were pale pink, which, in Ron's opinion, suited her. "But we probably have the same answer."

For a moment, they looked at one another. No words needed to be spoken between them for Ron to know that she was right.

Harry.

Harry was the reason they were both at the top of the Astronomy tower after midnight.

Realising he was still staring at her, Ron returned his gaze to the clear sky. Were the stars brighter than usual tonight?

Hermione came to stand beside him against the railing. A prickle that had nothing to do with the cold night shot up his arm as she brushed against him. He continued to look up at the sky.

"Ron?"

"Yeah?" Ron said, keeping his eyes firmly on the stars.

"There's going to be a war, isn't there?"

Hermione sounded afraid, and it unsettled Ron. She wasn't usually afraid. She was the one to reason with Harry, the one who thought logically and practically about every situation. She was a true Gryffindor — loyal and brave, and Ron knew that he probably wouldn't be where he was without her.

He thought about his answer for a while, before he finally cast his eyes back on her. She had really nice eyes. He liked the colour of them, and the shape of them, and the way she looked at him with them. They were really nice.

"Maybe," he said after a moment, hoping that she didn't see the red tinge that had gone from his ears all the way to his cheeks. "I… I don't know. I hope not."

"If there is," Hermione said, and she moved even closer to him, "Harry's going to tell us not to fight for him. You know that, right?"

"Yes," Ron said, fighting against himself to stay where he was. She was very warm, and she was soft, and she was comforting. He liked her being so close to him. "And when he does, we'll tell him to get lost. That he's being stupid…"

Hermione smiled. Her smile was as bright as the stars in the sky, which really were brighter than they ever had been before. And it was suddenly much warmer up here. Like his whole body was on fire.

They stood in companionable silence for a while after that, Ron making sure he kept his attention on the sky, though he was very aware of Hermione's presence beside him. He could hear her slow, gentle breathing, feel her arm pressing against his, and there was a feeling of contentedness that overwhelmed all of his other senses.

He was up on the tower, where he wanted to be. And he was with Hermione. Also where he wanted to be.

"Ron, don't let the Slytherins get to you."

"What?" Ron asked, taken aback by the sudden change in topic.

"That song… don't let it bother you. It's really mean, and it's not true."

"It is true," Ron said, and the cold returned to him. "You know it is —"

"It's your nerves," Hermione said, and she sounded so sure that Ron found himself almost believing her. "You do fine when no one's watching — or at least, when you think no one is watching."

It was Hermione's turn to go red, and she looked away. "You're a good flyer."

Ron stared at her, unsure how to respond. He was glad he hadn't known she'd been watching him, though, because then he would have performed badly at training too. Well… worse than he already did.

"Thanks," he muttered after a moment, and somehow she managed to get herself even closer to him.

The stars looked glorious up in the sky.

"Ron?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

"F-for what?"

"For joining me tonight. I needed the company."

She had moved herself so close to him, that when she turned her head, all she needed to do was stand on her tiptoes.

Ron hadn't been expecting it, he hadn't even contemplated it happening, but when her lips brushed his, he froze. Every part of him tensed at her touch. Her hand on his cheek, her body against his — it was very nice, she was very nice — but he just stood there like the idiot that he was.

It was the briefest of kisses, but the feeling lasted long after she pulled away, the corners of her mouth turning up in a small smile as she stepped back.

"It's a beautiful night, isn't it?" she said, turning back to the sky.

Touching the spot where her lips had just been, Ron opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. Instead, he looked up.

It really was beautiful up here, he decided. The stars were certainly shining more brightly tonight.

Did my 28 year old self watch the Lizzie McGuire Movie with my 26 year old husband? Yes, yes I did. Did this story take inspiration from that movie? Also yes.

Thanks to my wonderful team for betaing :)