Boring
Author's Note: Originally published on July 17, 2009
Ron couldn't remember a time when he'd felt so happy. The sun was shining down on the large grassy area bordering the Burrow's pond and Hermione was snuggled in his lap. There wasn't anywhere else he'd rather be.
As soon as the Hogwarts Express had arrived that morning, his mum had insisted on throwing the girls a welcome home party. He'd had a more intimate welcome in mind, and he smiled as he recalled how Hermione had jumped off the train and into his arms. Their intense snog on the platform had drawn some rather boisterous catcalls from his old schoolmates. It didn't really bother him; he was too busy enjoying the feeling of holding her after their time apart.
Following the immense meal, the party guests had drifted off in various directions. Several of them had gravitated towards the pond and had found comfortable spots in the grass to enjoy the sun. As he kissed the top of Hermione's head, he couldn't help but let out a loud snort as he spied Luna hopping around nearby. He couldn't tell if she was doing an elaborate dance or trying to catch an invisible creature with her bare hands.
His reaction caused Hermione to sit up abruptly. "What?"
Ron nodded towards Luna and said with a laugh, "She's great and all, but she's still nutters."
Hermione gave him a look of indignation. "After everything she's done for us, how can you say such things?"
"C'mon, you know it's true."
"She's just...relaxing, enjoying herself."
"Normal people don't relax like that. But then again, you relax by reading, so you must be a bit barmy yourself," he teased.
"I'll have you know that reading is a perfectly acceptable form of relaxation, Ronald."
He pulled her close and whispered playfully in her ear, "It's boring, but I love you anyway."
She huffed and wiggled out of his grasp. "I'll show you boring," she declared as she scrambled to her feet. She marched over to Luna and murmured something in her ear, causing Luna's face to light up.
Ron stood up in astonishment as he watched the two girls run towards the small pier. They each let out a whoop of joy and leapt into the air, their limbs flying carelessly in all directions. They hit the water with a loud splash and slowly swam to the edge of the pond.
His jaw dropped as Hermione emerged from the water, her soaked clothes clinging like a second skin. She sauntered up to him and pulled his head down, her lips just inches from his. He let out a moan and ached to close the distance between them.
"Have you learned your lesson?"
He shrugged his shoulders hesitantly. She stepped back and poked his chest to accent each word, "I'm. Not. Boring."
Even though she was drenched, he couldn't resist wrapping his arms around her and lifting her off her feet. "Of course not, love," he said between searing kisses, "who would say such a thing?"