Authors Note: Thank you to all who reviewed! Please keep it coming! So this is a little less intense than the last chapter but I hope you like it! Enjoy!

Nerd and 1/2

Ron sat in a plush chair in the library pretending to read. He peeked over the top of his book to stare at Hermione who was currently curled up on the couch, actually reading. He was studying her intently. She had her eyes furrowed into a frown at the moment and was biting her lip. Her hair gracefully grazed her cheek obscuring part of his view. Ron's fingers itched to touch her face and tuck the strands behind her ear. He continued staring at her as his mind wandered. He thought of his current situation in life. The last few weeks had been the best Ron had had in months. Not only had Hermione and he refrained from fighting, Harry hadn't shown up. Ron had long ago decided that he needed to talk to Harry and ask him what the hell he had been thinking but he hadn't had the opportunity recently. Instead he had started the long road of forgiveness toward Hermione. It had been much easier to accept her apology than he had thought it would be. He didn't kid himself into thinking that all was well, but he knew he was certainly on his way to being happy again.

Ron wasn't sure, but he thought that maybe if he and Hermione weren't stuck inside the house they would be considered dating again in the eyes of the outside world. They ate all of their meals together and Hermione had taken to helping Ron organize the library. They also shared an occasional kiss. Ron internally groaned at the thought. He didn't just want an occasional kiss but every time it would become too intense or Hermione hinted that she wanted more, he pulled away and stopped it. He couldn't explain why but he kept holding himself back. He could tell Hermione was getting annoyed with his new found celibacy but she hadn't said anything yet. He wanted to apologize but he knew that would only make him sound stupid. He was just starting to trust her again and he was terrified of what sleeping with her would mean. It was his last bargaining chip. If he didn't use it, he wouldn't be so hurt if they left this place and Hermione left him again. Basically, he knew he petrified to be so close to her again. But I'm working on it. Ron thought to himself.

Ron continued looking at her, not knowing that she too, was pretending. Hermione's mind was relatively on the same page as Ron's. She could feel his eyes boring into her but she refused to look up. Hermione knew that if she looked up she would see the desire in his eyes; the desire he wouldn't let himself fulfill. Sometimes she just wanted to shake him. Sometimes she was so frustrated she didn't want to be understanding. She just wanted him to give in. She knew she was being horrible but the way he kissed her, the way he touched her made her want him even more. She had never been on this side of the issue with Ron before now. Ron had always been the one to be up for it anytime. When they were both virgins, he had been the one ready first. Hermione was the one who had wanted to wait. Of course he had been patient and never pressured you. Her mind replied. It was true. Ron had always been a perfect gentleman about sex and although she was sure he had sometimes felt annoyed or strained when she had pushed him away he had never displayed his irritation as Hermione had done the last couple of times.

She couldn't help herself. Whenever she would try anything more than kiss, he would stop her. They had gotten further on the library couch the day that she had told him everything, than they had in the last few weeks. She yearned for that feeling again, the feeling of skin against skin, his fingertips caressing her back. Having Ron pressed up against her heat penetrating fabric was torture. On more than one occasion she had tried desperately to yank the shirt over his head or unbutton her top just to get some contact but every time he had stopped her. It was infuriating. She wanted him so badly that she almost wished she had enough will power to cease even kissing him. Almost. Kissing him and knowing it wouldn't go any further was masochism. She couldn't help herself. She had to keep trying. Right?

Hermione finally looked up at Ron who smiled at her instead of looking away quickly which he usually did. She smiled back and stared. Ron set his book down and made his way toward her. He knelt down beside her, still smiling and kissed her softly on the lips and pulled away to look at her. It was a sweet enough kiss but Hermione immediately wanted more. She looked back at him, placing a hand on his cheek and brought his lips back to hers once again. Ron responded as she hoped he would, slipping his tongue into her mouth and letting the heat rise. She pulled him closer and Ron surprised her by pushing her down so that she was no longer in a sitting position but lying down.

He slowly joined her on the couch, his weight lightly pressing down on her. Hermione was in heaven. He never did this, maybe this was a sign. A sign that they could finally be together. Her hips arched to meet his pressing against his groin and causing a groan from him but to Hermione's delight he didn't push her away. One of his hands steadied himself above her while the other moved cautiously along her ribcage. His mouth left hers to trail kisses down her neck and collarbone and Hermione licked her lips and let out a soft sigh of pleasure. Hermione took a risk by sliding her hand underneath his shirt and attempting to remove it. Hermione could barely contain her excitement when not only did he let her but he pulled away and helped her remove hers as well. Hermione wrapped her legs around his hips just as he pressed himself more firmly against her. She could feel his erection pressing against her and against her better judgment, tried pushing her luck further. Her hands left Ron's back and she pressed her bottom against the couch allowing room for her hands to move to the button of his jeans. Ron tensed and Hermione instantly wished she could take it back. One of his hands moved to hers, removing them from his jeans.

"Hermione…" Ron said cautiously pushing her hands away and looking down at her. And there it is, Hermione thought. The sting of rejection. She wasn't sure what to say so she said the only thing she could think of.

"What?"

"This isn't a good idea." Hermione furrowed her eyebrows in annoyance and Ron decided to continue. "I can't." He shook his head pleadingly.

"You can't? You can't?" Hermione repeated, anger rising with each word. She pushed him away and stood up, retrieving her shirt. "What do I have to do for you to want me again Ron? Why won't you just have sex with me? All we ever do is kiss like two teenagers. It's driving me crazy!"

"I just don't know why this is such a big deal." Ron said calmly bowing his head as he continued sitting on the couch.

"Sure it isn't big deal for you! You didn't abstain for two years!" Hermione spat. Ron tried to keep calm by inhaling deeply and stood up too.

"Hermione those women were just-" He tried to reach out to her, grabbing her arm but she yanked out of his grasp

"Just what? For sex? Why don't you want me?" Hermione screamed.

"Hermione!" Ron said yelling. "I don't just want to fuck you! I could have cared less about those women. If we have sex, you and me," he paused as though thinking of what to say, "it won't be purely physical. It will mean something and you know that it will."

"Why can't it mean something? What is your problem with forgiving me? You know how sorry I am! Why don't you want me?" She kept repeating the question hoping for some sort of response. She couldn't bear it if she had destroyed any chance of happiness she could have with Ron.

"Is that a joke?" Ron looked at her incredulous.

"Is what a joke?" Hermione asked genuinely confused.

"Why don't I want you?" Ron repeated in disbelief. "Hermione I want you so bad it is literally killing me to keep pushing you away." He clenched his fists, a pained look spread across his face as he breathed in deeply. Hermione couldn't help but blush and loose a little composure.

"Then why, Ron?" She reached out and touched his arm. He pulled away and took a few steps back, shaking his head.

"What is it? What could possibly stop you then?" Her voice, soft a moment ago turned hard again.

"Hermione, this isn't easy for me! I have all of this anger and resentment and for what? Nothing! You did what you thought was best and now I can't be mad! I have two years worth of frustration to sort out and I'm not sure how to!"

"Well, what can I do Ron?" She shrieked. "Because I'm so-" She shook her head and decided not to continue.

"So what?" Ron asked angrily. "Frustrated? Me too! My body is screaming at me to just do it all ready! To give in to temptation and just do it. It's a hard day when one part of you is telling you to do one thing and the other part wants the complete opposite thing."

"And what does this part want?" She asked delicately. Hermione moved toward him and he flinched as she placed a hand on his chest. Ron shook his head and chuckled softly.

"That part is more confused than the rest of me."

"Will you ever stop hating me?" She whispered looking at him.

"What are you talking about?" Ron asked exasperated. "I'm fucking in love with you!"

"Oh, Ron!" Hermione flung her arms around him burying her head into his still bare chest.

"Haven't you figured that out yet, you idiot?" He smiled into her hair and wrapped his arms around her. She pulled away to look him in the eyes.

"I love you too…" She said before pressing her cheek against his again.

"I know, Hermione."

"I'm so sorry I've been acting like such a scarlet woman lately." She joked.

"Well I can't blame you for trying." He snorted pulling her tighter.

"I just… I just missed you so much." Ron didn't respond for awhile, he just held her.

"Hermione?"

"Hmm…" She murmured into his chest.

"What if we did sleep together? Maybe not in a sexual way but actually sleep? I miss having you in my bed." Hermione pulled away again and looked at him, one eyebrow raised.

"Sleep together but just sleep?" She asked, skeptical. Ron nodded. "Is that what you call a compromise?" She questioned.

"Take it or leave it." Ron said sternly.

"Consider it taken." Hermione responded quickly.

"Bed then?" Ron raised an eyebrow.

"Let me grab some pajamas and I'll meet you in your room." Ron nodded and Hermione sprinted toward her room. She knew that she had to have something sexy to wear. A teddy or a silk nightgown, something! She felt a little guilty to want to tease him but the thought of spending every night next to Ron, fully clothed? No, she would do this the right way. Tease him, till he gave in. Hermione had almost reached her bedroom door when she heard Ron's voice.

"Hermione?" His voice was begging. "Please. Be nice." Hermione pouted to herself. He had seen right through her. So instead of reaching for her tantalizingly short night dress with the slit on one leg she reached for a pair of silk pajama pants and a tank. She slipped into them before making her way towards Ron's room. Ron was sitting in bed reading, a pair of boxers on and shirtless. Ron looked up from his book and instantly frowned.

"I said be nice."

"This is nice, Ronald. Besides look at you, bare-chested and covered in thin cloth."

"This is how I sleep."

"Well I normally sleep naked so consider yourself lucky." Hermione claimed throwing her hands in the air.

"You do not!" Ron declared.

"How would you know?" Hermione inquired. Ron's eyes narrowed.

"Just get into bed." Ron ordered.

"That's what I like to hear." Hermione smirked.

"I'm beginning to rethink this decision." Ron grumbled as Hermione slid into bed next to him.

"If you think this is bad. Just wait…" Hermione whispered into his ear. Ron wanted to shout at her to get out but something about the way she said made him horribly curious. Hermione noticed that he didn't respond. Maybe it is possible to seduce Ronald Weasley.