Authors Note: I apologize for the lack of an update last week two weeks. I've posted today and there WILL be another chapter posted early on Wednesday as an apology. I wanted to clarify that Hermione and Ron have been living in the house for about two months and it's been about a month since Harry has visited. I hope you enjoy. Sorry about the wait. Please review. I love reading what y'all have to say. Enjoy
Nerd and 1/2
Ron turned slightly in his bed as he awoke. He felt Hermione's arm thrown across his chest and smiled. He moved his hand up her back and over her hair as she continued to sleep. Ron was afraid to shift his body for fear that he wouldn't be able to see her this way for a long time. Hermione always woke up before him and immediately got out of bed. Normally she would sit in the corner chair and read but she didn't stay near him. He would wake up to see her curled up in a ball either smiling or frowning at the latest part of her book.
Hermione moved closer to him brushing a leg across his hips. Ron all but gasped at the contact. This minimal action made him painfully aware that it had been months since he had been with a woman. Having Hermione near him every night was a constant reminder of what he was denying himself. Hermione gave a contented sigh and caressed his chest and stomach, still asleep. She moved again, her leg stroking back across his most sensitive area slower this time. Ron groaned as a thought crossed his mind suddenly.
"You are not asleep." Ron looked up at the ceiling. He felt Hermione smile against his chest.
"So?" She raised an eyebrow.
"You are devious. Pure evil, darling."
"Maybe I wouldn't be if you didn't fight me so hard." She was pressuring him and she knew it but Hermione was dying inside. It had been weeks since she and Ron started sleeping together. The thing that irritated her was they were only sleeping and she had done everything in her womanly powers to change that. She desperately wanted to feel his arms wrapped around her, skin against skin. She wanted to feel his hot breath against her face. Being around him filled her mind with the most erotic and tantalizing ideas that nearly drove her crazy. Barely a moment passed that she was not imagining herself in compromising positions with Ron. Ron's sigh brought her back from her mind that was racing with vivid images.
"Ron, it has been weeks since we started sleeping together. I don't know what more I can do." Ron seemed to contemplate her statement for a moment. He wasn't sure what was holding him back. Maybe he was holding on to more resentment than he actually cared to consciously admit. He and Hermione had had no fights in the last few weeks, but he still couldn't come to terms with the fact that she'd left him. He felt somehow less manly because of his inability to just do it already. He wanted to. Lord knows, he wanted to but he kept getting the feeling that it wasn't the right time or place. He didn't want her to worry if he'd be there when they left here and he definitely didn't like how persistent she'd been about the whole thing. He was beginning to question her motives.
"I don't know why this is such a big deal." Ron whispered. His arm was still around her. He felt her shift slightly.
"I suppose its not." Hermione sighed. She began to extract herself from him and leave the bed.
"Where are you going?" Ron asked suddenly, grabbing her arm.
"Ron I can't pretend that it isn't killing me to be around you anymore. I realize you don't trust me and I completely understand that but I can't do this to myself anymore." With that she wrenched from his grasp, picked up all of her clothes and personal care items that had collected in his room and exited. She said nothing as she took her leave.
"God damn it." Ron gritted through his teeth. He lay on his bed utterly perplexed, mulling over the last few moments. What was he supposed to do now? Should he just give in to what she wanted? What in fact, he wanted as well? It seemed unfair that she should act this way toward him. In his mind he did trust her. He did know that she would be there after they left. So why was he acting this way? Why was he punishing himself as well as her? And then it hit him. He was punishing her. He knew how badly she needed reassurance that he trusted her but he just couldn't give it. It was his pathetic attempt at payback and it was failing miserably. He resolved himself to work on that nasty habit as he continued to stare at the ceiling.
Later on in the day Ron made his way to the library, continuing on his month long project. He had hoped Hermione would join him but as he spent hours sorting and organizing books he realized she wasn't coming. Ron sighed and looked at the clock. It was nearly six and about the time they normally ate dinner. Supplies were running low and in the back of Ron's mind that signified the reappearance of his former best friend, Harry Potter.
Ron wasn't exactly sure what he would say to Harry when he saw him again but he knew that it was very possible that Harry would end up with a broken nose or at least a bloody lip. No, I'll be civilized. Ron thought to himself, knowing his temper had been kept in check far too long not to be tested to its limits during Harry's visit. Ron had felt betrayed by Hermione but it was absolutely nothing compared to the deceit Harry had inflicted. More than anything, Ron hated to be caught as a fool and Harry had lied to him, profusely.
Ron was embarrassed that both his best friends had thought he couldn't cope with decisions that needed to be made. Hermione had done what she needed to do in order to exact revenge upon the man who took both her parents away from her forever. He understood that and he was beginning to accept that she was trying to protect him. But Harry, on the other hand, had absolutely no excuse for his actions. Harry had said he wasn't allowed to say anything but when Ron remembered all of the things Harry had done that he wasn't allowed to do in the past, Ron became infuriated. You'd think that his best friend's peace of mind could have been given the same priority as sneaking out at night to see what Barty Crouch was doing at school.
Ron had spent the better half of a year either drunk or in a frenzy searching for where she might be. Harry had rarely said anything, now that Ron thought about it. He had normally said something along the lines of "I'm sure she's fine," or "If she left, I'm sure she knows what she's doing and it has nothing to do with you," as he helped many a drunk and distraught Ron to bed. And after everything Harry had seen Ron go through, seen him nearly fall to pieces, he said nothing. Harry had known all along, that she was fine and where she was. Maybe not safe, but alive. That, in Ron's opinion, was unforgivable.
Ron placed a book on the shelf and then sank to the couch. He leaned over and picked up a discarded book and turned it over in his hand. He ran his fingertips over the cover, the feel of worn leather underneath his hand. He had begun to love the smell of old books, the scent was comforting. He leaned down to delight in the fragrance.
"Are you sniffing that book?" Hermione was leaning against the door and was smiling softly, amusement light in her eyes. She had her arms folded but Ron assumed this was a concession.
"You like new parchment, I like old books." He replied softly, setting the book on a corner table. He rested his elbows on his knees and took a deep breath. Hermione pushed herself from the doorframe and moved to take a seat on his immediate left.
"You remembered that?" Hermione smiled.
"Of course." He avoided her eye contact and looked straight ahead.
"Ron, I'm sorry." She closed her eyes and opened them again before looking at him. Ron nodded, realizing he didn't want her to be sorry. He didn't want to be this guy anymore. He didn't want to be the guy who punishes people for past mistakes or expects apologies for stupid things. He didn't want to be bitter anymore. He didn't want to bear the weight of resent, it was wasting time. He didn't want to be this way, so he wouldn't, he decided suddenly as Hermione stood up again.
"Are you coming to dinner?" She bit her lip.
"Would you mind terribly if I didn't?" Hermione's face paled a little as she shook her head. Ron stood up and walked over to her. He put his hand on her waist and pulled her close. He leaned down to kiss her softly on the lips. "Hermione, I am so tired of restraining myself from doing something that I am desperate to do." His hand slid up her side, gently pulling at the fabric. He leaned his head closer to whisper huskily in her ear. "You know, I don't do well with self-control and you are doing a magnificent job or trying to break mine." Hermione was caught off guard and grinned before pulling his face down to meet hers. Ron pecked her lips and held her close to him before pulling away. Before she could say a word he swept her into his arms and carried her down the hall to his room.
Once inside he gently set her on her feet. Ron looked into her eyes, silently asking for permission. Hermione's eyes met his and pulled him closer. He bowed his head toward her and felt her lips softly pressed against his. Recently their kisses had been fierce and frantic; Hermione trying to break down Ron's resistance and Ron fighting back with all his might. This time Ron wanted and needed to take his time. He wanted to make the most of this moment. He wanted to do it justice. Hermione's hands traveled to the base of his shirt and slid a hand underneath. Her fingertips teased his skin and left him wanting more. He pulled away long enough to pull his shirt over his head. His mouth moved to her ear as he began unbuttoning her shirt slowly. As more skin became exposed he moved his mouth to meet it. Hermione gently tugged his hair and sighed. Once he freed Hermione of the shirt he brushed his thumb against the fabric of her bra, teasing her. Hermione moaned as she leaned closer to him. He moved his mouth to hers as he gently released her of her bra. Silently it slid to the floor and Hermione moved closer to him, their skin both radiating with desire. Ron's mind was clouding, he couldn't think of anything other than Hermione.
Ron moved his lips slowly away from hers. He swept her hair off her shoulders with one hand and stroked her face. His other traveled across her flat stomach and settled on her waist. He began to trail kisses across her jawbone and along her neck, taking in the scent of her. His blood was boiling and he didn't think he could keep teasing her. It was absolutely taking all of his energy not to press her to the bed and have his way with her right this instance. But Hermione deserved more than that. He continued kissing her neck and shoulder while both of his hands went to the buttons of her jeans. Tugging softly they reached the floor.
Hermione was positively shaking. She wasn't sure if her limbs could hold on much longer. She clung to him for support hoping to gain some sort of control over herself but making herself closer to Ron did nothing to suppress her desire. Ron obviously sensed this because he began backing her to the bed. She sat gently on the end while Ron leaned over her his hands, resting on either side of her hips. His body was no longer touching her and Hermione feared that he was about to attempt an escape. She rested her hands on his back feeling the muscle tense there she attempted to pull him closer.
"I'm not going anywhere." Ron smirked pulling away and looking her in the eyes. Hermione frowned at his tone and yanked at his jeans, angrily. He replied teasingly, "I didn't mean to upset you but I suppose there are worse ways for you-" Ron was momentarily at a loss for words. Ron had suddenly realized that Hermione had not only removed his pants but his boxers as well and she was touching him in a way that should be illegal. He swallowed hard and tried to choke out the rest of his sentence, "-to take out your anger."
"Shut up Ron." As if I could possibly say anything intelligent right now. Ron thought to himself. Ron pushed Hermione gently back against the bed and moved lay beside her. Ron sat up and slowly pulled her last bit of clothing slowly down her legs. Ron groaned at the sight of Hermione completely naked in front of him. Hermione's eyes were glazed over with desire when she sat up and pulled him back down. The feel of their bodies completely naked against one another was better than he had remembered. Ron knew that this was not the time for foreplay.
He looked down at her as she wrapped her legs around him and arched to meet him, silently begging him. Ron looked down at her, noticing, for the first time, how anxious she was. She thinks that I am going to stop now? Ron almost laughed at the ludicrous idea. He moved his lips to kiss her one last time, reassuring her, before he lifted her hips to meet his. Ron steadied himself above her and she moaned as he entered her. Ron groaned and mentally scolded himself for waiting so long, being with Hermione was better than he remembered. He held himself above her, wanting to look at her as he moved inside her. Her eyes looked back into his, possessing him. He couldn't have looked away if he had wanted to. If Ron had been doubtful of Hermione before, there was no chance that he could now. He would rather die than believe the woman he was looking at would ever leave him again.
Ron's rapid breathing matched his thrusts as he began to feel her trembling beneath him and her muscles clenching around him. Ron was about to lose all control, his body begging him for release but he wouldn't give himself into temptation. He quickened his pace long enough to feel Hermione's chest heave upwards toward him and he could here her moan in his ear as she climaxed. Ron was relieved. He hadn't been sure he would be able to hold out much longer without slowing down and being an absolutely terrible lover. But with a few more thrusts of his hips Ron gave his body what it had been screaming for the last couple of months.
He collapsed gently onto Hermione and gently kissed her neck and shoulders, tasting the sweat on his lips. It was an immensely satisfying gesture. I caused that, he thought smugly. He felt Hermione's hands absentmindedly stroked his back and her legs still stayed wrapped around him, holding him there. His breathing started to return to normal after a few moments and he slowly moved his head from the crook of her neck so that he could see her face. Her eyes had been facing the ceiling until she looked at him. Ron brushed a thumb across her cheek and over her bottom lip. Her lips were red and swollen and irresistible. He moved his head toward hers, his lips lightly brushing hers. Ron lifted his head to speak
"Hermione I-" The voice was not his. He turned his head quickly to see Harry staring horrified in the doorway. Harry swung around as fast as he could with his back turned. Harry cleared his throat, uncomfortable. "I need to talk to you. Immediately. It's about Thomas." Harry finished.