Chapter 10

Hermione quietly made her way down the stairs to the kitchen. The Pepper Up potion had done wonders but her head was still absolutely throbbing for some odd reason, and she needed a glass of water.

'Note to self:' Hermione thought sardonically. 'If anyone ever offers you a shot called /I Strange Brew I again, kindly but firmly decline.'

She came to a dead stop on the staircase when she spotted Mrs. Weasley sitting at the table cradling a mug. The woman looked up, and offered her a warm smile.

"Hello, dear. How are you feeling?"

"Um… fine." Hermione answered slightly confused by the older woman's concern.

Molly chuckled a little. "You don't remember much about getting back here, do you?"

"To be honest, no." Hermione came down the rest of the way, and pulled up a chair across from her.

"Well child, I don't think I've ever seen you quite like that before."

"Oh, Sweet Merlin. Was I that bad? What did I do exactly?" Hermione said propping her elbows on the table and burying her head in her hands.

Molly was having a very difficult time holding in her laughter. "I don't know if I should tell you dear. You seem… I don't know… slightly embarrassed already."

As Mrs. Weasley shook her head and started to giggle at the memory, Hermione's mortification only grew. She must have been ridiculous.

"That Roberto is quite an angel, I'll give you that. When you two first came in, he had you slung over his shoulder, and you were singing "Can't Help Loving That Man Of Mine" at the top of your lungs. He plopped you down in the chair you're seated in now, gave you a quick peck on the forehead, and made you a Pepper Up potion. He even fed it to you which wasn't an easy task."

"Why was that?" Hermione asked not really wanting to know the answer.

Through a growing smirk, Molly tittered out. "Because you had moved on to a very rousing rendition of "Old Man River", and kept clamping your mouth shut whenever he came close to you with it. I swear I will never look at that Muggle musical… "Show Boat" is it… the same way again."

"And you were here for all of this?" Hermione asked in disbelief.

"Yes, I was love, having a cup of tea… with Mr. Weasley."

"Oh Gods!!!" Hermione laid her head on the table, and covered herself with her hands.

"It wasn't that bad dear."

"Really?" Hermione said pulling her head up to regard the older woman. "Because it sounds completely awful."

"You have nothing to worry about. I was young and stupid once… And I promise you, your secret is safe with me." Molly threw her a wink and a smile.

"My secret?" Hermione stuttered out.

Her heart started to pound frantically. Did she actually tell Mr. and Mrs. Weasley about Roberto?

"Well, after finally giving you your potion, Roberto left to prep your room and Mr. Weasley soon followed to head off to bed. Once they were both gone, you started to sing another song from that Muggle show. I believe it's supposed to be called "He's Just My Bill", but you kept replacing the name 'Bill' with… well, with 'Ron'.

Then dear, you put your finger to your lips, 'shushed' real loud, and giggled furiously. Of course, not a moment later your eyes fluttered shut and you passed out cold onto the table. Just to let you know, you might have a very nasty bruise on your forehead in a couple days."

Hermione rubbed her brow and felt the beginnings of a goose egg. No wonder her head was hurting so badly. She was going to have to remember to do a healing charm when she went back upstairs.

"Why are you still up now?" Hermione asked still preoccupied by the growing bump.

"Oh, not everyone has made it back yet from the Stag and Doe. I can't really sleep until I know they're all home safe." She said referring to the Weasley family clock.

Hermione looked up and jumped slightly when she saw that Ron's arrow was pointed firmly to 'home'. She looked back to find Mrs. Weasley giving her a very knowing look, and felt herself flush all over.

"Roberto said something about going for a walk by the old oak tree." Mrs. Weasley said raising her mug to her lips.

"Thank you." Hermione mumbled quietly as she stood and made her way to the screen door, but Molly's voice stopped her.

"And Ron is down at the pond."

Hermione stared at the woman for a moment in silent communion then nodded her head, and made her way out into the garden.

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Hermione wandered out past the garden. As she came within a few yards of the old oak tree, she spotted two figures shadowed by its protective branches and heard the light strains of a conversation.

She was fairly certain by the one man's height that it was Roberto, but she wasn't able to make out the identity of the second man. Although their words were indiscernible, from the look of their posture they were having a very pleasant, flirtatious time.

As curious as she was about this new man, Hermione decided to allow her best friend his privacy, and she continued on her mission.

She was very nearly to the pond when the sight of a solitary figure standing at the end of the dock staring out at the water stilled her.

He had his hands stuffed in his pockets, and his flaming red hair stood out like a beacon in the night. She could easily watch him like this for hours given half the chance. Shaking her head, she realized she was wasting time, and as frightening as it may be, she had to get on with coming clean to him.

She cleared her throat, and called to him. "Ron, can I talk to you?"

Startled, he turned briefly to take her in, but refocused his eyes out onto the calm, dark water before him.

Moments earlier, he had been immersed in thoughts of her. Now that she was actually there, he was not ready for the dreaded conversation. He was not ready to lose her forever.

"I'm tired 'Mione. Can we talk about whatever's on your mind some other time?"

'Why is he trying to skirt the issue?' she fumed silently.

Growing frustrated with his avoidance tactics, she spat out. "No, we can't talk about it some other time. I want to talk about it now."

He spun around to face her. "Fine then, talk if you want to. Go ahead and talk your frizzy little head off."

"What the hell is your problem?" She moved to join him near the end of the dock.

"You… You're my problem, and that greasy git you call a boyfriend. Or should I say fiancé?" He leveled.

"Excuse me?"

"Well, that's what you wanted to tell me, isn't it? That you two are so happy together, and that you're getting married." He growled viciously.

"Where in the world did you get that idea? Honestly Ronald, you come out with the most outlandish things sometimes."

"Oh, come off it Hermione. I saw him holding you at the restaurant after you talked to Parvati. Then there's the fact that you've been trying to tell me something important all night. He even wanted me to talk to you. I know you… you love him, and he loves you.

"And how, pray tell, would you know that?"

"I over heard you two last week."

"You eavesdropped on our conversation… a private conversation?"

"What difference does it make now? I get it, all right? You're with him. You love him. You're going to marry him. Fine. That's just fine."

He began to storm away, heading back toward the Burrow.

"We are not getting married you silly git." She screamed.

He wheeled around quickly. "What?"

"We're not getting married. Not even close."

He rushed back to her stopping less than a foot away, and she saw something very near to hope flit across his face.

"Are you sure?"

She rolled her eyes. "I think I would know if I were engaged, Ronald."

"But… But you… you do love each other." He began to deflate again.

"Yes Ron, we do but not in the way that you think."

She took a steeling breath, and stepped closer to him. "You see, Roberto and I… we're just…"

Then the strangest thing happened. Ron was standing right in front of her listening intently when suddenly, there was a flurry of activity, and he was gone.

A second later, Hermione heard a loud splash, and turned to scan the water. There, in the pond, was Fred laughing hysterically and Ron floundering about in complete shock.

Before she could fully gather what had just happened, Hermione felt herself swept clear off her feet. Once she had finally stopped moving, she looked down into the rosy-cheeked face of George.

"George Weasley, you put me down this minute."

"I'm very sorry Ms. Granger, but I don't think that will be possible." He grinned at her devilishly.

He started to move dangerously close to the edge of the dock.

"Don't you even think about it, George." She threatened.

"Think about what, Ms. Granger?" He started to chuckle maniacally before taking a huge leap.

Hermione screamed for all she was worth, but was quickly submerged completely in the cold, clouded water. After a moment of shock, she pushed herself to the surface, and sputtered and coughed once she'd broken through.

It appeared while she was under, several others from the Weasley clan including Harry and Ginny had joined them. They were all now happily splashing about still in their evening clothes and all knackered.

For her part, Hermione was beyond enraged. Normally, she'd be game for these antics, but not tonight. Not when she'd come so close to explaining the truth to Ron about Berti. Incensed, she climbed up and out of the pond, and marched furiously back to the Burrow ignoring the pleas for her to return coming from behind.

Hot tears mingled with cold beads of water on her face as one driving thought pushed her forward.

'Bloody Weasleys! This is just so goddamn typical!'

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Ron peeked his head into the steam filled bathroom, and glanced about nervously. This had seemed like a great idea down at the pond as he watched her stalk away, but now he wasn't so sure.

Letting his uncertainty win out, he heaved a sigh of resignation, stepped back out into the hall, and began to close the door. At the last moment though, he changed his mind, and moved fully into the room shutting the door quietly behind him.

He looked around and found her wet clothes perched on the washstand, and his eyes were instantly drawn to the shower curtain. Behind that wall of cream fabric, Hermione was wet and completely starkers. He felt himself grow unbelievably hard at the notion.

'No.' He reprimanded himself. 'I must have a clear mind when I do this.'

He pulled his wand from his back pocket, and wordlessly placed an Imperturbable Charm on the door and a Silencing Charm on the entire room for good measure.

Ron smirked to himself. If Hermione was anything like she used to be, he should reinforce that Silencing Charm.

Then a paralyzing fear took hold of him. What if she didn't want him? What if she pushed him away? He shook his head to clear these thoughts. He'd scarcely allowed himself to hope until she had said they were definitely not getting married. Now he had to try. He had everything to gain and really nothing to lose.

If she chose him, they could find a way to make it work. Sure, it would be hard but it couldn't be any more difficult than living without her. He'd been a complete and utter prat, and had to suffer through three years of not seeing her because of it. He didn't want to think about how complicated it was inevitably going to becoming if they got back together. The only thing that was important at this point was being with her.

If she chose Roberto, then the worst that could happen would be that she returned to Italy and he would never see her again.

'Nothing much at risk here at all!' he thought sarcastically.

Before he could talk himself out of it, he slowly began to peal his own wet clothing from his body placing them beside hers.

Ron moved to just in front of the shower curtain naked as the day he was born, and shook with unmitigated fear.

He reached out and grabbed the edge of the fabric then froze as a thought struck him.

'SHIT!'

He quickly ran back to the pile of clothes on the washstand and dug through for his wand. He cast a Contraceptive Charm, and placed his wand back on the heap.

As he moved to the tub, and pulled back the curtain, he thought. 'Better safe than sorry.'

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Hermione stood under the hot stream allowing the water to wash away the disappointment she felt from failing with Ron once again.

She had him there, he was finally listening, and then those stupid prats had to totally ruin it.

She shook her head as a fresh batch of tears began to roll down her cheeks mixing with the hot thrum of water pouring over her.

Suddenly, she felt a cold draft hit her back but before she could turn to discern the cause, she felt two strong arms snake around her middle, a warm, solid chest press against her back, and a demanding mouth latch seductively to the side of her neck.

"Ron?" She stuttered out, shocked by the unexpected company.

Gods, she hoped it was Ron. She felt full lips smile against her neck, and the arms pressed her in tighter.

He was beyond happy she'd said his name first. It fueled him to keep going.

"Were you expecting someone else?" He mumbled into her neck.

She swallowed hard forcing down the nervous energy threatening to take her over.

"What… what are you doing in here?"

His left hand ventured to her right breast and she gasped at the intimacy. At first, he simply cupped her, but then began to massage her gently. His right hand made its own journey slowly sliding down her stomach where his fingers finally delved into the dark thatch of curls between her thighs searching and finding their goal. She whimpered softly desperate for his touch.

"I have some questions," he rasped into her ear, "and you need to give me the answers."

She nodded absently trying to focus on his words but was greatly distracted by his hand's gentle ministrations.

"Are you in love with Roberto?"

He continued to coax the little bundle of nerves with his middle finger, and brushed over her nipple with the thumb of his other hand. She whimpered and shuddered at the electrifying pleasure his touch gave her.

"No." She responded breathlessly, and his heart leapt.

"Are you in love with anyone else?" He breathed into her ear, causing her to tremble.

Leaning down, he buried his face in her neck and laid gentle kisses along its curve. His hand between her thighs had grown more aggressive, the fingers having moved down to slip in and out of her folds teasing her mercilessly.

"Yes." She nearly cried, and he felt like he was going to burst.

He licked her neck playfully, and gave a soft chuckle. "Do I know him?"

Surprising him, she turned quickly in his arms and grabbed the back of his head pulling him to her for a needy, passionate kiss. It took only a moment for him to recover, and only a second longer for him to pull her flush against him. He groaned deeply at the sensation of their naked bodies pressed tightly together.

His mind was slow to refocus, but he realized he had to get control of the situation again before he lost coherent thought completely. He still had one more important question that needed to be asked.

He slowly maneuvered her around so their bodies were both under the hot spray of the shower, and then reluctantly pulled her arms from around his neck. They were both now panting feverishly, their breath mingling together in an invisible dance.

Wrapping his left arm about her, he moved her up against the cold tiles, straddled her hip and effectively pinned her to the shower wall. He shook his head trying to clear the heavy fog of lust taking hold. He brought his right hand to the apex of her thighs again, and as his middle finger began to course up and down between her folds, she gave a strangled, little cry.

"Now that I have your undivided attention, I have one more question. Actually, it's more of an ultimatum." He supplied in a low, ragged voice.

He watched her closely waiting for her to acknowledge she understood what he was saying. She met his eyes, swallowed hard, and nodded for him to continue.

"I want you back, but I will not share you with anyone. Some men are able to do that. I'm not one of them. It's him or me."

"Ron, you don't understand…"

He slipped a finger into her, and she gasped and closed her eyes momentarily at the welcome invasion.

"I understand perfectly. Either you break it off with him tomorrow, or…"

"Or?" She asked weakly, opening her eyes to search his.

He couldn't bring himself to voice the 'Or' scenario.

"Will you break up with him?"

"Ron, it's not what you…"

He covered her mouth with his own in a dizzying kiss, and slowly started to pump his finger in and out of her. Hermione could feel her mind reeling out of control at the incredible sensation. What he was doing to her was seriously testing the limits of her sanity. She was quickly losing sight of what it was she had to tell him.

He pulled away, and rasped at her in a low voice. "This is a 'yes' or 'no' question, 'Mione, and I don't want anything but a 'yes' or 'no' answer."

On top of increasing his tempo, he began to massage her bundle of nerves with his thumb. Her chest began to heave and shudder wracked with light moans, and her legs quivered at the building pressure coiling tightly in her belly. He slipped another finger inside of her, and her hands shot up to clutch at his shoulders.

"So, what's it going to be?" he mumbled next to her temple.

"Gods yes, Ron. Yes!" She gasped.

"You choose me?" He stopped his hands movement. He had to make certain.

She met his eyes evenly, and said. "Yes. Always."

In one swift motion, he wrapped his arm around her, and captured her mouth in a searing kiss. He frantically pumped his fingers in and out of her until she ripped her mouth from his and cried out loudly.

Her knees buckled as the powerful orgasm rolled through her. After a few moments, he slipped his fingers out of her, and placing gentle kisses all over her face, held her fiercely to him to stop her from crumpling to the floor of the tub.

She slowly relaxed her fingers from digging painfully into his shoulders as her breathing came down from the heavy panting of just moments before.

She pulled her face away from his slightly, and searched his eyes for a moment. As if coming to some kind of decision, she placed a hand on his chest and pushed him away a little. His throat clenched tightly at her attempt to distance him. Was she having second thoughts?

Her next move struck him dumb though. She wrapped her leg high around his waist which he caught instinctively, and snaked her arm around his neck simultaneously. Using the strength in both the entangled arm and leg, and leveraged herself up slightly. She then reached down between their bodies, took hold of his hard length bringing the head nearer to her entrance.

She pumped him gently a few times, and he moaned deeply at the sensation of her small hand curled tightly around him. As he rested his forehead against hers, a ghost of a smile whispered across her lips.

She hopped up to wrap her other leg around his waist, and he grasped her firmly by the bottom with both hands as he pressed her shoulders against the cool tile wall. She locked her ankles together behind him, and clenched her thigh muscles to strengthen the position.

Still holding him firmly in her hand, she rubbed the head of his penis along her entrance and heard a deep guttural moan rumble through his chest. She placed him just inside of her, and squeezed her interlocked ankles inward giving him a silent cue.

Slowly, he pushed forward sinking his now throbbing cock in to the hilt, and grunted at the feel of being engulfed in her warmth. Hermione hissed sharply and stiffened, having to adjust to his size after being without him for so long.

"God 'Mione, you're so tight." He gasped out.

He took several breaths to collect himself and focus. Panting from the exertion of the position, they regarded each other through hooded eyes.

He leaned his face in but hesitated a moment. She licked her lips desperate to taste him again, and then, not being able to resist the sight, he took her mouth hungrily.

Slowly, he started to drive into her. She buried her hands in his hair and kissed him back fiercely matching his fervor, their tongues dancing and wrestling for dominance.

As the hot water continued to rain down on them, he pumped into her faster and faster. Try as they might, they had never been able to take this part slow. The need for completion was too overwhelming.

Suddenly, Hermione felt the telltale weakness in her calves and knees as the first wave of her orgasm hit her. She tore her lips away and a riddle of curses fell from her lips as the tight pressure in her belly unraveled sending shockwaves through her entire body.

Ron felt her muscles involuntarily contract and squeeze around him. That was all it took. Tumbling over the edge into his climax, he came hard and emptied himself inside of her.

He placed his head next to hers on the cool tile wall, both gasping desperately trying to pull in enough air.

Ron memorized each and every detail grasping onto the feeling of oneness that he didn't even know he had been missing. He was fairly certain nothing could make the moment any better. That is, until she rolled her face toward him, and softly whispered words he never thought he'd hear fall from her beautiful lips again.

"I love you, Ron. God, I love you so much."