Chapter 3:

Ron woke up about 5 minutes before his alarm went off. Hermione was still snuggled against him, so he gently lifted her back onto the other side of the bed, and turned off the alarm before it woke her up. Waking up with her in his arms felt so natural, and he was sad to break the moment, but he had to go to work. His Auror trainers had understood about missing one day, but they would never stand for two in a row. Ron left a sleeping Hermione to shower and get ready for work. He was quiet so he wouldn't disturb her. It was now almost 8 and time for him to head out. He climbed back on the bed and kissed Hermione on the forehead. Her eyelids fluttered opened and he smiled at her. "Morning Sleeping Beauty," he said as she smiled at him shyly. "You can go back to sleep," he whispered stroking her hair, "I just wanted to let you know I was heading out." Hermione's bottom lip jutted out, and in the cutest puppy dog face he'd ever seen she said, "Please don't go." His heart melted. "Don't do that to me," he said back. "It's hard enough to leave already." She smiled now. "Worth a shot," she said. "I know you have to go. I'll miss you though," she said reaching out and caressing the side of his face. Ron leaned into her hand and kissed it. "Thinking of you will get me through the day," he said. "See you tonight. I left you a key on top of your bag. I love you." "I love you, too," she said back, and with that, he kissed her lips lightly and left.

Hermione slept in a couple of more hours. It was unlike her, but she was so comfy and happy in Ron's bed that sleep came easily. She got out of bed, showered and put on some clothes. It was a bit chillier than the day before when she'd worn a dress, so she decided on a pair of jeans with a tank top and jumper. She'd decided she was going to do some early Christmas shopping during the day. There were a few things she could find in Diagon Alley that she couldn't get at Hogsmeade, plus she wanted to stay busy keeping her mind off Ron. She wanted to get him a special edition set of Wizard Chess for Christmas, and she knew they had to be ordered months in advance.

She visited a few stores then dropped back by the flat to have some leftover pizza for lunch and see what was in the boy's cabinets. Not much, she laughed to herself. She then headed back out to shop for some food. She had decided to make Ron a non-magical dinner. Chicken pot pie with salad and lemon meringue pie for desert. He'd had this meal and loved it at her parents' house, so Hermione had her mom walk her through the recipe before she left.

She returned to the flat around 4 and started cooking. The lemon pie would take the longest, so she got to work on that. Busy measuring and baking, the time went by quickly, and pretty soon, it was time for Ron to come home. He walked through the door at 6:15. "Smells good," he called from the front door as he dropped his coat and bag at the door. He quickly sought out Hermione who was setting the small table in the kitchen. She'd gone all out with placemats and candlesticks. As Ron took in the sight, he briefly let himself daydream of a future with Hermione. He flash forwarded to a few years from now when they would be married, and he'd come home every day to her. He knew she'd be working too by then, so perhaps it wouldn't be a candlelit dinner every night, but the thought of being with her forever made his heart soar. "What are you thinking?" Hermione asked noticing he was lost in thought. He crossed the room and gathered her in his arms for a hello kiss. "Just that I could get used to this," he said as he pulled away. She giggled and hugged him tight. "I missed you," she whispered in his ear. "You too," he responded. A timer went off, and Hermione wriggled out of Ron's arms; "It's ready," she announced.

Ron excused himself to wash up then came back and helped her plate up their meal, and they settled in at the table. For a first time cooking alone, Hermione had done a wonderful job. Her mom had given her step by step instructions, so it was hard to screw up. Ron praised the food many times; he wanted to make sure Hermione knew how much he appreciated her. Though they were only 18, they had a very adult relationship; they'd been through a lot and grown up fast.

When they were all finished around 7:30, Ron cleared and washed the dishes. He refused to let Hermione lift a finger, so she just stood in the kitchen while he worked, and they talked about their days. Harry came home around 8 from dinner at the Burrow, and the three played a few games until bedtime. It felt so good to be all together again in a world now Voldemort free.

The gang retired around 10. Ron grabbed his work bag before they headed back to the bedroom. He closed the door, and said, "Hermione, I hate to do this, but I need to look over a few notes for a meeting I have first thing in the morning; One of the trainers asked me to lead a discussion on trolls, since I've had encounters with them." Instead of being disappointed, Hermione's face lit up. She was always up for studying. "I can help you," she offered. "I can help you work up an outline." Ron grinned at his girlfriend. Leave it to her to get turned on by studying. "Sure," he said. "Why don't we get comfortable first?"

Ron let Hermione go first in the bathroom. He heard her humming to herself as she brushed her teeth and paused to reflect on just how much he loved everything about her. In about 5 minutes, she emerged, once again wearing another cute pair of pjs. These ones were black with black and white striped shorts. They were similar to the night before, but the straps on the tank top were a bit thinner, and she looked great. Ron once again dressed in an old tee shirt and sleep pants. This time navy blue with a Gryfinndor tee. "I look like a rag next to you," he said catching and squeezing her hand as they crossed paths on his way to the lieu. Hermione blushed but said, "No you don't; I think you look handsome." He smiled at her then went to get ready for bed himself.

When he came back just a few minutes later, Hermione had her legs under the covers but was sitting up against his headboard; she had opened his work bag and pulled out a few books and a notepad to help him plan for his meeting. "Just like her," Ron thought to himself as he climbed in beside her also propping up against the back. They spent the next half hour coming up with an outline for Ron's meeting. Hermione said he should lead with their story from first year about the troll he'd saved her from, which brought back a flood of good memories. Ron yawned close to 11 and said, "That's enough; I'm ready." He took the books and papers and set them on his nightstand clicking off the lamp. "Thanks for helping me," he said turning back to Hermione. They were still sitting up against the headboard. "You're welcome," she said and leaned in for a kiss. It was only meant to be a goodnight kiss, but as Ron ran his hand up and down Hermione's bare arm, she scooted closer to him and put her hand around his neck to deepen the kiss. She wasn't sure what had gotten into her, but she felt hungry for Ron's touch.

He wasn't complaining a bit as he now ran his hands down her back; his warm hands slightly lifted the bottom of her tank top, so he was touching her lower back skin and skin. It was innocent, but somehow erotic, and it was driving Hermione crazy. Surprising herself, she moved again so she was sitting on Ron's lap. Ron could barely believe what was happening, but he held it together and never stopped kissing her. Hermione Granger was straddling him, kissing him more passionately than he'd ever been kissed. This was even better than their first kiss in the Chamber of Secrets because they didn't have to stop. It was a combination of things that caused his next reaction. Her petite frame positioned on his lap. Her lips on his neck as she broke their kiss to explore his other sensitive spots like he had to her the night before, but what drove him over the edge were his own hands placed high on Hermione's legs so he could just ever so slightly cup her bum. His situation from the night before came back with full force, and through his thin sleep pants, there was no hiding it. As his hardness pressed into Hermione's inner thigh, she gasped a tiny bit in surprise.

Ron put his hands on her shoulders to stop her from moving around, which was only making it worse. "Sorry," he said shyly. "I can't help it."

"I don't want you to help it," she whispered back as she broke out of his hold and leaned in to kiss his neck again just below his ear. "I was just surprised is all," she said between kisses.

"Wait," Ron said having a hard time thinking clearly at the moment. "You mean you don't mind?"

Hermione actually stopped this time and pulled back so she could look into his bright blue eyes, which were now dark with lust. Hermione's were almost black. "Of course I don't mind," she said cupping his face. "I like that you are attracted to me," she said the last part looking down a bit embarrassed. It was a fact that was hard for her to admit because she didn't think of herself as attractive.

Now it was Ron's turn to force her to look at him. He tipped Hermione's chin and held it up. "I'm more than just attracted to you, Hermione" Ron said. "You drive me mad." "Good," she replied back and leaned forward to kiss him again. With Hermione's permission, Ron was able to relax now and really enjoy the moment. Hermione remained on Ron's lap for a few more minutes of an amazing make-out session as the pair passionately kissed and allowed their hands to roam a little bit. "You're so amazing," Ron whispered in Hermione's ear as he ran his hands up and down her smooth legs placed on either side of him. "Let's lay down," Hermione said after another few minutes. She didn't really give Ron time to agree as she climbed off his lap. In the moonlight, Hermione could now see the effect she was having on him, and she'd made up her mind to help him get some relief. It was a brand new concept for her, but with Ron, she was ready to give it a try.

Hermione slipped further under the covers, and Ron joined her almost in a daze. He reached for her, and they continued kissing. As Ron rubbed her back, now it was Hermione who let her hand do some roaming. She traced the strong planes of Ron's chest, then down to his abs, and then finally, she slipped one finger under the waistband of his pj pants. "Whoa," Ron gasped grabbing Hermione's wrist. "What you are you doing?" "Exploring," Hermione said teasingly again surprising herself. "Who am I right now?" she thought, but continued nonetheless. "Is that okay?" Ron looked like he'd just been bludgeoned in a Quidditch match. "Of course, it's okay," he said sounding a bit flabbergasted. "I'm just surprised is all, and I don't want you to do anything you're not comfortable with." Hermione let honesty guide her. "I love you Ron, and I want you, and I'm ready to ramp up our physical relationship at least a little bit if you are." "I'm ready," Ron said quickly not wanting Hermione to change her mind. "Okay then," she said back. "Here's the thing though, I'm not familiar with how to do that, so you'll have to help me okay?" "Okay," Ron answered still somewhat stunned. He wondered for a split second if he was dreaming, but the feel of Hermione's warm hand on his skin proved he wasn't. "Show me how to please you," she whispered looking into his eyes and placing her small hand once again at the waistband of his pants.

Ron's heart was so full of love and lust, he thought it might burst. "Are you sure?" Ron asked again. "Definitely," she responded now drumming her fingers against him. "I want too," she said. Though Ron still wasn't convinced this moment was real, he reached down and took Hermione's hand in his own. He slid it the rest of the way under his waistband urging her to wrap her hand around his fullness, which she did. She squeezed ever so slightly as she did so, and something between a groan and a growl escaped Ron's lip. Just the feel of her hand on him was about too much to take. It was the first time Hermione had ever touched a boy like this, so she too was in a bit of a daze. "Does that feel good?" she asked. "You have no idea," he whispered back. "Now what?" Hermione asked quietly. Ron swallowed hard and put his hand back on top of hers encouraging her to move up and down. It only took a minute for her to completely understand and get into a rhythm that felt amazing to Ron. He let go of her hand and rolled onto his back closing his eyes, so he could completely enjoy what was happening. He put his hand back on her arm, letting his fingers run up and down her soft bare skin as she effortlessly brought him to the brink of release. He'd never been touched this way before, so it didn't take long as Hermione worked her hand and kissed his neck.

"Bloody hell that feels good," he whispered as he breathed heavily, and then when it became just too much to take a few moments, he moaned again, "Oh god," and released. Hermione held her hand still as hot liquid pumped out onto his stomach. She knew what was supposed to happen, but had never actually seen it happen, so it was all pretty amazing and certainly new to her. Ron breathed deeply and opened his eyes, and she looked at him and smiled. He reached down and carefully pulled her hand off of him so she wouldn't get messy and put it up to his mouth kissing it and then placed it on his chest. Hermione rested her head on his shoulder. "Wow," he said closing his eyes again and relishing in the moment. "Yeah?" Hermione said as a question. "I was nervous. You know, of course, I've never done that before." "Well you couldn't tell," he said pulling her close to his side with his other arm and kissing the top of her head. "That was amazing." "I'm glad you liked it," she said, and they just lay there holding each other for a few minutes. Finally Ron gently moved Hermione off him and said, "I'll be right back." He excused himself to the bathroom to clean up stopping quickly at of the drawers in his dresser to pull out a fresh pair of pj pants. He smiled at Hermione as he closed the door and leaned back against it. "Did that really just happen?" he thought to himself. He was amazed on so many levels. Of course, at the way it made him feel, but more so that Hermione had really seemed to want to do it and had even somewhat initiated it. She never ceased to amaze him. That was for sure.

*Stay tuned the next installment when Hermione will get some relief. I wanted to explore the beginning of their physical relationship.