A.N. I reread the last chapter, and there were a few grammar mistakes I would like to apologise for. I'll try to do better in this chapter. Also, it was mentioned in a review or two that the previous chapter was a little dirty. Admittedly, it did have Hermione and Ron alone in his bedroom (in the dream) but all they did was kiss. I don't think the rating needs to go up yet, as they're both still very much in denial about the other's feelings for them.
A.N.2. Reached 199 reviews! That means this chapter should give me my 200th review. Here's that doubly long chapter to say thank to all the people who review this story. Cookies for all!
Disclaimer: Not yet. ;-)
'Seriously, 'Mione, where the Hell are we going?' asked a bewildered Ron as she led him through corridor after corridor, eventually emerging outside. 'Don't swear, Ron' she said absentmindedly. They began to approach the Forbidden Forest. Ron stopped dead. 'No' he said, shaking his head. 'No way. I'm not talking to any of Hagrid's friends unless you're petrified again, and as you're obviously not, you can forget it'. Hermione smiled. 'We're not going that far. Come on' she led him to Hagrid's hut, which was dark.
'He's in France' she explained 'I promised to look in on Fang at least once or twice. He won't mind if we borrow the place for a night, and in these temperatures you can bet a mummy's boy like Malfoy won't come out here.' She flicked her wand at the lock which clunked open with an 'Alohamora'. Ron looked at her admiringly as she pushed it open, being immediately slobbered on by Fang. Hermione laughed and pushed him off.
Ron glanced around. 'Should I light a fire?' Hermione raised an unbelieving eyebrow. 'Yeah, ok, you light the fire. I'll see what he's got to eat' he said and Hermione rolled her eyes. 'We ate just a few hours ago' she complained. Ron nodded 'Yup' he agreed 'That's why it's time to eat'. Hermione sighed and flicked her wand at the fireplace as Ron rummaged around in Hagrid's cupboards. 'Let's see…chocolate, oysters, bananas, wine…what IS all this stuff?' he asked, confused. Hermione blushed and shut the cupboard doors, ignoring Ron's protests. 'It's too late to eat' she ad-libbed 'Let's just go to bed, ok?'.
Ron shrugged and clambered onto the oversized bed, pulling Hermione (with some difficulty) up behind him. 'Lucky we're already in our jim-jams, eh?' said Ron cheerily, trying desperately to ignore the fact that he was once again sharing a bed with Hermione, and due to this his breath was fairly shallow. 'Mm' she mumbled, snuggling down into the bed, her legs slightly entwined with his smaller smooth ones.
Hermione's breath was hot against his neck, raising the hairs on it. He shivered. Hermione draped an arm over him, wrongly assuming he was cold. 'The fire will make it warmer soon enough, Ron. Sweet dreams'. He could practically hear her smirk. He blushed, and drifted off to sleep, comforted by her strong presence next to the curve of his back.
They awoke rather rudely with Fang fast asleep across them, drooling. There was someone battering the wooden door, yelling. Ron groaned and clamped his eyes shut, tired. 'Ron?' Hermione asked. 'Yeah, 'Mione?' he replied. 'I think someone might be at the door' she said, rolling over to go back to sleep. Ron rolled his closed eyes. Apparently it was his job to get rid of them. He tried to push the sleeping Fang off him, but failed to shift him. 'I can't get Fang off us, Hermione' he complained.
Hermione sighed. 'I can't sleep with that racket going on, and it's only' she glanced at her watch 'Five thirty. If I shove him off, will you see who it is?'. Ron muttered approval, so Hermione sat up, lifted Fang bodily from the bed, plonked him on the floor and crawled back into the giant bed. Ron slid reluctantly from the bed, which was lovely and warm, out into the hut which was by now absolutely freezing. He padded, in his pyjamas, over to the door and opened it, stifling a yawn.
Then he slammed it shut again and made a noise similar to 'Arghhhhh…um, 'Mione?'. 'Who is it, Ron?' she asked, snuggling happily under the duvet. 'Well, let me put it this way, uh, what would you say if, completely hypothetically of course, McGonnagal were waiting outside, possibly wondering why we're not in our beds, but in Hagrid's bed together, particularly as she seems to have heard those rumours about us dating?'. Hermione turned white.
'Glarghhh…I mean, oh god, oh god, oh god. I'm ruined. I was going for head girl, we'll both lose our prefect badges, everyone'll think…well, you know' she blushed. Ron gulped and took a deep breath. ''Mione, blame it on yourself' He ordered. Hermione looked furious 'Ronald Weasley, that is THE most selfish thing I've ever heard! How dare you try to get out of this, and blame it all on me! You just don't care about me, do you? I thought we were supposed to be friends, but apparently that was just on my side! You're a really horrible person at times, you know!' she scolded.
Ron waited patiently. 'Are you done?' he asked quietly. She deflated slightly 'I suppose so. Why?'. Ron smiled slightly 'You're in my body. When I said blame yourself, I meant I'll take the blame. Don't want to spoil that reputation of yours more than necessary, now, do we?'. Hermione stared at the floor, embarrassed. She should have known he would do something like that for her. 'And just what shall I say?' she asked.
Ron shrugged. 'You're the clever one, 'Mione' he said. Hermione frowned at him. 'Don't put yourself down like that' she ordered 'I suppose we could, ahm, be economical with the truth. We tell her we came down here to check on Fang, and fell asleep. No lies, we just fail to tell her we had the express intention of sleeping down here. That way, even if she insists we take veritaserum, we don't get in trouble'. 'Brilliant, 'Mione' he said 'That'll do perfectly'.
Hermione took a deep breath and opened the door to an even more furious Professor McGonnagal. 'Mister Weasley, you had better have a good explanation for being out of your dorms last night!' she fumed. Hermione proceeded to tell her the story they had just come up with. She seemed to be slightly pacified, but still disapproving. 'Well, I expected better of you, Miss Granger. This was extremely foolish of you. Had it been Professor Snape who found you, the pair of you would lose your badges. As it is, I am issuing you with a severe reprimand. If I find out that you lead Miss Granger astray again, Mister Weasley, I shall tell your mother'.
She stalked away, leaving Ron bright red and Hermione giggling quietly. 'Lead you astray?' he asked incredulously. 'Better watch out, Ron, we don't want your mum finding out what a bad influence you are on me' she smirked. Ron grinned. 'Ah, well, Miss Granger, I seem to have a slightly different recollection on the previous night's events. As far as I can remember, it was you who suggested we sleep here. What do you say to that, Miss Granger?'
Hermione shook her head ruefully. 'I know, I know. What a shame, though, that no-one would ever believe it'. Ron raised an eyebrow 'Yeah. My only comfort is that now everyone thinks I've done it once, they won't mind me…leading you astray again'. 'Oh, yes?' asked Hermione 'Well, I look forward to it. Come on, we'd better go and get dressed, we're catching the train in a few hours'.
They made their way in silence up to the castle. It was still very early, so there were very few people about. Those that were up gave them an odd look or two as they entered the castle in their pyjamas, but they glared defiantly on their way up to Gryffindor.
Luckily none of the players from last night were awake. They paused by the stairs to the dorms. 'What do we do for the next few hours? Apart from breakfast, there's nothing to do until the train leaves' asked Hermione. Ron shrugged. 'I suppose you've packed, then' he said. Hermione stared. 'You haven't?' she asked, horrified. 'Nah, I guessed I'd just chuck everything into my trunk before we leave'. Hermione scowled. 'Not on my watch' she said sternly, dragging him up to the boy's dorm.
Ron pushed the door open. 'Ugh' said Hermione, wrinkling her nose 'Are they always like this?'. Ron glanced around his dorm. Neville was asleep, drooling all over his pillow. Seamus was half-wrapped in his sheets, thrashing roughly and muttering what sounded like 'No, Lavender, I swear, I wasn't looking at her, please, no, Lavender, put the wand down…' Ron and Hermione exchanged glances. Dean was slumped on the floor next to Seamus' bed, wearing only his boxers and a worrying grin.
'Pretty much' he sighed. 'Can I still stay with you after we've switched back?'. Hermione smiled 'I'll see what I can do, but shouldn't you be worrying about something else?'. Ron looked blank. Hermione rolled her eyes 'Look around the room again'. Ron did so, somewhat reluctantly. 'Well? They're gross, but I'm not too bothered.' Hermione bit her lip. 'Harry's not here'. Ron looked furious. 'That's it, I don't care if he IS the only one who can defeat You-Know-Who, I'm gonna kill him'.
Hermione flicked her wand at Ron's trunk, and all his stuff piled in neatly, locking with a quiet click. Then she followed him as he raced down the boys' dorms stairs and up the girls'. Ron was battering on Ginny's dorm door. 'Harry James Potter, you come out here and die like a man!' he bellowed. Hermione pulled him away, livid. 'Do you want them to know?' she hissed 'Do you want your brothers to ridicule you for the rest of eternity?' Ron drew his arm away from her. 'I don't care' he replied 'If he's in there with my little sister, my brothers won't care who's body I'm in when I kill Harry'.
Hermione's brows creased. 'Please, Ron. If not for yourself, for me. I don't want Malfoy to kill me, not yet. I'll sort out Harry, just leave it to me' she pleaded. Ron stared at the wall, struggling with himself. 'Fine' he said, defeated 'Just make sure you beat him to an unrecognisable pulp'. Hermione smiled at him 'Thanks Ron. And I'm not going to beat Harry up'. Ron was about to protest when a nervously-grinning Ginny appeared in the crack of the door.
'What was that, Ron?' she addressed Hermione, chuckling worriedly 'Harry's not here, he's in the boys' dorm. I learnt my lesson last time, you don't need to check up on us'. She clenched her eyes shut, realising her mistake. 'Us, Gin?' asked Hermione, amused but trying not to show it. Harry groaned from behind the door. 'Right then. You'd better let us in then , Harry' Hermione smirked, Ron biting his lip to prevent himself beating Harry to within an inch of his life behind her.
Reluctantly, Ginny stepped back to let them enter. Hermione smiled when she saw the couple looking down guiltily at their shuffling feet. Ron shoved the door wide enough to let him in too, and almost whooped with joy. Harry was no longer in his pyjamas from last night, but in clean jeans and a sweatshirt. He'd obviously gone separately to bed last night, and come to Ginny's room in the morning. Hermione noticed his grin, recognising what he had realised, and squeezed his hand, pleased for him.
Unfortunately, while Harry was busy celebrating Ron not pushing him off the astronomy tower for being in his baby sister's room, Ginny's sharp eyes saw the contact between the two. 'Hmm. I wonder how my big brother can come in reprimanding me, when none of us know where he and his girlfriend' (Ron and Hermione blushed) 'Were last night. All we know is, both of them are still in their PJ's' she snorted. Ron and Hermione looked at each other. They had indeed forgotten to get dressed yet. Harry shook his head reprovingly.
'Honestly, you two. What WOULD your mother say, Ron? I dare say we'll find out, though, when we go home this afternoon' he grinned. Ginny looked unconvinced 'I'm not sure she'd be too upset, actually, my boy-who-lo' she coughed, embarrassed 'Harry. I mean, I've got six brothers, five of whom have inherited the Weasley charm, and she's gotten used to the idea that they're going to use it. She'll just be glad that one of them was clever enough to pick a girl sensible enough not to let it get to her too much'. 'Shame I'm a slave to it' laughed Harry, wrapping an arm fondly around Ginny's waist.
Ron looked disgusted. Hermione noticed, rolled her eyes, and churned out a Ron-like response 'Urgh, mate, I mean I know we're close and everything, but I just don't swing that way. It was bad enough when you were all lovey-dovey with my sister, but this…' she said, trying to sound like Ron looked. Harry thumped her teasingly on the arm. 'I WAS talking about Ginny, you dolt. She's a Weasley too, remember?' he reminded Hermione, who had to copy Ron's relieved but red expression. 'Oh yeah' she mumbled, silently laughing to herself.
'Go on, the pair of you, get dressed, you're setting a bad example' said Ginny, smirking. Mollified, Ron and Hermione up to the girls' dorm. Parvati was probably in the bath, as they could hear splashing noises from the bathroom, and Lavender was still snoozing, pretentiously wearing a sleep mask which said 'I don't need my beauty sleep'. The effect of her long blonde hair spread around her head on the pillow like a halo and gentle, peaceful expression were somewhat ruined by the fact she snored like she was cutting logs.
Ron stared at her in distaste. 'Is she always like this?' he whispered to Hermione, who nodded 'Never seen her first thing in a morning?' she asked. Ron shook his head angrily. ''Mione, you know I haven't. Stop saying things like that, I've said I was sorry for the whole business'. Hermione didn't reply, just opened her trunk and began taking out clothes for Ron to wear that day. She helped Ron on with them in total silence, apart from the roar emitting from Lavender's nose. 'Say something, 'Mione, you're scaring me' said Ron worriedly. Hermione smiled 'Sorry, Ron, I was just thinking'.
Ron grinned 'Nothing new there. What about?'. Hermione looked at him as he pulled a sweatshirt over his head. 'You'. Ron wrenched his head through the neck hole. 'Really?' he asked, suppressing a smirk. Hermione wasn't done 'And her' she said, gesturing to sleeping beauty. Ron's smirk slipped 'Oh. What are you thinking about us?' Hermione glared. 'I mean, um, Lavender and I?' he corrected himself. She sighed 'I was thinking about last night. That spell. I understand perfectly why you were so embarrassed, Ron, and I don't blame you. It's natural, even expected to have dreams about friends of the opposite gender, it often happens with people our age. It's not often it happens in front of one's ex, though. I'm sorry you had to go through that'.
Ron shrugged. 'Don't care. Maybe she'll stop harassing me after this, if she thinks I'm really with you. After all, if I was, she should know she wouldn't have a chance if I were'. Hermione smiled sadly 'Maybe'. She tiptoed out of the room, Ron following, and was just beyond the door when a high squeal came from behind them. Ron froze, knowing he was in full view of the dorm girls. 'Hermy! Where were you last night? Wake up, Lav, it's Herms!' twittered Parvati, who was coming out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel. At the sound of her best friend's voice, Lavender snorted violently and woke up, bounding out of bed, her eyes glittering cheekily.
Ron glanced through the crack of the door at Hermione, who shrugged and slipped away. Ron desperately tried to follow, but was caught by Parvati. Hermione was long gone. 'Herm, where were you last night? Was Ronniekins upset with you because you're even controlling in your dreams?' asked Lavender, pseudo-sympathetically. Ron gritted his teeth at this jab at Hermione, but didn't say anything, in case he accidentally shouted at her. Parvati wanted her say too 'Well, Lav, he couldn't have been too upset, because I saw them first thing this morning coming up from Hagrid's hut together. They looked pretty cosy' Ron blushed, but grinned at Lavender victoriously.
To his surprise, Lavender didn't scream in anger, or slap him, or yell at her friend. She beamed at him. 'Oh, my darling Hermy!' she cooed (Ron bit his lip when she said the nickname) 'So you finally got up the courage. That was your first time, wasn't it? You know, if you're telling the truth about Malfoy, Snape, Victor Krum' Ron went an odd shade of red, but Lavender wasn't finished 'McLaggen, Harry and that Sam guy. Now, I know you are with Harry, because that little redhead of his is frankly dangerous if anyone so much as goes near him' Parvati nodded feverishly in agreement 'And I know Slytherins aren't your thing for some reason. It's a bit touch and go with McLaggen, because he's so grabby, and I can't see why anyone would turn down an international Quidditch star, but you're weird like that. Apart from them and this Sam guy you talk so much about, Ron's the only possibility!' she said excitedly.
Ron was speechless. To think Hermione was giving him the hard time. 'So, Hermy, how was it? I remember my first time like it was yesterday' she sighed nostalgically 'If only I could remember who it was. Anyway, this is about you. Tell us everything!' Lavender and Parvati had bundled a furious Ron onto one of the beds and were sitting cross-legged, waiting for the story. Ron managed to croak out a 'There's really nothing to tell' but they weren't having any of it. 'Now, now, now, Herms, we're not letting you go until you spill, you ought to know that by now' reprimanded Parvati. Lavender nodded 'That's right. Now, was he rough, or sweet? He was always the rough and ready type with me' she winked nastily 'Where is he, by the way? Aww, Hermie, he hasn't dumped you, has he?' Ron was close to boiling point. How DARE she suggest he'd do that to Hermione? And do THAT with HER?
Lavender had obviously decided that was what was up with 'Hermione'. 'Oh, darling, it's only to be expected really' she comforted, rubbing her hand up and down Ron's back 'You just can't expect to compare with someone like me, who has experience. I shouldn't have had him first; he'd never want you after he had me. I'm so sorry, Herm. At least you've got some spares to fall back on. Try Krum, he's always seemed a bit desperate to get you back. Leave to tough ones to me. Ron was probably just a bit too…untamed for someone like you to handle'. Ron exploded. She was making him sound like some kind of wild animal! Realisation hit him. That's what she was intending, to scare Hermione away from him.
Shame she didn't know it actually was Ron. 'Lavender' he hissed 'I know that not one word that comes out of your pretty, poisonous little mouth is true. You never had him. He's nothing like you make him out to be. If he was a bit on the over-enthusiastic side with you, that's only because he never cared about you. We didn't sleep together, if you must know, but if we ever did, I know he'd be the most gentle guy in the world because to him, I'm not just a body, I'm a person. And if you don't leave us the hell alone, I'm going to curse you in your sleep. Don't judge all of us by your standards, you slag'. Lavender was going to screech a reply, but Ron just stalked out before she could say anything, slamming the door behind him.
He eventually found Hermione coming down from the boy's dorm, where she'd gotten dressed. She looked vaguely sickened. 'Your roommates wanted details from last night' she told him 'Apparently they always thought that as I'm the repressed intelligent type, I'd be great. Sort of flattering, really, in a twisted kind of way' she said cheerfully. Then she noticed his expression. 'What did they do to you?' she asked, concerned, leading Ron over to a couch so he could sit and tell her. 'Lavender. Asking about last night' Hermione looked sympathetic 'Well, it was no more than I would expect from those two gossip queens' she sighed. Ron shook his head. 'This was worse. Lavender seemed to think we'd, um, you know, last night. She kept saying what a brute I was when I was with her and stuff.' Hermione nodded, having heard all this off Lavender before. 'Don't call me crazy, 'Mione, but I think she was trying to scare you' he mumbled, embarrassed.
Hermione laughed loudly. 'She thinks she can make me scared of you? Does the girl not know that I've spent all but about two weeks a year with you since first year? That I've slept in the room next to yours, and with you a few times over the past few days? I couldn't be scared of you if I tried. You're just a big softy, what could you ever do to me?'. Ron breathed a breath he hadn't realised he had been holding, relieved. A devious look passed across his features. 'Well, 'Mione, I know in our proper bodies I know most of your ticklish spots, but I know ALL my own. So…' he leapt on Hermione, mercilessly wiggling his fingers up and down her sides where he knew he had a particular weakness.
'Honestly, and they call us bed!' laughed a familiar voice from behind them. Harry and Ginny were standing with very amused expressions on their faces, and trunks by their feet. 'I nipped up to get yours, Ron, and Gin collected yours, Herm. First time I think Ron's ever packed before the train leaves. You must finally be having some influence on him! Come on, let's grab some breakfast and get to the train, it leaves in an hour' said Harry, gesturing towards the four big cases. Gratefully, Ron and Hermione levitated their adopted trunks out of the portrait hole, and headed down to the Great Hall.
The four ate in companionable contentedness, chatting idly about Christmas and the forthcoming holiday. Ron and Hermione lagged behind after most of the other students had finished eating, because Ron was still cramming as much food into his mouth as humanly possible. Hermione sighed 'It's not as if your mum doesn't cook brilliant food at home, Ron, I don't see why you've got to eat so much. Particularly while you're in my body'. Ron tried to talk, but Hermione turned her head and refused to listen to his explanation until he had finished the mouthful he was eating. Ron swallowed, and said 'It's a four hour train journey, 'Mione, and what if the sweet cart got left behind, or someone ate everything off it before I could get to it, or…'. Hermione rolled her eyes 'Come on, we're leaving. If you don't hurry up, we'll be sharing a compartment with strangers.'
The two hurried with their trunks and struggled onto the already steaming train, and began looking for Harry and Ginny. Just as Hermione had predicted, most of the compartments were full. They just had to hope that the Chosen One and his girlfriend had managed to get one they could share. Panting, Ron wrenched his heavy trunk behind him, deeply regretting how comparably weak he was now. Hermione was pulling hers along with ease a little way behind her. Ron was glaring at her as she smirked cheerfully at him, happy not having to struggle. Understandably, this meant that Ron didn't notice the figure in front of him until he had smacked headlong into them, knocking them onto a heap on the floor.
A.N. There you go, nice and long and fairly fast. Aren't you lucky?
Who did Ron fall over? Will they be angry? Will they EVER tell Harry and Ginny about the switch? Will you review?