Chapter Seven – THE LIBRARY AND AFTER
"Don't you just love the smell?" Hermione asked rhetorically as entered the section of the library that Hermione liked to work in.
"It smells like old books" Ron said.
"I know. It's wonderful, isn't it?" she replied.
Hermione didn't wait for Ron to answer; rather she walked straight over to the window seat in the back corner of the library. The window overlooked much of the campus. From this vantage point, Ron could see most of the faculty buildings, a few of the on-campus residential halls, and, most surprisingly, he could see the Quidditch practice pitch and the match pitch.
"What a view!" Ron stated.
"Still think the library is boring?" Hermione asked.
"This view is amazing. How many times have you sat up here pretending to read, all the while perving on all of us sexy male quidditch players in training?" Ron asked, jokingly.
Before she realised what she was doing, Hermione said "Wouldn't you like to know!" The look on Ron's face was priceless. Hermione was sure he had never looked so shocked in the entire time she had known him. "Now, we didn't come here to admire the view, we're here to work. Now, show me the parchment I was reading before and I'll make some suggestions for improvement."
Ron was much more comfortable with this 'hard work' version of Hermione. It was easier to deal with a Hermione that was all about work than it was to deal with a Hermione that had suggested she might actually be perving on quidditch players.
Hermione began reading. She took out her muggle pencil and began scribbling notes over the parchment. "Nothing too major, just a few things that will take it from being very good to being excellent." She had insisted when Ron looked concerned about the quantity of editing she was doing.
Ron paced up and down while Hermione worked, and he was starting to make her a little nervous. She sent him on a mission to find a book she needed for some work she was planning on doing that night, and Ron welcomed the diversion. He took the piece of parchment that Hermione had written the name of the book and the author on, and headed off to the catalogues to find its location.
Welcome to have the diversion out of sight, Hermione returned her attention to Ron's parchment. It was actually quite a good piece of work, and Hermione was heartened that Ron might actually be turning over a new leaf, proverbially speaking. She continued making notes, trying not to lose the Ron-ness of his writing, while making it a little more formal. Hermione was a little envious of the ease with which she read Ron's work. Her own writing was tedious and quite tiresome to read, and while it was well constructed and generally perfectly researched and referenced, part of Hermione envied the ease with which Ron expressed himself.
"So, how dreadfully dull is it?" Ron asked as he returned and sat down on the seat next to Hermione.
"Actually, I was just thinking what a nice writing style you have. I am a little envious, to be completely honest." Hermione said and a grin the size of which she had never seen the likes of graced Ron's face.
"High praise indeed, coming from you" Ron said. "I got your book" he added handing over the book.
"Thanks Ron. I really appreciate it." Hermione said, taking the book from him and placing it on top of her bag. "Here" she said, handing over the parchment, "I've made a few revisions, but feel free to ignore any or all of them. It should keep you busy and out of trouble for a while."
Ron took the parchment from her saying "Thank you so much, Mione. This means a great deal to me. Would you mind staying with me while I re-write it? That way if I have any questions, I can just ask you rather than having to wait till I get home. Do you have any plans this afternoon?" He asked, gently and calmly.
"No plans at all. I'm more than happy to stay as long as you need me" Hermione replied. "I'll just take out some parchment, and do some work of my own."
Ron and Hermione sat next to one another in that window seat, writing their own individual pieces of work, and Ron occasionally asking Hermione to clarify what she had written all over his parchment.
"Mione, what does this say? I can't quite decipher your writing here." Ron said, as he leaned over a little to put the parchment in front of Hermione. Hermione also leaned in and read from the parchment.
"Oh, that? It just says that you need to use a capital letter there" Hermione said and she glanced up to where she though Ron was sitting.
At that moment, Hermione's lips and Ron's were about an inch apart. It was a moment before either of them realised what had happened, and they both pulled away, their faces in a battle for which could turn redder.
"Thanks" Ron muttered, as he returned to his work. What was that? Ron asked himself. You have a girlfriend, Ron, and she has Declan. Snap out of it. It's Hermione Ron argued with himself.
What was that? Hermione asked herself. He has a girlfriend, and you are certainly not interested in him Hermione's brain tried to reason with her heart. Oh, give it up, Granger, the heart spoke, you know you want him.
Hermione tried to return her attention to the book she was currently reading, and tried to take logical notes of what she was reading. Her gaze drifted unconsciously to Ron. He had showered, she noted. And shaved. Declan's words from earlier that day were racing through her head, and she had to shake her head to try and clear those thoughts from surfacing.
Ron sat there staring at the parchment in front of him. His mind was swimming with what had just happened. He let himself look over at Hermione. She seemed engrossed in her work. That little piece of hair was falling in front of her face. He always loved it when that happened. Ron had to force himself not to look at her. He had to force himself to return to his work.
After what seemed like no time at all, Ron looked over at Hermione and said "Finished".
"Already?" Hermione asked, taking the parchment and reading over it. "I guess you are finished. That was quick." She added when she had finished reading.
"Quick? Do you even know what time it is?" Ron asked, motioning out the window.
The sky was completely pitch black. "It must be at least 6pm" Hermione said.
Ron glanced at his watch and said, "It's after 7pm, actually. We've been working here for over 6 hours. Insane, isn't it."
"Well, time flies in the library" Hermione said, packing up her things and standing.
"I'm starving" Ron declared.
Hermione laughed, knowing Ron always thought with his stomach. "I could eat. But I hope we've got some left-over's at home because I'm in no mood to cook" she said, as she and Ron walked to the counter where she borrowed the book she had been working through.
"How does Pizza sound?" Ron suggested.
"When did you and Harry have pizza? Come to think of it, when have you and Harry EVER had pizza and had left over's?" Hermione said, smiling at Ron.
"We didn't. Let's go to that little muggle wood-fired pizza place down the street. My treat for helping me out." Ron said.
"Normally I'd argue, but wood-fired pizza is wood-fired pizza, and I could never argue with that genius idea" Hermione said.
Ron and Hermione walked through the campus, chatting about the upcoming Quidditch game on Saturday afternoon. "You coming to watch?" Ron asked casually.
"You know I always come and watch you two play. I know I'm not the world's biggest Quidditch fan, but there is no way I'd miss the game. Those coaches from the Premier League teams are coming to the game, aren't they?" Hermione said.
"Sure are. I'm nervous as hell about it, but Harry is cool as a cucumber, so to speak" Ron replied.
"What do you have to be nervous about, Ron? You've been playing really well all season, and you were quite impressive in training this morning. I don't see what you've got to be nervous about." Hermione replied genuinely.
"Thanks, Mione." Ron said, a little blushed over her high praise of him. "I just hope I don't get nervous on the day and mess up."
"I don't think that will happen" Hermione said, "You just have to think about it as any other Quidditch game. You can't let the fact that a few extra people are in the stadium floor you. You're a brilliant player, Ron, so just play."
"You know, you should come and give motivational speeches to the team before we play. I reckon you could make even the most stressed-out players relax" Ron said.
They decided to walk along the streets to the restaurant, rather than hailing a muggle cab. They talked more about Harry and Ginny and what would happen between the two when Ginny came to visit on the weekend of the ball.
"I think that you and I will probably have to find a way to entertain ourselves that weekend. Something tells me that we might not be seeing much of either Harry or Ginny that weekend." Hermione said, half jokingly.
"That's what I'm afraid of. I'm used to lying to Mum and Dad to cover for Fred and George and even occasionally for Percy, but I haven't had to do it so often for Ginny." Ron said.
"I never thought of the position it would put you in. How about this, I promise to get you out of the flat and keep you busy so you don't have to think about it. How does that sound?" Hermione suggested.
"And what exactly are you planning on doing to keep me busy?" Ron asked, suddenly very interested in what Hermione had been proposing.
"Well, you've been on for years about teaching me to fly properly. I know I learned only the very basic skills at Hogwarts, and I would really love to be a better flyer. That way I could join you guys when you play those contests you always have at your parent's place. Would you teach me to fly, Ron?" Hermione said, very abashedly.
"Thought you'd never ask" Ron replied, and he and Hermione continued to walk, Ron giving her advice about which Broomstick to buy, and Hermione glad to see him perked up again.
For a while, at least, it seemed that Ron and Hermione had returned to their comfort zone. Hermione had just started thinking how nice it was when she heard Ron say "So, you're not seeing Declan tonight?"
"I don't see him every night, Ronald." She bit back, sounding bitterer than she intended to.
"You've spent more time with him than with me and Harry lately." Ron said, also allowing a hint of bitterness escape in his voice.
"I see loads of you and Harry. For Merlin's sake, we live together." Hermione snapped back. "You're the one who is off every night with Olivia."
The minute the words escaped her lips, Hermione knew she'd made a mistake in saying that. Ron's face went a deep shade of scarlet in an instant, and his words were like knives stabbing into her.
"Oh, come off it Hermione. At least we're not all over one another in public like you and Declan are." Ron said, instantly wishing he could take it back.
Hermione stopped walking. She looked at Ron and wondered why her friendship with Declan bothered him so much, and why he had chosen that particular moment to use her full name, something he only did when he was very angry.
"Ronald, what are you talking about? Declan and I are hardly all over one another." She said, defensively.
"Then what was yesterday. He had you pinned to the floor and he was kneeling over you with one leg on either side of you. Honestly, Mione, it was like he was trying to fuck you through your clothes." Ron said, and began walking again.
"One day, you'll realise how stupid that is" Hermione said.
"Oh, so I'm stupid now, am I? That's right, clever, brilliant Hermione Granger feels sorry for the stupid idiot Ron Weasley, so she spends hours in the library pouring over the million mistakes he makes in his work." Ron said, and Hermione was sure that this was about to turn into their biggest fight in history.
She ran to catch up with him and, grabbing his shoulder, turned him around to face her. "Ron, I never implied that YOU were stupid. That's not what I meant at all. I was just saying that the idea that Dec was trying to ... to ... FUCK me through my clothing is stupid. Please, we've had such a lovely day, I'd hate to ruin it by starting Ron and Hermione War number 237." Hermione had tears welling up behind her eyes and Ron's heart softened. He hated it when she cried. Hated it even more when he was to blame.
"Sorry, Mione." He whispered.
"You're not stupid, Ron. Far from it." Hermione said, barely audibly.
"I'm sorry for what I said about you and Declan." He offered.
"I'm sorry if it sounded like I was saying you are stupid." Hermione replied.
Ron and Hermione stood there for a few moments, just looking at one another. Wondering if it was about to be classed as staring, Ron turned and began to walk, and was relieved when Hermione fell into step beside him.
"Why do we always do that? Why do we always get into these massive arguments and say things we know will hurt one another?" Ron asked.
Hermione was floored by the questions. She contemplated it for a moment before saying "Because it's what we've always done. I remember in first year when you said that I was a nightmare and that it was no wonder I didn't have any friends. And then I say something about how ridiculous it was that you never read. We've always said things to hurt one another, Ron. Always. For as long as we've known one another."
"Yeah, well, I'm over it" Ron said. "Can we just try being nice to one another?"
"I'm happy to try it if you are." Hermione replied, and snaked her arm through Ron's. "It's about time we grew up in that regard."
They walked the rest of the way to the restaurant in relative calmness. Each appeared to be treading on eggshells to avoid a conflict, but at least they weren't arguing. They arrived at the restaurant before too long, and were seated at a table towards the back. Even though they practically knew the menu by heart, Ron and Hermione both looked over it to see if they were inspired to try something new.
"You know, every time we come here I keep thinking I'll try something new, but I always end up ordering the same thing." Ron said, vocalising what Hermione was thinking.
"I was just thinking that exact thing. Let's try something new, ok? Both of us." She suggested and Ron heartily agreed.
When the waiter came to take their order, Ron and Hermione looked sheepishly at one another.
"You're going to order the usual, aren't you?" Hermione asked.
"No" he replied to her before turning to the waiter and saying "I'll have the Cajun Chicken pizza please."
Hermione was shocked by this bold deviation from Ron's standard Mega Meat pizza. She looked down the menu and said "And I'll have the Chilli Chicken thanks".
They made more small talk when the waiter had left, turning their conversation once again back to Hermione's quidditch lessons. "Are you really serious about it?" Ron asked, not entirely convinced that Hermione was sure what she was in for.
"Deadly serious. I want to be able to fly, and fly well, Ron. I want to fly well enough to play along in a backyard quidditch game. I don't want to be the last person that gets picked when I do play." She replied.
"It'll take more than one weekend. But if you give me one evening a week, by the end of the semester, I'll have you the best flyer you can be." Ron said.
"Done. One night a week I'm all yours." Hermione replied, not realising the implication of what she had said.
Their pizza arrived, and both Ron and Hermione had been rewarded in their brave choice to deviate from that they usually ordered.
"Thith ith thoooo good" Ron said, his mouth full of pizza.
Both Ron and Hermione laughed out loud, and Ron made sure he swallowed the mouthful of pizza before continuing.
"That roughly translates to 'this is so good' just in case you're not fluent in 'pig'." He said, being rewarded with another spout of laughter from Hermione.
"I wouldn't say I was fluent, but living with you and Harry for the past year and a bit has given me a good understanding of the everyday use of the language." She replied.
They finished their pizza and Ron insisted on paying the bill, much to Hermione's chagrin. She had tried to give him some money to cover her part of the meal, but Ron had flatly refused. He looks so cute when he is being chivalrous Hermione thought to herself. She smiled at him, and he looked at her with a puzzled expression on his face.
"What are you smiling about?" he asked as they exited the restaurant.
"Oh, nothing" Hermione lied.
"Fine! Keep your secrets" he replied, and the two decided on catching a cab back to their flat rather than walking.
When they arrived at home, Hermione found a note from Harry saying that he and Ginny were going off to see a movie that night, and that no one should wait up for him. Hermione smiled as she read it.
"Where's Harry?" Ron asked.
"At the cinema with Ginny. He said not to wait up" she replied.
"That'd be right" Ron said.
"Hey, come off it. Those two are having a hard time being apart. They have such limited time free to be together." Hermione tried reasoning with Ron.
"I know, I know. You going to do some work?" Ron asked, expecting Hermione to answer in the affirmative.
"No way. My brain is totally fried. I was thinking of watching a movie or something." Hermione answered. "Want to join me?"
"Who gets to pick the movie?" Ron asked, knowing that they didn't share similar taste in films.
"I'm sure that we can find something we both like. Come on, it'll be fun. We can make some popcorn." Hermione said, knowing the way to break down Ron's defences was to tempt him with food.
"Done." He replied simply, and they stood in front of the cabinet that held all of their muggle videos.
"What about this one?" Ron suggested.
"Die Hard? I don't think so." Hermione replied. "What about this?"
"Elizabeth? No." He answered. "This is why we don't watch movies together, Mione. What about this one, then?" Ron said holding up Shakespeare In Love
"Ron, do you know ANYTHING about that film?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, it's got Gwyneth Paltrow in it. That's enough for me" he replied, smiling devilishly.
"Ronald, be serious." Hermione replied, laughing at her friend.
"I am being serious. Come on, let's watch this. It's a girl movie, so you should be happy." Ron said.
"Well, it has got Ben Affleck, Joseph Fiennes, and Colin Firth in it, so it earns high grades on the eye-candy rating. Ok, put it on. I'll get the popcorn." Hermione replied, heading towards to kitchen.
"Get something to drink, too" Ron called out to the kitchen.
Hermione returned a few moments later carrying a huge bowl of popcorn, and a bottle of pumpkin juice with two glasses. She poured two glasses and then uttered an incantation that kept the bottle cold while they watched the movie. Hermione took her place on the couch next to Ron while he grabbed the popcorn and placed it between them.
Ron pressed play on the remote control, and the two friends sat back to enjoy the film. Hermione stole glances at Ron just to make sure he's enjoying the film she reasoned with herself. He seemed to be enjoying it, much to Hermione's disbelief.
Hermione reached into the bowl to grab some popcorn at the very same time Ron was doing the very same thing. Their hands touched and for a moment they both froze. One inch to the left and you'll be holding her hand Ron thought to himself, just one inch. Hermione's head was racing, but she composed herself, and moved her hand away.
"Sorry" she whispered, suddenly self-conscious.
"It's ok" Ron replied, just as embarrassed as Hermione was.
She tried to turn her attention back to the film, but for some reason she just couldn't concentrate. She became listless, and had to move from her seat. She grabbed two cushions, and was about to lie down on the floor when Ron spoke "Everything alright, Mione?" he asked, calmly.
"Yeah, just getting a bit tired, that's all. I was just going to lie down for a bit" she answered, hoping rather than believing that Ron would buy the excuse.
Ron moved the close-to-empty bowl of popcorn, and took the cushions from Hermione's hands. She was about to protest when she realised what he was doing. Ron had moved to the end of the couch, and had placed the cushions up against his leg. "This will be much more comfortable than the floor" he said, the beginnings of a blush threatening to cover his face.
"Thank you" Hermione said, and kicked off her shoes before lying down on the couch with her head on the pillows by Ron's lap.
Ron stretched his arm along the back of the couch, and that is how they stayed for the remainder of the film. At one point, Hermione had arched her back a little, and adjusted to get more comfortable, and it took everything Ron had not to reach out and touch her.
What is happening here? Ron asked himself. This is HERMIONE. And then it dawned on him. It had ALWAYS been Hermione. From the time he was about 14 years old, she had been the only one he truly wanted. He looked down at her. She looked so peaceful, almost so much so that he feared she would fall asleep at any moment.
"Are you sure you're comfortable, Ron?" she asked, sincerely concerned that she might be making him rather uncomfortable.
"I'm fine, Mione. You ok?" Ron asked.
"A little cold, but I'll be alright." Hermione replied, shivering a little and curling up into what almost resembled a ball.
Ron pulled out his wand and summoned a blanket. He lay it over Hermione, and left his arm draped over her.
"That better?" He asked, nervously awaiting her response.
"Perfect" Hermione replied as she allowed her hand to rest on top of his.
Just do it the voice in Hermione's head was yelling. Entwine your fingers in his, and hold his hand already. But logical Hermione reminded herself He has a girlfriend. And you have NO business holding hands with Ron Weasley. None at all. Then the voice became clear once again: Then why does it seem like the right thing to do?
At the end of the film, Ron looked down and noticed that Hermione had, in fact, fallen asleep.
"Mione? The film is over, and you need to wake up so you can go to bed. Mione?" Ron spoke gently.
Hermione stirred a little, and Ron moved his arm from around her. He lifted her up into a seated position before continuing to speak "Mione? Come on, wake up sleepy head."
Hermione's eyes fluttered open. "What happened?" she asked.
"You fell asleep. Are you ok?" he replied, gently.
"Sorry. How long ..." Hermione yawned before continuing, "How long was I out for?"
"Only about 15 minutes or so. Come on let's get you up to bed. You look exhausted." Ron said, helping Hermione up off the couch.
He walked her up to her room before returning downstairs to turn off the TV and video, and to clean up the remnants of the pumpkin juice and popcorn. Smiling to himself for a reason he couldn't understand, Ron switched off the lights and made his way up to his own bed where he surrendered to sleep.