AN: Welcome to chapter two! And I do not own the red-haired boy or bushy haired girl featured in this story. And contrary to what it might seem, this is NOT a rape story.

Chapter Two – More than friends (finally)

HPOV

A couple of months after the war had ended and all the funerals were finally completed, I sent Ron an owl asking him on a date. He had gotten an apartment after the war since he (well all of the 'heroes') received a sizeable amount of gold from the Ministry as a thank you. I wore a nicely fitted blouse and a skirt that went to my knees. I was aiming for girly but not overtly sexual. I knocked politely on his door. He answered the door wearing a t-shirt and jeans.

"Hermione!" He pulled me in and gave me a huge hug and a light kiss on the cheek.

"Hey, Ron." I returned his kiss on the cheek and sat down next to him on the sofa.

He began to run his fingers along my shoulders and back. I leaned closer to him and laid my head against his shoulder.

"So, how have things been with you and your parents, Hermione?"

"Pretty good. How is the new apartment?"

"I love it here. I have so much space and the whole thing all to myself. It's fabulous."

"It seems nice. It's nice to see you again." He had continued rubbing my shoulders and neck while we chatted a little longer, his other hand began to stray to my leg and he began to rub my knee. I was confused as to what was going on but I tried to keep my focus on the conversation at hand.

"So what are you going to do now that the war is over?"

"Well, I was thinking about going out for a Quidditch team. I really miss playing, you know? What about you?"

"I was thinking about maybe going back to Hogwarts to finish my NEWTS or maybe head for the ministry."

"That's wonderful, Hermione." He flashed me a hundred watt smile and I smiled back shyly. I glanced down to the hand that was rubbing my leg and happened to glance towards the zipper area of his jeans. I could see an odd bulge there, the kind that I was quite familiar with.

Suddenly, I felt the hand on my shoulder push me down against the couch and Ron's body covering mine. His lips met mine in what he thought of as passion. He kissed roughly, and with way too much tongue for my taste. I tried to push him off but he held me down tighter. I finally managed to push him off and gasped for air, wiping my mouth.

"What in Merlin was that, Ron?"

"I was kissing you, Hermione, didn't you enjoy it?"

"Not particularly." His face fell and I decided I should try to fix this since I did care deeply for Ron. "I mean generally a first kiss with a girl is soft and sweet."

"Oh…so you mean something more like this?"

He began to kiss me in a much nicer and calmer fashion. I actually began to enjoy the kiss until I felt his hand snaking up my skirt.

"Ronald!"

"What now, Hermione?"

"You don't try to feel up a girl's skirt on the first date!"

"It's hardly been just one date. I mean we've been friends for years and we travelled the country without anyone but us and Harry…"

"That doesn't give you the right to start trying to cop a feel!"

"You are so overdramatic, Hermione. I just wanted to make you smile. I know those have been rare for you since the war ended."

"Well, the reason behind the gesture is kind, I suppose…but there are better ways to make me smile…like flowers."

"I can't believe you, Hermione. How can you not want to be with me? Haven't you felt the sexual tension between us for these past few years?"

"Ron, I'm not ready…I just witnessed hundreds of people dying…I'm hardly thinking about sex…unlike you apparently."

"No. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have tried to push you. I'll wait. How about we have a proper date?"

"I'd like that, next week?"

"Absolutely…see you then."