Please please please review!
Also a question…is it time for another Harry chapter. He's got a lot of stuff going on here too. Or stick to Ron & Hermione?
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"We won! We fucking won!" The team had just arrived into the common room to a massive cheer. There he was moving through the crowd towards her, getting patted on the back, head, arm anywhere the Gryffindor students could reach. He was coming to her. Her tummy fluttered with the thought that she was the person he wanted to see most.
She ignored a horrible little voice that said '…only because Harry's in detention, what do you know about Quidditch!?'. That little jab Ginny made a few days ago still nagging at her. No, she wasn't going to listen to any self-depreciating negative thoughts tonight. She was going to accept any and all attention he bestowed upon her without fear or worry. They were best friends for Merlin's sake…of course he wanted to celebrate with her.
"Language Ronald" she giggled teasingly. Honestly that filthy mouth of his! There would be no containing him tonight she thought.
"Congratulations! You were amazing!" She shouted over the noise and absentmindedly reached out to hug him. It was an abrupt and short sort of hug, she'd kind of forgot herself before remembering they didn't do public displays of affection…despite how touchy they'd become when they found moments alone together.
There was nothing, absolutely nothing more attractive in Ron than in moments like this when he exuded confidence. He was happy and relaxed, the life and soul of the party. Buoyed by random outbursts of 'Weasley is our King'. Every time their eyes met, which was happening unusually often, he had that stupid sexy grin on his face and it reduced her to giggles. There was actually a pinching pain in her cheeks from laughing and smiling. His excitement was infectious and she couldn't resist.
He also looked absolutely gorgeous. His naturally pale skin was flushed with enthusiasm. His hair running rogue, windswept off his face from speeding on his broom. Hermione would never admit it to anyone but she'd fantasied about him in his Quidditch uniform on more than a few occasions and was thrilled to see the team return to the tower still wearing their colours. She'd be more than content to sit and watch him all evening from afar, his tall and muscular frame reminded her of the massage she'd given him and she flushed replying that evening. Gods get a grip!
A few hours into the party she heard the cheers and knew Harry must have finally arrived. She watched his dumbfounded expression as he took in the news of the big win. He couldn't hide his expression of shock quick enough from her but she hoped Ron hadn't noticed. She knew Harry expected Gryffindor to remain at the bottom of the rankings. She smiled watching Ron show off the cup and Harry's expression morph from disbelief into happiness. Merlin love him, he'd probably had a horrible day with Snape in the dungeons, she must ask him about that later or maybe tomorrow. Tonight was for celebrating and she was glad he'd finally been able to join the party.
Then she blinked and all of a sudden Ginny was on Harry…kissing him…kissing him ferociously. Oh God's Ginny…was this really the moment?! Couldn't you have found a nice quiet empty classroom? Why did you have to do it in front of Ron? Right in his face. You literally interrupted a conversation between the two boys.
Hermione had seen it coming, of course she had. Maybe not in this brazen manner but she knew these two fancied one another. She'd known it before Harry had. And to be honest she was all for it. She thought Harry and Ginny would make a great couple. Ginny had grown into a confident young woman, she would bring fire and energy and into Harry's life. The boy who's been subsumed by the path trust upon, made famous for horrific tragedies, had so much loss already could do with her positivity and passion. Especially now after learning of the horcruxes he must attend to.
Ginny had been gossiping about boys for a year or two. Hermione an avid listener in these conversations as there was no possibility she would share her love interest with the younger girl. She'd heard all about Michael Corner and then Dean Thomas and recently Harry Potter. Hermione's interests had never wavered from Ron but she could never trust Ginny with that information. She would likely take it upon herself to tell him or let it accidently slip during their frequent arguments. Her instincts had obviously been right given what she'd recently learned about Ginny telling Ron she'd been snogging Victor Krum. No…she could never tell anyone about her feelings towards her red headed best friend. She could barely admit them to herself. She feared his rejection, ruination of their friendship, awkwardness or Gods forbid he actually felt the same way but only acted because his little sister told him too! Since 4th year, since the moment she'd heard about the Yule Ball she'd been willing Ron to realise he wanted her and act on it. She wanted him to come to her and it must be because he wanted to.
Hermione along with everyone else in the common room looked between the kissing couple and Ron. He was just standing there, open mouthed just gawking at them as if under a Petrificus Totalus spell. Even from across the room Hermione could see his knuckles whitening as a fist clenched tighter and tighter. At least he's not holding his wand she thought. Merlin what is going through his brain, this could be bad, very bad, she needed to get to him.
Her movement seemed to break the tension in the room and trigger ear splitting wolf whistles. She battled her way through the crowd but paused when she saw the kissing had stopped. Her two best friends were locked in an intense glare. She knew Harry wouldn't pursue a relationship with Ginny unless Ron was ok with it. But springing it on him, like this, was not the way to go about it. Of course Ginny wouldn't care what her overprotective big brother thought but this was bigger than her. Harry wouldn't give up Ron to be with her. Hermione was sure of it.
She expected Ron to blow up. To yell, shout, draw his wand. Harry wouldn't retaliate but Ginny would and this could be disastrous. She observed their faces, Ron looked confused, shocked and appalled. Harry also looked confused but there was an apology there mixed with eagerness. She raised her own wand ready to cast a shield spell if required and continued to move towards Ron.
Thankfully Harry had the sense to drag Ginny out of the common room. Off no doubt for hours of snogging and finally telling one another how they felt. Hermione was embarrassed to admit that she felt jealous. She wished she'd half the courage Ginny had just displayed. Why was she stuck in this awkward friendship/non relationship situation with Ron? Maybe if she just grabbed him and snogged his face she'd finally get an answer. Memories of him and Lav-Lav lip locked flooded her brain but she shook them off in disgust. She knew the reason she didn't of course, she'd too much to lose. Her and Ron were just too good of friends.
Hermione grabbed his hand and gently tugged him towards their seats on the sofa. He was tense but responded to her.
"Bloody fuck" he stated. Fair statement she thought.
"Ron, are you ok?" she asked nervous. She felt like she was sitting beside a snargaluff pod which she needed to handle extremely carefully.
"What the fuck just happened Hermione?"
"I'm not sure really, I think they got caught up in the moment."
"Caught up in the moment…" he looked bewildered.
"Yeah you know how it is, the excitement after a big win. A beautiful girl throws herself at you…you get caught up in the moment. Didn't…didn't it happen to yourself after the Slytherin match?"
STOP talking Hermione! What in Merlin was wrong with her! Why did she just say that?
"Right…yeah…it happens. Look how that turned out." he mumbled.
She smiled apologetically at him.
"Ron"
"Yeah" He was running a hand through his hair distracted. She felt for him, she really did. What could she say to make this better?
"A few minutes ago you were having the time of your life. Don't let whatever this is between Harry and Ginny ruin it for you. I think in time you'll feel happy about it but let them figure it out first and then you can decide what to make of it."
"You think that was their first kiss?" He asked nervously.
"Yeah I do." She answered realising he was worried he'd been kept out of some great secret.
"So it's not been going on behind my back for ages?"
"No. Definitely not." She told him firmly and waited for his reply, she could almost hear the cogs of his brain turning. He had a tenancy to fixate on stuff like this to the detriment of his own happiness. Hermione knew this all too well, it was only about six months ago that he'd got into a right huff with her over the Krum non snogging incident. This was one of his least fanciable traits, but it was only because he cared so deeply.
"You know what. I like your logic. How do you do that? Make all these things sound so simple? Now where were we?" He grinned at her.
Huh? She wasn't expecting it to be that easy. She'd been waiting for detonation or at the very least expected him to pelt out of the portrait to find and confront them. But if he was willing to set it aside for the rest of the evening she'd take it, happily. She wanted more of fun Ron. She didn't want him to slip into a mood. Confused as hell she decided to change the subject as quickly as possible.
"Well I was worrying about how many shots of firewhisky you'd had and was plotting an intervention." she giggled. That had actually been true, maybe the alcohol was why he was appearing so amenable.
"Oh yes…well I think it's your turn."
"My turn for what?" She eyed him suspiciously, what is he getting at?
"For a shot…Oi Seamus give us that cup over and the firewhisky."
"Oh no no no…Ron I can't. Only the team drinks from the cup. That's the rules." She felt panic rise from her gut. She wouldn't do it. She was a prefect…so was he but that's neither here nor there. She simply wouldn't do it.
"Bullshit. I'm on the team and I declare you must drink from the cup! Without our conversation last night Gryffindor wouldn't have it right now. It's as much yours as it is mine."
Well that is rather sweet she thought…but still it's got to be a no. A wee butterbeer was one thing but spirits…out of the cup…which everyone on the team had drunk from…it wasn't hygienic. She opened her mouth to protest further but Ron hopped up onto the sofa and shouted out to the whole Gryffindor tower. "Who here wants to see little Miss Granger take a shot from the cup?"
Little Miss Granger she thought, isn't he full of surprises tonight?! What a total prat. Surely he knew she wasn't the kind of girl to bend to peer pressure? She wouldn't do it.
Oh Gods there was rather a lot of cheering. Oh Gods they're chanting…Granger! Granger! Granger! I'm going to kill him. I'm definitely going to kill him. I came over to comfort him and now…I can't believe he's doing this.
She wanted to disappear into the upholstery of the sofa but press as she tried against the cushion she couldn't make it happen. Glaring up at him he was bouncing on the sofa, hair flopping around, cup held above his head punching it into the air as people continued to call Granger! She was absolutely completely mortified but he looked so excited and happy and darn mischievous. He was giving her that lopsided grin and holding out his hand to pull her up. Am I really going to sacrifice myself to cheer him up!?
Her resolve melted.
Hermione had a sudden epiphany…Ron Weasley had a power over her. She couldn't resist him. It was like he had her under the imperius curse. All he had to do was ask. Harry never asked, he never would but she knew when he needed help and was there for him. When Ron asked it was for silly things like homework help, finishing off her pudding or getting her to take shots from the Quidditch House cup. He always won…eventually. Resistance was futile, he was going to make her break the rules. She was reminded of how much trouble she was in with this boy in her life.
Taking his hand, he pulled her up. "You Ronald Weasley are such a PRAT!" She couldn't help but laugh. At least he injected some fun into her life, she understood how she could be described as boring but he never let it stay that way for too long.
He poured the firewhisky into the cup. She took it from him with pretend indignation and eyeballed him defiantly as she took her first gulp of the potent liquid. The drink took her breath away and caught in her throat. She coughed and spluttered and vaguely heard the spectators cheering. He took the cup back and thankfully drank the rest.
"That's my girl" she felt him pat her back. She'd been coughing before but now she choked hearing those words…his girl. Gods her heart yearned to be so.
The party went on and on, they spent a lot of time together that evening enjoying each other's company. There was laughter and jokes and celebrations. Any time they spent separated, fetching drinks, bathroom breaks, chatting with other friends…she felt his eyes on her and vice versa, she sought him out. She was drawn to him.
Much later she felt his warm hand in hers pulling her away from the drinks table. He headed for a quiet little corner of the common room which she knew well. It was a great spot for reading if you didn't want to be interrupted. She wondered what his plan was as he sat in the only seat. Suddenly though she was tugged down to sit across his knee. Delighted she settled herself on his lap.
"Ron." She squeaked in surprise.
"What!?" He grinned like he couldn't think of a single thing that had happened. So she decided to ignore the fact her bum was on his thighs and tried a different tact.
"You arse! I can't believe you had the whole place chanting, forcing me into drinking that horrible firewhisky."
"You loved it" he teased. Her brain immediately answered 'I love you' but thankfully she wasn't quite drunk enough to blurt that out loud.
"I did not! My throat is still burning and I feel tipsy." This felt amazing, it was like a little snippet of what normal teenage life might be like if she was his girlfriend. Cosied up in a secluded corner, flirting. He rubbed down her back and was tickling the skin on her lower back. His large hand was warm on her skin and she never wanted him to stop. The other hand was draped over her legs, one hand placed on her knee. She wished he'd run it up her thigh.
"Me too" he agreed.
"I can tell…you know there are other seats in the common room Ronald." she teased but couldn't resist an opportunity to touch him. Get closer to him. She started to run her fingers through his hair at the back of his head. She loved his hair. Soft, red and a little too long.
"I know, but I wanted a private conversation. There are too many people here and it looks like it's going to be a late one."
"I thought you were enjoying the party."
"I was but now I'm done with other people. Wish they'd all bugger off now." Her tummy had that funny little flutter again as she knew he only wanted to be with her.
"What did you want to talk to me about?" she was intrigued to know.
"Wanted to thank you for last night."
"Go on. You have my attention."
"Well, I thought over what you said and I think it really helped me today. It made me feel…I dunno…strong…like I could do it. I was really chuffed knowing you were cheering me on. I wanted to do it for you more than anyone cause you believed in me."
She smiled. How sweet. She loved that her words meant so much to him.
"I also thought over how you said sorry last night. I know I said sorry before but I really fucking mean it Hermione. The more I think over those months and how I acted the more regrets I have. I'm so sorry for mocking you in class. Harry told me I'd made you cry and…I'm a right git."
"You were a…git." She choose to ignore the comment about her crying and that Harry had shared that private nugget of information. She felt so happy right now she didn't think she'd ever be mad or cry again. In a playful swipe she brought her hand to his chest and leaned into him. She could feel his heart beating within his strong torso.
"Merlin you must be drunk…I don't think I've heard you say git before."
"But I forgive you." Oh shit maybe she was drunker than she thought. This…sitting on his knee…the touching…the flirting…it wasn't her usual demeanour. But it felt so right.
"Oh do you?...I thought I'd have to work much harder than that."
"What did you have in mind? What were you prepared to do to earn my forgiveness?" A wickedness flashed through her hoping he'd take the bait.
"Oh I dunno…I'd a few ideas I thought I'd run by you…"
This was it. He absentmindedly licked his lips and leaned towards her, his eyes on her mouth. She was ready to feel his lips on her own.
But then.
The portrait crashed open. Without thinking Hermione jumped off Ron's knee breaking all contact with him. Why did she do that? Why hadn't she stayed where she was and ignored the intrusion. So what if Harry and Ginny caught them kissing. They wouldn't have cared. Unfortunately, their abrupt arrival and her instinctual reaction had well and truly killed the moment. She really didn't approve of swearing but if ever there was a time…FUCK!
Ron was still sitting in the seat, she didn't look at him. Afraid that her reactions and red face would make him doubt how badly she'd wanted that kiss. Instead she stood panting glaring at Harry and Ginny. Harry was also looking guilty and flushed while Ginny just looked smugly happy.
The staring and silence seemed to stretch on forever before Ron finally stood up. She could feel his body heat he was so close. This dominant movement from Ron caused Harry to drop Ginny's hand. She looked unhappy about it, pouting and raising her eyebrows at him. Harry's expression was one of begging. Hermione could tell Ginny wanted to tell Ron this was none of his business but Harry knew better than to start a fight and simply waited.
Hermione stopped breathing as she sensed Ron lean down to whisper in her left ear.
"If he wasn't the chosen one…I'd bloody kill him. I'm really sorry. I can't deal with them right now. Think I better head to bed."
She nodded. Still unsure if he was mad at her too. Then he leaned closer still, his whisper was so low she strained to hear him but she felt his hot breath on her cheek.
"I had so much fun tonight. You're…really incredible…Sleep tight Hermione." Then he reached out and touched her left hand giving it a little squeeze. Relief washed over her, her face broke into a massive grin. He had fun with her. He thought she was incredible.
"Night Ron…me too." She whispered giving him a look of longing. She watched him purposefully take a route through the common room which allowed him to avoid his sister and Harry. He didn't even look at them before he disappeared upstairs.
Hermione felt absolutely thrilled. Ok the kiss had been interrupted but…there was just about to be a kiss. He did want her. He wanted to kiss her.
Poor Harry she thought. That boy has the worst timing but it wasn't his fault.
She walked over to Harry and hugged him. He looked a bit confused but accepted it gratefully. Probably happy that at least one of his friends was being supportive.
"You guys make a lovely couple. Don't worry about Ron. He just needs a bit of time to get used to it…do him a favour though keep the public snogging to a minimum?" she smiled and turned to hug Ginny.
"Thanks Hermione." Harry seemed relieved at the reassurance she'd given him.
"I'm not making any promises though." Ginny laughed.
"I'll leave you to it then." She giggled. Desperate to escape to her four poster bed and think over everything that had happened tonight.
"Night…umm Hermione…we're really sorry if we…err…interrupted something there." Harry offered.
"Night night." Was all she said with a smile.
Hermione made her way up to the girl's dorm. She felt exceedingly happy. Not only pleased that Harry and Ginny had started their relationship but she was absolutely sure now that Ronald Wesley wanted to kiss her. It was only a matter of time and she knew it would happen. It was the most certain she'd ever felt about their budding relationship. The thought of what was to come, the possibilities had her grinning from ear to ear. What could possibly go wrong?!