Ron stared up at the underside of the 4 poster canopy. He was willing himself to stay awake. Neville and Seamus had come up to bed about 10.30pm, likely the last up from the common room. He hoped if he snuck downstairs again tonight he might bump into her. It was wishful thinking, they'd made no plans. They hadn't talked about last night at all actually.
He thought about the previous night, nothing major had occurred, no one declared love, there hadn't been an argument. There really wasn't much to write home about, but then why couldn't he stop thinking about it? It had just been so … nice. The only word he could think of to describe it, they had been so comfortable sitting together, or was it cuddling, anyway it was bloody nice.
He'd tortured himself all day trying to work out what she'd thought of it. They'd spent most of the lazy Saturday in each other's company but neither of them mentioned it. He came to the conclusion he was a love sick prat and she likely hadn't thought about it at all. A brief conversation and rubbing someone's sore stomach could easily be taken as friendly politeness, couldn't it?
Ugh…that's enough…his watch said 11.15pm he was going downstairs hoping she was too. He wanted to relive last night. He didn't care what it meant or didn't mean, he just wanted to be close to her again, alone with her again.
He snuck out of bed quietly, he didn't want to incite any conversation with any dorm mates. Particularly Harry. He didn't want to lie to his best mate about where he was headed but he'd die of embarrassment if he had to tell him he was skulking around hoping to rub Hermione's tummy again. Merlin, he had it bad.
Much to his disappointment he found the common room empty. He landed heavily on the sofa, in the same spot he'd sat the night before. He looked along the length of the sofa beside him where she'd lay. He was pretty sure after last night he more than fancied her, he was hesitant to admit he loved her but couldn't think of another way to describe the feelings. Bloody hell, why did he have to go and fall in love with his best friend. He stared into the fireplace, trying to organise all the Hermione thoughts in his head.
"Ron, are you awake?" her soft voice drifted to him and he jerked awake.
"Bloody hell Hermione, sorry I must have fallen asleep. What time is it?" he prayed he hadn't just been caught drooling. After the initial shock settled, he thought how pleased he was to see her, to know she'd come downstairs again tonight. He wasn't sure if it was to see him or hoping to be left alone? She hadn't brought a book…maybe that was a good sign?
"About half 11, what are you doing down here?"
"I errrr, I couldn't…"
"Don't you dare say you couldn't sleep Ron Weasley…I just caught you sleeping. You should be in bed!" she giggled.
He really had no excuse other than hoping to spend time alone with her again. Should he just tell her? What did he have to lose and he couldn't think of a single other thing to say.
"I came down to check on you, in case you were up again tonight…sore, you know?"
"Really? That's incredibly sweet of you" she seemed surprised.
Ron felt his ears turn red, see, he could be considerate. He wasn't sure what to say to that though and thought it best to deflect.
"I guess I was right though. If you're up? You're still uncomfortable?" he really had no idea how to talk about female things such as periods, he tried to skirt around the subject.
Hermione had climbed onto the sofa in the spot next to him, turning to face him, she crossed her legs between them. She had the hot water bottle thingy again and was cuddling it. Wearing the same purple pyjamas as the previous night and he thought she looked incredibly cute.
"I'm not feeling too bad, I was also wondering if you were up late again and thought I'd better come down and see." she spoke quietly and quickly, he could barely hear her. "I made a hot water bottle but don't really need it right now. Want to try it out? It's lovely." she hardly paused, like she wanted to get all the words out in a hurry.
Ron considered what she'd just said…she came downstairs to see me?! That is what she said, right? Wicked. Did she just bring the bottle so she'd have an excuse to hang around hoping to see me…wishful thinking?
"Yeah sure, what do I do?"
"Do you have anything sore?"
"Yeah actually…my necks been killing me since Quidditch this morning. I jerked it, dodging a bludger. Meant to rub some potion on the left side but didn't get round to it yet." He reached up and tried to get relief by massaging the tight muscle. It really hadn't helped that he'd nodded off on the sofa.
"Ok, well this isn't instant like the potion but it'll help." She leaned forward and lifted onto her knees. She reached for the bottom of his knitted jumper, and waited tentatively until he got the hint. He lifted his arms and she pulled it gently over his head. Bloody hell…did she just undress me?! Fuck that was hot. Still on her knees, her chest was dangerously close to eye level. Hermione slowly pulled the top of his t-shirt aside to expose as much skin as possible. Her fingers tickled along him and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up.
Ron didn't…couldn't move, he was staring straight at her chest, through no fault of his own. He registered no bra, there was only 5 inches of air and a thin piece of fabric between his face and her breasts…bloody fuck. He longed to reach out and touch them or lean forward and kiss her, lick her…shit. He could smell her scent, not sure if it was shampoo, muggle washing powder, perfume, who bloody cared what it was, it was intoxicating. His teenage body reacted and he wished he'd placed a pillow over his lap again tonight. He was sure she couldn't see from her angle but the goose bumps on his skin and burning red ears must be a dam give away.
She placed the bottle and held it for a second to make sure it was balanced between his shoulder and the sofa. As her face came back to eye level her beautiful brown eyes smiled. He moved his right arm to cover his groin, taking a deep breath to try and calm himself.
"What do you think?"
"It feels great" and it did. It was warming up his seized muscle and the heat was spreading through him, although that could have been from her touch and proximity rather than the bottle.
"Good" she said triumphantly and sat back on her bottom crossing her legs again. There were a few minutes of silence while Ron considered how brave to be.
"Yeah, I was thinking … It was really nice to spend time with you last night. It's rare we're ever alone together."
"I was thinking the same today" she smiled
"I umm, I really missed spending time with you when we fell out and not just because I had to do my own homework" he smirked, she swatted his arm giggling again. God he loved that sound.
"I know what you mean, I missed you too. I can't believe we didn't speak for months. But now it feels like it never happened, does that make sense? I kinda snuck down here hoping to see you too." she was poking at her sock, not looking at him.
Ron felt like a weight had lifted. She missed me…she wants to spend time with me…she must have enjoyed last night too.
"I'm umm, really very sorry for our falling out. It all kinda spiralled and I didn't know how to make it right."
"Ron, stop, you don't need to apologise."
"Course I do. I was a prat" there was a pause, his mind was whirling with all the things he needed to apologise for, Gods why was he so useless at explaining himself. "I was a prat, Hermione. I was inconsiderate and selfish, driven by my own insecurities."
"How do you mean?"
Ron sighed. "I don't want to make excuses but I had a fight with Ginny and she told me about you and Krum and I didn't handle it very well. When Lavender gave me attention I just got caught up in it…. even though it wasn't what I wanted." he admitted sheepishly
"What do you mean with Krum?"
Why was that the question she asked? He left it open for her to say…what did you want…then he could say…you, Hermione, I wanted you…and then pull her on top of him and snog her senseless on this sofa. But noooo she wanted to talk about stupid, sexy, internationally acclaimed Quidditch player Krum. Deep breath Ron, don't lose your temper you ass.
"That yous had snogged."
"We did not"
"I'm sorry, what?"
"We did not"
"Ginny said…"
"Define snog" she interrupted
"Tongues"
"We never did that. There were a few kisses, peaks really, but never tongues" she flushed trying her best to explain herself.
"Bloody hell. Ginny told me I was the only one who'd not snogged someone and it made me feel. I dunno what it made me feel, stupid, embarrassed, unwanted."
"Oh Ron. I'm sorry. I will be having words with your little sister. When did this happen?"
"The night before the Quidditch match. The night before Lavender."
"Oh Ron, so that's why...there's been so many silly misunderstandings between us. I wish you'd just spoken to me." She was back staring at the sock. "I did really want to go to Slughorn's party with you, I want you to know that."
"At the time I thought it was a pity invite. Sorry I'm such an idiot. I wish it had been different and we'd went together" he ducked his head down to make eye contact with her and gave her a warm smile. He hoped she was listening and taking his words in because he meant them. Even though saying them made his ears and neck burn with embarrassment.
"Me too…but look it's over with now and we can't change the past. We're friends again now right? It's that the important thing?"
"Yeah, friends" he felt his heart drop into the pit of his stomach.
"Let me take this off you, I don't want it getting too hot and burning you."
She knelt up again and removed the water bottle. His flesh was flushed where it had been. She moved her fingers over the red skin.
"Does it feel any better?" She asked, still touching him.
"Yeah loads, it feels looser" he stretched his neck left and right testing it out.
"Do you want me to rub it?"
What the fuck did she just say. Did Hermione Granger just offer a neck rub? Hell yeah he wanted her to rub it.
"Umm yeah sure" he tried to sound passive.
"OK, ahm, sit on the ground between my legs and lean back on the sofa."
She turned on the sofa, opening her legs wide. He did what he was told and moved to the floor, leaning back on the sofa, nestled between her knees. This was definitely new, last night with the cuddling and now this. He could get used to being in between her legs. Bloody hell.
She stroked her small hands over the tops of his shoulders, her fingers towards his chest and thumbs massaging the tender neck muscles.
Ron moaned. He hadn't meant to but it felt so bloody good.
"You're amazing" shit, did he say that out loud…he'd meant to say… that feels amazing.
"Always the tone of surprise, Ronald."
He chuckled. Ronald…he loved when she called him that. Not in a fight, that was scary but when she used it playfully it sounded good on her lips.
"Thank you" he wasn't used to this kind of attention. Sure Lavender had snogged his face off but it wasn't the same as having Hermione's hands touch him. Shit he'd better try to keep himself under control. Her warm hands pressing into his neck was heavenly. Sitting between her legs with her leaning into him he could smell her again, it was all too much. He couldn't really concentrate on making conversation and knew he probably sounded a bit dense.
"You're very welcome. You did the same for me last night."
"Oh I see, you're just returning a favour" that thought made him feel a bit sad. He didn't want this to be a transaction.
"No I didn't mean it like that at all." Hermione paused stilling her hands.
"Sorry" he said at once, not wanting it to end. It seemed to have the desired effect and she resumed kneading his neck.
"Shhh just relax and enjoy it. Close your eyes"
After a few minutes spent rubbing the sore muscle at his shoulder she slowly rubbed her thumbs up towards his hairline, her fingers at either side of his neck. Ron dropped his head forward slightly giving her better access. She was right, closing his eyes was a great idea. It allowed him to focus on every touch. He could feel himself getting lost in the moment.
The next thing he felt was her hands up the back of his head in his hair. It felt like she was combing her fingers through his hair and it was wonderful.
Making her way slowly to the side of his head she applied tender pressure to his temples and then behind his ears before very gently pulling on his earlobes. He moaned again, involuntarily.
She ran her hands along his jawline cupping his chin and pulling his head back gently towards her lap on the sofa.
She ran her hands down his throat. He gulped, it was incredible having her warm, soft, petite hands on his skin. He wanted those hands to touch every inch of him.
She leaned forward as far as she could reach down his chest. Her breasts pressed against the back of his head. Her hands lingered and then agonisingly slowly she pulled them back to his shoulders, grazing over his nipples on the way. Bloody hell he wished he didn't have a t-shirt on. But on the other hand he was getting seriously concerned he might come in his pants if she kept exploring, so having the cotton between them was probably a good thing.
After a few strokes using her thumb to put pressure on the sore spot again she moved her hands wide. This time down his shoulders over his biceps. Was it his imagination or did she give them a little squeeze. He felt himself flex, he was powerless to control his body right now, it responded to her of its own accord. He knew they weren't anything special but strong enough after years of Quidditch. He wasn't certain but he thought she made a soft little moan. Fuck he really needed to do something about the situation in his pants.
She reached almost all the way to his elbows before pulling her hands slowly back to his neck and giving his neck a final rub, this time moving her fingers under the neckline of his t-shirt.
He'd never felt more turned on. Sure snogging Lavender was fine but bloody hell this was positively erotic. He'd choose to be rubbed by Hermione any day over a snog with Lav-Lav.
"Was that OK?" She whispered in his ear.
"Bloody amazing, thank you."
"Good…I've never attempted to give a massage before" she looked nervous.
He suddenly felt very shy too. "Well you're a natural…to be honest I've never been touched like that before." He slowly crawled up onto the sofa, he settled beside her leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees to hide his hardness.
"Really? I…umm…I…I…never mind."
"No, go on." he looked at her, desperate to know what she was thinking. "Please."
"I assumed you and Lavender would have…done stuff like that" she blurted it out very fast. Blush rose from her neck to her cheeks and she broke eye contact with him again.
A light bulb went off in Ron's head…she's trying to find out if we had sex. How could she think he'd done it with Lavender? Merlin, she had no idea how he felt about things. How could he put this straight? He wanted her to know he hadn't snagged Lavender. He wanted to scream that he was a virgin and was waiting for her…but one thing at a time, yeah?
"Umm no, we never got further than snogging and a bit of groping…over the clothes groping." Bloody hell. He knew he sounded like a prat but she had to know they hadn't gone further. There had been moments they nearly did but they were always interrupted by thoughts of Hermione and he put a stop to it. He couldn't touch another girl or be touched while he thought of someone else, it wouldn't have been right.
She smiled at him, he thought he saw relief in her big brown eyes but that was probably more wishful thinking. Shit she looked so beautiful.
"It's so late. We really should get to bed"
"Yeah you're right. I'll see you for breakfast?"
"Of course"
They stood at the bottom of each dormitory staircase.
"Hermione, thank you, I really enjoyed this evening and yesterday."
"Me too Ron, we'll have to do it again sometime. Sleep tight"
"Sleep tight Hermione."
Ron couldn't wipe the grin off his face as he floated up the stairs to the boy's dormitory. He snuck into bed and used his wand to draw the curtains and cast the muffliato charm. He urgently needed to relieve the sexual tension which had been building. He thought of her and afterwards he dreamed of her.