HP Fic: Trouble's Brewing (1/5), R/Hr, NC-17
Title: Trouble's Brewing
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Ron/Hermione
Words: 1686 (this chapter only)
Summary: Ron and Hermione, years after the final battle, are married. Shouldn't everything be perfect? Or maybe, just maybe, a potion (but not any potion, mind you) could spice things up a bit.
Notes/Warnings: NC-17 for sex, but no violence at all. Also, in future chapters, I will attempt some mild humor, so watch your heads.
"What's the matter, Hermione?" Ginny asked. She'd just spotted, for the third time, her friend staring quietly into the distance instead of looking at the dress robes she held in her hands.
Hermione started and quickly hung up the dress robes, shaking her head a little as she protested, "Nothing ... nothing's the matter, really."
"Hermione," Ginny said, utterly exasperated. "You keep going quiet. While I'd believe that was natural behavior of yours if we were sitting by the fire reading, we're in a robes shop. You should have insisted that Madame Malkin has it in for you at least twice and that you'll look rubbish in everything here at least three times by now."
"Really, it's noth-"
"Those were orange dress robes you were holding, Hermione. Orange. Or did you not even notice? I've never seen you wear a stitch of orange in your life unless it was borrowed from Ron and said 'Cannons' on it. Are you telling me you've suddenly decided you want to look like a washed-out ghost for your fifth anniversary party?"
Hermione looked down at her shoes, apparently defeated. "We'll talk about it, all right? Just not here."
Ginny's eyes widened. This had to be good if it wasn't something two witches could discuss in hushed tones in the back of a robes shop.
"Well, you're not going to find anything right now, not in this state. Let's go!" Ginny said, tugging on Hermione's arm and pulling her out of the shop to a place where they could Apparate back to Ginny and Harry's flat. It had been awhile since anything interesting had happened and Ginny was intrigued.
Hermione reappeared, turning to see Ginny land behind her, a bit ungainly in her haste.
They stood there for a moment, an odd silence filling the room, until Ginny decided to do something about it.
"Have a seat, Hermione. No need to stand on ceremony, as you've been here a thousand times."
Hermione sat, a trifle stiffly, in the closest chair, then slumped uncharacteristically backward and covered her eyes with her hands.
"I really shouldn't make too much of it. Honestly, it's nothing. I'm overreacting."
"To what?" Ginny said, exasperated.
"Well, I'm not sure you'll want to talk about it, actually. Not that I have anyone else I'd talk to about this, mind you, but it is about your brother."
"I can forget about that long enough to help. Please, I really want to. Just look at you, Hermione, I really should have noticed before. Your bottom lip's practically bitten through. You really should find another way to relieve your stress."
Hermione's hand flew self-consciously to her lips, then returned to cover her eye as she let out a loud sigh.
"It's just so embarrassing," Hermione protested, and Ginny knew she nearly had Hermione worn down.
"No, it's not. Whatever it is, if I can help, you'll be better off than you are now. Just tell me exactly what sort of a prat my brother is being and I'll tell you how to handle him."
"It's not him ... well, it is a bit. It's both of us. Or-I don't know. It might be me. Perhaps I'm the problem."
"Hermione," Ginny said, realizing how much she sounded like Harry, the way he used to say Hermione's name back at school when she wouldn't let him alone about one thing or another. "Just tell me what it is."
"He's-he's not attracted to me any longer," Hermione said, the words rushing together in a way that redefined haste.
Ginny laughed, conjuring up an image in her mind's eye of the way Ron had looked at Hermione for nearly as long as Ginny could remember. Unfortunately, Hermione didn't appear to see the humor in this the same way Ginny did, as it earned her an indignant look.
"It's not funny," Hermione sniffed, and the first tiny, perfectly formed tear slipped down her cheek.
"Oh, bugger," Ginny said. "Really, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. It's just that it's so patently ridiculous that it's funny, that's all."
"You're not there," Hermione said, quietly. "You just don't know."
"No, I'm not there," Ginny said, mentally adding a thank Merlin. "But I have eyes. My brother still looks at you the way he used to look at Chocolate Frogs when he was twelve."
"Well, I-it doesn't always show."
"Five years, Hermione. Things are bound to change a little. I'll bet you it doesn't trouble Ron a bit."
"Oh, I know it's natural for things to change. I've done a bit of reading-"
"No, really?" Ginny interrupted with mock surprise. "You? A bit of reading?"
"Oh, shut it," Hermione said, the hint of a smile appearing on her face.
"Hermione, I'm shocked. I would never have expected such language from you," Ginny said, then dissolved into giggles. She was highly relieved when she realized Hermione had joined her.
"Really, it's not funny," Hermione said, still smiling a little. "But I appreciate you trying to cheer me up."
"Just tell me what it is. Is Ron-erm ... is he having trouble with his-"
"No! No," Hermione protested. "He's-perfectly functional. Really, Ginny."
"If you won't say, you leave me no choice but to guess."
Hermione fully buried her face in her hands and said something, but it was terribly muffled against her palms and the thick sweater she wore.
"He swore? What?"
Hermione lifted her head just enough for her voice to be discernible, then whispered, "He's bored."
"He's bored? Did he tell you that? Really, what an absolute prat!" Ginny said, her temper quickly coming to the boil. "It takes two, you know. Why should it be your fault?"
"I didn't say it was my fault, Ginny. He hasn't said anything, honestly. Please calm down. It's not just him. It's both of us. Things just aren't right and I'm just, well, troubled by it."
Ginny realized she'd stood up in her rage and was pacing and immediately saw a much more effective way to help Hermione. She crossed the room and sat on the ottoman in front of Hermione's chair, knowing this would be an uncomfortable conversation for her and sensing she would need some support to get through it.
"So, lingerie? Strip teases? A little Firewhiskey? A different position? Read some racy poetry to each other?" Ginny suggested, rapid-fire style, in an attempt to disarm Hermione's natural aversion to discussing this particular topic.
"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed, scandalized, her cheeks pink.
"You've been married for nearly five years. Surely you know we've all worked out that you're not a couple of virgins."
"This is why, isn't it?" Hermione said, a trifle tearfully. "Because I'm a-a-"
"Whatever you're about to end that sentence with, Hermione, don't. Ron loves you and he married you. He wants you to be you," Ginny said, patting Hermione's hand sympathetically. "Now, that isn't to say that the old boy wouldn't benefit from a bit of a shock from you, from time to time."
"I used to do that, we both did. Then, I don't know. We just stopped. We got comfortable. Now I'd feel ridiculous trying something like that. After all this time, I just don't know if I could saunter into our bedroom with his dirty socks on the floor and just start taking my clothes off."
"So, don't start with that one. Start with something else. Something you're good at, something that makes you feel confident. Or ask him to do something. It's not as though he's exempt."
"Do something that makes me feel confident?" Hermione said, laughing a little. "I don't think Ron would ... enjoy himself ... more while I was reading a book. As far as everyone's concerned, that's all I'm good for."
"Rubbish, Hermione. That's absolute rubbish. Who was there by Harry's side all that time, all those adventures, all those times you risked your life for him? You're daring. You're a Gryffindor, for Merlin's sake, Hermione. So you're brave and you're smart. What can you do when you put those two together?"
"I don't know," Hermione said, worrying her hands together.
"Think back. Think about all those things you did to help Harry. If you can risk your life, or worse, break the Hogwarts rules," Ginny said with a smirk, smiling wider when she saw Hermione smile as well, "then you can seduce a prat like my brother. And I'll bet you he seduces you right back!"
"I just-"
"Forget your reservations just for a moment. Pretend it's a N.E.W.T. exam and you won't pass if you don't give the right answer, all right?"
"The right answer to what que-"
"The last time you were together and it felt really good, did you fantasize about anything? Or did Ron seem to ... want anything? Did he say anything? Goodness knows he can't keep his mouth shut to save his life. He must have said something that sounded good to you as well."
The blush on Hermione's cheeks turned a tomato red as her mouth puckered, fish-like, in her shock.
"Remember, Hermione. N.E.W.T. exam. Let's hear the answer the cleverest witch of the age is capable of."
"Sometimes, he ... talks. While we ... you know."
Ginny shuddered. She knew she'd asked for these details, but she might have to ask Harry to Obliviate her later.
"That's it, then. Think up a few things, research it and memorize them if you have to, and talk dirty to him. Then he'll do it back, and ... " Ginny trailed off, giving Hermione a deliberately comedic waggling of her eyebrows.
"Don't you think I've tried that?" Hermione cried. "I'm rubbish at it."
"Just pretend you're someone else, Hermione. You have to get out of your own head."
Hermione got that faraway look, the one that usually came before one of her more brilliant brain waves. "Thank you, Ginny. I know just what to do. And I expect both Ron and I will both get quite a bit out of it." She blushed and the two of them giggled conspiratorially like schoolgirls, utterly forgetting they'd set out to buy new dress robes that afternoon.
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Ron/Hermione
Words: 1686 (this chapter only)
Summary: Ron and Hermione, years after the final battle, are married. Shouldn't everything be perfect? Or maybe, just maybe, a potion (but not any potion, mind you) could spice things up a bit.
Notes/Warnings: NC-17 for sex, but no violence at all. Also, in future chapters, I will attempt some mild humor, so watch your heads.
"What's the matter, Hermione?" Ginny asked. She'd just spotted, for the third time, her friend staring quietly into the distance instead of looking at the dress robes she held in her hands.
Hermione started and quickly hung up the dress robes, shaking her head a little as she protested, "Nothing ... nothing's the matter, really."
"Hermione," Ginny said, utterly exasperated. "You keep going quiet. While I'd believe that was natural behavior of yours if we were sitting by the fire reading, we're in a robes shop. You should have insisted that Madame Malkin has it in for you at least twice and that you'll look rubbish in everything here at least three times by now."
"Really, it's noth-"
"Those were orange dress robes you were holding, Hermione. Orange. Or did you not even notice? I've never seen you wear a stitch of orange in your life unless it was borrowed from Ron and said 'Cannons' on it. Are you telling me you've suddenly decided you want to look like a washed-out ghost for your fifth anniversary party?"
Hermione looked down at her shoes, apparently defeated. "We'll talk about it, all right? Just not here."
Ginny's eyes widened. This had to be good if it wasn't something two witches could discuss in hushed tones in the back of a robes shop.
"Well, you're not going to find anything right now, not in this state. Let's go!" Ginny said, tugging on Hermione's arm and pulling her out of the shop to a place where they could Apparate back to Ginny and Harry's flat. It had been awhile since anything interesting had happened and Ginny was intrigued.
Hermione reappeared, turning to see Ginny land behind her, a bit ungainly in her haste.
They stood there for a moment, an odd silence filling the room, until Ginny decided to do something about it.
"Have a seat, Hermione. No need to stand on ceremony, as you've been here a thousand times."
Hermione sat, a trifle stiffly, in the closest chair, then slumped uncharacteristically backward and covered her eyes with her hands.
"I really shouldn't make too much of it. Honestly, it's nothing. I'm overreacting."
"To what?" Ginny said, exasperated.
"Well, I'm not sure you'll want to talk about it, actually. Not that I have anyone else I'd talk to about this, mind you, but it is about your brother."
"I can forget about that long enough to help. Please, I really want to. Just look at you, Hermione, I really should have noticed before. Your bottom lip's practically bitten through. You really should find another way to relieve your stress."
Hermione's hand flew self-consciously to her lips, then returned to cover her eye as she let out a loud sigh.
"It's just so embarrassing," Hermione protested, and Ginny knew she nearly had Hermione worn down.
"No, it's not. Whatever it is, if I can help, you'll be better off than you are now. Just tell me exactly what sort of a prat my brother is being and I'll tell you how to handle him."
"It's not him ... well, it is a bit. It's both of us. Or-I don't know. It might be me. Perhaps I'm the problem."
"Hermione," Ginny said, realizing how much she sounded like Harry, the way he used to say Hermione's name back at school when she wouldn't let him alone about one thing or another. "Just tell me what it is."
"He's-he's not attracted to me any longer," Hermione said, the words rushing together in a way that redefined haste.
Ginny laughed, conjuring up an image in her mind's eye of the way Ron had looked at Hermione for nearly as long as Ginny could remember. Unfortunately, Hermione didn't appear to see the humor in this the same way Ginny did, as it earned her an indignant look.
"It's not funny," Hermione sniffed, and the first tiny, perfectly formed tear slipped down her cheek.
"Oh, bugger," Ginny said. "Really, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. It's just that it's so patently ridiculous that it's funny, that's all."
"You're not there," Hermione said, quietly. "You just don't know."
"No, I'm not there," Ginny said, mentally adding a thank Merlin. "But I have eyes. My brother still looks at you the way he used to look at Chocolate Frogs when he was twelve."
"Well, I-it doesn't always show."
"Five years, Hermione. Things are bound to change a little. I'll bet you it doesn't trouble Ron a bit."
"Oh, I know it's natural for things to change. I've done a bit of reading-"
"No, really?" Ginny interrupted with mock surprise. "You? A bit of reading?"
"Oh, shut it," Hermione said, the hint of a smile appearing on her face.
"Hermione, I'm shocked. I would never have expected such language from you," Ginny said, then dissolved into giggles. She was highly relieved when she realized Hermione had joined her.
"Really, it's not funny," Hermione said, still smiling a little. "But I appreciate you trying to cheer me up."
"Just tell me what it is. Is Ron-erm ... is he having trouble with his-"
"No! No," Hermione protested. "He's-perfectly functional. Really, Ginny."
"If you won't say, you leave me no choice but to guess."
Hermione fully buried her face in her hands and said something, but it was terribly muffled against her palms and the thick sweater she wore.
"He swore? What?"
Hermione lifted her head just enough for her voice to be discernible, then whispered, "He's bored."
"He's bored? Did he tell you that? Really, what an absolute prat!" Ginny said, her temper quickly coming to the boil. "It takes two, you know. Why should it be your fault?"
"I didn't say it was my fault, Ginny. He hasn't said anything, honestly. Please calm down. It's not just him. It's both of us. Things just aren't right and I'm just, well, troubled by it."
Ginny realized she'd stood up in her rage and was pacing and immediately saw a much more effective way to help Hermione. She crossed the room and sat on the ottoman in front of Hermione's chair, knowing this would be an uncomfortable conversation for her and sensing she would need some support to get through it.
"So, lingerie? Strip teases? A little Firewhiskey? A different position? Read some racy poetry to each other?" Ginny suggested, rapid-fire style, in an attempt to disarm Hermione's natural aversion to discussing this particular topic.
"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed, scandalized, her cheeks pink.
"You've been married for nearly five years. Surely you know we've all worked out that you're not a couple of virgins."
"This is why, isn't it?" Hermione said, a trifle tearfully. "Because I'm a-a-"
"Whatever you're about to end that sentence with, Hermione, don't. Ron loves you and he married you. He wants you to be you," Ginny said, patting Hermione's hand sympathetically. "Now, that isn't to say that the old boy wouldn't benefit from a bit of a shock from you, from time to time."
"I used to do that, we both did. Then, I don't know. We just stopped. We got comfortable. Now I'd feel ridiculous trying something like that. After all this time, I just don't know if I could saunter into our bedroom with his dirty socks on the floor and just start taking my clothes off."
"So, don't start with that one. Start with something else. Something you're good at, something that makes you feel confident. Or ask him to do something. It's not as though he's exempt."
"Do something that makes me feel confident?" Hermione said, laughing a little. "I don't think Ron would ... enjoy himself ... more while I was reading a book. As far as everyone's concerned, that's all I'm good for."
"Rubbish, Hermione. That's absolute rubbish. Who was there by Harry's side all that time, all those adventures, all those times you risked your life for him? You're daring. You're a Gryffindor, for Merlin's sake, Hermione. So you're brave and you're smart. What can you do when you put those two together?"
"I don't know," Hermione said, worrying her hands together.
"Think back. Think about all those things you did to help Harry. If you can risk your life, or worse, break the Hogwarts rules," Ginny said with a smirk, smiling wider when she saw Hermione smile as well, "then you can seduce a prat like my brother. And I'll bet you he seduces you right back!"
"I just-"
"Forget your reservations just for a moment. Pretend it's a N.E.W.T. exam and you won't pass if you don't give the right answer, all right?"
"The right answer to what que-"
"The last time you were together and it felt really good, did you fantasize about anything? Or did Ron seem to ... want anything? Did he say anything? Goodness knows he can't keep his mouth shut to save his life. He must have said something that sounded good to you as well."
The blush on Hermione's cheeks turned a tomato red as her mouth puckered, fish-like, in her shock.
"Remember, Hermione. N.E.W.T. exam. Let's hear the answer the cleverest witch of the age is capable of."
"Sometimes, he ... talks. While we ... you know."
Ginny shuddered. She knew she'd asked for these details, but she might have to ask Harry to Obliviate her later.
"That's it, then. Think up a few things, research it and memorize them if you have to, and talk dirty to him. Then he'll do it back, and ... " Ginny trailed off, giving Hermione a deliberately comedic waggling of her eyebrows.
"Don't you think I've tried that?" Hermione cried. "I'm rubbish at it."
"Just pretend you're someone else, Hermione. You have to get out of your own head."
Hermione got that faraway look, the one that usually came before one of her more brilliant brain waves. "Thank you, Ginny. I know just what to do. And I expect both Ron and I will both get quite a bit out of it." She blushed and the two of them giggled conspiratorially like schoolgirls, utterly forgetting they'd set out to buy new dress robes that afternoon.