"Transmission" Chapter 7

[eruditefics]

Title: Transmission
Chapter: 7- Momentum
Author: EruditeFics
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: around 4000
Warnings: Drunken fun....and then we get a little smuttier
Notes:  Ron and Hermione's final confrontation.

Chapter 7: Momentum

Hermione hugged Mr. and Mrs. Weasley goodbye and went inside the Burrow to get the house ready for the impromptu party. Molly and Arthur, had been pleased with the idea of a party in Fred’s honor, but had decided to get away to grieve alone. Mrs. Weasley had even cried a little as she told Hermione where to find the snacks. So Hermione entered to clear the living room of clutter as Ron and his brothers shared another embrace with their parents.

“Be careful boys,” said Molly quietly as she at last broke her embrace with Ron. “I think we’ll be spending the night with Andromeda. She’ll need someone around after all she’s lost.”

Hermione found the Burrow eerily quiet. The normal murmur of sound and hum of activity was absent, replaced by the echoing of her footsteps on the slatted wooden floor. She transfigured the old sofas of the sitting room into comfortable chairs to accommodate the 13 people expected to attend their impromptu celebration. She lit candles to soften the atmosphere and then moved into the kitchen to lay out snacks.

The kitchen was particularly sad. It looked too clean, too empty, and smelled of nothing but wood and cleaner. Hermione longed for the sound of family chattering loudly, the smell of mince pies, and the clutter that usually defined the kitchen’s ambiance.

In the quiet, she heard a small sob coming form the front porch. Hermione opened the door to find Ginny curled on the swing, but before she could step out to offer a comforting shoulder, she saw Harry’s arms wrap around her. Hermione felt relief. Those two no longer needed as much worry as she had previously reserved for them.

Hermione decided to busy herself by releasing streamers from her wand in Weasley Wheezes Magenta. She didn’t hear Ron approach, and the feeling of his hand on her back gave her chills. He leaned in close to her, and whispered in her ear.

“The place looks amazing. Fred would love it,” he finished with a kiss on her cheek. The act was so confident and intimate that Hermione was taken back. All it took was a simple touch, and she felt like she belonged to him. She tried to shake herself out of her daze in order to answer him, but he was no longer next to her. However, she knew exactly where to find him.

“Ronald Weasley! Those are for later!” she exclaimed in mock frustration. He just smiled and popped another crisp in his mouth.

“What do you intend to do about it?” he replied, grinning impishly while grabbing a dinner roll.

Hermione simply smiled and drew her wand, causing Ron to drop the roll back in the bowl before making a pouting face.

“Oh, you poor thing! I’m sorry you can’t eat your weight in snacks!” she said, throwing her hand over her head and sighing melodramatically.

“I know! Whatever will I do? I am doomed!” Ron said, with equal melodrama. “Oh wait, I know. I’ll just disarm the cruel witch who is trying to starve me.”

Before Hermione could react, Ron pressed her against the wall and began tickling her. Hermione was laughing so hard she couldn’t reach her wand. Finally, she managed to squeal a meager ‘stop’, and Ron’s hands settled on her hips.

The smirks disappeared from their faces as Ron’s hands began to rub lightly along her hips. Their faces became flushed and their breathing heavy when he began to lean in slowly, and Hermione’s mind began screaming for their lips to touch.

You are the dark ocean bottom

And I am the fast sinking anchor

Should I fall for you,

Should I fall for you?

“We have boooooooze!” shouted a singsong voice from the back door. Ron and Hermione jumped back quickly and began busying themselves, trying to hide their red faces. Angelina and George came in doing a small dance with their matching bottles of Ogden’s.

“No fair! That’s what we brought!” exclaimed Seamus, entering from the porch with Dean.

“Well my goodness. I seem to have brought a cadre of spirits from The Leaky Cauldron, but I might as well take it back to Mum,” said Hannah Abbot.

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” answered Neville, taking the mixers from her hands and setting them on the table.

“Hmm. I didn’t know that we had to bring provisions, but I do have a game to play,” Luna said, appearing as if from nowhere. Everyone looked apprehensive, but nodded anyway.

When Lee, Katie, Harry, and Ginny came in as the sun set, Hermione and Ginny served snacks in the sitting room. Hannah mixed the drinks with surprising skill, as Neville looked on in admiration. The guests at The Burrow were shocked to find that one of their classmates…especially the sweet-faced Hufflepuff…was so skilled at creating tasty libations. Hermione smiled to herself. War caused the strangest, and strongest, attachments.

The arrival of Alicia Spinnett left Hermione with nowhere to sit. Ron, Harry, and Neville all immediately got up to offer their chairs, and fell victim to good-natured ribbing from Seamus, who never seemed to have the time or manners for anyone.

“I’ll be fine,” Hermione assured them, and they reluctantly sat back down. Hermione took a deep breath and walked slowly across the room. Her heart began pounding in her chest as she realized all eyes were on her. She tried to calm her nerves as she took a seat in front of Ron’s chair and leaned against his legs. Relief spread through her when his hand found her shoulder.

“Okay then. I learned this parlor game from a Muggle cousin. It can get a little risqué, but I’m assuming that’s why there are libations,” Luna said, raising a pale eyebrow at Hermione.

Hermione became nervous, knowing full well how improperly intimate Muggle games could get. She slyly checked Luna’s pocket for a Twister board, but could find no evidence that that was what Luna had in mind. Hermione reluctantly nodded at Luna, who quickly resumed her instructions.

“Well, one first states something, anything, they’ve never done. Those in the group who have done this activity must take a shot of Firewhisky. I warn you, playing with a Muggle who knows you’re a witch will get you inebriated quite quickly,” she said, smiling as if she might be remembering such an experience fondly.

“I will start. I have never met the head of the Rotfang Conspiracy,” Luna said proudly. When everyone looked at her uncertainly, she clarified. “Rufus Scrimgeour.”

Harry, Ron, Ginny, George, and Hermione each took a shot. Hermione tried to suppress a cough as the Firewhisky burned her throat, but couldn’t. Ron patted her back gently and quickly summoned a chaser for her. After a loud clearing of the throat snapped her from a daze, Hermione realized she and Ron had been staring at one another. Everyone chuckled.

“My turn!” exclaimed Lee, who was seated between Luna and Katie. “I have never snogged a Quidditch player.”

Hermione took another shot. At first, she thought of Krum, but decided that could hardly be considered snogging. Then, she thought back to her kiss with Ron; the way he lifted her off her feet, the way she clung to him in desperation. Now that was snogging. The liquid burned less this time.

Hermione giggled uncharacteristically when she noticed Harry and Ginny toasting each other, a smile on their faces. Alicia, Angelina, and Katie all took a shot simultaneously. Hermione was unsurprised, but Angelina gasped.

“Alicia!” Angelina exclaimed, disbelief marring her smooth face.

“Oh come on! Who hasn’t snogged Wood?” she shot back defensively.

George took a shot next, and vanished one away with a flourish of his wand in honor of Fred. Next, Seamus took a shot, glancing furtively at Dean, who joined him.

“Wait…What?” said Lee. Seamus just shook his head, unwilling to elaborate. A lot of badgering followed before Ron broke it up.

“Well Lee, that was an excellent one. You managed to give us the upper hand,” Ron said, leaning over to clap him on the back. When he leaned back, both of his hands rested on Hermione’s arms. Chills ran up her spine at the feeling of his warm, hard hands on her bare arms. All eyes turned to Neville when he raised his hand.

“Ummm,” he started, blushing and staring over at Harry. “Do I have to drink if when I snogged a Quidditch player, she wasn’t on the team?”

A dinner roll went flying across the room and hit him on the forehead. Ginny was red faced and her arms were crossed.

“Oh for heaven’s sake, just drink, Nev,” Ginny said, smirking at his harried look. Neville took his shot amidst a bevy of catcalls. Hermione looked apprehensively at Harry, but he was just grinning and contributing to the teasing.

“Well, to get away from the snogging theme,” Katie started, red-faced from her one shot. “I have never had a detention…from someone who wasn’t Old Toadface,” she smiled, as everyone exclaimed mockingly at the injustice of having to get drunk. Every person in the room took a shot, while simultaneously proclaiming their innocence. Hermione sensed there was something amiss.

“Luna, what did you do?” Hermione asked.

“I thought we were off the subject of snogging,” she said, turning her large eyes on Hermione without a blush. Everyone laughed until George raised his glass, a tear in his eyes.

“This laughter is for Fred, we all know he wouldn’t have wanted us sitting in mournful silence.” he whispered. Angelina kissed him gently and they took their drink together. Everyone drank again, and Hermione began to wobble. She felt Ron’s hands steady her. He put a knee on either side of her so she could lean against him for support. She closed her eyes and let out a hum as he began to play with her hair. When she opened her eyes, she saw that everyone was staring. She straightened herself up and tried to hide her blush.

“Well, Angelina, it’s your turn,” she said as stiffly as possible.

“I’ve never had a near death experience,” she smiled, looking at Harry. He rolled his eyes.

“Do I have to drink like 10 times now?” he asked her mockingly.

“No. One is enough. Though I do think that a rule book for this game would be helpful,” Luna said, more to herself than anyone else.

After taking his shot, Harry began leaning heavily upon Ginny, who seemed to hold her liquor very well. Ginny took her drink with a dark look in her eyes, and Harry whispered something in her ear, kissing her softly.

Katie fingered her necklace and drank slowly, as Lee rubbed her back. Hermione picked up her tiny glass, her hand shaking as she remembered the pain that coursed through her body that fearful night at Malfoy Manor. With shocking strength, Ron lifted her onto his lap and held her close, a shot lingering in his free hand. Maybe it was the whisky, but Hermione wasn’t embarrassed at all when his nose pressed into her neck.

“Never again,” he whispered, holding her more tightly as her legs draped over the edge of the chair.

“Never again,” she answered, putting a hand on his face. He turned into her touch and kissed her palm.

You are the scar on my tissue

That I show all of my new friends

Should I show you me,

Should I show you me?

George chimed in, thankfully pulling the attention away from Ron and Hermione. “I’ve never had black hair.”

“Wanker!”

“That’s just unfair!”

“We’ll get you!”

Many members of the room grumbled, as the sounds started to merge together in Hermione’s clouded mind.

“I’ve never kissed a girl!” Ginny exclaimed, causing Harry to drink again. Hermione was grateful that she didn’t have to drink, as all the guys took a shot, mutinous looks on their faces at Ginny’s mischievous laugh.

No one was surprised much when Luna shrugged and took a shot. A very pink nose now decorated her pale face. “As Harry knows, Cho Chang is very good at kissing,” she said after she took another swig, smiling serenely in her current state.

“Blimey…” Lee whispered, and took another shot of his own accord. Everyone laughed and looked to Harry to take his turn.

“Well fine! I’ve never kissed a bloke,” he said, sticking a tongue out at Ginny. Hermione and all of the other girls took a shot, and Hermione became suddenly very giddy. She could feel her control slipping.

“What the hell!” she heard Seamus yell next to her. He and Dean fed each other shots. Everyone stared, mouths hanging open, including Hermione.

“Oh, like you didn’t know!” Seamus said, tossing a pillow at Ginny.

“Well of course I did,” she said, rolling her eyes. “He never looked at me like he looks at you.”

Dean shrugged when all eyes turned toward him and put a hand possessively on Seamus’ shoulder.

“I knew too,” said Neville. “You guys weren’t very discreet,” he finished uneasily.

“Well that’s Seamus’ fault! He…He can’t…hiccup…resist me,” Dean said, his words slurring.

Seamus smacked Dean’s arm and they began wrestling around. Soon, Lee and George joined the fray while Hermione leapt up to try to move the glasses out of the way. The rest of the girls soon rose to help her as Ron and Harry ran into the other room. Hermione barely noticed as she tried to keep her balance.

Ron and Harry returned with a patented ‘Weasley’s Wizarding Wireless’, which Hermione thought looked like a Muggle phonograph from the early twentieth century. They opened the box underneath and speakers flew out, attaching themselves into different corners of the room. George got an excited look on his face and ran up to his old bedroom. He returned with a magical record, which glittered and flickered as if it were anxious to be played.

“This is the Venomous Tentaculas’ first album, Fred’s all time favorite,” he said, the smile starting to wane at the sad memory. He slid a bright disc that was about the size of a dinner plate into something that looked more like a mouth than a slot. The wireless erupted with loud music, complete with horns, guitars and bass creating a catchy beat. Hermione’s wobbly state gave way to an overwhelming urge to dance.

Angelina and George were already flailing around ridiculously and singing along with the melody. At first, Hermione was a little worried at how quickly George seemed to vacillate between melancholy and happiness, but when she looked at him carefully, she could see a smile that did not quite meet his eyes. Hermione knew it would take a while, and was immensely thankful for Angelina, who would undoubtedly do the most to pick up the broken pieces of George.

Harry was twirling Ginny around, her hair fanning about her body, gleaming smiles on both of their faces. Hermione jumped up and grabbed Luna. Her whole body felt light as she swayed to the music, and the two girls couldn’t stop laughing.

Dean and Seamus were doing some very naughty moves with Alicia, who was caught in the middle between them, looking positively ecstatic. Lee was trying in vain to coax Katie to join the dance, but her somber expression stopped him. He sat next to her and they talked over the music.

Hermione continued to sway and spin, imitating Luna’s dreamy styles as the music flooded her. Her face hurt from the defined and constant smile. Truly, this was how Fred would want to be remembered. That fact was not lost on anyone in the room. Hermione lifted her arms to spin again when she felt arms circle around her waist. She lost her balance slightly and leaned into his chest.

“Sorry I didn’t join you sooner. I was enjoying the view,” he said in her ear, his hand moving up and down her sides. Hermione was a little too far gone to be shocked by his implications and confidence, so she simply let out a purring noise and faced him.

His face was very pink, and his long hair had fallen messily in front of his eyes that looked to be a brighter blue than she had ever seen them, causing her to nearly gasp out loud. He had a dazed look about him as his hips swayed with hers completely off beat from the music, and a goofy grin stretched across his mouth. Without thinking, Hermione ran a hand down the side of his face, enjoying the tickling feeling of his stubbled face. He closed his eyes and leaned into her touch.

“Hermione…I…”

“Last call everyone!” shouted Hannah. Everyone hooted and hollered as she came down the stairs hand in hand with Neville, who was blushing like mad and trying to keep his balance while straightening his clothes and hair. Hannah went to the kitchen and mixed another set of drinks, floating the tray into the living room so that everyone would have one.

“I have never been in love,” she said, raising her glass. George and Angelina immediately emptied their drinks, and set about snogging right there in the living room. Ginny was gazing at Harry dreamily as he took his shot and wrapped an arm around her. She took her last drink and almost fell on the spot. Katie drank with a tear in her eye. Lee drank looking over at her and offering her a handkerchief.

Dean and Seamus took their drinks with a yell as though they were at a sporting match. Alicia shook her head and set a full glass on the table, looking slightly forlorn. Luna also abstained.

“I’ve never felt drawn enough to anyone to give my soul up. Of course I had a crush on Ronald, but we all know that would never happen,” she said, smiling. Ron let out a cough, shifting uncomfortably next to Hermione.

Neville picked his drink up and faced Hannah, “Things can always change,” he said drinking his concoction. Hannah smiled and held his gaze, but soon everyone’s eyes were on Ron and Hermione. Ron bravely raised his glass and drank his in one gulp. Hermione, her heart racing, also took her drink. She looked to Ron, but his expression became flat and unreadable.

Hermione’s head began to spin in panic. Did Ron not feel the same way she did? Was he going to back away form her? Had she moved too fast? When he drank, he must have been thinking of Lavender. They were officially a couple for quite a while after all. Hermione suppressed angry tears as Hannah handed out sobering potions.

All we need is a little bit of momentum

Breakdown these walls that we’ve built around ourselves

All we need is a little bit of inertia

Breakdown and tell, breakdown and tell

Everyone took a potion. “Okay! These should take effect in about 30 minutes, so be careful Apparating home. Take a buddy if you can, and make sure you concentrate. Neville, can I help you out? I hold my liquor pretty well,” Hannah said. And with that, she and a very besotted looking Neville vanished from the Burrow.

George grabbed a broom and he and Angelina walked out the front door. Dean, Seamus, and Alicia all left together, causing Ginny to giggle uncontrollably. She obviously had not yet sobered. Hermione wasn’t sober, but her heart ached too much for laughter. Lee placed a hand on the small of Katie’s back and they disappeared.

Luna walked up to Hermione and kissed her forehead, before whispering in her ear, “Be careful jumping to conclusions. You’re bound to miss a step.” And with that, she was gone. Hermione was so distracted by the odd statement that she barely noticed that she and Ron were standing alone in the sitting room.

“You might want one,” Ron grunted at her, handing her a small glass.

Hermione hadn’t even noticed that she had neglected to take Hannah’s potion, but following Ron’s reminder, she let the cherry liquid slide down her throat as she attempted to regain her composure. Ron had done the same and was now seated in a chair, staring blankly at the fire. Hermione resisted the urge to touch his shoulder, too glum to move. After a few more agonizing moments of silence, she finally found her voice.

“Well, I’d best be off,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

Ron finally turned to meet her eyes, his were bloodshot. “I didn’t think you had to be home until tomorrow,” he said, a glint of indignation in his voice.

“Why don’t you just call Lavender, since she’s the love of your life!” Hermione spat. She immediately gasped and covered her mouth, realizing too late that she should wait until the potion had time to work before speaking.

“Lavender? How could you…why would you think…But you drank your shot! I s’pose you’re off to see your twoo wuv Vicky?” he said, sneering back with obvious hurt etched through his menacing face. “I don’t love Lavender, never did.”

“Well I don’t love Victor, and I find it positively abhorrent…”

Hermione’s voice was silenced as Ron’s lips were suddenly pressed against hers, leaving her standing frozen in place. But when his hands gripped the sides of her face, she kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck. As his tongue swept across her lips, her tongue mixed with his and Hermione’s legs begin to weaken. This time, she knew it wasn’t the drink. She explored his mouth and reveled in the feeling of his soft lips engulfing hers. She sighed when one of his hands threaded in her hair.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash and a scream, causing both Ron and Hermione to jump back. They drew their wands and moved slowly to the kitchen, where Charlie was traipsing through the door, a petite woman thrown over his shoulder. She looked up at them, and Hermione recognized her instantly.

“Well hello, Verity,” she said, smirking at her absurdity.

“Hullo and goodbye!” she yelled as Charlie whisked her up the stairs.

“Absolutely despicable! He could have splinched her! And such behavior on a day of mourning,” exclaimed Percy, walking in with Audrey and helping her out of her jacket.

“We went out with Charlie for drinks, and Verity was there. Charlie got a little out of hand,” Audrey said, smiling at Percy’s indignation.

“We’ve got some left over sober up potion,” Ron said, handing them a small bottle.

“I’m not sure it would be prudent to go up there right now,” Percy said, gazing wearily upward. Audrey leaned over and whispered in his ear. He went slightly pink and nodded.

“Well, goodnight then,” he said to Ron and Hermione, rushing up the stairs. Audrey waved and followed him.

Ron began to chuckle heartily, his shoulders shaking, and a wide grin spreading across his face. Hermione joined him, laughing until tears were in her eyes.

“Some night, huh?” he asked, putting an arm around her shoulders. Hermione nodded, trying to wipe her eyes.

“It was certainly unexpected.”

“What do you think it is about funerals that make people so horny?” Ron asked, smiling.

“Ron!” Hermione exclaimed, shocked at his candor, but finding it funny just the same.

“I’m serious. It feels like no one is sleeping alone tonight,” Ron said, blushing deeply.

“Well I supposed being faced with such a painful loss makes everyone cling to what they still have,” she whispered, looking up at him.

“Oh ‘Mione,” Ron groaned, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close to his chest. Hermione wound her arms around his waist, pulling her face against him so firmly she could hear the beating of his heart. She breathed in deeply, savoring the smells that were so uniquely his; food, wool, and something indescribable that was all his own.

“I’m definitely happy you’re here, and I plan on holding you all night,” he whispered. He kissed her again with that same new and alarming confidence, pulling her into him and moving his mouth over hears. He ran a hand up and down her back and she leaned languidly into his touch. Ron pulled his mouth away and ran his lips over her jaw and down the side of her neck. He kissed behind her ear and pressed his hand flat against her bum. Hermione let out a moan at the new touch.

Ron grunted in response and lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around him and deepened the kiss. Hermione was struck by Ron’s composure and self-confidence in this situation. Gone was the blushing and unsure boy that had infuriated her for so many years. Sometime during the past year, something had changed in Ron. Hermione watched as he slowly and painfully found himself in the midst of the chaos of their lives. Ron was a man, and he was a man Hermione could love for the rest of her life.

He carried her up all five flights of stairs with ease, his lips never leaving her face and neck, and only set her down when they got inside his room and closed the door. She looked up at him, laughing, and found the state he was in magnificent. His lips were swollen, his cheeks were pink, and his mouth was curved up in a shy smirk. They stood there, timid and mesmerized, for a long while before Ron’s hand reached out and slipped down the strap of her camisole and he kissed her bare shoulder. She instinctively moved closer to him, so his lips could move along her bare skin with greater ease.

“You are so soft,” he murmured, chancing to put a hand up the back of her shirt. “Is this okay?”

“More than okay, Ron. I’ve wanted this for so long,” she said, taking a page from his book and attempting to be unafraid.

“Me too, love,” he said, kissing her lips fervently. He tugged at her top while Hermione lifted her arms to assist him. At last, he broke their kiss only long enough to cast her shirt aside. Hermione sighed at the feeling of his large, warm hands caressing her exposed skin. She threaded her fingers in his hair to deepen the kiss, earning a grunt of satisfaction from Ron.

Hermione tugged at his plain white shirt and slid it easily over his head. As he kissed down her neck and to her chest, she ran her hand up and down his back, letting her fingers linger over the muscles in his shoulders and memorizing the feeling of every rib. He was still very thin from their journey, with nothing but bone and muscle mingling in place beneath the smooth skin on his back. As she ran her hands over him, Ron let out a moan that caused the heat to pool between her legs. In response, Hermione ran a finger over his spine and noted it was curved quite uncomfortably to reach down to her. Ron seemed to be thinking the same thing, because he lifted her up and walked over to his bed.

She was now straddling him, her knees pressing into the bed on either side of him. She took her new position as an opportunity to grab his face and kiss him, taking control. As she did so, her hips pressed into his and she felt his hardness between her legs. He grabbed her hips and pressed against her again, sending jolts through her body and causing them both to moan.

“Blimey, Hermione. The fact that you’re here … we’re here … that you’re kissing me…that you want me. It’s more than I ever thought would be possible a few months ago. It’s just…you’re amazing,” he finished, smiling and caressing her cheek.

She couldn’t speak. She couldn’t answer him. She was too caught up in his words, his voice, the reality of it all would have surely exposed every private piece of her by speaking now.

As Ron pressed his nose into her neck, his hot breath felt visceral on Hermione’s skin. His hands fumbled with the clasps of her bra before finding success rather quickly. Hermione’s heart was racing and her nerves were on edge because she would soon be exposed for the first time -- facing Ron’s gaze as his eyes took in her nakedness.

Ron paused, leaning his lips to her ear and whispering, “Is this okay?”

Hermione knew she wasn’t the only one feeling nervous, for she could feel his hands shaking as they held the ends of her simple black bra. She nodded while trying to slow her breath.

“I just don’t want you to be nervous,” he continued, still whispering.

“But I am nervous,” she whispered in return, laughing while pressing her forehead to his and meeting his eyes.

“Me too,” he smiled; a weight seemed to leave his shoulders at the admission.

“You haven’t done anything like this before?” Hermione asked. She would have thought that he had gone at least get this far with Lavender, especially considering the way he seem to fall all over her…and vise versa.

“No…not at all. It wouldn’t have been right with anyone else,” he said sincerely, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “You?”

“Never really had the chance, though I agree with you,” she smiled, kissing him gently.

As their kiss progressed again to a comfortable pace, Ron pulled back to slip her bra over her arms. Her heart began to race again, and all of her classic irrational thoughts flooded to the surface. She worried Ron would find her breasts too small. She had moles about her skin that might repulse him. Due to their long journey, her mocha skin was paler and her ribs protruding. Hermione shuddered with fear as Ron openly gazed at her.

“Oh, Hermione!” Ron exclaimed, putting a hand under her chin and turning her face to look at him. “You’re lovely,” he whispered, kissing her chest. He put a shaking hand over one of her breasts, and Hermione arched her back, grinding into Ron’s erection again. “Bloody hell,” he whispered, brushing his thumb lightly over her nipple.

Hermione threw her head back at the new sensation. Ron’s mouth latched on to her breast as she let out a weak whimper, urging him on. She gloried at the life she felt coursing through both of them; her pounding heart, his warm breath, her small moans, and his anxious gestures. All of these things screamed to her that they had made it out of the darkness and found what they were fighting for on the other side.

Ron’s hips were bucking against hers and the pressure on her center felt exquisite. Soon, they had built up a rhythm of movement, causing the warm friction between their jeans to spread through Hermione’s body. Suddenly, Ron’s hands tightened around her, and he let out a moan. After a few seconds, his breathing slowed and he hung his head.

“’Scuse me,” he said, setting Hermione gently to the side and casting ‘scourgify’ on his trousers. He sat up sighed heavily as he laid his bright red face in his hands. Hermione knew enough about the human body to deduce what had just happened, but was confused at why Ron was so upset. She thought an orgasm was the point.

“Ron? Is everything alright?” she asked, leaning her bare chest against his side. He turned to her and held her in his arms.

“I just didn’t want to leave you, umm, disappointed.”

“On the contrary. I’m quite pleased. That reaction shows I’m not complete rubbish,” she whispered, kissing down the side of his face.

“I don’t think there is any possible way for you to be rubbish,” he murmured, pressing her down against the bed. He held her hands above her head and kissed at a tantalizing slow pace until he was at her throat. He ran his tongue down to the valley between her breasts, and Hermione could almost purr at his aggression, his surety, his enthusiasm.

As the kisses returned to her lips, his hand let go of hers and moved slowly to the waistline of her jeans. He flicked open the button and unzipped her slowly, letting his hand rest flat against her abdomen. Their breathing quickened simultaneously, and their eyes met.

That you are the rain on the fire

Deep in the trees when no one was looking

Should I speak of this,

Should I speak of this?

“I want to touch you, Hermione,” he whispered heavily in her ear.

Hermione’s heart was leaping out of her chest as she lowered her jeans down her hips. Ron helped pull them over her feet and now she lay across the stark orange of his bedspread in nothing but a pair of black panties. Ron slid next to her, pressing his body to her side, and draping an arm over her stomach.

“Mione…” he groaned, as his long fingers dipped below the elastic of her underwear.

When he reached her folds and a cautious finger probed them, they both took a sharp breath at the contact. Ron’s fingers reached farther down, and as one entered her, she gripped the sheets and he groaned loudly.

“Tell me what to do, Hermione. Tell me what you want,” he pleaded, his voice like gravel.

All she could do was moan, but she grabbed his wrist and moved his fingers up to the clumping of nerves above her entrance. She guided his hand in quick, soft motions until she could no longer concentrate on his request and had to throw her head back.

Suddenly, his hand left her and he was moving down the bed. He slid her panties slowly down her legs and away from her feet. She could scarcely breathe. She was so scared. He kneeled in front of her now bent legs and put a hand on each knee.

“Please trust me, Hermione. I just want to know you, all of you. I won’t hurt you, love. I’ll never hurt you,” he said gently, parting her legs before him. She whimpered, unable to express how very fearful she was.

He ran his hands up and down her thighs, creating a slow and calming rhythm and causing her body to loosen itself from the grips of anxiety. He leaned over her, placed a hand on either side of her torso, and kissed down her stomach. She felt his hands open her more, and his breath began to move over her most intimate parts.

Then she felt his tongue, gliding slowly over the nerves she had guided him to earlier. She cried out, partially in apprehension at this new act, and partially because it felt so good. He continued to let his tongue flow quickly over her as her hips arched involuntarily toward his face.

She felt his fingers enter her as his tongue continued on its repetitive path. She could feel a scream building from somewhere deep within her, as all traces of apprehension left her body. Her limbs tightened, and then her jaw clenched. She could feel the climax building with more intensity than she could ever achieve herself.

Soon the wave came over her, and she said his name over and over again, hoping that when it was over he would still be there, and that this wasn’t just some perfect dream she had concocted out of loneliness and desperation.

When she opened her eyes and calmed her breathing, he was looking at her with complete awe, shock marring his features. She suddenly grew very, very self-conscious. She turned away from his gaze, trying to hide herself.

“Everything you do is amazing, I swear,” he said with adoration, sitting up on the side of the bed, running his hand over her bare stomach. She could see his other hand resting in his lap, twitching every now and then. She ached to touch the erection she could see beneath his black pants. She wanted to make him feel just as good, loved, and complete as he made her feel. She sat up quickly, sidling over to him before she lost her nerve.

She ran her hand down his bare chest, and his stomach sucked in as her touch moved down. Finally, she was at the clasp of his trousers, and they were both holding their breath. She slowly, and bravely, unzipped his pants. She could feel the soft skin at the head of his hard cock poking out of his boxers, and she ran her fingers softly over it, trying to learn, to educate herself. He moaned immediately when her hand contacted his hot, throbbing flesh.

Filled with a sense of power, she reached under his boxers and wrapped her hand around his length. Her hand could barely wrap around him, but it felt perfect to feel his hips buck and hear his breath quicken under her ministrations. He wrapped an arm around her back, and she faced him, continuing to pump her hand in keeping with his moans, judging what he wanted.

Soon, he put a hand over hers, stopping her, and she gazed at him apprehensively. Was she doing it wrong? Was she hurting him?

He turned and laid her back gently against the soft orange covering of his bed. He lay beside her, moving her hair away from her forehead and kissing her reverently.

“Before this goes any longer, something needs to be said,” he spoke resolutely, and she reached up and placed her hand over his on her shoulder, concerned.

“Ron?”

“I’ve loved you since I met you. I’ve known I loved you since I was poisoned. I want to love you forever. I want you to love me back,” he said, meeting her eyes. His eyes swam with this determination that spoke of how changed he was, but how the wonderful parts of him still lingered somewhere inside.

“I’ve loved you since I met you. I’ve known I loved you since you offered to help with Buckbeak’s trial. I will love you forever. I do love you back,” she said. Unbidden tears fell down her face, and he promptly kissed them away, his lips touching her cheek so lightly, that chills invaded her body.

You are a mirage in the distance

That defies the heat of the desert

Should I believe in you,

Should I believe in you?

He moved on top of her, her face full of adoration and apprehension. She let her legs open for him; dropping to each side, and in doing so, pressed her center directly against his still throbbing erection. She moaned deeply at the hardness pressed against her.

He took his hands and bent her legs, and the cool air against her exposed opening felt like anticipation in her current position. His declarations of forever had made any self-conscious feeling she may have had go entirely out of his small attic window, and now she just waited to finally be a part of him in every way. He was leaning up on his arms, his face hovering over her.

“I’ve heard this hurts, love. Please tell me. I can’t hurt you. I don’t think I could take it,” He whispered, his voice trembling from restraint. She wanted to tell him that in reality it would hurt her, but she didn’t want to push him away, so she leaned her lips up and pressed them against his, pulling him closer to her.

She felt the tip of his hardness at her opening, and lifted her hips to meet him. When he entered her, they both let out loud gasps, though for different reasons. A pain ripped through her, sharp, and then dulling almost instantly. She gripped his shoulders tightly, in hopes that he wouldn’t notice.

However, after a few moments, Ron still hadn’t moved, and she loosened her grip to lean her head back and look at him.

“I hurt you. I know I did. I felt it,” he said miserably, though his cock still throbbed inside her.

“Ron. I need you. I want you. Please move. Please love,” she pleaded, not wanting to deter him away from her and into some dark place or flashback.

Ron moved inside her, and as his pace quickened, the heat within her intensified. She could feel the rush of wetness between them, and the movements they shared became more eased and rhythmic. She held onto him tightly, and when she felt his arms tense, she closed her eyes and arched her hips to meet him. He thrust into her, and she felt his cock pulsate inside her, causing her to yell out.

He whispered her name, burying his nose in her hair and holding her tightly. They lay there in a sweaty and tangled mass until finally the haze had cleared and they were left to bask in each other.

“Third year? Really?” he asked suddenly, tracing lazy circles around her navel.

“Yeah. You were so good to offer your help and to forget our petty fight. I just couldn’t fight it. Of course as a thirteen-year-old girl, I wasn’t sure what love was, but it wasn’t long until I figured it out. I couldn’t live without you for long. And it killed me whenever I was,” she finished, her voice cracking a little with the painful reflections.

He kissed down the side of her face, letting his declarations of love reach her ears like music over and over again.

These rules are made to break and these walls are built to fall

These rules are made to break us

There you have it! The last full chapter of this series! The Venemous Tentaculas are meant to sound like Reel Big Fish, FYI. Keep an eye out for the epilogue, where Hermione makes a long awaited discovery!