Fic Request Fulfilled for manda_lalala
Title: Just Like Magic
Author: xxkessiex
Beta: arjd
Rating: pg-13
Word count: 1763
Summary: Ron and Hermione are stuck at Hogwarts during winter vacation and through bickering and all, their happiness eventually ensues. Harry and Ginny also have a bit of a relationship going on.
Warnings: None I don’t think. Unless you consider “piss off” a bad thing to say, there’s no graphic anything or further “language”
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is J.K. Rowling’s. I’m sure you guys have gotten used to this one. The rest is mine.
Author's Notes: I was feeling a little worried about this one, of course everything turned out way better than I expected. Hope you like it manda_lalala! =]]
"Goodbye, Harry… please come back soon." Ginny gave him a huge hug, not wanting to let go. He started to turn away, but she pulled him back and kissed him quickly. Harry smiled.
"It'll be alright. I'll see you…" and with that, Harry turned his back and walked away, back hunched and hands in pockets, to begin his search for the final Horcrux.
Ginny sighed. "This is going to be the longest winter break ever, I can feel it." Ron turned to her.
"It’ll be fine, Gin. We’re going back to The Burrow in a couple of days,” he said, hoping to cheer his little sister up, although he felt the same way.
"Oh that really helps," said Ginny sarcastically, turning her back on him and trudging the main stairs to the Gryffindor common room.
Ron sat down on the bottom step, his head in his hands. This would be the first Christmas he and Harry wouldn't spend together for a while, and he knew it would be different without him. He didn't look when he heard footsteps descending the stairs, hoping that whoever it was would ignore him.
"Hello Ron!" It was Hermione, her voice overly bright and cheerful, evidently trying to make him feel better about Harry’s absence.
”Hermione, I really just want to be alone now,” he said, his voice muffled. He still didn’t lift his head to look at her.
“Oh, come on, Ron! A bit of wizard chess, or a game of Exploding Snap?” She was still using that horrible fakely happy tone of voice, and Ron felt his temper, already short, blow a fuse.
“Seriously. Hermione, will you please just piss off?” He got up and walked away in the first direction he could think of.
Hermione sat and felt a cold tear fall down her cheek, smudging the first mascara she’d worn in months.
As Ron walked he cursed under his breath. As soon as he was far enough from Hermione that he felt safe, he stopped, slumped against the wall, and sat there, on the cold, slightly damp floor, banging his head every so often against the wall behind him.
How could he have been so stupid as to insult the girl that he was falling in love with? He felt ashamed and angry with himself.
He stormed up to the Gryffindor common room, hoping he didn’t bump into Hermione on the way. He didn’t. Almost running up the steps to the dormitory, he threw himself on his bed and fell into an uneasy sleep.
Hours later he woke, and went down into the common room, wondering what time it was. He saw Ginny sitting by the fire, her eyes red and her skin blotchy. Upon his approach, she wiped furiously at her eyes.
"Ginny, what's wrong? You're not still upset about Harry, are you?"
"No." She said quietly. "It's McGonagall. She said the snow is getting really deep.” Her voice cracked a little, and her chin trembled. “She thinks we're going to get snowed in, and even if I don't get to see Harry, at least we could have seen Fred and George and Mum and Dad for the holidays."
"Can't we just Dissaparate?" Ron wondered, but as soon as the words were out of his mouth he realized he was wrong, remembering all of Hermione's speeches to him about "Hogwarts: A History".
Ginny opened her mouth, presumably to regurgitate whatever Hermione had told her about Hogwarts defences, but Ron cut her off. “Yeah, I know, you can’t Disapparate in Hogwarts. But couldn’t we just melt it, with magic?”
"No." Ginny said shortly. "She didn't say. I don't know why, but when I suggested it she told me we’d be safer in the castle, whatever that means.” But Ron had tuned out, and at the end of her sentence, he burst in.
"Ginny, where'd Hermione go? I really need to talk with her."
Ginny raised her eyebrows. Obviously she knew everything that had gone on between the two of them, and she disapproved.
“She’s down in the dining hall, getting something to eat. But you really shouldn’t go in there, you know! It’s ridiculous to even try!” He was already gone. She sighed, and settled back into her chair.
When he walked in the room, he instantly saw her. She was sat at the table furthest away from the door, her head bowed, eating her dinner alone. There were barely any people left in the castle, and Ron walked through the almost-empty hall, watching her eat her cereal.
"Look. Hermione, I shouldn't have said that. "
"No. You shouldn't have." She said it quietly, but with firmness in her tone.
"I was just upset about Harry leaving this Christmas, and it was awful of me to say that. Especially to you.”
She didn't say anything, but her body stiffened, and she tightened her grip on her spoon.
"I like you, alright Hermione? I really like you. So please, please say something.”
She looked up, and her eyes stared into his. The corners of her mouth turned up, just a little. “Apology accepted, Ron.”
***
Ginny burst into Ron’s room, yelled something about Christmas, and then dashed back out again.
Ron had been having a good dream, although he couldn’t quite remember what it was about. He rubbed his eyes blearily, got out of the warm covers, and staggered downstairs.
"Merry Christmas, Ron!"
Ron gave a weak, tired smile at the two girls at the bottom of the stairs.
They handed each other their gifts, unwrapping them brutally and throwing the wrapping paper into the fire. Suddenly Ginny squealed excitedly, looking over at the window.
"It's Hedwig!" She threw aside her red sweater, with a large "GW" on it, and jumped up, opened the window and let Hedwig inside. She grabbed the letter excitedly, and tore it open. Ron and Hermione exchanged glances. She read through it silently, a huge smile on her face, then read the last part aloud.
"...I really hope you have a Happy Christmas.
I love you.
- Harry"
Hermione jumped up and gave Ginny a huge hug. They squealed together and jumped up and down.
"Oh! I'm so jealous of you, Ginny! I have to read the rest!" Ron scoffed.
"Okay, I just don't think I can sit through a love letter from my best mate. I'm out of here."
He grabbed his new sweater, socks and chocolates and headed back to his room.
"Wait. Ron." Hermione walked over to where he was standing. "I really want to thank you for the scarf. It's gorgeous. And I really do hope you have the happiest Christmas ever." She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek, close to the mouth.
"Erm. Er. Um.” That's all he could say. He walked upstairs to his bed, dropped his gifts and fell flat on his stomach. I really do hope you have the happiest Christmas ever. He touched his cheek, and thought that he probably would.
***
Nearly a week later, the snow hadn’t relented, much to the school’s dismay. Actually, it had got worse. Professor McGonagall had forbidden the remaining students to go outside due to the heavy winds, after a fifth year had been knocked over and sent flying into a snowdrift.
Hermione and Ron sat in the library on New Year's Eve. Hermione was deeply involved in her reading, while Ron had no interest in his. He eyed her from across the room frequently. As she twirled her hair on one finger, her tongue crept out to wet her lips, unconsciously. Ron realised his mouth was dropping open, so he shut it, but it was open again within seconds. She looked in his direction and he quickly dropped his head to the book he wasn’t really reading.
Later as he passed her table, he slid a folded piece of paper on top of her notebook. As he left the room, he turned to see her unfolding it, and smiled.
***
Ron listened to the clock tower as it chimed quarter to midnight. He sat down against the cold brick, waiting. Why had he chosen this, of all places? The clock tower might be romantic, but if they were caught here they’d be in detention with Filch for a week.
Ron glanced up at the clock that was nearly a minute away from midnight. She wasn’t coming. He wasn’t going to get this stupid new years’ kiss.
The clock chimed. One… two… three… four…
Ron cursed himself for ever thinking of this stupid idea. Five… six…
He crossed his arms over his body and curled into a tighter ball, hoping to contain some of his body heat, as a freezing wind gusted through the tower. He shivered.
This is mental, he thought. Why am I doing this? Seven… eight…
I wish I’d chosen somewhere warm, he thought, regretting this so-called romantic decision. Nine… ten…
He heard footsteps ascending the stairs, fast. They tapped quickly on the stone steps. Ron fleetingly wondered whether he’d mind if it was McGonagall. At least she’d take him inside, and put him somewhere hopefully warm.
The footsteps were further apart, now. Ron guessed that the person, whoever it was, was taking the steps two at a time. He stood up and tried to bring his extremities back to life. The footsteps were very close. Eleven…
He turned around and saw Hermione running straight for him. His eyes widened as she jumped up into his arms. He grabbed her and she fastened her legs around his waist. As the clock struck the twelfth and final bell their lips connected. He felt heat rush through him suddenly as their bodies clung closely together. He could feel the warmth of Hermione’s skin through her robes.
She climbed down from where she was wrapped around his body, and pressed him back against the wall, continuing to kiss him. They stood like that for some minutes, kissing up in the belfry, until tremors began to shake Hermione’s body - she hadn’t worn a coat. Ron realised he was supposed to give her his jacket. She put it on, and her body looked ridiculously small in the oversized garment. He hugged her, suddenly and impulsively, and kissed her forehead.
He put his arms around her, and looked down at her face, upturned to his.
“What a way to start the New Year.”
“Just what I was thinking,” she said, and kissed him gently, again.
And although neither of them had even glanced at their wands, their connection with each other felt just like magic.
------------------------
ORIGINAL REQUEST:
Briefly describe what you'd like to receive: A fluffy 7th year fic, either at school or off during the war about Ron and Hermione getting together... finally :)
Preferred Rating: PG13-R
OBHWF Inclusion: I don't mind including them, but I want it to be Ron/Hermione-centric.
Holiday Choice (Christmas, New Year's, Both, or Unimportant): Either one :)
If both, when would you like the fic to be posted? n/a
Other Holidays to incorporate (optional, maximum of three): nah
One to three specifics you want (optional): Bickering, a kiss
Deal Breakers (what don't you want?): they can't already be together when it starts! Not from Harry's point of view
Thank you for participating in the Winter Exchange! Happy Holidays!
Author: xxkessiex
Beta: arjd
Rating: pg-13
Word count: 1763
Summary: Ron and Hermione are stuck at Hogwarts during winter vacation and through bickering and all, their happiness eventually ensues. Harry and Ginny also have a bit of a relationship going on.
Warnings: None I don’t think. Unless you consider “piss off” a bad thing to say, there’s no graphic anything or further “language”
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is J.K. Rowling’s. I’m sure you guys have gotten used to this one. The rest is mine.
Author's Notes: I was feeling a little worried about this one, of course everything turned out way better than I expected. Hope you like it manda_lalala! =]]
"Goodbye, Harry… please come back soon." Ginny gave him a huge hug, not wanting to let go. He started to turn away, but she pulled him back and kissed him quickly. Harry smiled.
"It'll be alright. I'll see you…" and with that, Harry turned his back and walked away, back hunched and hands in pockets, to begin his search for the final Horcrux.
Ginny sighed. "This is going to be the longest winter break ever, I can feel it." Ron turned to her.
"It’ll be fine, Gin. We’re going back to The Burrow in a couple of days,” he said, hoping to cheer his little sister up, although he felt the same way.
"Oh that really helps," said Ginny sarcastically, turning her back on him and trudging the main stairs to the Gryffindor common room.
Ron sat down on the bottom step, his head in his hands. This would be the first Christmas he and Harry wouldn't spend together for a while, and he knew it would be different without him. He didn't look when he heard footsteps descending the stairs, hoping that whoever it was would ignore him.
"Hello Ron!" It was Hermione, her voice overly bright and cheerful, evidently trying to make him feel better about Harry’s absence.
”Hermione, I really just want to be alone now,” he said, his voice muffled. He still didn’t lift his head to look at her.
“Oh, come on, Ron! A bit of wizard chess, or a game of Exploding Snap?” She was still using that horrible fakely happy tone of voice, and Ron felt his temper, already short, blow a fuse.
“Seriously. Hermione, will you please just piss off?” He got up and walked away in the first direction he could think of.
Hermione sat and felt a cold tear fall down her cheek, smudging the first mascara she’d worn in months.
As Ron walked he cursed under his breath. As soon as he was far enough from Hermione that he felt safe, he stopped, slumped against the wall, and sat there, on the cold, slightly damp floor, banging his head every so often against the wall behind him.
How could he have been so stupid as to insult the girl that he was falling in love with? He felt ashamed and angry with himself.
He stormed up to the Gryffindor common room, hoping he didn’t bump into Hermione on the way. He didn’t. Almost running up the steps to the dormitory, he threw himself on his bed and fell into an uneasy sleep.
Hours later he woke, and went down into the common room, wondering what time it was. He saw Ginny sitting by the fire, her eyes red and her skin blotchy. Upon his approach, she wiped furiously at her eyes.
"Ginny, what's wrong? You're not still upset about Harry, are you?"
"No." She said quietly. "It's McGonagall. She said the snow is getting really deep.” Her voice cracked a little, and her chin trembled. “She thinks we're going to get snowed in, and even if I don't get to see Harry, at least we could have seen Fred and George and Mum and Dad for the holidays."
"Can't we just Dissaparate?" Ron wondered, but as soon as the words were out of his mouth he realized he was wrong, remembering all of Hermione's speeches to him about "Hogwarts: A History".
Ginny opened her mouth, presumably to regurgitate whatever Hermione had told her about Hogwarts defences, but Ron cut her off. “Yeah, I know, you can’t Disapparate in Hogwarts. But couldn’t we just melt it, with magic?”
"No." Ginny said shortly. "She didn't say. I don't know why, but when I suggested it she told me we’d be safer in the castle, whatever that means.” But Ron had tuned out, and at the end of her sentence, he burst in.
"Ginny, where'd Hermione go? I really need to talk with her."
Ginny raised her eyebrows. Obviously she knew everything that had gone on between the two of them, and she disapproved.
“She’s down in the dining hall, getting something to eat. But you really shouldn’t go in there, you know! It’s ridiculous to even try!” He was already gone. She sighed, and settled back into her chair.
When he walked in the room, he instantly saw her. She was sat at the table furthest away from the door, her head bowed, eating her dinner alone. There were barely any people left in the castle, and Ron walked through the almost-empty hall, watching her eat her cereal.
"Look. Hermione, I shouldn't have said that. "
"No. You shouldn't have." She said it quietly, but with firmness in her tone.
"I was just upset about Harry leaving this Christmas, and it was awful of me to say that. Especially to you.”
She didn't say anything, but her body stiffened, and she tightened her grip on her spoon.
"I like you, alright Hermione? I really like you. So please, please say something.”
She looked up, and her eyes stared into his. The corners of her mouth turned up, just a little. “Apology accepted, Ron.”
***
Ginny burst into Ron’s room, yelled something about Christmas, and then dashed back out again.
Ron had been having a good dream, although he couldn’t quite remember what it was about. He rubbed his eyes blearily, got out of the warm covers, and staggered downstairs.
"Merry Christmas, Ron!"
Ron gave a weak, tired smile at the two girls at the bottom of the stairs.
They handed each other their gifts, unwrapping them brutally and throwing the wrapping paper into the fire. Suddenly Ginny squealed excitedly, looking over at the window.
"It's Hedwig!" She threw aside her red sweater, with a large "GW" on it, and jumped up, opened the window and let Hedwig inside. She grabbed the letter excitedly, and tore it open. Ron and Hermione exchanged glances. She read through it silently, a huge smile on her face, then read the last part aloud.
"...I really hope you have a Happy Christmas.
I love you.
- Harry"
Hermione jumped up and gave Ginny a huge hug. They squealed together and jumped up and down.
"Oh! I'm so jealous of you, Ginny! I have to read the rest!" Ron scoffed.
"Okay, I just don't think I can sit through a love letter from my best mate. I'm out of here."
He grabbed his new sweater, socks and chocolates and headed back to his room.
"Wait. Ron." Hermione walked over to where he was standing. "I really want to thank you for the scarf. It's gorgeous. And I really do hope you have the happiest Christmas ever." She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek, close to the mouth.
"Erm. Er. Um.” That's all he could say. He walked upstairs to his bed, dropped his gifts and fell flat on his stomach. I really do hope you have the happiest Christmas ever. He touched his cheek, and thought that he probably would.
***
Nearly a week later, the snow hadn’t relented, much to the school’s dismay. Actually, it had got worse. Professor McGonagall had forbidden the remaining students to go outside due to the heavy winds, after a fifth year had been knocked over and sent flying into a snowdrift.
Hermione and Ron sat in the library on New Year's Eve. Hermione was deeply involved in her reading, while Ron had no interest in his. He eyed her from across the room frequently. As she twirled her hair on one finger, her tongue crept out to wet her lips, unconsciously. Ron realised his mouth was dropping open, so he shut it, but it was open again within seconds. She looked in his direction and he quickly dropped his head to the book he wasn’t really reading.
Later as he passed her table, he slid a folded piece of paper on top of her notebook. As he left the room, he turned to see her unfolding it, and smiled.
***
Ron listened to the clock tower as it chimed quarter to midnight. He sat down against the cold brick, waiting. Why had he chosen this, of all places? The clock tower might be romantic, but if they were caught here they’d be in detention with Filch for a week.
Ron glanced up at the clock that was nearly a minute away from midnight. She wasn’t coming. He wasn’t going to get this stupid new years’ kiss.
The clock chimed. One… two… three… four…
Ron cursed himself for ever thinking of this stupid idea. Five… six…
He crossed his arms over his body and curled into a tighter ball, hoping to contain some of his body heat, as a freezing wind gusted through the tower. He shivered.
This is mental, he thought. Why am I doing this? Seven… eight…
I wish I’d chosen somewhere warm, he thought, regretting this so-called romantic decision. Nine… ten…
He heard footsteps ascending the stairs, fast. They tapped quickly on the stone steps. Ron fleetingly wondered whether he’d mind if it was McGonagall. At least she’d take him inside, and put him somewhere hopefully warm.
The footsteps were further apart, now. Ron guessed that the person, whoever it was, was taking the steps two at a time. He stood up and tried to bring his extremities back to life. The footsteps were very close. Eleven…
He turned around and saw Hermione running straight for him. His eyes widened as she jumped up into his arms. He grabbed her and she fastened her legs around his waist. As the clock struck the twelfth and final bell their lips connected. He felt heat rush through him suddenly as their bodies clung closely together. He could feel the warmth of Hermione’s skin through her robes.
She climbed down from where she was wrapped around his body, and pressed him back against the wall, continuing to kiss him. They stood like that for some minutes, kissing up in the belfry, until tremors began to shake Hermione’s body - she hadn’t worn a coat. Ron realised he was supposed to give her his jacket. She put it on, and her body looked ridiculously small in the oversized garment. He hugged her, suddenly and impulsively, and kissed her forehead.
He put his arms around her, and looked down at her face, upturned to his.
“What a way to start the New Year.”
“Just what I was thinking,” she said, and kissed him gently, again.
And although neither of them had even glanced at their wands, their connection with each other felt just like magic.
------------------------
ORIGINAL REQUEST:
Briefly describe what you'd like to receive: A fluffy 7th year fic, either at school or off during the war about Ron and Hermione getting together... finally :)
Preferred Rating: PG13-R
OBHWF Inclusion: I don't mind including them, but I want it to be Ron/Hermione-centric.
Holiday Choice (Christmas, New Year's, Both, or Unimportant): Either one :)
If both, when would you like the fic to be posted? n/a
Other Holidays to incorporate (optional, maximum of three): nah
One to three specifics you want (optional): Bickering, a kiss
Deal Breakers (what don't you want?): they can't already be together when it starts! Not from Harry's point of view
Thank you for participating in the Winter Exchange! Happy Holidays!