Chapter 24 - Ron's Choice I

Ron tried to chase after Hermione after the incident, but she entered the girl's dorms before he could reach the Common Room.

"Ron." Harry returned not long after with the biggest smile on his face. "What's with the long face?"

Ron sighed, seeing Harry so full of energy even after all that. "How was it?"

Harry realized Ron knew and quickly grabbed his best friend by an arm around the shoulder to drag him away. "So good, Ron. I can't tell you in words. I-It was the best feeling in the world."

Of course, it was. Ron thought, having seen much of it. Considering it was Harry's first time, Cho had shown remarkable skills in taking his virginity. But when did she become so open-minded? Cedric?

"So, are you two dating now?" Ron asked.

"She said she'll think about it." Harry beamed, "For now, she said we're good friends. She still needs some time to get over Cedric."

Ron felt worried for his friend right then. She's either using him to get over Cedric, wants to be friends with a few more benefits, or is genuinely trying to like Harry.

"Good for you, mate. Let's go to the Great Hall then. Dinner is about to start," Ron said and dragged him away, giving a slight glance at the entry to the girl's dorm while passing. "Hermione will probably join us there."

I hope she does.

####

She did not.

Hermione continued to ignore Ron over the next few days, always giving him a side-eye glance with a few blushes. It annoyed Ron since he wanted to talk to her, but almost never found a chance to do so.

However, with Hogsmeade weekend coming, Ron decided to use Harry and Cho to drag Hermione along. With Cho's help, he was able to invite her for a get-together at the Three Broomsticks Inn.

Since saying no would have earned a lot of suspicion, Hermione agreed to go out. It was snowy that day. Ashen snowflakes covered the ground and the trees, the roofs, and the roads. Many of the fifth-year students decided to skip the weekend outing, terrified of the incoming O.W.Ls that year.

"Seriously, we should be studying in the library," Hermione complained while following them into Hogsmeade, her feet heavily stepping on the thick snow. Her head was covered by a beanie, her hair loose and sprawling behind her, a pair of blue jeans, a gray coat, and a Gryffindor muffler covered her entirely.

Cho chuckled, her arm holding Harry's closely. "It's just a few hours. Besides, I wanted to go out with Harry."

"It's just a few hours. She's right," Ron agreed, giving Hermione a side-eye, to which she scoffed and folded her arms.

Once again, silence took over, and they soon arrived at the Inn. It was thankfully not full, so they easily found a table for themselves. Right away, a couple of butterbeers were ordered, along with plates of snacks. Harry and Cho sat on one side, while Ron and Hermione found themselves on the other, shoulder to shoulder.

Ron took a sip of the drink, waiting for Harry and Cho to get busy with each other. Until then, he heard Hermione's heavy sighs as she emptied a beer mug in no time.

She's still angry. Ron sighed.

"I'm sorry," he muttered softly, tilting sideways to Hermione. "Can we talk?"

"Hmm," Hermione replied, not even sparing a glance at him.

Fine, I have no choice then. Ron saw Harry and Cho were in the middle of giggling together, oblivious to their surroundings. So he seized the opportunity, grabbed Hermione's hand, and tried to pull her along.

"Let's go outside. It's too hot in here," he said.

Hermione didn't reject and followed him out of the Inn. But Ron didn't stop and took her all the way towards the back of the Honeydukes where nobody could come and disturb them. Once near the middle, he stopped and faced her, the distance between their bodies a mere two feet.

"Why are you ignoring me?" He asked first of all, "Is it because of what happened?"

Hermione stood there, her chin raised, frustrated. "Yes, because of what happened! What you tried to do was… How could you… in a place like that?"

Wait, she's not angry because it happened?

"I know. I shouldn't have tried to…" He couldn't find words that weren't too direct. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I didn't want to take it that far, but you… You looked so charming that I… Blimey, I'm going crazy."

Hermione finally looked at his face, gazing eye to eye, and her folded arms eased down. "Do you know what would have happened If I hadn't pushed you away? It was my first time, Ron…"

"But I thought your first kiss was Krum," Ron blurted out.

Hermione's eyes flared up with anger again.

Bam!

She smacked his chest, angrily continuing to do so. "Stupid, stupid… You have no clue what to say, or when to say it. I wasn't talking about kissing. And yes, my first kiss was Krum. But if you had asked me that night, it could have been yours!"

"What?!"

"What?" Hermione stopped, realizing what she just said.

Ron suddenly remembered the night of the Yule Ball. True, he had felt mesmerized by her looks that night and, for the first time, saw her as something more than just another girl and a close friend.

"You'd have let me?" He asked her.

Hermione shyly tried to hide her gaze but eventually looked up into his eyes, his height taller than her. "I… I wouldn't have said no if you had…"

"Would you say no now?" Ron felt a rush of confidence and stepped closer to Hermione, tracing her steps as she instinctively rested her back against the alley's wall. Ron's hand traced the gentle, warm curve of her coat and pulled her body closer to his, his own pressing against hers.

Facing her so closely, Ron looked down hungrily at her lips. There was tension in her eyes but also a silent desire. No refusal was apparent in her body as she placed both her gloved hands on his shoulders.

"No—"

That's it, Ron leaned down and stole a deep, sensual kiss from her pink, cold lips. His arm hugged her waist tighter while the other moved up, his palm caressing her cheeks, making them warmer.

It was a short kiss, merely lips touching each other.

However, when Ron looked at her again, his other hand joined, holding her face from both sides, his warmer hands making her feel things. The lust, the hunger in each other's gaze was clearly visible. Hermione's anger also faded.

"Would you say no if I took another one?"

"No," she whispered back.

Ron went in with much more fervor this time.

With a whisper of surrender, their lips met in a searing kiss, igniting a blaze that started from within. In that fleeting moment, time stood still, the outside world fading into oblivion. In every tender press and fervent caress of their hot, wet tongues, the tension between them mounted.

With each brush, tongues intertwined in a delicate dance, exploring the depths. Ron's hands went back to her waist and then her hips, kneading her supple flesh over the jeans. His kiss slowly moved to her neck.

"Ummmh…" Hermione moaned, her hands rubbing all over Ron's firm chest.

"Umh…! T-That's enough for today, Ron." Hermione collected her thoughts and tried to stand straight, removing Ron's hands from her rear. "Let's go back now. Harry and Cho might be looking for us."

Oh, Hermione. Why are you always so serious? Ron sighed and respected her choice, moving his face back and removing his hands. The heat in his loins didn't calm down that quickly, however. Should I look for Lavender after all?

But on second thought, he decided against it. Lavender was a loudmouth, and if she said something to Hermione, it would be the end of the friendship that he truly valued.

But can I ever tell Hermione about all the others? About Madam Bones? Ron wondered, Wait, are we a couple now?

"Let's go then." He extended his hand to her.

Hermione blushed and gripped his palm tightly, making it warm with her gloved palms. The two quickly returned to the inn to find Harry and Cho. But, the two were nowhere to be seen.

"They either returned to the school or found a place to shag," Ron muttered unashamedly. "At least Harry's happy now."

"Is that all you boys can think of? Such brutes..." Hermione complained, much softer and jovially this time.

Ron smirked and pulled Hermione's hand closer, feeling her body on his side before whispering, "You're right, Hermione. That's what boys are like… even me."

"You…!" she ate her words back, realizing Ron was likely hard. Remembering his length in her palms from before, she could feel the size in her hand like a phantom limb. "Let's go back."

Ron chuckled and returned to the school with her.

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