Just a Wizard

Chapter Three

After another day of learning who the various people at the Arena were, and seeing Ron every now and again in passing, Hermione found herself sitting opposite Remus and Emma, fiddling nervously with her butterbeer and sending glances over her shoulder towards the restaurant doors every five seconds.

"Don't worry sweetie, he'll be here," Emma said, stilling her restless fingers by placing her hand over Hermione's.

"Who...who'll be here?" Hermione asked, trying to sound confused and failing miserably.

Emmaline smiled widely and nodded over the younger girls' shoulder. "Him," she said quietly, settling back in her chair and watching Ron's eyes light up as he spotted them.

"Remus, Emma," he nodded politely, before pulling out the chair next to Hermione and sitting down. "Hermione. How are you feeling?"

Hermione raised her eyes to his and forgot to speak. He was dressed in nice robes, very smart, the cloak straining over his huge shoulders as he leaned toward her. His hair was neatly combed back and he had no bandanna covering his forehead this time. His blue eyes stood out all the more for not being shadowed and she found herself trapped by the intensity of his gaze.

Ron was also having trouble with his speech. Whereas before she had been wearing fairly snug fitting jeans, but completely obscured her body with a huge sweater, now she was wearing a dress. It wasn't a provocative dress by any standards, it being high necked and long sleeved and full skirted, not showing any flesh. But where she had obviously picked it because of it's slight looseness, she had underestimated how much the material would cling to the nicely rounded parts of her. He found it difficult not to drop his eyes and stare at the firm thrust of her breasts under the bodice of the dress, but he didn't want to spook her, so he continued looking into her eyes. When he noticed how blankly she was staring at him, his lips curved into a smile.

"Something wrong, sugar?"

"You look...very...smart," she faltered, her face flushing because she had been caught staring.

He raised an eyebrow and his smile broadened. "Why, thank you, Hermione. You sound surprised. I couldn't very well waltz into this nice place wearing a pair of jeans, now could I?"

Hermione's eyes darted around at the other diners. "I guess not."

"And you look very pretty tonight," he said quietly, his voice lowering so that Remus and Emma didn't overhear them, even though the older couple were engrossed with talking to each other.

Hermione glanced down at her dress and sighed. It was very nice of him to try and compliment her, but she knew she faded into the background wherever she went, so she didn't acknowledge his words.

Ron frowned and tilted her chin up with one finger. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing," she said, feeling his fingertip burning just under her chin and becoming slightly breathless at his proximity, her world narrowing to include just the two of them.

"Really? Well, then, let's just try that again shall we? You look very pretty tonight," he said, his eyes crinkling at the stain of red on her cheeks.

"I don't...you don't have to..."

"Don't you know how pretty you are, Ninny?" he asked her softly, letting his eyes wander over her soft, clear complexion with its' few tantalising freckles and her dark lashed eyes. She still wore no make up, but then, she didn't need it. Her hair was pinned up at the sides and the rest of it flowed in shiny waves down her back.

"I'm not pretty," she mumbled.

"Dogs bollocks, yes you are, and if we didn't have company I'd prove to you exactly how pretty I think you are!" He actually went to bend his head toward her when he became aware of where they were and that Remus was staring at him with narrowed eyes. He cleared his throat and took his hand away from her chin, picking up a menu and scanning it without saying another word.

Remus grinned at his wife, who looked no less amused than he did. Hermione was sitting looking stunned and Ron looked as though someone had just hit him over the head with a sledgehammer. Things could get really interesting, he thought, the wheels turning in his head as he thought of several different ways to throw the two of them together as often as possible, under some sort of covert supervision of course.

They all ordered their meals and the evening progressed very pleasantly, Hermione eventually coming out of her shell and chatting animatedly with them about the band, and the work she had done that afternoon. She even went so far as to jab Ron in the ribs for scaring her so horribly last night, and he was faintly shocked at her actions, before going into his play-acting mode and groaning. He reached a hand around and held it over his ribs where she had elbowed him, doubling up over the table with an expression of agony.

Hermione giggled at his display and he sat up suddenly and arched his eyebrows at her. "You find something funny in attacking me?"

"Yes," she nodded, still smiling. "Like you even felt it you big fake!"

He put an expression of hurt on his face. "You think I'm a fake? How could you think that? You saw me acting last night, you could see how real it was, how hard I worked to make it a good show, how..."

"Is everything alright here?" the waiter asked as he hovered next to the table.

Ron looked up at him and then pointed to Hermione. "She thinks I'm a fake. Would you say I was a fake?"

The waiter remained impassive looking and shook his head, knowing full well who Ron really was. "No, Sir, I would never say you were a fake."

Ron turned triumphant blue eyes to Hermione. "See? He doesn't think I'm a fake!"

"Yes, but he's probably just worried that you're going to snap him in two if he insults you, so it doesn't count!"

"Oh, but you don't mind insulting me?"

Hermione shook her head. "Not at all."

"Well, that's just great. I get all dolled up so I can come out for a nice meal without embarrassing you, and there you go insulting me! I could get real hurt by that, you know! I think you should apologise," he said, folding his huge arms over his equally massive chest and staring at her expectantly, looking faintly intimidating.

Hermione was saved from answering by the waiter, who was still standing there, waiting for them to order dessert. Once he had what he wanted, he departed and Hermione glanced sideways at Ron to see what he was doing. He was still sitting there with his arms folded, staring at her.

"What?" she asked him, feigning innocence.

"I'm still waiting," he said smoothly, smirking at her.

"For what?"

He arched one eyebrow. "Now there's a leading question," he murmured, grinning sexily at her. "For my apology of course!"

She smiled at his continued playfulness and shook her head, feeling her heart thudding in her chest at his proximity. "I have nothing to apologize for!"

"Yeah you do. Apologize."

"Uh-uh."

"Apologise," he said, leaning closer to her, pleased to note that she didn't back off, even though her expression told him that she had to fight not to.

Hermione stiffened her spine and gave him what she hoped was a haughty look, arching her eyebrows and staring at him with disdain. "And if I don't?"

"Hmm, let me think, what would be a suitable punishment? I know," he said as the waiter returned with their desserts, "If you don't apologise, then I claim a bite of your dessert."

Hermione narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "A bite of my dessert? That doesn't sound too bad. Besides, I'm not apologizing, you fake." She grinned as she said this and reached for her dessert, a large slice of rich chocolate gateau, covered in piped cream and whipped up into a delightful confection. Ron's hand stopped her and she glared at him. "Never get between a woman and her dessert!" she told him. He chuckled at this, but steadfastly refused to let her plunge into the food. "Ah, no, sugar. You didn't apologise, therefore I get my bite of your dessert before you get to taste any, it's only fair!"

"Okay, but you use your own fork, I don't know what I might catch from you!" she shot back, surprising herself with her capacity to tease this enormous wizard, without feeling any fear. It made a welcome change and she felt completely relaxed.

He gave her a mock glare and then pulled her plate in front of him, turning it this way and that as if trying to decide the best place to attack it. Finally he picked up his own fork and plunged it halfway through the cake, pulling it neatly apart and popping it into his mouth before she could utter the protest that was forming on her lips. He watched her, his eyes crinkling up with amusement, as she stared at him with her mouth hanging open.

"You ate half my cake!" she said, aghast at the huge amount he had just put into his mouth with apparent ease. "That's not fair!"

He swallowed the rich dessert and wiped his mouth with a napkin before he spoke. "You should have apologized."

"Oh, you...! I'm glad I didn't! You are a fake, and a greedy one, at that!" she said in mock indignation, reaching for her plate.

"Oh, dear. You seem to have insulted me again!" he said, pulling her plate out of her reach and finishing the dessert with one more mouthful.

Remus and Emmaline were laughing themselves silly at this display, each enjoying their own dessert. Hermione looked at them and then glared at Ron. "Now what do I get to eat?"

"I could suggest a couple of things," he said slowly, watching as she blushed when she caught his meaning. "However, I guess I could let you have one little bitty spoonful of this delicious chocolate mousse."

He handed her the tall glass full of chocolate mousse and she took it from him slowly, expecting him to snatch it back at any second. When he didn't she picked her spoon up and dipped it into the fluffy dessert, her tongue coming out to lick her bottom lip as she concentrated on loading her spoon up. She lifted it up in triumph when she managed to scoop an enormous amount onto it, grinning at Ron.

He smiled smugly, sitting back with his arms folded. "Well done. Now try and fit it into your mouth."

She frowned at the amount on the spoon, knowing she was beaten really, but not wanting to admit it and end all this fun.

"Can't do it, can you?" he drawled, still looking smug and she narrowed her eyes at him, determined that she would at least try.

He watched with amusement as she opened her mouth and gamely tried to get the enormous pile of mousse inside without spilling any. She almost managed it, too, but whereas he would have been able to do it with ease, she couldn't hope to match him. She closed her mouth and felt some of the chocolate ooze out of the corners, grabbing her napkin before it could spill. Strangely she didn't feel in the least embarrassed at making a mess.

"Ha, I knew it! You're still a lightweight when it comes to eating," Ron said, watching her trying to eat the mass in her mouth and blotting away the remnants from her lips. He reached out and took the napkin from her, holding her chin whilst he wiped away the bits she couldn't see. What he really wanted to do was lick them away, he decided, but he knew exactly what that could lead to. His body had lurched painfully when her tongue had darted out to lick her lip before, and now it hardened even more when she did it again. He shifted in his chair slightly, trying to ease the uncomfortable press of his aroused flesh and then watched that small, pink tongue shoot out and lick at the corner of her mouth again.

Hermione looked at his expression and frowned. "Are you okay?" she asked him, thinking that he looked incredibly tense.

He took his hand away from her chin and gave a smile. "I'm just fine."

Remus motioned for the waiter and asked for their bill. After he had paid it he stood up and took Emmaline's arm, smiling down at the other two. "Well, we have to be going, we have some business to finish up. Hermione, you can either come back with us now or stay here a while longer. I'm sure Ron will see you back safely."

"I'll bring her back safe and sound," Ron said before she could reply. He didn't want the evening to end just yet. "Besides, there's a band tuning up, so we could stay and have a dance, if you'd like?"

Hermione stared into his sexy blue eyes and tried to decide what the best thing was to do. But the decision was really made already. She wanted to stay here with him, no matter how nervous that made her feel. "I'd like that."

"Great," Remus said, patting her on the shoulder and then swiping Ron around the head. "You take care of her, okay?" he said to him, giving him a serious look, laced with lots of hidden meaning.

Ron nodded and smiled. "I'll have her back before she turns into a pumpkin pastie, don't panic!"

Remus grinned at his words and sauntered out of the restaurant, Emma laughing and holding his arm.

Hermione smiled at Ron. "I thought it was the carriage that turned into a pumpkin?"

"Yeah, well, the way you ate that dessert, you never can tell!" he teased.

Hermione aimed a soft blow at his shoulder. "Are you saying I'm fat?"

He caught her small fist easily and closed his fingers over it, completely obscuring it from view. His eyes roamed over her petite form and lingered for a second on the swell of her breasts and hips. "No, Ninny, I could never accuse you of being fat. You have a beautiful figure." He raised his eyes to hers in time to see her eyes widen and her cheeks flush at his intimate tone. When the first strains of music floated to his ears he pulled her up out of her chair and led her towards the small dance floor that graced one end of the restaurant. Only the frantic tugging of her hand made him falter, and he turned to stare down at her, amused to find that even in high heels, she didn't reach his shoulder. "What's wrong? Don't you want to dance with me?"

"I...er..." she swallowed, embarrassed all over again. "I can't... really dance!" her voice was no more than a whisper.

"You can too! I'm not that daft Hermione, and I do have a very good memory! Besides, the music's slow, and all you have to do is sway with me. Come on, don't be a chicken," he urged, steadily taking backward steps until they were right near the band. He took her hands and raised them up so they rested on his broad shoulders, amusement brightening his eyes once again when he realised she wasn't tall enough to close them around the back of his neck. His own hands settled on her waist and he slowly moved her from side to side until she picked up the rhythm and began to move on her own, their bodies close enough that her breasts brushed against him with every movement. After a few seconds he let his arms slide around her back and stooped a little, just enough that her hands could wrap more firmly around his neck and she was pulled into an arch against him.

Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew that she should probably protest how close he was holding her, but she couldn't deny that it felt nice. She felt safe and protected for the first time since Hogwarts, something that no-one except for Remus, Harry and Ron himself had ever made her feel. Her eyes closed and she rested her face against his chest, enjoying the warmth coming from him and the spicy smell of his cologne. She realised that this was the first time Ron had ever asked her to dance, and it took her breath away.

Ron had closed his eyes too, breathing in her soft Vanilla scent and relishing the feel of her curves pressing against him. His body was uncomfortably hard now, but he steadfastly ignored it. What he couldn't ignore much longer, however, was the pain in his shoulder where he was bending down. He had been slammed into the wall today during a training session and had fallen awkwardly, not enough to do any permanent damage, but enough for it to ache in certain positions. Apparently this was one of them. But what was he to do about it? He didn't want to stop dancing with her that was for sure. There was only one thing for it. He wrapped his arms tighter around her and lifted her off the floor, feeling the ache in his shoulder ease as he straightened up. Her small weight made no difference whatsoever, he thought, marvelling at the fact that she felt so light.

Hermione gasped and opened her eyes as she felt herself lifted up, staring into Ron's eyes as he grinned at her. "Sorry, but my shoulder aches a bit. It feels better like this."

"Oh, sorry, I didn't know...maybe we should stop? Surely holding my weight is making it worse?"

"Nah, you're as light as a feather. Besides, I'm enjoying this, aren't you?" he asked, his eyes dropping suddenly to her mouth where it was only a couple of inches away from his own.

"Yes," she answered shyly, her arms wrapped firmly around him. She saw the way his eyes dropped and she licked her lips nervously, not realising the reaction she would get from him.

"It's no good, I can't help it..." he murmured as he leaned in and claimed her lips with his, twisting his head sideways and levering her mouth open a fraction. It took about three seconds for him to realise that she didn't know how to kiss properly, but it wasn't a problem for him. He slowed his pace and played gently with her lips until she followed his movements, gradually allowing his tongue to slowly penetrate past her teeth. Sweet, he thought. She tasted sweet, and it wasn't the chocolate she had only recently consumed. She tasted almost exotic. Trying to be mindful that they were in the middle of a half empty dance floor in a crowded restaurant, he attempted to pull back, but she leaned closer so that he couldn't break lip contact.

She might not have known what she was doing, he mused, but she sure seemed to like it. He obliged by deepening the kiss once again, thrusting his tongue rhythmically into her mouth until he had to either stop or throw her down on the floor and have his way with her, crowd or no crowd.

Hermione was stunned when his lips touched hers and he started kissing her. The feel of his firm, warm mouth over hers made her melt and she responded eagerly to him, enjoying the first real kiss she had ever received. His tongue was pushing into her mouth and, although it felt odd, it was also wonderful, and she opened her mouth a bit wider so that the sensations continued. She could feel his hot breath puffing out on her cheek where his nose was resting and it added another dimension to the feelings that were sparking along her nerve endings.

He pulled back swiftly when it got to be too much and stared intently into her face, noting with satisfaction that her eyes were still closed and her breath was coming in little gasps. When her lids lifted he caught his breath at how luminous her eyes seemed, the chestnut colour shining up at him and her expression conveying her amazement.

"Why did you do that?" she asked in a daze.

"Because I couldn't stop myself. You're incredibly sexy," he said, seeing her doubtful expression. "And don't say that you're not, because I have enough evidence pressing into your thighs right now to prove differently!" he said, moving his hips from side to side until her face went a fiery red.

Despite her obvious embarrassment, a light of wonder entered her eyes. "You think I'm sexy?" she said, her voice soft.

"Hell, yeah, I think you're amazingly sexy, always have. Which is why I think we should get our cloaks and get you back to Remus and Emma, before I do something just barely legal right in front of all these nice people!"

He let her drop slowly to her feet, making sure to let her feel every inch of him on the way down, then took her hand and led her back to their table.

Hermione couldn't keep her eyes off him as he led her outside and ushered her into a luxury rental car. He thought she was sexy! She stared at him the whole time he was driving and he kept shifting in his seat, feeling her eyes on him and wanting nothing more than to park the car and have her on the back seat. This was ridiculous, he thought. Hadn't he been through enough shite with women, and here he was with his body acting like a teenage boy's!

When he pulled up at the large house Remus had rented, he turned slowly toward Hermione and reached out a hand, caressing her face. "I enjoyed myself tonight," he said, watching the small smile that curved her slightly swollen lips. The thought of what had made them swollen caused him to swallow. "Would you like to do this again?"

"You mean...go out?" she asked, amazed that he wanted to take her out again.

"Yeah, go out, as in a date. You know, have a meal, see a movie, walk along the beach...don't they do that kind of thing in New Zealand?" he asked, smiling as he teased her.

"Not with me," she said, the truthful answer coming out before she could analyse how self-pitying it might sound.

Ron frowned. "Hermione, haven't you ever been on a date before?"

Hermione shook her head. "No. Well, yes with Viktor to the Yule ball in fourth year, but other than that, not really. Training was more important, and after that... well I was healing you could say."

"Hmm," he mused, cocking his head to one side and studying her. He couldn't believe Hermione hadn't been dating anyone since Viktor. He'd half expected her to be married with a couple of rugrats by now. Then a thought suddenly occurred to him, and Ron shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He knew he shouldn't ask. It was none of his business really, but for some unknown reason he couldn't help himself "Hermione... you've... um... done IT before haven't you?" He continued weakly avoiding eye contact.

Hermione looked at him in confusion "What?" she said and then felt her cheeks heat at his question as the subject of his question dawned on her. "Well...I... er... Of course I have" she looked out the window nervously. "Once."

"That would definitely explain why you don't know how to kiss."

"I didn't think...I can't kiss?" she said, her voice barely more than a whisper as disappointment surged through her. Great, just one more thing for her to be lacking in.

"You couldn't kiss," Ron clarified, grinning suddenly. "You can now."

"Oh, and I suppose you think that's all down to you?" Hermione asked, feeling a faint spark of anger at his arrogant attitude. He still had the curious knack of being able to make her temper show, even when he wasn't apparently trying. Most people she had met over the last few years didn't even know she had a temper, she had found it safer not to ever let it show.

"Sure is. See what a great teacher I am? One kiss from me and you're already an expert!"

She realised that he was only teasing and felt a smile tug at the corners of her mouth. "Well, I'm very grateful. Now I can try my new found talents on other men and see what happens."

"You think so? I reckon you got that a little wrong somewhere along the line!" he said, unsnapping her seat belt and pulling her across the front seat until she was on his lap.

"Ron!" she gasped, surprised at the speed with which she had been moved.

"Hmm, I could get used to that sound," he murmured, nibbling softly at her neck.

"Wh...what sound?"

"The sound of you gasping out my name, all out of breath like that. I'll have to see what I can do to make you lose your breath, won't I?" he asked, covering her mouth with his own in a deep kiss that did leave her totally breathless. When he pulled back, his narrowed blue eyes speared into hers. "Say my name again."

She obliged and he took a deep breath at the husky sound of her voice, his body reacting instinctively to the warm press of hers. This was getting out of hand, he decided, gently placing her back in her own seat.

"Stay there," he ordered her, frowning comically at her when she went to open the door. He got swiftly out of the car and moved around to her side, opening her door and helping her out onto the driveway.

Hermione felt the butterflies start up in her stomach again at the possessive way he held her hand as he walked her to the door, holding her in front of him as they stood under the soft glow of the porch light.

"Will you be at the Arena tomorrow?"

"I'm not sure...I haven't really made any plans..."

"You have now. I'll see you tomorrow at lunchtime in Remus' office, okay? No arguments!" he warned, dropping a light kiss on her lips and ringing the doorbell.

He smiled at Remus as he opened the door and then planted a soft kiss on her knuckles before walking away and getting back in his car.

Hermione watched him drive away, feeling dazed by the events of the day.

"Everything okay?" Remus asked her as he led her into the house, his gaze falling to her chin and a slow smile spreading across his face.

"Fine," she murmured, her thoughts still with Ron.

"So you had a good time then?"

Hermione looked up at him, noting his strange expression. "Yes, it was...fun."

"Mmm-hmm. You seem to have a bit of a rash on your chin," he said, standing her in front of the hall mirror so she could see. "Now, what could have caused that?"

Hermione blushed when she saw what he meant. Ron's beard had rubbed her soft skin and a small red rash had appeared and, obviously, Remus knew what it was. Emmaline emerged from a room to their left and came over to see what they were looking at.

"Oh my," she said softly, smiling at Hermione and giving a wink. "Leave her alone Remus, the poor girl looks all worn out. Come on, I'm going up now anyway, so I'll save you from this big old ogre!"

She led Hermione up the sweeping staircase and into the large room at the end of the hallway, all decorated in creams and peaches with its own bathroom. When Emma had shown it to her the first night, she had almost been speechless.

"Wow," was all Hermione had been able to say, never having seen such luxury in her life.

"I know, it's pretty amazing, huh?" Emma had said, glancing around the room. "Well, I'll leave you to it. Your bags are over there. Have a nice sleep."

Now Hermione closed the door behind her on only her second night in this house, this time her thoughts being full of Ron and she knew that she would have sweet dreams.

Ron woke up early the next morning, sitting up in bed and immediately thinking about Hermione. Strange, he thought, how he could feel so strongly attracted to a woman he hadn't seen in so many years. But he decided not to question it. He had already had some hard blows come to him because of women, not least his ex wife. By rights, he should be wary of ever talking to another female again, let alone touching one. But he knew, that Hermione would never betray him or hurt him in any way. They after all were best friends back in the day, and when she came out of the shell she seemed to be in now, he could tell she really hadn't changed that much. From the way her life had been so far, she knew what it was to hurt and how it felt to have no trust for people, especially men. She would never willingly hurt another person.

He smiled. As for trust, well, she had let him kiss her and she had changed rapidly from the frightened mouse he had met in Remus' office, to the sweet-natured and very desirable woman she had once been at Hogwarts, and obviously still was when she let her guard down long enough for people to see.

He jumped out of bed and stretched slowly, trying to work the kinks out of his immense muscles before he took a shower. A wide smile stretched his lips and he shook his head. He couldn't wait to see her again! Ron Weasley had never realized how much he actually missed her. Still, it would be good to see if his mind had been playing tricks on him the night before, or if she really was as gorgeous as he had always thought. As far as he was concerned, lunchtime couldn't come round fast enough.