Just a Wizard

CHAPTER NINE

Hermione rushed off to tell Tabitha that they had the entire afternoon off, laughing at the other girl's obvious delight. "Oooh, I get to ogle Carter all afternoon. I think he was coming to get me in about an hour anyway, so how about we clear up and go find them instead?"

Hermione agreed readily and they put all their work away, making sure the room was spotless. "I'm going to miss working with you," Hermione admitted, staring at the other girl. "You're the first real mate I've ever had since Hogwarts."

"And you're mine. I don't really make mates very easily and I'll miss you as well. Not half as much as Ron will though, I expect! Still, it's only a couple of weeks and then we get to stay at one place for an entire month! That will be bliss, not having to do all that travelling!" She took a last look around the room and grabbed Hermione's arm. "Come on, let's go find those two hunks!"

They walked through the arena's corridors, looking in different rooms to see where the men were, eventually ending up at their dressing room. "Guess we should have looked here first?" Tabitha said, shaking her head and knocking on the door.

"Come in," Ron's deep voice called out, sounding impatient.

"He doesn't sound too happy," Tabitha murmured, grimacing as she opened the door and the two girls walked inside. Carter was standing muttering to himself whilst he looked at his reflection, turning this way and that and then shrugging.

"What's the matter?" Tabitha asked him, coming up behind him and making him jump.

"Bloody Hell witch, I didn't even hear you come in!" he said, swinging round to grab her shoulders and pull her up against him, a big grin spreading across his face.

"That's because you were too busy looking at yourself in the mirror, as usual," she pointed out, letting her eyes roam appreciatively over his broad chest. "What were you muttering about?"

"I've got a zit," he moaned, pointing to a big red spot that had appeared on his forehead. "And there's another one here," he added, pointing to his bare chest. He grinned again when he saw Tabitha's eyes transfixed on the broad expanse of naked flesh. "Want to help me charm them?" he asked, giving her a goofy look when she grimaced and then dragging her into the bathroom and slamming the door behind them.

Ron shook his head with a small smile and turned to look at Hermione, who was standing just inside the door. "What are you doing all the way over there love?" he drawled, crooking his finger and motioning her over to him with a wicked look.

Hermione chewed her lip and moved slowly towards him, still thinking about what he had said earlier about making her pay for her insults. When she reached the couch and went to sit down, he grabbed her arm and pulled her over to him, sitting her on his lap and closing his massive arms around her, trapping her against his chest with a deep sigh. "Hmm, this feels good," he said, his voice deep.

Hermione frowned and managed to move her head enough to glance up at him. His eyes were closed and he had a frown line between his eyebrows. "Are you okay? You sounded annoyed when we knocked."

His eyes opened and looked down into hers. "I'm fine, Ninny, just a couple of aches is all."

She opened her mouth to offer to help, but then remembered what had happened that morning and closed it again, deciding that any such offer wouldn't be well received. Ron saw the small movement and sighed again. "What?" he asked her, raising his eyebrows.

She shook her head. "Nothing," she mumbled.

"Yeah, it is. Come on, say what you were about to say, I won’t bite your head off this time!"

"I was just going to ask if I could help...maybe give you a massage or a charm or something?" she said hesitantly.

Ron looked at her in surprise. "You can give massages?"

"Well, no, I haven't before, but I thought that maybe..." she trailed off and then shrugged uncomfortably. "It doesn't matter, it was just a thought."

Ron grinned at her. "Well, it was a good thought. And since you've asked, yes you can give me a massage. It doesn't matter that you haven't done it before, I can tell you what feels good."

Carter and Tabitha walked out of the bathroom at that point and Carter laughed. "Haven't done what before? And I just bet you can tell her what feels good!"

Ron shot the other man a poisonous look. "Get your mind out of the gutter. We were talking about her giving me a massage!"

"Oh okay," Carter said amiably. "On what part of your body?"

"Carter, I swear to Merlin...!" Ron bit off, glaring at him.

"Okay, okay, I take back every filthy insinuation! Me and Tabitha are going down to training area, see you there in fifteen?" Carter asked, ushering Tabitha out of the room and slamming the door behind him.

"Sorry about that," Ron said, trying not to smile at the way Carter had acted.. "He can be a big daft bastard sometimes!"

"Ron!"

"Aw, what? Am I getting told off about my language again?" he said, grinning cockily.

"Yes you are!"

"Are you going to punish me midget?" he asked her, his voice a deep drawl that made her shiver.

"Well...I guess I could refuse to take you for a walk..." she said, smiling cockily right back at him.

Ron raised his eyebrows and gave her a truly evil smile. "That's another one I owe you. That's about...oooh...four insults I've counted so far, so that's four points you've earned yourself. You’ve got some payback coming your way pretty soon."

She tried to look braver than she felt. "I'm so scared!" she said sarcastically, making a laugh burst out of him before he controlled himself.. He stood up, taking her with him and then stood her on her feet, looming over her. "You should be scared, Ninny, you should be real scared!" he growled, rolling his eyes up into his head and sticking his tongue out at her.

Hermione recognised his scare tactics and giggled, giving him a shove that didn't move him an inch. "Oh, and now she attacks me?" he asked the room, putting his hands on his hips and glaring at her. "That's five! Come on let's get down to the training circle and you can watch me and Carter throw each other about!"

"I thought you wanted a massage?" she asked in confusion.

"Yeah, well, maybe Carter had a point. If you start touching me I might have to start guiding your hands to one particular muscle..." he trailed off and laughed as she went red. "That being the case, we'd better get out of this room, hmm?"

"Okay," she agreed, partly relieved to get out of the room and partly disappointed. Still, she was looking forward to watching him practise from the side of the training circle instead of just on the WNV box. He took her hand and tugged her along with him until they reached the circle. Hermione stared around her with her mouth open, trying to take it all in. The training room was huge, obviously enlarged magically, all centring on the circle itself.

"It's much bigger than I remember," she murmured as they made their way down the aisle towards where Carter was trying to tug Tabitha into the training area..

"How long has it been?" Ron asked.

"Over a year, but I didn't really notice how big it was then," she said as they stopped next to the steps.

"Going to get in the circle with me?" Ron asked her, cocking one eyebrow.

Hermione thought about it for a few seconds. "I don't think so, you might use it as an excuse to pay me back for my insults, and I wouldn't have a hope of winning against you in there!"

He bent down and playfully bit her neck. "What makes you think you could win against me anywhere else either?"

She yelped and shoved him off her, smiling when he threw his hands up and shook his head. "There you go attacking me again! That's six," he said, stepping up on the side of the circle and quickly climbing over the barrier to join Carter, who had been unsuccessful at getting Tabitha in there with him..

Hermione walked over and joined the other girl and they leaned against the side, watching as the two enormous men started trading blows and hexes, and generally leaping about. Tabitha sighed as she stared at Carter. "Aren't they great?"

Hermione nodded dreamily as she watched Ron grab Carter's throat and push him into a corner, looking ferocious. He looked down briefly at Hermione and his face softened instantly, a small smile curving his mouth. Carter took advantage of his sudden loosening grip and shoved him away, flicking his wand and levitating Ron up and holding him over his head, grinning down at Tabitha as he did so..

"Ya damn show-off," Ron growled down at him. "Put me the hell down!"

"Keep talking like that and I'll throw you out of the circle," Carter threatened, grinning inanely.

Hermione heard what he said and she rushed over to the steps, climbing up them and leaning over the top of the barrier. "Carter, don't you dare!"

"Yeah, Carter, don't you dare," Ron said mockingly, feeling the younger man's spell start to weaken as he began to lose concentration both from holding his weight up for so long, and from the distraction of the girls.

"You big girl!" Carter mocked. "You need a witch to protect you now?"

"Mate, you're in for some pain when I get out of this!" Ron said, trying not to smile.

"Carter, put him down!" Tabitha said, joining Hermione.

"Why don't you make me?" Carter said, raising his eyebrows at the blonde girl.

Tabitha looked at Hermione and started laughing. "Come on, let's get him!"

She climbed over the invisible barrier and waited for Hermione and then, with a mutual nod, they rushed him, starting to tickle him under his arms, and on his sides. He was in just the perfect position and his only defence was to wing his free arm haphazardly because he knew if he lowered his gaze, Ron would certainly fall.

Caught between wanting to put his arm down and not wanting to hurt Ron by lifting the spell, he tried walking away from them. "I'm going to drop him!" he warned through his laughter as he tried to get away from their nimble fingers.

They stopped their tickling and Tabitha stood with her hands on her hips. "Well, you'd better put him down now then, because I haven't finished with you yet!"

"That so?" he asked, lowering Ron swiftly to his feet, before he turned to Tabitha with his arms crossed over his chest. "Want to try doing that again?"

"Uh-oh, I think we're in trouble," Tabitha said to Hermione with a huge grin, quickly darting to the other side of the circle. Carter was quicker than her and he caught her and lifted her off the ground.

Hermione laughed as she watched their antics and then realised that Ron was standing just behind her, staring down at her with his hands planted on his hips. "What?" she asked warily, wondering why he looked like he had just won in battle.

"I suppose I should be grateful that you tried to 'rescue' me from Carter? Maybe take away some of those points you've added up?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

Hermione nodded enthusiastically. "That sounds like a good idea!"

"Hmm, I just bet it does. Well, seeing as how you were being so brave, maybe I'll take away one point," he murmured, pursing his lips.

"Only one? I was being really brave you know!" Hermione said mock hopefully, smiling up at him in a winning fashion, then giving a mock frown when he didn't seem moved. "If I hadn't been here, you could still be in real trouble you know. What with you being so much older than Carter and all!"

"Oh, you did not just insult me about my age!" he growled, reaching out and grabbing her waist to haul her up in the air in front of him. "You forget we were the same year lassie! Now not only am I not going to deduct any points, but I'm adding an extra two! That makes eight!"

Hermione grabbed his shoulders. "That's not fair!"

"You should have thought about that before you insulted me again!" he growled, narrowing his eyes on her suddenly defiant expression. "Don't even think about it!"

Hermione's eyes widened. "What are you, a mind reader or something?"

He smirked at her. "Something like that. Why? Are you going to deny that you were about to insult me yet again?" He waited for her to answer, but when she remained silent he just grinned at her. "I didn't think so! Well, since you're finally in 'my yard', then I guess it's payback time!"

She stared at him warily. "What are you going to do?"

"Worried?" he asked smugly, his smirk getting bigger.

She glared at him. "Not at all!"

"Oh really?" he said, lifting her higher and then dropping her over his shoulder, his hand coming up to give her a light slap on the backside.

"Ron, you put me down!" she gasped out, pushing at his back.

"Nope!"

"Ron, so help me, if you don't put me down, right now..I'll...!" she said, her words stopping when he suddenly placed her on her feet at the edge of the circle, his arms trapping her against the barrier either side of her so she couldn't get away.

"You'll what?" he asked softly, looking genuinely interested. He bent and gave her a soft kiss, his hands moving to her arms to hold them out at her sides. He had her so distracted that she didn't notice that he was using his wand to trap her arms against the side, not until he stopped kissing her.

When she tried to move she found her arms outstretched, being held by a spell either side of her, and she looked up at him, her mouth dropping open as he stood there with his arms folded over his huge chest. "What are you doing?"

"Paying you back, of course. I thought it might be easier if you were helpless..." he said, smiling and placing his hands on her waist. He ran his fingers lightly up and down her sides and her eyes widened when she realised what he was up to.

"Ron," she said hesitantly, "don't you dare..." Hermione could have easily broken the spell and ended their play, hell, she certainly COULD beat him at his own game if she really wanted to humiliate him, but she was just enjoying it too much despite the tickling she knew she was about to receive.

It was too late anyway. With an evil smile he started tickling her and she lost all control, laughing hysterically and trying to get away, pleading with him to stop. "Got a problem?" he asked her, a huge grin on his face as he mercilessly tickled her.

"Ron...please..." she gasped out, her ribs actually aching from laughing so hard.

He slowed down the pace of his hands and bent down so his face was level with hers. "Now you know I like the sound of that," he murmured, his voice deep. "Your voice all husky and begging me...hmm, maybe I can think of a better punishment than this."

Hermione managed to catch her breath when he finally stopped tickling her and she glared up at him through watery eyes. "You mean you haven't finished yet?"

"Not by a long shot. That was one, you still have seven coming to you," he said arrogantly, staring down his nose at her as he straightened up.

"That's not fair!"

"You keep saying that. If you can't stand the heat...you know what they say. Maybe you should have thought before attacking me?" He looked so smug as he looked down at her helpless form that she started frantically trying to get out of the binding spell so she could attack him again. Either it was stronger than she thought, or she was simply out of practise.

"Oooh, you let me out of here! I'm going to hex you when I get out of here...!" she threatened, narrowing her eyes on his face.

Ron watched with amusement as she struggled, then sighed and released her from the spell holding her arms before, stepping back quickly so she couldn’t hit him. "Temper, temper," he murmured, making her madder still, just as he'd known it would.

She rushed at him, hitting him squarely in the stomach with both hands and making him stagger backwards. When he burst out laughing at her actions, she almost stamped her foot. "That the best you can do, love?" he taunted her.

She gritted her teeth and pushed him again, using all her strength, frustrated when he moved back only one step and grinned at her. "Come on, Hermione, put me on the floor, if you think you can!"

She looked him up and down and tried to decide how to put someone his size on the mat, without using magic or injuring him outright. A man his size would go down hard, and despite her anger, Hermione didn’t really want to hurt him. Maybe his legs, she decided, going up to him and grabbing his arms for support as she tried to pull his legs out from under him with her feet. Nothing worked.

She noticed that Carter and Tabitha were standing watching them, both of them laughing at the impromptu performance, and Carter motioned her to come over.. "Want to know how to put him down?" he asked, bending to whisper in her ear.

Ron watched them suspiciously and eyed Hermione as she walked back over to him, her face serene. "What did he say to you? You can’t use you’re wand! This is hand to hand combat Hermione."

"Nothing important, just saying what a weakling you are," she said with a smile, watching his eyes narrow.

"That so? How weak do you think I am?"

"Let's see shall we?" she asked and reached up a hand, running it gently through his hair and down the side of his face, taking him by surprise, her other hand running up and over his large chest. His breath hissed in when she ran her nails lightly across his nipple. "You don't feel like a weakling," she murmured, studying his physique. "In fact, you feel wonderful, all firm and solid...come down here, please," she said softly, staring at his mouth. Ron forgot everything when she looked at him like that and he obediently bent down, receiving a quick kiss from her when he did so. She put her arms around his neck and caressed his shoulders, giving him another kiss on the lips followed by one on the cheek. Her mouth moved to his ear and bit his lobe gently, laving the small wound with her tongue in a sensual motion that made him groan.

"Can you kneel down for me?" she whispered huskily, rubbing her face against his.

She felt him give a deep shuddering sigh before he dropped quickly down onto his knees in front of her and wrapped his massive arms around her waist. It wasn't until he noticed her broad grin that he realised something was wrong. "What?" he asked, his tone hesitant.

"I did it, I put you on the floor!" she said happily, trying to look superior. "You told me to put you on the floor, and there you are. And I didn't even have to use force!" she said gleefully.

Ron rolled his eyes and pursed his lips in disgust. "That was really low," he told her, trying not to smile.

"Well, you made it sound like I couldn't do it..."

"You tricked me!" he said. "That wasn't fair!"

"I thought that was my line?" she said, running her fingers through his hair again and enjoying the silky texture of it.

"You know what? That point I took off for tickling you, I'm putting it back on!" he growled, leaning in to nuzzle her neck.

"But I didn't do anything wrong!" she said, shuddering when he bit at the delicate skin between her neck and shoulder. "How many do I get anyway?"

"You don't get more than ten," he said, looking impossibly arrogant even though he was on his knees in the middle of the circle holding her close to him. "We have to clear the numbers before you go over ten, and we're starting right now."

"We are?" she asked, wondering what he was going to do now.

"Oh, yeah," he murmured, closing in and kissing her deeply, not caring who was watching or how turned on he happened to get.

When Hermione was thinking she would pass out from a mix of pleasure and lack of oxygen he drew back and gave her a lopsided grin. "Okay, that cleared at least two," he told her. He stood up and pulled her with him. "Now, you want to clear the rest in one go?"

"How do I do that?" she asked worriedly.

"Simple," he said, holding her in front of him and smirking. "You put me down on the floor without using your feminine wiles, or your wand to do it."

"But I can't do that, you're too big!" she protested, giving him a disgusted look. Why was he making her do this?

"You know what they say, the bigger they come, the harder they fall. You can do it if you really put your mind to it. You had combat training."

"Yeah, right. Maybe that would be true if I was anywhere near as big as you. I can't do it." She insisted.

"Sure you can. I tell you what, I'll keep one arm behind my back at all times okay?" he offered, slowly placing his arm behind him and smiling.

"Well, okay. You promise you won't hurt me?" she asked him, feigning weakness.. Hermione was beginning to get a faint idea of how to avoid what he wanted her to do, and still put him on the floor.

"Of course I won't hurt you. Come on, give it your best shot!" He looked like he was really enjoying himself, she decided, as they circled one another.

She bit her lip and looked him over, trying to find a weak spot, but the only one she knew of would cause him such pain that she would never even contemplate it. Every time she tried to get a little bit nearer he went to grab her and she dodged back again, starting to laugh now as she relaxed. Especially since he was looking down at her with sparkling eyes, quite obviously enjoying himself.

Throwing caution to the wind she charged at him, but he neatly twirled, grabbed her arm and used her own momentum to push her smoothly into the barrier, making her bounce back at him so he could catch her, his free arm going around her waist from behind and bringing her back against his chest so he could curl his body over her.

"Gotcha!" he growled in her ear, making her giggle at how fast he had managed to disable her.

She relaxed against him and thought for a second, then quickly brought her foot up and then stamped it down on his toes, trying not to do it too hard, just enough to surprise him. He gave a yell and released her, lifting his foot up and hobbling about. She gave a grin of triumph and then grabbed his head whilst he was bent down enough for her to reach it, turning it to the side and getting hold of his earlobe and twisting it.

"On your knees, wanker," she told him, trying to copy his arrogant drawl.

"Ow, ow, okay, okay!" he yelped, instantly falling to his knees, his head bent at a painful angle as he tried to get his ear out of her grasp. "Come on, Ninny, that really hurts," he pleaded, looking at her with soulful eyes.

"I'll let go as soon as you admit defeat," she said, knowing full well he'd make her pay once she let him go.

"I won't do that," he said, giving her a poisonous look. She twisted harder and he yelled, his eyes flashing at her. "Okay, you've got me beaten. Let go!"

Carter was laughing so hard that it was echoing around the training room, making Ron send him a furious look. Hermione let go of him and rubbed his earlobe for him before rushing to get out of the circle.

"Get back in here!" Ron bellowed at her, his eyes holding amusement, which stopped her from getting scared.

"No way, I know you, you'll try and get me back! Anyway, we're quits now, my points are wiped, right?" she asked him, raising her eyebrows.

"Wiped? I'll give you wiped..." he threatened, vaulting easily out of the circle and starting towards her.

Hermione gave a small shriek and turned and ran, making her way as quickly as she could back out the door and into the bowls of the arena, oblivious of the laughs and amused glances she received from some of the workers nearby.

She got to the end of the corridor and skidded to a stop. Okay, which way did she go from here, she thought, looking left and right and not recognising either way. The sound of Ron's footsteps rapidly approaching made her decide and she turned left and continued running, hearing him getting closer by the second.. Before she had taken many more steps he grabbed her around the waist and lifted her clear off the floor, continuing his momentum until he had her in his office. He stood looking down at her, his eyes narrowed and then he carried her into the bathroom, dumping her under the shower and turning it on.

Hermione screamed as the cold water cascaded over her head and she tried getting out from under the spray, but he kept her there with one big hand, the other leaning against the wall whilst he watched her. He gave a slight nod and turned off the shower at last, obviously satisfied that she was thoroughly drenched. He stood back and waited to see what her reaction would be.

Hermione looked down at herself and then up at him, seeing that same smug look on his face that had been there before. "I suppose you're happy now?"

He nodded. "Yep, I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself right now."

"You...you...overgrown..."

"One," he said, holding up one finger.

"...pompous..."

"Two."

"...overbearing..."

"Three."

"...big headed..." she slapped him.

"Ouch...four."

"...dumb..."

"five."

"...fire crotch!" she finished, stamping her foot.

"Six. Actually, I don't mind the ‘fire crotch’ bit, so just five. Got any more insults for me?" he asked, grinning cockily.

"I wouldn't waste my breath throwing any more insults at your thick skull!" she said, lifting her chin and glaring at him.

"And yet there you go calling me names again. Well, that's six. But I guess I can wait until we meet up in London to get payback this time. I think you've had enough for today," he said.

She put her hands on her hips and glared at him, blowing a strand of wet hair out of her eyes. "Maybe I don't want to meet up with you in London!"

"Sure you do, Hermione," he returned easily, grabbing a towel off a nearby shelf and throwing it at her. "Better get out of those wet clothes before you catch a cold."

"I probably will catch a cold, then it'll turn into flu, and then pneumonia and I'll die. Then I'll come back and haunt you!" she threatened, wiping her face with the towel.

He raised his eyebrows. "As long as you're the sort of ghost that strips me naked and has her wicked way with me, then I don't have a problem with that!"

"Hmph," she snorted, shouldering past him. "You'd be lucky."

"Wouldn't I though?" he murmured, watching the way the clothes were plastered to her body, leaving very little to the imagination.

He followed her back into the main office and opened his trunk, pulling out a clean T-shirt and a hairbrush. "Come here," he said softly, waiting until she stood looking mutinously up at him. He took the towel from her hands and dropped it on the couch, turning to pull her wet top over her head and then start on the sweat pants she was wearing.

Hermione didn't even have the presence of mind to protest his actions, she just stood letting him do it, starting to shiver as the air got to her wet skin. He threw her clothes in a heap across the room and then looked down at her soft curves, covered now only in her underwear, and he had to force himself not to take them off as well. Taking the towel he wrapped it firmly around her body and sat her down, going off to the bathroom for another towel and then sitting down to dry her hair. It was difficult to get it out of its braid with it being so wet, but eventually he managed it and started towelling it dry. When he was satisfied that it wasn't dripping anymore, he took the brush and started pulling it through the thick tresses.

Hermione sat still and closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of his hands smoothing through her hair. He was incredibly gentle with her and she gave a deep sigh, leaning back against him and feeling his arms close around her, his head lowering to rest on top of hers.

"I wish I could stay here," she murmured, thinking of the fact that she would be leaving soon.

"I wish you could too. But it's only for a short while, then you'll be travelling with us all the time won't you?" he asked her, hoping that that would be the case.

"I think so, Remus hasn't said. I hope so," she answered, her arms resting over his and stroking his creamy flesh. "I don't want to go."

"Don't you want to see Remus' house, or should I say your new home?" Ron said, and she felt him smile against her hair, his fingers caressing her waist.

"Yeah, I do, but...I don't know. I'm going to miss you really a lot," she admitted, her shoulders slumping. "I guess that sounds stupid doesn't it? We’ve only been back together a few days, so how on earth am I going to miss you?"

"It doesn't sound stupid, not unless I'm stupid too, because I'll miss you just as much, maybe more," he said softly, kissing her head.

She didn't say anything, but she couldn't help smiling. She was starting to care for him a lot more than she used to, and it was quite nice to think that maybe he was starting to care for her too. She turned her head and leaned back, looking up at his beautiful eyes and his tempting mouth, lifting a hand so she could flatten it against his cheek. "Are you going to come and see me when you get to London?"

"Stupid question," he murmured, smiling down at her. "Just try and stop me."

He stared down into her face and smiled when he saw her expression, finding it amusing how easy to read she was. Her eyes were fixed on his mouth and she obviously wanted to kiss him, although she wasn't confident enough just yet to go ahead and do it. She would soon get used to it, he decided, a smirk tilting his lips.

"What are you smirking about?" she asked him, narrowing her eyes.

"Just wondering when you're going to pluck up enough courage to kiss me, I know you want to. And since you do, then I have to assume that you aren't mad at me for giving you a soaking," he said, smiling wickedly at her.

"I might be mad," she replied, trying to look angry and failing miserably..

"Yeah, and you might be taller than 5 ft too, but I doubt it!"

"I am taller than 5 ft!" she protested, sitting up straighter and glaring at him.

He gave her a doubting look and just smiled. "Sure you are Ninny."

"I am too! I'm 5 ft and one whole inch!!"

"Wow, one whole inch huh? Okay then, I take it back. I was wrong, and I am very, very sorry," he said, plastering a repentant look on his face that made her laugh.

"You big fake," she said softly, giving a deep sigh as she stared at his face, wondering how someone so handsome could possibly be interested in someone as plain as her.

"What's that look for?" he asked her, stroking her face with his knuckles.

She smiled and shook her head, not wanting to voice the question in case she didn't like the answer.

"Nothing...just looking, stocking up on memories for the next couple of weeks."

He raised an eyebrow. "I could give you a very graphic memory to take away with you, if you'd like?" he said, waggling his eyebrows at her.

She gave him a hard slap on the arm and wagged her finger in his face. "Stop being rude!"

Ron put on a hurt look, something that didn't sit well on a nearly six and a half foot man. "You're not a nice person. You insult me, you attack me...I don't know why I bother!" He stopped his playacting when her face fell.. "Hey, I was only kidding!"

"I know, it's just...well, I was just thinking that...I don't know what you see in me. I mean, you're so handsome and everything, why are you bothering with someone like me?"

"You know, I don't know about all that handsome rubbish, I'm just a wizard, like any other. But you are something special and something rare in my life. You're sweet, you're beautiful, you make me smile and you make me feel as if I really am handsome. I love spending time with you, even though we have only been back together a short time," he said, catching her eyes and holding her gaze. "I actually feel as if we’ve always belonged together."

"Maybe we knew one another in a past life?" she said, trying to joke.

He nodded. "Maybe so. Of course, I would have been the lord of the manor and you would have been the lowly servant," he said looking arrogant.

She smiled at him. "Oh, that's right, give yourself the best role. Typical!"

"Aw, come on. You may have been a servant, but I still would have chased you around the house trying to get under your skirts!"

She laughed at the naughty schoolboy look he was adopting and he grabbed her to him, tilting her chin up for his kiss. "Mmm, that's better," he growled. "So, what are you doing now?"

"Nothing. Remus gave me the afternoon off."

"Well, well. Looks like I can keep you here with me then doesn't it?" he said, bending his head to kiss her again.

The next two days flew by, and she enjoyed every moment of them. Ron showed up at odd times during her working day and when she wasn't with him she thought about him. The day before she was due to go to London with Remus, Hermione waited backstage and watched on the monitors while Ron and Carter did their thing. Now she was more used to the place she found the whole experience more exciting, even if the sight of the huge men wandering about backstage still made her a little nervous. About halfway through the concert she suddenly felt as if she were being watched and she turned her head, finding a well-dressed man standing watching her with a smirk on his face. He had blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail and she couldn't decide whether or not he was good looking, but she quickly turned away as he continued to stare at her in that strange way. She felt rather than heard him move up behind her and she glanced hesitantly over her shoulder again, jumping when she found him closer than she expected.

"Well, hello there, you sweet thing," he said, his voice deep and his eyes running over her figure as he hemmed her in against the wall with one arm resting behind her. "Where did you come from? I thought I knew all the witches here."

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but found she couldn't think of a thing to say. She felt extremely uncomfortable with him standing so close, but she didn't know how to tell him to go away. She frowned, wondering who he was.

As if sensing what she wanted to know he gave a cocky grin. "My name's Theodore," he said, tilting his head back and obviously waiting for her approval.

Unfortunately, she had heard of him, Theodore Knott, one of Malfoy’s Slytherin buddies from back in her Hogwarts days. He clearly didn’t recognize her though, and she wasn’t about to enlighten him. "I'm sorry, I don't know who you are," she said, shrugging. It was his turn to frown now, looking like he couldn't believe that she had never heard of him. He obviously had a huge ego, she thought. He looked down at her chest and she got the sudden urge to cross her arms in front of her.

"Well, that doesn't matter," he said, managing to move even closer to her. "We can get to know each other, can't we?"

"I...no," she gasped, pushing against him as he backed her completely up against the wall and one of his hands rubbed up and down her arm.

"Sure we can," he continued, not taking no for an answer and bending his head, his intentions clear.

Her eyes grew huge and she pushed at him again, turning her head away quickly. "Let me go!" she said as both of his hands pulled her up against him.

"Oh, come on, honey, don't be that way, I could use a little relaxation," he murmured, nuzzling her neck in a way that made her want to be sick and making her struggle even more. Neither of them heard Ron return backstage, but all of a sudden Hermione found herself free of him and she leaned weakly back against the wall.

Ron had pulled Knott away from her and had literally thrown him across the corridor so that he crashed into the opposite wall, making him fall in a heap on the floor. "What the fuck is wrong with you?" Knott shouted as Ron went to grab him, Carter stepping up and stopping him.

"No, Ron, he isn't worth it, leave him alone!" Carter said, trying to make sure his friend didn't get in any trouble.

Hermione watched as Ron shook himself, trying to calm himself down, and then he turned to her and came over to where she was, not bothering to say a word to the fallen man. He cupped her face gently and then looked her over, checking to make sure she was unhurt. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice deep and slightly husky and a frown creasing his forehead when he felt her shaking.

She nodded, her eyes darting to where the other man was slowly getting to his feet being watched by Carter. "I'm fine. I'm so glad you came, I didn't know what to do," she said, holding onto his arm as she moved to stand against him.

"I'm glad I got here in time. Want me to kill him for you?" he asked her, wrapping one big arm around her when she rested her head on his chest.

"No, I'd rather have you here than in Azkaban," she replied, laughing softly. She glanced up at him and gave a small wobbly smile. "I wouldn't mind a cuddle though."

"Now that really is my pleasure," he murmured, lifting her up on a level with him and kissing her slowly and deeply, his arms wrapping around her securely, not in the least worried that Knott was standing watching them with his mouth hanging open. Ron broke off the kiss and slowly put her down, keeping one arm around her as he turned to face Knott, who was still looking shocked.

"Hey, Ron, I didn't realise..." he began.

"Shut the fuck up. You're lucky I don't tear your head off. Didn't you hear her say no?"

"Yeah, but you know what witches can be like," Knott said indignantly.

"Maybe the witches you know," Ron agreed. "But this one's different. She's with me, and don't you ever make the mistake of forgetting that. You go near her again and I will kill you," Ron threatened.

Knott gave a short laugh. "Come on man, is she really worth going that far for?"

"I mean it, Knott, I'll kill you. And I don't mean that as a euphemism, I'll tear you to pieces, and I'll do it slowly. Got it?" He waited until Theodore nodded and then turned in the direction of his office, pulling Hermione along with him.

"Merlin, I haven't seen him that bad since...well...since Lavender," Theodore said, rubbing the back of his head gingerly where he had crashed into the wall.

"Believe me," Carter told the other man, giving him a faintly disgusted look, "this'll be a whole lot worse than that if you ever so much as look at her again. Didn’t you even recognize her?” Theodore shook his head in the negative. “That happens to be Hermione Granger, and I know you have first hand experience with how protective both Ron and Harry are of her. Oh," he added, leaning closer to the other man, "and just for the record, Remus happens to have been her guardian and she’s a good friend of mine. Next time I'll let Ron get to you and I'll join in with him. You got that too?"

Theodore found himself nodding again and then staring dumbly after Carter as he sauntered down the hall.

Ron got Hermione back in his office and sat her down, looking at her with worried eyes. "You sure you're alright?" he asked her, crouching down in front of her and taking her hands.

Hermione smiled softly and leaned forward to place a small kiss on his lips, suddenly feeling brave enough to do it. "I am now. Thank you for being my knight in shining armour, again." she said with a smile, wrapping her arms around his neck and squeezing him into a cuddle.

He laughed and stood up, taking her with him and then sitting back down so she was sitting across his lap, her arms still firmly around his neck. "I don't know about the knight in shining armour," he said, still chuckling. "I bet you never imagined your hero using so many swear words?"

"Well, no, not really. But I don't mind. And… don’t you remember our first year… The chessboard… being a knight?"

He nodded confidently so she continued. “Well… er… well that’s when I… when I fell for you, you know?”

Ron’s jaw dropped. “All the way back in first year? That’s like… eleven years ago Ninny! Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

“I – I tried. Remember? After the Yule ball… but you didn’t take the hint! Then after that everything kind of get busy with Voldemort and all so it just never came out.”

He pulled her back and raised his eyebrows. "You mean to tell me we both could have avoided these horrible situations if I’d gotten a clue?"

She nodded her head and then rested her head on his shoulder, loving the freedom of being this close to him.

"You've always bee my hero Ron. Let’s not talk about shoulda, coulda, woulda’s I'm leaving soon remember?"

"I’m sorry I was such a prat Hermione, but at least we’re together now.” She nodded into his chest, making him smile. “How about we go out and get some food, see a movie and then I'll take you home so you can get some sleep and get ready for tomorrow?"

She stared up at him. "You trying to get rid of me or something?"

Ron stared down at her for a long moment. "I want you to stay here with me, if you want the truth. But it's too soon for that, for you," he said, putting a finger over her mouth when she went to protest. "Let's just enjoy our night together, then the sooner you leave, the sooner we can be back together again. Okay?"

She nodded, looking at him so trustingly that he wanted nothing more than to lock the door and bury himself inside her. He smiled as he thought of doing just that. He could wait, and she would be worth waiting for, he decided.

"Right, time I had a shower, then we can get going."

Later that night he stopped the car outside her front door and turned to look at her, having realised she had been quiet all the way back from town. She looked so forlorn when she finally returned his gaze that he pulled her instantly onto his lap and started kissing her, putting everything he was feeling into the kiss.

Hermione moaned under the force of feeling that went through her and she tried to get even closer to him, her tongue tangling with his as his hand went to her hair and threaded through it, almost pulling it in his desperation to kiss her as deeply as possible.

He broke off eventually and sat trying to catch his breath, his hand pulling her head against his neck so she couldn't see the expression on his face. Merlin’s balls, he didn't want her to go! But he knew he also needed the time apart to put his feelings into perspective. They had only been a couple for a handful of days, so it had to just be infatuation. But he had known her too long to be infatuated with her, let alone a girl who knew absolutely nothing about love or sex and far too much about pain. He sighed deeply as his body finally started to calm down and he rubbed his hands up and down her back. "Come on, Ninny, let's get you indoors."

Hermione reluctantly let him get her out of the car and then walk her to the door, looking up at him sadly when he stood under the porch light and studied her carefully. He nodded after a few seconds. "There, now I've done what you did earlier, I've got my memories of you to keep me warm while I'm not with you." He smiled down at her and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "Give me a kiss."

She obediently stood on tiptoes and waited for him to bend down enough so she could kiss his firm mouth, trying to convey what she felt for him in each caress she bestowed on his hair, face and neck. She felt him smile against her mouth and she drew back, forcing a smile to a mouth that didn't want to smile at all, especially when he rang the doorbell.

Remus opened the door and gave them a knowing look, waiting with his arms folded as Ron dropped another quick kiss on her lips and then grabbed her to him for a brief hug. "I'll miss you," he growled into her ear.

Hermione found she couldn't say anything for the huge lump in her throat and she simply nodded, watching as he said goodbye to Remus and then strode away and got into his car. She stayed where she was as he drove off, waiting until she could no longer see the taillights before she went indoors.

Remus put his arm around her and gave her a gentle squeeze. "Don't look so sad, Ninny, it isn't for too long, then you'll see his ugly face again. Just think of that, maybe plan what you'll be doing when he gets to London, and the time will pass before you know it."

Hermione found a small smile forming and gave him a hug. "Thank you."

Remus returned the hug, his eyebrows raised. "For what?"

"For everything. For giving me a family, people I can care about, a job. I've been happier here these last few days than I have since School."

"Well you are most welcome," he murmured, looking slightly embarrassed. "Now go on, it's late, get to bed and get some sleep. We're leaving early in the morning."

Hermione gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and then did as he said, shutting her bedroom door behind her and trying not to think of Ron. An impossible task.