Sweetest Sin

Chapter 16

"Lily! Wait up!"

Lily turned around to see Ron jogging up to her. She gave him an appraising look and waited while he caught his breath. "Lily, we need to talk, will you come to the Room of Requirement with me?"

Lily hesitated. "Well, I am supposed to go for a walk with Draco and Ginny, but I'll tell them I changed my mind. Wait here, I'll be right back."

She turned and headed out the front doors and Ron leaned against the door frame, watching her run across the grounds, her brown hair lifting up in the breeze. Lily was looking gorgeous in a black V-neck shirt that was low cut and also tight-fitting jeans. Ron smiled as he stared after her, but frowning for a moment when she approached Draco and Ginny. He really was unhappy about them being together but Ron knew he couldn't tell Ginny how to live her life. And maybe Draco had changed and become a better person. Ron's thoughts were interrupted by Lily hurrying back over to him. "Okay, let's go."

Ron nodded and they walked quickly to the Room of Requirement. They walked back and forth in front of the wall and then the door appeared. Ron reached for the handle and opened it slowly. The room was brightly lit and a couch sat alone in the middle of the room. Ron moved back to let Lily walk through first and then went in the room, shutting the door behind him. He put on a smile and motioned towards the couch. "Well, let's sit down I suppose."

Lily nodded and settled onto the cushy seat, turning so she could face Ron when they talked. Ron did the same and there was a long awkward moment. Lily waited, knowing Ron he was probably collecting his thoughts. He reached out for her hand and then grasped it in both of his, focusing on his thumb running gently over her skin. Finally Lily broke the silence. "Ron, are you going to talk?"

Ron looked up quickly and he nodded. "Yes. I am truly sorry I've been such an ass about this whole Ginny and Draco thing. I just get very protective of Ginny. I know she's a woman and doesn't need my protection, but still, I don't want her to get hurt."

Lily thought this over for a moment and then said, "Why do you think Draco is going to hurt her more than any other guy she would date?"

Ron looked down at his hands again and gave a small shrug. "He's been so horrible to Harry, Hermione, and my entire family. I mean we have had nothing but bad experiences with Malfoy...er...Draco. I can't help but be suspicious of why he's with Ginny."

"I don't think Draco would take the risk of having you attempt to curse him and practically knock him unconscious just to try and hurt Ginny. I honestly think he cares for her, Ron. He's not the same person he used to be. Just give him a chance, give them a chance! You could be trying to rid Ginny of true love; do you really want to do that?"

Ron was still looking down and he didn't answer. Lily took her free hand and reached out to gently lift his chin, leaning closer. Ron looked up and met her gaze as she repeated, "Do you really want to do that?"

Ron shook his head and Lily smiled. "Good. I don't think you could have stopped Ginny anyways, if someone had told me I shouldn't date you, I wouldn't have listened, you mean too much to me. I love you, Ron."

Ron said softly, "I love you, too."

He lifted her hand he was holding and gently kissed it. Lily gave him a smile and then leaned in to give him a brief, tender kiss. When Lily leaned back, she let out a yawn. "I am so tired; I didn't sleep very well last night."

Ron yawned as well and said, "I didn't sleep well either."

Lily gave him a smile and then laid down on the couch, pulling Ron down with her. "Let's nap then."

He smiled back and squirmed for a minute, trying to get comfortable on the narrow couch. Finally, after much wiggling, he and Lily were lying on their sides on the couch. Ron rested his forehead against Lily's, giving her a quick peck on the lips. Lily giggled and said, "I don't think we're ever going to get our legs untangled. We may be stuck here forever!"

Ron said softly, "That's fine by me; I could spend the rest of my life just lying here with you."

Lily felt her heart melt and she gave Ron a long kiss. He rested his hand on her waist, and then gently ran his hand over her hip and down her thigh. Lily's hand was sliding down his chest and she hooked her fingers underneath Ron's belt, pulling his hips forward to press against hers. She teasingly ran her hand over his zipper and Ron moaned softly, moving to kiss her neck. Lily tilted her head back, biting her lip as Ron kissed lower, stopping when he reached the valley in between her breasts. He moved back up and murmured, "I do love this shirt, Lily."

"I do too," Lily said breathlessly.

Ron grinned devilishly as he unbuttoned her jeans and started sliding the zipper down. Ron chuckled when he glimpsed her red panties. "Festive, Lily."

Lily giggled. "Gee, thanks."

Ron gave her another deep kiss as he slid his hand underneath the red silk. Lily moaned into his mouth and Ron could feel his pulse racing. After a few minutes Lily moaned louder and dug her nails into Ron's arm. Ron smiled at her and she smiled back, still breathing heavily. He slid his hand out. "Sorry I delayed our nap!"

Lily rested her hand on Ron's zipper. "I think the nap can wait a bit longer..."

Ron raised his eyebrows and Lily gently kissed his neck, working her way down to his collarbone. Ron moaned softly and locked his fingers in Lily's hair. Lily reached down and began to undo Ron's belt, sliding down the zipper and sliding her hand inside his boxers. He leaned his head back and his breathing was heavy and ragged. Lily kissed him again, gently biting his lower lip and sending him over the edge. He groaned and clenched the fabric of Lily's shirt, his muscles trembling slightly. Lily had a satisfied look on her face as she gently wiped the sweat off Ron's forehead.

After a couple minutes, Ron pulled out his wand and muttered a charm, and then he zipped up his pants again. Lily zipped her pants up as well and giggled. "That is such a useful little charm, makes cleanup quite easy."

Ron grinned and then reached to pull Lily closer to him. He rested his forehead against hers. "Now, let's nap."

Lily sighed happily and then closed her eyes. Within minutes, she was asleep.

*~*

Harry and Hermione were sprawled out on the common room floor in front of the fire, studying. Hermione looked up from her textbook and said, "Are you really not nervous about N.E.W.T.'s?"

Harry thought for a moment before answering. "Well, yeah, I'm nervous because my future depends on these tests. But I also feel pretty confident in my knowledge about these subjects so I think it'll be all right. And if I can feel confident there is no reason for you not to feel confident as well! You're at the top of the class, Hermione."

She sighed and nodded. "I guess, but I'm still very nervous, what if I don't get enough N.E.W.T.'s to do what I want to do?"

Harry cocked his head to the side. "Have you figured out what you want to do?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, not yet, which is a problem as well! I'm still considering being an Auror but I just don't know. There are so many things out there I'd be interested in and I think I would be good at. Fighting Dark magic is definitely at the top of that list though."

Harry scooted closer to give her a quick kiss. "You'd be good at anything, Hermione. You are one of those people who can truly do anything they set their mind too."

Hermione giggled. "Except Divination of course!"

Harry grinned. "Well, I wasn't going to mention that, but I think if you didn't think it was absolute rubbish and a waste of time, you could do very well at that too."

Hermione squeezed his hand and said, "Thanks for believing in me, Harry."

Harry quickly kissed her hand. "Well, you've always believed in me, why would I not believe in you?"

Hermione smiled and then looked back at her textbook. Harry looked at her for a minute before turning back to his own book to read up on Defense Against The Dark Arts.

The pair studied in silence for about forty five minutes and then Hermione suddenly said, "Where are Ron and Lily?"

Harry looked up, realizing it had been almost two hours since Ron had gone to talk to Lily. "Well, either they're talking, or they fought and stormed off, or...they're making up," Harry said, winking.

Hermione rolled her eyes and laughed. "Boys!"

Harry yawned and turned over onto his back, pulling his glasses off. "I cannot read anymore, my eyes will fall right out of my head."

Hermione shook her head. "Uh huh, I bet your eyes would work just fine if I decided to flash you."

Harry lifted his head up hopefully. "Does that mean you're going to? I could use that kind of pick-me-up!"

Hermione grabbed a pillow off the nearby couch and threw it at Harry. It bounced off his head and landed on the ground nearby. Harry sat up quickly and grabbed the pillow, throwing it back at Hermione. She giggled and then pointed sternly at Harry's textbook. "Now back to studying, the N.E.W.T.'s are closer than you think and you need plenty of time to be prepared!"

Harry rolled his eyes but put his glasses back on and went back to his reading. Hermione did have a point, the N.E.W.T.'s were very important and he should be as prepared as possible. He thought of his Firebolt broomstick up in his room and glanced out a nearby window. The sky was clear and the stars were out. He looked back at Hermione and said, "Can we please take a break for a little bit? Let's go fly on my Firebolt, the cool air will refresh us."

Hermione thought for a moment and then sighed. "You're not going to be happy till we get a break are you?"

Harry frowned, thinking Hermione was upset but she smiled. "Let's go, I could use a breather."

Harry quickly gathered up his books and took them up to his room, grabbing his Firebolt out of his closet. He took it downstairs, where Hermione was waiting. She had put on a coat, hat, and scarf and Harry grabbed his jacket that was hanging on the back of a chair. They headed downstairs and out the front door. Harry paused and Hermione looked at him with raised eyebrows. "Why did you stop?"

Harry pointed to the sky and smiled. "The moon is full; it was reminding me of the first time we kissed."

Hermione smiled and leaned forward to give him a soft kiss, which he gladly returned. Then Harry put his arm around her shoulders and they walked towards the Quidditch field. They walked to the center of the field and Harry mounted the broomstick, sliding forward so Hermione could climb on behind him. She slid her arms around his waist. "I've never ridden on your broomstick before. Is it very fast?" She sounded a bit nervous.

Harry just glanced over his shoulder at her and then kicked off from the ground, soaring into the air. Hermione gave out a shriek of surprise, tightening her grip around Harry's waist. Harry circled the goal posts at the end of the field, and then shot off towards the opposite goal posts, gaining speed. After circling those hoops he dove towards the ground and Hermione let out another shriek, but this time it was a shriek of laughter. "Now I know why you love this so much, Harry! Oh my God, this is such a rush!"

Harry grinned and felt Hermione loosen her grip around him and then she threw her arms into the air, tilting her head back as the cold wind blew over them. She giggled and exclaimed, "This is better than a roller coaster!"

Harry flew back down towards the ground and gracefully landed. Hermione dismounted, looking disappointed that the ride was over. Harry looked at her and scooted back along the broomstick. "Wanna try?"

Hermione's eyes widened. "Oh no, I couldn't, I've never really flown before, I don't think I'd be any good..."

Harry gave her a reassuring smile. "If I didn't think you could do it, I wouldn't have offered, Hermione. You know the basics, it's just flying around, and you don't have to do any kind of tricks or anything!"

Hermione hesitated for a moment and then climbed on the broomstick, snuggling back against Harry. Harry leaned forward, resting his chin on her shoulder and taking her hands in his. He moved her hands so they were positioned correctly on the broomstick. Harry whispered in her ear, "Now, this is going to be much more sensitive and powerful than other broomsticks you've been on, so a light touch will do it."

Hermione nodded and Harry leaned back, lightly resting his hands on her hips. "All right, go on then, kick off."

Hermione kicked off from the ground and immediately the Firebolt shot into the air. Hermione gasped and gripped the broomstick tighter and Harry said reassuringly, "Don't worry, you're doing fine, you're still in control."

Hermione guided the Firebolt around the goalposts, getting used to the broomstick. Once she felt more confident, she began weaving in and out of the goal posts, diving and soaring around the field. After about fifteen minutes, she guided the Firebolt back towards the ground, her landing a bit rocky. Harry slid off the broomstick, and Hermione followed suit. She handed Harry the Firebolt and then gave him a hug. "Thanks for teaching me how to fly, Harry."

Harry kissed her forehead and said, "It was no problem! Did you have fun?"

Hermione nodded happily. "More fun than I've had in a while! It was great!"

Harry grinned and then threw the broomstick over his shoulder, using his free arm to grab Hermione's hand. She moved his arm so it draped across her shoulders and then she reached up to lace her fingers in his. Hermione gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and then they began making their way back to the school. When they got back to the common room, Ron and Lily were back, sitting in front of the fire, talking and laughing. Ron looked up at the pair and took in their flushed faces and the flakes of snow in their hair and said, "What have you two been doing?"

Harry moved his broomstick off his shoulder and replied, "Flying. What have you two been doing?"

Ron flushed a bright pink. "We were talking things out, everything is good again."

Hermione crossed her arms. "Are things good with you and Ginny?"

Ron frowned. "Well, no, I haven't talked to her. I haven't seen her since breakfast... She's probably with Draco somewhere."

Hermione sat down on the couch. "Well I think you need to make up with her as soon as possible."

Lily nodded. "She's right, Ron."

Ron let out a loud sigh. "Fine! But I don't wanna talk about it right now; I don't wanna kill my good mood!"

Lily giggled and leaned in to give Ron a kiss. "All right, we'll leave you alone about it. Let's just study for a while."

Ron returned Lily's kiss and then grabbed his Potions book to study. He would talk to Ginny tomorrow.