On the Roof

On the Roof

It was Friday evening. The calming warmth, which drifted in through the open windows was usual for this time of year. It was also usual at this time of day to find me, Hermione Granger, in the dusty Library, usually poring over a dusty book, reading some information to help for the usual Potions essay. I usually spent evenings alone in the Library, but unusually, sitting opposite me was the object of my affections, the red-headed wonder, Ronald Weasley.

He was sitting there, slumped in his chair, holding a book right up to his face, attempting to glance over at me as subtly as possible, though this effect was somewhat ruined due to his book being upside down. He coughed suddenly, clearing his throat pointedly. I looked up at him. Nervously, he opened and closed his mouth several times, as if he couldn't decide whether to speak or not.

"Um... Hermione?" said Ron, nervously twisting a strand of his fiery hair.

I looked at him questioningly, wondering what was putting him in such a state.

"I was just wondering if maybe... but only if you want to... possibly... it's just a thought..."

I put out a hand towards Ron to calm him. His uncomfortable nervousness was almost endearing. Trying to hide the amused smile tugging at my lips I gestured at him to continue. He sighed. "Would you like to go flying with me?" he asked.

With his freckled face blushing almost to the colour of his hair, a small smile creeping upon my lips, how could I resist?

Outside the black night sky was adorned with stars. It was only at that moment that I remembered I was obtusely afraid of heights, but the thought of just being with Ron made me want to sacrifice my phobia.

We walked in total silence towards the Quidditch pitch, as seventh years had the privilege of roaming the grounds when we pleased. My heart rate quickened as I felt Ron's hand very lightly touch mine for the briefest of seconds.

Ron nimbly hopped onto his broom, beckoning me to sit in front of him. As much as I wanted to, I found myself unable to move.

"I'm afraid of heights," I whispered sheepishly.

Ron, not saying a word, clasped my trembling hands and brought them down upon the wood of his Nimbus 2004. "Close your eyes, I won't let you fall," he whispered tenderly.

I settled myself in front of Ron and I felt the warmth of his breath tickling my ear. He gently pushed off the ground with his feet and I felt my stomach swoop slightly. Soon enough, we were gliding slowly, not rising as far I could tell with my eyes closed. I felt the cold, icy wind brushing through my hair and unintentionally my teeth started chattering. I felt Ron move closer to me and he said, "open your eyes."

I gasped as I found that we were over thirty feet high above the glistening lake. Ron swerved the broomstick sharply and I shrieked until he placed his hands firmly upon mine. We were heading straight for the Astronomy Tower. My heart fluttered, unable to believe that this was happening. As we reached the open roof, we slid to a stop and hopped off the broom. I hugged Ron, thanking him for the beautiful flight, no sense of butterflies inside as I had always felt before when he touched me. I felt Ron holding me tightly, one hand on the small of my back and the other stroking my hair and I sighed with that 'coming-home' contentment that makes you wonder why you ever worried or doubted anything.

Looking up into his soft brown eyes, I saw a tenderness that I never noticed before, but then again, I had never been this close to Ron. I reached up to touch his face and he flinched as I used my index finger to feel the smooth, pale skin, speckled with freckles. He closed his eyes as I ran my fingers over his cheek and he leaned into my hand, enjoying the attention. Tracing the contours of his face, I tried to commit every inch to memory. He opened his eyes and stroked my face affectionately. I could feel myself smiling as he ran his fingers lightly over my lips and he fingers came to a stop in the groove just above my lip.

Had that moment finally come? The dreaming of being with Ron, was it all coming true? I didn't want to hope too much. Being hurt by the man I had loved since seeing that bright orange hair on the train on our first day to Hogwarts would break my heart. I decided to risk that chance and to just enjoy the feeling of being with Ron.

Ron pulled me closer and he slid his finger under my chin to tilt it up to meet his lips with the lightest kiss. There weren't any fireworks, or explosions, just a touch between two people, which completed my trembling heart.

We broke away after a few seconds and Ron looked at me in a way that made me blush and look away. He tilted my head up for our lips to meet again. I was always so worried about my first kiss. I just didn't know what to do. I didn't know whether it would automatically be natural, but I realised that it just had to be with a person that you loved. As our lips touched a second time I found it easier, then I tingled as I felt the tip of Ron's tongue graze my lip. Daringly, I slowly moved my tongue to caress his. We stayed there like that for a while; every so often kissing deeply, holding each other close as if this was the last time we would ever see each other.

I stepped backwards, my body heaving, breathing deeply. Looking at Ron I saw that his hair was messed up from being entangled with my fingers and his eyes were full of desire. I found that my tie had become undone during our love-filled kisses. I quickly did it up and straightened my shortened skirt.

"Would you take me back to the common room, please?"

Ron's face visibly broke down. "Hermione, you are ok aren't you? I took it too far, didn't I? I knew it was a mistake, I'm sorry, I don't know why I even thought that you would..." Ron trailed off.

I stepped closer to him and wrapped my arms around his slim shoulders. "I love you," I whispered. "I've wanted this to happen since forever, but I want to take it slowly. I've waited for you, and I don't want it to go so fast that I don't know what's happening. Is that okay?"

"Of course, Hermione." Ron kissed the top of my head and took my hand as we went to collect the broom and glide back down to the main door. We walked through the corridors and met Professor Dumbledore on our way.

"Good evening, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger," he said with a knowing wink.

"Good night, Professor," we said in unison.

Upon reaching the common room we sat down on the red sofa in front of the glowing fire. I curled up my legs and leaned into Ron as he put his arm around me and pulled me close.

That night I slept so deeply, and when I woke up early the next morning I found that Ron had moved so that he was lying next to me and his arm was still wrapped around my body. I watched Ron sleep and listened to his steady breathing.

Reminiscing back to the evening before, I realised that from the moment that our lips first touched with the lightness of a feather, I knew that I could never go back to being just best friends. I needed more, I had kept my hunger for him smothered by a blanket and releasing that hunger was the most breath-taking feeling I had ever felt.