Disclaimer: This fanfiction is based on characters and situations created and owned by J.K. Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
A jolt of electricity coursed through Hermione's body. She felt as if time were frozen - as if this moment in time was all that was in existence. Her whole world stopped when Harry Potter placed his lips upon hers; her whole world froze as he kissed her for the very first time.
Harry's lips left Hermione's lips as delicately as they came, leaving Hermione wide-eyed and dumbstruck. Harry opened his eyes and met Hermione's expression of surprise with a look of sheer complacency. At this, Hermione's expression softened to that of contentment.
I should have done that a LONG time ago…, thought Harry as he held Hermione's gaze with his. Hermione's face dropped, and suddenly, as fast as it had gone, came back with a slight smirk.
Yes, you should have, think of all the lost time…, thought Hermione, as she searched Harry's eyes for some sign of confirmation.
Now it was Harry's eyes that widened. He returned Hermione's searching gaze as he finally came to realize what had just occurred.
"Hermione…," spoke Harry in a low whisper as an incredulous expression consumed his face. He continued to search her eyes for confirmation, but instead received a nod of the head as his answer.
Hermione's smirk broke out into a wide smile, and Harry soon followed suit.
Harry moved his hand back up from Hermione's neck, placing it on her jaw line. He closed his eyes and brought his lips down upon hers for the second time. Sparks of electricity seemed to explode when his lips touched hers, and this time, he felt Hermione's lips moving against his.
As they broke apart, something in the doorway caught Harry's eye.
It was Ron.
He was staring at the crumbled up four-foot photograph of Harry and Hermione hugging that was lying on the floor in front of him. He lifted his gaze from the photograph to the bed where Harry and Hermione were.
"I came up here to apologize to you, Hermione," seethed Ron, "but you know what? I don't think that you deserve it. How could you? I mean, couldn't you have waited - I don't know - maybe a month?" finished Ron, glaring at Hermione as she moved closer into Harry's chest.
"And you, YOU," boiled Ron, "have got a lot of nerve-"
"Not here, Ron. Outside," interrupted Harry with a stern voice. He looked back to Hermione.
You stay here; I'll be back shortly, thought Harry, gazing directly into Hermione's eyes.
But-, thought Hermione, but was interrupted by Harry's reassurance.
Don't worry - everthing's going to be okay. You just get some rest, thought Harry, as he gently slipped out from under Hermione. He got out of the bed and turned to Ron.
"Let's go," said Harry harshly, as he gave Ron an intimidating look. Ron grunted and turned around, leading the way down the staircase to the common room.
***
Harry led Ron outside of the castle and out into the courtyard. He turned around and looked Ron in the eye sternly. Ron glared back.
Harry's features softened as he looked at Ron's facial expression. He looks like a flaming fireball with that red hair of his, thought Harry to himself. Harry broke into a light chuckle at the sight of Ron's reddening face.
"What?! Think this is funny?!" spat Ron, glaring evenly into Harry's laughter filled eyes.
"Well," chuckled Harry, "…how do you expect me to look you squarely in the eye when you're making like a fireball over there!" finished Harry with another round of chuckles.
Ron's expression broke into a forced defiant look, then eventually into a reluctant laugh. "Why are we doing this, Harry?"
"Well, that's a good question," replied Harry with a chuckle, "because, the truth of the matter is, I simply can't look at you with a straight face when you're flaming mad." Harry looked at Ron as he shook his head and waved his hand in disagreement.
"No," chuckled Ron, "I mean, why are we fighting?"
"Well, you tell me, Ron," replied Harry searchingly. "Let's start with this: why are YOU mad?"
"Well…I'm mad because I can't believe Hermione moved on so quickly. I…I just expected for it to take longer, I guess," replied Ron slowly, moving his gaze to the ground. "It makes me feel like she didn't care about me at all the way she just picked up and moved on like that, you know? And it hurts even more to think that she moved on with you, Harry," answered Ron truthfully, avoiding Harry's eyes.
"I understand that," said Harry agreeingly, "and I don't blame you for feeling that way. But here's the thing: do you want to HURT Hermione?" Harry tried to find Ron's gaze by leaning over, but Ron just averted his gaze yet again.
"No, of course not, that's why I went up to her dormitory to apologize. Ginny already gave me the full description of my mistakes in that department. She pulled me aside when you guys left the Great Hall," said Ron glumly, as if recalling a sore yelling session from Ginny. "I know that I've hurt Hermione, and I didn't mean to go up there and hurt her again," admitted Ron, finally bringing his gaze up to meet Harry's, "but then - then I saw you two together, and I just lost control."
"I am SO sorry Ron, really, I am. I didn't mean to hurt you. WE didn't mean to hurt you. But honestly - in all truth - we didn't plan this, it just happened," said Harry apologetically, holding Ron's gaze.
"And I honestly didn't think that you did," replied Ron truthfully, "but my temper got the better of me. Can you forgive me?"
"Put it here, mate," replied Harry with a smile, holding out his hand to Ron. Ron looked at his outstretched hand, then at his face. He broke out into a weak smile and shook Harry's hand.
"Thanks, mate," replied Ron, "now…tell me," said Ron, nudging Harry in the ribs, "when are you going to ask Hermione out?"
"Let's worry about you two mending the fence first, okay?" Harry burst out into a fit of laughter, soon followed by Ron.
A/N - I'm so, so, SO sorry!!! -_-;;; I didn't have any time this semester to finish this fanfic! I had planned on getting it up before the semester started, but preparations to enter college were more time-consuming than I had expected. Once the semester started, I didn't have a lick of free time. ¬.¬ Now that the Christmas holidays are here, I have the time to finish this story! I'm very sorry for making the wait so long; but the chapter will be up before the week is out! Happy Holidays!!!