It’s About Time...

~~~~~

I wasn’t quite sure how to answer that question...was I supposed to say I fancied him? Or that I fancy someone but not say who it is? Or should I just tell him that I don’t fancy anyone?

Okay, I think now would be a good time to test his newfound ‘communication skills’ with women...let’s see what he does with my answer.

“Um, no one at the moment.”

He looked crestfallen (whatever that actually means...). “Really?”

I just looked up at him with my I’m-in-love-with-you-but-I-don’t-want-to-say-anything eyes. It shall test the next level of his ability to understand women.

“Mmm hmm,” I added softly.

“Oh...are you playing those mind game things with me again?” he asked suspiciously.

He really catches on fast, doesn’t he?

“Of course not...” I said in a tone that most obviously said ‘of course I am’

“Do you just not want me to know who you fancy?”

“Perhaps.”

“So that’s it,” he said knowingly.

“Yeah,” I said sheepishly. Damn, he’s really getting a little TOO good at understanding women. Very un-Ron-like. “So, why do you ask?”

“Just wondering...” he replied nonchalantly.

“Oh, really?” I said, raising one of my eyebrows at him, completing the I-don’t-quite-believe-you look that said ‘explain now’.

“Well, actually...”

“What?”

“I just wanted to know if you fancied anyone so you could help me with a question I have.”

“And what would that question be?”

“Okay...there’s this girl that I fancy, and I was wondering if you think I should ask this girl out. Because what if she doesn’t like me back? I just thought that, you know, if you had any experience, you could give me some advice.”

“I only give advice when I know who it is concerning.”

“It’s concerning me! Who do you thi–...oh,” he realized, finally catching on, “you want me to tell you who it is that I like.” And there’s Ron back. No need for me to start getting out the curling iron or the potpourri. Or the pictures of cute babies to fawn over.

“Riiiight.” I said, confirming his lack of original understanding.

“I’m not sure I should say...”

“Fine. I’ll give you some general advice. The best thing is to be honest.”

“So long as it’s what she wants to hear...”

Wow, just when I thought he was back, he gets all sensitive and interpret-y again. Guys are not supposed to understand us! They are there to be confused and make us look better!

“No, but really,” I said, somewhat seriously, “nothing can ever happen if you don’t tell her.”

“It’s settled then. I’ll tell her that I fancy her. But could you listen to what I’d say? Just to make sure it doesn’t sound completely insane?”

This could only end badly. Me listening to Ron declare his love for another girl...I shouldn’t do it.

“Sure,” I found myself answering. What is wrong with me?

“Okay,” he cleared his throat and continued, “I think I’d start by saying how beautiful she is, and how I’ve grown to like her more and more every time I see her.”

This was a bit of the torture already. But there was more. I was actually having to work to keep the tears back. Bugger me and my willingness to please him.

“Um...then I’ll tell her that she started out as one of my best friends, and she was always one of the most brilliant people I’ve met. And it started at just that. But then as I got to know her, I realized how kind she was and how willing she was to help others. And the way she got into everything...like with her laugh, and how it seemed to consume her whole body. She didn’t care if people were looking, she would always just laugh. And her small habits completely drew me to distraction. The way she would always bite her bottom lip ever so slightly when she was thinking hard. The way she would twirl her hair with her finger when she was nervous...” he trailed off slightly, looking up at me with an ADORABLE smile.

Wait a minute...there is only one person I know that fits this description...ME! You know, what I was doing on the carriage ride here is NOT hyperventilating. THIS is hyperventilating.

Obviously noticing my realization, Ron finished up his speech.

“And I’ve always wanted to tell her that I was falling in love with her. But I was afraid. And now I’ve finally lived up to my house and mustered some courage to let her know how I feel.”

As much as I make fun of other people for sappiness, I am a complete sucker for anything romantic. I was literally about to swoon. I don’t care if no one has actually done it since the 1800s...

But I figured it was probably about time for me to say something. “Ron?”

“Yeah?” he responded, looking at me nervously.

“I think that’s a great idea. Perhaps I should do the same with the guy I fancy.”

Ron’s face looked crestfallen yet again. I should really finish what I’m going to say quickly...I hate seeing him all sad.

“No, really,” I continued, “I should just go up to him and tell him that no matter how many times I have told him to get off his lazy arse, I find said arse to be completely adorable. Along with the rest of him. Especially the red hair. And how I love his sense of humor...”

At this point, Ron had figured out that I meant him and decided he didn’t care about the words anymore. He cut me off with the most incredible kiss I have ever had (never mind that it was the first one...). Merlin, my knees were just about ready to give out at the things his tongue was doing to my mouth....

Needless to say, the Hogsmeade trip was very good.

Dinner, Back at the Castle

Well, that was an interesting carriage ride back. The Auror who stayed at the Three Broomsticks had business with Dumbledore, so he rode with us to Hogwarts. Seeing as Ron and I had just spent the last hour or so snogging, there was a very interesting awkward silence the whole way. And some red faces when there was some hand-brushing over certain places...wow, my face is going red just remembering it. And I’ve got this incredibly loopy grin that just won’t go away.

Bugger. I’ve just remembered...how are we going to tell Harry? He’s still mad at us from a previous teaming up. I’m not so sure he’ll be overjoyed about this one either.

~~~~~

Sunday, December 7, 2003

Breakfast

Harry is still avoiding us. But he has taken to giving Ron and I some very odd looks due to the fact that we haven’t let go of each other’s hands in about eighteen hours (who’s counting?) except for when we went to bed and showered (damn). Perhaps he suspects that something is up...?

Later, Library

“Harry?” I said meekly as I approached the table where he was studying.

Silence.

“Um, I just wanted you to know that I’m sorry if we offended you in any way last week, and I really wish you would forgive us...”

Silence.

“And I’m willing to help you study for those practice N.E.W.T.S. in Snape’s class, if you’d like...”

Silence.

It was time to go all out.

“Aren’t you the least bit curious about what happened yesterday at Hogsmeade with me and Ron?”

Silence. And then... “Out of the goodness of my heart, if you tell me what is going on between the two of you, I shall forgive you.”

I let out a small squeal and motioned behind the bookcases to my left, where Ron had been waiting.

“You see, the thing is...” I started.

“We’ve decided to date,” Ron blurted out quickly.

Harry just looked back and forth between the two of us with a suspicious glint in his eye, as if he didn’t quite trust us. When he seemed satisfied that we were telling the truth, he suddenly jumped out of his chair.

“That is wonderful news!” he yelled as he hugged me tightly, to my complete surprise. I was still reeling from the jumping-out-of-his-chair part. I guess he decided a week was enough time to be broody...

He moved over to Ron and gave him a manly hug with the three obligatory pats on the back. It was actually quite funny. And I believe I heard him say, “It’s about bloody time, mate.”

At this point, Madam Pince realized we weren’t going to quiet down anytime soon and gave us one of her patented Glares.

At which Harry lowered his voice to a whisper to add, “Ron’s been talking about asking you out for ages!”

“Harry!” Ron said indignantly.

“O-o-oh,” I gasped, a look of understanding dawning on my face, “so it was ME you were talking about the whole time...”

“Wait a minute, what do you mean the whole time?” Ron said, looking at me suspiciously.

“Um, I love you?” I answered meekly.

TO DO:

1. Get out of this little sticky situation I have put myself in.

2. Thank Merlin that Harry has decided to stop being mad at us. I hate it when I keep talking to him, forgetting that he’s angry and looking completely bonkers...

3. Tell Ginny about my newfound relationship as soon as possible (though making sure to leave out the part where her brother’s tongue basically cleaned out my whole mouth).

4. Study for the damn N.E.W.T.S.

5. Jump for joy that Ron is my boyfriend!

~~~~~

On to Once More, With Feeling
Back to Studying Isn't Everything