Tell Me//HERMIONE

[ronald bilius weasley]

"I think it's nice." Ron lied, turning red. He felt like Hermione was determined to keep him blushing all night, it seemed, and her leading him around gave him time to recollect himself. Even though Ron had come from a big family, he didn't think their home- chaotic and cluttered though it was- was this cramped. The thought bothered him, and he flexed his hands to keep from clenching into fists at the indignity of how Hermione was being treated by the world. Bloody You-Know-Who.

He followed her back into the living room, pausing only for a moment when he noticed the stack of books in the corner- now that was more like his Hermione. "You know, you could build furniture out of them. Perhaps a whole other room." He teased her. "You have enough."

[hermione]

"Liar." Hermione said, shaking her head and leaning against Ron. "It's ok for now though, I have a job now. I'll move into something bigger eventually, when I get enough money." Money, that reminded Hermione of something. She pulled out some of the tips she had gotten and handed Ron the money. "For yesterdays drink and cookie. I think that's how much it's supposed to be." She said, counting it again before putting the money back in her pocket.

Hermione stared at Ron for a moment before she realized he was just teasing. "Haha, Ron. If I had the money, there would be much more." She had actually sold some of her books to book stores or the like. She missed those copies greatly. Hermione wrapped both of her arms around Ron and hugged him tightly. Well, tightly for her. "I've really missed you, Ron."

[ronald bilius weasley]

Ron nodded, then blinked when she handed him the money. He sighed and pushed her hand away gently. "Let me just pay for it." He said quietly, not wanting to argue. Neither of them really had the money to spare, it was true, but Ron figured he could afford to buy her lunch. "Seriously Hermione, don't worry about it. Buy yourself lunch tomorrow."

"There's still enough for a table." He said, his expression painfully serious. "Or hollow one out and build a box for your SPEW badges." He figured that somewhere, buried in one of these boxes, Hermione still had the ones she couldn't foist off on Harry and himself. It was clear he was joking now, even though his expression didn't change- the idea of Hermione intentionally damaging a book was ludicrous.

He pulled her closer, giving her a peaceful smile. "I missed you too, Hermione." He said, kissing her lips gently. "Very, very much."

[hermione]

Hermione laughed softly and smiled at him. "I get a discount at the Leaky Cauldron, I can buy myself lunch tomorrow. Besides, I'll have more tips by lunch time anyway, I have a particularly early shift tomorrow. Well, early for when they usually ask me to come in anyway. Go ahead and buy yourself some lunch tomorrow." Hermione said, offering the money again. "Please, Ron. Take the money."

Hermione laughed at the suggestion of a table. "I couldn't do that to my books, Ron. When people came over and had something to drink, well the water on the cups would create water stains on them." He talked about SPEW and Hermione smiled widely, she still had those, in a small box in her room under the bed. "I actually improved them, you know. I thought maybe people wouldn't like them because they weren't as cool like the Triwizard Tournament buttons that everyone would wear."

Ron pulled her close, and Hermione was now flush up against him. He looked so handsome right now, his red locks a striking contrast to his blue eyes. The smile on his lips was so...serene. She wished she saw a smile like that more often. He kissed her lips, and she melted against him. She kissed his lips back, slowly lifting her arms to wrap around neck. "I wish...we saw each other more." Hermione kissed him again, then laid her head against her arm. If Harry had won, they would have gotten to spend any amount of time together, or if Hermione had done something other than panic when Harry died. If she had killed Voldemort, when he thought he had won things wouldn't be quite like this. Instead, she had gone over to Harry's dead body in disbelief.

[ronald bilius weasley]

Ron opened his mouth to object, but finally took the money from her and put it in his pocket. When she wasn't paying attention, he would put it somewhere she would find it later, and that would save him arguing with her now. Both of them could be very stubborn, and without Harry around to mediate, Ron had become better at picking his battles with Hermione. This was one he would win, but one that would be won in stealth.

"You've already read them, Hermione. And if you haven't, then put them at the bottom- you still have them if you need them, and they still do more than take up space. Problem solved." Truth was, Ron would probably use his own old schoolbooks to make a table if George didn't already have one when he had moved in.

He sat down on the couch and pulled her down with him, pulling her against his chest as he rested his cheek against her hair. His eyes were half lidded, partially from exhaustion and partially overwhelmed from a moment of peace when he didn't have someone needing his attention right away. "Maybe we can." He said quietly, falling silent for a moment. "Hermione... maybe we should move in together."

[hermione]

Hermione smiled warmly up at Ron, watching him open his mouth then finally close it and pocket the money. She was relieved, he had taken the money. She kissed his lips to know how much she appreciated him just giving in. She owed him the money, though she hoped one day they money would be combined as they married. Was she being fanciful, maybe, but she was sure Ron felt the same. She just hoped he put the money to good use when he did use it.

"Who knows when I might need the information that's in there, and I reread them sometimes when I get bored. It's not like I go around socializing. Everyone is either in hiding, busy, or just not interesting." Hermione sighed and frowned. She had read all of them, at least twice. "I've actually gotten rid of some of my collection, Ron. I've kept most of my favorites though, the pile used to be bigger." Hermione looked at the pile in dismay.

Hermione sat with Ron, curling up beside him. She listened to his heart for a few moments, and then began to listen to the words he said. "Move in together?" Hermione asked, looking at him curiously. "Well, maybe...I'd really like that but would your stuff really fit in here? Maybe I could try and expand things, but this place is really quite old and the last time I tried I got a warning not to magically enhance anything in here without consent. He would charge me a little extra, but with my new job I'm sure we could do it." Hermione said, trying to figure out all the technical stuff from the beginning. She couldn't get her hopes up to have them dashed.

[ronald bilius weasley]

"You mean there isn't a club for mudbloods on the run or something? I thought you might get together for tea once a week for a chat. Discuss evasion topics, share potion making tips..." Ron gave her a wry smirk, then felt bad when she admitted to giving some of them up. He knew how Hermione was about her books, it certainly hadn't been his intention to remind of her of the things that were missing in her life now that the country was being overrun by death eaters. "You can have mine." He said honestly. "Not like I'll miss them."

Ron shrugged, once again finding his face warming up. "Sure, I mean... George won't say it, but I'm pretty sure he wants me out of his flat, and what I pay him for the couch I could add to your rent and we might be able to get something a little bigger than this." He was staring at the floor, rather than at his girlfriend, clearly uncomfortable. "We don't have to if you don't want to." Ron had seen it as a way to solve both of their problems- he got out of living above the shop, and she got out of here. They still weren't going to be rich, but it was a start. "Forget I mentioned it." He mumbled.

[hermione]

Hermione laughed softly and shook her head. "I suppose I should have though, but with the order making sure that any that ask for their help is welcome to go into hiding what can I do? If we were to meet, wouldn't that make it easier for the Death Eaters to find us all in one place?" Hermione said, speaking her thoughts out loud about the subject. Though, she really should try and do something to help them. They might be needing her help, not just in getting into hiding but emotional support as well. Perhaps Hermione wasn't the best for emotional support, she cried too easily, but she could try and do her best. Hermione smiled at Ron, kissing his shirt clad chest. "Thank you, Ron." She murmured. "I'd really appreciate it."

Hermione laughed softly and looked up at him. "No, it'll work, Ron. I want us too, if anything I'll at least be able to see you once a day. On the good days, it'll be more than that. " Hermione smiled at him, placing a hand on his cheek. "I'm serious. Let's move in together." She grinned at him, glad he had mentioned it. Ron certainly had his moments of pure genius. It made sense. They could share rent and Ron could have his privacy from his brother. Or, perhaps she was being selfish and just wanting him to herself.

[ronald bilius weasley]

"Probably. But you could always play survival of the fittest or something, auction off the bloke that annoys you.... maybe we could auction off Malfoy too, come to think of it. No, death eaters are dumb, but they're not dumb enough to want him." He was deadpanning, completely trying to get her to laugh, or at least to roll her eyes at him like she used to. He smiled and kissed her forehead when she looked at least a little more cheerful at the idea of his books (which she had probably already read ten times at least, but it was the best he could do. Maybe he could steal some of Percy's old stuff from his room...)

"All right." Ron said slowly, pulling away just slightly to look down at her face. It was good to know that Hermione didn't seem to have any real reservations about the idea, and that cheered him up completely. "Then next night you're off, I'll get George to cover me and we'll go see what we can find." He said, pushing a piece of hair out of her face. It would be nice to wake up to her every morning, to always be around. Not like the last few weeks, when Ron had seen her maybe once or twice if he was lucky.

[hermione]

Hermione laughed and snuggled close to him. "You think Malfoy would actually sell? If anything, they'd be paying NOT to end up be the one with the spoiled brat. Though, I don't think anyone would really be comfortable with doing that. Seems more like what the Death Eaters would do if they got their hands on a group of muggle borns. He kissed her forehead and her smile softened, but grew warmer at the same time. "So your going to be sleeping in bed with me tonight, right? I need to know so I'd know if I need to get you out some blankets if you want to sleep on the couch."

He pulled away to look down at her, but even if it was just a little bit Hermione didn't like it. Well, the distance between them at least. "Hmmm sounds good to me. What kind of place do you want?" Hermione asked, ready to accept anything as long as it was bigger than what they had earlier.She didn't want to spend too much money on it though, in case she heard about Voldemort possibly coming after them and they'd have to go back to being on the run. That would just plain be a waist of their hard earned money.

[ronald bilius weasley]

"I'm sure he's got to have some use... somewhere." Ron made a face as if he clearly didn't believe it- other than a headache, what could Malfoy really give? He ran away from confrontation, so he wasn't a good bodyguard, and he wasn't a particularly good distraction... unless running away was what you needed. "Piranha food?" He shrugged, giving up.

"I guess I am." Ron answered, stifling a yawn. He had forgot just how tired he was until she brought sleeping back into his mind- he had been too busy enjoying the peace and quiet. "Unless you want me to sleep on the couch." He didn't think it would matter soon enough- if they really were moving in together chances were they wouldn't have two bedrooms, and even if they did, they wouldn't have the furniture to furnish a second one for a bit.

"Anything a little bigger than this." Ron admitted wryly, then added, "And that isn't owned by a family member."

[hermione]

Hermione laughed and hit him, but she might as well as tapped him for all the effort she put in it. "Nah, we have to be nice. Perhaps we could gain access to the Malfoy funds or something like that." She would have said something about living in the Malfoy Manor but that place had given her nightmares. She wasn't sure she could set foot on the grounds. "We could free his house elves!" Hermione exclaimed, eyes lighting up as she thought of the idea.

Hermione tugged on her shirt, using it to pull her closer to him. "No, I think I want to be with you for as long as I can. You want go to sleep now? I just have to take a quick shower and I'll join you. Ok?" Hermione said, standing up reluctantly and stretching out. She was tired, but not nearly as tired as Ron seemed to be. She frowned and wondered what Ron would be sleeping in. "Uh, I don't suppose you brought anything to sleep in did you?"

"Sounds good to me." Hermione said, smiling at him. "I think this apartment shopping might be easier than we thought, don't you think?" Hermione asked, laughing softly. This is how it should have been, all laughing a jokes after Harry won.

[ronald bilius weasley]

Ron caught her hand playfully, bringing it up to his lips and kissing it before letting go. "Who says we have to be nice? I didn't read anywhere in the law books I'm studying or in any of the Order papers or anything like that that says we have to be nice. Then again, I suppose you would know it, since you ate the library and all." He snorted at her suggestion, which was so typical Hermione it almost wasn't worth commenting on. "He would probably send You-Know-Who by owl post to our door if we did, you know he's incapable of changing his knickers by himself."

Ron nodded and got to his feet, kicking off his shoes by the couch so he could find them with minimal effort in the morning, and followed her back to her bedroom, since it seemed like mutual consensus that they were both going to bed sometime soon, and both in her bed at that matter. "No." He answered her question simply, pulling his shirt over his head and dropping it on the floor. He would deal with his jeans, he was too tired to notice them much anyway.

"I think we could just throw darts at the paper and pick it that way." He yawned, running his hand through his hair to make it stand on end. He stretched out in teh bed, waiting for her to come back while she went to take her shower, but he didn't actually fall asleep.

[hermione]

Hermione blushed softly when he caught her hand and kissed it. His lips were soft against her hand, and her eyes locked on his lips for a few seconds before it raised to his eyes again. "Our morals say we have to be nice. Aren't we supposed to be the good guys? What would make us any different from them if we did exactly what they did?" Hermione said, smiling at Ron. She didn't eat the library, and Hermione almost said something when she understood what he meant. You would eat food and the nutrients would then be in your body, she would read her books and the 'nutrients' would then be soaked into her brain. It made sense.

Hermione snickered at Ron's assessment, and she shook her head. She really shouldn't mock someone, but Malfoy must have learned to change his clothes later than most. The rich usually had others change the clothing of their young instead of teaching the students how to change themselves. "Ron, I highly doubt Malfoy is as incapable as that. He found a way to get death eaters into Hogwarts didn't he? Don't underestimate the enemy. "

Hermione stared at the shirt he dropped on the floor, and bent down to pick it up. She She tried to avoid looking at his chest, knowing the heat would flood her fast if she did. She blushed lightly anyway, and planned on cleaning his shirt so he could at least put it on clean when he floo'd to his house to change. "I...uh..will go take ...my shower now." Hermione said, pulling out some pajama's that she could change into when she got out of the shower. She hid her set of underclothing and went into the bathroom.

It didn't take long for Hermione to shower, not with her rushing. She did make sure she was absolutely clean, though. Her shampoo was supposed to help calm her hair, and when she stepped out she died herself with her wand and dressed. Her soft pajama pants that she'd had for years were still soft but if you looked you could tell she had worn them. She had a shirt she'd once stained and used it as a pajama shirt instead of just getting rid of it. Braiding her hair back, Hermione put her clothes in the dirty clothes and wand cleaned Ron's shirt and laid it on her dresser for Ron to find in the morning. "You asleep yet?" Hermione whispered softly, climbing into bed beside him. She looked at him and smiled, noticing some of his hair standing straight up.

[ronald bilius weasley]

"Nobody said we weren't good if we stoop to their level- we just have to look better while doing it." Ron smirked, getting an interesting visual of all the fun things he could do to Draco, like boiling his head in a vat of bobotuber pus, or locking him in Myrtle's favorite stall... that would be quite worth Hermione's scoffing, really, if Ron could pull it off. To her comment about the only (as far as Ron was concerned) moment of true mental capacity on Draco's part, Ron just shrugged. "Even idiots have a lucky day."

"Sure." Ron yawned, stretching out on the side of the bed he knew Hermione didn't usually occupy. When she came back and laid next to him, he muttered a muffled "No," throwing his arm around her and pulling her closer to him. She was still very warm from the shower, it was like his own personal bedwarmer.