Categories > Books > Harry Potter > Chronicles of The Company We Keep

In Each Other's Company

by Quillian 0 reviews

What Ron and Hermione are doing back at Hogwarts and how they're coping with the situation...

Category: Harry Potter - Rating: PG - Genres: Crossover - Characters:  Hermione, Ron - Published: 2005-05-17 - Updated: 2005-05-17 - 1459 words

-1Boring
DISCLAIMER: See the first installment of this story collection.

A/N: Well, here I am showing another "behind-the-scenes" thing of something from TCWK that does not take place in the main story flow.

"The People We Protect" was about stupid people who have lots of power but really shouldn't (and boy, do I know a lot of people like that). "Looking into the Mirror" was about Harry's thoughts, including those about stupid people. This time, we see what Harry's two best friends are thinking back in Hogwarts...

/NOTE: This takes place in between chapters 2 and 3 of TCWK, chronologically./



/"In Each Other's Company"/

It was evening on a mid-September day at Hogwarts, and one scholarly young witch went at her homework with much vigor, although if one were to look closely, one could see circles under her eyes.

Hermione Granger, Gryffindor sixth year and female prefect was doing anything to take her mind off of her friend Harry Potter's escape from Hogwarts.

Harry had to flee from "justice" just to get away from Fudge, to whom justice meant nothing.

At least on the plus side, none of the Order of the Phoenix, nor the DA, believed any of Fudge's garbage. It seemed that at least half the school believed in Harry.

Ah well/, Hermione thought, /thank God for small miracles.

"Hermione?"

Ron walked into the common room, looking distinctly unhappy.

"What's new?"

"Oh well, you know, Ron, the usual. Doing my homework... and stuff..."

"You miss Harry, don't you?"

The answer came so abruptly and out of the blue that Hermione felt as though she nearly fell out of her seat.

Getting up and stretching, Hermione decided to walk over to a couch in front of the fireplace. Ron went over and sat down next to her.

"Of course I miss him, Ron," Hermione said, looking a little teary eyed.

"I do too," Ron sighed, feeling frustrated as he ran his hand through his hair. Suddenly anger took over his features and he started to fume. "I can't stand them anymore, Mione!" he exclaimed, flying out of his seat. "Bloody Ministry, bloody Slytherins, bloody everyone who thinks Harry's evil or knows it's all rubbish but says it anyway... Can you believe some of those people? They go on and on and on about how right they are, boldly declaring their beliefs, and should you dare say anything that sounds even the least bit different, they attack you and try to force their beliefs down your throat! What's with these people?"

Ron turned around and saw Hermione looking even more upset than before. "I'm sorry, Mione, I didn't mean to make you even more upset..."

"No, it's not your fault, Ron... in fact, I was more or less thinking the same things. I don't blame you for wanting and needing to get that all out. I've come close to that myself."

Ron sighed and sat down next to Hermione again. "You know, I don't see how Dumbledore can be so patient over those things where most people just blow up. You think he just goes to his office and rants in private?"

Hermione laughed a little at that idea. Ron felt a little proud of himself for cheering her up.

Taking a deep breath, Ron said, "I know we both miss Harry very much. I think we both have to get through this as best as we can. Besides, if they had gotten Harry, I think Fudge would have gloated about it by now. We also both know that Harry wouldn't just hide like a coward and do nothing about it. After five years, I know him well enough to guess that he's currently lying low, planning something out. We just have to wait."

Hermione was impressed with the eloquence with which Ron said that. In fact, she liked the young man he was turning into.

Just then, Ron remembered something. "Excuse me, I'll be right back," he muttered as he dashed up to his dorm.

He came back down a few moments later, carrying a small box that was nicely wrapped. "Happy Birthday, Hermione. Harry and I bought this for you last summer. We really couldn't think of anything else, so..."

Ron handed Hermione the present, and she slowly yet eagerly opened it. She gasped as she pulled out a golden locket in the shape of a wide heart. "It's beautiful... how much did this cost - you shouldn't have..."

Ron waved it aside. "Don't think about that, Mione. See what's inside."

No sooner than he said those words than she had done just that, and saw a moving picture of herself, Ron and Harry. She recognized it from Harry's sixteenth birthday back at the Burrow; Harry was in the center, with his two best friends on either side of them, all three of them happy and smiling.

On the inside next to the picture was a small Latin phrase engraved in the metal: Amici/ In Perpetuum./

"Friends forever," she whispered, deciphering it. Looking up and putting the locket back in its box, she put her arms around Ron and thanked him ecstatically.

"You're certainly welcome," he laughed, hugging her back. Just then, he caught a whiff of something...

"Say, Mione... is that the perfume I gave you last Christmas?"

"Why yes it is," she said. "I really like it. Thanks again, Ron."

"Once again, you're welcome."

As they made the small talk, Ron was taking into account the situation. He couldn't help but notice the scent of Hermione's hair and skin, the feeling of her body pressed against his, and how beautiful she looked...

As Hermione withdrew, Ron couldn't help but notice the way she was looking at him... as though she wanted something else from him...

"Mione...?" he asked in a small voice as she slowly leaned in closer to him.

The next thing he knew, she was passionately kissing him.

Fireworks were going off in Ron's head for a moment before he regained control of his senses and kissed back. As they both withdrew, Hermione's eyes seemed to sparkle while Ron's face seemed to glow, although whether from embarrassment or some other emotion, neither could tell.

Ron gulped. Oh boy. Suddenly a smile replaced his nervousness. That was wicked.

Leaning in closer to her, he asked barely above a whisper, "Can we do that again?"

After Hermione gave him a coy nod, he put his arms around her and commenced with kissing her passionately. As he gently laid her back onto the couch, he planted some kisses on her soft neck, which she liked.

About ten minutes later, both of them were lying side by side on the couch. Hermione lay on her side, gazing into the low fire and thinking, when she heard Ron's voice behind her.

"Mione?" he asked quietly.

"Hm?"

"Tell me... do you feel a little guilty, doing this with Harry not around. I dunno, but I feel like keeping secrets all over again..."

Hermione sighed, thinking about Harry again. Turning around to face him, Hermione said, "Let's face it, Ron... even if Harry was still here, we'd still probably be pursuing this relationship. And this can't be considered keeping secrets from him, because, well, we don't even know where he is, let alone the fact he's not here to begin with."

"Yeah, I know. Still..." With an exasperated sigh, Ron just said, "I just can't stop thinking about it, though."

"I know. At least it means you're a good, loyal friend and caring, thoughtful person."

Ron blushed a little at hearing those words.

"It's getting late..."

"Tomorrow's the weekend, remember? Besides, I don't feel like going anywhere."

Ron chuckled softly.
Both of them dozed off and continued to sleep soundly together, even after the fire's embers long since burned themselves out.



A/N: So how was this? Originally, I was planning to get back to everyone later as a surprise, but I figured and realized it didn't really make any difference.

The things said about people like that (especially in Ron's mini-rant) are based off some personal experiences of my own in dealing with people like that. Hermione's birthday is September 19, according to the online HP Lexicon.

BIG NEWS! Pe and I are have created our own Yahoo group specifically meant for Harry Potter and X-Men crossovers, where you can find both "Of Slings and Arrows" and "The Company We Keep," plus all other related stories. Go to my profile for more info!


Sign up to rate and review this story