The Taste of Your Lips
Title: The Taste of Your Lips
Pairings/Characters: Ron/Hermione
Summary: Ron and Hermione spend some time together before Harry's rescue from the Dursleys.
Warnings: Very sutble sexual references.
Challenges/Prompts: 'DH Missing Moment' trope for @romione-trope-fest
Originally published: March 21, 2022 on ao3, Fanfiction.net and Tumblr.
Reposted: N/A
The days were warm in the lead up to the plan for rescuing Harry. And they were busy.
There was so much planning to be done, from who was going to travel with who, to planting the false information with the Ministry, to the more finer details such as the Portkeys.
There was hardly any time for relaxing or thinking about anything else.
Hermione didn't mind, of course, because it was for a good cause, but her mind felt full. While others worried about getting Harry from his aunt and uncle safely, she and Ron also had the issue of the Horcruxes to worry about.
She had no idea when it'd be time to leave. Ideally after Bill and Fleur's wedding, but she wasn't taking her chances. In these times, something could happen at any moment and she was preparing for the worst.
She was packing — little things every few days. Clothes for herself and Ron — and for Harry when he got here. Books she thought they might need, a small medical kit because she wasn't expecting it to be easy, wherever it was they went.
So, in what spare time she did have, she used it to prepare for other things.
She'd just come down to the pond by the Burrow to collect some of the weed in there. She hadn't realised at first, thinking it to be just standard water weed, but her books bad alerted her to the fact that it contained a type with healing properties.
She hadn't asked, but she sure Mrs Weasley wouldn't mind if it meant it could help them along their way (though she didn't really have any intention of letting Ron's mum know what was happening anyway).
"Hey. What are you doing?"
Hermione stood up from where she was crouched by the water's edge, stuffing some of the weed into a flask. Rather than answering, she handed an empty flask to him. "Help me collect it," she said.
For a moment, Ron simply stood, staring at the object in his hand. Then he asked, "Why?"
If it had been Harry, she knew he would have just done it without any questions, but Ron always had to know why she was doing something. He was never happy by the fact that she just knew. As annoying as it was, she was actually glad. It made her rethink things and realise she'd made a mistake at times.
"The pond weed has healing powers," she explained. "I thought we might need it."
"For tomorrow?" Ron questioned as he knelt by the water and started pulling off long strands.
"And for other things."
He nodded, needing no further explanation.
For a while, they worked in silence, filling ten flasks with the weed. Then, after setting the last of them aside, Ron sat back and looked out over the water.
Hermione joined him, feeling their shoulders brush as she sat.
"Things are going to change tomorrow, aren't they?" Ron asked.
Hermione nodded. She didn't know if he meant the bigger picture being the fact that Harry's protective charm would be broken after tomorrow, meaning he could be more easily hunted, or the much smaller picture that Harry was going to be present again, with them.
She really did love Harry dearly, but there was a tiny — maybe rather large — part that had enjoyed her few weeks at the Burrow with Ron, alone.
Something had shifted between them in the course of the few weeks, and whilst neither of them had the time or the energy to act on it, nor did she think it was appropriate to do so in the scheme of things, she enjoyed all the possibilities of being alone with him.
There seemed to be an understanding between them now, something that had never happened before. They had worked out where they stood with each other, even if they'd never discussed it verbally. She didn't know if they'd ever discuss it in a way normal people might, but she didn't think they needed to.
Whatever was unspoken between them was enough; at least for now. When she knew it couldn't progress further than what it currently was.
Anything more would complicate their plans. Wherever this Horcrux search took them, she didn't want to worry about him along with everything else. Of course, she'd always worry about him, but it was much easier to worry about Ron, her friend, than if it was Ron, her something else.
And she was confident he understood that as clearly as she did.
"At least we have now, this peaceful moment," Ron added. "Before the chaos begins. Once Harry's here and we're all safe, you realise Mum is going to go into complete wedding mode. We'll probably be busier than we are now."
Hermione nudged him with her shoulder, smiling.
"What?" he asked, smiling back.
"At least it will be something good to be busy about."
"I didn't think you approved of Fleur."
"I am well aware that you do," Hermione retorted. She meant it as a joke, though Ron's infatuation with Fleur Delacour bothered her more than she'd care to admit. She knew that it wasn't real, and that it was probably due to the Veela in her, but it annoyed her. Whenever Fleur was around, Ron wasn't himself. He had some desire to impress her, to do anything to get her to notice him.
Then, when she wasn't around, he was his normal self again.
She hated it and wished he was better at controlling himself around her, even if it was subconscious and he didn't know what he was doing.
Ron went red at her comment. "That's… that's not true," he mumbled.
It was, but she decided not to press the matter. Instead, she said, "We're meant to have a partner for the wedding, right?"
"I don't think so," Ron answered, frowning. He suddenly looked worried. "Are we?"
No, probably not, you clueless — adorable — idiot.
She sighed. Apparently she wasn't very good at making her intentions clear. She'd made that mistake last year when she'd not clearly stated she wanted him to be her date to Slughorn's party.
"Well, we can solve that problem by going together, can't we?"
It didn't take him long to understand. "Oh, I suppose that does solve the problem."
She caught a smile from the side of his mouth and felt pleased. Sure, nothing serious could happen between them, but one night wouldn't hurt, would it? It was a wedding, after all, a celebration of love.
Their hands were resting on the long grass, almost touching, but not quite. A year ago, she wouldn't have had the courage to do what she did now — but a year ago, she wasn't certain of her own feelings, let alone his.
But now she was, even if they hadn't spoken of them, so she moved her hand and covered his.
If he was surprised by the gesture, he didn't show it. Instead, he laced their fingers together and said nothing.
They both sat there grinning like idiots, the happiest maybe either of them had felt in weeks.
After a moment, he asked, "So, just to be clear, you want to be my date to my brother's wedding?"
"Unless you've arranged with someone else…"
"No, I haven't!"
"Then, yes. If that's okay with you."
"It's more than okay!" His reply came out quick and breathless, and he seemed to realise what he'd said, because he withdrew his hand and was now a very deep red. "I mean…"
He was trying so hard and she didn't think he realised that with every gesture, every little thing he said or did, won her over just a little bit more.
"Is this pond good for swimming in?" she asked quickly to save him the embarrassment she realised had encompassed him.
"What?" He blinked.
"Can you swim in it?"
"I… I guess you can."
"Why don't we swim, then? It's a nice enough day. The sun is shining…"
His eyes widened.
"Come on!" Hermione said. "What's the harm?"
"I've got my clothes on!" he protested as Hermione climbed to her feet. She tugged on his hand, dragging him up too.
"Would you rather be naked?" she asked.
His whole face had turned a bright red. "That's… that's not what I meant!"
"Come on, jump in the water!" She gave him a little nudge, but he was bigger than her and resisted easily enough.
"I'm not!" he argued, seeming to understand that this was a game. He now smiled. "Not unless you come with me!" He spun, his hand gripping around hers. And because he was bigger than her, he was able to pull her into the pond.
Hermione felt herself go under, felt something tickle her face, and then when she reached the surface, blinked and found a very wet Ron grinning at her.
"I wasn't ready!" she cried, splashing him with the water. It really wasn't very clean or clear, and yet she had never felt more refreshed. What was magic for if she couldn't enjoy a moment or two like this with her… friend?
"Are you a good swimmer?" Ron asked after a moment.
"I'm alright, why?"
"Because I grew up learning to swim because I had to race against my brothers. Do you think you can beat me to the end?"
Before she had a chance to respond, he took off across the pond, leaving Hermione to go after him. He beat her by a mile, being longer and having a head start.
"I thought you were supposed to be good at things," he teased.
"You cheated!" She splashed him with her hands, and he splashed back. For a while, they kept at it, getting into some battle that had them laughing and giggling. Their worries from the day, for tomorrow, were gone, at least for the moment.
When it died down, when they were both breathing heavily, Ron moved forward so suddenly it took her by surprise. She braced herself, almost anticipating him to kiss her, but then he reached out his arm and pulled a long strand of the pond weed from her hair.
"You're a mess," he said, stepping back again and leaving Hermione alone with her thudding heart.
"And you're not?" she retorted, feeling goosebumps rise up on her skin that had nothing to do with the air or water.
"At least I don't get weed in my hair." He came closer to her again, pulling out more of the stuff that had tangled itself into her hair. She didn't move, but let him do it, because despite her wild fantasies that sometimes came to her, this was the probably the closest she was going to get to having his fingers running through it.
After a moment, he laughed.
She jumped back, looking up at him. "What?" she demanded.
"Nothing." He smiled down at her. "We should probably get out now before we get too cold. Or Mum sends someone in search of us for shirking our duties."
"I need to clean up," Hermione confessed, and they began a gentle swim back to the edge. When they climbed out, they both laid against the long grass. Side by side, their arms almost touching.
Ron rolled onto his side and propped himself onto his elbow. She turned her head to find him watching her.
"What?" she asked warily.
"I like this," he said.
"Swimming?"
"Being with you."
She smiled, looking him in the eye despite the urge to look away. "I like it too."
They continued to look at each other, and although it had never happened to her before, she could sense that maybe in a moment they would kiss. She wanted to kiss him, even if the logical part of her brain screamed at her that if she went there then she couldn't come back. If she gave in, then she'd break all the barriers she'd put up to protect both of them from any further worry. At the same time, she needed his comfort right now more than ever.
She felt more than saw the shift — he was already close enough to her, but his head lowered towards hers. The arm that he wasn't using to hold himself up moved around her waist, firm, yet soft at the same time. He'd never touched her like that before and she loved the way his hand felt on her.
His lips were so close now she could hear his rapid, excited breathing. She closed her eyes, feeling his arm tighten around her, embracing for the impact.
And it never came.
"Sorry to interrupt this cozy catch up."
Hermione opened her eyes, a wave of disappointment washing over her. They'd been so close. Seconds away from it and then Fred had just had to show up.
Hermione and Ron both sat up, turning to Ron's brother who was smiling brightly at both of them.
"So, whatcha both doing?" he asked cheerfully.
"What do you want?" Ron snapped, his face red once more.
"To let you know that Mum is looking for you. She's got jobs for you both. If you'd rather I tell her you're otherwise occupied… I can. But then she'd want to know just what was more important than ensuring Harry's safety, so I'd have to explain my version of events…"
Ron scowled, scrambling to his feet and looking very put out by the interruption. "You keep your mouth shut," he said.
"At what price?" Fred asked with a wide grin.
Ron seemed to contemplate Fred's words, but then shook his head. "You just keep your mouth shut and we'll all be happy."
Fred didn't answer, but continued to look at both of them knowingly, causing Hermione to blush. This was the reason she hadn't wanted to start anything. Not because Fred caught them, but because if he told Mrs Weasley then she'd be furious that they were having fun when Harry's life depended on them. And then she'd do everything in her power to keep them apart.
"Well, I can't make any promises," Fred said. "But you two better get cleaned up and do everything Mum tells you."
They both nodded and began making their way back to the Burrow without speaking.
Though, Hermione did sneak a glance Ron's way, discovering that he was watching her too.
Despite herself, she smiled, and he smiled back. She was disappointed nothing had happened, but at the same time she was relieved. Kissing Ron would have completely taken her focus away from what was important — she probably would have wanted to do it again. And she — they — needed to stay focused; on Harry and the job Dumbledore had given them.
If they got through this and came out alive, then, maybe things would be different if he still wanted it to be.
Until then, she was happy with the way the day's events had played out and she would remember what the edge of his lips had felt like against hers until she got to do the real thing.