Nov. 15 - Run!
@hinnymicrofic
The Burrow - Summer of 1996
They hid behind the bush next to the large oak tree. It was the perfect hiding spot and vantage point.
All they had to do was wait.
âAre you sure heâs going to go for it?â she asked, not entirely convinced Ron would fall for it. I mean the string was right there. He was an idiot though, especially when good was involved.
Harry just shot her a lopsided smirk that made her stomach swoop. Or maybe it was the earthy scent that she couldnât shake around him.
âCourse, I am. Heâs my best mate, but heâs never seen a pudding he didnât like.â
She nodded - it was a fair assessment.
âBesides, I pulled this loads of times on my cousin and his gang, when theyâŚâ, but he stopped mid sentence, a crease forming between his eyes.
âWhen they whatâ, she whispered.
He just shook his head. âNothing, forget about it. Itâll work.â
She furrowed her brow, wondering what he was going to say. But then, he shifted his weight to the other foot and his shoulder bumped up against her accidentally. He reached out a hand to grab her shoulder to steady himself - sending her an apologetic smirk. It made her heart hammer a little faster.
She liked this, being friends. Actually having a summer together. Pulling pranks. She would do anything to get his mind off ofâŚwell, Sirius and everything.
Just then the back door sprung open and Ron and Hermione came out - flirting bickering about something or what.
âShhh,â she whispered loudly to him, smacking his arm repeatedly although neither one of them had said anything. He shot her a look that said heâs got it and her heart started racing again.
It was going to be perfect.
Ron and Hermione made straight for the pond and she couldnât believe their luck.
Walking up, Ron caught sight of the treacle tart slice lying in wait - clearly missing the light string hooked on the plate.
âAh, perfect,â Ron said and bent down mid argument to reach for it.
âHonestly, Ron - it could be infested with bugs. You have no idea how long itâs been there,â Hermione said. And that would have been a great idea.
She shot Harry a look and could tell by his eyes lifting that he was thinking the same. What a missed opportunity.
He shot her an appraising look and she nodded for him to go ahead. Just as Ron reached down, Harry pulled the string and the plate moved a few paces toward the pond.
Ron paused mid-grab, appraising it. âWhat the- did you see that?!â
Hermione rolled her eyes, already back on whatever they were flirting arguing about.
In the split second Ron looked at her, she grabbed Harryâs arm and pulled the string back more. It was closer to the pond now, right near the curve of the bank, but Ron wouldnât notice. What with Hermione and the prospect of free pudding there for the taking.
He turned around, seemed to appraise it for a minute, before shaking his head like he was seeing things.
She and Harry were both shaking with barely contained laughter at this point.
Just a bit furtherâŚ
Ron reached for the plate again and just as Ron was taking hold, Harry pulled the string again hard - the resulting surprise causing Ron to curse, lose his footing on the bank, and tumble right into the pond.
Jackpot.
He let out a howl of frustration as Hermione shrieked, finally figuring out what was happening.
Ron stood soaked in water and looked around for the culprit. âWHAT THE- WHO-â
Neither of them could help it. She and Harry were both doubled over, laughing hard.
âThatâs for taking the last slice of treacle tart your Mum made me!â Harry bellowed.
Ron whirled around and caught sight of them both. âAre you serious!? You two!?â Even Hermione was laughing at this point.
Breathing heavy between laughs, a stitch starting to form in her side, she couldnât help but double over again.
That was until she saw Ron racing out of the pond - threatening to pull them both in.
She didnât have time to react. Harry grabbed her hand and pulled her with him. âRun!â, he bellowed.
As she took off toward the safety of the orchard with him, she thought that If there was such a thing as heaven, it would be something like this.













