Summary: A strappy vest forces Ron to have a difficult conversation.
Word Count: 2050
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Ron exited the bathroom, footsteps careful and light. At this time of the night, everyone in the Burrow should be sound asleep. But Ron knew as well as anyone how hard it was to achieve that peace these days and didn’t want to be the one to disrupt it.
He spotted Ginny’s closed bedroom door and grimaced. Part of him wanted to crack the door and poke at his sister, but in the end he was too worried about what he would find. And really, they were doing him a favor.
After nearly losing both Harry and Hermione in the last two months, Ron’s selfish preference was to have them by his side at all times. But some things needed more leniency–that’s why Harry was in there with Ginny, and not Hermione.
On the first night back at the Burrow, he could see how uncomfortable it made Harry to share his room while Hermione slept in Ron’s bed. And Ginny had been shirty about sleeping in her room alone. So the next morning, Ron stuttered out a barely coherent request to Hermione, asking if she could fix the situation. She seemed to understand (though she gave him an amused look), and patted his chest, promising to talk to Harry.
He tiptoed up the stairs to his attic bedroom and the temperature climbed higher with each step. It was stuffy and warm, even for early May.
The benefit of the heat was that like him, Hermione ended up sleeping in vests and shorts. He couldn’t deny the thrill he got from her smooth legs brushing up against him in the night. Ron shook the thought away. Going down that path would not lead to him resuming sleep.
He entered his room, softly closing the door behind him. The room was much cooler than the stairway, thanks to Hermione’s brilliant spell work. He gently pulled back the light bed covers to slide in next to a sleeping Hermione and was greeted by—
“I know you are,” Hermione replied as she sat up further, scooting so that her knees touched his outer thigh. “But I’ll be okay. I’m tougher than I look, you know.”
Ron closed his eyes. “No shit,” he muttered, remembering what she had been through at Malfoy Manor just two days before.
He felt a featherlight touch on his jaw, and his eyes snapped open to find Hermione’s fingertips on him, her eyes searching his.
“I’m glad you’re the one taking care of me,” she whispered.
Word Count- 3,632 Rating- mature
Shell Cottage fics have been done about ten million times before, so naturally I decided to do one. It was supposed to be fluffy but somehow ended up a little smutty as well, but I do not apologize for that ;)
Cheesy (yeah, you’ve heard of her before) has graciously offered to beta this, so thanks to the nicest, cheesiest person in the world! She is also responsible for the title!!!
oOo
A terrified scream broke Ron out of a restless sleep, his body instantly shooting up from the chair he’d been dozing in. In less than two seconds, he’d jumped from the chair onto the small, twin sized bed and pulled Hermione’s writhing body to his. He held her tight, her screams sending bolts of tortuous agony straight to his heart. He’d never wanted to hear those screams again, and yet he had several times since they’d arrived at Shell Cottage, and twice already that night.
“Hermione. Hermione, it’s okay,” he soothed with his lips against her ear. “It’s not real. I’m here. I’m here.”
He hoped his voice was calming even though his words were coming out broken. “I’m not going to let them hurt you again. Never again,” he promised.
Hermione’s screams stopped sooner than they had the last time. Ron released a breath of relief, his heart still hammering so hard against his chest that he felt faint.
“Ron?” Hermione croaked, her hands now clutching his shirt, pulling at it with a strength he was surprised she possessed after all she’d been through.
We love a good second kiss, and this one from @mertronus does NOT disappoint!
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Fic Title: Just Us Author Name: Mertronus Selected Trope: Second Kiss Brief Summary: Hermione asks Ron if he remembers their second kiss. He does…doesn’t he? Word Count: 1799 Rating: T (some language) Any Trigger Warnings: none
“Do you remember our second kiss?” Hermione asked. She was curled up in Ron’s side, her finger tracing freckles on Ron’s bare chest. Her brown curls were spread across both pillows, not that Ron minded, and the scent of her vanilla shampoo filled his senses. Beneath the twisted sheets which were slightly damp from sweat, their legs were tangled together.
Ron sighed in post-coital bliss.
“Our…second kiss?” He asked, one eyebrow raised. “Are you choosing to forget our first?”
“Of course not,” Hermione huffed. “No one ever forgets their first.”
“You almost wanted to,” Ron mumbled under his breath.
“What?”
“I said of course I remember our second kiss.” He smirked. “Best kiss of my life…in the back of that library.”
“What?!” Hermione sat up. “No it wasn’t! We never kissed in the library!”
“I-I mean in my room at the Burrow.” Ron was having a hard time keeping the smile off his face as he took on a scared expression.
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).
Today, we have a unique take on Fuck or Die. We’d love to hear what you think!
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Title:Choices
Author Name: JohnMcHacker
Selected Trope: Fuck Or Die
Brief Summary: Ron Weasley is ready to finally fulfil the biggest fantasies of every young man on the planet. Hermione Granger has read enough out of books, and wants to see what the fuss is all about for herself. They’re both ready to take the next step in their physical relationship. But not like this – no, this wasn’t what they had thought it would be like at all…
This is my dark take on “Fuck Or Die”, a trope which I have always had reservations about. Happy ending, I promise.
Word Count: 14,122
Rating:Explicit (for triggers, violence, smut)
Trigger Warnings: Abduction, threat of rape and murder, discussion of non-consent, related angst, magical violence
Author’s note: I’d like to note that I didn’t write this to render a personal opinion on certain topics through fanfiction, something which I dislike and actively strive to avoid. What characters say can be right or wrong or both at once, there is a wide breadth of complexity and nuance to most any topic, and truth often lies somewhere in the middle of two (or more) extremes of opinion. This fic ultimately came about as a result of a plot bunny I thought was meaningful and worth exploring, and that’s really all there is to it.
That being said – I hope you ultimately enjoy reading this. Many thanks to the admins for organising the fest, particularly @be11atrixthestrange for answering my queries. I’d love very much to hear your comments and feedback – especially important this time round, given the subject – so as always, do please let me know what you think! Follow me on AO3 for a tad more light-hearted stuff.
* * *
0. Prologue
Now
Ron Weasley’s wheezing breaths fill the room; thin, laboured gasping punctuated occasionally by wet, blood-flecked coughs.
Hermione Granger cradles his head on her lap, strokes his hair tenderly, the only thing she can do. All those brains, all that Hogwarts education, and the brightest witch of her age is completely powerless, completely helpless, imprisoned in a stripped-bare basement sans wand. Oh, for a thin wooden stick with a magical bit inside.
Finishing up today’s posts with another Sixth Year AU!! Follow @reallybeth9 for updates!
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Fic Title- No, not you Author Name- reallybeth Selected Trope- 6th year AU Brief Summary- It’s 6th year, and Hermione and Ron are finally on the same page after Ron and Lavender go their separate ways. However, when Hermione finds the courage to tell Ron how she feels, his response is not what she expects. Miscommunication drives them apart until years later, but is it already too late? Magical AU Word Count- 3,389 Rating- mature
Hi! Welcome to my new angsty romione fic!!! (really, if you were expecting anything other than angst from me, idk what to say)
I have been working on this for a while, and I’m so excited to finally start posting! No promises on updates because even though I have about half of it already written, it’s not really in order and is a MESS.
Anyway, this starts off as a 6th year AU, but the majority of it will take place when Ron and Hermione are a few years older. In the beginning it is mostly canon, but there are still a few significant differences that you’ll find as you read that drastically stray from canon.
POV is going to be jumping around from Ron and Hermione, and a lot of scenes are going to be told from both of their perspectives in order to better understand what they are thinking. Hopefully, this doesn’t get too confusing!
A huge shoutout to CHEESY who is a freaking beta-queen as well as a stupendous writer!
oOo
“Okay.“
Hermione contemplated the information she had just been given. It was Thursday night, and she, Harry, and Ron were sitting at the very back table in the deserted library as Harry relayed to them everything he’d learnt that night. She held up her fingers and started to list the number of objects, wanting to make sure she had all the information correct.
"There’s the diary, which you destroyed at the end of second year, and the ring, which Dumbledore has already destroyed.” Harry nodded his affirmation as she went on. “Then there’s Helga Hufflepuff’s cup, the lost Diadem of Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin’s locket- all of which Dumbledore has already collected, but hasn’t yet destroyed."
Enjoy this wonderful Stuck Together from Goldilockss!
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Fic Title: Something To Look Forward To
Author name: Goldilockss
Selected Trope: Stuck Together
Summary: Falling into a pit in the middle of nowhere might sound like the last thing they need on their dangerous quest. In reality, it might be exactly the excuse they’re looking for to mend everything that had been damaged.
Word count: 5850
Rating: T (for the swearing)
…
The wind was bitingly cold as they trudged tiredly through the heavy snow, inconsistently laden upon the forest’s landscape. In one place, it’d feel 10 cm deep, and Ron’s boot would sink unsteadily throwing him slightly off balance in the process, and in the next, the path would have melted somehow or been stomped through by creatures he’d rather not imagine around, exposing the solid ground below.
He didn’t have to look into a mirror to know his cheeks were blazing, not from embarrassment this time however, but the icy punch mother nature has decided to throw at them this February evening. The once thick sole on his boots had long become worn, likely even before he ever put them on, and the moisture was seeping torturously into his socks.
It was utter shit, in another words.
And yet, he couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.
“I think we should probably stop in about a quarter mile, don’t you think, Harry?”, her voice called out a few metres ahead of him.
Then there was the metaphorical coldness that somehow stabbed him harder than the freezing temperatures ever could.
He heard Harry mumble a reply, somewhat unenthusiasticaly, before facing forward again.
It had been a bit over a month now, since he had appeared at that frozen lake. Subconsciously, Ron squeezed the deluminator that rested snugly in his front pocket. He hadn’t expected a warm welcome of course, in fact, on one lonely occasion in the middle of nowhere, he’d had the paralysing image of them kicking him out before he’d even set foot inside the tent.
Summary:Navigating a post-war life is difficult. Ron and Hermione decided to make things a little bit more difficult by negotiating the fine line between close friendship and a relationship. When Hermione decides to go back to school and then on to Australia without Ron, will they find a way to survive?
Summary: Hermione Granger has made a career out of being a bridesmaid. But a chance meeting with a cynical red-headed wedding guest with dreamy blue eyes makes her question her beliefs and her dreams for her own happily ever after with her boss, who she just happens to be head over heels in love with. But her life is throw into turmoil when her close friend snags her boss from Hermione’s grip and the red-headed man just won’t leave her alone. A Romione 27 Dresses inspired Muggle AU!
Summary:Lifelong friends Hermione and Ron take their relationship to the next level by having sex. Afraid of ruining their friendship, the new lovers make a pact to keep things purely physical, with no fighting, no jealousy and no expectations. They pledge to do whatever they want, wherever they want, as long as they do not fall in love. The question then becomes: who will fall first?
Summary:Hermione is returning to Hogwarts as Head Girl, and Ron, due to circumstances currently out of his control, has to go with her if he ever hopes to become an Auror… but they’re about to learn that going back is more difficult than they imagined. Rated E for chapters 4 onward. COMPLETE.
Summary:COMPLETE! What if Ron and Hermione had given into their passion sooner rather than later, resulting in an unforeseen complication that could very well compromise the hunt for Voldemort’s Horcruxes? Deathly Hallows subplot, interweaves with canon.
Summary:After escaping the Ministry, Ron is having trouble doing things like getting a bath with his injured arm. Hermione will try to help, no matter how much it hurts to think that it’s not really the time for romance. One-shot with a parallel, set in DH.
Summary:Muggle AU. When your best friend is a famous musician and you work as his bodyguard, life is mostly about partying and having fun. But after missing one too many important appointments, Harry’s manager Sirius hires a Personal Assistant to get them organised. Can Hermione Granger get them back on track before Harry’s upcoming UK tour? And what happens when Ron is less than accepting of her being in their lives.
Summary:Things are not easy for Ron and Hermione right after the Battle of Hogwarts. They need each other badly, but forced and rash decisions bring them apart. Will they find their way back to each other? This story is a different take on the Summer following the end of the war. It begins moments before Deathly Hallows ends and continues over the following months. WARNING: Read the Author’s Notes for detailed trigger warnings!
Summary:Because sometimes, to fall asleep, all you need is your best friend. Your boyfriend. Your fiancee. Your wife. Your soul mate. A collection of 30 moments in a lifetime during which Ron and Hermione just couldn’t fall asleep.
Summary:The war is over, but at Hogwarts, new battles are being fought. As the school tries to rebuild, Slytherins find themselves at the bottom of a new social order where Gryffindor arrogance and retribution reign. While Ron struggles with loss and guilt, Draco encounters daily threats and social isolation. When an unlikely friendship develops between the two, Ron must find the courage to face the backlash, and something far more terrifying – himself.
Summary:“It’s been a long time since she’s had a dream as vivid as the one she just woke up from. For the life of her, she can’t figure out why she was thinking about Ron, when she had pushed him so far from her dreams a long time ago.”
Ron & Hermione are childhood sweethearts, born and raised in the small village of Ottery St. Catchpole before beginning their journey at Hogwarts. When life doesn’t work out as they expected, can they find their way back to each other? Magical AU.
Summary:Rose Weasley and Holly Granger have nothing in common…except the fact that they’re twins. When they meet at Beauxbatons after ten years apart, there’s only one logical thing to do—trade lives. (Or, The Parent Trap, Romione-style.)
Summary: The end result might seem easy, but it was a winding road that led Ron and Hermione together. A collection of missing moments throughout the series.
Summary:COMPLETE! When Ron and Hermione are forced prematurely into an act of intimacy out of necessity to save her life following an accident, will they be prepared to handle the consequences? Half-Blood Prince subplot, interweaves with canon.
Summary: Ron knows there’s nothing he can really say or do to make up for his mistakes, and that the anger Hermione feels towards him is more than earned - but that doesn’t mean he’s going to stop trying. A DH missing moment between Ron and Hermione.
Cheesy’s back with another DH Missing Moment! Enjoy :)
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Fic Title: Lovely
Author Name: cheesyficwriter
Selected Trope: DH Missing Moment
Brief Summary: She can’t stop herself from always fearing the worst; no matter how hard she squeezes her eyes shut in an attempt to block out her mind, she can’t sleep. Neither, she realizes, can Ron.
Word Count: 1,428
Rating: T
Trigger Warnings: N/A
A/N: Takes place after the Battle of Seven Potters
Sometimes the quiet can be suffocating.
Hermione lays awake on the camp bed in Ginny’s room, fighting the restlessness that’s preventing her from getting proper sleep. The events from the long day—retrieving Harry, taking Polyjuice Potion, flying, reconvening at the Burrow—trickle into her mind. Over and over again, she reviews the image of multiple Harry Potters arriving on their brooms, safely landing within the protective enchantments. Each one morphed quickly into their original forms, bringing her thoughts to the moment she discovered Ron and Tonks missed their Portkey, and the subsequent stomach-churning sensation that followed.
The more she rehashes some of the longest minutes of her life, the more her tormenting thoughts start to plant seedlings of doubt on whether or not going on a hunt for Horcruxes is the right thing to do. If she came this close to losing Ron today when others had been—
Now’s not the time to overanalyze every decision you make, Hermione.
She can’t stop herself from always fearing the worst; no matter how hard she squeezes her eyes shut in an attempt to block out her mind, she can’t sleep. Neither, she realizes, can Ron.
Hermione knows the pattern of footsteps creaking up the rickety stairs outside her door—the clunky, somewhat lazy shuffling lacking any subtlety—belongs to her ginger-haired best friend, without the need to check to make sure. She knows it’s him.
The sound of a door clicking shut startles her, but it’s too close for Ron to be back in his attic bedroom. Too curious to lay dormant any longer, Hermione throws off the covers and tiptoes her way out of the room without waking Ginny.
Her feet pad their way quickly and quietly up the crooked steps, only pausing once she sees the light from the crack at the bottom of the bathroom door. Ron must be in there, but Hermione hasn’t thought of what she will do or say to him once he comes out. She paces the landing, her stomach contracting into a tight ball.
What is she doing? What should she say? What does she wantto say?
Hermione swallows, but is unable to wet her parched throat. Perhaps she should go for a glass of water while she waits. That should give her enough time to think about her conversation with Ron without going completely mental and biting her nails off.
But she only manages to take two steps down the stairs before she hears a lock clicking open. Her heart pounds within her chest as she tries to make a quiet escape without detection, before Ron can—
“Hermione?”
Ron’s voice comes out thick and unsteady, and Hermione can feel the tension in her own jaw as she grinds her teeth together.
Blast.
Wringing her hands, she turns around and offers Ron what must look like a spastic smile. “Oh!” She speaks in a suffocated whisper. “Sorry.”
“Did you, er, need to?” He points to the loo while scratching the back of his neck with his other hand.
“Yes.” Hermione nods her head in rapid succession, climbing up the stairs, careful to avoid the areas on each step that tend to creak the most. “I was going to go to the bathroom.”
“Really?” Ron quirks up one brow, a teasing glint shining in his eye. “So why were you walking away from it?”
“No. No, I—oh forget it, it’s ridiculous-”
“Hermione.” Ron’s low voice is stern, and she can tell he’s having difficulty keeping his voice quiet. “What’s going on?”
She nibbles on her bottom lip as she presses her back against the nearest wall, her shoulders slumping against it.
When Hermione looks up, she meets Ron’s heated gaze and her heart stumbles over its own rhythm as she takes in his disheveled, sleep-filled hair, set jaw, and the scruff on his chin—when did he become so mature? She always thought she was the one out of their trio who maintained the most control over the dire, nerve-racking situations they’ve been placed in.
But if today assured her of anything, it’s that she’s no longer in control over her feelings for her best friend.
Read on for @reallybeth9’s take on Romione’s second kiss!!
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Fic Title- Convincing Author Name- reallybeth Selected Trope- second kiss Brief Summary-
“I love you,” she whispered. “I’m so in love with you.”
Ron’s hold slackened, and moving his hands to her upper arms, he pulled her away from him to study her face. The look of relief, joy, and what Hermione was now certain was love in his expression caused her to lean towards him, desperate to feel his lips on hers again. Before they could meet, however, Ron tightened his grip, stopping her.
“Wait,” he said. “It’s my turn to make the first move.”
Word Count- 5,154 Rating- mature
Hi! I had half of this written months ago, but I abandoned it to work on/read other things (bc life) Anyway, when I realized I could use this idea for a trope fest one-shot I got excited and finished it bc it fits perfectly for a second kiss fic! And again, this started out fluffy but ended up smutty (what can I say? smut happens…..like shit happens…get it?) Yeah, that was cheesy. But not as cheesy as….
Cheeeeeeesy, who is busy writing her own (fucking amazing) things and still graciously gave this a lookover for me. As always, I super duper appreciate it! I gave her a small shout-out in here, so look for it!
Something that has always made me feel incredibly sad is the way Ron sees himself as not good enough. I wanted to write Hermione realizing just how deep his insecurities went, and for her to address them while also trying to help him understand his worth.
Hopefully, I’ve achieved that.
oOo
Hermione walked into the living area of the Burrow, a steaming cuppa in each hand as she made her way towards the tall, unmoving figure sitting on the sofa. As she moved closer, she saw that Ron’s eyes were glassy as he stared straight ahead, seemingly not even noticing her presence.
They’d returned to the Weasleys’ family home several days ago, and since then, she and Ron hadn’t said much of anything at all to each other. Admittedly, Hermione had taken a step back, allowing Ron to be with his family, knowing that right now, they all needed him more than she did. She saw him around, of course, but even then it wasn’t the same- not like she was used to.
Until now, they hadn’t been alone together, but from the glances Ron kept giving her whenever they happened to be in the same room, she could tell he was concerned about her. Whenever this happened, Hermione put on a brave face for him, refusing to have him worry about her. Ron had enough things to worry about without her adding to it.
Our second fic today is another take on Hermione and Ron dancing at Bill and Fleur’s wedding! Enjoy this DH Missing Moment that will warm your heart and leave you wanting more! #JustKissAlready
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Fic Title: Waiting Here With You
Author Name: CowahBull
Selected Trope: DH Missing Moment. Dancing at Bill and Fleur’s wedding.
Brief Summary: Ron and Hermione can never seem to get their timing quite right. They both know what they want but they know this is the closest they can be, here and now, dancing in the garden.
Word Count: 1521
Rating: G
Any Trigger Warnings: None. Only Fluff and excess twirling.
Part One
The Music Playing On For Only Two
“Come and dance,” Ron said, grabbing Hermione’s hand and pulling her from her seat.
“Um,” she stuttered, following him, “s-sure.” As they left their table, she vaguely heard Viktor ask Harry, ‘Ah, they are together now?’ before she and Ron were lost in the crowd of dancers.
Once they reached the middle of the group, Ron faced Hermione, placing his hand at her waist, her free hand finding his shoulder. Hermione’s mind raced to remember her dancing lessons from childhood.
Our first fic today is a lovely Fake Dating from @voldemorts-tap-shoes that’s perfectly packed with tension! Enjoy!
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Fic Title - I Want You Back Author Name - voldemorts-tap-shoes/smjl Selected Trope - Fake Dating Brief Summary - Ron and Hermione hatch a plan to make their exes jealous and end up with more than they bargained for. Word Count - 4487 Rating - T Any Trigger Warnings - none
***
The Leaky Cauldron is packed tonight, and Ron wishes he was enjoying the boisterous atmosphere. There’s plenty to celebrate—England’s just won the Quidditch World Cup, thanks in no small part to his sister, and the party promises to be a banger.
Unfortunately for Ron, the victory has been overshadowed by the fact that his ex, Romilda, is currently wrapped around that git McLaggen like the Giant Squid.
“Will you forget about her?” He doesn’t even realize he’s staring at them until his twin brothers flank him at the bar and order another round for the three of them.
“What if she was the one?” Ron laments, and Fred and George roll their eyes in tandem.
“Bullshit,” Fred says. “She was your Hogwarts girlfriend. Those things don’t last.”
Ron raises an eyebrow at him as he takes a long swig of his drink. “So you and Katie Bell are…what, exactly?”
Fic Title - Drive Author Name - voldemorts-tap-shoes/smjl Selected Trope - DH missing moment Brief Summary - Hermione copes after obliviating her parents. Ron helps. Word Count - 1672 Rating - T Any Trigger Warnings - n/a
******
Ron’s not sure what to expect when he arrives at Hermione’s house. Her owl that afternoon had been brief but specific:
Come over tonight at 7. You can apparate into the back garden. -H
It might have been complicated having two best friends whose names start with the same letter, but he knows every delicate curve of Hermione’s handwriting better than his own. Besides, Harry’s aunt and uncle would never concede to such an intrusion, and they aren’t due to retrieve him from the Dursleys’ for another week still, on Harry’s seventeenth birthday. Dumbledore had been clear about very little, but Harry staying in that hellhole Vernon and Petunia masquerade as a home until he comes of age had been an explicit request of the headmaster’s.
Hermione is meant to come to the Burrow in a couple of days, but Ron isn’t going to turn down a chance to see her sooner. It’s only been a couple of weeks, but he misses her. He’s hoping her request means she’s feeling the same sense of longing towards him.
After Dumbledore’s funeral, they had sort-of-maybe-almost admitted their feelings for each other—saying things without saying them is a specialty of theirs—but for once Ron feels like they’re on the same page. Now, their only hesitation is the upcoming war, rather than doubts about the other’s feelings.
He lands in the garden, per her instructions, and looks up at the house. It’s quiet and dark, the only sound being the low rumble coming from the driveway. Ron follows the noise out front and spots Hermione behind the wheel of what must be her parents’ running car. He circles around to the driver’s side of the silver sedan, where Hermione has the window rolled down. The greeting he’s about to give her dies on his lips as he gets a good look at her blotchy face and red-rimmed eyes.
“Hermione—“ he starts, but she cuts him off with a shake of her head.
“Get in.” Her voice is scratchy, further indication that she’s been crying. A lot.
A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the one and only @cheesyficwriter! I hope you enjoy this little tribute to Find Me Under the Waterfall (and that Ron’s food choices make you as hungry as your fics make us!)
Making Plans
The words on the screen begin to blur as Ron scrolls aimlessly through what feels like thousands of menu options. His eyes skim over words like crudités, julienne, marmalade, reading without absorbing any of it.
He loves food—has made a career out of it, even—and somehow he can’t choose the most important meal of his life.
It makes sense for him to spearhead the catering efforts for their wedding, while Hermione puts her own expertise as a travel writer to good use planning their honeymoon. But the options are so vast, so varied, he’s having trouble choosing. The rioja braised short rib wonton sounds incredible, but he’s also intrigued by the lobster and Granny Smith apple appetizer—topped with avocado mousse and toasted fennel seed on cucumbers—and he knows Hermione would love the crispy brie drizzled in pear chutney. How is he ever supposed to decide when it all sounds so good?
It’s perfectly normal to hire four caterers for one wedding, right?
An ad blinks across the screen for a local bakery, and Ron shuts his laptop with a groan as he realizes he hasn’t even begun to think about the cake.
The front door opens and closes with a bang, and Hermione’s voice rings out through the tiny flat. Ron calls back a greeting, listening to the rustle of grocery sacks as she makes her way through the kitchen toward the spare room they both use as an office when they’re not traveling. Which, most of the time, they are. Fortunately, ever since Ron’s blog took off, they’ve been able to travel together most of the time.
“Hi, love.” Hermione breezes into the office, arms now empty, and settles into his lap with a kiss, lightening his mood immediately. “How was your day?”
“Oh, it was…fine.” Ron forces a smile; he doesn’t want to tell her how difficult a time he’s having with what should be the easiest task of the wedding planning, at least for him. But of course, she sees right through his facade.
Her delicate fingers thread into the hair curling around his ear as she frowns at him. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, really. Just having a hard time deciding on a caterer.”
Hermione huffs a laugh. “Tell me about it. I’ve looked at about fifty resorts, it seems, and not one of them is quite right for our honeymoon.”
He shouldn’t interfere—Hermione has her task, and he has his—but the answer seems so simple that he blurts it without thinking. “Why don’t we just go back to Costa Rica?”
“Costa Rica?” Hermione repeats, her brow furrowing. “Well, I haven’t even really looked there, but I suppose there must be other resorts…” She leans backwards in an attempt to reach for the colorful brochures that are scattered about her desk, but Ron tugs her attention back to him.
“I mean, let’s go back to Pura Vida. It’s where we met…seems appropriate, doesn’t it? Besides, we had our own rooms last time. I reckon we’re in need of a do-over and a thorough examination of the honeymoon suite.”
“You don’t want to go somewhere new, somewhere we’ve never been?”
“Not necessarily. Besides, if we go somewhere we’ve already been, there’s less reason to leave the room.” Ron shoots Hermione an exaggerated wink, and her laughter fills the office.
“Okay,” she agrees. “Pura Vida. I’ll call them tomorrow.” She seals the statement with a kiss before turning to his laptop. “Now what are our options here?”
Ron sighs. “Endless.”
“Let’s see about that.” Hermione pulls the computer onto her lap, and Ron watches her click back and forth across the pages of menus he has open. After only a moment, she gives a definitive tap to the screen. “This one.”
Ron looks at the menu over her shoulder. It was definitely one of his contenders, but he had seen nothing to narrow down the field. Every item on the menu looks just as delectable as the next caterer, and the next.
“Why? How?”
Hermione shrugs. “This one has the most vegetarian options for Audrey.”
Ron shakes his head in disbelief. “You’re amazing, you are.”
“We make a good team,” Hermione volleys back, grinning as she leans in for another kiss that Ron returns eagerly. “We should try swapping tasks again. I’ll pick out the cake, and you decide on bridesmaids’ dresses?”
Ron laughs and kisses her again. “Let’s quit while we’re ahead.”
SO PERFECT! I love love love this little continuation of FMUTW. They work so well together and I adore how they helped each other see what was right in front of them ❤ and I’m most certainly hungry now.
Happy birthday @cheesyficwriter You enjoy breaking our hearts with your angst-filled stories, and I love chatting all things American teen dramas and medical soaps with you. So in tribute to your birthday, I send that angst right back atcha in the form of some Naley-inspired Romione heartbreak (although there’s no rain today). I hope you have a lush day either way xxx
A streak of lightning cracks and fizzles across the sky, illuminating the small village of Ottery St. Catchpole before fading the buildings to inky black and purple shadows once more. The wind picks up along with the rain, howling through the paper-thin walls of Ron’s small townhouse and sending a shiver racing down his back.
The storm shouldn’t affect him this much; thunder and lightning are common at this time of the year, especially over magical towns, when the oppressive humidity of the British early summer mingles with excess magic that buzzes through the air. It makes for impressive views, and usually, he would be out on his small patio with a pint of beer and enjoying it.
But tonight he can’t bring himself to step outside the back door.
His copy of the Daily Prophet falls to his lap as a sense of foreboding drifts over his body. Ron doesn’t believe in hauntings. In his world, ghosts and poltergeists are obvious with their intentions, and the last time he checked, no ghouls resided in the attic. Yet he can’t shake the feeling that something is coming, a paranormal force that is about to turn his world upside down.
Happy Tuesday! I wrote this ficlet for the Minor Character (MC2) Romione March Challenge on the HPRomione Discord! Thank you to @el-eye-zee-aye for hosting! I had a blast writing Moaning Myrtle
Please check out the collection of works on AO3 for more
The Prefects’ bathroom is one of the happiest places in the castle—at least, in Myrtle Warren’s opinion.
But the best part?
Not just any student can have access to it, so it’s not often that she has to share its brilliance with some horrible and whiny teens. Her favorite feature is the candle-filled chandelier. In the evenings, the light casts a magnificent glow upon the white marble floors, bringing life into the room despite its emptiness.
The toilets really are the best in the castle to swirl into. It’s an honest shame that the large in-ground tub doesn’t get too many visitors. The lavender scent of the bath salts is to diefor. The only thing missing is…
Oh.
Well, perhaps it would be nice to have some company. It was dreadful having to fly from bathroom to bathroom during the recent Battle of Hogwarts, watching in horror as her perfect porcelain toilets were smashed to bits.
Myrtle casts a forlorn glance towards the door, hoping someone will walk in. As if they read her mind, the door swings open so fast that she almost doesn’t have time to hide behind one of the stalls. She likes to make a dramatic entrance, after all.
A familiar-looking boy with stark red hair tugs on the hand of a girl with frizzy brown curls, pulling her quickly into the room before shutting the door. They drop hands as soon as they think they’re alone. The girl looks away from the boy, a blush creeping up on her cheek as she bites her lip. The boy shoves his hands into his pockets and rocks back and forth on his heels.
Myrtle notices that they’re both holding towels underneath their arms. Interesting, very interesting.
“So, uh…” The boy clears his throat. “Reckon I’m not surprised that the wards are no longer up to get in here.”
The girl nods. “Yeah, this is the best place for a bath.”
“Really? So, you’ve, uh, you’ve been in here to…to do that?”
“Yes, of course. Haven’t you?”
Ah.So they were once prefects. Myrtle wants to call out and inform them that they’re not the only couple that has passed through these doors wanting an escape from the rest of the castle. Although, she can only imagine the state of the crumbling structure as it is now. She doesn’t often venture outside of her favorite places.
The ginger-haired boy coughs again, jerking his head towards the tub. “Well, it’s free now, and I could stand to rinse off this grime.” He pats his tattered clothing, and Myrtle wrinkles her nose as she takes a peek through the gap in the stall.
Oh, she can’t stand witnessing this awkwardness any longer as more seconds tick away without conversation between the couple. It’s time for Myrtle to make her presence known.
She flies upward, hovering above the bathroom stalls as she grins at the mutual shocked expressions on the teens’ faces.
“Welcome!”
“Oh!” The girl’s eyes widen, taking a step back as she places a hand over her heart. “Sorry. We didn’t realize anyone was in here, Myrtle.”
Myrtle scoffs and raises her eyebrows at the pair through her thick-rimmed glasses. “I’m not just anyone, you know. I happen to be a valuable presence to this castle. What is it youwant? I don’t suppose you both want to use the bath at the same time…”
“Well, we’re certainly not here to flood the toilets,” the ginger mumbles, but not quiet enough.
Myrtle clenches her jaw, hoping that her narrowed eyes give away a thunderous look, daring the boy to speak further. Her gaze shifts to the girl with bushy brown curls standing next to him, who looks even more recognizable than the boy.
Ohwait.
An image flashes through Myrtle’s memory of a younger Hermione Granger in the girl’s lavatory, except at the time the girl donned cat fur, ears, and a tail. The recollection dissolves Myrtle into a fit of giggles.
“Oh yeah.” She points a finger at the couple, ignoring Hermione’s crossed arms and tapping foot. “I remember you.”
“We remember you, too, Myrtle.” Hermione’s tone is stiff and formal, although her eyes never stray from Myrtle’s.
Too much time passes in silence, and Myrtle grows far too impatient. Are these two going to do or say anything, or is she going to have to do all of the work for them? She sighs, tilting her head at Hermione while breathing in through her teeth.
“I don’t mean to stare,” Hermione chews on her bottom lip, seemingly contemplating her next words. “It’s just—I might have expected to see you in the girls’ lavatory on the—”
“I can travel to any bathroom I see fit, and I like this one.”
“Oh. Of course you can travel,” Hermione quickly adds. “You probably did so through—”
“Throughwhat?”
Hermione’s face flushes. “Nevermind. It’s not important.”
A wave of violent fury washes over Myrtle as she clenches her fists at her sides, all too annoyed by the secrecy. She’s notjust a miserable ghost. There are no rules saying she has to confine herself to one toilet for the rest of her afterlife.
“What’s not important?” Myrtle circles the young couple, observing the curious way their fingers lace together as she leans closer. “The fact that I am dead?”
The boy whispers in Hermione’s ear, but not soft enough. “It’s a touchy subject.”
“Ron!”
A shriek leaves Myrtle’s lips as she flies in front of this boy’s face until they’re nose to freckled nose—oh yes, of course he’s another Weasley, how could she forget? “Do you always bug people? Bug bug bug?” She jabs her index finger through his stomach several times, intent on poking him.
Myrtle will not stand for these pithy insults.
“Hey, stop that!” Ron jumps away, his eyes growing wide at her outburst.
Although Myrtle has half a mind to open up all of the taps in the room—imaginethe amount of bubbles—she doesn’t want to do something that would be considered in typical Myrtle fashion. She’s tired of reflecting on her own dramatic death and could use a new source of entertainment.
These two have been the center of massive gossip about the castle over the years, and she can’t believe she didn’t recognize them right away. In fact, she can recall a young, pretty girl named Lavender frequently moaning about her dormmate, Hermione, so much so that Myrtle started to avoid the poor, jealous girl whenever she would walk in looking for a chat.
A question comes to mind, spilling out of Myrtle’s mouth without a second thought. “Are you two snogging now?”
Ron’s face turns a distinct shade of red that matches his vibrant hair, a clear indicator that the topic of conversation has shifted into uncomfortable, or perhaps unfamiliar, territory.
“That’s personal, Myrtle,” Hermione admonishes.
Fine.She was hoping for some new gossip, but she shouldn’t be surprised that the pair continue to remain tight-lipped. Perhaps it would be best to give the couple some privacy. Believe it or not, Myrtle doesn’t relish in other people’s misery. She is just about to declare as such when the door swings open again, revealing her favorite boy with glasses and a jagged scar on his forehead, along with another ginger-haired girl.
"What are you guys doing here?” Harry Potter inquires, his eyes slowly darting from Ron and Hermione to Myrtle’s ghostly presence hovering in the background.
“Harry! You survived.“ Although pleased to see him, Myrtle can’t help but let her mouth falter into a pout. "I was going to share my toilet with you.”
“Er, sorry to disappoint, Myrtle.”
"Us?” Ron asks, flicking a finger in his friend’s direction. “What about you and Ginny?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Myrtle floats between the two couples, sniggering. “Harry wants to take a bubble bath.”
“Why did she just wink at you?” Ginny demands, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Oh, it’s, uh—it’s nothing, Gin.“ Harry shifts from side to side, avoiding eye contact with everyone in the room. "Honestly.”
“Well, I bloody hope so. She’s a ghost.”
Myrtle lets out a raucous wail. “I. Am. A. Person. With feelings!”
With an air of finality, she flies into a toilet stall and the door whips shut behind her with a slamming force. Myrtle’s shoulders begin to tremble along with the pace of her sniffling. She must look dreadfully unattractive, but she can’t seem to stop crying.
“Of course you are, Myrtle,” Harry’s soothing voice echoes from outside the barrier she’s created. Even though she knows he’s being comforting out of fear of upsetting her further, she still appreciates the attention. He is the Chosen One who just defeated the wizard responsible for her death. She should be grateful, shouldn’t she?
“Harry, you really are a golden egg.” Myrtle opens the stall door to face the couples, resisting the urge to wink at her favorite boy again. She can’t be seen as a desperate flirt. “And so handsome…”
Drat, that one slipped out.
“He’s a bloody martyr, this one,” Ron grumbles, and Hermione nudges him in the ribs.
A frown forms on Myrtle’s face. It’s quite bothersome how much tension is in the air between the four in the room. They did just complete a grim mission to take out the most powerful dark wizard of all time, who has spent years wreaking more havoc on Hogwarts than the basilisk that killed her. Myrtle is sure that the defeat was gruesome and dramatic and she wants all of the details.
“I always knew you could do it, Harry. So, tell me. What was it like destroying a part of your own soul?”
She heard the rumors, of course.
Although Myrtle hopes he’ll indulge her, Harry only winces. “Too soon.”
She purses her lips, growing irritated at the audacity of these couples invading her perfect, wet hideout, without even offering any new information.
“Fine. I suppose I’ll go. Clearly I’m not welcomed in my own bathroom.” Myrtle chokes back a fresh batch of tears, her thoughts drifting to the hard truth of not being the most popular supernatural being in the castle.
What’s so special about a nearly headless ghost, anyway?
“No need to leave, Myrtle. Maybe we should go to the dorms, Harry.” Ginny tugs on his sleeve. “I’m sure the showers will be free there.”
“Right.”
“So you wereplanning to shower together?” Ron glares at the pair.
Ginny snorts. “What was it you were planning to do with Hermione, dear brother?”
A high-pitched squeak leaves Ron’s lips. “That’s not important.”
“Oh, feel free to stay. All of you!” Myrtle drifts between Ron and Harry, a thrilling shiver running up and down her spine from her close proximity to these two handsome boys. “You can pretend I’m not here. I’ll close my eyes!”
“Er, thanks, Myrtle,” Ron moves away from her. “Maybe a cleansing charm will do the trick, actually.”
“No, no. Stay! I can flood this bathroom, if you want me to? That way no one bothers you for a bit.”
Four sets of eyes form a blank stare in her direction, and it doesn’t seem like Myrtle’s idea is targeting the right audience. Maybe she is just a ghoulish distraction, maybe the second floor girl’s bathroom is a better place for her…
“I wish I could find a love like you four have.” Myrtle bows her head, her shoulders sagging in defeat.
“We shouldn’t have encroached on your space.” Hermione offers a sympathetic smile. “We’re sorry, Myrtle. You belong here just as much as anyone else.”
The validation is simple, but it’s enough to make Myrtle’s heart swell with warmth that’s been missing for a very long time.
She twirls her hair between her fingers with a toothy grin plastered to her face. “Well, it’s nice to have visitors sometimes. And you’re always welcome in the girl’s bathroom!”
Hermione leans into Ron as he smiles down at her, wrapping an arm around her waist. Harry mirrors his best friend’s actions, intertwining his fingers with Ginny’s.
Ah, young love.
“Thanks, Myrtle!” With a final wave, the four turn to exit the room. Myrtle’s stomach drops, not yet ready for the loss of her latest companions.
"Oh, one more thing.”
They all face Myrtle again with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension on their faces.
The next set of words that tumble out of Myrtle’s mouth are perhaps the most earnest words she’s ever spoken. “Thank you. Truly.”
Her gaze shifts to Harry, whose eyes soften as he takes in the meaning behind her gratitude.
Thank you for defeating him.
For a simple moment in time, her animosity towards humans grows weaker as her adoration for them shines through.
Maybe they’re not all as unpleasant as Olive Hornby.
This week’s recommendations all have the theme of “mail”. Please enjoy these and give the authors love (note: I’m not a total hypocrite. I did my searching on my phone this week, which for productivity reasons is not logged onto AO3 so I have not commented on all of these. But I will give all of them love this weekend!
Next week’s theme? Parties! Please share your recommendations in my asks.
A songfic in lyrical form I just had the urge to write after listening to this on repeat the whole day haha hope you like it, I’ll see if I come up with a full on one shot of this storyline sometime hopefully soon ^^
You All Along
It didn’t work out with my lady
We never could get along
One to another retorting
Thinking the other was always wrong
So instead of sitting there sweeping
I checked the paper instead
And written right there all solemn
A tempting offer that read
If you miss feeling that ardor
While drinking some fine champagne
If you want a night to be vulgar
And no longer have to feign
If you enjoy watching a pretty sight
That has your mouth hang agape
Then I’m the one knocking at the door
Answer me and escape
Wanted to forget my lady
And this one was definitely keen
Sounded nothing like my lady
Who always came off all prudish and pristine
So I replied on the paper
And poured all the heart that I had
And never the greatest poet
But still meant all that was said
Yes, I miss feeling that ardor
And not dwell on this pain
I’m not at all into being prude
And I’ll share that champagne
I wanna get to meet you very soon
And something about a red tape
Somewhere in Diagon Alley
Where we both can escape
I waited there as if to elope
And she waltzed in with grace
I knew that smile in an instant
I knew the curve of her face
It was my own brilliant lady
And she said, “I knew it was you”
Then we laughed for a moment
And I said, “Well, I never knew”
“That you missed feeling that ardor
And drinking some damn fine champagne
And pouring all your emotions
While snogging me in the rain
If you enjoy watching the pretty sights
That will have your mouth agape
You’re the lady I’m living for
Come with me and escape”
This is beautiful! Romione snogging in the rain is one of my favorite HC’s
And with that marks the end of our 2022, and inaugural Romione trope fest. We hope you enjoyed it.
Here are some stats about the wonderful stories we’ve shared. There have been:
Five Stuck Together
Seven Sixth Year AUs
Three Fuck or Dies
Six Fake Dating
Fourteen DH Missing Moments
Eleven Second Kisses
And three stories who were greedy and had more than one trope.
These have come from twenty four writers and artists! Aren’t we lucky?
You can catch up on all our entries in our Master List, and don’t forget to fill in our feedback form so we can make 2023 even better!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to all who participated! We couldn’t have been more thrilled by the results. Check out the masterlist and feedback form above ⬆️⬆️ until next year, Romione lovers! ❤
