Harry Potter One-Shots

Butterbeer and Sunsets (Ron Weasley)

WORD COUNT: 1021

A/N: This is set in Ron's 4th year and your 3rd :)

I fiddled nervously with the Y/H/N scarf wrapped loosely around my neck, scuffing my boots on the stone floor of the courtyard as I waited for the Hogsmeade trip to start. Beside me, Ron was picking at a hole in his sweater, not saying much at all. I hated the awkward silence, but I was too nervous to say anything. Shouldn't it be his job to start the conversation?

"So... erm, have you ever been to Honeydukes?" Ron stammered suddenly, as if he'd read my thoughts. Considering that he's been going to Hogsmeade since last year and this is my first time, the answer was obviously no, but I appreciated him for trying.

"No, but I've heard it's amazing," I answered truthfully, shrugging. Ron smiled and immediately my heart fluttered a little bit. He began explaining the weirdest candies he'd found in the store, the best chocolates he'd tried and the new pastries they seemed to have every time he went. I listened eagerly, half because I was actually interested in learning about Honeydukes and half because I loved to watch Ron talk so excitedly. The way his eyes glimmered with excitement and how he lost the red flush of embarrassment in his cheeks in an instant made me remember why I'd agreed to go to Hogsmeade with him in the first place.

"Alright, all students follow me please, this way now!" Professor McGonagall's voice interrupted Ron's explanation of how a Chocolate Frog once escaped and ran around the store.

"I guess we should probably go then, shouldn't we?" he asked, and I immediately blushed. This was really happening...

"I mean, that was kind of the whole point of today, wasn't it?" I joked playfully, unable to keep the grin off of my face. Thankfully, Ron's expression mirrored mine, and together we picked back up on our conversation about the best things to do in Hogsmeade as we began the walk down the dirt path to the village. The trees had just begun to turn auburn and fiery red with autumn almost halfway underway, and the comforting crunching of leaves underfoot reminded me of another reason why I loved the season so much.

When we arrived at Hogsmeade, naturally the first place we went was Honeydukes. Inside, Ron immediately pointed out to me all of his favorite sweets, and together we decided to try Brainy Bon Bons, a little blue candy that made the person who ate it spout random trivia facts for about five minutes.

"Did you know Hogsmeade is the only town in Great Britain with no Muggle residents?" Ron asked, sending us both into another fit of laughter. Something about hearing him speak so formally and not at all how he usually did was hilarious to us, although I suspected that Ron was mostly laughing because of how hard I was laughing.

After leaving Honeydukes with our pockets stuffed full of various sweets and pastries, we decided to walk past the Quill Shop and head to the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer. Inside the shop, we saw several familiar faces, and I suddenly became very aware of the fact that I was on a date with Ron Weasley. We grabbed our drinks and claimed a table in the back corner, hidden away from most of the students we knew.

"I'm ready to see your reaction to your first sip of butterbeer," Ron said excitedly, pushing my glass toward me. The enticing smell of the steaming caramel-colored drink wafted up toward me and I could feel my mouth watering already. I lifted the glass to my lips and took a small sip, trying to fully appreciate the flavors.

"It's... it's amazing!" I gasped, and then immediately took another gulp. Ron's face split into a huge grin as he took a swig of his drink as well.

"Isn't it the absolute best thing you've ever tried?" His warm brown eyes gleamed with joy and suddenly I was breathless looking at his freckled face. My stomach turned over with butterflies seeing his expression. How could someone as good-looking as Ron Weasley be interested in someone like me?

The rest of the day flew by in a blur, seemingly sped up by some mysterious spell, and before I knew it the sun was sinking below the horizon and painting the sky with brilliant pinks and oranges. It was one of the most vibrant sunsets I'd seen since coming to Hogwarts.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Ron's whispered voice breathed in my ear. I startled, looking over my shoulder just as he wrapped his arms around my waist, hugging me from behind. I leaned into his chest, heart pounding. He nestled his chin onto my shoulder, and I appreciated the warmth he gave as the chilly autumn breeze blew through Hogsmeade. I couldn't control the smile that crept onto my face.

"Stunning," I whispered. Ron's hands, which had been resting on my hips, suddenly sprang into action and spun me around so I was pressed up against his chest, gazing up into his face. I felt my heart beating furiously in my chest as Ron leaned down and pressed his lips sweetly to mine, closing the distance between us.

The kiss was sweet, not rushed or sloppy. I could barely think about anything except the pounding of my heart and the feeling of Ron's lips meeting mine. One of his hands moved from my waist to rest on my cheek tenderly, the other one pulling me ever closer into him. I braced my hands on his chest, feeling the warm knit of his sweater and his strong chest beneath my fingertips.

After what felt like forever and simultaneously no time at all, Ron pulled away, breathing heavily. Immediately I was overcome with the urge to giggle like a schoolgirl who had just been kissed by her crush because, well, that's exactly what had happened to me!!!!

"So, d'ya think I could get a second date?" Ron grinned, taking one of my hands in his larger one and interlacing his fingers with mine. I blushed.

"I'm pretty sure if you asked, I'd say yes."