Twelve Kisses

Year Five: The Goodnight Kiss

Ron sat down in the drawing room of Grimmauld Place. His mind was racing with thoughts of his father, and he felt as if he just wanted to be alone.

He was thankful that his father was alive, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he had almost lost him. Forever.

Ron was pretty close to his dad. They both had a fascination for muggle things (a fascination enhanced even more by his friendship with Hermione) and before Hogwarts, he used to spend hours with him in his shed where Arthur kept all his muggle trinkets. They would bond over trying to figure out what the item was for and if they could get something to work, how to tweak it for wizarding use.

His dad seemed to be the only one besides Bill who understood him sometimes. He was the one who knew all his secrets. Especially the major one about his female best friend.

Hermione had knocked and let herself into the drawing room carrying a teatray. "I thought we could have some tea together but if you're not up for it.." she said in a low voice.

Ron quickly got up and helped her with the tray, taking it from her, setting it down on the table, and sitting back down. Hermione gave him a small smile and poured them both glasses of tea. She prepared both glasses. Honey in hers, four spoonfuls of sugar in Ron's.

The two sipped on the tea in silence, each not knowing exactly what to say, but each wanting to say everything that was on their minds.

"I know you said that you didn't like to sky," began Ron. "But why did you really come? Not that I don't enjoy your company, of course."

Hermione looked down at her cup. "It's 'ski'. And because why wouldn't I? My best friend's father got seriously hurt. I would have felt like a complete git if I was off having fun and you were here feeling bad. And I kinda felt like... like maybe you needed me."

Ron smiled. "I did actually. And I appreciate you being here for me. You know how Harry is when he broods. It's hard to talk to him. And I don't want to do the same, so I'm glad I have you to talk to."

Hermione blushed. She was pleased that Ron was happy that she was there with him. She wished that she could be there for him even more.

But one shouldn't be having thoughts like that about their best friend.

"I don't want to go back to school." said Ron.

"Why not?"

"I'm not ready for all the questions and shit that me and my siblings are gonna be bombarded with. I don't want to sit there and hear whatever fucked up lie Umbridge is gonna make up to justify what happened to my dad. I think I would stab her with her own blood quill." said Ron with a small smirk.

"Ronald, that's not nice." said Hermione with a tiny grin.

"If I stayed an extra week here, would you stay with me?" asked Ron looking into Hermione's deep brown eyes.

Hermione thought about the question. Impossible! This was OWL's year and they all needed all the schooling they could get. On the other hand, the stress that Ron was currently under was too much for a fifteen year old to bare alone. And if she needed him, she knew that he would drop everything and be there for her.

"Of course I would. No question." said Hermione.

Ron smiled at her. He was starting to feel as if his stomach was doing flip flops, but in a good way. He felt as if he could fly on his own. It was at that moment that he knew that he could count on Hermione to be there for him no matter what.

A sudden urge came over him. Something that he would usually try to ignore, but the fight was way too strong.

He leaned over to Hermione and gave her a loving kiss on the cheek. Hermione felt as if her face has caught on fire. Her heart had dropped down to her tummy and she felt as if she was going to faint.

"Goodnight Hermione." whispered Ron. He was too nervous about what he did to stick around, so he simply walked out of the room.

Hermione sat there, blushing, touching the spot where Ron's lips had graced her face.

"Goodnight Ron." she whispered.