THE AFTERMATH | RON WEASLEY [BOOK FOUR]

21. EMMA AND MR. KNIGHTLEY

Her lips parted in surprise, Dobby letting go and disappearing further into the kitchens, leaving Gene to stare at Ron for a few seconds before quickly composing herself, though she stood firmly in her place.

"Been waiting for you for ages," he said, "come here," he nodded his head over, eyes softening as he looked over her tear-stained skin.

Gene swallowed hard, her heart swelling in her chest, growing larger by the second, the longer she stared at Ron, his blue eyes somehow bluer under the candlelight.

She stepped forward, her feet padding across the stone floors as she went to sit beside Ron, closer than she had meant to, though he didn't seem to mind as he slid the second mug to her.

The smell hit her instantly, enveloping her in a warm hug and she welcomed it. She smelt the dash of cinnamon, sprinkled over the whipped cream, realising Ron must have asked specifically.

Gene cradled the mug between her hands, her palms warming up as she lifted the mug to her lips, taking a long sip and humming in contentment.

"Why are you up?" Gene asked gently after a beat of silence, the two sitting comfortably in it.

"Couldn't sleep." he shrugged his shoulders.

Her eyes flickered up, eyes puffy and slightly wide as she stared at Ron from beside him, a sort of stare where she couldn't quite take her eyes off him. Her heart swelled inside her chest, the thought of Ron waiting for her making her happy beyond belief. She couldn't believe it, quite frankly.

She didn't say anything else, biting down on her lip as she watched him intently, though again, he didn't seem to mind. He lifted the mug to his lips, drinking in the hot chocolate with a sigh before lowering it, only to reveal a sort of moustache formed by the whipped cream.

She stifled her laugh though she was unable to hide her smile as her head tilted to the side, Ron looking at her unaware.

"What?" he said, brows furrowed.

She smiled some more, "You've got a bit of–" she bit down on her lip again, reaching her hand out as she swiped her thumb across his top lip gently, wiping the cream away.

Gene expected Ron to blush wildly and turn away from her like usual and she didn't mind when he did. This time, though, this time it was different. His eyes were trained on hers, fixated on her, his stare unwavering, as his smile only grew wider.

She was right. This was definitely not just a passing crush. No, it was more. Much more.

Gene and Ron spent hours and hours together that night in the kitchens, talking quietly amongst themselves, appreciating the others company. It wasn't often they got to be like this. Quiet.

They wanted to make the most of it. The elves had gone to bed long before they had, dawn peeking through the stained glass windows, leaving a cast of light across Gene's face, and making her eyes golden to Ron.

"I found this in my room the other day," Ron said suddenly, reaching below his seat to reveal a book, worn and tattered, one that Gene knew to be her own. "I guess I had it all along. I must have forgotten to give it back." he said, his cheeks glowing.

"You... forgot?" Gene asked, slightly disbelieving.

"Yeah." he nodded, placing it between them on the table. "It's weird, though. Loads of big words." he made a face as he said this, causing Gene to laugh softly.

She took the hardcover in her hands, her fingers running across the gold embossed lettering across the front reading, 'Emma' by Jane Austen.

"You read it?" she asked with a small smile.