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Welcome to my fuck or die!
As always, I bow down to the cheese, because Cheesy, once again, was kind enough to beta this!
oOo
“You really think one is in there?” Ron asked, his voice doubtful.
“He hid the locket in a cave, didn't he?” Harry replied, his fingers on the destroyed object he wore around his neck. “It’s not a far stretch that he would hide another the same way.”
The three stood and stared into the open mouth of a large cave, all of them able to feel the magic that was radiating from within. The high of finally having the means to destroy Horcruxes had quickly worn off once they remembered they still had others to find, although the relief of not having the locket around helped ease those concerns.
“There’s definitely a lot of magic coming from inside,” Hermione reluctantly agreed. “But, Harry, that doesn't necessarily mean it’s dark magic.”
“Well. I guess we’ll see then, won't we?” Harry said grimly, his face set in determination.
Hermione knew Harry was dead set on finding and destroying the rest of the Horcruxes, and the stress of not knowing where they were located was bothering him the most. Her eyes then went to Ron, and the two shared a look that they'd shared hundreds of times before. It was a look that meant they were both concerned about their best friend, and how quick he was to jump into unknown danger without giving it proper thought beforehand.
“Alright.” Hermione nodded, her eyes still locked on Ron’s even as she spoke to Harry. “If you believe there’s a possibility one is in there, then let’s go.”
Lighting up their wands so they would be able to see in the pitch blackness of the cave, they made their way inside, with Harry walking in between Ron and Hermione. The ground was rocky, the air frigid and cold as they followed the various twists and turns until they could no longer see any light behind them.
“What’s that?” Ron asked out of nowhere a few minutes later, his voice loud in the otherwise silent space. He held his lit wand to the wall of the cave where a bunch of strange, painted symbols adorned the wall. Without paying attention to the surface beneath her feet, Hermione rushed towards him to get a better look, her feet slipping on the uneven, sleek ground. Letting out a small gasp, her body started to fall. Before she hit the floor of the cave, Ron leapt forward, his arms wrapping around her body before any damage was done.
“Alright, Hermione?” he murmured in a low voice, his hands gripping her sides and lifting her back to her feet. Once she was steady, Ron pulled his hands away, making Hermione feel a sense of loss.
“Yes, I’m fine. Thanks, Ron.” She was glad it was dark in the cave so neither Harry nor Ron could see how flustered she was. Shaking her head, she forced her mind to get back to what was important. Holding her wand to the cave wall, Hermione was happy to find that she recognized the symbols, if only vaguely. “I’ve seen these before,” she told them. “In a book once.”
“Do you know what they say?” Harry inquired, his voice anxious.
“I read it a long time ago, but I remember some, I think,” she replied, her eyes scanning every symbol as she tried to recall what they all read. She pointed to one that looked familiar. “This one means ‘treasure’.” She pointed to another one. “This means ‘people’.”
“Think there’s actually treasure in there?” Ron asked, sounding excited at the prospect.
“What’s this say?” Harry urged, pointing to the largest and clearest of the symbols.
Hermione studied it. “This one here says ‘no’.” She pointed to the one to the right of it. “And this one here says ‘innocent’.”
“It doesn't say anything else about there being treasure?” Ron pressed, still clearly stuck on the idea.
“No,” Hermione answered as she continued to study the symbols. “I think this one says ‘enter’, but I’m not sure.”
“So it says ‘no enter innocent’?” Harry guessed.
“I think so. Or something close to it.”
“What’s that mean?” he demanded, sounding impatient.
“I don't know. But I’m sure there will be more symbols the further we get into the cave.” She turned away from the wall. “Let’s keep going.”
They only walked several more steps before Hermione bumped against what seemed to be an invisible wall stopping her from going any further. Ron, who was walking behind her, ran into her, pushing her body against the obstruction. They both let out a loud sound as the air was knocked from their lungs.
“Hermione, wha-”
“There’s something here,” Hermione insisted, holding her hand up to feel the strange barrier. “I can't get in.”
Ron, too, held out his hand to rest against the resistance. “What is it?” he asked, looking puzzled.
Harry, who was the only one of the three who was on the other side of the bizarre blockage, turned and gave them a confused look. “How come I didn't feel anything? I walked through just fine.”
Together, Hermione and Ron felt from floor to ceiling, finding no gaps. Testing the barrier, Harry then walked back and forth through it several times without a problem.
“Are you two taking the mickey?” he asked. “There’s nothing there. Just air.”
“We’re not pulling your leg, mate,” Ron assured, pushing against the barrier once more. “We can't get through.”
Hermione tried to think of a reason they weren't able to get past whatever this was, but she was drawing a blank. She closed her eyes, trying to remember more about the book she’d read that had had the symbols in it. “Oh!” she cried out, remembering some details. “The ancient tribes who carved those symbols were magical! They used caves as storage areas for hiding their most valuable possessions!”
She placed her hands on the wall again and then turned to study the symbols that were now a few feet behind them. When she did, she remembered something else. “The ancient tribe did not want just anyone to stumble into one of their caves, so only those with good intentions could get through. Also, as there might have been something dangerous inside, no children, under any circumstances, were allowed.”
“Well, that doesn't make sense, because neither of us has bad intentions,” Ron pointed out.
Harry nodded. “And we are all legal adults. Besides, I’m the youngest one out of us three.”
“They determined adulthood by-” Hermione stopped talking as the answer came to her. Back then, the tribe had determined innocence by virginity, and so, even though she technically was an adult, the magic of the cave was reading her as an innocent due to her lack of sexual experience.
Confused, her head spun around to look at Ron, who appeared deep in thought. She pointed her lit wand in his face, causing his eyes to widen in surprise. “You and Lavender? You didn't-” she spluttered.
Ron gave Hermione a baffled look. “ What ? What does Lavender have to do with anything, Hermione?”
She glanced away, thinking hard. During the time that Ron and Lavender had been dating, she’d heard whispered conversations between Lavender and Parvati, and according to Ron’s ex, it seemed as if she and Ron had gotten up to a lot when alone together. The mental images of Lavender and Ron shagging had tortured her every night back then, and she couldn't believe that it hadn't actually ever happened.
Then something else occurred to her. Harry was able to get on the other side of the barrier, and Ron was about to find out why. She winced. Hermione, of course, knew that Harry and Ginny had shagged one time, as Ginny had been all too happy to share that information with Hermione the day after it had happened. Even though Hermione hadn't much liked the mental image of Harry naked with her closest girlfriend, she had been happy that at least they had been able to act on their feelings.
Hermione took a deep breath. “No innocents are allowed in the cave.”
Both Harry and Ron stared at her, waiting for her to go on.
“Innocents?” Harry asked, “But like I said, I’m the youngest one here, so that doesn't make sen-”
“It’s ridiculous really,” she cut in, now feeling irritated about their dilemma. “We are all adults, and it shouldn't matter if we’ve had sex or not!” She hadn't meant to put it so bluntly, but the words were out now and she couldn't take them back.
“What?” Ron choked.
Harry and Hermione shared a look, and Hermione only hoped that Harry could see the apology in her expression.
“So you're saying that we can't get into the cave because we- because we haven't shagged anyone before?” Ron asked after regaining his voice.
Hermione sighed. “Yes.”
Ron’s eyes went to the cave floor, his eyebrows furrowed. Even though Hermione couldn't see the color of his ears in the dim lighting, she was sure they were red. After a second, Ron’s demeanor changed, his eyes flashing as his head whipped around to look at Harry, who now looked terrified as he took a few steps backwards. “ What ?” Ron breathed, his voice coming out strangled, as if he had just been punched in the gut.
“J-just one time, Ron,” Harry stuttered. “I didn't mean for it to happen. It just did, and I-”
“ Shit ! Merlin! Just- stop talking, Harry,” Ron cut in. “For fuck’s sake.” He shook his head, his free hand coming up to rub his temple.
Feeling the tension in the air, Hermione cleared her throat, and both boys switched their attention to her. She turned to Harry, who was still eyeing Ron out of the corner of his eye with a guilty expression on his face. Hermione had a feeling that right now Harry was extremely grateful for the barricade between him and his best friend.
“You can't go in there alone, Harry,” she started. “It’s much too dangerous. If something were to happen, then-”
“Then you wouldn't be able to get to me. I know,” Harry finished with a sigh.
“Also,” she went on, “I’m positive that there will be more markings in there, and seeing as I’m the only one who knows how to read them…” she trailed off.
The tension was back, but it was different than before. She knew they were all thinking the same thing. In order for Hermione to get into the cave, she would have to have sex. Presumably with Ron.
She stared at the cave floor, unable to look at either of them.
Finally, Hermione sighed in frustration and crossed her arms over her chest. “This is ridiculous ,” she seethed. “Virginity is just a man-made concept that was used to garner control over women’s bodies! It’s barbaric and insulting!”
“Either way,” Harry muttered. “You can't get in here until yours is…uh…gone.”
Hermione turned to find Ron staring at her, an unreadable expression on his face. When her eyes met his, he cleared his throat and lowered his gaze.
“Maybe we should head back to the tent to talk. Plan things out, I guess?” Harry said tentatively.
Both Ron and Hermione nodded, but Harry didn't move, his eyes going to Ron.
“Ron?” Harry asked after a hesitant moment.
“Hmm?” Ron hummed, still staring at the cave floor.
“You're not going to try and murder me when I get on the other side of this thing, are you?”
Ron blinked before shaking his head, his shoulders sagging. “No, Harry. Not as long as you were, you know- respectful, and you didn't push Ginny to do anything she didn't want to do.”
“I was,” Harry immediately replied. “And I didn't.”
Hermione smiled to herself. She knew it had all been Ginny’s idea, and that Harry had been caught off guard when she’d snuck him outside late at night to get him alone. Ron must have come to the same conclusion, because he grimaced.
“As gross as the idea is of my little sister doing-” Ron paused and shuddered. “I know she’s old enough to make her own decisions, so who am I to tell her what to do?” He gave a small, humorless chuckle. “Honestly, I’m more upset at the fact that my bloody little sister shagged someone before I did. That’s pretty pathetic, isn't it?”
“No. It’s not,” Hermione said in earnest.
Ron lifted his head to look at her for only a second before looking away.
Wordlessly, the three of them made their way back towards the entrance of the cave. The entire walk back was silent and uncomfortable, all of them stuck in their own heads. Hermione’s mind was flying a million miles a minute, not knowing what would happen once they reached the tent. She knew Harry wasn't going to drop it until they could get into that cave, and she already knew what he was going to suggest. And when he did, were she and Ron actually going to go through with it? Would Ron even agree? Hermione doubted it. He was still not looking at her, and that fact made things all the more awkward.
When they made it back to the tent, the three of them sat at the small kitchen table, the only noise coming from the tapping sound of Ron’s fingers on the wooden top.
“So,” Harry started, his eyes flitting between the two of them. “Honestly? Am I going to have to be the one to say it?” he asked. “The idea of either of you shagging is- I mean- not because it's you two, together, it's just the idea of either of you do-”
“We get it, Harry,” Ron said through gritted teeth, his face bright red.
“Right,” Harry said, looking sheepish. “I can- I’ll leave the tent. Walk off somewhere, put wards around myself. I’ll stay out for at least a couple of hours before coming back. Not that it will take that long, but-”
Ron groaned, dropping his face into his hands. Hermione stared at the floor of the tent, feeling equally embarrassed.
“I’m sorry guys,” Harry apologized, and for the first time he sounded sympathetic. “I know this isn't ideal, but if there’s any chance that there's a Horcrux in there…”
“I know,” Hermione spoke in a quiet voice. “I understand.”
Harry nodded. “Right.” He walked over to the end table and grabbed a few old Quidditch magazines. “I guess I’ll go now. You two- um- yeah. See you later.” He gave them a small wave before walking out of the tent as fast as he could, eager to get away.
Several minutes passed by in silence, neither she nor Ron saying anything, or even looking at each other. Hermione was almost positive that she would have to be the one to speak first, so she gathered all of her Gryffindor bravery before taking a deep breath and opening her mouth.
“Ron?” she asked in a soft voice, causing him to look up at her. “I really do need to get into that cave, but you don't.” Ron frowned in confusion, and she continued. “I’m not going to force you to do anything that you don't want to do. I would never do that.” Ron opened his mouth to respond, but Hermione went on, wanting to get it all out while she still had the courage. “If you don't want to do this with me, I can find a Muggle from the nearest town, and-”
Ron’s eyes went wide. Looking horrified, he jumped to his feet. “Bloody hell , Hermione! No fucking way am I going to let that happen!”
Relief crashed over Hermione, and although she tried not to, her eyes watered as she took a shaky breath. Ron looked anguished as he watched her, and in three strides, he was right in front of her, pulling her into his arms. “I would never make you do that, Hermione,” he soothed. “I would be the worst scum on this earth if I made you shag some random stranger. Merlin, even the idea of it makes me fucking sick.”
She sniffed. “I didn't think you- I mean, you haven't even said anything since we’ve left the cave, Ron! You can hardly even look at me!”
Ron sighed. “I know, and I’m so sorry. I just hate the idea of you being forced into this. It’s so fucked up, Hermione. It goes against everything I was taught about ‘waiting until you're ready’ and all that. It’s not the way these things should happen.”
“So you're not ready?” Hermione asked, now feeling even more uneasy.
He shook his head. “It’s not me I’m worried about.”
“Oh. Well I’m-” Hermione paused, trying to choose her words wisely. “I’m fine, Ron. Really.” She shrugged. “It’s not the worst thing in the world, is it?”
Ron said nothing, but she felt his heartbeat pick up against her cheek as she continued.
“I’ve thought about it, you know,” she went on, her voice barely over a whisper.
“I know,” Ron paused. “I mean, everyone’s thought about it. It’s only natur-”
Hermione stepped away from him, shaking her head. “ No. That’s not what I meant.”
Ron only gave her a look of confusion, so she clarified. “I mean, I’ve thought about it with you .”
She held his gaze, trying to read his reaction to her words. His eyebrows shot up into his fringe, and he looked bewildered. “ Me ?”
“Yes. Is that so hard to believe?”
“Yeah,” he breathed. “It is.”
“Why?”
“I just- shit, Hermione! I never imagined you would see me that way.”
Hermione laughed, unable to help herself. “Seriously? Ron, it’s always been you. I thought you knew.”
“Fuck. No way! If I knew, I would have done something about it way bloody sooner than this .”
Her heart leapt at his words, ecstatic that they were finally getting somewhere after years of miscommunication. “So you feel the same?” she asked, the hope lifting in her heart.
He shrugged, but he was grinning. “Not sure. I don't know how… extensive your feelings are for me,” he teased.
At the sight of his lopsided grin that she loved more than anything, Hermione found it within herself to say her next words. “Well. I’m pretty sure that I’m in love with you.” Ron’s jaw dropped, and his hand shot out to grip the top of the sofa as if to steady himself. “If we’re going to do this, we might as well go all out, right? Tell the entire truth.”
After a moment, Ron nodded, and a wide smile spread across his face. “I love you too.” He chuckled. “Feels weird to finally say it out loud. I didn't know if I would ever get to.”
Without a word, Hermione withdrew her wand from her pocket and summoned both her and Ron’s camp bed mattresses. She levitated the pieces before transfiguring them together to make one regular sized mattress on the floor right in between them, conjuring a sheet to cover it as well. Ron moved to sit on the sofa, appearing stunned by her actions. Once finished, Hermione met his gaze, his eyes filled with so much intensity she felt faint.
“We’re really doing this?” he asked.
She nodded.
“And you’re sure ?”
“I am.”
Kicking off his shoes, Ron threw his body to the mattress and grinned up at her. Laughing, Hermione crawled on top of him, her heart pounding with both nerves and excitement. He was solid everywhere, and she felt safe as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. Faces inches apart, Ron moved his arms so he could reach up with both hands and smooth her hair away from her face.
“When I woke up today, I had no idea what I was in store for,” he murmured, his voice deep and his eyes dark. “No bloody idea.”
“Neither did I,” Hermione whispered, her breathing shallow, overwhelmed at the way he was currently looking at her.
Unable to wait a moment longer, Hermione moved her head down, and her mouth met Ron’s in a kiss. His lips were impossibly soft, and as he moved them against hers, she imitated his sensational movements. It didn't take long for the kiss to grow into something less innocent, and their mouths opened as their tongues moved together in flawless rhythm with their lips.
After a moment, Hermione’s self-doubt crept in, and as hard as it was, she forced herself to pull away from him. “I really hate to ruin the moment,” she breathed. “But Ron, I have to know...”
Ron winced, and Hermione could tell he already knew what she wanted to know. “Lavender?” he asked. She nodded. He sighed. “We did… hand stuff. She wanted to go all the way with me, but I never could make myself go that far- no matter how much my body wanted to. If I could go back in time, if I could-”
Hermione stopped his words by placing her hands on his cheeks, her fingers moving over the stubble that was there. “At any point, did you have real feelings for her?”
“No.” His answer was immediate. “Never. Not in the romantic sense, anyway.”
“That's the important thing,” Hermione assured him. “Even if the thought of you two… touching each other isn't pleasant for me, I’m not mad, and all of that is water under the bridge.”
Ron was quick to pull her back to him, and this time the only thing on Hermione’s mind was how much she wanted this boy- no, this man- that was under her. His hands felt amazing as they ran up and down her back. The hardness that was pressing into her belly proved to her how much he wanted her in return.
They helped each other undress, removing one garment at a time until there was nothing left between them. Ron was now sitting up on the mattress with Hermione’s legs around his waist as she straddled him. Hermione grabbed her wand and cast the contraception charm over the both of them, being extra precautious. Even though the tent was chilly, both of them had a light film of sweat on their skin as they panted. Hermione then moved so she was on her knees above him, her hands gripping Ron’s shoulders.
“Like this?” he asked, seemingly unsure. “We could lay down, or-”
Hermione nodded, interrupting him. “This way I’ll have more…um…control.”
“Alright,” Ron agreed, his hands running up and down her backside in a soothing manner. “It’s up to you.”
Trying to be braver than she felt, Hermione reached down and gripped Ron’s thick erection in her hand, causing his breath to hitch. She lowered herself until his tip was at her entrance, both of their breaths coming out ragged with anticipation.
“Here. I can, uh-” Ron said in a shaky voice, his hand moving to wrap around himself, replacing hers.
She gave a whimpering noise in thanks, moving her hands back to his shoulders as her nails unconsciously dug into his skin. Before she could think about what they were about to do, she lowered herself, feeling an odd stretching sensation as he started to disappear inside of her. The sight of it alone overwhelmed Hermione, and she stopped when she felt a pressure that she knew would give way to pain if she continued.
“Are you okay?” Ron panted, both of his hands now squeezing either side of her hips.
“Yeah, I-”
“What?” Ron asked, concerned. “What is it?”
“I’m nervous,” she admitted.
“ Fuck ,” Ron muttered, his hands now shaking against her skin. He groaned, but not in a way that suggested he was upset at her. “What do you want me to do?” he croaked.
Hermione didn't answer, instead closing her eyes and letting gravity help as she pushed down, Ron thrusting his hips up and effectively sheathing himself deep inside of her. Hermione cried out, her body opening up and accepting him. It was intense for a couple of seconds, but then the pain instantly started to ebb away.
Ron’s arms went around her as he lowered their joined bodies, pulling Hermione down with him as he buried his face in the hair bunched at the top of her shoulder.
“Oh Merlin. Oh Merlin, Hermione,” he mumbled against her skin. “I'm so sorry. Oh, fuck, I’m sorry.”
Hermione’s body was shaking, and she was still getting used to the full feeling of surrounding him, but she’d never felt more content. “I’m okay,” she answered breathlessly, wrapping her arms around Ron, her head nuzzling into his neck. “I’m fine.”
With his arms that were still wrapped around her, Ron pulled her closer, shifting the angle of him inside of her, making Hermione gasp.
Ron groaned. “Fucking hell,” he mumbled. “You're killing me here.”
“Let’s move,” she suggested, and Ron was quick to agree, already looking extremely relieved as his hands went back to her waist.
Wincing, Hermione used her knees to lift herself up before lowering again. It no longer hurt, but her inner muscles ached with the unfamiliarity of the act, and as she moved up and down on him, Ron leaned forward, kissing whatever part of her that was in reach.
It didn't take long before she started moving faster, taking him in deeper as the pleasure increased. Hermione let out a loud whimper when one of Ron’s hands moved from her hips to splay flat out on her lower belly, his thumb gently caressing her right above where they were joined. The feeling made her ache for more, and she went harder on him, ignoring the burning feelings in her legs.
After only a few minutes with the strokes from Ron’s rough thumb, Hermione came, her body convulsing around him as she shuddered, his arm maintaining a firm grip around her lower back to prevent her from collapsing. Before she had even come down from her high, Ron let out a loud, low moan and hit his own peak, and the sight made her feel a powerful sort of wonderment.
Ron fell back onto the mattress as Hermione rolled off of him so that she was laying by his side as they regained their breath.
“You don't regret that, do you?” Ron said after a minute of silence.
Hermione turned to face him. “Ron was there, at any point, a time where I seemed to not enjoy what we were doing?”
Ron pursed his lips, thinking about it. “No,” he answered, the corners of his lips twitching and threatening to turn up. “Not that I recall.”
“Then why on earth would you think I would regret it?”
He sighed. “I guess I’m still stuck on the fact that it was a means of something you had to do, rather than something you wanted to do.”
“Who says I didn't want to do it?” Hermione asked with a smile.
He leaned his head down so that his forehead was resting on her bare shoulder.
“Hermione?” he asked, his voice timid.
“Mmm?”
“Are you mine?”
Hermione turned her body, causing Ron to raise his head and meet her gaze, his expression uncertain. “Are you asking if we are together, Ron?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
She thought about it. “I would say that yes, we are , but after this…”
“We have to cool it,” Ron finished with a sigh.
“It wouldn't be fair to Harry if we were all over each other every day, Ron.”
Ron frowned. “Yeah. I know.”
Hermione took his hand. “But I love you, and after this war is over, we will have our time.”
Ron frowned again. “Or we could just be really secretive about it.” Hermione gave him a stern look as he continued. “When Harry’s out on watch, we can put up some silencing spells and go at each other like rabbits.” He squished his nose up and made little sniffing noises, pretending to be a rabbit as he nipped at her.
Hermione laughed as she pushed him away, his eyes widening and looking down at her as if he’d forgotten that she wasn't wearing any clothes.
“Woah. A starkers Hermione is not something I’m going to get used to anytime soon.”
Smiling, Hermione held her arms out to him, and dutifully, Ron placed his hands in hers and didn't resist as she pulled him on top of her.
“You think it worked?” she asked as she wrapped her legs around his waist, feeling him already growing hard against her. “That we can get into the cave now?”
“What?” he asked, distracted as he stared at her naked chest.
“Ron!”
He blinked, his head snapping up. She glared at him, and he smirked. “Sorry, Hermione. Like I said....”
“I asked you if you think we can get into the cave now.”
Ron acted as if he were pondering the thought. “Not sure. Best we have another go- just to be certain.”
“Kiss me,” she demanded.
“Every second of every day,” he responded before kissing her hard. He lined himself and pushed into her, Hermione’s mouth opening in a low moan.
“ Fuck, I love hearing you make noises like that,” Ron growled, moving his lips so that he was sucking on the side of her neck. “You have no idea how bloody sexy you are, Hermione.”
He finished the sentence with a hard thrust of his hips, causing Hermione to let out an even louder noise. The sound seemed to spur him on as Hermione tightened her legs around his waist, and this time, their movements were much less gentle than they had been before. Hermione gripped Ron’s hair at the back of his head as their bodies continued to meet over and over. Ron’s name falling from her lips seemed to be his undoing, and he let out a string of curses as his hips locked into hers one last time.
Hermione continued to rock against him as he rode out his orgasm, desperate to get to her own. Sensing her frustration, Ron moved his hand down and began to caress her, his breath still labored. She was so close, and when he pulled out of her and removed his hand, it caused her to let out a loud whimper.
“I’m not done,” Ron soothed, grabbing the wand and pointing in between her legs before muttering a cleaning spell. As soon as he was finished, he tossed the wand aside and lowered his face between her legs, his tongue taking over where his fingers had let off.
Ron’s tongue on her was, without a doubt, the most amazing thing Hermione had ever felt. Her body writhed on the mattress as his hands gripped her hips to keep her steady, intent on finishing her off. When he added two fingers, that was Hermione’s undoing, and she cried out as a powerful orgasm crashed over her.
Panting, she pushed him away, not able to take anymore. Ron moved up to her side, pulling her against him. After several moments, he started planting small kisses up and down her neck, eliciting a smile from Hermione.
“Maybe we should have a third go of it,” he suggested. “You know, to make extra sure it worked.”
“I wish we could stay here all day, but we have things to do, Ronald.” Hermione reached down to tickle his ribs, and Ron squealed, the sound causing her to break out into uncharacteristic giggles.
Ron sat up and took Hermione’s hands in his, pinning them above her head as she stared up at him, her lower lip between her teeth.
He groaned. “We should get dressed right now, because if you keep on looking at me that way…”
Hermione sat up as well, remembering that they had a time limit, and that Harry would be coming back to the tent and interrupting their private little bubble. “How long has it been?” she asked, alarmed.
Ron chuckled before moving to kiss the side of her head. “Don't worry. I think we’re good. And besides, Harry isn't going to just barge in here on us without any warning. I doubt very much that he wants to see us like this ,” he said, chuckling again.
Laughing, Hermione grabbed the sides of his face and pulled his lips to hers for a long kiss before pushing him away from her. “Come on. Let's get dressed.”
oOo
The beds were back to how they had been before, and both Ron and Hermione were dressed and sitting next to each other on the sofa when they heard Harry’s voice coming from outside the tent.
“Ron? Hermione? Is it safe to come inside?”
“I did,” Ron muttered under his breath, a smirk on his face.
Hermione slapped him on the shoulder, earning a chuckle in response. “It’s safe,” she called out, hoping Harry wouldn't notice how flustered she was.
Harry lifted the flap of the tent and walked in, his expression wary, as if he were expecting to see them still shagging. Hermione managed to keep her face neutral, but from her peripheral vision, she could see Ron grinning as he sat back, looking quite chuffed about the whole thing.
“So- uh- is-” Harry stopped at the look on Ron’s face and grimaced. “Oh, come on !”
oOo
“Dammit!” Harry stomped his foot in frustration.
Hermione walked over to him and placed her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry, Harry. I know how much you wanted there to be a Horcrux in here.”
He sighed. “Yeah, but it’s alright. We’ll keep looking.”
“We will,” Hermione agreed. “And we won't stop until they are all gone.”
Harry gave her a small smile before turning around and heading out of the empty cave, his lit wand held out in front of him. Hermione reached out and took Ron’s hand as they fell into step together behind Harry.
“Sorry there wasn't any treasure,” Hermione leaned in to whisper as she gave his hand a squeeze.
Ron chuckled, lifting their entwined fingers to brush his lips across the back of her hand. “That’s alright. I reckon I got the real treasure, anyway.”