FICLET: R's and W's (Hermione/Charlie)

[angelps-7.livejournal.com]

Title: R’s and W’s
Pairing: Hermione/Charlie
Prompt: not listening to a word
Rating: PG-13, just for some snogging I guess. Nothing too bad… yet ;)
Word Count: 662
Summary: The prompt explains it all!
Author's Notes: Well, there is FINALLY a bit of action here, and now you probably should go back and read the first four. I think it’ll pick up some speed now for a bit, and then slow down (timewise) again. Hope you like!
Link to Prompt Table

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They were talking. About what, Hermione didn’t know. Quidditch? Dragons? The Daily Prophet? Hermione hadn’t a clue. She stared, fixated, at the man in front of her, the way his hair fell villainously into his eyes and the way his lips moved as he spoke, his mouth hugging the words and caressing the r’s and w’s… Even Ginny’s nudging couldn’t distract her focus. Charlie Weasley plagued her mind poisonously for the past six months, and his constant teasing, though friendly, only worsened matters.

Hearing her name, though, caught her attention.

“…with Hermione… and you’ve got to admit, Mum finding you two snuggling on the couch was hysterical,” Ron said, as Harry and Ginny burst out laughing.

“We weren’t snuggling!”

Charlie chuckled amidst Hermione’s fuming. “Lighten up, Mione.”

Hermione squirmed. “I was scared, that’s all!”

“Oh, I’m sure. Anyways, how come he gets to call you ‘Mione’? If Ron and I said it, you’d hex us!”

Charlie smirked. “‘Cause I’m special.” He reached towards her and she slapped his hand away.

Every time he was near her – meaning, all the time during the holidays – or touched her in any way, she’d get nervous butterflies like she’d never had before… not even with her semi-crush on Ron or her fling with Victor – which Charlie had acted much like Ron about – at least it seemed through his letters, had she felt this way.

Ginny had guessed correctly: Hermione had a crush on Charlie. And not just – a major one. As clichéd as it sounded, it only took that one stormy night to realize it, and between the six months that separated then and now, it’d gotten worse. Never mind the fact that they were practically best friends. Never mind the fact that summer weather and Mrs. Weasley’s chores together created a formula for seeing a lot more of Charlie, as in, his delectably chiseled abs and surprisingly bronzed body.

The past couple of weeks in particular trudged on awkwardly for her. Hermione had tried to distance the thoughts and to focus solely on friendship; unfortunately that plan only succeeding in fumbling, tripping, and snippy-ness.

“Mione?” Charlie’s voice cut through her thoughts. “May I have a word please?”

After a silent nod, Hermione floated outside and sat on the right end of the porch-swing, and, hearing a creak and a sigh, turned her body to face his.

“Are you okay?” Charlie always spoke bluntly. She knew. Just like the day they’d met. A lock of hair fell over his right eye again, and Hermione itched with desire to fix it. “I hope I’m not prying –” He held her hand gently, and Hermione shivered at the rough touch cushioned by the soft gesture. “I’ve noticed lately you’ve been acting a bit–”

And there she was, not listening to a word again.

She couldn’t help but be aware of those muscular arms hiding under his shirt, wondering how they felt beneath her fingers… his jaw, that tousled hair, and his lips… Did he know how enticing she found simply watching words form on his lips?

She’d always thought he was a fine specimen, sure, but she’d always buried the thought. Damn Ginny for always calling on her emotions correctly. Why, of all times and places, did her hormones have to kick in now?

“Hermione?” He waved a hand in front of her face, and impulsively she grabbed it and with the other pulled his head to hers.

Bad idea, Hermione, very bad idea!! Her mind screamed.

A hesitant pause hovered between their mouths, only centimeters apart, with his breath tickling her skin. It seemed her insanity won out, because she saw his eyelids flutter shut before their lips met, sending tingles down her spine. The hesitance became a smile against the lips, the smile becoming passion.

For once, Hermione believed in spontaneity as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him, one question down and many more unanswered left for later.