Chapter 1: Kissed at Last

Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley were sitting alone on the couch in a deserted Gryffindor Common Room one May evening. Harry Potter, their best friend, had gone up to bed hours ago.

The last few weeks had been peaceful, but awkward for the pair of students. Ron had recovered from poisoning that landed him in the Hospital Wing, and had since broken up with his girlfriend, Lavender Brown (the latter prompting much secret rejoicing from Hermione).

Now that Ron and Hermione were speaking to each other again, it was unclear where they should go from here. Something charged was clearly there between them, and Hermione knew they would have to have a discussion about becoming romantically involved.

And she was anxious to have that discussion. The storm clouds of war were looming ominously. Who knew if they would get a chance to explore each other... intimately?

Hermione decided to test the waters, and feigned a yawn. "I'm going to bed," she murmured, and dared to kiss Ron's cheek before she lost her nerve. Rising gracefully, she sashayed towards the dormitory staircase to find Ron staring after her almost in wonder. She turned.

"What?" she asked innocently.

Ron shook his head. "I didn't expect you to become all affectionate for quite a while yet. After all... I did hurt you."

Hermione smiled at him gently. "Forgiveness has no timetable, Ron. I'm just happy to have you back."

Ron rose off the couch and drifted closer. "But there's something more... you want to discuss..."

"What are we now, Ronald?" Hermione got right to the point. His impossibly blue eyes blinked at her. "I mean, I always imagined that there was... something between us. Something that was our own, and not tied to what we have with Harry." She nervously peered up into his face. "Am I right?"

Ron nodded slowly. "You are."

Hermione's knees wobbled, in danger of buckling, and she nearly sighed in relief. "And then, you went off with... Lavender. I... I would watch you, and I wished..." Tears invaded her eyes unbidden. "I wished..."

"What did you wish?" Ron's voice was a gentle whisper.

Hermione gazed at him. "I wished you were snogging me instead of her..."

Ron's calloused paws suddenly cradled Hermione's skull. His face was quite close, and Hermione felt her eyelids grow heavy.

"I sometimes imagined that too..." he murmured, playing with the brown curls of her hair. "I -"

"Snog me," Hermione begged in a whisper.

Ron gulped. Tilting her head, he bent and kissed Hermione square on the lips.

She nearly collapsed, flinging her arms about his neck and letting out a triumphant groan. "Mmmmmmm..." Ron caught her at her waist and held her gently. The kiss quickly became very involved, as the new lovers staggered back towards the couch, Unfortunately, they missed as Hermione leaped into Ron's embrace, her legs folding about his waist, and they landed on the floor, rolling around the carpet, kissing and moaning and groaning.

At last, Hermione ended up beneath Ron, looking scandalized, her lips pink and flushed and thoroughly kissed. She watched as Ron slowly began to unbutton her white blouse. Roll the skirts of her Hogwarts uniform up past her hips. She stayed his hand, her throat wobbling, even as Ron planted kisses along her jawline that made her shudder.

"Have... have you done this before?" she panted. "Oooh..." as Ron took her chin between his lips. Her handsome prince paused in his worship.

"No," and his blue eyes were truthful, if now also tinged with the blackness of lust. "I only want to make love to my bride."

Hermione's heart nearly stopped. "B...bride?" she whispered. It was hard to imagine Ron marrying someone like her. Even in a wedding dress, Hermione felt she would look rather plain. "Are we... going to get married?"

"I would love to; I accept your proposal," Ron grinned lopsidedly. Hermione giggled. His hand caressed her cheek. "Hermione... I only want you as my wife. Someday." He cleared his throat. "Have you... ever done...?"

Hermione shook her head. "I'm virgin," she whispered.

Ron looked relieved. "May I...?"

In answer, Hermione arched her back, pushing her torso up into him. "Make love to me, Ronald. Please."

And so, Ron reverently undid Hermione's panties. He was far less careful in getting his own trousers off, nearly ripping the zipper, much to Hermione's amusement.

And then he was sheathing himself inside of her. Hermione gasped, whined in discomfort, eyes wide as saucers. She felt pain, but still she pleaded with Ron, "Don't stop."

Encouraged, Ron slowly began to thrust in and out of Hermione. Hermione slapped her hip against his, matching his rhythm. "Oh... uhhhh... Oh, Godric... Ron, please..." she moaned lustily. Tears pricked at Hermione's eyes from how wonderful it felt.

"You're so tight, love," Ron hissed. "You feel - are - amazing... Hermione..."

"I... adore it when you call me love," Hermione growled, humping against him frantically.

"I... love... YOU!" Each word from Ron was punctuated by a final slam and he spilled his seed inside of her. After a little more grinding, with a tiny mewl, Hermione came all around him. Conjuring a blanket, Ron wrapped himself and Hermione's naked body inside. Cuddled in each other's arms and warmth, the new lovers fell asleep.

But not before Ron asked, "Hermione?"

"Yes?"

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

Hermione gasped a little, but then craned up and chastely kissed Ron's lips. "Yes, I will."