Tent Times:

*I've been inspired by Ron and Hermione's relationship even more since I watched the latest movie. I read online that the director had to cut several tender moments between R and H b/c they didn't fit into the overall intensity of the film. I came up with this idea out of that to do a series of tent moments. I'm not addressing Ron leaving, and I'm likely to take a few liberties with the plot. Hope you enjoy. Spoilers from 7th Book and Movie. I own nothing. Rated T just in case for content.

Chapter 1:

The night was particularly cold, and Ron and Harry had decided to play a game to determine who would have to sit outside and keep watch. Hermione had packed Wizard Chess in her magic bag, figuring they would all need something fun to do sometimes in the midst of what was sure to be an overall dark journey. Harry and Ron were sitting at the table across from each other. Hermione was just a few feet away nestled in a big coat in a camp chair reading.

"Checkmate," Ron yelled clapping.

"Rats," Harry said. "I just can't beat you mate."

Ron smiled and laughed. "Not much I'm good at pal, but Chess: that's my game." The best friends laughed some more, and Harry admitted defeat. "Guess that means I'm on watch." Harry got up and started bundling up. Ron looked over at Hermione. She was rubbing her neck. He got up, walked towards her and knelt down in front of her resting his hands on her knees. "Something wrong?" he asked.

Hermione was touched by his concern. "Just a little sore," she said rubbing her neck some more. "I think it's all this reading plus I landed funny the last time we disapparated," she said smiling. "I'll live, I'm sure."

"Here," Ron said standing up. "Let me rub it for you."

"No," Hermione said a little too abruptly. "It's really not that bad."

Truth be told, Hermione wanted nothing more than to have Ron touch her, but even a simple brush of their hands made her long even more for something she wasn't sure would ever happen.

"Hermione," Ron said kneeling back down. He reached out and tipped her chin so she had to look him straight in the face. "Sore shoulders are not a sign of weakness." Ron was always accusing Hermione of downplaying her injuries or feelings to save face.

"It's not that," Hermione said trying to think of an excuse. "I just don't want to bother you," she finally said. Ron huffed in frustration. "Bother me? I offered. Hermione, you are taking care of either Harry or me all the time, let me take care of you for once. For five minutes." The tone in his voice said he wasn't taking no for an answer, and there was no way Hermione could turn him down after that sweet speech. "Fine," she said.

Harry was smiling to himself as he buttoned his coat. His two best friends were crazy about each other, but they danced around it to the point of being almost ridiculous. "I'm headed out then," he said. "Take a blanket," Hermione said without thinking. "See what I mean," Ron said. "Always taking care of us." Ron grabbed two blankets off the top bunk. He handed one to Harry. "Here ya go mate. Yell if you need something." Harry nodded and winked at Ron. Ron grinned back. His best friend clearly knew what he was up too.

Harry took the blanket and headed out into the cold. Ron brought the other blanket towards Hermione. He snatched the book out of her hand and put it on the table. "Here," he said extending the blanket. "Oh," she said. "I'm fine." "I can see that," Ron said, "but I can't very well get to your shoulders if you are bundled up in that big bulky coat."

Hermione looked down at her outfit and knew he was right. "Oh, right," she said. She unbuttoned and took off her coat then accepted the blanket from Ron wrapping it around her. Ron moved behind her in the camp chair. "Now," he said. "Where does it hurt?" Hermione reached up and pointed to the right side of her neck and shoulder. "Mostly on this side," she said, "but I'm a little sore all over." Hermione caught her breath as Ron placed his warm hands on her shoulders. Under her coat she was only wearing a pretty thin long-sleeved pajama top, and she could feel his hands through the shirt. She felt like she might catch on fire from his touch. Ron gently started massaging her shoulders. His hands were like magic: strong and warm. Hermione felt like she might melt. It was the most relaxed she'd been in months. He started on her shoulders then moved towards her neck. When his fingers touched her actual skin, she resisted the urge to moan. Instead she managed, "Mmmm, this feels good."

Ron blushed and grinned. He was glad she couldn't see him. He was enjoying this just as much as she was. Her skin was so soft, and her curls were tickling the top of his hands. It was funny to Ron that he had spent the better part of last year snogging Lavendar Brown, but that didn't even compare to barely touching Hermione. He knew he had it bad for her.

"Ron," she said bringing him out of his trance.

"Yeah," he said.

"It's not true what you said to Harry you know, about only being good at chess. I think you're good at lots of things."

"You do," he said chuckling. "Like what?"

"Well," she started. "You are great on a broom. You've taught me everything I know about flying, and you were practically a God as the Quidditch keeper last year."

Ron blushed again. He wasn't used to Hermione, or anyone really, paying him compliments.

"Thanks," he said continuing her massage. She didn't stop there.

"And, you are so funny. You are always so good at making people laugh and diffusing tension. You always make me smile," she finished quietly. Ron didn't know what to say. He was taken aback by her flattery.

"And," she continued. "I'm definitely going to add massages to my list of things Ron's good at." As she said it, she reached up and patted one of his hands, and let her head sink back so she could look up at him and smile. He grinned down at her, and she couldn't help but notice his cheeks were pink.

"That's not all my hands are good at," he finally joked resuming rubbing Hermione's shoulders. He was sure she would scoff and roll her eyes and make some comment about him being a pervert. Instead, she surprised them both by saying with seriousness. "I'll bet." Ron swallowed hard. Oh dear he thought to himself. This girl will be the death of me.

Seconds later Harry poked his head into the tent. "Sorry to interrupt, but Ron could you help me gather some firewood right quick? I don't think what we have will last through the night.

"No problem mate," Ron said glad for an excuse to get away before he started spilling out his love for Hermione. "Be right there."

He patted Hermione's shoulders one last time and reluctantly withdrew his hands. "There," he said. "Better?"

"Much," she responded tilting her head from side to side. "Thanks."

In an act of bravery he could barely believe himself Ron said, "I'm glad it helped, but I'll admit it was mostly self-serving."

"How do you mean?" she said thinking he would say that her being cranky was bad for everyone or something along those lines.

Instead he leaned down really close and whispered in her ear. "I just like excuses to touch you."

He pulled back grinning. Her face was bright red. "See you in a few," he said, grabbing his coat and heading out the tent flap.

Hermione wrapped herself in the blanket and smiled.

"Oh Ron," she said out loud but quietly enough that only she could hear. "You're also good at making me love you."