halfbloodhill_logs | Covering Bases (Open)

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Covering Bases (Open)

Who: Hermione Granger and whomever happens to cross her path
What: Training/practicing her magic
Where: Near the lake
When: Sunday, August 4th, early evening
Why: Because after the hectic changes that occurred over the last week and a half she doesn't feel like angering any of the other gods

Of course she was secretly smug about the fact that she'd followed the rules this time. She hadn't incurred the wrath of Hera. She did feel slightly sorry for those who had been punished though.

On the other hand, this just pushed Hermione further into the mindset she often waffled on; was she there to learn, or there to make friends and push boundaries? She knew she belonged at Camp because she was a demigod and she knew she was there to train and protect not only her family and others in her home town, but herself.

Her magic was powerful. That much she also knew. Over the last three years that she'd been attending Camp she'd grown stronger and better than she had been as a 13 year old. But she also knew she still had a long way to go. Fire spells and the creation of illusions were impressive, sure, but if she settled for mastering only a few skills where would she be?

She waited until later in the day when the lake was more or less cleared out save for maybe a few of the other campers. They weren't a huge concern though. Not anymore. She was just going to mind her business for once and settle in to recite her incantations and focus on her magic. She's doing her best to keep one eye on her form and one eye on the area around her to ensure nobody sneaks up on her.

Yeah, good luck with that, Granger. It doesn't help that by now it's pretty well-known among her group of acquaintances that she always comes to the same spot.

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"According to you I always need practice in something," he mumbled, shrugging, "s'no different than usual, suppose." That much was true. He wasn't planning on making her hate him, but if it came down to it he had to find a way. He certainly wasn't looking for it and hoped it never happened. Ron really hoped it never came to that because then he wouldn't know what to do with himself.

Frowning, Ron shook his head. Scratching his chin, he let out a breath. "You don't know that. I think up a lot of stupid things," he mumbled, swallowing hard. Then she had to say that and he felt guilty. Really guilty. Grappling for a moment, Ron considered before shaking his head once more.

"The dance--uh--thing--" He waffled uneasily.

"Glad we understand each other." She stepped forward to officially close the distance between them. She stood there for a few moments before she swooped in, taking the bow from his hands and nocking an arrow to it. She stepped around him, giving herself ten seconds to steady, aim and fire before the arrow goes sailing right into the center of a tree. "Guess I'll practice if you will." That was to say, she was hoping to...well...the point was she really wanted to make sure he wasn't going to make her hate him.

"Think up, yes, but you don't always say them." However, whatever she was expecting him to say, it definitely wasn't that. She definitely was not expecting any sort of word about the Apollo dance. "...what about it?"

Well, he certainly wasn't expecting that. He'd moved with a start, a defensive one at that, until his eyes settled on what she was doing and he froze. Watching the arrow he quirked a brow before shrugging. "Watch out for any tree nymphs. I'd hate to be around when they tear you a new one," Ron teased.

"Sure I do, that's why you yell at me all the time," Ron pointed out, trying to manag a grin. But then she's kind of looking at him and asking that question and he cleared his throat. "You're going... right? ...'Cause you should. You'd have fun."

She can't help it; there's a very proud smirk on her face at his expression. See, Ron? She knows what she's doing after all. It just took a lot of yelling to figure it out. "I'm not that careless. You won't have to worry about them," she laughed. She slung the bow over her shoulder and reached forward to gently tug on his wrist as a show that he should follow her. She began to walk again as he spoke.

"I yell at you all the time because you actually execute some of the stupid things." She turned to watch him from the corner of her eye, trying to grasp what he was implying. "I think so. You're coming too though, aren't you?"

Except he still wants to tell her she was sort of off, but he's good enough not to. For now. Next time he'll tease her. "Sure about that? Swore I just saw an angry nymph making faces at you," he commented with an easy sort of grin. At least this was easier, even if his ears still burned as his feet followed without his head's decision. Right then.

"Hey, making a taco catapult in lunch wasn't stupid. It surprised the idiot and I remember you laughing," he returned, smirking slightly, but it kind of faltered. "Don't know. I've no reason to go to it, do I? Probably spend the night reading Ancient Greek scrolls and all," Ron finished, almost haphazardly.

Yes, yes, let's not bust her bubble right now. Next time though. "You're full of it." She was a lot more relaxed now as they walked along, grinning openly as she lead them back toward the main area of camp and not even taking note of his expression. She knew he was back to normal, too, and that was good enough for her.

She made a face at the mention of the taco catapult. That was one memory she could have lived without, even if at the time it was funny. "Was I? It must have been your imagination," she teased as a hand went up to tuck a few stray strands of hair that had escaped her braid back behind her ear. "You, reading all night? I never would have pictured it." She paused briefly, debating if she wanted to continue her line of thought. "You should go, too. You might enjoy yourself. I know the Aphrodite girls are going." She did her best to keep her tone light, but it was hard when all she could picture was how amazing they would probably look.

"Am not. Wanna turn back and check, do you?" Ron questioned easily, smirking. Because he knew she wouldn't if only because she feared he was right. Besides, it really was just a joke-- even if he was pretty sure he did see that.

There was nothing wrong with the taco catapult. It had worked amazingly well and he hadn't want to thrown it away at the time. A trophy of his success is what he wanted to name it. "Must have been. Just like the time with mop bucket..." he said and began ticking off other ones with an easy grin. Then he rolled his eyes and made a face. "Well, I can read it, y'know," Ron commented trying not to sound proud. Ancient Greek was easy. If only his school text books could be in it. He read now because he could and it wasn't something he'd make a passion of-- like her-- but he liked being able to. It was a nice feeling not having to struggle or once.

Then she said that and he made a worse face. "I'm not intereste in any Aphrodite girls," Ron said, shaking his head.

"I think I'll pass." She knew he was joking, but she wasn't going to take that risk.

As he continued listing off his "achievements", she couldn't help but watch him out of the corner of her eye, smile growing a little wider the longer she listened. It was always nice to see this side of him, a side that was proud of himself and not frustrated by all of the things he couldn't do. Even if she thought a lot of his projects and plans were completely ridiculous, they always worked. She had to give him credit for that. Speaking of proud...

"I know. I'm still working on mine, to be honest." Not by much though. Even if she wasn't dyslexia-diagnosed, she still had the demigod ability to read the ancient language. Still, she proud that Ron was able to read without throwing the book across the room...she just wasn't sure she wanted him to spend the night of the dance in Athena cabin reading. That was more something she should be doing, but she wasn't going to.

"Well then whomever," she added, though secretly pleased to hear that. Not that it would have really mattered, of course. He could associate with whomever he liked. He was a free man and she was only his best friend. "You should come anyway, even if it's only for an hour or two."

"Because I'm right," he tossed back easily, giving a bit of a laugh.

But he'll let it be as he rubbed the back of his neck. He didn't think any of what he managed was great, really. It paled in comparison to things his siblings did. But they were fun normally. If he planned something and it wasn't in a battle it was definitely about trying to get people to laugh. That was his whole point there, but he wasn't sure too many of his siblings agreed. He just considered it a side-effect of growing up with the twins.

"What's there to work on for you?" Ron said, raising a brow. He knew she wasn't dyslexic, but they were all hard-wired to read it. He still didn't know some words, but he figured she knew everything about everything else after all. Really, he didn't plan on reading during the dance, but that didn't mean what he'd likely do wouldn't include it.

He continued to make a face. "You know I don't like 'em," he groaned out. Then a breath as he considered and paused briefly. He was sure she wouldn't think anything of it, but he'd been trying to get at it-- hadn't he? So stopping momentarily he cleared his throat and considered, "Why don't you go with me then?"

"Pleading the fifth!" But okay. Another victory for him, just for the day.

Hermione had noticed that Ron's creations were always hit and miss with their peers. A lot of kids, like Ron's siblings and Hermione's siblings, didn't exactly see the appeal of Ron's prankster-created mechanics. On the other, the kids whose parents were more into the arts side of life seemed to appreciate his efforts. But she couldn't recall a time no one laughed at one of his inventions. A good kind of laughing, of course.

"Proper form," she replied, barely stumbling over the lie. There wasn't much left for her in terms of studying the language. Now it was about writing her spells and pronouncing them correctly.

...her spells. She'd gone out to practice, how had she ended up walking back toward the cabins with Ron talking about past memories and the dance?

"I think this dance will be different than the ones we had in school," she pointed out. They were in a comfortable silence as they walked, but as soon as Ron stopped and drew attention to himself, she stopped, too, and turned her head to face him completely. Both eyebrows were lifted and her eyes were busy searching his face to see if he was actually serious. "...both of us?" she said.

Was he really asking what she thought he was asking? No, probably not. If she were thinking like Ron, she had to assume that he wanted to go just so he'd have company especially if she was the one forcing him to go in the first place. "I suppose we could go, yeah. Friends attend social functions together all the time, don't they? It might be really fun."

Friends. That's what he'd meant, surely.

He grinned to himself but said no more.

Rolling his eyes, Ron scoffed. "Proper form? How many times have I told you you can't over think it?" He retorted easily, pulling a face. Why was everything about perfection with her? Sure, he knew some things had to be. A plan had to be thought at on all angles. But homework didn't have to be triple checked as did learning Ancient Greek. The concept was just weird since it was a natural thing for them anyway."

"Yeah," he commented making a play of thinking about it. Then he snorted. "It'll be full of demigods and magicians who'll likely blow up the area and the president will be forced to call New York a disaster area by some freak hurricane," Ron finished, raising a brow. It sounded right enough.

But of course things couldn't be easy and his ears burned once again as he swallowed roughly and stared down at her . Then he nodded. "Sort of the idea, yeah."

He hesitated when she spoke again. He opened his mouth, considered, shut it again, and then opened it again. He knew that wasn't what he meant, but well-- what if that was what she wanted. She did say she supposed. So maybe she didn't care? He tried to shake it off but he was probably being speechless for far too long.

"...You know, people don't usually go as friends," he commented thickly, swallowed, and shrugged, "but, yeah. Should be fun."

"I know, but I do need to have proper pronunciation for the spells. Unless you want to go back to filling in your eyebrows with a colored marker," she said pointedly. Everything was about perfection because that was how Hermione grew up. Simple as that. It was all she'd known and being praised for her hard work as a child just motivated her further to be ambitious and take on bigger tasks.

"Sounds like Christmas of two years ago all over again." She rolled her eyes. She couldn't even remember all of the details of that year, but it definitely hadn't blown over well.

His staring unnerved her, she had to admit. What was wrong now? She was just about to interrupt him and ask him if he wanted to talk to her about it later since he was apparently having a lot of trouble gathering his thoughts.

"…oh?" She feigned innocence. She wasn't that socially inept. She knew people had dates and people had romantic intentions for things like dances. She just never though that she and Ron would find themselves in that sort of situation. She also wasn't sure if she was ready for such a thing despite the fact there would virtually be no difference between if they went as friends or if they went as…whatever they would go as. Dates. "I just thought you would want to." 'Because why would you have a date like me?' She didn't even know how to dress for one of these things properly. "But...if you really want to we could try going as not-friends."

"Date" was still a scary word.

"Why is it I have to be your guinea pig again?" Ron countered, scrunching up his nose, "As far as I've learned that's what you've siblings for, you know. That seems to be Fred and George's way about it, anyway." Besides, he knew she was better at it than to be too worried about pronunciation. But then again she worried about the craziest things.

He groaned, rubbing the back of his neck before mumbling. "Don't remind me," he said. Holidays here were always a pain and sometimes he wished he could go back to the Weasleys for a spin. Maybe this Christmas he could. He felt strong enough to be able to manage it, at least.

The way she feigned innocence just made him turn pinker as his eyes darted away. He knew it was a stupid idea. Even if he knew how he felt--well-- it wasn't likely she saw him more than an infuriating friend. And it wasn't something he was fully admitting to himself, was it? Because he was scared. Eventually she'd leave, too, or hate him. And none of that made him particularly thrilled-- but something about being a demigod, of knowing he was kind of a ticking time-bomb until doomsday gave him the courage to speak up. Because he did want her to at least know something before then.

Ron swallowed uneasily, turning his eyes to her and letting his hand curl into the slight fist. He tried working out what he was saying. "I was just saying. I mean-- if you don't want to--" Ron said, ears turning ever more pink as he tried to continue, "'cause I do-- uh, want to-- I mean-- Cause I meant what I said." He hoped she got what he meant, the bit about not being interested in Aphrodite girls. He wasn't going to out and say it. He actually wanted to turn and run. A foot moved to do just that, too, but he forced himsel to stay still even if he was as red as a tomato.

"Because you're the only one I trust not to damage entirely," she admitted before looking away again. "My siblings aren't much more skilled than me. At least if it's controlled I can master things." She always worried about the craziest things, he was correct. But if she didn't worry, who would?

"…maybe we can try to visit this year. Just for a day. We can take a bus from camp and I'm strong enough with the Mist now to cover us if we need to." Though she didn't have that strong of a connection with her family like Ron did with his, Hermione still missed her father and stepmother. Sometimes though it felt as though she were just an erased memory for them.

As he elaborated on the subject though her eyes grew wider and wider. He..was actually being honest? He was actually sharing with her, and oh wow, it was bigger than she'd ever thought. She pulled back a bit to examine him further, mind running in circles as she thought it over. Maybe he was still under Aphrodite's spell somehow? Or maybe it was just another joke…but something told her that it wasn't that. She didn't push him further, patiently waiting for him to work things out as she watched in mild fascination.

"Yes," she suddenly blurted out, startling even herself. "I mean…yes. I want to." It was her turn to fight off a blush. She had no idea what he was referencing that time. He'd said a lot of things he probably meant, but she was lumping his non-interest in other girls into that category, too. So what did this mean? Did he like her? Was he just taking a risk to see if it would work since they were always together anyway? It was hard to decide, but as soon as his foot moved her hand shot out to wrap around his wrist again and kept him in place.

"…we can go together as not-friends." Still not using the D-word. "I just can't promise you'll enjoy yourself that much." She looked embarrassed, but she still held onto his wrist as though afraid he'd run away. She didn't know much about dances or about boys or about this, whatever this thing was, but she knew she was going to try really hard to figure it out and make sure it was worth it. "But at least we'll be together."

"Or you don't mind me exploding," Ron said in turn, trying to be light. At least that's what it felt like sometimes. More often then he cared to admit, but he did trust her. Mostly. Only sometimes when she didn't have spells at hand.

Ron blinked at her statement and it took him a minute to understand exactly what she was saying before he nodded. "Maybe, yeah," he echoed trying for a bit of sarcasm, " maybe all the monsters will up and take the day off--"

The more she stared at him the more he felt like he was going to explode on the spot. Like someone was just dousing him with ambrosia. He was dumb, stupid really, and all he wanted to do is sink into the ground and not come out. He felt like some side show freak that even her answer didn't quite register her answer. Running sounded really good and it wasn't until the tugging on his wirst that he realized she'd grabbed his hand.

Great.

Ron turned back to her only halfway. He was actually frightened, which was a scary thought in itself. Monsters didn't even normally scare him at this point, but here Hermione was and he was terrified out of his wit. The back of his mind still plagued him with all sorts of things. Number one being that he'd just ruined the last close relationship he had and congratulations on that. Maybe she was just playing along, but Hermione really wasn't the sort. He knew that, but still he grappled.

"I've always enjoyed time with you," he said quickly, frowning, before trying, "well, 'sides from when you yell at me--" And sometimes even then, if he admitted it to himself. His eyes darted away quickly and he nodded. "We're always together," Ron said moistening his lips.

"I know you can handle a bit of fire." Whether she knew exactly what she was implying or not, she didn't hint at. She knew that he trusted her though and that wasn't something to take lightly at all.

She leaned back to smack him square in the chest, scoffing. "Honestly! All I'm saying is that we might be able to catch a break this year. Be optimistic."

She didn't let go of his wrist, but she also didn't move forward. She just kept them rooted to the same spot, thumb idly tracing over a bone in his hand as she tries to come to terms with this new set of information. She couldn't fathom why Ron would have any sort of interest in her beyond being friends, but she also knew that he was highly uncomfortable admitting it to her. She sort of just laughed a bit to herself at how odd the situation was, and also at his statement. 'Besides from when you yell at me.' Yeah, probably.

"And we're always going to be together…you know that, don't you?"

Ron frowned. "I'm not a cyclopes," Ron pointed out, making a face, "though that'd explain a few things, I reckon..." But he shakes his head and shrugs.

Laughing slightly, he quirked a brow. "I am being optimistic," he said easily, smirking, "but I'm being realistic, too. You should try it sometime, honestly."

He forces himself to tear his eyes away from her and try to make the rising heat go away. Waching her finger burn into his wrist he swallowed roughly. Her laughing to herself certainly didn't help matters and he felt like he was going to explode on the spot. So he wanted to run, but knew it was useless and all but lost his voice. He could take her if he wanted-- te element of surprise and all-- he'd just nevr do that.

"Yeah, sure," he said uneasily, not liking the emphasis, but continuing, "don't know what that's got to do with this--"

"And I prefer that you never be a cyclopes," she replied breezily, brushing it off. "There's nothing wrong with being a little idealistic…it makes the world a bit brighter if you really want to know the truth. You should try it sometime, honestly." She couldn't help but mock him a little bit. Often times she was glad to have Ron around to ground her, but sometimes his pessimism (realism, whatever) brought her down just a little too far.

She seemed to realize just how uncomfortable he was, and so she squeezed his arm gently before pulling away, giving him another thoughtful look.

"It means that you shouldn't worry so much." About whatever it was he was truly worrying about. Hermione was perceptive, yes, but when it came to how people felt about her she might as well be staring at a brick wall. She really mostly assumed that Ron was worried they'd get separated. She understood his implications, of course, but…believing them was an entirely different story. "Though you might want to worry about what you're going to wear."

"Great, because I'd hate to find out I was suddenly turned into a monster," Ron said, making a face, that wasn't his mom's sort, "I know when to be idealistic just fine, thanks. But I can be realistic if I have to, too." Like when there was inevitable monster attacks. Sometimes he was a little too optimistic when he tried to figure out ways people might not have died, but well that was neither here or there.

Relieved to have control of his arm back he looked partly grateful although all it did was hang uselessly at his side.

The frown etched onto his features as she said that, but he didn't look away. It didn't feel like he had no reason to worry. Sooner or later she'd realize she didn't want him around, too, ater all. He nodded, shrugged, and immediately moved to her next sentene which... made him pale. "I--I well," he fumbled, "why an't I wear normal clothes?"

"If you were a monster, I'd have to kill you." The tone was light, but the words were serious. She'd do whatever it took to keep him safe, and that included taking him down to save him from himself. She didn't bother commenting again, but the look on her face clearly said 'I don't think so.'

She blinked at his question, expression settling into a small frown. "Because it's a dance. Dances are formal. Training clothes aren't exactly proper attire."

"You look like you wanna kill me half the time anyway," Ron pointed out with a shrug. He raised a brow and made a face. He was optimistic enough, thank you very much, just not hopelessly optimistic.

"They could be," he waffled, "so what happens when something decides to invade camp and no one can move? Seems hopeless then."

"You're over-exaggerating," she sighed. He actually really wasn't though, but she had hoped he knew she wasn't always serious. If there was anything he'd taught her in the last five years, it was how to loosen up.

"And what makes you so certain something will invade camp during the dance?"

"Am not," he said with an amused grin, because as much as he hated being yelled at she hated being disproven more, "honestly don't why you put up with me with how you seem to enjoy it all the time." ...Not that he didn't enjoy it either, but that was beside the point.

"Uh. A bunch of demigods having fun in one spot? With no one manning the boundaries? That's just asking for an invasion."

She shook her head, brushing off the question. She had her reasons for "putting up with him" as he put it, but she had always assumed he knew. Maybe he didn't.

"Now you're really being pessimistic."

That earned another shrug and a slight grin. Making a face, Ron sighed. "Not really now, am I?" Ron commented, "you've seen our luck, haven't you?"

Covering Bases (Open)

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.../sneaks this in because augh I would kinda die leaving it hanging overnight...

xgsdgs lmao go to bed or i'll keep tagging you

I diiiid

good girl

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