Autumn's Kiss
Authors Note: Hey, so, if you've read any of my other fan fictions before, you may have noticed the year hiatus that I seemed to have taken. I have had my GCSE's this year and am currently awaiting the results. I've been dabbling with a Hugo fanfiction for the past few months but to ease myself into it, I'm going to be doing one shots from writing prompts found here at !
Chapter 1: Leaving Time
Prompt: #15 Leaving
A suitcase lay full. The final remnants of socks and underwear were scattered on top of the already neatly pressed, ironed and folded clothing. Smelling of muggle fabric conditioner, Ron removed one piece from the jumper jigsaw and inhaled it's scent. A smell of home, peace, and wherever Hermione was. This would be greatly missed.
He was leaving. Not permanently, but still.
He was leaving, and he wouldn't be back for a while.
Pressing down on the suitcase lid, the zip was fastened and after tugging at the stiff handle, Ron headed downstairs.
I don't want to do this, no matter how much I have to.
I don't want to do this. But I will. Because he's my brother.
They both are.
Hermione was sat on a plum sofa with her head in her hands. Sun streamed through the curtains in the early hours of the morning. This wasn't going to be easy on anyone, especially not now. Everything was still raw and painful, wounds hadn't healed – not that they ever would fully, but that wasn't the point. This needed to be done. For George. For Fred.
Stepping over, Hermione embraced him. Her wedding ring pressed into his right palm as they stood silently. April 2nd 2003. One month and it would be five years. Five years since everything had ended.
Five years of pain.
Five years without Fred.
"You don't have to leave."
"Yes. I do"
"Of course you do." Hermione sighed, a weak smile brushed over her mouth. "It's just me being stupid."
Ron exhaled shakily, leaning back against a cream coloured wall. "Twenty Five. He should have made it to that age. Nobody shouldn't. I remember when we were little, and us talking about the future. And he just said "when I'm really old, like 25 or 30, I want my own family, like ours, but not so big." He should have had that, Hermione. And maybe that's one of the things that hurts George so much. The fact that he had what Fred wanted – little Fred. And his twin didn't."
"Time is a healer, love. Anyone can see the happiness he has when he's with his son. Of course, it will never stop hurting, but he's got so much better." Hermione reminded him.
A mission had been carved in stone 2 weeks ago. There were pieces of Fred's belongings – not many, but a few, that George wanted to scatter. To leave behind somewhere. Both in places that Fred loved and dreamed of seeing. Sorting through what Fred had left behind, they found a scarf, some shoes, pages of magic books, all sorts. These would leave a mark. They would leave Fred's mark, on the Earth.
They - George, Ron, and Ginny, would be away for some time, travelling to these places. It wasn't clear how long, but they wouldn't be returning soon. As important as she knew this was, Hermione couldn't begin to describe how much she'd miss Ron.
As time came around for Ron to depart, they embraced once again, parting reluctantly. "I'm going to miss you... SO much..." Hermione choked
"I'll miss you. But remember, wherever I am and whatever I'm doing, I'll be right..." He replied lifting is hand to Hermione's heart, "here."
She wouldn't cry. She told herself she wouldn't cry. And she didn't – on the outside at least. The pain inside was much more immense. And Ron felt the same bitter taste of departure too.
An unlocked door.
Footsteps off carpet onto concrete.
A final kiss goodbye.
Then, he was gone. And the early morning mist carried the light of Hermione's life away.
