Chapter 1 of A Lifetime with Ron and Hermione. Told in Hermione's prospective for the most part, this story follows Ron and Hermione's relationship starting roughly a year after the war. I didn't want to do a start off where JK left off fic, because I've never been very good at that. Although this story is mainly about Ron and Hermione there will be plenty of Harry and the Weasley family, etc.
A/N: This chapter is particularly light and fluffy, but not all of my chapters will be so sweet.
Hermione looked around her room as her eyes adjusted to the light coming in through the window. Neat as always, the yellow walls of her childhood bedroom made her feel safe and happy. She smiled as she lifted the covers away from her body and slid her feet over the side into two orange Chudley Canons slippers Ron had given her for her birthday last year. Ron had never really had a knack for gift giving, but Hermione still wore the slippers because anything from him was special.
Thinking about Ron suddenly reminded Hermione of something. Looking at the clock on her nightstand she couldn't believe it was past nine. She had long given up on using an alarm clock because every morning, without fail, Ron managed to send her an owl and always at very ungodly hours. The letters arrived around four each morning because he wrote them at night, and that was how long Pig took to get to her. Pig would either show up in her room or her dorm, because he had special orders to get them straight to her. She would then sit and write her reply which would get there just in time for his night-time response. When she had used an alarm, later in the morning her alarm would go off, and the house would be filled with the loud beeping until she made it back to her room to shut it off.
Hermione wondered what kept him from writing her as she walked down the hall to the kitchen. She was starving because usually she ate much earlier in the day thanks to Ron. The kitchen didn't have much light this time of day and Hermione had to fumble for the light switch a moment. Too lazy to get breakfast for herself, she cast a simple spell and her cereal was pouring itself as she plopped into a chair at the counter. Just then her father walked into the room sending the retreating milk jug to floor. He had walked straight into it.
"Oh! I'm sorry," Hermione screeched as she jumped up to assess the damage. The floor was pooling, with the milk and her father, Hugo was laughing. He wasn't hurt in any way as far as Hermione could tell and she allowed herself a smile. Hermione whispered a cleaning charm and the milk disappeared.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to that," Hugo chuckled, "I guess we'll need some more milk."
"Yeah, sorry I'll go get some," said Hermione getting up.
"Well you don't have to go now," Hugo said, "what's up butter cup?"
"I woke up late this morning because usually Ron wakes me up-"
"Ron wakes you up?"
"Well no, actually Pig wakes me up, Pig is Ron's owl, I get his letters in the morning, by owl, that's how wizards get mail, we get it by owl post, it's-"
"Hermione I remember, you don't have to explain everything about the wizarding world a hundred times. I remember something's," Hugo said, pretending to roll his eyes. Hermione often had these babbling states when she didn't quite know what to say. Ever since she had returned then from Australia she seemed unsure around her parents. Unable to be the way they used to instantaneously, they had to work back to trust and security.
"So why aren't you at work?" Hermione asked, to change the subject, "don't you usually work on Thursdays?"
"I called in sick, I'm feeling a little under the weather today," said Hugo.
"Do you need anything from the market?" Hermione asked suddenly concerned.
"Actually yes, we're out of that medicine thing your mum gives me when I'm sick. It's just a cold, but would you mind picking some up while you're there?"
"Of course Dad," Hermione smiled, "well I guess I better go shower then!"
"Aren't you going to eat something?" asked Hugo.
"Umm, I'll get something while I'm out," Hermione said walking back down the hallway. Back in her room she gathered up some clothes and walked to the bathroom. For some reason she was felling very distracted, and it had something to do with not getting that letter from Ron. As she turned on the water she decided to write Ron to ask him before she left for the market, but by the time Hermione was dressed she had decided to make an impromptu visit to the Burrow.
When she had finished the shopping, she had worked herself into a worried fit over his wellbeing. She knew that if anything was really wrong Harry or one of the Weasley's would have contacted her, but all the same, her cautious nature was getting the best out of this situation.
As soon as she had unloaded the groceries from her parent's car Hermione apparated on the spot, to the Burrow. The magical enchantments on the Burrow prevented her from getting very close, so she had to walk about ten minutes to get there. Along the way Hermione wondered if Ron would even be there. She came for lunch each Sunday, and sometimes Ron or Ginny would invite her to visit, but in all the time she had known the Weasley's she had never just came unannounced.
Her relationship with Ron had been moving at a slow, but happy pace. They had both been so busy in the year that had passed sense the war, that although they were in constant communication, they had not spent a lot of time together. Somewhere deep inside of Hermione, she knew that what her and Ron had must be love. When she thought of him it was like nothing else in the world mattered. Sometimes, when you share something as important as fighting a war together, you just know things about each other.
Remembering when Ron left her and Harry on the run a shrill of panic entered Hermione's chest causing her to walk faster. He had promised her never to leave again, but she was always afraid she would lose him to something else, a death eater.
As she walked into the yard she spotted Ron sitting in the grass looking up at the sky. She breathed a sigh of relief knowing that he was okay, and jogged over to meet him. He sat up and waved and she waved back almost tripping on a loose clump of dirt.
"Hermione!" grunted Ron happily as she slid down on the grass next to him.
"Hi," she said smiling.
Ron leaned over and kissed her softly, "and for what do I owe this wonderful surprise?" asked Ron, fully knowing the answer to his question.
"Don't laugh," Hermione said, seeing Ron's game, "why didn't you write me?"
"Sorry about that My 'Mione, but Harry was taking the mickey about how we write every day and how I couldn't live without you, and I wanted to prove I could. The git bet me a galleon I couldn't last one night," laughed Ron.
"That's fowl," lectured Hermione, even though she couldn't help but smile at how silly she had been, "and watch your language Mr. Weasley!" Ron kissed her again, with much more passion than their earlier kiss. After several long moments, Hermione pulled away.
"What was that for," Hermione teased.
"I love it when you tell me what to do," said Ron and he winked at her.
"You didn't always," Hermione laughed as they remembered their school years.
"Hermione?" asked Ron with clear affection in his voice.
"What is it Ron?" she wanted to know.
"Why are you so damn beautiful?"
"Language," Hermione warned, although she was clearly blushing.
"I just want to know why every time I look at you I can't believe I never noticed beautiful you are. You're amazing My 'Mione."
Not knowing what else to say Hermione leaned forward and kissed him softly, and with great care.
"Ron?"
"Mhmm?"
"I love you."
"Oh, Hermione I love you too," he smiled sweetly at her and kissed her with all the love he had.
It was a warm and bright summer day, and they were both content to sit there in the grass. Now that Hermione had finished her 7th year at Hogwarts, and Ron had finished her Auror training, Ron and Hermione would finally be able to have a real relationship. No more long distance they both whispered into each other's mouths.
They both smiled at each other, and in that moment it was clear. Maybe Ron could go a day without Hermione, but they would be spending a lifetime together.
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