Title: Better Late Than Never
Rating: T
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Ron/Hermione
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Word Count: 602
Summary: Epilogue compliant. Even as an adult, Ron is prone to jealousy.
Notes:
Fanfiction Tournament Competition: Round One - Winter Wonderland
NOTP Drabble Competition: NOTP - Romione / Prompt - (theme) patience.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Advent Calendar - For Butter (Slytherin Buttercat)
"I don't get why we have to do this," Ron mumbled as he angrily crossed his arms.
Hermione rolled her eyes at her husband's antics. "Because the kids will love a Winter Wonderland themed party."
Ron frowned. "Rose and Albus will probably just sit in a corner with a book."
"Maybe, but the others kids will have a blast. And it's not only the Weasley and Potter kids that will be there. Luna's sons and a few others will be coming."
Ron glared at her. "I know what—or should I who?—you're really thinking about."
Hermione looked away from the banner she was hanging. "What are you talking about?"
"Viktor Krum and his spawn is coming," Ron declared accusatory, as if it was Hermione's fault.
Hermione took a deep breath, asking an unnamed deity for some patience when dealing with her husband when he was like this. "Okay, first of all, I didn't invite Viktor. Fleur did. And second of all, how can you possibly be jealous after all of these years? We're married. We have kids. How can you possibly think I have any feelings for a boy that just happened to be my first date?"
Ron marched out of the room without answering.
She shook her head. Sometimes, it was really hard to be Hermione Weasley.
Two nights later, the party was in full swing.
Everyone was having fun. Even Rose and Albus had put their books away and were socializing with the other kids. Albus was talking animatedly to Lorcan and Lysander, while Rose seemed to be having a good conversation with Sven, Viktor's son. In fact, Hermione was pretty sure she saw a blush on Rose's cheeks. And was that a giggle she heard when she passed by the pair? Maybe it was time for a mother-daughter talk.
The only one who didn't seem to be enjoying himself was Ron. He was sulking in a corner while glaring at Viktor.
Hermione walked over to him. "Are you done acting like a baby?"
Ron's shoulders slumped and his downcast eyes finally met hers. "I'm sorry. I know I'm acting childish. It's just...Krum was your first kiss, and that still bothers me. If I had realized back then that I liked you, maybe you and Krum wouldn't have gone to the Yule Ball."
Hermione wrapped her arms around Ron's neck. "Maybe, but we also might have not stayed together. We might not have even gotten married. We had a lot of growing up to do, and everything we went through during the war bound us tightly together. That might not have happened if we tried dating and then broke up. We don't even know if we would have been able to remain friends."
Ron smiled. "I never thought of it like that."
Hermione pressed her lips to his. Against them, she said, "So forget about Viktor and what might have been. It's Christmas. Let's just enjoy what we have now, and leave the past in the past."
Ron wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his lips against hers firmer.
Hermione closed her eyes and simply enjoyed the touch.
When they pulled back, he murmured, "I love you."
Hermione smiled. "I love you, too." She dropped her arms and took a step back.
His arms fell from around her.
She held out her hand. "Now, let's dance."
Ron took her hand and led her onto the dance floor and underneath the fake falling snow, he twirled her around like he wished he had done all of those years ago at the Yule Ball. Better late than never, right?