The wind rustled as Hermione sat under a tree outside of The Burrow in the darkening night. She watched the crows as they circled the trees, hiding between the leaves and their bundled nests. Ron watched Hermione from his house, marveling at her gracefulness of poise and lightness of voice. Hermione lifted her wand into the dank air and swung it by it's end.
"Lumos," she whispered into the night.
A ball of light sprung from the tip of her wand. She shined it towards a book on her lap. Ron looked down and smiled, for her should have known she'd have a book.
Hermione looked up, over the field and whispered again, "Nox."
The light on her wand faded away instantly. Hermione then snapped the book from her lap shut and placed it in the tall grass beside her. Ron inched a few steps near her to figure out what she may have been reading. He noticed Hermione to be looking inquiringly at her wand, as if she were reading something off of it. She soon placed it on top of her book as she laid her head down on the cold earth, hiding between the grass and the trees. Ron watched as Hermione's light red and brown waves flowed across the ground, mixing with green and tan grass. He walked closer to her, now only a few feet away, but she didn't seem to notice. Her eyes were closed tight. She pulled them together tighter and parted her lips lightly, taking in a deeper breath.
Ron slipped his wand out from his back pocket. He held it out to his side and whispered ever so softly, "Orchideous."
A bouquet of roses and peonies appeared where his wand was. He hesitated before walking over to Hermione's side. It was only a few days after The Battle of Hogwarts, and their first kiss. Ron feared that talking to her would only make her heart hurt more, but he plucked up the courage at last. Ron walked along side Hermione's small, little body. He knelt down by her shoulders in time to see her open her eyes ever so slightly. A soft smile appeared upon Hermione's face.
"Ron," she said, as she rolled up her body to sit up straight.
Her silky, brown eyes peered into his. Hermione knew she was home, just looking into his eyes. She realized she needs him like a heart needs a beat. In that moment, Hermione dropped her shoulders and and wretched her body into his, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and draping her hair over his back. She embraced him as strongly as she could, knowing she could of lost him, and being thankful that she didn't.
"Oh, Ron," she said again, burrowing her face into his broad shoulders.
Ron rocked his body back so he was sitting on the earth as he pulled Hermione onto his lap, closer into his arms. He ran his fingers through her hair and down her back. He kissed her forehead warmly, then laid his chin on the top of her head.
"It's alright, Hermione," Ron murmured into her ear, "Everything is going to be alright. I promise you."
Hermione pulled her head back, letting her forehead hit his chest. She sighed and wept into him, "Do you promise, Ron? Do you really promise? Please, Ron-"
"I promise you, Hermione Granger," he said, cutting her off. He lifted her head by cupping her right cheek, drawing her face up to look at her. "No one will ever hurt you. I will never let anyone hurt you. Ever."
Hermione looked into Ron's ocean blue eyes. She leaned her head in and laid her lips against his. Slowly, she kissed him, taking in every minute. Hermione pulled her head away from Ron's, then settled her forehead against his. She ran her humble hand along his neck and moved her slim fingers through his smooth, ginger locks. Hermione's legs laid over Ron's now, and their foreheads clicked together like a key in a lock. As the two sat there, sharing each other's love and warmth, they realized exactly how perfect they were for each other. Neither had thought about it much, how flawless of a pair they made, but they both pondered it. Ron and Hermione knew they couldn't pass up one another. A love like theirs was so rare; a love so pure and rigid, and yet so undefined and infinite. No words were spoken, but both Ron and Hermione knew that they were meant for each other and neither of them would have it any other way.
Ron moved his lips into meet hers again, pushing her head back a bit. Hermione wrapped her right arm around Ron's neck and ran her left arm down his side, back up his chest, and up to his glowing cheek. Ron moved his arms down her back, lifting Hermione up. He picked her up and lightly tossed her into the grass. Ron rolled on top of her, launching Hermione into a fit of laughter. Ron laid one arm over Hermione's waist, then leaned in and kissed her shoulder. She breathed heavily, still giggling quite a bit. Ron looked up and over at Hermione's arm, only to see the word "Mudblood" carved into it like a tattoo. He slid his fingers across the horrid reminder or fear and agony. Hermione looked down at her arm, then turned her head back over at Ron as he continued to stare disgustingly at the scar Bellatrix left.
"She was wrong, you know?" he spoke, with flecks of anger in his voice.
Hermione wrinkled her eyebrows at Ron. Even though she knew what he'd say, she asked quietly, "Who was wrong?"
"Bellatrix," Ron answered, looking up at Hermione's glimmering face, then back down at her arm. "She was wrong. You aren't a mudblood."
"Then, what am I?" Hermione asked him, doubtfully.
"You," Ron told her, "are Hermione Jean Granger. You're a beautiful and talented witch. You aren't a mudblood."
Hermione smiled sweetly, blushing a light shade of pink. Ron pulled his hand off of Hermione's arm and across her waist, laying his body flat against the earth. Ron looked down at the bouquet of flowers he had forgotten to give to Hermione. He gently picked up the flowers and sat up, twisting his body. Hermione sprung up, looking worryingly at Ron. Ron handed her the flowers. She delicately picked them up, looking at each petal intensely. Hermione smiled beautifully and giggled.
"I'd let you keep them, but they're technically my wand," Ron told her, meakly.
Hermione grasped the flowers in her hand loosely, slowly turning the gorgeous flowers into Ron's old wand again.
"That's alright," Hermione told Ron. "I don't need to keep flowers. I just need to keep you."
Ron grinned his peculiar grin, as he always does. Hermione suck right into it. She giggled and fell into his lips once again. Ron pulled her close to his body, remembering their first kiss in the midst of The Battle of Hogwarts. Hermione did, as well. Each kiss they have shared since as been identical to their first. Each kiss has been just as passionate and sweet as they remembered.
"Ronald!" Mrs. Weasley called from inside the old house.
Ron and Hermione had been so enthralled with each other that they barely remembered they were right outside his house. The two pulled their lips away quickly, breathing heavily. Ron still had his left arm wrapped enduringly around Hermione's waist. Ron's other hand was latched with Hermione's, their fingers interlocking together. They stayed for a moment, taking in each other's presence.
"Ronald Weasley!" his mother called again.
Hermione quickly let go, jumping to her feet. Ron did the same, staggering to his feet beside her. Mrs Weasley stuck her head out of the door, motioning for the pair to come inside. Hermione gathered her wand and the old book she had been reading, then rushed into the house after Ron. Hermione grasped Ron's hand as they entered the six-story house, unaware of what the urgency was. The pair entered to see the whole Weasley family gathered around their kitchen table. Harry stood behind Ginny, resting his hands on her shoulders. Mr. Weasley was pacing the floor in even steps as George stood by him.
Ron looked around at everybody, so nervous and tense. He finally spat out, "What's the matter?"
"It's Bellatrix," Mrs. Weasley uttered.
"Wait," Ron said, slipping a hand around Hermione, pulling her closer to him. "Bellatrix is alive?"
"We don't know for sure," Hagrid said, appearing from the corner. "But until we do, no one is safe."
Ron looked at Hermione at the same moment Hermione looked at him. They were both stricken with worry and fear. Hermione looked down at her arm, grasping it. She knew she would be the one Bellatrix would go after first. Ron knew that too. He pulled Hermione much tighter towards his body, touching his cheek to hers. Harry looked over at Ron, and Ron look to Harry for and answer or a plan. Something that would save them.
"Well, where do we go?" Harry asked.
"I suggest you, Ron, and Hermione flash somewhere that won't be expected. Some place where Bellatrix wouldn't think to look," Hagrid told him. "Some place well populated, where you could get lost in people. But some place that you know well and could navigate around."
"What about New York?" Hermione squeaked out.
Hagrid looked around at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley for an answer. Soon, he answered, "New York would do."
Hermione nodded at Hagrid and then reached her hand out to Harry. He kissed Ginny on the cheek softly before running to Hermione. Just as their hands were about to touch, they were blown apart by a great shake forced upon the house.
"No!" Hermione screamed with fear drawn across her voice.
Hermione watched as Ron was thrust across the room, through the window facing the the field. It seemed as Ron flew in slow motion. The glass bits shattered and soared across the room, piercing the skin of both Harry and Hermione. Ron was cast through the window and into the field. Hermione screamed, thrusting her hands over her head as shreds of glass and wood shot into her skin. Hermione bound to her feet and propelled the door open, scrambling to the other side of the house.
"Ron!" she yelled, approaching his side. "No, Ron!"
Hermione ran to his bloodied side, collapsing on top of him. She quickly tore his shirt to examine his wounds. With a tear stained face, Hermione cried harder, but smiled realizing he wasn't badly hurt. She pulled her wand out from her pocket with her red smudged hands.
"Episkey!" Hermione desperately yelled.
Despite her hope, the spell only healed the minor wounds on Ron torso, though it seemed to relieve some of his pain. Hermione ran her hand down Ron's now rugged cheek, sobbing. Through her tears, Hermione lifted her head to see Bellatrix hovering towards her. She had a black, ghostly aura around her, but she looked completely like the Bellatrix she remembered. Her hair was black and curled, piled high atop her head. She had the same long, black dress on as she did during The Battle of Hogwarts. Hermione rose her to her feet, grasping her wand tightly. She looked Bellatrix into her dead as twilight eyes and lifted her wand straight out in front of her body.
"Impedimenta!" Hermione screamed with all her might.
Hermione watched as Bellatrix was blown through the air. She screamed Hermione's name, but Hermione paid no attention. Her arm fell at her side and she collapsed to her knees beside Ron. Hermione felt his chest once again, running her fingers along a bloodied scar from Ron's shoulder to his hip. He groaned as she touched the parted skin, causing her hand to fly back, away from Ron. Harry appeared at Hermione's side, looking down as Hermione sobbed over Ron. Harry grasped Hermione's hand, holding it tightly. Hermione took Ron's hand and concentrated hard on New York. The trio flashed away from a place they called home, to a place crowded with people. They reappeared in an empty field outside of big cities. As they flashed in, Ron let out a loud groan.
"Ron," Hermione whispered, "you have to stop moving."
She pulled him up a little bit to slip his shirt off of his shoulders. She threw it aside, and carefully, placed him back on the floor. Hermione wrenched a water bottle and a towel from her bag, turning around to see Harry casting the Repello Muggletum spell around them. She turned back to Ron and lightly dabbed him with the wet towel, clearing away dry and fresh blood from his chest. Hermione tore her wand from her pocket, then pointed it at Ron's chest.
"Ferula," she spoke clearly.
A white bandage began to appear on Ron's chest, covering the scar reaching from his shoulder to his hip. The tape on the ends snapped onto his skin, and both Ron and Hermione sighed in relief. She could tell a lot of Ron's pain was gone by the way his shoulders relaxed and his face softened. Hermione ran the back of her hand along his cheek, and Ron took her hand in his.
"Tell me something," he uttered kindly, "Why am I always the one who gets hurt?"
Hermione laughed, for it was fairly true. Ron always seem to get himself hurt some way or another. Ron smiled at Hermione's laugh. She leaned down, pushing his ginger locks away from his forehead. Hermione laid a soft kiss upon his skin. They both closed their eyes as they took each other in. Hermione lifted her head away from Ron's and let her hair fall in front of her face, dangling by Ron's. He meagerly lifted his hand, twisting Hermione's hair behind her ear and laying his hand on her shoulder. She looked at Ron and smiled, but she quickly stood up and grabbed his shirt. Ron sat up a bit, shifting his body to see her. He watched her legs as Hermione moved from his right side to his left. Ron looked up at Hermione standing over him.
"Can you stand?" she asked him.
Ron looked his bandage, then back up at Hermione. He set out his hand for her to grab, and she did just so. Ron bundled to his feet with the help of Hermione's alarming strength. He fell into her arms and hugged her ever so softly. She hugged him back, wrapping her arms around his waist, pulling him into her chest. Hermione lifted her chin and kissed his neck sweetly. Ron sat his forehead against hers and looked into her light brown eyes. They pulled apart, but not before Hermione latched onto Ron's arm to help him into the tent Harry had set up. Hermione guided Ron up the hill, carefully watching his steps so he wouldn't fall.
Ron and Hermione entered the tent to see Harry sitting on the bench. He was just staring at a picture, leaving the pair to assume that it was Ginny. Hermione helped Ron onto his bed, laying him ever so gently onto the sheets. Suddenly, Harry stood up and left, taking the picture with him. Ron and Hermione couldn't tell if he was angry or just upset that he had to leave Ginny so soon after returning to her. Maybe he was angry that Ron and Hermione got to stay together. Maybe he thought that it was unfair that Ginny couldn't come with him. Either way, the pair thought it was best to leave him alone. Ron and Hermione were left to the tent. Ron was toying with his wand, tracing the bumps along the end. He watched Hermione as she stood at the desk in front of them, filing through papers quietly.
"Hermione, I don't want to loose you," Ron murmured quietly.
Hermione jerked her head around and looked at Ron strangely. She hadn't a clue where that comment came from, and she hadn't an idea how to answer it. Hermione only looked on at Ron in anguish and surprise. She started to squeak a sound out from the back of her throat, but Ron cut her off.
"I mean, I just lost Fred. I can't afford to loose you, too, Hermione. You're almost all I have left next to my family!" Ron stated, getting himself in a tizzy. "I can't loose you, Hermione. I just can't. I'm nothing without you!"
Hermione ran to Ron, who was sitting up on his bed. She sat by his side, and pulled his face to hers. Hermione passionately wrapped her lips around his. She ran her hands around Ron's neck as he wrapped his arms around Hermione's back, pulling her onto his lap. Hermione parted her lips from his and took in a deep breath.
"Ron, I don't want to loose you either," she whispered.
Hermione moved off of Ron's lap and sat next to him on the bed. She laid her head against Ron's shoulder as she interlocked her fingers with his. Hermione has never felt insecure with Ron. Not even recently, when after years of friendship, they were finally together. Hermione was at home with Ron, and Ron was at home with Hermione. They knew that home was in each others hearts. Home wasn't a place where they slept. Home wasn't a place where their family was. Home was with each other, for both Ron and Hermione knew that no matter where they slept or where their family was, if they were with each other, they were home.
Hermione began to think about when she had first met Ron. His short, red hair almost glued to his head. Now, he wouldn't know a brush if it was right in front of him. She remembered the first few words that had started it. How she only slipped out, "Pleasure," whereas now Ron leaves her completely speechless. Hermione lifted her head to see Ron. He looked back at her with his bright blue eyes staring kindly and graciously at Hermione. She laid her chin on his shoulder. Ron smiled at her greatly and laughed, putting his head to his chest.
"Ron!" Harry called from outside the tent. "Hermione!"
Ron and Hermione instantly sprang up from the bed and rushed outside to Harry. They trudged over the snow that was dusted on the earth. They didn't have to run far to see Harry staring at the ground.
"Harry, what is it?" Hermione asked as she slid up next to him.
"Footprints," Harry answered. "Footprints right outside of where I did the Muggletum spell."
Hermione looked at him, estranged. "Did you not do a protective charm?" she asked him.
"No, you didn't tell me to do a protective charm!" Harry shouted.
"You should have known!" Hermione shouted back at him spitefully. "I thought you would have known, Harry!"
"Just, do the spell now," Ron told them, pulling Hermione back away from Harry a bit.
Harry raised his wand and steadied it. Before he could say the spell, a cold rush of air burst through the trees. The ground shook, causing Hermione to scream and fall into Ron's arms. A black mist appeared from the brush in front of the trio as fast as lightening strikes the from the clouds. Hermione clung onto both Ron and Harry as they watched Bellatrix emerge from behind the trees and brush.
"Bloody hell," Ron murmured.
"Expelliarmus! Bellatrix screeched, sending Harry's wand flying into the grass beside them. She shouted again, "Impedimenta!"
This time, it was Hermione who was her target. Hermione yelled and flew onto her back a few feet from Ron. Ron and Harry both scrambled for their wands, knowing that to save Hermione, they needed to cast Bellatrix away and get out of there fast. It was Ron who found his wand first.
Ron grasped his wand in his tightly, so much so that he almost broke it, and bellowed deeply, "Incendio!"
He sent blasts of fire from his wand onto the ground and on Bellatrix's clothing. The dry leaves on the ground exploded in a fiery rage, sending sparks up the trees and into the sky. The bottom of Bellatrix's long dress was soon turned to ash the it slowly burned, the fire then crawling up her sleeve. Bellatrix called out after Ron as he ran to Hermione's side. He lifted her body into his arms. Ron called out to Harry as he stared down at Hermione. Harry ran to their sides immediately. Before Ron could ask where they were going, Harry grabbed onto Ron and Hermione, flashing them out. They reappeared, causing Ron to drop to the ground with Hermione in his arms. He looked up, realizing Harry had flashed them home. Harry was already running inside The Burrow when Ron started to head in. Hermione grunted, straining her face as he stood up. Ron shushed her sweetly and cradled her ever more gently as he carried her into the house.
"Oh, Hermione!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed when Ron entered with her in his arms. "Bring her here, Ron."
Ron carried Hermione into his living room, placing her onto the couch gently. He sat on the floor beside Hermione and grasped her hand strongly. Ron watched as his mother washed off each of Hermione's wounds. She didn't wrap them, but simply washed them off and let them be. Ron continued to sit by Hermione, holding her hand. Hermione was restless often and tossed her body different ways. She continuously murmured "Mum" in her sleep. Ron couldn't help but to think that he heart must be hurting more than her body. At last, Hermione opened her eyes slightly to see Ron. She smiled faintly and turned over closer to him.
"Hermione," Ron said surprisingly. "You're finally awake."
Hermione squeezed Ron's hand and smiled. She leaned over and kissed him charmingly on his lips. Ron cupped the back of her neck tenderly, returning her kiss more passionately. Hermione hovered over the side of the couch more, leaning in with more adoration and zeal in each kiss they shared. Hermione slowly curled away from Ron to lay back on the couch. Ron stood up and sat on the other end of the couch where Hermione's legs were. He stroked her arm temperately, then engaged his fingers with hers. Hermione crawled her body upright so she was now sitting. Harry walked into the room with Ginny trailing not far behind.
"Ron saved you, you know," Harry told Hermione, nudging his head in Ron's direction.
Hermione looked at Ron and back up at Harry. "He did?" she inquired.
"Always a tone of surprise," Ron divulged playfully, drawing his head back.
Hermione looked up at Ron and blushed. She simply smiled at him as he smiled back at her. Hermione laughed and hugged Ron's arm, causing Ron to laugh too. She laid her head on his shoulder, watching as Harry and Ginny walked out behind them, into the other room. Hermione closed her eyes softly and took in a deep breath that smelled like Ron and the stale air of The Burrow. The stale air didn't bother her at all, though. It mostly smelled of Ron, which comforted Hermione. The stale air just blended in with Ron's essence and became, in some ways, a part of Ron and herself. Hermione sighed, feeling at home with Ron as she always had. Hermione moved her head to see Ron. He was staring blankly at the floor, obviously in thought. He snapped his head back up to look at Hermione. Ron smiled hugely at her, then kissed her forehead so very lightly. Hermione smiled and moved her head back to Ron's shoulder. She closed her eyes, realizing that the feeling of being at home that she felt with Ron was different in that time than it ever was before. It was the feeling of home, but it was so much more than that now. It was the feeling of eternity that Hermione had felt, she realized; the feeling of immeasurable foreverness. She had felt a foreverness with Ron that she had experienced before only in her mother's arms. A foreverness that included knowing you were safe and knowing that the love you were feeling was forever. In that instant, Hermione knew her and Ron's love was infinite and immeasurable. She knew that their love had a foreverness to it that most loves did not. A forever where they were both completely safe within each other. A forever where love never died, not even for a second.