Don't Say A Thing

Disclaimer: All the characters that look familiar have been created by J.K. Rowling and have just been used to fit into a plot written by me. None of the songs used in the story were written by me. Any similarity of non-JKR characters and plot is purely coincidental. No money has been gained in writing of this fanfic and it is just for entertainment.

Genre: Drama/Romance

Ship: Mainly Ron/Hermione.

Scenario: Ron and Hermione have been dating ever since their sixth year, starting when they went to Hogsmeade without Harry. Everything was fine until the war broke out. They were distanced from each other as they devoted all their spare time to helping Harry. Nevertheless, dating each other had brought out their pent-up feelings to light. This prologue takes place on the last day of their Hogwarts life.

Prologue

It was over. Everything. The war...the evil...Voldemort...and, and their time at Hogwarts. It created a silence between them as they packed their belongings and prepared to leave the castle that had been their home for the larger part of the past seven years. It had been a place where they had always felt safe, no matter what had been happening in the rest of the world.

Harry was silently wondering what was he supposed to be doing now. Or rather, what was it that he was supposed to be feeling? Happiness? Confusion? Relief? Anger? Depression about where he would have to go next? He certainly did not want to go back to the Dursleys, and he had been sure to make that clear to Dumbledore earlier that day.

While Harry was standing at his bedside, busy sorting out his feelings, Ron was watching him. He was spending the time thinking about his own future, as he knew Harry was doing. All that Ron knew was that whatever he did, he didn't want to leave Harry, especially now when his friend needed him the most. After all, he too needed Harry with him so that they could make up for lost time, doing whatever two teenaged boys normally do.

While all these thoughts and feelings were flooding through him, the silence caused a restlessness in his mind. You see, Ron was not used to having silence in his surroundings. He was more used to noise and havoc, what with growing up with Fred and George's pranks, followed by the inevitable scolding when they were caught by Mrs. Weasley.

Ron's mind was immediately filled with warmth as he thought of his parents and of his home: The Burrow. The excitement of going home, and staying there, enjoying his Mum's fussing (and cooking) for as long as he liked, was a welcome break. Cooking. Food. Ron was surprised how, in the midst of a very serious discussion with his mind about what was he going to do now, that he could still manage to think about food. That was another reason why he was going to miss Hogwarts so much. The wonderful food. Hermione was right, he even remembered her once saying, "Leave it to you to think of food in the middle of a war." They had been trying to think of some way to get rid of the Death-Eaters, when Ron had suggested tricking them into eating some candies from an advanced version of the Skiving Snackboxes. That was not exactly the kind of food that Ron's mind and stomach responded to with much gratitude, but it was still food.

Then there was Hermione. There was something very, very special about her, at least according to him. Harry agreed with him in that, but not in the same way Ron did. Actually, he was not sure what exactly it was that he felt about her. It was certainly much different from what he felt for her in their first year, though it was somewhat nearer to what it developed into in their fourth year. Then it took a definite form last year, when they had begun dating each other. Only, he did not know what to call that form. He would have remained oblivious to it had Harry and Ginny not begun teasing him. But was everything they teased him about true? Did he really-

"Blast it! That ruddy owl!" Ron shouted, as he disentangled a smart-looking brown owl from his hair. He noticed that Harry was also busy struggling with his own brown owl, which had finally settled on the headboard of Harry's bed. Ron wasn't sure what it that made him angry this time was. Was it the fact that the owl could not find a better place to perch than his hair, or because he had been disrupted when he was on the edge of uncovering his own hidden feelings and emotions?

Harry smiled at the scene that Ron presented to him, the owl perched on his head, impatiently trying to get him to read the letter that was tied to it's leg.

"Ok, Ok, I'll read it. Do you mind getting off my head now? Go and perch somewhere else. I don't know where you sit wherever you come from, but in case you didn't notice, this my head and not your perch," Ron said, glaring at the owl as it gave an arrogant hoot, reminding him very much of Hedwig. The owl then settled itself on the windowsill while Ron opened the letter and began to read it.

Dear Mr. Weasley,

This letter is in response to the application that you sent into the Auror Training Program last June. It gives us immense pleasure to tell you that you have been accepted into the program, which will start on September 1st.

Due to high recommendations that have arrived from Albus Dumbledore and other such prestigious dignitaries in the Ministry, we have also decided to put your training as an Auror in a scholarship, which means that you will been exempt from all the fees normally required to participate in this program.

The courses in the program will include lessons (theory and practical) in Advanced Defence techniques (both magical and non-magical), Stealth, Potions, Disguise, and your chosen field of expertise. It is a course of 4 years after which there is an internship of 1 year.

Kindly respond to this letter within two days of receipt.

Yours truly,

Kingsley Shacklebolt

H.O.D.

Department of Magical Law Enforcement

Ron looked up from his letter with pleasant shock, only to find that Harry was staring at him with the same expression, the only difference being that Ron's jaw had dropped open.

Harry managed to speak first. "Well, judging from your expression, I think I can safely say that your letter says the same thing as mine. Well, what do you think about it?"

It was only then that Ron recovered from his shock, and got his voice back, "I-I don't know, mate. I really don't know. But what I want to ask you is this: do you want to do it, after all we've just been through?"

"Yeah, I think so. Because, I always thought that, if I ever survived the war, I wanted to become an Auror. I don't think I had ever kept any other career options open".

"So?"

"So…"

"I guess, the Auror Academy should prepare itself for the havoc that Weasley and Potter are going to unleash on it."

At this both Ron and Harry smiled, and not being able to control it a moment longer, burst out laughing on their beds. After what seemed like several long minutes, or possibly hours, their laughter subsided and both of them lay flat on their backs, staring at the ceiling and dreaming of their future.

Suddenly, Harry said softly, "Ron, I think we should have a talk with Dumbledore. What do you say?"

"I think you're right. Come on, let's go."

Hermione was looking out her window, the one that showed her the vast expanse of the Forbidden Forest. The same forest where she had had the first detention of her life, with Harry, Ron, Hagrid, Neville and…and Malfoy. All the sweetness that was in her mind when she thought of the first four people vanished with just the slightest thought of the fifth name. It was then replaced with the bitterness that could only be associated with the war. The same war out of which she came with not only a few physical injuries (she called them her "warrior injuries"), but also with a lot of mental and emotional fatigue.

She was happy that that the Second War was now over. Harry could start his life and lead it as he wanted to, without having to live up to anybody's expectations. Now he did not have to be the "Boy-Who-Lived", or the ray of hope that the whole world had been clinging to for 17 years. Also at an end was his life of being the receiver of endless stares, most of which rested on the horrible lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead. Hermione also knew that whatever Harry did, Ron was sure to always be there for him, and participate in everything with him. As different as they were, they did share the same fields of interest in what they wanted to do with their lives. Hermione had really begun to respect, admire, and…and adore the loyalty that Ron showered on Harry.

Adore? Yes, adore. From sixth year on, she had begun to notice it whenever she, Harry, Ron, and Ginny sat in the common room talking and discussing various topics, ranging from how to protect Harry from Voldemort, to Quidditch. Whenever Ron spoke excitedly about Quidditch (which eventually led to animated chatter about the Chudley Cannons), she lost track of what he was actually saying, and was instead concentrating on how his blue eyes brightened whenever he said "Wronski Feint", and how his hearty laugh, that sounded like a gurgling brook, caused ripples in her mind. Then Ginny would nudge her and she would come out of her reverie only to notice a red tinge to Ron's ears. She always took it that the blush came from some teasing that Harry and Ginny did, about some or the other girl. After all, Ron was quite attractive, or was it only she who thought that?

Only the gentle tapping of a smart brown owl on the window interrupted her thoughts. Wondering who the sender of the message might be, she let the owl inside, and slit open the letter that it had brought.

Dear Miss Granger,

This letter is in response to the application that you sent into the Auror Training Program last June. It gives us immense pleasure to tell you that you have been accepted into the program, which will start on September 1st.

Due to high recommendations that have arrived from Albus Dumbledore and other such prestigious dignitaries in the Ministry, we have also decided to put your training as an Auror in a scholarship, which means that you will been exempt from all the fees normally required to participate in this program.

The courses in the program will include lessons (theory and practical) in Advanced Defense techniques (both magical and non-magical), Stealth, Potions, Disguise, and your chosen field of expertise. It is a course of 4 years after which there is an internship of 1 year.

Kindly respond to this letter within two days of receipt.

Yours truly,

Kingsley Shacklebolt

H.O.D.

Department of Magical Law Enforcement

Hermione sighed and wondered what she should do. Thinking of the past war helped her reach her final decision.

No. She did not want to see more havoc, bloodshed, or disorder than what she had seen already. According to her mind, that was enough to last her a lifetime. After all, it was all this that caused the wave of fatigue that was currently lulling all the parts of her brain slowly into hibernation. As she lay down on her bed, she decided that she did not want to become an Auror, and thus contradicted all the ambitions she had had since her 4th year. Now what she wanted was a job that would give her some peace. What that would be, she did not know, but there was surely something.

As she felt the need for sleep screaming in her brain, she smiled to herself, thinking of the time when Harry and Ron had, jokingly, told her that her body was now demanding its compensation for all the rest it had to forgo over the last seven years. But, jokes apart, they had respected her need to rest and had left her alone to sleep when she wanted to. In her mind, she agreed with Madam Pomfrey: that, after the war and her contribution, to it with her tireless planning of strategies, her mind was tired and needed its share of healthy and refreshing thoughts, which it would get through sleep.

With that thought in her mind, she drifted off.

As Harry and Ron exited the Headmaster's office, they had a new idea of what they would learn in their program. Once outside they met up with Ginny, and told her the news. Ginny was so happy that she knocked each of them over with fierce hugs to rival Mrs. Weasley's own bone crushing ones.

Reminded suddenly about his earlier thoughts of Hermione, Ron cleared his throat, and said to the hallway at large, "Uh, Harry, I'll be writing the reply to this letter later. Right now, I want to spend some time down at the lake…."

Then, taking Harry aside, he whispered so that Ginny couldn't hear, "and…erm…mate, will you do me a favour?"

"Sure, what is it?" Harry asked, having just the slightest idea of what that might be.

"When you reach the tower, will you ask Hermione to meet me at the lake in, say, 10 minutes? It's nothing to worry about, I just I think I need to talk to her before we leave tomorrow."

"OK. I'll do that."

"Thanks, mate," Ron added with a smile, then he turned and left in the direction of the lake.

After what seemed to her a long time, Hermione woke up in response to a soft knock at her door.

"Come in."

The door opened to reveal Ginny.

"Hi Hermione. Had a good nap?"

"Yes, Ginny. I sure did. So, tell me. What managed to get you to the Head Girl Dormitory and away from Harry?" Hermione asked with mischievous smile.

"Oh, shut up Hermione. I told you there is nothing between Harry and me…."

"I know. I know. Just checking."

"And just what is that supposed to mean? Never mind, I didn't come here to discuss that. Harry has asked me to inform you that Ron wants you to meet him by the lake in about 10 minutes. Oh ... and he says, 'nothing to worry about.' I think Ron wants to have a heart-to-heart with you."

"Oh, Ok. I'll just freshen up, and then go meet him."

"Okay bye. See you later."

As she changed, Hermione wondered what this might be about.

"Ron?"

No response.

"Ron?"

Ron turned back at the voice of Hermione, and shook his head, trying to clear his mind.

"Oh, hi Hermione! Sorry I didn't answer you sooner. I was just really deep in thought."

"Well, that is something. What were you thinking about?"

"Why don't you sit here with me? Doesn't the lake look beautiful tonight? I can't believe that this is the last time I will ever be sitting here like this, at this lake." Especially with you. Ron thought.

"Yes I know, Ron. But why don't tell me what it is you wanted to talk about."

"Hey! Does it have to be a serious topic? Can't a person just share a heart-to-heart with their best friend?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"Hey, I have some news for you!"

"What is it?"

"Harry and I received a letter offering us free Auror training a few hours back. We talked it over with each other and Dumbledore, and we have decided to accept the offer. I'm sorry we didn't tell you right away. We thought you were sleeping."

"Oh, that's all right. Oh Ron, I am so happy for you, and Harry. But Harry- are you sure Harry wants to do that after all he's been through?"

"Strangely enough, yeah. I asked him the same thing, and he said that he was sure he wanted to do it. I was surprised, but then I thought; now Harry is free man and he can decide what he wants to do himself. If this is what he wants, so be it. What happened with you?"

"Oh, actually, I got the same letter that you and Harry got, but I don't think I want to do this, Ron."

Ron was surprised, very surprised. "Why not, Hermione?"

"Because I am tired. Tired of war. Tired of unpleasant deadly spells. Tired of seeing death everywhere. Tired of that fear. Just tired. I just want to have a pleasant job and a simple life now."

"Well I see your point. I can see that you have seen enough bad things to last you a lifetime and they have taken a toll on you. Just look at you. Yes, Hermione, I agree with you. You need your share of happiness now."

Hermione smiled and said, "And besides, if anything goes wrong, I'm sure I can count on you two to help me. Who would mess with a girl who has two mighty Aurors on her side, right?"

"Yes, right. But, jokes apart, Hermione…that is what I wanted to talk to you about."

"You see, I am going away for five years of training, and Merlin only knows how long I will be out there after that, how long I will live-"

"Why Ron, what makes you think that? Anytime you come back, you will find me waiting for you and Harry to come and tell me about your adventures and missions-"

At this, Ron stood up to prepare himself to say his next words, and Hermione stood up to listen, wondering where exactly he was going with this.

"The first and the foremost thing is that you are special because you are my best friend."

"Well not just that. I hope you remember that we did go out for a while, before the war broke out. That was a very special time in my life."

"Mine too."

"And might I add that, back then I thought, and I still think, that I could live with the memory of those days in my mind forever," Hermione was surprised to hear these words spill out of her own mouth, and she was slightly conscious of the fact that her mouth did not bother to consult with her brain before letting those words out. Not only that, the words were true.

Ron, too, was slightly blushing at the words that had come from Hermione. But, as the meaning of the words and the emotion behind them sunk into him, he realized that he needed to speak his feelings, sooner rather than later.

"See, that's exactly what I mean. I don't want you just clinging to a memory for five or more years, wasting your life, and then finally, find out that I'm dead or cannot come back for some other unavoidable reason. You need to move on, Hermione."

Turning back and looking intently at Hermione, he continued. "Please Hermione. Don't misunderstand me. I don't want to hurt you, that's why I'm telling you this. Please don't wait for me. You yourself said that you were tired of war. Waiting for me is a war of sorts and I don't want you to go through that. But I also don't want you to think that this ends any friendship between us. I want you to know that you are a very, very special person and you will always hold a special place in my heart. I want you to know that I want to have that invisible bond of friendship to keep my spirits up when I get depressed, and I want it to prevent me from taking a wrong path that I may take because of…well, you know me."

By this time, Ron's eyes were shining with tears and he refused to close them due to the fear that they may slide down his cheeks and betray his true emotion. As everything around him became a blur, he looked away and wiped his tears before they fell down. He then went back to sitting on the grass.

Hermione was numb with shock. Somehow, she wanted to scream out loud that this wasn't right. But, as Ron's words sunk in, she realized whatever he had said all this while; it was for the good of both her and Ron. She did not want Ron distracting himself from his training, the opportunity which he rightfully deserved, just because he was worrying about her and feeling guilty about leaving her. Also, of all the times he had been wrong, this time Ron was right. Hermione was tired of war and struggle, and she didn't want to have to deal with it for a long time, until push came to shove... But what about what she felt for Ron? Taking a deep breath, she made the second important decision of her life-and that day.

Ron was so busy staring at the grass in front of him, that he had almost forgotten that he was not alone. At least until he felt a hand on his shoulder. Hermione sat next to him, and, wiping her own tears, she said, "Ron, I can see that you have had a difficult time telling this to me. Let me tell you that you don't have to worry about me in this matter. I promise that no matter what happens, you will always have my side of our friendship to support you in whatever you do. Of course, you have Harry with you too. And as you have always proved, how ever stupid you two may seem, when you make a decision, you're always successful in it. Since you have Harry, and Harry has you, both of you with my voice constantly ringing in your ears (even if I am not within earshot), you wouldn't dare go wrong. Am I right?"

Ron gave a short laugh and said, "Thanks Hermione. You couldn't possibly imagine what a load you've taken off my shoulders." He started to get up when she spoke again.

"But Ron, I also want to tell you that this does not mean that I'll forget everything. Nothing, and I mean nothing, can replace that."

Ron stood up and held out his hand, saying, "Okay, the memories are all yours." Not really. They are mine too. "Do what you want with them. Now, Miss Granger, if you please, let us go and have some dinner. All this emotional turmoil has made me exceptionally hungry."

Hermione rolled her eyes, smiled, and said, "Why of course, Mr. Weasley! Let us go." But you don't realize Ron, how much I am hurt by this decision of yours.

Both of them walked towards the castle, not bothering to let go of each other's hands. All the way, during the walk up the lawn, they were engulfed in a silence, but they didn't feel the need to break it. Words were unnecessary.