Hermione and Ron walked hand and hand throughout the corridor to reach the Great Hall. Their fingers were locked and intertwined, hoping the other would never release their tightened grip. Ron stroked her hand with his thumb. She looked up to see his Caribbean blue eyes glowing upon him. She smiled, and Ron could feel his heart jumping around. He gazed upon her beauty, her gorgeous brown hair tied up into a messy bun, her glimmering brown eyes staring back into his, and her chapped lips were astonishingly beautiful. Even after the torture of war, she looked extravagant. "Why are you staring at me like that?" she blushed, breaking his concentrated stare on her.
Ron bit his lip and gave her a half smile. "You're breathtaking." He chuckled and looked to the ceiling. "I'm happy to be here with you."
Hermione blushed, "So am I, Ronald." They continued to walk, and Ron could not believe his luck. He was holding hands with Hermione Granger. Him! He was the luckiest bloke in the entire wizarding world. His feelings for Hermione were obvious to everyone, including Harry, but it wasn't for him until the Yule Ball. "I can't believe I didn't reveal my true feelings in 4th year, I must've been barking mad." He thought to himself. "I'm mad for her; I just couldn't pluck up the courage to ask her." He chuckled, "That's exactly what Hermione said to me after the Yule Ball, isn't it?"
Hermione looked up to see Ron with his broody face look. She loved it, it was extremely attractive. Everything about Ron was attractive, but this look drove her insane. He only put it on whenever he was in a deep thought, focusing on something that mattered to him. It happened rarely, seeming as though he never put the look on during the school year. "What're you thinking about?" she said as she swung their hands.
Ron snapped out of his trance, "What? Oh, it's nothing." He flashed her a toothy grin, which set off the butterflies in her stomach. Ron's eyes traced her jaw line as he saw cuts and bruises. He lifted up his free hand and brushed his finger against it. Hermione cringed in pain for a second but quickly put on her brave face, hoping she hadn't worried Ron. "Does it hurt a lot?" he asked.
"No, it's not bad, it's a little cut, I'm just being a baby."
"Come off it! You're allowed to feel pain and express it Hermione! We just went through a bloody war; we've earned ourselves the right to complain, right?" He reassured her.
Hermione beamed, she loved that Ron was concerned; it just reconfirmed her of his feelings about her. "Right, we'll have Madam Pompfrey treat it once we get to the Great Hall."
"No way, I'll do it." Ron contradicted.
Hermione tightened her grip on his hand, "That's fine with me."
***
The pair finally reached the Great Hall, and when they appeared under the doorway, Seamus and Dean cupped their hands around their mouths and cheered and whooped. It echoed throughout the Hall. "Blimey! It's about time!" Seamus shouted, and everyone in the Great Hall reverted their eyes to Ron and Hermione. Hermione blushed and hid her face in Ron's neck as Ron gave a goofy smile to everyone. His eyes caught Harry's, who nodded. He knew what he was thinking. His nod simply meant, "You better take care of her." Ron mouthed, "I will." The hall suddenly began to clap and cheer for the two of them. Ron slowly walked towards his family, bringing Hermione along as they hung onto each other with a tight grasp. The cheering began to die down and everyone went back to their business. Mrs. Weasley shrieked with joy as they approached her. Ron covered his ears,
"Bloody hell Mum!" he whined.
Hermione smacked his chest, "No swearing, Ronald!"
Mrs. Weasley smiled while watching Hermione scold her son. She always knew since second year Ron would end up falling in love with Hermione, and Hermione falling for him as well. She even made a bet with her husband, ten galleons it was! She wanted it to hurry it up. Finally her wish for Ron's happiness had come. "Welcome to the family, dear." Mrs. Weasley said as she hugged Hermione.
"Actually Mrs. Weasley, I feel like I've been a part of it for a long time." She replied beaming.
Mr. Weasley came up behind Ron and whispered, "Best of luck to the both of you." Ron turned around, facing his father.
"Thanks dad, it means a lot." The next thing his father did surprised him, he drew him in for a hug. Mr. Weasley held him firmly, whilst patting his back. Ron never in a hundred years expected his father to be this emotional with him. He wasn't very good at being affectionate towards his children, only towards his mother. Maybe that's where Ron got his personality from. He was known to lodge his feelings inside, and it must've come from his father because his mother was very open. He knew why Mr. Weasley had hugged him; it was his way of mourning the loss of Fred.
"I haven't been a very good father…" Mr. Weasley choked.
"Dad, don't say that! You have and will always be the number one dad." Ron cut in. Mr. Weasley's face then suddenly began to cover with tears. The family paused as they watched Ron pat Mr. Weasley's back this time. They knew it was their moment. "Fred knew it too dad, you always were there for him, and he loved you. Don't think otherwise for a second."
Mr. Weasley wiped his tears, "Thank you son." He sniffled then looked up to the rest of his red haired clan. "Well? What're you guys waiting for; give your old man a hug." Their flaming red hairs began to form one by one into a fire-y spark. Mrs. Weasley gestured to Harry and Hermione to join in. After a few seconds, the hug parted, and Mr. Weasley spoke up once more. "Molly, I suppose I owe you 10 galleons when we get back home, eh?" He chuckled and grabbed her for another hug.
"What, 10 galleons for what?" Ron asked.
"Oh, it's nothing dear-"
"They bet that you and Hermione would eventually get together." George said as he laughed.
"George!" Mrs. Weasley snapped.
"Mum! Dad! You didn't!" Ron asked while his mouth gaped open.
Mr and Mrs. Weasley's cheeks flushed red. "Well, we'll leave you two to your privacy." They quickly scurried off.
"Hang on!" Ron called after them, but Hermione interrupted. "Honestly Ronald! It's not a big deal, it's quite flattering really."
Ron gave up and sighed happily, "I guess you're right Hermione." Hermione smirked; she loved when Ron told her she was right. Whenever Ron complimented her, she could always feel the hotness in her cheeks. She was always the brainiest of the group, and in their 1st year, Ron highly despised it. However, gradually he had begun to admire her intelligence, and she knew it. Ron stared into her eyes, and he imagined her beautiful brown eyes to be pools of deep, rich, brown chocolate. He reached down and with one of his hands, he gently grabbed hers. With his other free hand, he placed it on her waist, and slowly brought it up to her cheek, softly nuzzling it with his thumb. From that point, Hermione felt the tingles on the tip of her fingers. Her arm grew with goose bumps. Ron became hesitant, but continued to lean in. He licked his lips with eagerness, hoping to taste Hermione's sweet lips once more. Hermione mentally prepared herself for what Ron was doing next.
"It's okay, you've been through this before, just relax!" She shut her eyes, her heart began to beat, and the rest of the hall had silenced in her mind. The moment was interrupted by none other than Ron himself. "OI!" he shouted. Hermione jumped at the sudden and quite loud tone of voice Ron was giving out. Hermione opened her eyes to see Ron glaring across the room. She turned around, and saw the reason for Ron's anger. Harry and Ginny were engaged in a passionate kiss. It was clear to her that they couldn't give a damn where they were doing it, and proceeded on. Ron softly moved Hermione out of the way and walked towards Harry and Ginny. "Knock it off!"
"Ronald, calm down!" Hermione said chasing after him. Ron approached Ginny and growled,
"Do you have to snog my best mate in front of the whole school?" he snarled.
Harry gulped, his mouth had become dry. He looked to Hermione, and using his eyes, he begged for assistance. Hermione mouthed, "Just don't talk!" He nodded and swallowed his tongue.
"Well would you rather us snog alone, in my room?" Ginny asked.
Ron's ears turned scarlet. "What I'd really like is for you to not snog!"
"Don't make me laugh! I've been wanting to for ages, and you're going to have me stop just cause you don't like it?" Ginny snapped.
"S-she's got a point." Harry piped up.
Ron glared at him and Harry mumbled, "Sorry."
Ginny smacked Harry's shoulder, "You have nothing to be sorry about! The boy who lived, scared of my brother?"
"I'm not scared!" Harry protested. "He's my best mate, and your brother!"
"Exactly, so don't snog in the bloody Hall!" Ron yelled.
"Ron, come on, let's go." Hermione sighed.
Ron growled for one last time at the two of them and pointed, "Don't snog!" he grabbed Hermione's hand and led her out to the corridors. He huffed while making loud, thumping footsteps. He stopped and leaned against the brick wall, and slid down to the concrete ground. He groaned, and Hermione sat down beside him.
"Don't let it bother you Ron, let's take into fact that Ginny was worried sick for Harry. She loves him!"
"She wasn't worried sick for me." He mumbled.
She threw her arms around his neck and cuddled close to him. Ron shocked, put his arms around Hermione too, and saw her eyes filling with tears as she broke it apart. "I was."
"You were? Why?" Ron asked softly.
"You're my best friend, and of course, I knew you and Harry could handle yourselves, but the thought of losing you, it breaks my heart." Ron frowned, he hated seeing Hermione cry, and it always put him in a bad mood.
"Shh, Hermione, stop it. I'm fine, see? I'm like brand new, well almost!" he laughed while pointing to the bruises and scars around his face and arms.
Hermione gave a quick laugh, and then leaned onto Ron. She placed her face into his neck, while Ron rested his chin gently on top of her head. "We're safe, you, me, and Harry. I always knew we would be." Ron quietly whispered. Hermione breathed deeply and inhaled the scent of Ron. Even through thick and thin, Ron managed to smell his best. She chuckled to herself. Ron began to stroke her hair and for about a minute, they were in peace. Ron's ears perked up when he heard faint sobs coming from the end of the corridor. "Hermione?" he whispered.
"Mhm?"
"Do you hear that?"
She opened her eyes and sighed happily. "Your heartbeat?" she thought. "Yeah I can hear it." She shook her head, "No, what is it?" she replied.
"A cry, I heard it." He slowly got up, and helped Hermione by holding her hand. Hermione and Ron fell silent as they heard quick takes of breath, and sniffles. Ron held onto Hermione's hand as they walked to the end of the corridor. As their steps echoed, the cries grew faint. Beginning to turn a corner, Hermione pointed at a shoe appearing.
"That's Pavarti's, I can notice the emerald shoes anywhere." She whispered. Ron made sure Pavarti saw him in the corner of her eye before kneeling down next to her. He didn't want to frighten her any more than she already was. He knew the cause of her cries, Lavender.
"You alright?" he asked softly. He felt the need to console her.
"No, and I don't need you pitying me!" she shouted. Ron jumped at the tone of her voice.
"Don't yell at him! He just wanted to know how you were!" Hermione said angrily.
"No it's okay Mione, I understand." Ron interrupted.
Hermione stood there confused on why Ron was taking the rudeness from Pavarti. He leaned against the wall beside her and sighed. "You ever feel incredibly idiotic when you do something you know you shouldn't have done in the first place?" Pavarti raised her eyebrow. "I know, I was awful to her sixth year, and I'm sorry. I never expected myself to be an ass. I was a coward."
Hermione raised her eyebrows. Ron was being incredibly sensitive towards Pavarti, and he even understood why she snapped at him, whereas she herself had no clue! She gave a quick smirk.
Pavarti sniffled, "She really liked you."
He smiled, "She wasn't bad herself, anyway, why you crying? She's alive!"
"She got bit Ron! It could change her." She cried.
"No she won't. I'm not very bright into how werewolves work, but Hermione is, aren't you?"
"He's right, she won't change. Her body will however, she'll be like Professor Lupin, as long as she takes the wolfsbane potion, she'll be herself all the time!" Hermione reassured.
"See? Hermione's the brightest witch of this age, y'know? Listen to her!" he looked up smiling at her. She blushed.
"What if she forgets to take it?" Pavarti asked worriedly.
"Well then, we must do our best to remind her." Ron replied.
Pavarti looked at Ron and smiled; she threw her arms around him and said, "Thanks Ron." Hermione felt a twinge of jealousy jolting through her veins. She bit her lip watching Pavarti hugging her Ron, but decided to let it go. The two of them stood up and Pavarti wiped her tears. "I better go check up on her, see how she is."
"We'll come in a bit." Hermione added. Ron and Pavarti turned around and gave Hermione a shocked expression.
"You will?"
"We will?" Ron asked.
Hermione nodded, "Of course, we'll see you there."
Pavarti happily ran to the hospital wing, leaving Ron speechless at Hermione's sweet gesture. He slowly walked towards her and asked, "You sure about that? You won't have any problems of some sort?"
"Ronald, I'll be fine." She replied.
"You're amazing you are." He flashed his smile. "After all I did, you still want to go."
Hermione blushed, she wrapped her arms around Ron's neck and asked, "So, where were we?"
Ron did his famous half smile and bit his lip. "Is this where?" he leaned in and locked lips with Hermione. The warmth of her kiss filled him. Hermione showed a slow smile appearing on her face while kissing Ron back. Hermione's hands rose up to his head and her fingers ran through Ron's soft red hair, tugging at it a slight bit. Ron bit Hermione's lip in which she whimpered slightly. Ron raised his eyebrows in delight and gave a final kiss. He gestured his face to look up, and Hermione saw a flock of birds forming into a heart. Hermione chuckled into Ron's neck.
"You are so corny!" she said smacking his chest. "You didn't even say a spell!" she said in shock.
"I didn't have too." Ron whispered. She grabbed the back of his head and once again crashed her lips into his.
