Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to Jo Rowling.

Everyday From Right Now
Chapter 2
By pacifickay

As Ron and Hermione headed up towards Gryffindor Tower, they could see the progress that had been made on the damaged castle. Lead in teams by Professors McGonagall, Flitwick and Sprout, dozens of students and adults alike had been dispatched throughout Hogwarts, tending to every inch of stone. Despite the earlier evacuations, many of the younger students had returned to help, and it was a common sight to see a first year working alongside a third and seventh year to repair a broken classroom. And while the echoes from the battle were reminiscent in the halls, they were marred slightly by the cleared floors, rebuilt statues, and the chatter of people.

Here and there, a shout of happiness or an enthusiastic wave would be tossed in Ron and Hermione's direction. True to the tradition of Hogwarts gossip, lots of the finer details of the trio's journey had begun to spread. It had always been common knowledge that they were friends of Harry Potter's, but now even Ron and Hermione had their names spoken in the discussion of Voldemort's final defeat.

"It's scary how accurate they can be too," Ron remarked as a gaggle of fifth years split right down the middle to let him and Hermione pass, all of them beaming widely and patting them on the back as they went by. "I can't figure out how they know, but they do."

"I suppose they just piece together everything they hear," Hermione said. "I had Anthony Goldstein and Terry Boot nearly question me to death about Horcruxes before they'd go mend the greenhouses."

"Really?" Ron asked, mildly impressed. "How'd they figure that out?"

"They heard Harry mention it when he was facing Voldemort and wanted to know what it was about."

"And did you tell them?"

"I skipped the more colorful details," Hermione responded wryly. "Mainly they just wanted to know how we got rid of them. I don't know what they expected to hear, but they seemed a little disappointed when I told them that the only thing the cup did was twist and writhe into a little bit of metal."

Ron snorted. "Well, compared to the locket and the snake, it is a bit anti-climatic."

Hermione looked at him curiously. "Why? What else happened when you destroyed the locket?" She knew they had stabbed it, but she also realized that she had never asked him or Harry exactly what had happened. And considering the fact that Ron's ears were going pink, she had a feeling there was more to it.

"Ron?"

He glanced at her briefly, a reluctant look on his face, and then shook his head. "Maybe I'll tell you later," he said seriously. He fell silent, but tightened his grip on her hand as they approached the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Why, hello there dears," she said as they approached. "Lovely to see you two again."

"Hello," Hermione said. "You haven't changed the password since last night, have you? I heard it's supposed to be 'Gillyweed,' but-"

"That's fine, dear," the Fat Lady said with a wave of her hand. But before she swung forward, she gave them a final look and said knowingly, "And it's about time you two got together."

Hermione flushed and Ron's ears went red, but they both couldn't suppress their smiles as they went through the portrait hole.

"Can't keep anything hidden in this place, eh?" Ron said with an awkward grin at Hermione which she returned.

Once Ron and run up and woken Harry, the three of them made their way back down to find the rest of the Weasley family. However, as they neared the Great Hall, they could see a crowd of students at the doorway, craning over the heads of people in front of them, trying to see inside.

"What's going on?" Ron asked one of them.

"Professor McGonagall is giving us some final details," they responded.

"Details?" Harry asked, moving forward easily; once people realized who he was, they quickly and graciously let him toward the front, Ron and Hermione following closely.

"…and the school will remain open for the remainder of the term, though it is optional to stay, for lessons will be replaced with rebuilding." McGonagall was saying clearly to those still seated along the tables and crammed along the walls. "Now, the Hogwarts Express will be arriving to take you home tomorrow afternoon, should you wish to stay only until you pay your respects to those who will be buried here on the grounds…"

Ron visibly winced, but Hermione placed a soft hand on his arm and his expression softened.

"…staying later will have other arrangements made. Lastly, for our fifth year students, you can sit your O.W.L's as planned, or defer them until a later date. As for you seventh years, the N.E.W.T's will also take place as planned next week, but may also be deferred to sometime over the summer months."

"Do you think we can take our N.E.W.T's?" Hermione said hopefully.

Ron looked at her incredulously. "We spend a year tracking down Horcruxes, and you want to take exams?"

"It may not be that bad of idea," Harry whispered back. "We could at least sit the practical stuff. Besides, if we don't take them, how're we going to get the qualifications for a job?"

Ron opened his mouth to protest, but seemingly could not find a good argument at the moment, and fell into a huffy silence. Harry smirked at him.

"It will be a struggle," McGonagall carried on, her voice solemn, yet determined, "to finish the school year in the wake of such tragedy and success. But to carry on as planned, in the traditions of Hogwarts, is exactly what we all were fighting for. And I feel that is in our best interests to finish on a note of triumph over sorrow. That is all for the moment, carry on."

The people in the Hall were nodding and murmuring their approval, and there was even a small scatter of applause, as McGonagall stepped down to address some anxious looking students and families who had further questions.

"She makes a fair point," Harry said, as those around them started to re-group back to their duties, or else head up to the dormitories for a rest. "The sooner we can get started on a sense of normalcy, the better for my sanity."

"How you can talk about taking exams helping your sanity is be-," Ron began, but was cut off as Charlie made his way towards them.

"There you guys are," he said, looking as exhausted as they all felt. "Would you mind not disappearing like that without letting someone know?"

"How's everything, Charlie?" Hermione asked softly. There was no need for her to explain what she meant.

Charlie jerked his head in a sort of shrug. "We haven't exactly decided yet, that's sort of why we need you three."

"What's wrong?" Harry asked with a forced sense of calm.

"Well," Charlie began, now talking directly to his brother. "We can't seem to make up our mind where…you know…where he should be…"

Ron went pale, but looked right back at Charlie. "What do you think?"

Charlie motioned for them to follow him as he explained hurriedly in a low voice. "Well, obviously it's between taking him home or having him hear with the others at the memorial. Ginny, Mum, and me think he should be at home, but Bill and Percy are fighting for Hogwarts."

"Well, then it's done, isn't it?" Harry asked. "Hogwarts is being out voted."

"Technically, yeah," Charlie agreed, "but Fleur isn't voting, George isn't talking, and Dad is saying that the entire family needs to discuss it before its final."

Ron nodded grimly, but Harry and Hermione both shot anxious looks at each other, which Charlie saw.

"What?" he asked, actually stopping in his tracks and raising an eyebrow.

"Charlie," Hermione began weakly, "this really isn't- I mean- Harry and I –"

"We can't really say – it's for you to – we're not –" Harry hastened to add, but was cut off.

"Don't even say it," Charlie said firmly, actually pointing a threatening finger at Harry. "Just don't. You are both a part of this family, you always have been, and what you have to say means just as much as, if not more than, the rest of us."

Harry stared dumbfounded at Charlie for a second. He seemed to be waiting for Charlie to suddenly say he was just joking and let him go back. But in a style reminiscent of Mrs. Weasley, Charlie crossed his arms and glared at Harry. Very slowly, Harry nodded in agreement.

"Alright," he said. Charlie smiled briefly, before motioning them all to follow him again, slinging an arm around Harry as they walked.

"Ron, wait," Hermione hissed, holding him back by the arm.

"What's wrong?"

"I just- I- I don't think-" Hermione wished she could find the words but it was complicated. She felt overjoyed to hear that the Weasley's saw her and Harry as part of their family, even though that had gone without saying for years anyway. But the decision with Fred was different. In a way, she felt like she was an intruder on their grief and that she didn't have any place to offer an opinion. And even though Charlie had said that her opinion counted a lot what if she said the wrong thing? How could she attempt to disagree with them on something like this?

Ron could see her struggling with herself, and shook his head. "Hermione, don't make me repeat what Charlie said."

"But-"

Without any hint of embarrassment, Ron reached out and placed his fingers lightly over Hermione's mouth, sending her voice into immediate silence and her heart immediately racing.

"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to," he told her gently. "But I'm going to tell you right now that I don't think I can do this without you."

She stared at him, noting how often they had done this, simply staring at each other, and realized that each time she could hardly bring herself to tear her eyes from his.

"Please, Hermione," he said. "We need you for this…I need you for this."

Swallowing hard and holding back the tears, she nodded. "Together, right?" she whispered, her lips brushing against Ron's fingertips.

"Right," Ron said, removing his hand slowly. Then leaning in quickly, he kissed her on the cheek, before taking her hand and following after Harry and Charlie, leaving Hermione's head to whirl yet again over the feel of his lips.

The rest of the Weasley family had settled itself at what would normally have been the Gryffindor table at the far side of the Great Hall. They were clustered at the end, Mr. Weasley was standing and seated to his left were Percy, Bill, and Fleur. George was on the right, but he was slightly detached from the group, staring down at the table top. Next to him were Mrs. Weasley and Ginny, who looked over as the remaining four in their party came closer.

"Excellent," she huffed, standing up and giving Charlie her seat, as she ran at Harry and threw her arms around him.

"Sorry we haven't stayed in one place, Mrs. Weasley," he said over Ginny's shoulder, but holding her just as tightly, "we've had some final things to straighten up."

"That's fine, dear, I understand," Mrs. Weasley responded in a slightly hoarse voice. "We just wanted to make sure you had a say in this."

"In other words," Ginny said, releasing Harry to glare across at her siblings and sister-in-law, "you can tell these three that they are being stupid."

Percy merely glanced away without speaking and Fleur became interested in the afternoon sky reflected up above in the enchanted ceiling. Bill, however, flared up.

"Well, excuse us for thinking that having him here would be an honor to the fact that this is where he last stood in battle! How silly of us!"

"No one's saying it wouldn't be an honor," Charlie said, as if he had never left the table. "But we want him closer to us. Closer to home."

"Boys, we've heard all this before," Mr. Weasley said tiredly. "We just need to make a decision."

"I still theenk zat either place would be fine," Fleur said calmly. "Why does eet 'ave to be zis or zat?"

"What do you three think?" Mrs. Weasley asked, looking at Harry, Ron, and Hermione. There was a brief pause in which Hermione bit her lip, Harry glanced at Ginny, and Ron looked over at a still silent George.

"I agree with Fleur," Harry finally said slowly. "Because," he continued, raising an eyebrow at Ginny, who for a brief second looked confused, "no matter where he is, people will always know what Fred gave in battle, and people will honor him for it."

Percy looked from Harry to Bill and then quietly said, "That's a fair point, Bill."

"I know it is," Bill said, and his voice shook, "but I just want him to be remembered. I want people to know what he did. And if he's with us…"

"It's like Harry said though," Hermione said softly, "everyone will know. They won't forget Fred anytime soon. You don't have to worry about that." Fleur nodded in agreement, placing her hand over Bill's as he looked away with tears in his eyes again.

"Ron?" Mr. Weasley asked. Ron had stayed quiet through the exchange and was still looking over at George with an odd look on his face.

George was still sitting apart from the rest, as if hoping they wouldn't see him, or maybe as a way to pretend he wasn't a part of the crushing reality of trying to decide where to bury his twin. His hair was covering his eyes and his hands were clenched on the table in front of him.

In the silence, all eyes turned towards Ron and then began to look between him and George. Ron let go of Hermione's hand and walked over to where his brother was sitting. Cautiously, he placed a hand on George's shoulder. The action seemed to bring George back to the rest of them, for he raised his head and looked up at Ron in wonder, as if he had never seen him before.

"George?" Ron said, in a tone that took everyone by surprise. His voice was gentle and soothing, almost as if he were talking to a scared child. "What do you want us to do?"

Mrs. Weasley broke into silent tears, Percy was staring at the scene with wide eyes, and the others were simply stunned at their own carelessness. For by not wanting to upset George, they had ultimately not heard his own thoughts on the subject.

While everyone had bloodshot eyes, tired faces, and tear stained cheeks, it was nothing compared to how George looked. But as he stared up at Ron, who looked steadily back at him, a light seemed to flicker back alive in his face and slowly, his fists unclenched on the table.

"I want him to come home with me," George said to Ron, his voice no more than a whisper after being used for the first time in hours. "He needs to come home."

Ron looked back up at the rest of his family. "Then that's what we're going to do."

All the Weasley's, Harry, and Hermione nodded, before taking turns looking away from each other so that each person had a chance to wipe at their eyes.

"I'll go let Minerva know our decision," Mr. Weasley said.

"I'll come, Dad," Percy said, getting up and following his father.

One by one, everyone began to move from their positions and back into their earlier doings. After a long hug and exchange of apologies with Bill, Charlie went to go find Hagrid to assist with helping to cure the creatures that had more troublesome wounds. Harry went to hug Mrs. Weasley and Ginny walked over to Hermione.

"You know," Ginny whispered, "I never really realized it before."

"What's that?" Hermione asked.

"Well, with Percy being stupid up until a few hours ago, and Charlie and Bill being older, I never realized that, on the whole, Ron was actually pretty close with Fred…and still is with George."

Hermione blinked. It was almost as though hearing someone say it made it an indisputable fact. She and Ginny looked back over at Ron and George. As everyone around them moved, George had remained sitting and looking up at Ron, who had not changed his spot at all, his hand still on George's shoulder. They weren't doing anything other than looking at each other, but it was obvious that it was exactly what they both needed.

After another moment or two, Ron removed his hand and George got up from the bench and walked over to Ginny, who reached out and hugged him. Hermione took a step back and fell right into Ron, who steadied her by sliding a hand around her waist.

"Careful," he said, his voice rumbling over her.

"Sorry," she muttered, trying not to focus on how hard it was to concentrate when he was touching her. "I think I'm just tired."

"You all look exhausted," Mrs. Weasley half-scolded over George's shoulder, who had also gone to embrace her as well. "I think we all ought to get some rest. Where are you all staying?" she added.

Several floors of the castle had been converted into rooms where the additional family members and other people who had come to the school were allowed to stay. Bill, Fleur, and Charlie were all in such a room and with assurances to Mrs. Weasley that they would go straight to bed, the others were allowed to go back to Gryffindor Tower on their own. They had just begun to take a few steps towards the exit of the Hall when a voice rang out to them.

"Ron! Hermione! Wait a minute," and they turned to see Percy hurrying over to them, clutching two thin packages under his arm.

"Professor McGonagall wanted me to give these to you. They were delivered to her office earlier today. From Mr. Ollivander?" He passed one to each of them and then handed a letter to Hermione. "Any idea what they-"

"Wands!" Ron exclaimed, setting the box down on a nearby bench at once and beginning to open it excitedly.

"You don't really think…?" Hermione asked in wonder, passing the letter to Harry as she began to open her package as well.

"But you two had wands," Ginny said confused. "What were you fighting with then?"

"They weren't ours," said, Ron. "We lost ours when we got caught by Snatchers – long story- and we've been using ones we nicked off of – Blimey!" he finished in an awed voice, carefully pulling the new wand from the box, "It is! Wow, this is great, look at it!"

Hermione let out a pleased gasp as well as she finally got the top of the box off and removed her own new wand as well. "Oh my goodness!" she said happily, as she gave it a wave and silver sparks flew out. "This feels amazing!"

"Do you even want to know what they're made of?" Harry grinned at them. He had opened the letter and Ginny was reading it over his shoulder.

"What does it say, Harry?" Percy asked him. Harry read:

"'Dear Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger,
I hope these reach you soon. I was not sure where it would be safe to send them, but did not want to hold on to them any longer than necessary. I can never thank you two or Mr. Potter enough for all you did for me, but hope you will accept these brand new wands as an expression of my deep gratefulness.
Ron, your wand is made of ash. Thirteen inches long. Unicorn hair. Very reliable.
Hermione, yours is hazel wood. Ten and three-quarter inches long. Dragon heartstring. Excellent precision.
I do believe these will be fit to your liking. The wand may choose the wizard, but here, the wandmaker had the pleasure to know the wizard and witch. A therefore, the partnership will be even more exact.
With gratitude,
Mr. Ollivander.'"

"Blimey," Ron repeated again, looking down at the wand in his hand, utterly stunned. "Too bad we didn't get them just a day earlier. I could've really kicked Greyback's arse."

"I can't believe he though of us," Hermione said, her eyes shining. "That was very nice of him."

"Well, he knew we all had someone else's wand," Harry reminded her. "Remember when we talked to him at Shell Cottage? He probably didn't like knowing that you two had to work without your own."

They spent another few moments, admiring the new wands and passing them around for the rest of the family to see.

"Alright," Mrs. Weasley finally said firmly. "We've been here long enough. You lot, off to bed. Straight to bed," she called after their retreating back.

"Where else are we going to go? Hogsmeade for a round of Butterbeer?" Ginny snorted as the five walked out of the Great Hall.

"Don't tempt me," Ron said, pocketing his wand gently and then reaching over and taking Hermione's hand. It was almost second nature to the both of them now.

"There is room up in the Tower, right?" Hermione said anxiously.

"There is," Harry assured her. "Most of the younger kids are gone, so the first and second year dorms are open, should we get crowded.

Ginny looked at Ron and Hermione's entwined hands and then at Harry before she seized his as well. "And anyway, if we need to double up on the beds, I'm sure that'll be no problem…"

Ron groaned "Don't make me hex you with my new wand, Ginny," he warned her.

Ginny replied by sticking her tongue out at him and the others started laughing as they headed up to Gryffindor Tower.


Author's Note: While this chapter does get out more details and answer more post-DH questions…it is more transitional than anything. And for your patience with it, Chapter 3, includes MUCH more Ron/Hermione. Sound fair? ;)

And if you have anything to say, you know what to do! No review goes unread or unconsidered or unappreciated :D