Chapter 3
The astronomy tower had been a special place for Harry and Ron, they shared their first smoke on the high walls of the tower, it certainly became their passtime while spying on the Quidditch practice of the other houses, he ran up the spiraling stairs, His suspicions turned out to be true as he saw the familiar figure of his best friend sitting atop the astronomy tower walls,
Ron climbed up the wall setting the sandwiches he bought beside him, "Gin's worried, mate" he said,
"There's nothing to be worried about" Harry said calmly staring straight ahead,
"Yeah clearly, So you're just sitting here enjoying the view, I guess",
"Yeah" Harry replied scowling "Why, A bloke can't appreciate a nice view every once in a while"
"C'mon mate" Ron said, "Don't do this, I tried it dosen't help"
"What?, I'm not doing anything" Harry said,
"Yes-you are, you're blaming yourself for all of this and it will only make you sad" Ron said,
"How can you say that" Harry replied his voice a little louder, "Don't you see this is all my fault, Fred, Colin, Remus-" he added his voice cracking,
"They did it for us Harry, they are not with us today but blaming yourself is just taking away their sacrifice, Fr-Fred was my brother mate and I would never blame you for what happened"
"I'm so sorry" Harry said looking down the tower his hands clutched so tightly to the edge of the tower,
Ron saw the tears falling down in Harry's lap, "It's alright mate, Everything's going to be fine" Ron said,
Harry shoulder shook violently with sobs "Oh, I saw them Ron, I saw everyone Sirius, my parents Remus and Tonks" he croaked out,
"What- How?" Ron said, he looked at Harry as if his friend had finally cracked it,
"When I used the resurrection stone, they told me pretty much the same thing you said- Remus he-he said that he died so that Teddy could live a good life"
"Well than Harry you should listen to him if not me" Ron said firmly, "I mean professor lupin, he was a smart guy and I guess Teddy's going to be a handful for you"
"I'll try my best" Harry said chuckling sadly, Both the friends were silent for a long time until Harry said, "You know, Ginny smacked me last night"
"To be honest you deserved it, I endured punches when I got back Harry, the least you could bear was a nice slap to the face" Ron said,
"I guess so, You know that I would never hurt Ginny intentionally"
"I know mate, If I didn't I would never have let you snog her in first place, I was kinda hoping you would come to your senses about Ginny but I guess we all make our mistakes" I would know, Ron thought
"Really, says the guy who waited long enough that the girl had to make the first move"
"Hey! I was going to do it properly, she just beat me to it and you know how she is always needs to be the first at everything" Ron said laughing,
"You do know you just signed up for a life sentence don't you, you're not gonna win any arguements for the rest of your life"
"I'm kind of looking forward to it to be honest" Ron agreed solemnly,
"Well as long as you're both happy, Merlin knows it's been a long time coming" Harry said clapping Ron on the back,
"Here" Ron said offering Harry the sandwich "finish this up and we'll get back to the family downstairs" they both sat there munching on the cold sandwiches in silence, Ron had hoped to tell Harry about his job offer- maybe next time, he thought
oo00oo
By the time Ron and Harry reached the great hall, it was pretty much deserted save for some ministry officials and the Weasley family, well there were other families too but Ron just didn't recognize them, he saw Hermione and Ginny talking at the Gryffindor table, Ginny must have caught the sight of them as her face brightened up a little but he could still see that her face was red and puffy which he assumed was from crying all morning, they walked to the table and sat beside the girls,
Ron sat on the table propping his feet on the seat, the great hall was mostly empty so he thought nobody would mind that much, he had no idea how Harry or Hermione would react to his news so he cleared his throat, "Um, listen guys, there's something I need to tell you" Ron said firmly,
"What's wrong, Is it your wound?" Hermione asked concerned,
Ron shook his head quickly "Nothing's wrong- I mean, you see Kingsley offered me a job"
"What are you talking about mate, he didn't mention anything to me" Harry said,
"Yeah, what kind of Job Ron?" Ginny asked,
"Auror force" Ron replied, "and yeah Harry that's the thing he just wants me right now what with all the press and stuff" Ron said rubbing the back of his neck, he looked at Hermione who was silent after Ron's news, she had tears forming in her eyes,
"Are you alright, Mione? I know I should have talked to you first" Ron asked worriedly,
"I-I'm alright Ron it's just that- I need some time that's all" Hermione replied in a quivering voice, Ron put his hand on her chin and lifted her face to look in her eyes,
Hermione gave him a sad smile and Ron gave her a look that said 'we'll talk later yeah' he told her silently and Hermione just gave a nod,
Both Harry and Ginny exchanged a look among themselves Ginny squeezed Harry's hand and he understood that he should maybe change the subject so he cleared his throat, "So did Kingsley tell you, when he wants me to Join you?" Harry asked,
Ron tore his eyes away from Hermione "No idea mate but he does want you Harry he just thinks you should rest" Ron replied,
"He's right Harry you do need to rest for a while" Hermione added taking Ron's hand in her own.
"yeah, you're right, maybe I should rest for a while before it gets too wild out there" Harry said, Ron knew that it was Harry wasn't totally onboard with this 'you should rest stuff' but he agreed with Kingsley, Harry could not be inconspicous at the moment an that was what needed
They all sat their silently just because they finally could, Ron Rubbed the back of hermiones hand as he thought back on the promise he had made to himself when the deluminator had bought him back to her, she was the one that mattered now not that she didnt before but it just felt diffrent now like it finally made sense, he knew that many sad things were yet to come but Hermione was something he could always look forward to.
oo00oo
Ron didn't find Hermione alone after that, they were too busy supporting his mum, helping George getting settled, dusting the burrow. His mum couldn't bring herself to do much work so Hermione and Fleur made dinner that night, Ron was just thankful it wasn't those mushrooms again and frankly she was a decent cook.
His and Hermione's interactions were limited to a couple of stolen glances and smiles at the dinner table and it left Ron wanting more and that was the reason he found himself in front of Ginny's door, he wished Hermione wasn't asleep yet and decided to wing it and knocked on the door softly,
"Who is it?" Hermione's voice called from the other side,
"It's me 'Mione" Ron whispered, it was a good thing that she was awake, he heard some shuffling and a moment later, Hermione opened the door wearing a pink night gown that was a little long which Ron assumed was Ginny's, he let out a chuckle when he saw the puffy slippers she was wearing,
"Is this the reason you're here in the middle of the night, to laugh at me" Hermione said sharply glaring at him,
"Oh no, you just look so-so pink" Ron muuttered,
"What was I supposed to wear Ron that ratty old jacket, why are you here anyway what if someone sees you" Hermione said poking her head out to look down the stairs,
"Don't worry I just wanted to talk to you" Ron said raising the blanket he had in his arm, "outside" he added,
"Well why didn't you say that instead of laughing at me" Hermione admonished,
"I did not laugh- Anyway lets go" he wanted to retort but she just looked so adorable that he decided against it, taking her hand in his he led her to the backyard of the burrow,
They both laid down side by side under the clear sky of summer night, Hermione turned on her side to look at Ron, she loved how his eyes shined in the moonlight she took in his scruffy face and the little smile that played on his face, the smile that she was so close to losing,
Ron turned his head to see Hermione staring at him, "Hey" he said,
"We really should work on you're vocabulary Ron, 'Hey' is all you seem to say" Hermione laughed,
"Well I don't know what to say?" Ron said smiling,
"You could start with why you called me out now" Hermione replied, right I should just get that over with Ron thought.
"um-yeah, Its about the auror thing Hermione" Ron started slowly, looking into her eyes,
Ron saw her lip quiver but she nodded all the same,
"I know you worry about me Hermione" Ron said taking a deep breath,
"Of course I worry about you Ron" Hermione replied running her hand on his cheek, her fingers tingled because of his scruff,
"Hermione I know I said I can't promise that I won't be in danger" Ron said, "but I'll always fight like hell to get back love"
"Oh Ron" she said pressing her lips to his softly, "it doesn't make me worry any less but I trust you Ron"
"There's so much left to do 'Mione but it seems easier somehow if you're beside me" Ron mused out loud,
"I'll always be there Ron" Hermione promised,
"Mhmm, I'll hold you to it" Ron replied leaning in to kiss her once more, they laid there for a long time taking comfort in the closness of being in each others arms-finally because this summer was going to be very long and it was only getting started.
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