.

The Scent Of Rain

Written by lookimacloud

Plotline by Gwenhwyfar1984

Chapter

A Moment Too Soon

Previously:

Ron stood and pulled her from the chair, leading her to his bed. She was shaking by the time she got under the covers, but Ron just held her hand and closed his eyes. Eventually, he heard her breathing even out, and he knew she was asleep. "I love you Hermione." He whispered drifting off himself.

A full week went by before Ron came down to breakfast, completely miserable. He lay his head on the table, and yawned.

His father looked at him over the edge of his morning post. "What's the matter Ron?"

"I haven't slept properly in days," he muttered. "It's Hermione's fault."

His father only smiled and turned back to his edition of The Daily Prophet.

"Dad?" Ron inquired, raising his head.

"What is it son?"

"Well I'm not sure how to…" He paused and continued. "Well Hermione…she snores, loudly. I put a charm around the room so it would not disturb anyone else but it disturbs me! I thought about using a spell on myself so I won't hear it, but what if she awakens and asks me something and I can't hear her? And I won't use a spell on her without her agreeing. That's just wrong. What do I do?"

His father looked at him for a long moment, and started laughing. Ron's ears turned red and he lay his head back on the table, muttering to himself. He'd known he should not have mentioned it, but he needed sleep.

"Welcome to married life son. My advice is to try to get to sleep before her."

Ron sighed.

"What's so funny?" His Mum asked, walking into the kitchen.

"Nothing dear, just husband problems," his father answered, continuing his reading.

After a quick bite of toast, a full helping of eggs, and a side of hash, Ron started to worry Hermione would never come down. This was, after all, her big day. Ron grabbed a muffin off a platter, took another bite of his toast, and rushed up the stairs to his new wife.

Hermione was just placing her wand in her belt when there was a knock on the bedroom door. "Come in." She called.

Ron walked in a second later. "Mum wants to know if you're ready to go." He fidgeted where he stood. Hermione spared Ron a glance, really more nervous than she should be. She needed him to be with her today. It would help solidify things if he were there...not that she ever thought he wouldn't come with her.

She nodded in Ron's direction. "I'm not ready, but I know it needs to happen sooner rather than later." Hermione was dreading it.

She did not want to see her parent's looks of disappointment and hurt. She decided to change the subject. "Ron this is your room too. You do not need to knock."

He turned bright pink. It clashed greatly with his hair. "I just wanted to make sure, you know, that you were um…"

Hermione looked away. "Thank you." She sighed sadly.

"It'll be okay. You won't be alone in this. Me and Mum and Harry will be there too." He assured, placing a hand on her arm.

Hermione studied Ron. He seemed like an immovable wall, as he often did when they fought together. A focus overtook him, and he was ready to do battle. But, while it was true that Hermione wouldn't be alone, somehow that still didn't comfort her. "Thank you, Ron." she smiled.

"No problem." he muttered, holding out what appeared to be a muffin. It was a shy gesture, and Ron was clearly embarrassed on some level to offer it to her.

"Thank you. I don't think I could have stomached a whole meal. This is perfect Ron." Hermione leaned in and kissed Ron on the cheek. His face bloomed bright red down past his neck collar, but he held his ground. Hermione had no idea what he had to be so embarrassed about. They would offer food to one another all the time at Hogwarts.

"No problem Hermione. You should eat something before we leave. I'll be downstairs."

Ron turned and left Hermione to her preparations. He had no idea why he couldn't have just given her the damned muffin without it being a big deal. He knew she noticed how red he'd turned when she kissed him. It was the first time their friendship was somewhat normal after the wedding, and he had to go and ruin it.

When he entered the kitchen, Ginny was the first to notice his complexion, but Harry was the first to comment on it. "What'd you and Hermione do up there Ron?"

Ginny smacked him with part of the paper. Ron didn't answer.

When Hermione came downstairs after what seemed like forever, His Mum reached out for her hand. "Are you ready dear?"

Hermione was surprised at the caring tone. It was a vast difference from the last few days. "Yes Mrs. Weasley."

Ron stood on Hermione's right and offered her his hand. She deftly placed her fingers across his. Harry stood on her left, and gestured towards their waiting transportation. Everything was different, yet everything was still the same. Somehow, it felt right.

Since the Knight Bus had stopped running, Ministry cars were their best option. Hermione was grateful that Mr. Weasley had been able to pull the strings necessary to get one to taxi them.

The ride to her parent's house was mostly quiet. Everyone seemed to know that this was going to be hard on her. Mrs. Weasley, sitting across from Hermione in the magically enhanced vehicle, seemed overly concerned. She kept her eyes trained on Hermione, who was sandwiched between Ron and Harry. Meanwhile Ron and Harry stared out their windows.

Once at her parent's house, Hermione froze. She knew she had to leave the car, but she was having a hard time doing so. She just kept staring at the house, once a charming townhome, now a formidable structure. She knew she was being ridiculous, but she couldn't help but feel like she was going to be in much more pain than she was now, the moment she allowed herself to realize that this whole situation was real. The simple two story brick building looked ominous. Hermione felt her heart crack a bit, knowing that this was most likely the last time she would be seeing it.

Mrs. Weasley, Harry and Ron stood just outside the car, but nobody made a move to do anything else. They were all waiting on her. Hermione accepted Ron's offered hand, and allowed herself to be assisted out of the car. The unusual windless heat of the day, made sweat bead on her forehead. Then a dark cloud covered the already almost nonexistent sun, and didn't move.

The door to the town home opened with a bang, and Hermione's mother stood just in front of the building, marching up to her in a fury. Hermione braced herself. Her mother raised her arm, and slammed her hand clear into Hermione's face, leaving a hot fire to trace lines of pain in all directions. It was a shock, that slap. Mrs. Weasley gasped, unable to believe that it happened. Ron's hand tightened around her own.

"How dare you! How dare you run away and make us worry like that! We didn't know if you were alive or dead!" her mother raged.

Hermione placed her hand to her cheek, exerting pressure to lessen the sting. "I'm sorry Mum." she mumbled, defeated.

At some point her father had followed her mother, and placed his arm around his enraged wife. "Let's take this into the house."

Knowing this was more wisely done in private, her mother nodded, turned, and led the way. Once the small entrance way contained the six of them, Hermione's mother proved her temper hadn't cooled.

"Well? You had better have a good explanation for your actions Hermione." She looked at everyone else. "And just what are you doing here?"

"I am Molly Weasley, if you'll remember. These are my children Ron and Harry." Mrs. Weasley introduced.

"Harry-You're the one who got my daughter mixed up in all of this. She was-"

"No." Hermione ascertained, "Don't you dare blame Harry. It's not his fault. I have chosen to help him."

"That again," her father growled, "Well I hope you don't think you're going anywhere after your little stunt."

Hermione dragged air into her lungs and tried again. "I am; please accept that. There is nothing you can do to change my mind or keep me here. Mom, Dad, I belong in the magical world. I belong with Ron and Harry. I'm married." she held up her hand, ring flashing in the light.

They looked at her like they didn't even know her. This was, in a way, true.

"You're what?" Her father more demanded than asked.

"Married. Last week. I'm sorry but…but it was the only way I could…" Her voice broke and she felt someone place their arm around her for support. "The only way I could think of to make you understand."

Her mother sank down on the sofa. "How? To who?" She asked, breathless. Hermione was relieved that her mother was no longer yelling.

"In the Wizarding world I am an adult. Because of this, I was able to get married," she reached up to her shoulder and took Ron's hand, "to Ron."

Her parents just stared at her with the looks she'd been dreading; fear, disappointment, disownment.

"In that case, why are you here?" From her father, who no longer would look at her.

"I wanted to tell you. I was hoping that maybe you would see how serious I am about this, and accept my decisions."

"Just get your things and leave," her mother, finally defeated, waved her off and left the room.

Hermione nodded, numb. She didn't remember how she got to her room, but Ron and Harry had followed her.

Nobody said anything, just helped her pack her things into the boxes that Mrs. Weasley had conjured. Hermione wanted to take everything in her room, so she would have as many good memories as possible, but she knew that was unrealistic. After packing her clothing and a few mementos, she set out in search of her trunk, which she found in the hall closet.

They managed to get everything downstairs and shrunk to carrying size. Before her new family left, Hermione turned to her parents. "Mum? Dad? I'm sorry it had to be like this. I wish..."

"Just go Hermione." Her mother whispered. Neither of her parents would look at her.

Hermione nodded and went out to the car, images of her childhood house flashing through her mind. Suddenly, things she had never remembered taking particular note of, had significance. The pattern of the baseboards... that notch in the banister... that one corner her mum couldn't get clean enough... The memories flowed and she ate them up. She didn't remember being in the car, or entering the Borrow. She didn't remember laying on the bed, or crying. She didn't remember that through it all, Ron never left her side.

ooooo

The next day, Hermione was in much better spirits. She logically knew that her parents couldn't be mad at her forever, and that was the only thing she had to hold on to, really. Well, that and her friendship with Harry, Ron and the Weasleys. Well, she guessed Harry, her Husband, and her new family.

Today was an extra special outing. Fleur and Bill were both at work, and Mrs. Weasley of all people, had decided that today would be the best day to go to Diagon Alley to get them wedding gifts.

"I really don't know what to get them." Ginny was telling Hermione. "I mean, I'm just starting to like her. I still don't know her."

Hermione sighed. "I think that is the problem we are all having. Maybe shopping together will help."

The first place they visited of course, was Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. It seemed they were having a sale in honor of Ron and Hermione's marriage. The family walked inside, and found the place was packed.

"That's right everyone, everything is 15 percent off in honor of our youngest brother's marriage!" George was saying. He then spotted his family. "And here they are now! My brother Ron and his wife Hermione!" George announced, drawing attention to the group by the door. Ron tried to pull Hermione back out of the shop, but she wouldn't embarrass George like that.

Leaving George to do business, Fred forced his way over to them. "How's married life?" He asked the still embarrassed couple.

"No different from single life." Hermione answered. Ron nodded in agreement and yawned.

"Well our wedding gift to the two of you is this. Today anything you want in the store is free! Enjoy!" He said with a grin, not missing his mother's look of disapproval.

As the newlyweds made their way through the store, people kept coming up and congratulating them. Ron and Hermione were polite, but on some level they did not consider themselves as married married, just one friend helping another. All the 'congratulations' and 'thanks for the sale', as though they had anything to do with it, was getting annoying.

Hermione took a candy off of a peg and finally allowed Ron to lead her away from the crowd.

Just outside the shop, dark eyes watched their every move.

Author's Note: Well that seems to be promising. You go Ron! Weasley Is Our King.