Disclaimer: neither ladykyo nor separate-sisters own the rights to Harry Potter or any of the other characters created by J.K. Rowling. The songs in this fanfiction are the property of their writers and artists. No money is made off of this story … the only benefit is getting this out of my head, and dreaming even more about Rupert Grint. The songs are not the property of the author/authors either. We just borrow'em.
People, please read and review. It would be nice if y'all would send me ideas about what songs to use as well… Writing songfics is difficult, and the last chapter was really a stretch for me. I hope that you all like my stuff… Check out the actual songs behind these chapters – I'm addicted to Cascada!
love,
ladykyo
FYI: THIS IS THE REAL CH4… THE LAST ONE GOT FUDGED, SO PLEASE FORGIVE ME… I'M NOT STUPID, REALLY!
ch4 -- Head Over Feet
Head Over Feet, Alanis Morrisette
I had no choice
But to hear you
You stated your case
Time and again
I thought about it
When Ron had finally recovered from his shock at Ginny's pronouncement, Hermione glared at him. They were in the room they typically shared at the Burrow. As Ron gave Hermione a puzzled look, she sighed in disgust and walked over to the lone window. Swallowing hard, Ron got up off the bed he had been sitting on and crossed the small room to take Hermione in his arms.
"'Mione, what'd I do now? Are you angry with me? What's wrong, love?" Ron asked, searching her face for answers.
Hermione hid her face against Ron's chest before raising tearfully blazing eyes to meet his. "Your sister is going to get married before I do. Harry will marry her before you have the guts to ask me to marry you. But worst of all, she didn't tell me until just now!" Hermione sobbed as she leaned back and socked Ron in the arm.
"Wha'wa'zat for! It's not my fault Harry beat us to the quick. There just better not be a … reason… for the haste," Ron growled as he tightened his arms around Hermione's slim waist.
"I knew that she'd tell your Mum first, but I thought that I'd know at least before you did. She's my best mate – outside of you and Harry, of course. But to hear it with you lot – that's the worst!" Hermione fumed, twining her fingers around Ron's upper arm, squeezing it hard.
"'Mione … are you upset because Ginny didn't tell you first, or are you trying to tell me something?"
"'Ronald Bilius Weasley, how dare you insinuate that I am trying to pressure you into proposing to me! Don't worry, I'll make sure that you don't have to worry about that!" Hermione shouted and stormed out of the room.
Ron heard the distinctive 'POP' of Hermione Apparating. He headed down the stairs only to be stopped in the kitchen by his mother.
"Ron, if you would join me in here, please? It will only take a moment," Mrs. Weasley said from her seat at the table by the old stove.
Ron sighed in exasperation before plopping down in a chair beside his mother. He looked at her for a long moment before setting his head on the table.
"Ron, I think that you need to talk to her. She was barely into the yard before she Apparated. I don't know what all is wrong between the two of you, but you need to fix it. I know that you meant to keep her safe when you and Harry went to investigate that last horcrux… but I think that led to some of your problems. She felt left out, and with Ginny not telling her as soon as she and Harry became engaged, she's probably feeling slightly used and thrown out," Mrs. Weasley said gently, stroking her son's fiery hair.
"And how am I supposed to fix everything? Ginny has to do some of it, too. And Harry for that matter – he wanted to leave her here to protect her, too! And why'd she think she could just leave me here, leave me with all the thinking?" Ron sobbed, all the stress and hurt of the past few days converging and spilling out in his tears.
"Dear, go home. Wait for her to come to you. What you do in that time is up to you. But make things right, before she is hurt too much," Mrs. Weasley leaned down and gave Ron a kiss on the cheek as he sat up and stood to leave.
"I've got an idea. Thanks, Mum."
Hermione had Apparated to her parents' home just outside London. She took a deep breath and walked up the gravel path. Without thinking, she reached for the doorbell. As it chimed and Hermione heard heavy footsteps, she cursed to herself. She had her key in her pocket and had not thought to use it. For her forgetfulness, she had made her mother get up and answer the door.
The door opened to reveal Hermione's mother, looking older and more tired than Hermione had ever seen her. Hermione stepped in and hugged her mother close, feeling her frail bones through her sweater.
"Hermione, what's wrong, dear? Did you and Ronald have a fight? Were he and Harry injured on their last mission?" Mrs. Granger led her daughter to an overstuffed couch in a small parlor off to the side of the entryway. Hermione sat next to her mother and stared straight ahead, not meeting her mother's eyes.
"Ginny's marrying Harry. I'm nowhere near marrying Ron. Ginny didn't tell me until today. Ron thinks I'm trying to pressure him into proposing. I know he has no money to buy a ring. We're already extended with our flat… I just want him to say that he wants me forever, that someday we'll marry… But not before Harry and Ginny, apparently," Hermione said quietly.
"Hermione, this is not like you. You know Ron loves you, and you love him. You love Harry and Ginny, and I know that you are happy for them. You will marry Ron, someday, you just need to be," Mrs. Granger was cut off as she began a dry, hacking cough.
Hermione snapped her head to look at her mother. Mrs. Granger put a hand over her mouth to muffle the sounds, but Hermione saw the crimson fluid gather in her mother's palm. "Mum – what's going on? Are you sick?"
Hermione knew her parents were older than her friends' parents, but it had never been an issue before. Suddenly, her mother's frailty, age, and health seemed to overcome Hermione. Hermione whipped her wand out.
"Hermione, you know I'm no spring chicken. The problem is my lungs. Plus my age. All those years of administering anesthesia to dental patients before they improved the technology has gotten to my lungs. Please, put your wand away. I'll not die within the next few minutes. I've got a regular doctor; I don't want to solve this with magic. I know that you used magic to fix your teeth and hair, but we – your father and I – are not magical folk, and we want to live the way we've always lived," Mrs. Granger had stopped coughing at that point. She hugged her daughter and stood up as straightly as she could. "Now get off that couch and go back to your apartment and wait for Ron. We won't be here forever, and you two will need to take care of each other."
"Mum, at least let me take you to St. Mungo's, get you checked out… then I'll go back to wait for Ron," Hermione pleaded with her mother before rising to stand with her.
"Hermione, no. You are old enough to be taking care of a good man. You and Ron better tell us as soon as you are engaged. And you better get to it, before we croak. Now, scoot!" Mrs. Granger ushered her daughter out of the room and over to the door.
"Mum, please! Let me stay for a few days, help you get back on your feet."
"No. Go back to your man, make things right, make me a grandbaby, and stop worrying." With that, Mrs. Granger pushed her daughter out the door and slammed it behind her.
You treat me like I'm a princess
I'm not used to liking that
You ask how my day wasWhen Hermione had finally Apparated to the small flat she and Ron shared, it was well past dark. The stars had even faded as Hermione trudged up the stairs. She had followed her mother's advice after hours spent watching muggle couples on their daily routines, shopping and laughing.
When Hermione had opened the door, the apartment was dark, save for the light cast by at least fifteen candles set on the small table Hermione had set up for Ron and her to use to eat on. Ron was slumped over the table, snoring softly.
As Hermione edged closer, she could see faint tear tracks down Ron's cheeks. A meal had grown cold and congealed on slightly chipped china the Weasleys had passed on to Ron and Hermione as part of their house-warming. Hermione drew a chair close to Ron before she whispered his name.
Ron shook slightly as he raised his head up off the table. His eyes widened when he saw Hermione leaning over him. Scrabbling his chair back, Ron dropped to his knees and reached for his rear pocket.
"'Mione, I'm sorry this has taken so long. I do want you to be my wife, so if you'd do me the hon—" Ron started.
"Ron, no. Not right now. Wait until the right moment, when we're both feeling romantic – not when we're trying to make up," Hermione said as she reached for Ron's hands, pulling him towards her to set his head in her lap.
"But I thought – Don't you want to be engaged to me, don't you want to marry me?" Ron said, his voice rising as he lifted his head out of Hermione's lap, standing and looking her in the eyes.
"I do. But I want to let Harry and Ginny have their time now. If we get engaged right now, they'll have to share the limelight. Plus… I really don't want your Great-Aunt's ring," Hermione giggled a little as she and Ron tried to imagine the gaudy estate piece on Hermione's finger.
"I don't blame you. That ring is god-awful," Ron chuckled. His eyes turned serious as he appraised Hermione's strained look. "What happened? Why are you home so late?"
"I went to see my mother. She and my father are… getting on in years. She said that they will not go to St. Mungo's. She wouldn't even let me cast a cough-curing spell. They are nearing the end of a muggle lifespan. I'd forgotten about that, living among wizards who live so much longer than muggles," Hermione rasped as she remembered how frail her mother had looked earlier. Ron put his arms around Hermione and held her tight as she cried herself out.
"Things will be okay. Your parents are strong, just as strong as you are. Come on, let's get to bed," Ron said as he led Hermione over to their large bed, the one luxury they had treated themselves to.
You've already won me over
In spite of me
And don't be alarmed if I fall
Head over feet
And don't be surprised if I love you
For all that you are
I couldn't help it
It's all your fault
In the early morning hours, Hermione rolled away from Ron's protective arms and stared out the small window across from their bed. She sighed as she looked at the clock and saw the time. 3:11 AM… and Hermione was wide awake. She looked at Ron, who was snoring softly, then sat up.
Hermione walked the short distance to the tiny bathroom and turned the faucet on, getting herself a glass of water. She sat down on the closed toilet lid, and continued to watch Ron. Hermione leaned back against the tank and closed her eyes, thinking about her relationship with Ron.
All seven years at Hogwart's, Ron and Harry had been her best friends. Then Ginny came along, and Hermione had more friends than she had ever had before. All the fights she had with Ron their first year had been washed away when he and Harry had rescued her from that awful troll…of course, her flight to that girls' restroom had been a direct result of Ron's gibes. Then, Ron had mastered the charm that saved Hermione's life – ever since then, the three had been inseparable.
Through their second and third years, Ron and Hermione had done nothing but bickered and fought, picking sides and putting Harry in the middle. Ginny had always taken Hermione's side, even when that had pitted her against her crush and the love of her life. Ginny came up with the idea to make the boys jealous, but Hermione had the best luck, when she went out with Viktor Krum for that short time in their fourth year. She and Viktor ended up becoming close friends, keeping up a correspondence – there was no romance, but it had served to keep Ron in check.
Fat lot of luck, in retaliation, Ron dated Lavender Brown for the first month of their fifth year. What a laugh… Hermione straightened Lavender out right quick, and Ron came to his senses. Ron and Hermione belonged together, and after four years of bickering and tit-for-tat, they were together.
Your love is thick
And it swallowed me whole
You're so much braver
Than I give you credit for
That's not lip-service
Hermione stopped daydreaming and leaned forward, putting her head in her hands. She was trying to piece her feelings together, but she kept slipping into her memories.
"One more memory, just to bolster my confidence… Then I've got to get back to bed, before he wakes up," Hermione whispered to herself, scrubbing her fingers down her face.
In their Auror training, Hermione and Harry had excelled. Ron had made it through, but not with the finesse Harry and Hermione had managed. Nevertheless, all three made it through, balancing training with their friendship and their relationships. Hermione had hoped that Ron would propose at some point during their training or testing. In their final testing, they each had to fight a 'figmentary foe' – a foe that could fight but not kill, a duel that would injure, test, and decide if the lone participant would be an Auror. Hermione had faced former headmistress Umbridge, Bellatrix LeStrange, and a dark apparition that was ominously reminiscent of Nymphadora Tonks. Harry had refused to speak of who he had dueled against, at least at the time of their test.
Ron's test had been last, at the same time as Draco Malfoy's test. Each candidate was supposed to face three foes, one at a time. Draco had gone up against three of his father's cronies. Ron should have not had any trouble with his test, but something had gone horribly wrong.
Ron had faced Peter Pettigrew, Lucius Malfoy, and a malevolent version of their beloved headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. He had struggled to get through, but he pulled himself through with spells and no small amount of good, old-fashioned rough-housing. After Ron had banished the Dumbledore doppelganger, he had headed to the exit of his exam room. As it opened, Severus Snape loomed in the doorway. Assuming that it was just another part of his test, Ron shot a nasty hex Snape's way, only to have it bounced right back.
Snape forced his way into the room, looking like a wild man, his eyes searching to find the rest of the golden trio. When he came to his senses and realized Harry and Hermione were not there, he decided to kill Ron. Luckily for Ron, Snape had been out of practice, and his cruciartus curse had missed Ron. Ron had seized the opening, and used the worst of the Unforgivable Curses: he used avarda kedavra on the former Potions master.
Harry and Hermione had rushed the room as soon as they realized something was wrong. They had gotten there just in time to see the light go out in Snape's eyes. Draco had raced to get the rest of the Aurors in the compound. The Auror in charge of their training and testing had declared Ron innocent without trial, and the golden trio, along with Draco Malfoy, became Aurors.
The four traveled back to Twelve Grimmauld Place immediately afterwards, meeting up with Ginny. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had gone to the Burrow, promising to meet up with Draco in Hogsmeade later, to celebrate but be able to get Ginny back to classes before McGonagall noticed.
In Madame Rosmerta's, the five drank to the success of the day, and to Ron's bravery and quick thinking. In deference to having to travel with Ginny back to Hogwart's to report to Headmistress McGonagall, they stuck to butterbeer. They were having a grand time, until Draco asked the question no one wanted to ask.
"What did it feel like to avarda kedavra someone, Wealsey?" Draco asked quietly, turning all the attention to Ron.
"Draco, quiet! Please. Honestly… we're really not to talk of it outside the compound. You'll get us all suspended from duty the first day if you're not careful," Hermione hissed. Harry looked from his best friend to Draco, and then back again.
"Ron, he's right. What happened? How did it feel to do it? I already know how it feels to be the target," Harry said, leaning forward with his arm around Ginny's waist.
"Harry, don't push him. He's tired… Unlike you, he had to face four foes, one of which could have actually hurt or killed him," Ginny said with a frown.
"Thanks, Gin, 'Mione. But I need to say this. It felt awful…Like I was crushing some pulsing being. I think I know that it was his life pulse that I was snuffing out… I don't ever want to do that again," Ron shivered as he finished his tale.
Draco seemed satisfied with Ron's answer, and he, Harry, and Ginny got up and left the table. Hermione just looked at Ron, who in turn looked at the table. Hermione reached out her hand to touch Ron's cheek, but he had turned away from her.
"I don't need your brand of pity, Hermione. I know, if I had just done my test faster, more orderly, like you three, I wouldn't have had to fight Snape. Well, I'm sorry. I had to do it my way, and if I could change it, I don't' think I would. He had to be taken care of, and it's done," Ron had said bitterly, still not looking at Hermione.
"I was not going to say anything about that. I wanted you to know how proud I am of you – you killed one of the highest ranking Deatheaters still alive and not imprisoned. Snape managed to outthink Dumbledore and McGonagall… You are so brave, and so quick-witted, you killed one of Voldemorts most trusted lieutenants. My Ron is responsible for the beginning of the end of Voldemort's second reign of terror," Hermione said as she lifted Ron's head off the table to kiss him soundly.
You are the bearer
Of unconditional things
You held your breath
And the door for me
Thanks for your patience
That night, as they lay in their bed at the Burrow, Ron held Hermione. They were so exhausted after their exams and the lovemaking that came as celebration afterwards that they could not even sleep. Hermione just smiled as she traced a lazy finger up and down Ron's jaw and chest. Ron occasionally squeezed, almost as if to remind himself that they were together and alive, and both Aurors.
"'Mione… are you—"
"Hush, Ron. There is nothing to worry about. I couldn't be, not right now. But sometime in the future, when we are ready," Hermione smiled, not even letting Ron finish his question.
"But I didn't… Did you?" Ron asked.
"I know my contraception charms very well, my love. And if by any chance they failed, your mum will faint out of joy. But stop worrying, and get some sleep," Hermione kissed his cheek and rolled over before he could see the tear rolling down her cheek.
You're the best listener
That I've ever met
You're my best friend
Best friend with benefits
What took me so long
Hermione roused herself from her daydreams long enough to shuffle back to bed. Ron was asleep, but his posture looked like he was just waiting for her to come back and crawl into his arms. He just loved her so much, it seemed like an ache that would not go away.
Not like he wanted it to, or that Hermione wanted it to, but it did sometimes jerk them up short. They had each wondered at times if it would suddenly fade away, leaving them together, loving one another, but not in love anymore. Hermione crawled under the covers and snuggled close to Ron, inhaling his scent, and knowing that they would never fall out of love. Their relationship was just too strong. It was based on friendship at first, but then a burning passion and a love so deep that it swallowed up everyone around them. Even people who did not particularly like them felt the warmth.
Lavender Brown and Draco Malfoy, a most odd couple, had felt the warmth, and their mutual distaste for one or the other had brought them together. They had hidden for a long time their own relationship, but in the end, they were living together, and it was said that Lavender had a surprise to share with the poor boy after their Aurors' exams.
I've never felt this healthy before
I've never wanted something rational
I am aware now
I am aware now
Before Hermione drifted off to sleep, she thought of the child she and Ron would make some day. Irrationally, every time her monthly flow began, she cried. Every month, another week of bleeding that told her that she was not pregnant.
She knew it was crazy, and she and Ron were not ready, but she wanted his child. She wanted something that would bring them even closer together. She rolled onto her side to check her pad when she realized…
I'm already three days late…
AN: sorry, had to do that. I am on cloud nine. My boyfriend of three (almost 4) years has put a down payment on a ring.
Ladies and gents, by the end of this summer, I may be engaged.
Please send all congrats, reviews, and ideas for songs for the upcoming chapters to me via reviews on the site, or at I really need ideas for songs. Just to fill you in, I am planning a proposal chapter for somepoint, more Harry/Ginny chapters, some Draco ones, and some battle chapters.
Love,
Ladykyo
