Explanations
Everyone was trying to get to Harry, they were all shouting different things but not one word was intelligible. Ron fought his way back to the tables which were standing at the Great Hall's walls, Hermione was the first to join him.
'How are you now?' he asked, still watching how the crowd was trying to get to Harry.
'Much better!' She answered smiling. He grinned at her, she didn't know how huggable she looked when she smiled like that.
'Give me a hug!' he said winking at her.
'Yes sir!' she said while she wrapped her arms around his neck and lay her head on his shoulder. 'You know what would be nice? A bed and some foot!'
'Yeah' he laughed 'You thought about foot before I even could, 'Mione.'
'Yeah, I guess so.'
'Imagine, we have a whole life to go… this is over…' he said watching Harry
'Yes it is indeed'
'Ronald, honey, you must been starving, I'll take care of a sandwich or two.' Miss Weasley came running at them and was now sitting next to Ron.
'I think you should ask Hermione the same question.' He said. Molly smiled at her.
'Of course, honey, did you really think I forgot about her?' she said 'Can you two stand up for a moment, please? We're gonna put the tables back on their spots.'
'Of course,… Molly…' Hermione said a bit unsure.
'Aw, you remembered, dear!' Ron and Hermione walked away as she putted the tables back in its order by magic. After she invited them to sit with the rest of the weasleys, George was already to the common room. The atmosphere was a bit strange because of the loss that everyone suffered but at the same time they all were happy again, because it all was over.
Bill was staring at the two of them 'How are you Hermione?' He asked, Ron knew he what he meant, not long ago he had seen her, close to death.
'I'm okay' she said staring at the table 'At least better than… you know, last time.' Molly was now also staring at them but decided this was not the time to ask.
'So…' Ginny said 'What about, you know, you two?'
Hermione blushed and Ron knew he was even worse than her.
'Aren't you two, sort of together now? I saw you…'
'Oh, yeah… right… Well, I guess we are, aren't we? Ron said.
'Yes, I guess' Hermione was still staring at the table when suddenly a familiar voice came out of nowhere.
'It's me' the voice muttered ' will you come with me?' They both stood up at once and together they left the Great Hall.
Bloodstains occurred every few steps of the stairs and somewhere in the distance they could hear Peeves zooming through the corridors singing a victory song of his own composition:
We did it, we bashed them, wee Potter's the One, And Voldy's gone mouldy, so now let's have fun!
'Really gives a feeling for the scope and tragedy of the thing, doesn't it?' Ron said as he pushed open a door to let Harry and Hermione through. The loss of Fred, Tonks and Lupin was to fresh to be happy but Ron knew he would be happy and he wouldn't be alone. The three of them walked through the castle without destination while Harry explained everything about what happened in the forest, and what he had seen in the Pensieve. Without knowing they had walked directly to the Headmaster's study.
'Can we go up?' Harry asked the gargoyle.
'Feel free.' Groaned the statue.
Ron jumped when they entered the room and a loud noise was heard. But it was applause. The paintings at the walls were greeting the three of them, waving their hats and in some cases their wigs. They reached through their frames to grip each other's hands; they danced up and down on their chairs. Ron saw how Harry had eyes only for the man who stood in the largest portrait directly behind the Headmaster's chair. Dumbledore was crying but Ron could only feel respect for him, he was the man who had understand him, because of him he was now standing next to Harry and Hermione, he was the man who brought Ron back home, cause wherever she was, was home.
Harry held up his hands and the portraits fell respectfully silent.
'The thing that was hidden in the snitch' he said, Ron knew he was talking about Riddle's ring 'I dropped it in the forest. I don't know exactly where, but I'm not going to go looking for it again. Do you agree?'
'My dear boy, I do.' Said Dumbledore, it felt strange to hear his voice again 'A wise and courageous decision, but not less than I would have expected of you. Does anyone else know where it fell?'
'No one.' Said Harry, Dumbledore nodded.
'I'm going to keep Ignotus's present, though.' He said and Ron knew he was talking about the cloak that helped them so much.
'But of course, Harry, it is yours forever until you pass it on!' Harry nodded and Ron gave Hermione a smile who had tears all over her face.
'And there's this.' Harry held up the Elder Wand, the wand Ron wanted so badly. 'I don't want it' Harry said.
'What?' Ron said before he could stop himself 'Are you mental?'
'I know It's powerful, but I was happier with mine. So…'Harry took his almost broken wand, only connected by the finest thread of phoenix feather and lead it upon the Headmaster's desk.
'Reparo.' He whispered while he touched his wand with the Elder Wand. Harry had succeeded, his wand was connected again. Hermione smiled at it, relieved.
'I'm putting the Elder wand back where it came from. It can stay there. If I die a natural death its power will be broken, won't it? The previous master will never have been defeated. That'll be the end of it.' Dumbledore nodded, but Ron didn't totally agree with this.
'Are you sure?' Ron said to Harry.
'I think Harry's right,' said Hermione quietly, she touched Ron's arm briefly and gentle as she looked him in the eye.
'That wand's more trouble than it's worth' Harry said, Ron was still looking at Hermione, if she said Harry was right, he really was. Because Hermione Jean Granger was never wrong.
'I've had enough trouble for a lifetime' Harry said, he was right, they had enough trouble for a lifetime.
