Chapter Four
Ron rolled over on the floor. He had let Harry sleep in the bed. The night had been restless and without sleep. He couldn't say the same for Harry. He slept better tonight than he has in a while. Ron couldn't help but then it was because Fred was buried and that was no longer glooming in the air. It was 5:07 AM and he started thinking about Hermione. He hadn't formally asked her to be his girlfriend and he had already planned to marry her. He wasn't sure he was ready to have a girlfriend yet but he just knew how much he liked her. He had called her "my love" in front of George and maybe someone had seen them hold hands but other than that they hadn't been very public about their relations. His mind wondered to what Hermione wanted. They had been best friends for so long and he had loved her for so long but he wanted this to be kept between him and Hermione. He wanted this to be a personal and private endeavor. All of the sudden Ron's thoughts were interrupted by a soft knocking at the door and Hermione entered.
"Ronald are you awake?" Ron stood up and walked out into the hallway to be with Hermione. He noticed he was only in boxers and an undershirt and immediately got self-conscious. She dismissed it with a smile and a kiss.
"Ronald I think we need to talk about what's going on here from a logical standpoint. I mean, everything happened so spur of the moment and I know we both like each other very much," Hermione began pacing in the hall and her whisper got louder. Ron grabbed her arm to guide her down the stairs and into the living area as she kept talking ,"We need to look at all of our options and figure out which one will work out for us best.." Ron sat on the couch and watched her pace, "…I want to make sure we both understand all possible outcomes of this, putting our feelings aside and using logic to explore all of…" Ron stood up and began walking towards her, still in a tired haze, "…all of the options, do we date or do we.." Hermione kept pacing without skipping a beat as Ron got to the end of the line where Hermione was going to turn "…We just go back to—oh no that won't work I guess we just have to da—" Hermione was cut off by Ron grabbing her face and kissing her deeply. He loved when she went off on these tangents. Her concentration face was so beautiful. He kept kissing her until they pulled apart, keeping their heads close together.
"'Mione, let's be us to us. Okay? I want this to just be us. Whatever us is, I want to be it," Hermione kissed him again and they made their way to the couch, sitting down, Hermione leaning on his chest and Ron with his arm around her.
"Ronald, do you think there are still death eaters out there?" Hermione asked sleepily.
"Definitely. There were some that were still faithful after the first downfall of Him, there will be those faithful after the final fall of Him," Ron said like he had been thinking about this for a while.
"Do you think Harry knows what to do with that hanging over his head? People that probably want to kill him?" Hermione asked that question a little more carefully, it had been worrying her a great deal.
"No, 'mione, I don't think he does. But it's going to be our job to protect him and stick with him. I'm not leaving this time," He pulled Hermione closer and kissed her head. "What are you doing up this early anyways?" Ron asked, she had no reason to be up this early.
"These events have taken a toll on me too, Ronald. But now I'm going to sleep," She nuzzled her head into his chest and fell asleep almost immediately. Ron stayed up for a little while longer. He needed to know what they were supposed to do next.
Ron and Hermione left for The Burrow before everyone was awake, to avoid being caught in that compromising position. Harry and Ginny were a little late to getting up, one of them didn't get to bed until an ungodly hour and the other had slept without night terrors for the first time in what felt like years.
When they arrived at Hogwarts, everything was almost back to normal. Professor McGonagall called them into her Head Mistresses office and handed them each two envelopes across the table.
"Potter, you are holding each yours and Mr. Weasley's welcome letters, Ms. Weasley, you are holding you and Ms. Grangers. I expect to see you all here at the start of next term. The charms are going to go up on the last day of this month but until then, you are welcome here to help whenever. I do need to find a new transfiguration teacher…" Professor McGonagall trailed off.
"Um, Professor. I may be able to help you find a transfiguration teacher," Ginny said this is kind of a low whisper, causing Harry to look at her confused.
Professor McGonagall smiled and chuckled. "Tell him to get registered and come see me before the end of the month. I hardly think it will be a problem that he didn't graduate. He was the most gifted in the class, besides his brother of course," Ginny gave her a weak smile. "Now, Ms. Weasley, will you give Potter and I a moment?"
"Yes, Professor," Ginny walked out of the room.
"Mr. Potter, I'm assuming it's going to be difficult for you to come back here, but if you'll notice, yours and Mr. Weasley's envelopes are a little thicker than they usually are," Harry lifted up the envelopes and felt how heavy they were.
"We changed the system a little bit and we think that for your safety we should segregate you from the rest of the Gryffindor's. We cannot be so sure of everyone in these trying times. You will still be in the Gryffindor tower, but there will be a separate dormitory for the "prefects", which will be you and Mr. Weasley. Ms. Granger will also be a prefect but I hardly think it is necessary for her to sleep somewhere else besides the girl's dorm," Harry nodded his head.
"But professor, there are usually only two prefects, one boy and one girl. Isn't that true?"
Professor McGonagall nodded, "Yes, Mr. Potter, but exceptions are made when you kill the Dark Lord," Professor McGonagall smiled and stood up.
"You are welcome here whenever you need, until the charms are put up," Professor sat back down, but Harry remained standing.
"Professor, who was Ginny talking about?" Professor McGonagall laughed.
"You'll have to talk to here, but I wasn't at all shocked when I saw two orange Lizards running around in their second year. Just make sure Ginny has him make it legal, will you?" She laughed again and Harry walked out.
Ginny met Harry at the bottom of the stairs, and he grabbed her hand. They walked down the corridors together.
"I forgot you're not old enough to aparate on your own," Harry laughed.
"Harry!" She pushed his shoulder and they laughed.
"Now, Harry, get me to Bill and Fleur's cottage, since I can't do it on my own, will you?" Harry nodded and they left.
When they arrived at Bill and Fleur's, George was sitting on the couch staring at the ceiling, the loud crack, did not make him break his gaze. Ginny let go of Harry's hand and walked over to George, sitting on the couch next to him.
"George, you're going to need to send an owl to Kingsley and register," George looked over at Ginny with a shocked face.
"I have no idea what you're talking about!" Ginny laughed but George kept his gaze frozen on her.
"Just please. After you do that, Professor McGonagall wants to see you. You have to do this by the end of the month or else the next time I see a lizard I'm going to step on it," Harry smiled at Ginny and Ginny grabbed George's hand.
"Please, George. I'm going to send an owl to Kingsley asking to send me an owl when he hears from you, and if I don't get an owl, we're going to have some problems, okay?" George nodded in understanding.
Back at the burrow, Hermione and Ron had added three room to the new home and had started transferring the furniture. Hermione had put Ron in charge of changing the colors of the furniture and Hermione was making sure there was enough room for everyone. Something that was important to Hermione was that their home didn't look like a normal home. The former Burrow was stacked so high and was most likely held up by magic. She made every room circular in this home. Ron had yet to transfer his belongings over but he did bring Hermione's trunk over so she could change. Hermione has emerged wearing new and clean clothes. He smiled at her.
"You're so beautiful, 'Mione," She smiled at him and kissed his lips softly.
"I'm nearly finished, do you want to see it?" She grabbed his hand and led them out of the circular living room and into a small circular kitchen. From there they walked up a flight of winding stairs and into a circular bedroom with quidditch posters everywhere.
"Ginny, of course," Ron smiled. Down the hall a little ways there was a big circular room with one bed large bed and not much else.
"George," she said has she closed the door. "I didn't know what he would want and what he wouldn't," Ron nodded quietly as she walked down the never- ending hallway.
"This room," she said opening a door and revealing a room with two beds, "Is for you and Harry," Ron walked in and noticed that his stuff hadn't been put in the room yet but next to the bed closest to the rounding window, there was a picture frame. In the picture frame, there was a picture of Fred, Hermione, George, and Ron from just last summer. Ron sat on the bed and put the picture back where he picked it up. Hermione sat behind him and wrapped her arm around his neck, kissing his head.
"Oh Ronald, you can talk to me," Ron let some tears run down his face. Hermione leaned her head on his back and hooked her hands on his upper arms, rubbing her thumbs in circles. Ron pulled her left hand to kiss it and as he did he noticed the scar. Mudblood was carved into her left arm. He held it to his face and Hermione pulled back. She slid to sit next to him and put her arm around him.
"I haven't been a proper boyfriend to you, Hermione," Hermione chuckled and laid her head on his shoulder.
"These are difficult times, Ronald. I haven't been a good girlfriend either," She grabbed his hand.
"I was thinking about over conversation this morning and about what you said about us just being us but together," Hermione spoke into Ron's neck. He nodded, nuzzling into her.
"Well, I think you're right. I think we have too much going on right now to plan this out. It's foolish of us to talk about something so trivial in such a dark time," Ron moved so he was facing Hermione and Hermione situated herself so she was sitting crisscross on the bed, across from him.
"Can you wait here for like two seconds, 'Mione? I forgot something that I really need to give to you and now is the perfect time!" Ron jumped to his feet and with a loud CRACK he left the room.
Hermione sat on the bed, not daring to move, wondering what Ron was getting. Had he already gotten her a present? Oh my god, was he going to proposed? They hadn't even said I Love You yet. They both knew, deep down inside, that they were meant for each other but Ron had only referred to her as his girlfriend once and that hadn't made a formal outing as a couple yet. She wasn't even sure anyone besides Harry formally knew they were dating. What was he getting her? Hermione's train of thought was interrupted by another loud CRACK. Ron appeared and sat down on the bed right where he was and pulled an envelope out from his back pocket. He held onto it for a minute before giving it to her. He held an excited smile, the first true genuine smile in a very long time.
"Ronald, you look utterly ridiculous," She laughed into her words as she opened the envelope. Hermione hurriedly pulled out the paper when a pin fell out. She set the unopened paper on the bed and flipped the pin over slowly, revealing the phrase "Head Girl". She looked at Ron with a mix of shock and happiness. She then leaned forward, and grabbed the paper, opening the fold and slowly reading.
Dear Ms. Granger,
Please be reminded that you are to board the Hogwarts Express at King's Cross station platform 9 ¾ on September the first at 10 o'clock.
Hermione stopped reading there and threw the letter, throwing her arms around Ron's neck. She pulled back and kissed him deeply on the lips.
"Ronald, how long did you know about this?" She pulled back and began speaking to him in a stern tone.
"Blimey, Hermione I was the one who spoke to professor McGonagall about it," Hermione stayed standing, looking at him with a happiness that looked out of place during these gloomy times.
"And I'm assuming you are coming back?" She sat back down, not facing Ron.
"Well of course! I wouldn't miss a school year with you," He grabbed her hand and squeezed. She rolled her eyes.
"And they wont let you become an Auror if you don't finish, Ronald," She sat crisscross again.
He smiled "A little bit of both, I guess. To be completely honest, I would've though they'd let Harry and I skip our last year considering what we did," He laid down.
Hermione smiled and stayed sitting up.
"So, where is your bed, in this grand round house you have created?" He sighed looking at the bare walls, wondering if he was going to retrieve his thing from the old Burrow.
"I have a family, Ronald. I felt a bit foolish creating a room for myself here so I figured I would stay in the room I made for Bill and Fleur and Charlie when they come to visit. It only makes sense," She stood up again, reverting back to the logical and snappy Hermione Ron knew and loved.
When they got back to Privet Drive, Harry and Ginny were seating on the couch. Harry had fallen asleep on Ginny's lap and Ginny was playing with his hair. Ginny noticed the paper in Hermione's hand.
"You told her, I assume?" She said gesturing to the paper in her hand.
Hermione responding with a smile and Ron sat on the chair opposite the couch. Hermione sat on the floor, leaning against his legs.
"They're giving Harry and Ron their own room for "safety reasons". That's a bit of favoritism, don't you think?" Hermione chuckled, pulling a book off the coffee table and reading.
"It makes sense, but there are going to be some very angry seventh years. Not only do they get their own room but there are three head boys and girl and they're all in the same house!" Hermione stated, never breaking her gaze from her book.
"Mum is picking Teddy up at Andromeda's house. She's been utterly torn up. Mum thought she needed some time," Ginny said while trying to braid Harry's jet-black hair. This didn't seem to wake Harry up at all.
"Did your mom invite her over for dinner?" Hermione inquired.
"Yes of course. She just started sobbing. She's had a really rough time," She paused looking down at the sleeping boy in her lap. "Everyone has had a really rough time," Ginny continued to blankly stare at Harry.
Hermione closed her book, "Ginny, have you been sleeping?" Ginny nodded her head.
"Better since Fred's funeral. Have you?"
Hermione leaned forward, "I know Ronald hasn't," Ron started to speak in protest but the fireplace expanded and three soot covered beings appeared, one being wrapped in a little blue blanket. Hermione leaned farther forward, not wanting Mrs. Weasley to see her leaning on Ron. Ginny shook Harry and he woke up, sitting up. Mr. & Mrs. Weasley gave Harry a look of sorrow as they stepped farther towards him, without saying anything. Harry stood up and put him arms out. Mrs. Weasley placed the baby in his arms. Harry couldn't tell where the blanket began and Teddy's hair started, as they were both such similar shades of blue. Harry started to cry as he rocked the child.
"Hi Teddy, I'm your Godfather," He whispered softly as more tears came rushing down his face. He sat down with the baby still in his arms. It slept so softly. All Harry could see where Lupin and Tonks in his tiny, angelic face. Harry's tears became less silent as he let out a loud sob, unable to control it. Hermione stepped forward and took the baby out of Harry's hands. Harry leaned into Ginny and cried. Mr. & Mrs. Weasley stepped towards Harry.
"This isn't your fault, Harry," Mr. Weasley spoke up.
"He's going to be raised an orphan," Nobody responded to Harry, as Ginny gave them a look of warning. She knew he was worried that Teddy was going to be raised like him. She also knew he hated that thought.