This isn't mine. Citrus free. I added a one shot to my collection (Tell No One) this week that contains slight smut. You'll probably read it cause you're a pervert. If you decide to read it, pay attention to the summary. Take care.
…
Hermione felt terribly defeated on the way out of the house. Had the car really been that far away? The aurors apparated right to the hotel from the house, Hermione wanted to drive back. It wasn't a long drive but something about the open road just made you feel so free. She drove with the windows down, thankful Australians drove on the left- the correct- side of the road. She pulled into the hotel, handing Ron the keys before walking in. They hadn't said a word to each other the whole drive back. What would they do now, just sit and wait? Maybe have a fu-
"Fancy a trip to the botanical gardens?" Ron said from behind her. He reached for her hand, gently tugging her over to him before wrapping his long arms around her and pulling her in close. Hermione was in her own world though, thoughts mashing together in her head, mixing together like cake batter, making everything mushy.
When did Ron get so tall, so amazing-Dad looked so upset- Ron's been so great today-wonder what Harry- Mum was just a right state- forgive me?
Then silence. Just the sound of Ron's clothing against her, a muffle against her ear, the wind. Just them and the wind.
"Ron, Hermione, where've you two been, the aurors got back ages ago!"
"Harry? Harry!" Hermione turned to the sound of her best friend, Ron let go and lightly pushed her towards Harry, but not before wiping away a stray tear with his thumb. They walked up to Harry hand in hand.
"Mione wanted to drive back. We've got a really nice car too" Ron motioned to the parking lot. "It's the small blue one, a coo-pay". Ron grinned at Hermione, who rolled her eyes at him.
"It's pronounced coupe Ronald." She turned to Harry. "It's nice, the windows roll down when you push a button and there's air conditioning too and, wait a moment. Harry what are you doing here?" She shook herself back to reality. "And why were you drunk last night? Ron told me. " She scolded her friend. Harry glared at Ron then rolled his eyes.
" I wasn't drunk, " Harry started, clenching his jaw.
"You were pissed! You had to use two port keys- I saw the whole thing. Don't you go making up stories!" Ron laughed.
"I was celebrating." Harry said, gritting his teeth, her turned to Hermione. "It was just some nettle wine and a tumbler or two of firewhiskey, honestly." She opened her mouth to scold him more but Harry cut her off. "I asked Mr. Weasley for Ginny's hand." He smiled broadly, proudly. "And he said yes."
Hermione's eyes nearly bulged out of her head. "What? That's fantastic Harry, oh my gosh, that's incredible! When?!" She bounced on the balls of her feet, ecstatic for her friends. Her problems tossed aside momentarily. Harry placed his hands on her shoulders firmly, a calming technique he perfected on her. She finally stopped bouncing.
"After her graduation, he was very firm on that. Mr. Weasley said." Harry cleared his voice in preparation of his Arthur impression. "Her education is essential, Harry, you'll not be making any proposals before then. Ginny is my only daughter and you will wait till she has graduated Hogwarts, and if you get her pregnant before then I WILL slice your bits off'". Hermione gulped. Harry laughed. "Then he said, 'I do believe some libation is in order, son!' and then we got a bit… "
"Pissed." Ron finished. "You shoulda seen it 'Mi, he couldn't walk straight!"
"I was dizzy from the port key!"
"He kept calling you Hermininny! It was Krum all over again!" Ron doubled over, hands on his knees laughing so hard.
"It was the lag from the port key!"
"He peed in the courtyard in the lobbbyyyyyyyy!" Ron was crying now, laughing so hard.
"That," Harry started. "That was just bad timing. That effin courtyard doesn't belong inside! I thought I was outdoors!"
"They asked him to leave 'Mi!" Ron shouted, shoulders shaking. "Then he missed the first port key and they 'ad to give 'im a second one!" Hermione turned to Harry and offered an apologetic smile. She waited for Ron's laughter to subside before offering her congratulations to Harry again.
"I'm so happy for you Harry, both of you. Mr. Weasley is right though, let her finish her education." Hermione gave Harry a peck on the cheek. "Is that all the good news you had for us?" She asked, eyeing Harry. She tried to ask nonchalantly, she couldn't fathom Harry would travel cross continent, but then again it certainly was big news. She took a breath to steady herself as his face turned stern. That couldn't be a good sign.
"No," Harry sighed. Hermione knew him too well. "I've got some good news and some bad news."
"Bad news first." Ron interjected. He always wanted the bad news first, it gave him something to look forward to.
"The Malfoy's trials are next week." Harry stammered. He looked Hermione in the eye. "You've been asked to give testimony Hermione."
"She won't do it!" Ronald nearly shouted. Hermione turned towards him, eyes pleading him to keep it down. Thankfully they were still outside the hotel and no one was around. Harry looked apprehensive, as if he were calculating his next words.
"Ron, she doesn't have a choice. She's of age, we all are. If she doesn't show the ministry is in their right to escort her in front of the Wizengamot. We've all been asked, but Kingsley told me you and I are being 'encouraged' to testify – which I am by the way- but because Hermione was a key witness due to her…"Harry struggled for the word.
"Torture?!" Ron was upset now, his neck was turning red, all the way up to the roots of his hair. Harry closed his eye and bit his lip, a tell he was trying to keep calm.
"Role at the battle of Malfoy Manor."
"Battle? Battle! It was a bloody slaughter we were lucky to make it out alive, Hermione is lucky to be here after what they put her through."
"Ron please calm down!" Hermione put her hands on his chest. Where was all this anger coming from? She tugged his chin downward, slowly moving to kiss him. Harry cleared his throat. This is probably how Ron felt whenever Harry kissed his sister.
"Look, the ministry wants them locked up, all of them. They want Hermione's testimony to cement the Malfoy's stay in Azkaban." Harry put a hand on Hermione's shoulder. "If you refuse to comply, they'll lock you up as well, Hermione." She nodded in understanding, still trying to calm Ron down.
"I thought this might happen Harry. I understand, and I will comply." She turned to look Harry in the eye, hand dropping down to catch Ron's, who was still fuming. "What good news could possibly follow that?"
"Well, "He began "Kingsley has offered us positions at the Ministry. As Aurors. He wants to fast track us, all three of us. I told him I would let you know about the offer and that I would think about it."
"Au…..aurors? All of us?" Ron asked, bewildered.
"Yeah. " Harry chuckled. "Imagine it, the three of us, the Golden Trio, bunking down for days on end, going on exciting missions, infiltrating-"
"So basically a repeat of last year, for the rest of our natural lives?" Hermione interrupted. "No, absolutely no-"
"Mione this is a big opportunity for us." Harry stated flatly. He looked down briefly before looking up again "They're gonna take us right in, we won't have to finish our NEWTs, we've already proven we can do the work. We'll get pensions, benefits, it's a great start to our lives 'Mi. We can start our familes and –"
"Families?! Harry, you're barely 17!" Hermione said, positively scandalized. "We need to finish our educations, we need to return to Hogwarts and help rebuild, we need something normal and stable in our lives, we need-"
"No!" Harry said "this is what I want to do with my life, Mione. I don't want to go back, we don't need our NEWTs, there's no point." He said calmly.
"I guess you made your decision then hmm?" Hermione asked, lips pursed. She crossed her arm over her chest and starting tapping her foot. She was getting upset.
"Yeah, Mione. I have." Harry said. He turned to Ron, "and you?" He asked tentatively. Ron knew better than to get between the two of them.
"I dunno mate. Mione and I have had a long day, I'll think about it." He nodded in Hermione's direction and smiled briefly. "I sort of just want to get back upstairs and sleep a bit, maybe have a spot of lunch?"
"Oh yeah, I'm sorry 'Mi, I completely forgot." Harry shook his head a bit to clear it. "Sorry I upset you, I'm sure you've already been through a lot today." He frowned when she scoffed at him. "Tell me about it over tea?" He grabbed Hermione's hand and peered down to get in her line of vision when she wouldn't look at him. He squatted further and made his 'monkey face' as she called it. She giggled and he smiled back triumphantly. Ron smiled, relieved she was in decent spirits. He thought she might be easy to upset on this trip, so was doing his best to be the best boyfriend possible.
"It was terrible Harry, seeing Mum like that. It was all my fault too. Dad was okay after a bit, but he was a bit reserved with me too." Hermione snuffled, looking at her own reflection in her tea. She could feel a fat tear pooling on her eye and blinked, seeing the slight ripples as it landed into her cup. She looked up when Ron pulled the cup away from her.
"They'll come around, 'Mi." He gave her a tight smile "And hey, maybe fast tracked Mr Auror Potter can escort them back home once they're ready? Can you imagine that, Love? Harry, in robes, ushering your parents, telling them what to do?" He patted her back, thankful for her small chuckles.
"Thanks mate, helps me feel real tough and macho knowing you would giggle to see me in auror robes." He snapped. He stood up from the small table on the balcony. "Actually I should be going. Hogwarts is rebuilding, I'm helping the Order sort out the build task force. Also, I should probably check out Grim, see if it's still there. Geez, all that time I spent cleaning it. Now I've got to clean it again. Merlin's saggy balls that sucks!" He exclaimed. Hermione sat still, eyes like saucers, it was a rare treat to hear Harry swear. She smirked at him whilst standing to hug him.
"Thank you Harry, for coming to see us. Wow, and congratulations. I can't believe you're getting married."
"Well, getting engaged….months from now! Don't you dare tell Ginny, it has to be a complete surprise got it?" He said as he rubbed her shoulders.
"I wont, promise. Please let me know when I need to be at the ministry, I've got my DA galleon on me all times while we're here." She said, reaching back to grab Ron's hand. Ron brought them in for a tight group hug. "I love you Harry" She kissed him on the cheek. "Get home safe." They all stood back from the hug. Ron pulled Harry off and led him to the door.
"I've just gotta tell him something right quick Love, I'll be right outside the door okay?" Ron said, winking back at Hermione. She nodded, and Ron and Harry slipped outside into the hallway. She could hear some muffles of sound they made, but she couldn't make out anything. Hermione let out a long shaky sigh, walking back out onto the balcony, holding herself as the breeze blew on her.
She could only pray her parents would forgive her, and they could return to being a small, happy family. She missed summer breakfasts on the weekends. Mum making blueberry muffins, Dad frying up bacon and eggs. She could hear it in her head, her father scolding her mother for licking the batter spoon "That has raw egg on it, disgusting!" and Mum would retort "Oh, I've licked plenty more disgusting things!" Hermione would cringe at the thought. Parents and their innuendos- THAT'S disgusting. She was pulled from her thoughts when she heard the door open, and Ron appear back in the room.
"Heh" He chuckled "Harry totally sat on the chair we used for sex last night." He grinned at Hermione, who was flashing a toothy grin his way.
"I noticed. Thank goodness housekeeping had the right mind to fix the sheets and move those handcuffs I had set out." Hermione quirked an eyebrow.
"Handcuffs?" Ron asked.
"Oh I'm only teasing Ronald." She laughed, seeing Ron relax, before continuing. "I never took them out, they're still in my bag." His eyebrows shot up. "What? We can't all be as good as you, using wordless magic." She winked.