Redemption
Chapter Ten
-dutchtulips-
Other than laying eyes on her newborn son merely a week ago, Hermione could not recall a time when she'd felt better. She stood tall and proudly, in her best mauve robes, before the assembly of the entire Ministry of Magic, and a number of Daily Prophet reporters. And at both of her sides stood, of course, Ron, Harry, and Tobey.
She smiled as she took a quick glance at the front row of the assembly, where Ginny was seated, cradling infant Tobey, and grinning back at her sister-in-law. Hermione gave Ron a quick nudge, who noticed his sister and son and smiled as well.
The assembly hall quieted when Sebastian Bennett, the Minister of Magic, stepped forward to begin speaking.
"Today, the Ministry of Magic of London, England, gathers today to honor four exceptional people; Mister Ronald Weasley, Missus Hermione Weasley, Mister Harry Potter, and Mister Tobey Landon.
"Three months ago, Ron and Tobey were comissioned to Austria for one of their tours of duty in the Britain Auror Corps, Windsor unit. Two months passed, and Ron returned home to his expectant wife, Hermione, telling her and their family friend Harry, that he'd escaped from an Auror prison camp in the Dark Forest of Austria. Ron also held claims that other captured Aurors were being held there under a wizard named Draco Malfoy.
"Furthermore, these three single-handedly formulated a plan, Portkeying themselves to Austria, and launched an attack on the camp, with help from Tobey whom they had recently freed. This resulted in the salvation and recovery of some fourty missing Aurors from all over the United Kingdom and Europe's western seaboard!" He said with a flourish, as applause echoed across the assembly hall.
Bennett paused, waiting for the cheers to subside, and then continued. "They also managed to apprehend the order of this operation, Draco Malfoy, and every last one of his minions whom, as I speak, are dwelling in Azkaban!"
The cheers and applause erupted once more, resulting in grins from Bennett and Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Tobey. Again, Bennett waited for the assembly to calm itself, and then said, "At the end of this fantastic event, Hermione gave birth to she and Ron's first child, a son, Tobey Noah Weasley, on 7 August."
There was a break in his speech, and then Bennett turned to look proudly at the quartet, and then back to the assembly. "Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Tobey's actions show great bravery, heroism, and citizenship, and they set an exalted example for us all. That is why, for the honorable service these four have done for the Wizarding World, they will all receive medallions of the Order of Merlin, First Class."
Bennett turned around to retreive something from his young witch assistant, and then pinned the shining gold medallions to each of the quartet's robe-fronts. When this was done, the assembly - guests, Daily Prophet reporters, and the Ministry members - all rose to bow to Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Tobey.
~*~
The entire Weasley family, Harry, and Tobey came to Ron and Hermione's home that night, to sit around the dining table and enjoy Mrs. Weasley's excellent cooking, whom had absolutely insisted on cooking for every body.
"We're very proud of you, Ron," Mr. Weasley said a thousand times, while Mrs. Weasley was too overcome with happiness to speak. Bill and Charlie asked Ron, Harry, Tobey, and even Hermione, to re-account the events of their adventure; Percy, forever prim and proper, just looked extremely proud and congratulated the four of them for their Order of Merlin medals. Fred and George - perpetually up to their old tricks - had chosen to let off Filibuster fireworks during inopportune times at dinner, in celebration. Ginny had fused herself to Harry's side, beaming from ear-to-ear.
Everyone also took turns cradling infant Tobey. While Harry was holding the newborn, Ginny poked him, saying, "You know, Harry, maybe when we get married, might we be giving Tobey a little playmate?"
Harry looked over at her in faux confusion, saying, "Er. . .Fred and George?" And everyone shared in on the laughter.
But no one upon no one was glowing more than Ron. Many times during the evening, Hermione had looked back at him a couple of times, but that lovely lopsided smile never left his face. It's so good to see him smiling, compared to when I thought I'd never see that beam of his again.
After helping Mrs. Weasley with the dishes, she'd walked into the living room where everyone was sitting around, spotted Ron on the sofa and smiled when she saw the grin still on his face, and walked over to sit next to him.
He wrapped an arm around Hermione as she sat down. She looked up at Ron, still marvelling over his smile, and he returned her glance and winked. Hermione laughed and leaned against him, breathing deep. The agony of the thoughts of Ron dead seemed so long ago, especially the deep sadness of never being in his arms again. But nevertheless, she was, and for the first time in many months, Hermione was happy. She was surrounded by loving family and a beautiful new son. And Ron was here, as if his disappearance had never happened, as if he'd never been taken from Hermione's life. But then again, she knew, he never would be.
el fin