AN: OK first off. I sincerely apologize to all who have been following this story for my self-imposed hiatus from writing these past months. Yes I have work and travelling to blame but I just lost my will to write. I have become my worst enemy. It was even more frustrating since I already had these last two chapters roughly written out for ages . Fear not I am back. I have been reading though and since I have exhausted all the good stories I felt it now necessary to return. I also wish to thank all those who stuck with me. (special thanks to ShePotter for your timely nudges). This Chapter ties up a few loose ends and deals with the big reveal from Hermione. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 10 - Reasons & Recovery
...He stumbled down the corridor that was now filled with smoke and dust, both pretty much indistinguishably before him. Blood streaked down the side of his face and his head throbbed with each step but he knew where he was going. He knew where he had to go. Her lost wand was in there and he was going to get it and keep it safe no matter the consequences. He had promised to come back to her and he had vowed to try his best to do so but that was before his odds for survival were due to evaporate together with the building he was standing in. It was the last good thing he could do for her before his life ended. She deserved this last chance and it was the last thing he could do to show his love for her.
As he reached the door to the room, his hope that all the death eaters had already abandoned the building vanished with the cries behind him and the spells that crashed into the wooden door. He threw himself into the room locking the door behind with a spell but he knew he had only a few seconds to get what he had come for. Scanning the case before him, he quickly found the object he had seen earlier then smashed the glass with his fists before grabbing the wand and stuffing it into his bag. He barely had time to pull down a solid case and jump behind when the door came crashing down and spells were everywhere around him. He threw up a protective shield around him and tried to go on the offensive but there were too many of them and he was too weak to put up much of a fight. He was hit so many times his body stopped feeling pain after a while. Why were they still here he thought. Surely the house was due to be blown anytime now?
As yet another spell hit him in the shoulder, he crashed to the ground on his back still trying and failing to strengthen his shield. This was the end he knew. He tried to roll over onto his stomach to protect his bag but he could not bring himself to move. His clutching hands would have to suffice. He closed his eyes and whispered to himself..."I love you Hermione Granger...more than my crummy life is worth...I just wished I could see you one more time to tell you that." As he let himself slip away, he suddenly felt the touch of soft hands on his face and the sound of a voice he knew so well. He cracked open his eyes and the sight of the beautiful face of his angel pulled him back...
Ron jerked awake suddenly with his eyes wide open and the first thing he saw was the face of his angel before him, only this time she was asleep in a chair next to his bed. He kept still and took his time looking over the girl that he thought he would never see again. Her head was slumped down slightly to one side and her wild hair was covering part of her face but he could see that her eyes were puffy with dried tears and his blood suddenly rushed through him at the sight. Unfortunately his body also reacted and he let out a slight groan at the sharp pain in his head and he closed his eyes again. Hermione jumped awake with a little gasp and tumbled out of her chair towards him.
"Ron? Please..please be awake!" she cried out grabbing his arm. Her soft anguished pleas seemed to take away any pain he felt at the moment and he struggled to get his mouth in motion.
"I am...I am Hermione." he croaked out as his eyes fluttered open once more.
Before he could register anything else she flung herself on him and buried her face in his neck sobbing loudly. Ron just held on and savoured the feel of her chest heaving against his and the smell of her hair against his nose. It was a few good seconds before he felt her quiet down and raise her head to look at him.
"Oh Ron...I was so worried. How are you feeling?" she asked quietly as she stroked his face softly staring into his eyes. He tried to elicit a smile but his face felt numb.
"Well apart from being almost squeezed to death and the horrible pain in my head I feel just fine especially seeing you here." he tried grinning. He heard her gasp as she tried to move away but he held her close to him.
"I'm fine. Stay here." he said quietly. "Where is everyone? And how exactly did I get here come to think of it?" he asked creasing his eyebrows. Hermione shifted against him but remained in his arms her eyes and fingers never leaving his face.
"Harry and I went back in for you and lifted you out before the building blew up. Harry was just here actually he just went to check up on Ginny and your Mum outside. The Healers had to put you under to let you heal properly. You have been asleep for almost two days Ron. They said your body was almost completely run down with the mission and lack of sleep before...and all the damage you took." her eyes became watery again.
"But the protection spells were still up. How did you and Harry get in...and out? he asked as his head became clearer by the minute listening to her sweet voice explain what she and Harry had done. Even though he wasn't surprised he was still amazed at her ability and her determination to save him. He gave her a sudden hug and kissed her forehead.
"You are one heck of a witch you know that? I felt I wasn't going to ever see you again. I just wanted to make sure you got..." he suddenly jerked her head up and looked at her as he remembered. "The wand! Please tell me you got your wand Hermione! It was in my bag! I went back for it." he asked a bit desperately.
Surprisingly Hermione leaned in and kissed him so hard and so passionately that he lost his way for a few seconds. She then pulled back and hit him softly in his chest.
"Oh Ron you stupid, crazy wonderful man!" she cried. "You could have gotten yourself killed by doing that. Thank God we found you in there. I could have lost you..." she continued as tears slid down her face. "You are the most important thing to me please know that. You should have kept yourself safe." she finished softly as he wiped her tears with his thumb. He was about to answer when the door opened and Harry came striding to the bed.
"Hey you. Had a good sleep I can tell." he started with a grin as he squeezed Ron's shoulder. " Hermione leave our hero be for a while. He just woke up." he smirked at his other friend.
"I will do no such thing. And I was just telling him how reckless he was in getting back my wand." she explained with a slight blush to her cheeks. Ron turned to Harry with a grin also on his face.
"And I was just going to tell her it was worth it in the end wouldn't you agree?" he stated before he put his hand on his arm. "...and thanks for helping save my ass again by the way" he finished with a serious face. Harry actually looked a bit affronted.
"Ron you saved everyone's ass by doing what you did. I wasn't joking. You are the hero of the moment and best of all we both get a week's leave before they have some ceremony to pin a medal on you. I got a bit of a chew out for going in without orders but that was just a formality. I'm also up for a medal unfortunately." he explained with a grimace on his face. Harry never liked ceremonies.
"What about Hermione? Did she get in trouble too?" Ron enquired tentatively. Harry let out a small laugh.
"Are you kidding? After what she did? Roberts is practically frothing at the mouth to get her signed up. Even offered her some big job in setting up a special unit attached to the Aurors when she finishes school." he informed Ron as Hermione again blushed in his arms. Ron gave her a quick congratulatory kiss before speaking to her.
"Well that's the smartest thing I've heard for a while. Plus it will be nice to have you around when we graduate. I hope you really think about it Hermione." he said seriously. She again rested her head on his chest before replying.
"Let me just get through my year at Hogwarts then I can think about all my options Ron." she sighed under his chin. Something registered in his head at her words but he turned to the man standing by his bed again.
"Did anyone get hurt in the explosion? What about the Death Eaters? and Sanderson? Did you get them?" he asked. Harry also went a bit serious.
"The Aurors are fine Ron. No one went in before the explosion. When the Death Eaters abandoned the house we tracked most of them down. We didn't get Sanderson but some nasty Middle Eastern Wizards got him for us. Seems he promised them some of those bombs after taking their money and they weren't too pleased when he couldn't deliver on his promises. We found him dead the day after." he answered quickly before he stopped and squinted a bit at Ron.
"How did you find Hermione's wand Ron? I can't believe it was in there." he genuinely asked as Hermione pulled herself up to listen.
"Yeah I know." Ron started. "You saw the room where you found me. It had glass cases all over that contained mostly muggle stuff I think. Stuff from the muggle people he killed must be. There were a lot of wands there in one case and I thought I recognized Hermione's when I was in there first but I did not have enough time to get it. That's why I had to come back and make sure it was hers. That case must have contained all the wands from wizards and witches he also killed. Like some sort of show room or trophy room. He really was a sick bastard." he said with a sneer. "I had no time to look for mine but it didn't matter so much to me." he finished with a small hug for the girl still in his arms.
Harry nodded his head slowly in understanding before patting Hermione on her back.
"Well I agree that it was worth it too. I hope you will get your parents back Hermione." he said hopefully before turning to Ron again.
"Let me go and tell your Mum and Ginny that you're awake. They've been waiting a while and I'm sure they will want to let everyone else know." he said knowingly. "...You did great Ron. You'll make a great Auror I know it." he nodded again before walking out the door.
As soon as the door shut, the silence between the couple on the bed dragged on a bit longer than expected. With everything else out of the way, they both knew that a much needed private talk was now necessary between them but it was apparent that none wished to break the silence. Hermione was still nestled in his neck and hadn't said much in a while. Ron actually considered that she had gone to sleep given the fact that she was obviously tired from the past two days. As he was deliberating his next step he heard a soft sigh under him and he knew she was waiting for him to begin. The need to find out was too great for him to resist.
"Hermione?" he started softly. "...are you asleep" he asked. It took a few seconds but he felt her fingers brush across his chest.
"No...I was just thinking about what I have to say to you." she revealed quietly. He felt her body tremble a little against him and he sat up slowly pulling her with him.
"Hermione please look at me." he asked as he she finally sat up but kept her eyes away from him. He reached for her chin and pulled her face up gently. Surprisingly her face was clear and there was look of heavy resignation and...fear?" He felt a bit confused at her expression but he had to know.
"Earlier...you said that you were finishing at Hogwarts. Does that mean you will be coming back?...for good that is...and staying here?" he didn't ask if she was staying to be with him but he felt only brave enough going forward one step at a time for now.
She finally sat up properly next to him but held on to one of his hands in hers tightly. She gave him a quick nod as she squeezed his hand.
"Yes..I am definitely coming back." she stated. "I can't stay away from..." she faltered here but he continued as he felt some relief in his chest.
"And what you said...you know from before...before I went on the mission...did you really mean all that?...or was it just to...just to.." he was stammering now as his resolve faded a bit but she quickly brought his hand up to her lips and kissed it lightly. Her face had softened but her eyes were already watery.
"Ron..everything I said was true. I love you so much and I had already made up my mind to tell you everything before. That's why I came back. I made a horrible mistake. I want to be with you forever...I want you to know that. I just got caught up in myself but I have to tell you something...but not right now." she glanced at the door before hurrying on.
"You are still very weak and your family is about to come charging into the room in a few seconds. As soon as we have some time together I will tell you. You don't have to worry now. Just get better and be with your family. Just know that I love you and we will get through this together...if you give us a chance. I'm here and I won't go anywhere without you ok? " she pulled him into a heated kiss and while he was still very confused, he would take it for now. She still had something to tell him but he would wait. It frustrated him no end but he knew she was right. This was not the time.
As Hermione pulled away from him completely with a small smile on her face, the door was flung open and his mother and sister flew into the room loudly with Harry trailing behind. He returned her smile before his Mum was upon him and he was getting another life threatening hug.
o0o
The next few days flew by without a pause. Ron was recovering in between visits from his large family and friends as well as visits from Ministry officials, the Auror office and the odd reporter who was allowed an interview. Harry was not kidding. It seemed that the successful operation made quite a few headlines in the news and with Ron already being a war hero it made things so much worse in terms of everyone trying to make the most of the young trainee Auror. He endured most of the attention but constantly regretted that his time with Hermione was limited to short daily visits. Here he was being celebrated for his heroics for the first time in his life and yet he was getting more frustrated by the day in not knowing where he really stood with her. By the time he was allowed to leave he was going quite insane.
The truth was he had played around with so many scenarios in his head during the past few days that he was truly losing his mind. She had said it had something to do with just her but for the life of him he couldn't figure it out. Did she have a life threatening disease? Was her love for him not enough for her? Did she need more time before getting into a serious relationship? He had no clue and as he sat waiting for her, his mind was racing away with all dire possibilities. He had insisted that Hermione and Hermione alone was to bring him to the Burrow where his parents had planned a large welcoming dinner.
He was already packed and waiting in his room when she came for him. She had just washed her hair and she was wearing a dress that fell just below her knees. He wondered if she had made the extra effort for him and he smiled warmly at her as they walked hand in hand to the apparation point before arriving along the narrow gravel road some distance from the Burrow. Without saying a word she led him off the road and down to the pond where they finally sat among the short grass facing each other. She still held his hands as she faced him resolutely. Ron's heart was already racing from the time he landed home and he was having a hard time keeping calm. He had missed having her to himself over the past few days and he just wanted to be with her for a while before she said anything that would spoil his return.
"You look really nice." he said lightly with a nervous smile on his face. She returned his smile before biting her lower lip as she rubbed her fingers over his hands.
"Thanks Ron. You look good too...well a lot better than a few days ago. Not that you don't always look good to me...you know what I mean..." she stuttered a bit as Ron realised that she was just as nervous as he was. He shuffled closer to her but she suddenly stood up and paced away from him nervously. Ron suddenly had a feeling of dread and decided that maybe he really did not want to hear what she had to say. He just wanted to hold her and snog her senseless. He stood up and moved towards her but she shook her head and bade him to stay put. He was now frustrated and a bit put off.
"Hermione I haven't really seen you in over two months except for that dreadful time in Australia and for a few moments this week. All I want is some time alone with you properly before you...before you tell me anything. Can we just do that?" he sounded a bit desperate but that was how he felt at the moment.
She shook her head at him resolutely and her face took on a look of slight anger and impatience. This was not going well at all.
"Ron you just can't forget everything with a few snogs! I brought you here for a reason and we agreed to talk remember. I have already let this go on for too long and I need you to listen...please. We have already suffered for it and I need to let you know. I want to let you know." she pleaded as she wrung her hands in front of her. His worse fears suddenly surfaced with her words.
"What if I don't want to hear! What if I don't want to know! What if I..." his voice cracked as he faltered. For some reason since mentally and physically getting together with her, his efforts at getting angry with her had decreased substantially. He would get this far and then deflate.
"What if...I'm not ready to lose you or hear you say something like that?" he asked softly hanging his head.
He heard a soft sob escape her and then he felt her arms around his waist as she rested her face against his chest.
"Oh Ron..I told you I will never leave you. This is about us and our life together so just please let me tell you." she pleaded into his shirt before moving away and taking his hands again. He regained some of his composure at her soft words and felt a new surge of hope engulf him. He was her boyfriend and she was his life. Whatever it was he would be here for her.
"Look Hermione. Whatever you have to tell me it will be ok." he let go of her hand to brush his hand through his hair but he immediately returned it. "I know it must be serious to have made you do...what you did...but we love each other right? I will always be here for you so just tell me before I assume the worse." he said exasperatedly.
"That's the problem Ron. I know you will always be there for me and It will cloud your thinking. Just listen to me and let me finish before you say anything ok?" she began with a deep breath as she withdrew her hands from his. If he was confused before then he was truly lost now but he kept silent and nodded at her.
"Remember I wrote you to let you know that I was about to start a new phase of my training with Ms. Ashworth. Well it was related to studying different forms of dark magic and we were to begin soon. However I had to undergo a complete medical with one of her specialist to make sure that I was physically able and ready to undergo these studies." she was wringing her hands again but she continued in front of him.
"Well the thing is...they picked up something in my examination. When I was tortured during the war, Bellatrix apparently cast another dark spell on me that no one knew about. It's called the Barren Spell and...and it has left a piece of dark magic deep inside me. They can't remove it without doing unknown damage...it doesn't harm me in any way but...but I will not be able to have any children." she sobbed out suddenly as she wrapped her arms around herself.
The blood had drained from Ron's face...and most of his upper body he felt. The thought of that wretched creature casting any spell on her much less an evil dark spell was enough to make him sick. He surged forward to hold her and he felt her fall against him weeping. His head was spinning as she looked up at him.
"Ron I know what you will think but you have to consider what it means. You really have to think of the future. You must." she sniffed loudly into his chest. Ron was still stuck on the thought of dark spells and visions of torture as he pulled away to study her properly.
"Oh God Hermione. You are ok right?...The dark magic inside you. You said it was all right...It can't hurt you anymore can it? It can't hurt you ever again?...they told you so right. You'll be fine. You look great! Nothing will ever happen to you again I swear. That rotten bitch! She should be alive so that I can kill her again...slowly." he ranted off his anger before he saw a look of shock on her face.
"Ron did you not hear what I just said? Were you not listening?...I...I can't bear any children once that dark magic is inside me." she repeated her earlier revelation as it now registered with him fully. He pulled her against him again.
"Oh Hermione. I'm so sorry. Oh God I can't imagine what you have gone through. It'll be all right. You're safe and we will find a way..." he paused as it really registered with him now as he pushed her off.
"Wait...is that why you wrote that bloody letter in the first place! All that we went through...what I went through. You thought it was better to break up with me. You thought I wouldn't want to be with you because of this? Or worse you thought it would be better for both of us." he was shaking now in anger.
"Bloody shit Hermione! How could you think that! I don't know if to feel sorry for you or to knock you over the head!" he shouted.
Hermione was back to wringing her hands but her face was still resolute.
"I'm sorry Ron but I had to think of you and your future. It was a mistake I hope, but I thought I would give you the chance of your dreams. Your dreams of having a family. I'm sorry...but that is what I thought at the time. I don't know what else I can say but...I'm sorry...please." she ended with tears flowing down her face.
Ron had turned away from her but glancing at her tears, he felt his anger drift away. He really was getting soft. She wanted to be with him but she was so scared that he would not see the big picture, that he would be better off without her. How wrong could she be. He just had to convince her otherwise.
He approached her slowly until he was next to her. He gently reached out and tried to stem her tears from her face.
"Sush love. It's fine. I understand but now please listen to me. I probably won't be abel to say this again without mucking it up but please listen to me now." he said softly as she nodded her head quietly in his hands.
"You say you know me so surely you must know how much I love you right." he asked and she nodded quietly again with a small smile as he brushed her hair away from her wet cheeks.
"Hermione Granger. I know I am just an 18 year old git but I am a pureblood wizard and I have pureblood magic running through my body. When I am with you and only with you my blood boils over with all sorts of strong crazy emotions. It has always been like that...ever since first year. It took me a while to figure it out but I know now that you will always make me feel like this. I love you and only you. This...condition you have it doesn't change who you are. If you lost an arm or a leg it wouldn't matter to me because it will still be you. The one that makes my blood boil and my heart beat stronger. If you love me half as much as that then we will have all the dreams we want. I promise." he finished with a grin as he leaned forward to kiss her gently on her lips.
"Now are you convinced enough to let these thoughts of us breaking up leave your brilliant over-thinking mind?" he asked with another grin.
A beautiful smile now graced her face as she nodded for the third time. Her tears had not stopped completely however.
"Ron I was convinced the moment I decided to leave Australia to come and get you. But hearing you say those things I really don't care about my condition. I know I should be but now I am so happy. I love you Ronald Weasley I love you so so much." she gushed out as she flung herself on him.
They fell into a snogging session that left them breathless but soon they remembered where they were and other senses prevailed upon them. Ron took her small hand and turned for the Burrow.
"Come on let's get this over with and then we can make plans to get your parents back." he started to walk but she held him back.
"Ron I want just for the two of us to go back to Australia...to try and get back my parents. I don't want the Ministry involved this time. If it doesn't work then I'll be ok I promise but I just want you to be there with me. Is that ok?" she asked. He squeezed her hand lightly in response.
"Sure if that's what you want. Just the two of us." he smiled at her warmly.
"Let's go celebrate." he laughed lightly as they both made their way to the busy house hand in hand.
o0o
Hermione had packed up all her belongings and her trunk stood ready in the small room that she shared with her new friends in Australia. They had all come to see her off and though she had no regrets, some small part of her would miss this place. She hugged the twins and shook hand with Andrew and Tara noticing how close she was standing next to Eric. She glanced at him and he gave her a quick wink with a smile. I guess he did have that talk she surmised.
"Are you all ready?" Ron appeared in the room and swiftly moved her trunk into the corridor. She turned with a smile to hold his arm when she almost bumped into Ms. Ashworth who had also appeared suddenly.
"Ah Hermione and Ron. I'm so glad I got to see you before you left." she stated with a friendly smile.
"We were coming to see you Ms. Ashworth. I wouldn't have left without thanking you for all that you have done for me. I have learned a great deal here and I hope that I can return some day." she informed the small lady.
"You are always welcome here Hermione. It would be a pleasure to teach you sometime again but I know where your heart lies." she grinned as she looked at Ron who had turned a bit pink in the ears.
As they walked through the corridor unto the grounds Ron turned to her with a crease in his eyebrows.
"Are we going straight to your parents house now Hermione? I have all the hope in the world and I truly believe in you but just in case this does not go as planned where will we be staying?" he asked with some concern.
Hermione only chuckled at him before linking her arm tighter around his.
"Just hold on. I have already made all the arrangements." she answered with a smirk as she waved her wand and they apparated away from the Brisbane School of Magic.
Ron cleared his head as his stomach settled down. He looked around and gasped lightly. They were in the same hotel room next to the sea that they shared many months ago. He turned to the girl by his side with a wide grin. She stepped up to him and placed her arms around his neck. He grinned even wider.
"I thought we were going to see about your parents." he squeaked out.
Hermione pushed herself closer to him eliciting a small groan from him as his body reacted instinctively to her.
"We haven't been together in almost three months Ron and I promised you that we would return here after your first break didn't I?" she purred into his ear. "As you have always said my dear Ron, my parents are safe and we know where they are so I think a few more hours...or days won't hurt them any. Do you agree?" she said before running her lips behind his ear and across his neck.
"You were always the smart one my love. I concur with you fully. Now let's get you into bed...for a few hours...or days whichever you want." he replied with another groan as he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the open bedroom with the sound of the sea crashing onto the shore outside.
o0o
The two middle aged proprietors sat silently on their couch as the bushy haired girl in front of them waved her stick and spoke some strange words that they did not understand. The tall red haired boy next to her was holding her other hand and had a look of anticipation in his blue eyes. The room suddenly darkened as if the lights had gone out before another bright light shone upon their faces making them blink before everything became in focus again.
They raised their faces to the girl still standing in front of them with tears in her brown eyes.
"Hermione? What are you doing home? Are you all right dear?"
"Hello sweetheart. Is everything ok? And where are we exactly? This is not our home is it?
o0o
AN2: The last chapter will be up soon. I am so excited to finally post it.