I do not own Harry Potter.

Life After the Last Battle

Chapter 10, Mine

Ron was dreaming. In his dream, he could hear Hermione laughing. She was talking to someone. Ginny or Harry. Ron opened his eyes, but the sound of Hermione laughing did not go away. Ron jumped out of his bed. He ran down stairs and saw, of all people, Hermione, sitting at the kitchen counter, drinking tea with Harry and Ginny.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"Well, I invited Hermione to come with us, and she accepted," Ginny said. Ron stared at her.

"Hello, Ronald," Hermione said. She was acting as if nothing had changed. Ginny and Harry left silently.

"H-hi…when did you get here?"

"Oh, about an hour ago. Harry, Ginny and I came this morning." She was acting like nothing had happened.

"I—I—I…"

"Harry told me about the gold. Harry said that before we divide it up, we should take some money out to buy each of our parents a new house." Ron didn't say anything; he only nodded. "Well, Ronald, I'm going outside, and I think you should go put a shirt on," she advised, getting up. Ron looked down and his face burned; he wasn't wearing a shirt. Hermione raised her eye brows and went outside. Ron bounded up to his room and threw some clean clothes on. He went outside where Harry and Ginny were sitting very close together. Harry's hand was on Ginny's. Ron wrinkled his nose and looked away. He saw Hermione sitting near the garden. He took a deep breath and walked over to her.

"Hello, Hermione," he said, sitting down next to her. He could smell her shampoo. It made him a little dizzy.

"Ronald," she replied, looking at the tomato plants.

"Why do you keep calling me that? It's Ron. Call me Ron," Ron said. Hermione turned and gave him a small smile.

"Fine, Ron." She didn't stop smiling.

"Would you stop?" Ron groaned before he could stop himself. Hermione gave him a look.

"Stop what?" she laughed a little.

"Stop smiling," he said.

"Why?" she asked, grinning.

"Because…"

"How intelligent, Ron. I'll just keep smiling if you don't tell me what's wrong. Is there something in my teeth? Does my breath smell?" she teased, laughing at him.

"Hermione……."

"What?" she'd stopped smiling and was now staring deeply into his eyes.

"No. Stop. That's even worse!" he mumbled looking away.

"What is it, Ron?"

"Why are you like this, Hermione? Why do you tease me? Can't you just tell me the truth? Why were you apologizing yesterday? Why did you say it was a bad kiss, when we both know it wasn't? What's wrong?" He whispered the last part, setting his hand on hers. Hermione looked up at Ron.

"I thought…. I thought you were angry," she said.

"About what?"

"That I kissed you."

"What's there to be angry about?"

"I thought you would think that… that it was my fault…my fault that Fred had died…"

"Why would I think it was your fault? I'm the one who just stood there. I didn't do anything," Ron said, his voice cracking.

"If I hadn't… If I'd just waited longer…"

"Then what, Hermione? How is this your fault?"

"W—it's not yours either," she said angrily.

"Hermione, it's over now. I—I wish I'd done something. But I didn't, and… I won't lose you, too," Ron laid a hand on Hermione's cheek. She blushed.

"Did you really hate it? The-the kiss?" he whispered.

"Of course not… It was… wonderful."

"Really?"

"Yes. And… what about you? Did you…not like it?"

"Of course not," Ron smiled. "I just wish…"

"What is it?" she asked.

"I just wish I'd had the courage to kiss you sooner," Ron looked away. Hermione turned bright pink.

"Well…you can kiss me now, if…if you want to." Suddenly his lips were on hers. Hermione felt the tears slide down, but she didn't care; she was too happy. She felt Ron pick her up as he stood, his arms wrapping around her. She heard Ginny and Harry shouting at them in the distance, but she couldn't hear anything but the sound of Ron's lips on hers. It was a hungry, smacking sound, but not in a gross way. She only heard the way Ron sighed quietly into her mouth and the sound of her hands running through his hair. It was not long until they started panting and had to stop. Ron set Hermione on her feet and looked down at her proudly. Hermione knew that her face was red, but she didn't care. She reached onto her toes and brought Ron's lips back to hers. Ron was very enthusiastic about this and kissed her back deeply. Finally, they pulled back to look into each others eyes. Ron grabbed Hermione's hand and they walked to the house together.

"Ron?" Hermione asked as they walked up to the porch and sat down on the bottom step.

"Yeah?"

"Why did you want me to stop smiling?" she smiled.

"Ah… it kills me," he moaned.

"What do you mean?"

"Whenever you smile, my…I just can't… think straight," he mumbled, turning pink.

"Really?" Hermione asked in wonder. Ron nodded, looked down. "Ron," she said again. He looked at her.

"It kills me, too, when you smile. It's like my heart is buzzing," she said. Ron smiled, and she smiled back. "You're mine, Ron Weasley. Mine forever."

"Does that mean you're mine?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Good," he sighed. "What if I make you really angry? Am I still yours?" he asked.

"Of course," she answered.

"Well, what if I yell at you?"

"Still mine. I'll yell back."

"What if…."

"Ron, you're mine. There's nothing you can do to get out of it," Hermione grinned.

"Oh. Well… what if I—,"

"Nope."

"How about if I—"

"Nuh-uh."

"Hmm…"

"I've told you; you're mine forever." They were quiet for a while. "Ron?" she sounded vulnerable.

"What is it?" Ron asked anxiously.

"Do...do you… never mind…"

"What is it?"

"Doyouloveme? Don'tanswernevermindforgetit," she mumbled.

"I didn't catch a word of that," Ron said.

"Good," she said. "Much too early anyway." It was silent again.

"Oh!" Ron said jumping up.

"What is it?"

"I forgot something! Be right back. Stay here!" Ron said, dashing inside. He came back five minutes later with a little box, wrapped in purple wrapping paper clumsily; he'd obviously tried to wrap it without magic.

"Th-this is for you," he turned red and sat down next to her. Ron handed Hermione the little box and she tore the paper off. It was a velvet jewelry box.

"Oh, Ron. I can't accept this," she started.

"You haven't even opened it!" he said angrily. "Just do it," he urged. Hermione looked at him and opened the box.

"Oh my goodness!" she squeaked at the necklace, which was light blue now.

"It changes colour every hour or so," Ron mumbled. "I though it was-er-cool."

"I love it!" Hermione yelled, and kissed him again. She took the necklace out and put it on gently. "How does it look?" she asked.

"Beautiful," he said. Hermione grinned.

"I'm never taking it off."

"I'm glad you like it," Ron mumbled. Hermione brought his face to hers once more.