This flight tonight.

Disclaimer: This is a work of Fan Fiction set within the Harry Potter universe. As such all Characters and Locations belong to J.K. Rowling and this work is not being produced for commercial gain.

x

The gleaming Qantas 767 sat on the runway ready for takeoff.

The flight attendant returned to her aft station puzzled by the exchange she had just had. She'd spoken to a young man who was clearly nervous. She'd asked if he was a poor flyer. His reply hadn't made much sense.

"No love, I'm great I was thinking about going professional. I just hate planes."

Her confusion turned to amusement as his companion had hissed her rebuke to him.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hermione watches his knuckles grip the armrest. As the engine sounds get louder his grip tightens and the padding off the armrest is squeezed tighter.

"I bloody hate this. I really do. "

Once the seat belt lights have gone out, he still sits there, his hands clamped into the armrests.

"Why did you come Ron?"

"Because Harry didn't, because he's not here, because I need to see if we work without him. I like you Hermione, more than that, I love you, but so does Harry.

No don't interrupt, I know there's nothing romantic between you but I need to see if there is between us. We've been friends since we were eleven, in that time there has been cross words and blazing rows. There have been times when I've walked away. The one thing there hasn't been is any time where we've been just the two of us, without Harry.

I'd like to make a proper go of this but I need to know, can we work without Harry, because as good a friend as he is I don't want that type of relationship.

I'm not getting at him or you. It's just he's always here. At times, he's the sticking charm or the referee. Well as good a friend as he is, as much as I owe him. This is one thing he can't do. If we are going to make a go of this, of us. Then we need to be able to survive together with him on the other side of the world."

Hermione is startled at Ron's earnest and how much thought he's put into this. It's not exactly flowers and roses but for a man who she had once said had all the emotional depth of a teaspoon it's the most sure sign She's ever had that Ron is taking her, no them seriously.

She looks out, not at Ron but past him, out the window to the clouds and sky the shimmering blue of sky. Staring off into space in the truest sense.

The future opens up in front of her. What does she want? For so long she has been doing the job in front of her, an endless list of things to do, broken down into minutia to stop her being overwhelmed. No one could cope with find Horcruxes, win the war. So every day was broken into little tasks. Breakfast and washing, food and research.

There were times of improvisation and panic but mostly it was compartmentalising the tasks into smaller pieces so they could be coped with.

She is here on another job on her list, travel to Australia, find a place to stay. Research dental practices. Find her parents and then undo the thing she did. Then deal with the issues that arise. It's all too big just like the was war was, so she is just thinking about from now to the first stop over in Dubai. Now Ron's talking of the future. When she dares to think of the future she can't get beyond next year when she plans to return to Hogwarts, to immerse myself in routine. To try to find Hermione again. Just herself, away from Harry and Ron and camping and everything.

Now, a new possibility is placed in front of her.

Mrs Weasley.

Mrs Hermione Weasley.

She tries to ignore the image that name conjures up in her mind.

Her eyes focus within the cabin and on Ron, he's sitting tight lipped watching her waiting for a response. The tension in him rises as he waits for her to say something.

She leans in to kiss him, surprising them both. A quick peck, She is slightly off target, half on his mouth half on his cheek. His stubble catch her lips.

"Just when I think I understand you Ron you surprise me."

She places a finger on his lips to stop him from speaking.

"Anything you say next will spoil the moment so don't.

Ron I know you better than you think. We've lived together for 7 years in that tower and then the tent. I know the kind of boy you were and the man you're becoming. You've just proven you can surprise me but fundamentally I think I understand you. I doubt you'll ever say a sweeter thing. In your own way. You're not a hearts and flowers kind of man but I'm not a hearts and flowers kind of girl so that's ok.

What I heard you say then Ron is this. I take you seriously, you take us seriously and you want to know we can work.

I want that too but I'm afraid it'll be hard work because I don't know who I am anymore. The person I think I am doesn't match with what I did.

Hermione Granger doesn't just stand by and watch my friends cast unforgiveables. I don't break into banks. I don't fight duels to the death. The person I think I am doesn't cast a blasting curse at a fallen opponent to make sure they stay down. I certainly don't." My voice falters as the horrors of my nightmares rise to the daytime surface. "I don't mess with my parents heads and send them away.

Until that's undone, until I know they love me again, then I can't love myself, until I can look in a mirror without shuddering I can't commit to anyone, I'm sorry Ron. This isn't a no but I can't. Not at the moment. I have too many scars that haven't healed yet. " She rubs her arm where the word mudblood still stands. It could have been healed, it is a physical wound not a curse. It can be done at any time but the longer it is left the more painful it will be. Once her parents have their minds back then she plans to get it done and welcome the pain as penance for her wrongs.

"Far too many scars." Hermione repeats.

Before she can say anymore Ron answers his voice quiet so it doesn't carry but firm and definite.

"Do you think I don't know that? This war has changed us. Twelve months ago, Bill and Fluer got married and everything seemed certain. We would defeat him or at least Harry would and we would cheer him on. We have both changed. I saw what you did to Greyback but after finding Lavender there was a queue to do that.

Hermione you haven't really changed, as much as you think you have. You are still the bossy, confident person you always wear, it's just as you say, we all carry scars. Bill is a handsome man. Always the best looking, the fact his face is messed up doesn't stop him being that though. His handsomeness is still there, it's just sometimes strangers can't see it but I know Fleur can. It's the same with you. What you were is still there, it's just war has put something on top of it.

You say you can't love yourself, well I still can, erm love you I mean.

But I understand that might not be enough to make it work for us, not long term and that is what I want. You and me, together, for the long term but if this war has taught me anything it's what we want and get aren't the same thing. I'm pretty bloody certain when Colin wanted to be a hero he didn't want to be a dead one. I bet Tonks wanting to be with Remus didn't take into account them both dying.

I wanted to be famous all my life. Well here I am, Ron Bloody Weasley, Order of Merlin second class. How's that for fame? I just never wanted it for standing on a bloody field of death that used to be my school.

So I'm here to help you. I'm here because although you want to do this alone you don't deserve to do it alone. Yeah I bloody hate flying but so what? Life can turn to shit but I've been shown what happens when I give up. I need to know I worked at this. If you say it can never be. Then I'll be sad, sure but I'll still be alive and I'll make something else work but not before I tried to make a fair go of us and not until I've supported you in this task."

With tears in her eyes Hermione moves in to hug Ron.

"What have you done with Ron Weasley? That is exactly what I need to hear right now. What have I done to deserve you?"

"It's a good job this is a long flight, you've done so much it will take until our first stop over to tell you how great you are."

As the plane flies into the night Hermione settlers down against Ron shoulder .

"Well first there was lying to McGonagall about the troll."

A.N.

An "I Never " challenge for The Teachers Lounge.

The title comes from a Joni Mitchell song but this is not a song fic.