Machinations
Chapter 12 part 2
Groaning, Ron slowly looked around the circle. The strange sensation that had been building in his head seemed to be calming down a bit, and slowly he managed to climb to his feet, standing on shaky legs. Regaining his equilibrium, he stood and walked over to each of the girls, checking to make sure they were okay.
Stopping and kneeling next to Hermione, who was slowly coming around herself, he reached out, touching her arm and gasped suddenly as a vision of a naked Hermione, soaking in a tub filled with bubbles filled his mind. Jerking back slightly, he accidentally startled Hermione who was looking at him with a slightly awkward expression. "Err Ron, are you okay?" She asked.
"Um yeah. I'm fine. I err just saw well err it doesn't matter. Anyway, are you okay?" Ron asked, his cheeks crimson, his voice awkward and stammering his reply.
"I'm fine, Ron. Did you err, see something embarrassing?" Hermione asked, looking at him and blushing.
"Err no. Not really. It's fine. I'm really sorry." Ron said, turning a deeper shade of red.
"Ron, we won't have many secrets from each other when the bond is complete. Chances are we will end up seeing awkward or embarrassing things about each other. It's okay if you want to talk. Alright?" Hermione said, trying to ease his discomfort.
"It's nothing serious. I just err well I saw you bathing, is all. I'm sorry." Ron said, looking down at his feet.
"Oh, is that all? It's okay, Ronald. It's a perfectly normal occurrence. Don't be embarrassed. Chances are you'll see much worse." Hermione said.
"Well, okay then. Thanks, Hermione." Ron said, holding out a hand to help her to her feet. Taking his hand, Hermione slowly stood up and went to check on Gabrielle as Ron moved to Ginny first then Luna and Fleur.
Ron slowly reached out, placing a hand on Fleur's shoulder. Instantly, a vision of her alone in a room at what he recognized as Shell cottage filled his mind. Fleur was lying, face down, on a bedspread, crying with her face buried in a pillow.
Instantly, Ron felt a desire to hold and comfort Fleur flood through him, even though he knew the memory was from at least a month or so ago, and the wound had already begun to heal. Reaching out, he wrapped his arms around Fleur, kissing her cheek and cuddling her against his chest.
Looking at him awkwardly, Fleur slowly responded, leaning into his embrace while sparing him a confused look. "Err, Ron. Are you alright?" She asked, puzzled by his sudden display of affection.
Shaking his head, he smiled at her. "I love you, Fleur. You're absolutely breathtaking. I worry sometimes that I don't tell you enough. The idea of having a family with you, Fleur, is a bit daunting I'll admit but I am also excited as well." Ron said, cupping her cheek and softly kissing her lips.
Still somewhat surprised, Fleur returned the kiss, giving him another confused look when Ron pulled away and stood to help her to her feet. Nearby, Ginny and Luna stood watching the display between the two. Walking up, Hermione and Gabrielle joined them, both watching Fleur and Ron as well.
Smiling, Hermione held Gabrielle's hand in hers, sharing a brief look with her. Clearing her throat, Ginny looked away and the pair broke apart, Ron standing quickly and helping Fleur to her feet. "Err sorry," Ron muttered, looking away embarrassed.
Hermione shot Ginny a pointed look and Ginny sighed, nodding almost imperceptibly. "It appeared she and Ron would have to talk soon enough." She decided.
"Is everyone alright?" Ron asked, looking around slowly. After they all assured him that they were fine, he led the way inside the manor, heading slowly for the downstairs parlor where they sat down, relaxing and chatting.
Looking at the clock on the wall, Ron heard his stomach rumble. "Taffy." He called.
"Yes, master?" The little elf asked, appearing with a pop.
"Could you bring in some tea and nibblies for us? We missed dinner because of the coven ritual." Ron asked.
"Certainly, master." The elf replied, disappearing. A few minutes later a platter of sandwiches appeared along with a tea service.
Ron waited until the girls had all helped themselves to sandwiches and tea before pouring his own cup and taking a sandwich of his own. The girls spent a little while chatting among themselves, with Ron occasionally contributing before they decided to head to bed for the night.
Tomorrow was Sunday and the last day before they would catch the Hogwarts express. Fleur would be leaving early on Sunday to floo to Hogsmeade and meet with Headmistress McGonagall to discuss her teaching position before the start of term. They had already done their shopping for school with the Delacours during one of their trips to Diagon Alley.
According to McGonagall, as a lord of an ancient and noble house, Ron was entitled to use the private suite of rooms, the Lord's quarters in a rarely used section of Hogwarts. Ron had eagerly accepted the offer, delighted at the prospect of a little privacy during his stay in Hogwarts since it meant more time alone with his girls, as he had taken to thinking of them. It amazed him at times how much he had come to love and depend on Fleur, Luna, and Ginny. They each meant the world to him and he was sure he would go mad if he had to spend an entire term without touching them.
Hermione and Gabrielle headed upstairs to bed, with Fleur and Luna following behind them. Hanging back a bit, Ginny waited until they were out of earshot before turning to face Ron. "Err Ron, can we talk?" She asked, hesitantly.
"Sure. What's up, Gin?" Ron asked, looking at her.
"Do you love me, Ron?" Ginny asked, staring at her hands in her lap.
"Of course I love you, Gin Gin. Why wouldn't I?" Ron asked, looking at her.
"Well, it's just...Ron, I see how you interact with Fleur and Luna and sometimes I feel jealous of them. I know you love them and your relationship with them will raise some questions, but society won't bat too many eyes about your relationship with them. Our relationship, on the other hand, would never be acceptable. Sometimes I worry you'll decide that our relationship isn't worth the trouble of sneaking around." Ginny said quietly, wiping a tear from her eyes.
Moving over to sit beside her, Ron wrapped her in his arms, cuddling her to his chest. "Ginny, I know things didn't start out ideally between us and I'm sorry for how I treated you back then. Forcing you into this wasn't right, but I do love you. I could never bear to live without you. You're mine and I'm yours. I love you, Gin. I'll never let you go. I know things won't be easy for us, but I will never give up on us. I'll do everything in my power to make you happy and assure you every day that I love and cherish you, Gin."
Nodding to herself, Ginny looked up and met his gaze. "So you love me the same as Fleur and Luna? I mean I know I can't officially become your wife or have your children as they can, but you do love me the same, right?" She asked.
"Oh Gin, is that what's been troubling you?" Ron asked, leaning in to kiss her lips. "I'll always love you Gin. Even if we can't get married or have children, I'll love you all the same. You're my girl, Gin. I promise that nothing will change that." Ron said, assuring her.
Feeling better about herself, Ginny smiled, leaning into him, her head resting on Ron's shoulder as he held her. "Thanks, Ron. I love you too." She whispered softly.
They stayed like that for a little while longer before heading upstairs to shower and get ready for bed. They had to get up early the next morning to meet the Delacours who were eager to see how the coven bond turned out and do some last-minute shopping before the start of term.
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Stepping out of the floo the next morning, Ron looked around the lobby of the leaky cauldron, spotting the Delacours sitting at a table a short distance away. They crossed the room, walking over and shaking Ron's hand when they spotted him. The girls joined them, one at a time, stepping out of the floo and crossing over to stand next to Ron.
"Hello, girls. How did it go?" Mrs. Delacour asked, wrapping her arms around Fleur and Gabrielle, one at a time, and giving them each a hug.
"Very well, mum," Fleur stated.
"It went great, mum," Gabrielle added, copying Fleur's sentiment.
"That's wonderful, dears." Mrs. Delacour said, sparing her eldest daughter a studying glance before glancing briefly at Ron. Shaking her head, she smiled at her daughters. They talked for a few more minutes before heading out into Diagon Alley to do a bit of shopping. They spent an enjoyable Sunday together, shopping and chatting, stopping briefly for lunch, during which Mrs. Delacour continued to look between Fleur and Ron.
At around 4:30 that afternoon they said their goodbyes and parted ways, the Delacours, including Gabrielle, heading off to their suite of rooms, and Ron and the girls returning to the manor.
TBC
In the next chapter, Ron and the girls set out for the Hogwarts express, Fleur has a talk with her parents and later meets up with Headmistress McGonagall at Hogwarts.