A/N: Happy New Year!

May every single one of you be healthy, happy and loved in 2013.

Chapter Twenty-One: Loved

Ron paused at his front door and exhaled slowly. This was not going to be easy. He'd been dreading coming home since the chat with Harry. When the front door opened, Ron would have to confront Hermione over her role in last night's destruction of the Hall of Prophecies. It was not going to be pretty.

Slowly, Ron opened the door and slipped inside. The flat was bathed in a warm glow and Ron could sense a magical energy as he walked slowly along the hallway. Dropping his bag and cloak, he made his way to the kitchen and paused miserably. Hermione was wearing a pretty pink dress and had swept her hair into a messy bun, creating an alluring image. She was also carefully serving a delicious smelling chicken korma onto two plates. She glanced up sensing his presence and smiled happily.

'I haven't made this,' she confessed lightly, 'George gave me the numbers of all his muggle take away places and he said this was one of the nicest!'

'You didn't need to do that,' Ron muttered, not moving from his spot in the doorway.

'I thought it was about time I started doing nice things for you,' Hermione grinned, 'but I can't cook so this is the closest your ever get to me making you dinner.'

'I don't know what to say,' Ron admitted truthfully. Did he thank her or scream at her for making this all so confusing and bloody complicated. She was supposed to be a dangerous member of the Vipers and a woman who had destroyed valuable wizarding treasures, yet here she was giving the impression of being a completely innocent domestic goddess.

'I've managed to get the backlog of products made for George,' Hermione continued, completely oblivious to Ron's pensive mood. 'He was so pleased and has been over to collect everything. It's just in time too, when you consider how busy we are with the raid. I'm glad you let me help out. I feel like I've at least done something since I started living with you. Plus, George has been amazing towards me too. I feel far happier knowing I've helped just a little bit.'

Hermione halted when Ron continued to stand as still and silent as a statue. Slowly she placed the cutlery she had just been holding onto the counter and gazed up at him for a few seconds. Ron gazed back as he attempted to say what needed to be said. Thankfully Hermione seemed to understand his unusual silence and she cut straight to the point.

'You're angry,' she whispered carefully.

'I'm confused,' he whispered back.

'I knew I should have been more careful,' Hermione sighed with a glance towards the cut on her arm.

'What the fuck were you doing?' Ron frowned, folding his arms.

'I think that's pretty obvious,' Hermione muttered, pushing the plates of food away from her and turning to face him fully. 'I was trying to protect us.'

'How could destroying all of those prophesies protect us?' Ron replied, watching her closely.

'I'm worried that the Vipers will start researching previous prophesies,' Hermione said, looking away from him. 'I need to ensure that I've left nothing unturned and too easy for them. That room held thousands of years of Seer history. I had to make sure it was out of their hands.'

'So, you've destroyed that entire room on the off chance that someone might go looking there for something that we don't even know exists!' Ron fumed, taking a step towards her and running his hands through his hair in frustration.

'We know one exists and they aren't aware of it in its entirety,' Hermione replied calmly. 'I'm just making sure they don't ever get their hands on anything else.'

'You've destroyed valuable artefacts for the sake of something that may never happen,' Ron argued, as Hermione rubbed her arms awkwardly. 'You've given yourself up by leaving traces of your blood in the Ministry, of all places, and jeopardised our raid. What the fuck were you thinking?'

'I was thinking I'd try and keep you safe,' Hermione snapped, pushing past him and heading into the hallway.

'You said us earlier,' Ron noted, following her towards her room.

'Us or you,' Hermione muttered, opening her bedroom door.

'What's that supposed to mean?'

'It means we're both involved in this and I'm not going to let a stupid prophecy ruin everything!' Hermione sniffed, trying to close her bedroom door but failing as Ron stood in the way.

'We could have got rid of it discretely,' Ron replied with an edge to his voice. 'You didn't need to destroy the entire hall.'

'They would have realised that we'd done that and put extra weight behind their beliefs,' Hermione argued. 'At least this way no one has a clue as to what was lost or stolen.'

'You stole one?' Ron grimaced. 'How is that even possible?'

'I haven't done anything that wasn't necessary Weasley!'

'Back to that are we?' Ron said, shaking his head. 'I thought we were way past all this shit?'

'Obviously not,' Hermione frowned, 'now leave me alone.'

'Fine,' Ron snapped, 'but don't come crying to me when the Ministry asks for an investigation into all this. Hermione Granger is supposed to be dead, yet she somehow managed to destroy an entire department. Harry now knows you're Hermione and I won't be able to hold him off for long. It's all starting to unravel girl and you don't seem to give a shit.'

'Leave me alone,' Hermione repeated, pushing the door lightly. 'You don't understand.'

'I've tried,' Ron muttered, taking a step back, 'but you haven't exactly helped me understand. Shite keeps happening and I'm left in the dark. I think I've been extremely patient with you.'

Hermione answered him by slamming her door. Ron sighed and leaned his head against it. He knew this would end badly. How could it not?

'I won't disturb you again,' Ron said softly, 'but I would appreciate it if you at least give me a heads up the next time you do something so fucking ridiculous.'

He was greeted with silence, which pretty much summed up the last few months. She'd never bothered to tell him the full details of what was going on. He had blindly followed, trusted and helped the illusive witch and this was how he was being repaid; more silence.

Ron gave one last sigh as he lightly placed his hand on the door, before dropping it to walk away. He would not disturb her anymore.

o0o

They spent the next couple of days keeping a wary distance from each other. Hermione kept to her room and Ron didn't attempt to get her out. They barely saw each other and Ron's mood quickly took a turn for the worst. He felt she was being unreasonable and this feeling continued to grow. Ron had tried to help her for months, yet she didn't seem to acknowledge it. Instead she hid herself from him and kept a stony silence.

It was only on the eve of the raid that they finally spoke to each other. This only occurred because they needed to go over the plans for the next day for one final time. Hermione sat and listened to Ron, Neville and Harry discuss each step. She looked extremely pale and refused to keep eye contact with any of them.

'Is there anything you wanna add?' Harry asked her swiftly, as they began to pack up. He had spoken with an edge to his voice all night, making it clear that he was less than impressed with the brunette.

'No,' Hermione mumbled, glancing to catch Ron's eyes. 'Just try to stay safe.'

Ron nodded and saw the two Aurors out. When he returned, Hermione had moved to the hallway. She watched him as he paused in front of her and bit down on her lower lip.

'Are you going to continue to not speak to me?' Ron said gently, putting his hands in his pockets.

Hermione continued to stare with her alluring brown eyes and shook her head. Ron nodded and noted Hermione's hesitant manner. She slowly raised a hand and rested it on his chest.

'I don't want to spend tonight arguing with you,' she breathed.

'I still think we need to talk about all the crap that's been going on,' Ron muttered, 'before tomorrow.'

Hermione rested her head against him in a very delicate hug. Ron felt his eyes close of their own accord. He hadn't been this close to her for days and Merlin it felt good.

'I know I've not been entirely helpful,' Hermione whispered against him, 'but it'll all be clear soon. I won't keep things from you forever.'

'Hermione –'

'– I know that's not what you want to hear,' Hermione said, moving to look up at him again, 'but I need to ensure tomorrow goes well and I think knowing everything will cloud your decisions.'

'My decisions are already clouded,' Ron admitted, trying and failing to resist cupping her cheek.

Hermione's eyes fluttered shut. 'I don't want to think about prophesies, the agency, the raid or keeping secrets tonight.'

'Then what do you wanna do?' Ron asked, gliding his hands into her hair and pulling gently on her bun. Curls tumbled down and caused Hermione to open her eyes. She smiled timidly and bit down on her lip again.

'Can I stay with you tonight?'

Ron raised an eyebrow, causing Hermione to blush and mumble, 'I don't want to alone.'

'You can stay with me,' Ron replied slowly. He still felt annoyed for the shit she'd caused with the destruction of the Hall of Prophecies and he wasn't done talking about it, but he also knew tonight wasn't the night to do it. They had a big day tomorrow and if he were honest, he knew he craved her.

'Thank you,' Hermione whispered with a small smile. 'I'll go and get myself ready for bed.'

With that, she disappeared to her bedroom and left Ron to turn out the apartment lights and head to his own room. He leisurely got changed and into bed, feeling an odd sense of calm as he settled into his pillows and closed his eyes. Perhaps it was the knowledge that Hermione would be sleeping beside him again. Ron had certainly missed her presence in his bed over the past few days. In fact, he'd hardly slept at all since their argument.

As warmth spread around his body and the feeling of sleep began to assault him, Ron felt a slight pressure beside his arm and knew it to be Hermione. Sighing contently, Ron moved towards her and kept his eyes closed. He could feel the drugging sensation of sleep overtaking him and he welcomed it. Before he dipped into total unconsciousness however, Ron felt a light caress on his cheek. His eyes fluttered open and connected with the beautiful brown ones staring back.

'You're falling asleep already,' Hermione noted with a slight shake of her head.

'It's been a long week,' Ron replied with a yawn.

Hermione continued to touch his cheek with her warm hand. She drank in his features as she began to map out his face with delicate caresses. Ron smiled as she looked at him with a thoughtful expression across her pretty face.

'I feel like a bloody book,' he chuckled, shutting his eyes again and turning so that he could be on his back. He raised a hand above his head and relaxed. Hermione moved beside him and Ron was shocked to feel her fingers continue to touch him. She gripped his raised arm and smiled down at him angelically, as all thoughts of sleep left his mind.

'What are you doing?' Ron asked, taking in her pretty pyjama vest and expanses of exposed skin.

'Memorising you,' Hermione replied casually, as her hand travelled down his arm and onto his chest.

'Why?' Ron laughed, 'are you planning on cloning me or something.'

Hermione smiled and rolled her eyes, 'no, I just want to remember everything.'

Ron felt his own smile disappear as her words sunk in and he sat up on his elbows. 'Does that mean I won't be seeing you around as much?'

Hermione swept his fringe away from his eyes and continued to stare at him with an adoring expression. She didn't answer him with words. Instead, Ron watched as she delicately began to place light kisses across his face. He felt an overwhelming need to hold her and never let go.

Hermione hesitated as she reached his lips, only to surprise him by demanding entry and cause all level of thinking to shut down. Ron only wanted one thing: her.

'Hermione,' he moaned against her lips, as he turned them so that her back was to the bed.

She responded by deepening the kiss again and parting her legs slightly. Ron pushed further into her and gripped her exposed leg. He paused to look down and smirked at the tiny knickers she was wearing.

'You're wearing very enticing pyjamas,' he noted, as Hermione smiled bashfully.

'I was trying to make an effort,' she whispered, lightly pulling at his t-shirt.

Ron helped to take it off and continued to smile, 'you didn't need to make an effort.'

Hermione shrugged and leaned up to kiss him again. 'I've missed you,' she breathed against him.

'I've missed you,' Ron replied truthfully, giving her a kiss of his own.

'Will you promise me something?' Hermione asked quietly, as Ron began to trail kisses down her neck and across her shoulders. He nodded against her and gently pulled the pretty vest off her gorgeous body. 'Will you promise to never change?'

Ron chuckled, gently nipping and sucking at the newly exposed skin. 'Why would I change?' He asked, breathing her in.

'I don't know,' Hermione admitted, arching into him. 'I just don't want you to ever stop being you. Regardless of what happens, you need to stay the kind and passionate man you are now.'

'Regardless of what?' Ron asked, taking a nipple into his mouth and causing Hermione to moan.

'Yes,' Hermione mumbled as she gripped the pillow above her head. 'Regardless, please stay you. I couldn't bear the thought of you changing because of me.'

'I already have changed because of you,' Ron replied as he took her other nipple. He didn't know why he was admitting it to her. He'd spent a long time denying it.

'Y-you have?' Hermione stammered, arching into him again and closing her eyes.

'Yeah,' he muttered, rubbing his face against her perfect breasts, 'you've given me a reason to keep going. I feel stronger somehow.'

'I have?' Hermione breathed, watching as Ron sat up slightly and ran a hand along her stomach.

'I'm also happier than I've been for years,' he continued dazedly touching the top of her knickers.

'I'm happy too,' Hermione whispered, pulling Ron's hand away from her lower region and up to her lips. She kissed each finger tenderly and gazed at him with watery eyes.

'Why are you crying?' Ron asked, feeling worried he'd gone too far.

Hermione shook her head and smiled as a tear began to fall down her cheek. She pulled him towards her and began to kiss him as if her life depended on it. Ron reciprocated and followed her as she fell back onto the bed again. He felt himself moan as his body covered hers and muttered incoherently as she spread her legs to adjust to him.

'Fuck, you're gorgeous,' he mumbled, pushing into her warmth and losing all ability to function. Heat filled the room and an excited energy began to build. An energy Ron was powerless to stop with so much of Hermione's skin touching his own. He rubbed his nose against hers and claimed her lips again.

'Can you,' Hermione whispered, when Ron moved down her neck again. 'Can you fuck?'

'Can I fuck?' Ron asked, pausing at her left nipple to stare at her in confusion.

'Me?' Hermione clarified softly, running her hand across his fringe again.

'Fuck you?' Ron gulped as all of his remaining blood rushed to his dick.

'Please?' Hermione replied just as lightly.

'Fuck you,' Ron repeated, closing his eyes and pushing deeper into her. 'Is that what you want?'

'Yes,' she whispered, moving against him in a heavenly manner.

'You're not ready?' He muttered, feeling confused, conflicted and excited all at the same time.

'I am,' Hermione breathed. She gazed up at him with the darkest brown eyes he'd ever seen. Her tears had dissolved into desire. 'I want to be a normal girl for once in my life. I want to feel like a normal girl without any cares or worries. I want to spend the night with you like any normal girl would, if you invited them into your bed.'

Ron nodded as her words sunk in and smiled gently at the beautiful witch beneath him, 'I don't think fucking is in order then.'

'Y-you don't?' Hermione frowned, watching as Ron began to move down her body.

'Of course not,' Ron said kindly, 'if you want to feel like a normal girl without any cares or worries, you don't want to be fucked.'

'I don't?'

'No,' Ron replied, as he tugged lightly at her knickers.

'Then what?' Hermione asked, looking even more confused.

'You want to be loved,' he said simply.

Hermione stared at him in shock, as he pulled at her knickers again. She unconsciously helped by lifting her bum slightly so he could pull them off completely. Ron dropped them and glanced over her body transfixed.

'You really are beautiful,' he sighed happily, moving to kiss her slowly. Every single part of him wanted to be buried in her, but he knew that tonight needed to be about her. Hermione cautiously followed his lead and Ron could literally feel her nerves as he pulled away.

'Trust me?' He asked quietly, moving down to part her legs.

Hermione nodded and watched as he lightly caressed her hip and moved to settle between her legs. The last thing he saw was Hermione's eyes flutter shut as he began to taste her.

'Ron,' she moaned, gripping the bed sheets and pushing against his tongue.

He couldn't help but smile, as he successfully loved her with every fibre of his being.

o0o