Chapter 25

Hermione had only just finished getting ready, and Ron had triple checked the bedroom and bathroom for any evidence that he had been there when they heard the door opening. With that, George walked in with both Hermione's parents.

"Look who I found in the hotel lobby," he said as he ushered them into the room.

Ron simply smiled, but was thinking that his brother was too chicken to come back up and face Hermione and had probably been hiding in the lobby waiting for his muggle shields to come in.

"Hi, Mum. Hi, Dad," Hermione said meekly. Ron felt her lean closer into him and he placed his hand gently on her back for support.

"Hermione," her mum said. "I am so sorry about our reactions earlier. We really were in a bit of a state of shock and really didn't grasp everything. George has helped us understand some more, though – I must say there are still many large gaps I am hoping we can fill in at some point."

"We are so sorry, pumpkin," said her father. "Really, as a father I just went a bit mad when I realized I couldn't protect you from all the danger you faced this year. I am so sorry. Can you forgive us?"

"Yes, of course," she replied. "And I am hoping some day you can forgive me as well. I know it might not be today, but I really need to know that there is hope you might be able to do so in the future."

"Oh, darling, we love you so much. We do forgive you. I think I know you well enough to know you would never, ever do anything to harm us on purpose."

"Oh, Mum!" Hermione called as she embraced her mother in tears. Mr. Granger soon joined in. Ron looked at George and mouthed, "thanks," and George simply smiled and nodded.

Ron and George asked if they wanted to be left just the three of them for a bit, but the three Grangers would hear nothing of it. Soon, the five of them then sat in living room and started sharing the Chinese take-away that the Grangers had brought. Ron and George delighted at yet another amazing muggle style of food that they could add to their repertoire. As the evening went on, Ron and Hermione shared more about the year on the run. They skimmed over Malfoy Manor, but Mr. Granger had caught Ron's eye at that point and gave him a nod indicating he understood and appreciated what Ron had done. They also spent time talking about the year Hermione's parents had spent as the Wilkins in Australia, and how much they had enjoyed teaching instead of working in a dental surgery. Finally, they shared all about their trip to New Zealand.

After dinner, the conversation drifted to how Hermione had managed to move their whole life to Australia. Her parents were a little stunned at all of the details she had managed to take care of. Their investments were still in place, their old practice was being managed by a visiting dentist from America, and the grass had even been cut while Mr. Fitzugh had been paid out of a trust account, although Hermione admitted that had been the security flaw she had overlooked in the whole set up. She let them know that they had gone to see the house and had restored everything, including new carpet and drapes where they were needed.

"So, once you decide what you want to do, the choice is yours. Obviously, this is a lot of information to take in all at once. You don't need to decide anything right now. But, the house is ready and waiting for you. And the American dentist can stay through Christmas, although he is aware that if you choose to come back earlier you will probably transition back into the office sooner as well." Hermione offered.

"Wow. You really handled every detail, didn't you?" said her mum.

"I know I took so much out of your control. I hope you will come back to England, but if and when and how is all your decision. But it is there if you want it."

"Well, we can't solve all the problems of the world tonight. We have to go to work tomorrow for the start of a new term. While part of me would love to head back to England straight away, we need to talk with the school and figure out everything there. We can't just abandon the students without making sure they are taken care of as well," replied her dad.

"Of course. I know it will take a while. I am just so relieved to have you back as yourselves. And so happy you are able to accept all of this. As I said to Mrs. Weasley, I have lived it all, and I don't totally understand it, so I am sure it is incredibly overwhelming."

The Grangers stood to go, and Ron and George stepped aside so they could have a bit of a private family moment. As they finished, Mrs. Granger hugged Ron and kissed his cheek as well, causing his ears to blush. Then she hugged George, thanking him again for not giving up on them.

Mr. Granger shook Ron's hand firmly saying, "I am so sorry about earlier, son. Your brother helped me understand a lot, and I just – I just want to thank you for taking care of her."

"Of course, sir," Ron said. "We took care of each other, I suppose."

"Well, like I said, thank you. I am forever grateful for you bringing her home to us," Mr. Granger said while Ron simply nodded in reply, trying to control his emotions while his mind tried to play through painful images he didn't want to see.

And with that, the Grangers headed home for the night with promises to get in touch after work the following evening.

"You would think I would start getting used to these days that feel like you fit in an entire lifetime of emotions between waking up and going to bed," Hermione laughed as she got into bed that evening.

"Well, I know we've had several of these roller coaster days in the past few months, but I for one am thoroughly drained by them. Those of us with an emotional range of a teaspoon cannot possibly keep up when we have days like today."

"Actually," she said as she snuggled into his torso, "I think you were absolutely amazing today."

"No. George was amazing today. I mean, he's totally aggravating, but you can't deny that it worked."

"Well, yes. George was amazing. So amazing that I have decided not to hex him after all. But, actually I was talking about you. This morning when I froze, you not only confunded my parents, but once again you knew exactly how to handle me and talk me back into my own head. And then when things got out of control, you intervened and got me out of there and back to a place where I could feel safe and regain my composure. And that, my dear, is why I was talking about you being amazing."

Ron still didn't quite know how to feel when Hermione paid him a compliment like that. Part of him kept waiting for the "but" to sneak in, and part of him always wanted to pass the credit off to others or to luck. He listened to her as she spoke, but really didn't know how to respond. He simply held her tighter and kissed her forehead.

"One of these days, Ron Weasley, I will figure out how to manage to have you see yourself as I see you. A master at understanding people, a brilliant strategist who is able to think on his feet better than anyone I know, a loyal and loving soul who is completely dedicated to the ones he loves, and an incredibly handsome man who manages to make me weak in the knees."

Ron again couldn't find any words to reply to Hermione's praise. He simply closed his eyes, and pressed his forehead even tighter to the mass of curls in front of him. He was so grateful to be with her, but in so many ways he still did not feel worthy. He still felt as if he had abandoned her, and kept trying to believe he could be deserving of such love.

As if she could read his mind, Hermione turned so that she was now facing him. While his eyes were still shut, she propped herself up on her elbow and kissed his forehead, and then his cheek, and then his neck whispering "so loyal, so kind, so brilliant, so passionate, so loving, so dedicated, so quick thinking…"

He was overwhelmed by this outpouring love, and he felt a tear escape his eye, which she quickly kissed away. He didn't want to have another breakdown like he'd had at the magical rock at Uluru. So, he tried to calm himself through several slow breaths. As she continued to kiss him, it was a different sensation for him. It didn't feel like sexual foreplay as much as it felt like some form of forgiveness or blessing. And so he just tried to receive it from her.

Finally, he opened his eyes. Holding her stare he whispered, "I love you Hermione. Because of you I want to be a better person. And with you I am a better person. Each day. I can feel it. And one of these days I hope to see in me what you see. And I hope to live up to what you see. But no matter whether I feel I can achieve that or not, I am so grateful to be here with you."

"Oh Ron," she whispered, and then moved her kisses to his mouth. Soon, he was responding in kind. His hands gently tracing her facial features. Her fingers brushing his red locks away from his face. They were kissing slowly, not the mad passion from the day they had spent in bed, but sweet, tender kisses communicating the love that had underplayed all of the passion from the days before. Eventually they slowed, and fell asleep in each other's arms.