Author's Notes: I guess I need to start giving myself the benefit of the doubt. I thought last chapter was going to be horrendous...felt I was scattered in too many directions for it to be worth the paper it's printed on (that's a joke for ya'!). Of course, overwhelming positive response leads me to believe it turned out just fine. Of course, that's not to say I didn't drop the ball a couple of times. There were at east TWO plot points I'd intended to touch on that I completely bulldozed right over. This chapter, courtesy of a couple of handy-dandy flashbacks, I managed to jam the square pegs of those plot points, into the round holes of this chapter.

As I started working on this chapter last night, sometime around 11:00 or 12:00, I hit a groove and it just started to flow. Next thing I knew it was 5 AM and half the chapter was written. I'm thinking it turned out pretty good...hopefully you will, too.

My reviewers (Edinburgh Love, Ann Malfoy, Cantletharrygo, CutewithAcapital-Q, fatyellowrat, Avanell, Dizzy0305, katie1985, Elytha, Trude, mugglemama, emmy1124, Emma.Jane-HPfan, Moony3005, IsI Wisi, Lady Anja, embergrl9010, the written princess, MissFinnegan, Tiffany M, kareem33, randomguy1517, Shlesha, ronniemione, sarah-keyko, not for lack of trying, Emm04, Jacob's-One-Girl, Ravenhaired2, and Nosta82, Aly-Cat 101, EnglishGirlVerity, marauders rox, Lane Joey, allenterrill, skippyboo, Larelles, kellymc1, xxafterglowxx, screamxheart, zsdvnn, and Foxy-Steph) can beat up YOUR reviewers!! :-) I love my reviewers. They rule!!

"Aftermath" is rated M for language and naughty stuff.

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling is the one who owns the copyright to this stuff.


"Aftermath"

Chapter 28 -- After-Dinner Conversation

"So it's really grown back?" Ginny asked as she and Harry took a walk down around the pond in the garden at the Burrow. She kept shooting glances down at the front of Harry's trousers, only to snap her gaze back up to his face when she realized he saw what she was doing.

"Yes, Gin," Harry chuckled, having answered this question about a dozen times since he'd taken the counter-potion to George's Bits Away concoction, "It's all back where it belongs, and judging by my last visit to the loo, it works the way it's supposed to."

"Alright, just checking," she said, laughing happily.

"It was pretty vicious the way you went after George," he said, smiling, "I certainly hope I never piss you off that bad."

"Well, as long as you don't secretly make my boyfriend's bits disappear," Ginny said, her smile broadening, "I think you're safe."

"As long as you don't go getting yourself another boyfriend," Harry said, taking her hand and pulling her to him, "I don't think we'll have to worry about that. I like my bits right where they are."

"Me too," Ginny said, reaching up and running her fingers through his messy hair, moving his bangs out of his face.

"Careful…" Harry quirked an eyebrow at her, "If Charlie hears you say that, he'll blacken my other eye."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that happening, Harry," Ginny stood up on her tip-toes and kissed him tenderly on his lips.

Dinner and dessert were over, and Minister for Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt had just left the Burrow, and the elder three Weasley sons were about to do the same. Each of the men said goodbye to their parents, their guests, and each of their siblings. Charlie Weasley had chosen his baby sister Ginny to be the last one he said goodbye to. This would prove to be a mistake.

"Well, Gin-Gin," Charlie walked up to her, his arms open wide for a hug, "I'm out of here…places to go, dragons to keep…you know how it is."

Ginny stepped into his arms and hugged him tight. She loved each and every one of her brothers, and she hardly ever got to see Charlie. He was always in Romania and she was always away at school. Moments later, she stepped back and looked up at her brother as his smile beamed down at her.

"You know I love you, baby sister," he said, taking out his wand as he prepared to Disapparate.

"And you know I love you, big brother," she smiled, "I have something I want to give you before you go."

"Oh yeah? What's that?" Charlie asked, surprised that his sister had something to give him.

"Close your eyes," Ginny said smiling.

"Alright," the second oldest Weasley son did as his sister said, and shut his brown eyes, closing them tight and holding out his free hand, "Let me have it."

"You got it, big brother!"

Scowling, Ginny Weasley balled up her fist and swung at her brother with all her might, imagining that his freckled, carrot-topped head was a Quaffle she was trying to hit through a Slytherin goal hoop. Her fist connected with Charlie's left eye with such force – and he was so shocked by the punch – that he was knocked hard onto his bum.

"GINNY!" Charlie yelled, grabbing his eye and looking up at his sister, "What the bloody Hell was THAT about?!"

Ginny stood over Charlie, her brown eyes blazing with anger, her face red with fury, her fists balled up and ready to lunge at her older brother and beat his head into the ground if necessary.

"I think you KNOW what that was about, Charles Weasley!" she shouted, stepping closer, causing him to scootch himself backwards across the grass.

"Is it about Harry?" the dragon keeper asked, rubbing his sore left eye.

"OF COURSE IT'S ABOUT HARRY!" the young spitfire screeched, "You gave him a black eye!"

"He shouldn't have slept with you Gin," Charlie said, defending his actions.

"Oh my GOD!! Why couldn't I have been born into a family full of sisters?!" Ginny yelled, looking up to the heavens as if for an answer to her question, "He didn't SHAG me, Charlie, and even if he did, I can take care of myself!!"

"That's easy for you to say," Charlie griped, starting to slowly get to his feet, keeping an eye on his loose-cannon baby sister, "But how do we really know you can handle yourself if a guy starts trying to take advantage of you?"

"First of all," Ginny snapped, "Harry wouldn't take advantage of me, and secondly, you're a bloody dragon keeper, and I dropped you with one punch!"

Charlie grimaced. She'd caught him by surprise, but the fact of the matter was, she had one Hell of a right cross. He picked his wand up off the grand and dusted himself off. He looked at Ginny, taking her all in despite his swollen left eye. She wasn't a little girl anymore. She could handle herself. She could certainly handle Harry Potter.

"I still love you, you know," he said stiffly, his jaw clenched should she decide to take another swing at him.

"I know you do, Charlie," she sighed, throwing her arms around him and giving her big brother a kiss on the cheek, "Thank you for trying to look out for me…even if I can take care of myself."

Charlie grunted in agreement, once more rubbing his eye.

"I love you, Charlie. Come back soon, alright?"

"I'll do my best," he nodded, giving her a slight smile, "Tell Harry…sorry about the eye."

"I can't believe you beat two of your brothers up for me tonight!" Harry laughed, kissing the top of her head, "I thought it's the guy's job in the relationship to beat people up for the girl."

Ginny looked up at him, a playfully smirk on her lips and laughter shining in her eyes. It took him a few moments but Harry caught on to what that look meant.

"Hey! I am not the girl in this relationship!!"

"Of course you're not, Harry," Ginny said in a patronizing voice, reaching up and patting him tenderly on the cheek, "Now that you've got your bits back, anyway."

"I'm the man," Harry said, although he seemed to be talking to himself more than to Ginny who had started to continue her walk around the pond, "Hey! Wait, Gin!" he called, hurrying to catch up to her.

"So have any of my other brothers done anything I need to know about?" she asked once he fell into step beside her again.

"Are you going to beat them up, too?" Harry asked, casting a sidelong glance at her.

"I will if they deserve it," Ginny replied seriously. She reached out and grabbed his hand, "Nobody does stuff to my man but me!"

"Hey!" Harry tried to be indignant, but it was difficult when Ginny was laughing so lyrically, "Wait…what sort of stuff do you plan on doing to me?"


"So I'm childish and immature, eh Ronald?" Hermione snapped, hands firmly placed on hips, waiting for him to answer, "Do you know what you are?"

"Err…an idiot?" Ron asked, hoping to quell her anger by disparaging himself, "A bloody daft moron who should have known better than to call you those names because they are the complete opposite of what you are."

"Err…that's right," Hermione said, her anger fading into confusion for a few moments. This is not how this was supposed to go. He was supposed to quarrel with her, not concur with her! What was he up to?

"You're mature," Ron went on, doing his best to disarm her by completely agreeing with her argument. It was a risky tactic, but sometimes when a frontal assault would prove disastrous, stealth was called for, "You always handle yourself in an adult manner and you had every right and reason to not want to attend supper tonight."

"Well, yes, you're right, I did," Hermione nodded, trying to remember what her point had been when she started this row.

"In fact," Ron said, standing up and crossing his arms, "It was insulting of me to attempt to use guilt to get you to come tonight."

"Now, I wouldn't say it was insulting…" she said, not wanting to seem too harsh.

"It was presumptuous of me to think you'd want to come to every single family supper just because we're dating," he said, looking away from her.

"It was an important dinner, after all," Hermione defended him, "Your mother did have her heart set on my parents and me attending."

"Important or not," Ron continued, "Mum needs to learn that you can't just force people to do what you want. She thinks she can order you around like you're one of us!"

"I…I like that your mum treats me like family, Ron," she said, placing her hand on his back and rubbing it to try and comfort him, "Honestly, I do, Ron."

"You sure?" he asked, casting a glance over at her, and hiding his grin, "You sure you're alright with all this?"

"Of course I'm sure," she nodded, smiling at him, "It got a little out of hand, but it turned out nice."

He returned her smile and put his arms around her. He leaned down to kiss her, and she tilted her head up, wrapping her arms around his neck. Seconds later, their lips were entangled, their tongues entwined while their hands caressed each other lovingly.

Hermione melted into Ron's arms and they sank together onto the bench to get a bit more comfortable as they snogged out back of the Burrow under the stars. Until, suddenly, Hermione pulled away.

"Wait a minute!" she said harshly, pushing Ron away for some room to think. Her mind started racing as she realized what had just happened.

"'Mione? What's wrong?" Ron asked, wanting to get back to the kissing. She tasted like chocolate icing.

"You sneaky git!" she yelled, punching him in the arm, "You changed tactics on me!!"

"I don't know what you're talking about," he lied, furrowing his brow.

"You treated our row like some sort of chess game!" she accused, jumping to her feet, "The direct approach wasn't going to work, so you altered your strategy, agreeing with me instead of arguing! That's…that's not fair!!"

"Why not?" Ron asked, getting up and moving towards her, causing her to back up, "I agree with you. Everything you said is true. You win. Fight's over."

"Yes, but I'm angry with you, Ron!" Hermione said, although she didn't sound too convinced.

"You didn't seem angry thirty seconds ago," he said, raising an eyebrow and smiling lopsidedly at her.

"Well, no, that's because we were kissing," she explained, "I'm never angry when we're kissing…"

"Good to know," he said, taking her in his arms and kissing her neck.

"Ohhhhh," she moaned at his touch, closing her eyes, "You're horrible, you know that?"

"Yes, I do," he agreed, kissing his way up to her ear, lowering his voice to a whisper, "I'm completely despicable."

Hermione shivered as he whispered in her ear. She looked nervously towards him, "I won the fight?"

"You won," he nodded, nibbling her earlobe and then kissing his way down her jaw.

"Good! Fight's over. Let's make up!"

Hermione threw her arms around Ron again and they returned themselves to the intense snogging they had been engaged in only a few moments before. Snogging Hermione was way too good a thing to stop just so he could tell her the amazing news he'd gotten tonight. Ron would tell her later…when she wasn't doing that amazing thing with her tongue…her tongue that tasted amazingly like chocolate icing.

"Mmmm…chocolate! My favorite!" Ron was alone in the kitchen of the Burrow following the break-up of the dinner party. Everyone would be going home soon, and with no one in the house at that moment, it gave Ron the perfect opportunity to sneak another piece of chocolate cake for himself. He shoved half the slice into his mouth in one bite. He hadn't expected to be locked in conversation with the Minister for Magic when he'd done it.

"Mr. Weasley," Kingsley Shacklebolt said in his deep, baritone voice, clapping a hand on Ron's shoulder, "I've been meaning to talk to you privately."

Ron did his best to swallow the huge wad of cake in his mouth as he turned, chocolate icing adorning the corners of his mouth, to face the head of the wizarding government.

"Yeah…err…yes…sir?" Ron was having a hard time with the whole Kingsley from the Order is now the Minister situation.

"Harry wasn't the only one that Minerva McGonagall spoke to me about, Ronald," he said, a kind look on his intimidating face, "She also told me of your desire to become an Auror."

"She did?" Ron looked confused. If Kingsley knew about Ron wanting to be an Auror, how come only Harry got the free ride?

"I had been planning to offer you the same chance as Harry," the Minister said, "Until I talked with your father at the Ministry."

"My dad?" Ron wondered what his father had said that would have made the Minister decide to change his mind. Maybe his dad thought he couldn't hack it as an Auror.

"He told me about your brother, George, and how you've been helping him back on his feet," Shacklebolt said, a look of respect in his dark eyes, "Not many young men your age would put their own ambitions aside to help their family."

Ron shrugged. What could he say to that? His family was important to him, and he would do whatever it took to help them whenever they needed it.

"That's why I didn't make the offer to you at dinner," he explained, "I figured you didn't need your whole family staring at you why you tried to decide between helping your brother and following your own dream. With that kind of pressure you might not make the decision you want to make."

"I see," Ron said glumly. It still would have been nice if Kingsley had offered.

"So, here I am now…in private…nobody but us here," the former Auror said, "Making you the same offer that I made Harry. A spot in the Auror training program…a chance to join the Auror Corps without sitting the N.E.W.T.s…what do you say?"

This was his chance! A chance to join the Auror Corps right alongside his best mate and keep the world safe from dark wizards and other crazy bastards who thought they might be the next all-powerful Dark Lord. He'd be his own man, making his own path in life…and making more than he got paid working at the joke shop! George would understand. His whole family would understand. They'd be behind him no matter what he did.

"No."

"Excuse me?" Kingsley wasn't sure he heard what Ron had said.

"Thanks, but no," Ron said, "Right now, my place is beside George, helping him get back on his feet."

Kingsley said nothing, but looked deeply into Ron's eyes for several moments. Finally, a smile broke out on the Minister's dark face and he extended a hand to Ron.

"I wouldn't have expected otherwise," he said, "Would've been a bit disappointed, in fact, if you said yes. It would've meant I had read you all wrong."

"Happy not to disappoint," Ron said, grimacing.

"Cheer up, Cadet Weasley!" Shacklebolt laughed, slapping Ron on the back, "That's your spot in the training academy…whether you take it in the fall with Harry, next spring, next year, or five years from now! It will be there when you want it."

Ron broke into a broad grin. He was going to get his shot after all. It could wait a couple of years if that's what George needed from him. Ron could wait…he could wait because it would be waiting for him.

"Thank you, sir! Minister, sir!" Ron said, stumbling over his own words.

"Call me Kingsley, Ron."


"Oy! Get a room, you two!!" Harry yelled at the couple snogging on the bench as he and Ginny made their way up to the back of the lopsided house.

Hermione and Ron looked up, both of them scowling hatefully at him. He and Ginny stopped in their tracks for a few seconds at the viciousness of the look, and then continue on, laughing at the two lovers.

"You know, Harry," Hermione sighed in exasperation, "I've always said you have the absolute worst timing of anyone imaginable."

"Thanks a lot, mate," Ron grumbled as Hermione pulled herself out of his grasp and stood up, "Remind me to kill you in your sleep tonight."

"Just remember, Ron," Ginny said mock-threateningly, "If you kill him in his sleep, you'll have me to answer to!"

"Wait a minute," Harry said, looking at his girlfriend, "If I'm dead, what good does him answering to you do for me?"

"Well, none, of course, Harry," Ginny said, patting his arm soothingly, "But you'll be dead, so you won't care. Besides, won't your spirit rest easy knowing you were avenged?"

"Not especially," he whined, "I'd rather he answered to you before he killed me in my sleep!"

"But, mate," Ron cut in, grinning, "If I don't kill you in your sleep first, there won't be anything for me to answer to her for."

"Really, Harry," Hermione chimed in, smiling, "You have to understand how these things work. There's a natural progression to these sorts of things, and you can't just take them out of order. Honestly, Harry!"

Ron, Ginny, and Hermione broke into laughter, and after a few moments, Harry sighed and laughed too.

"I am so glad my death is a cause for such joy amongst my dear, dear friends," Harry playfully whined.

"Oh come off it, mate," Ron said, draping an arm across Harry's shoulder, "The day you die will probably be declared a National Day of Mourning. Wizards and witches alike will weep like babies at news of your passing. They'll put your face on a Chocolate Frog card (how cool would that be, mate?). Nimbus will put out a new broomstick and call it the Harry Potter Special. Hogwarts will rename the hospital wing in your honor."

"Gee, Ron, sounds like you've put an awful lot of thought into me dying," Harry smirked.

"Yeah, well…it looked a bit iffy there for a while, didn't it?" Ron said, blushing, "If it's any consolation, mate, I figured I'd be dead, too."

The two girls stood there staring at Ron open-mouthed.

"What?" he asked, embarrassed, "I had a lot of time to think while we were hunting Horcruxes…sitting there at night, keeping watch…a mind starts to wander."

"And I suppose I died, too, in this maudlin little fantasy of yours," Hermione said, a little indignantly.

"Err…no, actually. I figured you'd make it through unscathed, find me just before I snuffed it…there'd be this emotional encounter with you crying and me confessing my love to you…even though I'd been too afraid of rejection to tell you before. I'd die, and then you'd be so heartbroken you'd spend your whole life mourning me, dressed in black and whatnot, unable to shake the memory of the love that could've been."

They looked at him open-mouthed again, this time Harry joining in.

"Shut it, you lot," he grumbled, his ears flaming red, "Like I said…I had a lot of time to think."

Ginny patted him on the arm, "And now we see that thinking is really not your strong suit."

The three of them laughed at Ron as they all made their way inside the house. Hermione made a point of walking close enough to Ron to squeeze his hand and whisper in his ear.

"You're right…I'd have never gotten over you."

They smiled at each other and exchanged a short, chaste peck on the lips.

The two couples passed George as he was still slaving over the huge pile of dinner dishes, washing and drying them by hand. His eyes were weary and the front of his clothes were soaked with soapy water.

"Give me a hand, you lot," George pleaded, "Mum won't have to know!"

Smiling viciously, Ginny turned towards the kitchen door, "Mum!! George is trying to get us to help him with the dishes!!"

"YOU DO THOSE DISHES YOURSELF, GEORGE WEASLEY!!" Molly yelled from the sitting room, "THAT WAY YOU'LL HAVE LESS FREE TIME TO PLAY HORRIBLE PRANKS ON PEOPLE!!"

George glared at his baby sister, brandishing a sudsy cooking spoon menacingly in her direction, "You are pure evil, Ginny!"

Ginny stuck her tongue out at George, took Harry's hand and led him out of the kitchen.

George turned to Ron and Hermione, practically begging for help, "Come on, Ronnie…I'm your boss. You've got to help me!"

"Sorry, mate," Ron said halfheartedly, "I've already been in Mum's bad books once today, I'm not gonna risk it."

Hermione and Ron left George in the kitchen to his own devices, and when they entered the sitting room they found the Grangers just getting ready to leave.

"Ah…Ron, Hermione, perfect timing," Mr. Granger said, smiling at the young couple, "We were just getting ready to Floo home."

"We should be all settled by next weekend," Mrs. Granger said as she walked up and gave Ron a goodbye hug and peck on the cheek, "So we'd love for you to come to dinner on Saturday."

"That sounds great," Ron said, blushing at the kiss, but smiling just the same, "I'll see if George will let me off a little early that night."

"I'll see to it he does," Mrs. Weasley said, "Now, Hermione, dear, before you leave…could I please speak to you out front?"

"Sure, Mrs. Weasley," the girl said nervously, "You gone on ahead, Mum and Dad, I'll be along shortly."

"Alright, dear," Mrs. Granger said, kissing her daughter on the cheek, "See you at home."

Hermione watched as her parents, one by one, stepped into the fireplace and, using the magical green powder, sent themselves hurtling through the Floo Network back to their own home somewhere on the outskirts of London.

Once they were gone, Hermione slowly followed Mrs. Weasley out the front door. Hermione wasn't sure what her boyfriend's mother was going to say to her – although Mrs. Weasley had said something about owing her an apology – and that made her nervous. Anytime she went into a situation with unknown factors, she was nervous.

Molly closed the door behind them as they walked out front and motioned for Hermione to take a seat on the weathered-looking wooden bench next to the front door. Mrs. Weasley stood still for a moment as if collecting her thoughts before she addressed Hermione. Once she'd gathered her thoughts together she sat on the bench beside Hermione and took the girl's hands in her own.

"Hermione-dear, let me start off by saying I couldn't be happier that you and Ronald are together," Molly said, looking deeply into the young girl's eyes, "His heart had belonged to you since before even he knew it."

Hermione blushed as she heard this. Mr. Weasley had said something similar to her before, but it was still amazing to hear.

"That being said, I was…disappointed…when I found the…token…you had given Ronald, and learned that the two of you had engaged in premarital…activities," Mrs. Weasley said, blushing, herself, as she brought the subject up, "He's my baby boy, you understand, and I don't like to think of him as a man with...lusts."

Hermione could have been mistaken for a Weasley at this point, her face was so red. Had she but had the red hair, she'd have been a dead ringer for another Weasley daughter.

"In my day, it wasn't proper for a young lady to…consort…with a boy, or a man, in that manner before they were married," Molly continued on, "And if she did…well…she usually kept it a secret or was labeled…"

"A scarlet woman?" Hermione supplied, having grown familiar with the term.

"Yes," Molly nodded, "When I found out about you and Ronald, I made awful assumptions about your character and said horrible things about you while you weren't here to defend yourself. You should be quite proud of Ronald…he stood up for you quite vehemently."

"He always does," Hermione said with a smile and her eyes teared up a little, "He always has."

"He loves you deeply, Hermione," Molly said with a warm, caring smile, "I don't think he ever could love anyone else."

"I love him, too," she said, returning the smile, "I don't want him to love anyone else."

"Good," Molly patted the girl's hand, "I know how difficult it was for you to come here tonight. Ron said you didn't think you could face me after what happened."

"I wish he hadn't told you that," Hermione said, shame-faced.

"I'm glad he did, dear" Mrs. Weasley said quickly, trying to alleviate the girl's embarrassment, "It made me realize how unfair I was to you. You and Ronald…as much as it pains me to admit this…are adults now. It's your business how the two of you choose to express your love and no one else's; especially not mine. I was short-tempered and insulting and I hurt someone I care about deeply. And for that, Hermione, I am truly sorry."

Mrs. Weasley swept Hermione into a big hug and the two women cried on each other's shoulder for several moments.

"I f-forgive you, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said, sniffling as they broke the hug, "I promise that Ron and I will be more discreet…if I ever let him touch me again."

"You will, dear," Molly smiled, wiping away Hermione's tears, "There's something about Weasley men that makes them irresistible."

Hermione laughed and nodded. She knew what Mrs. Weasley meant. Even when she was absolutely furious with him, there was something about Ronald Weasley that made her long to be held in his arms.

"I do hope you'll still let me think of you as one of my own," Molly said sheepishly.

"I'd be devastated if you didn't," Hermione admitted, hugging the older woman tightly.

There were several more minutes of tearful hugging until Molly pulled away and gave Hermione a serious look, "Now, Hermione, dear, there's something I think we need to discuss now that we're back in each other's good graces again."

"Okay…" Hermione wasn't sure she liked the older woman's serious tone.

"I want grandchildren."

"WHAT?!" Hermione tried to jump up off the bench, but Molly held her place.

"Hear me out, dear, hear me out!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed, trying to calm the girl down, "I want grandchildren…BUT…I don't want you and Ronald to be the ones to give me my first grandbaby."

"Oh…thank Merlin!" Hermione gasped, her hand on her chest, trying to get her heartbeat under control.

"That being said, dear," Molly continued on, still very serious, "There's a spell I need to show you…or some potions I could teach you to brew…to ensure that, if you and Ronald…engage…in further…activities…that you won't wind up in a motherly way."

Hermione's face was burning. She felt sure her hair was going to ignite she was so flushed embarrassment. She nodded and looked down at her shoes, "Thank you, Mrs. Weasley…I'd appreciate that."

After several more minutes, during which Molly Weasley instructed Hermione – who was always a fast learner – on the incantation and wand motion for the spell, the two women walked back inside to find Ron pacing back and forth in front of the couch waiting for them.

When he saw Hermione come through the door, he hurried over to her and hugged her, "Everything okay?" he asked nervously, "She didn't yell at you did she?"

"Of course not, Ron," Hermione laughed, smiling at him, "We had a nice talk."

"What did you talk about?" Ron asked.

"Your mum wants grandchildren."

"WHAT?!"

-- End Chapter 28 --


Author's End Notes: How was that? Hopefully, I won't drop any intended plot points in the future, but if I do, I'll try and be sure to work them in SOMEHOW...even if it means resorting to flashbacks.