Hey,

sorry for the delay but we were all so focused on the whole Corona situation that we forgot to update. But here's our longest chapter so far with a lot of fluff :-) Really

cheesy but we hope you like it anyway!

The WeasleyGirls


Chapter 20 - Shell Cottage

"Hold on to my arm. If you like, then close your eyes and the next thing you'll see is the Burrow." Ron explained, took a handful of Floo-Powder, said "the Burrow" loud and clear and they were gone. Jonathan stared incredulously at the now empty fireplace. Hermione smiled at him and said: "Come on, now it's our turn."

Ron stepped out of the fireplace with Alice at the Burrow where Arthur and Molly were already waiting for them.

"Good morning, good to see you!" Molly greeted them with a big smile on her face.

"Good morning, Molly and thank you for having us! You were right, it just tickles a little bit. I was so nervous, I hardly slept last night." Alice told her excitedly when Hermione and Jonathan stepped out of the fireplace.

A while later, as everyone sat at the breakfast table, Jonathan and Alice were amazed at how Molly directed plates, cups, cutlery, food and drink to their designated places with her wand. The mood became more and more relaxed and Hermione's parents seemed to get used to all the magic.

"Come Alice, we're going to the kitchen. I'll show you more advantages of being a witch, when it comes to do the dishes. Arthur, wouldn't you like to show Jonathan your collection of Muggle artifacts? And of course our Ford Anglia!" Molly suggested and Arthur's eyes began to glance.

"That's a wonderful idea, Molly." he answered and short after that Arthur and John went to Arthur's shed.

Ron and Hermione went into the garden to take a walk to the pond. Hermione beamed all over her face.

"It's nice to see you so happy again after all those tears." Ron said and Hermione turned to him to kiss him passionately. When she'd released herself from his lips, she looked deep into his blue eyes.

"I owe it all to you and your family. I love you so much, Ronald Bilius Weasley."

"I love you too, Mione and I don't ever intend to let you go again!" In silence they enjoyed the rest of the way to the pond. They sat down on the jetty and were happy that Hermione's parents seemed to accept the decisions she had made…

…..

Peace had finally returned to the Grangers homes and Ron and Hermione could now enjoy their young relationship. Hermione had started to work at St. Mungo's again, where she also wanted to take her practical exam.

Unfortunately, her exams had been postponed to the next year, but she saw it as a chance to prepare for it in the best possible way. Ron also returned to his work as an Auror, but had asked Kingsley to work only in the office for the time being or to accept only harmless jobs. He'd done this on the one hand for Hermione and on the other hand for himself, as he believed he wouldn't be able to survive another dangerous mission.

Besides their work, both enjoyed every free minute together. They met for lunch dates, during their lunch break; went out with friends in the evening; made excursions in the magician and also Muggle world; spent cuddly evenings at home and could hardly keep their hands off each other. Both were happier than ever before in their lives and they enjoyed it to the fullest. The summer flew by and at the beginning of September the leaves on the trees slowly turned to the golden colours of autumn.

Hermione's first big intermediate exam was coming up and she was now hunched over her books and studying almost non-stop. Ron had quickly realised in their short relationship that Hermione was more than ambitious and it was better not to interrupt her learning. While she was studying in the bedroom, all the books spread around her, he sat at the kitchen table reading a Quidditch newspaper. He discovered an article about Ginny, who played for the Holyhead Harpies as a chaser. He grinned because he still found it amusing to see his sister in a Quidditch magazine. He accioed a pair of scissors from a drawer and started cutting out the article when a hawk owl pecked at the window.

It was the owl that Hermione's parents had gotten after they had finally recognized the advantages of the wizard world for themselves.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you going to see Hermione?" Ron asked curiously but the owl shook himself and held his claw out to Ron. Ron shrugged his shoulders in surprise and took the small piece of parchment from his claw. He rolled it up and read.

Dear Ron,

we wanted to ask you how your planning for Hermione's 22nd birthday? The 19th of September falls on a Thursday this year and unfortunately John has to go to an extended vocational training. Would it be okay for you if we, as a family, celebrated her birthday the weekend immediately following? However, I would like to take Hermione out for a girls' shopping trip plus lunch date on her birthday, if that doesn't interfere with your plans! Please send us an answer as soon as possible and don't tell Hermione anything!

Love Alice and Jonathan

Ron let the parchment sink in shock. Hermione's birthday was in a week and he hadn't planned anything yet. 'You idiot! How come you never asked her for her date of birth?!' he asked himself in silence and could have slapped himself again. He quickly took a piece of parchment, wrote: 'Both are perfectly fine! Best regards, Ron' and sent the owl back to the Grangers.

Then he sat back down at the kitchen table and began to feverishly think about how he could make Hermione's birthday a special day. He quickly had ideas for the morning and he was also able to incorporate the shopping trip with her mum into his plans. He thought about what he could plan for the evening and then a thought came into his mind. But first he had to talk to his brother Bill…

The week leading up to Hermione's big day went by in no time, but Ron managed to implement all his ideas. On the morning of her birthday he quietly sneaked out of the bedroom, got ready in the bathroom and went to the bakery. He bought Croissants and Éclaires and then stopped at a flower shop to buy her a bouquet of roses.

Afterwards he quickly returned home before Hermione woke up. In the kitchen he prepared a small French breakfast, because he knew from stories she'd told him, that this was what she loved most about her time in France. He prepared a tray and loaded it with the Croissants and Éclaires, jam and chocolate cream, a few strawberries, orange juice and a Café au lait.

Before he met Hermione, he had never heard of it, as he himself only drank tea for breakfast. Hermione, however, had consumed coffee in large quantities since her studying period and so he had learned how to make it. Happy with his work, he quickly turned to the roses. He put a spell on them to keep them fresh and put the bouquet in a vase. He took the vase and brought it quietly into the bedroom, where Hermione was still sleeping. He put the flowers on the bedside table and fetched the tray with the food. He also put this on the bedside table and then bent down to give Hermione a kiss on her forehead. She began to stir and blinked slightly.

"Happy birthday, Mione! I love you so much!" he whispered.

Hermione now opened her eyes and sat up in amazement. "Oh Ron, I love you too! How did you. . . I mean I didn't tell you when my birthday was?"

"I have my secret sources. And because I want today to be a special day for you, you will neither study nor work today!" Ron said grinning. Hermione was about to protest, but was interrupted directly by Ron.

"Mione, you've been working so hard for weeks and you hardly allow yourself any air to breathe! Don't worry, I spoke to Healer Johnson, he won't see you at work until Monday. And Mione, honestly!? You can quote any book for the exam in your sleep! So trust me and enjoy today without thinking about an exam. If not for you, for me, okay?" Hermione nodded as her smile widened.

"Ronald Weasley, you're mad!"

Ron laughed, bent over and gave her a gentle kiss on the mouth. "Then wait and see what the day brings! How about we start with breakfast in bed?" He grinned, took the tray from the bedside table and placed it carefully over Hermione's legs. She made big eyes when she saw what kind of breakfast he had prepared.

"French breakfast in bed? I think I'm still dreaming! And you seriously made me Café au lait? How do you know how the coffee machine works?" she asked stunned.

"Well, you learn from books and I learn from you about Muggle stuff. You have made this coffee so many times in the last few weeks, even I know how to make it in my sleep by now." Ron laughed and was relieved that the start of the day had already gone so well and that Hermione herself could be so happy about a simple breakfast. Together they enjoyed the delicious food and when everything was finally eaten Ron put the tray aside and started digging under the bed.

"What are you doing?"

Ron showed up again and had two small packages in his hand. Well, the birthday girl deserves presents, or am I wrong? Accio Roses!"

Before Hermione knew it, Ron held a large bouquet of roses in his hand, which she hadn't even noticed before. She put her hands over her mouth and her eyes filled with tears. " Oh Ron, roses? These are my favorite flowers! And you don't have to give me a present, you are already the greatest present I have ever been given!" She said with a shaky voice, picked up the roses and smelled them. The scent flooded her and she wondered what she had done to deserve all this. He was just too good to be true.

"I love you so much, Hermione Granger! Even your stubbornness. But you're gonna turn that off today, because I got some more stuff for you." He handed her the two packages wrapped in simple brown paper. She shook her head with a grin, put the roses back on the bedside table and took the 2 gifts from him. In the first one was a new set of quills.

"You are writing so much these days, your quills are already frayed. I hope this is okay?" he explained. "You seem to be watching me very closely, Ron. It's perfect, I was going to buy new ones for the exam anyway!" She gave him a kiss and opened the next present, which contained a book.

"The Tales of Beedle the Bard?" She turned the book around and began to flick through it with interest. "You once told me that you loved Muggle fairy tales and I went through all your books and that one wasn't there. I suspected that you might not know it yet and thought it would be a nice gift. This is a book of fairy tales from the wizarding world and my mum used to read it to me when I was little." Ron told her.

"Oh, that's such a beautiful and thoughtful idea! I love it! And with books you can always make me happy, but you've already noticed that." She put the presents aside and hugged Ron. She snuggled up to him so tightly it seemed that she never wanted to let him go.

"What did I do to deserve you? I no longer know how much happiness my body can withstand." she whispered. Ron gently stroked her hair and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Believe me, I ask myself the same question every day! I love you so much, words cannot express how much!"

So they sat nestled on the bed for a while and enjoyed the moment. After a while Ron broke away from the hug and grinned at her. "So my Lady! Now you get ready and then you spend the morning shopping and having lunch. Your and my Mum, Ginny, Parvati and Luna should be here soon and then you'll enjoy the day. And this afternoon we'll meet back here and then I have a big surprise for you, okay?"

"You really have thought of everything, haven't you? You are so amazing, thank you!" She kissed him again and then dashed into the bathroom. Ron grinned to himself and fervently hoped that the evening would go well as the morning did.

In the late afternoon

Hermione was picked up on time and the women spent a nice day in Muggle-London. They went shopping for all sorts of new clothes for Hermione, including a beautiful black dress that she wanted to wear in the evening. Ginny had also insisted that Hermione should buy herself some new sexy underwear, as Ron certainly deserved a present after such a day. Hermione was very uncomfortable about all this, especially in front of her and Ron's mum, but they took it all with humor and even agreed with Ginny. So after they successfully left the shops, they had lunch together. They talked and laughed about everything, and Hermione could really feel the stress of the exam falling off her. Ron just had the best ideas.

While the women were on their way, Ron made the final preparations for his surprise. He wanted it to be the perfect ending to this day. He knew that Hermione would be back soon and so he threw himself into his suit. He was tying his tie when Hermione entered the flat. He checked himself once more in the mirror and found that he looked quite passable for a red-head. He still couldn't understand what Hermione saw in him, because she was so beautiful that she could have had anyone. He shook off this thought and went into the hallway where Hermione had just put down some bags of clothes.

She puffed her hair out of her face and was startled when Ron suddenly stood in front of her.

"So you were quite successful then?" He went up to her, took her in his arms and gave her a kiss. Hermione looked at him in wonder.

"Honey, what are you up to? Why are you wearing a suit?" Hermione let her eyes wander over Ron's body. 'Oh my God, he's so damn handsome! What does he see in me?', Hermione thought to herself and bit her lower lip. She would have liked to rip off all his clothes right away, but she postponed this thought until later.

"The day has only just begun and I still have plans for you! So I suggest you freshen up quickly and then I'll show you what else I have prepared and why I'm wearing a suit"

Hermione just nodded, grabbed a bag and dashed into the bathroom. She jumped into the shower, first put on her new underwear and then the tight black dress, put on light make-up and tried to tame her hair. But as usual she did not succeed and she gave up and left it just like that. She slipped into black shoes with a small heel and looked at herself once more in the mirror. She grinned and thought to herself how lucky she was. Her life was just perfect at the moment!

She stepped out of the bathroom and went into the kitchen, where Ron was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking tea. When he saw her, he almost choked and Hermione had to giggle.

"Well, Mr. Weasley. If you're gonna get dressed up, I can't just show up here in a trash bag."

"Mione, I… You... I mean... you're so beautiful!" He took her face in one hand and put the other on her hip. He kissed her gently and then smiled at her broadly. "And just so you know, even in a trash bag you would look amazing! I love you!" This time they kissed each other more passionately and Hermione couldn't hold on to herself any longer and already began to fumbled about with his shirt. Suddenly he reached for her hand and stopped her.

"Hermione, even if I wanted to rip this dress off you. . . Let's leave this part for later, shall we? Let me show you my surprise first!" Ron whispered.

"But you have to promise me one thing! Next time you wear a suit, plan time in advance so that I can jump you like I wanted to when I walked in the door!" Hermione answered.

Ron tossed his head back laughing and felt the tips of his ears turn red. He wondered what on earth attracted her to him. "Sorted! And believe me, it's not easy for me either. Come on... I'll show you something." He took her by the hand, grabbed his key and together they went outside.

The Ford Anglia, owned by Ron's parents, was parked in front of the house. "Ron? What are you up to? Don't tell me we'll drive your parents' car!" Ron went to the car with a grin and held the door open for her to sit in the passenger seat. "Drive? Oh Mione, that would be boring. We'll fly of course!" Hermione's eyes became so big that they threatened to fall out of her head.

Ron had to laugh at the sight of her, but he calmed her down immediately. "Don't worry, it's not the first time I've done this! And you'll see, it's great! Look, the car even has a button that makes us invisible to the Muggle world. We don't want to make too much of a fuss, it is enough that I am one of 'the golden duo'". Hermione just nodded and was still a little insecure. But she decided to go along with the whole thing, she trusted Ron. She buckled her seatbelt and held on to her handbag. Ron stroked her knee and smiled encouragingly at her. "Don't worry, my angel! I'll be careful. I could never let anything happen to you." He started the engine and a few minutes later they flew over London.

Hermione's fear quickly subsided, the view from up there was much too beautiful. There was a pleasant silence between them and both of them soaked up the view. They left London quite fast and flew along the south coast of Great Britain. As the sun slowly set on the horizon, they approached Tinworth in Cornwall, which was on the south-western tip of the country.

"Ron, where are we actually going? Not much longer and we'll be over the sea!" Ron smiled knowingly and handed her a note. She unfolded it and read 'Shell Cottage'. Ron saw her questioning look and enlightened her. "My family has another house, but only initiated people can see it. Bill is the Secret-Keeper of this house, but now that you have read his written note, you will be able to see it. I'm not telling you anything more yet."

Hermione looked at him astonished, but decided not to ask any further questions for the time being, but to enjoy the beautiful sunset. At first, there were still many houses to be seen, but the area became more and more deserted until there were only white sand beach, rocks, cliffs and dunes to be seen and in the middle of it all a lonely little house. Ron headed slowly towards the garden of the house and landed gently on the ground. He and Hermione both got out and Ron took her hand.

Hermione could hardly take her eyes off the enchanting little house, which was covered with shells everywhere. "Oh it's so beautiful here! Why doesn't your family live here?" She looked around the garden and could hear the sea rushing in the distance. "It's an heirloom from my uncle Bilius and Bill and Fleur lived here for a while. Now it's just a sanctuary for us in case we ever need a break. It's a safe place, because like I said, Bill decides who can see it. Come on, I want to introduce you to somebody!"

He pulled the confused Hermione behind him and after a short time they reached a small gravestone. Hermione read 'Here lies Dobby, a free elf' and she could see from Ron's look that he was very touched.

"Dobby, I want you to meet Hermione! She saved my life just like you once did! You would love her so much, I wish you could get to know each other!" A single tear ran down his cheek and he continued to speak to Hermione. "Mione, here lies Dobby. The little elf who saved me at the last second from that witch who tortured me. He sacrificed his life for me and Harry and making this grave for him was the least we could do for him. You would have liked him very much, he was one of the most selfless beings I have ever met."

"Oh Ron, I'm so terribly sorry! I would have loved to meet him, after all its thanks to him that you're standing by my side now!" She wiped some tears from her eyes and snuggled up close by Ron's side. After a while he suddenly bent down, took off one of his shoes and a sock and put it over the gravestone. Then he slipped back into his shoe. "House-elves are free if you give them a piece of clothing. Harry and I always put a sock over his grave when we visit him." he explained. "That's a really sweet of you. Too bad I'm not wearing any socks today!" Hermione said visibly touched. Ron smiled at her and stroked her face. "Come on, let's not be sad on your birthday. Now I'll show you the real surprise."

He took her by the hand again and together they went past the house towards the beach. The sun had set in the meantime and in the distance Hermione could see something flickering. The closer they came to the flickering, the clearer the scene became before their eyes. There, in the middle of this white beach, Ron had spread out a picnic blanket and set up torches around it. There was a picnic basket on the blanket as well as 2 wine glasses and the matching wine bottle. Once again that day, Hermione put her hands in front of her mouth and her eyes began to glance. "Oh my God, Ron! I don't know what to say! This is the best birthday I ever had!" She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately. He returned the kiss and lifted her slightly so that she could no longer touch the ground with her feet. He grinned into the kiss and was happy that he made her so happy at that moment. But the picnic was not the real surprise…

"I would do anything to see that sparkle in your eyes! Happy birthday, Mione!" They sat down on the blanket together and Ron poured wine into their glasses. "To the birthday girl!" They toasted and devoutly drank their wine as they watched the waves, which battered the rocks in the distance. Ron finally got some sandwiches and fruit from the picnic basket, which they both enjoyed, because the long flight had made them hungry.

"It's so beautiful out here, you couldn't have given me a better present." She kissed him again and could hardly believe what she had done to deserve all this.

"Are you sure? Because that wasn't all!" Hermione stared at him and wondered what could happen now. Ron rummaged in the picnic basket and a moment later pulled out a small black box. Hermione's heart began to race when she saw the box. 'Merlin's beard! He's not going to …' But before she could finish thinking, he handed her the box and told her to open it. She accepted it and opened it with trembling hands.

There was a rose gold chain with a heart pendant in the box. Hermione carefully took the chain out of the box and looked at it closer. The words 'I'll keep you safe - R.' were engraved on the back of the heart and that was the moment when she couldn't hold on to herself anymore. She laughed and cried at the same time and put her arms around Ron's neck. "I... I... I don't know what to say! What did I do to deserve this? You are too good to be true, Ronald Weasley."

Tears dripped on his jacket and he stroked her hair with a smile. "Hermione, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I am grateful for every day I get to spend with you! I just owe you a day like today. I never thought I could love someone as much as I love you, but you showed me that I could! I love you more than you can imagine!"

Hermione sobbed in his arms for a few more minutes and didn't know what to say anymore. She was too overwhelmed by her feelings. At some point Ron cleared his throat. "Mione, the words on the back have a deeper meaning, by the way." She separated herself from him and looked at him questioningly. He took the chain and carefully put it around her neck. "I want you to be safe, even when I'm not around. And this is the perfect place for it. Mione, I want you to move into this house with me."

Hermione was about to faint. "What? Ron, are you serious? But I thought... What about... Your family needs this sanctuary, don't they?" Hermione stammered. "I've spoken to my family and they would all be happy if we both brought life back into this house! Bill and Fleur have given us their blessing, which is why Bill has also let you in on this secret. Hermione, if you can imagine it, you and I can move in here anytime we want!"

"I love you so much! You're God sent! I would go anywhere with you and I would love to live here with you!"