CHAPTER NINETEEN

Previously in Chapter Eighteen:

Ron finally broke the kiss and stood up. Hermione looked up expectantly as Ron softly said, "shall we continue this reunion in my bedroom? And afterward I can show you were your office and library will be."

Ron leaned down and picked Hermione up bridal style and carried her down the hall. He silently thanked Merlin that his room was clean as he gently laid her down and crawled after her pulling her into another passionate kiss.

Ron broke the kiss and rolled over looking at Hermione and resting on his elbow. Much to his dismay, the rational, tactical, and strategic part of his brain kicked in and he recognized he was getting swept up in this emotional reconnection to her. It felt so wonderful but at the same time it made him feel a bit apprehensive. This was going too fast and he needed to put the brakes on.

He looked at her tenderly as she gazed back with anticipation. "Hermione, I'm really glad you're here, but maybe we're getting ahead of ourselves just a bit. I've kinda gotten caught up in the moment and without thinking I think I just asked you to move in with me, and I don't think that's a good idea yet."

Hermione smiled up at him and replied, "it did seem a bit premature, but I hope that we get there someday soon."

"Me, too, but I think we need some time to really get reacquainted again. Lots has gone on since we were really a couple. We really haven't been together since that New Years when you were still at Hogwarts and we're not the same people we were then. I still love you, Hermione, but I'm afraid I may only be in love with who you were back then. We need to get to know the people we are now. If we have a relationship it can't be based solely on what has happened in the past."

"Oh, Ron, you're still the same Ron I grew up with, only now you've fully become all that I knew you could be. I'm still the same swotty know-it-all, but now I've finally gotten my priorities straight. But I'm not sure what you're saying right now?"

Ron smiled and leaned his forehead against hers. "What I'm saying is that I think it's too early for us to have sex right now and that I would love to date you, Hermione, and to call you my girlfriend. I'd like us to just be a young adult couple right now, starting off a new relationship; only it's unusual in that we think we already love each other. I know it sounds mental since we've already been together, and we both know the sex was amazing, but for the long haul I think we need to go through all the steps again. Dating, being together, meeting the parents, then hopefully moving in together and after that making it permanent. I'm in this for ever, 'Mione and I don't want to bollocks it up by moving too fast or skipping a step. Like I said, sounds mental, yeah?"

Hermione wrapped her arms around Ron's neck, looked up at him and pulled him into a kiss. "I think it sounds wonderful. As much as I would like to make love to you right now, I think it makes sense that we spend time together as a couple before going to that next step."

"Excellent. I would love to spend today with you and then take you out to dinner, would that be ok?"

Hermione thought for a moment and then said, "I really had nothing planned for today except maybe getting some work done. I normally have nothing to do on Saturdays except visit my parents sometimes, so I'd love to spend the day with you, Ronald."

"OK, since we're a couple now, we are a couple now, yeah? I'll let you go calling me Ronald again, as long as I get to call you 'Mione."

Hermione blushed and said softly, "I'd love that. I always treasured being called that by you. It was like it was only for us."

"Ok, 'Mione, there's a bookstore in muggle London that I'd love to take you to. I want to find some books on criminology. I still think to Auror Corps can get a whole lot better and I want to learn what the muggles do. We can go there and then maybe grab some lunch and then head to Hyde Park and feed the ducks. Sound ok?"

"It sounds wonderful. Who would have imagined it…? Ron Weasley going to a bookstore of his own volition. I'm very impressed!"

After a pleasant day in muggle London where both Ron and Hermione found books they wanted and spending the day just walking around the park holding hands they had a wonderful dinner at a muggle Italian restaurant. Ron and Hermione just enjoyed each other's company as they chatted non-stop about their work and their families and everything and nothing. After enjoying a wonderful tiramisu and some lemoncello, Ron apparated them to the lounge of Hermione's flat.

Ron had both his arms around Hermione's waist and he pulled her into a tender kiss. "This has been the best day in a long time for me, 'Mione. Thank you for spending the day with me."

"It was wonderful and you're wonderful Ron. I so hope that we can build on last night and today and really rebuild and restart our relationship. I enjoyed every moment of today. I'm almost glad I had that nightmare last night as it brought you to me again." Then Hermione became a bit apprehensive and looked up at Ron. "I do hope they don't come back tonight."

"Do you want me to stay?" Ron asked quietly.

"Would you?" she asked timidly. "I was afraid to ask, but I would love for you to stay. You're the only one that makes me feel safe and keeps them away."

Ron looked at her tenderly, "do you have the nightmares often?"

"No, but they seem to come in waves. If I have one, usually I have them 2 or 3 nights in a row and then they go away."

"I'll go get my stuff and be right back, or would you rather come to mine?"

"I'd like to stay here, if that's ok?"

Ron floo'd away and returned a short ten minutes later with some pajamas and clothes for tomorrow and a toothbrush. As he brushed off the soot he smiled at Hermione who was now in a navy blue dressing gown. Ron could see her pale peach colored nightgown peeking out from underneath. "You know, 'Mione, if I stay tonight you have to come with me to The Burrow tomorrow for brunch. Mum and Dad would love to see you, and it might be a good time for us to let everyone know we are dating again."

Hermione smiled and said, "I would love that Ron."

After both getting ready, they crawled into Hermione's bed. Hermione snuggled into Ron's right side as he lay on his back with his left hand behind his head. He cradled her into his side with his right hand and kissed the top of her head.

Hermione reveled in the closeness. She thought back to all the nights she'd spent alone and wondered what it had been like for Ron. Then she remembered Luna had been there, so she asked quietly, "Ron?"

"Hmm"

"Did you hold Luna like this when she was with you?"

"Yes, we both found comfort with each other at first after our breakups and then it just seemed normal to continue."

"Did you ever have sex with her? Did you love her?"

Ron wondered how to answer, but quickly realized that honesty was going to be required in their new relationship. No more lying or keeping the truth hidden. "One thing I promised myself is that from now on I will be completely honest with you. Our relationship needs trust, so no more lying. The answers are one time, and I don't think so, I wanted to, but I don't think I fell in love with her."

Hermione's response was to let out a small gasp of surprise.

"Have you been with anyone since me?" he asked.

Hermione gave a short laugh and looked up at him with a smirk, "Like I took the time for any of that…no, no one. No one seemed interested. Remember I don't have the best social skills, right?"

Ron continued on, "Lu will always have a special place in my heart, and she was very good for me, getting me to realize that I'm capable and strong and we really helped each other survive our breakups. She really helped me become the man I am today. I was devastated when you treated me so poorly, but we helped each other survive."

Hermione looked Ron in the eyes and said softly, "Again Ron, I truly regret what I did and I'm sorry. You mentioned a while back that Ginny also helped you out. Do you mind telling me how?"

Ron smiled at the memory and recalled that night for her. "When we went to The Burrow that night, believe it or not, Ginny started talking about when Harry had broken up with her. She shared that she had been in pretty bad shape as well. She told us that this muggleborn girl played her this muggle song and she started to feel better. So, imagine this. Lu and I are at The Burrow, both devastated, and we think Ginny is going to start singing to us. Good thing she didn't. Instead she shared the words to this muggle song called I Will Survive. These words were really helpful to Lu and me and helped us recover. Basically I learned that despite you breaking up with me, I could be strong and survive and even thrive. We helped each survive. According to the owls I get, I know that Lu is doing well, and I know I'm doing great, and it's even better than great here with you in my arms."

Hermione closed her eyes and snuggled in closer and as she started to fall asleep she murmured, "Oh, Ron, I missed you so much."

The next morning Hermione woke to realize that the nightmares had not returned. She was almost ecstatic at the thought as she treasured the feeling of Ron's arms wrapped around her. She always loved being the little spoon.

The both got up late and prepared to head to The Burrow. Ron floo'd home to get ready and returned shortly thereafter. They both apparated to Ron's childhood home. Everyone was thrilled to see Hermione and even more thrilled to see that she and Ron were back together. Molly gushed over the couple as only Molly could. Harry and Ginny were thrilled as now a potential source of drama at their wedding had been eliminated. All in all, it was a great day.

When they were set to leave, Ron took Hermione's hand and walked with her to the apparition point. "I hope you realize that you're still keyed into the wards here, Hermione. Mum and Dad have always considered you family, even when we were apart, so you can floo here anytime. I know my parents were so happy to see you again, so they wanted me to tell you that you are always welcome here."

Hermione beamed up at Ron. "Oh Ronald, I've always felt welcome here, everyone has made feel like I'm family and I'm so grateful. I'm sorry I stayed away for so long."

Ron smiled and said, "anyway, I'm sorry but I have a bunch of stuff to do, so I hope it's ok if I say goodbye here and head home? I've had a great weekend and I'll see you at lunch tomorrow?"

Hermione looked chagrined as gave Ron a forced smile. "Oh, Ok,"

Ron was puzzled for a moment then realization hit him. "Do you want me to come over later to help with the nightmares?"

She answered quietly, "please."

"Ok, tell you what. I should be able to take care of everything by this evening. Why don't you floo over for dinner at 7 and then we'll head back to your place?"

"Oh, Ron that would be awesome. Now that we're back together I don't want to be apart."

From then on Ron and Hermione lives fell into what they considered a comfortable pattern. They still had lunch with Harry as before and then spent several evenings a week together, but with the nightmares past, they both were sleeping in their own beds. Harry and Ginny's wedding was rapidly approaching and they enjoyed working together as Best Man and Maid of Honor. They still remained cautious with the physical part of their relationship, as that had always been easy. Instead they focused on communication and patience and relearning about each other.

Their relationship had some side benefits as well. All their friends and family noticed how much better and more relaxed both Ron and Hermione were. Ron's temper mellowed completely, and if possible he was even more focused on his job of keeping people safe. Even Kingsley commented to Hermione how her colleagues found her much easier to work with since getting back with Ron.