A/N: Ok look, some of you may be irritated by the lack of smut but I just didn't think I could do it justice. Hopefully there's enough clues about how they would both comport themselves in the bedroom, but... Maybe that's up to you to decide! *evil laugh*

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Firefight

3 July 1999

Harry woke both well rested and exhausted. The juxtaposition of this wasn't lost on him as he squinted at the already risen sun, and how the light the streamed through the huge window opposite his bed. He glanced at the sleeping form to his left. Our bed. He merely watched her sleep for a moment while he thought about last night. It hadn't been his first time, but it had been theirs. For a moment he regretted the fact that she wasn't his first, but... At least I was prepared. He'd wanted the best for her, and while he wasn't as experienced of as confident in the bedroom as he wanted to be. He'd learnt enough to make sure she got the most out of it. Is that selfish or selfless?

His pasts lover's would say it was the latter, but honestly? It was selfish. Because despite everything they had been through, he still felt unworthy of her, still scared to lose what had been and promised to be the best thing that ever happened to him. He was broken out of his ponderings by an insistent bladder that knew he would be consuming coffee soon and had to purge itself. With a sigh he clambered out of bed to relieve the problem, not bothering to cover himself. After all, this is Hermione we're talking about.

Upon returning he found that she had seemingly turned in her sleep, taking up the centre of the bed. He rolled his eyes at the sight and as softly as he could, climbed back under the overs. As soon as he did, an arm shot around his stomach as she snuggled up against his chest. "Don't roll your eyes at me mister." Came the mumbled feminine croak from what seemed to be a big ball of hair.

He searched the ball for a face, pushing back strand after strand of bushy hair until her found her face. "Good morning to you to Mione. Want some coffee?"

"No," was the muffled reply. "Water for me."

"Te-What? I can get you the water." He looked around for his wand, finding nothing he waved a hand. "Accio." His wand fell on to his lap. Waving it lazily in the direction of the door he waited until a mug zoomed into his hand. "Aguamenti." He handed the mug to Hermione and just as it left his grasp, Teemy popped into existence at the foot of the bed.

"Would Master like something to drink?"

After blinking a few times, he replied. "Just some coffee for me."

The Elf peered at Hermione who held up the mug. Nodding to her, he disappeared. He waited until she had placed the mug on her bedside table before questioning her. "You alright Mione?"

"Mmmhmm." Was again the muffled reply, for she was back in her original position, snuggled up next to him. Even though her eyes were closed, she read his silence accurately. "I'm exhausted, and I'm not much of a morning person."

He sat up a bit, and leaned back, eyes closed. "You do remember we had plans today, right?"

"Mmhmm, doesn't mean we have to leave at the crack of dawn."

He had to concede. "You've got a point there."

...

Hours later they stood at the boundary of the Burrows wards, side by side, but not hand in hand. They had gone over it repeatedly over breakfast. So much so that with each repetition, the less he felt like coming here. Simply taking her hand and eloping sounded like a pretty good idea to him, but he knew she'd never abide by such an absurd notion. She must've felt more confident that he, because she wordlessly marched toward the front door. To make sure he wasn't left in the dust he hurried to catch up, by the time he did she was already pushing the front door open

Upon entering they found the living room devoid of life. Not that it felt like it, the interior looked as cosy and cluttered as ever. It was just odd for him to be here and to not have been subjected to the suffocating hugs that Molly was known for. He and Hermione shared a look. She offered a theory, "She must be shopping or something, Ginny must be here though." She moved over to the stairs. "GINNY!"

He joined her at the bottom of the stairs, hearing footsteps he looked up through the maze of criss-crossed beams the held the house together. He saw her face lean over the railing, "Hermione? What are you-ah, so that's what this is, is it?" Hermione looked him guilty, their plan hadn't got off to a great start. "I'm coming down." Suddenly feeling out of place, Harry backed up and leant against the couch. He hadn't forgotten that she had spiked him a year previous.

Ginny appeared at the bottom of the stairs and hugged Hermione fiercely. After breaking she visibly sighed. "Urgh, it's about time someone visited. It's been so boring."

Hermione took the lead. "Where's Ron?"

"Oh, so you're not here for me?" She tried to huff but a smile shone through. "Well he's at the shop, he lives there through the week." Harry looked at Hermione and he could see her wince, a look he shared. Of course, how did we not realise that? So much for our brilliant plan.

Hermione looked as awkward as he felt, "Oh, well we don't really know what day it is to be honest."

The look on the Ginny's face went from shock to a knowing smirk. "Good lord! What have you both been up to, to lose track of the date?" She winked at them both and Harry could feel his cheeks heat up.

Hermione answered. "So, what is the day today-?" She let out a squeak and he realised why. She didn't deny it.

Ginny laughed but then marched right up to him. "Just so we're clear. You hurt Hermione and my bat-bogey hex is the least of your worries."

Feeling affronted, he drew himself up to his full height. "I'll never hurt her." He scowled at her, "I'm more worried about being spiked again."

Her face turned white in shock. He laughed internally at both her face and his own mixed feelings. Ginny had single-handedly forced him and Hermione apart, and brought them together. She now felt like a little sister that was being a pain, and... Something compelled him to just move on. He probably won't trust her fully again but the fact that the potion helped Hermione realise how he felt made up for it. And while studying abroad wasn't fun, it really was good for him. He'd learnt more about life than he every would have at Hogwarts. I'll have to think about it. Hermione steeped closer to the pair. "Do you mind joining us?"

They both looked at her before Ginny replied. "Sure, let me get changed." While she bounded back upstairs Hermione gave him a look, she clearly intended to help her change. Or something. Why did she invite her? After what she did? Then the thought of what they had come to do. Doesn't matter right now. He nodded back and she too disappeared, leaving him to wait and rehearse what he was going to say to Ron.

...

The now lopsided trio appeared at the top of Diagon Alley, not that anyone paid close attention. For people spontaneously appearing in this spot wasn't unusual, even if one of their number had horribly unkempt hair. That's when most did a double-take, Harry could see it on their faces. The flash of recognition, the way their bodies stiffened as they tried to work out if they were seeing The-Boy-Who-Conquered or not. Thankfully they had made it past Ollivander's and WWW was in sight by the time the hubbub started. The yells for his attention came, but they were far and few in-between. The inhabitants of the alley mostly parted for the trio like... Moses? Hermione had made that joke a couple of times before he understood himself. Doesn't stop me from being worshipped either way. He grumbled to himself.

The next thing he knew, they were pushing open to the shop, and were immediately assaulted by loud colours, sounds and smells. A blonde teen was behind the counter, chewing gum until she saw the new customers. "Gin!" He saw the redhead break into a huge grin and ran around behind the counter to hug the mystery girl. He raised an eyebrow at Hermione, who shrugged back. After they broke the hug, the blonde noticed who Ginny had turned up with. Without hesitation, she rounded the counter, hand extended.

"Hey guys, I'm Verity. Sorry but Gin isn't too good at introductions."

An "Oi!" came from the counter as he chuckled and shook the offered hand. "She's never been good at introductions." He turned his gaze to Ginny, "Ever since I first met her." He watched he blush with satisfaction. Verity turned to Hermione, "it's great to finally meet you, I'm sure you've got lots of Gin's secrets to spill for me."

Hermione smiled back, politely he noticed. "Maybe, where's Ron?"

Verity waved towards the back of the store. "In the storeroom." Hermione thanked her, visibly set herself and weaved her way in that direction and out of sight. The only part of the plan that actually worked as planned. He watched he disappear with a nervousness that he wasn't used to. Until Verity's loud ribbing of Ginny distracted him. "Get away from there Gin! You're not working today!"

The redhead stuck out her tongue the at blonde. "In that case, I'm going to go find my dear brother! C'mon Harry." He marvelled at how good it was to have Ginny as a de-facto sister again, and meekly followed her throughout the store. As they wandered looking for George he couldn't help but worry about Hermione, and how Ron would react. He'd shown restraint at Number Twelve but Harry didn't hold out hope that he would take the news too well. As they reached the top level, a headless man strolled towards them, dressed in some of the loudest clothing he had ever seen. Upon closer inspection, the man's nametag read: George.

George greeted them loudly. "Ayye! It's our most esteemed investor! And, Gin? You're not on today."

Ginny rolled her eyes in a way that forced Harry to conceal his laughter at the familiarity of such a expression. "I know THAT. I'm here with him-" She pointed at Harry, "and Hermione."

George took off the hat looking fairly shocked. "And what on earth brings Hermione here?"

Harry answered that one. "Ron."

Before George could ask anything that had to do with the confusion written on his face, Ginny took over. "She's telling him that she's going to marry Harry."

Both George and Harry rounded on her in unison. "WHAT!?"

Ginny actually giggled before answering. "Relax Harry, although that's probably where it's heading anyway." With Harry now blushing she turned to George. "I was joking about marriage, but they are together now."

Harry couldn't see a trace of surprise on his face as he replied, glancing at Harry. "Ah, ickle Ronniekins might not take that too well. Not that he has a reason not to, they were never much chop together." Harry could feel some satisfaction creep into the corner of his mind at the thought that they hadn't ended up working out. I actually had nothing to worry about. George's next sentence brought him back to the conversation sharply. "That doesn't explain why you're here." He studied his sister for a moment. "I think you're here just to see Verity."

Harry watched with amusement as her cheeks flushed slightly. "And that is none of your business, DEAR brother."

Before he could question her he felt a tap on his shoulder, he turned to see Hermione looking at him with an odd expression on her face. "He want's to talk to you." He nodded. It was inevitable. And made his way downstairs, winding through the displays until he found a door, which had the cliché KEEP OUT sign. He entered and found Ron leaning against a single desk, arms crossed. Ron nodded at him, "Harry."

"Ron."

Harry closed the door softly behind him and stood mere inches from it. He wasn't sure whether to be nervous or not, his friend's track record was against him in these awkward situations. So is mine to be honest. Ron kicked things off. "Before you say anything. I can't do anything about what she wants, this is between us, got it?"

Harry nodded. "Sure."

Ron's first question was blunt. "What happened in Australia?"

"Nothing. I only made the realisation there, nothing happened between us I swear." He could see Ron's eyes narrow, seemingly deciding if he was lying.

"Realised what?"

"What's she had done for me... What she sacrificed and... How she's always stood by me."

"We both did."

"I know, and don't think I won't ever not be grateful it's just that you did waver..." Ron's mouth opened. "No! I don't hold it against you! I reckon it has something to do with how we all grew up."

Ron's arms seemed to tense for a second. "You're going to have to explain that."

He took a deep breath, trying to think of a coherent response. "Well... You grew up in this world. The only time's you ever broke loyalty with me were when your world was threatened. I'll never forgive you for turning your back on me because of my name being pulled from the Goblet of Fire. But I know why, I don't view this world in the same way you do. I don't know how special things are and I still barely know anything about how this world works. But you do, and that's why." Ron stayed silent.

"And when you left on the hunt... You were just scared for your family, and you could do anything about it with us. There was no way I could understand what you were going through. Because I have no family of my own, and... it hurt that you had one to be afraid for. The truth is... We've always been jealous of each other. You're a pureblood, this world is your home. I don't feel not nearly as at home as you do. Hermione is the only person I can trust to fall for." He trailed off.

Ron was impassive. "You did break us up you know, that's on you."

"I... I know. All I can do is be forever sorry. It was just a shock. I never realised what I felt for so long, that I never realised what It meant. But...If you're going to blame me, then you have to blame her as well."

"I do-"

"Why not? You've blamed her for lots of stuff in all the time you've known her. And never apologised for any of it." Harry took a step towards the redhead. "She may have gotten used to it as friends but you will never be able to be as good to her as I will."

"Fuck! Ok you don't need to tell me twice!"

Harry took a step back, slightly ashamed that he'd stepped forward to begin with. "What?"

Ron turned, moving around the desk, then sat in the chair behind it. "She just about told me the same exact thing not five minutes ago."

Harry leaned against the wall. "Look. I'm just sorry that it turned out like this... You'll always be family to me, I really don't want to lose you after all everything."

"Same here." After those words were uttered, a silence followed. "It's probably best if we don't see each other for a while."

"If that's what you want. But I will take you for a drink sometime."

Ron smiled. "Didn't take you for a alcoholic."

Harry turned to open the door and snorted. "How could I not be." He made to open the door but stopped, hand on the handle. "When did you both break up?"

Ron stared at him, then answered slowly. "After I stopped by your place. Why?"

Harry let out an internal sigh of relief. "Just curious I suppose." He opened the door. "See you soon Ron."

"Only if the first round is on you." Harry chuckled and left, closing the door behind him, somehow feeling that he might have just closed the door on the future friendship he'd once envisioned.

...

A/N: Ok nearly there! I realised writing this chapter that it's far too easy to Ron-Bash, hopefully I managed to look at it from his side as well. I had so many ideas about how this story can continue after writing this one. XD

But either way, one more to go! I actually quite like how everything turned out and want to continue this someday.

Sorry but you're gonna have to wait for the finale. ;)