A Kiss in Time
Chapter Eight
See You Soon
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any related characters.
A/N: Happy Sunday! A relatively short and sweet chapter today. Enjoy and thanks for reading!
The air was crisp as students and families rushed through the crowded Kings Cross Station. Hermione peered up at the clock above her. 10:50 am. Only 10 more minutes until the train was scheduled to depart from the station. She walked slowly with Ron's hand tight within hers and her other hand was occupied by Crookshanks' cat carrier. Harry and Ginny were a few paces ahead and she smiled as Ginny had her head resting gently on Harry's shoulders. Both couples were agonizing over the quickly impending separation.
They had reached their final destination, standing just in front of the train sectioned off for 7th years. Hermione turned to Harry first and watched as Ginny leaned over to give her brother a hug. Hermione pulled Harry in for a swift and loving embrace. "Take care of each other, yeah?" Hermione whispered into his ear.
"Don't you worry, Hermione" Harry whispered back confidently. "Same to you, okay? Lean on each other" He advised, speaking of her and Ginny.
Hermione pulled back and gave Harry a forced smile with water eyes. "Well...don't be a stranger, of course. I'll be waiting on your letters! And no shenanigans while we're gone!"
"Of course. I mean, how much trouble could we honestly get in at this point?" He grinned cheekily.
Hermione stared blankly back and crossed her arms. "Do I really need to answer that?"
The foursome chuckled brightly together. A moment of silence fell between them despite the chaos and commotion around them.
Hermione sniffed and shifted her body towards Ron, clasping both of his hands tightly into hers. "I don't know if I know how to do this without you and Harry" She confessed. Ron gazed softly into Hermione's eyes and brushed his thumb against her temple gently.
"Yes, you do. You were always the one telling us what to do...leading the way" His voice trailed off with a chuckle and he pulled her in for a crushing hug. Hermione inhaled his musky scent deeply as she let her nose settle in the crook of his neck. This is going to have to last me for a few months. The train whistled loudly around them, signaling only just a few more minutes left before Hermione and Ginny absolutely had to be on the train.
Hermione looked around frantically and cupped Ron's face into her hands with watery eyes. "I love you".
"And I love you" Ron responded with just as much determination, his arms wrapped tight around her torso.
With a whimpered cry, Hermione slammed her lips on Ron's in a passionate kiss. "Promise me you'll write every day" She mumbled against his lips.
Ron chuckled and pulled back slightly to murmur, "Blimey, you'll hex me if I don't, won't you?" She growled and just fused their lips together again in adamant protest.
They explored each others' mouths for a minute more, unwilling to part until absolutely necessary. And then, all too soon, she felt Ginny grasping her jumper lightly.
"Hermione? I'm sorry, but we really need to go" One more minute. I just need one more minute.
Their lips parted slowly and regretfully, eyes still locked. Hermione observed as Ron brought one of her hands up to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to her skin that sent shivers down her spine. "I'll see you soon, yeah?" His voice cracked as she watched Ron's eyes filling with tears.
"Yeah, see you soon" Hermione whispered, barely audible, and leaned up to give him one last chaste kiss on his lips before wiping her eyes and dropping their joined hands. She leaned over to pick up all of her belongings and swiftly made her way to the train boarding area without another word.
Ginny followed her wordlessly. Hermione settled in an empty compartment and lifted her trunk up into the storage area and plopped down in her seat. Gazing out the window, she saw that Ron and Harry had come up close to the glass. Hermione noticed the warm expression on Ron's face and she just knew he was being brave for her when she clearly couldn't be. He reached a hand up and pressed it against the glass. Hermione let a single tear roll down her cheek as she imitated his actions and their hands were pressed together, only separated by the thin glass between them. The train whistled once again and she knew it was time.
I love you Ron mouthed.
I love you too Her response was instant.
The train slowly started to roll out of the station and she blew one last kiss to the two boys they were leaving behind. They waved back and didn't stop until they had completely faded from view. Her best friends. Her everything. It wouldn't be the same Hogwarts without them, certainly, but she knew without a doubt that they would make it through this year. The temporary separation was a minor hurdle when compared to everything else they had already made it through.
Hermione smiled to herself. The reunion is going to be pretty damn amazing.