A/N: Shout out to be11atrixthestrange for being my beta for recent chapters! And to SMJL for the inspiration with the charm bracelet! Warning: This chapter is NSFW. Proceed with caution!
"I'm back," Hermione said as she walked through the door.
Ron opened his eyes and sat up from his position on the couch where he'd fallen asleep. "Hey. Did you have a good time?" He rubbed the sleep away from his eyes as she walked over and sat down next to him.
"I did, yes. It was a bit odd at first, almost the same as when I'd come home from Hogwarts at the end of term. We spent most of the day at their cottage, watching movies, playing games. I helped Mum with dinner. It almost felt like normal again," Hermione said as she described her day.
"Almost?" Ron questioned.
"Well, yes. We're in Australia and not England," Hermione explained.
"Right. Do you think they want to return?" he asked casually.
"I- I think so? Every time I worked up the courage to ask, the conversation turned." Hermione twisted her hands in her lap. "They invited us to spend the day sightseeing tomorrow. There's more they want to do around the area with us."
"That sounds fun," Ron said with a reassuring smile.
He saw a look of relief flash across her face. "Maybe I can ask tomorrow. At the very least, we need to talk about how much longer we're staying, and where. I'm sure the Australian Ministry won't allow us to stay here indefinitely." Ron let out a nervous laugh that did not go unnoticed by Hermione. "What?"
He gave a brief shake of his head. " 'S funny you mention that," was all he said.
"Why?" Hermione asked. He could hear the slightest hint of impatience in her voice.
"Well, after you left, the fellytone rang later in the morning. Luckily, I've had practice answering and talking into one, since you weren't around to answer it," he flashed his lopsided grin at her as she rolled her eyes.
"Oh, stop gloating and get on with it," she said playfully, but there was a tone of nervousness as she was waiting to see who it was.
"Well, Graham Jacobsen was calling to check in on things," Ron finally explained.
Hermione's face displayed a look of surprise. "We were supposed to check in with him three days ago! How did we forget?" Hermione shook her head in dismay. "This is so embarrassing! The Australian Ministry has been so kind to give us a place to stay and help us, and here we are completely ignoring them now!"
"Hermione, relax, it's fine. I explained that we found your parents, and things have been busy since then as you've been getting reacquainted. For the record, though, if anyone asks? The information they provided us helped with locating them."
"Noted," Hermione said. "So what else did he say?"
"He did ask how long we were planning on staying…" Ron told her.
"And you said?"
"That I needed to talk it over with you and then we would get back to him."
"And he was okay with that?" Hermione asked before he could finish.
"Yes, Hermione, he said that was fine."
"Then I really do need to broach the subject with my parents tomorrow," Hermione concluded.
Ron nodded in relief that Hermione was resolving to bring up the conversation with her parents. He hoped that would make the next part of this conversation go easier. Maybe they'd even avoid a row over it. "There was one more thing Graham mentioned," he said as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Oh?" Hermione asked.
"A letter came in for me at the Ministry," he told her.
"A letter? From who? And don't they use owls here?" Hermione looked confused so explained how Australia handled international post. "Ah, makes sense," she said nodding her head. "So, I assume you went down to the Ministry to retrieve it?"
"Yeah," Ron said, nodding to the pile on the table in front of them. She must have been distracted since she hadn't even noticed it. "You can read them if you want."
He knew that even if he did explain it to her, she'd still want to read the letters, so it was probably easier this way. Ron handed her Harry's letter first. He watched as her eyes raked furiously through Harry's handwriting. Her face turned slightly pink as she reached the end.
She looked up at him. "Did Kingsley send you a letter, too?" Ron nodded and handed her his letter.
"Well, Harry sent it with his," Ron shrugged his shoulders as Hermione took the second parchment from him.
She seemed to read this one slower, taking care to process Kingsley's words. He was beginning to wonder if she was going back and reading it several times because she was awfully quiet. The silence was making the anticipation of her reaction much worse. She finally looked up at him, a wide smile plastering her face and her eyes shining with tears. "You're going to be an Auror!"
"I mean, if I accept, yeah. But I still have to pass the screenings and get through training…"
"Of course you'll pass! Ron, this is a huge honor! Why aren't you happier?" Hermione frowned slightly. "Isn't this what you want?"
"I- yeah, I do. You're really okay with this?" he admitted cautiously.
Hermione set the parchment down, and much to Ron's surprise leaned over and kissed him, her arms wrapping around his neck. The suddenness of it all knocked him back against the cushions as his own hands instinctively found her side. He pulled away slightly and looked into her eyes. "As much as I like this, you aren't avoiding an answer, are you?" he asked.
Hermione smiled guiltily. "I won't lie and say I'm not nervous about you going into a dangerous career, especially after what we've been through. But I also know that it's a career that will challenge and suit you, and if it makes you happy, then of course I'm going to support you."
Ron searched her eyes, which shone with sincerity. "You're sure?"
"Yes. Just promise me one thing.." she said as she bit her bottom lip.
Ron tried to ignore the arousal he felt from it. "Anything," he choked out, attempting to focus on the conversation.
"Promise you'll stay safe, and you'll- you'll always come home to me," she whispered.
Despite all of the progress they'd made with their relationship over the last few days, and even the fact that they'd admitted they loved each other, nothing could surpass this moment. If he had any doubts of Hermione's seriousness about their relationship, they'd all but vanished now. It was clear that she was just as afraid of losing him as he was of losing her, and that told him everything he needed to know.
"I will. I promise, I will," he was barely able to say it before his lips found hers again.
There was a new desperation in this kiss, completely unlike their first in the Room of Requirement, or even their second where they finally understood their feelings were mutual. His desire and need to show her just how much she meant to him was prevalent in his mind as he deepened their kiss.
Hermione was straddling his lap as he felt her fingers in his hair. He couldn't hide his growing erection from her in their current position. As her tongue invaded his mouth, he sucked hard on it, which caused a faint moan to escape her throat. Ron lost all his logical senses and knew he needed to get them to the bedroom where they'd both be more comfortable.
He shifted his arms to hold her as he lifted both of them up and he got to his feet. She wrapped her legs around him in much the same fashion of the previous day as he managed to transport them into the bedroom. Hermione tugged at his shirt as she kicked off her shoes, and Ron helped her by sliding it over his head. He almost didn't notice her beginning to unbutton her own blouse as his shirt was tossed to the floor.
His lips found hers as his hands replaced the job hers had started. He fumbled a bit with the bottom buttons as he kissed her, but once the last one was free, his hands gingerly slid the fabric off her shoulders. Ron pulled away to look at her. Sure, it was similar to yesterday, but there was something different between Hermione wearing a bikini and seeing her in her undergarments. It was the same amount of skin she was revealing, yet this felt so much more sensual.
The soft glow of the lamp illuminated her soft skin as he tossed her blouse aside, revealing a light pink, lacy bra that pushed up her breasts in just the right way to make them more pronounced. "Fuck, Hermione," he said breathily.
"Is it too much?" she asked nervously.
"No, it's perfect. You're perfect," he said before his lips met her skin.
He kissed the corner of her mouth, then trailed kisses down to her neck. She gasped as he felt her head tilt back. Her hands reached for the button of his trousers, as she worked to pull them down. He aided her efforts by kicking them off when they got low enough, leaving him in just his pants, which were much more plain than her fancy set.
Ron let his hands wander up to her breasts, where he felt her warm skin over the fabric. He only stopped to help her as she undid her own jeans and was trying to pull them down. He saw that her knickers matched her bra, immediately realizing she'd done this on purpose. How had he not noticed what she'd grabbed that morning? Oh, right, she was distracting me in just a towel. Merlin, she was going to be the death of him.
And now, here they were again. Except this time, there was a look in her eyes that he couldn't quite place. Of all the times he'd studied her face, he could confidently describe every little nuance, but this...this was different somehow. Ron didn't realize he was staring at her until he felt Hermione's hand gently push his head back down to her neck, where he eagerly picked up where he left off.
His hands reached down to cup her bum before planting them on either side of her to hold up his weight. He warily moved down further to the curves of her breasts, relishing in how they felt against his lips and face for the first time. She began to squirm underneath him, and Ron stopped briefly to make sure it was okay.
"You can take this off if you want," she said, motioning to her bra.
"Are- are you sure?" he asked.
Hermione nodded as she raised her hips into a bridge position to give him access to the clasp. Ron snaked his arm around her and fumbled with it. She adjusted, sitting up slightly to give him a better angle. He gave in and involved both his hands. It wasn't like he was seasoned with unclasping bras, but he made a mental note to level up to one hand eventually.
He felt the clasp break free and his hands traveled up her back and then down her shoulders, pushing the straps as he went. Ron thought he was prepared for the fabric to fall away, but when it did, he felt his breath hitch in his throat. He was speechless at the sight of her.
She blushed as she lay there, still propped up on her elbows, baring herself for him to see for the first time. "I- I'm sorry their rather small and not much to-"
"They're perfect." Ron found his voice. "You're perfect."
He leaned in and kissed her, feeling her bare chest against his for the first time. He pressed his arousal against her inner thigh, allowing her to feel how much he wanted her.
"R-Ron," she heard him say against his lips. "I- I want to-"
He looked at her seriously. Bloody hell, did she want to- "You want to what, Hermione?"
"I don't want to wait anymore," she said.
"You want to…" Ron wanted to say it, yet couldn't bring himself to, just in case they weren't thinking the same thing.
"..Go all the way, have sex, make love, whatever you want to call it."
"Hermione," Ron started to say. He needed to be sure.
"I'm serious, Ron. Haven't we waited long enough?" Ron simply stared at her. Just last night he told himself he'd be willing to wait as long as she wanted, and a day later, she was expressing she was ready. "Unless you don't want to.."
Her last words brought him back to her. "No! I do, Hermione. Bloody hell, of course I do! I- Are you sure?"
"Yes," she whispered, tears were threatening in her eyes from the emotion of it all. "I've never been more sure."
"Right, Okay, then."
He leaned down to kiss her tenderly. Ron was determined to make this special for her. For both of them. He didn't want it to feel abrupt, so he worked their way back into it, relishing in the feel of her against him. Eventually his fingers hooked around her knickers, and he felt her nod against his mouth as he pulled them down to her ankles. His hands trailed back up her thighs as he hesitantly felt the warmth of her center. She was hot and wet and clearly ready for him. It was still hard to believe he made her feel that way.
She moaned at his touch as he felt her hands move to do the same with his pants, freeing his length, and revealing himself fully to her.
"C-can I?" She asked as she hesitantly reached down to grip him for the first time.
"Yeah," he said against the crook of her neck. When her hand wrapped around him, he couldn't control the string of expletives that escaped his mouth. "...Fuck, bloody hell, Hermione," he moaned into her ear. "If you keep doing that I'm gonna-"
She let go. "Ch-Charms," she said as Ron swore again.
He reluctantly lifted himself off of her to dig around in his trousers for his wand. After pointing the wand toward himself and then at her, he looked at her again. "You're sure?"
"Yes, Ron. Please," she said.
He set his wand down and returned to hover over her. "You'll tell me if it hurts?"
She nodded as Ron used his hand to gently guide him inside her. Her eyes were closed as he entered, and she drew a sharp breath in as he filled her. She was so tight. "All right?" he asked, as she nodded again.
Slowly, he began to move in and out, gradually finding a rhythm. He felt her hips press into his as things started to become more comfortable for her. He leaned down and kissed her deeply, pouring all of the emotion he was feeling into that one kiss.
"I love you, Hermione," he said as his eyes met hers.
"I love you, too, Ron," she responded as her hands found the hair at the nape of his neck.
Ron felt himself begin to thrust faster and knew it wouldn't take long. He felt her encourage him as her lips found his neck and her hands trailed across his body. "F-fuck, Hermione, I'm gonna," he said as he spilled himself inside her seconds later. Hermione captured his lips with hers as he rode out his orgasm.
He allowed himself to relax on top of her as he recovered before slowly slipping out and reaching for his wand to clean things up.
"You're bloody amazing, you know that?" he asked her as she lay there watching him.
"So are you," she said through a smile.
"I'm sorry that probably wasn't brilliant…" he apologized.
"It was fine, Ron," Hermione told him.
He let out a laugh. "Yeah, that's what every bloke wants to hear their first time."
"I didn't mean it like that! Aren't first times supposed to be awkward, and, well, not entirely satisfying?" she defended quickly.
"I guess that's true," he said as he sat on the edge of the bed. "Did you, er, want to put clothes back on?" he asked hesitantly. He was hoping they could maybe explore each other more, without clothes.
"Well, I am a bit cold," she admitted. "But, I don't think I'd need them if we get under the covers…" she added.
He watched as she got up and slid the covers back to climb into bed. Ron quickly joined her after placing his wand on the adjoining table. She snuggled into his arms, stealing the warmth he was happy to share.
"I promise I'll make it more enjoyable for you, too," Ron said as he kissed the top of her head.
"It's fine, Ron, really. We've got all the time in the world to learn what we like,"
Hermione said as her hand rested on his bare chest. He felt her chuckle against him.
"What's so funny?"
"I was just thinking about Harry's letter. Think I should write a response to Ginny on our 'getting sorted?'"
Ron shook his head. "Make her wait it out."
She laughed harder at his response. "That's true, we'll be home soon enough anyways. That way, I'll be able to see the look on her face." Ron looked down at her and Hermione noticed. "What?"
"You said - nevermind," he said.
"You need to be home at the latest by the end of next week, but we should probably plan for a few days earlier than that. You're not missing the appointment that they set you," Hermione said matter of factly.
"Well, yeah, but does that mean that you're coming with me?" Ron asked.
"Yes, of course, I am! Things will become clearer once I talk to my parents tomorrow, but there's no way I'd miss helping you prepare for this," she said propping herself up on her elbow to kiss him on the cheek.
Ron let out a deep exhale. "As long as you're sure it's not going to rush your time with them."
"No, I don't think so. Besides, I- I want to make use of the time we've got before you start training...and before I go back to Hogwarts." She averted his gaze at that last statement.
Ron squeezed her tighter. "I had a feeling you'd say that."
"You did?"
"Well, yeah, it must have torn you apart to not go back last year," he grinned.
"Finishing my education is important to me," she defended.
"I know, I know," he said.
"We'll be okay, right?"
"What do you mean?"
"We've just- never been apart for that long before…"
"We'll make it work. I'll visit you on Hogsmeade weekends and Ginny will have quidditch matches I can attend. We'll figure it out," he said, trying to reassure her. In truth, he was feeling a little apprehensive, too.
Hermione sat up fully. She turned to lean in and kiss him, but something caught her eye. "Ron, what's that?" She pointed to a small gift bag on his bedside table.
"Oh! I forgot! This is for you." He reached over and picked up the bag to hand it to her.
"What's this for? You're making me feel like a bad girlfriend. I haven't gotten you anything.."
"Think of it as a belated birthday and Christmas gift from last year," he said as he shrugged.
"Well, now that just makes me feel worse!" she complained.
"Oi, just open it will you?"
She huffed and carefully picked out the tissue paper. He watched as she reached in and pulled out the small box before looking up at him. He gave her a look to keep going. She carefully slid the top off, revealing the silver bracelet.
"Ron, it's beautiful!" she said as she gently lifted it up to examine the charms more closely. "I love it," she told him sincerely.
"Really?"
"Yes. How'd you find it?"
"Was just walking around and found this shop that drew me in. They have tons of charms, so if you like it I can get you more-" Hermione leaned in and kissed him. When they broke apart, she said, "I'd love to hear why you picked these. I think I can guess at three of them, but the charms of our patronuses have got me stumped."
Ron chuckled. "I'm surprised you don't know," he grinned, earning him a playful smack on his arm. "Well, the book is fairly obvious, I'd say, considering we met at school, and for some barmy reason, you love reading." He caught her eye roll before he continued.
"But about the patronuses...apparently Jack Russell Terriers were known to chase otters. They're both quite playful, too, I guess. I don't know, ever since Fleur told me back when, well...you know, it's kind of stuck with me."
"I never knew that," Hermione said as Ron lost his bravado. "Actually, now that I think about it.."
"What?" Ron asked.
"Otters are in the same family as the weasel," she said slowly as she looked up at him.
"It's probably just a coincidence.." Ron reasoned.
"Maybe…" Hermione said, playing with the charms. "I love the heart with the rose engravings on it, but why the seashell?"
"Reminded me of Shell Cottage. I realized quite a bit when I stayed there the first time, and I feel like things started to change between us after Malfoy Manor."
Hermione nodded slowly at his words. "These are all very clever, Ron. I love that it tells different parts of our story."
"Me too." Ron reached up to help Hermione clasp it around her non-dominant wrist.
He watched as Hermione put the discarded contents back in the bag and placed them on her bedside table. "I hope you know when you least expect it, I'll return the favor, once I figure out the perfect gift for you." She settled back into his side.
"This is enough for me," he told her.
"Doesn't mean you don't deserve something extra, too, though," Hermione chided. He chuckled at her words before they lay there in comfortable silence. "I missed you, today."
"It was less than twelve hours," he said, not sure why he was instigating the banter.
"So you didn't miss me at all?" she asked, pouting her lip in mock sadness.
He wanted to laugh at the sight, but he found his body leaning into hers. With her lip puffed out like that, Ron felt the sudden urge give it a playful bite as he snogged her. "Of course I missed you," he murmured against her lips.
Hermione adjusted herself so that she was on top of him now as she tilted her head and whispered in his ear, "I wouldn't be opposed to you showing me how much you missed me...if that's what you wanted."
Ron didn't wait a second longer to adhere to her request. Now that he knew their time alone in Australia had an end in sight, he was eager to make the most of this time with her. Merlin knew that once they returned to the Burrow, privacy would become a hot commodity again.