In Between
Author's Note: Hi again! This is the next installment in this series. Having such a lovely time revisiting this world. Fluff/smut ahead!
Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read, leave a review and follow this story. Please do leave any ideas for moments you might like to see written between Ron and Hermione.
Thank you to my amazing beta on this fic cheesyficwriter
It goes without saying that nothing pertaining to Harry Potter belongs to me and is the work of J.K. Rowling.
**I'm sorry I haven't been as active with writing. Been going through a tough time. Just a note that this will be the second last chapter. The next chapter will round it out and then this story will be going on a hiatus. I don't know for how long and I might return to it someday so thanks for coming with me on the journey!**
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Chapter 26: NEWTs & celebrations
Hermione,
I know you're about to start your NEWT exams so I won't distract you too much but I wanted to send you this owl and wish you luck, though I don't think you need luck. You're so prepared and so brilliant. You're sure to ace everything, 'Mione. I know you will. But I also know you tend to worry more than you should, and you start doubting yourself. I want you to imagine my voice when you do. Imagine me telling you that you have nothing to worry about. Imagine me assuring you that you have studied more than enough, and you know the material inside and out. If you're really worried, pretend I'm there taking the exams with you and you're helping ME study by reviewing all the information. You always seemed to do well when you were explaining a concept to someone else back in school. You could even owl it to me beforehand so the act of writing it out helps you to retain it. That's a thing, right?
Make sure you're eating enough and getting enough sleep, okay? After all we've been through, wouldn't it be ironic if it was exams that killed you? Okay, that was a really bad joke. But I bet you cracked a smile, didn't you? And for a second you weren't thinking about studying. Admit it. Only I can distract you, this I've learned from years and years of knowing you.
When is your last exam? I want to be thinking of you the exact moment you've finished and are absolutely free! How about something to motivate you, hm? I've cleared space in the closet and the wardrobe for your things. I've even magically altered those bookshelves in the sitting room to be like your beaded bag so they hold way more than they appear to. I know how many books you have, and I know you'll want somewhere to keep them until we find a bigger flat for just the two of us. Know what else? I've been studying up on some muggle recipes you've talked about having with your parents, and I fully intend on spoiling you with my awesome cooking skills. I told you my mom says I'm a natural, right? Well, turns out I kind of love cooking, too. You can look forward to reaping the benefits of that.
I love you, Hermione, and I miss you. Soon enough, we don't ever have to say goodbye at the end of a weekend again. Well, until I go to Auror training. But that won't keep us apart for as long as we have been, so that's different.
You'll do amazing, as usual. Stop stressing. There's a congratulatory snog waiting for you on the other end (and even more if you want).
Love,
Ron
Ron,
Okay, you caught me. I was smiling. You're the only one who manages to talk me down from the ledge without even being here! How do you do that? I suppose you do just know me that well. Good thing I know you just as well.
My last exam is next Friday morning in Arithmancy. I finish at 11, so I'm officially done by lunch time. I'm trying not to go absolutely insane with the studying but it's difficult not to, Ron! This is the NEWTs! It could determine my whole future, what job I get, everything! I know, I know, I'm being intense. I can practically hear you saying it. I can see the look on your face, too. I promise I'm not going overboard. I'm not running myself ragged, I swear!
Okay. You may be right. Perhaps a little break writing this letter will help. I love that you've cleared a space in the flat for me! And for my books! You wonderful, sweet man. That's a very clever use of the charm! I'm impressed, Ronald Weasley. Thoroughly impressed.
I wish you were here to study with. Though I'm sure not a lot of studying would be getting done if you were. I can't wait until I get to wake up next to you everyday. Something occurred to me though… would you be alright if I spent a few weeks at the start of summer with my parents? We've lost so much time, you see, and if I won't be living with them anymore I'd like to spend some time with them before I move out. I'd love it if you came with. As you know, they're very modern, and will be quite alright with you staying in my room with me. Well, my old room, now, I suppose.
I can't wait to see you after exams are over!
Counting down the days…
Love,
Hermione
"I've been asked to check up on you…" Came Harry's voice. Hermione looked up from her spot in the library at her study table and rolled her eyes.
"Let me guess who…" She shook her head but she knew Ron was constantly worried about her well-being and, truth be told, she did have a bad track record when it came to taking care of herself while studying for exams.
"Listen, don't shoot the messenger!" Harry said, holding up his hands as if he was surrendering. "He's owled me like five times this week to make sure I'm checking up on you. He worries because he can't be here to check himself." Harry pulled out a chair across from Hermione at her usual library table, and set his chin in his hand.
"I know it's because he cares but I've already promised to make sure I'm taking breaks…" She sighed. "Guess he's sending in the big guns, isn't he?" She gestured to Harry, and he puffed his chest out and laughed.
"Just looking out for my sister," he replied with a small smile. Hermione smiled back. She loved her relationship with Harry. He was the brother she never had.
"You could always join me, Harry. You've got exams, too." She pointed her quill at him before jotting down a few points on her parchment. She distinctly heard Harry scoff.
"Yes but, unlike you, I don't care nearly as much." Harry joked, earning him a kick from Hermione under the table.
She set down her quill, took a deep breath and rolled her aching shoulders, stretching her muscles. She'd been studying for hours already, and frankly, she could use a bit of a break and a chat with Harry.
"How're things with Ginny?" She asked, leaning back in her chair. She saw his face light up at the mention of her name.
"She's brilliant!" He said, a man of few words.
"You seem happy." Hermione commented with a smile. "I'm glad for you."
"Thanks, Hermione. I am happy for once." Harry shrugged with a chuckle. He was right. His formative years hadn't given him much of a chance to be happy about anything, really. He was too busy fighting evil . "You too, you know…" He said, and she looked at him in confusion. "You seem happy, too, I mean."
Realization came across her features and a pleasant flush came onto her cheeks. "I am." She pictured Ron, feeling that familiar thump of her heart when she did.
"About time, huh?" Harry asked, and she knew he was referencing all of them. They were happy, and settled, with no immediate danger in their future.
She let out a sigh of relief followed by a grin. "Took us long enough, didn't it?"
"Amen to that."
Time flew by, and all of a sudden it was exams week. Hermione felt like she was running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. Between her own studying, helping Harry and Ginny, and the tutoring she'd been doing, she was barely able to manage her schedule. Ron was checking in almost daily, making sure she was taking care of herself and reminding her that they were only exams, and she had never failed a test before. Sometimes it was exactly what she needed to hear to calm herself down, and motivated her to study more.
She knew she could get a little ridiculous when it came to exams. It was this innate fear in her of not doing well — of failing. For the longest time, her boggart had been McGonagall telling her she'd failed out of school. Though that was no longer the case, her boggart had morphed into other more predominant fears (Ron and Harry dead, for example), and it was still a fear she always had deep down. She knew it was ludicrous. She'd never failed anything in her life but that didn't mean she didn't feel it.
Exams went by in a flurry. Potions, Transfiguration, DADA, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Charms. She was lucky that she didn't have more than one exam a day. She suspected the teachers didn't overload the exam schedule on purpose when it came to NEWTs. There was enough pressure as it was. Although she felt the stress and the pressure to do well and perform to the best of her abilities, nothing compared to the pressure of the year before — the stress of the horcrux hunt, and that thought put it all into perspective for her. It was important she do well, yes, but there were much more important things too.
She couldn't wait to be finished. She couldn't wait to run into Ron's arms and stay there. She couldn't wait to move in with him. She couldn't wait for her adult life to really begin. But little did she know even bigger changes were ahead for her.
Mr & Mrs. Granger,
You might be wondering why I'm writing to you. I thought about calling you on the phone but I don't exactly have access to one of those at home, so a letter will have to do. I have something important to ask you, and I'm not sure I'd have the nerve face to face.
I love your daughter. You know that, right? I love her more than anything, and I've loved her since I was about fourteen years old. I was too thick to know it at that age, and it took me far longer than it should have to realize what it was but everything happens the way it's supposed to, yeah? Anyways, off topic. I love Hermione, and I know we're still young and have a long life ahead of us but this past year and a half has shown me what's important. Every moment counts and you can't waste any time on trivial things, like what people think or what's proper in some people's eyes. Everything could be taken away in an instant, and I don't want to waste anymore time.
Long story short…
I'd like your blessing to ask Hermione to marry me.
I know you are both aware of the strength and intensity of our relationship as Hermione pretty much shares everything with you both, and I'm sure you had an idea this was coming at some point. Though it may be sooner than you anticipated, I don't see any reason why we should postpone the inevitable. I'm not wasting any more time when it comes to Hermione. I wasted too many years being an idiot, and I don't want to waste anymore. Before you say anything, I'm perfectly alright with having a longer engagement if that's what Hermione wants but I'd really like to propose sooner rather than later. I was actually thinking about after she graduates, as I know her education is important to her and to you.
Of course, I'll understand if you can't give your blessing but I really hope that's not the case.
I love her. I won't ever stop. And I promise to do everything in my power not to hurt her.
I eagerly await your reply.
Thanks,
Ron Weasley
Harry,
I did it. I wrote to her parents and asked for their blessing. Granted they haven't responded yet but here's hoping… It's happening. After graduation. I won't give more details than that because it's between Hermione and me.
Thanks for your help, mate. Tell Ginny thanks, too.
I'll let you know what her parents say! Good thing they can't hex me, eh?
Ron
Ron,
I doubt you have anything to worry about, mate. The Grangers are smart—they did produce Hermione after all— and they know how much you love her. They trust you both. You'll be fine.
Keep me posted.
Harry
Ron,
You never needed to ask for our blessing as you've always had it.
Take care of our girl.
Your future mother and father-in-law.
Harry,
Blimey, Harry, they said yes.
Ron