Chapter 2. A Trouble In Paradise

Ron grew impatient. He was ready ten minutes ago and now was sitting on the sofa. At Hogwarts they did not teach us this. Back then he never faced the fact that girls just needed more time to prepare themselves for the day. In fact, he had never really thought that they did even need to prepare themselves for the day. And yet, here he was waiting for his wife to get ready.

'Hermione!'

'Don't hurry me!' came the cry from the closed door to the bedroom.

Ron grimaced. When it's me who is late, nobody bothers not to hurry… He was making a tour around the living room before stopping at the mantelpiece. There stood some of their favourite photographs. He took the left one and looked at the Dumbledore's Army during their fifth year. His gaze paused for a moment on Fred' face. Ron swallowed and put the picture aside. The next one was he and Hermione dancing on Bill and Fleur's wedding. Hermione was a bit blushed and Ron mentally cursed himself for being so stupid. We could have had months before all this madness… The last stolen moment of peace before the storm…

The next picture was taken either by Fleur or Luna. It was he, Harry and Hermione sitting in the grass near the Shell Cottage some days before the Gringotts. He lingered on this one not for the preciousness of this memory but for the sake of the picture itself. He looked at younger them, almost forgotten in the grass in the middle of nowhere planning to sneak into one of the most dangerous places in the world. Absolute insanity, some would call it and Ron could not help but agree. Now it was impossible to imagine that they three would undertake something like that again. Reckless youth…

These pictures belonged to the life of a distant person whose interests, fears, insecurities and feelings were unfamiliar to the present Ron. Do we really change? Or does something just die in ourselves when we step into another period of life? The fall of Voldemort split Ron's life in two parts. And sometimes he thought that the bridge between them was not an option.

He took a glance on pictures that belonged to his present life. The first of them was made in Australia, five days after the battle. He and Harry accompanied Hermione to retrieve her parents and their memories. They were on the beach, Hermione was teaching him how to swim. They stood waist-deep in the water while Harry (who was out of the picture) was sitting on the sand talking with Hermione's mother. The photo was unmoving and was made certainly by his father-in-law. Our escape from the hell we left behind. Countless burials, repair of the Burrow, constant looking behind the back in search for Death Eaters desiring to avenge their Lord. The next picture was also unmoving and was made on their wedding day three years ago. He and Hermione took their marriage vows. Until death do us part… This picture stirred something deep inside him, but he could not determine what it was as Hermione chose this moment to step from the bedroom.

'How do I look?'

Ron came closer and looked at her. She was wearing a floaty emerald-green floor-length dress and black leather mules. She is a true beauty. Ron smiled.

'Wow! Perfect!'

Hermione beamed. Generally she was very confident of herself but something, which took root in her childhood and school years, made her occasionally doubt her own good looking. Hermione always welcomed reassurance and Ron was glad to give it.

'Shall we?'

Ron nodded. He grabbed a small wrapped box on their way out and with one last glance they left the flat. Life in London among Muggles had its downwards and one of them was inability to depart freely. So they usually went to the basement where behind the closed door it was safe to apparate without any Muggles to see them. This or constant obliviation of neighbours. Ron and Hermione preferred the first option.

Once the door was locked he checked the basement with a whispered 'Homenum revelio'. As the basement was completely deserted except them, Ron took Hermione's hand and they apparated to the distant boundary of the Burrow.

They found themselves in the country lane lit with the setting sun. Behind its thick auburn streams which hit Ron's eyes stood his most favourite building in the world - his home.

All Weasleys thought of the Burrow as a paradise where laughter, care, warm beds and food would wait for you whenever you would come. This paradise gave all of them not only the safe harbour, they could turn to whenever the wind went wild, but the very idea of home and family they all learnt to cherish.

The flat in which Ron and Hermione now lived was not a home in the meaning he had mastered since childhood. It was a temporary compromise of a married couple lacking a more permanent and solid solution. Yet, Ron hoped that his life would not be a lifelong compromise and already started looking for the place to settle down and grow old. All they needed were money and consent. Hermione opted for cloudy and wooded Godric's Hollow because of its history, neighbourhood and proximity to Harry and Ginny. Ron who was used to vast country lanes and sunlit hills was in a lot of ways glued to Ottery St Catchpole and did not want to trade it either for history or friends.

They walked to the house in silence, each of them buried in thoughts. Ron noticed the white marquee standing in from of the Burrow and hurrying staff in their white uniforms. Behind them stood the crooked house, the very opposite of whiteness and grandness. Ron could not help but smile to his paradise. Something never changes.

'Blimey, how Harry could agree to this!'

Hermione blushed a bit before answering.

'I think it's a some kind of payment from him. You know, to heal the wounds.'

Wounds? What wounds?

'How come you know this?'

'You amaze me. Have you ever noticed Harry's odd behaviour these months? Or how they look at each other? And what does Harry always do when someone is hurt?'

She's right. Something was wrong with the Potters but Ron who usually kept troubles at bay preferred not to think about it. When Harry is ready, he'll tell me about it himself. With no effort at all he banished these thoughts from his mind and focused on the sight in front of him. From the distance he could hear music and voices which meant only one thing: some guests had already gathered. It was a generous August evening which did not engross either soft sun or cloudless sky. They walked on a mowed lawn and Ron could feel a pleasant coolness arising from it.

'Speaking of problems… How did your Friday's meeting with Kingsley go?' he asked Hermione absentmindedly.

'Oh, this… well…' her face showed him that she did not want to speak about it yet. Ron was quick to grasp it.

'Well, if you don't want, you can tell me later.'

Hermione hesitated but agreed.

'After the party, ok?'

'Sure.'

What all the Weasleys (well, perhaps the only exception was Percy, but even he made his peace with it) also had in common was their love for a good party. Ron's parents were over the moon when Ginny asked them for permission to arrange her birthday party here, at the Burrow. Frankly speaking, Ron could not imagine how Molly or Arthur would decline such a request. Paradise must always be full with celebrating, talking, pranking. Otherwise it would not be a paradise.

They entered the marquee and found themselves in a circle of buffet tables. To the right Ron saw a scene with musical instruments and to the left stood a magnificent bar with rows of gleaming bottles. There were various kinds of Firewhisky, brandy, red currant rum, gin and many others. Ron noticed Fleur and Angelina coming to the bar and a bottle of red wine flew from its place and filled the empty glasses in women's hands. It must have cost hundreds!

The marquee itself was much smaller than on Bill and Fleur's wedding but absolutely more lavish. It had an imprint of grandness all over it starting from the ornamented wooden chairs and ending with a flowered archway on the other side behind which stood graphite wall with golden letters 'Ginny Potter'.

Ron immediately noticed his sister in a white girded dress. She stood among all Weasley siblings and their partners. Only Charlie was absent but he mostly resided in Romania and his visits were a rare thing. Ron knew that his parents were glad that almost all of their children (except Charlie) had a spouse and children of their own (and here the only exception was Ron). After the war even despite loss of Fred, the Weasley family expanded dramatically. Percy, George, Ron and Ginny - they all married within three years and it was a very busy period for a mother. Still as though being optimistic was a family trait, Molly accepted all the troubles coming from it with a smile and open arms.

'Hey, sis! Birthday!'

Ginny turned her head and beamed when she saw them.

'Ron! Hermione! Good to see you!'

She walked to them gracefully like those princesses from Muggles' cartoons Hermione once showed him. Although in looks Ginny was a typical Weasley, something told Ron that she departed from their typical image. Previously she was always tough and never expressed her problems. Ginny smiled, joked and was permanently funny. However when she was nearing them in her dress Ron finally noticed that his sister went from a boyish girl to a fine lady and although it was a sight to behold, he was surprised and did not know how he should react to this new sister of his. Harry mentioned this. Blimeyl, you should listen to people, Ronald.

She hugged him tightly and moved to Hermione when Ron noticed something gleaming over her white dress. It was a necklace and a beautiful one if he was to judge - double gold chain with a large emerald shaped like a flower and circled with small gleaming stones. Ron had never seen this one on Ginny and he suspected that it was Harry's present. Another payment.

Ginny noticed his gaze and grinned.

'Yes! Harry's present… how do you like it?'

Hermione smiled and said something about its beauty but the smile never touched her eyes. Ron knew his wife very well and therefore could perfectly distinguish a fake smile on her face. It was one of them.

'We've also brought you a present, sis. Not as grand as this one, but still could be useful.'

Ron handed the wrapped box to Ginny. She took it with the smile that had more in common with Hermione's previous polite reaction to the necklace than with her genuine grins she always had on her face.

'Don't you mind if I open it later?'

'Sure.'

Ginny accompanied them to the big group of Weasleys at the centre of the marquee. It was a long way to hug everybody. With this process over, it was an awkward second when nobody knew how to start. Odd. They were enjoying themselves when we entered. George seemed to feel this awkwardness and tried to dispel it with a joke.

'We were getting worried you lost your way.'

Hermione did not register a hidden reproach and smirked.

'It's Ronald. Had been taking a shower for hours. I had to threaten him that I would blast the door.'

Everybody laughed and Ron mentally added this moment to a not so long list of Hermione's achievements in joking.

'Yes, some of us need to work to be breathtaking, darling,' he said. 'You're fortunate to be lovely even without it.'

'Yes, you look marvellouz, Hermione!' nodded Fleur gazing at her dress.

'Where are your boys, sis?' asked Ron as he did not see Harry or Sev.

'Sev is with other children at the backyard. He's showing off his new broomstick…' noticing his questioning eyes, Ginny added. 'Don't worry, parents are with them. You know how mum is: Sev should be lucky if he may take one foot from the ground. And Harry… is in the Ministry. Urgent owl from Robards.'

Hermione who was exchanging pleasantries with Fleur and Angelina at the moment turned her head to them.

'From Robards?' and then she looked at Percy. In her gaze Ron read questions to the Senior Undersecretary, but Percy only shrugged his shoulders.

'Yes,' answered Ginny. 'Urgent meeting. He should be here by now.'

Ginny's face showed Ron what she really thought about this meeting and he chose to step in.

'Must be something important. Don't remember the last time Robards worked on Sunday.'

'It'd better. The guests are already arriving, and I don't know about Kingsley as he didn't confirm,' she said and walked to Weasley women.

The group slowly moved to the tables. Ron walked alongside Bill and Percy who discussed Gringotts. Ron turned around to look at his wife. One glance at Hermione was enough to feel a little sympathy for her. Hermione, who was always struggling with her female part of life, had to stay with Ginny, Angelina, Penelope and Fleur but still Ron could see that she tried to eavesdrop the talk between Bill and Percy. Although Ron personally could not imagine a poorer topic choice than goblins, he knew that it meant the world for Hermione. She was stuck in discussion about children and it was neither interesting nor pleasant.

Ron and Hermione were the only Weasleys that did not have a small image of them running around and the more time went the more pressure unspoken words laid on Hermione. Ron could say by her wondering eyes that she was looking for an escape. He made a step towards her but his way was blocked by George. He moved a hand in direction of buffet tables and the two of them left the other Weasleys.

Ron got used to the new George that they had to live with after the war. Since Fred he became more reserved, silent and thoughtful. For the time being they all feared for him and even suggested that he lived in the Burrow, but George declined. In half a year he regained some of his previous self but still jokes were rare as if he was afraid that there was nobody anymore to understand them. Another life split in half.

'Well? Have you spoken with her?' asked George when they came to the table where nobody could overhear them.

'Not yet,' said Ron. George made a face. 'Listen, she has a lot on her plate already. But I promise, we'll talk today.'

'You promised to talk with her a week ago.'

'Today, George, good?'

'Good,' muttered he rather unhappily and went to speak with Lee Jordan who had just made his entrance.

Ron was left to his own thoughts. In truth he was afraid of this particular talk with Hermione. Since war it went without saying that he and Harry would go for the Aurors, but with time Ron started questioning his own career. He really liked his job. But truth be told, the life of an Auror did not have much for a paradise. One morning this realisation hit him like a thunder and since then he had simply known Auror career was not what he would like to do for his whole life. I want to quit.

Ron knew that both Harry and Hermione would not judge him but still the idea of breaking the news to them was disturbing. I'm leaving them to their fights. If there was something that Ron had learnt the hard way, it was that leaving friends could never be an option. He was sitting on these two chairs - loyalty and strive for happiness - and with every passing day it became harder and harder to remain in this position. What if I'm wrong? What if I'm just tired? Ron was a brave man when dealing with dark wizards. He was one of the first to enter the place with hidden Snatchers or Death Eaters. Ron was not so brave when dealing with his family and his wife. He was the last to talk about unpleasant truths. He was the first to keep peace at all costs. And the cost he usually paid was his own unrest.

While Ron was fighting this internal battle his gaze wandered around the marquee. Ginny left the women and went to greet the whole team of Holyhead Harpies who just appeared in the marquee. Ten female players in maroon Harpies' cloaks surrounded Ginny and if not for her white dress, Ron could say that she was absorbed by the team. Hermione was listening to Angelina and nodded to some of her words. Is she just polite or does she really agree with something? He came to them.

'Don't you want to meet your godson?' he looked at Hermione pointedly. She puzzled for a second but then understanding appeared on her face.

'Oh, yes! Let's go,' she turned to Angelina. 'We'll talk later, ok?'

Angelina nodded and let her go. When they were making their way to the lane Hermione whispered 'thank you' to him which made Ron extremely proud of himself.

'What did you talk about?'

'Talk? Oh, yes, with Angelina… n-nothing, seriously. What did you discuss with George?'

'His new products. He wants me to check them.'

Hermione was satisfied with it and did not ask further questions.

They stepped into a dark lane. The blue of the summer night neared the party and had already done its first confident steps over Devon fields. Golden light coming from the marquee did not dare attack the darkness and so Ron could not distinguish the shapes of the Burrow anymore. Yet, they could hear children's happy cries in front of them. Ron and Hermione tried to locate it and in a moment they saw half a dozen little children running in their direction with Arthur and Molly hurrying beside. Ron immediately noticed a small boy whose resemblance to his father was striking even at the age of three. Severus Sirius Potter sprinted towards his godparents with cries 'Uncle Ron' and 'Aunt Mione'. Ron and Hermione could not help but smile to the little image of their friend and opened arms for the hug. Severus jumped at Ron's hands and hugged him. Then he turned his face from Ron's shoulder and grinned at Hermione.

'Aunt Mione, wanna see my broom?'

'Absolutely!' exclaimed Hermione. 'Would you give me a ride?'

Sev's happy face then became a bit worried. He analysed Hermione for a second.

'Aunt Mione… Broom little… like me… and you big… like mummy…' he said in a very sorrowful voice.

Hermione laughed. She shuffled his hair.

'Then I'll wait when you grow big and you get a big broom, ok?'

Sev beamed.

'And we ride!' he shrieked, jumped from Ron's hands and ran to his mother. Other children made their entrance in a more calm way and with smiles and 'hi' to Ron and Hermione came to their parents. The latter, as Ron noticed, were looking at the exchange between the young Potter and Hermione with intensity more suitable for the courtroom than for the family reunion. Ron grew irritated and stood in front of Hermione.

'Let's go to mum and dad,' he suggested, but Hermione was not listening. Ron trailed her gaze and found himself looking at Sev and Ginny. The latter bended to discuss something with her son. We need to talk about it. I can no longer ignore this issue.

Ron grimaced a little but could not say something more when a large silver ball flew in the marquee and stopped at the centre. All talks died when they glanced at the ball which turned into a graceful stag with the crown-like horns. Ron immediately remembered another party at this place and another patronus coming from nowhere. He tensed and took Hermione's hand. But then the patronus spoke in a calm and tired voice of Harry Potter.

'I'm coming with the Minister.'

With that the stag and Harry's voice dissolved into nothingness and only silence could witness that they had ever been there. The silence vanished when Ginny who was still holding Sev's hand addressed the Harpies.

'Please, drinks are over there,' she waved her hand to the bar. She was smiling. Harry is coming with the Minister. Interesting. Need to ask him what happened when he comes.

Ron and Hermione came to Mr and Mrs Weasley who welcomed them with a grin.

'So good to finally see you. How are you?'

'We're fine, mum. Working, eating, breathing,' he paused. 'Having fun.'

Hermione rolled her eyes. Arthur chuckled behind Mrs Weasley. Ron innocently looked at his mother who looked as though she had an internal struggle. She wanted to say something but could not find courage to do it. Arthur grasped the awkwardness and intervened.

'Leave them be, Molly. They're old enough to… have their own fun.'

Now Hermione turned a bit pink and Ron smiled.

'Well… Hermione, come with me, please, I'd like to talk about your mother's birthday…' said Mrs Weasley in a tone leaving no room for objection.

Ron had to admit that his parents got on well with Mr and Mrs Granger. At first Ron had his concerns about it - he did not have profound experience of interaction between wizards and Muggles. His only chance to know how they work together was with Dursleys and it was not a very good one. But all his concerns were dispelled at the first family dinner they spent in one of the Muggle restaurants in London. Arthur was so enthusiastic and Molly so considerate that there was no trait of awkwardness between them. Gregory, his father-in-law, even invited Arthur to fishing and the latter returned from it absolutely thrilled. Since then they went fishing now and then and kept a rather warm relationship.

'How are you, dad?' asked Ron when looking at the entrance. Nevill and Hannah stepped into the marquee and greeted Ginny. Ron waved his hand in welcome and they returned it.

'Not really well. This Peasegood case serves us badly,' muttered Arthur. They made their way to the bar and watched as two bottles of butterbeer flew from the their spot and filled two empty glasses. Ron and Mr Weasley took the glasses from the counter and sipped their drinks. 'I initiated checks of other Obliviators. But the harm is already done, you see.' They left the bar and moved to one of the tables. The marquee started to fill in. Now Ron could see a good part of the DA - Dean, Seamus, Parvati, Padma, Michael Corner and Susan Bones - coming together.

'And how is the atmosphere in the department?' asked Ron sipping his butterbeer. Arthur grimaced.

'Not really high,' said Arthur. Little Dominique ran nearby and Arthur absentmindedly shuffled his ginger hair. 'With all this questioning they are reminded of first days after the war and these days didn't mean anything happy for all.'

Ron knew what Arthur talked about. After the fall of Voldemort they had to question every employee about their cooperation with Voldemort regime - whether the participation was forced or willing. Those days were truly dark as they did not knew who they could trust. Harry and Ron took a lot of interviews themselves and at the end of the day they always were depressed. It's hard to mistrust everybody. It destroys you.

'You know, Harry had to do it to clear you and the others.'

'Yes, I know,' said Mr Weasley while waving to the entering Hagrid and Minerva. 'Still it hurts to think that there are madmen in your department.'

Arthur looked around and Ron, who had enhanced his emotional range since school, knew that it meant that his father wanted to end this conversation. And he went to pick Hermione who was now laughing with Ginny and other DA members.

'What's the point?'

Ginny patted him on the shoulder.

'Dear brother, Hermione now told us about your wonderful Cleaning Spell,' as Ginny said it, everybody roared with laughter again. 'Well done, mighty Auror Weasley. Wait till Harry returns, he would like to hear it.'

Ron turned a bit pink. Yesterday it was a complete disaster. Instead of vanishing, all the dust landed on him. Ron made a mistake with the spell which somehow turned into a Summoning Charm. When he was cursing and sneezing, Hermione ran into the kitchen. Oh, Merlin, how she laughed. She laughed till tears ran from her eyes. If it had been a less embarrassing moment, he would use it to create one of his strongest patronuses.

'Hear what?' asked a mockingly serious voice behind him. Everybody turned around and saw Harry and Kingsley standing at the entrance.

'Oh, Harry,' whispered Ginny and ran to her husband to hold him in a tight embrace. Harry's raised eyebrows showed that he was a bit surprised about his wife's reaction. Everybody was now looking at the Potter couple with tenderness.

'Shhh, Jin, you make it look like I just returned from the battle,' he tried to smile. 'It was just a very boring meeting with Robards and Kingsley.'

'If you put it this way, Harry, Mrs Potter must be really glad that you made it alive,' smiled Kingsley and after a couple of 'hellos' and shaken hands with Ron and Hermione he went to greet everybody.

Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione were left alone.

'Hi, mate,' said Ron and clapped Harry on his back. 'So, what was it about?'

Harry looked at him, then at Ginny and finally his gaze lingered on Hermione. It was a second, no more, but Ron could see something odd in this gaze. Questions? Hermione returned this gaze with her usual unreadable mask as Ron could say. Harry took Ginny's hand and looked in her brown eyes.

'Well… Robards is retiring,' Harry said and examined his audience. Ron was shocked as was Ginny. But Harry again watched Hermione whose face did not give anything away. Ginny was the first to come with words.

'Wow! It means that John would be the next Head Auror now?' asked she and not waiting for the answer added. 'Great news! You know, I invited him and Daphne, we can congratulate him!'

She was extremely happy about it. Ron was not. He knew John Gaunt rather well and although he thought that the guy was a good Auror, Ron did not dream to work under his command.

John Gaunt was everything the man could wish to be. A good-looking guy in his mid thirties, charismatic leader of the Security Division, well-paid employee, betrothed to a beautiful young beauty and a perfect ancient pure-blood surname. Yes, his surname was an issue between them after the war. When Ron and Harry entered the Auror Office and met John Gaunt, the first question they had was that one - 'Aren't you a relative to the House of Gaunt?'. Nope, he was not. His family, although pure-blood had nothing to do with Gaunts Ron and Harry knew. They originated from Belgium from the town of Ghent which was somehow interpreted in English as 'Gaunt' many centuries ago. Harry made it his personal business to check it and after some time confirmed John's words. Although this Gaunt was not a relative to Tom Riddle, still something in him did not make Ron a huge fan of the guy. And when Harry shook his head, Ron relaxed. Hermione beamed at Harry's movement.

'If not John, who then? Jeremy? Or, please don't tell me that it would be Henry,' pleaded Ginny.

'It would be your husband, Jin,' said Harry and slightly bit his lip in his waiting for the judgement from Ginny. Wow! Cool! Ron was very happy for his friend and showed all his enthusiasm on the face. Ginny however was the very opposite of happiness. Her excitement about Robards' retirement and potential promotion of Gaunt changed into a scowl to the prospect of her husband serving as the Head Auror. Harry either missed it or preferred not to see it and addressed Ron instead.

'And I would be extremely happy if you step in as the Senior Auror, Ron,' said Harry.

Any smile Ron had on his face died at these words. Finally Harry noticed that something was wrong with his best friend and wife and at first glanced at Ginny. Ron missed their interaction as he lowered his gaze to the polished dance floor.

It was the moment when he finally understood that he made the same mistake like many others before him who always waited for the perfect moment to do something, and the more they waited, the further they went from this perfect moment. At last, they were pushed to do what they wanted to do at the very opposite of the 'perfect moment'. Now is the time. But the mouth betrayed Ron and he stood silent. Oh, Merlin, Hermione noticed it, too.

Harry was puzzled and looked at three of them and found sympathy only in Hermione. She looked at him apologetically.

'Guys, cheer up! I tell you I'm being promoted and you react as though somebody died,' said Harry desperately. Perhaps, something has really died.

'I'm so happy you agreed, Harry!' exclaimed Hermione thus destroying the heavy silence over them. And then she flung her arms around Harry.

'Congratulations!' cheered Ron and clapped Harry on his back. 'You deserve this.'

Harry relaxed a bit but one glance on Ginny was enough to tell him that this was not over.

'Later,' only muttered Ginny before almost running to other guests. With one stolen glance at his friends Harry hurried after her.

Ron and Hermione were left alone. As party officially started with both hosts present, the couple stood unattended and at least one of them was glad about it. Ron's good mood lay in ashes and he did not pay attention to the surroundings for what seemed an hour but turned out to be a minute. Music, talking and laughing just started when Hermione dragged him from the marquee. When they appeared on the grounds he raised his eyebrow at her questioningly.

'You need to tell him. And soon,' said Hermione sternly.

'Tell him what?' asked Ron innocently.

'You know what. Listen, I respect it. You wanted to make it smooth. And you have my blessing. But Harry needs the truth,' Hermione tried to convince him. How come she always knows everything?

'What are you talking about?'

'Don't insult me. All your mysterious meetings with George you're not so eager to talk about. And Ernie told me the other day that WWW were expanding abroad,' Ron averted her gaze as she said those words. 'Then Angelina was asking me and Fleur about living in France and magical communities there. I added two and two.'

Her calm voice showed that she was perfectly normal with this but still Ron was uncertain.

'Aren't you angry with me?'

'I don't see anything to be angry at, seriously. I know that you don't want it to look as abandoning me or Harry. But, you know, it doesn't look for me as aban…'

She could not finish her sentence as Ron leaned and kissed her passionately. With the kiss he expressed all his doubts, concerns, fears he had for weeks. Fears that tore him apart. She is a miracle. This thought was the last before the kiss.

He felt that for a moment she was surprised by his actions but then she smirked to his lips and answered the kiss. He thought that the time stopped, that nothing that could happen at the moment could spoil this moment of pure connection between a husband and a wife. He held her tightly in fear to lose this understanding she wore for him.

They parted very slowly, both not wanting to shatter this fragile feeling of devotion and empathy. Hermione was smiling tenderly to him, golden lights shining in her brown eyes which made them almost amber. He leaned to kiss her again but then somebody cleared his throat behind them. Curse him!

Ron and Hermione turned around and saw John Gaunt and Daphne standing near them smiling at their intimacy.

'Sorry for disturbing, but if you continue I will have to put a Freezing Charm on me. You melt my old heart,' said John with a genuine yet rare for him warmth in the voice.

'Yes, you looked so wonderful!' agreed his blonde fiancé.

When they went to Hogwarts Ron did not notice Daphne as she was in Slytherin, but after the war she turned out to be one more example that not all Slytherins were evil and arrogant. She was light, compassionate and not in the slightest aggressive to Muggles and Muggle-borns. On the contrary, she worked as an Obliviator and with every passing day she tried to protect the Muggles from magic and its destructive impact on their lives. Ron and Harry learnt a lot about Daphne in the past weeks as they summoned her for questioning a couple of times. Daphne closely worked with Arnold Peasegood and she was completely shocked about her mentor's latest actions. From Ron's observance she was a good Obliviator, however, Peasegood himself described her as 'diligent but not bright'.

John Gaunt was everything Daphne was not. His eyes cold, gaze piercing, manners well-reserved and humour sharp. He spoke little, he observed much. To put it simply, he was a very synonym of a conventional Auror.

'Daphne, please drag him inside or you'll become a widow before the wedding,' grumbled Ron. Daphne laughed.

'I can imagine Prophet's headlines. 'Senior Auror murdered at the Potter's birthday party. Weasley wanted'.'

'I want to reassure you, Weasley, that the image of you snogging will be something that would protect me from any pathetic hex you can put on me,' smirked Gaunt. Ron wanted to say something but Hermione intervened.

'Daphne, what do you think about giving me some lessons on the Memory Charm? I would do it on my own, but I'm afraid I'll eradicate all the memory of your fiancé.'

'Oh, don't bother, Hermione. I'll do it myself. Let him enjoy himself for a second,' smiled Daphne and with a wink they moved into a marquee. Ron and Hermione exchanged a smile and walked after them.

So, she accepts it. Ron was still in shock that he actually did not have to explain everything himself. She is always smart, my Hermione. Then he remembered about Harry and his heart clenched again.