Originally written for Romioneficfest 2021 hosted in tumbler.
Beta Credits:@acnelli and @adenei; needless to say that they are the best.
The glorious spring evening was regaled with purplish red sky as the sun sank into the sea. The outline of the moon slowly carved its shape in the sky. Despite the spectacular view, Hermione felt gloomy, emptiness billowing inside her.
It took her the entire day to painstakingly prepare a synopsis of their upcoming plan. As soon as it was complete she bounced out of her room, excited to share it with both Ron and Harry. She found only Harry, sitting near Dobby's grave in one of his intense moods. There was no sign of Ron.
Hermione kept on walking in search of her missing best friend until she reached the sea shore. By the time the moon glowed in the sky, Hermione's anxiety for Ron's well-being increased tenfold.
Where are you Ron? Please be safe-
Her thread of thought was broken when she was joined by Luna and Dean in her stroll along the shoreline, although her eyes anxiously roamed around to catch a glimpse of the ginger boy she loved…..
"Did you happen to see Ron? I haven't seen him for a long while," Hermione asked both of them in her shrilliest voice.
"No idea Hermione. You three keep to yourself with whatever it's keeping you busy. Why don't you three let us help?" Dean exhaled wearily.
"Don't worry Hermione. Ron shall come back to you-"
Luna's voice trailed as she noticed a black rubber tube bobbing up and down faraway in the sea. She squealed, making both Hermione and Dean jump.
"That's a talking turtle. Dad says they sing lullabies to hungry sharks and lull them to sleep."
"There's no such thing as talking turtles," Hermione snapped.
She was way too worried for Ron to debate with Luna.
Talking turtles could exist only in Lovegood's fantasy world, she frowned.
Luna did not bother to respond to Hermione. She waded ahead of them clucking and waving her hand vigorously at the rubber tube in an attempt to catch its attention.
"What's got into her?" boomed Ron's familiar voice.
Hermione felt simultaneously shocked and relieved.
He's back- He's with me. The thought dissolved her frown and an imperturbable tranquility filled her soul.
"Wrackspurts, I guess," Dean quipped and both the boys laughed.
Hermione gestured to both of them to stop laughing, but giggled herself.
"That's like our old Luna. I like that girl. She has her heart at the right place," Ron said in appreciation.
The easy giggles that were erupting off of Hermione's belly were quelled by that familiar feeling of envy. Hermione's stomach twisted in knots as Ron praised her friend. She tried to brush the feeling aside.
"Yeah, she's always been fearless. Ginny told me about her," Dean paused and then said softly,
"I'm sorry… you know the night that Dumbledore died….that I didn't come to fight against the Death Eaters. Maybe all of us putting up a fight together there could have made a difference today".
Dean stared at his feet so that he could avoid meeting heir eyes.
"There's always a next time, mate,"Ron said warmly and clapped Dean's back.
Dean smiled gratefully.
Hermione tried to imagine how Ron would react if she toppled him onto the sand, kissed him ceaselessly and told him how wonderful a person he was.
Her face flustered with the thought. The tall ginger had the capability to swing her like a pendulum through a multitude of emotions within seconds.
"Well, Fleur wants you all inside for supper. Besides, it's not very safe to roam around here out of the wards," Ron said meaningfully.
Dean dragged a reluctant Luna towards Shell Cottage. Ron was in tow. But Hermione tugged him back.
"Where were you all this time?" Hermione poked her finger into Ron's chest and huffed.
She was still resentful- maybe because he didn't explain his disappearance to her or because — she was jealous.
"What's got your wand in a twist? For that matter, you are not carrying one as I can see, and you're out of the wards. D'ya realise how worried I was when I couldn't find you inside the cottage?"Ron retorted.
Hermione was reluctant to cave in. But her emotions welled up tears in her eyes and she bit her lower lip to stop them from trickling out.
"Okay, don't cry. I didn't mean to shout at you," Ron softened his hold on her hand and squeezed it lightly.
"Fleur sent me to Muriel's place to fetch supplies. You know, with all of us here, she was running out of food. She didn't want to make a fuss or make you all uncomfortable," Ron said gently.
"That's indeed very thoughtful of her. How's your family? You've missed them, haven't you?" Hermione loved Ron's family.
She understood that he needed them. But she needed him more.
"All good," Ron grinned. "They've collected muggle clothes for us. Old though, but they will suffice, I guess."
"That's great. We lost ours. Dean and Luna don't seem to have any. I literally smell Dean's slimy socks even in my sleep," Hermione scrunched up her nose in disgust. Ron chortled.
"So, that's what you found so irresistable about him. How long have you been doing these walks—I mean—you and him together?" Ron raised a single brow and smirked; but the playfulness in his demeanor did not quite reach his eyes.
"That's bollocks!" Hermione said, indignantly.
Ron put his hand over his mouth and acted gobsmacked.
Before Hermione realised the implication of her choice of words, Ron said innocently, "There's only a pair in here. Sorry, can't part with them."
"Ron! You're insufferable," Hermione screamed with embarrassment.
She scooped up a palm full of salty water and splashed it over Ron's face before running away from him, giggling.
"Wait, I'll show you how insufferable I can be," Ron guffawed.
Ron ran after her for his revenge. It did not take him long to grab her from behind with his strong, scarred arms.
"You barmy witch! Thought that you could get away with that, didn't you?" he cried panting.
"Don't you dare! I'm not your sweet damsel in distress. I can beat the hell out of you," Hermione yelped and wrestled to wriggle out of his grip.
"Try me," Ron roared.
He swept her off and twirled her in the air. He dunked her in the sea till she was thoroughly drenched.
"Ron Weasley! Watch out for this," Hermione tittered.
She kicked his shins and tickled him wherever she could reach.
"Gerrofff! Gerrofff! Owww!!" Ron shouted.
Hermione knocked both of them down on the white sand. She was squealing in delight until she realised that she was propped up on her elbows over his chest, staring straight into his blue eyes. It was just the way she had imagined herself with Ron a few minutes ago.
Ron's left hand was wrapped around the small of her back as water swept over both of them. His right hand lifted his wand up in the air to prevent it from any damage.
Puffs of staggered breaths replaced the squeals of laughter. The sound of the waves were consumed by the beating of their hearts.
Hermione's mass of matted curly hair with bits of sand stuck to the strands, enveloped both of their faces like a thick curtain.
Ron's gaze bore into hers. His wand was carelessly pointed at her.
Hermione felt a warm glow as all the sand particles in her hair started emitting silver light. The wizard in Ron made her heart swell with joy. It seemed that they were both shielded from the world by a constellation of stars.
They stared at each other until Ron broke the silence.
"You're like the moon— so beautiful," Ron exclaimed in a barely audible voice.
"Save your compliments for Luna, maybe Fleur or Lavender — Won-Won," Hermione scoffed, her voice loaded with sarcasm.
Ron kept on staring at her, but the enthusiasm in his eyes was gone; the glow of the glitters dimmed.
Hermione knew she had just spoiled a beautiful moment of her life.
Why do I always say the wrong thing? She berated herself.
Hermione rolled over her side to lie face up, staring at the moon and the stars; Ron's hand lying underneath her.
"It's been seven bloody years, Hermione. How much longer will we take to sort this out?" Ron groaned in anguish.
"I really don't know why I do this. Sort this out for us Ron. Make it easier. Please!" Hermione pleaded.
Ron pulled her closer with a new found confidence. His body trembled against hers.
"Someday, when all this shite is over, yeah….I will," he stared into her eyes resolutely.
"Trust me, I want to do this right. For now, just know, this side kick is barmy for only one wee witch — a mental one and nothing's gonna change that."
Hermione brushed her hand over Ron's cheek and nodded. As they stood and walked towards the cottage, the glitters in her hair slowly faded away, but the promise he made stayed in her heart.
She never felt more content.