Runaway Fox
Chapter Twenty-Two: Healing the Fox
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and everyone else, except for this story and the Scotts. All the stuff I'm borrowing belongs to J.K. Rowling. I make no money from this.
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After leaving the cemetery hand in hand, Ron and Hermione took their time before coming to the Napa testing field. They continued to talk on and off about the future and the present. Ron was feeling better and thought that he had paid his penance for what happened before in the past. Hermione looked around her and thought that California was wonderful. Sure, it wasn't England, but with Ron it was wonderful. And she thought about Ellsinore and the opportunities that were there. What major should she consider? And what about her job as an Auror? What was Mad Eye Moody going to say? As Ron drove the car carefully to Napa Valley, she watched him as he concentrated. Hermione noticed that he was much more handsomer when he was relax and almost close to sleep like that picture from the article in Witch Weekly. The thought of the article made Hermione giggle out loud.
"What?" asked Ron as he turned to her for a moment, and then quickly returned his attention to the road.
"I was thinking about that article about you being the number one bachelor in the wizarding world," giggled Hermione.
"Oh, God. I hate that woman. I honestly hate her," said Ron.
"Aw, poor baby. Being so available must be painful for you. She is right. You are a wonderful catch," said Hermione with a smile.
"She didn't know that I wasn't available at the time," he said as he moved his hand off the steering wheel and placed it on top of hers. Hermione blushed despite herself. "I've learned that the world always runs on magic. And it's not always the magic you have when you're a wizard or a witch. There's magic everywhere. All humans have their own magic," he continued.
"I believe that. I honestly do," whispered Hermione. They continued the drive in silence. Hermione was surprised to see the big testing field. Simon was wearing a pair of headphones. Harry was standing next to him as results were read off from the testing. He was holding the Marauder in his hand. The machines fascinated Mr. Weasley. Charlie, Fred, and George were coming up with how many different games could be played on the field. Percy and Bill were trying to figure out how much the entire thing cost. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were looking around as well as one of Ron's employees explained how the field is hidden from Muggle view.
"Hello, everyone," said Ron as he walked up to them, holding Hermione's hand.
"Hey Ron!" said Simon with a happy smile. It looked like he was relieved to see him.
"What's wrong?" asked Ron.
"The Marauder seems to be leaning towards the left side," answered Harry. Harry let go of the broomstick for a moment to hand it over to Ron, but it automatically flew over to Ron.
"How did you do that without a summoning charm?" asked Mrs. Weasley.
"All the prototypes answer to me because I'm the creator. They automatically come to me. I've been trying to perfect that feature on the broomsticks that are released to the public. "What are the readouts?" asked Ron as he let the broomstick hover next to him as he stripped off his jacket.
"See," said Simon as he typed into the computer. Ron read it over with his sharp eyes and let his jacket drop to the floor. Hermione picked it up with a sigh. Some things never change. Simon stepped aside to give Ron access to the computer. His family was impressed with the fact that he could use such a strange keyboard where all the letters were jumbled up. They saw how the graphics on the screen displayed what looked like very centimeter of the broomstick. Harry watched him. They had no idea how precise broomstick making had to be.
"Here's the problem," said Ron after several minutes. Simon looked at it. "It's just five millimeters, Ron. It shouldn't make a difference."
"But it does. That's why it's hanging to the left. The five millimeters goes down a good portion of the broomstick. It's adding to the weight. It's got to be sanded off. I knew that I made a mistake somewhere," said Ron as he picked up the broomstick. He took out is pen and transfigured it back to his wand. With a short spell he sanded off the five millimeters and after looking over it again, he nodded, and said, "We have to test it again."
Harry stepped forward, but Ron shook his head. "I'll do it." He put on a pair of gloves that increased his grip on the broomstick and a pair of goggles to protect his eyes. "Let the work begin," said Ron with a smile.
Hermione was holding his jacket, which she neatly folded. She was glad to see him happy because he was passionate about what he did for a living. Everyone watched in amazement as Ron raced the broomstick at speeds even faster than Harry. And after just a few minutes, the testing was over. "Works like a dream," said Ron with satisfaction.
"Well, I don't know what to say," said Mrs. Weasley. She didn't look worried.
"How much will this model be? And also remember, I'm your brother," said Fred.
"You guys want broomsticks," said Ron simply.
"Well, trade you some jokes for it," said George.
"Actually, I was thinking of expanding the line. I got the idea after looking at pictures of Jessica. How old are the other children?" asked Ron.
All his brothers gave him the ages of their children in wonder. "That's good. I need some test pilots," said Ron.
"What are you planning, Ron?" asked Simon.
"I was thinking of making toy broomsticks. For children. Models of the real broomsticks for them to play with," answered Ron.
"And you want to use our children for the testing," said Fred.
"Yes. I'd just send them to them. Also, I would have to get some measurements for your broomsticks. And you can tell me how my nieces and nephews like them,' said Ron.
"I'll take that deal," said George.
"I'm the only one who doesn't have children for this thing. Can I still get a broomstick?" asked Charlie.
"That's your own fault for not getting married," said Mrs. Weasley.
"What about Ron? He's not married," said Charlie.
"He's been very busy and he's younger than you," said Mr. Weasley.
While they were distracted talking about broomsticks and marriage, Ron looked over to Hermione. She smiled back at him. He walked over to her and they walked out for the moment. Simon winked at Harry as they left. He smiled back at Simon.
"I wish I had little test pilots of my own for the toy broomsticks," said Ron as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Maybe, you will. I think it would be better if your nieces and nephews tested it first, and you have a chance to perfect them before I give you any little test pilots. Are you serious about wanting children?" she asked.
"Look at my family. I need to work on being a good father, but you've already gotten this mother thing down," said Ron.
"What makes you think that?" snorted Hermione.
"You're taking care of me, aren't you?" asked Ron.
"Well, if you put it that way, then you're right," said Hermione as turned around to face him and their lips met.
~*~
The visit came to a close after a few weeks because Mr. Weasley was needed back in England. No one really wanted to go home, but they still had work to do. Hermione had time off and wrote a letter to Moody. Harry had the feeling that she wasn't coming back to England with them, but he didn't feel bad about it. As long as Ron and Hermione were happy, then he was happy. However, towards the end of the visit, a bombshell was dropped on Simon.
"THIS IS YOUR FAULT YOU STUPID FOX!" he shouted.
"How is this my fault? She's your sister," said Ron calmly as Hermione and Harry tried not to laugh.
"HE'S YOUR BROTHER! AND HE'S TOO OLD FOR HER!" shouted Simon.
"Anyone would be too old for your sister. Just relax and be happy. Jenny and Charlie are just getting married that's all," said Ron with smile.
They had delivered the news about getting married. Mrs. Scott was very happy with Mrs. Weasley. The two women were close friends. Charlie said that he and Jenny fell in love at first sight. Simon was close to going postal on all of them.
"I HOPE THAT SOMEONE HUNTS YOU DOWN! SKINS YOU AND MAKES A STOLE OUT OF YOU!" said Simon.
"Watch it, Wylie. You and what Acme Company," said Ron. His family looked at him strangely, while Harry and Hermione were laughing. "And it's not like Jenny's ever listened to you," he added.
Charlie was going to take some time off from Romania to do some lecturing at Ellsinore while Jenny finished up. After that, they were going to go back to Romania, so that they could do their work with the dragons. All in all things were looking up, everyone was invited to Ron's house.
Mrs. Weasley was impressed at the size of it. And everyone was surprised to see house elves. Hermione questioned Ron and was happy to find that they were paid with benefits and vacation time.
"Ron, what's over there?" asked Percy.
"What?" asked Ron as Percy pointed to a cabinet. It had glass, but there was some dark cloth that covered whatever was inside. They had see everything in the house except for that.
"It's nothing," said Ron. "Just a few knickknacks."
"I'll show you!" declared Simon as he took out his wand and opened the cabinet. It was Ron's trophy case. All the awards he had ever received were kept inside this large cabinet. His parents looked over everything. The International Wizards' Chess Trophy was the first thing that Mr. Weasley looked at. His brothers and sister looked at the Quidditch trophies. Harry and Hermione saw the awards for academic excellent. He had made Dean's and Chancellor's lists for his entire time at Ellsinore. Ron's ears were red with embarrassment. "Um…that's enough," said Ron as he walked up to the cabinet.
"MVP Award for Quidditch. You were the most valuable player for the United States the year you won at the world cup," said Charlie with a smile.
"Awards for Transfiguration," said Hermione. "Professor McGonagall would be proud of you."
Ron's face was now red. "Let's put them away," he said.
"There's nothing be ashamed of you, Ron," said Mrs. Weasley.
"You have done very well for yourself. You should display these," said his father.
"I don't want to," he said.
"My son, Paul, thinks you're the best Quidditch player in the world. He always asks questions about you. You should see his room. It has nothing, but blue and red in it. He's not a Chudley Cannon's fan," said Percy.
"I'm a Chudley Cannon's fan, but my favorite team is still the New York City Astrolights," said Ron. "I still talk with my old teammates."
"Well, you do own a part of the Astrolights," said Simon.
"You do?" asked Bill.
"Yes, well. Why don't we put these away? We have to see if Mrs. Scott and Jenny need help with the planning. And my head house elf will get mad at me if I don't eat something soon," said Ron as he waited for everyone to put the stuff back in the cabinet. He closed it with his wand and made a note that he should have kept them in the attic.
~*~
The last day of the visit took place at the Scott Ranch. The wedding of Charlie and Jenny took place. Charlie didn't mind not having his friends over for the wedding at all. He more excited about getting married. He choose Ron as his best man.
Jenny's father came for the wedding. Mr. Scott was a kind man who looked at his children with paternal pride. His ex-wife and he got along fine, but they were always friendly together. Jenny had chosen her younger sister as her maid of honor, but she declined and insisted that Hermione do it. Becky made Hermione promise her that if she got married, then she would be her maid of honor.
The ceremony went off without a problem. The party afterwards was wonderful. However, everyone seemed to be getting the idea that Ron and Hermione should get married sooner than anyone else planned. Mrs. Weasley wanted her baby to marry Hermione. She already approved of her, but she wasn't going to push Ron. It took her years to learn not to do that.
Ron was still serious at times, but Hermione was the person who kept him smiling longer than anyone else. During the throwing of Jenny's bouquet, all the girls jumped aside at once and Hermione was the one who caught it by default.
Charlie practically flung the wedding garter at Ron who caught it because he was used to catching things. During the dance, Ron and Hermione danced after everyone else got on the dance floor.
After a while, Charlie and Jenny were first saw off to their honeymoon in Hawaii. Mr. Scott gave it as a gift to them. And the Weasleys along with Harry were brought to the airport.
"Take you time, Hermione," said Harry as he kissed her goodbye.
"I'll be back to tell you what you're doing wrong before you know it," said Hermione with a laugh as she kissed him goodbye.
"I
can't believe this visit is over," said Harry.
"I can't believe how much things have changed."
"Things change to stay the
same," said Ron simply.
"You don't need to show off your Philosophy minor," said Harry with a smile as they hugged goodbye.
Ron's parents held him longer than they had to. His brothers hugged him all at once, but George did it twice. "Charlie's not here, so I've got to do it for him," he said.
"You take care of yourself…and take care of Hermione," said Ginny as she hugged him.
"I will," said Ron.
"Or maybe, I should tell that to Hermione. Okay, take care of each other," said Ginny as she held on to him tighter.
"I can't breathe, Ginny," said Ron as Harry finally got her off him.
"We have to go," said Harry.
They all boarded the plane with Hermione and Ron watching as the plane took off. They were still dressed semi formally, and Ron said, "Why don't we go to my house? I have something to show you."
Hermione nodded and they went back to his house. He showed her to the backyard and the fountain. He smiled at her.
"What are you going to show me?" asked Hermione. He handed her something. It was one of the favors from Charlie and Jenny's wedding. It was a bottle with soap water to blow bubbles with. They used that instead of rice to throw at them. And he took out a bottle of his own.
"Why don't we blow bubbles and see what happens?" asked Ron with a smile. Hermione thought that it was strange, but she nodded and followed him.
As they blew bubbles, an illusion happened. The already dark backyard lit with the bubbles as they hovered and landed on plants and parts of the roof. The colors of pink, yellow, blue, and clear illuminated everything.
"Dance with me," said Ron as he offered her his hand. She nodded and they started to dance. She could hear soft music playing. It was a tango like before. He dipped her gently. She felt weightless. Like she was floating on air. "What have you done?" she asked with a laugh.
They were floating on air. "Just a simple spell. I wanted to impress you," he answered.
"You know that you don't have to do that," she said. "But, I like it anyway," she said.
"Look at that," said Ron as he pointed to a bubble that looked as big as the moon. It became smaller as it floated over to them. Hermione held out her palm, but the bubble popped and something fell into her palm. "I figured if Charlie and Jenny can get married so quickly, then we could get engaged just as quickly. Will you marry me?" he asked.
Hermione looked at the ring in her palm. It was beautiful. There was a large diamond with two smaller diamonds on either side of it on a platinum setting. "Yes," she whispered as he kissed because he knew her answer before she said it.
When the kiss broke, they were still floating in midair. "While planning how to do this, I should have tried to see if I could have gotten down on one knee," said Ron with a laugh.
"No, I prefer this. I would rather have you propose to me with both your feet firmly planted underneath you," said Hermione.
"'Firmly planted?'" said Ron with a raised eyebrow.
"Well…close enough. Not everything has to be perfect. We're perfect already," said Hermione as they kissed again.
~*~
The wedding of Ronald Weasley to Hermione Granger took place about three months after the proposal. The planning was extensive because Mr. Granger wanted a big wedding for his only child. The wedding took place back in England and was the largest event of the season in the entire wizarding world.
Mr. Weasley was especially happy with what happened and everyone was healing from the pain and loss that Ron had suffered. However, he was once again whole and knew who he was again. He was now the husband of Hermione Weasley.
The wedding was large because of the number of people attending. Professors from Hogwarts were invited, even Snape because Hermione insisted. Sirius and Remus attended as well and got to know Simon better. Sirius was impressed to know that Ron and Simon were Animagi, so they decided a week before the wedding to help Remus with his transformation. Simon brewed the wolfs bane potion into a concentrated form. He was working on coming up with something more permanent for Remus. Simon was always up to a challenge. He got into a theoretical debate with Snape during the wedding reception.
Harry acted as Ron's best man for the wedding, while Becky was Hermione's maid of honor. All the children were included in the wedding as flower girls, but only one boy was the ring bearer. George's youngest son was only three, and he got a little lost going down the long aisle with the little pillow.
Hermione wore wonderful Muggle created wedding gown. The guest were careful not to let the magic getting too much to the Muggles. They were informed of it, but their memories of any magic would be modified later as approved by the Minster of Magic. Professor Dumbledore did the last toast for the wedding, and there were so many toasts for the wedding.
"I have been waiting for this wedding for more than ten years. I'm sure everyone feels the same way I do. I can't say could be more prouder of Ron and Hermione. Hermione was one of the brightest of my students, while Ron…was definitely unique. I am proud of his accomplishments. He is everything a wizard should be. He learned not just tolerance, but acceptance of all kinds of people. We all are human beings. We all know what it is like to feel pain. And love. I wish nothing, but the best for both of you. You have both earned it a thousand times over," said Dumbledore.
AN: Next part is the last part of this story. So, this is short on to the next part.
