Title: Journal Entry – Scene Two
Author: Elise
Rating: PG (so far)
Author's Notes: For Dennis (as always), for Phill who gave me the perfect locale (that and I have a soft place in my heart for redheaded Englishmen! LOL) and for Daniel who has tried to infected me with the H/Hr bug. And against my will mind you!
7/30/2016
"I haven't seen you in three whole weeks and when I finally get here you won't stop scribbling in your journal", Ron teased while pulling Hermione into a bear hug, "Missed you 'Mione."
"Hello to you too" Hermione commented dryly while standing tiptoe to quickly kiss Ron's cheek.
"Hey – you ok?" Worry lines spread quickly over Ron's face as he studied Hermione's forlorn expression.
"Everything is fine – you big worry wart. Come on and grab a chair, we need to finalize the plans"
"How did I know you were going to say that?" Ron smirked as he
flopped down on to the sofa.
An hour later, the plans were in place. Sirius' old house in Crieff was not only the best location for privacy but also the only place big enough to hold all of the Weasley's, Lupin's, and more than a few Griffindor's from Hogwarts days.
"So – I shanghai Harry somehow and that'll be that, hmmm?" questioned Ron as he stretched out on the sofa.
"Everything else is in place," confirmed Hermione as she walked back from the kitchen, "Ginny's got the food under control, right?"
"That is a silly question! Haven't you met my sister?" Ginny was after all Molly Weasley's daughter right down to trying to feed everyone and a houseful of rambunctious redheaded boys. Only her daughter Diana looked anything like her husband; complete with the platinum blonde hair and gray eyes.
"Speaking of my family – guess who is officially a Grandpa as of 3:53 pm this afternoon?" Ron said with a devilish gleam in his eyes.
"COLLEEN HAD THE BABY? What? Why on earth did it take you so long to tell me? I am her godmother!" shrieked Hermione while she pounced on Ron beating him with a sofa cushion.
"Mione! Lower your voice! You've gone ultrasonic!" protested Ron while trying to get the cushion away.
"Boy or girl?"
"Girl. Miss Katherine Elaine Lupin" reported Ron with obvious pride.
Hermione stopped her tirade suddenly, "Bill Weasley is a grandfather. You know what this means, Ron? We are old."
"Speak for yourself Missy." humphed Ron in his best Percy-esque manner, "Anyway he will have to fight Remus for favorite grandfather status. Definitely has his work cut out for him."
"For Remus or for Bill?" grinned Hermione.
"Both", Ron continued, "Anyway – Harry should've gotten the owl by now. So that'll make getting him to come with me easy."
Just the mention of Harry's name sent shivers of anxiety and worry over Hermione's face. What am I going to do?
"Hey – you still with me here" Ron whispered lifting her face to meet his own.
"Wha? Yeah…. just… thinking…" Hermione mumbled.
There was a long silence before Ron spoke again, very softly, "When are you going to admit that you are in love with Harry?"
"What?" was her shocked whisper.
"Don't look so shocked. I have known both of you since you were eleven. You think a little thing like falling in love was going to escape my notice?" questioned Ron, "I may be an insensitive git at times but I do have my moments" pulling her onto his lap as Hermione curled up against his chest. "I love you Mione. You are one of the most intelligent people that I know, but when if comes to your feelings or love… you are clueless."
Tears started rolling down Hermione's face but she didn't even notice.
Ron continued, "You deserve to be happy, honey. So does Harry. This could be what both of you need. But I think you are going to have to take the lead here. This is what both of you need." Ron paused to kiss her forehead before whispering into her hair, " I know you are scared but you have to try."
They just stayed that way for what seemed to be hours. The tears eventually subsided and they turned on the sofa to face each other. Ron reached out to wipe a few remaining tears from her face.
"Honey, this is a good thing. You are the only person that is anywhere good enough for him and the same for you. I just want to know what took you so bloody long to realize it" Ron finished with a grin.
Ron stood and stretched as Hermione looked up and gave a weak little smile.
"I need to get going Mione"
As she nodded her head in response, she just gazed up at her old friend. That Ron had figured all of this out and was so understanding about … everything… moved her beyond words. Someone knew – this seems to confirm the decision that her heart had made already.
"But what if..?" Hermione began.
Ron cut her off, "Tell him", with a barely audible pop – he disapparated away.