~*Lean on Me*~
A Ron and Hermione Story
(A/N) PLEASE READ!! Hey everyone here it is. The last and FINAL chapter to Lean on Me. I can't believe it's really true but it is. I know scary huh? First of all I want to thank everyone for reviewing. I only wrote it for your enjoyment. And secondly I'm not sure why but alot of you didn't seem to know what Ron was getting Hermione for Christmas. If you are wondering what I'm talking about, it specifically says exactly what it was in Ch.5. I'm sure most of you have forgotten exactly what happened before Dumbledore told Hermione that her mom had died. Doesn't anyone remember the tutoring session with Neville, the broom stick ride with Ron, the argument with Malfoy, Ron's silly dream, their trip to Hogsmede, present shopping, fighting with Krum, Hermione's refusal to accept Ron's apology for snooping on her and Krum? Anybody? Anybody? Oh well, here's the last and final Chapter let me hurry and post it before I change my mind and erase it all.
(Disclaimer) The only thing that actually belongs to me is the story plot and my good friend Bob the computer.(for more info on Bob see my latest fic Watch the Stars with Me) Everything else is for JK Rowling and Al Green.
~*~
Chapter12: Confessions under the Mistletoe
Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny along with Tonks and Lupin came back inside the house later in the afternoon, dripping wet in melted snow and breathing heavily from their snowball fight. All of them were wearing huge grins and were shivering in their heavy coats.
"I will get you back, Ronald Weasley!" Hermione laughed pushing him playfully as he stepped into the warm kitchen. He stumbled slightly and looked at her shocked. She was grinning undoubtedly very pleased with herself. Ron grinned evilly and stuck his foot out in her path. She tripped and almost fell flat on the floor, but instead landed on her hands and knees.
"RON!" she bellowed and began to chase him around the table, laughing all the while. Everyone else began to join in on their laughter except for Mrs. Weasley who was looking at them disapprovingly. She raised up a glass bowl over her head as they streaked by underneath it only barely avoiding it. She tutted them impatiently and went to set it down again on the table until a huge blow hit her around the middle and she, the bowl and two other entangled figures all toppled over onto the floor.
Mrs. Weasley sat up and took the bowl of macaroni off of her head and found herself sitting atop her youngest red-haired son and Hermione who was laying atop of her. They both grinned at her guiltily and she seemed to seethe with fury. Everyone else in the room began to laugh at the clutter of bodies on the floor and the mess of macaroni and cheese mainly in Mrs. Weasley's hair.
"Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger!" she growled through clenched teeth. Hermione toppled off of her and rolled onto the floor. Ron grunted as Mrs. Weasley elbowed him in his stomach as she stood to her feet.
"Now get up and sit down!" she seethed red in the face with fury. Hermione and Ron practically ran to their seats at the table still giggling silently at the loose noodles and cheese still in Mrs. Weasley's hair.
~*~
A short time later, just as Ron was helping himself to another serving to turkey and stuffing and Hermione was washing her own plate in the sink, Harry leaned over and whispered in Ron's ear, "So are you going to ask her?" Ron sat staring forward his turkey slipping off his fork back into his plate.
"Uh."
He hadn't thought about that all that day. Sure it had crossed his mind, but he never actually let it sink in that he was actually going to tell Hermione exactly how he felt. But how? He knew he was going to tell her tonight, but how could he come about it. He couldn't just say, "Hey Hermione, Happy Christmas! Oh and by the way I forgot to tell you but I'm madly in love with you and I want you to be my girlfriend." That would go just great.
"Ron?" Mrs. Weasley said interrupting his thoughts.
"Yeah?" he asked looking up at her.
"Are you alright? You aren't eating."
"I'm fine," he mumbled then gave a small reassuring smile.
Ron looked over at Hermione by the kitchen sink drying her plate and cup. She had just been looking at him when he had looked over at her the cup almost fell out of her hands. Ron smiled happily when he saw her cheeks blush red. Maybe she did like him...
But then again why should she?
~*~
Hermione and Ginny both headed for the door to go back up to their room when Mr. Granger stood up.
"Er, Hermione," he said in an almost a whisper. Hermione turned around sharply to find that she was directly in front of him and gave a small startled cry. She could tell by the look in his eye that something was wrong.
"Dad?'' she asked worriedly.
"Can we talk?"
"Sure," she said in a skeptical tone. What was this about? Was there something wrong?
Mr. Granger led them into the unoccupied den and shut the door tightly closed. In the corner a stereo was playing a soft song, and he went and shut it off immediately. Hermione sat down on a brown old couch and patted a place beside her. Mr. Granger took her advice and sat down next to her looking anxious and nervous. Because of the look in his eye, Hermione began to doubt weither it was such a great idea to come with him now. He sat there fiddling with his fingernails, which didn't actually seem to be the concern of his mind.
"Dad?" Hermione asked again looking worriedly at her father. He snapped back into reality and ran a hand through his hair just like Ron and Harry always did when they were nervous.
"Herm, I've got something to tell you," he started. Hermione blushed at the nickname he had just called her even if there was no one else in the room, besides her dad, to hear it. Herm was the name that only her mom and dad used for her and she always did hate it.
"I know that ever since about two summers ago I haven't really been around very much. Ever since Mr. Cravins asked me to work in Italy, I'm having trouble being a dad for you and a full time worker at the office and I hate myself for it."
"Dad!"
"No, Herm, it's true, and I'm sorry. We used to be one big happy family, you and me and your mother, but then I got too wrapped up into keeping you and your mother happy. I didn't realize it at the time but I was actually just driving you two away from me. I hadn't realized it until Glen passed away. I had lost all train of though and all I could do was cry. One day I woke up and found that my pain was beyond tears and I could actually have time to think. I though about it and I thought about it and it finally hit me; I was a bad father.
"No, Dad, you're not! You're a great father, and I've always loved you!"
"No, Herm, I'm not. I'm the worst father and the worst husband. I left you thinking that it would make us happy in the long run and instead I threw our happy family away. I left your mum by herself and you with only one parent. You and your mum grew closer and we were torn apart. I had failed you. Then when your mum died you had no one because you no longer had me. I was gone from you. I wasn't there for you, to hold you and love and tell you it was going to be all right. I was dead too."
"Dad, I do love you! I really, really do. You weren't there then but you are now. You realized your mistake and you came back to fix it, and that's what makes you a good father. I love you dad."
Mr. Granger wrapped his arm around Hermione's waist and pulled her closer to his side. "I love you too, Herm. And I always will be here from now on. I promise." He kissed her forehead and hugged her tight as a few tears fell from his eyes.
"Hey," Mr. Granger whispered into her ear. "I have something for you. Your mum would have wanted you to have it." He pulled out a small diamond ring from the inside of his pocket and slipped it onto Hermione's finger. It fit her perfectly. She gasped as she stared at it in disbelief.
"It's Mum's ring!" she whispered looking astonished. "But I-I-I can't take this w-what if I loose it o-or something."
"It's yours. Look in the box." Hermione looked inside and found a small slip of paper at the very bottom folded into fourths. It read:
Dear Hermione,
Happy Christmas, my sweet. I had a hard time trying to find a Christmas present for you this year. Your growing up so fast and it's getting harder to keep up with your 'new favorite things'. But then I remembered how much you loved my mother's engagement ring and I though that you are probably ready for it to be your own now. I know how much you loved it and I thought it would make you smile. I love you so much, Herm. Happy Christmas.
Hermione's eyes began to well up in tears as she read the last line and she flung her arms around her dad's neck crying out her heart as he rubbed the back of her head gently. The last few words were repeated over and over in her head and she began to cry out of mixed feelings. There they were in her usual large bold black curvy handwriting.
Love, Mum
~*~
Everyone was sitting in the Library next to the fireplace as another wave of snow fell outside. They were all talking, singing, laughing, telling stories, and even dancing to the music on the stereo. Even Mr. Granger had danced with Tonks to an old country song on one of the Muggle stations.
Harry and Ginny were sitting between Ron and Hermione and that fact made Ron less nervous.
Mrs. Weasley kept glancing at Harry and Ginny with a proud awed look. She loved the fact that her only daughter was dating Harry Potter, after all who would have been a better son-in-law than her son's-best-friend.
"Okay now everyone it is exactly 10:30. That means its bedtime for everyone! Now move out!" she said standing up.
Everyone gave a disappointed groan and started for the door, except for Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. Harry and Ginny were saying good-night and giving each other little smooches as Ron went up to Hermione just as she started for him.
"Hey, um, can you meet me downstairs in the den after everyone is asleep?" Ron asked boldly but managed to keep staring at his feet.
Hermione was doing the exact same thing. "S-Sure. I guess we can, um... talk and stuff about, well... something."
"Good. Good, then. I'll see you later then I guess," Ron said happily as he started for the door. "Come on, Harry! It's time for bed. The sooner you get to sleep, the sooner you'll see Ginny, alright?" Ron said grabbing Harry's arm and pulling him towards the door. He could hear Ginny and Hermione's laughter in the background as Harry began to blow kisses behind Ron's back on their way to the door.
~*~
As they entered the hall Hermione turned to her friend. "Ginny, Ron just asked me to meet him downstairs tonight after everyone's asleep."
"O-o-o, what for?" Ginny asked eagerly. In some way she just reminded Hermione of the way Parvati and Lavender acted when they talked about their "love lives". Hopefully, she thought to herself I'm not doing the same.
"He wants to give me my Christmas present," Hermione answered shuffling her feet shamefully.
"Or so he says. Oh come on, Hermione, that would be the perfect opportunity to..." She looked around sneakily and lowered her voice. "...to tell him... you know, what you wanted to."
"What in the world are you talking about?" Hermione laughed a little too loudly to make it sound believable.
"Hermione, now come off it! You know exactly what I'm talking about! You don't fool me one bit! I know that you like Ron!" Ginny said with her hands on her hips matter-of-factly.
Hermione shushed her and laughed out loud. "Alright! Alright, I'll admit it. I do like Ron as a little more than a friend, but you have to promise me you won't tell anyone, not a soul!"
"I won't! I won't! I promise," Ginny said nodding her head frantically. Hermione looked satisfied and smiled vaguely. "So are you going to tell him?"
"Virginia Weasley!"
~*~
"So..." Harry said questioningly as he and Ron changed into their nightshirts and pajama pants.
"So what?" Ron asked even though he knew exactly what Harry was talking about.
"So are you going to tell her?" Harry asked anxiously.
"I dunno, Harry. I mean I'm crazy about her. What if she doesn't even like me. What if she doesn't even like me. What if she just stares at me as if I'm a total lunatic once I tell her."
"And what if she tells you she feels the same way too and she's never had the courage to tell you. You'll never know until you ask."
"But you don't know what it feels like to realize that she may not feel the same way. You got off easy when Ginny told you instead." Ron shrugged.
"Yeah maybe she did make the first move, but don't you remember when you and Hermione used to push me into telling her myself. I felt the same way then as you do now."
"And now that I know what you had to go through, I swear I'll never do that to you again! Seriously, I swear."
"Sorry, Ron, but I guess I'm going to owe you one because that's exactly what I'm going to do to you?"
"What?"
"I'm going to force you. That's all."
"Oh okay..."
"Wait. What!"
~*~
Ron walked down some time later, after Harry threw him out the room locked the door and refused to open it until the next morning.
Ron walked down the creaking wooden stairs into the hall. He could hear soft music playing in the den ahead. Well, here goes nothing, he thought to himself. He glanced in through a small crack in the partially open door and could see Hermione sitting on the couch next to the stereo humming the words to a slow song that was playing in the background. He threw himself against the wall again. He couldn't do this. She was so beautiful and smart, what would she want with him. But then again, he couldn't just leave her there expecting him to come. He had to go in. He could feel his heart begin to race as he slowly and carefully stepped into the room.
Hermione heard the rusty door hinges squeak as he opened up the door slightly. She smiled at him shakily and he gave her an identical one in return.
"Uh, I got your present." Ron said sitting on the couch a little bit away from her. With steadily trembling hands, he held out a little red box with a green bow. "Happy Christmas."
"Oh thank you so much, Ron. But really you didn't have too." Hermione smiled taking the box from him, unsure about it.
"Open it," Ron said eagerly longing the expression she would give him when she saw what she had gotten.
She opened the box carefully making Ron more and more nervous by the second. As she finally lifted the lid she gave a surprised gasp.
"Oh my." she sighed awe-struck with amazement. She lifted the small delicate chained necklace from the box with great care and fiddled with the entwined hearts not taking her eyes off of it. "Oh, Ron, it's gorgeous!" she whispered still stunned with the beautiful chain.
"Yeah, well, I though of you when I saw it." Ron hinted swelling with pride at the look in her eyes.
"No one's ever given me anything like this before, except for maybe..." she fiddled with the ring on her left hand and sighed. "Oh thank you SO much, Ron." she squealed with delight wrapping her arms excitedly around his neck. He drew in a sharp breath and she drew away. Ron rubbed his neck nervously and Hermione's face flushed with embarrassment.
"Well, um, did you... did you have a good Christmas?" Ron asked making an effort to at least keep up at least some type of conversation.
"Yes, it was fine." she said nodding her head frantically.
"That's good." he mumbled.
"What about you?"
"Yeah mine was okay." he smiled. Both of them began to laugh nervously. Now what? he began to ask himself.
Hermione played with the necklace in the box. "Could you help me with this. I want to put it on, if you don't mind," she asked finally.
"Sure," he smiled glad to be doing something with himself. She handed him the chain and pulled back her hair so that it wouldn't get caught. Ron roped it around her and was struggling with the latch. He could see her neck and wanted to kiss it so badly. He hurriedly latched it closed and withdrew himself before temptation took over.
"How does it look?" she asked turning to face him again.
Ron looked at her and it was more beautiful on her than her could ever try to picture it. "You're beautiful." Hermione's face which had only just lost its redness flushed again, maybe even redder than before.
"Thanks," she mumbled.
Ron looked over at her and all the good feeling she always gave him came flooding into his body in on huge rush making his hands tremble and his heart leap for joy. He couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't keep living in awe of her and not being able to hold her in his arms. He had to do it before someone else did. He couldn't keep taking chances any more. He had to do it NOW!
"Hermione I need to tell you something that I just need to get out of me." Ron said glancing at her secretively.
"Okay." she said eagerly. "You looked burdened, so I was actually wondering if you needed to tell me something."
"Just please, don't interrupt me. I need to get this all out of my system at one time, okay?"
"Alright." she nodded and scooted closer to him.
Ron could feel his palms begin to feel hot and clammy. His pulse was beginning to rise frantically and he was shaking with fright.
He cleared his through even though it was already dry and began, "Well, you see, I have been holding in a secret from you since about our second or third year, and I've been to stupid to tell you. I just kept putting on a heavier and heavier load on me heart every time I tried to deny it. You see I don't exactly think of you the way that I used to. I... I can't think of any other way to say this than tell you straightforward. Hermione, I love you."
"Ron, I-"
"No, please, let me finish. Please." Ron begged. Hermione nodded in agreement and waited for the rest.
"Hermione, every time I came near you when I first met you I would feel all funny and I didn't know what it was. All I knew was that it made me feel weird and I didn't like it so I decided that I just didn't like you, but I know I was wrong. I was so terribly wrong. As I grew older, every little thing about made me want you even more and now I realized what it was. I love you. I love the way you walk, the way your hair bounces as you climb the stairs, the way you smile, the way you laugh, the cute face that you make when your yelling at me, all those things all the way down to the way that you pick your bread into little pieces before you eat them. I do, Hermione! I really and truly do. I don't care if you feel the same way or not. I don't care if what you really want is someone like Krum or Harry or someone who can give you whatever you may ever want and need, it still wouldn't change the way you make me feel inside every time you smile or look my way. I guess, I just wanted to let you know that you are special to me, and I would never want me or you or anyone else to hurt you in anyway. So don't ever think for one moment that no one cares for you because you never know, but there just might be a tall, red-haired boy who thins you are the world. I wanted to you the night before vacation stared but I just couldn't come to it. I was too afraid. And now you know, 'Mione. Happy Christmas." Ron stood from the couch and started to walk away from the bedazzled Hermione still staring into space from shock and bewilderment. She shook her head and saw Ron reaching for the door handle and snapped back into reality.
"Wait, Ron!" Hermione said suddenly making him stop dead in his tracks, but he still couldn't work up the courage to face her again, not after what he had just told her.
Hermione stood up and slowly walked over to him. Only once she had put a small hand on his shoulder did he finally turn around.
"Hermione, I-I just had to tell you, I-I-I couldn't take it anymore." Ron said trying to explain.
"Shh. I know, Ron. I know." Hermione breathed putting a finger to his lips. "Just don't say anything."
She wrapped her arms around his neck as he slipped her arms around her waist. She slowly brought her head up to his and closed her eyes. She could feel his heated breath on her lips and she felt the light touch of his lips softly caressing her own. All at once she tilted her head brought their heads together so that their lips were now sinking into each other's. The huge burden on Ron's heart was lifted all at once and he could finally breathe properly again.
Hermione ran her hands through Ron's soft red hair. The soft red hair she had always wanted to touch even as a ten year old girl just putting on an old frayed wizard's hat as it read he mind. She breathed in deeply as the wonderful scent about him filled her senses. His sweet breath filled her lungs, but she still found it hard to breathe. She pushed herself into him making the kiss deeper and sweeter, but what gave her eternal bliss was feeling Ron Weasley kissing her back.
Ron ran his own fingers through Hermione's soft hair and almost believed he was only dreaming. He could feel her warm breath on him and her soft lips against him, but it was still all a dream.
Every night Ron would dream of this, he and Hermione locked in a passionate kiss. Why should this time be any different. Soon his mum would be waking him to eat breakfast, but as she kissed him this time he could feel something different something new and wonderful. He felt complete. Like this huge gaping hole had been driven into his stomach and he never realized that it was even there until she filled it in. He was just getting it al worked out in his mind when another incident made him realize the reality of it all. Something that never happened in any of his dreams no matter how much he wished for it to happen.
Hermione pulled away and looked into his soft blue eyes and smiled. "I love you too, Ron." she whispered. "I have always loved you, ever since I first knew you."
A song came onto the long forgotten stereo and it filled both Ron and Hermione's ears. They smiled at each other and Hermione lay her head down on Ron's shoulder as he swayed in time with the music.
Sometimes in our lives we all have pain, we all have sorrow.
But if we are wise we know there's always tomorrow.
Sometimes in our lives we all have pain, we all have sorrow.
But if we are wise we know there's always tomorrow." Ron began to sing.
Hermione looked up at him in surprise. He sung really well, and she had never noticed it before but he had a really sexy, deep voice. She settled herself back against his chest and let the song carry her away.
"Lean on me, when you are not strong, and I'll be your friend.
I'll help to carry you on. For it won't be long, till I'm gunna need
somebody to lean on.
Please swallow your pride, if I have
faith, you need to borrow. For no one can fill those of your
needs that you won't let show.
You just call on me when you need a hand,
we al need somebody to lean on.
I just might have a problem that you'll understand.
We all need somebody to lean on.
Hermione looked up into Ron's eyes again and felt all her pain waste away. She held him ever tighter against herself never wanting to let go.
"I love you so much, Ron. Don't ever leave me." Hermione whispered. Ron gave a short laugh and hugged her tight against his chest.
"Why would I leave you when you're the only reason I stay for." Ron whispered back into her ear sending chills up Hermione's spine.
They held each other as close as possible revolving around in time with the music until the sun came over the horizon glistening on the newly fallen snow
Lean on me, when you are not strong, and I'll be your friend.
I'll help to carry you on. For it won't be long, till I'm gunna need
somebody to lean on.
You just call on me when you need a hand,
we al need somebody to lean on.
I just might have a problem that you'll understand.
We all need somebody to lean on.
If there is a load, you have to bear, that you can't carry,
I'm right up your road, I'll share your load if you just call me.
Lean on Me."
THE END
~*~
(A/N) OMG I can't believe I just typed that. You guys this is the last chapter of Lean on Me. Isn't it so sad. I mean it's like loosing a friend for me. This was my VERY FIRST Harry Potter fanfiction and now its over. I'm am going to go through some MAJOR depression from now on. It's really scary for an author to say good-bye to their work. I'M TOO YOUNG FOR THIS!! I hate this it's making me feel so sad. But don't worry everyone I will be making a sequel. I'm not absolutely sure when it will be out but most likely in at least a month. I'll be putting up and Author's Note on this fic later on and I'll tell you more about it then. Well I have nothing left to left to say, except thank you. Without you guys sticking with me this fic would have never gotten this far. Thanks for sticking with me guys. You have no idea how much it really means to me. Thanks again. Signing off... :(
~Love from Lizzie
~*~
~First of all I'd like to thank EVERYONE who reviewed on this fic. Yes everyone. Even the stingy people who only reviewed once to say "Oh your fics great" and never reviewed again. Thank you EVERYONE!
~Sarcasm Sage: Thank you so much for reviewing. I loved your PotC fic it rocked! Keep up the great writing and I'll keep checking up with you alright? I really don't have anything else to say except Thanks so much for your reviews. Sorry I didn't have very much to say.
~VoiCeZWiThiN- You know as many times as I type your s/n you'd think I'd memorize it but I never can seem to get the hang of it. Thanks so much for your support! I LOVE a faithful reviewer and you most definately are one! THANK SO MUCH! I'm SO glad you like my fic. I'm definatly going to make a sequel so make sure to keep an eye out for it. It is sortof more of a H/G but I definatly still has tons of R/H. It should turn out alright. I can't thank you enough! You stayed with me from the beginning! Love ya lots!
~Line-from Denmark- Just like Voiceswithin you stuck with me from the start and I'll never be able to thank you enough! And by the way I was wondering this about alot of the reviews, why were you wondering what Ron was going to give her? I had put it in the 5th chapter. I've noticed this before but I think that you all forgot about what had happened before Dumbledore told Hermione about her mothers death. Doesn't anyone remember the broomstick ride and the fight over Krum? Anyone? Anyone? Thanks agin for all of your support!
~RusselGrl 15- You know what's funny I finally remembered how to spell you name without having to turn back to the previous page and now I'm probably never going to have to type it again. Unless ofcourse if you review my upcoming sequel. **hint hint** I hope your aren't angry about what Ron gave Hermione for Christmas. It just so happened to be the one thing you say you wished he WOULDN'T give her. That reeks huh? Anywho I hoped you liked the end, Thanks for all of your support!! Luv Ya!
~jac- Oh look it's my most insane reviewer! How'd you like the final chapter. Wait let me guess. Fricken Fricken fabulous! LOL! Thanks for reviewing ALL my fics. It was really nice of you. Thanks alot. By the way I'm not going to run away from you cuz I act the same way as you do! Again Thanks alot!
~duckymander- Another loyal reviewer. Even if you haven't been with me since I first started this fic you stuck with me from where you started. You gave really long reviews and you stuck with me till the end. Thanks alot! By the way what were you expecting Ron to give her that was so "far fetched"?
~Mrs. Nicky Weasley/Grint- Thanks for reviewing! I know this was your first time to review and I'm very glad you did. Too bad it had too end so soon. Thanks alot!
~rwp- Thanks for reviewing I'm glad you liked my fic. I loved writing it.
~Sadz89- Thanks for reviewing
~cristen- Hermione was being pretty selfish but I didn't really mean to make her that way. She wasn't thinking in her right mind. All she wanted to do was get the pain out and let it be over. Thanks for reviewing I hope you enjoyed reading it as much I enjoyed writing it.
~Maelle- Hello my good French friend! I'm glad you appriciated that I typed it in French. It was really difficult for me even if it was so small. I think I'm just going to be staying with English for now. French is too hard for me. I'm so happy you enjoyed my fic. I wrote it so that everyone could enjoy my ideas. Thanks a bunch!
***Author's note still to come.***
