I figured we needed a little Ron/Hermione action here. No, not dirty action. Sickos. So Ron and Hermione will get a bit of private time together. And this song has absolutely nothing to do with the chapter, but it's just hilarious. You really have to hear it, though.
4AnJ
Chapter 8: Aftermath
Be courteous, kind and forgivingBe gentle and peaceful each day
Be warm and human and grateful
Have a good thing to say
Be thoughtful and trustful and child-like
Be witty and happy and wise
Be honest and love all your neighbors
Be obsequious, purple, and clairvoyant
Be pompous, obese, and eat cactus
Be dull and boring and omnipresent
Criticize things you don't know about
Be oblong and have your knees removed
Be tasteless rude and offensive
Live in a swamp and be three-dimensional
Put a live chicken in your underwear
Get all excited and go to a yawning festival
Steve Martin – Grandmother's Song
The rest of the day dragged on, seeming like the longest day of the summer so far. Harry was silent during lunch, picking at his food as Molly tried to coax him into eating. He was, perhaps, nervous about going to stay with Sirius. It would be the first time he stayed around his godfather for more than a couple hours.
He left after lunch, almost bringing Molly to tears as he gave her a hug.
"I'll be sure to come and visit. …You don't know how much your hospitality and love means to me," Harry whispered in her ear, kissing her on the cheek before moving down the line. Hermione hugged him tightly, grinning when he pulled away.
"I'll owl you when we decide a date." Ron's ears turned pink, and Harry clapped him on the shoulder, smirking. Ginny was next, not even hesitating when she threw her arms over his shoulders. He hesitantly wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her tightly. She smiled as they separated, giving him a playful shove.
"Harry." Draco nodded at him as he turned.
"Draco." Harry held out his hand, and Draco shook it firmly. "Take care of her, will you?" The blond nodded, and Harry turned to the fireplace, throwing in a handful of Floo Powder.
"The Howl!" he called, disappearing into the flames. Molly let out a sorrowful noise and shuffled into the kitchen, mumbling about a care package and how two grown men couldn't possibly provide high quality meals. Ron and Hermione exchanged quiet words, and they slipped outside together, Ginny flopped down onto the couch, tugging Draco down next to her. She curled halfway into his lap, kissing just under his ear. His eyes flickered closed, a low moan escaping.
"Ginny… You know your mother's in the next room, right?" Another moan slid out as Ginny's tongue ran over his earlobe, her breath mingling with his as he turned to face her.
"…You're a wonderful person, Draco Malfoy," she stated out of the blue, smiling at the astonished look on his face. He opened his mouth, presumably to object to her statement, but she cut him off with a finger over his lips, leaning in to rest her forehead against his. "Don't you argue with me, mister. You are so. You just don't know it sometimes." Draco stared at her for a moment, then pulled her into a kiss, holding her so tenderly that he proved her comment correct.
Ron and Hermione were having an escapade of their own, walking lazily down to the lake, hand-in-hand. Hermione would sigh every-so-often, and Ron would nuzzle into her hair, causing her to smile as he kissed her cheek.
"I love you," he whispered in her ear as they reached the lake. They stopped near the shore, and Hermione tugged Ron into a soft kiss, playing with his hair gently. His arms slid around her waist, holding her tightly against him as he deepened the embrace. She let out a quiet moan against his mouth, raking her fingers through his hair to keep him close.
Hermione gave a quiet hum as they separated, pressing her face against his chest and breathing deeply. She loved his smell, the aftershave she had given to him for his birthday mixed with the musky smell he had always possessed.
"…Why do you want to marry me, 'Mione?" Ron asked softly, resting his chin on top of her head.
"So I can kiss you whenever I want," she replied, smirking as he pulled back to look at her.
"You've been watching Muggle movies again, haven't you?" Hermione laughed, nodding. Ron shook his head, drawing her into a soft kiss. He touched her cheek and brushed his fingers through her hair, tilting his head. "Seriously, 'Mione. Why do you want to marry me?" Hermione paused, playing with the hair at the nape of his neck.
"Because I love you."
"Why?" Ron persisted, touching their noses together.
"…I don't know. There are so many things. …I love the way you talk. I could listen to your voice for hours. I love the way you smell after a shower. I love your eyes. I love your lips. I love your smile. I love how you hold me. I love your fingers. In fact, I think I love your fingers the most." She interlaced their fingers, bringing them to her lips and kissing his softly. Ron shivered, closing his eyes. "Why do you love me?" she asked, nestling her forehead into the crook of his neck.
"Your smile. That's what caught me first. I love your hair, even when you think it's too bushy. I love your eyelashes, the way they brush against me cheek when you kiss my chin. I love…the way you always know exactly what to say to me. The way you say my name. The way you tell me that you love me." Hermione wrapped her arms around Ron's middle, squeezing him.
"I love you," she choked out, huddling close as he held her tightly.
"I love you, too," he murmured back, just standing there with her for a moment. "…When will you marry me?"
"Give me five minutes and we'll do it now." Ron grinned, kissing Hermione softly on the cheek.
"I don't know if Mum will be excited, but I'm all for it." Hermione sighed, slumping a bit.
"That's right. Our mums."
"Yeah. Our mums. I think they're more excited by the wedding than we are," Ron cracked, snorting quietly. He kissed her neck softly, nuzzling into her hair. "You know, if we ran off and eloped… That would sure get their knickers in a twist." He snickered, but Hermione pulled back, eyes wide.
"That's it. We should just elope." Ron gaped at her for a moment, looking slightly panicked.
"Are you mad? Do you have any idea how awful the Howler would be if my mum found out we eloped?"
"No, but there's only one way to find out…" Hermione toyed with the front of his robe, deviously grinning up at him. Ron sputtered.
"You are mad!" Beginning to get fed up, she stomped her foot, frowning.
"I am not! It's not like we can't still have a ceremony. We'll just be married a bit earlier than suspected." Her gaze softened as she snuggled close, a seductive pout on her lips. "Think about it, Ron. We'll be married. Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Weasley. Finally." Ron opened and closed his mouth silently, then settled for kissing her briefly. When he pulled back, he looked her right in the eye.
"Tell me you're serious, and I'll do it." Hermione smiled, pulling him close.
"I've never been more serious in my life."
"Right. Let's do this properly, then." Ron nuzzled her neck, holding him tightly against her. "Miss Hermione Granger, will you do me the honor of running off with me and getting hitched, even though my mum will absolutely have kittens when she finds out." Hermione giggled, nodding happily.
"Mr. Ronald Weasley, I would absolutely love to run off and marry you. When shall we be making this lovely trip?"
"Whenever you want, my dear." Hermione tapped her chin, pretending to ponder over when they should go. Ron kissed her urgently, trying to speed her decision up.
"…We could leave tomorrow. Your parents are going into London with your brothers, aren't they?" Ron nodded. "Then we could slip away without them noticing."
"You're brilliant," Ron stated, kissing her once again.
Semi short chapter. Sorry.