Precious Stones by Hermione Starise

Disclaimer- Harry Potter belongs to J.K. ROWLING and WARNER BROTHERS not me!!!

AN- Guess what I'm going to say sorry!!! I know I meant to have this up before I left but I suddenly remembered that I actually had to pack and I completely forgot, in the last minute rush to get ready!

Sigh New Zealand what I wouldn't give to be back there.

Anyway I will make up for it, by having the prologue to the sequel, Our World, Winter posted at the same time as this. With Our World, Winter I already had a rough idea of what it was going to be about, but my holiday to NZ inspired me and now it's going to tale place there. Anyway

Precious Stones ends

EPILOGUE

All too soon he was called away.

On the fifth of January, Hermione and Ginny walked down to the edge of Celebration Wood with Ron and Harry. The snow had begun to melt but ice still clung to the bare trees which lined the pathway and loomed over them threateningly.

New Year had passed quietly and without event. Hermione had gradually recovered, enough to take small, un-taxing walks and to sit up in the staff lounge with Ron. Harry and Ginny had generally been around, more often than not going off on their own.

Hermione had found it nice just to be able to sit with Ron, talking and laughing: catching up

They hadn't re-opened the topic of what they felt for each other. No, they understood each other that was what was important and besides both knew that they would have to say goodbye again soon. By tacit agreement they didn't venture onto that topic either.

Now, though, he was going and everything seemed to be coming to an end.

The sky above was a bleak, nondescript grey colour and the air was sharp, cold and crisp. A bitter wind played in amongst their robes and the ground was slippery underfoot.

The past few weeks had passed for too quickly for anyone's likely

Ron was grim, feeling terribly miserable and reluctant to let go of the peaceful time they had been enjoying. He found himself watching Hermione's pale face, she looked better, less frail and not so thin but he could see she was trying not to cry.

He smiled at her, She had been warned to wrap up warm against the cold by one of the healers and it appeared she had taken this advice to heart, with her thick red cloak, white gloves and scarf.

She smiled back at him from underneath the hood which was pulled close around her head, concealing her dark curls, which Ron knew to have regained their bounce. She was recovering quickly.

At least he wouldn't have to worry about that.

Hermione kept herself close to Ron but watched Harry and Ginny, just ahead of them. The two were holding hands, they might not want to part, but at least they were ready for it. Hermione couldn't help feeling with anguish that there were things still left unsaid between them: that should have been said.

She looked up to find Ron smiling sadly at her, and smiled back.

Impulsively she let her hand find his, and clung tight.

She heard him whisper, and tears sprung into her eyes, not for the first time that day.

It was with painful slowness that they finally reached the apparition point.

Harry and Ginny stood apart to say their goodbyes and Hermione found herself being dragged to one side by Ron.

Hermione began finding that she couldn't bear to look him in the eyes.

He said, gently lifting her chin with his hands so that she was forced to meet his gaze.

Oh Ron! She exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck and never wanting to let go and burying her face into his chest so that he would have to see the tears that were now freely rolling down her cheeks.

Ron, once again, thrown by the sheer luxury of physical contact, felt choked. Unable to speak he just stroked her hair and allowed himself to hold her close. Memorising her scent, the way her hair felt, how right she felt in his arms He said, making her look up at him with those bottomless brown eyes, sparkling with tears.

Kathy says she's trying to get the no-contact rules abolished. She wants to give FA's a home life. Hermione whispered, her voice cracking with a reckless, desperate hope.

I know. Ron said, And we'll just have to wait for that to happen.Ron it could take years, Hermione said, tears rolling down her cheeks anew.

We'll just have to pray it won't. Ron said firmly, I'm not loosing you again Hermione.

She looked up at him, his blue eyes were shining with determination and the intensity in them when he looked at her, almost frightened her- but it was good to know it was there.

He repeated, wiping away a tear, I want you to promise me something.Never take off that snowflake pendent, He whispered.

Hermione smiled, Don't worry, I won't.I'm serious Mione, there's more to that little trinket than just charms against an old poison. She asked confused, What do you mean?Just promise.Ok, I promise never to take off my necklace, She said frowning, Ron, why?

He didn't answer, instead Hermione found herself being kissed, passionately, urgently

He broke away suddenly, Let's not make this any harder He said hoarsely.

Hermione shook her head, and stood on her tip toes in order to kiss him herself, she felt him tense in surprise but relaxed quickly and deepened the kiss.

Ironic Hermione thought in a start of detached way, that it comes to this just as we are forced to part again.

I meant what I said Hermione, He whispered into her ear as they finished, I love you.Me too, Hermione replied.

I have to go now, He said.

Yeah, of course you do. She said, trying to smile.

They walked back over to Harry and Ginny.

Well, I guess this is it? Harry said, trying to look bright but Hermione could see the melancholy in his emerald green eyes.

Bye Hermione, He said, giving her a swift hug.

Bye Harry.It's nice to see you and Ron have sorted yourself out, Harry said, making Hermione blush.

I'll miss you Harry Potter. Hermione said sadly.

I'll miss you too Inspector. Harry replied grinning, Don't worry it won't be so long till we're all together again.I hope so.

Ron finished saying goodbye to his sister and with one last glance filled with meaning to Hermione, he turned and with two loud pops both he and Harry were gone.

Hermione and Ginny stayed stood where they were, staring at the spot where the two men had stood for a long minute.

Finally Ginny spoke.

Come on we better get you back inside. She said smiling.

Hermione smiled back, wondering if she could ever be happy since Ron's being in her life was what her happiness seemed to depend on.

At least they she and Ginny still had each other.

Wordlessly Ginny took her arm and together they walked back to the headquarters building. Getting inside just as it began to rain.

AN- THE END or is it? You'll be pleased to know that at the same time I'm posting this, I'm posting the prologue to the sequel, Our World, Winter, and I'm already half way through the first chapter.

Thank you all so much for sticking with me, even though I've never updated nearly so often as I should have done.

All my reviewers have been wonderful and I wouldn't have got this far if it hadn't been for you lot. SNIFF SNIFF Lol, I'm getting emotional!

Thanks so, so much,

Hermione Starise