Chapter 5-

Ron woke up next to Hermione the next morning. As they lay there together, he watched her sleep. It was the first time since they had reunited that Ron had seen her without the traces of fear and paranoia on her face. Instead, in the early morning sunlight, he could see peace and happiness etched in her smile. Ron sighed and drew her closer. In her sleep, Hermione started, and then sighed as she felt Ron's arms enclose about her once more.

It seemed too perfect- Ron had almost given up hope that he would ever find her. Even then, it seemed impossible that she could ever feel for him what he felt for her. And now, suddenly, everything was as it should be. Hermione had confessed that she loved him back…and maybe now, despite the constant reminders around them of the lives that had been taken from them, they could begin a new life together. It all seemed so unfair- they were so young-

"Even now, we're only twenty-two…" Ron mused aloud.

-And they had been asked to shoulder such responsibility, to carry such burdens that most young adults could never dream of. Innocence had been lost too early, and death had come on rapid wings to many of their friends and families. Still, it almost seemed like it would be an insult to their memories if those who survived never picked themselves up and started over.

"Isn't it a bit too early to be having such intense thoughts?" Hermione asked lazily, startling Ron from his reverie.

"I didn't know you were awake," he replied.

"I just woke up."

"Oh." Ron said, and planted a kiss on the top of her head.

"What were you thinking about, Ron?" Hermione asked as she propped herself up on one shoulder.

Ron said honestly, "I was just thinking about…. well, where do we go from here? Just because the War is over doesn't mean that there aren't still some loyal followers of…You-Know-Who-"

"Voldemort, for Merlin's sake, Ron!"

Ron shuddered. "Yeah…him. Anyway, so who's to say that we're completely out of danger? This doesn't mean that one of the more favored Death Eaters can't rise up and take…His…place."

"Ron, I doubt anyone would try, not after the way Harry hunted down and killed Voldemort, as well as Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange. Not only that, your father caught Snape, and now Snape is in Azkaban for life. It just doesn't seem that there could be anyone else who could rise to such power and keep on any followers that didn't die."

"There's one…" Ron muttered.

"Who?" Hermione asked.
"Draco Malfoy. I'm pretty sure he's alive and in hiding somewhere." Ron snarled.

"Well, that doesn't mean that…" Hermione tried.

"Hermione, don't you understand? I mean, honestly, the years couldn't have been so unkind to you that you've lost all your intellect. That bastard of a pureblood led the attack on my family! His family has always had it in for my family!" he exploded.

Hermione looked shocked and taken aback at this outburst. "Ron…I…I was only trying to…"

Ron sighed and drew her closer to him. He hugged her tightly, regretting the words he had said. "I'm sorry…I only meant that…I want revenge. I want to kill every person who was behind the deaths of my family. Surely you can understand that?"

Hermione stared into Ron's deep blue eyes. She could understand it…if she had her way, she would exact her revenge on every Death Eater who had raped her. However, as much as she wanted that, Hermione also wanted something else- a home. A new life. Love…all of those things that could fill the empty spaces that the War had left behind.

"Ron," Hermione said tentatively, "I understand, believe me, I do. If I could go back and unleash my rage on the Death Eaters, I would do it in a heartbeat. At the same time, I'm tired of death and destruction. I just want to find home again…if such a place exists."

Ron looked at Hermione as if seeing her for the first time. Of course, he thought, she would want that. Why wouldn't she? The girl's been through enough- the last thing that she would want is to go out and seek revenge.

"You're right," he said finally. "I'm sorry- I was being selfish. I just…I can't believe that they're gone. The only ones left are Ginny and the twins. The thought that I had lost you…well, that doesn't matter. You're here, and I think we ought to do something about it."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"Well first, I think we need to wash all of that hideous makeup off of you."

"What, I didn't look good?" Hermione asked in injured tones while playfully slapping Ron's arm.

"Well, erm, well you did…"

"You certainly weren't complaining last night."

Ron blushed. "No, I wasn't. In fact, I doubt I'll ever complain again! Still, next time we…we…"

Hermione's smile lit up her face as she guessed, "Make love?"

"Erm…sure, next time we do that- I want to do…that…to Hermione, and not someone I picked up off the street."

Hermione's expression turned into one of hurt anger. "You mean to say…"

Ron cut her off. "No, I don't mean to say that I thought of last night as one with a hooker. What I mean to say, if you'll ever let me finish, is that next time, I want to be able to see your face- not a painted on mask you show to the rest of the world."

"Oh. I see."

"Furthermore, I think that after we do that, we need to go find my siblings and try to make some space for you in our flat."

"Oh, Ron, you don't have to…"

"You are not living in this dump anymore." Ron said firmly.

Hermione threw herself into Ron's arm and hugged him tightly. "Oh, thank you! Thank you…thank Merlin you finally came back."

With that, Ron swept Hermione off her feet and into the dinky shower. As they stepped into the stall, Ron shuddered to think that she had been living like this for a couple years. Hermione turned on the water and jumped back.

"It's freezing today. I hate that- it's never at a happy medium. It's either too hot or really cold."

Grudgingly, Ron stepped into the icy cold water and flinched as it hit the area below his waist.

"You know, I think I'll just sit this one out." Ron said, and started to leave.

"Not so fast, buddy!" Hermione said, and before Ron had a chance to think, a cold, slippery body was glued to him.

Unsure whether to back away or to ignore the cold that was painfully freezing his private parts, Ron locked his arms around her and kissed her. It was a cold kiss, but soon heated up when Hermione pushed him up against the wall. Trying not to think about the kinds of viruses that might inhabit that wall, Ron lifted her up and held her with his arms locked around her butt. Immersed in the warmth of her body, Ron put her down after a minute in order to let his hands travel to more interesting places.

"Oooh…Ron!" Hermione gasped as he found the spot she most enjoyed.

Invigorated by her moans, Ron took the opportunity to lift her against him again, but this time thrust himself inside of her. It felt different, now that they were both wet, but still amazing. She was hot and warm, but slick as well. His passage inside was easy, and it wasn't long that he had her pressed hard against the wall.

"Oh gods…Hermione…" Ron cried out as he felt his release coming near.

"Ron…don't stop…"

Pumping faster into her, Ron didn't stop, not until he felt her tighten, and then slump against his shoulder, breathing heavily.

Some moments passed as they lay there, tangled together on the floor of the shower. They both sat still; soaking up the water that pelted their faces and the afterglow of the love that they had made.

"So…you about ready to see everyone again?" Ron asked finally.

"Um…not yet. I have a feeling that once I see everyone again, I won't get you to myself very much afterward- and I'm nowhere near ready to give that up just yet." Hermione replied breathlessly.

"Oh," Ron said, feeling considerably happier. "Alright then."

And with that, Ron turned over and faced Hermione. "Ready for another go?"

Hermione grinned and pulled him closer. "You bet."