The Tale of Enough

Chapter Two

Disclaimer: I own nothing not stated literally.

Almost two years had passed in a flash and Ron, Hermione and Harry were nearing the end of their seventh and final year at Hogwarts. The three had picked out a career path to follow once they graduated and were taking classes accordingly. Harry was planning on becoming an aurer, not to anyone's surprise. Hermione decided to work at St. Mungo's hospital because of the very high increase in patients due to the war caused by Voldemort. She knew it wasn't something she really wanted to do, but something she felt compelled to do. And Ron had changed his mind from becoming an aurer like Harry to working at Ollivander's, the wand making shop. This had seemed a simple job that didn't involve the war very much.

At the end of their sixth year Harry and Ron had both met up with Voldemort's death eaters. Ron had been hit with countless spells in his attempt to keep Harry away from them. Ron's efforts had kept Harry ready for his confrontation with the Dark Lord himself, but had left Ron deeply scarred in more than one way. Though Ron was ready to fight for his best friend and the rest of the world, he did not want to continue fighting dark wizards unless forced to. A job at Ollivander's was a better way to spend his time, Ron thought.

With their new careers thought out and the last few weeks of school right around the corner, most people would think the three teenagers were doing just fine. They acted that way too, laughing and joking constantly. But inside Harry, Hermione and Ron were not very happy at all. They were waiting. Waiting for the end of the war and Harry's encounter with the one they feared most. The three wanted it to come so that it would be over, yet at the same time dread overtook them whenever the thought came to mind. Out of the three, Harry was the luckiest when it came to his thoughts. He was obligated to turn of his mind and emotions to prevent the dark lord from learning information that would benefit no one but himself. Harry rarely had to think about these things. Otherwise, he would seem weak and would easily be taken advantage of.

But Ron and Hermione both still had these thoughts and feelings swarm through them constantly, causing much pain and suffering on their part. Harry never knew, though. He was kept too busy to have time to think very much. He had less and less time to spend with his best friends. This was alright, however. It was for the best, and Voldemort would have less power over Harry when they did meet again.

While Harry was at quidditch practice one day, (Ron had quit because he didn't want to be on the team any more)Hermione had made Ron take a break from his homework to go for a walk with her. Hermione was fed up with answering Ron's many questions over and over and decided a walk would help calm him down.

The day was fresh and light, much like the gardens at the Burrow were in the summer. Ron was beginning to sway into thoughts of the summer when Hermione pulled him back to reality. He realized they had already made it to the side of the lake. Hermione tugged at his sleeve to suggest he sit down beside her. Ron complied and felt how soft the grass felt. The sun gently colliding with his skin and the feeling of warmth that had passed through him the moment he had sat down compelled him to lie down and bask in the glory of that morning. Hermione seemed to have thought this was a good idea as well, for she lay down beside Ron and they watched the clouds pass through the sky for what seemed a long while.

Ron was penetrating a thought about Harry when suddenly he spoke. Not even realizing he had thought of what he said, he looked rather surprised. But Hermione hadn't noticed, she was still looking upwards.

"Hermione, remember the summer before last. That day we were playing wizard's chess and we were talking about . . . us?" Ron though startled by what he had said was glad he had gotten it out. These feelings had been bombarding him time and time again the last while.
"Mmm . . . " Hermione seemed keen on Ron continuing.

"Well, I know it's still not the right time, seeing as the war is still very much alive. But do you, you know, still feel the same. It's ok . . . if you don't, I mean. But I just wanted to know . . . "
"Yes, I still feel the same. Don't you?"Hermione had propped herself up on her elbow and was looking at Ron with a glitter of fear in her eyes. She was scared of losing him, thought Ron. He was right.

"Yes. I just wanted to make sure. I hate waiting though. It's so hard. This war needs to end soon. All our lives have fallen apart. I just want to make everything right again. But I can't. I have to wait. We both do. Everyone does. But, just the same, it's hard, "a ripple of betterment ran through Ron as he finished telling Hermione all he was feeling.

He always felt better when talking to Hermione. She comforted him when the going got tough and was always ready to be there for him. Ron couldn't believe how amazing Hermione could be. She seemed perfect. It was almost ghastly, but at the same time, laying there next to her felt bewildering to his very being. He was in love, for the first time in his life.

Hermione sighed. She knew a lot of what Ron was feeling and wanted to make the pain go away. Because she couldn't help Ron and because she was feeling all the things that were so terrible to think Hermione got up and waited for Ron to as well. Ron looked up for a moment and then at the lake.

"Are you heading back?"Ron asked.

"Yes, I think so. It's getting a bit chilly out and I promised Lavender I would help her with an assignment," Hermione replied, with a hint of remorse. Ron smiled at her lack of optimism and figured he should go see Harry at practice since he hadn't been in a while.

"I'm going to watch Harry, but I'll see you at lunch?"Ron turned to see Hermione's face before he left for the quidditch pitch.

"Yeah . . . bye, then," Hermione headed back to the castle with a perplexed expression on her face. She had so many emotions and feelings that were bombarding her head and she didn't like it one bit. Hermione hated having to make up poor excuses for fear of Ron.

She needed him so much, yet if he was there for her she'd get swept up in her feelings and they would both get hurt. Hermione knew she was a patient person, but this was different from waiting for Christmas break, or the mark of a test. This was waiting to be with her one true love. It was the hardest thing she had ever gone through.

The angst of it all was mind-blowing and though to many people, the fact the three were even living was incredible, it meant barely a pinch to Hermione. All that she cared about was that she and Ron had to avoid each other, and to Hermione, that was much less than enough.

A/N: Just a heads up, though it seems to be a bit late, I wrote this story ages ago when I was utterly wretched at writing, I'm more used to reading fics. Anyway, sorry for any gross mistakes, ie: putting two of the same word within two sentences, grammar/spelling errors, putting she instead of he, etc. It was never beta-ed. I found it while cleaning out the ol' 'my documents' section making space for final projects for school and some new fan fics I hope! Thought I'd put it up and see what happens ; ).