Perfect Memory

PG-13

Ron/Hermione, other relationships yet to be decided.

Chapter Three: "But the earth was in our clothes"

A year earlier…

Ron opened his eyes with and gave an annoyed glance to his surroundings. He had been waiting for twenty minutes at least and there was still no sign of Hermione. Ron had long since abandoned his more childish fears of the forest, especially since in the daylight, it wasn't nearly as spooky. Besides, these days there were more terrible things to haunt his dreams than mere spiders in a forest.

He stood up and brush pine needles from his trousers and robes and glanced about. He was just inside the outer edge of the Forbidden Forest. Pale green light filtered through the trees, providing the illusion that he was underwater.

He absently pulled a few more pin needles from his hair. "Where could 'Mione be?" He grumbled to himself. "Probably stuck in the library again. With Harry." He said his long-time friend's name with obvious distaste.

He was caught off guard when two slim arms encircled him from behind. A warm body pressed up against his back. "Or maybe," spoke a melodic young woman's voice, "she was delayed because she stopped by the kitchens to pick you up a picnic."

"Oh," responded Ron wittily. He turned around and encircled Hermione in his arms. His head dipped down and his lips briefly met hers; she giggled as his unruly crimson locks brushed across her forehead.

"Here now," the curly haired girl gestured. "Let's have our picnic."

Ron helped Hermione layout the picnic blanket and food. The house elves had really out done themselves—sandwiches, chilled pumpkin juice, cookies, fruit, soup, and even ice cream—all his favorites were there.

Ron sighed with contentment; it was nice to be back at Hogwarts for a visit. With everyday that the war went on, it became more and more difficult for Ron and Hermione to accompany Harry on his mad quest for the Horecruxes. But they had returned to Hogwarts to meet with the Order, and it was so nice to be back among the familiar.

It was a beautiful day, his girl was at his side, there was good food, and he had watched a quidditch game earlier (Ravenclaw vs. Hufflepuff; somehow Hufflepuff actually won). What could make the day any better?

He watched the soft light of the forest play across Hermione's features. She was talking about her advanced Potions class. His mind was on other things, though. He knew, of course, what would make this day better.

As much as he loved Hermione, he missed the days of the inseparable dream team; Gryfindor's golden trio. Despite following around Harry wherever he asked them to go, Harry always seemed to prefer Hermione's company to his old friend Ron's. Lately, it had been worse than ever. Ever since they had come back to Hogwarts Ron and Harry had nothing but argument after argument.

"…and then I told Remus that he was a sexy beast and we had wild, crazy—"

"WHAATT?" Screeched Ron. Remus and Hermione! Hermione thought that Remus was sexy? When did that happen?

Hermione sighed and took a bite of her ice cream. "I knew it. Ronald Weasley, you haven't heard a word I've said this whole time!"

Ron had the courtesy to look ashamed. "That's not true," he grumbled.

"That last sentence does not count." She stared him down.

The red-head broke into an easy grin. "Aww, c'mon 'Mione, you know I didn't mean it. It's just that lately…lately I've had trouble concentrating." The grin faltered for only a moment. Ron had been getting better about controlling his expressions. A by-product of his contact with the Boy-who-lived, undoubtedly.

Hermione nodded her understanding. "I know, it's been like that for all of us. Ever since—" She didn't finish. Ron understood. Ever since Voldemort rose. Ever since Dumbledore died. Ever since the war started. Ever since Harry…

Ron cut those thoughts off. No one ever spoke of the drastic changes that had overcome Harry. Since Harry Potter was the wizarding world's last hope, no one dared to comment on the boy's increasing tendencies towards darker magic. Ron believed it best if his thoughts didn't even touch the subject.

Hermione and Ron fell into a companionable silence for a while before Hermione remembered the reason for their meeting. "Oh, Ron, I almost forgot. Why did you call me out here? You said it was something important?"

Ron shifted nervously for a moment, unable to look Hermione in the eyes. "Er, I thought we could just talk a bit, really. About, you know, what's to happen after we graduate from Hogwarts." He dared to glance at Hermione, who was looking quite surprised.

"We're Order members, though, Ron. We're not supposed to really talk about things like that. We never know…how plans might change." It was an unwritten rule among the members of the Order of the Phoenix that no one really spoke of the future. It was considered bad luck, especially since their work was so dangerous. Lives were measured in weeks and days during these times, not years.

"Right, well, I know that. But before the order, back when we were kids, we had plans, 'Mione. Do you remember? We had such plans."

She gazed into his clear blue eyes, thinking of when she had first seen them in the pale face of a lanky boy all those years ago on the train. "When we were children," she murmured. So much had changed about him since then. He was now a healthy tan from lazing about in the sun by the lake and his lankiness had faded out in broad shoulders from Quidditch. But his eyes, his eyes were the same clear blue. Her brow furrowed. "When we were children didn't we all want to be Aurors?"

Ron nodded. "We all wanted to be Aurors, especially me and…and Harry. And you didn't know quite what you'd be when you grew up…"

"But I always said it would be something close to you and Harry so I could keep an eye on you two…and we'd always be together, the three of us."

Hermione's soft curls lifted for a moment in an invisible wind, making her seem to fade away like some forest spirit. Ron grabbed at her hand, fearful of her blowing away, but the gesture startled her. "Why, Ron!"

Ron blushed. "I was just thinking, 'Mione. Promise you'll never leave me. Promise me we'll have a future together."

She squeezed his hand back, reassuring herself as much as him. "Of course, Ron. I promise." They both knew here words were hollow and meaningless. That there was no way she could guarantee anything and neither could he. "Why would you ask something like that, though?"

"I passed the Aurors' test." There. He had said it. He hung his head as he said it, but after tense moments of silence in which she still had not replied, he lifted his head and looked to her.

"Ron, I—I don't know what to say. I'm very impressed, it's difficult to get in, and it means you'd have a secure job for after the war, but what about—"

"I know. What about the Order. But I've talked about it with Lupin already and he thinks that Scrimegour could use more of us in the Ministry—" he announced this part excitedly, since it had always been a dream of his to get into the Auror division.

"Ron," Hermione interrupted, but he continued on doggedly.

"—Which really just leaves my parents. And I know they don't care for the Ministry much, no one in the Order really does, but I think they'll like the idea of me finally doing something, they've not exactly been thrilled with me tramping all over Europe on this quest—"

"RON!"

He stopped and stared at her, rather surprised by her outburst.

"That's not what I was asking. I was asking 'what about Harry'."

Ron went as red as his hair and then very pale. "Yes," he seethed. "What about Harry? How could I have forgotten about Harry? Merlin knows his opinion matters more than the Order's."

"Ron, that's not what I meant and you know it. I was just wondering how Harry would take it. He's had a bit of trouble with Aurors for a while now. And besides, he needs us right now!" Well, thought Hermione, that's a gross understatement on my part. Harry loathes Aurors.

"Well, I'm going to have to tell him, in any case. He has serious trust issues and I don't think he'd take it well if I kept this a secret, even if he does dislike Aurors. As for needing us, how much have I really contributed to this? I mean, you know all sorts of history and you're smart at figuring out puzzles, but I…"

Hermione's eyes narrowed. "Wait. So you're willing to tell him about you becoming one of the Ministry's lackeys, but you won't tell him about us?" For various reasons, he and Hermione had opted to keep their relationship a secret.

Ron grinned. "Well, actually, no. I do plan on telling him about us. In fact, soon enough I plan on telling everyone about us." His grin widened into a maniacal smile.

Hermione paled. "Ron Weasely! Are you crazy? You know what bad luck that sort of thing is—"

"Correction. It's bad luck to have a relationship at all during a war, regardless of whether or not it's a secret one. If one of us dies, the effects will be the same." His smile was gone and he looked at her seriously. Hermione was struck by how much he had grown up and how handsome he now looked. There was nothing innocent about him now. He seemed sharper, more dangerous—but at the same time, more dependable.

He scooted closer to her and took her into his arms so she could lean against his broad chest. She relaxed into him and he shifted for a moment as he retrieved something from his trouser pocket. It was a small satin box. He opened it and held it in front of Hermione.

Ron felt her sharp intake of breath and he leaned forward so his lips brushed by her ear. "Hermione Granger, will you marry me?" his voice rumbled. Neither one of them moved after that as Hermione continued to stare at the ruby-and-diamond engagement ring. Finally she slipped it on and twisted to face Ron, gripping his shoulders for balance. Only then did he realize she was crying.

"Yes," she choked out through her tears. "Yes, I'll marry you. Of course I'll marry you! I promised, didn't I? I promised." And then she began to kiss him over and over again.

Ron's mind was fogged with happiness and disbelief, so it took him a few seconds to realize what Hermione was talking about.

"I was just thinking, 'Mione. Promise you'll never leave me. Promise me we'll have a future together."

"Of course, Ron. I promise."

He closed his eyes as his own tears threatened to fall and concentrated solely on kissing Hermione back, as if through desperation he could make those words true.

A/N:

Review. It's for your own good, really, because with out reviews, I don't post.

Oh, c'mon. You all knew it was Hermione. Meet Harry in the next chapter and find out why everyone thinks he's so whacked out.

May I also suggest the works of Cassandra Claire? I hardly ever read het pairings, and never the pairings she writes, but she's so good at it I can't give it up! I strongly suggest her work, which can be found on