This is another emotional chapter, where we see some differences regarding the book, as you'll see. I hope you like them.
Chapter 13
Sending Them Away
It had been a bit more than two weeks after the abrupt end of school year, and Ron was in his room, looking out of the window.
It was the near the middle of July, but it didn't look like summer at all. If last year had been misty and humid, this one was even worse. It seemed that, with Dumbledore gone, You-Know-Who was even more daring, and Dementors wandered all over the country without restrain. The Ministry, it seemed, was completely overwhelmed, and according to his Dad, no one knew what Scrimgeour was doing, or if he was doing anything at all, as he spent all this time holed up in his office.
Ron swore, cursing him. He had to admit that he was marginally better than Fudge, but still … weren't better candidates out there?
He shook his head and turned round. Should he go down and see Ginny? Toughened as she was, he knew she was having a hard time coping with her break-up. Their Mum and Fleur had tried to engage her in the wedding plans, and, though she participated, it was clear she wasn't onto it.
At least, it seemed that she had wholeheartedly accepted Fleur. Maybe it was the fact that the French witch had showed that she really loved Bill, and not just for his looks, but Ron suspected that the two witches had had some sort of heart-to-heart talk, and as a result Ginny now saw Fleur as a true sister, an honorary title only Hermione, until that point, had earned.
Ron let out a sigh at the thought of his girlfriend. They had seen each other almost every day, even if only for a few hours. Sometimes she came to The Burrow; sometimes he went and had dinner with her and her parents. Most often than not, they met to shag, or, at least, get off with each other. Not as frequently as he would have liked, of course, because, on many occasions, instead of being alone they had made time for Ginny, as she could do with the distraction.
But they hadn't been able to meet yesterday, and he was dying to see her again. He couldn't help but feel anxious, and not only because of how much he missed her, but because of the danger they all were living in. He was worried for Harry, too, but he was being watched all the time and he had an almost perfect protection at Privet Drive. Hermione's house, despite the power of the spell they both had cast, was far more insecure. Yes, the Order also checked on her and her parents, and, were the house under attack, he would know at once, but still, he worried.
Besides, there was the question of her parents. Hermione had not revealed to him what her plans regarding them were. He had suggested having the Order place them in a safe house, which was, he knew, the plan for the Dursleys, but she hadn't said anything.
And it was then that Hermione's silver otter Patronus flew through the ceiling and into his room, startling him. However, it didn't take long for a smile to creep up his face at the sight of the playful creature. It circled his legs a bit and then seemed to rub itself against him, before looking up and speaking with Hermione's voice, "Ron, I need to see you. Can you come have dinner with my parents and me this evening? In an hour?"
The Patronus vanished, and Ron's smile vanished with it. There was some strain in Hermione's voice and he felt himself getting worried again. Had something happened? He had the impulse to Apparate there without delay but refrained. Instead, he changed his clothes, combed his hair to look at least presentable and then went down. Ginny, Fleur and his Mum were sitting in the kitchen, having tea and talking.
"Mum, I'm going to have dinner with Hermione and her parents," he announced.
Fleur smiled brightly, Ginny smirked at him, and his mum studied him.
"Again?" she asked, and then glanced out of the window. "I don't like you Apparating out there, Ron". Her eyes darted towards the clock, that still indicated 'Mortal Peril' for all Weasleys.
"Mum, I told you I can Apparate into their backyard, which is protected by the spells."
"Yes, yes, I know." She sighed. "It's all right, I suppose. Have a good time and give her parents a hug for us. We should meet one day, have dinner together or something like that, but with the wedding so close …"
"Why don't zey come?" asked Fleur suddenly. "Hermione is invited, 'er parents should come too."
"Isn't that an idea?" his mum said brightly, nodding. "Of course! You tell them, Ron, and we'll send them a proper invitation!"
Ron didn't know what to say. "Er — okay," he mumbled, and, before anyone could say anything more, he crossed the kitchen and exited the house. Once in the backyard he began to walk aimlessly, deep in thought. He could hear Bill and his dad talking in the shed when he passed it, but didn't go in. After a bit, he stopped, noticing the presence of a few, daring gnomes, and grimaced. He could see a degnoming making its way to the list of his chores before the wedding.
"One would say you haven't seen one before."
Ron, startled, turned his head and found Ginny near him, looking at him with an amused expression on her face.
"Oh, shut up."
"Already daydreaming about Hermione?" she teased him.
"Ho, ho, you're so funny."
"I know," she replied rather cheekily. "It's one of my many, many qualities."
"You call being nosy and insufferable, qualities?"
"Idiot."
"Prat."
They fell silent for a bit. Ron's eyes followed one of the exploring gnomes, and Ginny moved next to him.
"I tease you a lot, but you know I'm very happy for you, right? And for Hermione," she said, a little sadly.
"Yeah, I know." He turned his head to look at her, wondering what to say, or if to say anything at all. "Thanks." He felt a bit like an idiot, but, what do you say to the sister who had been dumped by your best friend, when the break-up was caused for selfless reasons, like keeping her safe?
"Have fun in your dinner," she added, and then walked away.
For some reason, though, Ron didn't think he would.
Half an hour later, he walked towards the edge of the protective charm and Disapparated to the Grangers' backyard. Feeling a bit nervous, Ron approached the door and knocked on it. Barely ten seconds later, it opened, revealing Hermione's dad, who smiled warmly at him. "Hi, Ron."
"Good evening M— Will."
"Come in."
Ron stepped into the house and Mr Granger closed the door. Hermione had heard him and was walking towards him from the kitchen, a smile — tense, Ron noticed — on her face.
"Hi," she said, kissing him briefly while her father went back to the kitchen, giving them some privacy.
"Hi," he repeated, grasping her hands in his. "How are you?"
The corner of her mouth twitched. "Can I talk to you before dinner? In my room?"
Ron blinked a few times, studying her face. On other circumstances, sex would be on the front of his mind, or at least a good snog with some groping, but he doubted this would be the case this time.
"What's wrong?" he asked, in a low tone.
"Nothing," she responded quickly. "Just — just come with me."
"Okay," he acquiesced, now even more worried than before.
"Mum, Dad, we'll be down in a bit," Hermione spoke towards the kitchen.
"Don't worry, dear," said Hermione's mum, appearing on the door and rubbing her hands with a cloth. "I know how much you miss Ron," she teased, smiling at him. "Good evening, Ron."
"Good evening, Mrs Granger." Hermione's mum rolled her eyes in the exact same way her daughter did. "Sorry — Jean," muttered Ron, correcting himself.
She laughed, shaking her head, and disappeared behind the wall. Hermione hurried up the stairs, and Ron followed his girlfriend to her room. Once inside, she closed the door behind her, went towards the bed and sat down on it. Ron just watched her. Then, as he waited for het to speak, he surveyed the room, letting out a sigh. Merlin, how much he missed sleeping here, with her.
Realising that she wasn't talking, he approached her. "Are you going to tell me what's going on?" he asked, crouching down before her.
She stared into his eyes.
"I'm going to send my parents abroad."
"Abroad?"
"Yes. To keep them safe."
Ron didn't say anything for a bit, pondering what she had said. "Where?"
"Australia."
"Australia!" Ron shouted, shocked. "That's — that's on the other fucking side of the world!"
"Yes, that's the idea, you see. As far away as possible."
"And do they know about this?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
She shook her head. "I — I was hoping you would help me telling them."
Ron felt his stomach turn unpleasantly at her words. She must have noticed it, because her expression turned apologetic.
"I'm sorry, Ron. But I don't know if — if I can tell t-them on my own," she muttered, on the verge of tears. "You were here with me when we t-told them everything, so I — I —" she shook her head.
Ron swallowed his discomfort and grasped her hands in his. "Hey," he whispered in what he hoped was a calming and reassuring tone, though he didn't felt calm at all. "Of course I'll help you. That's what this dinner is about, isn't it?"
She nodded.
"You're sure, then?"
She nodded again. "I've been thinking about this for a while. At first, I even contemplated doing a Memory Charm on them so they would forget about me — about the Wizarding World entirely, so even if they — if they were c-c-caught ..." her voice trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. "But I can't. I promised them there would be no more lies, when we told them everything during Easter. I know that maybe I should, still, because if they were caught and interrogated — well, they know things and — and —" her voice failed, and she looked down, in tears.
"Hermione …" he whispered. He knelt between her legs and embraced her, pressing her against his chest while he caressed her hair.
"I'm so selfish," she continued. "What if they still find them? If they knew nothing, then, m-maybe …"
"Hermione," Ron said again, in a soft yet firm tone, forcing her to look at him. "You're not being selfish. The opposite, in fact. You could ask the Order for help, but you aren't because your parents won't be of help in the war and you don't want people to have even more worries. And if Death Eaters caught them … well, I hate to say this, but you know it won't matter to them if they know something or not."
Hermione shivered in fear.
"Look, if they got them — and I say 'if', because you're brilliant and I'm sure you've got everything planned — surely they will want to use them to lure us into a trap. So they probably won't kill them. And they can't be of help to them, because they don't know anything about the mission or the horcruxes, do they?"
"No, they don't."
"See? Now tell me more about that plan of yours."
Hermione brushed her eyes, regaining her composure, and began to talk.
"I've got false identities for them already done," she explained, summoning a folder from her desk. She opened it and showed Ron Muggle documentation pertaining two people called Wendell and Monica Wilkins. "I used Magic for this, of course, and I have everything arranged."
"But — what about the photos? they don't look at all like your parents."
"They will, once I cast the Glamour Charm upon them."
"Those spells don't last if they're not renewed, Hermione."
As a response, Hermione took two rings from the folder.
"These are marriage bands, you know. I put the spell on them, using the magic of the protective spell we cast on the house. That spell was meant to protect my family, so it'll work by protecting their identities. As long as they use the rings, they'll look exactly like in the photos."
Ron stared at her in awe.
"What?" she asked.
"You're amazing, you know? That's bloody brilliant."
She smiled at him sheepishly. "Thank you."
"It's true."
"Not just for the compliment," she explained. "This wouldn't work if you hadn't help me cast the protective spell."
Ron just shrugged.
"I just hope all this is enough. If everything goes according to plan, the Death Eaters will think I've fled with them. Lots of Muggleborns are doing exactly that."
"And they won't go to Australia, it's so far away," added Ron. "And they won't watch Muggle transportation, I think. I'm sure they'll try, but the only good thing about their disdain for Muggles is that they don't really understand how their world works."
"Yes, you're right," she nodded, looking a bit more hopeful.
"And so, when do you plan to make them move?"
"As soon as possible."
Ron nodded. "And — if they refuse?"
Hermione averted his gaze. "Then I'll Confound them and will make them believe they really agreed to this plan," she explained, trying to sound sure, thought Ron could tell how ashamed she felt at the idea.
Ron just stared at her, expressionless. After a few moments, Hermione dared to look at him. "You think I'm horrible, don't you?"
"Of course not, Love."
"But doing this would be wrong."
"Yes," he nodded, and made a pause, thinking about what to say. "So it'd be erasing their memories. But we're at war, Hermione, and I don't think you can always do the right thing. I fear we'll find ourselves in situations where no course of action is completely right. But we've got to do what is best, and right now, your parents must be kept safe."
She nodded, clearly feeling a bit better, and let out a sigh. "Should we go down, then?"
"I suppose," Ron said, dreading it.
— o —
"Well, are you going to tell us what's wrong?" asked Hermione's mum after five minutes of silence in which the four of them just concentrated on the food. "You two are unusually quiet this evening."
Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance. With a sigh, Hermione dropped the fork on her plate and leaned against the back of her chair.
"Mum, Dad … you've got to leave the country."
"Sorry, what?" her dad asked, frowning.
"Leave the country? What are you talking about?"
"We're at war, Mum. Remember I told you Professor Dumbledore is dead?"
"Yes," her father said, his expression turning gloomy.
"Things are going downhill very quickly. The Death Eaters will be bolder than ever, and —"
"But we're safe here!" her mother protested. "Wasn't that the reason you cast that spell on the house?"
"Yeah," Ron intervened. "And right now, it's safe. But the spell isn't unbreakable, and, if the Ministry falls — and it will, Dad is completely sure of it — then the Death Eaters won't fear attacking with all their might. You won't be safe here then."
The Grangers exchanged a long, worried look.
"And what about you?" her father questioned shrewdly. "What about Ron, and his family? And Harry?"
"Ron's family is entirely composed of wizards and witches. And Harry — well, Harry, Ron and I will be — doing what we've got to."
"What you've got to do," her father repeated in an emotionless tone.
"So you wouldn't come," her mother added, her tone stern.
"No. We've got to help Harry end this."
"We don't want to leave," her dad stated. "You're our daughter, Hermione. You can't expect us to leave you in the middle of a war! We've got to protect you!"
"But you can't!" Hermione yelled, on the verge of tears. Ron grabbed her left hand, wanting to calm her, but she just shook him off. "You can't help me in this. And I can't do what I've got to do if I know you've in danger. Please, Mum, Dad … Please."
They exchanged another look, clearly shocked by Hermione's outburst.
"But — the dental practice and the rest of the family …?"
"I can take care of the practice," said Hermione. "I can use Magic so when — after everything's over, you can come and resume what you're doing. And the rest of the family, they're not in such a grave danger as you. And we'll protect them with magic, of course."
"And where should we go, in case we left?" asked her father.
"As far as possible. Australia."
"Australia!" exclaimed her father. "So far?"
Hermione nodded. "The farther, the better."
Hermione's mum sighed deeply, and, putting her elbows on the table, buried her face in her hands.
"Hermione, you realise what you're asking us to do?" her father asked, visibly upset. "To leave everything we've known, everything we've built, that we love! Including you! You're asking us to travel to the other side of the world while you fight in a war in which you could — could —" He shook his head, unable to say the words.
Hermione's mother let out a little squeal, and Ron noticed her eyes were shimmering with unshed tears.
"I know. Of — of c-course I know," Hermione answered, sobbing. "I wouldn't ask you this if it weren't a m-matter of life and d-d-death!" she added between hiccups. Ron grabbed her hand in his and squeezed it, wishing there were something he could do.
And as he watched the three Grangers, he hated You-Know— no, Voldemort, more than ever, for causing this war, for tearing families apart. He had destroyed Harry's, Neville's, his mother's … and now was breaking Hermione's — well, theirs, 'cause, as he had told her, she and her parents were family, too.
"We can't say yes, Hermione," said her father suddenly, taking Ron out of his reverie. "Not right away, at least. We've got to think about it, maybe consider other options —"
"I considered all options, Dad. And this is the only one that will work. I'm s-sorry," she added, sobbing again. Not able to see her so distressed, Ron put his right arm around her and pressed her against his body.
"Shh, Love," he whispered to her. "They're right, you need to let them think about this. You can't expect them to say yes at once."
"I k-know," she said. "I know."
Ron looked at the Grangers and saw them watching them with a curious expression on their faces.
"Do you think we should leave for Australia, Ron?" her dad asked, genuinely interested in his opinion.
Ron didn't answer immediately. He thought about the Order option again, but Hermione didn't want to use that, and, if he was sincere, he thought that the Australian option was the safest for them. And, in the end, it was important that he and Hermione presented a united front. She had asked him to come to support her, hadn't she?
"Yes, I think so," he nodded. "I can't really imagine how hard it must be, but you'll really be safe. Hermione has arranged everything to give you new identities, even new appearances. And we can use even more Magic to help you relocate there, and to find you once this is over."
Hermione's mum pushed her plate away from her, apparently no longer in the mood for eating.
"We've got to think about this, and think it well," her father stated.
"I understand," Ron said. "But we don't know how much time we've got."
"Please, Dad, Mum …" begged Hermione. "If something happened to you, I — I —" she said, and broke into tears.
Ron kissed her on the top of her head once more.
"I promise you we'll think about it," her mother said. Then she stared at her daughter for a few seconds, deep in thought, before saying, "Why don't you go and wash your face? I'll make tea. I don't think any of us is hungry anymore."
Hermione nodded and left the kitchen and her mother got up and went to the stove. Silence fell over the kitchen.
"I'm sorry," Ron blurted out after a while.
"It's not your fault, Ron," Hermione's mum said, preparing the kettle.
"I know, but I'm a wizard. A Pureblood. In a way, I — I feel responsible …"
"You aren't," Mr Granger said. "You're fighting against this. And your family — your entire family is fighting … We would be safe while you …" he shook his head and tightened his fist, clearly feeling impotent. "So, you three are — are going on some sort of mission?"
"Yeah."
"If we decide, and I emphasise the 'if', to leave, she would be at your house, wouldn't she?"
"Of course."
"Yes, there's your brother's wedding to attend," he commented, nodding to himself.
"She's bought a new dress," her mother intervened, looking sad. "It seems such a stupid thing now …"
"It isn't," Ron replied. "A wedding is what we need, something happy, to remind us why we're fighting, why we can't never surrender: to stop this madness, to save love, to — to reunite families." Feeling braver than ever, he looked at Hermione's parents in the eye. "I know I can't assure you everything will turn all right or that all of us will make it unscathed, but we've got something to fight for. Dumbledore trusted Harry, and I trust Harry, he's already escaped him five times. If someone can pull this off, it's him. And we've got Hermione. I love her, and I promise you that — that I'll look after her, that I'll fight with all my might to reunite your family again. Our family."
Her parents stared at him, in something like awe. Her mother's eyes were bright with tears, and, before Ron could react, she had rounded the table and was hugging him.
"Thank you. Thank you, Ron," she said. Ron, surprised and a bit embarrassed, embraced her back timidly. After a few seconds she released him and went back to the stove, her back to them so they wouldn't see the tears in her eyes.
"You'll look after yourself, won't you, Ron?" Hermione's father asked him. "We — well, we care for you, and your family. We want to see you again. You make Hermione happy."
"I'll try," he said. "And if I don't, Hermione'll be there."
Ron saw something move from the corner of his eye and looked at the doorway. Hermione was there, watching the scene. She was no longer crying, but her eyes were bright, and was staring at him in a way that made his body tingle in strange ways.
After a rather silent tea, the Grangers announced they were going to bed. They had a lot to talk about.
"Why don't you stay over?" Hermione's dad asked him, surprising both him and Hermione. "I'm sure Hermione would appreciate having you here."
He thought about it. "I guess I could. I'll have to tell my parents, though." He looked at Hermione. "Do you — do you want me to stay?"
Hermione nodded eagerly. "I'd love it if you stayed."
"Can you send a Patronus to them, then? I still haven't managed to do the Patronus-talking thing.
"Yes, of course."
"Can you two take care of the dishes?" Hermione's mother asked them.
"Yeah," Ron nodded.
"Well … good night then," she said, and both she and her husband left the kitchen, leaving them alone.
Ron took his wand to clean the kitchen while Hermione cast her Patronus and sent it to The Burrow.
"I hope your mother doesn't get angry."
"Why should she?" Ron said, casting Scourgify on the dirty plates, cutlery and pots in the sink.
Hermione shrugged.
"Fleur told me to invite your parents to the wedding."
"Did she?" Hermione asked, surprised. "But — she doesn't know them."
"No, but Mum was talking about meeting them for another dinner, and that with all the preparations they simply had no time, and so Fleur suggested we invited them. She said they're your parents, after all."
"That's very nice of her."
"I didn't see the point in telling them, though."
Hermione nodded. She let out a sigh and dropped onto a chair.
Ron drew another and sat in front of her, grasping one of her hands and caressing her knuckles.
"Do you think they'll go?" he asked her. Hermione looked up at his eyes and shrugged.
"I hope so. It's a very difficult decision, though."
"Yeah."
They fell silent once more. After a bit, Ron got up and, moving his wand, sent the now clean and dried dishes to the cupboards. He heard Hermione move, and, when he turned round, he found her standing in front of him.
She approached him and put her arms around his neck.
"Thank you so much for coming here tonight. For helping me telling them."
Ron shrugged.
"And for the things you said when I went to the bathroom."
"You heard?" Ron asked, embarrassed.
"It was the most wonderful thing you've ever said, Ron Weasley. And I'm so, so lucky for having you as my boyfriend," she added. Ron's heart soared with happiness, and a bright grin broke into his face.
"I just spoke the truth," he declared. "Though I was so afraid I would say the wrong thing and muck things up."
"You should give yourself much more credit, Ronald Weasley," she told him, her fingers caressing the back of his neck very lightly, causing goose bumps to erupt all over his skin. He just shrugged. Hermione smiled warmly at him. "I love you, you know?"
"I do."
"And it gets stronger each day," she confessed, and then kissed him. Passionately.
"I missed you," he muttered against her tender, soft lips when the kiss ended.
"I know. I'm so glad you're staying for the night."
"Me too. It's been too long since last time I woke up next to you."
Hermione's smile widened, and she kissed him again. One, two, three times, just brushing her lips against his, teasing him, promising but not giving.
"Hermione …" he whispered, feeling his entire body grow hot.
"I'm going to make love to you tonight, Ron. In so many ways," she declared in a tone so seductive that sent new shivers down Ron's back. His cock twitched with anticipation, urging him to take her to her room and ravage her. And yet …
"Hermione," he started, taking a deep breath to calm his traitorous body, "when I accepted to stay I was just thinking about sleeping with your body next to mine; about comforting you after such a hard conversation. You know I'm a randy pig, but —"
Hermione silenced him with another, very soft kiss. "I love you being a randy pig with me, Ron. And there's no better way for you to comfort me, to make me feel alive, and loved, than making love to me. Please, I want to," she practically begged, running her left hand up and down his chest.
"Fuck, I want to, too," he said, kissing her again. "So much. I want you so much, Hermione. Always," he confessed, claiming her mouth once more.
When they parted, Hermione stepped backwards, grabbing his right hand in her left one and pulling him to her. Her eyes were fixed on his, full of love and passion. Ron lost himself in her gaze.
Hermione led them to her room.
"I need to go to the loo first," he said, stopping at the doorway. "You can — well, get ready meanwhile, yeah?"
"Be quick," she told him, and, pulling his mouth to hers, gave him a brief, though incredibly passionate kiss that conveyed how much she wanted him. Ron gulped when she pulled away, his cock hard as a rock.
Ron went to the bathroom. He hadn't brought anything, so he just rinsed his mouth with water and some toothpaste while he used the toilet. Then he went back to her room, throwing a quick glance towards her parents' bedroom, wondering if they were talking and whether they would reach a decision that night.
He shook his head, thinking about her parents was not a good idea just before shagging their daughter …
He closed the door of her room behind him and, immediately, Hermione cast a Silence Charm on it. Ron looked at her, already under the blankets. He could see her naked arm and shoulder, though, and his cock twitched again. Was she already naked in the bed?
"Take off your clothes, Ron."
"I — I didn't bring any pyjamas, you know …"
"You won't need them. I'll keep you warm," she replied, smiling.
Ron laughed and stripped as quickly as possible.
"I see you're happy to see me, aren't you?" she inquired teasingly, her eyes fixed on his erect cock.
"Very," he nodded.
Her got under the sheets, and immediately reached for her body, sliding his hand down her back to her ass. He groaned. As he had guessed, she was completely naked.
Hermione moved against him and put one leg over his, caressing his calves with her foot. In response, Ron squeezed her ass and kissed her. Gently at first, but it soon turned into a full snog. When he thrust his tongue into her mouth, she moaned and rubbed against him. His cock brushed her curls and lower stomach, making him moan in response.
Ron squeezed her cheeks harder, and Hermione pressed her body into his, her hard nipples touching his chest, the kiss growing in intensity. Ron's mind felt clouded with desire. He seemed unable to think, just feel, and it only became more intense when he felt her slid her hand between them and began to fondle his cock and balls.
"Fuck, Hermione!"
"Yes, fuck Hermione, Ron," she purred, reminding him of the first time they had made love, in this same room. She had said those same words back then …
"Yes, yes …" he groaned. He moved his hand to grab one of her tits and kissed her again while he kneaded her.
Hermione stroked him and caressed his balls, causing precum to leak from his dick, but, after a while, she opened her legs more and, guiding him with her hand, began to rub her clit with the tip of his aching cock. She broke the kiss and moaned loudly.
"Yeah, Love, use my cock to get yourself off," he encouraged, bucking his hips against her. Hermione just moved her hand faster, lost in her own pleasure. Ron could felt how wet she was, and it only made him want her even more.
Hermione's moans became louder and Ron pinched her nipple, wanting for her to climax so he could bury himself into her. However, before she came, she pushed him away and, snapping her eyes open, stared at him. "Ron, I want you amazing mouth on me. Eat me, please. Now."
Ron felt his blood boil in his veins at her demand and threw the blankets off them before sliding down the bed and positioning himself between her parted legs. He looked at her expectant face, and then moved his gaze down her body, to her firm, round tits, and then to her glistening pussy. He licked his lips.
"Ron," she begged, raising her torso and extending her arms towards his head, undoubtedly with the intention of pushing him to her. Ron loved when she was bossy and demanding, but this time he grabbed her hands before they could reach him.
"Patience, Love."
"No!" she huffed. "Do it now, Ron, or I'll get off myself!"
"Fuck, that'd be so hot …"
"If I've got to do it myself, you'll have to do it yourself too!" she threatened.
"That would be mean, wouldn't it, Love?" he asked, lowering his head and kissing around her belly, while his hands caressed her thighs.
"Ron!" she shouted, when he plunged his tongue into her bellybutton, flicking it inside. Hermione's hips bucked, and she put her hands on his head and pushed him down. "Lower, Ron."
"Soon," he whispered, kissing her stomach before playing with her bellybutton again.
"Ron, that's not the hole in which I want your tongue! Lick my pussy NOW!"
"Fucking shit!" he exclaimed. Merlin, he loved Naughty Hermione … and to think that three months ago she wouldn't have been able to say the word 'pussy' … Unable to deny her (and himself) anymore, he moved a bit lower and opened her legs as wide as possible, revealing her completely to him. "Bloody hell, Hermione, I love your perfect pussy …" he whispered, and then licked her from bottom to top. Hermione moaned louder and bucked her hips, seeking more contact. Ron began to lick her in earnest, savouring her cunt, tasting her juices, and even biting softly on her clit, which almost made her jump on the bed.
"More, more, more!" she begged, sliding her fingers through his hair and pulling on it. "Keep going, Ron! Fuck, it feels so good! Love your tongue!"
Ron kept licking her for a while, and, when he sensed her excitation grow, getting her near to point of release, he thrust his tongue into her hole and used his right hand to rub her clit.
Her entire body was trembling now, but it wasn't enough. So he took off his tongue, and thrust his left index finger into her, coating it with her juices, while he licked her all around it, relishing on the feel of her pubic hair against his nose, her delicious, musky scent surrounding him.
"Oh, yes, Ron, yes, God, yesss!" she screamed, her entire body trashing. Ron glanced up and saw her pinching her own nipples and kneading her tits. The desire to stop what he was doing and just fuck her was overwhelming, but he resisted, and just used his last trick.
Taking her finger out of her, he thrust his tongue again, and, while he tongue-fucked her, he pushed her lubricated finger into her asshole. The effect was instantaneous.
"RON! OH, FUCK, RON! YES, OH, YES! Keep going! I'm about to cum! Fuck, I'm about to cuum!"
And cum she did, hard and long, while Ron's fingers and tongue kept pleasuring her. Ron almost winced due to the way she pulled on her hair and it crossed his mind that, should he continue to do this to her, he would be bald before he was forty years old.
"Oh, Ron …" she sighed, her chest heaving. Ron gave her one last long, slow licking and sat up, watching her. "Thank you," she said, smiling blissfully. "That was simply amazing."
"It was my pleasure."
"No, it was mine," she replied, smirking. She sighed again, closing her eyes contentedly. "You should live between my legs …"
"Fuck, Hermione …" he moaned. How did she manage to turn him on even more when he thought he was already at his limit?
Hermione opened her eyes and raised her body to a sitting position. Then, smiling at him, grabbed his cock and gave it a hard squeeze, sliding her hand up and down.
"Ohhh, fuck!"
"Mmh, you're so hard," she commented huskily. "You got so worked up eating me out, didn't you, Love?" she asked. "Licking my pussy makes you hard, doesn't it?"
"Fuck, yes. So hard!"
Hermione pushed him back and he fell onto the bed, his head beyond the bottom of the mattress. Smirking, Hermione grabbed his legs and, parting them, pulled him towards the headboard so he didn't have his head hanging and would be more comfortable. Next she manoeuvred so she was kneeling between legs and grasped his cock once more, stroking it with one hand and kneading his balls with the other.
"It looks delicious, Ron."
"Then suck it. Suck my balls, lick them, then suck my prick and swallow my cum," he blurted out, too affected by her hands to think before speaking.
"That sounds like an idea," she muttered and, lowering her body, she pushed his cock against his stomach so his bollocks were more accessible and began to lavish them with her tongue.
"Oh, yesss! That's it, Hermione! Lick my balls!"
"They're so soft," she commented, before taking one in her mouth. Ron groaned, and she released it and took the other in, rolling it inside and tonguing it. Ron raised his head so he could see Hermione between his legs, licking him. The sight was mind-blowing.
After paying attention to his sack for a while, she began to trace the vein of his shaft with her tongue, leaving a trail of saliva. Once at the tip, she flicked her tongue over the little slit, capturing the precum forming there and savouring it.
"Fuck, woman, you drive me fucking crazy …"
Hermione fixed her eyes on his and kept kissing and licking his cock, and even rubbing her cheeks against it. "Mmh, so soft …"
"Hermione, Merlin …"
She smiled and, cupping his sack, began to lick it up and down, covering it in her spit. Finally, after a while, she took mercy of him and, taking just the head in her mouth, sucked on it, hard.
"Fuck, yess! Suck on it, suck harder! Take it deeper!"
"Patience, Love," she said, releasing him, and Ron groaned.
"You're so —" but Ron didn't finish the sentence, because she took him in again. This time almost entirely, and, tightening her lips around him, slid up again, slowly, while her tongue swirled around his pole. "Fuuck, feels so good!"
And then Hermione really gave herself into the task, and began to suck him eagerly, lustfully even, worshipping his cock, intent on making him cum soon and hard.
"Cum for me, Ron, give me your hot seed," she muttered, and then engulfed him again.
Ron bucked his hips against her face, unable to hold himself. The blowjob she was giving him was spectacular, and she was kneading his balls so expertly he knew there was no way he was going to last.
"Hermionee, oh, fuck, I'm about to cum! Aaah, Merlin, keep sucking, keep sucking please!" he begged. He fisted the bedspread, his entire body on fire. Despite how much his body demanded that he closed his eyes, to better enjoy the feeling, he wanted to see her blowing him, so he looked down at her. And the image of her head bobbing up and down his cock, so committed to it, to his pleasure, her tits bouncing … It didn't matter that he had seen this image dozens of times already, it still blew his mind. His balls tightened, his cock swelled inside her sinful mouth —
"Cumming! I'm cumming, Hermione! Oh, fuck, swallow it all! Swallow it!" he yelled, his knuckles turning white, how tight he was clenching his fists. Hermione kept swallowing, taking every spurt he gave her while she hummed around him, savouring his seed.
Finally, his orgasm subsided, and Hermione gave him a last lick, taking every last drop from him, and, releasing his prick, she sat up, looking at him, a satisfied expression on her face.
"Merlin, Hermione … Such a good cocksucker …"
Hermione smirked at him, and then opened her mouth and showed him her tongue, his cum pooling on it.
"Fuck!" he swore, and she swallowed audibly.
"Mmh, I love your semen, Ron. Want to give me more?" she asked innocently, fondling him again and making sure he didn't go soft.
"I'd love to give you more," he said, still panting. "As much as you want."
"That sounds good," she said huskily.
"But I think I gave enough for your mouth, at least for the time being," he continued, and smiled lustfully at her. "I think the next load should be for your pussy, don't you think?"
"Yes, I think you're right," she nodded, biting her lower lip. "You certainly gave me a good load, Ron, and swallowing your come always makes me so wet …" she slid one hand down her body and caressed her brown curls above her cunt. "And right now I feel so empty … I could do with some cock up here, yes …" she commented casually, sliding one finger inside her. Ron groaned, and when she took the finger out and sucked on it seductively, he swore, his cock already hard in her other hand.
Driven crazy by her, he raised his torso, grabbed her by her hips and pulled her upon him. They stared at each other for a brief amount of time, her face above his, and then she kissed him hard. Ron put one hand on her ass and the other on her tits, kneading her roughly, his hips bucking under her. Without breaking the kiss, she straddled his hips and manoeuvred so the tip of his cock was positioned at her entrance. And then she pushed her hips down forcefully, burying his prick in her.
"Fuuck!" he exclaimed into her mouth when he felt his cock stretching her cunt.
"Ah, Ron, oh, I missed you inside me …"
"Fuck, yeah, ride me, Hermione!" he shouted.
Hermione started to move, slowly at first, but soon increased her rhythm, slamming down on him rather forcefully, and using her hands on his chest to leverage. Ron stared at her, benefitting from her horniness, and put his hands on her tits to squeeze them.
"Mmh, yes, Ron, yes, squeeze me. Fuck, I love your hands on my breasts while I fuck you … Oh … oh, ah, yes … so good, you feel fantastic!"
"So do you," he groaned, thrusting upwards to meet her. "So hot and tight ... and fuck, I love to see your tits bounce when you ride me!"
"Oh, mmh, right now they can't bounce, Ron, the way you're squeezing them … oh, yes …" she moaned, closing her eyes and biting her bottom lip.
Ron felt his balls tighten and thrust harder against her, lifting his bum of the bed each time. Hermione snapped her eyes open at once and fixed them on his.
"RON! Oh, God, yes! Yes, you're so deep! Oooh, God!"
"Fuck, Hermione, you're so tight, I love your pussy! Harder!"
Hermione went harder, as requested, and Ron's eyes rolled in their sockets, such was the pleasure she was giving him. He squeezed her tits harder, making her moan in such a way his balls tightened, and he could have cum on the spot. But he wanted her to cum first, to feel her clenching around his dick.
"Ron … Oh, God, I'm so close …" she moaned, moving faster, her hands roaming over his chest. Ron smirked lustfully at her and thrust upwards a bit harder to help her along. Hermione let out a loud moan and threw her head backwards, exposing her sensual neck. Ron groaned at the sight and pinched her nipples with one hand, sliding the other down her body to her crotch, putting his thumb on her clit, and then moved it around.
"RON!" she screamed, opening her eyes wide in surprise. "Oh, fuck, yes! More, more! I'm — OH, FUCK, COMIING! I'M COMING, RON! OOH, OH, FUCK!"
Ron countered her bouncing with his own and kept stroking her clit, making her orgasm longer and stronger, until her movements became too erratic and, feeling too sensitive, she slapped his hand away and slumped over him, panting heavily.
"Good?" he asked.
"Mmmh," was the only response. "Amazing."
Grinning, Ron kissed her on the cheek, and then, moving closer to her ear, whispered, "what about my cock? It's still so hard, and my bollocks so full of cum …"
Hermione raised her head a bit, her hair completely on disarray around her face (making her, to Ron's eyes, incredibly cute and sexy) and stared at him, still a bit dreamy.
"Then we should dispose of it properly, shouldn't we?"
"Yeah, we should."
"And where should we do that, so you can make a fresh batch?" she asked playfully, lowering her head to bit slightly on his lower lip.
"I think your cunt is a very nice place for it, don't you think?"
"Yes, the best," she nodded, pecking him seductively before biting on his lip once more. "Though my mouth comes pretty close …"
"And your fantastic ass, I must add," he said.
"Yes, that too … But not tonight. However …" she said, and, moving away from him, got on her hands and knees, raising her ass in the air and shaking it invitingly. "What about my pussy from behind?"
"Fuck, yesss!" he hissed, getting on his knees and crawling behind her as quick as he could, his cock demanding release. Hermione looked at him from over her shoulder and smirked, biting her lower lip, her eyes smouldering with desire. She shook her ass again. The movement caught Ron's eye and he groaned at the view.
"Fuck, you look so hot," he commented, putting his hands on her ass.
"I'd look even better with your cock in my cunt."
"Yes, definitively," he said, and, positioning himself, he took a second to savour the moment and thrust forward, burying his cock into her to the hilt, revelling at how snug and slippery she felt.
"Oh, Ron!"
"Fuck, so good … so tight," she moaned, starting to fuck her. He didn't bother with starting slow, and went for it from the beginning, slamming into her hard and fast, his mind set on cumming. Her licked his lips as he watched his hips collide with her buttocks, making them ripple deliciously. Fuck, he loved taking her like this, it felt simply spectacular, and she looked so devoted to him, to his pleasure … "Merlin, Hermione, your cunt is incredible. Fuck I wanna cum!"
"Yes, Ron, yes! Come inside me!" she encouraged him, turning her head to look at him again. "Fuck me hard and fast, pound me!"
"Fuck, yes! Gonna fuck your pussy so hard you'll feel me even after I pull out!" he groaned, grabbing her ass so hard he would leave fingerprints on her flesh and going even harder. "Oh, fuck, yes, yesss, it's so good … take it, take it!"
In response, Hermione moaned louder, too, and, to his surprise, clenched her inner muscles. Feeling that, Ron swore loudly, and, wanting to keep his speed, put more strength into it to fight her added tightness. The final sensation was so strong that his little self-control snapped and he went over the edge, spending himself inside her in long spurts.
"Oh, fuuck, fuck, FUCK! So good, Hermione! So fucking good!" he yelled as he gave the last and deep thrusts and deposited every drop of his semen in her body. Finally, when he stopped moving, he lowered his body and gave her a kiss on her back, while his cock softened a bit and slipped out of her well-fucked hole.
"It was good, I get," she commented, dropping onto the bed and turning her head to the side.
"Fucking good," he nodded, lying next to her, on his side, a very happy smile on his face.
Hermione giggled a bit and kissed him briefly on the lips before resting her head on the pillow once more.
"Tired?" he asked her, caressing her nude back up and down.
"Mmh, yes …" she smiled. "Why? Do you want another round?"
Ron shrugged, grinning. "You know I'm always ready for another round, love."
Hermione looked down, at his almost limp cock, and touched it, feigning disapproval. "I'm afraid this —" she began to say, but shut up at once when his dick twitched in her hand. Ron smiled smugly at her. "OK, you win. You're always ready," she conceded.
"Which you love."
"Which I love," she admitted. She let out a sigh and yawned. "Though I think I'd like to sleep now."
"Yes, it's been a hard day."
She nodded, her smile vanishing.
Ron got closer to her and took her in his arms so she was snuggled against him. "I'm with you, Hermione. Always."
"I know. I love you, Ron."
"I love you too," he responded, kissing her on the forehead.
— o —
When Ron woke up next morning, Hermione was still deep asleep, her back against him and her hair all over the pillow. Ron yawned and rubbed his eyes, and then raised his body to look at her, grinning at how cute and beautiful she looked. He knew she wouldn't believe him, what with her hair, puffy eyes and all that, but Ron couldn't imagine a more beautiful sight, specially if, like now, she was completely starkers. His cock jolted, even though he couldn't really see her body, hidden under the blankets.
Moving very slowly, he lifter the blankets a bit, and she shifted on the bed, now lying on her back, and Ron was treated to the view of her voluptuous breasts. He let his hungry eyes roam down her slender body, over her tummy and towards her legs. He lifter the blankets a bit more, and he saw that she had one stretched out, and the other bent at the knee, creating a triangle between them and exposing the soft curls of her pussy.
He looked at her face again, and grinned inwardly. He had never woken up her this way (she had done it to him twice), but today seemed like the perfect day, wasn't it?
Sliding under the blankets carefully, so not to awaken her, he manoeuvred to get between her legs and, very softly, pushed them apart to open her to him completely. He licked his lips and, with a last glance up, he lowered his head and licked her entire slit from bottom to top.
At once, she shuddered, yet didn't wake up. His smile broadening, he did it again, and again, this time making sure to circle her clit before repeating the motion.
She let out a soft whimper and squirmed on the bed, unconsciously opening her legs more to him, which he took advantage of to spread her lips with his fingers and thrust his tongue into her, initiating a slow tongue-fucking.
"Mmmh, aaah … oh, mmh …" she moaned, her hands sliding down her torso. "It feels … it — Ooh, Ron!" she cried suddenly.
Ron looked up, still moving his tongue inside her, and found her with her head raised, staring at him with eyes like saucers.
"What are you — Oh, oh, yes!" she moaned, falling again and arching her body. Her hands found his head and pressed him more against her centre as she opened her legs even further to give him more access.
"Good morning, love," he muttered against her pussy, sticking his tongue out to lap at her clit.
"Fuck, so good," she said, looking at him again. "Don't stop, Ron, it feels great!"
"Like my surprise, do you?" he asked, feasting on her once more.
"Oh, yes, yes! You should wake me up like this every day!"
"Mmh," was his only response, as he didn't want to stop what he was doing. And, even if he had wanted, she was now pressing her so hard into her pussy that it would be very difficult. It was obvious that she wanted to come, and wasn't going to let him go until he made her.
Very turned on by that realisation, he put all his efforts to achieve just that, fucking her with his tongue before sucking on her clit while he put two fingers inside her.
Hermione was now having a hard time keeping still, her body arching and moving and squirming. Ron felt her hands leave his head, and, looking up, watched her move them to her breasts to squeeze them and pinch her nipples. His cock, hard as steel, twitched, wanting nothing more than to be where his fingers were.
"Like that, like that, Ron! Oh, yes, yes, yes, I'm — Ooooh, cumming! Gods, Ron, don't stop, don't — oh, fuck!" she screamed, convulsing on the bed. Ron felt her pussy contract around his fingers and her juices coat his hand completely as he kept licking her clit, stopping only when she became too sensitive to let him continue.
"Good morning again," raising his body and crawling towards her head while he licked his lips.
Hermione opened her eyes, her gaze feral, and, grabbing his head, brought it down to hers and snogged him passionately, invading his mouth with her tongue and practically sucking on his lips.
"Whoa," he said, when they broke apart. "You usually complain about my morning breath."
"You taste like me," she explained, her expression utterly content and relaxed. "I love my taste on your mouth."
"Especially due to the reason I taste like you."
"Yes, especially because of that," she nodded, grinning. She gave him another kiss. "You're hard, aren't you?"
Ron arched his eyebrows and lowered his body over hers, letting her feel his hardness against her thigh. "It almost offends me that you're making that question."
"Oh, I'm sure I can make up to you," she replied, smiling coyly. "What if I suck that hard, big, wonderful piece of meat until you come in my mouth?"
"I was thinking of your hot, tight pussy, if I am sincere."
"Later," she said, pushing him off her and rolling them over so she was on top of him. "I want to taste you first."
And with those words, she scooted down, leaving a trail of kisses down his body until she reached his dick and, without preamble, took in her mouth almost to the hilt.
"Oh, fuck …" he moaned, both at the feeling and the sight. Well, if she wanted cum for breakfast, who was him to deny her? "Suck it, Hermione. Take it deeper, make me cum hard."
Hermione didn't hesitate, and started bobbing her head at a frantic pace, taking him almost to the root before sliding back up clenching her lips for maximum friction and swirling her tongue around his tip.
"Oh, fuck … fuck, Hermione, I love the way you suck my cock … fuck, so good! Keep going!"
She hummed around him and sucked harder, moving one hand to his balls, which she kneaded ardently and expertly. He could almost imagine the cum churning in them, ready to be fired into her delicious, hot mouth …
Fuck.
Wanting more, he began to thrust upwards, slowly but decidedly. Hermione looked at him, her eyes full of determination and lust. They hold gazes as their movements intensified. Ron could feel a strong climax approaching, and wanted to see her take him all and swallow, making sure not a single drop was wasted.
"Almost there, Hermione," he hissed, his hands gripping the sheets hard. "Suck it hard … suck it hard …"
Hermione managed to do so, her eyes darkening, and something snapped inside Ron.
"FUUCK, YES!" He began to shoot into her mouth. At once, Hermione moved up a bit, grasping the rest of his length in her hand and stroking it fast, and, as he spurted, she moved the tip of her tongue to his hole, playing with it. "OOH, FUCK, HERMIONE, YES! YESYESYES!" he yelled, his hips bucking into her mouth until, spent, his body sagged and he closed his eyes, feeling utterly relaxed, enjoying Hermione still licking and sucking on his sensitive cock.
After a few seconds, she released him and Ron opened his eyes, smiling dazedly at her. She opened her mouth, showed him a pool of his cum on her tongue, and then swallowed audibly, making and exaggerated gesture and noise, and if she had just ate the most delicious dish in the world.
"Glad you like it, Love."
"It's so tasty and creamy," she muttered seductively.
She lay on top of him, almost straddling his body, and they shared a long kiss. Ron put his hands on her back and began to caress her, eager to continue, but he saw her looking at her clock.
"Hermione?" he asked, stopping his hands.
"My parents must be already up," she commented.
Ron turned his head and saw it was half past eight. "Oh, yeah."
Hermione sighed and rested her head on his shoulder, her expression sad, and Ron knew that the mood was gone.
"Do you want to get up? See if — if they have made a decision?"
Hermione just nodded.
They got dressed in silence, and then, together, went down. Ron couldn't help but feel nervous, though, thinking about the conversation that awaited them. It was a decision too complicated to be taken in just a single night, wasn't it?
"Good morning," Hermione's mum said when she saw them enter the kitchen. She was finishing preparing breakfast and Ron noticed how serious she looked.
"Where — where is dad?" Hermione asked tentatively.
"In the backyard," she answered. "He'll come in soon. You can sit down."
They did as told, and a tense silence fell over the kitchen. Hermione's mum was putting the las things on the table when they heard a door opening and then closing. A few seconds later, Mr Granger entered the kitchen.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, Dad."
"Good morning, Will."
"Breakfast's ready, dear," his wife said.
The two of them sat at the table, and they all began to eat. Ron had been hungry, but now, with the thick tension in the air, he wasn't sure he would be able to.
Hermione must feel the same, because, a bit later, he dropped her spoon after having eaten just a spoonful and, letting out a sigh, looked at her parents.
"Did you — did you think about what we t-talked last night?" she asked nervously.
Her parents exchanged a look before focusing on her again.
"Yes," her father said.
"And?" Hermione asked, when neither one of her parents said anything else.
Her father sighed. "We'll do it."
"What?" she asked. "You mean —?"
"Yes," he nodded sadly. Ron saw her mother's eyes get moist.
"Mum," Hermione whispered.
She covered her mouth with her hand and shook her head.
"We've spent half the night talking about this, Hermione," her father continued. "This has been the hardest decision ever, but, if you both are so sure it's the only way to be safe … We don't want you to be distracted worrying about us instead of concentrating in your — mission, whatever it is."
"Thank you," Hermione said, her voice hoarse. She was on the verge of tears, too, and Ron, instinctively, took one of her hands in his.
"Come with us, the both of you," her mother blurted out at once. "Please, Hermione, you're too young to be fighting in a war. Harry can come as well, just — just —"
"Mum, I can't do that," Hermione replied, her voice quivering.
"Why?" she exclaimed. "Why not? This — this is insane, Hermione!"
"Because fleeing won't solve anything, Mum!" Hermione yelled, tears streaming down her cheeks. "We've already talked about t-this. The longer we wait to stop him, the harder it'll be and more people will d-die. The only way to be safe is to fight him."
Her mother shook her head.
"Jane, we've talked about this," said William, whose eyes were also wet.
"It's so unfair. So unfair and so hard."
"This is not easy for me, either," said Hermione. "I hate that you've got to go. I'm sorry that, because of —"
"No," her mother said sternly, interrupting her. "Unfair as it is, it is not your fault, Hermione."
"But —"
"I said no," her mother cut in.
Hermione wiped out her tears and nodded, unable to talk.
Clearing his throat, Ron decided to intervene to move things along. "Now that you've made your choice, we should make the arrangements. When do you want to leave?"
Hermione's parents exchanged a look. "We haven't talked about that."
"It should be soon," Hermione piped in. "We've still got to arrange a few things, but it shouldn't take longer than a few hours."
"One day …" her mother muttered.
"Yes, I suppose there's no point in delaying it," her father said dejectedly. "After breakfast we should start packing, then."
His wife nodded. "I suppose." She looked at Hermione. "Will you help me?"
Hermione nodded, gulping.
And so, after a sombre breakfast, Hermione went to help her mother to pack. Ron popped into The Burrow to explain the situation to his parents and tell them that Hermione needed him. His mother, of course, made a great fuss over the whole situation. Ron couldn't help but smile at how concerned she was over his girlfriend. She even suggested that he contacted his father, as the Ministry could made things easier, but Ron refused vehemently, saying that Hermione had everything covered. They couldn't trust the Ministry.
"She'll be staying, here, won't she?" his mum asked finally, just when Ron was about to leave. "She won't be staying alone in that house."
"Yes, she'll come here."
"Good," his mother said, sighing. "Go, then, and be careful."
Ron Disapparated back to Hermione's backyard, startling Hermione's father, who had just got out of the house.
"Sorry," Ron said, noticing how he had put his hand over his heart, breathing rapidly.
"Don't worry. It's just difficult to get accustomed to it, noisy as it is."
"Yeah, I know."
"I was going to go to the garage, care to help me?"
"'Course."
Together they went in, and Hermione's father opened the cars to retrieve some documents. Then he took a look around, and, sighing, moved towards his motorcycle.
"What's going to happen to it?" he asked, turning to look at Ron. "The house is still protected by your spell, right?"
Ron thought about it for a moment before answering. "Technically yes, but as no one will be living here, the protection will be much less strong. However, that also would mean that the Death Eaters won't have a reason to break in, but well, with them one can never know."
Hermione's dad nodded sadly.
"But we can take care of the motorcycle and the cars," Ron added. He took his wand and pointed it to the Harley. "Reducio!"
At once, the motorcycle started to shrink, and only stopped when it was the size of a toy. Then Ron summoned it and caught it in his hands. "I can take it with me, and the cars too, and keep them safe at The Burrow." He pointed his wand at the cars and, first one, and then the other, were also shrunk.
"Thank you, Ron."
Ron simply shrugged. "It's the least I can do."
They went back into the house. Hermione and her mother were climbing down the stairs, several large suitcases floating behind them. Ron looked around and didn't fail to notice how empty it looked, without all the family photos.
"We just packed the most essential things," her mother commented. "Whatever we can't take with us that it's personal and valuable, Hermione has shrunk it and will take with her to The Burrow."
"We did the same with the cars and the motorcycle," Ron said.
"But how are we going to get to the airport?"
"Apparating," Hermione explained. "I don't want any Death Eater knowing how you left. We'll Apparate into Heathrow, in a secure place."
"Okay then."
"Let's go over the plan, okay?" Hermione said, feeling uncomfortable.
Her father nodded and they sat on the couch. Hermione produced the folder with the documents and the enchanted rings.
"Once we're in the airport, you'll put on these rings. They're enchanted, so, to everyone else, you'll look completely different. But not to each other," she quickly added, seeing as her mother had opened her mouth in protest. "You must keep them on always. Its magic derives from the protective spell we cast upon the house, so, besides making sure you're unrecognisable, it'll give you some additional protection. Get it?"
Both her parents nodded.
She showed them their new documents. "These documents are enchanted, too. Not only will they give you new identities, but, by showing them, any procedure you've got to endure will be easier. With this you won't have problems getting your money in new bank accounts and will make easy dealing with any authorities. It'll also help you get to an hotel and acquire a house or a flat to live in. Inside the folder are written instructions and other things that will help you to settle in your new lives there."
"You seemed to have thought about everything," her father commented, impressed.
"Of course I have. I want to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible, and that I'll be able to find you quickly once everything's over."
"So we're ready, then?" Ron asked.
"The only thing left is the plane tickets to Sidney, but I pre-booked them. I'll just call the airline and confirm the — the date," Hermione answered, getting up and moving towards the phone.
Fortunately, there were seats available for a fly that same evening, and so everything was arranged. Afterwards, they made sure everything they needed was packed, and what they didn't but wanted to keep safe was in a bag Hermione has charmed with an Extension Charm. Lots of things would be left in the house, but it weren't really valuable.
The four of them had lunch together. The three Grangers wanted to enjoy their last hours together in Merlin knew how much time, but it was obvious to Ron that nobody was really having any fun. The prospect of what was to come was too gloomy, and, though no one mentioned it, Ron knew that the Grangers were wondering if they would ever see their daughter again.
And seeing them, sitting on the couch, Hermione snuggled between her parents as they watched the TV without really seeing it, Ron swore on his Magic that they would be reunited again.
Finally, the time to leave arrived, sooner than anyone would have liked, and Hermione's mother went to the bathroom before Apparating to the airport.
Her father looked around, at his house, and then turned to face Ron and Hermione, who were standing together. His eyes were moist. "I've lived in this house for almost twenty years," he told them. "We bought it six months after we got married, and you were conceived here," he added, looking at Hermione. "It's the home of our family."
"I know, Dad," Hermione muttered, tears running down her face. "We'll put even more protection around it. And whatever harm it may undergo, we'll fix it before retrieving you."
Her father nodded, unable to utter any words. Then Hermione's mother come back, walking slowly, as if dreading the moment to leave. When she reached them she let out a deep sigh and just said, "Ready."
Hermione shrank their suitcases for easy transportation, and then the four or them grabbed each other's hands. Turning on the spot, Hermione Apparated them to an empty room in Heathrow.
"God!" her mother said, clearly feeling a bit dizzy by the experience. Ron grabbed her by her arm, fearing she would fall to the floor, but she managed to stay on her feet. Hermione's father just dropped onto a bench, taking deep breaths.
"That's a bit nauseating," he commented, grimacing.
"The effect will pass soon," Ron told them.
Not saying anything, Hermione took her wand and restored their luggage's original size, then gave them the enchanted rings. Her parents took them, a bit apprehensively.
"Do — do you feel better?" Hermione asked, her voice hoarse. Ron knew she was on the verge of tears and was making a great effort not to cry.
"Yes, yes," her mother said.
William got up, and the four of them just stood there, looking sad and uncomfortable.
"Well, I — I suppose this is — well, goodbye," her father managed to say after a few, long moments of silence.
Hermione nodded quickly. "Yes, you — you should check in s-soon."
For a moment, parents and daughter just stared at one another, drinking in their appearances, wondering when they would see the other party again, if it happened, and then, suddenly, they were embracing and sobbing.
"I love y-you," muttered Hermione. "I love you so m-much."
"I know, sweetie," her mother replied, caressing her wild hair. She, too, was crying. "We love you too, and we're so proud of you."
Ron felt his own eyes moisten.
Neither one of the Grangers seemed to want to be the first one to break the family hug, but, eventually, they pulled away.
Hermione's dad stared at her and caressed her cheek, a sad smile appearing on his face. "Yesterday you were my little, incredibly mature and smart girl, and now you're an incredibly mature, smart and beautiful woman, who's got a wonderful man as a boyfriend, is about to fight in a war and taking care of her old parents."
Hermione let out a humourless, strangled chuckle. "Y-You're not o-old."
Her dad smiled again and shook his head. He looked at Ron. "Come here, Son."
Ron gave a few steps towards them, until he was next to Hermione. Her father put his hands on their shoulders. "Promise me you'll take care of each other, and of Harry."
"I promise, Will," Ron said, his voice weak.
"I p-promise," Hermione said.
Her father nodded and gave a step back. Hermione's mum hugged them both. "Take care, please," she begged, and gave them a kiss on the cheek.
After a bit, she released them and moved next to her husband. Both couples, young and old, looked at the other.
"We've got to go," Hermione's dad said, and his wife nodded. They put on their rings, and suddenly, to Ron and Hermione William and Jane Granger vanished, replaced by Wendell and Monica Wilkins. They grabbed their luggage.
"Have fun at the wedding, okay?" her mother told them with a smile, whilst tears ran down her face. Hermione just nodded, unable to talk. Ron grabbed her hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
And then her parents turned round and, without another glance, left the room, leaving them alone.
Knowing that Hermione was about to break down, he quickly Apparated them back to the living room of her house. Immediately, Hermione put her arms around his neck and cried into his chest, her body rocking with the force of her sobs.
Ron looked down at her, his sight becoming blurry due to the tears. He caressed her back in a comforting manner and kissed the top of her head repeatedly, trying to convey how much he loved her. "It'll be okay, Hermione," he muttered, hoping he sounded surer than he felt. "They'll be okay." He gave her another kiss and embraced her tightly, pressing her against his body. "I love you. You're so incredibly brave and I love you much."
"I — I l-love you t-t-too," she sobbed, her voice muffled. "Hug me, Ron. P-please, j-just hug m-me and never let me g-g-go."
"Never," he said, squeezing her even harder. "I'll never let you go."
Somehow, they ended up sitting on the sofa, still embracing, Ron trying to offer her comfort but feeling he was failing miserably.
After a while, Ron didn't know how long, Hermione moved and pulled away from him. Wiping out her eyes, she got up and, with a look of determination on her face, she took out her wand and began casting Conservation spells all around, which would ensure the house remained just as it was. Next she added even more protective charms to make it harder for the Death Eaters to enter unscathed.
Once she was done, they went up to her room. Hermione finished packing her things, leaving the room devoid of any personality, and then turned to Ron. "Take me to The Burrow."
Ron nodded and, grabbing her hand, Apparated them just outside the property. Night had almost fallen, and the crooked house was alight.
"Ready?" he asked her. Hermione nodded. "Let's go home, then," he added, and, hand in hand, walked towards the kitchen door.
Some of you have commented about how understanding Hermione's parents are. Well, I always felt they are pretty liberal, as they allow Hermione to spend most of the year away, not just at Hogwarts but with the Weasleys. Regarding the war, besides Hermione's father having his own father as a young soldier, it's not different than the Weasleys allow Ron to become one of Harry's decoys. They're of age, and they're at war. As much as they hate it, they understand that it must be done.
And here there's no need to modify memories. As a result of Hermione's parents learning the whole truth during Easter, she can tell them the truth, and yet increase their protection thanks to the Magic she and Ron cast on the house. This is a change that I really liked.
Now, as I had told you, I am working in a couple of one shots that I hope will be posted in a few days, so keep an eye open for them!