- I remember. When I was little, you called me that and I really didn't like it'
With teary eyes, Molly hugged her son and Arthur put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Ron happily smiled and said that he was going to bed. The day was pretty tiring and as soon as his head touched the pillow he felt deeply asleep. He woke up the next morning around 10am, sun shining through his bedroom. He put on clothes and went down for breakfast. He saw no one except for a short message written on a piece of paper from his mother saying that she was out, getting some groceries but if he needed anything his father was probably in the garage.
Ron ate the delicious food and went upstairs where he examined his bedroom walls and all the posters hung on them. National sport teams, pictures of Harry and he in school uniforms. His graduation diploma. Holidays pictures with the whole family, he recognized every member of the Weasley family. Pictures of Harry and Hermione, laughing besides him. He could not stop staring at Hermione's face, 20 years old, smiling and shining. To have seen her so disturbed yesterday, even without remembering who she was, had moved Ron more than he could have admit. She must have loved him very much. And he too because they seemed to know each other for a very long time and even got married.
Ron went down again when his mother called him to come and have lunch. He then spent his afternoon with his dad and walked in the fields close to the Burrow. The week went by quickly and sunday was quickly there. He woke up early and helped his mother for the preparation. He then welcomed the first guests, Percy, Penelope and Molly. The little girl jumped on him to greet him. Ron answered joyfully, Percy was touched. Then came Bill, Fleur, Victoire and baby Teddy, Georges and Angelina. Everybody was chattering, Ron was playing with Molly, when the doorbell rang.
'- Ronnie honey, could go and get it, please? It's probably your sister!
- Sure thing Mom, I'll go.'
He left his niece and opened the door. His mother was completely right, Harry shook his hand, Ginny hugged him and they entered the house, leaving Ron with a third person, following them. Ron was enable to hide his surprise:
'- Hermione?! Hi…
- Hello Ron. How are you?' asked Hermione, looking down at her feet.
'- Good, I'm good thanks. Please, come in…'
She looked up and thanked him with a smile. She walked by him to enter the house and some of her perfume came to Ron's nose, tickling his memory. She took her coat out and, followed by Ron, joined everyone in the living room.
Mrs Weasley was the first one to see them. She ran to Hermione and hugged her tightly.
'- Oh sweetie, it's so nice to see you!
- Thank you Mrs Weasley, I'm very happy to see all of you. Sorry if we are late, I'm the one responsible.
- No worries darling, I understand. Now that everyone is here, let's go eat!'
To his biggest despair, Ron was not sitting next to Hermione. He wished he could have asked her some questions, about him, about her, about them. He did not have the chance. She was laughing with his brothers and Ginny, she seemed happy and at ease which warmed Ron's heart. He could not forget the look she had when they realized that he had forgotten everything in the hospital. To see her smiling and uncaring was really reassuring.
'- Ronnie, honey, come help me with the dessert!
- Yes mom.' Ron answered.
Mrs Weasley had prepare a chocolate cake that everyone loved. Ron was in charge of giving the plates, he gave one to Angelina, Ginny, Fleur, the little Molly. Then he went back to the kitchen to pick up other plates. He came close to Hermione, gave her a piece of cake and whispered:
'- No whipped cream for you, because you don't like it.'
The look Hermione got him by surprise. She answered whispering too:
'- You remembered?'
Ron hesitated but chose to tell her the truth.
'- I… No, mom told it to me before I gave you your plate.
- Oh…
When he saw her eyes getting teary again, I knew he had made a mistake. She thanked him anyway, a sad tone in her voice and he backed away. Hermione did not say much more after the lunch and when the night was starting she said she was going back home. A really important file was waiting on her desk. Ron was still mad at himself because of the cake incident and tried to apologize while accompanying her to the door. She did not say a word, looked at him and raising on her feet, she kissed him on the right cheek. She then joined, without looking back, Percy and Penelope, heading to London. Ron went back inside and sat next to Harry in silence, finishing the evening with everyone else.
TO BE CONTINUED
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