AN: I HATE transitionary chapters, so I apologise in advance for the low quality of this one. I've written it 5,000,000 times. It's a chapter that had to happen so we could move on with the story. I have spiced it up but yeah, don't judge my writing purely on this chapter! :) Thank you for all you kind comments; as usual please leave me more if you enjoyed this, or even if you didn't (as long as you're constructive)! xxx
The Weasley family throw a celebration to remember the end of the Battle of Hogwarts as well as celebrate Victoire's birthday. While there, Ron and Harry get some unexpected news.
The furore around Dobby's Law continued for a few weeks, although luckily Hermione didn't receive any more Howlers, and as the Wizarding community adjusted to the new laws and practices, the attention soon died down. With the Auror department dealing with any serious transgressions, Hermione passed the every-day running of the new House-Elf division of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures over to Betsy, who was a surprisingly great leader and excelled in the position.
Kingsley offered Hermione an empty office in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement so that she had a space to focus on helping MACUSA develop their own house-elf laws, although she mostly preferred to work in her study at Primrose Cottage. She would write in the mornings then spend her afternoons and early evenings flooing the American Ministry. With Ron's long hours at training, she was grateful for the flexibility as otherwise, she'd hardly see him, even with them living in the same house.
The year soon turned from Winter to Spring and with it came the third anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts. The trio was once again asked to attend the Ministry's ceremonial events which they agreed to reluctantly. This year, Harry made a speech reminding the community of the need to be tolerant and unified, putting emphasis on species and beings working together in homage to Hermione's work to provide equality to house-elves.
The Weasley family had decided to hold their own celebration event the weekend after the official ceremonies. They'd all agreed that it would give them a chance to remember Fred, Lupin, Tonks, and anyone else they may have lost as well as celebrate Victoire's birthday in their own special way.
Hermione woke late that Saturday morning with the feel of Ron's eyes on her. They had spent last night at the Leaky Cauldron with the rest of their school friends and there was a faint pounding behind her eyes. She carefully rolled onto her back and forced her eyes open, smiling as she was greeted with Ron's freckly face.
"Stop watching me sleep…" She lifted a hand, sliding it around his neck and forcing him down for a kiss.
Ron laughed and returned her kiss willing before pulling away and rubbing his nose against hers.
"I just can't help it – you woke me up about half an hour ago with your snoring but you looked so cute. Did you know when you sleep your brow looks goes all wrinkled and furrowed? I can't work out if you're telling me off in your sleep or thinking up another plan to save the world…"
"Shut up!" Hermione laughed and kissed him again.
Ron let himself melt into her kisses, carefully lowering his weight over her body. It was so easy for her to distract him and for a moment, he'd forgotten about all their plans for the day. He summoned all his self-control and tore his lips from hers, grinning at the frustrated moan that escaped from her.
"I brought you up a cup of tea. We promised mum we'd be over this morning to help her decorate the garden…"
Hermione sighed and pouted up at Ron. Although she was excited for the family BBQ they'd planned, she'd also had a really long week and a late night and she wanted nothing more than to stay in bed with Ron for the day. The late morning sun was shining through the window though and she thought there were definitely worse ways to spend the day than eating and drinking too much with Ron and his family. And after all, they'd agreed with Harry and Ginny last night to make sure the day was good for Molly.
"Okay – is your Dad still claiming he's going to be King of the BBQ today?!" She carefully sat up once Ron had moved off her.
"Yeah but I reckon he has competition in Fleur…" Ron smirked. "I don't care, it's more tasty meat for us!"
"Absolutely – I can't wait…"
She took her cup of tea from him and drank it quickly. Ron always made the best tea. "Okay, I feel more human now…" She started to move out of bed. "Want to save time and shower with me?"
"I'm not going to say no…" Ron smirked, almost falling out of the bed as he scrambled to join her.
An hour later, Ron and Hermione walked up to the Burrow; fingers tightly entwined with each other's and their hands swinging between them. It was uncharacteristically warm for the time of the year and they'd decided to make the most of it and walk across the lanes from Primrose Cottage. As soon as Molly spotted them, they were assigned decorating duties at different ends of the garden; almost as if she had engineered it that way to keep them apart. Hermione reminded herself that it was just coincidence, they were no longer school children after all.
By lunchtime, the rest of the family had joined them. Bill & Fleur had turned up last with Victoire since she was the guest of honour. Soon enough, she was running riot with Teddy Lupin in charge of her, music was playing out across the garden and the smell of burnt sausages filled the air.
Ron started working his way back to Hermione after having a drink with his brothers when he suddenly found himself tackled to the floor by the toddlers. He roughhoused with them, wrestling with them carefully and laughing as they erupted into fits of giggles and shrieks. Although Teddy wasn't a blood relative, he'd spent a lot of time at the Burrow with his Gran; automatically being added to the additional members the Weasley family seemed to attract like magnets.
Suddenly, a screech owl flew across the yard, landing on Harry's shoulder. Ron frowned as Harry took the note from the owl and Teddy took the opportunity of Ron being momentarily being distracted to elbow drop him in the stomach. He let out a loud groan of pain and grabbed Teddy by the ankles, carrying him upside down to Harry.
"What's the note?" He held Teddy up high, laughing as the squirming toddler's hair turned from red to dark black as he got near Harry.
"Here… read it… and I'll take my Godson before you drop him on his head…" Harry laughed as they carefully swapped and Ron leaned against a nearby table to read the note.
Hermione had been watching Teddy, Victoire and Ron wrestle with a fond smile as she stood with a glass of wine with Fleur and Ginny. She frowned as she watched Harry read the note the owl had delivered then pass it to Ron. Ron's reaction to the message made her stomach lurch in concern.
As Harry and Ron continued to talk, their heads bent close together with a squirming Teddy in between them, Hermione carefully nudged Ginny in the side.
"What do you think is going on there?"
Ginny followed Hermione's gaze, frowning as she watched her husband and brother talk secretly. She narrowed her eyes and then shrugged.
"The Quidditch scores have probably come in and they're dissecting them! Whoever won today will play the Harpies next weekend and all Harry has done is talk about the game!" She rolled her eyes and took a sip from her glass.
Hermione laughed and finished her glass before excusing herself to go to the toilet. She headed upstairs to the sole bathroom, relishing in getting a couple of minutes peace and quiet. The Burrow was always so crazy and loud and something was always happening; even in the direct aftermath of the war and although Hermione had adjusted well to it over the years, as an only child it sometimes got too much for her.
She'd discovered early on in her friendship with Ron and Harry that the trick was to take breaks little and often.
She finished washing her hands and unlocked the bathroom door. Before she could step out onto the landing, a sudden flash of ginger pushed her back into the room and relocked the door. The person eagerly sought out her lips as he manhandled her further into the room.
"Oh Charlie, do be careful – Ron's still in the garden…" Hermione laughed into the hungry kiss before submitting to it, closing her eyes as she felt a moan rumble low in her throat.
"I'm going to ignore that…" Ron laughed as he tore his lips from hers teasingly, brushing his lips instead against the side of her face.
"I would have thought you'd have gone for Bill instead…" He whispered, his breath hot on her ear. He nudged his nose affectionately against her cheek in a way that showed her he was only teasing before pressing a soft kiss to the line of her jaw, trailing his way down her neck.
Hermione felt a wave of arousal as she thought of everyone still downstairs at the party but before she could even let out a moan, Ron pressed his lips hard against hers again. She felt a hand at her thigh as he hoisted her up and she immediately wrapped her legs around his waist. Another of her moans disappeared against his lips as she felt him press her up against the wall, grounding his excitement against her.
Ron desperately needed Hermione and from the noise she was making, he was pretty sure she needed him just as badly. He used the wall to balance her as his spare hand unfastened his belt hastily, letting his jeans fall to his ankles before expertly removing her knickers. Without warning, he plunged into her; almost crying out in pain as she bit his lip in reaction.
"Bloody hell Hermione…" He nipped at her jawline as he started thrusting into her, keeping up with the fast, desperate pace of their tryst. He watched as her eyes closed again and her head fell back against the wall as he continued to paint frenzied kisses across her jaw.
"I love you, Ron…" Hermione's words were breathless as her pleasure started to build. It only took him sliding his hand between them and pressing gently against her bud before she started shuddering against him; her toes curling inside her shoes. He didn't let up his pace, continuing to thrust hard as he chased his own climax. It didn't take long before he felt his own release, shaking from the sheer intensity of the moment.
He placed his lips back on hers, kissing her softly as his thrusts eventually slowed. He pulled away and carefully let Hermione down, laughing as she wobbled from the effect of his assault.
"What was that about?" Hermione reached for his wand as they redressed, performing scougify to clean them both up.
"Spotted you coming up here and I couldn't resist…" He gazed down at her, an affectionate look in his eyes. He cupped her cheek, stroking the skin with his thumb. "Harry and I got an owl; we've been summoned to a briefing tonight…"
"You're going on a mission?" Hermione frowned, her post-orgasm bubble popping in the most brutal way as her stomach flipped with nerves for him.
"Apparently." Ron sighed. "The ridiculous thing is we've waited fucking months for this to come and there's no indication if it's a real one or just a part of our training. Either way, we'll still be assessed on it…"
Hermione sighed. "How long will you be gone?"
"Who knows? I could be back tomorrow, or I could be back next week. We'll find out later…"
"I guess we knew this moment was going to come eventually…" She lifted her spare hand to rearrange his fringe. She must have had her hands in his hair earlier, although she couldn't remember doing it. "Can you tell me what the mission is…"
"Later…" Ron glanced wearily at the bathroom door. "We should go back to the party before anyone has noticed we're both missing…"
Hermione nodded and carefully unlocked the door, checking that the coast was clear before heading back downstairs with him; her fingers once again entwined tightly with his. They re-joined the family just as they started to sing happy birthday to Victoire.
Harry felt them appear next to him and he turned his head, raising his eyebrows at the pair. Hermione blushed but glared back at her best friend, almost daring him to say something but he just turned back around, a smug smile on his face. Hermione laughed and let Ron drape an arm over her shoulder, cuddling tightly against his chest.
Once the candles had been blown, the cake cut and Victoire put down for a nap; the trainee Aurors made their excuses to the family and headed home to pack. Molly made a fuss of both Ron and Harry, warning them to look after themselves and each other and Hermione was fondly reminded of the time she tried to keep the three of them apart whilst they were trying to plan their Horcrux hunt.
A few hours later, Ron hurried into the briefing room; his small knapsack in his hand. He threw himself down into his usual chair between Harry and Neville, relieved that Robards hadn't started the briefing yet.
"You're cutting it fine, aren't you?" Harry watched as his best friend appeared.
"Yeah well, Hermione was too keen on letting me go…" The tips of Ron's ears turned pink, but his familiar goofy smile appeared on his face at the same time.
"Ah yeah, Ginny had a similar problem. But I still made it in on time…"
Ron wrinkled his nose up in disgust. "I would make a comment about that being a reflection on your skills, but that's my baby sister you're talking about."
Harry laughed in response; there was nothing more he loved more than teasing Ron about these sort of things. "You need to get over it mate…"
"Never!" Ron fumbled with his bag, trying to get a clean sheet of parchment out of it without disturbing the piles of supplies Hermione had packed.
He had protested at first; she was his girlfriend after all and not his mother but then he remembered her neat little trick with her small, beaded bag and allowed her to carry on. "Did Ginny say she was worried?"
Harry dropped the volume of his voice as Robards entered the room. "Yeah – she said it reminded her of when we left to go on the hunt. She doesn't like us being out in a dangerous situation again…"
Ron sighed. "Hermione too, although she didn't mention it I could tell. Considering all the shit we've been through; you'd think she'd be used to it…"
"Ah yeah, but Hermione was with us. Now she has to wait at home, just like Ginny did…"
Ron frowned; he'd never thought about it that way before. He sat back in his seat, furiously making notes as the briefing started; trying to keep his thoughts away from what was waiting for him when he finally got home.