Take me home - Part 1

Every minute gets easier

The more you talk to me

You rationalise my darkest thoughts

Yeah, you set them free

Came to you with a broken faith

Gave me more than a hand to hold

Caught before I hit the ground

Ron shifted uncomfortably, looking between the three occupants in the room. He wasn't entirely sure where to start. There was so much to say and so much to apologise for. The fact that Hermione looked so content, so safe in Thorfinn Rowle's embrace of all things certainly didn't make it any easier but it reinforced what he believed needed to be done.

"You wanted to talk, so talk." Hermione said stiffly.

Ron winced at her tone but knew he deserved it. "Would it be possible for us to speak alone?" Ron asked knowing it was a slim chance.

"No." Thorfinn growled immediately.

Ron scowled and was about to respond when Hermione spoke.

"No, I don't think so." Hermione told him. She couldn't bear to even think about Thorfinn leaving her side right now. It felt like he was the only thing keeping her afloat.

Evie took a seat beside Hermione bed, watching Ron with cold eyes. When he turned to look at her she merely raised a brow until he huffed and then took another step into the room. The door closed behind him with a sharp hiss.

Ron took a deep breath, looking at his friend. "I'm s-sorry." He simply said, hanging his head in shame.

"What?" Hermione asked confused.

"I'm sorry." He repeated.

There was a moment of silence as his words filled the room. "What exactly are you sorry for? Throwing insults at me for the decisions I made? For not being there when I needed you the most? For treating the threats that had been made against my soul-bonded mate as if they were nothing or was it for thinking I'd just forget about Thorfinn and Evie and hell even Draco and come crawling back to you and Harry?"

She didn't shout. She didn't yell but her words were delivered with quiet anger.

Ron had the decency to look ashamed. He didn't meet her eyes as she spoke, unable to face the fury in his friend's eyes.

"What exactly are you sorry for, Ronald?" She asked icily.

"For everything," he answered, finally looking at her. She didn't react. Not a softening of the eyes or a sympathetic smile. Nothing.

"I don't think that's good enough Ronald." Hermione said tersely.

"I'm not sure what more I can say except that I'm sorry Mione." Ron said truthfully.

"Well you certainly had a lot to say before," Thorfinn said glaring at the redhead.

Ron opened his mouth, a sharp retort ready but then realising the other wizard was correct, he quickly shut it. Sighing deeply he said, "I know." He gathered his courage and continued, "Look Hermione, I know what I said and how I reacted was wrong. There's nothing more to say for it. I was a shite friend."

"That much you are correct about." Hermione mumbled.

"It was never my intention to hurt you Hermione. I was just scared for you. We both were." Ron said.

"And I suppose that makes everything better then doesn't it? We should all forgive and forget now?" Hermione asked angrily.

"Could you?" Ron asked with a raised brow.

"No." She immediately responded.

"I thought as much," Ron said. "I don't want to fight with you Hermione. I just want you to be safe."

"You have a bloody funny way of showing it!" Hermione snapped.

Ron huffed. "I know!" he cried and then looked at Hermione who looked ever so angry. "I know Mione," he said softly. "I know I – we fucked up. And I have nothing more to say but that I am really sorry. I know there's nothing more that can be said. I just want us to be friends again… like we used to be."

Hermione contemplated his words for a moment, "You're right." She finally said. Ron looked relieved but it was short lived. "You did fuck up and there is nothing more you can say for it." Ron nodded and Hermione was happy to see it wasn't all just an act. "But Ron, too much has been said and done for us to go back to being friends."

"Hermione!" Ron started.

"No," she quickly interrupted. "I don't know if I can forgive you or Harry for this, just yet. This wasn't a trivial matter like us arguing over a broomstick or even our bloody pets!" she reminded him sharply. "This was you and Harry not trusting me … me! Of all people I would have thought my loyalty and trust to the both of you would be unquestionable but I can see I was wrong."

"No. No, you weren't wrong! We do trust you! We do!" Ron promised.

"You say that Ron, but if it were true, then how did we get here?" she asked him and when he didn't answer she continued, "If that were true, then where is Harry now?" Hermione asked him sadly.

Ron's shoulders drooped, unsure how to convince one of his oldest friends that this wasn't a matter of loyalty but fear. Fear of losing those closest to him that had caused Harry to act out completely.

"Harry does trust you Hermione," Ron finally answered. "He just doesn't trust …"

"Me," Thorfinn answered looking at the red haired.

Ron shook his head, "He doesn't trust who you used to be." Hermione frowned but Ron held up his hand, stalling her response as he continued to explain. "He's terrified that he'll lose you and I know it sounds like bullshit because this was probably the worst way to handle this but it is the truth. Look Mione, Harry's carrying a lot of guilt from the war and no excuses here –" he said this raising his hands again in surrender – "but he wasn't ready for everything to change so quickly."

"None of us were!" Hermione cried hotly.

" I know." Ron admitted. "But you've always been there for him Mione. More than I ever have and to see you so happy and free without him… I guess he felt a little betrayed and guilty. We all did."

"Betrayed?" Hermione choked out.

"I guess it felt like you were choosing them over us. He always assumed it would be us" Ron said gesturing between them, "and then you got bonded and everything… changed. It was a lot to take in and with the war not so far behind us, I guess it threw us all for a loop. Especially Harry." Ron sighed. Sighing he ran a hand through his hair. "I guess I always knew we were never going to last, but Harry didn't. And seeing you with them," motioning to the Rowles, "… it wasn't how he or any of us thought this would end." He said.

Ron felt awkward having to explain Harry's emotional problems to both Hermione and the Rowles. It felt like quite an overstep but he couldn't very well say nothing. They owed Hermione some sort of an explanation.

"I didn't think this would be the end either Ronald!" Hermione scolded. "I certainly didn't think I would find myself soul-bonded to Thorfinn Rowle at the end of the bloody war and I most definitely didn't think I would have to go at it all on my own! But I did and I … I don't know maybe if he had just tried listening to me then perhaps he wouldn't have felt that way!" She was quite hysterical at this point, leaning forward on her bed." Thorfinn gripped her shoulders steadily, and scowled at Ron as she continued. "You can't come in here Ron and try and guilt me into forgiving you for being a shite friend! We've all been through hell! But I was there! I was always there for you two!"

"I know!" Ron tried soothing. But it did nothing. Instead, he had to watch as Thorfinn reached for Hermione's hands, taking them gently in his, and whispering something in her ear.

A moment later, she took a calming breath though it did little to soothe her anger. "Do you though, Ron?" Hermione eventually asked.

"W-what do you mean?" Ron stuttered confused.

"Harry's always forgiven you no matter what you've done." She said and Ron had the decency to look a little red faced. "You walked out on us and he forgave you." Hermione said almost breathless with disbelief. "He didn't even have to think about it. He forgave you the minute you walked out of that tent."

"Hermione I –" Ron started.

"No, you're done talking. I'm going to talk you and for the first time you're actually going to listen." Hermione demanded.

Ron mutely nodded and Hermione continued.

"He's always given you more leeway than me. He was always more forgiving of you. No matter that my actions were only because I cared about him. But that never stopped me, did it?" she asked rhetorically. "I just thought it was the fickleness of our youth. We were young, naïve and temperamental. I thought he doesn't mean to be this callous with my friendship because hey, he's under a lot of pressure what with an tyrannical mad man trying to kill him. But I can't make those excuses anymore. What did I do that was so wrong, Ron?" she asked her once best friend.

"I …you …" Ron battled and then a moment later resigned himself to the truth. "I don't know."

Hermione laughed mockingly. "Yes you do. All I did was fall in love. Was that so bad? I'm sorry it wasn't you Ron, but I wouldn't change it for anything." Hermione said honestly. "If we could go back and undo it all, I don't think I would. Being soul bonding is not a simple thing and yet you and Harry treated it like some great betrayal I chose to enact against you."

"You're right," Ron said shocking her. "We did act that way and while I can't – won't – speak for Harry, I will say that I am sorry. What I said when I found out was wrong. And Hermione," he said taking a step towards her despite the glaring wizard beside her, "You shouldn't have to choose between what makes you happy. You shouldn't have to worry about going back and wondering if undoing it all will make those around you happy. You deserve to have a happy life, Hermione and regardless of who it is that you chose to share that with, we both want the same for you."

"Really Ron?" Hermione asked. "Is that really what you both want for me?"

"Yes, of course." Ron answered firmly.

"Is that why it's just you in here now and not Harry?" Hermione asked, looking at him once more. "Harry believes I've betrayed him, isn't that what you said? Because I chose to follow my heart and it just so happened to lead me down a different path than he expected? So how can he want me to be happy?" She asked harshly but she didn't give him a moment to answer as she ploughed on. "So what happens now?"

"What do you mean?" Ron asked.

"Well now that I've made my choice which is nothing close to what he wanted. What happens now?" She asked rhetorically. "Am I no longer worthy to be his friend? Is that why he isn't here?!" she snapped sarcastically.

"Of course not," Ron sighed. "Hermione, I don't have any more reasons than I have excuses." He said wisely. "I know we've been terrible friends to you and there is nothing that we can do to undo that. I'm sorry we weren't there when you needed us to be, but we will try in the future."

"You keep saying 'we' Ron, but it's just you, isn't it?" Hermione questioned.

Ron shifted uncomfortably. "He's not ready for all this Hermione." He finally answered. "I won't lie or make any more excuses. He's not ready and he won't be for a while."

Hermione looked down at her lap, silently watching as Thorfinn threaded his fingers with hers. But when she didn't say anything further, Ron continued.

"He kept saying he was fine. That he was happy and okay. That it was just the odd nightmare here and there. But he was lying. Harry needs help. Good, honest help from people who actually know what they're doing. I can't offer him anything more than my support and a drink. That's why it's just me right now. He won't … he can't be the friend you need because he has a lot to work through. Things we can't help him with." Ron explained. "Which is why until he gets the help he needs, Harry's off the case."

Hermione nodded. "Did he agree to this?" she asked.

"He didn't have much choice. Kingsley basically demanded it of him and uh … well said that until Harry gets the help he needs and is cleared by a professional, he won't be continuing as an Auror on any other cases too." He finished.

"What?" Hermione asked shocked.

"It was due to our negligence and prejudice that we never caught the person who attacked Rowle before today. You were right, we didn't take it seriously and you could have died. That's … I would never have been able to live with myself if something had happened to you today." Ron said worriedly.

"You needn't worry about that Weasley." Thorfinn said with a little growl. "Had something happened to Hermione today, you wouldn't have lived to feel guilty about it." He threatened.

Ron blanched as Hermione groaned, "Thorfinn!" she chided swatting his arm.

Thorfinn merely shrugged, wrapping his arm around her more securely. She turned back to Ron, "So Harry's not an Auror anymore?" she asked for clarification.

"Yeah. He and I will be taking a short break to sort through everything. Kingsley has ordered that Harry get some counselling." He told her. "Your case will be handled by another auror within the department."

Hermione nodded. "Well I want to be sorry that you won't be Auror's for a while, but I am glad you'll be getting some help." She paused unsure and then continued. "I'm glad for the both of you."

"Thanks Mione," Ron said sincerely.

Hermione nodded and then said quite solemnly. "We can't go back to how we used to be Ron." She tried not to let the despondent look on his face wear her down. "We're not the same people to have that kind of friendship anymore. I want to be your friend, but it's going to take some time."

Ron nodded. "I know. I just … hoped that maybe it could be." He said sadly. "I really am sorry Hermione."

"I know you are, Ron." She said with a small smile.

He smiled at her and then caught the glare of Thorfinn behind her. He cleared his throat, shifting on his feet. "So about your case." He went on. "We were able to identify your attackers once we got them back to the department."

"You did?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, it took a while. You really did a number on them, Rowle." Ron said looking at the larger wizard.

Thorfinn had the barest of there smiles and Hermione turned to him with wide eyes. He looked down at her, his hand reaching up to caress her cheek. "Don't ask to me say I regret it, because I don't, Duchess." Hermione sighed in resignation. "Anything to keep you safe, remember?" he whispered in her ear.

She shivered at the pleasantness of having him close but more than that she revelled in his absolute promise even if she didn't quite agree with the extremities of his actions. She pressed her forehead to his, her eyes closing briefly as she savoured his every touch.

"Who was it?" she asked Ron, without turning away from Thorfinn. When he didn't answer, she opened her eyes, finally looking at him. "Ron, who was it?" she asked again.

"Dennis Creevy and Justin Flinch Fletchy." He answered.

"W-what?" Hermione asked aghast. "Why?"

"Dennis felt it wasn't right that Rowle be let free when his brother had died during the final battle." He said with a sigh. "He … like a lot of us had a lot of anger and guilt over the ones that we lost and he just let it get the better of him."

"But … why Justin?" Hermione asked. She was recking her brain trying to think of whom Justin had lost during the war.

"His mother had died at the hands of a Death Eater. I believe you might be familiar with him, Rowle." Ron said looking at the other wizard.

Thorfinn raised a brow in askance.

"Walden Macnair," Ron told him.

"How?" Thorfinn asked.

"In a raid a few months short of the final battle." Ron said.

"Did she suffer?" Hermione asked.

"Not from we could gather." Ron answered.

"Good," Thorfinn said. "Macnair was a miserable bastard. He liked to play with his victims." He explained gravely.

"Dennis was able to convince him and a few others that Rowle, and I guess by extension anyone connected to him was dangerous." Ron carried on. "They're down at holding at the moment. They'll be charged with numerous counts of assault and attempted homicide."

"But …" Hermione stuttered, battling to wrap her brain around the information. "Are you sure?" she asked.

"They confessed." Ron said simply. "He's… they're angry and they acted stupidly on it. You got hurt. You all did." Ron corrected looking at them all. "And as part of their sentencing, they'll be subjected to a good healing facility."

Hermione nodded. "O-okay."

She wasn't sure what more she could say. It was a lot to process. She remembered little Colin Creevy who hero-worshipped Harry as he followed him around the school with his camera. She did remember with a heavy heart seeing Colin's fallen body amongst the dead in the Great Hall sometime after the final battle. She wondered if there was anything she could have done for Dennis, to help him feel a little less angry. But she also knew it was not her place.

"It isn't your fault, love." Thorfinn said expertly reading her.

"I know." She admitted. "But this was one of my housemates. He was a sweet little boy and now … I just can't believe this is how far we've come."

"War is easy. It's living with ourselves after all is said and done that is difficult." Thorfinn said sagely.

"That's oddly profound of you Finn," Evie teased lightly.

He shrugged. "I suppose I just have more experience with living with the terrible things of the past than most."

Hermione placed a hand on his cheek and Thorfinn placed a hand over hers, before turning her hand around in his to place a kiss above her pulse point.

"So, that's it right? It's over now?" Evie asked hesitantly. At her question, Hermione and Thorfinn turned away from each other to look at Ron.

"Yes. It's over." Ron answered. "We got your statement, Rowle but we will need one from you Hermione."

Hermione nodded again. "Thank you." She mumbled. she turned to the wizard beside her, only to find him already looking at her rather intently.

"There's uh – one last thing," Ron said slowly. They all turned to him and he almost took a step back. "Your parole, Rowle." He reminded them.

Almost immediately all the serenity Hermione had found in the few minutes disappeared. She felt both guilt and panic surge up as she recollected the drastic actions Thorfinn had to take to protect her.

"He was protecting us!" Hermione shot out quickly.

"I am aware." Ron said calmly. "But he still broke the law."

"Would you rather my brother have let Hermione die?" Evie snapped harshly.

"Of course not!" Ron said scowling. "I understand it was in self – defence."

"But?" Hermione prompted.

"But it's not for me to say." Ron told her.

"So what will happen now?" Evie asked with a little huff.

"The Minister is looking into the attack and with the positive confessions from your attackers, it's unlikely they will strip your of your magic." Ron answered looking at Thorfinn. "But again, it's not for me to say. In the meantime, I hear the healers are working on your discharge papers. Once you've been cleared, you can go home. The Ministry will be in touch once they've uh decided what to do."

Hermione frowned slightly, "So we just go home and wait?"

"You go home and rest, Hermione." Ron said seriously.

"How can I rest when you're threatening to take away Thorfinn's magic, just for protecting me!" Hermione argued.

"I know you don't trust me but please believe me when I say I won't let that happen." Ron promised.

"Why?" Thorfinn asked eyeing the red-haired curiously.

"Because you saved my best friend. It's the least I can do." Ron said truthfully. "I know that what you were doing was for Hermione. To protect her and I don't think it's fair that you should be punished, where we failed."

Thorfinn regarded him for a moment and then gave him a slight nod. "Thanks Weasley."

"Thank you, Rowle. For protecting her." Ron said smiling ruefully at Hermione. He sounded and looked entirely sincere and Hermione felt her heart break at little. "I'm … I'm really sorry Mione. That it came to this."

"Me too Ron." She sighed.

He nodded and as he turned to leave, she called out to him. "Ron," she said. "You'll watch over Harry won't you?"

He nodded. "Of course." He assured her. "He'll see you again. When he's ready." There wasn't much left to be said after that and with a quick nod to the Rowles, he turned and left the room.

When the door shut quietly behind Ron, Hermione finally relaxed against Thorfinn once more. She could feel his worry and tension through their bond. She sighed, reaching up to comb over his beard with her slightly shaky fingers.

"I'm okay," she whispered.

"That wasn't how you imagined it would go, was it?' He asked.

"No," she admitted. "But I think it's what's best for everyone."

"Are you sure?" Evie asked. "I know I said you shouldn't forgive them so easily but they have been your friends for the longest of time. It's okay to want things to go back to how it used to be."

Hermione smiled at her. "I know. And you're right. They were my friends for the longest of time but we've all changed and we need different things from each other now. I can't be any better of a friend to them if they can't live with the decisions I've taken on how to live my life. Ron was right. It will take some time… for us all." She sighed and Thorfinn leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her hair. "I don't want things to go back to how it used to be." She admitted quietly.

"You don't?" Thorfinn asked.

"No, we were good friends but we didn't necessarily have the healthiest of friendships. If we're going to move forward, a lot has to change." Hermione told him.

"Do you think you will move forward?" Evie asked.

"I don't know." Hermione answered quietly, biting her lip in thought. "I guess that is up to Harry and Ron."

"Well I for one am glad that you're okay and while it is sad that this is how it had to end, I am not sorry it did." Evie said brazenly.

"Evie!" Thorfinn chided gruffly.

Hermione giggled as Evie huffed waving her brother off. "Hermione knows what I mean," she said turning and rummaging around the room.

"Where are you going?" Hermione asked panicked when she realised Evie was walking towards the door.

"I'm off to find Draco." She told them. "To let him know you're alright and then I'm going to head down to the Ministry and see if I can't get a word in with Shacklebolt about your 'parole violation.' She said with a slight scoff. "Woah! Hey!" she quickly said rushing to the bed. "What do you think you're doing?" she asked with a raised brow.

"I'm getting out of this stupid bed so I can help you!' Hermione argued. "Thorfinn!" she huffed but her wizard did nothing more than pull her closer to him and further into the bed. "Thorfinn!" she scolded.

"No," he said almost lazily. "You're staying right here Duchess. With me."

"I can help Evie!" she argued. "Kingsley is a friend. He will listen to reason."

"If he is as good a Minister as he is a friend to you then I have no doubt he will understand that I did what I had to." Thorfinn reasoned.

Hermione scowled. "You're just saying that so I won't try to leave again."

Thorfinn laughed. "I wasn't going to let you leave to begin with love."

"Ugh!" Hermione huffed. "Don't be so insufferable. You know I would absolutely hate it if you lost your magic because of me."

"How many time do I have to tell you, I would rather lose my magic than lose you. Now, shut up and lay still witch." He cocooned her in his arms, his warmth washing over her.

"Evie!" Hermione begged turning to her friend.

Evie looked at her friend, "Nope." She said bemused. "He's right. You're not going anywhere. I can handle it Hermione." She promised her. "Plus I'll have Draco. How bad could it be?" she said with a teasing smirk.

"Oh Merlin." Hermione mumbled.

"See you later," Evie called waving at them as she left the room.

Hermione resisted the urge to groan knowing that they were only looking out for her. She knew there was no point in arguing with Evie and if she were honest, there was no place she would rather be than with her mate.

"This is hardly fair," Hermione complained to him nonetheless.

"Oh?" Thorfinn asked. His fingers danced along her spine, making her shiver in delight. She held back a moan as she felt his other hand, delve into her hair, scraping gently against her scalp.

"Not fair at all Mister Rowle," Hermione whispered tilting her held back as his fingers moved through her hair and then along her jaw, across her tinted cheeks and over her parted lips.

His thumb ran across her lips and her eyes fell shut as he leaned down, capturing her in a searing kiss. It was filled with passionate urgency. His lips were commanding over hers, as if seeking physically reassurance that she was indeed really there. This time she couldn't hold back her moan as his tongue played wicked games with her. She squished her toes into the mattress as she tried to push herself up and into his arms more. When he pulled away, they were both panting for breath. Hermione gave him only a small reprieve before she pulled him by the cheeks, her fingers digging into his beard as their lips met once more. Every stroke of their tongue, every nip of the lip had their bond reassured that they were alright. When at last they pulled away again, Thorfinn pressed his forehead to hers, their breaths mixing in the little space between them.

"Haven't you realised?" he asked huskily. "I don't play fair, wife."

Hermione felt her stomach leap pleasantly at that word. It struck her for the first time, that she really was his wife in all ways that counted. It also struck Hermione this was the first time he had called her that. She grinned in delight.

"I am aware, dear husband," she all but purred, "that you have a sneaky habit of getting your way."

Thorfinn in turn grinned and leaned in to capture her lips once more. "Not that I would change it." Hermione added when they parted once more. He placed a lingering kiss to her hair once again and soon enough, Hermione began to feel the pull of sleep. A lot had happened since she woke up, her mind and body both completely exhausted. She shuffled somewhat, getting a little cosier as Thorfinn pulled the blanket around her a little more securely.

"Don't leave," she mumbled.

"Never," he promised her.

Her eyes fell closed and the haze of sleep gathered around her as she placed her head on his chest, listening to the familiar steady beating of his heart.

"Hermione?" she heard Thorfinn ask quietly.

"Hmm?" she replied.

"I love you." He said.

She smiled sleepily. "I love you too, Viking," she said as she fell asleep.

AN: Hello darling readers!

I firstly profusely apologise for the very very delayed chapter. My life has been unbelievably chaotic! If you've stuck around, I can't thank you enough!

Secodnly, to all you wonderful readers who have favourited, followed and reviewed this story, a massive Thank You! Your words of encouragement have not gone unnoticed especially in a very particularly bleak period in my life. Don't ever doubt the power your words have on us writers! So even if it's not this story, I urge you to review. leave your thoughts, your ideas - in a kind and helpful manner (if i may add). As a writer, I really do love to hear from you.

You will be pleased to know that I have completed the next chapter and it's only the epilogue to follow! I am both sad and happy that this story is reaching its end. I've enjoyed writing every aspect of this story so much so that it's inspired me for my next story.

Thank you once again! if you are interested the cover image for this chapter can be found on my Instagram account: immortal_dragon_empress

Song: Take me home - Jess Glynne

Please stay safe!

xoxo