The first words her mother uttered after landing in London made her laugh. 'I forgot about the damn weather,' Jean opined, while her father patted her back consolingly.
Hermione helped them settle in and set things up at their clinic to allow them to seamlessly pick up where they had left off. She was glad to spend this time with them, before she left for Hogwarts again. Her parents were insisting she join university after completing her NEWTs, but she hadn't made up her mind about whether she wanted to join the ministry or get a degree. She always had a thirst for knowledge, but the war had opened her eyes to injustices and inequalities which she couldn't wait to help rectify. However, she was quite sure she wanted to study Muggle Law eventually, as it would help her achieve her dream of ridding the wizarding world of anachronistic magical laws, and ensure rights for magical creatures.
'Darling, Oxford University has an excellent Law Faculty. I'm sure you'll feel right at home!' Her Mother commented a few weeks into her return. They were excited, to say the least, at finally being able to provide a semblance of guidance. They had big dreams for their brilliant daughter and often felt disheartened at how little they were able to help her in maneuvering the magical world.
Hermione sighed internally.
'I'll need to get my NEWTs for that first. It's only after I complete my magical education that they can facilitate an entry into a Muggle University. They are equivalent to A-Levels.'
Her mother's face fell for a moment before brightening once again. 'Yes, well. There's no hurry. Don't you have magical universities, though?'
'Well, there is one, but it's in France. There are a few others but they are on other continents. The admissions are very selective too. Most people choose to apply for an apprenticeship of their choice instead of going to universities.'
'Interesting,' Jean mused. When she saw Hermione get up from the table and head for the coat rack, she called out. 'Any plans for today?'
'I'm meeting Ron.' she replied. There had been very few opportunities to see him, now that his Auror training had commenced and she only got to see him on the weekends. Before she knew it, the first of September was only a week away.
'Oh! Well, do tell him we said hello.' Her mother beamed.
Her father however, asked a little gruffly, 'When are you getting him around? We'd love to meet him properly!' and plastered smile on his face, that made her mother cringe visibly.
Hermione rolled her eyes at the way her father's tongue rolled sinisterly at 'properly'.
'He doesn't get much time outside of his Auror Training, so I'm not sure.'
At her parents' vacant expression, she chuckled before explaining. 'They're like Muggle equivalents of detectives and special forces.'
'Oh!' her mother nodded in understanding while her father looked slightly mollified. 'Well, have fun!'
She bid her parents goodbye and apparated to the Burrow. It was another clear and sunny day and she enjoyed the short walk up to the house. It had been a few weeks since "the incident" and things had been a little... awkward between the two of them. For one, Ron had steadfastly refused to move beyond some gentle kisses and mild snogging. It was nice, the gentle pace. She didn't mind it too much, even enjoyed it. Considering how the sex had been quite painful for her the first and only time, and Ron may have been traumatized a little from "the incident" as well, she had also not pushed him for more. She craved a little intimacy now, because she was not going to see him for a long time after today.
Just as she was about to knock on the door, she heard noises from the garden where they often played Quidditch. She walked around the house and saw all the Weasleys and Harry playing a game. She smiled to herself at the uplifting sight. Just a few months ago, things had been so bleak, that it seemed recovery from the trauma of the war would've been impossible. But here they were, enjoying and cherishing life, once again.
Ron spotted her first and happily waved her over. 'We could do with another chaser!'
'I really don't think I can.' She said, trying to sound regretful, but knowing she was probably failing.
'Oh, come off it Hermione! If you can outstrip fiendfyre, you can dodge a bludger!' Harry laughed. An awkward and impressed silence greeted that statement. After all, no one outside of the three of them really knew the true story behind their adventures, for the lack of a better term. Ron tended to avoid any talk of the war altogether, for once, choosing to forgo any glory that he would have attained in favour of keeping the memory of painful deaths out.
"Too soon?" Harry winced.
George chuckled. 'It's never too soon mate. Now that's a story I'm itching to hear!'
Ron, who'd been silent, seemed to cheer up at that. After all, one of the major reasons why he avoided any talk of the war had been to prevent George from falling into depression again.
Hermione joined the game then, for a short while, in order to bolster Harry's team which'd been playing against the relentless force that Charlie, Ginny and George made. She hardly enjoyed the game however, because while she was able to dodge the half hearted bludgers George sent her way, she couldn't outstrip a cackling Ginny.
'This is hardly fair!' Ron shouted, irritated when Ginny stole the quaffle from her yet again, and scored. 'We have Perce and Hermione! She can't chase and he can't beat to save his life! Skills need to be evened out! One team can't be saddled with two bad players!'
Hermione spun around and seethed. He's the one who asked her play and now he was whinging about her lack of skills! The nerve of him! Just when she was about to retort, Harry intervened. 'It's just a friendly game, Ron.'
Before things could escalate, Molly's fortuitous call for lunch dissipated whatever tension that had cropped up. They all got off their brooms and eagerly made their way to the kitchen, having worked up quite an appetite. George chuckled when he saw Hermione's sour face. 'He was probably just hungry,' he shrugged. 'Don't let it get to you. Ginny is just that good. You and Harry didn't stand a chance, 'cause it was a snitch-less game.'
Her frown deepened at that. She hated it when Ron used her as a proverbial punching bag. She may have tolerated that when they were teenagers, but they were adults now, for Godric's sake!
Sitting at the table inside the Burrow, she seethed further when she saw him stuffing his face happily, ignorant of his crimes. She was soon brought out of her dark thoughts when Bill cleared his throat and taking Fleur's hand in his, said, 'We have an announcement to make.' The happy chatter died down and everyone looked at him expectantly. 'We're expecting!' He announced with a wide grin.
There was a ecstatic uproar at the announcement, and everyone clamoured to congratulate and hug the happy couple. Mrs. Weasley cried out in happiness-'Oh! Bill! This is the most wonderful news!'- and promptly burst into tears. Arthur's eyes were glassy as well, when he made to comfort his wife. Hermione was able to squeeze in a hearty congratulations before Molly bombarded Fleur with questions about the progress of her pregnancy. Apparently she'd just started suffering from morning sickness, and Molly promised to whip up family recipe to help with that.
Once the desserts were done, and the happy couple left for some solace, they all retreated into their respective rooms. Harry dragged Ginny into her room, to spend some precious time together, leaving Ron and Hermione in awkward silence. She was still annoyed at Ron, but her mood had considerably improved since Bill's news. The happiness of the Weasley's was infectious. Molly's cooking had also left her warm and fuzzy, so she could kind of empathise with Ron's bipolarity, before and after food. But she did want to tell him that he wasn't wearing a Horcrux anymore, so any tactlessness could no longer be excused. Before she could voice her sharp thoughts into words, Ron broke the silence.
'I'm sorry about what I said before,' he muttered sheepishly, 'I know I can be a cad sometimes, but I really didn't mean it. I suppose I was just hungry. You know how that short circuits my brain!' He tried to joke.
She sighed. She didn't want to say the poisonous words that were just lingering on the tip of her tongue. She knew they had very little time left now and she didn't want to viciate things between them any further. She resolved to be the bigger person, and smiled. 'Just be a little more tactful in the future, Ron. Your words can hurt and it's not much of an apology if you keep repeating it.'
He nodded, satisfied that she seemed to have accepted it. He walked over and enveloped her in a warm hug. She sighed and hugged him back, breathing him in deeply. His freshly laundered shirt reminded her of the smell she detected in the Amortentia Potion back in sixth year. The memory calmed her down and she stood on her toes to lightly kiss him on the lips. He smiled at her affection and deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping past her lips to plunder her mouth. He tasted like the Rhubarb pudding they had for dessert- sweet. After kissing for a while she slipped her fingers underneath his shirt to seek the warmth of his skin. He moaned in pleasure when her nails lightly scraped down his torso. His hands, that had been resting on her shoulders, moved to her waist to grip her gently. Her hands roamed to the button of his pants and just when she made to open them, he caught her wrist and intertwined his fingers with hers, and gently pulled her towards the bed. She laid on the bed on her back and pulled him down on top of her, to kiss him some more. He rested his elbows on either side of her head, to support his weight and proceeded to snog her thoroughly. She waited for him to make a move beyond kissing, knowing that she had made her own intentions clear earlier. When he didn't, she was disappointed when she realized that he intended to keep things PG-13.
Sighing deeply into his kiss, she again reached down to unzip him, when he caught her wrists and pulled both her arms above her head, and his lips roamed towards a sensitive part of her neck, right below her ear. She turned her head to give him greater access. He lightly bit and sucked on a spot before soothing it with his tongue. A loud gasp of pleasure from her lips, however, jolted him and he suddenly ceased his ministrations to pull back. Confused, she turned her head to look into his eyes and to her consternation, she saw them widen in trepidation rather than darken with lust. They stared at each other for a few moments, neither moving a muscle. His adam's apple bobbed when he gulped eventually and she followed the movement with her eyes. It took awhile for her brain to process the information in the midst of her lust, but eventually it did, and her mouth fell open in shock. He was afraid of her.
All the warmth of her body dissipated at the the epiphany. She cleared her throat and made to get up. He moved over, to allow for her movement, making sure that their bodies were not touching. This little detail didn't escape her notice and mortified her further. They both sat next to each other on the edge of the bed and the awkward silence was back.
'I should go.' She ventured, 'I forgot I made plans with my parents in the evening.'
'Y-yeah.' He replied, his voice a little hoarse.
'I won't be seeing them for a while either. So it'll be nice to spend some time together.'
He nodded, but remained silent.
'This is probably the last time we'll see each other before I leave for Hogwarts. I know you'll be in training, so that's alright.' She silently pleaded with her brain to stop talking but it wouldn't listen. Obviously, covering the awkward silence was more of a priority than making a fool of herself. Stupid brain.
'Well then.' She got up and turned to finally look at him, but he was looking at the floor with an unnatural interest. He got up as well when he realized a beat later, that she was standing. Though they were only inches apart now, it felt like there was a wide chasm between them.
He finally looked at her and she could see in those sparkling blue eyes, what she knew he couldn't say. Wouldn't say. An apology.
Maybe for what had just transpired. Or maybe it was for what, she was sure now, would never transpire.
She nodded her head, as if she understood, but she didn't- not really. She tried to smile, but she knew it was more of a grimace. She was starting to tear up, her throat forming a lump that she couldn't swallow away.
Her emotions must have been clear on her face, for when he finally spoke, his voice was gentle. 'I'll write to you, yeah?'
She nodded and turned around to head for the door just when the first tear fell. She hurried down the stairs, wincing at the noise her boots made, but she was desperate to get out of the house before the wretched sobs escaped her throat. She ignored George's 'Oi!' when she bumped into him as she made her escape. As soon as she reached outside and the cold air hit her face, great sobs wracked her body and she ran as fast as her legs could carry her, to the disapparation point where she disapparated with a deafening crack.
A/N: Please Review!
