Chapter 31: A Different Kind of Anniversary
When May 1st arrived ten days later, Ron was honestly shocked to have reached May for the first time in 19 years without nightmares leading up to the change of the calendar page. He wasn't sure if it had finally been long enough, if the previous four months had just recalibrated his entire life, or if he was finally so bloody happy it didn't matter. He hoped that it would be a low key anniversary this year, as he was sure the 20th anniversary the following year would be built up by the press. At least he hadn't been asked to give any speeches or make any formal appearances this year.
At dinner that night, Rose and Hermione were busy talking about what Rose wanted to do to celebrate her upcoming birthday.
"Don't you want to have a party with your school chums this year?" Hermione asked.
"I don't think so, Mum. I am going to be so excited about finally getting my Hogwarts letter, I don't want to have to pretend that hasn't happened around all of my muggle friends."
"Oh, right, I hadn't really thought of that."
The two continued to brainstorm ideas back and forth with Hugo chiming in opinions now and then. At some point Hermione realized Ron had been uncharacteristically silent. The two kids had decided to go look some ideas up on Pinterest, leaving Hermione with the oblivious Ron who had clearly not even noticed the kids had left the room.
"Are you alright?" she finally asked, gently placing her hand on his thigh. "You don't seem quite yourself tonight."
"Sorry," he said, snapping out of his thoughts. "What did you say?"
"I said you don't seem yourself tonight. Are you quite alright? Are you feeling poorly?" she asked as she placed her hand on his forehead to feel for a fever.
"No," said Ron sadly, "I'm not ill. I was, well, I'm not sure I ever mentioned that May 2nd was the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts. I just get a little distracted this time of year."
"Tomorrow is the anniversary? Of course, it's the day Collin died. I just hadn't connected that. I'm so sorry Ron. I just hadn't thought of it."
"No, it isn't your fault. Actually – this is the first time I've ever made it all the way to May without a string of nightmares. I am rather sure that is thanks to you, love."
She reached for his hand and squeezed it. "Is there anything I can do, Ron?"
"No, no. I'll be alright. This year shouldn't be too bad. I don't have to make any speeches or anything. And, it's a holiday at work, so I don't have to go in tomorrow."
"Would you want me to take the day off?"
"You don't have to do that. I probably won't be good company. And I certainly wouldn't be romantic."
"Ron," she said, "I love you. This day is a part of you. I'm not asking you to go on a date tomorrow. I am asking if you would prefer to spend the day alone, or if you thought it would help more to have me with you."
He finally looked up to catch her eye, and Hermione was taken with the mix of gratitude and pain she saw there. His eyes were red and damp, but no tears were spilling down.
"Harry and I always meet and have breakfast on that day off in a muggle coffee shop somewhere. I need to that alone. And I'll need to swing by and see George, which would be best by myself as he'll be into the firewhisky as soon as Rox is off to school. But, if we could meet midday, I would love it if you came to The Burrow with me in the afternoon. I need to see Mum & Dad, but I would love to take you to Fred's grave, if you wouldn't mind."
Hermione placed her hand on his face gently. "Of course I wouldn't mind. I want to do that, and I am honored you want me there with you." At this, she kissed him tenderly, and he nodded gratefully and ran his hands thru his hair.
"Why don't I see if my parents will get the kids from school and keep them for supper. Then there won't be any reason to rush back, and you can take all the time you need. We can just pick them up at Mum and Dad's place before bed."
"That would be great, love. Do you think they'd mind?"
"Not at all. They'd be happy to do it, I'm sure."
"Do you want to just text me a time and place to meet?"
"Yeah, that's a good idea. If we aim to meet around 1230, I think that would work. The place doesn't matter. We can grab some lunch or something."
"How about the fish and chip shop where we met that one time? Then I can just walk from the office."
"Perfect."
The next morning Ron had dropped Hugo at school and was sitting in a muggle diner sipping tea when he saw Harry walk in, the Daily Prophet tucked under his arm.
"Morning, mate," said Ron. "You ready to get this day behind us again?"
Harry sighed, eyeing his friend as he took his seat. "You haven't read the Daily Prophet yet today, have you?"
"No. I stopped taking it at home when I moved in with Hugo. There was just too much going on already, so I usually read it at work. Why? Is it full of anniversary nonsense today?"
"Take a look," Harry grimace as he slid the paper across the table. "At least it's not on the cover. Flip to the next page."
Ron looked at him questioningly as he flipped the page, and then he saw it.
"Fuck"
"I'm so sorry, Ron."
"I mean, bloody hell, where were they hiding to get this picture? We were in a muggle café, Harry! I've been so, so careful."
He looked again at the paper, and saw the two page spread highlighting the "Where Are They Now" updates on all of the so called war heroes. A full half page had been dedicated to "Is The Most Eligible Wizard Finally Off The Market?" It showed three moving pictures of him with Hermione, including one of them kissing at the café, one of them holding hands walking down the sidewalk and one of him embracing her and lifting her slightly off the ground as they both grinned madly before he set her down again. Then there was an article about how no one knew who the mystery woman was, including a section revealing that the Daily Prophet reporter had followed her enough to know that she worked in a muggle office. This was followed by much speculation as to whether or not Ron Weasley was dating a muggle woman.
"Shite. And there's not a bloody thing I can do is there?"
"You know as well as I do that as long as they don't mention the kids and don't physically threaten either of you, there isn't a damn thing you can do."
"Just great. Just a fucking great start to a fucking perfect day."
"I guess the only silver lining is that you had already told her everything. You'd warned her about the press, and well, I mean – you do look really happy in these pictures."
"Thanks a lot," Ron scowled. "I'm supposed to meet her for lunch today. She offered to take the afternoon off and come with me to The Burrow. Her parents are picking up the kids. Oh shite, Mum will lose it when she sees this and then I bring Hermione to the snake pit. I mean, bloody hell, she'll probably already have put up a wedding tent in the back field. What am I going to do?"
"You're going to send your mum an owl ahead of time warning her to behave. And you're going to send an owl to your dad to make sure he makes her behave. And then you are going to take Hermione to a nice lunch as far away from magical London as you can find and show her the paper. It will be ok. She's mad about you, Ron. It will be ok. It's just part of shite the people who love us have to put up with, you know? And the good news is you finally found someone who is fantastic enough to understand all of that but not get distracted by it."
Ron nodded in agreement with Harry and in resignation to the day he faced. "So," he sighed. "What's on your docket today?"
"Avoidance. Pure and simple."
"Brilliant plan. Did you manage to avoid getting dragged into any memorials or speeches this year?"
"I weaseled out of it this year. I figure next year will be enough of a spectacle that I needed to skip this year just to start saving up the energy and emotional fortitude."
"Yeah. Next year will be a circus. But right up until I saw the pictures, this year wasn't bad. Actually – you know this is the first year I haven't had nightmares leading up to it?"
"That's great, Ron. Hermione's good for you."
"Yeah. She is. What's Gin up to today?"
"I think she was popping by The Burrow this morning and then we'd talked about going for a fly somewhere in the country before the kids come home."
"That's a great idea. It is a beautiful day out. Maybe I'll see if Hermione would be up for that later.
They finished up their breakfast and headed to the door of the restaurant. They had agreed long ago they didn't want to talk about the details or re-live the experience each year. But starting the day with the only other person in the world who understood what had really happened was as important a ritual as any formal ceremony.
Harry patted his hand against Ron's back. "Good luck with Hermione this afternoon. I hope she won't be too upset."
"Well, it's done now. All we can do is move through it."
"Yeah. And, well – thanks for today," Harry said, his voice catching so slightly that only Ron and Ginny would have noticed.
"You too, Harry," Ron said looking him the eye while he tried to swallow the lump in his throat.
Harry nodded and headed up the block while Ron watched him leave. As Harry's back disappeared into the crowd, Ron sighed and turned the other direction to check on George. He could have apparated, but he knew he needed to walk a while to burn off his frustration at the Prophet situation. When he reached George's house, Angelina opened the door for him before he knocked.
"How is he?" Ron asked as he entered into the front hall.
"Been worse," she shrugged. "I appreciate you coming, though. He's up in his office."
Ron nodded and headed up the stairs to his brother's home office. He knocked gently as he entered. George had moved a reclining chair in front of the large window that looked out onto the wood behind his home. He did not look up as Ron came in, but simply sipped his firewhisky and looked at the photo he held of him and Fred the day the shop had opened. Taking in the scene, Ron walked over, poured himself a firewhisky and pulled another chair over near the window. They sat in silence for nearly an hour. George downing multiple glasses of the amber liquid, but Ron merely sipping at his.
Finally, George said, "Bit of a lightweight this year?"
"Yeah. 'Spose so," Ron nodded. "But, I am meeting Hermione later before going to The Burrow. And, well, the Prophet printed a whole section today outing us. I'm not sure how she's going to take it. I know I need a little liquid courage, but I don't want to make everything worse by trying to explain it while pissed."
"That's shite, Ron. Sorry they're buggering into your business again."
Ron just shrugged and took a sip of his drink.
"You know what I think," slurred George. "I think Fred would be bloody happy to see you finally find your bird."
"I was thinking I'd take Hermione down to his grave this afternoon."
"You sure know how to woo a girl ickleRonniekins."
"Piss off, George."
"I'm already pissed, thank you."
"Maybe it's time to ease up on the drink, yeah? You want to have time to sober up before Rox gets home."
"Ang stocked up some sobering potion for me. I'll be alright. Just the only time of year I let myself drown in it."
Ron nodded. "I'm proud of you, you know? You have kept his dream alive but still found a way to live your life for yourself too. His favorite thing was seeing you smile. So – do try to do that for him at least once today, eh?"
George nodded, and then got up to hug Ron. "I wouldn't have made it without you. You know it too. And so does Fred. Now it's your turn to have your own family, Ron. No one deserves it more. Now, go find your witch and try to smooth over the picture shite."
"Thanks," Ron nodded as he hugged his brother back. "Just let me know if you need me to come back by, today, alright?"
George nodded and shooed him out the door. Ron slowly walked down the stairs to find Angelina sitting at the kitchen table drinking her tea and reading the Daily Prophet. She looked up and saw Ron come in and sit next to her.
"Is he completely pissed yet?"
"Not completely. He said you'd have some potions for him before Rox comes home from school."
"Yeah. She doesn't need to see him like that. Seeing him happily tipsy at a family party is completely different than this."
"He's lucky to have you, Ang."
"I try to remind him of that on a regular basis," she quipped.
"You need anything?"
"Nah. We are practiced at this routine by now. But I do appreciate you coming."
"Just send a patronus and I'll be back straight away if anything changes."
"Thanks. But we'll be fine. And, from what I just read in this," she said gesturing towards the Daily Prophet, "it looks like you might have your hands full today."
"I do," he said resting his face in his hands.
"Has she seen it yet?"
"I don't think so. I didn't see it until Harry showed me this morning. But, we're meeting shortly for lunch before going to The Burrow. I'll have to show it to her."
"Will she be blindsided by it?"
"Well, I had warned her it could happen. But, I feel blindsided by it, and it's happened to me before. So, I am sure she will have the air knocked out of her a bit."
"From the little I've gotten to talk with her, she seems fantastic. But, what I like the most is how happy she has made you. You really deserve it. Without you I wouldn't have George or my kids. So, it's about damn time you got you own slice of happiness."
"Well, I am mad for her. That's for sure. And, so far she still seems to be willing to put up with me. Hopefully this won't change that," he said. Then, taking a deep breath as if steadying himself for the task ahead he added, "Alright – I'm off. Don't hesitate to let me know if I should come back."
"I promise. Take care. And if Hermione needs a witch to talk to – we're all happy to help."
"Cheers," Ron said as he hugged her and headed out the front door.
When he arrived at the chip shop, she was standing outside waiting for him. She'd changed from her work suit to trousers and a green jumper, and Ron caught a lump in his throat thinking of what he was about to show her. She kissed him hello and they went in for lunch. While she suggested sitting at the counter by the window, he said he'd prefer a spot in the back. Once they had their food and were tucking in, she finally asked how his day at been so far and he sighed.
"Well, George was pretty pissed by the time I got there. I just sat with him in silence for an hour or so while he drank. He chatted some eventually. But Angelina said she had some sobering up potions for him to take before Rox came home from school. However, that wasn't the most unfortunate part of the day."
"What happened?" she asked.
Ron put his face in his hands and sighed. "I hate to have to show you this. I am so, so sorry, love. The Daily Prophet printed photos of us today."
"Us?" she asked, still confused.
"Us," he confirmed as he slid the paper in front of her. "They are from the day we ate outside at that café. I didn't see the photographer then, but well – here – you look."
"Oh my God!" she stammered as she looked at the moving images in front of her where she was kissing Ron, hugging him on the street and walking down the sidewalk.
"I am so sorry, Hermione. I hate that you are getting dragged into my insane life."
She sat there staring at the pictures, her mouth feeling dry from the shock. She could sort of hear Ron's voice apologizing to her, but she felt as if she was in a daze for a few minutes. But as she heard him say that he was sorry she'd been dragged into his life, she felt something in her mind snap her back to the present moment.
"What did you say?" she asked.
"I said I hate that you are getting dragged into my insane life. I am so sorry."
"Ron, I hate that these people pry into our lives. But please don't ever say you hate that I am in any part of your life. I love you. And I am so grateful to have finally found you and to have our lives intertwined. This is, admittedly, a bit shocking. But I will work through it. We will work through it. I don't regret any minute I have spent with you. I need you to understand that."
Ron was again blown away by Hermione's ability to accept him as a whole imperfect package. He looked at her, took her hand and kissed it gently. "I don't regret any minute with you either, love. But I will probably continue to struggle with feeling guilty about things you have to go through because people have decided I am newsworthy."
She nodded and stroked her thumb over his hand. They sat in silence for a while until Ron finally asked, "Do you still want to go to The Burrow this afternoon? I understand if you need some time to process all of this."
She looked at him, and in an almost offended tone said, "Of course I want to go with you. Ron, I love you, you idiot. What do I have to do to get that into your thick skull? It's going to take a heck of a lot more than some magical paparazzi to shake me. I have lived in refugee camps around the world and dealt with tribal leaders, war zones, famines, catastrophes and sexist, patronizing judges. The people I defend every day are on the brink of disaster. My picture is in the magical paper because I have fallen in love with you, and as it turns out you are famous and handsome and heroic and now I am the envy of single witches everywhere – or at least I will be if they ever figure out my name. Trust me, Ron. That terrible fate is hardly something I can throw myself a pity party for. Now come on, today shouldn't be at all about me. Let's finish our lunch and go to The Burrow."
"OK. In for a knut, in for a galleon, huh? Fair warning- Mum is going to smother you."
"Maybe it's a good distraction for her today, huh?"
"Alright, but if she tries to start sewing you a wedding dress this afternoon we are out of there, ok?" Ron laughed.
"I promise. Now, are you ready to go?"
With a nod they were off. They apparated outside of the wards and enjoyed the walk across the field in front of his childhood home. On the sunny spring afternoon, the birds were building nests and calling to each other in a cacophony of song. They walked up to the porch, but before they had a chance to get to the door, Ron's mum had flung open the door and was engulfing them both in a strong embrace.
"I had thought this was going to be another terrible anniversary, and then I saw the Daily Prophet this morning and my whole outlook turned around. Come in, come in. Let's sit and have a cuppa."
"Mollywobbles, let them breathe, Love."
"Oh, Arthur. Can't a mother be happy for her youngest son?"
Arthur glanced at Ron with a look that said, "I tried," and he sighed as he announced he was heading off to his shed.
Molly cooed over the couple, and muttered about how intrusive the press could be. But she didn't actually take the smile off of her face the entire time. After a while, Arthur returned and asked Hermione if she could come help him with several questionable muggle items in his shed. She was happy to oblige, and left Ron and his mum at the table.
"Mum, I am glad you're happy. But, you have got to back off a bit. We are just dating. We are not engaged."
"She is the witch for you, and you know it. You have been alone for so long, why not propose now?"
"Mum! Fi and Dennis died less than four months ago. And she's only known she was a witch for three months. We've barely been even dating six weeks. And all of those pale in comparison to the two largest reasons – named Rose and Hugo. We had told them about us, thank Merlin, before the paper came out today. But, it is a really new idea. Rose has had Hermione to herself for her whole life, and she leaves for Hogwarts at the end of the summer. And then you have Hugo who is just adjusting to life with me and couldn't bear the idea of leaving the home full of memories of his parents. I'm not saying I don't think we'll end up married, but it won't be for quite a while. So, please, please, please ease up, ok?"
"I am just happy for you, Ron. You have been there for everyone else. And then there was all that mess with that horrid Lavender. I just am so thrilled you have found a smart, strong witch who is such a good match for you. You can't begrudge a mother such joy."
"Oh come off it. I don't begrudge your joy, Mum. Just don't start planning the wedding yet, alright? And definitely don't mention anything in front of the kids. It's a delicate balance right now, and neither of us want to rock that boat."
"Oh alright. Now, go on and save her from your father's questions."
"Thanks, Mum. I had planned to take her down to Fred's grave and then maybe go for a fly for a bit. Is that alright?"
"Of course. I'm pleased you're taking her down there. Just don't leave without popping back in."
"Wouldn't dream of it. I love you Mum," he said kissing her cheek.
Ron found Hermione crouched over a muggle blender his father had taken apart and spread across the floor. They were trying reassemble part of the base while she explained how muggles used the contraption.
"Brilliant those muggles," he pronounced. They can blend up potions without a wand or a pestle or any of it.
"Well, most muggles use them for drinks instead of potions," Hermione said hesitantly. "I use mine to make smoothies mostly – just a blend of fruit, ice and yoghurt."
"Fascinating. I will have to try one of your smoothies. They sound delicious. Could you make it in a real blender?"
"Oh absolutely," Hermione promised. She looked up and smiled seeing Ron in the doorway.
"You alright, Dad?"
"Oh yes, Hermione has been ever so helpful. And she is going to make me a muggle smoothie in a blender one of these days."
"Brilliant, Dad. Hermione, are you ready to go for our walk?"
Hermione nodded and Arthur thanked her for her help as she headed down towards the quidditch pitch.
"I'm so sorry about Mum," he apologized.
"She's not a bother, Ron. She's about as fussed as my mum was when she put the pieces together. Mums just want their children to be happy. Our mums are no different."
"I know. But I asked her to reel it back when the kids are around."
"Well, that is a good idea. Do you think the kids will see that paper?"
"No, well, not now anyway. They may look things up in the archives someday and find it, but it wouldn't be 'til they were older. I don't think my nieces and nephews would see it and tell them, but I can't be sure. I don't think Harry or George would let them see the paper today at the very least."
"Ok. Then I am just going to try hard to not think about it at all."
Ron led her down to the small grove where the family cemetery was beyond the quidditch pitch. She went to stand back slightly to give Ron some privacy, but he kept hold of her hand as he approached his brother's grave.
"Fred, I can't believe it's been 19 years. I remember that moment like it was yesterday and you had that smile plastered across your face even in death." He paused to run his hands through his hair as he exhaled slowly. "I hope you have a smile on your face now too, Fred. I finally found my witch. This is Hermione, and you would adore her. George smacked me upside the head already and told me not to bugger it up. So, don't worry – he is still harassing me on his own and for you. You'd love her, Fred. I know I do," he said as his voice cracked with emotion.
She put her arms around his waist and held him. A few tears escaped down his cheek, but he never broke down completely. Once he regained his composure, he hugged her and kissed her cheek. "Thank you for coming with me."
"Of course, Ron. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else at this moment."
"Would you want to go for a bit of a fly? Or if you would rather stay on the ground, we could apparate out into the country and walk a bit."
"I could try flying again. But nothing too crazy, alright?"
They walked back up to the broom shed and found Ron's old Cleansweep. She remembered how to sit on it, and tucked her arms tightly around his waist.
Giggling slightly, she admitted, "You know the first time I flew with you, I was so distracted by getting to hold you tightly that I could hardly pay attention."
Ron smiled, "Well, I have to confess I felt you pressing up against me that afternoon. I was so turned on I was worried that if I didn't land the broom soon everyone would know exactly what was on my mind."
Hermione laughed hearing this. "My goodness we were oblivious, weren't we? Good thing I get to enjoy this more openly today, huh?"
"Hmm," Ron agreed as she held him tight and pressed up against his back. He leaned back to kiss her and then kicked them off into the sky. After a brief shriek where she clung in a terrified manner, Ron could feel her relax, but still hold him tightly.
"We'll head out over the hills I used to climb when I was a little boy, alright?"
She nodded into his back, and finally convinced herself to open one eye to enjoy the countryside. Ron felt quite at peace. He was emotionally exhausted from the morning's worry and the memories fresh on the surface today. But, with the wind whipping past him, his favorite scenery below him and the woman he loved wrapped around him his mind stilled and his body relaxed into the precious present. Eventually he landed them on the top of a hill overlooking a small valley with a winding brook and checkered fields for miles peppered by sheep.
"It's beautiful here," she gasped.
"I use to come here when I was younger. I found it to be the best place in Devon to watch clouds."
"Watch clouds?"
"Oh come on, I know muggles lay in meadows and look up just like magical people."
"Well, maybe country muggles did, but I grew up in the busy suburbs of New York and London. Not a lot of meadows in my childhood unfortunately. A few trips here and there, but not really."
"That's terribly sad," Ron said earnestly. "There is no time like the present. Here, let me…" he quickly used his wand to transfigure his jumper into a large picnic blanket and spread it out on the top of the hill. They lay back on the blanket, looking up at the sky. Soon Hermione had snuggled up alongside him, resting her head on his chest but still looking up. He started pointing out different shapes, making up stories that could include the various creatures he had seen in the sky. She listened to him, savoring the sound of him talking when her ear was on his chest, how it resonated deeper somehow. He began absent mindedly twirling her hair around one of his fingers as he unconsciously began stroking her arm and back as he spoke.
He realized she hadn't spoken and finally said quietly, "Hermione? Are you asleep?"
"Not yet," she said dreamily. "I just haven't slept well without you, and I feel so safe tucked in your arms, listening to you tell stories. I guess I was starting to drift off. Sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry about, love. You can drift off. Maybe we can both kip a bit. We won't sleep that long. I'll cast a spell to wake us in time to fly home before dark, alright?"
"Hmm. That sounds perfect. But, could the paparazzi find us out here?"
"Not bloody likely out here. But, anyway, I cast disillusionment and privacy charms when we landed. So, we are more than covered."
"Perfect. So, keep talking…" she said sleepily.
Soon they had both drifted off. Ron opened his eyes again before the charm was set to awake them. He wondered what the 18 year old tattered soul from 19 years ago would think looking down on him today. Realizing they needed to get going if they were going to get back to The Burrow before dark, he reluctantly woke Hermione up and they got back on the broom. Back at The Burrow they hugged his parents goodbye and promised to see them soon. As they walked out to the edge of the wards, Ron asked if they should apparate to her parents' home or did she need to stop by her house first. Realizing they had some time before they had to get the kids, Hermione said she wanted to pop home to get for something first. Ron apparated them to her living room.
"Did you need to pick something up to take to your parents?" he asked.
"No, not really," she admitted. "I just realized we had an hour to ourselves. Here. Alone. Without threat of the kids coming in. So, I…"
Ron broke into his lopsided grin and swiftly kissed Hermione passionately. They quickly headed up to her bedroom, where they had soon shed their clothes and were getting reacquainted with each other's bodies which they had not seen since the children's Easter holiday trip. Knowing time was of the essence, this was nothing like the leisurely love making they'd enjoyed in their week alone. But, the blatant desire atop of the raw emotion from the day allowed for a rapid climax for both of them. As they recovered, Ron held Hermione in his arms, tracing patterns lightly over her naked back. For the first time ever on this annual day of remembering, Ron's mind wasn't swimming in thoughts of grief or anger from the difficult past. All it held was love and thoughts of the future.
(Author's Note: Thanks again for sticking with the story. I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback...carrytheotter)
