I only have 1 chapter left after this one then the epilogue and that will be this story finished.
This is another short chapter, I'm afraid.
Chapter 15 – Hermione and Ron
Ron had asked Hermione to follow him outside into the clear spring evening. Hermione was not looking forward to his confrontation at all. Actually she was dreading it. She nervously followed Ron over to the side of Arthur's garage. Hermione sat herself down on one of the blue barrels.
"Why did you go off with George?" Ron asked.
"You know why, Ron." Hermione answered. "We went back in time so we could save Fred, Lupin and Tonks."
"But George of all people?" Ron wondered. "I didn't think you and George were even friends."
"Of course George and I are friend's, Ron. We've been friends for years." Hermione answered. "What's all this about, Ron?"
"I just found it odd that you went off with George and didn't tell me or Harry about it." Ron answered.
"We didn't have any time to plan, Ron. George asked me for my help and I suggested using the time turner. The longer we waited, the harder it would have been for us to go back to the correct time." Hermione answered. "Telling you and Harry would just have complicated things. I didn't tell you about the time turner when I had it in our third year."
Hermione could not read Ron's expression which worried her slightly. She was expecting him to start on her for not telling him about going with George.
"Look Ron, everything is ok now. Fred, Lupin and Tonks are all alive. We can focus on celebrating the end of the war." Hermione spoke.
"I know. It's just a bit of a shock that's all, hearing that Fred had actually died and you and George went back to save him." Ron answered.
"Look Ron, while we were cooked up at Hogwarts, I did some serious thinking about us and I think it would be better if we just stayed friends." Hermione stated. "Especially after everything that has happened."
"I was thinking the same, Hermione. You're one of my best friends. Our kiss was in the heat of the moment kind of thing." Ron answered.
"Are you sure, Ron?" Hermione asked. "I just think we'd be better off staying friends."
"Yes I'm sure, Hermione and I think the same." Ron answered.
"So you're not mad?" Hermione asked.
"No. Not at all." Ron answered. "I've got my brother back and my two best friends are both alive and that is all that matters."
"I'm glad you understand, Ron." Hermione said, taking Ron's bandaged hand in hers.
"I just want us to concentrate on getting better now, Hermione and rebuilding our lives. We've got to be there to support Harry too, without our silly arguments." Ron said.
"It's kind of strange, isn't it? That it's all over?" Hermione wondered, looking into the sky.
"Yeah it's sort of surreal to think that Harry defeated you-know-who and that we all managed to get out of it all alive, especially after everything that happened to us." Ron answered.
"How did we manage to come out of this alive?" Hermione wondered.
"I honestly have no idea, Hermione. I've asked myself that question several times over the years." Ron answered.
"So have I. The amount of times we've managed to escape being killed." Hermione stated.
"Or worse, expelled." Ron laughed.
"And we never managed to get expelled from Hogwarts either. Though we did leave of our own accord." Hermione said.
"I'm just thankful that you didn't get captured and taken to the Ministry for questioning because of being a muggle-born." Ron stated. "And I'm bloody thankful that bitch Bellatrix didn't kill you."
"Do you want me to be honest, Ron?" Hermione asked. "That was one of the scariest moments of my life, being face to face with her."
"It was one of mine too, Hermione. I seriously thought she was going to kill you." Ron answered.
"She would have done, if Dobby, Harry and you hadn't of stepped in." Hermione said, a shudder running down her spine.
"I'm glad she's dead. I didn't think Mum had it in her to kill someone, especially someone as horrible as her." Ron said.
"I think it all depends on the situation. We'll all go to certain extremes when we want to protect the people we love." Hermione answered.
"Yeah that is very true." Ron said.
"How has Harry been?" Hermione then asked.
"He's been fine, actually. He's back with Ginny and they've been spending a lot of time together." Ron answered.
"Is your Mum alright with that?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah, she's over the moon that they are back together. She keeps gushing over them both." Ron answered.
"What about us?" Hermione asked, dreading the answer.
"To be honest, Hermione, you and I weren't really acting much like a couple the last few days. We hadn't fallen out of anything." Ron answered.
"Does your family know about us?" Hermione asked.
"They don't actually. I think you were keen not to tell them so we didn't. Ginny and Harry were the only ones who knew." Ron answered.
"That's probably a good thing." Hermione said. "It means we won't have to tell them we're not dating any more."
"Or have Mum, gushing over us like she is with Ginny and Harry." Ron added.
"How is your family?" Hermione wondered.
"They are all alright, considering. We're all very tried and still recovering from our injuries. None of us were seriously injured." Ron answered.
"We were all very lucky." Hermione said.
"Lupin is still in St Mungos though but he should be fine." Ron stated.
"And Tonks?" Hermione asked.
"She's doing well and has been living with her Mum and Teddy." Ron answered.
"I feel so out of the loop." Hermione laughed.
"It's fine. Then again we've been spending time with a different Hermione the past two days." Ron answered.
"She was still me, though, just on a different timeline." Hermione answered. "Just don't except me to explain it all as it's very confusing, even for me."
"I won't ask any questions." Ron laughed.
"That has to be a first." Hermione joked, playfully elbowing Ron.
"HERMIONE, RON!" Molly called.
"We better go inside." Ron stated.
"Yes, before people start getting suspicious." Hermione answered.