Author's Notes: The other day, when I was going through my files, I came across some unfinished writing of mine that I had totally forgotten about. I honestly don't see myself completing this in the nearer future, so I thought I'd dump-ify part of it instead.

For a better understanding, assume that at some point during the epilogue, Ron joined Rose into the Hogwarts Express where he had a sincere discussion with her concerning her worries not to be sorted into Gryffindor and that Hermione overheard their conversation.

Rating: K

Disclaimer: Not mine and all that.

Safe Haven

The ride back home was rather uneventful. As they slowly made their way through the busy London streets, Hugo made an elaborate speech about what he would like to have for lunch before his head lolled to the side and he started to snore. Gradually, the buildings around them became smaller and less urban and eventually, they were fully replaced by fields and trees that were flanking the deserted road they were driving along. For several minutes, neither spoke a word and the only things that Ron could hear were Hugo's gentle snores and the steady humming of the motor of their car. As they passed by the trees, sunlight and shadows were cast upon them in quick alternation, making Ron blink.

"It's weird that Rose isn't here," he spoke into the almost-silence.

"She'll be fine, though, thanks to your speech," Hermione assured him. "At least she won't be that nervous anymore."

"Yeah... I can't believe that she was worried about not being in Gryffindor. As if we'd stop loving her because of something so trivial."

"This applies to you, too, you know."

"What d'you mean?"

"Oh c'mon. Do you really think that after twenty-six years of being your friend I still don't know you? For weeks on end, you've been having this strange look on your face whenever I'm around as if you feel guilty of something. At first, I thought I was just imagining it, but now I really think you're keeping something from me. What's wrong?"

"Er-" Ron stalled.

"Ron..."

At her warning tone, he finally caved in.

"Well... Remember when I told Harry that you thought I'd Confound my examiner?" he asked carefully.

"Oh, Ron, you didn't!"

"Sorry..." Ron said, grimacing ruefully. He would have looked down at his shoes had the dashboard not been in the way - and had he not had the responsibility of steering his family safely back home.

"Why didn't you tell me straight away?"

"Didn't want to disappoint you," he mumbled.

Hermione let out a sigh. "Ron, you know that I love you and cheating on a stupid test - or you failing for that matter - is not going to change that. If I'm disappointed it's because you obviously thought that you couldn't tell me."

Ron suddenly felt hot and cold at once. There he had it - another proof of how deeply, almost unconditionally, he was loved by this wonderful, incredible woman by his side and how he was, yet again, too blind to see it. Even after all those years of being with her, it never ceased to amaze him. He suddenly felt like a right idiot for assuming that she would have thought less of him if he had told her the truth.

"I'm sorry, really," he said, hoping that his tone sufficed to convey his affection for her as being forced to focus on the road prevented him from showing it in a more physical manner. "I promise, I'm gonna make up for it-"

"There's nothing to make up for," Hermione said kindly. "I just want you to be honest with me. Remember what we agreed on when we first got together? No more secrets and lies. If we'd been open towards each other from the beginning, we could've-"

"-saved ourselves a lot of pain, I know," he finished her sentence, pressed his lips together and sighed. "Blimey, we really should have marriage consulting, like your mum said, huh?"

At that, Hermione threw back her head and laughed heartily. "Oh, Ron, you didn't take that seriously, did you?" she said when she eventually regained her ability to speak and shook her head. "Honestly, that woman is barmy sometimes-"

"Marriage consulting?" Ron suddenly heard Hugo's sleepy voice behind him and he cringed. He had not noticed that his son had woken up and he dreaded to think how much he might have heard.

"You're not breaking up, are you?" he asked, audibly alarmed.

"No, of course not, tiger!" Ron said promptly. "Don't worry about that. That'll never happen. We're not breaking up. Ever."

He chanced a glance at Hermione from the corner of his eye and he saw that she was smiling tenderly at him, her warm brown eyes gleaming in the sunlight, and his stomach did a joyful flip. Grinning to himself, he quickly made sure that the road was clear before and behind them and then he pressed two buttons on the dashboard. In response, the car emitted a soft rumble and then soared up into the air, making Hugo let out an excited whoop, and Ron slung his arms around a startled Hermione and kissed her deeply, a kiss that she returned with vigor while the car floated above roads and fields homewards through the sunlit sky.