Chapter 7:
Hermione woke up to feel a warm body pressed against hers and a strong arm wrapped around her waist. When she rolled over, she came face to face with a fast asleep Ron. A small smile played across her lips. She ran her fingers through his hair. He looked so peaceful while he slept. Hermione shifted to get in a more comfortable position, causing him to wake up. His eyes fluttered open, and he stretched for a few seconds before turning his attention to her.
"Morning," she whispered.
"Morning." He pecked her on the lips.
"You didn't have to stay with me all night you know."
"Of course I did. I had to make sure that you're alright." He paused. "Are you?"
"I guess. I don't know." He sat up. It was obvious that she wasn't telling him something.
"What's on your mind?" Hermione sat up too.
"Will you go with me to get my parents?" she asked meekly.
"Sure, when do you want to go?"
"Today?" It was a question, not a definite statement, as if she needed Ron's permission to go.
"Let me get dressed first." He gave her a quick kiss before climbing out of bed. She followed in suit several minutes later.
It was nearly midnight by the time Ron and Hermione got to Australia because of the time difference. They Apparated in a deserted park and walked down the country road hand in hand. He kissed the back of her hand softly. She stopped outside a small house with the lights on. Her heart was pounding like mad in her chest.
"Well, this is it," she sighed. "Let me do all the talking, got it?"
"Yeah, that's fine." She pulled Ron up the walkway and knocked on the front door. Mr. Granger answered after a few seconds.
"May I help you?" he asked. It pained Hermione that he didn't recognize her at all.
"Our car broke down a little ways back; can we use your phone?"
"Come on in." He seemed reluctant to let two strangers in his house but let them in anyway.
"Darling, who's at the door?" Mrs. Granger asked as she entered the foyer. In a flash, Hermione whipped out her wand. She hit Mr. Granger first since he was closer. The force of the spell sent him stumbling backwards. Mrs. Granger screamed. Hermione hit her next. Both her parents stood rooted to the floor, clearly confused. Mr. Granger came to his senses first.
"Hermione?"
"Daddy!" She threw her arms around his neck. He was obviously startled by this and stumbled backwards again.
"Hermione, what happened?" Mrs. Granger asked her daughter. "Where are we?" Hermione shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other.
"Maybe we should go into the kitchen," Ron suggested, breaking the heavy silence that had settled over everyone. They had a lot of explaining to do.
In the kitchen, Hermione waved her wand, causing tea to start brewing. Everyone took a seat around the round kitchen table. Hermione took a deep breath while she tried to figure out where to start their story. She might as well start with explaining to her parents why they were in Australia.
"I did this for your safety," she started. "That way, if Death Eaters found you, you could honestly say that you had no clue who we were."
"So you played with our memories?" Mr. Granger asked; confused as to whether or not he should be mad at her. Close to tears, she nodded.
"I'm sorry," she sobbed, finally letting loose her pent up feelings.
"It's okay, sweetie," Mrs. Granger cooed as she pulled Hermione into a hug. "Why don't you just tell us what's been going on this year?" She nodded. She and Ron took turns telling the Grangers what had happened. They made sure to leave out the detail about Hermione being tortured by Bellatrix; it was the last thing they needed to know at the moment.
Ron and Hermione got home around mid afternoon, English time, after making sure that Mr. and Mrs. Granger were back home and settled in comfortably.
"Thanks for coming with me," Hermione said quietly as they stood together in the foyer.
"Anytime, baby." He wound his fingers through her hair and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. "Hey, Hermione, I-"
"You're back!" Ginny exclaimed, completely ruining the semi-romantic moment. Ron let out a frustrated sigh. "How are your parents?" she asked as she came down the stairs.
"They're pretty good. I'm going to spend the day with them tomorrow," Hermione replied.
"That's good." Ron planted a loving kiss on the top of Hermione's head.
"I'm gonna go rest," she said. He let her go, and she drifted over to the sitting room.
"Harry told me what happened to her," Ginny said to her brother. He leaned against the gloomy wall and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Yeah, I figured as much." He sighed sadly. "She hasn't been the same since. I just wish that there was something I could do for her."
"You are; you're there for her. I can tell that you really care about her." He blushed.
"I'm gonna go relax with 'Mione," she said before squeezing Ginny's shoulder and retreating to the sitting room. She went back upstairs to finish what she had been doing.
In the sitting room, Hermione was on the couch reading a book while Harry played on the floor with Teddy.
"I thought you were resting," Ron said as he sat on the couch next to her.
"I am." He stretched out across the couch with his head in her lap. She ran her fingers through his fiery hair as she continued to read her book. Harry rolled Teddy onto his back and tickled his chubby tummy. The child let out a squeal, causing Hermione to crack a small smile of amusement. His hair flashed colors, showing off how happy he truly was. Harry picked him up and tossed him up in the air several times like he didn't weigh a thing.
"Careful Harry, he'll get sick," Ron warned.
"I know." Teddy yawned. "I'm going to put him down for his nap." Harry stood up and cradled his suddenly half-asleep godson in his arms. He nodded to his friends before leaving the room.
Once Harry was gone, Hermione put her book down and carefully stood up, causing Ron's head to fall back on the couch.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I want to lay down with you." He slid up on the piece of furniture so he took up the entire length of the couch while she crawled over him and positioned herself between his strong body and the back of the couch.
"Are you okay?
"I am now," she murmured as she rested her head on his chest and draped her arm across his toned stomach. He ran his fingers up and down her back lightly. She nuzzled his chest affectionately before closing her eyes. It didn't take long for sleep to claim her. Ron struggled to stay awake for as long as possible. Every time he felt his eyes droop, he would force them open again. He wanted to make sure that Hermione would be okay and sleep peacefully for a few hours. Exhaustion eventually claimed him, and he fell asleep with his arms around Hermione.
When Ron woke up an hour later, Harry and Ginny were playing chess in the middle of the floor. Hermione was still fast asleep on top of him, making it extremely difficult for him to sit up without waking her. He wound his fingers through her hair and shifted slightly. Ginny looked over and smiled.
"Morning sleeping beauty," she joked.
"What time is it?"
"About 4:30." Hermione whimpered in her sleep. Ron gently rubbed her back to calm her down.
"Hey, hey, shh; it's okay. It's okay," he cooed. Instantly, she calmed down and opened her eyes. She blinked several times, looking around wide-eyed. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine." Hermione ran her fingers over his cheek and down his chest. Ginny made a gagging noise.
"You guys are disgusting."
"Checkmate," Harry proudly announced. Her head whipped around.
"What!? No way!"
"Look at the board, babe, I won." She pouted as if that would change the outcome of the game.
"And you call us disgusting," Hermione commented.
"Could be worse," Ron pointed out, not all that thrilled at the PDA coming from his little sister and best friend.
"You mean like this?" Ginny asked before leaning over and kissing Harry full on the mouth.
"What out, Harry, that's my baby sister." She broke off the kiss and glared hatefully at her brother.
"I'm not a baby!" she growled.
"Careful Ron, or else Ginny will curse your arse into next year," Harry said with a chuckle.
"Not a chance, Hermione will protest me." Snorting, Hermione propped herself up so she hovered over Ron.
"Yeah right." Without warning, he began to tickle her mercilessly. She rolled off the couch, landing facedown on the carpet. Right away, Ron sat up.
"Merlin, are you okay?" he asked as he gently rolled her over to find that she was laughing. Harry and Ginny burst out laughing too. Ron got to his feet and helped his girlfriend up. "I'm sorry, 'Mione." He tried to wrap his arms around her, but she didn't return the affection.
"Uh-uh, no way." He kissed her neck and slid his hand under her shirt and across her stomach. "Ronald Weasley! I know you did not just do that!"
"I dunno, 'Mione, it looks like he did," Ginny replied with a flip of her vibrant hair over her shoulder.
"Shove off, Gin." Harry and Hermione looked at each other. The last thing they wanted at that moment…or any moment for that matter was a fight between Ron and Ginny. That would lead to screaming, which would wake Mrs. Black whose screams would wake Teddy, and none of that was a good thing.
"Okay children, calm down," Hermione directed in a stern voice, which was much like Professor McGonagall's. Surprisingly enough, they listened to her.