Here's the fourth Chapter!!!!!! PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!! I love that people are putting this on story alert and making it a favorite - but PLEASE tell me why!
The Fourth Time - July 23, 2000
Harry sat quietly at his desk, the door to his office closed and sealed from intrusion. He contemplated going to Ron's adjacent office and searching for the bottle of Firewhiskey he knew was hidden there, but instead he settled for banging his head against his desk repeatedly, desperately trying to force the images from today's mission from his mind.
He looked up at the framed photo of him and Ginny taken on New Year's Eve during her final year at Hogwarts. A small smile crossed his face as he remembered how close he came to losing her that Christmas, but thanks to an overheard conversation between Ron and Hermione, he was able to make things right with Ginny. I will not think about the other things I overheard and saw that night. Course I'm not that desperate randy virgin anymore either. Well, maybe a bit desperate... Ginny's been on tour for quite a while. Oh, but that visit we had in Prague last month... Harry began to feel his trousers tighten, despite the awful day he'd had, as he recalled the surprise Ginny had arranged for him when he visited her for the weekend; she introduced him to her teammate Valeriya and the three of them got on...very well. I can't believe I ever accused her of being frigid! I sure as hell never thought she'd ever suggest we do that – with another girl!
Ginny was currently three months into a six month international tour with the Holyhead Harpies. Before she left, she had suggested that they each be free to date other people while they were apart, to be 'sure' about each other. She said she didn't want Harry to have any regrets. He had no choice but to agree, but he made it a point to visit her as often as possible so that neither of them became so lonely that they felt the need to see others. Harry had been tempted to ask other girls out, but his love for Ginny, and a wee bit of fear of her brothers, prevented him from doing so.
Her brothers. Harry turned his attention to the photo of himself with Ron and Hermione. Poor Ron. Harry shook his head and felt his eyes begin to tear. He took what happened harder then any of us, course he was right there when she died.
Harry and Ron had been called in to investigate what appeared to be a Muggleborn hate crime, a young Muggleborn witch was attacked with what appeared to be dark magic. The word 'Mudblood' was written in blood on the wall over the dying girl's body. She had soft brown eyes and wavy brown hair; she looked enough like Hermione to give Ron and Harry a start when they first arrived on the scene. Ron took it upon himself to stay with the poor thing while the Healers tried their best. In the end, it wasn't enough and Ron clutched her hand in his, whispering words of comfort as she passed. Turned out it wasn't the work of a dark wizard at all, just a sick fuck of an ex-boyfriend she surprised while he was breaking into her flat. Ron had been so shaken that Harry insisted on doing the paperwork alone and sent Ron home.
Ron was supposed to meet Hermione at some Muggle restaurant for dinner and he didn't want to skive off their date. With Ron still helping at the shop their time together was limited, plus Harry knew Ron needed to see her, to make sure she was okay. Ron planned to meet up with her and hopefully persuade her to just come back to Grimmauld Place with him. Harry knew Ron didn't want to be alone after what happened, anymore than he did; Harry rather hoped he could catch up with his best mates as he was in dire need of a drink himself. Wonder if they've made it back to Grimmauld yet? We might be out of Firewhiskey, I'll just give a quick Floo call to see if I need to bring any home.
Harry sat down on the cushion in front of his fireplace, threw a handful of Floo Powder in, then thrust his head into the green flames while shouting, "Grimmauld Place!" Soon enough the kitchen of the old house that he and Ron called home came into view.
"Ron? Hermione?" Harry called, "Anyone home?" He was about to call out again when a sudden POP! rang out marking the arrival of Harry's housemate. Before Harry could even speak, Ron picked up a kitchen chair and threw it across the room with a primal scream.
"That bitch! That fucking bitch...flashing her...just... ARGH!" Another chair quickly fell victim to Ron's rage. Holy shit! What the hell happened? He picked up a splintered leg and banged it on the table, drowning out Harry's voice as he called to Ron. "Goddamned slag!" He slammed the leg on the table top again as he screamed, "That fucking little–" POP!
"Don't you dare walk out on me Ron Weasley!" Hermione screeched when she suddenly appeared. "Oh wait, I forgot, that's what you do best – leave!" she added sarcastically, hands on her hips. She was wearing a wine coloured dress with buttons all down the front, a fair number of them undone – at the top and bottom – flashing quite a lot of cleavage and even more leg.
I don't understand! I figured if anything they'd be shagging not fighting. She certainly is dressed like she was expecting the same thing, she doesn't usually show that much flesh in public!
"Don't you even compare–"
"So sorry, I was instantly reminded of the last time you were such a complete and total ARSE!"
"Get out." Ron's voice was low and menacing. Damn! I only ever hear him talk like that to suspects. This is not going to end well...maybe I should come through?
"Don't use that tone with me!" Harry sniggered to himself despite the seriousness of the situation. She sounds just like his mum.
"This is my home and I will use whatever tone I damn well please. Get the fuck out – NOW!"
"It's not your home, it's Harry's. You don't even pay rent–"
OI! That's not fair, he's been begging me to take money since the day we moved in! He's the one who insists on setting money aside for Kreacher. Didn't he ever tell her?
"You bitch," Ron countered through clenched teeth. He took a deep breath, obviously trying to regain some control before he turned to her, "I really don't need your shit tonight Hermione, not after the day I've had. Please, just go."
"How would I know what kind of day you've had?" Hermione countered, ignoring his request that she leave. "You came storming up to me at the restaurant, with an obvious chip on your shoulder, threatened the poor bloke sitting next to me then stormed back out. Not exactly enlightening, Ron."
"Poor bloke? Poor Bloke! Are you fucking serious?" Ron shouted, once again silencing Harry's efforts to get their attention. He kicked a discarded fragment of chair across the room, "He was practically drooling on your tits and his hand was ON YOUR ARSE!"
What! How could she let someone touch her like that? How could she do that to Ron?
"Oh please, you're exaggerating! He had his hand on my back as he was leaning in to get the barman's attention. Granted, it may have been slipping lower, but I could have handled it."
"Could have– Wait! You could have handled it! You just didn't want to, did you Hermione? You wanted him to touch you...or rather you wanted me to catch him touching you!"
"Ron, don't be ridiculous, how would I have known–"
"Your necklace." Ron took a brisk step forward, trapping Hermione between his body and the large kitchen table, kicking the bench under the table back out of his way. He raised his hand to her chest and fingered the chain hanging around her neck. "The necklace I gave you warms when I'm near, let's you know I'm close." He reached up and tore the front of her dress open, sending tiny buttons scattering around the wood floor. Whoa, wait a minute there mate! Harry's apprehension grew, but Hermione stared at Ron unflinching.
Ron wrapped his hand around the necklace that was nestled between Hermione's breasts. "You knew I was there, and yet you still let him touch you." Ron took a step back from her, dropping his hand as if he had been burned. He than rubbed that same shaky hand roughly over his face, "What the fuck are you playing at Hermione?"
No, this can't be the end. She would never cheat...would she?
"Nothing," Hermione's voice quivered slightly, before she set her jaw and met Ron's eyes defiantly, "Maybe I just wanted some attention..."
"Attention, what are you... Are you saying you wanted his...for him to...?" Ron's voice became much quieter as his eyes grew large, obviously fearful of her response.
"No, Ron, no," Hermione shook her head furiously, tears beginning to well in her eyes. "Y-you've been so distant lately...so busy. With the shop and your missions... I, I just wanted your attention I guess, to know you still care." They stared each other for a moment, trying to read the other's expression. Come on guys, say something...silence isn't your thing. Talk, shout, DO something. Harry's hands began to twitch nervously, as he waited anxiously to see if his best friends' relationship was going to survive. If you two can't make it, I don't know...
Suddenly Ron threw his hands up in the air and shouted, "Bloody hell! Bloody fucking hell! This – this is the thanks I get!" He turned his back to her, shouting into the air, "Working my ARSE off... and you flash your tits for the first slimy git you see to GET MY ATTENTION!"
Hermione was taking deep shuddering breaths, her breasts heaving and spilling over the lace cups of her bra, "Ron, I –"
At the sound of her voice, Ron spun around, his face a mask of anger and hurt. "You could have said something Hermione, because I sure as hell thought you were pleased with the level of attention I've been paying you! That sounded like you screaming my name just the other day as I went down on you in your office, sure felt as if you liked the attention I was giving you as I bent you over your desk." DAMN! Right there in her office at the Ministry!
"Stopping by my office for a quick fuck in between jobs isn't my idea of a proper relationship, Ron!" Hermione said fuck! "Why Ron?" she continued her rant, "Why are you still working the two jobs? George is better, the shop is doing fine. We need more time together! You don't have to keep this up, unless...unless you..." she trailed off.
"Unless I what?"
"Unless...you don't want more time together...don't want me anymore."
For a genius you can be a real idiot Hermione. You should hear how this lovesick prat talks about you – worse than that stupid love potion back in sixth year!
Ron clenched his eyes closed as he flexed his hands into fists, trying to keep his anger in check.
"Is there...is there someone else, Ron?" Ron's eyes flew open in a flash at her words. Shit, he looks like he could breath fire! "Because I can't think of another reason why you won't free your time to spend with me! I can't go on like this! I need more Ron!"
"MORE! You need MORE! Fucking hell Hermione, I don't have any more to give! Is that what tonight was about? Finding more? What's the matter, one cock not enough for your greedy little cun–" He stopped shouting as Hermione raised her hand to slap him across the face. Ron's reflexes were faster and he easily caught her small wrist with his large hand, pulling her hand behind her back.
"Let me go!" she shouted while she struggled to free her arm from his grip.
"No."
Harry knew Hermione usually carried her wand in a holster in her thigh whenever she wore Muggle dresses. He gained this bit of information from Ron one night while out for drinks and Ron informed him how sexy Hermione looked with nothing but her leather holster on. Look out mate, she's going to hex you for sure.
Hermione glared up at Ron and reached across her body with her left hand, in an attempt to reach her wand, just as Harry feared. However, again, Ron's reflexes were quicker and he grabbed her free hand and brought it behind her back as well.
"No," Ron said firmly, his voice calm and deep, "Stop struggling Hermione." This only caused her to fight harder, but her petite frame was no match for Ron's much larger, much stronger body.
Harry's wand twitched nervously in his hand as he contemplated his next move. If he were to come through the fire or otherwise make himself known, the enraged couple would spring apart, go their separate ways, and possibly never recover from this confrontation. Harry had witnessed enough of their battles to know they must reach resolution quickly, because wounds left to fester would quickly escalate into a potentially irreparable situation.
Tread carefully Ron, don't make me come through...work this out mate...stay calm.
Unable to free her arms, Hermione lifted her leg and flayed it about trying to kick Ron, who easily avoided her assault. You be careful too, Hermione. Don't push him to much...you may have already gone too far.
"Stop it dammit. Listen to me!"
"I don't have to listen to you! You don't own me, I'm not your property!"
Ron leaned forward and growled, just loud enough for Harry to hear over the hiss of the Floo, "That's where you're wrong, you are mine Hermione."
Ron quickly spun Hermione around so that her back was pressed tightly against his chest then he surged forward and bent her over the table, her hands still clasped behind her. He leaned over her, pushing his hard body into her, trapping her against the smooth wooden surface. Taking her two small hands into one of his and raising them over her head, he used his free one to pull her hair to the side and expose her neck. "You are all mine," he said firmly before burying his face in against her nape and grinding against her arse.
"You're turned on!" Hermione shouted, trying to sound horrified. Ron laughed, it came out as a deep, almost chilling sound, "As if you aren't."
"I-I'm not," she sputtered.
"Oh really..." Ron reached down and flipped her skirt up to revel lace knickers that barely covered her round arse. Ron ran his hand sensuously over her exposed flesh before dipping his hand down between her legs.
Whoa Ron! Are you sure she wants–
"...then why is your pussy dripping wet?"
Hermione let out a long loud moan has Ron rubbed his hand back and forth over her center. Guess that answers that question.
Hermione was moving against Ron's hand, arching her back to try to increase the contact. She whimpered softly and Harry barely heard her quietly plead, "Ron." The sound of his name spurred Ron into action. He shifted away from her body and ripped off her knickers before plunging his fingers inside her. Hermione threw her head back and let out a combination of sigh and squeal at the contact.
Fuck! I can hear how wet she is all the way over here. She loves him acting like this, so...forceful. I gotta admit, he can be quite something at work...the way he talks to suspects, the way he carries himself...
"Aw shite Hermione," Ron worked his one hand furiously, while the other continued to hold her hands captive above her head, "Tell me, what's got you so turned on?" He bent forward and nipped at her neck, "Was it that tosser at the bar? Thoughts of taking him home and into your bed get your knickers soaked?" Hermione didn't respond, other than to shake her head negatively and writhe under Ron's touch more fervently. "No? What is it then?"
When Hermione only whimpered, Ron removed his fingers and moved her arms so they were spread out on either side of her body, pressing himself completely over her. "Answer me Hermione," he commanded.
I think it's rather obvious mate, though she's probably too stubborn to admit it.
"Tell me," he said again, softer this time.
"You," she replied, "only you."
"Said you wanted more Hermione, do you still? Because I need... I want..." Ron's voice was strained from the effort of holding himself in check. "Please Hermione, can I...?" He released Hermione's right hand and reached between their bodies, fumbling for his belt buckle.
She turned her face to the side and Harry thought she looked like she might be ready to cry, "Yes Ron, God yes!"
Ron stood all the way up, as she remained bent over the table. Hermione looked over her shoulder at Ron, as his shaking hands struggled with his belt.
"Ron?"
His trembling hands stopped working his trouser button as he looked up and met her eyes, "I love you so much Hermione, you have to know that."
Harry was gobsmacked when Hermione suddenly flipped over and drew her wand, pointing it directly at Ron's chest. What the fuck? Harry's instinct to protect his partner kicked in and he trained his wand on Hermione, forgetting for a moment that she was his best friend as well – his only thought was to protect Ron.
Ron, on the other hand, relaxed completely as he stared blankly at Hermione.
Pull your wand you stupid sod! I don't understand...it's like he wants her to hex him. Dammit Ron, wake up!
A small smile graced Hermione's face, "Show me." With a swish and a flick of her wand, they were both instantly starkers in the kitchen. Hermione sat on the edge of the large wooden table and reached for Ron, "Show me that you love me."
Damn! I wasn't expecting that!
Ron grabbed Hermione's face in his hands and brought her to him for a kiss with such force, Harry could have sworn he heard their teeth crash. In the years since the Battle at Hogwarts, Harry had witnessed many, many kisses between his two best friends; he had even seen them shag a few times. However he had never seen them kiss with such ferocity, it was as if they were continuing their fight through their kiss. Ron's hands gripped Hermione's face so tightly Harry wondered how she could stand it. She threw her head back and screeched in pleasure and pain as he nipped and licked his way down her neck to her breasts, taking one then the other into his mouth with ferocious need.
When he stood up to take her mouth again she pulled his bottom lip into her mouth and bit down, causing Ron to pull away muttering, "Fucking bitch." She ducked her head to bite along his neck and torso, leaving bruises on his pale freckled skin while his large hands kneaded her arse roughly. At this rate they are both going to need a visit to the Healer.
Ron moved his hands from her arse cheeks and fisted them into her thick hair. He yanked her head back and growled, "Don't you ever fucking pull that shit again Hermione," before biting into the flesh of her neck. "You are mine, nobody else touches you. Understand?" She whimpered into his mouth as he claimed her once again.
Ron's hands eventually moved down to Hermione's hips and he forcefully jerked her forward and swiftly buried himself deep within her. Their sudden joining caused them both to groan with satisfaction. Ron wrapped his arms around Hermione immediately began thrusting into her wildly, as she tore her nails down Ron's back, leaving a a trail of red scratches and faint traces of blood, from what Harry could see. Ron threw his head back and screamed in agony. Or maybe it was ecstasy? Harry really couldn't tell them apart at this point.
As his own arousal began to stir, Harry thought, I better make sure they don't fuck each other to death.
Ron quickly lifted his knee to the tabletop, giving him more leverage to pound into Hermione, who took each thrust and gave it right back. "Nobody, you fucking hear me? Mine!" Hermione arched her back and moaned her agreement as Ron fiercely attacked her neck again. "These are my tits," he announced before savagely claiming them with his lips and teeth. Hermione reached a hand around and dug her nails into the clenching muscles of Ron's arse. The speed and power of his assault increased as Hermione neared release, her cries growing louder and louder until she arched her back even more and screamed his name before biting into the juncture of his neck and shoulder, effectively muffling her shrieks of pleasure.
As she came down from her climax, her eyes grew wide as Ron lowered her roughly to lay flat on the table. He pulled her legs up so her feet rested near his shoulders and the backs of her legs were flush against his long torso. Gripping her hips, he pulled back and slammed into her, causing her shout, "It's too much!" Ron seemed to ignore her as he continued to plow into her repeatedly, showing no mercy. It didn't take long before Hermione was thrashing her head back and forth, crying out, "Yes Ron! Oh God, yes! Don't stop, please!"
Fuck! Look at him – he's just...raw power. I never thought Hermione would respond to something like this, much less thrive on it.
"Never gonna stop," he groaned, turning his face to suck on her calf before adjusting his grip on her hips. His voice was firm, but words were tender, "Never think I don't want you...it's all for you Hermione, everything is for you." Ron's hips began to move harder and faster, "All I ever want is you – forever – I love you."
"Yes, Ron...forever!" Hermione turned her head to the side and clenched her eyes shut, Ron's assault on her small frame overwhelming her.
Ron moved one hand up to wrap around the leg by his ear, while he bent forward to twist his other hand in Hermione's hair, holding her thrashing head still, " Look at me Hermione." Damn! Her eyes flew open as she bit her lip to keep quiet, her body on the edge of another orgasm. Accenting each word with his powerful body, he commanded, "Say -thrust- you're -thrust- mine! -thrust- forever -thrust - Marry -thrust- me!"
Marry? Did he just say marry? Bloody hell! Bloody buggering fucking hell! There's no way she'll say–
"Yes, Ron, yes! I love you! I'm yours!" Her back arched high off the table as her body shuddered and she screamed, "Only yours, forever – RON!" Ron didn't relent as Hermione continued to call his name, hands still fisted in her hair as he stared into her face. Once her body slumped back, she told him, "And you're mine." With her words Ron released her hair, dug his hands into her thighs pulling her hard against him. He threw his head back and shouted her name in release.
Fuck! Harry shouted, his own excitement at there feral coupling had reached a painful level, but his need to find his own release was dampened by the couples' declarations. Does this mean they're engaged? Holy shite!
Ron suddenly pushed himself off Hermione and stumbled back to land on the bench he had shoved aside earlier. Harry's hand froze on the aching bulge in his pants as he watched Ron lean forward on his elbows, his face in his hands. The kitchen was filled with the sounds of Hermione's panting and Ron's sobs and his quiet murmurs of "I am, I am."
Ron? Wh-what's happened?
As Hermione finally caught her breath, she said up tentatively and scooted to the edge of the table, "Ron?" Her voice was raspy, no doubt hoarse from her screams, "Luv, what's wrong?" When Ron didn't answer, she reached a shaking hand out and touched his bowed head gently. The soft touch was all it took for Ron to rush forward and cling to her, wrapping his arms around her and burying his face into her lap. He allowed himself to fall apart in her embrace. Hermione leaned forward and draped herself over him, her long brown waves blanketing his body.
"I am, I am," Ron said again as his sobs subsided.
You're what?
"What are you Ron?" Hermione asked tenderly, as she stroked his head.
"Yours, I'm yours. You have to know that. You know I would never, ever–"
"I'm so sorry Ron," she interrupted, sliding her hand from Ron's hair to his chin and tilting his face up to look at her, "I never really thought otherwise, really I didn't. I just..." Hermione's voice was thick as she held back tears, "I just miss you so much. I want to be with you all the time, not just little snippets of time."
"Me too Hermione, I want that too. Please believe me."
"I do, I believe you."
"I'm sorry about tonight, that I blew up like that."
"You don't have to–"
"I just needed to see you, needed to know you were okay...needed to hold you. All I could think about was getting to you, then when I did..."
"Oh God Ron, I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry," Hermione covered her face with her hands and started to cry.
Ron tugged her hands away, "No tears Hermione, please." He cupped her face and kissed her gently, but briefly, on her lips, "I love you." He gave her a small smile, "Just tell me what happened, okay?"
She took a deep breath to steel herself before explaining, "That arse at the bar was chatting me up and I told him to bugger off–"
"You did?" Ron interrupted with a laugh.
"Maybe I didn't use those exact words," she admitted sheepishly, "but that was definitely the message."
"One he definitely didn't get," Ron muttered angrily.
"No, I suppose not," she said quietly. "Well, anyway, the longer I sat there waiting for you, the more upset I got over how little time we've had together recently and my thoughts just started going all over the place. By the time my necklace indicated you were near, I was convinced you were bored with me and didn't want to be with me."
"That could never happen Hermione. Never!"
She sniffed and nodded her head, "I know, I guess I... I just forgot."
"I'll do my best to make sure you never forget again; you're everything to me Hermione."
"As you are to me Ron," she reached out and lovingly stroked his cheek, her eyes never leaving his.
Is that it? Is everything better? Please let it all be better.
Hermione broke the spell of their silence, "Tell me what happened with work today."
"Um, I don't... I mean, er...you don't wanna..." Ron stumbled over his words
"You said you needed to make sure I was okay. Why, what happened?"
"We had a...a mission today, a young woman was...hurt. There was blood everywhere, they wrote Mudblood – in her blood."
Hermione covered her mouth with her hand and gasped,"How awful!"
"Yeah it was," he conceded.
"Oh Ron!" Hermione tried to pull him into an embrace, but he kept his distance, trying to finish.
"The worst part was, she...she looked like you. I held her hand when she died, all I could see was you, imaging your blood everywhere, your eyes lifeless and unseeing. All I wanted was you, I just knew I needed you."
"I'm here Ron, I'll always be here."
"I just lost it when I thought about losing you, losing you in any way." Ron let Hermione hold him again at this point. "I love you so much Ron, I swear I'll never stop." As they clung together naked and crying, Harry's arousal at watching their furious mating had almost completely dissipated. Harry watched the hard defined muscles of Ron's back, still marked with angry red streaks, moving as he wrapped himself around Hermione, her soft form, clinging just as tightly around him. Look at them, they're beautiful together. Even with all the nasty words and anger – they just...fit.
Pulling back from their embrace, Hermione wiped the tears from her face. Leaning her forehead against Ron's, she sighed, "Do you have keep working so hard?"
"You used to complain I didn't work hard enough," he said with a lopsided grin, obviously trying to make her smile.
"I'm serious Ron, it's too much. Can't you give one of them up?"
NO! Not the Aurors! I need... I mean...we need him!
"Not yet, I need both jobs for now, but not much longer I promise. I almost have enough saved."
"Saved? Enough saved for what?"
I'll give you any money you need mate, you know that.
"Um, er...for us."
"Us?" she asked meekly.
"Yeah," Ron seemed shy for a moment, then he looked up and met her gaze. "I spent some on the ring, but think we'll still need a bit more for a house."
What the hell?
"Ring?" Hermione asked quietly.
"Yeah," Ron took her left hand in his both of his and grinned broadly at her, "a ring. I meant to ask you proper-like, been trying to figure out what to ask for a while now."
"So you meant it, what you said about...marrying you?"
"Of course! Hermione, I've known for yonks that I've wanted to marry you. Did you...did you mean it when you said yes?" He gave her a cheeky smile, "Or was that just your sex 'YES!'?"
"Prat," she swatted at him playfully. Looping her hands around his neck and tangling her hands in his hair she said, "Of course I meant it. I've known for ages there's only you for me."
Ron ran his hands tenderly over Hermione's back, "How 'bout we go out tomorrow night, maybe that little Muggle Italian place near your flat? I can try this proposal thing again, maybe with candles," he looked down at their bodies, "and a bit more clothes."
"You don't have to ask again, the answer will always be the same." Ron pulled her closer and kissed her tenderly yet passionately, the kiss slow and sensual. Harry could feel their arousal, along with his own, returning in full force.
Before they could get caught up in the moment, Hermione suddenly pulled back, "Let's move in together!"
"Wh-what?" Ron blinked his eyes for a moment, trying to refocus on the act of communicating with words. What! But we've never lived apart!
"That way we can spend more time together, while you still work both jobs. No matter how tired we are, we'd always wake up together. Every night, we'd always have someone to offer comfort to us, someone to talk to about our day."
"Well, yeah...but I need to save–"
"We can save for a house, though with both of us saving, it won't be long till we can afford one. There's no rush, we have a lifetime together, just the two of us."
What about me?
"I reckon you may have a point. And the waking up together bit would be rather nice," he raked his eyes exaggeratedly over her body. "Yes, living in sin would definitely have its advantages." Hermione laughed in agreement. "Besides," Ron continued, "it might be awhile before I can make a change. I don't know who needs me more - Harry or George."
ME!
She ran her hands through his hair and gently kissed his lips, pulling back slightly she said "I do. I need you more than anyone." She kissed him again, lingering longer this time, "We've got time to deal with all these issues, for now – take your fiancée to bed."
"Mmmm," Ron moaned as he closed his eyes and reveled in the feel of her hands scratching his scalp, "sounds like a good plan."
Hermione ran her finger gingerly over the reddening bite mark on his neck. "I'm sorry I hurt you," she said softly and Harry knew she didn't just mean the physical pain.
Ron reached for her hand and kissed her palm reverently, "But you healed me too Hermione. That's how we work."
He stood up and led her from the kitchen, making their way through the debris of clothes and broken furniture. He paused at the door, "Why don't you head up, luv? I should set things to right before Harry gets home."
"Okay, don't be long. I'll start us a shower?"
"Brilliant!"
Ron stood naked in the middle of the kitchen, surveying the damage. Harry took the opportunity to observe him as he flourished his wand, erasing all signs of the earlier altercation. He looks different, like a man who has his future in his hands. I guess he does. And that future is Hermione – just Hermione. Not me and him any more, not even the three of us. Just them. The happiness Harry felt for his best mate was marked with the sadness and jealously he had become so used to when thinking about Ron and Hermione. Harry was too caught up in his own thoughts to notice his best mate staring at the fireplace, horrified.
Pulling his head out of the Floo, Harry sat back on his haunches. "Enough," he said to his empty office. "I want my future too - now." With determination and deliberation, he turned on the spot, concentrating on Ginny's hotel suite in Prague.
He landed in the middle of her room, just in front of her bed. "Ginny!" he yelled enthusiastically. His excitement quickly fled, "Who the hell is that?" he screamed.