For Longer Than Forever: Ch. 9

Disclaimer: I will own Harry Potter or any entities involved when pigs fly. (Excepting Aunt Marge.)

The school day was one of the best for Ron and Hermione. Hermione was able to pay more attention in class, because she wasn't thinking about what Ron was thinking about her or afraid that Voldemort was going to attack, because Ron held her hand, and that comforted her more than he knew.

Ron was able to think about Hermione and not be embarrassed that she was going to find out about it, or catch him in the act. That she held his hand and was there with him, not mad at him, was dreamlike for him.

The two classes where Ron and Hermione were not in the same class were the times where Ron had dropped a class. Ron walked her to class and kissed her goodbye when the class started, and came and "picked her up" when class was over, and kissed her hello. They were together as much as they possibly could.

At dinner that night, Ron and Hermione sat with Harry and Ginny. They talked happily, too happily, Hermione thought. Ginny was acting suspiciously chipper, usually she was depressed about her break-up with Harry. Hermione opted to ask her about it later. Right now, she would enjoy the evening with her friends. They talked about everything, except Ron and Hermione's engagement. Ron and Hermione decided to keep that a secret until they got a letter back from Molly Weasley. It could change everything. Harry seemed to enjoy himself, but it was the same enjoyment as usual: almost distant, grim maybe. She could only guess that whatever Ginny was thinking about, Harry wasn't in on.

"Ron," she whispered after Harry and Ginny left. "I need to talk to Ginny. I'll visit you after in the common room later. I'd like to keep it a secret, if you don't mind."

"That's fine, I'll see you later. Love you," he said, and kissed her goodbye.

"Love you too," She said, and then walked up to the common room.

Hermione found Ginny in her room, alone. Being Head Girl, she got to choose one person to sleep in her room and that was Ginny.

"Hey, Gin. You seemed awfully happy at dinner. Is everything okay?" Hermione asked her.

Ginny started to cry. "Oh, Hermione!" She gave Hermione a hug. "I've really screwed up now. I...I...I've told Harry he is the only thing I've ever cared about."

"How is that screwing up? It's the truth isn't it?" Hermione said, confused.

"He just gave me this horrified look and walked away. I feel like such an idiot!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Listen, Gin. He broke up with you because he wants to protect you. Saying that kind of stuff just makes this harder on him. He loves you, why do you think he came back to school this year? He planned last year to go on a quest to find Voldemort and destroy him. He stayed here so he could protect you. He wants to make sure you are perfectly fine," Hermione told her.

"Well, I'm not perfectly fine, Hermione!" Ginny yelled. "I am emotionally scarred! You don't know what it's like to be in the best relationship you could've ever imagined and lose it! What would you do if Ron broke up with you? No matter the reason he did it, you would be hurt."

"How do you think Harry feels right now? He is just as hurt as you, may be even more! Yours was the best relationship for him, too, and he ended it because he cares! Yes, Ginny, HE CARES! Dammit, Ginny, you are just too fucking stubborn to see that, but everyone else does!" Hermione shouted. It was the first time that Ginny had ever heard Hermione swear. That delayed her reaction, but only for a split second.

"Then why doesn't he just tell me that?! Why doesn't he just tell me that he ended the best relationship in his whole life?! IT DOESN'T SEEM I'M THE FUCKING STUBBORN ONE!!!!!" Ginny yelled.

"He did tell you. How can I make this any clearer?" Hermione said quietly. "If you really want him to know all this, why don't you just tell him?" Then, she walked out of the room and downstairs to meet Ron, who was sitting there waiting for her.

"You'll never guess what came while you were upstairs," Ron said excitedly.

"The stork?" Hermione said jokingly.

"Don't even joke," Ron said sternly, and then brightened. "I got a letter back from my mum. And it's not a Howler! I figured we should read it together."

"Yeah, I guess we should."

The letter read:

Dear Ronald (and probably Hermione),

I'm glad that your relationship with Hermione worked out, but I know that no one gets engaged that quickly unless there are ulterior motives. I am disappointed that you wouldn't just tell me right out and that Hermione would even allow it. I want you to know that I will always be here to help and support you through everything. I hope that you will write back with the truth. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Love,

Mum (I guess to both of you now.)

Hermione was pale and looked like she would be sick. Ron didn't understand.

"What does she mean 'ulterior motives'?" Ron asked her.

"She thinks I'm pregnant," Hermione said, at then was sick.

Ron couldn't believe his mother would even think that. Hermione wouldn't ever allow it unless they were married, and he knew. He wouldn't even try to convince Hermione to do that. He helped Hermione to a couch.

"Sedato! Now listen Hermione, I'll go to The Burrow and tell Mum the truth. You just lie here. I'll be back soon."

"Okay, darling. I love you," Hermione said.

"Love you, too," He replied and gave her a kiss before Flooing to "The Burrow!"

A/N: I want you to know that Molly was complacent for a reason. I know that normally, she would be furious.

Okay, another chapter written while I was sick. I want to thank my grandfather for taking care of me while I'm sick. It is not as easy as it sounds. I am a pain in the ass and hard to deal with, and he looks past that. He is another person who loves people despite their faults and I hope to end up like him as an adult. Thanks to him for being completely tolerant of me.