Harry Potter and the Guards of Gryffindor
After half an hour, Molly sent Hannah up to check on the duo. Hannah slipped into the room and found them cuddled together sleeping on Hermione's bed. She smiled to herself and sat down in the wooden rocking chair and began to knit as she stared at the stove and gave the young lovers as much privacy as she could while she sat with them.
It was late morning by the time Hermione awoke and found herself alone in her bed with Hannah Weasley babysitting her. "What time is it?" she asked groogily.
"It's nearly noon," Hannah said easily. "Ron went downstairs about an hour ago for some breakfast and a shower."
"Oh," Hermione said feeling very alone until the young Medi-Witch turned and faced her.
"If you'd like, you can shower and then I'll bring you downstairs as well," Hannah offered kindly.
"Thank you," Hermione said with a stiff smile as she gathered her things and was escorted out of the bedroom to the upstairs loo.
Most of the time that Hermione had spent with Hannah, the young Medi-Witch had remained quiet and reserved. She said very little about herself and spoke only when addressed. She had remained mostly a mystery. Today was different, however, and Hermione found herself learning a lot about the older witch as she spoke to her charge. Hannah was making small talk to ease the younger girl and told her about her graduation from school at sixteen, before she was of legal age, which was rare in the Wizarding world. During breakfast, while the rest of the Weasley Wing was busy working or preparing for classes, Hannah talked with Hermione about her training at St. Mungo's school of Healing and her residency as a Medi-Witch in Romania working on Wizard and Dragon alike. After breakfast, at Hermione's urging, Hannah explained how she had met Charlie a year ago and how they had married after knowing each other for only five months. Hannah never spoke of her childhood in America or her Malfoy lineage, which Hermione thought was largely due to the older women's sensitivity about the subject.
As the young women spoke in the living room, Molly had Harry and Ron working with the house elves to clean out the allotted space given to Charlie for his and Hannah's new home. Ron had remained odly quiet since coming downstairs and he and Harry said nothing of his declaration or of Hermione's parents, which was a relief for Ron. He was very embarressed and nervous about what he had said and how it would affect his friendship with Harry. Harry and Ron worked with Molly and Charlie until dinner time, when they were brought out of Gryffindor tower to the Weasley Wing. When the portrait opened, the smell of fresh baked bred, turkey, gravy and stuffing all filtered through the air. Hermione and Hannah popped in and out of the kitchen bringing food to the table as Dobby set it for them.
"Yum, Han's makin' turkey!" Charlie said with a smile as his wife brought out a large bird on a platter.
"Carve this will you Charlie?" Hannah asked as she sat the turkey on the table. "You're much better at serving it up than I am." Charlie grinned and walked up to his wife. Molly stared at the scene with shock. No one had ever cooked for her family, except her.
"You didn't have to do all this," she said with wonder as Hermione brought out a loaf of warm bread and blushed at the sight of Ron. Ron's ears flushed in return and Harry rolled his eyes with a smile.
"Nonsense, Molly," Hannah beamed. "You can't be expected to do it all. And besides, I was teaching Hermione how to bake bread."
"Oh," Molly said with a sigh of dissappointment.
Hannah hid a smile as she noted her mother-in-laws dejected look. "I could use some help with the pies though," she said honestly. "I'm terrible with crust," she admitted as Molly beamed.
"Oh, well let me help you then," she grinned as she followed her daughter-in-law into the small kitchen. Charlie shook his head with a low chuckle as he carved the bird and Harry and Ron approached the table cautiously. Harry pretended to be innamored by Charlie's carving and Ron snuck towards Hermione.
"So how are you feeling?" he asked her with concern.
She smiled. "Better, thanks. Hannah's been looking after me today and I felt better after my nap."
Ron nodded anxiously. "I... um... I'm sorry about this morning. I didn't mean to say..."
Hermione smiled and took Ron's hand in her's. "That's alright. I'm glad you did." The two were cut off from saying more as Aurther and the twins arrived at the portrait and walked into the living room. Ron wriggled out of Hermione's grasp quickly and stepped away from her, but it wasn't fast enough.
"Hello Weasley's," Aurther greeted everyone, seemingly oblivious.
"Hello Dad/Mr. Weasley," the group said warmly.
"We weren't interrupting anything, were we, Ronnikins?" Fred asked with a wicked gleam in his eye.
"No, nothing," Ron said quickly.
"Oi, Fred," Charlie yelled, trying to distract him from terrorizing their younger brother. "Save Hannah from Mum in the kitchen."
Fred grumbled, but did as he was told. Before George could continue with Fred's work, Percy and Oliver entered the portrait with Remus and Tonks following close behind. The group deposited their belongings with a rush and came back to the dining area, ready with dinner.
The meal went by quickly and soon everyone was either cleaning up the mess, up in their rooms or seated by the fire in the living room. The evening was quiet and uneventful as the group was accutely aware of the argument that had started the morning. Remus and Aurther had the unpleasant task of educating Hermione's parents when they arrived about what their daughter had been up to and then Hagrid had the displeasure of seeing them off to the train. The group had gone about their day like it was any other, but everyone was exhausted and ready for bed at an early hour.
Hagrid escorted the trio upstairs to their room. He swiftly took to his large brown bed and opened his "Monster Book of Monsters" and began to read. Harry, weary from Ginny's refusal to acknowledge him and her constant glares, collapsed onto his own bed and drew the cover closed. He was tired of feeling guilty and angry all the time, but didn't feel like he could talk to anyone, especially his best friends. He knew that they needed time to figure things out for themselves first.
As Harry began to snore quietly, Ron followed Hermione over to her bed and tentitively sat down. Hagrid turned toward Harry, pretending not to hear what the duo said.
"So..." the busy haired brunette began.
"Yeah," Ron sighed.
"We should talk about this," Hermione said firmly as she faced her friend.
"Yep," the red-head agreed reluctantly.
Hermione's brow furrowed. "You don't regret what you said this morning, do you?"
Ron blushed and shook his head no. "I'm just disappointed that it came out in a fight like that..."
Hermione nodded in agreement and took Ron's hand in hers. "But I am glad that you finally said it."
Ron blushed. "Afraid I never would?" he asked wearily.
Hermione chuckled. "A bit."
Ron took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it reverently. "Well, then I'm glad I said something." Hermione giggled softly and squirmed under Ron's attentive gaze.
"So what do we do now?" she asked with a shakey voice.
Ron shrugged. "Don't know..."
"Me either," Hermione agreed. "But I don't want things to go back to what they were... and I don't want you to treat me like you did Lavender."
Ron dropped Hermione's hand and sputtered. "I won't. I'd never... I... you... you're not the same as Lavender, 'Mione. I... I love you."
Hermione blushed. "I know. But I can't... I won't... I'm not interested in snogging you in front of the school or your family. I'm not like that Ron."
"I know," Ron sighed. "I'm not really either."
"Then why?..." 'Mione asked with tears brimming in her eyes.
Ron stroked her cheek. "At first it was to make you jealous. Then I just kind of got lost in all that Lavender was doing. I'm sorry."
Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat. "Oh..."
Ron took a deep breath. "Listen 'Mione. I've got to be honest with you about something and I don't want you to get upset or angry about it because it's done now, okay?" Hermione nodded tentativly. "Alright then," Ron began. "Ginny told me in sixth year that I didn't know anything about girls or love and that you did because you'd snogged Victor Krum. She was taunting me and I took her seriously. I got really jealous of you and Victor and wanted to do something to hurt you... so I snogged Lavender... which lead to us dating and my hurting you and... I'm sorry."
Hermione nodded and wiped the tear streaking down her face. "Oh Ginny! How could she?"
Ron shook his head, "I should have known better than to just take what she said at face value. She's nearly as bad as the twins..."
Hermione shook her head. "Well at least I now know why you were being such a prat!" she laughed between her tears.
Ron wrapped his arms around her. "I'm so sorry Luv. If I could take it back, I would. We've wasted so much time."
Hermione reached up and kissed Ron softly on the lips. It took two seconds or so before Ron realized it was fine for him to be kissing his best friend. He finally threw himself into the kiss, tasting and touching his true love. It seemed like ages since he had first kissed Hermione and he savored every minute kissing and memorizing her essence. The two were so lost in each other that they didn't notice Hagrid coughing gruffly beside them.
"Ron," Hagrid said forcefully, causing the boy to release his girl. "Best give our Hermione some air, yeah?" he said with a scathing look.
Ron winced and jumped away from the witch. "Sorry Hagrid," he appologised.
"Yeah, well, I wouldn't want yer Mum angry at me for lettin' ya snog 'Mione when yer supposed to be gettin' punished."
Hermione blushed. "It won't happen again Hagrid," she said with assurance. Ron's face fell and Hagrid couldn't help, but laugh.
"Don't do that, just wait until I'm not here watching ya, yeah?" Hagrid said with a smile as he turned around to read his book again.
"Oh Merlin!" Hermione whispered as she leaned into Ron's chest. "That was so embarrasing!"
Ron smiled. "Naw, it's just Hagrid. He won't tell."
"It's not that Ron," Hermione protested. "I completely forgot where I was or who else was in here. We've got to be more discreate." Ron nodded. "No more kissing in public."
Ron flushed. "Hermione," he whined. "I don't think I can promise you that."
"Why not?" she asked as she put her hands on her hips.
Ron shrugged. "I don't know, but I can't. There are times when a bloke's just gotta kiss his bird." Hermione blushed. "And besides you've kissed me in public before. Not as much as you've kissed Harry, but you've done it."
Hermione smiled. "True."
"You know that's the only time I ever feel really jealous of Harry, is when you kiss and hug him. The only real time," Ron sighed.
"But I don't love Harry, Ron," Hermione reassured him.
"You do," he said knowinly. "You love him like I do. He's our mate, our brother. We'd both die and or kill for him. He's family."
Hermione smiled warmly as Ron flushed to his ears. "You should tell him that."
"He knows," Ron mumbled.
Hermione quirked an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
"Yep," Ron said firmly, staring at the floor. "I don't have to say it."
"Well you should. Why is it so hard to say?" Hermione asked.
"It's a guy thing," Ron shrugged, "I'll either sound like a girl or a poof."
Hermione smacked Ron behind the head playfully. "Ron, loving Harry doesn't make you weak. It makes you both stronger. Remember, Harry has a power that the Dark Lord doesn't. It's love. Love from his mother, love from Ginny and love from us."
"I know," Ron whined. "But I don't have to say anything to him about it."
Hermione shook her head. "Well I think you should." The two staired at Harry's closed bed curtains for several minutes hoping that their friend could hear their conversation and know it to be true.
After a while, Ron stood. "Hermione, how about we take this nice and slow. Yeah? I mean Harry'll know and Hagrid of course, but we don't have to make this a big thing. We'll still be able to be there for Harry and we'll have some us time without all the craziness that comes from my family and everyone at school knowing we're dating..."
Hermione smiled. "If I didn't know you better Ronald Weasley, I'd think you were not only trying to change the subject, but that you are ashamed of me."
Ron's eyes grew wide with disbelief. "No, no way, never. Yes I was changing the subject, but how could you ever think I'd be ashamed of dating you? You are beautiful, talented, and bloody smart. Hermione, I could never be ashamed of you. If anything I'd think you'd want to keep from kissing me in public because you don't want people to know that you fancy me."
Hermione's face fell. "Oh Ron!" she sighed as she threw her arms around his shoulders. "I'm not ashamed of you! You're my best friend. You're handsome and you're a talented wizard, when you apply yourself. You are loyal and true and self-sacrificing. I love you..."
With that, the young couple kissed softly. Hagrid began coughing again, and the duo parted with equal blushes. That night, Ron and Hermione agreed to reserve their displays of affection to private areas and not tell their parents and family about the new development in their friendship.