A tiny pale white spider, barely bigger than the head of a pin, was crawling through Ron's shaggy hair. I reached over and brushed it out casually hoping he wouldn't notice. He simply smiled at my touch and I was grateful. Nothing would spoil this perfect moment quite like Ron jumping around yelling because of a spider.
"Let's just wait a little longer, things are so peaceful right now." Ron said, continuing the conversation we had been having.
"Ron." I said pointedly, I propped myself up on one elbow and turned my body so I could look directly into his face, he grinned from where he was lying next to me in the grass, he knew this was turning into a debate. "you keep putting this off! You have no more excuses! Fred's funeral is over, Harry's birthday has past, and your Mum is doing A LOT better. It's time! Stop stalling, I never said you have to come with me but I'm going!"
It had been two weeks since the battle at Hogwarts, and in my mind, two weeks too long for what I had in mind. The day after we had gotten home to the Burrow I had wanted to go to Australia after my parents, but we had Fred's funeral to think about, and then Harry's birthday. Ron had found reason after reason to put off this trip, but I wasn't going to be dissuaded any longer. I wanted to find my parents, I wanted to know they were safe.
"Hey…." Said Ron, pulling me down against him, I was momentarily distracted by the feel of his soft velvety skin against mine, no matter how many amazing moments we'd spent together over the past few weeks I could never get enough of him.
"I'm with you no matter what! When have I ever not had your back?" he said incredulously.
"S.P.E.W.?" I said with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah well that was different!" he shot back, "Back then you were just an over zealous thirteen year old trying to give rights to creatures who didn't want them! ….But you were damn cute doing it." He added brushing his thumb across my cheek, "and I came around with elves like Dobby, who wanted their freedom."
"I'll give you that one." I said with a small smile. Ron cupped my face in both his hands and kissed me slowly. It was my favorite kind of kiss, when he kissed me like that he made me feel like all the treasure in Gringotts couldn't compare to how precious I was. As he pulled away he sighed and lay back on the grass. He closed his eyes and stretched his long arms and legs.
Ron was the only boy I had ever seen naked, but I was fairly sure that no other one in the entire world could compare with how perfect he was. I watched the muscles in his arms and legs straining and smiled. I loved every inch of him, his shaggy red hair, his knobby knees, and his freckles. I had a secret mission to count every single one someday. I smiled at my own thoughts.
"What's so funny?" said Ron, rubbing my knee with his thumb.
"My brain." I said simply.
"Oh I could have told you that…" Ron said sarcastically.
"Ha. Ha." I said dryly, and I attacked him, tickling him and soon we were wrestling and laughing. Just then there was a rustling in the bushes to the right of us and Ron jumped violently. We both looked and a squirrel scampered out and up a tree. Ron immediately relaxed.
"Ron…. You know that I put up all the same protective spells around this clearing that we put on our tent last year. Even if someone where to happen upon the clearing they wouldn't find us even if they were to step right on top of us." I pointed out.
"Well yeah… but you can't blame me for feeling a bit…exposed." He said, looking around the clearing and then down at himself. I giggled.
"But that's what makes it fun… that hint of danger." I said with a mischievous smile, and I leapt on top of him.
A little while later I was lying in his arms while he twirled my hair around his finger. I ran a finger over the furrow between his eyebrows. I knew the look on his face, he was trying to figure out how to word his thoughts.
"Hermione…" he said quietly, "thank you…"
"For what?" I said, raising an eyebrow.
"For…." The furrow got deeper, "For… letting me be the person you let go with, the one person you can be completely free with. You don't know how much that means to me."
I looked into his face still tracing his features with my fingertips.
"And to think… I accused you of having the emotional range of a tea spoon." I said.
"oi! That reminds me!" said Ron, sitting up suddenly, "On that same note… I wrote something for you the other day!" He looked around and then scooted a few feet to the left so he could grab his jeans where they were lying in a bunch at the base of a tree. He rummaged in the pocket and pulled out a piece of parchment.
"and what is that?" I said rolling over on my stomach and propping myself up on my elbows.
"Remember when we were talking about our past in the Shell Cottage that night?" he said, and I nodded, "Well I decided to write you a list of all the special moments that stuck out to me since the day I met you." He shook the paper with flourish and began to read.
"Number one, when you suggested making the Polyjuice potion, and then actually did it and we pulled off the plan, I thought you were the smartest person I ever knew. Number two, when we saw you Petrified, and I realized if something were to happen to you and be devastated. Number three, when you held my hand on the train when the dementors came in, it was the first time I ever felt the need to protect you. Number four, the day you punched Malfoy in the face, it was the first time in my life I had ever consciously though of a girl as sexy." I blushed at the last one, but Ron just grinned and kept reading.
"Number five, when I saw you with Krum at the ball, because not only did you take my breath away with how beautiful you were. But because it was the first time that I ached for you to be mine and only mine. Number six, the time we almost kissed in Grimauld place. Number seven, the day after my dad got hurt when you walked in, you were the only thing I wanted in that moment. Number eight, the day sixth year when you told me you would forgive me for Lavender. Number nine, the day I found you and Harry again, and you took me back. Number nine, the night at Malfoy Manor." At this I wrinkled my eyebrows incredulously, but he simply put one finger up and motioned for me to wait.
"The night at Malfoy Manor," he repeated, "because when I heard you cry out, I knew in my heart there was nothing in the world I loved as much as you, and I would have given anything including my own life to save you."
My eyes were filled with happy tears, as I sat up and leaned in to kiss him but he placed his index finger on my lips and smiled.
"One more, saved the best for last. Number ten, my most precious memory. The moment you told me that you loved me, and I knew you were finally completely mine." He finished with a triumphant smile.
He leaned down to kiss me putting his hand behind my neck so and pulling me in passionately, I didn't resist I wound my fingers in his hair and responded with equal vigor.
"Hellllooooo….."
The voice broke the magic of our perfect moment; it was George, peeking around a tree his eyes scanning the clearing. My hands crossed instinctively over my chest even though I knew, and could see by the way his eyes vacantly roamed the clearing that we were still completely invisible.
"We know you're here… Harry was under those spells last year too! We're not leaving until you come out! I will annoy you out of hiding I swear it!" George marched into the clearing followed by Harry, Ginny, and Charlie. Then to prove he wasn't bluffing he sat down on a large stump and began bellowing Wealey Is Our King, at the top of his voice.
"They're not leaving." Said Ron with an eye roll.
"I know…." I sighed and I grabbed my plum colored sun dress and pulled it over my head. I whipped my hair up into a messy pony tail, and looked over at Ron who was just buttoning his jeans. He picked up his Chudley Cannons t-shirt and pulled it over his head and then plopped down on the ground and leaned against the tree. I scooted over and settled myself against him with my head on his chest and then once I was sure we looked perfectly innocent I waived my wand to take away the spells.
"Ah, fancy seeing you here!" said George brightly as soon as the spells came down.
"And what have you two been up to? Discussing the delights of nature I'm sure." said Harry with an evil grin.
"However did you know mate?" said Ron grinning right back.
"Come on…" said Charlie, "Mum says lunch is on the table, and we're running out of excuses as to where you two got off to."
We all got up and headed back towards the Burrow. As we walked Ginny slipped her arm through mine.
"Any luck on the parent situation?" she said.
"We're going tomorrow, if we can get it worked out." I said.
"Oh good, I'm glad. I know you've been so anxious about it. Do you want Harry and I to come along?" she asked.
"Well… if it's all right with you, I think it should be just Ron and I. It'll be the first time Ron is meeting my parents as my boyfriend. And I'm going to have a lot to explain to them, you know?"
"Oh I completely understand." Said Ginny, as we walked into the backyard, "of course she on the other hand…. May need some convincing." I looked up to see Mrs. Weasley standing on the back step with her hand on her hip.
"About time. The pumpkin juice is getting warm!" she said briskly.
We all crowded in around the table and each took a few chicken sandwiches, and a glass of pumpkin juice.
"Where have you two been all morning?" said Mrs. Weasley to Ron and I.
"We took a walk down to the village." Ron lied easily, "Hermione was showing me all sorts of interesting Muggle things that I'd never understood before. Which reminds me… dad?" Ron turned to his father who had popped home quickly for lunch with the family.
"Do you think you could have a word with Kingsley and see if the Australian Ministry of Magic can find a place for us to stay for the weekend? We're going to go find Hermione's parents." Ron finished.
"I don't see why that would bean issue at all, I'll speak with him as soon as I get back. When were you planning on heading out?" said Mr. Weasley, taking a swig of his juice.
"Tomorrow morning." I said.
"All right," said Mr. Weasley, "I'll make sure there are accommodations set up for the three of you."
"The two of us," I corrected, "Harry's not coming along it will be just Ron and I." out of the corner of my eye I saw Mrs. Weasley shoot me a look.
"Right then…" said Mr. Weasley, "Well I'm off Molly dear I'll be home for supper." With that he kissed Mrs. Weasley on the cheek and hurried back into the fireplace.
"Okay, who's up for Quidditch?" said Charlie, and all of us chimed in our enthusiasm, even though I was awful I did enjoy playing with the family, but as we all stood up Mrs. Weasley cleared her throat. We all stopped and looked at her curiously.
"I was hoping maybe you could stay in and help me with dinner Hermione… and we could have a chance to talk, just us girls." She said in an overly sweet voice.
None of us moved, we all stared at her and then slowly looked at each other in bewildered confusion, the awkward silence stretched on until I finally gave an uneasy, "ok…."
"On second thought… Ginny you should stay as well. Best to talk with you both…" said Mrs. Weasley.
Ginny jumped almost as if she'd been shocked, and gave Harry a startled pleading look that read, help me! but he just shrugged his shoulders helplessly. Ginny and I plopped back down into chairs at the table and shot furtive glances at the boys who were now shuffling awkwardly out the back door still staring warily at the back of their mothers head. We caught bit of their hushed conversation as the door swung shut behind them.
"What is she playing at?" muttered Ron.
"I dunno but whatever it is it does not bode well for you two." George answered him.
I wasn't sure if Mrs Weasley heard them or not, but if she did she paid them no mind. She turned to Ginny and I with a bright smile that seemed just a little off.
"So, shall we have some tea?" she said, her voice was still too sweet.
"Mum it's boiling hot outside…" said Ginny looking as confused and wary as I felt.
"Right… how about some lemonade then?" said Mrs. Weasley, and she turned to waive her wand at three glasses and they began to fill.
When her back was turned Ginny raised her eyebrows at me in a look that clearly said, what in the hell is going on?
I shook my head in response to indicate I had no idea. Then Mrs. Weasley turned back and set the glasses in front of each of us and took her own and then sat down at the end of the table and looked at us both.
"So…" she began, "how are you girls holding up. Things seem to be going rather well lately and let me tell you I am very grateful."
"We're great…." Said Ginny slowly, "no complaints here."
"Yes." I reiterated still thoroughly confused, "I'm the happiest I've been in a long time."
"Well I'm very glad to hear that. Things going well with Harry and Ron?" she asked innocently.
Ginny and I shared a look.
"Yes…." said Ginny.
"Lovely…" said Mrs. Weasley, she drew in a breath, and gripped her cup tightly. I was beginning to feel nervous, where could this possibly be going?
"Well I feel like it is my responsibility to talk to you two about some things… Hermione dear I know I'm not your mother, but I've come to think of you as my own daughter and I would feel remiss if I didn't make my concerns known." She continued looking at me kindly.
"You know how much I adore that you and Ron have found each other, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect young woman for my son, and Ginny dear you know we love Harry like our own, and I am so happy you chose such a wonderful man. But now that you are growing up, there are some things that I need to discuss with you, as women." She said.
"Ohhhh…. Mum really?" groaned Ginny flopping her head on the table.
"Honestly Ginny this is just as uncomfortable for me as it is for you! But we need to discuss it!" said Mrs. Weasley, her face flushing red.
I was still confused, I looked from Ginny to her mum, wondering what they could be talking about. Still blushing Mrs. Weasley turned her attention back to me.
"Hermione love, you are very smart and sensible girl. So I'm sure you have already considered and understand, that Ron is a young man, and especially now that you two will be going to Australia alone together, that as a young man Ron has certain…desires." She finished.
It was my turn to blush, I felt the heat rush into my face as I realized what this conversation was about, and a twinge of guilt because I knew it was about two weeks too late.
"O-oh." I fumbled, "Well…. Umm… y-yes Mrs. Weasley I-I mean… I.."
"Mum… Hermione and I both learned about the birds and the bees ages ago. You and I had this talk when I was twelve!" Ginny jumped in saving me from my mortification.
"Yes I know. But it is different now that you are both grown and in serious relationships!" Mrs. Weasley said sternly, sounding much more like herself, "I just want to make sure that if you do decide to…. Take the next step in your relationship; you are both prepared on how to do it properly."
"Well we are." Said Ginny quickly, "We taught ourselves the spell over a year ago just so we were prepared."
"Oh…." Said Mrs. Weasley, "Well…. Very good then."
There was a long awkward silence in which I focused very hard on a knot in the wood on the table top.
"Sooooo can we go now?" said Ginny to her mother.
"Yes, go ahead." She said, sounding flustered. Ginny stood and grabbed my arm, half pulling me out of my chair and towards the stairs. We half ran half stumbled our way up to her room and she slammed them door.
"Oh…my…god." She said leaning against the closed door and looked wide eyed at me.
"I..I…I…" I was sputtering, but I couldn't make words come out. Ginny nodded and flopped onto her bed and put her arms over her face, I slumped down onto my bed and sat cross legged facing her.
"Well… at least now we know what 'on their minds' in case they try something…" said Ginny using air quotes. She looked at me and smirked, I felt the corners of my mouth turn up unwillingly and tried to keep down a giggle but it bubbled out, and a moment later we were both laughing hysterically.
"You should have seen your face when she mentioned Ron's desires!" Ginny gasped through her laughter, and she purred the last word wriggling her eyebrows.
"Oh God…" I said, still shaking with laughter, "I seriously wanted to sink through the floor! Where's Harry's invisibility cloak when you need it!"
"What about my cloak?" said Harry, walking through the door of Ginny's room, "and what you two on about? Did we miss the joke?"
"Did you ever!" roared Ginny, as he came and lay next to her on the bed. Ron followed him in and sat down behind me enveloping me in his arms. I lay my head back against him, and felt whole again.
"So what the bloody hell was that business with Mum about?" said Ron.
"Oh just you wait until we tell you!" said Ginny with an evil grin, and I groaned and buried my face into Ron's shoulder as she launched in the re telling.