Chapter 16

The moment the door was close I found myself pinned against it by Ron's body, Ron's large, strong, warm body. I responded without a second thought by wrapping my arms around his neck and feeding my fingers through his soft, thick hair. His lips tasted like sweet candy and as our tongues battled it out, I thought to myself, I could never have enough of it.

Ron had his hands under my shirt and I wished he would just remove it to make this easier. I didn't yet have the confidence to remove my own clothes first, that action felt entirely to bold. Instead I opted for sliding my hands up under his shirt and exploring the vast amount of skin over taught muscle.

Ron pulled his lips away from mine and began to trail them down my neck. I rolled my head back to rest against the door to allow him better access and to try and get my breath back. I silently thanked Merlin when he got to work on the buttons down my blouse and gave me the opportunity to lift his shirt from his, in my opinion, perfect body.

Once free of shirts I brought his face back to mine and reclaimed his lips. This time however they didn't taste so sweet, they were salty.

Pulling back, I looked him in the eyes and noticed the moister in them. The fact I had not realised he had been crying was like a knife in the stomach, but realising now was not the time to be pissed at my own ignorance, I searched my brain for something to say.

This turned out to be quite difficult as it was still half mush, thus Ron found words before me.

"Do you not want to?"

I saw the hurt and confusion intensify and realised that my pulling away from him had caused that. I waited a moment before responding, thinking about my answer. God, I wanted to. How he didn't know that was absurdly arousing, yet somewhere in the back of my mind I could hear a voice telling me how inappropriate the time and situation was.

He was grieving and not in the right state of mind to be making these kinds of decisions. He was using me as a distraction and it wasn't the first time. Hell, I had used him as a distraction, hadn't I?

Looking into his beautiful blue eyes, I came to the conclusion that as I could not bring his brother back and I had no experience what so ever in helping anyone deal with such a loss, I would do whatever possible to dry those eyes and put some light back into them.

Despite knowing that my solution was not a long-term fix I reached for my wand and locked the door. I cast a silencing spell over the room and latched my lips back to Ron's, moving him with my body away from the door and in the general direction of my bed.

We tumbled down onto the low camper bed in a mess of tangled limbs and began pealing each others clothes away. For the first time, I cast the necessary spells over us and then discarded my wand as if it was nothing more than an annoying fly. I was hovering over him and like a slap to the face I realised that we had not been in this position before. I was unsure of what to do… how to do it… should I move off of him so that our positions were reversed?

I quickly scrapped that idea; knowing that asking or suggesting in any way we change positions would be embarrassing. I looked down and noticed that all traces of tears were long gone and my confidence boosted just enough to urge me to shift myself over his hardness.

I mustn't have disguised my nervousness as well as I thought because he asked, "Hermione, is this going to be okay?"

I nodded and then said, "just umm… can we go slow…I don't know…"

He leaned up and kissed me, saving me from my stupid attempt at explaining I had no idea what I was doing, he then held himself as I slowly lowered myself over him.

My god!

I discovered that I had been incredibly wrong the first time we made love; I thought he was big then. In this position I swear he felt twice that size.

Ron's hands moved to my hips but he stayed as motionless as a statue. I was frozen in place, I was adjusting and completely at a loss of what to do…how to move. I could see on his face that it felt good for him and he was using a great deal of self-control not to buck his hips.

I felt a kind of power rise up in me at the realisation that I had the control in this situation. Once adjusted to the feeling of having him so deep, the pleasure started to build and I began to move without thought.

This position allowed him to put his hands all over me while I rocked us slowly. However when he lent up and got to work on my breast with his tongue I felt as though I might explode. I began to pump my hips faster and harder unable to control the gasps and moans that kept escaping my lips.

I didn't think it was possible but I swear I felt Ron get harder and larger, the sounds he was making while he licked and sucked my nipple were undeniable encouraging and caused me to rock us both to climax.

Later that night I lay in my bed with Ron's arms wrapped around me, his light snores in my ear and his heavy breathing moving stray hairs into my face. As I felt my eyes grow heavy I wondered if I could somehow keep his eyes dry forever.

I woke the next morning to a tingling sensation down my neck. It only took a brief moment for me to completely wake up and realise that it was being caused my Ron's lips.

"Morning."

"Morning."

"Did you sleep well?" I asked.

"Yep, slept solid, right through the night."

"That's good," I had been a little worried how he would sleep after the depressing day we had had.

"We should get up and get dressed, don't want mum finding us."

I didn't even reply, just launched out of bed and began searching for clothes. How could I have been so stupid to have not set an alarm or something? My god, Mrs Weasley could walk in any second looking for Ginny and I.

After pulling on a skirt and singlet I turned around to find Ron in fresh pants and shirt, "Where did you get them from?"

"I found a stash of my things here in the corner, Ginny must have sorted it out as part of her grand plan."

I nodded in understanding, that girl was a devious genius.

"I'll walk down stairs first, you should probably wait a few minutes before coming down," he suggested.

"Yeah, that's fine. I was going to go to the bathroom first anyway and fix my hair and stuff."

He nodded, gave me a searing kiss that was, in my opinion, way to short and walked out the door. After catching my breath and waiting for the lingering sensation of Ron's lips on mine to pass, I gathered my toiletries and headed for the bathroom.

Once I had rinsed my face, and brushed my hair and teeth, I felt much more human, in fact I felt amazing. I certainly wasn't perfect but my body felt great, there were no muscle aches or tenderness and my cuts and bruises were officially gone, once again I marvelled at how magic could heal. I felt… limber, relaxed… yet energised, I felt good. Now all I needed was to find my parents and life should be well on its way to great.

I walked down the stairs and found a good portion of the Weasley family in the kitchen. Ron, Mr Weasley, Charlie, Percy, Harry and Ginny were all seated at the table and Mrs Wealey was at the stove cooking. It looked as though things were going to start getting back to normal, that thought was such a relief. I loved everyone in this room and wanted nothing more than for their lives to go back as close as possible to what it had been.

I walked in and exchanged many 'good mornings' before sitting down beside Ron. He looked anxious, which confused me, as he had seemed in high spirits when we parted only minutes before.

"Ron, is everything okay?" I said quietly so the entire room didn't hear.

"Yeah, I'm fine… a letter arrived for you a few minutes ago."

I reached out and took it from his extended hand with enthusiasm, it wasn't until I unravelled the parchment and saw my name at the top in what I now recognised as Kinsley's handwriting did I begin to feel nervous.

More like absolute panic and terror, I then admitted to myself.

"What does it say? Have they been located?" Ron asked.

"I don't know, I haven't read it yet."

'What? You've been staring at it for like, two minutes."

Had it been that long?

"Hermione, are you okay? Do you want me to read it?"

I silently handed Ron the letter thinking that was probably a better idea. I'd prefer to hear the news from Ron than anyone else. I also realised we had gained the attention of everyone else in the room, which was absolutely terrible. I was reacting badly enough as it was and I hadn't even read the bloody letter, let alone how I might once I've heard the news.

"Hermione," I heard Ron's voice, "everything is going to be fine, they found them, they are in a city called Brisbane and the ministry is organising a portkey for us. It's the middle of the night over there so by the time the portkey has been arranged it will be a better time to get there."

"They're okay?"

"That's what it says here." Ron indicated to the letter.

I let out the breath I had been holding and felt tears swell up in my eyes. They were okay, they were alive and safe. I let Ron wrap his arms around me and took comfort from his words; I had totally forgotten we had company until Mr Weasley spoke.

"What do you mean 'a portkey for us'?"

"Hermione isn't going alone." Ron replied as if it was obvious.

"I know that, Kingsley told me he had Aurors waiting to go with her."

"I don't need the Aurors," I said, "I can take care of myself."

"We know you can darling, but there are people out there who want to cause you harm," Mrs Weasley began, "we've got you back safe, after everything I don't want to risk anything happening now."

"Mum, I understand that, but Hermione is more capable than almost anyone, she doesn't need random Aurors following her around."

"I know Hermione is capable, son. That's why I'm asking you why you said 'a portkey for us'. Mr Weasley said.

"Because I'm going with her."

"You just said she doesn't need help."

Sick of everyone talking as though I wasn't sitting right there I finally spoke, "I will need help…. Just not from the Aurors."

"What's that supposed to mean sweetheart?" Mrs Weasley asked.

"It's going to be really difficult to see them again, explain what I did to them. I'll need Ron."

"It's-"

"Give it up, both of you." Ron shouted, "I'm going with Hermione to get her parents. We are of age and it's Hermione's decision who she wants to go with her. She wants me to go, so I'm going."

"Don't speak to us I that tone, Ronald."

"Mr and Mrs Weasley," I began trying to defuse the situation, "the Aurors can come, I don't care, it's a little insulting that people don't think I'm able to defend myself after everything we've been through but if that makes people happy, fine. But I need Ron to be there. If things don't go as planned and my parents don't remember me or worse hate me for what I've done, I'm going to need someone other than, as Ron put it, Random Aurors."

A silence filled the room and it didn't take long for Harry, Ginny, Percy and Charlie to file out of the kitchen.

"I don't like it," stated Mrs Weasley.

"You don't have to," Ron replied simply and firmly.

"It's not proper."

"Like anything in the last few years has been proper," Ron said in the same firm tone, "We've been travelling and sleeping in the same room for close to a year."

"We didn't like that either, son," Mr Weasley added.

"Well sorry, but there was no other way," Ron's temper was tittering on the edge, "just as there is no other way now. We should be back in a day or two, three at the most."

"That isn't very long."

"No it's not, that was the point of the Aurors tracking them down before we left," I tried to explain without offending anyone and making the situation more tense. "All we need to do is go to them, reverse the spells, explain everything and come home. Though I imagine my parents may need to stay a little longer and sort out all their belongings."

"If you are gone any longer than three days-"

"We won't be," I assured before I could hear the consequences.

It was after dinner when Ron and I headed of to the ministry, it had been one of the longest days of my life and I was grateful that I finally had something to do. Ron and I walked to Kingsley's office hand in hand, I had my beaded bag with me and Ron had the money Harry had insisted we take. Though eager to get to the portkey, I was nervous and it wasn't until we reached the closed doors that my nerves turned into more and I wanted to be ill again.

"Come in," called the familiar voice a moment after Ron had knocked.

As we made our way inside his office, I remembered that the admin who had been out the front previously was not there. I felt awful, now that I was aware of how late it was and that Kingsley had obviously waited around purely for Ron and I.

"Thank you for staying so late for us," I said before taking a seat in front of Kingsley.

"It's no trouble at all, Hermione. Besides I've had plenty to keep me busy."

That didn't make me feel any better.

"Okay, so we don't have long before your portkey is ready to take you," he indicated to the ancient looking textbook on his desk. "It will take you directly to the Department of International Communication and Travel, where you will be met by a member of said department and by the Aurors who tracked down your family. They will then take you to where they know your parents are and then wait for you to tell them everything is under control. When you are ready to come home, simply return to the Department of International Communication and Travel and they will arrange your return. They can also arrange the return of your parents if they wish to travel via magical methods."

"I can't thank you enough for all of this Kingsley," I said honestly.

"Hermione, you don't need to thank me, it was a pleasure. Now quick hold on to that book, it's began to glow, you've got about 15 seconds. Good by and good luck."

Despite having travelled via a portkey a number of times I still wasn't used to the sensation, I doubt I ever would. Most people preferred it to apperating but I much preferred the squeezing sensation to the spinning out of control one.

I had also never travelled such a distance with magical methods and this was definitely the worst portkey experience I had ever had. When I felt firm ground below my feet I opened my eyes and nearly tripped over due to my head still spinning a million miles an hour. I felt a warm hand, grip near my elbow to steady me and I fleetingly wondered how Ron could be holding me up and not dizzy himself, however I quickly realised that it was not Ron holding on to me. I new what Ron's hands felt like and the hand currently wrapped around my bicep did not belong to Ron Weasley.

I finally managed to focus on the desk in front of me and the room began to come to a stop, looking up I made eye contact with an attractive face that I recognised.

"Steady there, Miss Granger. Would you like some water?"

"No thank you," I mumbled and pulled my arm out of his grasp. I no longer needed or wanted him holding on to me.

"You have got to be kidding me." I heard the anger and frustration in Ron's voice and prayed we could get out of here before he completely lost his cool.

"Miss Granger this is Minister Fowler." Auror Holmes continued as if Ron had not been present in the room.

The Minister stood from behind his elegant mahogany desk and reached out a hand to Ron and I.

Ron moved in front of Auror Holmes and returned the greeting, "nice to met you sir."

"Now, I don't wish to keep you waiting, so we'll get down to it. Miss Granger your family are in the south of Brisbane, as we are currently in Melbourne you will once again need to travel via portkey to Queensland as it would take you sometime to travel as a muggle."

Not another portkey.

"Once you have arrived, the Aurors will take you to where we know your parents are located and wait for you to contact them regarding travelling back. Any questions?"

"No sir."

"I have one," Ron began, and when Minister Fowler gave a nod of approval he continued, "is it necessary for the Aurors to wait around for us? I'm sure with the help of Mr and Mrs Granger we will be able to organise ourselves."

"I recommend that they stay, if only for the worst circumstance that Mr and Mrs Granger do not regain their memory. I wouldn't want you two to be stranded in an unfamiliar environment."

Like we haven't been in that situation before.

"Hermione is brilliant, she'll get her parents back to normal. Plus we can take care of ourselves."

"Mr Weasley, I have no doubt of that, however I am a very thorough man and have no desire to risk the chance of having you two alone some 2000km away. I also assured your minister that I would ensure your safety. I'm sorry if it offends you but I will not disappoint in that area."

"It's not offensive sir, thank you for everything you have done for me." I said and gave Ron a look that was supposed to communicate that we should just drop it.

"It is not a problem, your Minister has explained to me what you, Mr Wealsey and Mr Potter have done, and even over here we are aware of Voldemort and are grateful for the sacrifices you made."

I nodded and blushed unsure of how to respond, the awkwardness however was short lived because a moment later, an unknown auror also in the room suggested we get a move on as the portkey was due to leave within the minute.

Ron and I grabbed onto the book that the auror was holding out to us before Auror Holmes reached in between us to take his own hold. The guy seriously had an issue with Ron and I was beginning to believe he thought himself better than Merlin himself.

When we landed in a small street in what appeared to be a regular neighbourhood, I once again felt Auror Holmes hands on me. God, did he really think I was incapable of standing on my own two feet?

As I pulled away roughly, Ron said, "you need to keep your hands to yourself."

"I was only being a gentleman, Miss Granger deserves to have someone watching her back."

"Watching is not all you seem to be doing." I said shortly, trying to let him know I don't appreciate all the physical contact.

He gave me a nod and began to move swiftly down the street, I could hear him mumbling something but didn't give it much thought. My mind was currently occupied with the fact that I was about to see my parents again.

The Aurors led us through some quiet street and eventually stopped on a corner that had a little park consisting of a few swings and slide and some monkey bars.

"Please wait here just a moment and I'll be back." the auror that I never caught the name of said, before apperating away.

Moments later he reappeared holding what appeared to be pizza's and soft drink, "your parents have been residing at number 10 Simon St, take this and use it as an excuse to be knocking on the door." Holmes stated and pointed down the street, "we will wait here until you return."

Ron took the pizza and we slowly headed past the few houses that separated the park from number 10.

"I'll pretend to be delivering this," Ron began, "while I have them distracted you can do what you gotta do."

I was shaking with a mixture of nerves, excitement and fear, Ron must have sensed this because when we stopped at the door he lent down gave me a kiss and reminded me that I was brilliant, "You got this Hermione and I'm here for you."

I stepped out of the doorway and Ron knocked on the door.

A/N: sorry if there are loads of typos and errors, I tried to get this out in a bit of a rush as i have been really slack lately and haven't been giving this the time i would have like to.

I am also still in search of a Beta if anyone is interested or knows of someone. Thanks for reading :0)