Chapter 6

Some days are harder than others. There are days when I can barely think of the future, when the past still haunts me too much. Some days, I will just fly on my broom for hours on end without telling anyone. Over a month has passed since Fred's funeral, and the sight of his empty seat at the table still hurts. Some days I am glad that those are the only moments that hurt me. Sometimes, I blame myself. It happened right in front of me. Hell, it could have been me. But I'm still here. Fred, who was loved by many and had so much going for him, is gone. I'm useless, and I'm still here.

Hermione doesn't like hearing me like this. In the few times she has caught me in one of my moods, she has just told me how wonderful I am and how I could not have prevented it. I try my best to believe her, even if there are days when I can't believe that she is with me to begin with. That's another thing that I can't understand. Fred is gone, and I get to be with one of the most amazing people. A person that I love. I don't know if Fred ever got to feel the way I do. I don't know how he could stand it. It's so much.

"I miss you, mate," I whisper as I sit near his grave, which lies a mere half mile from our home. If I turn around, I can see Harry and Hermione from a distance. It's nice that they care, but I'd honestly rather be alone right now. Alone with him, anyway. "I wish I could ask you what to do. You'd probably just tell me to piss off, but it would still be worth it."

Hermione keeps mentioning, casually and in passing, that the time to start getting ready to go back to Hogwarts is approaching. Harry never mentions it, and Ginny usually frowns whenever he doesn't contribute to conversations about when they are going to go supply shopping. I don't know what any of us are going to do. It seems unreal to go back, after all that has happened.

"Of course, you dropped out of school. You probably think I'm daft for even considering going back," I continue to the space in front of me. "But I suppose we all can't be you. And that's the thing. I want to help George at the shop, but I know I can't replace you. No one could ever do that for him. I can't be that for him, even if I tried." I wipe a stray tear from my eye before straightening myself out and heading back to Harry and Hermione. It seems strange, to have the three of us together like this. Mum usually keeps us so busy that we don't really have much time to talk. When I do have free time, my thoughts overwhelm me and I escape from the house to be alone. Those are the harder days.

"You don't have to head back now if you don't want to," Hermione reminds me softly as I approach.

I simply shake my head at her, taking her small hand in my own. Although I am a lot more confident in doing this than I used to be, it still affects me the way it did weeks ago. Every stroke of her thumb in my palm sends tingles up my arm and down my spine. She has no clue what power she has over me.

"You guys didn't have to come," I mutter as we slowly make our way back to the Burrow.

"We wanted to, mate. It's good seeing him," Harry replies. "And besides, your mum is driving me a bit bonkers. She's like my second mum, but she seems to have a constant eye on us. It's nice to get out."

I can certainly relate to that. Ever since I woke up with Hermione in my arms, we haven't had any real time alone. Apparently she had caught Ginny leaving my room that morning. Although it wasn't incriminating enough to justify killing us all, it's now her life's mission to make sure that we are never alone. Just my luck.

"Yeah, about that. Since when do legal adults need baby sitters?" I complain, irritated.

"Since they live under her roof," Hermione quickly replies, although I can tell that my mum's constant vigilance is taking its toll of her as well. The few times that we have managed stolen snogs have been… intense, to say the least. And much too brief for my liking.

"Yeah, I get that. But we traveled together for a year without her supervision. It's ridiculous," I argue back, even though this is an argument that we have had plenty of times before.

"Well, unless we want to start living in our own place and paying our own bills with the money we don't have, we don't have much of a choice," she counters huffily. I can tell that I'm starting to irritate her. There's a brightness to her cheeks, and her chest is rising and falling faster than normal, which is particularly distracting. As strange as this sounds, it's actually sort of exciting seeing her riled up. Since I can't see her this way in an intimate situation due to my mum, it's better than nothing. What's even stranger is that I think Hermione feels the same way.

"Guys, I'm right here," Harry groans. He seems to know how we feel about it too.

The tips of my ears darken against my will. "Sorry," I mutter darkly.

"Sorry, Harry. It's just stressful. School is coming up soon," she informs us for the hundredth time. She must realize that Harry and I don't even know if we are going back to that bloody place. "And I've been thinking… I think it's time for me to go get my parents from Australia."

Well, that was certainly a more relevant reminder. I feel like a shite boyfriend. I completely forgot about how Hermione had banished her parents' memories. I've been too wrapped up in my grief over Fred. "Are you sure it's going to be safe for you to go? Will the Ministry let you?"

"Do you even know exactly where they are?" Harry adds on.

"I don't know about either one of those things! But what do you guys expect me to do, not get them? You guys are saying that we are wasting time being "baby sat" here, and if I, at least, plan on going back to Hogwarts, it has to happen soon. Regardless of safety, it's about time that they had their old lives back," Hermione cries, her brow furrowing in the adorable way it does when she is talking passionately about something.

I think about it for a few seconds. "Fair enough," I agree. "We will go with you."

Harry nods in agreement. "It's the least we can do, Hermione."

Hermione's tongue flickers out to moisten her lips, and any thought flees my mind. She definitely has no clue what power she holds. I've barely registered that her lips are moving. "Could you repeat that?"

Hermione rolls her eyes, a signature look that manages to have both amusement and irritation. "I don't want to drag you guys across the world just to come with me. I'm sure that I can handle myself, but it is sweet of you two to offer."

"Hermione, really? Who dragged you around the country for almost a year?" Harry counters.

"I came willingly, Harry-"

"It's the same with us!" I interrupt. She can't debate her way out of this. "Besides, what are we really doing right now? Sitting around, cleaning an already clean house under Mum's constant supervision."

"Yeah, after this year I thought I would love to just sit forever. I was wrong," Harry chuckles, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Come on, Hermione! Let us come with you."

Hermione gazes at both of us thoughtfully, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. After a few moments, she lets out a breath. "Alright, guys. I just don't want to risk anyone getting hurt."

"We work better together than alone. We're in this together," Harry says with a small smile. It reminds me of something similar that we had told him a year ago. It feels like it has been forever.

To avoid the sad nostalgia that was starting to overcome us, I grab Hermione by the waist and spin her around. Harry, slightly embarrassed, rolls his eyes and starts walking ahead of us. She squeals in surprise. "Ronald!"

I set her back down, but not without pressing my lips to her forehead. I look down into her beautiful eyes. "It'll be an adventure," I reassure her. "And more importantly, we will get them back, Hermione."

Hermione gives me the sweetest smile. Blimey. I honestly can't wait for the opportunity to be with her alone again, but a trip with our best friend is still great compared to living with constant supervision.

"Oye, lovebirds!" Harry calls, not bothering to look back. "When do you think we should leave?"

Hermione puts her hand in mine, and we follow Harry down the cobblestone pathway that leads to the front door. "As soon as possible, if we want to get back in time to get everything ready for school."

The smile that was on my face falters. Although I'm not sure yet, I don't think that my decision will go the way that Hermione wants it to. School was never my thing to begin with, and I think that George will really need me at the shop. At least for a while. He doesn't talk much, but whenever we do, it is usually about his business and how he will eventually need to go back. I want to help him with that. It sucks that doing that will lessen the time I spend with Hermione, but I have to do what's right.

0000

The following month was spent arranging matters for international travel. Although danger levels are still above the typical level for Portkey travel, having some of the main names associated with Voldemort's downfall does come with some perks. We managed to get international clearance approved by the Ministry of Magic, as well as some contacts that would be more than willing to house us during our stay. I have got to hand it to Hermione to have accomplished all of this without my mum suspecting anything, considering that she still has been watching us like a hawk. They don't call her the brightest witch of her age for nothing. However, despite her stealth, Hermione insists that telling Mum is a step we must take before leaving. I managed to convince her to put it off until the last moment in order to avoid Mum's wrath, but Hermione isn't happy about it.
Tomorrow is the day that we are scheduled to leave. Unfortunately, we can't conceivably put it off any longer. Of course, I mentioned just taking off without saying anything, but I was shot the fiercest glare I have ever received from Hermione since before we kissed for the first time that I knew not to push it. On top of that, we haven't told Ginny either. We didn't want to risk anyone finding out and blowing our chances. I know how pissed off she is going to be for being out of the loop.

This is going to be a disaster.

We sit down to a dinner that smells delicious, but I feel like I am too anxious to eat. I'll make myself a plate just in case that changes, though. As I shovel some mashed potatoes onto my plate, Hermione deals me a nudge under the table. I look up from my plate only to see what I was hoping to avoid: a pointed look in Mum's direction. Now? But I haven't touched my food yet. I heave a big sigh, but put my utensils down on my plate.

"Hey guys, we have an announcement to make."

All the random noise around us ends as all of the faces I love look back up at me. Fortunately, all of my brothers have left a couple of weeks ago to go back to their own places, so it is just my parents and Ginny that are left to witness the shite storm that is about to occur. This doesn't provide much comfort, though, considering that at least one of those three people is going to be dealing said shite. If not all three. I glance desperately at Hermione and Harry.

Hermione clears her throat. "Well, as all of you know, I made preventative measures before I left with Harry and Ron to track down Voldemort. In order to ensure my parents' safety, I created fabricated memories for my parents and their new lives in Australia. Memories that didn't include me…" She trails off, and the look on her face pains me.

To spare her from delving further into her negative memories, I continue for her. "But we feel that enough time has passed to go get them from where Hermione sent them. We plan on leaving tomorrow."

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Well, it's not like it was a surprise. "It's still EXTREMELY dangerous to travel by Portkey! Especially to a country that you've never even been before! I doubt you could even legally travel there right now!" Mum's standing over the table, her hands holding her body up for support.

"We have received clearance, Mum…" I respond, irritated but trying not to lose my cool. That's not going to help Hermione's case.

"And who is we, anyway?" Ginny interjects angrily before sending a glare at Harry. "Did you know about this?"

"I might have," Harry responds sheepishly.

Ginny and Harry start bickering, but I can barely hear them over Mum's tirade. "I CAN'T BELIEVE that you went behind our backs and got international clearance without our permission! How is that even possible? You are only children!"

"Mum, we aren't! All three of us have been of legal age for quite some time now!" I rise from the table now, mimicking Mum's stance from the opposite side of the table. Hermione delicately runs her foot along my leg beneath the table, as if to calm me. But it's ridiculous that this is even an argument.

"You planned on going with them, and you didn't even tell me? Or ask me if I wanted to come along? What the hell, Harry?" Ginny cries, taking her own stance between Mum and me.

"I just wanted you to stay safe," Harry mutters to his plate in response, although it was barely audible over Mum's interruption.

"Oh! NO, NO, NO, NO! The last thing that is going to happen is you leaving this house, Ginevra! They may be legal adults, but I still have control over your whereabouts."

I perk up immediately. "Wait, so does that mean that we can go?"

"Ronald," Hermione says sternly. What, was my comment insensitive or something? Must've been. Hermione moves to stand at the table, and everyone stills for a moment. Weasley arguments always end up as uproarious shouting matches, but Hermione is not a Weasley. "Mrs. Weasley, I am so sorry to have caused you worry. But this is something I need to do. I can do it alone, if you would prefer that, but I need to get my parents back. Even if that means going without your consent."

A stern silence follows, and I am bewildered by Hermione's boldness. She is amazing. Tentatively, Dad places his hand upon Mum's arm. "She's right, Molly. It's been long enough."

Mum looks hopeless as she sinks back into her chair. "I don't want anything bad to happen to you, Hermione, dear. It wouldn't be safe for you to go alone."

"So let us go with her!" I insist, although I am now calmer than I was moments ago. Mum looks too weak to shout at now, even though I know that this is far from the truth.

There is a very long, tense moment. Mum rubs her face in her hands, looking a lot older than her years. These past few years have been tough on her, especially with Fred being gone now. I understand why she is protective, but she can't control our lives. Dad takes her hands off of her face and cradles them in his palms. Mum looks at Dad for a long time before letting out a breath she had been holding. "Alright," she mutters in no particular direction. "You three kept each other safe all of this time. I can only hope that will stay the same."

"Well, that's great! Yet another decision made with me in the dark. Hope the trip goes well for you!" Ginny yells, breaking the calmness around us before storming out of the room. I look at Harry, who looks as if he had just been attacked by a Dementor. Harry and I agreed from the start that we wouldn't invite Ginny for the very reason that Mum was worried about. However, I hadn't put too much thought into Ginny's reaction. Who knew that would be the thing that we should have feared more.

"Don't worry about her. You guys made the right decision. Mol - I mean, we, we would not have let her go. Not after all that has happened so recently. We don't really want any of you to go, but I understand that it has to be done. The less people involved, the better," Dad assures us, although that does nothing for Harry's pained expression.

"Still, someone should go talk to her," Hermione says fretfully. She and I both glance meaningfully at Harry, which Harry groans to in response. He clearly doesn't want to face her right now, and I don't blame him. Ginny can be even more terrifying than Mum when she is angry, but he has no choice. He excuses himself and makes a death-like march across the dining room to the direction Ginny had fled.

"I really don't know if we should leave those two alone," Mum murmurs to Dad, almost inaudibly.
Dad chuckles and presses a kiss to Mum's palm. "You know as well as I do that nothing is going to happen when she is in a mood like that. I have faced her mother in a similar mood multiple times. Nothing will happen, even when you try. I've done the leg work."

Hermione and I both shift uncomfortably at the exchange, but I wonder if this could be used to our advantage. "Well, I guess we should go talk to them, too. Come on, Hermione."

"Hold on just one second, young man," Mum pipes up, a bit of her prior anger returning. "Even if you are of legal age, don't think that I approve of your underhanded way of going about this. Or your shenanigans, for that matter."

Oh Merlin, what did that last thing mean? "I'm sorry, Mrs. Weasley. There was no other way," Hermione says, using her lack of familial ties to her advantage. Mum is never so easily reasoned with. Of course, I doubt Hermione realizes this. When it comes to Mum's wrath, not being blood related is definitely an advantage.

"Even so, you should have just come out and told us that you two are an item," Dad says with a slight smirk on his face. Nope. This is happening.

"What?" We both exclaim at once, only to blush at the mutual surprise.

Mum rolls her eyes at Dad. "That's not quite what I was getting at. I am upset about how they arranged the trip. But I agree that they should have told us about them coming to their senses a while ago." Hermione and I both are speechless, and I can feel my ears getting hotter. "If you two are going on a trip together, we need to make sure that you will be safe."

"Of course, Mrs. Weasley. Isn't that why they are coming with me to begin with?" Now my whole face is red. Oh. Hermione doesn't understand. That's a first… One of the disadvantages of being in such an open household is that my parents want to talk about everything. And I mean everything.

"That's not quite what we mean, dear," Mum continues, although the awkwardness is starting to show on their side of the table as well. "I've been watching all of you to ensure that no funny business would be happening. It has been quite apparent for a while that you two are enamored with each other, which is lovely up until the point when you find out about each other's feelings." Her eyes narrow at us. "Ginny slipping out of Ron's room one morning with Ron being absent is proof of just that. I am happy for you two, but if you're going to go out on a trip unsupervised, I need to know that you will be safe."

This cannot be happening right now. Dad feels the need to chime in, an awkward grimace of a smile on his face. "Ron, I know that we have taught you all that you need to know, or at least your brothers have, but here's the reminder. And Hermione, you're a smart girl. Just don't do anything risky."

Hermione simply stares at my parents, her cheeks a bright pink. "We won't," I mutter, before shoveling as much food as I can onto both of our plates so that we can take them with us in our escape. "Come on, Hermione. Let's go find Harry and Ginny."

For once, Hermione offers no rebuttal or complaint.