Chapter Six: For All Eternity

Ron felt his stomach twist as he walked upstairs to his room. For reasons he didn't – and likely never would – understand, he still retained his previous memories, including the ones as a ghost. Hermione had saved him – she had been successful.

With his goofy grin, he entered his room and shut the door just as Hermione Apparated in. Her eyes widened as she gasped out, "Ron!"

He knew that this was the Hermione that had been under the cloak, and he wanted to tell her that he remembered. But there was something else he had to do first.

Without hesitating or faltering in his steps, he walked over to her, pulled her into a tight embrace, and kissed her with everything that he was. Every ounce of his love and appreciation poured out in his kiss. She responded instantly, tossing Harry's cloak aside, twining her arms around his neck and kissing him back just as passionately.

Ron lost himself in the kiss; nothing could come this close to perfection. When he finally pulled back, she swayed and he had to hold her for a few minutes until she regained her balance. She blushed deeply and thanked him profusely.

Ron leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I remember everything."

Hermione burst into tears, which was not the reaction he had been expecting. "Hermione, it's good that I remember!" He looked down at her and wiped the tears away.

She continued to cry, though not as hard. "I never thought I'd have that again."

He hugged her tightly and for a long while, she merely cried on his shoulder. "I love you, Ron."

He held her tightly and said, "For all eternity."

She let out a ragged sob, and they both sat on the bed. Ron looked at her, "Thank you, Hermione. I can never begin to describe how much it means to me that you saved my life. Not only mine, but Fred's."

Hermione let out a half laugh. "Poor Fred probably thinks he's gone insane. We should go explain it to him." She sobered quickly, and looked at him, "Ron, I'd do anything for you. I'd give my life for you."

He smiled at her, "I don't doubt you would, but I'm also going to pray it never comes to that. I want you to know that I would give my life for you, too."

"You already have," Hermione reminded him. They both laughed and Ron kissed her again.

"I was with you the entire time, you know." Ron started slowly. "I was a ghost."

Hermione didn't look as surprised as he expected her to be. "I had the strangest feeling you were. I knew you had to be with me somehow." At his puzzled look, she said, "Well, I felt your presence near me through it all, and last night you seemed to know that it hadn't been the Hermione beside you that had saved Fred. And very early this morning, you told Harry that I'd saved you in more ways than anyone could know."

Ron smiled slyly at her. "So you were in my room last night. I wondered." Hermione blushed and smiled at him, and they talked for awhile longer before going in search of Fred.

They found him in the kitchen. Ron walked up to his brother with a large smile on his face, "Fred, we can explain everything now."

When Fred heard that, he looked relieved. "Great."

Hermione took a deep breath. "In year three, Dumbledore gave me a Time Turner to get to all of my classes. Harry and I used it at the end of the year to save Sirius and Buckbeak." She paused, but Fred seemed okay thus far. "During the original battle, both you and Ron were killed. I dug out my Time Turner and used it to bring you both back." Hermione went into the details, and after she finished, Ron offered his side as well.

When they finished, Fred stared at them in awe for a few moments before hugging Hermione. "I cannot say how much that means to me that you would save me too." When he pulled back, he looked like he had tears in his eyes as well. "I've always thought of you as a little sister," Fred told Hermione honestly. He looked pointedly at Ron. "Better make it soon." He nodded to both of them, laughed at Ron's pink ears, and then left the kitchen.

Hermione was blushing too, and kissed Ron quickly. "Come with me to give Harry back his cloak?"

Ron nodded instantly. "I'm not letting you away from my side for a long time. We're sleeping down here on the couch – so that Mum doesn't get any ideas – because I don't want to leave you."

Hermione's vision blurred as tears clouded her eyes again. They slowly made their way to Ron's room – to get Harry's cloak – and then back to Ginny's. They knocked on the door, and at the acquiescence from Ginny, entered to find them sitting on the bed cuddling.

Ron pulled Ginny up, and just when she thought he was going to yell at her and Harry, he pulled her into a big hug. "Ginny, I love you."

Ginny looked at Hermione in confusion, only to find that she was crying softly. Harry had no idea what to do, so he stood there and waited. Ron finally stopped hugging his sister and then turned to Harry, "You've always been my brother."

Harry slapped Ron on the back. "Thanks," Harry started, clearly confused. Ron pulled back and smiled at them. He watched as Hermione handed Harry his cloak. Memory seemed to hit Harry like a train. "Wait. Hermione…."

Hermione smiled and thanked Harry. Ron pulled her to his side and held her there with his arm around her shoulders. Harry's expression was a mix of surprise and confusion. "Hermione, what did you do? I vaguely remember you asking for it, but…when was that?"

Hermione and Ron took a good hour to explain what had happened to Harry and Ginny. By the end, Ginny was bawling and hugging Hermione. "I can't thank you enough."

Ron caught Hermione's eye and smiled warmly at her. "Ginny," he heard her say. "Stay here with Harry and celebrate. Ron and I need to take a walk."

Ginny burst out laughing and Ron's ears turned pink. Ron took Hermione's hand as he led her down the stairs. "Where did you want to go?"

"The pond," Hermione answered instantly.

They walked in silence, and when they finally reached the pond, they sat together; Hermione leaning on Ron's shoulder, his arm around her.

At first, Ron didn't know what to say to her, but suddenly it dawned on him. With a bright smile, he said, "It was the train, for me."

She looked up at him with apparent confusion, "What?"

"I fell in love with you the moment you stepped into my life." Ron told her. "I just didn't realize it for the longest time." She smiled up at him.

He continued, "You're the only one I've ever loved, Hermione. We are unbelievably perfect for each other." Hermione laughed as she realized he was repeating what she'd said. "I will always be there to protect you and be your hero. I want to touch you–" he caressed her face "–kiss you–" he kissed her lightly "–be with you for all eternity." Ron felt that he had tears in his eyes as well as he looked at Hermione. "I love you, will you marry me?"

"Oh, Ron," Hermione breathed, kissing him soundly. Against his lips she whispered, "Yes."

When they finally stopped kissing, he pulled a box from his pocket. Hermione's eyes flew to his in shock. "When did you…?"

"Beginning of seventh year," he admitted sheepishly. "I kept it safe in my room while we were gone." He handed it to her and she opened it. The ring was amazing, but it was what was written on the ring that made her cry.

Engraved on the ring was For All Eternity.

Late that night, Ron held Hermione in his arms. They were on the couch, just as Ron had said they would be. He had his left arm around her, and she was using his shoulder as a pillow, hugging him with her left arm. Ron looked down to see that she was sleeping peacefully; breathing softly. The ring he gave her was on the appropriate finger, and he felt elated by it.

He moved slowly and kissed Hermione on the forehead. Looking at her, he whispered, "I love you, and I will never leave you. I swear it."