A/N: Hi there. Couple of things for you. First, I know this is American English (which bothered me especially this chapter, hence why I'm bringing it up) but I would have slaughtered British so I decided not to. Second, this seems super gooey/lovey dovey happy, but I promise it will have plenty of problems in the next chapter for Ron and Hermione. Last, sorry about not uploading last week, it was finals. Anyways, I'll be trying to get one chapter up every Thursday. I hope you enjoy, and I can't wait to hear your comments, critiques, and ideas!
-muggletribute.
Death Eaters were swarming all around as flashes of acid green light lit up the sky. They barely missed his head as he watched his friends fall around him, died, injured, and tortured. His brother lay there motionless on the ground in front of him, as he looked down on him in shock. Unable to move away or to move closer.
He woke up before the dream ended to the sound of his alarm yelling 'Get up, lazy!' at him. It took him a while to understand why he was up so early—he rarely woke up before 9am—but then it hit him. Today was the day. He and Hermione were leaving in an hour, and had already said goodbye to everyone the night before. He got up and started getting ready. While he did, he reviewed their plan. They were going to stop at Diagon Alley for some last minute supplies, and then head up to Hogwarts to meet up with some officials and Harry before heading through the country to Australia. They were traveling by apparition, but had set destinations to stop in throughout Europe and Asia.
There was a knock at the door and after pulling on his shirt he opened it, expecting it to be Hermione. It was Ginny. He must have looked surprised because smiling slightly she let herself in and sat on his bed. He couldn't think of why she would be here, so he just waited for her to talk.
Finally she looked up. "I just have a favor to ask, maybe two actually… I know we said goodbye last night already." She paused, and then hurried with the rest of it. "Could you bring this to Harry for me?" She pulled out a letter, and he took it grinning. "I don't know what you think about us together, but honestly it doesn't really matter because I love him. I just hope you can be happy that I am happy and that Harry is. And that brings me to my second point. Be careful out there. Take care of her. And take care of yourself." She got up and hugged him, and started to walk out of the door, but Ron stopped her.
"You take care of yourself too, Gin. And 'Mione and I will keep in touch. I-I'll miss you." He managed to choke out words he would rarely say to the little sister he pretended annoyed him so much. She smiled and started to go out the door. Ron called after her. "And Gin? I am happy that you and Harry are together, however I act about it." When Ginny turned, Ron swore he saw some tears, but it couldn't have been, because Ginny didn't cry, not in front of Ron at least.
Finally, Ron was ready. He grabbed his rucksack, took a last look around his room, and headed down to the kitchen. Hermione was already there and had some toast ready for both of them.
"Thanks 'Mione, I'm starved. You ready?" She nodded grimly. They ate their toast while they walked to the apparition point. Once they finished, Hermione reached for Ron's hand, and they disapparated.
"I still think we should have gotten more food, Hermione." Ron grinned teasingly and squeezed her hand. They had just apparated at the gates of Hogsmeade from their quick trip to Diagon Alley for supplies. Ron watched the outline of Hogwarts grow closer and closer. He couldn't stop thinking how weird it was being back, and yet he already felt like he was going home. Even better, he was going to see his best friend soon. Ron had missed Harry, and he knew Hermione had too. According to the ministry, though, Harry needed to stay at Hogwarts until they felt that he would be safe.
Most of the important officials were staying at Hogwarts while the Ministry was being rebuilt, and were included in the protection. Minister Shacklebolt had asked to see the two of them before they left. According to Harry the Minister wanted the Wizarding community to know that three of the most important people—as of right now—were doing well and not wasting away in St. Mungos. Ron wanted to laugh at the thought. No, they weren't in St. Mungos. But who wasn't a wreck right now?
Hermione was worried about her parents and mourning the deaths of so many, along with the rest of the wizarding community. Harry was dealing with what Hermione said muggles called 'post-traumada stress'…or something like that. And well, as for himself…he forced himself to stop and think of the good things. Harry sounded better with each letter. Ginny was happy, truly happy, with Harry even while they were apart. George had managed to stay through dinner, and had spoken a few times to a wet-eyed, equally quiet, Molly. And Ron and Hermione had each other.
Ron looked up and realized they were already at the gate. While they waited for someone to meet them – they were a few minutes early – they stayed silent, just enjoying each other's presence. Ron thought about their relationship. It had happened so fast at Hogwarts, but if he really thought about it, they had been leaning towards this for a long time. And because of that, he felt as though they had been together forever. He would protect her against anything that ever came their way again.
They had stayed pretty 'PG', but Ron was happy to take it as slow as Hermione, and himself, wanted because they had all the time in the world. He could see himself proposing to her, which both scared and delighted him all at once. Even when they fought he knew they would make up and be better than ever. Their fighting hadn't been nearly as bad anyways, now that they both realized what they should have a long time ago, before Lavender or Krum ever came along.
"Look" Hermione nudged him, "someone's coming." They both looked, watching the figure come closer and closer. With his haircut, and cleanly shaven face, the man they saw now looked nothing like the last time they had seen him, with nasty cuts and bruises only beginning to fade away, and his shaggy brown hair still down to his chin. "It's Neville!" Hermione laughed with happiness and waved wildly at him, causing both Neville and Ron to laugh as well.
"Neville, mate! It's been a while! Looking good!" Ron grinned as Neville waved his wand at the gate. It started to rotate in, and before it was even halfway open Hermione flew at Neville, hugging him tightly.
"Wow, you look—well, clean! And handsome! Luna's a lucky girl." Neville blushed a deep rosy red and mumbled something about not knowing what she was talking about, then quickly changed the subject.
"It's great seeing both of you as well! You need to see the inside of Hogwarts; we've been doing some major renovations that have made quite a difference. I don't know if we'll be open in September, but we could be done by January, and if so Headmistress McGonagall is considering starting then rather than waiting a year and delaying everyone even more. And, guess what? You are looking at the new Herbology professor…"
"Well done mate!" Ron said enthusiastically, shaking his hand while Hermione spouted her congratulations.
Neville proudly smiled his thanks. "Professor Sprout decided to retire…sort of. She's going to teach me the ropes, then work as a co-advisor with some other so-called 'retired' professors for the Headmistress, since Minerva wants to have as many experienced professors as possible working to begin to remedy the disruptions of the last couple years." As Neville chattered on, Ron and Hermione couldn't help but grin at his happiness, and felt happier than they had in a long time.
"Well," Neville stopped outside a classroom that Hermione thought used to be the Charms classroom, although with Hogwarts in the odd state of half-destroyed, half-renovated she couldn't be sure. "Harry's sitting inside there. He's beside himself with excitement, although I don't know that he would admit it. He nearly knocked his porridge into my lap this morning while he was telling me about the letter you had sent him last night. I'll leave you to it…but don't you leave without saying goodbye to me!" Neville grinned and walked away.
Ron opened the door, and saw Harry pacing in the front of the classroom.
"HARRY!" Ron ran the rest of the way, and attacked his best mate. Hermione followed, grinning and beside herself with excitement. She teasingly pushed Ron away and hugged Harry tightly.
Like Neville, Harry was much cleaner and healthier looking. With plenty of food and rest, and an actual decent haircut (Hermione blushed as she remembered the time she had unsuccessfully attempted to cut it), Harry had filled out well and was starting to look even healthier than he had when he had lived with the Dursley's. In fact, Hermione noted approvingly, he looked handsome as well. She was proud to call these handsome, brilliant, and courageous men her best friends.
"Wow, I think I have two of the most handsome best friends in the world." Hermione laughed at Ron's face, and reached for his hand soothingly before turning again to Harry. "We missed you, Harry. How long are you stuck here for?"
"Oh, well…I didn't notice you missing me at all." He grinned happily. "Although Ron almost knocked me out." Harry ran his hand through his dark black hair, thinking about Hermione's question. He had hoped to be out by now, but since his friends were leaving anyways, a month or two more wouldn't make much difference.
"And as for your question, I don't really know. Hopefully by the time you make it back with your parents! Speaking of which, Kings—I mean, the Minister gave me something for you." Harry pulled four pieces of paper out of his pocket, and handed them to Hermione.
"They have no set date, so whenever you get to your parents you can fly back with them." Hermione looked at the plane tickets with surprise, shocked at the kindness the Minister had shown them. Then she raised her eyebrows and looked at Harry skeptically.
"The Minister gave us these? That's very kind of him…but since we're going to see him, why wouldn't he give them to us in person? If I ever find out that YOU, Harry James Potter, bought these, then—"
"HERMIONE!" Harry rolled his eyes and glanced at Ron, a smile playing on his lips. "Shacklebolt got them because of the service you did to your country. Not me. I promise. I only have them because I begged him to let me see you first, and give them to you. I got you something else actually, but you have to wait. And now that I've told you, I know it is going to kill you until you find out." He smirked at Ron, his green eyes dancing happily with his joke. Hermione glared, but then couldn't help but laugh at herself.
They talked for an hour before Harry regretfully told them they had to meet with the Minister. He led the way to the Headmistress's office, while they spoke fondly of memories the hallways and staircases reminded them of.
Finally, they made it to the Gargoyle, now standing at attention and fully repaired, and with the password from Harry (Albus Percival), were let onto the staircase and into the office.
McGonagall had not changed much in the seven years they had known her. With her hair still in its stern bun and her square glasses perched on her nose, she looked like the same woman who had reprimanded Ron and Harry seven years ago for being late to Transfiguration. Even the wrinkles of age seemed to be the exact number they were so long ago.
There was one difference though. Getting up, McGonagall hurried over to Ron and Hermione and hugged them each in turn. Ron glanced bemused at Hermione before returning the hug but Hermione hugged McGonagall back warmly.
"Headmistress," Hermione started, but McGonagall shook her head.
"You are both to call me Minerva. Of course, if and when you return to school as a student, you will revert to Headmistress in public, but you are my friends and we will treat each other as such."
Hermione nodded, and started again shyly. "Minerva, I'm so glad to see you. I, and I know Ron has as well, have missed Hogwarts. I was hoping to address the student situation actually. I would like to finish my last year at Hogwarts when it is finished being renovated." Minerva, Ron, and Harry all laughed.
"Of course you do," Harry chuckled.
"You will be warmly welcomed back, dear. Even though I think we all know how your year will go, it will still be good to get your N.E.W.T.S out of the way. It'll give you some time to think about what you want to do with all those O's." Hermione blushed and looked at the ground.
"However, I have a proposition for you. We have not found a Transfiguration professor yet, and I will not have the time to devote my full attention to each class. If you would like, I am prepared to offer you a unique situation. Don't take Transfiguration your last year…instead, teach it. We will pay you, and I will be there to help you, and you can still take your Transfiguration N.E.W.T. Also, if you decide it is what you want to do, I think you will find that there will always be a place here for you as a professor."
Hermione looked up in amazement at this speech. Ron grinned with pride and stepped closer to her so he could wrap his arm around her waist.
Minerva focused her attention on him this time. "Have you thought about what you will be doing, Ronald?" Minerva watched him with a twinkle in her eye, knowing full well he did. He grimaced, and then realized she was teasing and shook his head. "As much as I believe in finishing school, I do believe the Ministry has gained a very capable and intelligent young man."
She paused and cleared her throat. "Now, to business. The Minister will be here at any moment, he has a few ideas to discuss with the three of you and as it is Ministry business, I will be going. I will see you at lunch."
When she left the three of them sat down to wait for the Minister. When he arrived they talked for a long time about how they would be involved, how much they wanted to do, and ideas the Minister and Harry had about changing the Ministry. They talked about the Memorial Neville and Harry had been working on, and the public conference they planned to have with the three of them, the Minister, Neville, and the Headmistress when Hermione and Ron returned from Australia.
Finally, they were done.
The rest of their night would be spent eating, spending time with Harry and Neville, and sitting in front of the Gryffindor fire before a good night's rest and an early start in the morning. It would, Hermione thought happily, be a wonderful end to a wonderful day.
