A Second Chance: Chapter 15
Sorry it's been a while guys! Enjoy!
Months Passed and summer turned to fall, then to winter. Ron couldn't even count the number of dates he and Hermione had been on since the first, but he remembered enjoying each of them immensely. Each time they went out, Ron was further reminded of the fun they'd had at Hogwarts, and the more he regretted not talking to Hermione while he'd been married. But he always reminded himself that what was done was done, and he couldn't erase the past. It wasn't worth dwelling on.
The tryouts for the Cannons were scheduled for December 1st, because the season would begin the following spring. Ron spent the week leading up to the 1st practicing at the Burrow with Harry, George and sometimes Charlie. Ginny had been very disappointed when Hermione had reminded her it wouldn't be safe to play, but Hermione's company had surely cheered her up. They often watched him practice from a window in the living room of the burrow.
On the day of the tryouts, Ron arrived at the stadium a few hours early and walked up and down the empty stands, trying to calm down. He was so close to realizing his dream of being on the Cannons and he was begging himself not to screw it up.
Sitting down on one of the bleachers, Ron watched as the other candidates strode out onto the field and sighed. Most of them were much bigger than he, and had obviously been playing their whole lives, instead of just picking it up again recently.
But all of his anxiety disappeared when he saw Hermione waving at him from the bottom of the stands.
Smiling widely to himself, he bounded down the bleachers to greet her and then lifted her off of her feet and kissed her. He heard her laugh in his ear and spun in a circle before gently placing her feet back on the ground. He kept his arms around her middle.
"I'm so glad you came," he said.
Hermione beamed at him. "I wouldn't miss it for the world," she said. "And I left my wand at home, just like you asked."
Ron laughed and nodded. He'd been slightly disappointed when Hermione had told him that she'd helped him earn his spot as keeper on the Gryffindor team but he'd forgotten soon about it: It wasn't that important in the grand scheme of things.
Still, he'd politely asked her to leave her wand at home when she'd told him she might come to the tryout.
He was just leaning in to kiss her again when he heard someone blow a whistle, and call for all the players to fly to the center of the field. Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair, and picked up his broom from where he'd dropped it onto the ground.
Hermione straightened the lapel on his uniform and kissed him on the cheek. With her hands still on his shoulders, she whispered, "I love you, Ron."
Ron didn't even have to think about his answer. "I love you too," he said.
And then he swung a leg over his broom and took off, feeling like even if he didn't make the team, it would still be one of the best days of his life.
"Congratulations Ron!"
Ron nearly fell backwards out of the house when he arrived at the Burrow, pulled open the door, and saw his entire family gathered in the front hallway, screaming at him. Hermione steadied him from behind, laughing, and then led him into the house.
"How- How'd you all know I made the team?" he asked.
Ginny smiled. "Hermione sent us a patronus as soon as she found out. We decided to surprise you!" she said.
"You certainly did," Ron laughed as he was lead into the kitchen. His mother had obviously been cooking all day, and there was a banner above the sink reading, "Congratulations Ron, New Cannons Keeper!"
"Wish I could've been there mate," said Harry. He had an arm around Ginny's waist, a hand resting on her large belly. "We had an appointment at St. Mungo's this morning."
"He flew exceptionally," Hermione said, and Ron took her hand in his own, made her sit down at the counter with him.
Hours later, most of the Weasley clan had gone home and only Ron, George, Ginny and Ron's parents remained, along with Harry and Hermione. They were all sitting around the now empty table, drinking the last of the butterbeer. Ron smiled as Hermione laid her head on his shoulder, and he kissed her on the forehead.
"When does practice start?" his mother asked him.
"After New Years," he said. "I met the rest of the team earlier today though, and I think we're all going to get along well."
"Maybe with you the Cannons will actually win a match this season," George said. Ron stuck his tongue out at him childishly, and everyone laughed.
"You bet we will," he said.
Around midnight, he and Hermione said goodbye to his family, and he offered to see her home. She agreed, and they apparated to her house together, before walking up the driveway hand in hand, once again.
"Would you like to come in for a minute?" Hermione asked him as she unlocked the front door.
"Yeah, I'd like that," he said, his hands in his pockets.
He followed Hermione inside, watched as she flicked on the lights, one by one, and led him down the hall to the kitchen. "I hate it when it's dark in here," she said.
Once in the kitchen, Ron sat down on a bar stool, and Hermione filled a glass of water for both of them. They drank together in the silence, and after Hermione had put their glasses in the sink, she came and pulled him over to the couch. He watched as she lit a fire and threw his arm around her shoulder when she sat down next to him on the sofa.
"I'm so excited for you, Ron," she said.
"I am too: Nervous, but excited."
"Don't be," she demanded, tilting her head back to gaze in his eyes. He found himself entranced, as he always was, lost in the brown of her eyes. He kissed her slowly, gently, and they eventually fell asleep in each other's arms, right there on the couch.
The following morning, Ron woke up to find Hermione missing. Slightly worried, he made his way into the kitchen, and yelled for her. There was no response.
He made his way up the stairs and pushed open the first few doors he came to, but she wasn't there. He was just about to push open the door to her bathroom when she came out, wrapped in a white towel and wearing slippers. Her wet hair dripped onto the floor.
"Oh! Ron!" she said, clearly surprised. "You scared me!"
Ron made sure he kept his eyes on Hermione's face, though he was tempted to look down. He smiled wanly at her as she blushed, and he swore he could hear her heart beat as he reached between them and pushed the damp hair off of her forehead, his thumb caressing the soft skin of her forehead.
"Let's go Christmas shopping," she said when he'd pulled his hand away. "I've got to start collecting things for your crazy family." She laughed, kissed him on the cheek, and then went into her bedroom, closing the door behind her. Then she shouted at him, through the door, "Go downstairs! I'll make you some breakfast!"
And Ron did as she ordered.
"Oh, Ginny would love that blouse!"
Ron and Hermione had been shopping nearly all day. He had to admit he was a little exhausted, but in a good way. They'd been through Diagon Alley and a few muggle shopping centers, buying gifts for both Hermione's muggle and wizard friends. Ron himself had found a few good gifts for people he knew, but he'd felt very strange when he'd reached into his pocket, expecting to find Lavender's list of gifts, which she'd given to him every Christmas they were married, to buy for all their acquaintances. He felt very free, buying what he felt was appropriate.
"What do you think?" Hermione asked him, holding up a large red blouse in a maternity store. He'd been a little embarrassed being dragged in there but he knew Ginny would appreciate the gesture if he bought something for her of the like.
"I like it," he said.
Hermione took another look at the blouse, and frowned, before putting it back on the rack. "She's never liked to wear red with her hair."
She took his hand and led him out of the store, and they walked together to a nearby pub. Hermione was opening the door when she stopped dead in her tracks, and let the door swing shut loudly. She stumbled away from the storefront, and ran a gloved hand through her hair, while Ron watched, stunned.
He approached her slowly, his boots crunching a little on the packed snow.
"Hermione? You okay?"
She glanced at him, taking in his concerned expression, and then back at the pub, her eyes wide. Finally, she tore her eyes away from whatever it was that had upset her, and said, "I'm sorry. I- I've been here once before and uh- Well, I should be getting home."
Ron didn't know what to say. He took Hermione's hand in his once again, and began to lead her away. As they walked he kept a watchful eye on her, and was very concerned with the way her eyes seemed to have lost their depth: She looked as though she were reliving a horrible memory.
Once they'd reached the place they'd first apparated to, he pulled her to him and asked her once again if she was alright. Hermione seemed to have regained her composure and smiled at him, though the smile didn't reach her eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she said, unconvincingly. "I overreacted a bit."
Ron nodded, though because he had no idea what was going on, he wasn't sure if he should still be worried. There was a tense moment of silence shared between them and then Hermione smiled at him once again.
"I really should be getting home," she said. "I have a lot of work to do."
She kissed him quickly on the cheek and apparated away. He didn't even have time to say goodbye.
Review Please! Let me know what you thought of Deathly Hallows Pt. 1! I loved it!