Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I own nothing of hers!

Chapter 31

"What?" Hermione asked, eyes wide with surprise.

"You heard me. You'll go visit them," Ron explained simply. Hermione shook her head.

"I can't just get up and leave Ron." She explained through her sniffling nose. Ron conjured a handkerchief and handed it to the witch. She muffled a grateful thanks, and blew her nose.

"Sure you can. Kingsley will understand and will allow you the time off, and I can take care of Rosie. You shouldn't worry about me taking care of her alone. I have mum and dad, and I'm sure Harry and Ginny would-"

"No, it's not that!" She interrupted, not wanting him to think that she believed he couldn't care for their daughter without assistance.

"Then what is it?" He inquired. Hermione shrugged, looking away. She was still held closely to him; his arms wrapped around her waist.

"It's just a lot… I don't know…" She sighed, the crease that appears when she is stressed took its place between her eyebrows.

"I have Rose to care for and practically a new position that requires a lot of time at work… I just proposed a new law that we're waiting to hear back on… it's…it's…" She exhaled in a puff.

"I- I'm not sure I could do it alone," She whispered a few moments later, as tears trailed down her skin. Ron's lip twitched into a faint sad smile, realizing what she wanted.

"You don't have to. Rose and I can come with you." Hermione looked up at him with glittering eyes.

"Really? Do you think you could get the time off?" Her face was full of promise.

"I could work something out. I have a load of holiday time I've never taken. Besides, I bet your parents will be excited to see Rose again," Ron grinned, but, as he took in Hermione's expression, it instantly faltered.

"Hermione?" Ron wondered, hesitantly. There was definitely something left unsaid. She backed out of his embrace, and paced over to the living room, placing herself gently on the settee. Ron watched her go, swishing his wand quickly to have the dishes cleaned and stored. He followed the brunette witch, watching her curls rustle as she rested her forehead on her hands, balancing on her knees. Ron thought quickly.

"Mione, when was the last time you saw them?" Ron asked quietly, expecting that is what she must feel guilty about.

She lifted herself back into a seated position, threading her fingers through her locks, stopping behind her ears and releasing the massive curls; inhaling deeply all the while.

"The week before I discovered I was pregnant," She cringed as she spoke, obviously feeling guilty and embarrassed to say it aloud.

"W-what?" Ron sputtered, he expected it to had been a few months, not a few years. Hermione had always got along well with her parents. He couldn't imagine why she had waited so long.

"I know, I'm a horrible daughter," Hermione groaned, sniffling more as her breathing started to pick up again. Tears poured down her cheeks. Ron sat down next to her, unsure what to say. Moments passed as Ron filtered through his thoughts for something productive.

"…Do they know about Rose?" She bit her lip and nodded. Ron felt relieved by that. But, he was still unsure what happened to make Hermione react this way.

"Why has it been so long? What is going on?" He turned on the sofa, so his side was against the back. Ron delicately pulled her hands toward him, turning her body to mirror his. She pulled up her knees so they rested against her chest. She took a few moments to wipe her tears and gain her composure so she could speak.

"When I went to Australia with Charlie, things were different." She whispered, Ron inched closer to hear what she had to say.

"He insisted he stayed with us in the house, because he was supposed to keep me safe and knew that if something happened while he wasn't there you'd likely murder him… My parents reluctantly agreed… because he wasn't you." Ron's brows furrowed at her words. She looked across the room, avoiding his gaze, and continued.

"I thought I left, the time before, in a good place with them. I felt closer to them than I had ever before. They had forgiven me... but, when I went back, it was almost if they wanted nothing to do with my connection to the wizarding world. My dad gathered pamphlets and information about muggle universities, saying I could have a real career after graduation. They'd change the subject whenever I'd bring you up or anything to do with my friends. Mum tried to get me to meet her neighbor's son. They completely ignored Charlie whenever he was around..." She sighed deeply, now focused with fiddling a loose thread on her jeans.

"I was so confused at the sudden change… After a couple weeks, I finally confronted them on it. Called them out," Hermione twitched an eyebrow, shrugging her shoulder gently.

"I doubt they were intentionally trying to hurt me. But, they did. And when I told them, they tried to convince me to move there and leave the magical world for good... I told them no. That my future was in the wizarding world, and that you and I were finally together..." She peeked up beneath her curls, watching Ron's calculating expression.

"That's when I found out how they truly felt. They were extremely upset that I would choose magic over them, even though I wasn't choosing anything over anyone. They didn't want me being with-"

"Me," Ron injected, looking morose.

"Not just you, anyone who was magical, really," She added quickly, trying to smile at him, and failing miserably.

"I stayed for a bit longer, hoping to sort out the issues and some thread of a relationship with them. However, they never budged. We could get on as long as nothing having to do with magic was mentioned. Still too hurt by their own daughter turning her ability against them I suppose…"

Ron thought over her words, piecing together the timeline he had been told.

"What did they say when you told them about Rose?" Ron questioned, already feeling the anger that he suspected he should have as he was terribly protective over their precious daughter.

"They took it as well as you'd think they would." Hermione explained, pulling her arms down her legs more and hugging them to herself.

"I waited until I was seven months along before I told them. I was terrified to. Losing my close relationship with them, along with you... your family, our friends. It was too much all at once and I needed time to process it all. Once I did, I wondered if I made the right decision to tell them before she was born. They told me I ruined my life. My mother said if I'd come to Australia, she'd find a clinic where they could..." she closed her eyes and shook her head, shuttering.

"But, I wasn't doing anything to my child - Our child - She then suggested I give her up for adoption, allow some other family to find out she was magical like they did with me. By then, I'd had enough. I told them I was keeping her, and by the time the argument ended, I'd already given birth to her. It took me a few months… I was in no mental state at the time to take anymore negativity, but I finally wrote to them and included a photo as a last attempt to still be a family." Hermione's eyes became teary again.

"Mum and dad apologized, well they thought they did. It was pretty pitiful in my opinion. But, they wanted to have some sort of relationship with me and possibly my little Rosie." She sniffled, and used the tissue again.

"And, no matter how much what they said hurt… I still wanted a connection with them. I mean, I had no one. I needed them, Ron... That said relationship now consists of letters every few months, with packages being sent on birthdays and holidays. I send pictures and write about how she's doing; we're managing an extremely strained relationship."

He was outright livid with her parents at the present moment. How could they do such things? He finally understood the conflicted nature he saw in her eyes. She still loved her parents and was devastated at her father's diagnosis, which didn't sound very promising to Ron. He decided to keep his emotions pushed aside, and focus on making Hermione happy.

He reached over and rested his hand on her arms, still wrapped around her legs.

"I'm so sorry, love. I'm sorry that your relationship with them is messy and I'm sorry you had to do all this alone." Ron brushed his thumb across her arm, consolingly. Hermione heaved a sigh, resting her face against her pulled up knees.

"I just don't know what to do." She muffled against her legs. Ron thought for a moment, wondering if he could keep the promise of keeping his emotions internal if he offered this.

"I stand by what I said. I'll still go with you, if you want me to." He watched her for a few moments, her massive waterfall of curls cascading over her legs. She peeked up, moving a few curls away from her vision; her eyes bloodshot.

"Are you sure? I mean, Mum and dad won't take it lightly..." Hermione, rested her hand on top of Ron's.

"I don't bloody care how they will take it. If you want me there, I'll be there for you." Ron spoke seriously. Hermione considered his azure pools for a few moments, thinking deeply. Her eyes flicked down, as she exhaled slowly before flitting them back to Ron's.

"Okay," she whispered. "Let's go to Australia."

A week later, Hermione flopped ungracefully on the settee. Ron was sitting on the floor wincing while having his hair brushed and pulled into several small pigtails around his head by their darling daughter. Ron had been working late all week since McLaggen ended up in St. Mungo's recovering from magic-induced blistering boils covering his skin. Ron hadn't a clue who did it, but, whoever it was he owed them a massive thanks to be clear of him for a bit. He glanced over to the woman who looked utterly drained as she viewed the pair in front of her. She breathed deeply.

"Well, it's all set. We'll Floo to the Australian Ministry in four days. They're expecting Dad'll be released from the hospital the day we arrive, as his surgery was moved to tomorrow; removing a mass. Mum thinks it'll be good timing because we'll be staying over Halloween. She wants to dress Rose up and take her trick-or-treating," Hermione explained windily.

"To take her what?" Ron scrunched his nose, causing quite the picture for Hermione, as his hair was already causing her to chuckle. She smiled fondly. She often forgot Ron didn't know much about muggle culture, especially pertaining to muggle children.

"It's where muggles children dress up in costumes and go to different houses to receive candy. Some adults dress up too." She pulled herself to lean her side against the end of the sofa, getting more comfortable as she watched as Rose snapped a yellow barrette into his fiery locks, accidentally stabbing Ron in the scalp as she did so. He cringed and bit his tongue, while Hermione stifled a laugh.

"Careful Rosie. Don't want to hurt daddy, now do we?" He softly reminded her, though Hermione could hear the pain in his voice. Rose looked at him with her huge, cerulean eyes. Her lips puffed out in worry.

"I no hurt daddy!" She pleaded, extremely alarmed that she possibly hurt her father.

"Just gentle, love," Ron reassured her, nodding and giving her a smile, so she knew he was okay. Rose nodded as well, cautiously handling another clip, this time with a green bow.

"Rosie no hurt daddy. Rosie be SO careful..." she reminded herself as she gently slipped the clip into his short hair.

"Sounds weird," Ron muttered, continuing the adult's conversation. The brunette shrugged her shoulders and placed her arm on the sofa to rest her head upon. Her curls spilled over the edge.

"Do they know I'm coming?" Ron inquired hesitantly, knowing full well Hermione had been fighting with herself all week on whether to tell her parents or not. She pulled her eyes away from their daughter, currently trying to brush a portion of Ron's hair that was already encased in a makeshift ponytail, and brought them to Ron.

"They don't," she whispered quietly.

"I didn't want them to say anything and cause a fight before we even stepped foot on the continent... I need to see my dad... I-" Hermione explained, clearly feeling like she needed to explain herself.

"Hermione, it's fine. They'll just have to deal with it." Ron reassured the witch.

"Look mummy! I make daddy pretty!" Rose squealed jubilantly, clapping her hands with delight. Hermione grinned at the sight before her.

"What do you think? Did she make me pretty?" Ron smirked, causing himself to chuckle, as he reached up to feel Rose's delicate masterpiece.

"She certainly did. Very handsome indeed." Hermione grinned, thankful to have Ron home tonight, just an hour later than usual.

"Are you staying late tomorrow as well?" Hermione inquired. Ron scoffed, watching as Rose began to gather her plush toys together for their hair treatments.

"Yea, especially since McLaggen's still in St. Mungo's. Did I tell you? He got himself covered in boils that they can't seem to contain. And the best part is, he won't say how he got them! Probably fears he'll be sacked. I owe them a shite load of a massive thank you." Ron shook his head; happy Rose wasn't paying attention to his slight blunder. He looked up at Hermione, realizing she didn't reprimand him, only to see she was watching him with wide eyes. The ginger's eyebrow curled upward.

"You okay?" He questioned.

"When did he get them?" Hermione ignored his question.

"The day they announced his position at the Ministry. Why?" Ron was very confused why Hermione was reacting this way.

"I may know who gave him those boils…" Hermione muttered, curling into herself further on the settee.

Ron turned to Hermione, eager to hear this piece of information. "Well, who was it?"

"Me," Hermione whispered, gauging Ron's reaction. His eyes went huge and his jaw was hanging open, making him an adorable sight.

"What? How? Why?" Ron listed, having mixed emotions on if he wanted to hear what McLaggen did to earn such a treatment from the witch.

Hermione carefully explained her unfortunate encounter with their former schoolmate. Ron was enraged at what he heard.

"That bloody bastard! I'll curse him so fuc-"

"Ron!" She shot her eyes to Rose who was looking between them with a worried expression. She glared at Ron for slipping up. Ron breathed a relieved breath when Rose went back to putting her animal's ears into ponytails with barrettes.

"I took care of it. And I don't need you to fight my battles for me!" Hermione whispered harshly. Ron took deep breaths, knowing that he had let his language slip in front of their daughter, while making her uneasy at his anger. He calmed himself and thought about what had happened.

"I'm sorry." He sighed, running a hand over his face. He stood and paced toward the sofa where Hermione still sat. He took a seat next to her.

"I just can't stand the thought that anyone would say something like that about the two of you." Ron was internally thinking of all the curses that he could use on the ponce that would be the most painful. No one was going to get away with speaking poorly to or about his love and daughter. Hermione's scowl softened.

"I love that you want to protect us. I feel valued knowing you want to keep me safe. But, I can handle it. I think I proved that much already," Hermione softly spoke, gazing into Ron's azure eyes.

"Let me deal with this, Ron. I won't be happy if I hear you do something," the witch spoke seriously. Ron was very familiar with her stern look.

"…You did handle it quite splendidly," Ron jested, trying to lighten the atmosphere, without promising he would leave the situation alone. He had plenty of experience with quick subject changes in his career. He saw her crack a smile that was spreading across her face.

"I did, didn't I?" Hermione looked proud at his compliment.

"Didn't you say you owed the person who did that a 'massive thanks'?" Hermione raised her eyebrow at the redhead; smirking invitingly. Ron caught on quickly.

"That sounds somewhat familiar," Ron gave his crooked grin that always made Hermione melt. He leaned in and met her lips to his. The redhead threaded his fingers into her curls as she deepened the kiss, causing Ron to lean in closer to the witch.

As the kiss broke, they both stared into each other's eyes for a few moments. Both, wanting to continue on.

"Good thing it was you. Because that would have been bloody awkward if it was Harry," Ron joked, as Hermione burst into laughter while Ron joined her. They finally looked away from each other, Hermione wiping tears from her eyes, when they heard Rose's giggle. She was grinning at them and clapping her hands while giggling.

"Rosie's turn!" She laughed, getting up from her mess of toys and waddling toward her dad with her arms out. Ron didn't think there was a sweeter sound in the world, than his daughter's laugh. He collected the tiny ginger and placed her between Hermione and him. Rose sat on her mum's lap, while they both smothered her with kisses and tickles.

Hermione worked overtime the next few days so she wouldn't be too far behind when they returned from the trip. She was also up well into the night packing and getting everything prepared for the trip. Ron had doubled checked all their travel arrangements for safety purposes, calming his nerves that something would happen. He felt as though he should do something, while he let Hermione handle her ever growing checklist of things to be done before they left. Whenever he asked what he could do to help, she would give him something trivial, or say she was fine and he could go check on Rosie.

The night before they left for Australia, Ron snuck out of his room to check on Hermione and Rose. However, he found her at the dining table; Rose's fully packed nappy bag sitting discarded to the side of her. Ron had a theory the item would burst at any moment since it was stuffed to the brim. The brunette witch was in her pajamas, leaning over a sheet of parchment; a quill in her hand as she muttered softly to herself. Her hair was thrown into a messy bun at the top of her head as wild tendrils sprung from the confinement. Her right hand was scribbling away; the other's thumbnail was being chewed on anxiously.

Ron yawned and squinted at the clock above the fireplace mantel. It was two in the morning. He paced over to the table sleepily, trying not to run into anything in his tired state. She glanced up at him, making his way toward her.

"You should really get some sleep, Mione," Ron yawned. She gave him a tired smile.

"I will. I just wanted to go over everything one last time." He finally made his way around the table to stand beside her. Her list looked like a neat mess. Organized and labeled exactly how Hermione would have it, yet, the fifth set of check marks made the page terribly crowded.

"You know you've got everything ready for the morning. Now, go sleep. I need you fully rested so you can show me how to check into this muggle hotel thing," Ron took her hands from the table, and pulled her to stand in front of him. This was the first time he noticed the glistening in her eyes since he found her that night. He tucked some escaped curls behind her ear.

"It's going to be alright, Mione. Everything works out, you have to remember that," Ron comforted the witch. The pools overflowed, and Ron pulled her into an embrace.

"Shh… It's going to be fine." Ron kissed the top of her head as she held tightly to him. Ron was glad she was getting her worries out here instead of when they were with her parents. He knew she wanted to be strong; especially in front of them. But, Ron wasn't sure how things would go. Hermione and her parents could end up fighting like the last time she was there. They could be livid that she brought him along with them. They might even say something about Rose that could set either of them off. Not to mention anything concerning her father's health.

Ron hadn't a clue what was going to happen on this trip. But, he knew he would keep his temper under control for her. Not to please them, but, to make things easier for the witch he loved. After all they had gone through, couldn't he at least do that?

A/N: I apologize I didn't respond to reviews for chapter 30. I wanted to spend the time creating this chapter for you! I hope you'll forgive me.

A few side notes...

a. I'm hoping this next chapter will come to me faster than the last, I'll be on spring break soon, giving me more time to work on it.

b. I watched the new Beauty and the Beast last Thursday and I thought it was simply wonderful.

c. Voting ends for the Romione Awards on Tumblr in ONE WEEK! Three Years Later was nominated. (SO EXCITING!) Even if you don't vote, you may find new stories to check out! I sure did!

I cannot say how much your reviews, favorites, follows, PMs, and everything else motivate me. This has been quite an undertaking when the words don't come easily. Thank you so much for reading my story!