Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I own nothing of hers!
Chapter 34
Ron was woken by a buzzing noise. He cracked an eye open. The room was still painted dark; the morning light hadn't quite broken through yet. The redhead looked over at the witch sleeping nestled into his side, who was lying facing him, eyes closed. He pushed up on his elbow to peer over Hermione to see her mobile lit up and buzzing on the side table; the clock sitting beside it read 3:24. He lowered back down to the bed and sighed. He was tired, after waking twenty minutes after falling asleep earlier, he made his way to a hot shower taking care of his own arousal that hadn't been fulfilled. Now, he was awake just a few hours later.
He yawned, and was thankful when the buzzing stopped. He relaxed further and turned onto his back waiting for sleep to come once more.
That's when the incessant buzzing began again. He groaned, rolling back over to face Hermione.
"Hermione," he whispered, tucking the hair that had been pulled from her bun behind her ear.
"I'm not talking to her," she mumbled back, opening her eyes to let Ron know she had been awake.
"Then hand it here, I'll tell her to stop calling," Ron muttered, reaching his hand over for the phone. She turned and unplugged the vibrating device, placing it in his large palm. She laid back down closing her eyes and hoping to fall back into her much needed slumber.
Ron slid the screen on the device and held it to his ear.
"Hello?" Ron grumbled sleepily.
A panicked voice came from the other end, causing Ron to open his drooping lids instantly, now wide awake.
"What happened?" He questioned, now causing Hermione to open her eyes and stare worriedly at the ginger.
"Okay."
Ron clicked the glowing red button, causing the mobile to return to its darkened state. He viewed his girlfriend's wide eyes.
"Your dad was rushed to the hospital. Something about his breathing. Hermione, you need to-"
Before he could finish his sentence, she sprung from the bed and began removing her dress from the night before. Leaving her in her bra and knickers, she rummaged through her bag for clothes, while snatching her wand from the bedside table, where Ron placed it after discovering the magical object discarded in the bathroom earlier that morning. The redhead stepped from the bed and looked around for his clothing as well, only to remember their sleeping daughter in her playpen. Hermione dashed to the loo with an armful of clothing. Returning moments later, her face no longer contained the smeared marks from her tears and running mascara. Her hair had been twisted into a plait, she wore jeans with a plaid shirt, and trainers.
"I promise I'll call the hotel and let you know what's happening," Hermione explained as she picked up the muggle hotel room phone and dialed the lobby.
"No. You're not going alone," Ron said, only with half the intensity he intended.
"I need a cab out front immediately. Yes, thank you." She muttered into the phone. The witch turned back to Ron shaking her head as she clutched her muggle bag and placed her phone and wand inside.
"It's too early to wake Rose and she can't stay here alone," Hermione argued gently, knowing that Ron only wanted to ensure her safety.
"Then we'll take her sleeping, I can't let you go al-"
"Ron, I don't have time to argue this!" She whispered harshly, knowing that she was wasting very precious time.
Ron stood there with his hands sitting on his hips, clothed in only his sleep trousers. She rushed over to the ginger and hugged him tightly.
"I promise I'll be cautious and extra vigilant. I'll have my wand ready. It'll be fine Ron, but, I've got to go." She looked up at him pleadingly. He reminisced how earlier that evening those eyes looked at him the same way; just asking very different things. He nodded, knowing she was right.
She stood on her toes to kiss him firmly on the lips before slipping out the door.
Ron watched the door close behind the witch. He laid back on the bed, now fully awake, knowing that even if he became tried again, sleep wouldn't come.
Just before the sun rose, Hermione phoned saying that her father was now stable. He was having difficulty breathing and her Mum phoned for an ambulance. When they arrived at the hospital the doctors discovered his lung was in the process of collapsing. They rushed him into surgery, which he was still in when Hermione had arrived. Now, hours later, they revealed they repaired it, but, they weren't sure how much longer his body could take the stress.
Ron and Hermione agreed that when Rose awoke for the morning, the tot and Ron would meet Hermione at the hospital. They should know if he improves any by then.
At seven on the nose, Rose stirred awake. She turned to see her daddy sitting on the bed, fully dressed and sipping tea. She popped out her dummy and grinned toothily at the redhead. As tired as Ron was, he couldn't help but relish her exuberant mood, beaming back at the small child. He was also quite thrilled she released her dummy without argument; she had become quite attached to it recently. He swiftly changed and dressed her so she was prepared for the day. Ron checked the nappy bag, hoping that it contained all the items they needed, not wanting to cause Hermione anymore stress than she was currently under. He handed the tot her sippy full of milk, which she took happily and the pair traveled to the lobby to wait for their taxi.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Ron and Rose made their way to the floor Hermione said her father was on. Searching the level for a waiting room, he stumbled upon Hermione, who was receiving tea from the barista working the small cafe located inside the hospital.
"Mummy!" Rose yelled, causing Ron to stop proceeding in the direction he was going, and instead, made his way toward the witch. He released the tot to the ground, wanting to stretch her legs now that her Mum was near.
Hermione set her tea on the counter and picked up her daughter, snuggling her close. Ron could see the amount of comfort their daughter brought to her, and was glad that he was able to do something to help. Hermione set Rose back down and took her tea as Rose held tightly to her other hand. Ron, wanted to get to the hospital so quickly, he didn't bother eating breakfast at the hotel. He ordered himself some breakfast while getting Rose an oatmeal, and although Hermione voiced she wasn't hungry, a pastry in case she was later.
They walked down the hall slowly, Hermione filling Ron in on things she hadn't mentioned on the phone.
"I had to get out of there. My mum kept trying to apologize and I just couldn't take it anymore." Hermione shook her head and sipped her tea through the plastic lid.
"They haven't let us in to see him yet. We were hoping by now he'd be ready... but nothing. We're still waiting," Hermione sighed, returning to the waiting room, currently the only occupant was her Mum, who sat on the opposite side of the space. Hermione deliberately sat in the same row as she had earlier, near a small table of toys for children.
Her mum glanced up at the family who entered and Ron met her eyes. It was as if all the hate had vanished from those hazel orbs, now just filled with anxiety, regret, and sorrow behind those small frames.
"Nana!" The tot jubilantly sang as she noticed her across the room. She crossed the distance and Jean welcomed her with open arms, picking the small girl up and hugging her tightly.
They stayed like that for a while, Rose sitting contently on her nana's lap, while Hermione sat looking at her lap and sipping her tea, Ron eating his breakfast. Jean stood, letting Rose down from her lap and walked out of the waiting area, out of sight. Rose noticed Ron opening her bowl of oatmeal and toddled over to him, requesting to sit on his lap. As Ron fed their daughter, his eyes scanned over Hermione's face.
"What happened at the restaurant last night?" He inquired softly, hoping that she'd be ready to talk about it. Hermione took in a deep breath and released it slowly.
"Did Rose need a new nappy last night, when you went to change her?" Hermione asked quietly.
Ron's brows scrunched not having a clue why she'd ask such a question. As he recalled the memory, he realized that she didn't. As he was changing her nappy in the loo, the old one was quite dry.
"No, she didn't need a new one."
Hermione scoffed in disbelief, shaking her head.
"Unbelievable," she muttered as he saw tears gloss her eyes. She took another deep breath.
"She set me up on a blind date with her coworker's son."
Ron looked at her in surprise, putting the pieces together.
"That's why she had us at a table with an extra seat, and now I know why she said Rose needed to be changed: to get you to leave the table."
"How did she know you wouldn't go?" Ron questioned.
"She's seen you with Rose all this time. She must have known you would volunteer so I could spend more time with them," she scoffed again in irritation from the memory.
"But, your dad didn't know, did he?" Ron wasn't sure he'd be able to forgive the man after their talk, if he went along with the shenanigan.
"No. He was just as blindsided as I was, and livid as well. I yelled at her. I'm sure the wine didn't help my volume at all. I just couldn't believe after everything she's learned about you, and how much she adored Rose, that she'd still try to break up our family," Hermione explained, tears spilling from her eyes while Ron's heart swelled when he heard Hermione say they were a family.
"I'm sure I overreacted, but, I just couldn't take it anymore..." Hermione wiped her falling tears, as Rose watched her Mum cautiously while Ron spooned in some more oatmeal into the tot's awaiting mouth.
"And... Thank you...for last night, back at the hotel..." Her voice lower than a whisper; A blush crept up Hermione's cheeks, remembering their intimate moments in the loo. Ron's felt the room heat up around him.
"No problem," he cleared his throat.
"I'm sorry I didn't, erm, do exactly what you had asked... I just, didn't want to take advantage of you; it wouldn't have been right," Ron explained to a now sober Hermione.
"You were completely right. I wasn't in the right state of mind for that." Hermione placed her hand on his arm, squeezing it reassuringly.
"I owe you," she whispered, causing his ears to flare a violent shade of red, while his member jumped in excitement.
It was at that time a nurse came in, saying that Hugo was awake and was ready for guests as long as everything stayed calm.
Ron let Hermione go in first, deciding it was probably better for her to decide if he was well enough to see Rose. After finishing her breakfast, the tot played with the hospital's toys happily. Some time passed before Jean appeared in the room once more. She walked toward Ron and sat in the row of chairs perpendicular to him. Ron felt a lot of anger toward the woman, but, refused to let his temper flare.
"The hea -doctor- said he's awake and allowed visitors," Ron explained to the woman, who disappeared for some time. She looked surprised at this and nodded her head.
"Oh, good." She looked toward the door she knew her husband was in.
"I wanted to speak with you first," she began. Ron looked up expectantly at the older woman. She cleared her throat and released a deep breath.
"Ron, I want to apologize to you. I have been horrid and despicable. Last night, I went too far... We assumed when Hermione was done with school, she'd want to return to our world. So, after everything that had happened, we were bitter she chose the magical world over us... After his diagnosis, Hugh started to change and it hurt me. I felt so alone... I understand that doesn't make anything I did right. I just want you to know I truly am sorry."
Ron was stunned at the woman's words. Not just that: they were sincere. Ron had become very good at reading people over the years; something he's always seemed to have a knack for, that had only been improved over his time as an Auror. He looked at Jean Granger and she was watching for his reaction, looking smaller than he'd ever seen her. Ron took a deep breath and thought about just how much he was doing for Hermione. Yes, he was still angry with everything the woman had done, but, perhaps things could really change.
"Thank you, Mrs. Granger. I appreciate your apology," Ron said seriously, causing the woman to wipe a tear from her eye.
"Could we perhaps, start again?" She wondered aloud, causing Ron to show a small grin to encourage her.
"Sure."
More tears spilt down Jean's cheeks and she grinned at Ron.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Hermione entered the room observing Ron and her Mum sitting closely to each other in the large space. She watched them carefully as she noticed her mum's tears. She turned toward Ron.
"Dad's awake enough now, I think Rose could go see him," she said directly to Ron. He nodded her head and glanced back at Jean, who was looking at her daughter heartbrokenly.
"You want to go see Papa, Rosie?" Hermione asked the tot, with excitement that was not present a moment ago, to enthuse her daughter.
"Rosie see Papa!" The small child jumped from her spot on the ground, running over to take Hermione's hand. Hermione smiled down at her and the pair walked together to see Hugo.
Ron glanced over at Jean, who watched the pair go. He stood, picking up the nappy bag, causing the older woman to look up at the ginger.
"Are you coming?" He asked, waiting a moment to hear the woman's response.
She nodded her head solemnly, and rose as well, making her way to the hospital room as Ron followed.
"See, Rosie? It's just Papa," Hermione spoke to the tot as she sat on her lap in a chair next to the hospital bed. Rose had a worried look on her face as she clung to Hermione's shirt while glancing at her grandfather who laid in the bed. Hugo was still in his hospital gown, with tubes flowing out of his arms, alarming his granddaughter unintentionally. Over his mouth and nose was a plastic mask, giving him a fruitful supply of pure oxygen.
Ron walked into the room with Jean and viewed the sick man in the hospital bed. The redhead thought he looked extraordinarily weak and pale. Hugo looked up toward Ron and gave him a feeble smile, adjusting himself to sit up more on the bed. Jean paced over and took the chair on the opposite side of where Hermione was sitting, the witch focusing on getting her daughter accustomed to her grandfather. Ron strode over to stand behind Hermione, leaning against the hospital wall.
"Hello Rosie Posy. It's me, Papa. Want to watch the telly with me?" Hugo asked toward the cautious girl. He flipped through the telly finding some sort of cartoon for Rose. As she was distracted by the new images filtering through the telly, Hermione slipped her onto the bed, resting her against Hugo's arm, since his chest tube was still inserted into his abdomen. The tot thoughtfully looked over her grandfather, seeing him smile down at her. She relaxed into his arm and cuddled in while she watched the telly.
The adults spoke for a few hours. Jean mostly kept to herself, not commenting or bringing herself into the conversation. While Hermione completely ignored the woman, and spoke only to the three others in the room. Ron noticed this and couldn't help but see how much it was hurting Jean. Yes, she had hurt Hermione terribly, but, Ron just wanted Hermione to have a relationship with her parents. And now that both of her parents wanted a relationship with her back, Ron felt the need to do something.
Lunch came around, allowing Jean to slip from the room to retrieve lunch for the visitors in the room.
"Hugh, what else would you like with your salad?" Jean questioned as she wrote down what she would order on a slip of paper.
"I could go for a scotch egg. Sounds delightful right now," Hugo chuckled, seeing his wife's doubtful gaze.
"I hardly believe they'll let you have one. But, I'll do my best." She smiled warmly at her husband, reaching over to pat his hand. She looked up nervously at her daughter.
"Hermione, what would you like for lunch?" Jean asked cautiously.
Hermione reached toward the bed to pull Rose's dress down, and press out the wrinkles with her hand.
"I'm fine, thank you," Hermione answered curtly, not bothering to look at the one who asked the question. Jean swallowed the hurt and looked to the tall redhead in the room.
"Ron, would you like anything?" Jean questioned with kind eyes.
"I'll have a sandwich. Doesn't matter what kind, I'll probably like them all," Ron chuckled.
"Thanks," He spoke gratefully.
Jean gave a small smile back, looking at Hermione once more, before exiting the room. The small space became hushed as the older woman left. After a few moments, three nurses came in to check on Hugo's progress. Hermione plucked Rose from the bed to give the nurses some room, and placed her in the chair with her lamb and milk to observe. The witch walked toward Ron, pulling his shirt sleeve over to the edge of the room, next to the window overlooking the Australian city.
"What was that about?" Hermione grilled instantly.
Ron looked down at his girlfriend. He should have known she would notice how her mum and him were getting along.
"Well, she apologized, Mione," Ron began, causing Hermione to scoff and roll her eyes.
"Oh please, Ron. Just because she said she's sorry, doesn't mean she's being authentic," The witch spat, frustrated that Ron was believing her bitter mum.
"I believe she was," Ron argued softly, causing Hermione to raise her eyebrows in skepticism. He didn't want to alert anyone in the room of their row.
"And why do you think that, may I ask?" The witch huffed.
"I've been reading people for years, love. I've been trained to. She is showing all the signs of being genuine. She apologized, telling me how horrible she has been, and wants to start over. She seems to really want to, Mione."
Hermione looked at him hard. He knew she was calculating if she should trust her mum or not. She didn't want to be hurt again by the woman; didn't think she'd be able to get through it.
"She really said that?" The brunette asked in a voice lower than a whisper; an almost hopeful whisper.
"She did. And, I think she's being honest… I'm not going to make you do anything, and I sure don't want you to feel forced. But, I think you should talk with her. This might be your chance to move on from everything," Ron suggested, resting his hand on her upper arm. Hermione thought over her options as her eyes scanned over his shirt, not truly focusing on any sight in particular.
"I'll think about it," Hermione whispered, turning to see the nurses fawning over Rose, now peering over at what the people were doing to her grandfather.
The nurses left, saying that the doctor would be in sometime soon, to go over some options. At this time, Jean returned with a bag full of food. She passed each out to their respectful places, and sat in her chair with the rest of the food.
"I got a few options for Rose since I wasn't sure what you wanted for her…" Jean looked from her daughter to Ron, not sure which she was supposed to be speaking to. Her eyes settled for Ron, since Hermione had been helping her father open his food.
"I have a Sheppard's pie, chicken strips, fruit… Are those all fine?"
Ron nodded showing his support, walking over to gather the containers from the older woman.
"Yea, she'll eat all of those, probably in one sitting too," Ron laughed, knowing their daughter had his appetite. Jean smiled at him, glad he was acting comfortable around her, since her daughter had yet to.
"Thank you, Mrs. Granger," Ron added.
"I purchased an extra sandwich in case someone might want it… it's in the bag too," Jean said softly, while everyone in the room knew it was for Hermione.
Lunch went relatively well. The awkward silence between the two women caused the men to carefully tread while conversing. Rose enthusiastically ate her meal, including two chicken strips, half the Sheppard's pie, and was now working on her bowl of fruit. Hermione nibbled on the sandwich, having a difficult time denying how hungry she had been.
After lunch had ended, Ron sat next to Hermione, who was watching Rose color with her Papa in the hospital bed. Her eyes kept flicking up to glance at her mum, on the opposite side, reading a novel. Ron could see that Hermione had been contemplating something, as she nibbled on her lip. She uncrossed her legs, and leaned forward toward the bed.
"Rose, do you want to go for a stroll with mummy?" Hermione asked the tot. Rose enthusiastically nodded her head, and crawling her way to the end of the bed, stopping momentarily to set her small hand on her papa's frail one.
"No color 'till Rosie come back," she told her grandfather seriously, resuming her dismount from the mattress. Hugo ginned widely and nodded his head.
"I'll wait, darling."
Hermione took her daughter's hand and began walking toward the door. Stopping while she was a few feet away to look back at her family. Ron could see her jaw tense as she took a sharp breath in.
"Would you like to join, mum?" she asked hurriedly, it was as if she didn't get the words out that exact moment, that they would never be spoken.
Ron and Hugo looked with raised eyebrows at Hermione, then to Jean, expecting an answer. The older woman looked up from her novel in shock.
"Yes, yes I would like to."
She set the book aside and stood. Rose stretched her arm out, reaching for Jean's hand. Jean secured hers and the three walked out of the room.
Hugo and Ron picked up a casual conversation while they watched the telly; waiting, and wondering, how the women were getting along. There was a knock at the door when it was cracked open revealing a male doctor wearing a long white coat, perhaps in his mid-thirties.
"Hello Mr. Granger. I'm Dr. James. I'm the surgeon who performed your operation early this morning," The man spoke in a thick Australian accent, and shook the older man's frail hand. He looked toward Ron.
"Are you Hugo's son?" Dr. James inquired. Ron was about to speak when Hugo stepped in.
"He's my son-in-law. My wife and daughter should be back soon," Hugo added in swiftly, effectively cutting off Ron's statement along with giving him quite the shock. Dr. James shook Ron's hand firmly, and smiled warmly at him.
"Nice to meet you. I just wanted to check a few things, and then discuss some options we have."
The doctor paced over to the beeping machines measuring all sorts of body functions. He jotted notes down on a clipboard.
"Well, it looks like you've stayed consistent for quite some time now. That's good considering the way you came to me this morning. However, the tumors that the cancer has been housed in, have not shrunk to the size we were hoping for."
Ron glanced over at Hugo, who was watching the doctor carefully.
"The surgery you had last week was successful, but, left your body very weak. It hasn't been able to recover as rapidly as we would have hoped. The chemotherapy we have tried is also not as effective as we would like. It's doing something, but, not nearly as quickly as we need it to. Right now, your body is producing the cancer more speedily than we can reduce it. So, we need to look at some other options," The doctor explained seriously.
Hugo nodded to show his comprehension.
"We can increase the amount of chemotherapy as well as the frequency to see if there is any change there, but, in my professional opinion, the side effects will be severe, and I don't believe it will do what we need it to. We can also do another surgery to remove what we can. But, that option doesn't prevent the new tumors forming… There is a new drug therapy trial that has shown effectiveness for those in the trial. However, these patients were much younger. We can submit you to see if we can get you into the trial… but, it may be a long-shot," Dr. James finished watching Hugo to see him thinking over what he had heard.
"Dad?" The three men looked up to the doorway where Hermione stood, holding onto Rose's hand, Jean standing behind her. The doctor turned and held his arm out to the women.
"Ah, you must be Hugo's daughter. I'm Dr. James, the head of your father's case."
"Hermione," The witch responded, shaking his hand.
"Very nice to meet you. I've already met your husband. And who might this be?"
Hermione was puzzled at the doctor saying Ron was her husband. She glanced up at the two other men in the room before returning her focus to the question Dr. James was asking.
"This is Rose, our daughter." Hermione caressed her hand around Rose's curls, smoothing them down as the tot hid behind the witch's leg.
"Nice to meet you Rose. Would you like a sticker?" He asked the tot, not receiving a response from the small child who was watching him carefully as he reached into his pocket to take out a sparkling duck sticker. He reached out slowly to the toddler, who craned her neck to see what the offering was, before snatching it rapidly.
"What do you say to Dr. James, Rosie?" Hermione reminded her daughter.
"Tank you," Rose answered, shyly.
Dr. James introduced himself to Jean as well, ushering them all into the room. He recounted the information to the women, making sure he covered everything he had told the men. There was a brief silence as they all soaked in the material seriously.
"What is your recommendation? What gives my father the best chance?" Hermione asked, now sitting beside Ron, and cradling her sleeping toddler.
"I would say, let's try to get into the trial. I think it's his best option. It won't come without it's challenges… But, I think we should try it."
"And if he doesn't get in?" Hermione inquired. Dr. James thought carefully and looked over the Granger family.
"Then, we'll cross that bridge if we come to it," The doctor explained, giving Hermione a sickening feeling in her stomach.
"What do you think Hugo? What is your decision?" Dr. James asked the older man.
"I think we should try the trial. It's the best for me right now, and we won't know unless we try," Hugo explained slowly, nodding his head as he went.
"Then that's what we shall do. I will work on the paperwork and if we hurry, we could find out as early as tomorrow. I'll check in with you later. Nice meeting you all."
The doctor left swiftly to start the process of entering Hugo into the trial. While Ron and Hermione decided, it would be best to run by the hotel and let Rose nap comfortably there. Promising to return once she woke, they said their goodbyes. Hermione hugged her father, kissing him on the cheek, and hugged her mum, who whispered something in her ear. Hermione nodded and took the redhead's hand as he carried their sleeping daughter to the awaiting taxi.
The pair didn't speak in the cab, or when they arrived at the hotel. As they entered their room, Hermione laid Rose in her playpen who settled comfortably, not waking from her nap. The brunette turned to see Ron lying on the bed, one arm stretched out, his other patting the space for her to join him. She smiled gratefully, slipping off her shoes as she laid into him. Her head resting on his shoulder. The redhead wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to snuggle into him. She sighed and turned her body to her side, resting her hand on his broad chest.
"What did you think about all that?" She whispered. Ron was glad she started the conversation, as he knew she had been upset, and didn't know what he could discuss to help.
"I'm not sure. Although, I think your dad should get a new doctor. First, he started talking about treatments, then all the sudden he throws in a bloody bridge? Makes no damn sense, does it?" Hermione glanced up at him, a hint of a chuckle vibrated through her.
"He's not talking about an actual bridge, Ron. It's a muggle phrase, which means, we'll figure it out if it comes to that." Ron looked at her perplexed.
"Odd sort of phrase," he thought for a moment. "Then I suppose I like the bloke, and your dad can keep him."
Hermione smiled, inhaling in Ron's scent, conveying a comforting state to her body.
"What did you think?" Ron inquired.
"I'm just worried," she whispered quietly, Ron heard the fear in her voice.
"He makes it sound like he doesn't have many options left... and… that frightens me..." Hermione sniffled, and pulled herself tighter to Ron.
"How did the walk with your mum go?" Ron questioned a few moments later, attempting for her to think about other things at the moment.
"Well, actually," Hermione beamed into his chest.
"I listened this time when she apologized and thought about what you said. She didn't even tell me she spoke with you... if she told me, I would have thought she was just trying to get on my good side. But, she was really sincere. She cried, and told me how wrong she was and especially last night. She told me the bloke didn't even know. She never told him anything other than I was around his age, pretty, and smart," Hermione sighed.
"Well, she got that right," Ron quipped grinning as he saw her blush. She gently hit his chest.
"Will you let me finish?" She asked acting as if she was exasperated with him. Ron put his hands up in surrender as she continued.
"So, she's going to apologize to him, too. I asked her how she realized all of this, and she said that dad and her kind of had it out at home. He was livid she would do something like that, and she was angry with him that he wasn't backing her up. I guess their argument is what started dad's breathing problems… or at least what made it evident... but, she told me that dad really talked some sense into her. Telling her what he told me the other night. I'm glad he did... I have my mum back," Hermione said softly, truly thankful that they were on good terms once more. Merlin knows how much they would both need each other with Hugo's diagnosis.
"I'm glad to hear. You both need each other. It'll be even more important once we go back," Ron pointed out, rubbing her shoulder. The witch nodded her head.
"Thank you," Hermione whispered, looking up at the ginger, who looked down, the best he could, at her.
"What for?" He asked, not really sure what she was thanking him for.
"For everything," she chuckled, then became sober once more.
"For being there for Rose while I've had to deal with family things. For tolerating my parents, and giving them more chances than anyone deserves. For being there for me... you've been so critical, Ron. Please know that. I wouldn't have made it through this without you," Hermione bunched his shirt gently under her first as she spoke, hoping he understood just how much she meant each of those words.
"Nowhere I'd rather be, love," Ron bent down and kissed Hermione firmly on the lips, as she reached up and cradled his face in her palm, placing as much love into the kiss as she could. The pair snuggled down again after the kiss had ended, as Ron closed his eyes ready to end their relaxing time with a kip of his own.
A/N: Alright so a couple of notes for y'all. I'll try to make them short.
1. This is now a Romione Award-winning fanfic! I was absolutely stunned to see that this won the runner-up for Most Intriguing Plot, behind AzaleaBlue's "In Search Of Hermione." If you haven't read that fic, go read it right now! Bloody brilliant!I am so very thankful to all who have read, reviewed, shared, and favorited this story! It just started with a little idea that wouldn't go away that has grown into this piece. Y'all are amazing! A special thanks to anyone who voted, and a massive thanks to whoever submitted my story to begin with. I am so humbled by your support.
2. I have been thinking about the future of this fic for quite some time now, and there is still a lot to tell. I have decided that after an important event that will occur in TYL, I will end the story, and write a sequel continuing where we left off. I feel that would be most appropriate to break up the story.
Thank you, thank you!
Scarlet