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Chapter 7

Hermione set the tiny bag down on Ron's bed, then looked up at him and smiled. He had once been used to seeing that bag every day, but it had been some time since she'd gotten it out again. But now was the perfect time.

"All packed," she said quietly. "I can't believe it…"

"Neither can I, really," Ron said, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into a hug.

"In two days, I'll hopefully be… with them again." Her voice cracked at the end and Ron hugged her tighter. He knew what she was thinking — she had expressed it to him over and over again since finding out the Ministry knew of her parents' location. She was scared. What would it be like seeing them when they didn't know who she was? What would happen if she couldn't reverse the memory charm she'd placed on them? So many thoughts had run through her mind, came out in bouts of worry that she had unloaded onto Ron countless times over the past two weeks.

His assurances that she could do it, that he had complete faith in her, seemed to last only for short periods of time before her worry started all over again.

But now, as they stood in his room, that blasted beaded bag between them, filled with a month's worth of belongings, it seemed that what little resolve she had, had completely abandoned her.

Pulling away, she stared up at him with blank eyes.

"You will be with them again," he said. "Even if it takes you some time to figure it out, you'll still be able to see them, be with them…" He hesitated, and her eyes widened, completely misreading his expression.

"What?" she asked. "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing," he said, shaking his head. "Completely irrelevant in these circumstances." He gripped her tightly, smiling.

"Ron… if there's something you think I've missed, please, tell me. I… need to know."

Ron shook his head again, unable to contain the small smile that had formed. It seemed so stupid to be thinking about it.

"Ron…"

"It's not that. I was just thinking… when you fix their memories — yes, you will fix them," he said when she opened her mouth to protest, "what will they think of me? I mean, I know they know me as your friend, but will they think…"

It hadn't been his intention, but his concern over what seemed a trivial matter in the circumstances appeared to amuse her and take her mind — at least briefly — off the bigger matters.

She laughed. "They'll love you, I'm sure of it," she said. "Anyway, I don't think that's going to be the first thing I tell them… if that's alright."

"Well, I know that, Hermione," Ron said. "They'll obviously want to know how they're suddenly in another country and with no memory of being there. But I do want them to like me."

Hermione laughed again, reaching up to kiss him. "They will," she promised him.

Ron was about to kiss her again when Harry appeared at the door, clutching three envelopes. They turned to him, Ron feeling momentarily put out that they'd been interrupted. But then he saw that Harry was holding the letters out for them.

"For us," he said, looking slightly concerned, and he came into the room.

They were addressed to each of them with the official Ministry seal on the front.

All three of them sharing a look, they tore into the letters and began reading. Ron felt himself pale.

Dear Mr Ronald Weasley,

The Minister for Magic requests your presence in his office at one o'clock on the twenty-first of June to discuss with you your future plans. He will be expecting you.

Loretta Fieldwake,

Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic

Ron read the letter again, then a third time, before he looked up at Harry and Hermione. By the look on their faces, they'd received the exact same thing.

"What do you think it's about?" he asked.

Harry shook his head.

"I'm not sure, but it has to be good, right?" Hermione said. "I mean…" She looked down at the letter again. "It's Kingsley. And your dad and Percy work at the Ministry still, so I'm sure they would have heard something if it was bad."

"Yeah, I suppose," Ron said. Hermione was right. It had to be something good. Bad things were always dealt with quicker than good things.

"That's tomorrow," Hermione then said. "A day before we leave."

Ron could see the sudden concern in her eyes and shook his head. "Don't worry about that," he said. "It'll be nothing."

Ron wasn't sure how, but it seemed that word that the Minister for Magic had requested to see Ron, Harry, and Hermione got out around the house without any of them saying anything (Ron could only assume his dad had said something), and for the next few hours, there was much discussion over what it was about.

"You'll of course be getting rewarded in some way," Molly said with a definitive nod. "I can imagine Kingsley being very pleased with the three of you." An expression of pride crossed her face.

"A reward?" Ron said, turning to Hermione and Harry. "What kind of reward. Gold?" He could do with a few Galleons, really.

But they shrugged.

"Hm," Arthur said, "I suppose a reward would be in order, but perhaps he simply wants to chat. What did the letter say again?"

"That he wants to discuss our future plans," Hermione said. Her eyes widened, and Ron recognised it as an idea suddenly popping into her head. "Maybe he wants to offer us jobs at the Ministry?"

"Jobs?" Ron and Harry said together.

Hermione nodded, then shrugged. "I mean, he could…"

"I doubt it," Ron said. "What good are we going to be? We've only completed six years of schooling. I don't fancy a job of carrying coffee around to everyone. Can you imagine Percy's demands, or the embarrassment…"

There was much more discussion on the topic for the remainder of the day, much more speculation over what Kingsley would want to discuss with them. Ron genuinely had no idea, but the idea of money seemed highly appealing to him. He hated to think what state the Weasley Gringotts vault was in since the war. Worse than ever, he could imagine.

One good thing this news had brought them was a calmer Molly who wasn't passive aggressively worrying over Australia. She was so pleased that the Minister wished to personally talk to her son (even though it was Kingsley) that the idea of him going off to Australia in less than two days seemed insignificant now. For the first time in two weeks, Ron wasn't asked a single question about it.

The rest of the day went by slowly, with Ron pondering over what Kingsley wanted. That, along with his nerves regarding going to Australia, he didn't sleep well at all. He tossed, he turned, and despite the fact that Hermione sleeping beside him had brought him nothing but comfort since the first day she slept there, he just couldn't get comfortable.

"Ron," Hermione said when the clock ticked over to two o'clock in the morning. "Are you alright?"

"...yeah," Ron said after a moment. "It's just everything going on. I can't stop thinking about it."

Hermione reached out, her arm sliding across his middle. "It'll be okay," she said softly. She fell back asleep a moment later, her arm still around him.

Despite still not being able to fall asleep, Ron laid where he was, eyes wide and staring up at the ceiling. Just what exactly did the Minister for Magic want to see them for? Logically he knew it wasn't going to be anything bad, but for some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that the news wasn't going to be as welcome as everyone might have hoped.

…

The following morning ticked by very slowly. Molly managed to corner them in the early hours and had them completing chores, and when they tried to escape the Burrow for the nearby fields, Arthur wished to have an in depth discussion with Harry and Hermione about particular Muggle artefacts Ron couldn't remember the name of.

By the time they were done explaining it to him, it was almost time to leave for the Ministry.

"Er…" Ron said, "how are we planning on getting there?"

The three of them looked at one another. It was a thought that had crossed none of their minds between receiving the letter and that moment. Hermione disappeared, returning moments later with the letter in her hand. She scanned it, shaking her head. "It doesn't say."

"Maybe Dad might know," Ron suggested.

"We should probably use the visitor's entrance," Harry said.

It seemed a bit odd to Ron that they'd be invited to attend a meeting with the Minister, but not given any instructions on how to actually enter the Ministry. A horrible feeling hit him then — what if this was some kind of joke Percy had been pulling, and they weren't actually being invited at all? But then he remembered Percy lacked a sense of humour and felt slightly better.

"What about the fireplace?" Hermione said. She looked at Ron. "It's connected, and your dad and Percy use it to get to work…"

"Is that intruding?" Harry asked.

"I'll go and ask Dad," Ron said. He found his dad in the back shed engrossed in whatever it was he'd been asking Harry and Hermione to explain. Ron personally hated this place — almost as much as his mother did. He really didn't see the usefulness of most of it and was constantly amazed that both Harry and Hermione had spent their first eleven years of life, plus their summers, surrounded by and using all of this stuff. Honestly, it still baffled him even today how resourceful Muggles were considering they didn't have magic.

"Er, Dad?" he said, staring at what he did know was a doormat.

Arthur jumped, startled by Ron's sudden appearance. "Oh, Ron," he said, "what are you doing here?"

"We have that meeting with Kingsley in a moment," Ron said, "and we've realised we have no idea how he's expecting us to arrive. Is the, um, fireplace acceptable?"

"Of course!" Arthur said, his attention already back on the object that had captured his attention. "Go right ahead. You can even Floo straight into his office."

"What?"

Arthur looked up, frowning. "Were you not informed? Yes, Kingsley is expecting you to come directly to his office. Our fireplace is connected directly to the Minister for Magic's private office. He's expecting you."

Had he not been so surprised by that information, Ron might have felt honoured. He went back to tell Harry and Hermione (who were equally as surprised) and then they were on their way.

Even more of a surprise, was finding Neville on the other side already sitting in a large armchair, a cup of tea in hand.

Seeing them, he stood up and set his tea on a table in front of him and hugged them each in turn. "I didn't know you were coming, too!" he said brightly. "Kingsley did say there were others but he never specified…" He indicated three other armchairs. "I suppose I should have guessed."

"Do you know what this is about, Neville?" Ron asked, taking the armchair beside him. Hermione sat on his other side, and Harry on the end.

Neville shook his head. "No idea, but Kingsley looked delighted when he saw me. Said he was glad to see that I'd come…" A smile fell across him. "The Minister… requesting to see me!"

"Well, if anyone deserves that, Neville, it's you," Ron said, and Neville's smile grew just as the door to the Minister's office opened. In stepped Kingsley Shacklebolt.

"Ah, fantastic!" he said, "you're here." And he conjured a fifth chair and sat opposite them. Another wave of his wand and three more cups of tea appeared.

Everyone stared, waiting for him to continue. Kingsley beamed.

"I have a very exciting offer to make all four of you," he said. "I've been talking with a lot of people, and after what has happened over the past years, it's become very obvious that our Auror department is very much small in numbers compared to what we need."

No one said anything, but continued to stare at Kingsley, waiting.

"Now, under usual circumstances, the requirements for becoming an Auror include Outstanding NEWT results in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions, Charms and Transfiguration, all of which none of you have achieved."

Ron felt his heart sink. For a moment, he'd thought that maybe —

"However," Kingsley continued. He had such a wide smile now it was almost pathetic. "However, I am a firm believer in practical experience being the best experience. And the four of you have shown absolute outstanding results in that area. Not only that, but wonderful leadership skills, an ability to perform in high-stress situations, not to mention you are each highly skilled witches and wizards that the Auror office desperately needs. So… as a reward for the role each of you played in the war, I am offering you all immediate entry into the Auror training program, if you so choose to accept."

A stunned silence filled the office. Ron gaped at Kingsley, unsure how to even respond. An Auror? He was being offered a place in a program that was near impossible to get into, all because of what he'd done?

Kingsley continued. "However, there is just one requirement: I'll need an answer by tomorrow evening of your decision. We need Aurors now and so getting you all into training immediately — next week — is ideal." His eyes drifted to Hermione. "Of course, I am aware that you will be travelling as of tomorrow, so special consideration has been made. For the rest of you, though, I really will need an answer as soon as possible. It's a once-off offer."

This time, Ron's heart really did plummet. All the way down into his stomach. Next week he'd be in Australia with Hermione.

There was more silence, and then Hermione spoke. "Kingsley," she said, "thank you for the offer, but… I don't think I can accept. Even once I return."

All eyes turned to her, and she blushed. "My plans, once returning from Australia, are to complete my seventh year at Hogwarts. It's all but repaired now, and Professor McGonagall told me that she has full intention of opening the school in September again."

Ron stared at her, completely taken aback. She'd not mentioned that intention to him once. In all the times they'd talked, she had not even made a hint that that was her plan. He shouldn't have been surprised, but he was a little hurt that she'd not bothered to tell him.

He looked away.

Kingsley nodded. "I completely understand, Hermione."

"I'd love to," Harry said quickly. Like Ron, it had always been his desire to become an Auror. Unlike Ron, he hadn't made a single promise to anyone to travel overseas with them.

"Me too!" Neville said, looking dumbstruck that Kingsley seemed to think him worthy of even being considered for such an honour.

Everyone looked at Ron. He looked back at Hermione, who suddenly appeared very guilty. He turned to Kingsley, feeling nothing but disappointment. He probably would have made a rubbish Auror anyway. "I… sorry, but I—"

"He'll have to think about it and get back to you tomorrow!" Hermione said quickly.

Ron closed his mouth, but didn't look at Hermione again.

Kingsley nodded once more and smiled. "Wonderful. Well, Harry and Neville, you'll receive owls within three days detailing what you'll need to do. Hermione, I wish you luck regarding your parents and your return to Hogwarts. And Ron, I hope to see you here, too. We could very much use someone like you working for us."

Ron winced. Why couldn't Kingsley have offered them this after they got back?

They all went home through the fireplace again, Ron going first. He couldn't stand being in the same room as Harry and Neville, who were already discussing things with Kingsley. And he didn't wait for Hermione. He couldn't blame her, of course, but he knew exactly why she had prevented him from telling Kingsley no, and he wasn't going to do it. He'd made a promise to her, and he sure as hell wasn't going to break it.

Landing back at the Burrow, he emerged from the fireplace and marched straight past his expectant mother and to the stairs. A moment later he heard Hermione arrive.

"What happened, dear?" Molly asked her.

"Kingsley… he… sorry, Molly," she said. "I've got to go and talk to Ron before he makes a really stupid decision."

Ron was sitting on his bed when Hermione caught him. He looked up at her, and said immediately, "You're more important."

"Don't be stupid, Ron," Hermione said, sitting beside him. "This is your dream job."

Ron shook his head. "I made a promise to you. I said I'd go with you, and I am. I don't care… I can find another job one day. Maybe I'll help George with his shop."

"Ron…" Hermione began. "Ron, I saw your face when you realised. You were gutted. I know this is what you've always hoped for. What you've always wanted. Don't worry about me. I… I can do this by myself."

Ron shook his head again.

She moved closer to him, taking his hands. "I can't go away with you knowing that one day you'll end up resenting me for it."

"I won't resent you," Ron said. "I could never…"

"You need to accept the offer," Hermione said, her voice gentle, but firm. "And you know you do. You'll forever regret it if you don't."

Ron swallowed, turning his face towards hers. "Like how you'll regret it if you don't go back to Hogwarts?"

Hermione flushed. "I… I was going to tell you, Ron. Once we got back…"

He wrenched his hands away from hers and she looked at him, hurt. "It's a pretty big decision to make. I thought we were in this together?"

"Ron…"

Ron buried his face in his hands. "I'm sorry," he said. "I just wasn't expecting this at all."

"No one was," Hermione said. "But things have changed now, and this is the opportunity of a lifetime for you. I can't and won't stand in your way. Not when I can see how much you really want it."

"But I love you, Hermione!"

She grabbed his hands again. "And you can continue to love me even while we're apart. This isn't going to change the way we feel about each other. I've got to do what I need to, and so do you. I would love to have you there with me, but it seems it's not meant to be."

Ron said nothing. He knew she was right. He would end up resenting her, or the whole situation, down the track. She knew it, he knew it… but the thought of abandoning her…

He looked up at her again, and she smiled. "Accept it," she said. "And when I get back, I want to hear all about how wonderful training as an Auror is."

There was a long pause, where neither of them spoke. They just sat there, hand in hand, knowing what needed to be done.

Eventually, Ron looked at her and sighed. "I'm going to miss you," he said. "I'm going to miss you so much."

Hermione threw her arms around him. "I'm going to miss you, too," she said, and he heard her voice crack ever so slightly. She pulled away, and Ron knew that he had to tell her. If he wasn't going to see her for a month or more, then she could at least leave knowing just how much he loved her, no matter how ridiculous it might sound.

"Hermione," he said, "I'm still trying to work out how the hell I feel about you."

She pulled away, worried, and he realised immediately how that must have sounded to her.

He shook his head. "By that, I mean I don't understand how it's possible for me to love you as much as I do after such a short amount of time. But I understand enough to know that that is how I feel. I once thought I might have fancied you, then I knew I did. Then I realised I loved you. But I sure as hell didn't know this was how I could feel. It's the best feeling in the world."

Hermione kissed him. When she pulled away, she was smiling. "Sometimes," she said, "you speak as if you think you're the only one to feel these things."

Ron opened his mouth to argue that he never expected her to feel so deeply about him, but she silenced him by another kiss.

"I'm capable of those feelings too, Ron, and I feel them for you. I love you a lot. You know that, don't you?"

Ron said nothing. He couldn't. Why was she so incredible?

"I've felt this way for a long time, I just never knew how to tell you. How to ask you." She paused, thoughtful. "Maybe I do need to ask you."

"Ask me what?" Ron asked.

"We haven't even been on a proper date," she said.

"No… I guess we haven't…"

She beamed. "If tonight is our last night together for a while, let's make the most of it. Let's go out, just the two of us. On a date."

Ron stared at her for a moment, and then smiled.

"I think you'll like the cinema," she said.

"The what?"

"A cinema. A theatre. Where people go to watch films." Hermione nodded, as if the decision had been made. "Leave it to me; I'll organise it. A date tonight?"

Ron could only nod. He kissed her hard on the mouth. "Merlin, I love you, Hermione," he said after a moment. "Yes, a date. Our first date."

And they both laughed, because it almost seemed like they had done a lot of things backwards if tonight was going to be their first date.

For those who follow the IG account, I did warn you that you may hate me after this chapter, so if you do, I'm sorry. But on the bright side, there's a few chapters of Harry/Ron bromance coming up, so...?

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this :D

And thank you for the reviews and another thank you to my awesome beta insertcleverandwittytitlehere. Thanks for all of your insights and ideas when I have none. And I'm looking forward to playing another season of Quidditch with you!

If you're interested in joining a Quidditch team, follow the QLFC link in my profile - it's a fanfiction writing comp for Harry Potter set out in a Quidditch format :D It's super fun and the new season sign ups will start on January 24!