Chapter 15

"Mr Weasley, you may have been invited here today, and you also may be considered a lifetime honorary member of this school; however, that does not give you the right to use such language in my office."

Ron flushed, glaring at the umbrella stand he had just tripped over in the headmistress' office, sparking a tirade of language that his mother would have severely scolded him for. As she wasn't there, it seemed that Professor McGonagall had taken on that role.

"Er, sorry, Professor," he said, glancing at her sheepishly.

Harry, who had more elegantly emerged from the fireplace, smirked.

McGonagall's lips curled into a thin smile as she beckoned them further into the spacious office. "That's quite alright."

It was the first weekend of November, and Hermione and Ginny had organised with the Headmistress for them to not only visit Hogsmeade for the day, but for them to also spend the day at Hogwarts as well.

When Ron had first received the owl, he'd been hesitant about returning to the place that now seemed like a past life to him. Harry had had his concerns too, but as the weeks wore on, and the more they discussed it, the more the idea had grown on them.

"It'll be good to see how it's turned out since the repairs, won't it?"

So here they were, landing via the Floo Network in Professor McGonagall's office, being greeted warmly by her (minus the scolding Ron had just received).

Ron had only ever been in this office a few times, but it looked very different to how he remembered Dumbledore keeping it. McGonagall was definitely a lot cleaner, and she had far less extravagant objects. More useful ones, too.

He and Harry both sat down in two armchairs McGonagall had just conjured for them.

"Where's Hermione?" Ron asked, looking around.

"Having breakfast in the Great Hall, I'd imagine," McGonagall said with an air of amusement. "With your sister as well, whom I'm sure you're just as excited to see?" she added with a raised eyebrow.

Harry snorted beside him, and Ron flushed again.

"Yes, her too."

"So, I hear the two of you are doing well in your training with the Ministry?" McGonagall said, smiling between them. "Top of the class, so I should think."

"Along with Neville," Harry said cheerfully. "Yeah."

"Ah, I am pleased to hear about Longbottom," McGonagall said fondly, now staring somewhere off in the distance. "I always knew he had it in him…" She turned her attention back to Ron and Harry. "You'll make fantastic Aurors. First hand experience, which is what the department has been lacking for many, many years."

Ron beamed at the compliment. He could remember his meeting with McGonagall back in fifth year, and how he'd uncertainly expressed his desire to become an Auror to her, and the surprised look she'd given him. Then she'd handed him many alternative brochures, encouraging him to look carefully into them and to consider his options. He'd left deflated that day, almost giving up on the idea of ever becoming an Auror.

And now… now she believed he would be good at it.

His smile widened.

"Er, how's things here, Professor?" Harry asked. "How's —"

"Everything is as well as could be," McGonagall answered. "I must say, though, the older years have thinned, but the first years numbers are as large as ever. I wasn't expecting it, but it seems that parents still wish for their children to receive a magical education here. I've no doubt that within a few years, the school will be at capacity again."

Harry nodded, followed by a silence.

McGonagall jumped to her feet a moment later. "So, I suppose you're both keen to see Miss Granger and Miss Weasley?"

Ron clambered to his feet eagerly. He'd not seen Hermione in over two months, his only correspondence with her twice a week via owl. He was desperate to just lay eyes on her again.

McGonagall smiled knowingly as Ron regained himself and walked to the door, feigning near disinterest.

They walked in silence through the corridors. The castle looked just as it had before it had been destroyed, despite some new portraits hanging around. There were no cracks, no places that showed where the walls had been blown to bits only a few months prior.

And yet, Ron still knew he had made the right decision by choosing not to come back. It felt good to visit, but training as an Auror, living in his own place — well, Harry's place — was where he needed to be.

Ron's stomach lurched into his chest as they drew nearer to the Great Hall. He didn't know why he felt so nervous — he'd been nothing but overjoyed when he'd seen Hermione after she'd gotten back from Australia — but this time had been even longer. He'd not so much as held her hand in two whole months, and part of him had become used to her absence. Not in a way that meant he was happier without her being there — he certainly wasn't — but he'd realised how dependent he'd become on her. He'd become used to seeing her every day, having her there when he needed her or when she needed him. It had taken a week or so, but that dependency had disappeared when they were apart, and now he worried that it meant that they wouldn't be as close as they had been.

The Great Hall was packed with students, all dressed and excitedly talking about the first Hogsmeade visit of the year. It took Ron all of three seconds to scan the crowd and spot Hermione, Ginny and Luna all huddled at the Gryffindor table, talking amongst themselves. None of them had seen Harry, Ron and McGonagall enter.

"Well, enjoy your breakfast, boys," McGonagall said, and she marched on ahead towards the teachers' table at the front.

"Come on," Harry said, grinning, and he too moved forward.

All three of them were so engrossed in their conversation and their food, that Ron and Harry were able to slide onto the bench beside Hermione and Ginny respectively without them noticing.

Ron kissed Hermione's cheek, causing her to jump and flinging some egg into the air, which landed on some poor, unsuspecting first year at the Hufflepuff table. The boy whirled around, caught sight of Harry, paled, and looked determinedly back at his food.

"Hey!" Ron said, beaming at Hermione, and the concern he'd felt only moments ago vanished with the smile she returned. His heart pounded in his chest at just seeing her, that intense feeling of love he always felt when he laid eyes on her, was there, as strong as ever — stronger, even, with their two months apart.

"Hey!" Hermione replied, throwing her arms around his neck. "I didn't realise you had arrived yet."

Ron cast his eyes across the table to where Ginny had caught Harry in some embrace that had some girls casting alarmed looks around them. He turned back to Hermione quickly and said, "I haven't missed that. But I've definitely missed you."

She laughed, sliding her hand under the bench and squeezing his. "I've missed you too."

"How's it been, being back?" Ron asked, relieved that Ginny had finally let Harry up for some air. "Weird?"

"Of course," Hermione said. "I mean, it's quieter, especially in the Common Room, but it's been good. NEWTs are… interesting, though."

"Interesting!" Ginny scoffed. "You would have thought, you know, after what happened last year, the teachers would have eased up a little. But nope, it's work, work, work. Apparently with the desperate need for jobs now, with half the Ministry, er… gone, they need to make us even more ready. Should have taken a leap from your book and started a career without finishing school."

"It's not that bad, is it?" Harry said. "I mean…"

"No… it's pretty bad," Hermione said. "I'm struggling to keep up, actually…"

"You're struggling?" Ron asked, staring at Hermione with amusement. "Then I'm very glad I'm not here."

Ron helped himself to all the food he could reach and piled it onto the clean plate that had appeared in front of him. "I missed Hogwarts meals," he groaned. "Nice to have someone cook for you for once." He cast a nervous glance towards Hermione, but she only smiled at him.

"House-elves are being paid now," she said brightly.

"Oh, good," Ron said, shovelling food into his mouth.

"Once you two are done pigging out," Ginny said, eyeing Harry's heaped plate with a raised eyebrow, "we should probably get going. Beat the crowd, you know? First Hogsmeade trip in over a year — it's going to be packed."

Ginny was right. Fifteen minutes later, the four of them plus Luna were exiting the Great Hall and making their way out of Hogwarts and towards the all-wizard village. It was a cold November day, so they were all rugged up well.

As they walked, Ron slipped his hand into Hermione's and bent to whisper in her ear. "You know, once we reach the village, we could give the others the slip, sneak into an alley and —"

"Ron!" Hermione said, loud enough for the others to turn to them curiously.

"Are you whispering disgusting things to her?" Ginny asked.

"None of your business," Ron said. He then said only to Hermione, "I was only joking, though if you wanted to, I'm not going to argue." He grinned, causing her to roll her eyes.

"And what a sight that would be, if we're caught," Hermione said. "Imagine that, me being expelled, because I was found in a side street of Hogsmeade with you…"

"A sacrifice I'd be willing to make," Ron said, nodding seriously. "It would mean you could come home again!"

Hermione seemed to not know whether to laugh or tell him off, but settled for a smile in between.

As the others walked ahead, Ginny and Luna filling Harry in about the seventh year classes, Ron stopped and spun Hermione towards him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her closer. There, he kissed her — the first damn kiss in two months — and it felt amazing.

"Merlin, I missed you," he said when they broke away. "I missed that."

Hermione smiled, gazing up at him, her arms around him. Ron kissed her again, wishing for nothing more than to stay there forever and not let her go.

They stood like that for a while, ignoring the disgusted looks from other students who passed them on their way to the village. It was Ginny's voice that broke them out of… whatever it was.

"Well, we're off to do something that doesn't involve waiting for you," she said, sounding annoyed. "Once you two can manage to get your hands off one another, we'll see you in the Three Broomsticks around midday, alright?" And she grabbed Harry's hand, pulling him up the path. Vaguely, Ron heard her muttering something along the lines of, "Revolting, honestly."

Luna followed hastily behind them.

Ron laughed, following his sister, Harry and Luna up the path with his eyes. Once they were out of sight, he said, "I was wanting to do that before, but McGonagall was there… I think she's onto us, you know?"

"And does that matter if she is?" Hermione asked.

"Er, well, no, I guess not," Ron said, feeling slightly embarrassed now. He was an adult — he was perfectly entitled to have a girlfriend, and he was also entitled to kiss her — when and wherever he wished.

"Come on, you idiot," Hermione said, taking his hand and pulling him after her. "It looks like we've been abandoned. Where would you like to go?"

"My offer from before still stands," Ron said.

"And my answer still stands," Hermione retorted. "Not happening."

"Fine. How about Honeydukes then?"

"Honeydukes it is," Hermione said, beaming, and she continued to pull him along the snow-covered track.

They had to be the last ones to enter the village despite being some of the first to leave, because every so often, Ron stopped walking just so he could kiss her. By the time they reached the sweet store, it was packed with excited students all greedily filling bags with as much as they could.

"Maybe we should go somewhere else?" Hermione suggested, looking warily around.

"Just let me get some stuff," Ron said, digging into his pockets for some Galleons. "Our place needs some sweets, you know? And all those times Harry got stuff for me over the years… I'll stock up."

"If you say so," Hermione said, and she followed him to a corner of Jelly Slugs and Every Flavour Beans.

It took a good amount of time for Ron to select and pay for them, stuffing his pockets with as much as he could. By the time they left the shop, it was half an hour until midday, which was when Ginny had suggested they meet in the Three Broomsticks.

"Where to now?" Hermione asked as they made their way past students again, all whispering excitedly to one another.

"Honestly, Hermione, if you said you wanted to spend the rest of the day in that dingy cave Sirius stayed in all those years ago, I'd agree, because it would be with you." Ron slipped his hand into hers once more as they continued walking. "Though, I wouldn't mind checking out the new Quidditch shop that opened here."

"Oh, that's right!" Hermione said brightly. "They have that new broom, don't they? The Firebolt Three."

Ron looked at her incredulously.

Hermione shrugged. "I spend most of my time with Ginny these days. I've heard her mention it a few times."

They came to stop out the front of a shop that had, for a long time, been abandoned. Now, it had a fresh coat of paint and in the large glass window was the fastest broom in the world. Ron groaned with longing.

"One day," he murmured, pushing through the crowd of students, "one day, I hope to earn enough to be able to buy myself one."

"You will," Hermione said. "Aurors earn good money."

"Not trainee Aurors," Ron said. "I'll have to wait three years. Then there'll probably be a more expensive, better one out that I'll have to save for all over again."

"And then you can buy that one," Hermione said gently. "Is there anything in there you want to buy, or do you want to head to the Three Broomsticks now?"

Ron took another longing look at the broomstick before turning around and heading back up the street again. He couldn't help but feel slightly miserable at knowing he probably would never be able to afford the best broom, whatever it was.

Even though they were early, they found Harry and Ginny already waiting at a table in the corner, Butterbeers in front of them. Ginny waved them over.

"You two finally came up for air, I see," she said as they slid into two seats opposite her and Harry.

"Says you," Ron scolded. "If I remember correctly, you and Harry were in the Great Hall —"

"Where's Luna?" Hermione asked, looking around the busy pub.

"Well, I'm not sure," Ginny said. "She said she had to meet someone and went off." She shrugged.

"Butterbeer?" Hermione asked, looking at Ron.

"I dunno. If I'm not a student, am I allowed Firewhisky?"

"Probably, but as I am a student, I can't get you one," Hermione said.

"Er, alright," Ron said. "Butterbeer is fine."

Hermione went over to the bar to order their drinks. When she came back, Ron and Harry were filling Ginny in about everything happening at home.

"That reminds me," Ron said, taking a sip of the Butterbeer, "Mum insisted we come over tonight for dinner. Me and Harry. She said Percy is bringing someone — his Muggle girlfriend, I assume. The one none of us have met — and said something about it being really important we're there for it."

"Wait, you're going to get to meet this Audrey?" Ginny asked. "That's not fair!"

Ron and Harry shrugged.

"But I guess that means he's told her about us, then. About who he is. Will be a shock if she shows up to the Burrow and doesn't know anything."

They spent the next half an hour speculating about what Audrey would be like, eventually reaching the conclusion that she had to be almost like Percy, otherwise he probably wouldn't be taking the relationship seriously.

"I bet she got top of all her classes in her Muggle school," Ginny said. "They'll be a perfect match." She then looked at Ron determinedly. "Write to me about her straight after. I want to know everything. Take a picture if you can."

"I'm not going to take a picture of someone I just met!" Ron told her, raising an eyebrow. "What has gotten into you?"

Ginny flushed slightly, averting her gaze. "I'm just interested, that's all. She's a Muggle. I mean, wouldn't it be interesting if we had a Muggle in the family."

Ron watched his sister with amusement. "You and Dad should talk more," he said.

"Well, just write to me, alright? At least tell me a bit about her."

"Yeah, alright," Ron said, resisting the urge to sigh.

They stayed in the Three Broomsticks for the remainder of the afternoon. The pub began to thin out, leaving just them, a few other students, and now bringing in the general wizarding population. Some were looking a little shady to Ron the later it got.

"Er, we should probably go," he said. "You know, get ready for this all-important dinner." He jumped to his feet, the others following suit.

"I really wish you didn't have to go," Hermione said, slipping her hand back into Ron's as they made their way back to Hogwarts. "I wish we could spend more days like this together."

"Well, when you're done with school, we can," Ron said. "Every weekend, every day off… though, training is going to get more intense after Christmas, I reckon. That's what we were told anyway."

They walked in silence for the remainder of the way, Hermione only speaking when they reached the entrance doors. She turned to face him, staring up at him with a sad smile. "There's usually a visit around Valentine's Day. I'll let you know —"

"You're coming for Christmas, aren't you?" Ron asked, desperation laced in his voice.

Hermione continued to look at him, her smile fading completely. "Ron, it's just… NEWTs are… they're hard. There's a lot of work…"

"But —" There was a sinking feeling in his chest that hadn't been there a moment ago, overriding the elation of finally spending a day with Hermione. He stared at her. "You have to come home for Christmas. I've… I thought you would!"

"I want to," Hermione said, taking his hands in hers. He pulled them away. "I really do. But — Ron, please understand…"

"I've got to go, or I'll be late," Ron said miserably, trying to step past her. "I love you."

"Ron."

He turned around to face her again. Her smile had returned. "I'll see what I can do, okay? I'll… well, I suppose a day or two away from here won't hurt, will it?"

The disappointment in Ron lifted. "You'll come home?" he asked.

She nodded, continuing to smile. "Even if it's just for a few days."

Ron gathered her in his arms, lifting her off of her feet. He kissed her hard on the mouth. "Good!" he said. "Because I wanted us to spend our first Christmas together. I had plans."

"Plans?" Hermione asked curiously. "What kind of plans?"

"You'll see!" Ron beamed. "Just, please promise me you'll come home. Please."

"I will, Ron," Hermione said, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him. "I promise."

Hermione walked him all the way up to McGonagall's office, opening the door just as Ginny said, "... they're probably suffocating each other again. Honestly, I don't know what — oh, hi, guys!" She grinned.

"I thought we agreed that you would be leaving at three o'clock, Mr Weasley," McGonagall said with a small smile. "It's a little after that."

Ron chose not to answer, instead, letting go of Hermione's hand, kissing her lightly (because it just didn't feel right grabbing her in his old teacher's office) and then went to stand beside Harry by the fireplace.

They landed back at Grimmauld Place, this time Ron stepping more carefully out so as not to trip over anything, and waited for Harry to step out a moment later.

"I'm exhausted," Harry said. "I forgot what it was like…"

"Yeah, well, you can't be too exhausted," Ron said. "We've still got Mum's dinner."

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