Chapter 41

Ron clutched the final envelope in his hand. He didn't want to open it. What if there was a reason that one had arrived last? What if they'd given him false hope with all of the other parts, and then this was the big letdown?

He was reminded of the time the OWL results had arrived and how sick he'd felt. He'd been convinced he'd failed everything back then, because during every exam, it was as if his mind had gone blank of information, almost as if he was three years old again and didn't know how to perform a single spell.

But that worked out, he reminded himself. He'd gotten seven OWLs in the end, which was extremely impressive.

And so far, he'd passed every single aptitude test in the three years of his Auror training, including the final ones. It was the theory component that worried him.

He wasn't good at theory. He couldn't look at a book and absorb the information. That was Hermione's area of expertise, and he admired her for it. But… at least he'd remembered some of the stuff this time round.

He'd taken the final tests two weeks prior, and those two weeks of waiting had certainly been the worst of Ron's life. He'd checked multiple times a day for any Ministry owls making their way through the windows to the point that Hermione had forbidden him from getting the mail. Now it was her job to check it, and if anything arrived, she'd let him know.

It wasn't helped by the fact that the two week wait had him at home by himself while Hermione worked. There was no more training left, and he couldn't become a fully licensed Auror until his results were in.

Thankfully, Harry was in the same boat, so Ron had spent most of his time at Grimmauld Place helping Harry prepare to sell the house.

It had been all over the Prophet the moment Harry put it on the market, receiving a lot of interest from people who, Ron was sure, were more interested in coming to see where the Harry Potter lived than buying the actual house.

Who would want to buy a house owned by a Dark wizarding family for most of its existence? Especially one that was unplottable.

Still, Harry was adamant that he couldn't live there anymore, and he wanted to be done with the whole thing.

"Maybe you should just hold onto it," Ron had said as they packed up a room used as a storage space for the Blacks and Harry. "Keep it for the future."

"Can't anymore, even if I wanted to," Harry had replied. "I've given half the wizarding population the address now. I'm moving."

Two weeks had passed since that conversation. The two weeks Ron needed to get through in order for the final exam results to arrive. Hermione had left for work at seven that morning, and Ron had Floo'd over almost instantly to see Harry. Together they waited for midday, when the results were due to arrive.

Harry was already tearing into his, scanning the letter. Ron stared at his name on the front. He wished Hermione was here. She would be able to comfort him, probably assure him that he needed to stop being an idiot and that he would do just fine. But she was at work, blissfully unaware of his turmoil.

"Er, I passed!" Harry said, looking at Ron. "How'd you —" He noticed Ron's unopened letter and rolled his eyes. "Oh, go on. You passed, I know you did."

Ron swallowed. Harry just didn't get it. He was probably going to pass even if he'd gotten every question wrong, because he was Harry, and they wanted him in the Aurors. But Ron wasn't Harry. Neville wasn't Harry. The rest would have to work for their results.

"You did just fine," Harry said, almost irritated. "Want me to open it for you?"

"No," Ron said. "I'll… do it." He broke the Ministry seal on the envelope and took out the letter.

This wasn't like getting his OWLs at all. This was ten times worse. He'd dedicated three years to training, he had no alternative plan if this didn't work out. What was he supposed to do if he didn't pass the test?

He slowly unfolded the letter that would seal his fate.

"Oh," he said.

"What?" Harry asked.

Ron looked up, his whole face burning red.

Harry's smile faltered a little. "You, er, did —"

"Ninety-five percent," Ron said.

"What?" Harry asked. "That's… really good!" He folded up his own letter.

"What did you get?" Ron asked.

"Ninety-four," Harry said.

"I beat you?" Ron asked, surprised. He'd never beaten Harry at a test before. They'd received identical results often, but Ron had never beaten Harry. And he'd not expected it in Auror training either.

"Was never good at multiple choice questions," Harry said, shrugging and then smiling. "I guess drinks are in order, then?"

"Yeah, alright," Ron said, air being let out of his lungs like a balloon.

"Ginny's idea. She said once we got the remaining results, she'll organise a celebration." He paused, his smile turning into a grin suddenly. "Hey! This means we're fully trained Aurors now. We're Aurors."

"It's all I wanted to do!" Ron said, a grin spreading on his own face as the realisation hit him. He was an Auror. Finally. He'd never really thought it was something he could achieve. It usually required higher marks, Outstanding NEWT results and better wand ability than Ron ever could achieve under normal circumstances.

It had just been a dream, but that dream had just become a reality for him.

He sat down in the armchair, clutching the letter still.

He was an Auror.

"Ginny'll be home tonight," Harry said. "This afternoon, actually. Once Hermione finishes work, I think we should go out. Me, Ginny, you and Hermione. Neville, too. We should ask Neville. I'll send him an owl now to see."

Ron nodded, still not sure he believed it.

He was an Auror.

Harry vanished into another room to find a quill and some parchment and returned, sitting in an armchair beside Ron.

As he was scribbling the note for Neville, he said, head still down, "Hey, I never actually asked officially."

"Asked what?" Ron asked, vaguely.

"You'll be my best man at my wedding, won't you? We've set a date. August twenty-fourth this year."

Ron came to then. He looked at Harry. "Y-yeah, of course," he said. "Of course I will. And you'll, of course, be mine?"

"Would be an honour," Harry said, folding the note up. "The biggest honour to be at the wedding of my two best friends. You guys set a date yet?"

"No," Ron said. "We've not really discussed it. With all the tests, and then waiting for results… hasn't been the best time to make any clear-cut decisions about something so important. For me, anyway." In the six weeks they'd been engaged, he knew Hermione had been going through books, reading up on traditions, considering some places, some dates, looking at wedding dresses, and doing a lot of other things to do with the wedding.

But Ron had been too stressed to think clearly about something that seemed a while away, and then after he'd taken his tests, too nervous about the results to plan.

He wanted to be able to make clear decisions about what would be the most important and special day of his life, and while he awaited the results of his future, he couldn't.

Hermione had understood and said she'd keep some things aside so they could talk about it when he was ready.

"Well, after today you'll have more time."

"Yeah," Ron said, and some of his shock about becoming an Auror dissipated. Now he could anticipate something much more exciting than test results.

…

"I knew you'd both do it!" Hermione said, giving Harry a hug. She then turned to Ron and kissed him. "I'm so happy and proud of both of you."

"And those test results are amazing!" Ginny added. "One hundred percent on all your final aptitude tests, and almost one hundred percent on the theory. The pair of you are going to make formidable Aurors. Dark witches and wizards have no chance. I think Tonks told me once that she scored ninety on her theory."

"Don't give us a reputation before we've started, Gin," Harry said.

Ginny smiled. "You deserve it."

"We still need our formal offers into the Auror department," Ron said. "Can't start a job when we don't have one."

"As if Kingsley wouldn't offer you actual jobs," Hermione said. "Apart from being very depleted, he needs people like you."

Ron thought she was right. Now that they'd passed, Kingsley would be sure to offer them actual jobs. And with that came a decent pay rise, which meant a nicer wedding than before.

"Hey, guys."

Everyone turned. They were standing out in front of the Three Broomsticks, waiting for Neville to arrive, who'd graciously accepted Harry's invitation to celebrate with them.

"Hey, Neville," they all said together.

"How'd you go, mate?" Ron asked.

Neville nodded. "I passed. I did well. Eighty-nine percent on the theory, one hundred percent on two of the aptitude tests, and ninety-seven on the rest."

"That's great, Neville," Hermione said, and she stepped forward to hug him. Ginny did the same. Harry and Ron clapped him on the back.

"We should go in then now that we're all here," Ginny said, her hand resting on the entrance to the pub.

"I'm still waiting on… someone," Neville said suddenly, and under the pale moonlight, Ron saw his cheeks tinge pink.

"Who?" Ron asked.

"... someone," Neville muttered.

"As in… a date?" Ron pressed. Hermione elbowed him as a warning to not pry.

Neville nodded, his blush deepening.

"Who?" Ron said again. "Is this new?"

"Ron!" Hermione scolded. "Stop being so nosy."

"A few months," Neville said quietly.

"Thanks for letting us — your friends — know," Ron said, but he smiled. "They on their way?"

Neville nodded again. "She'll be here in a moment."

Ginny took up a conversation with Hermione about Ginny's Quidditch team and how she was going, while Ron, Harry and Neville stood in silence.

After a moment, Ron said, "Seriously, who is she? You've been seeing someone, Nev?"

"Someone from school," Neville said. But before he could elaborate, a woman who looked vaguely familiar to Ron approached them, albeit not without a little hesitation.

It took Ron a moment, but he placed her as Hannah Abbott. Ron didn't think he'd ever spoken to her in his whole time at Hogwarts, though it wasn't because he had any strong opinions about her. They just… never interacted. Not even during their time in Dumbledore's Army together.

"Hi, Hannah!" Hermione said before Neville could even introduce them. Of course Hermione would be on more friendly terms with her. She seemed to have spoken to everyone during their time at Hogwarts. "How are you?"

"I'm great, thanks!" Hannah said. "How are you…" She looked around at everyone standing there. "How are you all? Thanks for inviting me."

"That's quite alright," Ginny said before anyone could share an uncomfortable look that they actually hadn't invited her. Until a moment ago, they hadn't even known she was coming. But, to be fair, if they had known Neville was seeing her, she would have been invited.

"Let's go in, shall we?" Ginny then said. "I had a table reserved as there's a few of us and it's become a popular night time spot for more than just the creeps of Hogsmeade. Sorry, Hannah, I organised this a while back and Neville only told us today you were coming. I'm sure an extra chair won't be a bother."

"Thank you," Hannah said.

"Just over there," Rosmerta said when she spotted them. She pointed to a table at the back in a corner that was out of the way of everyone else.

"Do you have a spare chair, Rosmerta?" Ginny asked.

"If you can find one," Rosmerta said, waving a hand in the general direction of other tables, clearly distracted by her customers.

"You seem awfully friendly with her," Ron said as he picked up a vacant chair and carried it over to their table.

"The Harpies like to come here after a game sometimes," Ginny said. "Would anyone like a Butterbeer? Firewhisky? I'll get them."

While Ginny disappeared to get the drinks, everyone else arranged themselves around the table. It was a little squishy, but they all somehow fit. Ron found himself squished into the corner of the booth with Hermione (which he didn't mind one bit).

"It's nice of you guys to organise something," Neville said. "And to invite me."

"You've been through the three years with us, Nev," Ron said. "You're always invited."

Neville flushed with pleasure, and Ron felt a wave of affection for him.

"How are you going, Hannah?" Hermione said, leaning forward and resting her arms on the table. Ron shifted to give them a little more room and placed his arm around her waist. "I heard that you're at St Mungo's?"

How she knew that, Ron had no idea, but that was one of the many things he loved about Hermione. She knew everything.

"Yes, there's a few from our year who're doing Healing too," Hannah said. "Seamus Finnigan… you probably know that, he said he's still in contact with all of you. And Padma Patil."

"Yes, I heard she was, too," Hermione said.

"How is it?" Harry asked. "Healing, I mean?"

"Oh, I love it," Hannah said. "It's so rewarding. Tiring, but still rewarding. I'm working in the long-term resident ward. Do you remember Professor Lockhart? He's still there!"

No one said anything to that. Ron assumed the others were of the same mind as he was — they had seen him there a few years ago, still as mad as ever. Thankfully, Ginny chose that moment to return with the drinks, so no one had to. She had two in her hands, and was levitating the others with her wand. She slid into the booth next to Harry.

"Have you and Neville been in contact all this time?" Ginny asked, looking at Hannah.

"Oh, no," Hannah said, and she laughed slightly. "Through Seamus, really. We went out one evening after a rough day — me, Seamus and Padma — and he invited Neville and Dean along too. We got talking, reminiscing on a lot of Herbology lessons, and we kind of just clicked."

Neville flushed, but Ron saw a smile hidden within his red face.

"That's so good," Ginny said, grinning at Neville. "What a nice story."

"Yeah," Hannah said, also smiling. She then looked at the others with more focus. "And Neville told me about you all getting married." Her eyes flicked to Harry and Ginny first. "Congratulations." She then looked to Ron and Hermione. "And to you two as well. Such lovely news. Have you set any dates?"

"We have," Ginny said. "When we send an invitation out, we'll be sure to send yours with Neville's. Guests are welcome, of course, we're just putting secrecy charms on the invitations to stop any unwelcome guests showing up."

By unwelcome guests, Ron knew she meant the media. Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley would be a wedding that gossip magazines and the Prophet would love to get a story on. High profile weddings such as theirs were not a common thing in the wizarding world.

"That's probably a good idea," Neville said, sounding impressed.

"Yeah," Ginny said. "It sounds mean, but… we just want family and friends there, not snooping journalists trying to get in. So all stuff will be revealed on the invitation and once people read it, they'll not be able to speak any of it out loud."

"That's a bit insulting to your brother, don't you think?" Ron asked her. "You don't trust even me?"

"Knowing you and your big mouth, you'll let it slip by accident somewhere," Ginny said, and Harry and Neville chuckled.

Ron scowled at both of them and sunk back into the booth.

"Well, we aren't telling you ours either," he said, knowing he was pouting.

"Because you don't have one," Ginny said.

Ron shot her a glaring look, to which she only rolled her eyes. "By the time you bother to even choose a date, people will have forgotten you're even engaged. You are the definition of taking things slow."

Everyone bar Hannah nodded in agreement, including Hermione. Ron looked at her.

"It doesn't mean it's a bad thing," she said kindly.

Ron folded his arms across his chest, leaning on the table again. He said nothing more on the subject.

The evening ended up being a pleasant one, the conversation going on until near midnight. Hannah, who Ron had always considered rather quiet, talked a lot and asked lots of questions about everything.

"Are you really selling your godfather's house, Harry?"

"Why did you choose to live in Nottingham? That's where I grew up. I live in London now."

"How do you think the Harpies will fare against the Magpies next week, Ginny? My brother supports the Magpies."

She was nice, though, and if Neville wasn't Neville, who acted shy in many social situations, Ron would have thought he was quite pleased with himself.

"When do you think we'll be able to start our actual jobs as Aurors?" Ron asked as the clock now ticked past midnight. There were still a few people left in the pub. Though, the later it got, the shadier the people became.

"I'd think very soon," Hermione said. "They need more Aurors, and now that all the first lot of trainees since the war have finished, I'm sure Kingsley will want you all in as soon as possible. You probably all know what you're doing more than half the Aurors already there anyway."

"Flattering, Hermione," Harry said with a tired smile.

"The truth," she said firmly.

Hannah stifled a yawn, and truthfully, Ron didn't blame her. He'd enjoyed the night, but he was starting to think about his bed more than the people he was spending time with.

Ginny and Hannah were still chatting when he fell into a peaceful stupor that had his mind wandering to what was to come for him. Starting a real job, getting married…

He was startled when he felt a hand on his leg. He turned to see Hermione smiling at him. "Do you want to go?"

"Do you?" he asked. "If you want to stay, we can stay. I'll just… nap in the booth."

"I haven't even been home," Hermione said. "Only to change from work clothes. I think we're all going anyway."

Ron looked around to see everyone else grabbing coats, getting to their feet as the conversation died down. Ron took Hermione's hand as they all exited the pub.

"I don't know how many times I went there in school," Hannah said. "But now that we're out, we mostly go to the Leaky Cauldron. My great uncle is the owner there."

"Tom's your uncle?" Hermione asked.

"Great uncle," Hannah said with a nod.

"I never knew," Hermione replied.

"Yeah, it doesn't always come up in conversation."

They were standing outside now. The temperature had significantly dropped while they'd been inside. Now that he was on his feet, Ron could feel the four Butterbeers and two Firewhiskys he'd drank going through him. No wonder he'd been falling asleep inside.

"Thanks for inviting me again," Hannah said brightly. "I had fun."

"It was nice to meet you," Ginny said. She then looked between Harry, Ron and Hermione. "Or see you again."

Neville and Hannah left, heading up the main street of Hogsmeade hand-in-hand.

"How nice." Hermione sighed. "I'm happy for them."

"Neville with a girlfriend is… strange," Ron mused, watching their disappearing figures step into the night. He gripped Hermione's hand tighter, then dug into his pocket to retrieve his wand.

Hermione's hand covered it.

"Maybe I'll Disapparate?" she suggested. "I don't want any unnecessary Splinchings."

Ron hesitated for a moment, trying to count how many drinks he'd seen her have but couldn't recall. His brain was a little foggy on the details.

He didn't even feel drunk, just… heavy-headed.

"Yeah, alright," he said and stowed his wand back into his pocket.

"You'll be at the Burrow tomorrow night?" Ginny asked.

"I guess?" Hermione said, sounding confused. "Is there a special reason?"

"Nope, Mum just asked me to ask you. I think she's a bit upset over the fact that we all only seem to come over for 'special occasions' these days. You know, with us having jobs, our own homes, and all that. Kids, for some of us."

"We'll be there then," Hermione said.

"Yeah, count us in," Ron added, only realising since Ginny had said it that his presence at the Burrow really had dropped off in the last three months or so. They still visited, of course, but he'd spent more time at Grimmauld Place than he did there.

The flat had been comfortable, but it had never been 'home.' To a point, the Burrow had still felt like home to him while he and Hermione navigated apartment living. But the Nottingham house had changed his perspective. That was home now, and he felt the same warmth he'd always felt at the Burrow every time he set foot in his house.

There was just so much potential there, so many things that felt right about living there, and so many things he could envision for the future.

"Great, see you tomorrow night then." Ginny beamed at both of them, and then she and Harry Disapparated from right in front of them.

Ron flinched at the sound, his hearing suddenly oversensitive.

"Come on," Hermione said, squeezing his hand tightly and taking out her wand with her free one. "Let's go to bed. I'm so tired."

Yay for Ron and Harry getting through their training! I hope you all enjoyed it. If you don't follow me on IG then I will say here that as I take a little break from writing this fic (I have written 89 chapters so don't fear about me missing posting dates, I won't!) I am working on an 11 chapter one inspired by the film Knocked-Up - romione in rom-com style. While this one is clean, I've tried my hand at more adult-y, smutty stuff for the new one haha. Can't promise anything good, but stay tuned for something soon.

Also, if you're interested, I now run a book Discord. We have monthly read alongs, monthly book exchanges and general book talk if you're interested! We are currently small and new, but growing gradually. If you're interested, the link is on my profile.

Until next chapter!