Yesss, the last chapter!

There aren't words enough to say how sorry I am for making you wait this long. I know I had promised you it would only be a week, and that week lasted almost two months.

I think you deserve an explanation, because this chapter was almost ready and only needed revision and some adjustments. Well, to be honest, I ended up rewriting half of it. Then the first six weeks of my paternal leave ended, and I went back to work … And my boss asked me to aid another team that was developing a strategic project but was really late. So, between that and having a 2-month-old child, I had barely time. I think there were weeks when I didn't even turn on my personal laptop, which had never happened before. As you can guess, my mind couldn't be further from fanfiction.

I thought about writing a comment or an Author's note or something to tell you I was fine, but I always hate when a story I like is updated and it turns out it's just an AN. Besides, I wasn't sure when I could finish this and I didn't want to make a promise I wasn't sure I could keep.

So don't worry, I didn't die, and my child and my girlfriend are perfectly fine. I'm now on another few weeks of paternity leave, so I had finally time to finish this.

I must say, however, that I think this chapter is not as good as the previous ones, but I didn't want to delay publication anymore. Let me tell you that there's no smut. I tried to add it, but it just didn't fit anywhere, I think you'll agree with me on that.

Being the last chapter, you'll have both Ron's and Hermione's POVs, with several switches.

I hope you like it!

Chapter 25

Ron's Girlfriend

Sunday, 21st September 2003

"Are you really sure about this?" Ron asked Hermione for the third time.

She huffed, looking at him through the mirror as she combed her hair. "Ron, I told you about a hundred times, I'm going!" she shouted, sounding utterly exasperated. "You're just making me more nervous, so please, stop asking!"

"Okay, okay. Sorry," he apologised, raising his hands. "I just want to be sure you're not being forced into this and that you're comfortable."

She fixed her eyes on him through the mirror, then sighed and turned to face him. "I know, and I appreciate the effort, but you're not helping." She sighed again. "Look, I'm not comfortable, I can't be comfortable. But this has to happen, and I've got to face the music."

Ron frowned. "The music? What are you talking about? Do you expect Mum to force you to hear to Celestina Warbeck as a punishment? Because —"

"What?" she interrupted, looking at him as if he were insane.

"You said you had to face the music, and —"

"Muggle saying, Ron!" she yelled, huffing again. "Look, I'm going, and that's it! Now, for God's sake, let me finish getting ready!"

Ron raised his hands again. "Okay, okay. I'll shut my trap."

"Thanks," she muttered, but just a moment later she talked again. "Ah, just one more thing: no funny business. And by that, I mean no sex, no making out, no fooling around. Is that clear?" she asked, throwing him a warning look.

Ron's first thought was to protest, but, in the end, he laughed.

"You find that funny?" she asked, a bit confused.

"No. I just find it ironic that you never refused to fuck there while it was, as you'd say, illicit, but you do have a problem with it now, when we're together."

Hermione blushed. "Well, that's it, isn't it? We're together, so there's no need to sneak around. Besides, I want to show your parents proper respect. I feel like I disrespected them, and that's the thing I regret the most."

"Okay," said Ron.

She finished getting ready, and they walked towards the fireplace. It was early, but Hermione wanted to be there before everyone else so she they could talk to his parents without having the entire family around.

She took a deep breath looking at the flames. "Well, let's go."

On impulse, Ron grabbed her and kissed her hard. She tried to protest at first, but then surrendered to the kiss, melting in his arms. Ron deepened the snog and moved his hands to her ass, caressing both cheeks roughly over her jeans. Hermione whimpered into his mouth, and he just squeezed harder.

They had no time for a shag, though, so, reluctantly, he broke the kiss and released her before getting a full hard-on.

"What — what was that?" she asked, looking dizzy and a bit disoriented.

"That was me trying to relax and unwind you," he said with a lopsided grin.

"Mmm, yeah, right, okay," she muttered with a nod, still looking a bit dazed. "Er — What were we —? Um, yes, the fireplace. We should get going …"

Ron nodded, still smiling, and stepped into the hearth. He exclaimed, 'The Burrow!' and, a moment later, he was getting out of his parents' fireplace —

— And right in front of Percy, who was sitting on the sofa, reading.

Fuck.

He lifted his head only slightly at the disturbance. "Ronald," he muttered dispassionately.

"Hi, Percy," said Ron somewhat stiffly, and then moved out of the way, remembering Hermione was coming after him. "Mum and Dad?" It was a stupid question, because he could hear the noise of pans and pots in the kitchen, but it was a way to avoid uncomfortable silence.

"Mum's in the kitchen, Dad is in the shed."

Before Ron could reply anything, the Floo activated again and Hermione came out, brushing her robes. Then she saw Percy and froze on the spot. Percy, on the other side, didn't seem affected at all.

"Hermione," he said.

"Hello, Percy," said Hermione shyly.

"Percy, who has —?" Ron heard his Mum ask from the door to the kitchen. The question died on her lips when she saw Ron and Hermione. "Ah, it's you, Ron." He eyes focused on Hermione, who seemed to shrink a bit. "Hermione."

"Good morning, Mrs Weasley," said Hermione, looking shy and uncomfortable. "Thank — thank you for having me. Again," she added. Then seemed to realise the implications of her words and blushed. "I mean — I —"

"You're welcome," said Ron's mum.

Percy got up, breaking the moment of tension. "I'm going for a walk," he announced, and exited the house.

"Ron, dear, can you go to the shed and help your father?" asked his mum sweetly. "I asked him to clean it and I fear he'll end up making a greater mess."

"I — er —" stammered Ron, his tone doubtful. He glanced at Hermione, who nodded. "Okay," he added, and, with a last look at the two most important women of his life, he walked out.

— o —

Though she had nodded at him, the truth was that Hermione felt more than a bit panicked when she was left alone with Mrs Weasley. However, she summoned all her courage and looked at the older woman in the eye. "Do — do you need help with anything?" she asked, trying to sound normal despite how nervous she was. She wasn't completely useless in the kitchen, but certainly her culinary skills didn't hold a candle against the older woman's.

Mrs Weasley stared back at her for a couple of very long seconds before nodding. "If you're so kind."

Hermione followed her into the kitchen.

"Can you finish making the gravy?" asked Mrs Weasley. "I'll guide you through the steps, if you don't know the recipe. You mentioned you were good at potions so this shouldn't be difficult."

"Yes, of course."

They worked in silence for a while, both women aware of the tension in the air, yet neither of them addressed the dragon in the room.

"I think it's done," said Hermione ten minutes later. Mrs Weasley approached her and took a look. "Looks perfect." She took a drop with a spoon and put it in her mouth, savouring it. "Tastes good as well. It could do with a bit more salt, but just a pinch."

Hermione nodded and added it. She tried it and thought it was good. "Done."

"Thank you. Why don't you grab something to drink? I could do with a glass of wine myself."

"Sounds good," said Hermione, who grabbed two glasses and poured some wine for them both. She sat back at the table, watching Mrs Weasley put some potatoes into one of the pots. Once done, the ginger woman sat down in front of her.

Both women took a sip of their drinks. As she gulped it down, Hermione finally gathered her courage. The rest of Ron's siblings would arrive soon, and if she didn't address the issue now, she never would.

"Mrs Weasley …" she started to say. "I — Well, first of all, I want to thank you for inviting me back. I know that — that I caused a lot of trouble, and I want to apologise for it. You — you welcomed me into your house, into your family, with open arms, and I know I disrespected you and betrayed your trust. I was raised better than that, and want to say that I'm very sorry. For everything."

Mrs Weasley stared at her with a penetrating gaze, contemplating her words. "Are you really? Sorry, I mean. For what —" She stopped, then took a deep breath. "For what happened with Ron," she finished.

Hermione felt her cheeks burn. "Well — no," she admitted. "I regret the way it happened, but not that I found him. Ron …" She couldn't help but smile. "Ron is the best thing that has ever happened to me. He challenges me, he makes me laugh, he — he just makes my whole live better. And I know you have no reason to trust me, but I promise you I will never hurt him. I — I love him," she confessed, blushing a little.

Mrs Weasley seemed a bit surprised by her admittance, and took a few seconds to respond. "I think he loves you as well," she said at last. "He hasn't told us that, of course, but I had never seen him like this, so ready to fight for someone. The only person I've ever seen him show such devotion is Harry, which is saying a lot."

Hermione stared at the Weasley matriarch, shocked. She knew how much Harry meant to Ron, and hearing Mrs Weasley putting her at the same level in his list of affections was almost overwhelming.

"You think so? Because Ron, he —" She swallowed, "he told me all about the fight against Voldemort, and the bond between them is incredibly strong."

Mrs Weasley smiled. "That's what I was referring to. Ron never talks about those events, so the fact that he confided in you …" She stared off into the distance, as if remembering something, and sighed, then focused again on Hermione. "I remember what it is being young and making mistakes, Hermione. I won't deny it was a great one, and that I was severely disappointed — and angry — at you. But, upon knowing the full story, I suppose I cannot blame you completely. It also means I owe you an apology as well."

Hermione stared at her, blinking a few times. "An apology? You? But — why? You haven't done me any wrong, Mrs Weasley. I — I don't understand."

"The way Percy used you is unjustifiable, and, as a mother that raised all her children at home, I am partially responsible for his behaviour. So I'm sorry for the way he lied and tried to use you for his own gain," she finished, looking deeply ashamed.

"No, no, you needn't apologise," replied Hermione quickly. "You didn't do anything wrong. No one can completely control the way another will turn out when they grow up, so this is not your fault, in any way."

Mrs Weasley took a deep breath, and a sad expression appeared on her face. "Percy was always different than the others. Of course, each of my children are unique, even Fred and George, but Percy was the most different of them all. He was never bothered with making friends or playing with his brothers; instead, he enjoyed studying and was perfectly content on his own. While all of the rest had a mischievous side, Percy loved rules and authority figures. He was never a troublemaker like the others."

Hermione bit her lip. It made sense, that a person who didn't have a real sense of right and wrong, or true empathy, would use something completely external as a moral guide. Rules, in this case.

Well, it was comforting, in some way. If he truly was a rule-follower it meant he would never break the law or do something illegal, even if he couldn't really feel guilty about it.

"I — I don't resent him for what he did," she said after a few moments of silence. "I mean, of course I hate that he tried to use me, and that I fell for it, but I prefer to see the bright side of things. I wouldn't have met Ron, or had the chance to work on his proposal here, if not for him, so, in a way, I'm happy it happened."

Mrs Weasley nodded. "I'm glad your proposal was approved," she said with a smile. "It really is great, what Ron and you did for Morgana. She is doing very well, considering, and I hadn't seen Ophelia look so happy since the day she told me she was pregnant." She sighed. "She really likes you, by the way."

Hermione blushed. "Well, I suppose her opinion is a bit biased," she commented, looking down.

"I don't think so," replied Mrs Weasley, surprising Hermione, who lifted her eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"One mistake does not define a person, Hermione. And considering the circumstances …" she trailed off. "I like to look into the bright side of things as well, and there's no way I, as his mother, could ignore how happy Ron looks. As a mother, my children's happiness is what matters the most to me. Percy isn't unhappy at all, but Ron is, maybe for the first time in his life, really happy, and I'm sure he would be very hurt if things didn't work between you and him, so — welcome to the family. This time, I hope, for real."

Hermione's vision turned blurry due to the tears pooling in her eyes. Without thinking, she got up, ran around the table, and embraced Mrs Weasley, who let out a soft laugh.

"Thank y-you," Hermione muttered, pressing her face against the older woman's shoulder. "I — I can't promise things will work out between us in the long term, but I want to try, and I swear that I'll never hurt him willingly."

"It's okay, dear," said Mrs Weasley soothingly, patting Hermione on the back. "I believe you."

Hermione pulled away after half a minute, and brushed her eyes, looking a bit embarrassed.

"S-sorry."

Mrs Weasley smiled again. "Don't be. Now, why don't you go and check on Ron and Arthur?"

"Of course, but I can help with other things if you want."

Mrs Weasley shook her head. "I have everything under control. Go."

Hermione was about to get out of the house when the fireplace in the living room activated and Ginny and Harry stepped out of it.

"It's us, Mum!" yelled Ginny. Then she spotted Hermione. "You're already here!" she exclaimed, ignoring the 'Good morning, dears!' her mother shouted back.

"Yes," nodded Hermione, giving them a smile. "Good morning."

As a response, Ginny glared at Harry, who looked a bit sheepish. "I told you I wanted to be here when they came!" she scolded. Then, not waiting for a response, she approached Hermione. "Sorry, as I said, I wanted to be here for you, to make things — well, smoother," she apologised. "You came early."

Hermione smiled fondly at her. "I appreciate the gesture, but I thought it was better to talk to your parents before all of you came."

"And?" asked Ginny, looking slightly anxious.

Hermione's smile grew. "Everything's all right."

Ginny smiled, relieved. "Good."

"See?" interjected Harry. "No harm done, you didn't need to fret."

Ginny threw him another glare, then asked, "Where's Ron?"

"With your dad in the shed. I was going there to check on them."

"Okay. See you in a moment, then." And, to Hermione's surprise, Ginny hugged her. "I'm so glad things went well. Mum can be difficult sometimes, but she means well," she added in a very low voice.

"She wasn't difficult at all," assured Hermione. "She was amazing, as always."

— o —

"And this wheel here, what does it do?" asked Ron's dad, pointing at a piece of the Muggle washing machine he had acquired a few days ago. Ron sighed, half-amused, half-exasperated. "Dad, I told you, Hermione's parents have one of those, but I've never seen it functioning. I know as much as you do."

"But surely —?" his dad insisted but was interrupted, to Ron's relief, by the door opening.

"Hello?"

"Hermione!" exclaimed his dad happily. "Come in, come in!"

Hermione had never been in the shed, and walked in, curiosity etched on her face, as she looked around.

"Dad, please," begged Ron.

"I was just going to ask her a few things."

"Ask me about what?"

Ron rolled his eyes. "The washing machine. He wants to know how it works, though the previous owner got rid of it because it was broken, and we already have a magical one."

Hermione laughed. "Well, Ron, it's a great to be curious about things," she said approvingly, earning a wide grin from his father. "It's very easy, Mr Weasley."

Ron watched, with a small smile, as his girlfriend explained to his dad what every button or wheel did and how the machine worked.

"Amazing, amazing," kept repeating his father, enthralled. "Muggles are really something, inventing all these things. Thank you so much for the explanation, dear," he told Hermione. "Now go, enjoy the weather before lunch."

"Ginny and Harry have just arrived," informed Hermione.

"Okay, let's go and see them," said Ron, eager to get out. And, before Hermione could say anything else, he grabbed her hand and pulled, leading her outside.

"Ron!" she protested the moment they were outside.

"I had to get you out of there, or Dad would have kept you in there all day, asking questions about any other piece of junk." He stopped and looked into her eyes. "How was it with Mum?"

"It went well," she told him. "Everything's fixed."

Ron couldn't help but beam at her, then kissed her gently. "I'm so glad to hear that," he told her. He knew that her parents had accepted his relationship with Hermione, but hearing that things had gone well was still a relief.

She laughed softly. "Didn't I tell you I didn't want any inappropriate behaviour?" she teased.

"Come on, this was the most chaste of kisses. I didn't even touch your ass."

She tilted her head to the side as if considering his answer. "I suppose that, coming from you, was really tame, yes."

"Mmm, you're right, it doesn't fit me, being chaste." And before she could react, he cupped one of her breasts over her t-shirt and gave it a little squeeze. "Mmm, firm and squishy, just how I like a good tit."

"Ron!" she said, laughing and smacking his hand away. "Come on, let's join Harry and Ginny."

When they walked in, Bill, Fleur and Victoire had just arrived. Victoire, upon seeing Hermione, ran to hug her. "'Myknee!" she exclaimed happily. "You're back!"

"I'm back," assured Hermione, grinning at the child.

"And you're Uncle Ron's girlfriend now?"

"Victoire, don't be so nosy!" scolded Fleur.

"It's okay," said Hermione with a smile. "Yes, Little Flower, I'm Ron's girlfriend now. May I call you 'Little Flower'?"

Victoire nodded eagerly. "Yes, as long as you're with Uncle Ron!"

Hermione laughed and kissed the little girl's forehead. "Thank you."

— o —

As Ron and Bill brought drinks for everyone, Hermione sat down with Fleur and Ginny, who let her know how happy they were everything had fallen into place and she was back in the family, this time for good.

Hermione couldn't help but beam at them and be thankful for how welcomed she was, when just a few weeks ago she was sure she wouldn't see The Burrow ever again. But here she was, and as Ron's girlfriend nonetheless.

"So — 'ow was your time in Italy with Ron?" asked Fleur, a mischievous look on her face. "Don't tell me all you did was sightseeing …"

"Ugh, I've heard more than enough about that," declared Ginny, getting up. "I'm going to see if Mum needs any help," she announced, and marched towards the kitchen.

"Come on, tell me. 'Ow was it?" insisted Fleur in a lower voice, taking a sip from her drink.

"It was —" started Hermione, but then stopped, looking for a word good enough to describe that week. "Hot," she said at last, blushing a little. "It was fun and amazing, but, if I have to pick just one word, it would be 'hot.'"

Fleur couldn't help it and laughed, clapping. "Zat's what I like to 'ear," she said. "Frankly, when you told us you 'adn't done anyzing with Percy, I knew somezing was wrong in zat relationship."

"Quite a few things were wrong, to be honest," said Hermione, her smile vanishing. "From both of us."

"Well, let's not dwell on zat. As ze saying goes, 'all's well that ends well.'"

"That's why I like to think, yes," nodded Hermione.

The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Fred, Angelina, George and Katie. Hermione, who hadn't seen both women in weeks, quickly noticed how much their bellies had grown, now that they were about six months pregnant. The four of them greeted Hermione, acting as if nothing had happened and the last time they had seen her she hadn't been Percy's girlfriend instead of Ron's. Hermione, grateful, inquired about how they were dealing with their pregnancies, and listened attentively before excusing herself to go the bathroom.

After flushing the toilet, she took a moment to wash her face in front of the mirror, thinking about how things — no, her entire life! — had changed in just three months. She couldn't help it and let out a short laugh, because if someone had told her what was going to happen, she would have thought they were completely and utterly insane.

Well, insanity had taken over her life, in a way …

And she loved it.

Still smiling, she got out of the bathroom, only to almost crash into Ron, who was leaning against the wall in front of the door, arms folded.

"What are you doing here?" asked Hermione, surprised. "Do you need to use the bathroom?"

Ron smirked at her in a way that both aroused and put herself on guard.

"Nah. I saw you come upstairs and thought it would be nice to relive our first encounter here …"

"What?" she replied. "Ron, I told you, no funny — Mmmmph!" She couldn't finish the sentence, her words muffled by Ron's eager mouth crashing against hers. At first she tried to pull away, but when his arms circled her waist she couldn't help it and melted into the kiss, giving as good as she was receiving.

"Was that so bad?" he asked, slightly breathless, a minute later, giving her his most charming lopsided smile.

"You — I —" she stammered, still a bit dazed from the kiss. "No, I guess it wasn't so bad," she responded once her brain resumed its normal functioning, "but, if we were really recreating that encounter, then I should slap you."

He seemed to think about it. "I guess. But, in that case, I'd have to do this as well," he said, kissing her again, but this time fondling her tits with both hands. Hermione, pushed against the wall, couldn't help but moan into his mouth, feeling her panties get wet at once. The kiss intensified, and, despite all her warnings, she knew she would have allowed him to take her upstairs and ravage her in his old bedroom, or into the bathroom to have a repeat of their heated shag in front of the mirror. However, to her surprise, he stopped the kiss and moved his hands off her body.

"Why did you stop?" she asked before she could think, causing him to laugh.

"I love to see I still have this effect on you," he said smugly.

"Prat," she replied, though she didn't denied his claim.

Ron chuckled. "You know I'd love to fuck you hard and fast, you taste amazing and your tits feel wonderfully, but we should refrain. Things are going really well and I don't want to ruin that. We can continue this later at my flat."

"You're right," she agreed. "But you'd better keep your word, after getting me so — aroused."

"Aroused, uh?" he said, his tone dangerous and seductive. He moved his mouth close to hers. "So if I shove my hand into those sexy panties you put on this morning, I'll find your cunt hot and wet, right?"

Hermione couldn't help but feel warm at his crude language. Months ago, she would have insulted him and would have felt humiliated for being turned on, but now she could just enjoy it. "Very wet," she muttered in her sexiest voice. She felt Ron shudder a bit.

"You're really testing my self-control, woman," he said, giving her another kiss and letting his hands roam all over her ass. "I promise to thoroughly clean your sweet, sweet pussy with my mouth later. How does that sound?" he asked, giving her another small kiss.

"Sounds fantastic," she said, pecking his lips.

"We've got a deal, then," he said, then, making an obvious effort, he moved away from her. "I need to get something from my room. See you downstairs."

Hermione nodded, and Ron disappeared upstairs. She went back to the bathroom so she could cast a Cleaning Charm on herself and wash her face once more. Once she found herself comfortable, she climbed down the stairs, wondering what was what Ron had to get and hoping no one would suspect anything had happened or make a suggestive comment.

She forgot about that, however, once she was back in the living room and saw that Ophelia and Morgana were there as well. Her face lit up at the sight of the girl and practically ran towards her.

"Morgana! Oh, this is fantastic, I didn't know you were coming!" she exclaimed happily.

"Hermione!" shouted Morgana, a happy smile appearing on her face. "You're here!"

"I am," said Hermione, giving her a quick hug.

"Molly informed us you were coming for lunch and invited us, thinking that you'd like to see Morgana," explained Ophelia.

Hermione's smile broadened, and she felt deeply touched by Mrs Weasley's gesture. She would have to thank her later.

"Of course I do." She looked at Morgana. "So — how have you been? How's school going?"

At this question, Morgana lowered her head a bit and Ophelia frowned. "Mmm, we could say she's doing well, though someone has earned themselves a week worth of detentions for cursing another student."

Hermione looked at Morgana. "You cursed another student? Morgana, you know that's not right —" she started to say.

"Asmodeus Flint shouldn't have called Amanda a Mudblood!" shouted Morgana, her expression hard. "I told him to stop, and he didn't, so yeah, I hexed him."

At this, Hermione stared at her, open-mouthed, not knowing whether to congratulate her or to scold her.

"Bah, don't worry, a week worth of detentions is nothing, right, Harry?" said Ron, who had just come down, a stack of old magazines under his arm.

"Right," nodded Harry, chuckling. "I think our record was a month or so."

Fred snorted. "Amateurs, the three of you," interjected George, his voice laced with disdain.

"We managed three months a couple of times, right, George?" added Fred.

"Right. And two months quite a few," he confirmed.

"That's not something to be proud about, you know," said Hermione, frowning.

Fred and George shared a look and burst into laughter.

Hermione, making an effort to ignore them, focused again on Morgana. "Well, though your heart was in the right place for defending that girl, violence is not the answer, Morgana."

"Why not?" she replied. "Ron and Harry are Aurors, and they use magic against other wizards and witches."

"Er — yeah, but only as a last resort," explained Ron quickly.

"We always try to avoid hurting people," added Harry.

"Exactly," nodded Hermione. "You should have told a Professor."

"Amanda already did. They gave him detention, but he only got nastier. He made her cry, and she's my only friend. You always say you should do anything for your friends, so I decided to teach him a lesson."

Hermione blinked, lost for words. She had been surprised — pleasantly — when the first — and only friend — Morgana had made at school had turned out to be a Muggleborn, considering the way she had been raised. And it was nice that she was ready to fight for her friends, even though in the wrong way. The problem was that Hermione wasn't sure how to convey that message, because, after all, Morgana had done the same thing she, Hermione, had done to that asshole at Beauxbatons, only in a much less conspicuous way.

"I get it," she said after a bit. "I would have wanted to do the same. But you didn't have to curse him. You could have just Silenced him so he couldn't talk. Harming people is not a solution, Morgana.

The girl was not convinced, though. "Well, it worked. Now every time he sees us, he turns the other way."

Hermione blinked again, and saw Fred and George's amused faces. They clearly were daring her to counter Morgana's argument.

"It worked this time," she replied. "But one day, they might retaliate, and you can end hurt. The most intelligent thing you can do in a fight, is to avoid it," she stated.

"The most cowardly thing, you mean," interjected George. But Mrs Weasley, who had just come out of the kitchen, smacked him on the head.

"Ouch, Mum!"

"Don't put those ideas in the girl's head, you idiot! Hermione is right, violence is not the answer."

"Nice way to prove it," commented Fred, earning himself a death glare.

"You should try to grow up a bit, given you're about to be parents," added Mrs Weasley, making Angelina and Katie snicker. "Now come in, lunch is ready!"

— o —

As he headed out of the house for some fresh air after helping Harry clear the table, Ron felt happy and exultant. Though he had been sure his parents were now okay with him dating Hermione, he couldn't have anticipated things going so well for her first visit to The Burrow as his girlfriend. Once out, he searched for her, and found her engaged in an animated conversation with Morgana and Ophelia. He couldn't help but smile.

"Stop drooling," he heard Harry said next to him.

"Idiot," replied Ron. Harry laughed.

"No, seriously, you look like and idiot, but I'm happy for you."

Ron raised an eyebrow. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

"Yeah. You're happy and I'm happy for you."

Ron looked again at Hermione. "I am happy, yeah."

Harry's tone turned serious. "I'm glad things turned out well for you and Hermione, Mate. You really make a great couple."

"Thank you, Harry."

Harry opened his mouth to say something else, but, before he could start, Ginny yelled, "Hey, anyone's up for some flying?"

"Me!" shouted Harry, along with Fred and George. "What about you, Ron?"

"I don't want to fly, but I'll go with you."

Bill said he'd love to fly for a bit, and the rest decided to go as well and sit on the grass, having a drink. So everyone, except for Ron's parents and Ophelia, headed for the meadow they used as a Quidditch pitch. Harry, Fred, George, Ginny and Bill took off into the air and began to pass the Quaffle among them while the rest sat down on Conjured blankets and watched and talked. Ron leaned against a tree trunk, with Hermione lying next to him, her head resting on his thigh; Morgana sat next to them, and so did Victoire, who still followed the older girl around like a puppy. Morgana seemed to be taking that better, though.

"It looks like fun, riding a broom," commented the girl, watching attentively.

"You have never used one?" asked Ron.

"No."

"Not even at Hogwarts?"

"They only teach how to fly in first year."

"Oh, right," nodded Ron. "Hey, Gin!" he yelled suddenly. "GINNY!"

"Ron, you're going to make me deaf!" protested Hermione, grimacing.

"Sorry, Love."

"What?" asked Ginny, landing next to them.

"Morgana has never ridden a broom. Why don't you teach her?"

Ginny looked at Morgana, surprised. "You haven't? Do you want to?"

Morgana nodded eagerly.

"Come with me, then."

Ron and Hermione watched, for about an hour, how Ginny showed Morgana how to properly ride a broom. And when, at last, she managed to do it without crashing, everyone clapped at her, especially Victoire, who seemed even more excited than Morgana herself.

"I think Ginny might have replaced you as Morgana's idol, Love," commented Ron jokingly, watching the girl's exultant expression as she raced and turned about six feet over the grass.

Hermione laughed. "She looks happy, doesn't she?"

"She does."

"I'm so glad we helped her to stay here and start a new life. That's one of the highlights of the year for me."

"I hope not the most meaningful one," joked Ron.

Hermione turned her head to look at him and gave him a radiant smile. "Just a close second," she said, then propped her body up onto her elbow and leaned up for a sweet kiss. Ron drank from her, relishing her taste how soft her lips were.

"I've made up my mind," blurted out Hermione when she broke the kiss.

"Uh? About what?"

"Your idea."

"My idea?" asked Ron, confused.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'm talking about living together, Ron."

"Ah, that! And — what have you decided?" he asked, feeling suddenly nervous.

Hermione grinned at him. "It's completely insane, because we've been dating for such a short time, but everything about our relationship has been insane and it turned out well, so …" she trailed off.

"You mean …" he trailed off, not daring to finish the sentence and jinx it.

"I mean I'll do it. I'll move in with you."

Ron couldn't help it. He reached for her and pulled her on top of him, then wrapped his arms around her back and kissed her soundly. "Merlin, I love you so much," he blurted out. "I promise you won't regret it."

"I know I won't. As long as you don't expect me to clean after you," she teased.

"Hey! I know I'm not a neat freak like certain bushy-haired girl, I've been living on my own for a few years, you know, and I didn't end up sleeping on a mountain of trash."

"I'm not a neat freak, you prat."

"You are, but I love you anyway."

"How considerate of you," she said, laughing, then kissed him again.

Instead of moving back to her previous position, Hermione just turned over and stayed between his legs, leaning against his chest. Ron put his hands on her belly, under her t-shirt, caressing her soft skin. He took a deep breath, and the fragrance of Hermione's shampoo filled his nostrils, making him smile. Merlin, it felt so good, having her here, between his arms, in his childhood home.

And she was moving in with him!

For the first time in his life, Ron felt complete and perfectly content, with nothing that could spoil his happiness.

Okay, that wasn't completely true. He thought of Percy, who had left after lunch. More often than he would like it, he wondered if he had made a mistake not telling anyone but Harry the truth about Percy. They had, after all, a right to know …

But now, watching his family playing and laughing and having a great time; seeing Morgana enjoying her first ride on a broom; and having the woman of his dreams in his arms (and soon living with him!), he knew he had made the right choice.

And that's it! As I said, to add smut I'd have to continue past this moment (you'll agree it didn't make much sense to have them fucking again at The Burrow), when they go back home, but I found this ending, with the image of the family — but Percy —in the meadow to be just perfect.

I also know many of you wanted to see Percy getting a harsher punishment ... Sorry, but it just didn't fit, either. Percy is what he is, and, in the end, Ron put his family (and his own) happiness about everything else. Life isn't perfect, people, and, quite often, people don't get what they deserve, be it rewards or punishment.

That being said, this story ended up being quite different than what I had anticipated, but I love the result, and I enjoyed writing it very much. I hope you enjoyed reading it as well.

Thank you to all the people who read, commented, gave kudos or added the story to their favourites. And, again, sorry for this long delay.

Now, I had told you I had other projects in the making, but I won't lie to you: they hadn't advanced one bit. Right now I have very little time for writing, and to truly enjoy it I need time and relaxation (something you don't get when you're a parent of a three-month-old child!). So, for the time being, I won't be writing anything new. Maybe, if I'm very inspired, I could write a one-shot or something like that, but I doubt that will happen in the near future. However, this is not a definitive goodbye. I hope, once my son gets a bit older, I'll be able to get more time (and energy) for writing.

Until then, enjoy fanfiction and don't let Romione die!

Thanks again for all your support. Please, give me one last review/comment, though I can't promise I will reply soon (I'll try to, though).