"Thank you for coming Miss Granger. Please forward the notes from the meeting and we'll look to implement a trial of the house elf welfare scheme here at Hogwart's by Halloween.
"No, thank you for your time Headmistress. I'm so glad you're willing to let me test the changes here. It'll really help me finalise the legislation and having feedback from the country's largest grouped population will be invaluable."
McGonagall gave her a warm smile and retrieved something from her desk drawer. Hermione rose from her chair and stepped towards the fireplace. McGonagall met her there and shook her hand.
"You're doing a wonderful job Hermione, as I always knew you would." The older witch brought her second hand up to join the handshake to clasp Hermione's right hand in both of hers. Hermione felt so privledged to have this warm relationship with her former transfiguration professor. She'd always admired McGonagall and hoped she could live up to her high expectations. As they released hands, McGonagall pushed a small scroll into the palm of her own.
"I promised someone I would give you this note. Please feel free to enjoy the castle and grounds before using the Floo in my old office. Oh and Miss Granger, Gillyweed is the most useful plant." With that McGonagall opened her office door wide and patiently waited for Hermione to step onto the spiral staircase.
Hermione was completely confused, she'd arrived via Floo directly into the Headmistresses office and was keen to get back to her desk at the ministry to write up her notes. She had no interest in dallying around the castle. But McGonagall wasn't exactly giving her a choice and she couldn't be rude so she did as she was beckoned.
"Yes…err…Goodbye then. Thank you for everything."
She heard the office door shut behind her as the spiral staircase ground downwards and finally came to a halt. Stepping into the corridor she pulled the scroll open and immediately recognised the untidy scrawl.
Common room catch up? R x
Hermione laughed out loud. This wording seemed all too familiar. Ron's here?! What in the name of Merlin is Ron doing here? She smiled and immediately set off for Gryffindor tower. It didn't really matter why he was here really, she was always glad to see him. Always. He'd been her rock, her lifeline, her everything since they'd gotten together a little over two years ago.
He'd been that to her before then, in his role as best friend, but closing that gap in their relationship, that final distance between them just made the whole world click into place. It felt so right them being together. She could hardly remember why they'd ever held back. That fear of losing his friendship was laughable now, he'd never been a better friend than in the last two years. All the uncertainty, miscommunication, awkwardness had melted away allowing them to connect and grow closer in every imaginable way. He made her heart smile.
Life had been moving on since the war. They'd finished school, Ron and Harry had completed intensive training to join the Auror's, she had a job at the Ministry which she loved. She was passionate about. Yes, life was moving on. Granted, some days were still hard…like being hit by a bludger, as Ron put it, kind of hard. Some nights were still disturbed by terrors. But with the help of mind healers and each other, the trio felt they were finally emerging from the war.
When Hermione had been given crushing news during her post battle physical assessment, Ron had been there. When Ron suddenly hadn't been able to get out of bed at the academy, overwhelmed by depression and inconsolable over Fred, Harry had been there. When Harry stopped eating and refused to sleep trying to avoid the nightmares, Hermione fed him and Ron shared his room. And everything in between, they clung to one another. Only they could truly understand the extent of the trauma that ran through them.
Harry had Ginny now of course but there was a bond that connected the trio, only they knew the whole truth. They even currently lived together at Grimmauld Place, needing to be close to one another. Thankfully for each of them the hard days were becoming fewer and further apart. More often than not Hermione felt happiness, actual happiness and contentment. And nothing made her happier than that ridiculous, tall, handsome, redhead she now called her boyfriend.
She found herself almost giddy walking the well-known route to the common room, wondering what he was up to. Maybe Harry was here too? Reaching the fat lady's portrait, "Gillyweed" she announced excitedly.
Climbing through the hole she took in the empty common room save her boyfriend standing near a window, his hair flaming red as the sunlight illuminated it from behind. He looked gorgeous, effortlessly sexy in muggle clothes. Jeans…which fitted him perfectly, a brown belt and white sneakers. A pale blue sweater which complemented his eyes, pushed up to his elbows, showing off his strong forearms, prized watch and those faded half-moon scars. "Ron?" She questioned, knowing her face was splitting into a smile.
"Hey you." He gave her that lopsided grin that just made her melt.
"What are you doing here?"
"When you said you were visiting McGonagall I just took the chance to visit our special place."
"Our special place?" Again she wondered what in Merlin he was thinking. Sure Hogwart's had been more than a school to them and it was nice to be back but this was just the common room. The place where they did homework and lay about wasting hours she likely should have spent in the library. How exactly it was their special place she wasn't sure.
"Yeah sure…course it is." With a few long strides he was standing in front of her, leaning down to give her a welcoming kiss. It was soft, romantic even and it sent a little tingle through her body. "Let me give you the tour…" He continued with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Hermione giggled. "What in Merlin are you up to Ronald?"
He gripped either side of her shoulders and gently persuaded her to move side wards.
"You were standing right here, waiting for me and Harry that night after the troll debacle. When we got back to the common room on Halloween night…you gave me a massive hug. That's the moment we became friends."
Hermione looked down to the floor and all around her feet then back towards the portrait hole. He was right, she'd waited here for about 20minutes for them to return, ever so grateful they'd come to find her. Ron had said something horrid to her that day and she'd spent the rest of it crying in the bathroom feeling so alone. She remembered her 11 year old mind desperately hoping things would be different at Hogwart's when she arrived, that the children might have been nicer, that she might have made a friend. But it hadn't happened. That day as she cried she thought there must be something wrong with her, she didn't belong in the muggle or magical world. But then those boys came to her rescue. They'd risked their lives to save her and no one else had done such a thing. She figured that meant they could be friends. It had been completely out of character for her to hug them but it felt like the only thing that could be done. She hadn't known what words to use. She was ever so grateful that they hugged her back and when they waited for her to go to breakfast the next morning that had been it. The trio had been formed.
He gave her a second to think it through. They'd never actually spoken about that moment, 11 year olds were awkward and then she guessed it had just been forgotten. It was touching he remembered it though. He must be missing this place since we graduated she thought.
Ron took a step backwards and opened his arms wide indicating a space on the floor. "Here is where Neville landed when you Petrificus Totalus'd him." Oh Gods she gasped then giggled…not something she was particularly proud of but in hindsight it was hilarious and he did get points from Dumbledore for standing his ground. "It all made sense to me then. Why you were in Gryffindor and not Ravenclaw…cause I'd kinda been wondering up to that point, you know. That's when I knew you were a badass. We were best friends before we left here in first year." Cheeky prat she thought but couldn't help laughing harder, almost bringing tears to her eyes from the giggles and nostalgia.
He reached for her, clasping her hand and walked her over to the fireplace.
"We were sitting here, crossed legged on this rug when you told me I'd the emotional range of a teaspoon. Thought about that a lot over the years. I'd like to think I'm almost the full cutlery set now…umm…maybe still short a dessert spoon but I promise I'm still working on it." He smiled widely at her and she returned it. She remembered the conversation, Harry had been agonising over Cho Chang. She'd accused Ron of having limited emotions back then, but actually looking back…he had the emotions, all of them…he just didn't know what to do with them. He was certainly much better at that now, she had to agree with him there.
His next stop was the armchairs at the far side of the fireplace.
"This was my favourite place to play chess. I'd sit right here so I could watch you in-between moves. You'd be studying or doing homework or knitting those daft hats at the table just there."
She watched him land in the chair and make a rectangle with his thumbs and forefingers, she leaned over to look through his frame and true enough there was her seat. She already knew it was there, he may think he picked that armchair but she'd picked her seat. She watched him pondering moves, that deep concentration on his face, marvelling at how his brain worked for chess, wondering why he didn't apply the same prowess to his school work.
"And I loved it when you played me. It's still the only thing I can beat you at! Well, chess and quidditch. But we sat here so many times while I annihilated you over and over again." She rolled her eyes, he loved that he was better than her at chess. Quidditch never mattered because she didn't try so there was no competition. But chess absolutely infuriated her. How could he never lose!? He gave her a cheeky wink…which firstly made her tummy flutter and secondly steeled her determination. "But you never give up." She was about to tell him it was her life's mission to beat him at least once as soon as she opened her mouth he jumped up and moved to sit at another table. It had the most beautiful bunch of roses on it.
"I sat on this seat and accidentally said 'I love you, Hermione' in 6th year, when that stupid spell check quill screwed me over and you fixed my whole essay. It just slipped out…at the time I wanted a dragon to land and swallow me whole! I tried to pretend it didn't happen but I remember my face burning red. What…a…prat!" He laughed, so did she. Gods that's right…another Ron moment in her life she'd thought over and over and over. He'd been with Lavender at the time so she'd resolved it as simply best friend banter, appreciation for doing his homework like the love sick muppet she was. But it had undoubtedly given her hope back then.
"But then sixth year got good…in this far corner, on this seat." He held her hand again and sauntered over and sat on that armchair. The one in the farthest corner of the room, the one where she'd sat on his lap. She still got goose bumps thinking about that night. "I very nearly got up the nerve to kiss you…that night we had the party for winning the Quidditch house cup. I dunno why it felt so hard back then, it feels as easy as breathing now."
He reached for her waist and wordlessly invited her to sit on his knee the same way she'd done that night. Unlike that night however one of his hands cradled her cheek, a thumb tickled her lower lip and then pulled her face down into a kiss. It wasn't the passionate, fiery kiss she usually got from Ron. Today's kisses felt slow and tender. After greeting her tongue, he placed a few kisses along her cheek, stopping at her ear to nip on it gently with his teeth, she rolled her head back giving him access to her neck. She loved when he kissed down her neck and moaned when he reached her collarbone.
Was this his game she wondered…had he really brought her here to seduce her in the common room! She wouldn't put it past him, Ron had certainly surprised her with a few kinky notions over the last few years but this was certainly new! Unfortunately, it was working…if he kept kissing her body like that she wouldn't be able to resist. How does he always know how to do that to her!?
Suddenly he stood up taking her by surprise, she gave a little yelp. He lifted her like she was nothing and she marvelled at how his body had strengthened under the Auror training regime. Gripping her under her knees and around her waist he carried her back to the sofa.
"Come sit here." He sat on the sofa in his spot and put her on hers. "I'd say these were our favourite spots." She'd have to agree and nodded. "Sitting here…sometimes we talked, sometimes we laughed…so hard it bloody well hurt…sometimes we fought. I don't mean when we properly fought, we did that too and it was totally shit but I mean when our discussions sometimes got heated, sometimes it was really fun…I've always loved winding you up. You're so hot when you're in one of your passionate rants. Hate to admit it but more than once I picked a fight just because…" That cheeky prat…she couldn't help but laugh and swiped at his solid bicep. All while feeling slightly smug knowing he'd purposefully pick fights to get her attention.
"Sorry…yeah so where was I? This sofa, we cuddled on here, do you remember that night I rubbed your sore tummy?"
Gods yes, I do. She thought.
"I think that was the night I admitted to myself that there was a real danger I was in love with you." Really she thought. That night?! It had been wonderful and she'd replayed it over and over the following months but she'd also been a bit embarrassed by it all. It had shown her another side to Ron Weasley though. The caring, I'd do absolutely anything for you side which she's experienced so much of in recent years.
"I'm pretty sure I'd felt it before then but I hadn't really worked out what it was. That night was some kind of weird intimacy and something kind of clicked in me."
Gods could he be any sweeter, she was starting to worry she might start to cry.
"And that neck rub you gave me…fuck that was really fucking hot. I'd have died happy that night"
Oh merlin…this boy. The tears were gone and she was laughing again.
"Before the hunt, we held each other right here and admitted we wanted more together but had to wait until after. I actually stupidly thought that was the hardest thing I'd ever have to do. Wasn't that silly of me!"
He gave a sad little laugh and it sobered her up again. Suddenly remembering all the hardship, they endured after that conversation. That they were still enduring. All the people they'd lost, what she'd lost. She took his hand and gave a reassuring squeeze. Hoping to remind him that they were recovering, that they had each other.
"Ok…so after the battle it's where I got the courage to give you a proper kiss. Not our first kiss but the first I gave you. I was all sorts of fucked up but you reminded me we were alive and that happiness would come again. You told me you loved me, you called me your hero." She felt herself blush remembering the kiss in the room of requirement. She'd thrown herself at him like some sort or deranged lunatic…in front of Harry. But in that moment she'd absolutely had enough, it was her do or die moment, she had needed him to know her intentions it they survived the battle. And she needed to know what it was like to kiss him just once in case she died. He picked up her hand and kissed the back of it.
Next thing she knew Ron was sliding off the sofa to kneel in front of her. To be specific, to kneel on one knee. She held her breath…Dear Merlin…is he about to do what she thinks he's about to do!?
"Well…Hermione…I love you. I love you so bloody much. And I know we're young and we've only been properly together for 2 years but what does that matter? You're my person. I've known for a really really long time, way longer than just 2 years. I wish I'd figured it all out in 1st year and we could have been together for longer." He chuckled.
She gasped as Ron reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. He presented it to her but she couldn't look at it, she couldn't pull her brown eyes way from his blue ones.
"But I guess…I'd settle for spending the rest of my life with you. If you'll have me?" He took a deep breath and said. "Hermione Jean Granger, will you marry me?"
She couldn't move, absolutely shocked. They hadn't talked about marriage, sure they'd said they loved one another and he'd told her he wanted to be with her forever. She believed him, completely, why then is she so shocked he was asking to marry her?
"But…but Ron. Are you sure?" She stammered. When they'd talked after her diagnosis he'd convinced her he wanted to be with her regardless. She'd finally gladly accepted his love and all that came with it. However, it was one thing to allow him to be her boyfriend, it was entirely another level of commitment to wed on another. Accepting his proposal would mean denying him the opportunity to become a father. Something she thought he was born to do, having seen him with little Victoire. She wanted to say yes so badly but had he really thought this through?
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life, Hermione." He said looking deep into her eyes. She wanted to believe him but did he really truly understand what he'd be giving up?
"But, you know I can't…" Her voice broke as she tried to fight back tears.
"I know…and by the way we don't know that for sure...we've talked about it. Nothing has changed." He said so gently yet so firmly.
"Ron, are you sure?" She asked for a final time.
"Yes…I'm sure. I'm so completely sure. It's you and me, Hermione. You're all I want in this world. Anything else that may happen would be a bonus...but if it doesn't happen then that's just how it's meant to be for us. As long as it's us, that's all I could ever want." Her heart was fit to burst with joy. He did know, he knew exactly what he was letting himself in for and it didn't matter. He just wanted her and she just wanted him.
"Yes!" She shouted.
"Yes?" He looked surprised, like he was preparing to fight for her harder…but the battle was won.
She dropped down onto the floor beside him onto her knees and pulled her fiancé in to kiss him.
"Yes I'll have you!" She pressed her lips to his.
"Yes." Kissed his cheek.
"I'll" Kissed his nose.
"Marry" Kissed his other cheek.
"You" Kissed his forehead. Merlin she wanted to kiss every inch of his body.
"You wonderful man. You know you're my person too, Ron! There's never been anyone else."
"Wicked." He smiled at her, obviously relived. "Thank you for finally answering! You had me worried there for a moment."
"I'm so sorry you just caught me by surprise and I want to make sure you know what you're getting yourself into." she answered, embarrassed that she'd cast doubt over this very special moment. He'd planned this amazing proposal, of course he'd thought everything through, why couldn't she just have said yes straight way like she wanted to.
"Hermione, we had this discussion over two years ago. I made my feelings very clear then. Nothing has changed, nothing will change. I want you to be my wife."
"Oh Ron!" She kissed him again…a proper kiss. Happy tears were threatening so she buried her face against his neck and took a moment to calm down, breathing his familiar scent. "I want to be your wife." She whispered against his skin, thankful to be in his steady embrace. "Umm did you have an actual ring?" She asked after a moment.
"Oh Merlin yeah! Before I show you…if you don't like it I swear we'll go straight to Diagon Alley and you can pick any ring you like?" It was his turn for self-doubt, it made her slightly nervous. She wasn't that into jewellery, only wearing simple sentimental pieces. If she doesn't like this ring it will crush him but at the same time she couldn't wear something she disliked for the rest of her life. Please don't let it be big and flashy she silently begged.
"Ok…can I umm see it?" She asked, pretending not to notice his ears going red. He leaned back on his heels and held the ring up between them.
"Oh Ron." She was truly going to cry, it was perfect. Beautiful and perfect in every way.
"This dark blue one is a sapphire and the light blue one is an aquamarine. Dunno if you know but they're our birthstones…and I kind of liked the way the band twisted them together like it was you and me…together. But yeah…I'm more than happy to let you pick whatever ring you like…I'll buy you the biggest diamond they have. Honestly I won't be offended…but this is what I came up with…so…yeah…Hermione please say something so I can stop talking."
She knew they were their birthstones, just like she knew Harry's was a ruby and Ginny's was a Peridot. The sapphire was round cut while the aquamarine was pear shaped and he was right, the band looked to have twisted the stones around one another and nestled them together. She never gave this boy enough credit, she wondered if he'd always be able to surprise her.
"Ron…It's the most special, beautiful, incredible ring I've ever seen. I love it so much. I love that you know me well enough to pick such a perfect ring…Put it on me?" She held out her left hand.
He pushed the ring slowly onto her ring finger, it was massively oversized but she was sure that could be altered, it didn't matter. "Just wait a second." He held her hand still. The ring glowed slightly and then resized to fit her perfectly. "There you go…it's all yours now love." She felt a tingle in her hand where the ring had glowed and then it ran up her left arm to her heart. Accepting the ring had bonded it to her and promised her to him. She marvelled at such beautiful magic.
"Oh Ron. I can't believe you planned all this. I had no idea."
"Are you happy?"
"I don't think I could be any happier. Are you happy?"
"Fuck yeah!" She rolled her eyes but could only laugh.
This is the end of 'The Common Room'. Ron & Hermione's lives move away from these missed moments at Hogwart's but this place will always be where it all started. Thank you for reading to the end. I really enjoyed writing my first ever fanfic. My other story 'Finding a Rose' follows more snippets of them later in life. Please review!