Life and Love After Voldemort

After the banquet, Ron and Hermione had walked together through the castle and onto the school grounds. Neither one had done more than exchange basic pleasantries, as both were on edge and were petrified that they might say the wrong thing.

"Thanks for agreeing to see me, Hermione. You look nice."

"So do you, Ronald."

More walking seemed to be the best way to deal with the silence. Before long, they had arrived in the vicinity of the Whomping Willow.

Ron grimaced. "I knew if we walked long enough, we'd run into something that almost got us killed in our reckless youth."

Hermione laughed faintly.

"That pile of twigs really did a number on Dad's car and my poor body! Man, I wish we still had the Time-Turner. I could go back and fix so many things that I screwed up." Ron turned to Hermione. "You know I'm sorry for being such a git. But I know that's it's not enough just to say that and expect everything to be fine. I want to do so much better from now on, and I know I can."

"I believe you, Ron, but things are different now. We're not in the same place doing essentially the same sort of things 24 hours a day any more. Our lives are moving at two different speeds now, and it wouldn't be fair for either of us to make the compromises necessary to have a life together if we're not truly together in body and soul. I can't continue to risk needing someone so desperately who I'm not sure will be there for me. I don't mean that you can't ever leave if we get heated and cool off if you need to, but you need to come back to me and not make any life-changing decisions like this Cannons business without talking to me. I need to know that even if you're half-way across the world, you're still with me in your heart and will be there for me for the rest of our lives. There can be confusion about a lot of things, but never again about that."

Ron closed his hands over hers and gave Hermione the most tender and loving look she had ever seen. "You've never left my heart for a second. You're the only person I'm doing all this for, so that you will be proud of me and always think that I'm worthy of your love. But I actually forgot in a moment of lunacy how much you care for me because I actually thought that you might love me less if I didn't start standing out from the crowd more than I did. When I was told that the Cannons wanted me, everything else flew out of my mind. Think about it, Hermione; after watching those guys fly around my room all my life and wishing I was one of them, I was actually being offered the chance to do it myself. But, I was too scared to risk having you try to talk me out of my dream without getting to explain myself, and that's why I didn't bring up the offer during our last conversation. I thought I might have to choose between you and Quidditch if I brought it up since you seemed so determined to get me back into school, so I just signed the paper and hoped that I could prove to you that I was doing the right thing. What I should have done is have the conversation with you and valued your input no matter what. Instead, I blew it again and risked losing your love, and your love is what I should have been focused on all along. Hermione, if you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I'll do everything I can to be there for you from now on."

Hermione looked up at Ron. "I blew it too, Ron. I'd been jumping down your throat about what I thought was right for you, and now I see how that could make you afraid to come to me, especially with your longtime dream in the balance. I'm so sorry." Hermione burst into tears, and Ron quickly wrapped his arms around her to console her.

"Don't cry, darling. We're never going to let this happen again, because I love you and I'm never going to leave you."

"I love you too, Ron!" The couple clung to each other with all of their strength. Sobs were soon replaced by tender kisses and caresses, as each expressed their love to the other as completely as possible. After what seemed like an eternity holding and kissing each other while whispering declarations of love back and forth, Ron and Hermione looked into each other's eyes and simply smiled.

"Aren't we supposed to be somewhere?" Ron asked distractedly.

"Mmmm hmmm... Oh Ron, they're be wondering what happened to us!" Hermione exclaimed. "We're ever so late!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione took Ron by the hand and strode towards the Whomping Willow. "Of course, Ronald, you will have to travel for your Keeper duties, but you'll Apparate back as soon as possible to keep your promise to never leave me. Understand?" Hermione said with a giggle.

"Indubitably, m'lady, though anyone who's read A History of Hogwarts knows I better aim for Hogsmeade while you're here since no one can Apparate within school grounds!" replied Ron cheerfully.

Hermione was too caught up in her joy and exhilaration to wonder how that oft-forgotten school fact and the proper use of 'indubitably' in common conversation had escaped his lips. A moment later, Ron woke from his love-filled haze long enough to notice where she was leading him.

"Uh, that's quite close enough to the Whomping Weed, Hermione. What're you trying to --"

Hermione whipped out her wand and cried "Aguamenti!" The branches of the willow, which had been flailing menacingly, stopped moving as a stream of water hit a knot at the base of the tree. "Come, sweetheart, we're expected at the Hog's Head," said Hermione as she pulled Ron towards the tunnel.

"What a witch! All this and looks too! You're bloody marvelous, girl. You make me feel like a king!"

Hermione froze and Ron gasped, realizing his slip. "Ronald?"

"Yes, dear," Ron answered apprehensively.

"We need to discuss that 'king' business... but it can wait 'til later, lover," Hermione purred as she winked at Ron, who beamed in response.

"Yes, dear! I love you, dear! Let's go, dear!"