Latrunculus--Part 20

Hermione sighed and rubbed her eyes. She had been reading and editing a draft of Alan's thesis for the past few hours and was only halfway through the paper. While she was enjoying his ideas about magic in Medieval Bulgaria, she doubt that his thesis committee would share that enthusiasm.

“You've been reading for hours, Professor Granger,” Ron said as he joined her on the couch. He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I think you're due for a break.”

She dropped her pen onto Alan's thesis with a smile and curled up next to her boyfriend. “And what did you have in mind, Mr. Weasley?”

For his unapproved absence from the Aurors, Ron had been placed on unpaid leaved for a month. He had accepted the punishment without complaint. Hermione was glad that it hadn't been more.

They had spent most of his leave together. She had taken him to a Muggle movie while he had planned a wonderful weekend in Hogsmeade. She was sad that this time was ending but she knew that he was eager to get back to work.

And their transition from friends to couple had been practically seamless. They still rowed but it was with far less regularity. Harry had commented that they both seemed happier. She had to agree.

“Mum has invited us to dinner,” Ron said, bringing her thoughts back to the present. “Harry and Ginny will be there with Emma.”

“That sounds wonderful. We haven't seen your parents in a while and it always great to see Harry, Ginny and the baby. I'll go and freshen up before we have to leave.”

Hermione gave him a brief kiss. She laughed when he tried to prolong it. “If we keep snogging on the couch, we'll be late for dinner.”

“I'm sure that Harry and Ginny will understand,” he murmured against her neck as he pressed a kiss behind her ear.

“You'll also have to explain to your Mum.” She tried to sound stern but failed. As he kissed his way along her jaw, she sighed in contentment.

“We can always stay in.”

“We do have to eat at some point, Ron.” His stomach growled as if to agree with her. “Besides, I don't want to disappoint your Mum.”

He gave her one last kiss and then released her. “Go get ready and I'll owl Mum.”

* * * * *

Molly Weasley had cooked enough food to feed an army. Of course, when her children and their families gathered around the table, it did look like an redheaded invasion. Hermione found herself between Ron and Fleur and across from Ginny. The two sisters-in-law were exchanging childcare advice.

“It's so good to have everyone over for dinner,” Molly sighed. “It gets so quiet at the Borrow now.”

“I thought that you'd enjoy a bit of peace and quiet, Mum,” Bill replied, “after all those years of noise and chaos.”

“Guess I've grown use to it, dear. Though Arthur and I always enjoy when you and the other bring the grandchildren for a visit.” Her gaze fell on Hermione. “And maybe there will be some new babies at the Burrow soon.”

Hermione felt her face flush. She was saved from answering by Charlie asking her her opinion on a point of Wizarding law about dragons. The discussion then moved to the practical uses of dragons, leading Bill and Charlie to debate the use of dragons in Wizarding banks.

Soon Harry was asked to recount facing his dragon in the Triwizard Tournament. The conversation drifted to Quidditch, the newest Minister of Magic and Ron's return to work. Hermione watched happily as some of her favorite people share a meal. While she would always miss her parents, the Weasleys had become her second family.

Ron glanced at her with a worried frown. She had been quiet for a long time. “Everything okay?” he asked her softly. “Do you want to go?”

“No, I'm having a great time,” she answered with a smile. “Really.”

She made more of an effort to stay in the conversation and Ron relaxed. She smiled when his hand found hers under the table. It seemed so natural now.

Dinner eventually began winding down. Bill and Fleur left first as it was approaching their children's bedtime. A fussy Emma had Harry and Ginny leaving soon after. Percy and the twins went home as well.

Hermione stayed to help Mrs. Weasley clear the table. With a flick of her wand, Mrs. Weasley soon had the dishes washing. Hermione volunteered to wipe down the table but Ron was at her elbow, suggesting they take a walk outside. Mrs. Weasley practically chased them out the back door, refusing to let Hermione help clean up any further.

She let Ron lead her past the garden toward the pond. The night was clear and the half moon provided enough light for them to find their way. As they drifted further from the Burrow, they seemed like the only two people in the world.

“It's so peaceful out here,” she said. “It's so much quieter than London.”

Ron chuckled. “That's probably due to the fact that the twins no longer live here.”

“True,” she agreed. “Though I think your Mum is missing their chaos now.”

“Oh, I think Bill and Fleur's girls will more than make up for it.”

Hermione laughed. “Merlin help me if our children turn out like that.”

As soon as she said it, she wished she could take those words back. Ron went absolutely still, staring at her in shock. She pulled her hand from his and turned away, facing the pond. “Forget I said that.”

She flinched when Ron placed a hand on her shoulder. “Do you think about us having kids, Hermione?” he asked quietly.

“Ron, please, can't we forget about it?” While it felt like it had been forever, they had only been a couple for a few weeks. She didn't want to pressure him. She didn't want to mess this up.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and gently pulled her back against his chest. “No. I want to know.”

She gave a frustrated sigh, debating about what answer to give. She finally settled for honestly. “Yes. Sometimes.”

His arms tightened around her waist, hugging her closer to him. “Good,” he said finally. “Whenever I think about the future, I try to picture our kids, too.”

She turned in his arms so she could face him. Her surprise must have been evident on her face. He gave her an amused grin and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “Are you really that surprised, Hermione?”

“I-I don't know,” she stammered.

“I love you. It's always been you.”

She blinked back tears as she smiled up at him. “I love you, too, Ron.”

She could sense a change in their kiss. It now held a sense of promise. As Ron urged her closer to his chest, Hermione absently wondered if someone could truly die of happiness.

When they broke apart for air, Hermione laid her head on his chest, savoring the moment. Ron pressed a kiss into her hair. They held each other, listening to the frogs' serenade.

“Mum is probably wondering what's keeping us,” Ron said a while later.

Hermione giggled. “Oh, I'm sure she has a pretty good idea of what we're doing.”

Ron grinned. “Yeah, you're probably right.”

“But we should head back anyway.”

He reluctantly released her but kept one of her hands in his. “Okay. Let's go home.”

The End


Part XX Hermione sighed and rubbed her eyes. She had been reading and editing a draft of Alan's thesis for the past few hours and was only halfway through the paper. While she was enjoying his ideas about magic in Medieval Bulgaria, she doubt that his thesis committee would share that enthusiasm. “You've been reading for hours, Professor Granger,” Ron said as he joined her on the couch. He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I think you're due for a break.” She dropped her pen onto Alan's thesis with a smile and curled up next to her boyfriend. “And what did you have in mind, Mr. Weasley?” For his unapproved absence from the Aurors, Ron had been placed on unpaid leaved for a month. He had accepted the punishment without complaint. Hermione was glad that it hadn't been more. They had spent most of his leave together. She had taken him to a Muggle movie while he had planned a wonderful weekend in Hogsmeade. She was sad that this time was ending but she knew that he was eager to get back to work. And their transition from friends to couple had been practically seamless. They still rowed but it was with far less regularity. Harry had commented that they both seemed happier. She had to agree. “Mum has invited us to dinner,” Ron said, bringing her thoughts back to the present. “Harry and Ginny will be there with Emma.” “That sounds wonderful. We haven't seen your parents in a while and it always great to see Harry, Ginny and the baby. I'll go and freshen up before we have to leave.” Hermione gave him a brief kiss. She laughed when he tried to prolong it. “If we keep snogging on the couch, we'll be late for dinner.” “I'm sure that Harry and Ginny will understand,” he murmured against her neck as he pressed a kiss behind her ear. “You'll also have to explain to your Mum.” She tried to sound stern but failed. As he kissed his way along her jaw, she sighed in contentment. “We can always stay in.” “We do have to eat at some point, Ron.” His stomach growled as if to agree with her. “Besides, I don't want to disappoint your Mum.” He gave her one last kiss and then released her. “Go get ready and I'll owl Mum.” * * * * * Molly Weasley had cooked enough food to feed an army. Of course, when her children and their families gathered around the table, it did look like an redheaded invasion. Hermione found herself between Ron and Fleur and across from Ginny. The two sisters-in-law were exchanging childcare advice. “It's so good to have everyone over for dinner,” Molly sighed. “It gets so quiet at the Borrow now.” “I thought that you'd enjoy a bit of peace and quiet, Mum,” Bill replied, “after all those years of noise and chaos.” “Guess I've grown use to it, dear. Though Arthur and I always enjoy when you and the other bring the grandchildren for a visit.” Her gaze fell on Hermione. “And maybe there will be some new babies at the Burrow soon.” Hermione felt her face flush. She was saved from answering by Charlie asking her her opinion on a point of Wizarding law about dragons. The discussion then moved to the practical uses of dragons, leading Bill and Charlie to debate the use of dragons in Wizarding banks. Soon Harry was asked to recount facing his dragon in the Triwizard Tournament. The conversation drifted to Quidditch, the newest Minister of Magic and Ron's return to work. Hermione watched happily as some of her favorite people share a meal. While she would always miss her parents, the Weasleys had become her second family. Ron glanced at her with a worried frown. She had been quiet for a long time. “Everything okay?” he asked her softly. “Do you want to go?” “No, I'm having a great time,” she answered with a smile. “Really.” She made more of an effort to stay in the conversation and Ron relaxed. She smiled when his hand found hers under the table. It seemed so natural now. Dinner eventually began winding down. Bill and Fleur left first as it was approaching their children's bedtime. A fussy Emma had Harry and Ginny leaving soon after. Percy and the twins went home as well. Hermione stayed to help Mrs. Weasley clear the table. With a flick of her wand, Mrs. Weasley soon had the dishes washing. Hermione volunteered to wipe down the table but Ron was at her elbow, suggesting they take a walk outside. Mrs. Weasley practically chased them out the back door, refusing to let Hermione help clean up any further. She let Ron lead her past the garden toward the pond. The night was clear and the half moon provided enough light for them to find their way. As they drifted further from the Burrow, they seemed like the only two people in the world. “It's so peaceful out here,” she said. “It's so much quieter than London.” Ron chuckled. “That's probably due to the fact that the twins no longer live here.” “True,” she agreed. “Though I think your Mum is missing their chaos now.” “Oh, I think Bill and Fleur's girls will more than make up for it.” Hermione laughed. “Merlin help me if our children turn out like that.” As soon as she said it, she wished she could take those words back. Ron went absolutely still, staring at her in shock. She pulled her hand from his and turned away, facing the pond. “Forget I said that.” She flinched when Ron placed a hand on her shoulder. “Do you think about us having kids, Hermione?” he asked quietly. “Ron, please, can't we forget about it?” While it felt like it had been forever, they had only been a couple for a few weeks. She didn't want to pressure him. She didn't want to mess this up. He wrapped his arms around her waist and gently pulled her back against his chest. “No. I want to know.” She gave a frustrated sigh, debating about what answer to give. She finally settled for honestly. “Yes. Sometimes.” His arms tightened around her waist, hugging her closer to him. “Good,” he said finally. “Whenever I think about the future, I try to picture our kids, too.” She turned in his arms so she could face him. Her surprise must have been evident on her face. He gave her an amused grin and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “Are you really that surprised, Hermione?” “I-I don't know,” she stammered. “I love you. It's always been you.” She blinked back tears as she smiled up at him. “I love you, too, Ron.” She could sense a change in their kiss. It now held a sense of promise. As Ron urged her closer to his chest, Hermione absently wondered if someone could truly die of happiness. When they broke apart for air, Hermione laid her head on his chest, savoring the moment. Ron pressed a kiss into her hair. They held each other, listening to the frogs' serenade. “Mum is probably wondering what's keeping us,” Ron said a while later. Hermione giggled. “Oh, I'm sure she has a pretty good idea of what we're doing.” Ron grinned. “Yeah, you're probably right.” “But we should head back anyway.” He reluctantly released her but kept one of her hands in his. “Okay. Let's go home.” The End


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