Ron lay on his bed in the dark room staring at the ceiling, his fingers interlaced behind his head. He couldn’t believe the turns that his life was taking. It seemed that only a matter of hours had passed since he’d been sitting at his Headmaster’s funeral and now…
His thoughts meandered back to the conversation he’d had with Hermione not long ago.
Hermione stared at him, eyes and mouth wide, speechless. Ron wanted to kick himself. How could you be so stupid, you git, he railed at himself? It was too soon; she wouldn’t be ready for this. What a fool he was. He moved to stand; his knee was starting to ache from supporting his weight.
“It’s alright, Hermione, I understand if…”
“Ron,” she said as if just realizing he were there, “would you…would you…please say that…again?”
“What? Er, I asked if you would marry me when all this stuff is over,” he mumbled.
“Oh, Ron! That’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever said to me!”
Tears fell from her eyes and he shifted to the bed beside her, gently wiping them away. He felt slightly more encouraged, but she still hadn’t answered. “I didn’t mean to upset you, I just…”
“Oh, I’m not upset, you dolt,” she said impatiently swiping at the tears herself. “I’m just surprised…and so happy!” Her voice caught before she managed to continue. “I would be honored to spend the rest of my life with you. You are one of the bravest, truest and most selfless people I could ever hope to meet. We’ll get through whatever is ahead of us if we all stick together “ we have to believe that. But afterwards, I will have to finish school first,” she grinned. He seized her into a hearty hug.
He had replayed the scene at least a hundred times over the last hour since he’d left her bedside. Other random thoughts had appeared, periodically, but he kept returning to that lovely and scary moment. He hoped that they were doing the right thing. They were young, but who knew how long they had together? Anyway, his parents had married young and they had a wonderful relationship. And after six years of being friends, Ron certainly felt that there was a deep foundation to his and Hermione’s relationship, although he wouldn’t have been able to articulate that sentiment. He just knew that it felt right.
Harry entered the room, apparently thinking that Ron was asleep because he was tiptoeing around the end of his bed and didn’t attempt to turn the light on. “Nice chat with my sister then, Harry?”
Harry jumped several inches and immediately his hands went to the waistband of his jeans to grab his wand. “Ron! Don’t do that! You scared me.” He clutched the front of his shirt and sat motionless on the bed. Ron could hear his breath slowing, gradually.
“Sorry, Harry.” Ron reached over to the night table and picked up his wand. Then with a flick of his wrist, the room was dimly illuminated. No need for a bright light at this hour, why shock the eyes like that, he thought to himself. “So, is everything okay?” Harry’s head was hanging and he was fiddling with his fingers. He seemed like he didn’t really want to discuss this, so Ron said quickly, “Never mind, none of my business.”
Harry didn’t look up, but replied, “Nah, it’s not that. It’s just…I’m not quite sure what just happened. And I’m not sure you’ll really want to know.”
Ron drew his eyebrows together, not wishing to jump to conclusions. “What exactly does that mean?”
Harry glanced at him then and smiled, “nothing like that, mate. I meant that I thought everything was settled with Ginny and now…”
Ron exhaled deeply and his face relaxed. “She wants to go with you, then?”
“How did you know?” Harry asked looking up at Ron.
“She’s my sister, Harry. I know her pretty well. She doesn’t give up when she really wants something. So, what did you tell her?”
“Nothing yet. I don’t know what to do. What would you do?”
A soft whistling sound came from Ron’s mouth. He was sitting upright now, half covered by a sheet. He began twisting a small section of it absently. “That’s a really bad thing to ask me. I mean, you’re my best friend, so I want you to be happy, but she’s my sister and I want her to be safe. Then again, I also want her to be happy.” He paused. What did he think? “I think if it were me and Hermione, I’d want her to come. I’d want us to be together right up until the end if it came to that. That’s my advice as your friend. But, as Ginny’s brother, I don’t want my little sister to get hurt and if you can keep her from it, then... I don’t know, mate. I’m sorry. Not very helpful, am I?”
“Not your fault. I don’t know what to tell me, so why should you?” They both laughed at this. “Let’s just get some sleep. I’ll think about it in the morning.”
“Yeah, alright, then. I’m pretty beat. ‘Nite, Harry.” Ron turned out the light again and silently hoped that his friend would make the right decision. There would be no sharing of his big news tonight.
Molly Weasley stood at the top of the makeshift aisle surveying the handiwork of the previous days. A cream-colored crepe runner sprinkled with golden rose petals marked the aisle; white chairs lined either side of it. She waited, arms linked with one of her twins, Fred, who was decked out in midnight blue formal robes. Directly ahead, three other sons, Bill, Charlie and Ron, stood awaiting the arrival of the bridesmaids and for the bride herself. They all looked debonair in formal black robes trimmed in cream satin piping. Just behind them, in a freshly built gazebo, stood her husband. Fortunately, he had received special permission to perform the rites only the day before. The guests consisted of family, and a few friends, as Bill and Fleur wanted a very intimate ceremony. Finally, only half an hour behind schedule, she heard Ginny’s signal that they were ready to proceed. Mrs. Weasley’s eyes immediately started to tear as Fred solemnly marched her to her seat. She experienced a momentary pang of regret that one son would not be joining the family for this occasion. Percy had returned the invitation unopened.
Mrs. Weasley took her seat and saw Fleur’s mother, escorted by the other twin, George, take hers directly opposite. Then the small band, friends of Tonks’, began the bridal march and Ginny, in shimmering gold robes, floated down the aisle. She looked magnificent and had indeed decided to wear her hair in an upsweep. Gabrielle, Fleur’s sister, dressed similarly to Ginny but carrying a darker hued and larger floral arrangement, followed close behind. The sun shone through the tress of the orchard and the day promised to be spectacular.
Everyone stood at attention as the bride approached the top of the aisle, her left hand resting atop her proud father’s right hand. She had chosen to wear Great-Auntie Muriel’s tiara and it was stunning on Fleur. Bill’s scarred face glowed when he saw his bride and Mrs. Weasley felt her first real moment of happiness in what seemed like ages.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After a brief, but lovely, ceremony and the exchange of vows, Mrs. Weasley magically vanished the chairs, replacing them with small round tables draped in the same cream-colored cloths as the other decorations. The musicians, set up inside the gazebo and played soft music as the guests enjoyed a scrumptious buffet. The bride, groom and their parents mingled with their guests happily.
Sometime around dusk, everyone sated and now noshing on fruits, assorted desserts, coffee and tea, Mrs. Weasley came upon Bill, Fleur and some of their goblin colleagues from Gringotts.
“That’s great news,” Bill said, “that the goblin community is finally looking toward the future. We’ll be taking only a couple of days for our honeymoon, but as soon as I get back, we’ll be in contact about joining forces. My ‘friends’ will be pleased to hear this…”
They continued chatting, Mrs. Weasley not really listening. Her eyes swept around the orchard, glad that everyone was having such a pleasant evening in the midst of such dark times. She caught a glimpse of Ron and Hermione dancing, looking very much in love and trying to discreetly move toward the front of the house. Harry and Ginny, she noticed, had said very little to each other for most of the day. They were both smiling and mingling, but she could tell that the smiles were false and she assumed that they were each feeling pretty miserable. She hoped they could find their way back to each other.
Toward the end of the evening, the twins dazzled the guests with a magnificent fireworks display. Although she had had major reservations about their career choices, Mrs. Weasley couldn’t help but to grin with pride at their obvious talent. She made a mental note to speak with them before the night was out to let them know how proud she was of them. They had really outdone themselves; with those two, that was saying a great deal.
There had been so much going on during the day, Ginny didn’t have lots of time to think about Harry, their talk last night or how he seemed to be avoiding her. She caught him peeking at her once or twice, looking away quickly before she could catch his eye. The last guests, Remus, Tonks and Mad-Eye, were on their way out and Ginny now felt a bit perturbed that Harry had barely spoken two words to her all day. He did manage to tell her she looked beautiful, but that was all. This would not do. She spied him over in a corner with the twins, sharing in some joke, probably. She marched right over to him and said pleasantly, “Pardon me, Harry, a word, please?”
“Uh-oh,” said Fred.
“Time for us to…” chimed in George.
“…exit,” they chorused.
The smile Ginny had forced onto her face felt wooden, but she didn’t want to scare Harry; at least not yet.
When the twins were out of earshot, Harry said, “Before you say anything, I was going to come and talk to you when everyone was gone. I didn’t think it would be appropriate…”
“It’s okay, Harry.” She couldn’t help but to laugh.
He smiled and then joined in her laughter, “you looked a bit scary, you know.”
She merely shrugged and tried not to blush. However, she felt the familiar warming sensation in her cheeks and neck, and knew that she’d been unsuccessful. “A walk outside, then?”
He took her hand and led the way back out to the garden. It was a clear night, peaceful after all the bustle of the day. The moon was just shy of being full and lit their way as they strolled, hand in hand, toward the Weasleys’ makeshift Quidditch field. They sat beneath a large oak tree and listened for a few moments to the crickets and frogs singing into the darkness. Now that she’d gotten him alone, Ginny didn’t know what to say to him. They’d said about all there was to say the previous night. Once again, Harry saved her.
“Really nice wedding today,” he said.
“Yeah, lovely,” she replied trying to read his expression, but his face was impassive.
There was a long, pregnant pause and then he said with a smirk, “well, I guess that’s it for the small talk, then.” They both laughed at this and the tension was noticeably lessened.
Harry continued, “I’ve given a lot of thought to our chat last night and I’ve made a decision, but I don’t know if it’s the right one. There don’t seem to be any easy choices left.” He stared up at the sky. “I’m scared, Ginny.”
Her heart broke for him, and for the unfairness of the madness that had become all of their lives. She wondered if there would ever be a day when they could lead the normal lives of teenagers; she wondered if they would live out their teenage years.
“I’m scared, too, Harry. You’re not alone in this.” She took his hand and she felt him squeeze it in a silent acknowledgement of solidarity.
“I know. We’re leaving in the morning.”
“And, when you say ‘we’ do you mean…”
“I mean that if you still want to and your mum doesn’t kill me for agreeing to it…”
Ginny flew at him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He fell over and she landed on top of him, peppering his face with kisses. He hugged her back and then kissed her, but the moment didn’t last for long.
He pushed her away, gently. “Ginny, I’m glad that you’ll be by my side, but do you really understand what you’re walking into? We could all be walking into our deaths, Ginny.”
“Oh, I know it, Harry, but there are things worth dying for. Look at Sirius and Professor Dumbledore. Merlin’s sake, look at your parents and Neville’s. I don’t want to die, but the more important question is what will happen if you…die? If you…fail?” The thought of such an occurrence was more frightening to her that any idea that she might be the one to perish. “Don’t you see that we have to do everything we can to make sure that doesn’t happen? I’m not just being romantic here. If V-Voldemort wins, we’ll all be in hell. We’d probably welcome death if that happened and I’m sure he wouldn’t make it quick or painless for anyone. You just have to succeed, Harry. Not just for me or Ron or Hermione; for all of us. And we’re going to help you.” Ginny surprised herself with her own words, but knew that she believed everything she’d said. There was more at stake than her relationship with Harry. There was her family and friends as well as the families and friends of countless witches and wizards that they’d never even met. Voldemort had to be stopped at any cost and Harry had to live to see it done.
Harry was watching her with an odd expression on his face; was it pride or perhaps gratitude? In any case, he smiled and brushed a strand of hair away from her forehead. “We’d better get back, Ginny. Long day tomorrow.” He leaned in, kissed her mouth, and then as silently and solemnly as they’d arrived, led her home.
The following morning, Mrs. Weasley prepared a mammoth breakfast for her family. Bill and Fleur had left for their honeymoon the night before. Arthur and the twins came down first, followed by Charlie. Ginny and Hermione came down talking animatedly and Mrs. Weasley caught her daughter’s eye and saw that familiar sparkle. She and Harry must have worked things out. Actually, upon closer inspection, Hermione also appeared a bit peppier this morning. Mrs. Weasley decided not to think on that too much. Finally, Harry came down with Ron. Ron took a seat next to Hermione and Harry next to Ginny.
Just as it should be, thought Mrs. Weasley. She fussed over her family happily when she heard Ron clear his throat and say, “Mum, Dad, I want to tell you something.” Everyone at the table stopped speaking, waiting to hear what was coming.
Ron’s face flushed. He stood out of his seat and tenderly lifted Hermione’s hand into his own. She was now a bright pink as well and lowered her eyes shyly.
“Erm…you know we’ll be leaving this morning with Harry and, well, since we don’t know how anything will turn out, I just wanted everyone to know how, er…how I feel about Hermione, and…” He turned to her a pleading look on his face.
She came to his aid, “and Ron has asked me to marry him!” Hermione positively beamed and Ron smiled bashfully.
“Yeah, I’ve asked Hermione to marry me…when everything is all settled of course.”
The room was unnaturally silent with shock. All mouths hung open, speechless; Arthur was the one to break the tension. “Well, son, that’s wonderful news!”
Quickly afterward, Charlie, Harry and Ginny also expressed their happiness and well wishes. The twins, once the initial surprise wore off, both insisted that they had seen it coming and voiced their pleasure. Mrs. Weasley realized that she was the only one who hadn’t responded when she saw her youngest son look at her, a worried frown melting his face.
“Mum?”
Wordlessly, she bustled over to the couple and enveloped the both of them into a crushing hug. A deluge of tears flowed from her eyes. Once the floodgates had been released, she was then able to tell them both that she loved them and how happy she was. It didn’t take long for Hermione to join in the blubber fest.
Eventually, Mrs. Weasley sat down feeling overwhelmed when Ginny tapped her on the arm.
“Well I can’t top that one, can I? I wanted to tell you that Harry and I have talked and I’m going with them.”
Again, silence descended on the room like an anvil. However, this time, Mrs. Weasley felt that she was prepared for the coming pronouncement.
“Of course you are, dear. As soon as we’ve all finished with breakfast, I’ll help you get your things together.”
Later that morning, Mrs. Weasley stood at the Burrow’s front gate and watched her children; she considered each of them to be one of her own. They walked down the path. Harry and Hermione each locked arms with Ginny and Ron, respectively. Mrs. Weasley called out to the two redheads, “remember to hold on tight and don’t let go!” The four young adults vanished, with four popping sounds, away into an uncertain future.