Hermione stood alone in the ticket queue, waiting to check in for her flight to Sydney. She was slightly surprised to find she had gone through with it. A part of her felt guilty for springing it on Ron so suddenly, though to be honest, she had occasionally thought about leaving him, if never very seriously. Their recently lackluster relationship hadn't seemed to bother him, and he had completely ignored any attempts to discuss it. As Harry and Ginny's wedding had neared, he had been deaf to any talk of marriage, as if officially losing his best friend to his sister had soured him to the idea forever. Harry and Ginny's obvious happiness only emphasized her and Ron's lack of commitment, but Hermione had finally given up, convinced he would never bind to something he didn't seem interested in.
She had accepted things for what they were, but events over the past few weeks had changed her mind and made it clear her decision was the right one. Though she was disappointed that she would miss the endgame of her hard work in repealing the old pureblood requirement for membership in the Wizengamot, her family was now her priority. A clean start in Sydney, away from so many reminders of what could have been and closer to her more vulnerable parents, seemed the logical choice of action, if the hardest. It stung, that they were in danger once more, because of her; this time she would be there for them, even if it cost her relationship with Ron.
Glancing about, Hermione's eyes strayed enviously to the people standing around her. The young couple in front of her was obviously on their honeymoon, holding hands and exchanges soft kisses and sighs; it reminded her of Harry and Ginny, exchanging their vows the day before. Behind her an elderly couple browsed their guidebook, making plans for the opera house and other Sydney staples.
With a sigh, she shuffled forward, suddenly wishing there was a quicker way for Muggles to travel 17,000 kilometers. She had usually enjoyed flying; the constant compression of a half dozen trips by Portkey and the resulting feeling of nausea and disorientation didn't make up for the time lost in the air. Now, however, she wanted to be there as soon as possible, and would have Apparated straight to Sydney if it were magically possible.
A commotion in the terminal made her turn, and to her surprise, Hermione saw Ron dashing through the crowd, waving his arms at her. Her heart started beating faster as a thousand things raced through her head, most of which she had read in dodgy Muggle romance novels. Ron pushed his way through the queue, apologizing profusely to everyone he bumped and nudged as he forced his way to Hermione. When he finally reached her, he was out of breath.
"Damn, this turtle is long," he gasped, bending over.
Hermione couldn't help but smile. "It's a terminal, not a turtle," she whispered, helping him stand. "And did you run the entire way?"
"I did," he replied, wiping his face. "I don't think the guards appreciated it, but a quick spell changed their mind."
"You didn't!" she exclaimed. "Ron! You could be arrested!"
"Only if you report me," he grinned. "Besides, I couldn't have some Muggle policeman arresting me for running down the hall."
"Then don't run," she replied, moving forward in the queue. To her surprise, Ron picked up her baggage for her. "Why are you here? You should be halfway back to the Burrow by now."
"Not without you," said Ron, taking her hand. "Please, Hermione. Don't go. I love you."
Hermione could feel the stares of the passengers around her. Even the newly married couple in front of her stopping cuddling and turned to look, while the elderly lady behind them sighed. Hermione couldn't help but flush with embarrassment; she was not a particularly public person and would have much rather discussed the matter anywhere else but the queue to Sydney.
"I love you, too, Ron," she said quietly, trying to ignore the crowd around her and focus on Ron. "I do, but I still have to go. My flight leaves in two hours and I start at the Ministry on Monday!"
"Bugger it, and tell them you've changed your mind. They'll understand." Ron was staring at her with naked emotion, his freckles standing out on a pale face.
"They won't, and I haven't," whispered Hermione, moving forward once more, even though a part of her wanted to step out of line and turn back with him. "Look, Ron, it's too late. I'm moving to Sydney. I need to be with my parents. I have a new job. And I just want to—"
Ron fell to his knees. "—to be married," he finished. "I know that now. Tell me it's not too late."
Hermione gasped, as did most of the crowd around her. There were several sighs of happiness, a few cheers, and even a bit of applause. "Say yes!" someone called out, and Hermione whipped her head around to see who had said it.
"Say yes," Ron whispered. "Say you'll marry me." He took a small ring from his pocket: a diamond set with two rubies. Hermione felt her heart stop. It was beautiful, and it was exactly what she had been hoping for since before Harry had proposed to Ginny. Yet now there were other things to consider, other people involved…
"Grandmother's ring, I'd wager," murmured the woman behind them. Ron grinned and nodded.
"My great-grandmother, actually." Turning back to Hermione, he offered it to her. "Please take it. I want to marry you. I know that now."
Hermione felt the tears in her eyes, though she wasn't sure if they were tears of happiness or confusion. Composing herself, she helped Ron stand and smiled sadly at him. "Ron—" she began, before they were forced to move forward. She was suddenly much closer to the front of the queue than she wanted to be.
"Yes?" he asked, taking her hand again and beginning to put the ring on. It was all she could do to curl her hand into a fist and refuse, and even then, she wasn't sure why. Didn't she want this? Wasn't this what she had been waiting for? The look on his face broke her heart.
"You're only asking because I'm leaving," she murmured, once more ignoring everything around them as people began whispering.
"I'm asking because I love you, and I don't want you to go," he replied, unable to hide the sullenness from his voice.
"So you thought you'd propose to get me to stay?" she asked.
"Yes," he said. "But apparently I was mental to think you would."
Hermione shook her head. "It was very romantic, Ron, really. But it's not the answer, is it? Get married just so I don't move away?"
"Then what's the answer?" he exclaimed, stepping back. "Hermione, you won't tell me anything! What do you want? Just tell me!"
Hermione moved forward in the queue, silent. In truth, he was offering her exactly what she had wanted for years: a ring, a promise, a future. And yet, he was offering for all the wrong reasons, and she couldn't help but feel that he was only acting out of desperation. She also thought about the letters she had received, and although she desperately wanted to tell him about it, she couldn't. It was something she needed to deal with on her own, without dragging anyone else into a dangerous situation just when life seemed to be settling down.
"Where did you get the ring?" she asked instead of answering him. She was next in the queue and would have to decide.
"My dad brought it," he muttered, stuffing it back into his pocket. "Apparently he's got the wrong idea about us, though."
Hermione's head whipped around. "This was your dad's idea?" she asked, her voice low. "What, did he put you up to it or something?"
"Of course not!" Ron exclaimed, his face flaming again as the crowd around them began to snigger. "He only pointed out some things."
"And he just happened to be carrying your great-grandmother's ring," Hermione replied dryly. She made her decision. Bad enough that Ron was asking her to marry him only to keep her in the country; worse that it wasn't even his own idea. She was doing the right thing. Maybe someday she'd return and they could work things out; right now her family needed her more.
"He knows about these things better than I do," Ron shrugged. "Look, Hermione, I know I'm thick. I'm sorry I missed all the hints. I should have asked you a long time ago, but I didn't. Please don't leave because I messed up: let me fix it. Marry me."
Hermione could feel the crowd around her holding their breath. She even heard a few people murmuring advice. She was tempted, but her anxiety and stubborn resolve won. She needed to go, so she could be there for her parents this time, instead of casting a spell and hoping they would be safe. Besides, he would never change, and she was tired of waiting for him—wasn't she?
Hermione was next in line, and she stepped forward.
"I'm sorry, Ron. It's too late."
* * *
The Journey Back by Gmariam
Chapter Endnotes: Thanks again to Carole and Lori for looking at this chapter! :)