Progress

After an initial examination by a healer, Ron was worn and left to sleep. Hermione had turned off the lights and went to sit beside him, assuming he would be more comfortable without her spooned against him.

"'mione?" Ron said. "I can move over."

"You heard the healer, you shouldn't strain yourself," she said.

"I'd rather have you with me. Please?"

Hermione scooted onto the bed, even more aware of the proximity of her hands to wounds than she was before. She couldn't sleep properly, worried that she would hurt him if she moved even an inch, but loved that this time, Ron's hand was over hers, occasionally squeezing or with fingers moving against her skin.

In the morning, Ron was awake before Hermione. When she finally stirred, she sat up, asking what he wanted for breakfast. He was on a third plateful when Hermione began worrying about how she was going to get Rose and Hugo here.

"I suppose an owl wouldn't get to your parents in time... and I don't know if they've been to the kids' schools. They are on the list... if I hurry I could catch Ginny through floo? But I think she had said something about a conference this week..."

Ron was looking at her, waiting. Hermione stopped.

"I'll still be here when you get back," he promised.

"Right... right, okay," she said, gathering her coat and kissing Ron before rushing out.

Hermione moved fast, as though there were a part of her that wasn't certain he could actually promise what he had. Harry and Ginny were just feeding everyone when she arrived. Rose happily dropped her backpack when Hermione said they weren't going to school so they could see their dad.

"Why don't I go with you," Harry suggested, setting aside his coffee. "I don't have any meetings until the afternoon."

"Want me to let Mum and Dad know?" Ginny asked.

"Yes, please, that would be great."

"Do we get to go see Uncle Ron?" James asked from behind his cereal bowl.

"No, you get to go see your teacher at school," Ginny said.

"But Rose doesn't have to go to school!" James argued.

"Yeah, I want to see Uncle Ron," Albus joined in.

They continued to fight with Ginny on the matter, finding counters to the idea of too many people and Uncle Ron needing rest, and any other reasoning Ginny gave. They were in the middle of another when Harry put Hugo on his shoulders, groaning about how Hugo was almost too big for that, and he walked with Hermione to the curb to catch the Knight Bus.

As soon as they were at St. Mungo's Rose was tugging hard on Hermione's hand, all the way up the lift and down the corridor of the floor. Hugo broke away from Harry first, though, darting into the room while the rest caught up.

"DAD!" Hugo shouted with reckless abandon, scrambling up the side of the hospital bed and flinging himself at Ron.

"Careful!" Hermione said quickly. "Hugo, don't—"

"It's okay," Ron groaned out, clearly nursing one side as he adjusted Hugo, whose arms were wrapped around Ron's neck. Rose was more cautious, crawling up beside him as she burst into tears. She hadn't cried once since Ron's image appeared on the side of that barrier.

"What is it?" Ron asked, wiping her tears as she tried to talk, completely incomprehensible.

Hermione sat next to the bed, running her hands over Rose's curls, as she blubbered. Ron focused intently on her nodding (though Hermione was sure he understood as little as she did) as Harry stood in the corner, trying to suppress a grin. Finally, Rose seemed to have gotten through everything she wanted to say, falling onto Ron's shoulder, her arms fighting Hugo's for space around Ron's neck.

"It's alright, Rosie," Ron said. "It's okay."

"Don't scare m-me like that again, Daddy," Rose finally said clearly, even as she hiccuped in between her words.

Ron held both of their children for a while, asking questions as they caught him up on what was going on at school. Hermione could see him fading steadily, even before Molly burst in. She had nearly the energy her grandchildren exhibited, moving to Ron's other side. Hermione moved to the foot of the bed to give Arthur a space to be beside Ron as well. She rubbed one of Ron's feet sticking out. He turned towards her and winked as Hugo started to recount for Ron how he crawled to the end of the tunnel, Uncle Harry pulling him out of the hole in the ground. Molly moved around, getting more water for Ron, setting his pillows, and generally fussing about to keep herself busy.

Ron would wince when one of the kids would hit a sore spot, but never told them off and didn't move them away. Harry settled in, obviously in no rush to get to the office. Around eleven, Hugo started to complain about being hungry.

"Why don't we take them to get some lunch," Arthur suggested, picking Hugo up with a groan.

"That would be lovely," Hermione said. Rose hopped down, taking Molly's hand, and the four of the trudged out and down the hall.

"So," Ron said with a sigh. "You two going to fill me in, or what?"

Hermione moved to sit beside Ron as Harry began. George's jinx had disabled a good portion of the people they were fighting. There were still some that had been in Gringotts, coming to after some of the workers had revolted, and others that had taken cover in time and were trying to escape. The bigger issue had been the red caps. Luckily, with the help of the containment team, they were able to cover this as well. There had been three deaths in all, several dozens injured.

"Then there was that article in The Prophet by Caldwell," Harry said, rolling his eyes. "That was something else."

"What did he have to say?" Ron asked with a sigh. Ron looked towards Hermione. She cleared her throat.

"Caldwell interviewed a man who said George locked him up for no reason. Then Caldwell talked about how you and George going rogue caused more risk—citing the deaths, even though those happened before you two counter attacked—and made some… suggestions about how you put your own children's safety above the dozens of others."

"What?!" Ron growled, moving forward. Hermione put a hand on his shoulder.

"Calm down, please. You're still injured," she urged. "The next day the editor printed a letter from a woman whose son was with you in your shop, setting the record straight."

"Which was followed by about a dozen others, calling for Caldwell to be fired," Harry said. "Other parents… workers at Gringotts talked with reporters on the wireless about Petrosinella arming them and you sacrificing yourself as a distraction—"

"They thought that was on purpose then?" Ron asked with a smirk.

"—and all of it," Harry said. "He was trying to get everyone riled up against you, but it backfired. It was brilliant, really."

"Well, then I'm sorry I missed it," Ron said.

"You didn't miss everything," Harry replied. "We've been holding off on an award ceremony for you and George."

"And Petrosinella, right?" Ron asked. "If she hadn't done what she did, I'd be dead. You know that right?"

"George made the same fuss already," Hermione replied. "So yes, and Petrosinella."

"We're also putting her through the academy," Harry added. Ron tilted his head. "Apparently she had always wanted to be an auror, but ended up pregnant and a single mum after school. She worked to make ends meet and never could quite save enough for her daughter and to cover expenses for the academy. I put in all the recommendations for her to go to the academy on waiver and George is giving her a stipend. I think he was going to talk to you about it when you woke."

"That's great," Ron said, finally leaning back. "What did you get out of the assholes that did all that?"

Harry took a beat and looked over at Hermione. "They called themselves a muggle rights group. They wanted an amulet that was supposed to provide wearers with magic. Crusaders for muggles and squibs to be given the same abilities as wizards, and all that."

"I didn't know what it was, but afterwards I did a little research. The amulet had a lot of terrible side effects," Hermione said. "And trials proved it didn't work for muggles and squibs. In fact it often killed them... overloaded by magic, but this group didn't believe any of that. They have been fighting with the Wizengamot for ages on releasing it to them. When it was refused for the final time, they began this plan instead."

Harry picked up the next bit. "They thought if they took over the space, the goblins in charge at Gringotts would just let them have what they wanted. They were going to use the human hostages to get out without the Ministry taking them. When the goblins made it clear they weren't going to give them what they wanted, they took Hobskin and tortured him in front of the others. One of the other goblins eventually said they could only give them what they wanted if the owner of the vault authorized them."

"Are you saying the goblins would have given in?" Ron asked.

"I don't know," Harry said. "I would hope not, but I can't really blame them for doing what they had to so they stopped attacking one of their own. I'm just glad it wasn't tested."

"What kind of protection is on the house?" Ron asked.

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "What house?"

Ron tensed and she put a hand on his arm, wishing he wouldn't keep pushing himself up the way he was. "Our house," Ron said.

"Why would we need protection on our house?"

Ron seemed unable to talk for a minute. Harry leaned forward, his elbows on the bed.

"They knew everything," Ron said. He was visibly shaking. Hermione moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "Harry, you didn't let them… they knew… they know…"

"They're all locked up, mate," Harry said.

"How do you know there weren't others?" Ron demanded. He was holding his side and Hermione tried to hush him. It wasn't working this time. "They know where we lived… where we live… and where the kids go to school! They said Hermione wasn't doing enough for her own kind! Harry, you didn't let my family go back in there without protection!"

"Ron, we only went back once to get clothes and Harry was with us," Hermione said calmly. She made him look at her, holding his face in her hands. "The kids have been staying with Harry and Ginny, alright? We're safe. Okay? We'll figure out the rest once you're well."

Ron swallowed. He reached one arm around Hermione, pulling her into him, kissing her forehead and holding her close as she settled beside him. Harry waited, brows still knit as Ron took a few breaths.

"They mentioned several muggleborn people in the Ministry and Wizengamot by name when we interrogated them," Harry said. "You think they would attack them specifically?"

"I think that was their next move," Ron said, his voice shaky. "Someone realized I was married to Hermione. That's why they kept me and sent George with the other hostages."

"We knew that," Hermione said. It was one of the worst revelations for her.

"I'll build a team to go put extra protection on all the people they called out," Harry said.

"I think we've talked about enough, for now," Hermione said, not wanting to hit on anything that would rile Ron up like that again.

"No," Ron said. "No, I want to know the rest."

Hermione couldn't help but notice that Harry was spinning things now, though, talking about how George was fine (Hermione interjected the announcement about his daughter, Roxanne, being born) and that there were only a handful of injuries among the hostages after they began to fight. They really had been through the worst of it already, but Harry was making everything sound even better than it was.

"That's all?" Ron asked when Harry had finished.

"That's all," Harry said. "For now."

Ron nodded. They sat silently for a few minutes until Harry started to ask Ron about what had happened on the inside of the barrier. This didn't last long. Ron didn't elaborate much and they were all ready to move onto better things. Harry was suggesting a family dinner when Ron was cleared to leave.

"Then you can meet Roxanne. Plus, the kids are all anxious to see you," Harry said.

"We should have it at the Burrow," Hermione said. "Then there will be room for everyone. Assuming they can make it."

"Good idea, boss," Harry replied with a smirk.

Hermione glared at him as he told Ron about Hermione pulling rank to go in with him. Ron laughed as Hermione talked about how Harry wouldn't let it go now, calling her "boss" at every opportunity. It would be a very long time before that was forgotten, Hermione thought.

Molly and Arthur brought Rose and Hugo back. Hermione held Hugo back so he didn't crash land on Ron again, setting him back up on the bed herself.

"You still taking them to the museum later?" Molly asked.

"Oh," Hermione said, having forgotten her plans for the day. "I don't… not with Ron awake now…"

"You should," Ron said. "I probably should rest some more as well."

Hermione thought about this. "Yeah… you're right… okay," she said. Harry excused himself and the rest of them lounged around for a while. Ron and the kids all fell asleep, one in each of Ron's arms. Hermione brought out her cell phone, taking a picture of them to send to her parents.

"So strange to see photographs that just stay still like that," Molly said.

Hermione couldn't stop staring at it, though. She looked between the picture, and the real life thing in front of her.

Ron winced.

"I'm sorry," Hermione said, pulling back her salve-covered fingers from his skin.

"It's fine," he said.

The wounds had closed in the most important ways, but there were still surface marks. It was something like perpetual rug burn that wouldn't go away. Hermione always applied the salve instead of having the healers take care of this. And she always stopped when she touched these tender areas and Ron would grit his teeth.

"Really, it's alright," Ron said.

Hermione tentatively reached out, watching his face as he tried to control his reaction (not quite succeeding), but gently dabbed, letting the concoction seep into his skin. She waited until the sting subsided before rubbing more in. Ron's hand snaked around her waist and yanked her close. Hermione smiled at him as he raised his eyebrows to her. She leaned into Ron, kissing him. Over the past week he had only grown more affectionate, more energetic. He was antsy in the room, insisting George bring him something to work on and telling Hermione to go into the office on Thursday and Friday.

Saturday evening the healers said that if nothing changed, Ron would be free the next afternoon. Hermione took the kids over to the Burrow in the morning, where Molly was rushing to get together a dinner for everyone that evening. Ginny was there, too, conducting the kids in decorating with a large banner and balloons.

And here Ron and Hermione took their time, Ron holding Hermione's face close to his, stroking the skin on her neck.

"Can I talk to you about something without ruining all of this?" Ron asked.

Hermione swallowed. "Sure," she said quietly.

"How do we keep this?" Ron asked. "I mean, is this just something happens when things go terribly wrong?"

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"It's like… well… this has happened every time one of us has been in danger right? We fight and argue and then I'm poisoned or you're attacked and it's good for a while because it reminds us… you know, what it would be like not having the other person," Ron said. He licked his lips. He was treading carefully.

"But then we forget," Hermione finished for him. He nodded slowly.

"I love this, really I do," Ron said.

"Me too," Hermione replied.

"What would it be like to not fight?" Ron asked.

Hermione thought about this. Ron decided he wanted to move home when he was released from the hospital. Hermione was thrilled that their time living apart was at an end, but this was accompanied by apprehension, knowing the reason was because Ron was terrified of the potential threat—no matter how small—that someone would still target Hermione or their children. Knowing what he knew, Hermione couldn't say she didn't have her own worries along these lines, the least of which were his motives for coming back.

"We can do that," Hermione said. Ron worried his bottom lip. "No, we really can. I know how much you've done to make that happen. I know… I know I'm not the easiest person—"

"Don't," Ron cut her off. "I don't want this to be about you or me… I want it to be about us."

Hermione nodded and tried to reframe. "I still need to apologize for the last year, Ron," Hermione said. "Because… because I've said terrible things."

"You weren't wrong," Ron said.

"Yes I was," Hermione said. She couldn't look at Ron now. Her eyes were tearing up, even as he continued to hold her tight.

"Well, maybe about that whole Miss Ford thing," Ron said with a grin.

Hermione tried to return it, but couldn't quite get there. "I don't know that I'll ever be good about keeping myself completely in check," Hermione said. "But we can schedule couples' therapy and work at it. And I'll be better."

Ron nodded solemnly, running his thumb along Hermione's cheekbone. "I'll be better, too."

Hermione smiled at him, then blinked out her tears. "That said, you kind of slept through our last appointment with Yarborough," she said.

Ron's grin grew. "Yeah, I think I owe you for that."

"Big time."

"Big time," Ron agreed. Hermione reached out to finish covering his wounds.

Three years later

"You really feel strongly about this?" Hermione asked Ron, looking over to him through their bathroom mirror as she fiddled with the pins in her hair.

"I do," Ron said, adjusting his tie. "And I know what you're going to say, but I just want you to support me on this one."

Hermione considered this, narrowing her eyes a little. "Alright, keep the goatee," she said. "But don't say I didn't warn you when George takes the mick out of you all night. There will be pictures there, too, so you'll have to live with that in the long term."

Ron grunted and grabbed the shaving cream and razor. They were heading to the annual New Year's Eve party hosted by Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Rose was entertaining Hugo as they both got ready.

"Have you thought about letting Hugo join the league?" Ron asked, taking his first swipe into the goatee he had spent all month cultivating.

Ginny had brought them the news the week before that there was a London pitch starting a youth league for Quidditch. Ron was immediately sold on the idea.

"I have," Hermione said, knowing he wasn't going to like her conclusion. "I think he's too young."

Ron didn't say anything for a minute. "Can you explain why you think he's too young?" he asked.

It took months. Months and months of endless work on both of their parts to get to this point—a point where they would hear each other out. Where they wouldn't come up with immediate stances with which to dig in their heels. It took patience and forgiveness and, particularly on Hermione's part, a great deal of humility. It took fighting, too. The fighting didn't end immediately. At times it seemed like it would never really end.

Of course there were things that did change right away in the way they fought. Hermione learned to curb any desire to take a low blow. She bit back before she said anything hurtful. Hermione would make lists of off limit things and would bring them up with Ron, asking if he was happy, rather than reserving those items for a moment of weakness. Ron developed a habit when it would get heated to stop in the middle of their argument, hold her face in his hands and ask, "you know as irritated as I am right now, I love you? You know that right?"

It almost always brought things back into perspective. Slowly and surely that became the focus of their discussions. No, they didn't always agree, but they loved each other. And in times like this, when Ron didn't jump into counter arguments, Hermione wondered why they hadn't always been this way. It was so much easier, overall, than how things had been before.

"I just think he's a bit young to have bludgers flying at his head," Hermione said. "Or to be flying more than one story high either."

"Okay," Ron said, taking this in. "You know, they are imposing different rules."

"Will there still be bludgers?" Hermione asked. Ron was the one who was able to go to the informational meeting.

"Yes, but they won't be weighted," Ron said. "And the kids will all be required to wear helmets."

"You know Hugo tends to just dash into things, though. I can just see him jumping onto the field and not paying attention to whether or not he has a helmet, or something like that."

"We can make it a stipulation for him," Ron said. "He's not allowed on the pitch without a helmet. Make it a habit." He rinsed the last of the shaving cream from his chin, grabbing a face towel to dry off the water.

"I don't know." Hermione put on a finishing powder and turned to Ron. "I know Lily will be participating and Hugo wants to do it with her, but I just think he's a little young to be dealing with the types of injuries that happen in Quidditch."

She looked at Ron. He was licking his lips and nodding at what she said. "But I know it's something you would have fun doing with him," Hermione added. "I know you were excited."

"Yeah, I was," Ron said.

"Alright, how about this," Hermione said. "If you're able to coach Hugo's team, he can start this year. Otherwise… next year?"

Ron smiled at Hermione. "Okay," he said. "I'll see if they have anymore spots for that. Assistant coach work?"

"Now you're pushing it," Hermione said with a smirk.

Hermione pulled her dress from the hanger on the closet door, careful not to mess up her hair as she pulled it over her head. She began to zip it up and Ron stepped up behind her, lowering his lips to her neck as he finished it off.

"I'm looking forward to taking this off later," he whispered.

Hermione turned to face him, Ron's hands around her waist as she smiled up at him. "I just put my lipstick on," she said as he leaned in.

"We'll match, then," Ron said, taking her lips. His arms wrapped around her back, pulling her into him. He kissed down her neck and added in a whisper, "or you could change colors and we could start some rumors."

Hermione laughed, pulling Ron back and wiping the tint left behind on his lips. A knock at the door pulled them from the moment. Hermione turned for her earrings as Ron walked out to answer the door. She searched for her purse as she went into the living room, both of their children tackling Britney's legs from either side.

"We left some money on the counter to get pizza," Ron said. "And we told Rose and Hugo it was up to you what their bedtime was tonight."

"Do we get to stay up until midnight?" Rose asked, tugging on her arm. Britney had become a regular sitter in their home when Ron and Hermione went out on the weekends. Rose and Hugo adored her, though she was getting increasingly busy with her school work. In the summers they always had Teddy to turn to or Victoire in a pinch, but no one was quite as beloved a caretaker as Britney.

"Sure!" Britney said. Rose and Hugo started to do a sort of victory dance.

"She is welcome to change her mind," Hermione said, pulling Hugo into her, giving him a hug and kissing his cheek. The same red color now stained his cheek as it had Ron's lips. "So you two be nice, alright?"

Rose wasn't even paying attention as she peeked into Britney's bags of fun and goodies. Hermione held Rose's shoulders, bending down to give her a kiss on her cheek. Ron held out Hermione's cloak for her.

"We'll be back around two," Ron said. "You're welcome to use the guest room if you'd rather stay the night."

"Thanks," Britney said. "Have fun!"

Ron and Hermione left, walking out to the car waiting for them. Ron opened the door for her and Hermione joined Harry and Ginny in the back seat.

"Thanks for waiting," Ron said as he slid into the seat beside her.

They gossiped and talked on the way over, Ginny incredulous that Hermione wasn't certain about the league. She shrugged once Ron explained their compromise.

"I wouldn't mind if Lily were on a team with someone she knew," Ginny admitted. "They haven't decided how they are dividing them up yet, though."

When they got to the outside of the large, rented out hall, Ron and Hermione got out first as Ginny and Harry followed. They mingled and Hermione watched Ron as he chatted up various other vendors and owners of shops along Diagon Alley. She watched his face as it lit up at a joke or became pensive in talks of business. She was amazed to find just how well he fit into this world, joking around with George, who relied heavily on Ron to continue developing ideas and locations. They were brilliant together.

There was dinner and dancing, and plenty of fireworks provided by Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, but Hermione got the largest thrill whenever Ron's hand captured hers, squeezing it tightly in the crowd. George got up front, one arm tucked neatly around Angelina, as he announced the countdown would soon begin. He ordered everyone to grab a glass, which they did enthusiastically. Ron looked down and locked eyes with Hermione, his smile steady.

"I fall in love with you a little more everyday," Hermione said quietly. "I'm ready for another year with you."

Ron held Hermione by the neck leaning into her. They began to kiss as everyone else counted down. Ten, nine... Hermione moved her arm around his middle, pulling him into her. Their lips moved against one another, the shouts—six, five, four—echoed around them, but they were in their own world. As everyone else shouted Happy New Year they continued.

They were one of the last couples to break apart, but they continued looking at one another.

"I'm ready for a hundred more," Ron said.

A/N: As promised, warm fuzzy ending! As I mentioned in responses to a lot of you, the background to who those people were and exactly what they wanted was a little hard to fit neatly into the last chapter without it getting clunky. I hope it's all come together here. Thank you again for everyone who has reviewed! I really enjoy hearing your thoughts! (And if you haven't reviewed, I would still love to hear from you now!)