A/N: This has been an amazing journey...
God made the world round so we would never be able to see too far down the road. -Isak Dinesen
Everyone waited patiently as Dumbledore took the podium, eager to hear what he had to say. It had been three months since the fights and finally the students had been allowed back into the school. In the time between, it had been hard. Hogsmeade had to be rebuilt, but with the help of all of the students of Hogwarts, it was done quickly. Hermione sat opposite Harry, who sat near Ginny, who was leaning into him, resting her head on his shoulder as they waited for Dumbledore to speak. Neville and Luna sat beside Hermione, holding hands and smiling contently. Seamus, Dean, Pravati and Lavender also sat close by.
"It was December when Hogwarts was seized by Death Eaters. It is now March and we are back…."
As Dumbledore continued to speak the events of what had happened in those past three months flooded into Hermione's mind quickly, blocking out Dumbledore's speech.
"Mrs. Weasley?" a Healer called, walking into the waiting room with a clipboard. Molly Weasley stood up along with about twenty other people, disregarding the Healer's call for one person.
"How is he? Is he ok?" they all said at the same time, crowding around the surprised Healer. She looked down at her file then back up again.
"I need to speak with Mrs. Hermione Weasley," she stated clearly.
There was a pause and about half of the people present looked shocked.
"I'm sorry, who?" Tonks asked. The healer repeated herself and they all looked over at Hermione, who was trying to get to the front of the group.
"I'm Hermione, how's Ron?" she asked, ignoring the questioning looks she was getting.
"Mrs. Weasley, we've managed to stop the bleeding and your husband has been stabilized. He broke his back and numerous bones when he fell, but some how he managed to hit a tree, which broke his fall. He's resting right now, but you should be able to see him in an hour or so," she told Hermione before leaving. Hermione bit her lip and could feel the tears coming to her eyes as relief surged through her body. Her knees buckled beneath her and Fred and George grabbed her and led her to a chair.
"What's going on?" Ginny asked finally, voicing the question many of them were thinking. George looked up at his sister and grinned.
"Ron and Hermione got married while you were at Hogwarts, Gin," he answered simply.
"And I'm pregnant," Hermione whispered, surprising everyone else except for Mrs. Weasley, Charlie and Moody. Hermione's parents pushed to the front and sat down beside their daughter.
"Really?" Mr. Granger asked, gob-smacked. Hermione looked up at her father and nodded.
"Oh Hermione!" Mrs. Granger gasped and soon Hermione was crying into her mother's arms, Mr. Granger rubbing her back.
"No Death Eater can stop the power Hogwarts has given each and every one of you and I would like to take the time to applaud those who took the forefront in taking Hogwarts back," Dumbledore said, turning slightly to Professor McGonagall who stood up and moved around the large table to stand beside the Headmaster. Hermione blinked back some tears that had come to her eyes as she shook her head back to reality. Harry leaned across the table, frowning.
"Are you ok, Hermione?" he asked worriedly. Hermione smiled and nodded, turning back to the front. Dumbledore then turned back to the crowd, smiling.
"Now, I would first like to honor those young men and women who died, fighting for this school and for their families at the Ministry, St. Mungos, Diagon Alley, throughout London, Hogsmeade and here at Hogwarts. Let us have a moment of silence for them."
Everyone looked down at their hands as they remembered friends and family who had died. A few girls could be heard sniffling loudly, tears evident in the faces of others.
Luna then looked up at the magical sky, a dreamy smile on her face.
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy warty Hogwarts…" she whispered, and others raised their heads, looking over to where she sat next to Neville. Neville put on a small smile and joined her.
"Teach us something please…" he said a bit louder. Dumbledore smiled and some of the teachers joined him when he sang.
"Whether we be old and bald…" the professors sang.
"Or young with scabby knees!" every first year shouted out. Suddenly the Great Hall was filled with the song.
"Our heads could do with filling with some interesting stuff, for now they're bare and full or air, dead flies and bits of fluff! Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy warty Hogwarts, teach us something please! Whether we be old and bald or young with scabby knees! Our heads could do with filling with some interesting stuff, for now they're bare and full or air, dead flies and bits of fluff!"
Their voices rang out when they finished, all of them feeling something move through them. A spirit that would not be destroyed…
Dumbledore wiped his eyes and coughed, taking a deep breath before continuing.
"And now, I would like to thank the Hufflepuff house, Ravenclaw house and Gryffindor house for standing up and holding off the Death Eaters for as long as they could."
The whole place erupted in cheering as each house gave their own call, shouting out their joy in their own special way. Dumbledore held up his hands and they all quieted down.
"Now, I will like to honor those who led the final attacks against the Death Eaters," he said before looking around. "Would the Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor Quiddich teams stand up?"
Hermione smiled as Harry stood up along with a few others and clapped and cheered along with them, applauding them. McGonagall motioned for those who stood up to come up to the podium and she hung a medal on each of their necks, shaking each of their hands.
"Thank you for what you have done," she said before they all returned to their seats and Dumbledore continued.
"And now, would Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnegan, Luna Lovegood, Dean Thomas, Pravati Patil, Lavender Brown and Dennis Creevy please come forward," he announced and the Great Hall once again burst into applause as the called stood up and went up to Professor McGonagall stood and shook her hand as she handed them medals.
"We're going to have to do this again tomorrow night," Pravati whispered as she took her seat again. Hermione looked up at her.
"You're coming to the Gala?" she asked.
Pravati nodded happily.
"We got our invitations three weeks ago actually. You're coming right?" she asked.
Hermione glanced over at Harry and then shrugged, looking back up at Dumbledore.
"Depends," she answered, with no hint of emotion. Pravati immediately grew red and looked around, noticing the looks everyone had. They all knew that if Ron didn't come out of the hospital by tonight, she wasn't going to go….
"There is one young lady I would like to recognize for her bravery through the torture she was put under during the attacks. I would like us all to recognize Ginerva Molly Weasley for her outstanding courage in spite of it all. Ms. Weasley," he said, clapping his hands along with everyone else as Ginny smiled and stood up, humbly approaching the podium. To everyone's surprise, Dumbledore hugged her and personally handed her a medal before she returned to her seat. Before she could sit down however, Harry stood up and kissed her, pulling her flush up against him. Gryffindor House burst out in another wave of cheers as the two sat back down, smiling broadly. Dumbledore smiled and continued.
"It is nice to see that young love is still prevailing," he commented earning the couple a few more chuckles before an air of seriousness fell upon him. "And now, I would like us all to honor three young people who have come to be known as Hogwarts' Golden Trio. Since the beginning, these three have been quite the troublemakers as well as saving Hogwarts from trouble. I have watched them each grow into wonderful young students who have shown the courage worthy of their house. And then, in an hour which seemed to dark to imagine, they went above and beyond the call of duty. They have each earned trophies for their accomplishments and now we will applaud them for what they have done three months ago not only here at Hogwarts but also at St. Mungos. Though one of them could not be here, please join me in congratulating Harry Potter and Hermione Weasley!"
Everyone screamed and shouted, whistling and hooting as Hermione and Harry made their way up to the podium where they stood, holding hands. Some stood up to get a better look at Hermione and the small bump peeking out from her robes. Dumbledore gave the two huge hugs and then McGonagall came up and handed Harry something.
"Congratulations, Potter," she said curtly, but winked at him before moving over to Hermione. Harry looked down at the object in his hands and his eyes grew.
"Godric's sword," he whispered. Hermione smiled and looked up at McGonagall when she handed her something.
"Congratulations, Weasley," McGonagall repeated, patting the girl on the shoulder before moving to the side. Hermione gasped when she saw the book in her hands.
"Hogwarts, a History…"
"I hope I'm not too late."
Everyone turned to look at the Great Hall entrance and smiled as Ron nodded.
"I'm looking for a Mrs. Weasley. Is she here?"
Everyone then turned to Hermione, who was speechless as she stared at Ron for what seemed like forever. Then she shoved her book into Harry's hands and bolted down the steps and down the isle to Ron. When she reached him, he grabbed her hand and the two ran out of the Great Hall, accompanied by cat calls and wolf whistles.
"Ron, where are we going?!" Hermione asked.
"You'll see!"
They ran down a few halls and up some stairs until they reached a portrait of a lion's pride. Ron smiled.
"Chocolate Frogs," he said and the portrait swung open and Ron pulled Hermione in. Hermione gasped.
"Ron…"
It was bigger than her Head Girl dormitory. It was fully furnished and there was a staircase that led up to a hall that led down somewhere.
"Ron, what's going on?" she asked.
He turned to her and braced himself.
"Madame Hooch is retiring this year and Dumbledore's offered me the job," he said in a big rush, biting his lip as Hermione processed this information. She was about to say something then stopped herself and looked muddled.
"What?"
Ron took her face in his hands.
"Dumbledore said that since we're married, we might as well not live in separate dormitories for the rest of the year, so he offered this room to us. I'll be using it when the next school year starts, anyway. There's a baby room upstairs as well as a slightly bigger room than the Head Girl's room and a perfect bathroom as well as-"
Hermione placed her finger to his lips, shushing him.
"A baby room?" she asked and Ron nodded, trying to gauge her reaction.
"I know the baby's not due for a while, but every one's pitched in and by everyone, I mean Mum, and the baby room's completely ready for the arrival for a child not due in another six months," he whispered and Hermione smiled, looking around.
"It's beautiful," she commented.
"So you'll stay here?" he asked. Hermione looked up at him and her smile broadened, causing him to smile as well and lean in, kissing her softly. However, the soft kisses quickly turned into heated ones as Ron backed Hermione up into the wall, his hands trembling at her waist. Hermione could feel him trying to constrain himself for her sake and couldn't help but giggle, pulling away. Ron moaned at the loss and rested his head against the wall, effectively trapping her between him and the wall. Cheek to cheek they stood there for a moment, breathing each other in.
"Maybe we should go back out? They'll be waiting for us," she whispered into his ear and she felt him shake his head.
"Let them wait then," he answered.
"Ron…"
He pulled away and looked down at her.
"What?" he asked, daring her to give a reason why they shouldn't enjoy their moment together. She shook her head, waiting for him. He snorted and leaned in, kissing her cheek.
"Thought so," he muttered, his fingers moving up to Hermione's robes. He unbuckled them and shoved them off her shoulders. He then looked up at Hermione and grinned mischievously, keeping eye contact with her while unbuttoning her blouse. Hermione let the blouse slip from her body and watched Ron as his eyes fell to her stomach. She saw him breathe in sharply and reach out and touch her gingerly. Her heart constricted painfully when he blinked rapidly, tears appearing in his crystal blue eyes. He was about to pull away when Hermione grabbed his hands and placed them firmly on her stomach.
"Hermione…" he whispered, looking up at her. Soon they were up against the wall, kissing each other. Ron's hands moved over her body, desperate to feel everything, lest he lose her. Hermione suddenly pulled away and Ron frowned.
"What?"
She smiled up at him and shook her head.
"Nothing, I just wanted to see your face when we stopped," she answered and Ron grinned, leaning back in.
The sounds of laughter that filtered through the door woke Hermione up from her sleep. She felt Ron shift beside her and pull her closer to him. She watched him for a while, amazed at how handsome he was and how beautiful he made her feel. They had spent the whole day together, mostly making love, but upon hearing Ron's stomach growl loudly and after much protesting, Hermione allowed Ron to get an elf to bring them some lunch.
"Chew Ronald," Hermione reprimanded, taking a bite of her sandwich before watching Ron glance up at her.
"You're still going to do that?" he asked.
Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"What? You figured after a few passionate hours that your love making would make me forget about your eating habits?" she asked, finishing her sandwich and placing the plate down on the floor. Ron did the same before rolling over on top of her.
"I figured it would make you forget something," he answered smartly, wiggling his eyebrows around suggestively. Hermione laughed and kissed his nose.
"You overestimate your love making abilities," she said. Ron shook his head and leaned into her ear, pressing his body against hers.
"I highly doubt that," he whispered into her ear and he could feel her shudder. He kissed her gently and she gasped into his mouth as their kisses grew more wanton. Ron's hands moved over Hermione's bare legs and down into her upper thigh, causing her breathing to grow shallower. His lips moved down to her chest, kissing the spot between her breasts. His hands were just moving slowly up her stomach when she started laughing.
Ron frowned and pulled away, looking down at her and watching her as she giggled, closing her eyes and placing a hand over her eyes as she continued to laugh.
"What?" he asked, suddenly feeling insecure about what was happening.
What was she laughing about?
Hermione continued to laugh.
"Victor's coming to the Gala tomorrow," she gasped out as she continued to laugh. Ron still frowned.
"So?" he asked, upset that she would actually bring up that man right before they were about to make love. Hermione opened her eyes and stopped laughing, looking up at him sternly.
"Oh come on, Ronald," she said, propping her self up on her elbows and looking straight into his eyes. "Don't tell me you don't want to make him jealous," she whispered, leaning into his ear and nibbling on his ear seductively. She held her breath when he pulled her closer to him.
"I do," he muttered, kissing her neck. She smiled as she felt his hands venture over her again with much more gusto. She let herself fall back into the warm sheets, lying there for him to see.
"Then make love to me."
Needless to say, four hours later, the two had fallen asleep, appreciating the extent as to which they could take their love.
Hermione knew Ron was exhausted and didn't want to wake him up, but the sounds coming from outside the door attracted her curiosity and she quietly left the bed, kissing Ron's lips before wrapping a wonderful red and gold robe around her before opening the door. The sounds came more clearly and she moved down the hall to the staircase.
"There she is!"
Hermione blushed when Harry, Ginny, Luna, Neville, Pravati, Lavender and Dean all looked up at her from the couches below.
"Thank you, Seamus," she said, coming down the stairs and moving over to a chair, where she sat down. Pravati broke out into giggles.
"How was your day?" she asked. Hermione's face grew redder and the others, except Ginny, grinned.
"I think she just answered your question, Pravati," Dean commented. Hermione straightened up in her chair.
"Ron and I just talked. We had a lot to catch up on," she said.
"And by talk, you mean-" Harry started.
"None of your damn business, Potter."
They all looked up at the staircase to see Ron coming down the stairs in a pair of jeans and a shirt. Hermione smiled and stood up, waiting until he had sat down in her seat before seating her self on his lap. Seamus grinned.
"You know," he said, looking around the large common room. "They say if a bloke gets a large house, he must be compensating for something," he commented.
Hermione leaned her back into Ron's chest and shrugged.
"Did you ever think that it was just trying to tell you something?" she asked, causing everyone to break out into laughter.
When the laughter finally died down, they all turned to look out the large window.
"Where do we go from here?" Ginny asked, leaning into Harry and letting his arms wrap around her.
Ron shrugged, looking up at Hermione, who met his eyes.
"I don't know about you pricks, but I'm going to try to start over."
The End.