Chapter One - Ron Waited
I own nothing but my obsession. I'm poor. Enjoy, and please read and review. This will have CHAPTERS - what a change, for me.
Updated 03-13-02 - thank you very much Indus, for pointing out my typos. I always forget to have someone proofread them first...
Hermione jerked awake with a start, screaming. She threw one arm across her face, and thrust the other forward, brandishing her wand.
What she saw made her stop screaming almost immediately.
Though her vision was, for some reason, blurry, she could see that it was a blue wall. That is, what wall she could see was blue. In fact, most of the wall was covered up by a large, imbedded mahogany bookcase, filled with many volumes and great tomes. This sight was shortly interrupted as she fell back to the bed, too weak to hold herself up.
Where the hell was she? What happened? She must have been stunned - that must have been it. But... why would a Death Eater stun her? They should have killed her... killed her. Wait. Was she in heaven? If this was it, then it was suitable, though not quite what she had imagined.
Her vision had begun to clear, and she managed to turn her head. A large bay window faced towards a small street, once side open and stirring the ivory curtains around it. The large room was filled with light, and another bookcase had been built into the wall surrounding the window. It too was packed with books - books Hermione recognized, and some she didn't. This was her collection, she thought - although many books had been added. She turned her head again, wincing at how much effort it took. Against the opposite wall was a beautiful vanity that matched the bookcases, and she saw next to the bed a nightstand in the same style. There was a glass of water, two books (one large, one small) and a small lamp on this nightstand. Hermione uttered a sigh-like giggle as she realized the larger book was "Hogwarts: A History"
The bed she was lying in was large, and she was covered in a beautiful quilt that appeared to be hand stitched. So beautiful, she thought to herself, so like one she had admired as Mrs. Weasley stitch a few days ago.
Hermione mentally shook herself and dropped her eyes closed. It was easier to think without exerting physical effort. First thing first, she needed-
The door creaked open and the face of a beautiful young woman with red hair poked through. She pushed the door all the way open and sighed, then spoke.
"I thought I heard you... even though I know it's impossible. Wishful thinking maybe." She approached the bed and smoothed the covers, then sat in a small wooded chair by the bed and clasped Hermione's hand.
Yanked from her thoughts by the contact, Hermione, with much effort, opened her eyes again. Ginny! She must be at the Weasley house. At least one mystery was solved, now-
Ginny shrieked. She then bolted from the room. Hermione heard her run downstairs. There was a moment of silence, then a loud "whoosh", and Ginny yelled "She's awake, apparate home, NOW!" Hermione then heard her run back up the stairs. She breathlessly re-entered the room, and sat on the bed, taking hold of Hermione's hand.
Quite a lot of fuss, it's just me... Hermione thought to herself. I couldn't have been stunned for that long. Why didn't they Ennevreate me? Maybe they thought I needed sleep... silly, really.
Ginny had begun to cry, and was stroking Hermione's hand. "You're back, oh, Ron knew it would happen, he did, we couldn't believe him, oh, but you're back!"
Hermione tried to furrow her brow, but the effort exhausted her. What was Ginny talking about?
Suddenly, Ginny stopped stroking her hand, and looked into Hermione's face, a concerned expression covering her pretty features.
"You're not talking. Can you?" She was answered by silence, and frowned at this. "Of course... we didn't know it would work. Okay, that's fine, it's okay... Hermione, Ron will be here in a minute, and so will Harry. Oh! Harry! I still have to call him... I'll be right back, don't worry, ok?" With this, Ginny patted Hermione's hand and flew from the room and down the stairs again.
Hermione's body may not have been top notch at the moment, but her brain was performing rather well. Why in the world did Ginny look so different? Had she put on more makeup today? No, maybe she got her hair cut... yes, maybe that was it? No... that didn't-
There was a small "pop" on the other side of the room, and Hermione forced her head in that direction.
A tall man was standing by the window, backlit by the sun from outside. Iit was later in the afternoon, and the sun was shining too brightly for her to see defining features. Hermione saw him drop his arms to his side, as he sharply sucked in his breath. Without warning, he rushed towards the bed and picked her up in his arms, holding her close.
He had taken this action so quickly that Hermione still hadn't been able to see him clearly - but now there was no doubt as to who it was. Hermione's eyes were still open, and though she could make no move to return the hug, she wished with all her heart she could. He was holding her neck as one would a baby, and she could see the bright red hair of the man who had buried his face in her shoulder. It was Ron; there could be no mistake.
Hermione became concerned as she felt hot tears begin to collect on her shirt, on her neck, in her hair. Ron was kissing the crown of her head over and over, holding her close to him. He had begun to sob. This, more then anything, scared Hermione - she had never heard or seen Ron cry. She had just accepted the fact, eventually, that he just didn't, but now he was making no attempt to stave off the tears.
Hermione heard two pairs of feet run up the stairs, and then heard a bass voice whoop in happiness behind her. Ron pulled his face away from her hair, and looked up, smiling. The tears were still streaming down his face, but he had begun to laugh.
"I told you Harry! I told you she'd come back, there'd be no way she'd leave us! She came back, mate!"
Ginny was biting her lip, and quickly moved forward, touching Ron's hands.
"Ron, I don't think she can talk or move very well yet... she's just woken. Be careful..."
Ron glared at his sister, but it dissolved in moments. "Fine, fine... I'm just so happy... Here, Harry, Harry..."
Harry's here? How long have I been out? Hermione suddenly opened her eyes wider. Third year... had she been petrified again? Oh god, how long had she been gone? Two months? Four? Six?
She felt herself being turned in Ron's arms, and before long she was facing Harry, her head cradled in the nook of Ron's arm. She felt warm and safe, which was substantially different from how she had been feeling just two minutes ago.
Harry grinned widely, and sat on the bed, embracing her with Ron. Hermione began to panic. She hadn't had time to study Ron before he had began to hold her, but Harry she had gotten a better look at. He was much more muscular then the last time she had seen him, and there was another scar on his neck, that disappeared into his robes. She made a squeak of protest at so much attention, and Harry and Ron pulled away from her a bit.
Ron looked on her, concerned. "Do you want me to sit you up?" Hermione nodded weakly. At least moving was getting easier, that was something. After Ron had propped her up on three pillows, she attempted to speak. Nothing came out but a dry whispy sound, and Ginny pulled the glass of water from the nightstand. There was a straw in it, and she put it up to Hermione's mouth. Hermione sucked weakly at the straw, and gradually drank half of the glass. Ron and Harry meanwhile, sat anticipating anything she would do. When Hermione had finished drinking, her head dropped back and her eyes closed.
Ron was devastated when the first words out of her mouth were the only ones he didn't think he could cope with answering.
Hermione slowly opened her eyes again and pulled her head up. "How long?" Her voice sounded thin and papery, but Ron heard a note of the old command in it.
Ron gulped and looked to Harry. Harry, however, had turned to Ginny, who was simply staring at Ron. He looked at Hermione again and pulled her hand into his.
"Later, 'Mione, huh? Are you hungry?"
"How long..." she paused, sucking in a breath, "you... prat?"
Ron couldn't help himself. He began to laugh softly to himself, and Harry and Ginny began to snicker on Hermione's other side. Even Hermione managed a tiny smile, but then her face hardened with determination.
"Tell me" she said.
Ron nodded. It wouldn't be kind to her to postpone it, anyway. He brushed her face with his hand and solemnly addressed her.
"Seven years, a month, and two days."
Hermione's head fell forward. Her effort to keep it held up had failed when she had heard him, and she softly began to shake her head.
"Seven years... seven years..."
Ron grimaced and lifted her head. "It's ok, Hermione. It's ok. We're here... and the worst is over. And we're together again."
Hermione nodded weakly and put her head back, closing her eyes again. She sighed, then softly said "There's a lot to read then. Good."
A smile tugged the edges of Ron's lips. He began to softly laugh, and it soon matured into full out guffaws. Tears began to stream down his face again, and he curled up on the bed, holding his stomach. Harry and Ginny were smiling at each other, and Hermione looked at Ron with a self-satisfied smile on her face.
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"It's not like it matters! I've dressed her and bathed her just as much as you, Gin! I've sat by her bed for seven goddamn years, it's nothing I haven't seen!"
Hermione had blushed scarlet at this. Ron had... he'd seen her naked? She supposed it didn't really count, did it, she was in a coma for god's sake, right?
"It's not the same at all, Ron, and you know it! Now wait outside, or I'll knock you out!" Ginny was a head shorter then Ron, but she didn't seem daunted at this, and Ron had finally acquiesced.
When Ginny had shut the door, Hermione had questioned her quickly. Why had Ron seen her naked? What was he talking about?
Ginny had winced and begun to pull back the covers and help Hermione to the adjoining bathroom. Since Hermione could still barely walk Ginny did most of the work, and it was a while before they could talk. When Hermione was settled in the tub, Ginny sighed and began.
"Hermione, he didn't mean anything bad by it. Yes - he has seen you naked. So've I before, and Harry. We've all taken care of you the past seven years... him most of all. When it happened - and you have to ask Ron, because I don't think I can explain it right - he was... he was torn apart. He couldn't deal with it, at first. He refused to go in and see you when the mandrake draught didn't work. He let out his aggression on everything inanimate. We have the holes in the walls at The Burrow to prove it."
Hermione stopped her. "The Burrow? We're not at the Burrow?"
Ginny had shaken her head and continued to wash Hermione's long hair. "No... you were only at The Burrow for about two and a half years - you were in the twin's room most of that time. We're in Hogsmeade, this is Ron's house, technically, but I live her. Harry lives in a flat a couple of miles away. Anyway - when the mandrake draught didn't work, he got angry. Then, about a year after it happened, he just... he just stopped being mad. One night I found him sleeping on the bed with his arms around you. He's slept like that on and off for the last five years. Every time the mediwizards propose something new, he lies by whenever he can... proposed, lay.. God, I'm glad you're back."
Ginny's face paled. "Hermione, I have to tell you something."
Hermione nodded. It might be better to get all of the shocks at once.
Ginny's voice was a whisper. "I... I gave up on you, Hermione. So did dad, so did most everyone else. I'm sorry." Hermione nodded, and Ginny continued. "Everyone but Harry and Ron... Ron especially. Once we figured out you might never wake up... he wanted to make sure that if you did, you'd be comfortable. The day after I found him on the bed holding you, and he applied to be an auror. After what happened, how could they not take him?"
Hermione started to stop her again, but Ginny got to it before she could. "And he'll tell you what happened, Hermione. It's not my place. A lot has happened while you were away, a little bad but so much good. So... they made him an auror. It only took him six months - it takes two years for most people. He worked for a year - he was gone so often, dealing with so many different things. I think he wanted to think about anything but you... but when he came home, he always went straight to you. After about a year of working, he pulled me aside one day, and asked me if I'd come live with you two, and help take care of you. I asked him where, and he said that he was having a house built... he said that when you woke up, he wanted you to be comfortable, surrounded by all of your things. So we've been here since then, the two of us. The house is huge, Hermione... Ron only spends his money on food and the house, and your treatments from the mediwizards. I don't think he's bought new clothes since he was twenty! There are six bedrooms, and Ron is about to add two more. Now that you're awake, Hermione... you know, it's your house too."
Hermione shook her head and asked Ginny how it was her house.
She smiled broadly. "Oh, Ron's going to kill me. He's always loved you... so much. He was going to ask you to marry him, Hermione. He was planning on doing it as soon as Voldemort was gone. And when you were gone before Voldemort... well, Ron got sad. He started building the house, and said that this was the house he would have built for you when you were married. He wears the engagement ring he was going to give you on a chain."
Hermione rested her head against the cool tile tub. Ron had made this house for her. She had always known how he felt about her, since the fourth year ball, but she had never known it had run this deep. He knew how she felt too - she had told him so much in their sixth year, but they had never pursued any relationship in the time of crisis. Instead, they had made a silent pact not to want anyone else - and that was the way it had been. She smiled broadly, staring, astonished, at Ginny.
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