Work Text:
Three months after the war ended Ron, Hermione and Harry were resting at the Burrow for the summer before starting school and Auror training respectively. They were finally taking a well deserved break after years of plotting, fighting and near death experiences.
This particular July day was ridiculously warm so Ron and Hermione decided to cool off by jumping into the pond. Bill and Fleur were visiting the Burrow and, after a little persuasion on Fleur’s part, decided to join Ron and Hermione. Ginny and Harry were “flying” claiming it was cooler in the air though no one had caught sight of them in hours.
The four had been splashing and dunking each other for a while when Hermione stopped suddenly.
“Have you ever heard of chicken?” She asked them.
“Look I know you think I’m thick Hermione but I do notice what I’m eating...most of the time” Ron said staring at her with a bewildered expression.
“No, not the food. It’s a game idiot” she replied contradicting her mocking words with a kiss on his cheek.
“Hermione I don’t-“ Ron started when Bill cut him off.
“Must say I’ve never heard of that one Hermione, what is it?” Bill said sensing a row coming on. He’d spent enough time with the two of them to know to cut an argument off before it had the chance to begin.
“It’s a muggle game. I haven’t played in ages. I used to play with my dad...” she trailed off, tears appearing unbidden when she thought of her parents who still had no idea she existed.
Ron, noticing the subtle shift in her demeanor, wrapped an arm around her waist and leaned his chin on her head while asking in a much gentler tone “How do you play love?”
“Right um well you need four people, that’s why I thought of it, we’re perfect right now as long as Harry and Gin don’t join. Two people get on the shoulders of the other two people, take hands and try to knock the other person off” and then after a beat and a glance at Ron and Bill she added “gently”.
“So you just try to knock each other down? Sounds like a bloody good game to me.” Said Bill with a chuckle.
“You sure it’s entirely safe Hermione?” Asked Fleur, though there was already a mischievous glint in her eye.
“Yes definitely. That’s why you play it in water and gently remember.” Answered Hermione with a pointed look at Ron.
Ron ignored her look and instead asked “You used to play this Mione? Seems a little aggressive for you.”
“It’s really not” said Hermione a touch defensive “And I did say I was a child at the time did I not” Hermione continued after noticing Ron’s incredulous look.
Bill who was getting bored of all the chatter scooped up Fleur and, despite her protestations, placed her gracelessly on his shoulders.
“I guess that means I’m with you then. Climb on up.” Said Ron crouching a little to make it easier for Hermione to get her legs up.
Once she had settled on Ron’s shoulders she grabbed Fleur’s hands and said “Okay now push!” as the game began.
————————————————
15 minutes later, after Bill and Fleur had won for the 4th time, Ron finally had enough.
“Alright this clearly isn’t fair.” Complained Ron.
“What that we’re better than you Ronnie?” Tousling Ron’s hair affectionately after Fleur gracefully dismounted.
“No.” Said Ron shooting an annoyed look at Bill. He brushed a hand self consciously through his wet hair. “You’re both too tall and Fleur has weirdly good balance.” He complained.
“Désolé mon chéri it’s a gift” Fleur answered laughingly. “Besides you’re rather tall yourself.
“Yes but I’m not” said Hermione. “What if we switch? Ron’s right I don’t think there’s any way we’re winning against you two.” Hermione said as Ron helped her down from his shoulders.
“I’ll try anything at this point” Said Ron.
“You know sometimes I forget how competitive you are.” Teased Hermione.
Bill looked slightly uncomfortable either with the idea of Fleur climbing on top of Ron or Hermione climbing onto his shoulders but he grudgingly agreed.
Ron squatted blushing only a little as Fleur pushed a leg over his shoulder.
“You know there was time that you would have died of embarrassment doing this Ron” she remarked.
“It’s true you were rather in love with her for a while there” said Hermione her tone lacking its old jealousy.
“I was not!” Ron said indignantly.
“You really were. We could all see it.” Said Bill with the hint of a grin.
“It wasn’t love” muttered Ron under his breath.
Fleur laughed softly at that placing a hand on his shoulder affectionately. “Oui je sais. I know petit chou.”
“Up you go then Hermione, careful”
Said Bill as Hermione awkwardly maneuvered herself onto his shoulders.
Hermione and Bill had gotten closer during her stay at Shell cottage as had she and Fleur. She was quite glad for their frequent company this summer. Molly had spent far too long apart from her children and begged them all to come to the Burrow as often as possible. Fred, George, and Bill pretended to protest but really they all wanted to be together as much as they could after the fear and horror of the last year. And Fleur, Hermione and Harry were just grateful to be given such a warm welcome at the Burrow. Bill and Fleur spent nearly as much of their summer there as they did at their own home. Fleur had become a good friend of Hermione’s and Bill something close to a brother.
“You know you aren’t quite as light as last time Hermione, though I guess that’s for the best” Bill remarked offhandedly shifting her slightly to get comfortable.
Ron winced, immediately remembering the last time Bill had carried Hermione. The sound of her screams echoed distantly in his ears as he shot Bill a glare.
“Hey!” Hermione said lightly as she slapped Bill’s arm softly. “And what do you mean last time Bill? You’ve never tried carrying me before.” She continued bemused.
A sudden look of realization passed Fleur’s face as she remembered what Bill was referring to. She paled slightly. There was a long tense silence until Fleur suggested they continue the game.
“Why have you all gone quiet?” Asked Hermione ignoring Fleur and looking around in confusion. “You’re making me nervous. Did Bill carry me sometime and I forgot?” She said laughing uncomfortably.
“Erm yeah Hermione once but you were barely conscious.” Said Bill softly.
“Hermione doesn’t want to hear this right now Bill. We were having fun.” Ron replied sharply.
“No need to speak for me Ron.” Hermione replied in an irritated tone. “You’ve all started acting extremely oddly and I’d like to know why. What do you mean I was barely conscious?”
Hermione, now feeling vulnerable on Bill’s shoulders, attempted to climb off. She underestimated the drop and toppled over. She managed to kick Bill’s arm as he tried to break her fall. Ron surged towards Hermione also trying to catch her, forcing Fleur to tighten her grip so as not to fall off.
“You alright love?” Ron asked just a little too desperately.
“Fine, fine” answered Hermione brushing off his concern. “You still haven’t answered the question Bill”
“Maybe we should all get out and make a cup of tea for this conversation.” Said Fleur climbing off Ron.
“No I’d like to have it now if you don’t mind.” Said Hermione sharply.
“Go on then Bill” Ron said in a tone which suggested to Bill that they would be having words later.
Ron moved to take Hermione’s hand which she allowed him to do after a moment of hesitation. Bill, clearly uncomfortable, started speaking.
“It was at Shell Cottage when you first arrived.” he said.
“Oh.” said Hermione not expecting this answer. There was a long pause. She shuddered slightly as she remembered that day. “I assumed Ron carried me in. Honestly I never really thought about what happened before I woke up. I must have looked awful.” Her voice cracked. “I think you’d already healed me a little by the time I came to but when I looked in the mirror it was still...jarring” Hermione looked to Fleur as she shivered despite the intense heat.
“Hey we don’t have to talk about this right now Mione” said Ron “or ever” he added when Hermione neither responded nor looked at him.
Hermione glanced up touched by his concern for her. Ever since the incident at the manor Ron had been incredibly caring towards her. He noticed now if she made even the slightest noise of discomfort, head snapping to look at her and confirm that she was alright. He also had a tendency to position himself in front of her any time he was startled. All three of them immediately reached for their wands when they heard a loud noise, a leftover fight or flight instinct from being on the run. Ron putting himself in front of her was new though. It seemed as though a part of his immediate response to fear was to protect her. Now that Hermione thought about it she and Ron had never talked about what happened after they all arrived at Shell cottage. Really this conversation was probably a long time coming.
“It’s okay Ron. I think I need to hear this but Fleur was right. I’d like to be sitting down for this conversation and preferably dry. It’s a little hot for tea but I think Harry and your mum made some lemonade earlier.” Hermione said trying not to let on how this train of conversation had rattled her.
The four of them stepped out of the pond in silence, a stark contrast to their laughter and chatter of just a few minutes ago.
After they had all dried off and changed they sat down in the living room. Bill carried in a tray of lemonade and passed it around.
The house was empty save for the four of them. Arthur and Percy were at work. Molly was visiting Andromeda and the baby, Fred and George were at their flat, Charlie was back in Romania and Ginny and Harry were still nowhere to be found.
Hermione and Ron sat down on the empty couch, Ron pressing himself as close to her as he could and holding one of her hands as he absentmindedly stroked her hair with the other. His face was stony.
He’d been sneaking worried looks at Hermione the whole time they had gotten changed. He’d clearly been barely restraining himself from asking if she was alright for the last fifteen minutes. Hermione noticed but was choosing to ignore his concern.
“Okay could you start at the beginning please?” asked Hermione her voice more fragile than she would have liked.
“Right well Fleur and I were sleeping when we heard this crack outside. I thought it was death eaters.” Started Bill his voice more serious than Hermione had ever heard it.
“We thought we were being attacked but then we heard shouting, screaming really. When we listened a little closer it sounded like someone was crying for help. We can stop at any time ma chérie.” Fleur said as she noticed Hermione face pale and her grip on Ron’s hand tighten until it must have been painful. Ron himself looked nauseous and wouldn’t meet any of their eyes.
“No keep going please. I need to hear this.” Said Hermione in a quiet voice.
“If you’re sure Hermione.” Bill said sounding uncertain. After a quick nod from Hermione he continued. “The screaming sounded like it was coming from Ron. So we ran down to the beach. But when we got there- I mean he looked so different, older and... I don’t know how to explain it. I’ve never seen you like that.” Said Bill looking directly at Ron who pointedly looked the other way. “I thought he was hurt at first but then I noticed the bundle in his arms.” Bill continued shifting his attention back to Hermione when Ron refused to acknowledge his comment. “I didn’t think it was a person at first but erm obviously it was you. That’s why he was so upset.”
Bill seemed hesitant to go on so Fleur continued for him placing a hand on his shoulder. “You were covered in blood and glass and it looked like you had broken bones. We weren’t sure you were alive at first.”
“Of course she was alive” said Ron choking on a sob. He turned his face even further from them removing his hand from Hermione’s hair. He was desperately trying not to upset her any more than she already was.
“Ron hey are you okay? We don’t have to do this right now.” Said Hermione her concern for Ron overwhelming her morbid curiosity about the circumstances of her arrival.
Ron finally looked at Hermione.
“Do you want to?” He asked.
“I think I need to hear this but I guess it doesn’t have to be right now” and then after a quick pause “or you don’t have to stay. This is clearly upsetting you.” Answered Hermione.
“Of course it’s fucking upsetting me Hermione, it’s you.” Ron said. Hermione looked stricken and tears formed in her eyes.
“I-“ she started.
“Shit sorry. I’m sorry this isn’t about me. I don’t want to go. You know if you need to hear this...I’ll stay.” Said Ron.
Hermione looked like she wanted to say something but then changed her mind and simply nodded.
Bill cleared his throat noticeably uncomfortable. Ron and Hermione had forgotten about him and Fleur for a moment.
“Where was I? Right Ron was frantic and kept begging us to help you. He was so shaken I was scared he was going to drop you so I tried to take you from him but-“
“I wouldn’t let him” Ron interrupted again. “You were so hurt Hermione. We were both covered in blood, your blood, and you were making these awful noises and I just didn’t want anyone else to touch you.” Ron said sounding broken.
No one seemed eager to go on with this story anymore. Hermione was unhealthily pale and it was a wonder that she hadn’t broken Ron’s hand considering how tight she was squeezing it. But still she gestured to Bill and Fleur to continue.
“Yeah but then...” Bill trailed off clearly not eager to keep going. So once again Fleur stepped in.
“You started screaming darling. It was the scariest thing I’d ever heard. None of us could figure out what was causing it. And Ron was sobbing so hard he was shaking you both.”
Bill jumped in “And then he handed you to me which was confusing because seconds ago he refused to let you go. But then he threw up in the sand and it made sense.” Bill seemed like he desperately wanted to hug either or Ron or Hermione. Probably both.
Ron looked at Hermione guilt filling his eyes. “I’m really sorry Hermione. I shouldn’t have gotten sick. I should have been stronger for you-“ Ron started.
Hermione interrupted him. “What In Merlin’s name are you talking about Ron? That’s ridiculous. You saved me. I- I don’t know how can I possibly ever thank you.” She realized she was crying, probably had been for a while but after the last part of the story she’d begun to shake from the force of it. The sound of Bellatrix’s unhinged laughter bounced around her head and suddenly she couldn’t stop rubbing her scar, scratching it. Her head ached and all she wanted was to lay down.
She looked over to Bill and Fleur. They were holding each other, tears in both of their eyes.
“I don’t think-“ Hermione’s voice cracked before she could finish. Fortunately Ron stepped in “I think Hermione needs a minute.” He said looking at her “I sure as hell do” he added.
He grabbed Hermione’s hand which was well on it’s way to reopening her scar. She looked down startled not realizing she’d been scratching the letters open. Ron stood up bringing her with him. He gently lead her to the stairs careful to avoid her bleeding arm. He gave Bill and Fleur a fleeting pained look as they left.
Halfway up the stairs Hermione turned her head and whispered “thank you”. She wasn’t sure they heard but Bill gave her a nod and a kind but unconvincing smile. Fleur muttered something like “we’re here for you”.
Ron opened the door to the upstairs bathroom and started rummaging in the cupboard for bandages. He knew there was a lot they both needed to say but neither of them seemed eager to start talking. He decided to focus on her arm instead.
He found the bandages while she sat on the toilet and started wrapping her bleeding arm. He was startled to hear her voice, stronger than he expected through her crying.
“Ron.”
“Yeah love?”
“You wouldn’t let me go“
“Well yeah” he said with certainty of someone who’d been asked if the sky was above them. He finished wrapping her arm and secured the bandage with a piece of tape.
“I love you” she breathed out.
“ I love you too Hermione.” He responded gently taking her face in his hand. “Always.”