Chapter Text
Two years had passed since the Battle of Hogwarts.
And despite everything that had changed... despite everything that never would again... some things still seemed frozen in time.
Hermione had returned to Hogwarts to complete her final year, graduating at the top of her class, exactly as everyone had expected.
She had thrown herself back into her studies with an almost comforting determination, as though putting books back in order might somehow help put the rest of the world back together as well.
Ron and Harry, meanwhile, had joined the Auror Office.
Their days were filled with assignments, reports, and the strange adjustment from war to peace.
As it turned out, learning how to live without constant danger was harder than surviving it.
To that need to see each other.
To know, without having to ask, that everyone was still okay.
Last-minute dinners at the Burrow, pints shared in noisy pubs, letters written at ridiculous hours... it was how they kept themselves from drifting apart.
They wrote constantly.
Met whenever they could.
They laughed, teased one another, slipped back into familiar routines.
The three of them.
The four of them, whenever Ginny joined in.
Ron emptied his glass in one long swallow before setting it down a little harder than he meant to.
His eyes drifted toward his friends as they made their way across the pub.
Something inside him tightened when he caught sight of Hermione absentmindedly tucking a curl behind her ear as she talked.
His fingers twitched immediately.
They were still close.
They always had been.
But it wasn't enough.
He could count on one hand the number of times he'd held hers since the Battle.
Sometimes their fingers brushed, hesitant, as though that fleeting touch alone could say everything neither of them had ever managed to put into words.
But that was just it.
It hadn't said everything.
It happened too rarely.
Far too rarely…
After the Battle, they had both been left to rebuild.
Their families, of course.
But themselves, too.
They had to learn how to live again.
With loss.
With grief.
With hope.
He knew that whenever she asked him to meet her at dawn, and he Apparated to her Muggle neighbourhood just to see her, it wasn't because she had something important to tell him.
More often than not, they simply needed each other's company.
To catch their breath.
To steady themselves before facing another day.
To remind themselves that neither of them had to carry it all alone.
The war had taken too much from them.
But they had survived.
And, little by little, life was beginning to look like something worth hoping for again.
For a long time, her smile had been enough.
Just seeing her.
Knowing she'd answered his letters.
Knowing she was still there.
That had been enough.
But somewhere along the way, something had changed.
Maybe because they were finally allowing themselves to live again.
Without guilt.
Maybe because the war was no longer there to hide behind.
Or maybe he was simply tired of waiting…
Wanting her had returned with a vengeance, sweeping away every sensible thought he had.
His lips still remembered the warmth of hers.
His hands remembered the perfect curve of her waist.
And yet… Two years had passed.
Nothing had changed.
Nothing had moved forward…
The thought alone tightened something painfully inside his chest, a frustration he no longer knew how to keep buried.
He wanted more… so much more.
But that distance... that quiet acceptance...
It didn't seem to bother his best friend in the slightest.
As though...
As though this was enough for her.
He couldn't bear that thought anymore.
He wanted more.
He wanted everything.
Sitting around the pub table with his friends, Ron ran a restless hand through his hair for what had to be the hundredth time, unable to sit still for more than a few seconds.
Harry watched him with an amused half-smile.
-You all right, mate?
Ron let out a long, exasperated sigh.
-I'm so bloody tired of this...
Hermione, sitting beside him, leaned closer at once, concern written all over her face.
-Ron? Are you okay?
He glanced up at her.
That only made things worse.
Because she looked genuinely worried.
As though she had no idea she was the entire reason he was in such a state.
« NO !! » he wanted to yell.
He wanted to shake that infuriating, impossible composure right out of her !
His thoughts spiralled before he could stop them.
He wanted to cup her face in his hands and kiss her until she couldn't breathe.
To leave her breathless. Shaking.
To hear the soft sound of her pleasure…
He clenched his fist.
Enough.
Instead, he dropped his forehead onto the table with a solid thunk, earning immediate reactions from the others.
-Ron !?
-What are you doing !?
-What is wrong with you, honestly ? -Ginny asked as she reached the table, balancing a tray full of drinks.
Harry got up at once to help her.
Without thinking, his hand settled naturally at the small of her back.
Ron looked away.
A ridiculous stab of jealousy twisted somewhere in his stomach.
Why did it all seem so effortless for everyone else?
-Urgh…
He let his forehead fall against the table again.
This time, Hermione caught him before he could do it a second time.
-Ron… what’s going on !?
He was jealous !
He had no idea how to make the witch sitting across from him understand that he wanted them to be a real couple at last.
To stop dancing around something that had already been there for years.
- Fancy a game of darts, Harry? -Ginny asked.
Harry was on his feet almost immediately, pint in hand and already smiling.
- You just want an excuse to wipe the floor with me.
Ginny laughed, slipping her hand into his.
They wandered off together.
Ron watched them go, silently cursing them for making it all look so effortless.
When he looked back, Hermione was already watching him.
-Ron… are you all right ?
Her voice was quiet. Gentle.
He let out a weary sigh, saying nothing as silence settled comfortably between them.
Hermione's hand found his on the table. Her eyes searched his.
He turned his hand over, threading their fingers together.
She didn't hesitate. She simply held on.
It made him want to scream.
She must have sensed something was wrong, because her free hand lifted to his face, her fingertips brushing softly against his cheek.
With his eyes closing almost of their own accord, he leaned into her touch.
After a few quiet minutes, Ron spoke again, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
-‘Mione.
He swallowed.
-What… what do you want from me ?
Hermione blinked, caught completely off guard.
-What ?
The silence between them grew heavier than the chatter filling the pub.
Ron held her gaze for a few seconds before looking away.
-Earlier... and now...
He shook his head.
-I don't understand.
His voice dropped almost to a whisper :
-What do you want from me ?
Hermione met his eyes, but something flickered across her face.
-Ron, I...
He dragged a nervous hand through his hair. He let out a quiet, humourless laugh.
-Honestly… I just don’t get it anymore.
She stayed silent.
He leaned back in his chair, staring up at the dark ceiling.
-It's always like this.
-I'm not following…
He gave a small shake of his head.
-We write to each other all the time. You call me whenever something's wrong.
-Because I trust you, Ron.
-I know.
The answer came far too quickly.
As though he'd already had this conversation with himself hundreds of times.
-I know, ‘Mione.
He swallowed again.
-And I always come… No matter what time it is. No matter where you are. No matter what I'm doing… Because if it's you...
His voice caught.
Hermione never looked away.
-Ron...
His jaw tightened. He finally looked back at her.
-And yet... what are we ?
The question hung between them.
Simple.
Merciless.
Hermione went completely still.
-I... I don't know…
Her eyes dropped to where their fingers were still intertwined. She hesitated.
-I only know that... I'd like to get to know you... differently…
Ron closed his eyes.
For just a second...
He wanted to believe it really could be that simple.
For the first time since the conversation had begun, Ron hesitated.
-‘Mione...
He drew in a shaky breath.
-I'm tired of pretending this is enough.
He tried to pull his hand away, but Hermione held on, her fingers tightening around his.
He shook his head.
His voice had fallen to little more than a whisper.
-Merlin... I feel like I'm losing my mind…
Every brush of her hand...
Every moment she stood just a little too close...
It stirred a restless longing inside him, one he was no longer sure he could keep under control.
Those little touches weren't enough anymore.
Not even close.
Hermione felt warmth rush to her cheeks.
Because, for the first time... he wasn't trying to hide it.
The longing in his eyes was unmistakable.
-Ron...
Now it was her turn to be at a loss for words.
He stayed perfectly still for a few seconds.
Then, all at once, he pushed back his chair and stood.
As though he simply couldn't stay there another moment. As though the pub had suddenly become too small.
Too loud.
-Come with me.
Hermione blinked.
-What ?
-Come with me.
-Where?
-I don't know.
For once, he didn't have a plan.
He only knew he couldn't have this conversation sitting between half-empty Butterbeer glasses.
He held out his hand.
-Come on.
Without taking her eyes off him, Hermione slowly rose to her feet and slipped her hand into his.
* * *
The cool evening air wrapped around them, a welcome relief after the stifling warmth of the pub.
They walked in silence for a while, their fingers still intertwined, as though neither of them was quite ready to let go.
Eventually, Ron cleared his throat.
-So…
He frowned thoughtfully.
-I suppose we're meant to be getting to know each other.
Hermione glanced up at him.
-Problem is...
He scratched the back of his neck.
-You already know pretty much everything about me.
He thought for another second.
-I still support the Chudley Cannons, though. That hasn't changed. And I still love chocolate… Oh, and dogs !
His face brightened a little.
-I've always wanted one. A really big one… big enough to look like a bear.
Hermione smiled despite herself.
-A dog ?
-As tall as me !
That earned him a quiet laugh.
He smiled too. Then, little by little, the smile faded.
-I was about to skip over the entire Hogwarts section... seeing as you were there for most of it.
She laughed softly.
He did too.
Only for a moment.
Then he sighed.
-The truth is, 'Mione... No one knows me better than you do. You know all the things I wish nobody did.
He looked down at their joined hands.
-You even know I've always felt like I was never quite enough. Like I was always standing behind someone else… My brothers. Harry…
He hesitated.
-...Even you.
-Ron, that's not…
-I know.
He cut her off gently, offering her a small smile.
-I know that's not how you see me.
He shook his head.
-But that's how it feels. And you know that.
He swallowed.
-And sometimes... I wish you didn't…
Silence settled between them again.
Heavier this time.
Hermione lowered her gaze.
-I'm... not very good with people…
She let out a small, self-conscious laugh.
-I don't think people find me particularly easy to like. Whether it's in the Muggle world or the wizarding one... I've spent so much of my life on my own. And sometimes... I really wish it had been different.
Ron slowed his pace without even noticing.
-Like what?
Her warm brown eyes met his.
-I wish I had the courage... to stop hesitating. To take risks. To stop overthinking everything. To stop trying to control every outcome.
Ron studied her for a moment.
-Knowing you... that must be terrifying.
She laughed softly.
-A little…
He walked beside her in silence for another few steps.
-Then maybe we should try.
She looked up at him.
-Try what ?
-Not thinking for five minutes.
-Ron...
A slow smile spread across his face.
-That's our problem, 'Mione. We think so much... that we end up going nowhere.
She smiled back.
And for the first time that evening, something between them finally loosened.
Without really noticing, they had wandered to a small park.
The swings creaked softly in the night breeze.
Ron sat down on one of them, giving himself a gentle push with his foot.
After a brief hesitation, Hermione sat on the swing beside him.
Silence settled once more.
Hermione bit her lip.
-You and me...
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Ron looked over.
She hesitated.
Then the question escaped before she could stop it.
-...Are you really attracted to me ?
-Absolutely !
No hesitation.
No second thoughts.
Hermione's cheeks flushed at once.
Ron ran a hand through his hair.
-Have I really done that poor a job of showing you ?
-Ron...
-Seriously !
He let out a disbelieving laugh.
-I thought I was being pretty obvious…
Her heart was beating faster now.
The look in his blue eyes made her answer almost inevitable.
-I think...
She hesitated.
-I thought... ...that keeping this distance between us... ...was helping us.
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Ron made a vague gesture between them.
-I was mostly just trying not to fuck this up, if I'm being honest !
She turned to look at him.
-Do you really think... it's that difficult? It always seems so easy for everyone else.
Ron stepped off the swing and moved to stand in front of her.
-'Mione...
His voice was low.
-You have to understand something. When I say it's difficult... it's not because I don't know what I want.
Hermione's heartbeat quickened.
He let out a quiet, almost nervous laugh.
-I've never known how to do things halfway with you.
She swallowed.
He was telling her the truth. The whole truth.
-I never have.
He paused, gathering himself.
-If I'm with you... I don't know how to go back.
It wasn't a confession.
It was a warning.
Slowly, hesitantly… Hermione rested her hand against his arm.
Her fingers traced upward, almost shyly.
His eyelids drifted half-closed beneath the gentle touch.
His eyes lingered on her lips.
Without thinking, he found himself leaning toward her.
He stopped himself at the last second.
-Ron...
She wanted to break through the careful restraint he'd wrapped around himself.
She leaned a little closer.
-Why is it so hard ?
Her voice was barely more than a whisper.
He let out a strained laugh.
-Because holding myself back is hard.
The silence that followed seemed almost to hum between them.
Hermione felt her throat tighten.
He was afraid.
Afraid of losing her... because of himself.
She stood perfectly still for a few seconds.
Only then did she realize that his fear looked remarkably like her own.
And somehow... That realization made her heart race.
She was about to say something when a raindrop landed on the tip of her nose.
Startled, they both looked up.
A light rain had begun to fall.
Hermione smiled. Without taking her eyes off him, she ran into the middle of the little playground, spreading her arms wide as she spun beneath the rain, laughing.
Ron followed her with an affectionate smile.
-You're going to catch a cold…
She closed her eyes… Happy.
The rain grew heavier.
A moment later, she lost her balance.
Before she could fall, his arms were already around her.
He'd been ready.
Watching over her…
She lifted her rain-soaked face toward him, and he gently brushed the damp curls away from her eyes.
-This is completely ridiculous…
-You're soaked too.
-And whose fault is that ?
She laughed softly.
-You could've gone and found shelter.
He raised an eyebrow.
-I'd never leave you out here on your own.
His blue eyes drifted back to her trembling lips.
She noticed. Her fingers curled into the front of his jumper as she stepped closer.
-Ron...
His thoughts pulled him in opposite directions.
One begged him to protect what they already had.
The other urged him to give in.
To the longing. To the need to finally let go.
-Ron... Kiss me.
He stood perfectly still.
For one heartbeat too long.
Then... He gave in.
He leaned down to kiss her.
A low groan escaped him the instant he felt the warmth of her lips against his again.
This wasn't a hesitant kiss.
It was everything he'd held back for the past two years.
Deep.
Fierce.
Almost desperate.
His hand tightened around her waist, leaving no room for distance between them.
Hermione kissed him back without hesitation, her fingers clutching at the front of his rain-soaked jumper.
The world around them dissolved into the sound of the rain.
A soft breath escaped her against his lips.
That single, fragile sound was enough to shatter what little restraint he had left.
There was something wonderfully unsteady about the way they kissed.
As though they were trying to reclaim every moment they'd lost.
Every silence.
Every glance that had lingered too long... or looked away too soon.
Ron rested his forehead against hers.
Their breaths mingled. Neither of them quite ready to let the other go.
-We're really hopeless at doing anything the easy way...
His voice was barely more than a breath… almost disbelieving.
A smile trembled across Hermione's lips.
-No... But I don't mind.
She never got to finish.
His lips found hers again.
The kiss swept them away once more.
It left them breathless. Unsteady.
Like the ground beneath them had quietly disappeared.
Rain streamed down their faces, mingling with every shared breath.
He pulled her closer.
Hermione let out a small shiver against him.
And Ron slowed down without even realizing it.
As if he wanted to feel it.
As if he wanted to memorize this moment.
His thumb brushed along her cheek, tracing the dampness of her skin, and that simple gesture changed the kiss. Less desperate. Deeper.
More real.
-We should... probably... go back...
He whispered the words between kisses, his voice rough.
Hermione let out a breathless little laugh, her fingers still holding onto him.
-Yes... probably...
Walking away had suddenly become impossible.
The rain grew heavier around them, almost insistent.
-Really... -his lips brushed against hers as he spoke.
-We should go.
-Mmh...
Her answer lacked any real conviction.
But neither of them made the slightest effort to move away.
Not yet.
In the end, Hermione was the first to move.
Just enough to take half a step back.
Her fingers immediately slid along his jumper, as though she couldn't quite bring herself to let go completely.
-We're really going to end up soaked... -her breath was still uneven.
Ron gave a quiet laugh, unable to look away from her.
-We already are...
Then he stepped back.
She gently caught his hand, their fingers intertwining as naturally as breathing.
Her eyes searched his. Then drifted, just for a moment, to his lips...
And that was enough… Ron gave in again.
More gently this time. But with the same undeniable certainty.
The kiss was shorter.
Almost stolen.
But just as impossible to ignore.
-Sorry...
He whispered it with a smile.
Hermione let out a small laugh, shaking her head.
-You really aren't.
-Not even a little.
A quiet moment passed between them… lighter now... but filled with promises.
Without letting go of her hand, he guided her forward.
Finally, they started walking. Slowly.
Every step felt too slow... Too aware of the other person beside them.
The rain kept falling, soaking through everything, but neither of them suggested walking faster.
As if simply moving side by side was enough to keep from breaking whatever they had just found.
Their steps carried them closer to the Muggle neighbourhood.
The same streets where he had walked with her countless times before, waiting with her for the bus that would take her back to her parents' house.
Ron glanced at her, hesitant.
He knew she would be leaving soon.
He searched his mind for something... anything... that could make this moment last a little longer.
But it was Hermione's soft voice that came first.
-You know... Do you remember when you said you had bought those seeds for me ? For my room?
He blinked, caught off guard.
They were returning to something simpler. Something safer.
And Ron felt two things at once.
A strange sense of relief...
And a small, inexplicable frustration.
-Ah, right... I'll bring them to you.
She caught his sleeve, making him stop.
-I'd like to have them now.
He looked at her, confused.
-They're at my...
He stopped himself as he understood.
-I'd like to have them... -She repeated it, quietly.
Still surprised, he simply nodded.
Already completely unable to think clearly…