Everything That You Are...

May 2nd 2003

Hermione woke, her fingers trembling. Her palms were sweating and her eyes were sore. She turned her head to see Ron sat up in bed beside her. She tilted her head so she could see the clock. 6.17 am. They didn't normally wake up until 7, but today was different.

Five years had passed since the Battle. Five years since Fred had died. And Lupin and Tonks. Five years since Hogwarts had been destroyed. Five years since they had destroyed the cup in the Chamber of Secrets. Five years since everything had turned around. Hermione rolled over and say herself up next to Ron. She took him by the hand and planted a kiss on his jaw, before placing her head on his shoulder. Ron loosened his shoulder and stretched his arm around Hermione's shoulders. They sat, silently, until the sun came up and their alarm buzzed. The beeping of the clock snapped the couple out of their sleepy haze. Ron hastily pulled his arm from around Hermione as if one of his siblings had walked in on them. He slapped his hand down on the alarm. Hermione had already stood up and pulled on her dressing gown.

"I'll go and make some breakfast." she smiled, kissing Ron once more on the forehead before heading downstairs.

After Ron had pulled himself out of bed properly, he retreated downstairs to find Hermione stirring milk into two cups of tea. She had already prepared a plate of toast and jam. Ron took a bite. He swallowed the sweet mouthful with a gulp, before dropping the toast onto his plate. Tears began to well up on his eyes. He let out a sob. Hermione dropped her teaspoon and turned to look at him. She went over, dragged a chair up beside him and pulled his head into her shoulders. She stroked his hair, letting his tears run down her neck and her own tears run down her cheek.

It was Ron who pulled them apart. He lifted his head, gazing into Hermiones eyes whilst wiping his own. He kissed her gently on the lips.

"Do you have to go to work today?" he sighed. Hermione shrugged.

"I'll see." she responded.

Hermione had been working at the Ministry for about six months. It was only a small job, but Ron was sure she would work her way up. He knew that she would be successful. She was Hermione Granger after all. But her little office clerk job was enough for now. It paid the bills. They lived in their little house in Ottery St Catchpole, just round the corner from The Burrow. Hermione got a lift to work with Mr Weasley most days.

The house was small and cosy, and had a sense of warmth and comfort. Ron and Hermione hadn't been able to afford much of their own furniture, so they'd taken furniture from their old houses and jostled it together. Hermione had placed an extension charm on her old bed, making it suitable for two. (They had chosen this over Ron's old bed as that old frame could never stand two people anymore). They had Ginny's old dresser and a spare chest of drawers from Bill and Fleur's house. Harry had let them have Sirius' dining table and chairs for the time being, although he expected them back when him and Ginny moved out. To Hermione's delight and surprise, Ron had saved some of his money to buy her a bookshelf, so that she didn't have to throw away of her old books. There were only three rooms: the kitchen/living room, the bathroom and the top floor, which consisted only of a bedroom. They had a couple of photos on the walls, but they were mostly bare. It was plain and simple, but it was theirs.

Hermione collected up the plates and mugs from breakfast and dropped them into the sink. She then disappeared upstairs, closely followed by Ron. When he opened the door, he found Hermione sat at her dresser, writing a letter.

"Who're you writing to?" he said sleepily.

"Work. Telling them I'm not coming in today. And to Ginny, to tell her that we're coming over later."

Ron let out a sigh of relief. He needed Hermione today. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

After they were both dressed and ready, Ron took Hermione's hand, ready to apparate to The Burrow.

"Wait. Why don't we walk? We could so with some fresh air." Ron was reluctant, but he could see that she wanted to, so he nodded his head. Hermione grasped his hand a little tighter before unlocking the latch on the front door and strolling out into the street.