The Letters to No One - Romione

Chapter 46

It had been exactly a year since Ron and Hermione had met. It was the day before Ginny's birthday and they sat together in the tree house hidden in the back of the garden.

'I do love it here,' Hermione said with a sigh. She gazed into the forest, hints of a bright blue sky visible though the thick green branches. A nest full of little birds was visible in a nearby tree and Hermione beamed as she rested her head on Ron's shoulder.

'I know,' he replied. It hadn't taken him long to figure out that this was Hermione's favourite place, apart from the bookshop, and the two had spent most of the summer days sat up here, chatting, having picnics and watching the world go by.

'Today is one year since the day we met,' Hermione said, smiling at him. The two of them now ignored the couple of weeks that they'd broken up earlier this year. They were now stronger because of it and didn't like to dwell on it too much. It only brought back bad memories.

'I am so glad that I'm such an awful brother and had no idea what to go and get Ginny for her birthday,' Ron laughed and Hermione grinned.

'What have you got her this year?' Hermione asked and Ron's eyes widened in shock as if he'd forgotten to do something extremely important. Hermione almost fell out of the tree house that she was laughing so much. How could Ron have done this two years in a row?

'We need to go shopping,' Ron said suddenly, with a cheeky grin, standing up and climbing down the ladder of the tree house to the ground, this would be so much easier when he learned how to apparate. He would never have to climb that ladder again. Hermione quickly followed and the two of them hurried into town. Ron headed straight to the bookshop where they'd met. Hermione wasn't sure if Ron actually wanted to get Ginny another book or whether he just wanted to go there for old time's sake.

'This is the spot where I first saw you,' Ron said, standing by a shelf of books. 'You were sat right there,' he said pointing towards a beanbag that was still sat on the floor. 'You were reading a book about wizards,' Ron said and Hermione let out a slight laugh. She'd completely forgotten about all the books she'd been reading to try and figure out what was wrong with her. 

'I bet that was so confusing for you,' Hermione replied. 'You wouldn't have been able to tell if I was a muggle or a witch.' 

'It was but I guessed that you were a muggle. I was sure that if you were a witch then I would have seen you at Hogwarts, or at last would've seen you before. There aren't many wizarding areas in this area after all.' He added. 

'Well it's a good thing for both of us that I'm not a muggle,' she giggled and Ron wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer towards him and kissing her deeply, pushing her against the book shelf. She kissed him back, and let out a small laugh as she pulled away.

'Ron, we can't do that here,' she replied, her eyes wide with shock.

'Of course we can,' he replied, grinning at her and kissed her once more before she could protest any further. She kissed him back, just hoping that no one would choose that moment to have a look at the books on wizards. No one did.

'So what are you going to get Ginny for her birthday?' Hermione asked, once she'd finally pulled away, not wanting to. 'Are you going to get her another book?'

'I don't know,' he admitted. 'I was hoping that you would choose something for her and I could just tell her that I chose it like last year,' he looked at her questioningly, hoping that she would go along with his plan, after all he had absolutely no ideas. 

'No way,' she replied. 'You have to do this one by yourself.'

'Please,' Ron replied, pouting slightly at her. 'You know how useless I am at this kind of thing. She'll hate whatever I get her, please can you do it for me!' He begged but it was no use.

'I hate to go,' Hermione said, pretending to check a watch that wasn't on her wrist. 'I'll see you tomorrow,' she said and kissed him gently, skipping out of the shop in glee.

*

Ginny's birthday was almost as big of a celebration as last year. Tents covered the garden and fairy lights were hung from every tree so that when the sun set the garden would still light up as everyone laughed and danced. Hermione was so happy to be a part of it and couldn't believe that magical world that she was now such a huge part of and was such a huge part of her life.

'I got you a present,' Ron said, handing it to Ginny. Ginny looked at Hermione expectantly but she shook her head at her.

'I had nothing to do with this,' Hermione replied. 'Ron chose it himself. I don't even know what it is.' She said with a nervous giggle.

'Oh god,' Ginny said, her eyes wide.

'Thanks for the vote of confidence,' Ron said. 'Open it.' He watched as Ginny opened it, a surprised, but happy, look on her face when she tore away the paper to reveal a book. 

'How did you know?' She asked Ron.

'I figured that after the success of the book last year, I couldn't go wrong with the sequel.' He said with a slight laugh and Ginny beamed at him, hugging him tightly. 

'Thank you! I love it!' She cried and Ron looked relieved. 'This is so beautiful.' she said to Hermione when she unwrapped the small box that Hermione had given her, revealing a silver necklace, with a bright green gem stone that matched the colour of Ginny's eyes.

'Thanks for showing me up,' Ron muttered to Hermione who just grinned at him, kissing him on the cheek. He put his arm around her waist, leading her away from the party. 'You want a drink?' He asked her, picking up two butter beers and passing her one when she nodded her head. 

'I love it here,' she said with a sigh. 'I love you.' She said turning to Ron, who beamed back at her. 

'I love you too,' he replied, pulling him closer towards her, never wanting to let her go.

*

'Ron! Harry! You're O.W.L results are here,' Mrs Weasley shouted and the two came running down the stairs the next morning, Ginny and Hermione closely following, having heard her shouting as well. Mrs Weasley handed both of them each an envelope and both of the boys tore into them straight away, not wanting to wait a second. 

'How did you do?' Hermione asked, as the two boys read their letters, the silence was too much for her. She hoped that they'd both done well, especially Ron. She knew that he would be heart broken if he hadn't done well, however much he tried to pretend that he didn't really care about school. She watched him intently, he didn't seem to be showing any expression.

'Tell us!' Ginny practically shouted after neither boy spoke for a few more seconds. 

'Yeah, pretty good.' Ron finally muttered. 'Mainly exceeds expectations, I got a poor in divination, but that was expected.' He said with a laugh. 'Looks like I'll be able to continue next year anyway.' Ron said with a laugh, although he looked relieved.

'What about you?' Ginny said turning to Harry.

'Same as Ron,' he replied. 'Got a poor in divination, although I'm sure Trelawney will be glad to get rid of us,' he added with a laugh. 'I got an outstanding in Defence Against the Dark Arts.'

'Well you have defeated Voldemort on multiple occasions,' Ron said with a slight laugh. 'I hoped that you'd be pretty good at it.' 

'Congratulations both of you!' Cried Mrs Weasley, pulling them both unwillingly into a hug. 'Your turn next year,' she said, turning to Ginny and Hermione.

'You'll probably get outstanding in everything,' Ron joked, although it was probably true. Despite having only been learning magic for a year, Hermione was extremely talented. But he wasn't bitter. He was just glad that they were all here and would soon be going back for another year at Hogwarts.