In Her Touch
The Aftermath
Walking into the Great Hall at Hogwarts for the first time since Harry defeated Voldemort is unsettling to say the least. My anxiety doesn't just stem from the knowledge that when last I was here I lost a great many people whom I'd come to love and respect. Nor is it the memory of seeing Hagrid carrying Harry's lifeless body up to the castle steps. Though reliving the horrors of the war does cause my breath to hitch uncomfortably in my throat that is not the main reason for my discomfort. That honor goes to the two sets of eyes trained on me following my every move. One pair as blue and sparkling clear as the sky on a warm summer day, the other the deepest most piercing emerald green ever seen; and both more dear to me than anything in the world. Ron and Harry, my beautiful boys…both their gazes trained on me, albeit for very different reasons.
Ron is no doubt looking to see if I'm here alone or on the arm of Viktor Krum, whom the Prophet is touting as my "on again" beau after they caught a glimpse of us having lunch together in Diagon Alley three weeks ago. Whereas Harry is no doubt wondering how I'll react to seeing Ron considering that it's been a full two months since we last spoke civilly to one another following the disillusion of our romantic relationship. Nine months. Nine months…in the space of time it takes a human being to bring a life into the world my great romance with Ron was born, lived and died. To be fair, I suppose that I shouldn't say that it was born. Ron and I had been dancing around a romantic entanglement since third year at the least. So it would be wholly unfair to say that our romance came and went all in nine months…but… frankly that is exactly what happened.
Everything before we officially became a couple one month after the final battle was the infatuation of childhood. The proverbial first fancy complete with shy glances, sweaty palms, self deprecating scrutiny over your own personal inadequacies and loads and loads of denial over actually liking the other person in the first place. In the midst of our awkward attraction was an oddly strong friendship that was deepened and solidified by our fierce loyalty and affection for Harry. We're a set, Ron, Harry and I. Where there's one you're bound to see the others excusing the last two months of course. (Smiles softly).
I'm still not sure where everything went wrong. Our relationship was supposed to work out now that we were grown-ups; well past our petty childhood jealousies and insecurities. We were meant to be happy together, possibly for the rest of our lives. It was not supposed to end, at least not the way it actually ended. Ron began behaving oddly. He became overtly clingy and possessive, needing near constant reassurance of his place in my life and my heart. It seemed that no matter how much reassurance I gave him, no matter how much of my time, my heart and my body I relinquished to him it was never enough. At first I felt as if I was failing him somehow. But as things continued on in the same vein I felt trapped; smothered and it made me angry. Before long we reverted to the worst of ourselves. It was sixth year all over again. We were each so hurt and confused that the only sensible thing left to do was to call things off and go our separate ways. Which we did; only our version included copious amounts of screamed accusations and a sound slap to Ron's left cheek.
I ended up on Harry's doorstep at nearly midnight blubbering like an idiot. I felt like such the stupid bint on account of everything that happened with Ron and for showing up on my best friend's doorstep rousing him out of a sound sleep crying over some bloke like a love-struck thirteen year old. Harry was wonderful though, he never asked what happened; just wrapped his arms around me and held me, all the while telling me that everything would be alright. And everything did turn out alright in the end thanks to Harry. He took up the role of being my shoulder to cry on and I honestly don't know how I would've gotten through those first few weeks without him.
I feel them coming towards me before I actually look up and see them standing there. Harry standing there brow knitted together over concerned, hopeful green eyes, a tentative smile ghosting his lips. Ron, standing awkwardly gaze fixed on the hem of his dress robes and his shoes. It is painfully uncomfortable for the scant few seconds it takes me to close the distance between Ron and myself and wrap him in a warm embrace. I tell him that it's good to see him and it is. I have missed his easy smile and silly jokes. I've missed his voracious appetite and his utter tactlessness. I've missed my best friend. Ron smiles sheepishly as he replies in kind. I imagine that it will be uncomfortable for some time to come but for now I'm just so pleased to have my friend back that nothing else matters. As Ron begins to update me on the latest happenings in his life I feel Harry's fingers as they lace through my own; he gives my hand a firm and reassuring squeeze just as Headmistress McGonagall's voice begins introducing the honorees for tonight's victory ball, us. I smile and return the squeeze as I clasp Ron's hand in my free hand and the three of us make our way to the dais.
A/N: Hermione down…Ginny and Harry to go.
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