The Return

Chapter 3

Over the next hour Harry learned everything that had happened while he was away. George had continued the twins business, despite the loss of his twin brother Fred in the final battle. He had even opened up two more locations and had plans for a third. Ron had taken his fathers place in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office. Arthur was still in a comma at St. Mungo’s and everyone but Mrs. Weasley had given up hope for him waking up. Ginny and Neville had gotten married and were expecting a baby boy in May. Neville had gotten the Herbology teaching position at Hogwarts and would be on break starting tomorrow.

The rest of them learned what Harry had been up to in America. He had been looking in a magazine and saw this beach and apparated there from the picture. He had ended up in San Diego, California. He had gotten a job at a surf shop along the beach and quickly became very good at the previously unheard of sport. He explained it as, like flying a broom on the water, standing up. George and Ron both signed up for lessons. Harry explained how he had become friends with his coworker Caleb and after a year they opened their own shop, “Lightening Fast Surf Inc.” Caleb had the idea because of Harry’s funny scar. Harry loved the idea of his scar being something positive.

The store had instant success; they made lots of money and even revolutionized a new board. Harry threw in some aspects from his broom and they invented a new sleek and faster board. But then Harry decided it was time to come home and signed everything over to Caleb, who was upset at first but understood what missing home must be like.

As dinner ended and the girls started cleaning up, Harry excused himself and went outside to get some fresh air. He sat on the back step, the cold air cooling his overheated nerves. He looked up at the stars and marveled at their beauty. He forgot how breathtaking they could be. The stars were not visible in San Diego, due to all the city lights. He heard the door behind him open and his stomach turned upside down as he anticipated it was Hermione.

“Hey mate, mind some company?” Ron said cheerfully as he walked down the steps to Harry. Harry let out a sigh of relief and looked up at Ron’s smiling face.

“Sure thing, Ron, I’ve missed your company.” Harry responded to his best friend. He had missed Ron terribly, no matter how close he and Caleb were, Ron would always be his best friend. No one would could hold a candle to him in the friend department and it troubled Harry that if he couldn’t get over his feelings for Hermione, that would somehow be ruined.

“So America? That’s crazy! I would have never guessed you to come home and say you went to America. I mean, do they even have wizards there?” Ron asked in one exasperated breath.

“Yes they have wizards, Ron. Not many but I had one bloke recognize me. But that was the whole point. I didn’t want to be the bloody boy-who-lived anymore. I wanted to go where no one knew me. I wanted to find me; I would never have been able to do that anywhere close to here, with everyone always shaking my hand all the time, thanking me for saving the world.” Harry answered in one breath, hoping that if anyone would understand it would be Ron.

“I understand Harry, don’t worry. That doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt, you leaving without saying good-bye. Just telling Hermione and poof, you’re gone. But I’m glad you’re back. I’ve missed you, mate.” Ron said emotionally.

“Thanks Ron. I’m sorry if I’ve hurt any of you. But it’s better now. I’m a better person now. I just sort of needed to detoxify myself after the war. I was still jumping out of bed with every little noise, my wand pulled; ready to defend myself against a deatheater. I couldn’t live like that. I’m glad I’m back.” Harry placed his arm around Ron’s shoulder, squeezing him loosely. Ron turned to him and beamed a bright smile. Harry removed his arm and looked straight ahead. “So you and Hermione, huh?” Harry asked, trying to sound as neutral as possible.

“Yeah, mate, finally eh? I mean I always fancied her, you know, but honestly I always thought she fancied you and you two would end up together. She turned me down for a long time, but then about a year ago, she finally said yes. Things are good. I think I’ve always loved her more than she loves me, but she loves me and that’s what matters. I’m happy, you know. Sometimes I worry though. There’s always been this void in her eyes, like something is missing. I always try to find out what it is but she is so closed off to that part of herself.” Ron looked straight ahead as he told stuff to Harry, he had never told anyone else. Harry listened intently, his heart going out to Ron as he understood the void in Hermione, since he too had the same void. Harry didn’t know what to say, he wanted to ease Ron’s concerns but didn’t know how, with his own concerns foreshadowing their conversation.

“I’m going to ask her to marry me.” Ron suddenly stated. Harry was blindsided, he didn’t know how to react. He sat there for several seconds, the last shred of hope that he and Hermione would end up together, shattering with each second of silence. Harry put on his biggest fake smile and looked to Ron.

“That’s great! When?”

“Christmas morning, I’m trying to think of some clever way to do the ring still. I think it might help, us having that solid commitment, you know?” Ron said, rubbing his hands together, fighting the cold.

“Yeah, mate, that’s good. But you know what? It’s cold and I’m tired. So I think I’m going to sneak off and get some rest. Tell everyone I will see them soon and assure them I’m not disappearing again.” Harry said with a chuckle as he stood from the cold step and walked to the snow covered grass.

“Sure thing. Hey, where are you staying? You can always stay here.”

“I’m staying at Grimmwauld. Remus is out of town for the holidays with Tonks, so he said I was more than welcome to stay there, since it is still legally my house. I’ll see you later, Ron.” Harry started to walk away.

“See ya.” Ron yelled as he watched Harry walk outside of the wards and apparate with a pop.

Ron walked back in the house, rubbing his arms to get the December chill out of his bones. Everyone turned to see him and they all had questioning looks on their faces. Ron inwardly chuckled knowing their thoughts.

“Harry was a bit tired so he went home to get some sleep. He wanted me to assure you all he’s not leaving again.” Ron announced and everyone let out a sigh of relief and continued doing whatever they were doing before hand.

“Where is he staying?” George asked.

“Oh he’s staying at Grimmwauld. Remus and Tonks are out of town. Plus it is his house technically.” Ron repeated Harry’s earlier statements.

Hermione dropped the dish rag she was holding and walked to Ron. He held out his arms and she walked into them, and wrapped her arms around his chest. She sighed against him and Ron pulled back to look at her.

“Are you okay? You seem like something is bothering you.” Ron asked concerned.

“It’s just weird having him back after so long. I guess I don’t know how to react. It’s all so different now then when he left, but then, some things will never change.” Hermione spoke against Ron’s chest, not wanting to look at him.

“Yeah, it was quite a shock. It was nice to see him though. Having my best mate back, it was like he never left when we were talking out back. I’m happy he’s home.”

“What did you two talk about?” Hermione questioned, pulling back to finally look at Ron. She worried Ron might have said too much about the two of them. She didn’t want Harry to know too much, but then again she wasn’t even sure if he still loved her. They hadn’t had a chance to talk alone, to see where they stood after all this time. For all she knew, he had moved on and maybe she should have too, after all she was with Ron.

“Oh, you know guy stuff. Just catching up. Nothing too important. You and Harry were always the ones who had the serious conversations. Me and Harry, we just talk about whatever.” Ron said, not wanting to give away his secret about the proposal. Hermione, on the other hand, became really nervous about what was really talked about, seeing Ron’s reaction. She put on her best exhausted looking face and sighed heavily.

“I’m about to pass out I’m so tired. It’s been a long day. I think I’m going to head home too.” Hermione smiled at Ron and kissed his cheek before pulling out his embrace.

“You want me to come with you?” Ron asked with a wanton smile on his face.

“No, hun, I think you should stay with your mom, she seems a little down today, with your dad not being able to be here and all. I’ll be fine. I’m going to fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow anyways, it wouldn’t be a very eventful night.” Hermione tried her best keep Ron at the Burrow. Ron looked to Molly and noticed the slight sadness on her face and realized Hermione was right. Another reason he loved Hermione so much, she was so aware of the little things like that.

“You’re right. I’ll see you tomorrow. Maybe we could meet for lunch?” Ron said pulling Hermione’s hands into his.

“Sure, that sounds fine.” Hermione gave Ron a quick kiss and turned to say good-bye to the rest of the family.

After say her good-byes and bundling herself up for the cold weather outside, she gave Ron one more quick kiss, hating how somehow it felt wrong to be doing so, and turned to the door. Ron walked her out and watched as she followed the path Harry had taken before her. Once she was outside of the wards, Ron went back inside the house and returned his attention to his family.

Hermione turned to look back at the Burrow. She noticed Ron was no longer watching her. Her thoughts should have been on her flat so she could successfully apparate home. However, her thoughts were on another location, one she hadn’t been to since the war, the old headquarters of the Order. She had a quick pit stop planned on her way home and that was the reason she had kept Ron at the Burrow. With a pop she disappeared.