CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

It was Thursday afternoon and Hermione had not yet heard that Ron was back from his mission. Hermione was in her office when Harry appeared in her doorway, out of breath as if he'd run there from the Auror Department.

"Hermione, Ron's team just got back from their mission. Thayer told me that it was pretty terrible. Ron's ok but not really. Ron just dropped off the suspects and apparated back home. Could you go check on him for me? I think he could use a friend right now."

Hermione dropped her quill and ran toward the floo. As far as she was concerned anything Kingsley needed right now could wait until forever.

Entering Vine Cottage she found Ron slumped on the floor against sofa in the lounge with his head down, shoulders sagging and his arms around his drawn up knees. He was still in his Auror field uniform and it was dirty and torn and there seemed to be blood on his arm.

She ran to him and sat next to him, wrapping her right arm on his shoulder. "Ron, are you ok? I'm here Ron, it's ok. It's ok."

Ron slowly looked up and she could see tear tracks down his cheeks. At first it seemed he couldn't focus and he didn't recognize her but then his eyes suddenly widened, he gave a cry and then he wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her chest. Hermione just held him, rocking slowly back and forth making soft shushing noises and repeating, "it's ok, it's ok, you're ok, you're safe, I'm here."

After several minutes of just being held, Ron lifted his head and wiped his face with his filthy sleeve. "Hermione?" he asked.

"I'm here Ron, are you ok? What happened? Do you want to talk about it?"

Ron took a deep breath and looked at her. "There are some bastards out there that are just fucking evil, you know. I've seen some pretty fucked up things in this job, but this was just awful."

Ron then closed his eyes, slumped back down and put his head on his knees, leaning against Hermione. He started speaking softly, almost as if he was talking to himself. "We've been working this case for a while now. We got wind of a human trafficking ring centered in Marseille. It was like the central market. They'd bring in muggle kids; runaways and kidnapped kids from the UK, France, the US, and Eastern Europe and then auction them off to the highest bidder."

Ron stopped and took a deep breath and looked at Hermione with a grim face. "Those bastards had girls there as young 8 years old. We had to wait until Wednesday because that's when the latest group of girls arrived from Budapest and the auction was that night. We wanted to get everyone we could."

Hermione squeezed Ron's shoulder and softly said, "sounds awful Ron."

"The worst part was when we arrived those bastards used Imperio on the girls and had them act as human shields to try to get away." Ron stopped and looked down and fresh tears started running down his cheeks.

"We caught everyone after a short intense fight. We had a few Aurors injured, but several girls were hit by spells in the crossfire. One was a little 8-year-old girl who kept crying that she wanted her mummy. All I could do was hold her as she died in my arms." Ron slumped even more and started crying in earnest.

"She died, Hermione, she died and I couldn't do anything to save her. I COULDN'T SAVE HER," he cried aloud and looked up at the ceiling shaking his raised arms. He slumped again and said softly, "I couldn't save her."

"Oh Ron, that's horrible, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."

Tears started down her cheeks as Hermione reached around and pulled Ron into her arms and just held him as he cried quietly. He shifted around and ended up with his head on her chest again.

They stayed that way and cried together for a long while before Hermione kissed his head. "That was a terrible situation, Ron, terrible," she whispered. "A terrible situation, but you made it better. You're being there ended the trafficking and saved countless other girls. You provided comfort to a poor victim that otherwise would have been all alone. You did good Ron, you did all that you could and you've made the world a better place. We need to mourn the little girl and honor her as you are doing. You did good Ron. It's ok Ron. It's ok."

They stayed on the lounge floor for a while until Ron's stomach gave a large growl.

Hermione lifted Ron's chin and looked into his eyes. "Let me take care of you tonight, my good sir knight. Let me take care of you. Let's get you cleaned up and fed. When was the last time you had something to eat?"

"Dunno, been a while."

Hermione gently pulled Ron up and led him to his bedroom. She had him sit on his bed and proceeded to remove his jacket and then his boots and socks. He simply sat there with his head down. She unbuttoned and removed his shirt and gingerly took off his wand holster and laid it next to him on the bed. She took both his hands and pulled him up and then unbuckled his belt and dropped his trousers to the floor. Last she removed his boxers and led him to the loo and into the shower. After getting the water just the right amount of hot, she removed all of her clothes and gently pushed him into the streaming water. Ron simply stood there while Hermione scrubbed off all the dirt and blood from his body. After rinsing off all the soap she gently shampooed his hair. She left him under the water to soak and stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel to dry off.

"Are you ok?" she asked. "Do you want to stay for a while?"

"I think so," he said softly. "m'ok."

"How about you stay here while I go get you something to drink and make dinner for us. Firewhiskey?"

"yeah."

Hermione got dressed went into the kitchen and found enough leftovers in the fridge to feed them both. After plating everything and setting them to warm, she poured Ron and herself large tumblers of firewhiskey and headed back to the loo.

She found Ron slumped on the floor of the shower with the water cascading on him still. She turned off the water and lifted his head so he would look at her.

"Come on, let's get you dressed," she said and pulled him up again. She handed him the firewhiskey and he took a large swig. Using a towel and her wand she dried him off quickly and took him to his bedroom. She found a pair of sleep shorts and a Cannons jersey for him to wear. Ron sat on the bed while she dressed him and then she put slippers on his feet.

Hermione had never seen Ron this down after a mission. It reminded her of how he was right after Fred's funeral. She took her firewhiskey from Ron and lifted her glass to his.

"Here's to putting those bastards in Azkaban," she said and they clinked glasses. Hermione saw the beginnings of the light returning to Ron's eyes and she felt just a slight bit relieved.

"Let's get some food into you. I found some leftovers that should work."

Hermione led Ron into the kitchen and sat him down at the table. He slumped into the chair and put his head in his hands and rested his elbows on the table and looked down at the floor. She pulled out the two plates of food she had prepared earlier and laid them on the table. She poured water and more firewhiskey and set them in front of Ron and sat down next to him. She looked at him with love and was saddened to see how distraught he still was.

Ron just stared at the floor. "C'mon Ron, you should eat something," Hermione implored. "It will make you feel better. I'm also here to listen if you want to talk more."

Ron looked up and shrugged and picked up his fork and started to eat. As they ate Ron's excellent leftover roast chicken and mash, Ron talked more about the mission. He mentioned they were able to apprehend everyone and he felt good about that. Hermione continued to offer words of encouragement and affirmation for all the good he and his team had done.

"You took a terrible situation and made it better, Ron. I'm so sorry about the little girl. We should find out who she was and contact her family and offer any help we can."

Ron gave her a half smile and said, "that would be great. Good idea, thanks."

That night after almost a full bottle of firewhiskey, Ron lay quietly in his bed with his head once again on Hermione's chest. She stoked his hair and continued to whisper words of comfort to her best friend.

Suddenly Ron popped his head up and looked at Hermione. "How did you know to come here? I was surprised to see you, but I'm really glad you came. I would probably still be sitting on the floor of the lounge if you hadn't found me. I really appreciate you being here and taking care of me."

"Harry said you might need a friend after your mission so I dropped everything and guessed you'd be here."

"What did Kingsley say when you were leaving?"

"I have no idea, I just left. I suppose I should send an owl and let him know what happened."

"You just left your job and came here? Don't you have a ton of work to do after your presentation last Tuesday?"

"I do have a ton of work, but that doesn't matter right now. Right now you're all that matters Ronald Weasley."

Ron snuggled back down onto Hermione and said softly, "thank you, love, thank you."

After several minutes of comfortable silence Ron looked up at her again. "You know, I just realized something, " he said quietly.

"What's that Ron?"

"After you broke up with me and we were apart I convinced myself that I didn't need you, Hermione. I was wrong," he said and hugged her even tighter. "I need you, Hermione, I need you."

Hermione's breath caught in her throat. "You need me?" she asked hesitantly.

"I need you Hermione. Today has taught me that I need you, and I want you here all the time. Move in with me, Hermione. Move in like I've always wanted you to. I love you and want you here all the time. Please."

"Oh Ron, I love you too and would love to move in with you."

Ron then shifted up and pulled Hermione to him and kissed her soundly on the lips. The kiss rapidly turned into a full snog. Shortly thereafter clothes were shed and they came together as only lovers can. It was slow and loving and complete.

The next morning found both Ron and Hermione back to work at the Ministry. Hermione made apologies to Kingsley that were rapidly dismissed as unnecessary.

Ron found himself buried in the paperwork needed after the successful mission. Since this mission carried over to multiple nations, it was even more complicated. Seems that the European Aurors were way behind in the use of any muggle technology and still required parchment and owls for communication. Ron just shook his head at the inefficiency and the lack of speed at getting everything processed and in order. The sooner they got the paperwork done the sooner those toe-rags would be permanently in Azkaban. At the end of the day he and his team finally completed all the necessary documentation and he left his office to find Hermione.

As he was waiting for her to get ready to head home he complained from her doorway about the inefficiency and slow pace of the European Aurors.

"I can't believe how long it takes for those folks on the continent to get their reports and documents in order. Thayer, Newton, Fuller, and I were done before lunch and we had to wait until an hour ago to get anything from them. I wish someone would bring those morons into the 20th century."

Minister Shacklebolt just happened to be walking by and heard Ron's comments and he walked over toward him.

"Interesting idea, Weasley, interesting. I wonder who that someone could be. It would be helpful for the whole ministry to have our European compatriots up to our level of technology. I'll have to bring it up at our next European Union summit meeting. Good idea Ron."

Ron nodded at Kingsley and silently said to himself, 'oh shit, what have I done.'

Hermione moved into Vine Cottage a week after Ron had broken up the human trafficking ring. They found that living together was much easier than they had thought. Ron continued to keep their place clean and was thrilled to cook most nights for Hermione. She was thrilled with the office / library they had and filled every bookshelf with her books. She found that having a place at home that allowed her to finish things meant that she could go home at quitting time with Ron almost every night. They found sleeping and waking up together every night and day was more wonderful than they hoped.

Two weeks after Ron's complaining about the European Aurors, he was called into Kingsley's office.

"Come in, Weasley," Minister Shacklebolt said. "I hope you remember what you said back when you were finishing up the Marseille trafficking case, because I have some good news for you."

Ron looked puzzled and tried to remember what Kingsley was talking about. "Oh, yeah, I was complaining that the Aurors on the continent were way behind us in using muggle technology for communications and records and such."

"Exactly. If I remember correctly, your exact quote was 'I wish someone would bring those morons into the 20th century.' Well, at the last European Union meeting I made that suggestion and everyone enthusiastically agreed, and they're going forward with a program to bring the entire Union up to our standard."

Ron found a smile creeping on his face. "Hey, that's great, finally get those folks up to speed so we're not sitting around waiting for them anytime we have a case that crosses the channel. I think that's terrific, but I'm curious what this has to do with me."

"All the ministers want you to run the program for the entire European Union. I explained to them what an excellent job you did with our Auror Office and how it then spilled over into the entire Ministry. I also explained how Weasleys Wheezes developed the magic to allow muggle technology and electricity to work around magic, so everyone agreed you would be the best to bring every country and the Union up to date."

"Uh, um, ok. What would this mean?" Ron asked. He wasn't sure about this and wanted more details.

Kingsley spent the next 30 minutes explaining the scope, goals, and objectives the Union had agreed upon and how the project would be headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

Ron was now concerned. "Would that mean I'd have to move to Brussels?"

"Yes, for the duration of the project. We want you to start immediately and we all figure it will take 2-3 years to complete everything. It would be a great opportunity for you Ron to make your name known again throughout wizarding Europe. The pay would be about double what you make as an Auror, and a huge promotion would be waiting for you when you came back."

"Wow, it's an honor to be considered for this, but I need some time to think it over and to talk with Hermione. She just moved in with me and this would certainly mess things up. Can I get back to you in a couple days?"

"Sure Ron, talk it over with your girlfriend and let me know in a week?"

"Yes, sir and thank you, sir."

Ron met Hermione at her office and they floo'd home to Vine Cottage. Ron's head was spinning after his conversation with Kingsley.

"Hey, 'Mione, I need to talk with you about something. Is now a good time?" Ron asked as they exited the floo.

"Why don't we change into comfortable clothes and grab something to drink and I'll meet you in the lounge in 10?" she replied.

They met shortly thereafter; both had grabbed a beer from the fridge. Ron and Hermione both found a real taste for craft beer after being introduced to it by her father.

Hermione looked at Ron expectantly. "So, what's up?"

"You're not going to believe this, but Kingsley and all the European Ministers want me to head up a project to bring the rest of the European Union up to our level of technology and communications."

"Oh, Ron, that's wonderful, how exciting! Congratulations!" she said as she rose to hug him.

Ron raised his hand to slow her down. "Hold on a sec, 'Mione. Hang on a sec. I have to move to Brussels for 2-3 years to do this."

The excitement on her face rapidly faded as she simply said, "oh," and sat back down. "I just moved in. When would you leave?"

"I'm not sure, but Kingsley said they wanted to start immediately."

Again Hermione got quiet. "I just got rid of my flat. Where would I go?"

"Hey, let's not worry about that yet. I haven't decided if I want to take the job, although it would double my pay and be a huge promotion, but we have a few days to decide."

"We?" she asked.

"Yes we. This decision affects us, so we need to decide what's best for us. We need to think and talk and then decide together."

"But Ron, this decision should be yours. It's your career and your opportunity. I'm flattered you want to include me, but this is about you. You need to decide."

Ron took a deep breath and said quietly. "It's about us. We decide, because us is more important than me or you."

They agreed to talk more about it after dinner and when they did Hermione explained that she was a critical time for her Ministry "Forward Plan" as things were really starting to happen and significant changes were been made to the obsolete laws, policies and practices.

"I really need to be present at work right now to make sure nothing gets derailed or goes sideways as we start to implement all the changes we're making. My team and I have to really pay attention over the next year to make sure we do it all correctly or it will all go to hell," she explained to Ron. "I was going to tell you that I was really going to be busy for awhile and ask for your support if I have to work late or weekends."

Ron looked pensive for a moment but nodded and said, "I understand. This plan of yours is a huge deal and will correct a whole host of wrongs that have probably existed for centuries, so I know it has to be done right. It's also why you can't move to Belgium if I go…"

"I'm sorry, Ron, but you're right, I really can't leave now. But this is a big opportunity for you. You really can't pass it up."

"Would that be the best thing for us? Me taking the job and moving to Brussels? I've just got you here and now I'm supposed to leave?"

Since tomorrow was Saturday, they both agreed to sleep on it and talk more over breakfast.

Ron tossed and turned all night trying to sleep but it was hard as he was wrestling with the decision. Hermione was correct, she couldn't leave and this was a spectacular opportunity for him, but they had finally gotten together as he had dreamed for several years. If he moved he knew it would be difficult to see Hermione as she would be working hard and long hours on her very important Ministry plan. He knew that she wouldn't take very good care of herself if left alone. She would need someone while she concentrated on the plan and he had planned to always be there.

But he also knew that this might be his best shot at something big. Was he willing to give up his best shot?

After finally succumbing to sleep, Ron woke up at his normal early time. It was surprising to Hermione that Ron seemed to wake up every morning before she did. She noticed it was quite the contrast to their Hogwarts days and was another reminder of how much Ron had grown up and matured. Ron had turned out exactly as she knew he could.

Ron slipped out from the bed and headed to the kitchen to get breakfast ready. He had come to a conclusion last night and was feeling good about what he wanted to do. He just needed to make sure that he and Hermione would be on the same page.

He knew he had about an hour before Hermione would wander out looking for coffee first thing. So he took his time and got everything together just as she arrived in the kitchen and took the offered mug.

Ron plated the fry-up he'd made and sat down to eat along with Hermione. He looked up at her as she ate and gave a great big smile at her.

She grimaced as she was still waking up and said, "You look happy this morning, Ron, what's up?"

"I know what I want to do, Hermione, I just need you to agree to what I think I want to do."

"What have you decided, Ron?"

"It's kinda long story, so get comfortable. When you broke up with me, my only goal back then was to learn to survive without you. Lu and I helped each other survive and get through what was a devastating time for both of us. We really helped each other."

"I'm so sor…" Hermione tried to interrupt but Ron placed his fingers on her lips to stop her.

"My turn, my dear. I know it's hard but you need to just listen for a few minutes. You'll know when it's your turn, I guarantee it. So, anyway, at first I just wanted to survive and prove to myself and to you that I was quite capable of doing well, both at home and at work. I think I did that quite well. But then when we became friends again and started hanging out a bit I realized that I didn't want to just survive like I had been. I wanted to thrive, I wanted more and when we got back together I realized that I needed you to thrive. I can survive by myself, but to thrive, I need you."

Ron stopped and took a breath and held up his hand as it looked like Hermione wanted to speak. "Not yet, Hermione."

"Ok, so I now have this great opportunity offered to me, but it would mean leaving you behind. Only for 2 to 3 years, but we both know that it would be difficult if not impossible for us to get together routinely with all that you'll have going and all that I'd be doing as well. So I asked myself the basic question we need to always ask ourselves."

"That question is: What is best for us?"

"Once I got to that place the decision was easy. You have a monumental task starting where you get the chance fix a Ministry that has been broken for hundreds of years, so it would be a crime against humanity to take you away from that and move to Belgium with me. Me taking the job and you moving with me would be good for us, but would it be what was best for us?"

"And the answer was no. You need to stay here and get that done. And I'm sorry, but you'll need someone to take care of you while you do it. You'll need someone to make sure you eat, make sure you sleep, make sure you take a break every once in a while. You'll need a shoulder to cry on sometimes and arms to lift you up at other times. And I'm the best person to do that for you because I love you and no one could do it better than I."

"I'm not going to take the job in Belgium because staying here is what's best for us. A few years ago I promised you I would never leave you again, and I want to keep that promise. In fact I want to commit to staying with you forever, and I hope that you would commit to that too."

At this point Ron stood up from the table and walked around to Hermione's side and got down on one knee.

"Hermione, I love you and I always will. This may seem soon, but we've known each other for ever and we've already seen the best and worst of both of us, and I want that us to be forever. Hermione Jean Granger, will you marry me?"

"Oh, Ron!"

fin