I’m sorry this chapter has taken so long to write, it’s because my Comparative Literature class has started and I have to study all the time. I’ve also been having quite the writer’s block and therefore it is quite short.

“I don’t want you to go.”

Hermione turned around to see Ron standing in the doorway to their bedroom; they were back in their own small apartment in London now. He was casually leaning at the doorpost with his arms crossed in front of him. He was staring at the floor with his hair hanging down into his face, as if he was afraid to look at her. At that moment Hermione was filled with such affection towards him she could help walking up to him and kiss those lips of his. His lips had always been Hermione’s favourite part of him; they were so full, so feminine, and sometimes she couldn’t tear herself away from them.

After kissing his lips she moved on to the side of his mouth, kissing her way towards his left ear.

“It will only be for a year”, she whispered once she had reached her destination. Her hands where resting on his chest, stroking the soft fabric of his t-shirt, while his arms were still crossed between their bodies.

“They baby is due in January, I can’t believe your being so selfish.”

He turned away from her and walked up to the window; it was raining outside and he felt that it suited his mood. He had never liked rain, always having been the kind of person who wanted to play sports or just relax in the sun and thus he favoured sunlight and warmth as most people do. However, at the moment Ron felt he would rather be outside in the rain than having this discussion. He could not help the feeling of dread at the thought of her going away; he would happily stay outside in the rain forever if Hermione only stayed with him.

“Selfish? I’m doing this to protect Hogwarts and the children, how is that selfish?”

“Because you’re mine and you’re carrying my child!” he shouted turning towards her yet again.

“I’m certainly not yours, Ron, I am my own person and we’re not even married yet.”

“Not for the lack of me asking…”, he muttered to himself, but then he started raising his voice at her again. “Why don’t you want to marry me? Why don’t you want to set a date?”

He stared into Hermione’s eyes defiantly for a minute but then Hermione sighed and turned hew gaze away from Ron.

“I don’t know… it doesn’t feel right just yet. We’re still young, what’s wrong with waiting?”

If she were to be honest to herself, and to Ron, she had to admit that marrying Ron didn’t feel right at all. It never had; but when she had gotten pregnant she decided to do what she felt would be for the best.

“Mum hates it…”

“Well, it’s not up to your mum now, is it?”, she barked at him. “I’m tired of her telling us what to do and what not to do, it’s not her baby. I wish she would just leave us alone!”

Hermione regretted the words as soon as she saw Ron open his mouth as if he wanted to say something but closed it again. He turned his back to her and sat down on the bed, not speaking a word to her.

They could both hear the cars driving by outside as well as the laughter and shouting from the pub across the street. Their neighbour from upstairs was vacuum-cleaning and the hum from the machine along with the off-key singing from the female neighbour was echoing in the hall and in their walls. All of these noises made the silence even more unbearable.

“I hate it too.”

Hermione rushed forward and kneeled in front of him. She took his hands in hers and kissed them, his hands was another think she loved about the man.

“I know you do, honey,” she whispered. “I know you do, but I need to do this. For the order and for myself.”

“I know,” he sighed and then the room turned quiet again.