Chapter Eighteen

Tomorrow morning, they were leaving Shell Cottage.

Most of the day was spent doing last minute packing and going through the plan over and over again. All of them, except for Griphook, were getting jittery with nervousness and excitement.

"Did you put Bill's tent in your bag?"

"Yes."

"And the polyjuice potion is ready? You have the hair?"

"Yes."

"Ron, you told Bill and Fleur not to see us off?"

"Yup."

"Any ideas on how to get away without giving the sword to Griphook?"

"No."

"I'm sure the moment will come to us."

"I hope so, we really need it."

Ron put his head down on his pillow, but he didn't feel tired at all. He tried to will himself to sleep, but so many thoughts were rushing through his head. What if something went wrong? What if they got caught? What if one of them got hurt? What if Hermione got hurt? Hermione. She had the most difficult role to play out of all of them tomorrow. Ron's heart ached for her. She was going to impersonate the very woman who tortured her and hurt countless others. She was probably feeling much worse than him right now. Maybe he should check on her. He wasn't going to fall asleep anytime soon.

Ron was about to step onto the first stair when Harry said from his sleeping bag "She's outside."

Ron was a little startled. "Huh?"

"Hermione went outside while you were in the bathroom brushing your teeth."

"Oh." Ron knew exactly where she would be once Harry said that. The swing. "Thanks."

He was about to walk out the back door when Harry called after him, "Hey Ron."

Ron turned around. "Yeah?"

Harry had sat up. "Thanks. Thanks for coming back and staying. I know this is hard and you must be missing out on a lot of things."

"Harry, if it wasn't for that horc—" Ron stopped. Harry had put his hands up and then pointed to where Dean was sleeping. "If it wasn't for that necklace, I would have never thought of leaving. And I wouldn't want to not be a part of this. You don't have to thank me mate."

"I do. Now go and woo her."

Sure enough, Ron could hear the squeaking of the swing as he approached it. He tried to be silent as he neared the opening between the trellises. He wanted to watch her for a few seconds.

He smiled. She really seemed to be enjoying herself. Her hair was down and he liked how it looked as it flew back in the wind. At one point, she leaned back and closed her eyes. She looked so carefree, so happy, and he didn't want to ruin it. He turned to walk back to the house, he could wait for her in there. As he turned though, his shoulder accidentally brushed against the vines, making a rustling noise. It wasn't that loud, but it was loud enough for Hermione to hear.

"Ron!"

"Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you!"

She dragged the heels of her feet on the ground to stop the swing. "What are you doing out here?"

Ron panicked and strayed from what he really came out there to say. "What are you doing out here?" He crossed his arms. "You should be sleeping."

"I asked you first. And you should be sleeping too!" She looked him straight in the eye.

His gaze wavered and he uncrossed his arms. "I just wanted to see if you were okay…with, you know, what we're doing tomorrow."

"I think it's a little late to be asking that."

"You know what I mean."

Hermione sighed, "Ron, we have to do it. There is a very good chance there is a horcrux or something important in that vault. I may not be completely comfortable with what we have to do to get in it, but it will be worth it."

"It better be worth it. I think this one will be harder than the Ministry."

"We are more prepared though." Hermione tried to sound optimistic. "We'll have Griphook to help us."

"Yeah, as long as he doesn't trick us."

"Please, don't—" Hermione shook her head.

Ron could have slapped himself. He was upsetting her. "I'm not being very helpful, am I? Here, let me say something positive." He walked right in front of her and then got onto his knees so that they were about eye level. He then did something very bold by his standards and took her hands off of the ropes of the swing and held them in his own. "Hermione, this time, I won't let anyone hurt you. I won't let anyone take you away from me."

Her eyes widened and she said very softly, "You don't have to say that."

"No." Ron said fiercely. "I need to say that because I mean it."

Hermione couldn't help but give a little smile. "What would I do without you?"

Ron released her hands. "Don't you already know the answer to that?" He said darkly.

Hermione realized that he was referring to when he left, so she quickly said, "Oh Ron, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that."

"No, I shouldn't have brought it up." Ron said sadly.

Hermione then took his hands back. "I would be miserable."

"What?"

"I was and would be miserable without you."

Ron brightened up. "Really?"

"Yes."

Ron stood up and walked behind her.

"What are you doing?"

"Just hold on." He put his hands on her waist, pulled her back, and then pushed her.

Ron grinned when Hermione let out a small giggle as he continued to push her on the swing. He wished he didn't have to stop, but he did when she said, "Promise me."

"Promise you what?"

When the swing came to a complete stop, she twisted around to face him. "That you won't leave me. Promise that you will stay with me."

Ron grabbed the ropes of the swing, and then did something that surprised even himself, and kissed her on the forehead. "I promise to stay with you."

The End

Author's Note: So that's it for this story! I thought this would be a good spot to end at and it's a happy coincidence that the story ended up being eighteen chapters and Ron and Hermione were 18 during the story (I like doing sentimental things with numbers). I hope you all enjoyed it, I know I did. Lastly, I especially want to say a big "THANK YOU!" to everyone who has read it and followed it from the beginning and have been kind enough to write such lovely reviews! I love you all for reading! 3

P.S. For those of you wanting some more Ron/Hermione, look for my owl on September 1st!