Confessions

Chapter Two

Aislynn walked slowly down the narrow corridors of the train cars, thinking about what had happened. She stopped in-between two of the cars on a narrow platform, and stood looking out an open window with the warm wind blowing in her face. Everything looked so peaceful out there, so serene, so perfect, and so beautiful. The sun was settling over the mountains causing the sky to turn several shades of blues, reds and purples. Aislynn sighed softly as she leaned up against the cool wall, "All of my life I've always thought that I didn't have a father. I didn't have grandparents other than on my mom's side. Never had aunts, uncles, and cousins. Nothing. Now I may have all of that and I don't know what to do. What if they don't accept me?" Aislynn thought to herself as she watched the sun set in the distance, "What if, now that I have found out who my father really is, he doesn't want anything to do with me?" Aislynn sighed, staring out the window.

"Aislynn?" a voice asked from behind her. Slowly she turned around and was surprised to see Ron standing behind her.

"Yes?" she asked softly, looking away from his eyes.

"Aislynn," Ron sighed before continuing, "I'm sorry that I haven't been around at all."

"How can you be sorry for something that you didn't even know that you were doing? How can you be apologizing for something that she did to us? All of my life I have wondered what would it be like to have a father. What would it be like to have a dad to tuck me in at night and read me bedtime stories growing up? What will it do to me if I find out about you and you say you want nothing to do with me? To finally meet the man who created a part of me and have him turn his back and walk away. I don't think I could handle it," Aislynn turned back to look out at the sun that was lazily making its way down behind the mountain.

"Do you think that is what I am going to do? Just turn my back and walk away? You underestimate me then Aislynn. I could never do that to you. I want to know everything that there is to know about you," he laughed gently. "I find it hard to think that I have been a father since I was 18 years old and didn't even know about it."

"Did you love my mother?"

"Love her? Yes, I did in a way. Nothing like what her and Harry felt for each other. She was my best friend and had been that for 7 years when everything happened," Ron looked up at Aislynn's tear streaked face and his heart broke. Suddenly he understood everything that she was feeling. In her eyes, he could see a lost little girl who didn't know what to think, what to feel, or where she fit into the entire situation, and he felt as if it were his entire fault.

"Are you married?" Aislynn asked him softly.

"Yes I am."

"Do you have any other children?"

"Yes, I have three boys Thomas, Arthur, and Zachary," Ron replied running his hand through his hair.

"How old are they?"

"Umm . . . Tom is 12, Art is 8, and Zach is 3."

"Wow, quite a range there."

"Yeah, but they are good kids," Ron said smiling. "I wish they could have come. They all have been passing around the flu bug like it's candy."

"What do you do for a living?"

"I play professional Quidditch. Have you ever heard of that?"

"Of course I have. We do have teams in America you know."

"Well, yeah I knew that, but . . ." Ron didn't know what else to say to her. "Tell me about yourself?"

"Well," Aislynn replied, pausing before she continued. "I am 16 years old. I will be 17 in December. I go to Mouchoirs witchcraft school in New York and I will be starting my seventh year there in September. I am an only child. Well, I was an only child," she said slightly smiling. " I have never had a boyfriend, partially because I go to an all girls' school partially because, well . . . that's not important."

"You remind me so much of your mother Aislynn," Ron laughed. "You are an exact replica of her. Headstrong and determined. Come on, let's go and find your mum," Ron said stepping closer to her his expression becoming more serious. "She didn't do this to you on purpose Aislynn. It never was her intention to hurt you. Trust me," Ron grabbed her hand and squeezed softly. "I promise that I won't just up and leave you. You will become one of the family. You are one of the family," Ron smiled and began to lead her away. "Come on let's go see your mum and Harry."

"She loves him. I can see it in her eyes."

Ron stopped and looked at her, "What they had was really special. I was sorry to have had any part in the break up."

"It wasn't your fault Ron," Aislynn smiled at him as he put his arm around her shoulders. "Mom can't deal with things right away. She has always been that way. She was the one who ran away from both of you. But, I do have one question for you. Why did you make her choose? She said that you and Harry came up to her and told her to choose between you two. Why?"

"Harry made me mad. He figured that I had always had a thing for Hermione and was just waiting for him to be out of the picture," Ron stopped walking and turned to her again. "I tried to explain to him that I never would do that. That he was my best friend, yet he wouldn't listen. I told him that she would have to choose. So, we went and gave her the ultimatum. I never even wanted to. I did it just to spite Harry," he explained to her.

"What really happened between you and my mom?"

"You mean when we . . ."

"When you made love to her," Aislynn said cutting him off. She could tell that he was embarrassed to say it in front of her.

"Well, it was about three months after Harry had disappeared . . ."

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Flashback to Hogwarts 7^th year

Hermione's dorm room.

Hermione lay on her bed not moving. She did not even caring to speak when there was a knock on her door.

"Hermione? Are you in here?" a voice said through the door.

"What do you want?"

"Can I come in?"

"Fine," she said softly as the door crept open.

"Hermione, you need to get up," Ron said as he stepped into the room. He was amazed at how it looked. Normally Hermione kept everything in order. She was the biggest neat freak he had ever met, but right now, her private room looked as if a tornado had passed through it. Slowly Ron took in everything in the room. Her clothes lay in a heap on the floor and there was paper, which looked like homework, lying around everywhere. The curtains were closed to keep out the bright sunlight, creating a false night. Ron turned slowly until his eyes fell on Hermione. She was lying there with a bottle of brandy in her right hand. "Bloody hell Hermione! How did you get that? What on earth are you doing!" he exclaimed as he sat down on the bed taking the bottle away. "Do you know what Professor McGonagall or Professor Dumbledore will do if they find out?"

"Who cares?" Hermione asked as she turned over on her side, her back to him.

"Hermione, I care. You can't keep doing this to yourself,"

"What do you know about anything that I am feeling? Huh Ron?" she yelled as she turned to look at him. "What do you know!?" she dropped her head back onto the pillow as she began to cry.

Ron didn't know what to do or say. He softly placed his hand on Hermione's shoulder, "I don't know exactly how you are feeling Hermione, but I do understand what you are going through. He was my brother, not by blood but by love and friendship. Hermione, I can't watch you hurt yourself like this anymore. Come outside, we'll take a walk by the lake. Talk to me Hermione. I need you as mush as you need me. Even if you won't ask for my help."

Hermione looked up at him slowly as the tears rolled down her cheeks, "He's right," she thought, "He is going through the exact same thing," Hermione sighed as she sat up. "Okay, I'll go with you. Let me get some warmer clothes on."

"Hermione it is beautiful out you . . ."

"Ron," Hermione said sternly cutting him off, "It is only the beginning of March and no matter how beautiful you think it is out, it is still the beginning of March. Now, if you didn't mind could you turn around so that I can change?"

"Sure," Ron said biting back a remark of how irritable she was being. "Hermione?"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry."

"Ron," Hermione said placing a hand on his shoulder and turning him around, "you have nothing to be sorry for. Now, come on and let's go for that walk."

Ron smiled and grabbed her hand, "Great."

They walked together for about 15 minutes before either of them said anything. Ron could tell that Hermione had drunk a little more of that brandy than he had initially thought. She didn't say much to him at first, but was constantly giggling at the smallest things that they would see.

"Hermione?"

"Hmmm?"

"How much did you drink?" Ron asked a bit concerned.

"Oh, about a half a bottle."

"What were you thinking? Hermione wha . . ." Hermione had come to a quick stop and he had almost collided with her. "What is it?" he asked as he turned to look at what she was gazing at.

"Bloody hell, Hermione, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to lead us this way," Ron was devastated. They were standing in the middle of the Quidditch field, "Let's go Hermione," he said as he looked over at her. His heart broke at the look on her face.

"Why Ron?" she said her eyes welling up with tears as she sunk to the ground. "Why was he taken away from me? From us?"

"I don't know Hermione, I don't know," Ron sat down next to her and wrapped her into his arms. "Don't cry 'Mione. I am here. I will always be here."

"Don't make promises that you can't keep Ron! Don't you dare! That's what Harry used to do, and what happened?! Huh? He's gone! He will never come back! Don't lie to me Ronald!" Hermione turned and ran back to the school.

"Hermione! Wait! Come back!" Ron screamed as he ran after her. He didn't catch up with her until they had reached the Gryffindor common room. "Hermione! Stop!" he said panting.

"Sod off Ron!" Hermione yelled as she ran up the stairs to the dorms. Just as she was closing the door to her room Ron squeezed his way in. "I said go away!"

"For fucksake! No, Hermione I won't just leave you," Hermione stared at him with grave determination before finally breaking down and hugged him.

Ron didn't know how to react. He had never had a woman crying in his arms before. Gently he reached around her and pulled her closer to himself, "Hermione. Don't cry. You are going to be okay," he whispered into her ear. "Everything will be okay. We will get through this. Hermione you are the strongest person that I know. You can do this. You can get through this."

"Ron, I . . ." she stopped looking up in his eyes. "Will you just hold me for a while?"

"Sure," he said as she led him over to the bed, lying down. Ron slowly sat on the bed and pulled her into his arms.

"I love you Ron, you know that don't you?"

"I love you too, Hermione. You are my best friend. I will always love you."

"Ron?" Hermione asked as she turned to look at him.

"Yes?" Ron replied. Hermione didn't answer him in words. Slowly she leaned closer to him hesitating slightly before her mouth touched his. He knew that what he was doing was wrong. She didn't know what she was feeling. She was a bit smashed. He knew that in a way, he would be taking advantage of her, but his emotions outweighed his thoughts. She leaned into him and his arms went instinctively around her waist, "She is so small, so fragile," he thought as he sank into her body and began to kiss her deeper.

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Hogwarts Express

Back to Ron and Aislynn

"That was it. We made love that night. When I woke up, she was curled in my arms. I slipped away leaving her there asleep," Ron said looking into Aislynn's eyes. "You know the rest."

"I don't think that she would have ever told me the truth. I thank you for telling me Ron," Aislynn stated, smiling up at him thinking of something to lighten the mood. "Well, one funny thing that has come out of this, and my word it must be some freak accident, why the hell did I stay so small?"

Ron laughed, "You do have a point there," he stated looking down at the small girl. He chuckled to himself. They must look funny standing next to each other with Aislynn's head barely reaching his chest. "You will always be my little girl Aislynn," Ron said trying to keep a straight face.

"That was really lame, Ron."

"Yeah, I know, I couldn't resist!"

Aislynn laughed whole-heartedly and said, "Come on! I think that I should apologize to my mom."

"Come on then. The train is slowing down. We better find them soon," Ron grabbed her arm and led her back towards their cabin. They only had to go a short distance before they ran into Harry and Hermione.

"Mom! I am so sorry! I shouldn't have acted that way. Although I am still slightly mad that you lied to me, but I understand why you did," Aislynn said hugging her mother.

"I didn't mean to lie to you. I just . . . I didn't know how to tell you," Hermione stated hugging her daughter close. "Come on. The train has stopped. You will love it here Aislynn," smiling Hermione grabbed Aislynn's hand and lead her towards the exit. Ron followed close behind. They walked for a few feet before Aislynn stopped suddenly, noticing they were short one person.

"Are you coming Harry?" Aislynn asked, smiling and turning back to look where Harry was still standing.

"Yes, of course," Harry smiled and followed them patting Ron on the back. " I was just thinking," Aislynn smiled at him and turned back to the exit.

Ron stopped walking and pulled Harry aside with him, "She loves you mate. Don't let her get away."

"You don't care?"

"Harry, what I did was stupid. I don't regret it anymore because I now have a beautiful daughter, but you know I don't love Hermione that way. Why would I care?"

"Well . . . I figured with Aislynn around . . ."

"Harry I am married. The only difference now is that I'll just be around more often," Ron replied looking at his friend. "Don't let her get away from you," Ron turned and began walking out of the door. "Are you coming?"

Harry smiled with the knowledge that although they all had grown a bit older, they still were the trio they had been so many years ago. Quickly he caught up to where the others were standing waiting for him, and passionately kissed Hermione. She quickly blushed, glancing at her daughter trying to measure her reaction. Aislynn smiled and winked at Hermione letting her know that everything was okay. Hermione quickly turned back to Harry and deepened the kiss she had been waiting a long time for. Almost 17 years.

To be continued . . . .