Resolutions

Resolutions

As the white flakes swirled around him, dancing in the shining brightness of the early morning sun, he smiled and let all his fears and worries slip away. He watched as her hair glimmered like rubies, the brilliant cold white of the snow starkly contrasting with the fiery red that he loved. He wanted to reach out to her, but at that moment she was a vision of pure perfection and he was afraid he might break her. She hadn't forgiven him. Her anger was still dancing in her normally shining brown eyes, but she too let it slip away for that wondrous moment, and smiled the perfect smile that lit up her face and dazzled him with her beauty. He moved towards her, his breathing heavy and his warm breath forming ghosts in the cold air. There was nowhere for her to go, but for the first time in a long while, she didn't look like she wanted to run from him.

He reached out and touched her face. His hands were cold and she flinched slightly at his touch as he let his hand stroke her cheek. To touch her again, even for a moment, sent a scorching heat through his ice-cold body. There were no words spoken. There was no need. He forced her to meet his gaze and their eyes locked. Her eyes were wild but soft. He realised that it wasn't just anger locked up inside her, it was fear. Fear of being hurt the way she had been hurt before. She never wanted to feel the distress again. The horror of betrayal; the crack of her heart; the desire to curl up and die. He had done that to her. He had made her withdraw into herself, made her reluctant to want him. He had been so stupid.

Ginny closed her eyes and she broke the contact. Harry saw her gulp and lick her lips slightly, their full berry redness made him want to kiss them and taste them. She opened her eyes and stared at the ground. He reached his hand out and hooked his finger under her chin forcing her to look at him again. He wasn't going to let her ignore him this time. They had to do this for both of their sakes.

"Oh Harry," she said, her eyes welling with tears as she looked at him.

"Ginny, I love you," he said, never feeling so sure of anything in his entire life. "If I could take back the hurt I've caused you and inflict it on myself ten million times over I would."

"They're just words Harry," she said with an iciness to her tone that felt like daggers in his heart.

"Then listen to this," he murmured, leaning down and pressing his lips to hers as one tear rolled down her face and fell between them, leaving a salty taste on their joined lips.

"Potter, Weasley!"

They jumped apart almost immediately. Harry's heart fell, they had barely even touched. Ginny stared at him with confusion in her eyes, her beautiful face betraying her anxiety. He could see her internal turmoil; she wasn't sure she wanted to forgive him. Harry desperately wanted to tell McGonagall to get lost and leave them alone but she ushered them inside. He felt like he had lost the most important moment of his life. They were late for classes and as Harry watched Ginny disappear down to the dungeons for her Potions class with Snape, he realised just how far away from him she was. He hurried to the Charms classroom and hoped Professor Flitwick hadn't noticed his absence.

***

"Hermione, I don't want to get rid of my scar."

Hermione dragged Ron by the arm down to the Potions dungeon, ignoring his protests as best she could.

"Hermione! Stop!" yelled Ron angrily, his blue eyes shooting daggers at her as he grabbed hold of the iron railing and dug his heels in the ground. Hermione lost her grip on his arm; her fingers slipping through his robes.

"Ron, come on. Don't be a baby. It won't hurt," she said in a soothing voice, trying desperately to placate him.

"I don't care about that," he snapped, still glaring angrily. "I don't want the scar to go."

"But why? It's big...and ugly..."

Ron's eyes widened at the last comment. He grabbed hold of the front of her robes and pulled her closer to him, until his face was just inches from hers. "It's a permanent reminder of what I am," he growled, his eyes cold and clouded as they bore into her. "I don't want to lose that."

Hermione backed away slightly and looked at the ground not wanting to see the pain in his eyes.

"Ron, you have that reminder every month on the full moon," she said, a little more cheery than she felt. "You don't need a scar to tell you that." Hermione took hold of his hand and squeezed it tightly in reassurance.

Ron scowled at her and yanked his hand away as though it burned him just to touch her.

"Don't you see? I do. I need that reminder every day when I look in the mirror. I can't ever let myself forget what I am capable of doing...how I could hurt you," he said, the bitterness in his voice making it painful for Hermione to listen to him. He was staring at her with dark eyes that spoke of misery and torment. She had always been able to read his eyes. He tried to hide his pain with his tough and macho exterior, but she knew that it was just a mask.

Hermione walked closer to him, took his hand again, and clung to it tightly so he couldn't let go.

"Ron, I know you would never willingly hurt me."

"Willingly? Hermione, my will is not my own anymore. Can't you see that?" Ron shouted at her, venom dripping from his words. "Do you want me to hurt you like I could without even realising? I'm a beast ...an animal. The sooner you accept that, the sooner we can move on."

"You are not an animal," said Hermione, through gritted teeth. She clenched her fists together angrily. "You're just stubborn. If you'd just accept our help, we could work through this."

Ron sighed heavily and let his body drop down to sit on the cold steps. He laid his head in his hands and squeezed his eyes shut tight, refusing to look at Hermione. "You bury your head in the sand all the time about this. Why won't you just accept it? I'm not the same person anymore. I'm not a man anymore," he said, his frustration speaking loudly.

Hermione sat herself down on the step next to Ron and linked her arm through his. She let her head rest gently on his shoulder and listened to his rapid breathing for a moment, waiting for him to calm down. Her hand wove its way inside Ron's robes. His white shirt was unbuttoned at the top and she opened it further, sliding her hand over his shoulder where the scar was. She felt Ron shudder at her touch as she stroked the area lightly, letting her fingers dance delicately over his skin.

Ron turned to look down at her; she looked up at him longingly. She was desperate for him to yield to her and let her help him. His eyes openly betrayed his desire. Hermione reached up and kissed him lightly on the lips, her hand still inside his shirt. She let it rest over his chest, his beating heart thumping against her palm. He pulled away from her and looked deeply into her eyes. Hermione could see him struggling inside; his internal conflict reflected in the kaleidoscope of his blue eyes.

"Ron, let me do the charm," she said softly, hoping to persuade him. "You have to turn this corner if you ever want to live your life. Let today be the day you finally let go of that bitterness and resentment you hold onto so tightly."

Ron's face twisted with defiance and he turned away from her. "I can't. It's the only thing I've got. If I relax, even for a second..."

Hermione got up from her position on the steps and looked down at him, her face reddening with anger and annoyance. "Really?" she interrupted angrily. "And what about me and Harry? You've got us. Do we mean nothing to you anymore?" Hermione's voice was getting louder. "You don't need us, is that it? You can do this on your own?"

Ron stood and faced her squarely. His hair fell loosely over his eyes, shielding her from their irate glare. His cheeks were flame red; the colour spreading down his neck and over his chest betraying his embarrassment that she was so close to the truth. "Just leave it Hermione, you don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, I know all right," she said, shaking her head. "This can't go on much longer. I can't take it."

"Then stay away, Hermione," he yelled, his hand raking through his hair madly as he glared at her. "Bloody hell! Stay away from me! Isn't that what you want? For all this to end? You and Harry can be together and live happily ever after."

"Ron," cried Hermione in frustration, "I don't want Harry."

"No?" he asked angrily. "You wanted him once. Why not again?"

"Ron, stop being an idiot. You..."

"An idiot? Is that what I am now?" he yelled, losing all rationality. "Of course. Stupid little Ron let himself get bitten by a werewolf. He's not the perfect hero like good old Harry Potter."

Hermione looked at him in disgust as he spat Harry's name with resentment.

"How can you talk about Harry like that?" she cried angrily. "Your jealousy is disgusting."

"Another flaw to add to the list. Any more you want to share before you run to wonderful Harry?"

"Just one," she mocked, her face close to his. "You're selfish, Ronald Weasley. Harry would never hurt me like you have. He talks to me. He trusts me."

Ron's face coloured purple with rage. His fury scared Hermione a little and she tried to back away from him. His fists were clenched at his side and he looked fiercely at her. "So was it exciting? Screwing your best friend knowing you didn't love him?" he snarled, drawing his face close to hers again. Hermione could see him shaking as his eyes flashed with fury. "You shagged your best friend like a common slut."

Hermione gasped with surprise and shock. She whipped her hand back to slap him hard in the face but before her palm could make contact with his cheek Ron had grabbed her wrist firmly and tightly, twisting it slightly to stop her from struggling. He yanked her wrist hard, forcing her closer to him. His body was pressed against hers tightly. Hermione's eyes were filled with unshed tears and her face was crumpled in pain.

"Did you forget about my werewolf reflexes, Hermione?"

She didn't look at him; she just collapsed against his body and began to sob heavily into his chest. She had no strength left to argue with him. She snaked her arms around his waist and held on to him with all her might.

"Don't do this," she cried desperately into his chest, "I love you."

Ron's stiff body relaxed slightly and he let his arms fold around her in comfort. His eyes had glazed over with tears, his chin resting on her head comfortably. Hermione continued to cry quietly.

Hermione pulled away from him. "I'm sorry," she cried, sitting down on the steps again and twisting her hands in her lap. "Please don't do this to us. We're stronger together than we are apart. I can't cope without you."

Ron sat on the step next to her again and let her take his hand into hers. She let her head rest against his shoulder and sighed deeply. "I do love you. I want us to be together."

"I can't."

"You don't want me?" she asked shakily.

"Of course I do. God, Hermione, how can you ask me that?"

"Is it Harry?" she asked, looking up at him again.

"No," he sighed, shaking his head and looking down at his hands.

"Then, do this for me," she whispered into his ear.

"You really want me to get rid of the scar?"

She nodded, not daring to look at him, knowing he still didn't understand.

"Why?"

"Because it will set us free."

Ron jerked his head up from where he had been staring at his hands. "What?"

Hermione sighed and looked at his confused face. His expression was softer and gentle. His cheeks were no longer the deep red colour they had been moments before. She tried to explain.

"Ron, can't you see the scar for what it is? It's a barrier. You're letting it come between us."

"It's not the scar, Hermione," said Ron, looking away. She could hear the irritation in his voice.

"But it's a symbol, don't you see? It's a symbol of what's keeping us apart. It's a constant reminder," said Hermione, her eyes welling with tears as she spoke. "You've created a psychological barrier around it. Stop hiding behind the scar and face your demons. Once you've faced them, maybe you will finally let us be together."

Ron sighed heavily as he saw the tears rolling down her face again. Hermione was clutching at his arm as if she would never let go. He removed her tight grip and wrapped both of his arms around her, engulfing her tiny frame with his body. He rested her head against his chest and stroked her hair softly. Hermione steadied her breathing and felt a calm wash over her in relief. She had said what she had wanted to say for a long time.

"Okay," he said in a quiet voice that she could barely hear.

Hermione jerked her head up and looked at him carefully.

"Really?"

"Yes. You're right...you're always right," he said with a small smile. "That's what I love about you." Ron leant forward and kissed the top of her head. "But I'm scared. I've been scared ever since the day Lupin bit me. Every morning I look in the mirror and the evidence is there. The repulsive reflection of a man that could hurt someone he loves. I hate myself, Hermione, how can I not?"

It was Hermione's turn to cradle Ron in her arms and comfort him.

"It's not just the scar," he continued. "Yes, the scar haunts me. Hell, it's in my dreams at night, but it's not the only thing that reminds me of what I am. I'm the hairiest bugger in the school."

"I know," she said softly, lost at this sudden change of emotion. Finally, Ron was admitting to the fear she knew he suppressed and she was surprised. But it felt good to hear him trust her with his true feelings.

"But if it will help, I'm open to it. I can't live like this anymore. The amount of times I've wanted to steal Sirius's gun and take the easy way out you wouldn't believe." He hesitated. "But I'm a coward, too terrified to end my own sorry existence."

"You are not a coward. You're the bravest person I know. You push us all away, trying to protect us. But who will protect you? Let me protect you."

Ron leant down and kissed her hard, his lips cementing their pact. They had finally had a breakthrough and Hermione felt great relief. Ron looked like the Ron she loved, the one she had known long ago. She looked hard at him, remembering the boy that was her best friend and soulmate. She remembered how he screwed up his face in concentration when he played chess. How his eyes sparkled when he spoke excitedly about Quidditch. How his face shone when he ginned widely at one of Fred and George's pranks. That Ron had been gone for so long that she wondered if she would ever get him back. He had been replaced by this man who was much older, with haunted eyes and a serious expression.

Ron stood up and looked down at her with a strong smile. He held out his hand and pulled her up to her feet. He pulled her close and held her tightly against him, her soft hair tickling his nose.

"Let's do this then," he whispered lightly into her ear. His face held a look of determination and Hermione was glad to see he had finally made that decision to help himself. The scar would go, and with it his self-flagellation.

They held hands as they walked the rest of the way to the dungeons. As they walked in Ron let out a low whistle. He was eyeing the floor carefully. In the middle of the room was painted a large red pentagram. Ginny was already there, seated at the front of the classroom her eyes glazed over and a sad look on her face. She was slowly stirring a cauldron in front of her. She looked up at them as they entered.

"What's going on here Hermione?" Ron asked, as he stepped over the red paint towards Ginny.

Hermione said nothing. She opened her rucksack and pulled out several paper bags and placed them on the desk next to Ginny's cauldron.

"Did you get the flower?" Ginny asked her in a low voice.

"Yes."

"Hermione, is something going on that I don't know about? Why is Ginny here?" pressed Ron, looking intently from her to Ginny and back.

Hermione jerked her head up and smiled at Ron with reassurance. "Ginny helped me make the balm for your scar. It's a simple incantation but the balm helps smooth the skin."

"Oh, right."

Hermione opened the paper bags while Ginny took out two pairs of dragon-hide gloves from a box that sat on Snape's desk. She handed a pair to Hermione and donned the other pair herself. Hermione reached inside one of the bags and pulled out what looked like two white and yellow marsh flowers. She handed one to Ginny and put the other in the mortar in front of her. She began to grind the flower hard with the pestle whilst Ginny rose and placed the other flower in the centre of the pentagram.

Ron watched them as they continued to work, neither of them saying a word. A strange calm had entered the room that he didn't want to disturb. Ginny was unusually subdued and hadn't even looked at him. Hermione was working quickly and efficiently. After she deftly ground the flower she added it to the potion, stirring it rapidly to prevent it from setting. There was no heat under the cauldron, to Ron's surprise.

After Hermione added the flower, Ginny took a jar from the shelves and set it down on the desk. The contents were ambiguous; Ron could only see something slimy and jelly like. Ginny opened the jar, releasing a vile smell that caught in the back of Ron's throat and made him gag.

"Urgh, what is that?" he asked.

Hermione eyed him carefully, debating whether to tell him as she spooned it into the cauldron. "It's fat from a disinterred chicken."

"Fat from a what chicken?"

"Disinterred. It's been exhumed from a grave," she stated matter-of-factly, not looking at him.

"Hermione! That's not going near me."

Hermione ignored Ron's protests as she prepared to add the last of the ingredients. A small part of a hemlock plant, sweet flag, oil and finally the bat's blood. The balm was completed and they were finally ready to finish the charm.

"Ron, please remove your robes and your shirt," said Hermione, looking at him with pleading eyes. She was pleading with him not to question, but to obey. He looked at her uncertainly, shooting a nervous glance at the cauldron Ginny was still stirring.

"Hermione, I don't know if this is such a good idea."

Ginny glanced up at him in annoyance. "Ron, please, just listen to Hermione."

Probably because he was outnumbered and because he was a little confused by what was happening, Ron complied. He removed his robes and took off his shirt, standing in the middle of the dark dungeon naked from the waist up. The muscles on his chest rippled as he shivered slightly at the cold. Outside it was freezing and snowing, and in the dungeon it was little better.

Hermione scooped some of the balm in to the bowl she was holding and moved to the middle of the pentagram, pulling Ron with her.

"Kneel down, I can't reach," she said, looking up at Ron.

Ron knelt down in front of her, breathing heavily in anticipation of her touch. He was unsure if it would hurt but knew better than to question her at that moment. Hermione's hands were cold because of the gloves she was wearing, causing Ron to flinch as she began to rub the balm into his shoulder. She rubbed slowly, working her fingers around the area of the scar and gently over it as if it might still be painful for him. The balm was cold and greasy but as it seeped into his skin, Ron felt a warm tingle run through him that heightened his senses and caused an uneasy shiver to run through his body.

When Hermione finished working in the balm she walked away from the pentagram and set the bowl down on the desk. Ron remained on the stone floor of the dungeon shivering with cold. He looked up at Hermione and watched her leaf through a notebook with a worried expression on her face. She looked beautiful to him, and he felt an overwhelming urge to take her into his arms and kiss her. To touch her and take her as he had never done before. He could smell her soft scent strongly overpowering him, making his body quiver with raw hunger. Ron shook his head hard. He realised that his desires were spinning out of control and focused on the paint on the floor in front of him. The red lines were blurring, creating a pool of deep red.

"You know what to do?"

"Yes, Hermione. We've been over this so many times," said Ginny gently, picking up a heavy bag and walking to the head of the pentagram.

Hermione walked to the centre and sat cross-legged in front of Ron.

"Are you ok?" she asked, laying her hand over his softly.

"Hermione, what's happening to me? That balm...I feel different...I feel hungry. But not food hungry. Werewolf hungry," he said, knowing that she would understand what he couldn't bring himself to say.

"I know," said Hermione, her eyes looking at him with concern. "It will all be over soon. Don't worry."

Ron looked away from her, his ragged breathing heavy in his chest. It was beginning to be unbearable to him. He wanted her so much and he could see in her eyes that she wanted him too. He was sure of it.

Hermione looked across at Ginny who nodded at her. Ginny's hands were still clutching tightly at the bag she was holding and she shifted her eyes so that they were focused on Ron. Hermione looked at Ron. The only thing between them was the flower that Ginny had placed in the pentagram moments before. She let her eyes drop to stare at it intently, allowing her breathing to slow into a steady rhythm and relax her mind in deep concentration. Ron shifted to his knees. His heart was thumping hard in his chest and Hermione's scent was overwhelming his senses. He wanted to reach out and grab onto her but instead he bent his body over double in an effort not to look at her. All that could be heard was the sound of Ron's breathing. He was concentrating as hard as Hermione to keep his rampant feelings in check.

After several minutes Hermione closed her eyes and no longer looked at the flower before them. She rocked slightly as she sat in a trance-like state, her eyelids flickering gently. Suddenly, she broke the silence and began to murmur softly. Ron could barely make out what she was saying. He glanced up at her from his position on the floor and saw her deep frown as she continued to chant.

"Hail, Hail, Hail, great wolf spirit, Hail!
A boon I ask thee, mighty shade.
Within this pentacle I have made.
Take this werewolf strong and bold.
The terror alike of young and old."

Without warning, Hermione's head snapped up and she stared at the ceiling with wide eyes. Her body quivered, shaking violently as she continued with her incantation. After each word she uttered raspily, she gasped. Her breathing was no longer the rhythmic sound it had been, instead her breathing became shallow and rapid.

As she continued to utter the words of her incantation, Ron began to shake violently. His body convulsed and he fell forward onto his palms. His body arched and he began to growl heavily.

Hermione started to writhe, still in her cross-legged position, letting out soft moans of pain. Her eyes were wide open, but glazed and empty. She continued to mutter in a deep voice, no longer recognisable as her own.

"Come, spirit so powerful! Come spirit so dread.
From the body of this man, the home of the dead.
Come I beseech thee; depart from thy lair,
So body and soul shall be one, I declare.
Haste, Haste, Haste, horrid spirit, Haste!
Speed, Speed, Speed, scaring spirit, Speed!
Fast, Fast, Fast, fateful spirit, Fast!"

Ginny stood at the top of the pentagram watching Ron with wide eyes. She watched as his body convulsed in pain and began to change. She saw his body arch and the scar on his back glow in the dark candlelight. And for the first time, Ginny saw her brother transform into the beast he hated. First, she saw his hands - clenched tightly in a ball, growing hairier without warning. The bones moved, and she saw his fingers alter to take the form of a wolf's paws. Ron cried out in pain as the transformation took over his body; he was unprepared for the change. And mingled in that cry was the unmistakable sound of the wolf inside him.

Ginny felt a jolt of fear run through her at the sound and felt desperately inside her bag for protection. She pulled out a tranquilliser gun, the one she had taken out of Hagrid's hut the night before. Ginny lifted the gun and pointed it at Ron, fearful of what he might do.

Ron lifted his head and stared at Ginny. His face was no longer recognisable as the boy who was her brother. The features of a wolf had unmistakably replaced his; the process of transformation was almost complete. But as Ginny looked into his eyes, she saw the fear and pain in them and her stomach lurched with compassion. But she continued to hold the gun, her fingers wavering over the trigger as she silently prayed that she wouldn't have to use it.

Hermione continued to sway in her sitting position and her head began to roll around loosely as though it might fall off. She was still shaking and her murmurs were now but a whisper. Ron's transfiguration was nearing completion, and Ginny began to panic. Then clearly and loudly, Hermione uttered the final words of her incantation.

"Great wolf spirit! I banish thee!
Great wolf spirit! I banish thee!
Great wolf spirit! I banish thee!"

As she spoke the last words, Ron let out a piercing howl and trembled violently. A white mist began to glow in his chest and he fell back with pain. Hermione screamed loudly and cried out for Ron as her senses returned to her. She watched him shake. The white mist that had started in his chest rose away from him and disappeared leaving only a twitching Ron collapsed on the stone floor. His face was contorted with pain and his leg kicked out spasmodically.

Ginny raced to the middle of the pentagram and fell to her knees in front of Ron. He was shivering hard, his legs kicking spasmodically and his eyes wide with fear. She put her arms round him and held his head in her lap, tears rolling down her face. Hermione was next to her, inching closer to Ron. She stroked his hair lightly and looked at Ginny. Her eyes mirrored her own. Flashing with fear and panic. They had not expected such a violent display. Ginny put her hand on Hermione's and squeezed it tight in reassurance. They sat there, holding Ron for what seemed like forever before he stopped shaking.

Ron opened his eyes. He was still shivering, but it was from cold this time. Hermione had laid her robes over his quaking body to try and warm him. His head was still in Ginny's lap, and the tears continued to roll down her face. Hermione was still clutching at her hand and letting the other gently caress Ron's hair. Ron looked up at Ginny, his confusion apparent.

"Ginny?"

"Shush, don't speak. It's okay," she said, rocking him gently in her arms.

They sat there for a few moments longer. The three of them encircled by the pentagram, each clutching the other with desperation. Hermione was sobbing silently, her head resting on Ginny's shoulder for support. Ron moved his head and began to sit up to look at them. His eyes were shining with tears and his face was burning bright. He looked at Hermione closely.

"What just happened Hermione?"

Hermione sniffed and took a deep breath. It was the moment she was most dreading, the admission of her dishonesty. She had hated lying to him and now she had to face the consequence.

"That wasn't a charm to rid you of your scar, Ron."

"I realise that, Hermione," he choked out, still looking at her with his intense eyes. "What the hell did you do to me?"

"I," Hermione paused. She didn't know where to start. "You're not a werewolf anymore, Ron. I banished the demon."

Ron began to stand up, letting Hermione's robes fall to the floor. He backed away from her and Ginny, tears clouding his eyes.

"Ron?" questioned Ginny, as she watched him back away.

He said nothing, only let out a small laugh that sounded like a strangled cry. Tears rolled down his face as he turned to Hermione.

"You lied to me?" he whispered, his eyes searching hers, the anger dancing in them.

"I had to," cried Hermione, standing up and walking towards him.

Ron backed further away. He could feel his pulse race as he tried to keep himself calm. He looked away from her, the knots in his stomach confusing him further. He didn't understand what had happened. All he knew was that Hermione had been lying to him.

"Ron, I didn't want to get your hopes up," said Hermione gently, "It was such a complicated spell. We weren't even sure it would work."

"You lied to me," Ron said again, shaking his head as if it would organise the thoughts in it. "All those things you said about accepting it, about facing my demons. You were lying. You didn't mean a word."

"I did mean it," she cried, reaching forward as she grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "Of course I did. I just wanted you to be happy."

Ron pulled away from her and ran his strong hands through his hair. He pressed his palms hard against his temple, squeezing his eyes shut.

"God, Hermione! I knew you never accepted what I was," he said with frustration and bitterness.

"Only because you didn't," she retorted like a slap in the face.

Ron looked at her through narrowing eyes, angry now that she would blame him again. He laughed bitterly at the situation. Just when he'd come to accept being the wolf he so hated, Hermione ripped it from him along with the security he felt that she had accepted him no matter what. In some ways he wanted to go back to an hour before because at least then he felt like Hermione really meant every word she said. And yet...he knew he didn't want that. And when he looked at her, red eyed and heaving with emotion, he knew he was wrong. She did mean it. She'd done it for him because she loved him.

"Ron, I love you," she said in a tear-filled voice. Her tone had softened and her eyes were pleading with him. "Watching you go through that pain and sorrow...it was breaking my heart. The anger, the bitterness, the resentment. You weren't the same person. I wanted you back."

Ron looked at Hermione, her desperate eyes pleading with his for the second time that day. Her hand still squeezed his tightly. His heart had stopped racing and although he felt confused and angry, Ron knew one thing. That he couldn't push her away again. He knew inside that she had been trying to help.

"How?" he asked, quietly.

"The Homorphus Charm," she replied, her voice also quiet and hardly above a whisper.

"Oh. So what was that balm?"

"Lycanthropic balm. It was made with a Lycanthropic flower that we got from Vale do Lobo."

"Where?"

"Vale do Lobo. Valley of the Wolf," said Hermione, moving closer to him. "It's the only place the flower grows. It's usually fatal to a werewolf, but with the right dose and the right incantation...it brings out the wolf so that I could banish..." She trailed off, feeling self-conscious as her words echoed around the large dungeon. It wasn't the time for details, but Ron was looking at her with an expression she couldn't read. She felt nervous and panicky at the same time.

Ron nodded, his face still grave but it relaxed with understanding. He pulled Hermione into a hug and kissed her forehead.

"Only my Hermione," he whispered, shaking his head gently. "Only you could do that."

"Oh, Ron," she said, gulping back the tears.

"I love you. So much."

Hermione began to sob hard and her legs collapsed beneath her, weak from the exertion of the spell and emotionally drained. She had been desperately holding herself up so she could face Ron, but when he confessed his love, she fell onto him in exhaustion. He caught her in his arms, and they both dropped to the ground. He sat with her clinging to him tightly sobbing heavily into his chest. Ron rocked her gently, the tears rolling down his own face as his brain tried to comprehend what had happened.

After a moment Hermione pulled her head away from his chest and looked up at him, her brown eyes big and shining. He kissed her softly, still holding her tight in his arms. She kissed him back urgently, her small hands running through his hair. Ron felt a fire burn inside him and let himself relax as he kissed her. He couldn't hurt her now, not unless he tried. They were letting out their long hidden frustration and Ron let his mouth trail her neck, to her chest.

Ginny watched them from her position in the pentagram, her eyes still shedding silent tears. She smiled appreciatively at their hunger, a soft glow spreading through her body. She absentmindedly reached to her neck, forgetting momentarily that she no longer had her amulet, and remembered Harry. He didn't know! Ginny rose from the floor and left the dungeon silently. As she was leaving, she cast one final glance at the two in the corner and smiled. They were still clutching each other desperately, their mouths frantic and their desire exposed. She closed the door behind her and let them have their private moment.

***

Ron watched Hermione run at him with a snowball the size of a small boulder. Her cheeks were flushed with cold and she was glowing with happiness. He grinned wickedly and grabbed her around the waist to distract her. She held still as he dipped her backwards and kissed her lovingly. She sighed contentedly and relaxed, letting her guard down. Ron wasn't one to miss an opportunity. He quickly did away with her robes and slipped his hand inside her blouse, dropping the snow he held onto her. She screeched loudly and backed away from him, grinning madly.

"You'll pay for that, Weasley," she yelled, challenging him.

Ron turned and ran into the thick of the students revelling in the knowledge that she could probably catch him now.

***

As he sat in the common room and looked out of the window, Harry's eyes followed the mass of people playing in the snow. Everyone had gone out to enjoy the weather and were relaxing, excited by the approaching Christmas holidays. Harry preferred to sit alone by the roaring Gryffindor fire and contemplate what he had lost. He knew he was wallowing in self-pity, but he didn't care. His heart broke every time he closed his eyes. He couldn't remove her vision from his head; she haunted his every thought, his every moment. She had avoided him all day, ever since their early morning encounter. He had looked for her every spare moment he had, but she was nowhere to be found. He had his answer. Now he just had to live with it.

Harry heard the portrait door open and looked up from his position by the window. He gasped and held his breath. A feeling of excitement mounted in him as he saw Ginny at the entrance, a vision of beauty and radiance. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold and her hair was damp and hung loosely around her shoulders. Harry looked at her and saw a light in her eyes that he hadn't seen for a long time. She looked happy. And, for the first time in a very long while, she was glowing.

"Harry," she said with a smile, her words soft and her eyes shining brightly.

She walked towards him, prompting him to lift himself out of the big armchair. She stood close to him; her robes wet from the snow. He saw her clutching at her hands, which were purple and numb from the cold and he could feel the cold radiating from her body.

"Harry," she said again more earnestly, "we need to talk."

"I think we've done enough talking, don't you Ginny?" he said more harshly than he meant to, backing away from her. "There's nothing left to say."

In one quick moment her eyes welled with tears and anger. There was such a fiery passion behind them that Harry felt sure she would slap him...or kiss him, he couldn't decide which. She moved closer to him and reached her hand to his. She squeezed it tightly and her fingernails dug slightly into his palm. Harry didn't move a muscle as he realised she was going to kiss him. Ginny lifted herself onto tiptoes and pressed her lips against his firmly, causing a shiver to run down Harry's spine. He let the hand that wasn't gripped firmly by hers run through her hair, winding the long locks around his fingers.

Ginny pulled away from him after a moment and gazed at him, tears in her eyes. Harry felt completely overwhelmed with desire and emotion.

"I've not said that before," she said quietly.

"No," he whispered softly into her ear. "Ginny," he said in a croaky voice, "Why have you been avoiding me? I thought you hated me. I thought I had my answer."

"Harry, you idiot. If you had let me tell you what we need to talk about then you'd understand."

"Oh," he said, blushing and embarrassed, realising he was just as quick to make assumptions as everyone else had been after the Mariah saga.

Ginny rested her head on his chest as he slipped his arm around her waist comfortably.

"It's about Ron."

Harry jerked his head up and forced Ginny to look at him. He saw that she was crying silently and he suddenly felt afraid. But she still looked happy, despite the red around the rims of her eyes.

"Has something happened?"

"Yes. I mean no, not bad...good. It's Ron, he's...he's not a werewolf anymore."

"What? How? I...I don't understand," he said, moving away from her and sitting himself back in the chair next to the window.

"I know - it's confusing. This all started not long after Ron got bitten," she said, walking towards the window and looking down at the crowds below.

Harry was barely listening to her. He put his head in his hands and squeezed his eyes shut. Ron, not a werewolf anymore? It was impossible.

"I know that she never let on to you or Ron, but Hermione was devastated by it. It was tearing them apart, Harry. Ron wouldn't talk to her and he wouldn't even touch her.

"We talked about it a lot and we became closer because of it. You and Ron are not exactly the easiest people to talk to, you know, and so when the whole Mariah thing happened..." She paused. The tears were still shining in her eyes and her quivering lip betrayed her hurt. Harry felt his stomach sink at the reminder. "She was the first person I went to. We were leaning on each other I suppose. I really don't think she meant to be so harsh on you."

Harry felt so ashamed at what Ginny was telling him. How had he misread Hermione's distress? How had he not noticed the bond that the two girls had strengthened? He had been so self-absorbed, only thinking about himself and how things affected him. Everything swirled around Harry's head in a blur. He'd just accepted that Ron had been bitten without a second thought; he had assumed there was nothing to be done. Had Hermione found a cure?

"Anyway," Ginny continued, interrupting his train of thoughts, "Hermione, being Hermione, immersed herself in researching everything about werewolves and living with one. She learnt to be an Animagus; she went to the dojo; she learnt to meditate; and she read. I helped her a little; it was interesting to me too, learning how werewolves coped and what Ron had yet to face.

"Well, one day she had an epiphany of sorts. She remembered some class you guys had way back with Lockhart, when he was teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts."

Harry looked at her blankly. He couldn't remember Lockhart teaching them anything, let alone something as important as this.

"The Homorphus Charm? The one he used to defeat the Wagga Wagga werewolf?" she said.

"Of course! But, Lockhart was a fraud. He never did those things."

"No, he didn't," agreed Ginny, twirling her hair tightly around her fingers, "But someone did. Hermione spent weeks looking into it. None of the books we read even mentioned it. I thought Lockhart had made it up, but Hermione refused to give up and finally found reference to it indirectly in her History of Magic textbook. It was linked to the name Amenhotep."

"Who?"

"Amenhotep," Ginny repeated, still tugging at her hair and staring intently at Harry, "He's a powerful Egyptian wizard with a large following, but he's lived as a hermit since his encounter with Lockhart. His skills are revered throughout the east and he is said to be the last living descendent of the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. Lockhart had used a potent memory charm on him and consequently, the Homorphus Charm was lost for years. Even before Lockhart's involvement few people could perform the spell. It takes a great deal of meditation. That's why it was performed almost exclusively by Amenhotep and his people; they spend days meditating. It's a skill that few people can achieve.

"Anyway," she continued, pushing her hair back from her face and silently berating herself for playing with it, "Hermione sent him an owl and they began to exchange information. She was convinced that we could break through Lockhart's memory spell and Amenhotep could teach her the charm. But we could hardly go looking for him in the depths of Egypt."

"But Bill..." interrupted Harry, excitedly.

Ginny smiled at him sweetly. She was perched on the window ledge, her hands griping the sides tightly to prevent herself from tying her hair in knots. Her eyes were still shining with tears, glistening like tiny crystals in her eyes.

"Smart boy. Yes, we spoke to Bill the day of the England vs. Wales game. We were all distraught by the revelation that Ron couldn't play professional Quidditch and it was enough to push Bill to chase over the whole of Egypt to track Amenhotep down."

That Bill would do this for Ron didn't surprise Harry in the least, but still he was impressed.

"Well to cut a long story..." she said, getting up from the window and squishing herself into the chair with him, throwing her legs across his knee, "Bill found Amenhotep and broke the memory spell Lockhart had used. It's Bill's speciality of course. Amenhotep's memory returned to him, including the elusive Homorphus Charm and in thanks, he promised to teach it to Hermione."

"But how? Hermione hasn't been to Egypt. I would have noticed that!"

"No, she hasn't been to Egypt," said Ginny with a grin, like he was some kind of idiot for thinking it. Harry was feeling like an idiot quite a lot lately. "Amenhotep can speak through the mind, like Maggie does."

"Ah," said Harry, the truth dawning on him as she said it.

"It's a gift passed down from the ancients," she said, as she laced her fingers through his and squeezed them tight. Harry squeezed back and let his other hand stroke her hair softly, his heart beating hard in his chest. "He said it was how the gods guided and inspired their Pharaohs. He taught Hermione by connecting with her and sharing his knowledge with her."

"Wow, that's some distance."

"I know, it's remarkable really. It's taken Hermione a long time but today she was ready to perform the charm. I had to help her, that's why you couldn't find me. I wanted to tell you so much but she just wouldn't let me. She was worried we might get Ron's hopes up too much, so she just told him it was a charm to get rid of the scar on his shoulder. When it worked, she told him the truth."

"But how do you know the charm even worked?"

"When the spell was performed, Ron partly transfigured. And when he changed back, he was in agony," said Ginny, her voice cracking slightly, the fear clouding her eyes for a brief moment. "You could practically see the soul of the wolf wrestling inside him. Hermione was in pain too, as she banished it from his body and I saw it leave him. Ron says he can feel it."

Ginny began to sob silently, her shoulders shaking as she cried in relief and happiness. It was a relief for both of them, Harry felt it too. They felt like a weight had been lifted from their shoulders. The grief and pain and heartache they had all been carrying around felt like it had gone, like none of it mattered anymore. Ron was free - that was what mattered.

Harry rested his chin on Ginny's head and hugged her close. This was turning out to be an amazing day. He closed his eyes and let the tears run down his face as he realised what it all meant. Ron didn't have to live with the curse anymore. No more wild urges the night before the full moon. No more monthly transformation. And Lupin, he can be cured too. He can feel what it's like to be free of the curse again after so long - he'd lived with it all his life.

Ginny turned to face him and kissed him, clinging to him and still sobbing. They let themselves be carried away by the moment, knowing that Ron and Hermione were able to be together without fear, and that they themselves were able to be together without fear now too. Harry couldn't believe they had had kept such a big thing from him, but he didn't care. Ron wasn't a werewolf anymore. Ron wasn't a werewolf anymore!

It was the perfect time, he thought, to take the basilisk amulet from his pocket and place it around Ginny's neck once more. They were marking a moment that would last forever. He draped the chain around her neck and tied the clasp at the back hoping that he would never see her rip it from her chest again. Ginny clutched the amulet smiling softly and Harry knew that she saw the two of them sat in the chair, clinging to each other, overwhelmed by their own happiness and contentment. Just minutes earlier he had been convinced he would never touch her soft skin again. Now she was his, finally.

Ten minutes later, Harry and Ginny walked down to the grounds to find everyone in the entire school still playing in the snow. Some were building snowmen, others were having snowball fights, and some were skating on the lake. They watched Ron and Hermione chasing each other with handfuls of snow, laughing hysterically, tears streaming down their faces from the cold. They watched as Ron caught her in his arms and kissed her with such a passion that it looked like they might melt the snow they were holding. Hermione sighed with happiness as she clung to him, her body pushing towards him showing her desire. With one swift movement Ron had her robes undone and let the handful of snow he was holding fall inside the front of her blouse. She shrieked in shock and screwed her face up in surprise. He backed away from her grinning wildly and daring her with his eyes.

"You'll pay for that Weasley," she screeched, picking up a handful of snow and bounding after him.

Harry and Ginny grinned at each other and held hands as they watched Ron and Hermione disappear into the thick of the snowball fights. It had been a long time since they'd all enjoyed themselves and felt truly happy. Harry felt empowered by it. He felt like he could face anything that Voldemort had to throw at him now that he had his two best friends and the woman he loved at his side. Things were perfect for the first time since he could remember. Ginny turned to hug him, happiness ablaze on her face, which sent a surge of warmth through him. But as he stood there holding her and looking out over the grounds at the students laughing and smiling, Harry saw a dark vision out of the corner of his eye.

Draco Malfoy was standing at the edge of the lake, staring intently at him with a look of hatred on his face.

The End