The Golden Years

The Golden Years

Prologue

There were tears in Hermione's eyes when she finally looked up at her boyfriend, for what might be one of the last times in a long time. "I love you so much, Ron," she whispered at last.

Ron clenched his jaw in agony as he decided what to say. He didn't want to part on bad terms; he didn't want to part with her at all. But what could he say that wouldn't sound as though he was blaming her for leaving him behind?

"I love you, too," he replied finally, gently.

Hermione laid her head on his chest and took a deep breath. "I'm going to miss you so much," she murmured, her lips brushing against his shirt. Her hold on his shirt tightened.

Ron put his hand on her back and rubbed gently, loving the feel of her against him. "Then don't go." His words were a harsh whisper, though he had not meant for them to come across so brusque.

She made a noncommittal movement against his chest. "You know I have to," she replied into his shirt.

"No you don't." He laid his head atop of hers.

Around them, wizards and witches were stepping in and out of the port, checking their wands and other baggage with the security guards. Some were hugging their loved ones joyously; Ron knew they were the ones who were finally home again, at last. Ron lumped himself into the other group of people: the ones who hugged their loved ones as if they might never see them again. Ron knew he looked as though he was holding on to Hermione for dear life and in a way, he was.

She pulled away to look into his eyes once again, but kept her hands on his chest. "This is an excellent opportunity Ron, I can't just walk away from it," she tried to reason with him. Hermione was not an idiot: she knew Ron wasn't happy with her decision to take a job offer in a foreign country. She didn't want Ron to be angry with her.

He knew it was an excellent opportunity; she would be helping Pakistani wizard and witches rebuild their healthcare system, as well as their school systems. She could not have asked for a better job opportunity, she really couldn't have. But that wasn't how he saw it. "You're right, of course. It is an excellent opportunity," Ron repeated. "Couldn't you find an excellent opportunity in England? Or Ireland? Or anywhere but Pakistan?" he asked incredulously.

Before she could even attempt to answer him, Ron continued. "They have bad stuff over there, Hermione! They have earthshakes over there, for Merlin's sake!"

Ron's brows furrowed in confusion when she started laughing. "What's so funny?" he demanded angrily.

Hermione laughed even harder at this. She finally reached up and touched his cheek lovingly, even as she was laughing. "You're what is so funny! Oh, how I love you," she said with tears streaming from her cheeks.

Seeing her like this made Ron forget his irritation with her at all; she was beautiful when she laughed.

"I want to be the one to make you laugh like that, Hermione. Forever," he admitted quietly. He leaned his forehead against hers.

She was smiling widely up at him but he could see the sadness behind her eyes. "I don't think you have anything to worry about : I've never laughed harder than when I'm with you." Hermione held her smile in place but Ron the slight trembling of her lower lip.

Hermione kissed his mouth briefly. "I've got to be going; I've got so much to do when I get there. I've got to check into my room, unpack, eat a light supper, meet with the hospital board, and meet the patients..." She ticked these things off one by one on her fingers.

Despite the almost choking fear he felt, Ron smiled. "Never change Hermione, never change." He chuckled. "I'm afraid if you do, I won't know what to do with you."

She touched her fingertips to his lips. "Don't worry, I won't." She kissed him one last time before making her way to the guard, handing him her wand and her international wizarding papers.

Before stepping in the port, Hermione turned around and gave him a small smile, waving as she did.

At that moment, Ron knew what he had to do. "Hermione!" he shouted, startling a few passersby while the guard rolled his eyes. "Hermione, wait!" he called out again, pushing his way through the sudden wave of people separating them.

Hermione stepped out of the port glancing about furtively. Her cheeks were quickly reddening. "What, Ron?" she asked in a hushed, hurried voice.

"Marry me!" he blurted out.

First, Hermione's eyes widened in shock, Ron hoped it was not horrified shock, and then her jaw dropped. "What?"

Ron grabbed her hands and began pleading with her. "Marry me, Hermione. Make me the happiest bloke this side of the sea."

She shook her head as if she was dislodging something from her brain or worse yet, as if a gnat was caught in her long, cascading mane of hair. "What?" she finally asked. Her brown eyes snapped in confusion.

Ron's heart sank.

"I can't marry you!" she continued. "I'm supposed to be in Pakistan right now, Ron! I'm supposed to be there, handing my wand and identification papers over to the Pakistani wizarding officials right now and you bring up marriage?"

He had never been so humiliated in all his life. "I love you, Hermione," he muttered weakly.

The irritation in her eyes softened. "And I love you, Ron," she replied, squeezing his hands for further reassurance. "But I can't marry you. Not yet, anyhow." She let go of his grasp and waved her arms around the lounge area. "I need to see the world; I need to be in Pakistan...then I can marry you," she added thoughtfully.

"Hermione, let's not be stupid ... everyone knows long distance relationships don't work," he reasoned. "Especially this one," he added. "It's not as if we'll be able to Apparate whenever we want to see each other."

Using a Portkey or civilian Apparition port would be virtually impossible because the terrorism that rampaged through Pakistan often interfered with those modes of transportation. In fact, the only Apparition ports open in the Middle East were available to government officials, and just government officials. Yes, Hermione knew the complications.

She stepped away from him. "Don't you think our love can survive through anything?"

Ron shrugged noncommittally.

"Ron, please don't do this. Please! We'll make it, you'll see. We will write each other every day, I'll come home when I can and during the holidays. We'll make this work, you'll see." She smiled too brightly. "When have I ever been wrong?"

He looked away from her, feeling more pain than he'd ever felt before.

"Please Ron, let's part on good terms," she begged.

Ron looked at her. She had to know he would give her whatever she wanted, just to see her smile. He would die if that were what it took to make her smile. "If you say so," he finally conceded.

She smiled. "It'll work. We'll work. You'll see," she reiterated.

Ron leaned down and kissed her pretty, red mouth. "Write me when you get there," he said against her lips.

Hermione nodded. "I promise."

***

12, March 2004

Dear Ron,

I'm here! I've just checked into my hotel room. It is small; hopefully I won't be here too long. I will start hunting for flats tomorrow. Well, I must run ... I have to get to the hospital.

I love you,

Hermione

***

31, March 2004

Dear Hermione,

I'm relieved to hear that you landed safely there. England is not the same without you. I've considered dragging you back by force if necessary but realize you would hex me into oblivion if I were to do that.

Keep writing.

Love,

Ron

***

3, April 2004

Dear Ron,

This really is an amazing country! I love it here, I love the people here. You might not enjoy it (there are no Quidditch teams, unfortunately) but I finally feel as if I am making a difference in the lives of others. I have not felt like that in a long time or, at least, since The War ended.

We stay very busy here. There is so much to do! Not only am I healing witches and wizards, but I am teaching them too. The women especially are blinded by the ways of their culture. Most are undernourished because they give their food to their husband and children. Almost no one uses contraceptive charms here, so you can imagine the number of unwanted pregnancies here.

I am not sure when I will be able to visit. I had thought perhaps over Easter but it seems as if that is not possible. Instead, I will be spending my Easter with a local Christian family here. I could not turn down the opportunity to see how they celebrate the holiday, could I? I knew you would understand.

Please keep writing. I enjoy reading about what is going on in England. I like to imagine you imagining me as you write, as sappy as that sounds. I do miss you, Ron, but I am so thankful to be here!

Love you,

Hermione

Ps. I did find a cute flat only ten minutes walking distance from the clinic. I will try to take photographs of it and the country soon so that you can see this place I have fallen in love with. Love you.

***

17, April 2004

Good Morning Hermione,

We missed you over Easter. Well, I probably missed you the most but Mum wanted to make sure you knew everyone missed you.

After Easter dinner, we had our usual family Quidditch match. The Good Guys beat the Bad Guys after a short two-hour game. Fred, George, Charlie and Ginny were NOT happy. Our victory was sweet.

I saw Parvati yesterday. I wouldn't be surprised if she and Harry start seeing one another soon. As of right now, they are both chronic flirts and neither one is relieving the other's symptoms. I'm so glad I have you and that I don't have to look any more.

I am sorry I don't have more to write, you know how much I hate writing. Have a great day, Hermione! I'll be seeing you.

Love,

Ron

***

1, May 2004

Dear Ron,

I am afraid I won't be able to write for a while after this message. We've been swamped at the hospital and Scott (a co-worker) and I are planning on heading into the mountains to give aid to the local wizarding villages there. Know that I love you and miss you.

Love,

Hermione

Ps. Sorry this message is so short, I had planned to write you a long letter, when my boss's owl dropped in and I need to get to the hospital as soon as I can. I love you.

***

23, July 2004

Dear Ron,

I'm back! It drove me nutters to not get anything in the owl post from you. I love you so much. Well, I have planned to devote a half-hour just to writing you a letter. It was what I meant to do a couple of months ago but was not able to.

Easter was lovely. I don't know why I expected it to be any different from my childhood Easters, because it wasn't. We went to church in the morning and then had a small, simple Easter brunch. There wasn't any chocolate or Easter baskets but otherwise, the idea was the same.

The mountains in Northern Pakistan are brilliant, Ron! I think even you would be inspired to leave England and move here if you saw them. The people who live in these mountains are hardworking, honest people. I could not have had a better experience.

I have other things I want to share with you but unfortunately, my half-hour is up and I need to go grocery shopping before a staff meeting at work. Take care of yourself Ron, I love you.

Yours truly,

Hermione

Ps. I told you I would send you pictures! I have written a short description on the back of each photo. I hope you enjoy seeing them as much I enjoyed taking them.

***

15, August 2004

Ron,

Is everything alright Ron? I haven't heard from you in so long! How are the Cannons doing? I'm afraid I haven't been able to keep up with Quidditch scores here.

How are Harry and Ginny doing? And your family? I trust everyone is safe and happy.

I hope to hear from you soon. I love you.

Always,

Hermione

***

11, September 2004

My Hermione,

I'm sorry for not writing back sooner, or more frequently. I'm afraid I've been rather busy with the Cannons as of late. We're second in the world right now.

Harry is fine. He's seeing Parvati. He just started seeing her last month; they hit it off at the Daily Prophet when Parvati was interviewing Harry. Apparently, she has no qualms about mixing business with pleasure.

Ginny is Ginny, I don't expect her to change much. She's not seeing anyone right now, surprise, surprise.

Well, I best be off. Take care of yourself, Hermione.

I love you,

Ron

***

4, January 2005

Dearest Ron,

I know I said this would be easy but it isn't. A long distance relationship is much harder than I thought it would be. But I won't give up on you Ron, not if you don't give up on me.

Scott offered me an extension on my contract here. Actually, the contract would be totally on my terms ... I can pick how long I'd like to stay here.

Ron, I don't know what to say. I love you. I love you so much but I want to do this. I want to stay on and help these people. You'll wait for me, won't you?

Always yours,

Hermione

***

12, March 2005

Dear Hermione,

This is quite possibly the hardest letter I've ever had to write. I've met someone, Hermione. Her name is Bethany. Parvati actually introduced us. She's one of the editors at the Daily Prophet.

Now, she isn't you, of course. No one else could ever come close to you but she is special. I know we said we could make this work but ... I don't want to be alone anymore. I want to be with someone, in heart and body.

Yours,

Ron

***

The letter fell from her hands, floating to the floor. She was not shocked by his admission, but she was hurt. Somewhere deep down, she'd always thought Ron was The One for her. Did this mean he wasn't?

If he had been The One, wouldn't he have waited for her?

Had she been foolish to expect that he would?

Hermione reached for the quill and parchment lying on her desk.

Once upon a time, she had asked him to let her go and now he was doing the same. It was only fair of her to return the favor.

20, March 2005

Dearest Ron,

I will not stand in the way of your happiness, Ron. Not when your happiness means so much to me. So please, go and be happy. Keep in touch.

Yours truly,

Hermione