Don't Say A Thing

Don't Say A Thing

Genre: Drama/Romance

Ship: Mainly Ron/Hermione.

Scenario: Ron and Hermione have been dating ever since their sixth year, starting when they went to Hogsmeade without Harry. Everything was fine until the war broke out. They were distanced from each other as they devoted all their spare time to helping Harry. Nevertheless, dating each other had brought out their pent-up feelings to light.

~*~

Prologue

It was over. Everything. The war...the evil...Voldemort...and their time at Hogwarts. It created a silence in the seventh year student community as they packed their belongings and prepared to leave the castle that had been their home for the larger part of the past seven years. It had been a place where they had always felt safe, no matter what had been happening in the rest of the world.

Hermione was looking out her window, the one that showed her the vast expanse of the Forbidden Forest. The same forest where she had had the first detention of her life, with Harry, Ron, Hagrid, Neville and...Malfoy. All the sweetness that was in her mind when she thought of the first four people vanished with just the slightest thought of the fifth name. It was then replaced with the bitterness that could only be associated with the war. The same war which, not only cost her a few physical injuries ("warrior injuries", she called them), but also a lot of mental and emotional fatigue.

She was happy that that the Second War was now over. Harry could start his life and lead it as he wanted to, without having to live up to anybody's expectations. Now he didn't have to be the "Boy-Who-Lived", or the ray of hope that the whole world had been clinging to for 17 years. Also, coming to an end was his life of being at the receiving end of countless stares, most of which rested on the horrible lightning bolt-shaped scar on his forehead. Hermione also knew that whatever Harry did, Ron was sure to always be there for him, and participate in everything, with him. As different as they were, they did share the same views on what they wanted to do with their lives. Hermione had really begun to respect, admire, and...adore the loyalty that Ron showered on Harry.

Adore? Yes, adore. From sixth year on, she had begun to notice the adoration for him grow whenever she, Harry, Ron, and Ginny sat in the common room talking and discussing various topics, ranging from how to protect Harry from Voldemort, to Quidditch. Whenever Ron would speak excitedly about Quidditch (eventually leading to animated chatter about the Chudley Cannons), she would lose track of what he was actually saying, and would instead concentrate on how his blue eyes brightened whenever he said, "Wronski Feint", and how his hearty laugh, that sounded like a gurgling brook, caused ripples in her mind. Then Ginny would nudge her and she would come out of her reverie only to notice a red tinge to Ron's ears. She always thought that the blush came from some teasing Harry and Ginny did, about some or the other girl, when she wasn't listening. After all, Ron was quite attractive, or was she the only one who thought that?

The gentle tapping of a smart brown owl on the window interrupted her thoughts. Wondering who the sender of the message might be, she let the owl inside, and opened the letter that it had brought:

Dear Miss Granger,

This letter is in response to the application that you sent into the Auror Training Program last June. It gives us immense pleasure to tell you that you have been accepted into the program, which will start on September 1st.

Due to high recommendations that have arrived from Albus Dumbledore and other such prestigious dignitaries in the Ministry, we have also decided to put your training as an Auror in a scholarship, which means that you will be exempted from all the fees normally required to participate in this program.

The courses in the program will include lessons (theory and practical) in Advanced Defense techniques (both magical and non-magical), Stealth, Potions, Disguise, and your chosen field of expertise. It is a course of four years after which, there is an internship of one year.

Kindly respond to this letter within two days of receipt.

Yours truly,

Kingsley Shacklebolt

H.O.D., Department of Magical Law Enforcement

Hermione sighed and wondered what she should do. Thinking of the past war helped her reach her final decision.

No, she decided. She didn't want to see any more havoc, bloodshed, or disorder than what she had seen already. According to her mind, that was enough to last her a lifetime. After all, it was all this that caused the wave of fatigue that was currently lulling all the parts of her brain slowly into hibernation. As she lay down on her bed, she decided that she didn't want to become an Auror, and thus contradicted all the ambitions she had had since her 4th year. Now what she wanted, was a job that would give her some peace. What that would be, she didn't know, but it surely was out there, waiting for her.

As she felt the need for sleep screaming in her brain, she smiled to herself, thinking of the time when Harry and Ron had, jokingly, told her that her body was now demanding its compensation for all the rest it had to forgo over the last seven years. But, jokes apart, they respected her need for rest and left her alone to sleep when she wanted to. In her mind, she agreed with Madam Pomfrey: that, after the war and her contribution to it, with her tireless planning of strategies, her mind was tired and it needed its share of healthy and refreshing thoughts, and sleeping was the only way she could get them.

With that thought in her mind, she fell asleep.

~*~

After what seemed to her a long time, Hermione woke up in response to a soft knock at her door.

"Come in."

The door opened to reveal Ginny.

"Hi, Hermione. Had a good nap?"

"Yes, Ginny. I sure did. So, tell me. What managed to get you to the Head Girl Dormitory and away from Harry?" Hermione asked with mischievous smile.

"Oh, shut up, Hermione. I told you there is nothing between Harry and I...."

"I know. I know. Just checking."

"And just what is that supposed to mean? Never mind, I didn't come here to discuss that. Harry has asked me to tell you that Ron wants you to meet him by the lake in about 10 minutes. Oh ... and he says, 'nothing to worry about.' but I think Ron wants to have a heart-to-heart with you. He looked rather serious to me."

"Oh, alright. I'll just freshen up, and then go meet him."

"Okay, bye. See you later."

As she changed, Hermione wondered what this might be about.

~*~

"Ron?"

No response.

"Ron?"

Ron turned back at her voice, and shook his head, as if trying to clear his mind.

"Oh...er... Hi Hermione! How long have you been here? Sorry, I didn't notice you sooner. I was just really deep in thought."

"Well, that's something. What were you thinking about?"

"Why don't you sit here with me? Doesn't the lake look beautiful tonight? I can't believe that this is the last time I will ever be sitting here like this, at this lake."

"Yes, I understand, Ron. But why aren't you telling me what it is you wanted to talk about?"

"Hey! Does it have to be a serious topic? Can't a person just share a heart-to-heart with their best friend?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"Hey, I have some news for you!"

"What is it?"

"Harry and I received a letter offering us free Auror training, a few hours back. We talked it over with each other and McGonagall, and we've decided to accept the offer. I'm sorry we didn't tell you right away. We thought you were sleeping."

"Oh, that's all right. Oh Ron, I am so happy for you and Harry. But Harry- are you sure Harry wants to do that after all he's been through?"

"Strangely enough, yeah. I asked him the same thing, and he said that he was sure he wanted to do it. I was surprised, but then I thought; now Harry is free man and he can decide what he wants to do himself. If this is what he wants, so be it. What happened with you?"

"Oh, actually, I got the same letter that you and Harry got, but...I don't think I want to do this, Ron."

Ron looked surprised, very surprised. "Why not, Hermione?"

"Because I am tired. Tired of war. Tired of unpleasant deadly spells. Tired of seeing death everywhere. Tired of that fear. Just tired, Ron. I just want to have a pleasant job and a simple life now."

"Well, I see your point. Yeah, you've seen enough bad things to last you a lifetime and...just look at the toll that war has taken on you. For once, I agree with you on this. You need your share of happiness now."

Hermione smiled and said, "And besides, if anything goes wrong, I'm sure I can count on you two to help me. Who would mess with a girl who has two mighty Aurors on her side, right?"

"You're right there! But, jokes apart, Hermione...that's what I wanted to talk to you about."

There was a moment of silence which, Hermione assumed Ron was using to gather his thoughts, because after that, he continued, "You see, I'm going away for five years of training, and Merlin only knows how long will I be out there after that, how long will I live-"

All this while, Hermione had focused her attention on the grass through which she was running her hand. But, at the last sentence, she looked up at him and said, "Why Ron, what makes you think that? Anytime you come back, you will find me waiting for you and Harry to come and tell me about your adventures and missions-"

At this, Ron stood up, looking restless, as if to prepare himself to say his next words. Hermione stood up too, to listen to what he was to say, but mostly wondering where exactly he was going with this.

"Okay, here it is. Let me first tell you that, you are special because you are my best friend."

"Well, not just that. I hope you remember that we did go out for a while, before the war broke out. That was a very special time in my life."

"Mine too."

"And might I add that, back then I thought, and I still think, that I could live with the memory of those days in my mind forever," Hermione was surprised to hear these words spill out of her own mouth, and she was slightly unnerved of the fact that her mouth did not bother to consult with her brain before letting those words out. Not only that, she was surprised to feel that the words were true.

Ron, too, blushed slightly and smiled at the words that had come from Hermione. But, as the meaning of what she said sunk in him, his smile dropped from his face. He said, "See, that's exactly what I mean. I don't want you just clinging to a memory for five or more years, wasting your life, and then finally, finding out that I'm dead or cannot come back for some other unavoidable reason. You need to move on, Hermione."

Turning back and looking intently at Hermione, he continued. "Please, Hermione. Don't misunderstand me. I don't want to hurt you, that's why I'm telling you this. Please don't wait for me. You said it yourself that you were tired of war. Well...waiting for me is a war of sorts and I don't want you to go through that. But, I also don't want you to think that this ends any friendship between us. I want you to know that you are a very, very special person and you will always hold a special place in my heart. I want you to know that I want to have that invisible bond of friendship to keep my spirits up when I get depressed, and I want it to prevent me from taking a wrong path that I may take because of...well, you know me."

By this time, Ron's eyes were shining with tears and he refused to close them for the fear that they may slide down his cheeks and betray his true emotions. Finally, he looked away and wiped his tears with the back of his hand before they could fall down. He then went back to sitting on the grass.

Hermione was numb with shock. Somehow, she wanted to scream out loud that this wasn't right. At that moment, she was facing a fierce battle between her heart and her brain. While her heart wanted her to rage at Ron for making all their decisions without asking her, her brain made her think of it practically. She decided that she should let him go, so that he could concentrate on his career, without worrying or feeling guilty about her. If they were meant to be, then it will surely happen some or the other day in future. Taking a deep breath, she made the second important decision of her life-and that day.

Ron was so busy staring at the grass in front of him that he seemed to have forgotten that he wasn't alone. Hermione placed a hand on his shoulder and sat next to him. Wiping her own tears, she said, "Ron, I understand that you're having a tough time telling this to me. Well, don't worry about me in this matter. I promise that, no matter what happens, I'll always be your friend and support you in whatever you do. Of course, we have Harry with us too. As it is you have proven that how ever thick-headed and dense you two may be, when you make a decision, most of the time, it has been right. As long as you have Harry, and Harry has you, and both of you have my voice constantly ringing in your ears, even if I am not within earshot, you wouldn't dare go wrong. Am I right?"

Ron's shoulders sagged with relief, and he said with a smile, "Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Hermione. You couldn't possibly imagine how relieved I am. I was really worried about what you'd say. But you'll write to us, won't you?"

"Of course, I will!" said Hermione, putting on a smile, when she was really thinking, you really have no idea, what I could've really said.

Ron started to get up when she spoke again, "Ron, you must also know that this doesn't mean that I'll forget everything. Nothing, and I mean nothing, can replace that."

Ron stood up and held out his hand to help her up, saying, "I know and I agree. So, from now on, the memories are all yours. Do what you want with them. Now, Miss Granger, if you please, let's go and have some dinner. All this emotional turmoil has made me exceptionally hungry."

Hermione rolled her eyes, smiled, and said, "Of course, I just thought that something is amiss here. I should've known that it'd be your hunger...as usual. So, Mr. Weasley, let's go." But you don't realize Ron, how much I am hurt by this decision of yours.

Both of them walked towards the castle, in a comfortable silence of two friends. There was no need for words spoken out loud. Late at night, Hermione's heart was still hurting, as she thought back to their conversation. It echoed loud in her brain.

"We must break up, Hermione!"

"No, Ron!"

"We need to move on!"

"No!"

"I'm leaving you."

"NO!!"

Hermione was jerked awake from her sleep. It had been a long time since it happened, but it still pricked at the back of her mind. The memory of the painful incident had not appeared as a dream for such a long time. Why would it haunt her dreams now? She could pondered on it for some more time, but the whistle of the kettle distracted her and the thought didn't return to her, as she carried on with her work.

~*~

A/N: So what do you think? Please Read and Review!!!!!!!!

Thanks to my betas Kate Mari and CRJ Lupin. They are the best.