Scattered

"It's a very old Scots tradition," Hermione said slowly to the three small faces peering up at her. They were sprawled out on hands and elbows on the rug in front of the fireplace, their feet kicked up to the air as they lay on their bellies, their eyes wide as they listened to her tale. "Roger, you have heard about the Feast of Hogmanay before, haven't you?"

The small tow-headed boy grinned. "Yeah, me mum tells us the story each year. But please tell it anyhow, Hermione," he added, the soft burr of his Scottish accent mixed with a pleading tone that tugged at her heartstrings.

"Yes, please," the little girl at his side added, much more shyly.

Hermione smiled indulgently. "Well, alright. After all, we want to teach our new friend Christopher, right?"

The MacFarlane twins -- grandchildren of Charles McFusty, she knew, somehow or other related to Hamish in some complex form of cousinhood -- nodded seriously at the third child in her group, a dark-haired, dark-skinned and very quiet little boy, Christopher Shacklebolt. He'd arrived with his parents, Kingsley and Emma, just the day before and was a bit shell-shocked. Molly had spoken quietly with the boy's mother earlier, at breakfast, and learned that they'd spent the past two months tucked away in a hidden basement beneath the Shacklebolts' home. Kingsley hadn't been able to find any route safe enough for them on their own, and they'd been forced to wait until he, along with Dedalus Diggle (the only other Auror still off-island), could accompany them.

Poor thing, Hermione thought, giving the solemn little boy what she hoped was a friendly, welcoming smile.

The Main Hall had once again been truly transformed for New Year's Eve, and every resident of Liath Cuan would be gathering there together for the festivities. Hermione hadn't thought that Molly and Claire would be able to top the party they'd orchestrated for Christmas, but it looked to be just possible that they'd pulled it off tonight.

On most nights, the Hall featured a large, rectangular table that seated the Weasleys, the other residents of the castle and any guests they happened to have for dinner. Molly had, with Bill's help, conjured some plain but warm-colored wall hangings to keep the room from feeling too bleak and cold. Evening meals were always convivial and friendly, but simple.

This night, they'd gone quite the other way. The central table was gone and the plain hangings put away. Instead there were long banquet tables along the walls, with fanciful and colorful decorations hanging above. There were numerous smaller tables with chairs scattered around the room, as well as a small area set aside for dancing. The normal-sized fireplace at the far end of the hall had been magically enlarged and the floor around it sunken in a semi-circle, with a curved, cushioned bench provided for seating.

It was there that Hermione sat with the island's three smallest residents at her feet.

"Many people believe that the traditional Hogmanay celebrations were originally brought to Scotland by Vikings in the early 9th century," she began. "These Norsemen, who came from even further north than where we are now at our new home in the Hebrides, celebrated the Winter Solstice very seriously. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, with the least light, and so once that day was passed, the Vikings were very glad and had cause for celebration, as the days would now begin to get longer again."

"An' they could go on more voyages an' travels, an' have more battles," Roger piped in.

"Well, they could do a great many things with more daylight, Roger," Hermione temporized, "including catch fish.

"Now, this might be a surprise to you, but for over four hundred years, Christmas was banned in Scotland," she told them, and even young Roger looked surprised. "That doesn't sound like much fun, does it?" Roger and his sister, Ellen, nodded in solemn agreement. Christopher, on the other hand, looked indignant at the very idea of not celebrating Christmas. The look on his face reminded her oddly of Ron and she laughed.

"Well, the Scots didn't think so either. So they celebrated their winter solstice holiday at the New Year, making up for missing Christmas that way. Family and friends would come together and have a party and exchange presents, and everyone would make sure to ring in the New Year on a happy note, for good luck."

The small faces before her lit up at the mention of presents.

"Are we celebrating Hogmaninny tonight, then?" Christopher asked hopefully.

"It's Hogmanay," Ellen corrected him. "Me mam says we are."

"That's right," Hermione agreed. "We'll go outside and light a big bonfire, and then some of the young men are going to dress up and have a sort of parade with fireworks, and Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. McFusty have made bannocks for them -- and for us, don't worry -- as a treat. Bannocks are honey or fruitcakes, Christopher, and I'm pretty sure you'll like them. Ron has been looking forward to them all week, and he's got a very smart stomach."

"The whole family's very proud of that stomach," a voice said from a few feet away, and Hermione turned to see Ginny coming down the steps to join them in front of the fireplace. "We always knew it would do great things one day," the redheaded girl added in a mocking tone.

Hermione reached over and gave her friend a quick kiss on the cheek. "Happy New Year's Eve, Gin," she said affectionately.

Ginny smiled. "Don't forget to save some kisses for midnight," she warned, giving the children a sidelong glance.

"What for?" Ellen demanded.

Roger rolled his eyes. "Because, the grownups all kiss each other at midnight. Like our mother and father do all the time?"

"They kiss just any grownup? I don't think my mother would like that," Christopher said, frowning.

"Mum and Da only kiss each other," Roger said. "That's what Da told me."

"Who are you going to kiss, Hermione?" Ellen asked.

"Ron, of course," Roger answered for her, scoffing. "They kiss all the time. Haven't you seen them? Mum says they never take their hands off each other, but I don't understand what she means by that. They're naught even in the same room all the time."

Hermione covered her face with her hands. Ginny poked her side, laughing.

"It is true, Hermione?" Christopher asked. "Does everyone have to kiss someone at midnight?" He did not look enthused at the idea.

She took a deep breath and put her hands down, elbowing Ginny in return. Her friend stopped guffawing loudly and settled down to only an occasionally giggle.

"They don't have to, Chris, it's just that many people do. And it's a kiss for good luck, that kind of kiss, not necessarily... you can kiss a friend on the cheek, for example." The two boys scowled; that wasn't much better. "Or you can give your mum a kiss." They looked relieved.

"Then," she continued, trying to get off the subject of kissing altogether, "we'll all sing Auld Lang Syne together. Do you know that one?"

The twins nodded, but Christopher looked unsure.

"We'll teach you," Ellen said. "It goes like this..."

Hermione sat back with a sigh of relief as Ellen tugged on her brother's sleeve until he began singing along with her, Christopher listening, his brow furrowed in concentration at the unfamiliar words. She glanced over at Ginny and found her friend still grinning.

"Oh, be quiet, you," she said, swatting at Ginny.

"It's just, your face when he said that... oh, it was priceless," Ginny said, laughing a little again. "I swear, Hermione, I don't know how anyone having sex as often as I know you are can still be such a prude sometimes."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I am not." She paused. "Well, yes, when it's small children talking to me about it," she hissed. "Good lord, why would Sarah MacFarlane talk like that in front of her children?"

"Because it goes right over their heads. Don't get your knickers in a twist," Ginny said, "so to speak. It's no big deal."

Hermione grimaced, but grudgingly acceded the point. "It's too bad Ron wasn't here for that," she said. "I've always wondered just how red his ears can get before they set on fire."

"Where is my brother?" Ginny asked, looking around the Hall.

Hermione scanned the room as well, though she knew he wasn't there. She saw his parents, Bill, the Shacklebolts, Remus, Tonks... a cluster of McFustys from the island... Charlie sweet-talking Joanna at a table over in the corner, away from Hamish's watchful eye... Penny talking to Minerva...

"He's not here," Hermione said absently.

"Something the matter?"

Hermione sighed. "It just seems like he hasn't been around much lately," she said. "He's always in a hurry when I see him, off somewhere, and then when he is around there's always a passel of other people there. And at night, well, he's not all that eager to talk, exactly."

"Too much information," Ginny said automatically. "We can refer to you having sex, but not my brother."

"That's ridiculous. Who do you think I'm having sex with, Gin?"

"I don't think about it. That's the point." She stretched out on the cushions and yawned. "In any case, Hermione, it sounds to me like he's just busy running around, no need to fret about it."

Hermione agreed. "I know. This is the worst part about being madly in love with someone, Gin. You just can't stop obsessing about things, even when you know you shouldn't, because you can't think straight. It's wonderful, it really is, but sometimes I feel like my feet don't touch the ground anymore, and I wish I could just get my bearings back."

"I remember," Ginny said.

Hermione gasped. "I'm sorry, Gin, I didn't mean--"

"It's fine, 'Mione. Really."

She frowned, since Ginny couldn't see her face. The strange thing was, Ginny sounded almost as if she meant what she was saying.

"Anyhow," Ginny said, pulling her away from that train of thought, "I think my prat of a brother just came in."

Hermione turned around and her eyes met his almost immediately. He smiled at her, but he looked strange, with an expression on his face she hadn't seen in awhile. He looked almost nervous, or perhaps a bit ill.

Ron joined them by the fireplace, leaning over the back of the cushioned bench they were resting on. Hermione leaned up and gave him a swift kiss.

"Where were you earlier?" she couldn't help asking, though she cringed inside at her own insecurity.

He shrugged and avoided looking at her as her climbed over the back of the bench, settling down comfortably pressed up against her. He scooted down until he mirrored his sister's prone position, with his head in Hermione's lap. "You get stuck babysitting?" he asked.

"No, we were just playing. I was telling them about Hogmanay."

"Hey, Roger, did she tell you about the food?" Ron asked.

The little boy nodded. "Yeah, and about the kissing."

"The kissing?!" Ron asked, his tone mock surprised. "She told you about that?"

Christopher looked indignant. "She said I could just kiss my mum. Right?"

"Well, sure you can, and a lucky lad you are," Ron told him seriously. "But us grown-up blokes, we've got to kiss a girl. Right scary, that is."

"You don't look very scared when you're kissing Hermione," Ellen piped in. "In fact, you look pretty happy, even with your mouth all open and hers, too."

Ron sat up, sputtering. "Hey!" he said ineffectually. "Bloody hell, what are these kids, Peeping Toms?" he whispered to Hermione. "Spies for Mum?"

"Humans with eyes?" Ginny interjected dryly. She sat up as well and pulled her hair up, tugging it into a loose bun. "Okay, kids, let's go get your coats on and start heading outside. The bonfire's going to be lit soon."

Hermione smiled. "We'll come, too."

Ginny gave Ron a smug grin and herded the children ahead of her. "Oh, take your time. We'll see you out there."

Ron stretched lazily, his arm sliding behind Hermione and pulling her close. He nuzzled her temple, his lips dancing around her eyelid and her nose. "It's nice in here," he said.

Hermione laughed. "Yes, but I want to see the bonfire, too." She frowned, thinking of something. "Aren't you going to march about with the others?"

Ron shook his head. "Nah. Charlie's out there with Cameron and Ian and Jamie. Plus Seamus and Justin conned Colin into going as well."

"That's good," Hermione said, surprised and pleased. "He does seem to be a little bit better, doesn't he?"

"He does," Ron agreed. "I think it helps, having a lot of people around now. Seamus and that lot have been keeping him busy, and he joins us for Quidditch more often than not."

"I'm glad," she said, standing and retrieving her coat from where she'd neatly folded it earlier. "Am I going to be warm enough in this?" she asked.

"You'll be fine. I was in just this sweater."

"Yes, but you're always warm," she argued.

"And I'll be there to keep you warm, don't worry," he returned. "In any case, there're plenty of other blokes to do the marching. I'd rather just watch with you."

Hermione smiled and crossed back to where he sat, standing between his knees. "Well, that's nice," she said, kissing his forehead.

He stood, sliding his hand around her waist, and together they walked to the Hall doors that led down to the craggy beach. They caught up with Percy and Penny on their way out, as well as some old Hogwarts friends, Susan and Hannah and Luna (who was wearing her favorite radish earrings). Together they went out into the cold and Hermione snuggled up against Ron as they walked, feeling the shock of the crisp night air.

A magnificent stack of kindling had been set on the beach, laid out precisely for the best effect. Hamish McFusty stepped forward and held his wand aloft. "May the coming New Year bring blessings upon us all," he said in a great booming voice, "and may our hearts stay true and our lives be long. Incendio!" he yelled, and the great pile lit up in flame.

Hermione watched the bright heat rise up towards the sky as the people around her cheered. She looked at Ron and smiled. "It's really something, isn't it?"

Ron didn't answer, and instead stared at her with a strange, worried expression on his face.

"What is it?" she asked, confused.

"I wanted to --"

Before Ron could finish, there was a great din of shouting and whooping coming from the darkness. Within moments, bright orbs of flame were bounding towards them. She watched, bemused, as faces followed: Charlie, Cameron and Ian came first, their eyes bright and their laughing voices hollering for those behind them. She caught a few others as they swarmed towards the bonfire -- Seamus, Jamie McFusty, Colin Creevey. The boys were all in high spirits, jumping and dancing around the fire, whirling past Ron and Hermione, one fleeting figure after another.

She laughed, shaking her head at Ron. She wouldn't be able to hear anything he had to say in this commotion.

C'mon, he mouthed exaggeratedly, so she would understand, and tugged at her hand. He pulled her through the revelers, moving swiftly around the bonfire, dodging attempts to lure them back into the fold. Abruptly he switched directions and headed up the beach, away from the fire. Before they'd gotten far, however, he led her behind a large outcropping of rock, collapsing there out of sight, tugging her down alongside him.

The noise from the bonfire revelers still danced merrily in her ears, but she could hear herself speak now, without yelling. "Ron, is everything alright?"

"It was too loud over there," Ron said with a shrug.

She decided not to press it. Instead, she leaned towards him, her hand resting on his chest and her lips pressing up against his neck. He wrapped his arms around her and ran his fingers through her hair. She could hear a low hum in his chest, a contented sound like a cat would make.

"You're right, this is nice," Hermione said.

He chuckled, but didn't answer.

"What were you going to tell me?" she said, her lips whispering past his.

Ron cleared his throat, and for a moment he remained silent. Hermione kissed him once more, softly, and then sank back, resting her head on his shoulder.

"I like it here," he said finally. "On the island, I mean."

"So do I," she agreed. When he didn't continue, she asked, "Is there anything wrong with that?"

"If you woke up tomorrow and Voldemort was gone, and we could go anywhere, if we didn't have to be here... if there was nothing keeping you here... would you still like the island then?" Ron asked.

"I think I would," Hermione answered.

"Why?" he asked.

"Because... all things being equal... I think I'd still want to live here. It's beautiful here," she answered.

Ron sighed and kissed her forehead. "That's how I feel, too. Hermione, someday soon, with Harry's help, we'll find a way to destroy Voldemort, and then we'll be able to go anywhere." He paused. "I want you to know that when that day comes, I'll go wherever you want. But the truth is, this is home for me now, I think."

She turned in his arms and put her hands on either side of his face and kissed him deeply. "For me, too."

The shouts around the bonfire grew louder and Hermione could suddenly make out voices counting down...

"10!... 9!...8!...7!...6!...5!...4!...3!...2!...1!"

A great roar erupted, cheering and yelling of good wishes. Hermione kissed Ron again. "Happy New Year," she said.

He smiled. She settled against his chest once more, the sound of his warm, familiar heart beneath her ear. Around them, ragged voices came together to sing the song that little Ellen had taught Christopher earlier:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

"Hermione?" Ron asked quietly.

"Mmmm?"

"Will you marry me?"

She gaped at him, not quite sure she'd heard him correctly. She wanted to ask him to repeat what he'd just said, just asked, but she couldn't seem to form words, to produce them and speak them out loud.

"Your mouth is hanging open, 'Mione," he said, teasing her. She could see, though, that he was nervous, scared, terrified of what she was going to say.

"Ron--" she managed finally.

"I know we're young," he interrupted. "I know there are a lot of things you want to do with your life. I'm not asking you to settle down and be married and nothing else. It's like I said, I'll go wherever you want to go. It doesn't matter, we'll figure it all out together."

"I--"

"I just know that I love you," he continued, taking her hands in his, "and I always will. That's never going to change. And I want to marry you."

"Ron," she said again, her voice trembling. "Ron, stop talking."

"But--"

"Shut up and give me a chance to say yes, will you?" she said finally, frustrated.

He stared at her blankly for a moment. "Yes? You want to say yes?"

"You want me to say yes, don't you?" she asked.

He nodded fervently.

"Then, yes. Yes. Yes," she said again, and she reached for him, tears pooling in her eyes. "You prat. Yes, of course I'll marry you."

Ron's face lit up brilliantly. He met her halfway and crushed her to him, burying his face in her hair. "I love you," he said fiercely.

She laughed. "I love you too."

He ran his hands up and down her back, as if cherishing the fact that she was in his arms and telling himself that now she always would be. Clasping her left hand to his, he pressed a small circlet of gold there before bringing their joined hands to his lips.

She slipped her hand free and turned it towards the light of the bonfire, tilting it this way and that, mesmerized by the twinkling of the faceted blue stone there. "You remembered that I like sapphires," she said amazedly. "Thank you."

"No, I'm the one thanking you," he said, kissing her palm this time, his breath hot against her skin.

They stayed there together as the festivities continued behind them, the bonfire magically strong and the raised voices going on to sing rowdier songs as, no doubt, the children had been taken inside, given sweet cakes as treats, and sent to bed.

"How long have you been planning this?" she asked after awhile.

He looped a lock of her hair around his finger. "Since Christmas."

"Is that why you've been all odd and distracted and not around lately?" she asked, puzzled.

"Well, sort of," he said sheepishly. "Though I didn't mean to act odd; I guess I was nervous. I just thought I'd just keep busy and that way I wouldn't have the opportunity to foul anything up before New Year's."

"You idiot, you had me worried all week," she scolded.

"Sorry, love," he replied, but with a bit of an unrepentant grin. "Ginny did say it was a stupid plan, but I told her she was underestimating my ability to hack you off at just the worst possible moment."

"Ginny?!" Hermione yelped, sitting up. "Ginny knew? That little -- she didn't say a word!"

"Well, I asked her not to," he admitted. He looked up, then, and Hermione followed his gaze to see Ginny standing a few feet away, her hands on her hips.

"You don't think he managed to pull this off without help, do you?" Ginny challenged.

"Hey!" Ron protested.

"Really, Hermione," Ginny continued, "I know you're batty about my brother, but shuffling the kids off, the conveniently secluded hiding spot on the beach? Getting your ring size right? Isn't it obvious I deserve some credit and thanks, here?"

Ron scowled. "Penny got her ring size, not you."

"Penny, too?!" Hermione exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air. "That means Percy knew as well. Is there anyone else? Was I the last person on the island to know I was getting engaged tonight?"

Ginny shook her head. "No one else. Just us. But they're all going to be so very happy when you tell them," she said, and her manner changed drastically as she wiped furiously at her eyes. "I know I was, when Ron told me."

Hermione stood and embraced Ginny fiercely.

"I need sisters rather badly, I think," Ginny whispered in her ear. "I'm so glad, Hermione."

Her eyes filled with tears again and she squeezed Ginny even harder. "So am I," she whispered back.

"Awful lot of crying going on here," Ron said in a mock-irritated tone. "You'd think something horrible happened."

"No, you just finally did something right," Ginny said, breaking away from her friend and giving her brother a congratulatory hug as well.

Ron grinned and reached for Hermione's hand. "Let's go find my parents, okay?"

Hermione nodded. They followed Ginny back up the beach, heading towards the crowd gathered around the bonfire. As they drew close, two figures detached themselves from the rest. Hermione recognized the shape of Penny's expectant form immediately. Percy, at her side, strode forward, his eyes sweeping over them, taking in their smiles and clasped hands.

"Well?" he asked.

Ginny gave the thumbs-up sign as Ron nodded and Hermione smiled.

"EVERYONE!" Percy yelled, whirling around. A few people turned in his direction, but the noise was too loud for them to hear him shouting, even. He grimaced in exasperation and took out his wand, pointing it to his throat. "Sonorous. Listen up, everyone, I have an announcement to make!"

This time, he had everyone's attention. Penny gave Hermione a swift, inquiring look: was this alright? Hermione glanced at Ron and nodded.

"The best news of all to ring in the New Year. My brother, Ron, has asked Hermione Granger to marry him. And I've just been informed that she said yes." The crowd cheered as one. Percy had to raise his voice slightly when he continued, even with the spell. "So join me in congratulating the lucky couple, and the lucky Weasley family for gaining such a splendid new addition. To Ron and Hermione!"

Hermione felt the smile on her face widen impossibly as the cheers sounded again. She looked at the people gathered before her and saw so many familiar faces: old friends from school, professors, new friends from here on the island. She tried hard not to allow sadness to seep into the moment, but she couldn't help, as well, thinking of those who weren't there who should have been: her parents, Harry. Neville.

Ron drew her hand to his lips, as tenderly as he had before, and she met his eyes. He knew, she could tell, where her thoughts had led. She gave him a sad, loving smile and reach up to kiss him as he whispered, "I know, love. I know."

There were catcalls and hoots, and those closest to them came forward to congratulate them. Seamus slapped Ron roughly on the back and Colin shook his hand soberly. Charlie gave her a rough hug and then did the same to Ron.

"I'm happy for you both," Bill said, leaning down to hug her as well. "But I knew it would happen sooner rather than later. You and Ron don't do things halfway."

She smiled good-naturedly. "No, we don't."

"I told you, last summer, that it was my job to be your big brother," he reminded her. "You've always been family, Hermione. This'll just make it official."

Ron came back to her side. "Bill, where are Mum and Dad?" he asked.

Hermione gasped. "I thought they were here! Oh, Ron, we shouldn't have announced our engagement publicly without telling your parents first."

"Don't worry," Ron said, rubbing her arm comfortingly. "Really. Dad's not going to be the least bit surprised and Mum will do cartwheels. Still, though, why aren't they out here?"

"It's getting a bit late," Bill said with a shrug. "They probably just wanted to get away from the noise."

Ginny frowned. "You know, I don't they ever came out at all. They must still be in the castle." She headed off towards the door, waving for them to follow.

"C'mon," Ron said, taking Hermione's hand and trailing after his sister and brothers. Penny squeezed Hermione's shoulder one final time and joined her husband just ahead of them. "Don't be silly," he whispered for Hermione's ears alone. "There's nothing for you to be nervous about here."

She smiled. "I know. It's just... Ron, I can't believe you asked me."

"I can't believe you said yes."

They stopped in the foyer and kissed softly. As she pulled away, Hermione realized that Ginny and the others had stopped just inside the Hall and were frozen in place, staring at something within. Suddenly she heard a raised voice coming from beyond them.

"What's going on?" Ron asked, moving up behind Percy.

Percy didn't turn, and Hermione turned to Penny for an answer. The other girl pulled her forward wordlessly, moving closer to her husband to make room for Ron and Hermione to see.

Mr. Weasley was standing in the center of the room, talking to someone else; Amos Diggory was there as well, his arm around a tired young man, helping him to a chair. Sitting with Mrs. Weasley at a small table nearby was Padma Patil. Padma, Hermione was alarmed to see, looked exhausted and much thinner than she had been the year before. Hermione realized, suddenly, that the young man with Amos Diggory was Dean Thomas, and that the other man, standing with his back to her and staring his father down, was Fred Weasley.

Hermione felt Ron's hand tighten almost painfully around hers. Fred turned slightly and they could see his profile, his clenched jaw and the flush of anger on his face.

"Fred, dear, just sit down for a moment," Mrs. Weasley said, standing and trying to urge her son into a nearby chair. "Please."

"No, Mum," Fred replied forcefully, moving away from her reaching arms. "I did what I was supposed to do. I got them here safe. And now I'm going to find George, and nothing's going to stop me."