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“Remind me again why we’re driving?” Ron asks, breaking the silence. “You realize we could have just apparated there? It would have been so much quicker.” He looks over at Hermione, who’s currently driving their rental car. The radio is playing quietly in the background.
Hermione looks oddly relaxed, for the first time in months, is what Ron realizes as he stares at her. Things haven’t been very easy since the battle at Hogwarts ended. They’ve been trying to make things work between them, but things unfortunately usually just end in arguments, and it’s starting to affect the people around them.
Then, Ron’s mother suggested about a week ago that they take a vacation away from the Wizarding World, and that was something that both Hermione and Ron actually agreed on.
Hermione chuckles. “The point of this vacation is to spend time together, Ronald. Besides, going on a road trip together is part of the vacation, and I like driving. Are you getting bored?”
Ron smiles softly at her. “Of course not, love. I’m never bored when I’m with you,”
Hermione glances at him, seeming unsure of his response. “Are you sure?”
“‘Mione, I know things have been… complicated , lately. But, I really do mean that. When we do spend time together, we have fun, yeah?” Ron asks hopefully.
“We do,” Hermione nods. “We have a lot to talk about, you know? We can’t avoid it forever.”
“Yeah, I know that. But, we’re on vacation. So, let’s just enjoy it while we can,” Ron says calmly. He’s determined for the two of them to make it through this vacation without arguing. He just wants to spend some much needed quality time with Hermione, and then they talk.
“I can agree with that,” Hermione says, and slowly relaxes again in her seat. She reaches over and turns the volume slightly up, a song called Cruel Summer by Taylor Swift is playing. Hermione has been slowly introducing Ron to all kinds of muggle music, and Ron’s not sure what he thinks of it, but all he knows is that Hermoine loves it.
Ron falls asleep halfway through the drive. When he wakes up, the car is stopped. Ron bolts up, and he looks over to see Hermione getting into the car. “What’s going on?”
Hermione chuckles as she climbs into the car. “I had to stop for gas, Ronald. And I got snacks,” she throws a bag of Doritos at Ron, who clumsily catches the bag, but he’s grateful because he hadn’t realized how hungry he was. He only just woke up after all. “How was your nap?”
“It was… pretty good, actually. Much needed,” Ron says, and lets out a yawn. He looks over at Hermione. “Do you want to switch? You’ve been driving a long time, haven’t you?”
Hermione raises her eyebrows as she looks over at Ron. “You want to switch?”
“Only if you want to. I know I’m not the best driver,” Ron admits, shrugging his shoulders.
Hermione chuckles, and it’s obvious that she’s tired and would probably appreciate a nap, but Ron isn’t surprised at all when she declines his offer, and soon they’re off again.
It takes them about four hours before they’ve finally arrived at their resort. Hermione found a small yet beautiful resort near the beach in Florida. Hermione said she’s never been to Florida, but she told him all about it when they were trying to find a place to stay.
Ron doesn’t know anything about the muggle world, but he’s not going to complain about a beach. Besides, he’d never complain about getting to see his beautiful girlfriend in a swimsuit.
“This is nice,” Hermione says as they walk into their resort room.
“‘Mione, how did you find this place?” Ron asks as he looks around once he’s inside. He sets his suitcase by the door, looking around in awe. “It’s more than nice. It’s beautiful.”
Hermione chuckles. “A lot of researching,”
Ron tsks and shakes his head. “I’m not surprised. You are one to love a bit of research,”
“We’re going to be here for a week. I had to pick something nice, didn’t I?” Hermione asks, and turns to look at Ron. “Besides, I’m the one who knows most about muggle culture, aren’t I?”
Ron chuckles, nodding without hesitation. “Yes, love. Of course,” he says.
“Get settled in. I’m going to go ahead and text my parents, and let them know that we’re here,” Hermione says, and steps out onto the balcony.
Text , Ron thinks. He still finds the muggle world a bit odd. He doesn’t understand it much.
Ron explores their room, taking everything in, and finally makes it to the large bathroom. He walks up to the mirror and takes a deep breath as he stares at his reflection. He has no idea how this little vacation is going to go, but he can only hope for the best. He’s not sure what he’s going to do if he loses Hermione. She’s one of the most important people in his life.
“Ron?” Ron startles out of his thoughts when he hears Hermione calling his name. “Ron, where did you go?” He looks over and sees Hermione walking into the room. She sighs in relief. “There you are. What are you doing in the bathroom?”
Ron chuckles, and stands straight again. “I was just exploring,” he says, and walks up to Hermione. “What are the plans for tonight? Knowing you, you must have something planned.”
“Knowing me?” Hermione raises her eyebrows, a small smile playing on her face.
“Yes, knowing you. You don’t do anything without a plan,” Ron replies sassily.
Hermione huffs. “For good reason!” She shakes her head. “And yes, I do have a plan. I figured, you know, after being in a car for so long, maybe you’d wanna get some dinner?”
“You know me, I’m always hungry,” Ron grins.
“Yes, I do,” Hermione says, and leans forward to kiss Ron once on the lips. She blushes once she pulls away. “Give me a few to get ready?”
“You look beautiful already, but I don’t mind waiting,” Ron tells her.
The first few days at the resort are smooth, Ron thinks. They mostly just chill at the resort, and drive around the city, looking at different shops. Hermione has already spent a silly amount of money on souvenirs. Ron doesn’t buy anything, thinking he won’t need souvenirs. Although he's not completely innocent, he has bought a lot of yummy food.
It’s not until the third day when they’re finally at the beach, when things go sour.
Hermione simply wanted to grab a drink from the bar, not even an alcoholic drink. Ron offered to stay back at the beach to keep an eye on their stuff.
However, when it’s been more than ten minutes, and Hermione still isn’t back yet, Ron finally looks over to see if maybe it’s just a long line, and he instantly fumes when he sees Hermione happily chatting it up with some random guy Ron’s never seen before.
Luckily, she’s still wearing her swimsuit cover-up and wearing a floppy sun hat, though she still looks absolutely gorgeous in Ron’s eyes. He’s not happy she’s clearly being flirted with, and she’s got a smile on her face as she’s chatting to the guy.
Finally, Hermione makes her way back to Ron. Ron instantly looks away from her when she returns, sitting back down on the blanket. She’s still got a smile on her face.
“Making some friends, are you?” Ron asks.
Hermione stops, and blinks. “What are t-?” She sighs. “You saw him, didn’t you?”
“I was just looking to see what was taking you so long to get back. I thought maybe there was a long line. I certainly wasn’t expecting to see you talking to some random guy,”
“He was just asking for directions, Ronald. It’s not a big deal,” Hermione snaps.
“Asking for directions? Hermione, please. He was obviously flirting with you,” Ron snaps back.
“ Flirting ?” Hermione exclaims. “Honestly, Ronald. We have a lot to talk about, and your jealousy issues are one of them! Am I not allowed to talk to people of the opposite sex now?”
“Of course you are, but it was obvious that he was flirting with you,” Ron hisses.
“Honestly,” Hermione scoffs, and stands again, grabbing her drink.
“Hey, where are you going?” Ron asks, sitting upright.
“I’m going to enjoy the water. Don’t join if you plan on accusing me of being flirted with,” Hermione snaps, and glares at Ron before heading straight to the water.
Ron groans, and falls down on his back, sighing as he stares up at the sky.
They were doing so well. It was only a matter of time before something went wrong.
Eventually, the two head back to their resort room. It’s quiet for about an hour before Hermione finally speaks up, asking if Ron wants to go get dinner.
“What?” Ron asks, looking over at Hermione, shocked she even asked him.
“Do you want to go get dinner?” Hermione asks.
“I-” Ron asks, blinking. “You want to go get dinner?”
“Well, yes-” Hermione begins. “Why wouldn’t we go get dinner?”
Ron scoffs, and he moves to go sit on the edge of the bed, feeling confused. “Do you not remember earlier?” He looks up at Hermione. “I didn’t think-”
“Ron,” Hermione begins, and she moves to stand up from the bed as well. “You think I’m mad at you because we had an argument earlier? I’m always mad at you.”
“That’s the thing,” Ron sighs. “I’m just afraid that one day you really will be mad at me, and I’ll screw everything up. We’re supposed to be making this thing work. I can’t lose you, Hermione.”
Hermione stares at Ron, before stepping closer to him, and she allows him to place his hands on her waist to pull her closer. “You’re not going to screw this up. Neither of us are,”
“But we argue so much-”
“All couples argue, Ronald,” Hermione says. “We just… argue more than the normal couple. Look, our relationship is still new. We’re still figuring this out. It also didn’t help that we got together in the middle of a bloody battle. But, I’m not going to leave you because we have disagreements from time to time. As long as we promise to work things out.”
Ron nods. “I think we should be able to do that,” he says.
“Good,” Hermione says, and leans forward to kiss him. The kiss lasts for a moment before she finally pulls away. “I love you, Ronald Weasley. Nothing will change that.”
“Not even my jealousy issues?” Ron asks, staring at her.
Hermione chuckles. “Not even that, even though you drive me crazy sometimes,” she says. “So, let’s forget this whole thing happened, and let’s enjoy some dinner. Yeah?”
Ron can’t help the smile that forms on his face. “That sounds brilliant.”