azaleablueme

[azaleablueme]

When Fate Decides Chapter 43: Illusions of Peace Read on Ao3 Read on FFN

Am I early? Well, it's 15th June on my side of the world :) Happy Sunday everyone! Next update: Wednesday 18th June.

When Fate Decides Chapter 42: The Last Barrier Read on AO3 Read on FFN

I can't believe it has been years since I started rewriting this story. All of you have been extremely patient with my delayed and extremely delayed updates and given this fic so much love. I'm happy to say, the posts will be frequent now. In fact, I will update one chapter every 3 days until we come to the end of this tale. Always thankful for all the love and support.

All of you who did not read the first draft and wondered 'Why Draco', you'll get your answers soon. Loads of love, Azalea

[azaleablueme]

PS: Next Update 15th June, Sunday.

When Fate Decides Chapter 42: The Last Barrier Read on AO3 Read on FFN

I can't believe it has been years since I started rewriting this story. All of you have been extremely patient with my delayed and extremely delayed updates and given this fic so much love. I'm happy to say, the posts will be frequent now. In fact, I will update one chapter every 3 days until we come to the end of this tale. Always thankful for all the love and support.

All of you who did not read the first draft and wondered 'Why Draco', you'll get your answers soon. Loads of love, Azalea

[azaleablueme]

When Fate Decides Chapter 42: The Last Barrier Read on AO3 Read on FFN

I can't believe it has been years since I started rewriting this story. All of you have been extremely patient with my delayed and extremely delayed updates and given this fic so much love. I'm happy to say, the posts will be frequent now. In fact, I will update one chapter every 3 days until we come to the end of this tale. Always thankful for all the love and support.

All of you who did not read the first draft and wondered 'Why Draco', you'll get your answers soon. Loads of love, Azalea

[azaleablueme]

For those amazing people still reading In Search of Hermione

The next edited chapter is up on AO3 Chapter updated but full story available on FFN (Chapter 23 : Entangled)

[azaleablueme]

Wishful Thinking

Pairing: Romione

Words: 1.8K

One-shot

DH Era

Rating: G

Read on AO3

A slice of life from their life during the hunt. A slice of life from Ron and Hermione's life during the Hunt. There were little moments all through her life when Hermione fell in love with Ron a little more. This is one such moment but from Ron's pov.

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The water tap in the kitchen sink continued to drip in the background. Ron would have thought that after 3 days, he would have gotten used to it, but he hadn't. Neither had Harry or Hermione.

He had noticed his best mate glare frustratedly at the tap more than once; he had even tried a couple of spells on it without any result. Hermione had been heard tutting more than once as the annoying dripping noise filled the quiet of the tent while she was trying to read.

The sun would set in another hour. Ron stretched his limbs and padded barefoot towards the kitchen. Just two days ago they had managed to find a small village market and a disguised Hermione had bought them two loaves of bread, some apples and eggs. They had left the location as soon as her little shopping expedition was over. Unlike their initial days when they would have had their fill, they had eaten half portions, focusing on saving the meagre rations as long as they could.

He cut three thin slices and boiled some water for a weak tea. Once done, he carried the plate and mugs to the dining table. He picked Harry's mug and share of bread and went outside where the bloke was keeping watch. Ron would take the shift after sundown.

When he returned, Hermione was sitting in the lone, tattered armchair, The Tales of Beetle the Bard, lay on her lap. The book, though shut, had her finger between the pages. He quietly wondered what else she was hoping to find in it but avoided voicing it out. He knew the book had become a comfort read for her.

When he carefully pried the book away from her hands, she looked at him but did not comment. Placing a torn piece of parchment as a makeshift bookmark, he closed the book shut and placed it on the table first before he handed her the cup and the slightly thicker slice of bread.

Their fingers grazed and he ran the pad of his thumb tenderly over her knuckles before pulling his hand away. Grabbing his own lukewarm mug, he signalled silently at her tea.

"Drink up,"

She took a small sip, bit on the bread and Ron vaguely remembered the time when they all sat in the Great Hall, savouring the feasts. Their food supplies were always low and as he watched her, he noticed that the familiar old jumper now hung rather loose over her even thinner-than-before frame. Her skin had lost the soft, supple appearance weeks ago; the lack of sun had not helped either.

When she was done with the bread, he tore off half of his piece and handed it to her. Her chin angled up and those pretty eyes met his, tired and exhausted as they were, they still took his breath away.

"You've been eating too little," he told her, pulling away her left hand from the cup, prying the fingers open, placing the piece of bread and folding her fingers back again. His touch lingered just a little longer than necessary on her hands.

"And you?"

"Don't you think I've eaten enough the last six years?" he chuckled softly. "My body has reserves."

"Doesn't work that way," she told him, a tired smile glinting in her eyes. Still not eating, he noticed.

He paused for a moment, trying his best to find suitable words for what he wanted to say. "Eat up," he managed to start with. But the thought had been bothering him for a while now. "My body doesn't go through what yours does every month," he finished.

Hermione looked away. He noticed a faint blush creeping up her cheek. He probably shouldn't have said anything, he reckoned, but he was worried. They were travelling all over the country, choosing the most inhuman locations they could - it couldn't be easy for her. He didn't know what he could do to help. They never discussed this or considered her comfort - but surely, she would be having a harder time than both him and Harry. He wanted her to tell him - he would try to make it a little better if he knew what to do.

"I haven't," she said softly after a while.

"Haven't -?" he asked, feeling very dumb.

"I-" she paused, bit her lip as if searching for the right words, and after looking at everything else but him, managed to meet his eyes.

"I haven't - had my periods in months," she managed, speaking slowly.

"Oh... Is, is that normal?"

"No..."

She was his best friend, the girl he loved and cared for the most in his life. He placed his cup down and ran his fingers through his hair trying his best to remember what his mum had told them. He couldn't recollect anything that could help in this situation. Did this mean Hermione was hurting? Did she need to see a Healer? Or perhaps needed some medicinal portions?

"What should we do? What do you need?"

She let out a small sad chuckle but when their eyes met, he could see a strange softness and perhaps some sadness in them.

"My body is probably utilising whatever little sustenance it gets to survive," she explained. "I think it realises I'm not in a state to make babies right now so no point -" she paused and took a sharp breath and looked away, blushing.

Ron's brain was malfunctioning with so much candid information, but the more important bits were shining through.

"I knew this was harder on you, Hermione, didn't realise it was so bad that it was impacting your body's primary functions."

He felt so guilty that he couldn't meet her eyes. Yes, she was the brains of the trio. Yes, they wouldn't survive a day without her. Yes, he was glad she was in front of him at all times now that everything in their world had come crashing down. But he should have done better, should have paid more attention in class, and studied harder. He would have had some options of sending her away to safety and be on the hunt with Harry alone.

He felt her eyes on him and when he looked up, he found she had placed her cup and bread on the table. She left her chair to take her place next to him on the couch, scooting closer.

He wanted to wrap his arm around her but resisted. Ever since his return he had ensured he gave her the time and space she needed to take him back - no matter how much he craved to hold her close. He placed his mug on the table too. Sometimes, most of the times rather, he found it hard to find the right words to express all that was going on in his head.

She rested her head against his shoulder and placed her hands in his, Ron scooted just a smidge to ensure she was comfortable and felt her body rest completely against him.

"When all this is done, let's travel somewhere near the beach," she said softly, looking at the blank canvas ahead.

"Mmm hmm," he agreed, "Somewhere warmer?"

"Yes,"

"What else?"

"A small cottage by the beach."

"We can have breakfast on the beach, watching the waves," he agreed.

"And feel the warm sand under our feet," she added.

"At night, we can light a small fire and watch the sea and the stars. Will you like that?" He traced soft circles over her knuckles and wrapped his left arm around her, pulling her closer into his warmth.

"Sounds nice," she replied, her words dreamy and happy.

"How long would you like to stay there?" he asked.

"Dunno, a month maybe? We'd have to return back eventually."

"Do we? We could buy the place eventually. You could turn one room into a library."

She chuckled. "We could, but I don't have enough books for a library."

"That's not a problem; we can order books by the crate till you feel you have enough."

"That we can," she sounded happy. "What if you get tired staying put?" she asked.

"We could travel somewhere else," he mused. "We'll have to travel to Australia anyway to bring your parents back."

She halted for a minute, and he felt her release a sigh. "You'll come along, won't you?" she asked quietly.

"What made you think I'll let you go alone?"

She moved, resting her head against his neck. "They must be safe, right, Ron?"

He ensured to thread his fingers through hers before he spoke. "I am sure they are."

The leaky tap continued to drip in the background in the otherwise silent space. The lights dimmed as the sun settled down below the horizon and Ron's hand had found its way into her curls, cradling her head against himself as her breathing eased. It was only when he heard Harry's movement outside, he gently tapped her on her arms.

"Hermione?"

She stirred after a while and nuzzled deeper before pulling herself away.

"I guess I dozed off," she mumbled, words still laced with sleep.

"Wanna lie down for a little bit?" he asked, pulling his right hand off to grab his wand and Accioed his blanket, catching it deftly as it flew towards him in a crumpled bunch.

"No," she replied. "I'll sit with you outside for a bit."

"It's cold outside and we can't light a fire," he urged, wrapping the blanket around her.

She looked into his eyes and he knew there was nothing he could say that would deter her. She warmed their mugs and handed him the cup. "Drink your tea. Why are you barefoot?" she admonished softly.

Harry padded in sometime later. He felt Hermione squeeze his hand for a moment before she scooted away and grabbed the now empty mugs. The breads would be stored back for later use. He pulled himself off the couch and on his way towards his bunk, patted his best mate on the back.Grabbing his shoes and socks from under his bunk, Ron proceeded to put them on and grabbed his jacket from the bed. Hermione took Harry's cup and moved away to place the cups back on the shelf.

The bloke didn't comment but smirked a little as he noticed the two of them. Ron knew Harry would have noticed the closeness between them. There were no grand gestures but simple domestic intimacy which he reckoned he cherished a lot. Hermione returned from the kitchen and wrapped herself snugly with Ron's blanket and grabbed her book, walking purposely towards the tent flap.

Ron smiled at his best mate and followed after her. The leaky tap continued to drip behind them but it did not bother him as much. For a while even the musty old tent felt like home.

[azaleablueme]

[azaleablueme]

Next chapter (Chapter 41) up for When Fate Decides (AO3) Once again, thank you for reading - I hope you enjoy this chapter too! Let me know what you think? New to this fic? Start reading here AO3 FFN

[azaleablueme]

BTW i see these posts all the time like "ohhh i dont know what to comment on fics.." and every response is "keysmashes! or hearts!! anything works :3" and thats GREAT!! thats helpful!!

but: consider. if u genuinely like analyzing writing.. do u know ur just allowed to go through and quote your favorite parts and ramble abt what they mean to u and the author will LOSE IT WITH HYPE?

genuinely. i felt SO WEIRD the first time i did it.. but like. holy shit authors love it. its crack for authors. the first time i did it, it was on a fic that hadnt updated in half a year, give or take, and the author made 3 updates that month BECAUSE OF MY COMMENT.

LIKE. as an author every comment is INCREDIBLE!!! but also, dont feel like your comment has to be short or otherwise ur invasive or smth!! authors ADORE long comments more than ANYTHING.

[azaleablueme]

No one is more toxic than an immature narcissist in a position of power. Club that up with a privileged arse and congratulations, you've just created the perfect poison cocktail that is strong enough to kill motivation and positivity.

Sorry this is just a rant - and I'll most likely delete this post in some time. But I really needed to vent in my safe space without my post becoming another article material for an overworked content writer for a multinational news platform.

[azaleablueme]

With your lovely reviews on FFN and AO3 motivating me, I have been doing marginally better and have been able to write. So here is the next edited chapter for ISOH (AO3). Full story on FFN Fingers crossed, the next chapter of WFD should be out soon as well.

[azaleablueme]

As a little thanks and also to help my mental health, I managed to post the next edited chapter of ISOH. You can find it on AO3.

Sharing this and reading your reviews is really giving me some peace and creative satisfaction as I juggle a madly unsatisfactory job.

Full story available on FFN.

[azaleablueme]

Posting in the middle of a workday coz my manager is really... well.. to be polite on a public forum - she is not the best thing for my mental health. however, i began scrolling my notifications and found my fics recced, comments and reviews you've left on my stories and new year wishes.

People, you guys are absolutely amazing - you've no clue how much you keep me going by dropping those words in my inbox when real life feels absolutely shitty.

I wish I could write more and give back all the love you send my way.

Send me some posivibes if you have spare?

[azaleablueme]

29 -12 -2024

As a very late Christmas or an early New Year present for all my readers, a lengthy When Fate Decides chapter will be released in 12hrs or so.

You've stayed with me for so long, given this story more love than I could have imagined. This update will bring some relief to all the slow burn and angst I've put you all through.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all ! Have a safe Year ahead!

[azaleablueme]

Made a little something yesterday at night👌 Any ideas what Ron did this time?😋

[azaleablueme]

To each one of you following, rereading and commenting/reviewing In Search of Hermione - Thank you 🧡 for once again being a part of this journey. Edited Chapter 17 is now up on AO3 Full Story on FFN

[azaleablueme]

Small Ron/Hermione canon moments that even most books readers don't remember.

1. Ron actually decided to follow his worst fear in COS with Harry after seeing Hermione's empty seat beside him at the great hall.

2. The 1st time Hermione apologised and accepted she was wrong in POA to Ron. She also hugged him and cried.

3. Ron actually read many books in his spare time to help Hermione with Buckbeak's trial.

4. Ron got detentions total 3 times in 7 years. 2 of them by Snape for defending Hermione against his bullying.

5. Hermione kissed Ron on his cheek to distract him from the horrible song Malfoy wrote in OOTP

6. Ron bought Hermione a perfume as a Christmas gift to make up for his atrocious behaviour in 4th year.

7. Hermione's the only person who caught that Twins were terrible to Ron and their pranks were affecting him emotionally.

8. Ron consoled Hermione the most when she was upset. At Dumbledore's funeral he was stroking her hair while she was crying on his shoulder.

9. Hermione asked Ron out on a date for the 1st time even though she said 'we are allowed to bring guests'

10. Ron is the only person who said 'I love you' those exact three words to his S.O in the whole series.

[azaleablueme]

Ron at the age of 11: “I’m the sixth in our family to go to Hogwarts. You could say I’ve got a lot to live up to. Bill and Charlie have already left — Bill was head boy and Charlie was captain of Quidditch. Now Percy’s a prefect. Fred and George mess around a lot, but they still get really good marks and everyone thinks they’re really funny. Everyone expects me to do as well as the others, but if I do, it’s no big deal, because they did it first"

Ron at the age of 18: one of the 7 people who destroyed a part of Voldemort's soul, fought in the war valiantly, one of the 3 people who has his own chocolate frog, the greatest achievement of any wizard, is the most famous Weasley, is offered a job at the ministry even without completing his NEWT and probably has Order of Merlin too for his contribution to the war.

And he achieved all of these on his own. What a friggin legend 👑