Who: Ron Weasley, an unconscious Hermione Granger, Mr and Mrs Granger What: Ron's on the verge of breaking down all together. Where: St Mungo's When: Thursday Afternoon Rating: Ron's swearing in his head.
BLOODY FUCKING HELL. Mungo's was chaotic. Ron had found Hermione's room straight away, being denied access at first because there was too much going on, as they tried to help her. So he'd gone in search of Ginny's which was difficult because the Healers were too busy dealing with the influx of victims and trying to keep visitors out of the way to know where she was. He finally spotted George through the doorway, having somehow forced his way in to their sister's room.
"George!" he shouted through the doorway. "I'm just around the corner, second room on the left. Tell me when you know something?" His brother promised, and Ron had hightailed it back to Hermione's room, trying to push out thoughts that something could have happened while he was away.
He felt like he was being torn in two. Ginny and Hermione both at Mungo's. He didn't know who was in worse condition. But George was with Ginny, and he knew his brothers would be arriving soon enough. Hermione was alone, at least, until Harry arrived. And Ron didn't know when that would be.
Arriving at her room, he was kept out again, but he'd realised... someone had to tell her parents and get them there. It was going to have to be him.
He wasn't sure how he managed to apparate himself in one piece to their backyard, guarded from sight by Muggles by the fence, but not giving a shit one way or the other. Soon he was pounding on the backdoor, not even sure if they would be home. What sort of hours did dentists work, anyway?
But his fears of not being able to find them faded as Ivy Granger opened the door, looking startled at Ron's appearance. Nonetheless she ushered him inside, Richard soon joining them.
He sputtered out his words. "Hermione is hurt. Attack. The bookstore. We need to get to Mungo's. Gotta run- walk. I can't take you. She'd kill me if I splinched either of you."
It took a few more moments before everything was clarified enough, Mrs Granger's face having paled. But Hermione's father simply looked at Ron and said, "We'll drive."
Right. Muggles had faster means of transportation than walking.
Though with London traffic, as soon as they were close enough Mr Granger parked the car and they hurried to the visitor's entrance for St Mungo's, Ron's stomach doing flips. Don't be -- Please be alright, Hermione. Be alright. He got them to her room, where at last he was allowed in. She was out. Bandaged up. But alive.
"I," he started, his throat dry. "Need to check on my sister," he managed, excusing himself briefly. He spotted his brothers in the room, and one look from Percy told him what he needed to know. Alive. But no news other than that. Ron nodded weakly, his legs starting to feel like they would simply give way underneath him, and headed back to Hermione's room.
Attempting to answer questions from Richard and Ivy, he struggled to make sense of what the Healers were doing in a way they'd understand. All the while, his eyes never left Hermione. Until...
He looked up at them. "I... I was gonna buy a ring. Propose. Wanted your permission first. Can I... can I marry Hermione?"
Both of Hermione's parents looked at him in surprise, and then at each other. Finally, Richard Granger spoke. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice sounding weary.
"Yes," Ron said resolutely, looking back to Hermione. "Completely."
It was silent for a while. An eternity. Ron grew increasingly nervous. Until Mr Granger finally said, "If you're sure." It was all the answer he needed.
* * *
He wasn't sure how much time had passed. Ron had answered questions as best he could and tried to make the Grangers feel more comfortable at the strange wizard hospital. His initial panic was replaced by waiting. And waiting.
Suddenly he rose from his seat, saying that he needed to feed Crookshanks. Hermione would kill him if he forgot to feed the cat. Excusing himself momentarily, he managed to apparate back to their flat, feed both Crookshanks and Pig, and grab a few things for the night.
Because he wasn't leaving.
But they were, at least for a bit. Ron promised to alert them if anything changed. They made plans to return. And then he was alone.