A/N:

Please Read (Apologies in advance for the lengthy note)

TOTALLY AU. No Voldemort, no deaths (James, Lily and Sirius are all alive), just a tale of our favourite couple in the seventh year. Just your normal love story.

This story is dedicated to the first ever Romione I read back in 2005 (or 2006?) on Checkmated. Sadly, it was neither completed nor do I remember its title or the author's name. In it, Hermione leaves the wizarding world after realising she is pregnant without even telling Ron the truth. Years later, when their child is of age to go to Hogwarts, she gets in touch with Harry to keep an eye on her daughter and not let her (or Ron) know the truth. The child finally goes to Hogwarts and sees the picture of a red-haired woman on her DADA teacher's (Harry's) desk and wrongly assumes him to be her father (she had red hair and freckles). Unfortunately, that is where the story was left and never completed, and I have never been able to track it back.

So, if by any chance the Author of that fic is reading this, I wish to tell you, this story is dedicated to you. I hope you have finished the story and please send me the link, I still wish to read it.

In all honesty, this plot(pregnant Hermione) is a little cliché now. There are so many of these, and in case you find this way too similar to anything you have read before, please let me know and I'll take it off. After spending years and years reading Romiones, one kind of loses track of all plots that one has read. This idea came to me and I had to pen it down. It is possible that I might have read this long back and forgotten, and my brain is playing tricks with me now. In that case, please let me know. I don't wish to pass someone else's story as my own and will humbly and apologetically take it down. If not, I will be way too happy to share it with you.

This story will be 10 chapters long. The whole of it is all planned and ready and unless I take it off, I will post one chapter every week till it's done.

I would obviously love to know what you guys think of it, so please keep those reviews coming. And thank you for reading!

Characters are the sole property of J K Rowling. No copyright infringement intended.

Chapter 1: Topsy-Turvy

The old and dodgy looking back alley was quite possibly not the best place to Apparate to. A little bit of miscalculation and he would be standing at the dump, not the best thing to happen when he was going to meet the girl he had been secretly fancying all these years; especially not if the said girl was also one of his best friends and someone who was currently living in one of those uptown bungalows with her strict Muggle parents.

Grinning to himself on noticing that he had, for once, managed to land exactly where he had intended, Ron quickened his pace but not before straightening his jacket and running a hand through his Apparition-messed up hair. It was quite possible that she wouldn't even notice, and he would never actually admit it to anyone (not even Harry) that he really put in an effort today to look dapper. The sad part was that this wasn't his first attempt but fifth to get her attention in some way in this past one month. Unfortunately, every time he coaxed himself to leave not-so-subtle hints and take it a little further, he usually chickened out the last minute.

Brave little Gryffindor that he was, he thought morosely quickening his steps. Her place wasn't too far from here. A quick walk and he would be able to make it in six to seven minutes; his heart and feet both speeded up as a curious little bubble erupted in the chest region at the thought of seeing her after so long. One month, two weeks and one day, to be precise- since the day school had closed for their summer holidays post their Sixth Year, since the time she had walked off with her parents from the King's Cross station. Yes, he was counting.

He passed a couple of florists debating internally if he ought to pick some flowers for her but chuckled to himself nervously at the thought. Hermione would think of him as an imposter if he did that, and more importantly, he didn't really have the extra money for such little wishes. Instinctively, he put his hand in his pocket feeling the few Sickles and Knuts that jingled around in the large empty space. At least, he would be able to afford to buy her a Butterbeer today and perhaps even an ice cream from the Fortescue's. That is what he had in mind since he signed up for doing odd jobs for the twins during the vacation. He did not prefer much to be their product tester, especially when he had to eat or drink dodgy looking stuff, but a man had to do something to earn a few extra Knuts. Hermione would never really mind paying for the two of them, and honestly, their friendship was way above petty monetary issues but that didn't mean he didn't wish to take her out at times, and buy her a drink or a book, perhaps?

It was as if his ever eager feet had carried him faster than he had imagined, and he suddenly found himself at the Granger's lawn. He paused right away. The Grangers were not exactly anti- Wizards but they were not really as friendly as Harry's parents were. In fact, he had a feeling that they were a little uncomfortable with him, a tad bit more than they were with Harry, although he had no solid proof to back his assumptions. They were civil to him but not very warm on the rare occasions that he had come down to pick Hermione from her home. Ron sincerely hoped she would have told them about the party, and they would allow her to go. He wondered for a brief second if it would have been better to bring Harry along but shook off that idea right away. He wanted to do this alone. He wanted to stroll around the streets and take a Muggle bus or those underground trains or whatever they were called before they reached the party at Leaky Cauldron. He wanted some time alone with her, and hadn't Harry planned to go with Ginny, anyway? Perhaps. His head was too full of subtly suggesting in his owls if they could spend some extra time together and phrase it very casually at the same time to bother what others were planning.

Realising that he had spent about five full minutes standing out on the lawn like an idiot, he quickly moved ahead, pulling the jacket once more and nervously rubbing the back of his neck which was sure to have turned red by now. On hindsight, he should have never allowed his Mum to have given him that short haircut, at least his longer locks had hidden his flaming neck each time she had come closer last year, but now that was a lost chance. Taking a quick deep breath, licking his lips and blowing out softly through his mouth, he pressed the small button on the side of the wall.

The door opened a moment later, and he quickly arranged the goofy grin that had appeared on his face as he anticipated (hoped in fact) her running into his arms as she opened the door to find him. However, it was not Hermione but a much elder version of her who was at the other side.

Dr Jane Granger looked at him with a polite smile that did not reach her eyes, and he mumbled an awkward greeting, mentally kicking himself for messing it up right at the start.

"Ronald," she said softly and gestured him inside, closing the door behind him.

"Um..." he stammered not quite sure what to say to her next. The Grangers made him a little uneasy. In all honesty, he was a little surprised (and extremely thankful) that they allowed Hermione to go to Hogwarts at all.

"I don't know if Hermione has told you but we are expected at the Annual Gryffindor Bash tonight, and I'm here to pick her up," he added haltingly as she watched him curiously.

"Yes, she did mention it," she replied leaving no doubts in his mind that she did not fancy letting her daughter party with her school friends who were obviously Magical. At times he wondered if McGonagall had threatened them with dire consequences if they did not allow Hermione to learn magic.

He stood there wondering if he was supposed to remain standing or walk up to the living area or perhaps go to her room because the lady was obviously giving him a look over with serious contemplation in her eyes. Thankfully for him, Hermione chose that minute to come to his aid. He heard her before he saw her as she yelled from the top of the stairs.

"Mum, is it Ron?" she inquired, looking pretty in a pale blue summer dress that swirled at her knees and showed off her shapely legs. Ron turned at the voice instinctively and the smile that he had hidden away made an appearance again, much broader this time.

"Yes, he is, dear," replied the elderly witch stiffly. "And it's not good manners to yell so loudly," she added.

"Sorry, Mum," Hermione replied biting her tongue and send a small glance and smile his way which was enough to make his stupid heart flutter a little more than before.

"Hey there..." he added softly and she waved at him and tucked a loose curl behind her ear, definitely conscious about her appearance. He didn't know why she was so shy whenever she dressed like this, though; he thought she looked perfect and stunning.

"I need to grab my coat and purse. And I have a few books to return to the Florish's Library. Mind coming upstairs for a bit?" she asked cautiously, and he could have literally levitated himself up the stairs out of sheer joy. But he remembered that Dr Jane Granger was still watching and chose to shrug his shoulders casually instead.

"Yeah, sure," he replied and giving a brief nod to the lady who was watching them with a tiny hint of a frown, proceeded to climb up the stairs slowly, barely controlling the urge to run up and pull her into his arms (in a friendly way of course).

"You look beautiful," he whispered as he got near and the two walked down the corridor towards her room. She met his eyes with a smile that made her cheeks go pink, and he somehow managed to hold back the maddening urge to kiss her right there. To hell will subtle messages, he was going insane about her.

"You look good too," she smiled and his shoulders straightened up a little more. She noticed!

"Did your Mum give you the haircut?" she asked softly.

"Umm, yeah, you know how persistent she can get," he mumbled consciously, running his hand through the much shorter fringe at his temple.

"It's nice," she added with another of those tiny smiles he wanted to keep for himself. Their eyes remained locked for a minute longer before she pushed open the door.

"Hey, you ready to leave?"

Ron turned with brows scrunched at the sound that was definitely not hers but coming from her room. Yes, there was definitely a male, a little older than them perhaps, sitting at her desk.

An ugly green monster reared its head in his chest, and he glanced at the young man and Hermione, who had gone more than a little uncomfortable.

She met his questioning eyes consciously before squaring up her shoulders a little. He had known her way too long to understand that she was just working herself to deal with the situation.

"David, meet Ron. Ron, this is David" she introduced confidently, and the man came up to shake his hand. Ron would have loved his fist to meet the wanker's jaw, to be honest, but forced a smile.

"Ron is my friend from school," she added.

"Best friend," he injected gripping the man's hand a little harder, taking him all in. He was tall, almost as tall as him and fairly good looking with blond hair and glasses. He looked very much like a person who spent his time hidden behind books.

"David is Dad's student. He hails from Canada and is here at Dad's University on an exchange program."

"I come here to meet Professor Granger about my course, obviously, but Hermione is an amazingly brilliant person to talk to," smiled David with a glance at Hermione's direction. Ron wondered if Dr Jane Granger would fix the moron's jaws for free in case he gave their dear student a nice punch in the face, or two perhaps.

"Yeah, Hermione is brilliant; she's the best at school," he added with a subtle warning in the tone that if the highly educated buffoon would understand translated into get-the-fuck-away-from-my-girl in guy code.

"I bet she is!" he grinned. "I always held a keen interest in ancient history, and I love her intense knowledge on the subject. Conversations with her are always so fascinating!" he gushed on, and Ron noticed Hermione blush under their combined gazes. "Even her knowledge on dentistry is amazing considering she is still at school. I was telling her that she should really try enrolling in my university," he went on pissing Ron all the more.

"No, she can't do that. What she wishes to pursue is not taught at your university," he replied before Hermione could comment or the guy could blabber anymore. David's face fell, and Hermione glared at him but he didn't think she was overtly angry.

"Really?" the guy added looking at her.

"What Ron means is that since I wish to pursue Law I cannot possibly enrol in your university," she explained while Ron tapped his foot a little impatiently. Here he was planning on getting some extra time with her, and now they were stuck chatting to this clingy, flirty bugger instead.

"Hermione, we really ought to leave," he told her not bothering that he was offending her guest. In his defence, the moron had offended him way more in this short span of time.

It felt like a long time before David finally left, and she picked up her travelling coat and other things and they moved out of the house and away from the combined glares of her parents into the open air.

He exhaled soundly as they left the house behind and she swatted him playfully on the arm. Feigned hurt he turned at her as she rolled her eyes and shook her head, and his heart melted a little more.

"That was plain rude what you did there!" she admonished but with a definite hint of a laugh.

"Really?" he asked pushing away his chagrin. He had waited way too long for this time with her to waste it by being pissed off for a nuisance of a Muggle.

"I thought I spared you from incessant flattery that would bloat your head to monstrous proportions!" he replied mimicking her tone and Hermione giggled as he relaxed further, stopping himself just in time from holding her hand.

"He is really nice, you know," she said and he snorted, the green monster rearing his head again.

"No really, I mean he tends to get a little nervous in front of people and blabber but he is really smart and Dad thinks he is one of the brightest he has ever taught." Ron looked away from her and kicked a pebble on the road much harder than necessary. She didn't seem to notice.

"It's just that he like books a lot, just like me," she added, flustered for some reason.

Fantastic, now they were going to talk about David in detail.

"Does he come to your place often?" he asked before he could stop himself.

"He comes a few times a week. He is leaving in another ten days, you see, and is trying to pick up as much as he can from Dad," she explained. He is trying to pick up a lot of other things too, he thought grumpily.

"And he just walks into your room, I suppose?" he asked without looking at her but concentrating on the road instead. That was totally over the line, and he just about made out her stiffening a little.

"He loves to see my collection of books, knows a lot about a lot of subjects," she explained in a tone he couldn't really figure.

"How are we travelling?" she asked when he did not comment.

"Apparating," he replied sourly.

...

The party was in full swing. It had been a regular custom from the days his parents were at school or perhaps even before that time, no one really knew. One day in August, the Gryffindors, the current batches of years five to seven and also the ex-students all came together to catch-up. However, to avoid parents turning up and spoiling the fun, the gates were open to students, not more than four years senior to the current seventh-year batch.

For one day every year, the Leaky Cauldron was booked solely for this purpose. He had heard stories that way earlier, the pub took in regular guests as well but that had come to a stop since that one time when some students had planned multiple dung bombs in every room causing the guests to leave fuming and breathless. Since then, Tom and decided for the benefit of his establishment to keep the weak-hearted adults away from the bunch of high teenagers.

Back when Ron had been in their fourth year, the twins had described it as the better vision of Yule Ball, albeit with a lot of free drinks, abundant food, loud music and crazy bets. What they had perhaps kept from their younger brother was that it was also a night of over the top flirting and random hookups. That sight had pretty much shocked his and Harry's comparatively innocent eyes the first time they had attended the yearly bash. Later, they had deduced that the twins had purposely refrained from disclosing the truth only to enjoy the utter shock on their faces.

Hermione, on the other hand, was never quite comfortable with all the public displays of affection. Why she still attended it every year was still a mystery to him. She never picked up Firewhiskey before she legally came of age, and even after that, stuck to holding one glass for the whole evening, occasionally taking small sips from it. She didn't overly enjoy the chaotic atmosphere either but was sport enough to sit with them for quite a few hours, and even share a few casual dances with him and Harry before she went back home. And, thankfully, although she did have quite a few suitors grappling for her attention, not once had he found her in someone else's arms, not after the Yule Ball where she had gone with that Bulgarian Seeker he now despised. He also secretly blamed himself for that fiasco in their fourth year, though he never agreed or acknowledged openly that perhaps she would have gone with him if he had asked her first. And that was pretty much the reason why every year since their fifth, he made it a point to pick her up from her place to the pub and drop her home too (albeit a lot grudgingly).

As the night progressed, the band shifted from foot-thumping numbers to slower music. Many couples were now seen swaying softly to the music, a bigger number had moved into various parts, hidden in the shadows and sometimes the rooms. It was an unspoken treaty that whatever happened this one night remained here, although most of the time, relationships were made and broken depending upon the events that proceeded the alcoholic high.

He picked up another shot of Firewhiskey and swirled the liquid in the goblet. Despite the little unpleasant start, the night had progressed well. Just like the previous years, he, Harry, Hermione and Ginny had sat together watching their classmates and seniors make a fool out of themselves. They had watched Parvati kiss an unsuspecting Neville and noticed multiple couples sneak away into different nooks and corners, betting amongst themselves how many of these would last the night. Sometime in between, Harry and Ginny had moved away to dance and they hadn't come back; Ron wasn't exactly complaining. Those two had been dating for a while now, and honestly, he had more pressing issues than bothering about his sister and his best mate.

He took another gulp hoping the alcohol would help control his nerves a bit more and turned at her. She was sitting next to him, quite close in fact, with a goofy smile plastered on her lips.

"What 'ya laughing at?" he asked shaking his head as a strange sensation ran down his arms. He looked at the drink again and pondered if it smelled or tasted different. A sudden flash occurred in front of his eyes and he dropped the goblet back. Perhaps he had drunk too much or eaten anything strange? Nah, nothing, just the same food everyone had had and a few generous shots.

"Nothing," she said and giggled a bit. Now that was odd. Hermione didn't usually giggle.

"How many shots have you had?" he asked noticing how the tied up hair was now coming loose, and the mesmerising way those brown tendrils framed her face, swaying softly. He would love to wrap his finger around one as he pulled her closer for the kiss, he thought. His brain gave a whoop. Yes, he would absolutely love that.

"One," she said bringing up her finger almost close to his nose and shook her head and held up three fingers instead.

"No, two or three, I think!" she replied cheerfully.

"What?! Hermione, you never drink that much!" he gasped holding her by her upper arm as she held the goblet in both her hands and swayed slightly, grinning to herself. At his words, she looked surprised and turned towards him.

"Oh, I don't?" she asked scrunching her brows and tilted her head slightly to flash him a smile.

"I should drink more. Makes me feel brave," she added gazing at him, smiling serenely.

"You are already brave, very brave," he told her softly looking at her eyes and those lips that were practically begging to be kissed.

She shook her head sadly. "No, I am not brave Ron, I am just a dumb, stupid girl..." she answered and he chuckled softly.

"Are you even talking about yourself? You, and dumb?"

"Yeah!" she sighed, looked at the goblet and then pushed herself up but her balance was off and she swayed slightly as he quickly got up and placed an arm around her.

"Where are you going?" he asked tenderly, supporting her form with an arm around her shoulder, and she placed a hand over his fast beating chest for balance. He took her half-filled goblet and kept it aside, realising that this girl in his arms was way better than Firewhiskey. Heck, she was better than anything and everything in his life.

Gently, he guided her away from the noise and the crowd and glanced at the large clock that hung next to them with a sigh.

"I have to drop you home, but doesn't seem you are fit enough for it," he told her.

"But I don't want to go home, Ron!" she replied a little sadly and surprising, rather shocking him, touched a finger on his lips watching him curiously.

"I love your lips," she declared, and he was sure he had forgotten how to breathe, or think for that matter.

"I want to stay here, with you," she murmured again and he could feel goosebumps erupt all over his arms.

"You are drunk," he told her, taking deep breaths and reminding himself that she was probably sloshed and had no clue what she was doing or saying.

"Good," she replied nodding, "Merlin knows I needed a few shots to tell you that," she added, though.

"Tell me what exactly?" he asked despite himself.

"That I love being here," she said nuzzling into his chest. He let out a soft sigh and pulled her closer wondering if she would remember all this when she woke up in the morning. He hoped she would...

"So, you needed to be drunk to hug me?" he asked with a grin.

"No, you idiot!" she laughed and he loved that sound, "I needed the absence of rational thinking that comes with drinking," she replied. "I needed to stop being scared and confess," she added softly, looking a tad bit less drunk (he hoped).

"Confess what exactly, Hermione?" he asked even as his heart drummed madly, louder than the loudest band.

"Confess that I always wanted to do this," she stated and stood up on her toes to kiss him on the lips.

...

She woke up feeling a little disoriented. The bed was soft but smelled strange, she thought with her eyes still closed. And her body, especially her legs and hips hurt; nothing bad, but a dull ache really. She tried opening her eyes, but after a few unsuccessful tries gave it up to remain cooped up for just a while longer. It was then that she realised that an arm was wrapped around her, around her waist in fact, and Hermione sat up in shock only to notice that she was completely naked. And there was definitely someone next to her.

The person grunted softly in his sleep and held her tighter, his fingers curling at her sides over the curve of her bum, and she gulped hard.

What had she done last night?

She turned around fearfully, and holding her breath, carefully pulled down the cover that was draped all over her companion. The moment the redhead came into view her heart practically stopped beating.

The shock of finding her best friend and object of fantasy lying next to her (and completely starkers, too!) caused her to hide her face in her hands as blood rushed up her face, colouring her crimson. She looked down at her naked self as memories of the past night slowly began to unwind. She was glad that Ron was still asleep, not a surprise really after the workout they had had in this room. The testimony of their act was scattered all around them. The deep blue t-shirt he had been wearing was lying limp on the lone chair, his jeans pooled a few spaces ahead on the ground next to-, she gulped hard, -her dress and her bra. His boxers were lying on the bed and her knickers were on his pillow.

Oh, what a fine mess she had put them into!

She definitely remembered kissing him first and blushed at the memory. He had been shocked; she couldn't blame him, but then she had kissed him again, and this time, he had paused only for a minute before kissing her back. Even the alcohol induced high was insignificant in comparison. How they had managed to reach the room was anyone's guess. She knew from past experience that people hardly bothered who went with whom or where during this one night. If they were lucky enough, no one would have noticed them.

She turned a little towards him, blushing again at the sight of his pale, freckled back. God, she loved him! She didn't even know since when. But never before had she been able to gather the guts to confess, and only always hoped that Ron would understand. Of late, she thought Ginny was perhaps right, maybe he fancied her too. But the fear of losing him to a misjudgement had held her back. Well, now that scope was off the window. Here she was, naked and in bed with her ginger-haired best-friend, and by the look of it all, she had given much more than her confession last night.

Breathing deeply to appease her thundering heart, she moved away carefully, not to wake him up before she was at least dressed up. Obviously, she had needed the kick alcohol provided to let herself go with the flow and overcome her insecurities about her body. But now it was morning, and the effects of liquor had diminished significantly making her conscious again.

She carefully removed his arm from around her, the same one she held on to so often in a casual friendly way, but now the skin on her arms tingled at his touch, and she moved away as quietly as she could to pick up their scattered clothing. Placing all of his ones on the bed (she had nearly fainted in embarrassment as she picked his boxers), she moved quickly into the attached bath after collecting her wand from the bedside table.

"Okay, breathe!" she told herself once she locked herself in.

She looked at her dishevelled appearance in the mirror and gulped hard. Her cheeks would be permanently red at this rate.

Running her fingers through her hair to arrange the now frizzy mess, she forced herself to think.

Alright, how bad could it be? They had both got into it of their free will, hadn't they? And, Ron wouldn't sleep with her if he didn't feel anything for her, right? No, he wouldn't. That thought gave her hope. They could deal with this like mature adults. Perhaps it was all for the best, she deduced. At least their feelings were out on the table now and neither of them could shy away... Not after having sex, no-, she corrected herself, -not after making love.

She tapped on her dress to ease away the creases as a plan of action began formulating in her head. She would wash up and then wake him up, and then, they would discuss what had happened. She could tell him what she had been feeling for years, after all, there was no point hiding it anymore.

As she busied herself washing up and arranging her hair to something resembling normalcy, she kept prepping herself, murmuring the conversation she was going to have with him.

However, when she came out, finally a little more confident than before, it was to find an empty room and no trace of Ron.

A/N: Alright, there you are. Please let me know what you think of it. Also, let me know if I have lost it and am writing from memory (which I don't remember having).

Those of you following ISoH, fear not, I will post updates as regularly for it too. God knows, I needed a lighter story to keep me from going insane with all the angst I write for that one.

Thank you for reading. Please leave a review, please?