So I've been working on this story for a few weeks now, and thought I'd go ahead and submit it. This isn't my first fic, I've just created a new account because it has been so long since I last posted on this website, I'd completely forgotten my password. My writing style has changed a lot since then anyway, so I guess a new pen name makes sense. I know it may be slow to start with, but I promise you many twists and turns to come later on. I have ignored anything in the epilogue for the sake of this story, as not to confuse myself with timelines and the like. I can't count very well.

I suppose I should start with the obligatory disclaimer. I don't own anything or any one of these characters, save for a few characters that will be introduced in due time. Anything taken from the Harry Potter books belongs to the wonderful J. K. Rowling, whom I know we all love and worship.

Two days before her world had been torn apart, Hermione had been happier than she could ever remember being in her entire life. She, Ron and Harry had been exchanging gifts that Christmas morning. Hermione and Harry had stayed overnight at the Burrow, as had become a tradition since they had left Hogwarts. Hermione had bought Ron a vintage muggle camera as a joke. He had gone to visit Hermione's parents with her that summer, and her mother had insisted on showing Ron some photographs of Hermione. Ron had found the concept of the people in the photographs not moving hilarious. After Hermione presented him with the gift, Ron had insisted on taking a picture right then and there.

It had been two years since the final battle on the Hogwarts grounds. Two peaceful, blissful years. Hermione had no idea at the time that this calm would soon come to a disastrous end. The calm before the storm.

Tears stinging her red, bloodshot eyes, Hermione gazed down at the photograph in front of her. A tall freckled red head boy grinned a goofy grin at her from the picture, his arms draped around a black haired boy and a brown bushy-haired girl. The black haired boy had a faded lightening shaped scar on his forehead. He was holding a brand new broom, the Firebolt 720 with the same zany smile as the red haired boy. Harry, Hermione remembered, had been overjoyed with the broom that she and Ron had bought him that Christmas.

Hermione's eyes froze on the brown haired girl in the photograph. Had she really smiled like that? Two days before her world had been torn apart? A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. Hermione looked up from the photograph. "Yes?" She replied.

A girl with flaming red hair, similar to the hair of the boy in the photograph, popped her head around the corner. "Am I interrupting something?" she said, with poorly disguised concern. Hermione tried to wipe her eyes quickly, but the redhead's gaze softened even more. Quickly stepping over to Hermione's side, Ginny draped her left arm over Hermione's shoulder. Ginny had become much like her mother, who always made it her personal duty to comfort and take care of others.

It had been tough on Ginny, too. In the space of two years she had lost two brothers. Hermione leaned her head on Ginny's shoulder, thankful for her supportive nature. She would have never got though it all without Harry and Ginny.

The dreaded day, three years ago, had come as a shock to everyone. Harry and Ron, two of the youngest Aurors in the Ministry of Magic, had been called away in an abrupt manner. Ron had barely had the time to say goodbye that morning, pulling on his cloak and kissing her on the cheek. Hermione remembered the sickening feeling in her stomach well as she saw the look on Ron's face. Before she had the chance to stop him, Ron had apparated with a crack. That was the last time she ever saw him.

The Hermione of the present gazed down at the ring on her finger. Ron had proposed to her after Christmas dinner at the Burrow. Despite all the teasing from his brothers, Ron had been very romantic about it. He gave a speech about love and soul mates, which had made Hermione suspect that he had asked for help from his younger sister. Still, it was lovely, and she knew that Ron still meant what he said.

"Harry's making breakfast." Ginny said softly, rubbing Hermione's shoulder gently and bringing her back to the present. Although she and Ron had bought a place of their own, Hermione had become a regular occupant in Harry and Ginny's spare room. She couldn't stand being in her own house and not having Ron there. Still, the room wouldn't be a spare room for much longer.

As Ginny stood up, Hermione took in the shape of the woman that stood before her. Her eyes fell on the graceful baby bump on Ginny's stomach, and her heart sank. Of course, she was over the moon for her best friends, but they had everything that Hermione had wanted with Ron. Ginny and Harry had been married for a year already, with their first child on the way. Not wanting to make her best friend feel guilty for having something that she couldn't have, Hermione tried to swallow her pain, and nodded in response.

The two girls rose from the small single bed they were sitting on, Ginny's hand sliding off Hermione's shoulder. Although it had been five years, Hermione still felt as though she was living life like a zombie, waiting for Ron to return. Most had given up hope, but never Hermione, Harry and the Weasleys. Hermione glanced at the small emerald locket she wore around her neck. The locket that had become her small glimmer of hope since she found it. The locket that inspired her to take Ron's place as an Auror in the Ministry of Magic.

So thanks for reading! Any comments / praise / constructive criticism would be appreciated! I do love reading reviews of my own work. I do know this chapter is short, I will aim to make my chapters a lot longer, I promise! This is just a taster. I'm excited about where I'm going with this, and I hope you guys enjoy it too.