What a night, Hermione reflected wordlessly as she recalled Ginny's 22nd birthday party. Almost a year had passed since she, Harry and Ron had celebrated Ginny's birthday at a Muggle university pub. Although life had certainly continued, Hermione frequently found her thoughts drifting back to the unspoken significance of that night.

What significance?, she asked herself, annoyed with her own persistence. It was the leading question in an inner debate she'd been having since they departed from the bar that night last May. She had hashed over the events so many times in her mind, she often worried they would drive her mad. Not that she was a stranger to over-analyzing, certainly she wasn't. Yet even she, the poster child for thoroughness, tired of her own inability to let that evening fade to a distant memory.

She was brought back to reality by the sound of her name being called. She focused on her colleague who was standing a few feet away beckoning her to follow him down the corridor to the Artifact Accidents ward of St. Mungo's for mid-day checkups. Clearing her mind, she stepped back into the busy rhythm of her weekday routine.

By the end of the day, she was exhausted. She had worked a full day at St. Mungo's, only to dash from her clinic where she attended a few appointments to the nearby Center for Underprivileged Magical Creatures where she volunteered two nights a week. She sat on the Board of Directors of the Center, which focused on providing food, shelter and education for the Wizarding World's disadvantaged. After fulfilling her volunteer duties, she slipped away to the office to complete the weekly paperwork and administrative tasks. By the time the evening rolled around, she was worn out.

With a resonating 'CRACK' she returned home to the small flat she shared with Ginny, who was awaiting her in the kitchen. Hermione inhaled the pleasant aromas wafting from the pots and pans that littered the kitchen counters. As she did daily, Hermione thanked Merlin that Ginny's student status allowed her the time to experiment in the kitchen.

"Hey! How was your day?," Ginny chirped over the bar separating the kitchen from the living area, where Hermione had just arrived.

"Not too bad, actually. How was class?" Hermione responded as she eased out of her ivy green spring coat and hauled her bags to her bedroom.

Ginny called down the hall after her, "Nothing new, really. I did get high marks on the exam I wrote last week."

"Well done, Gin!," Hermione responded as she remerged from the rear of the flat, pulling her hair up into a ponytail as she strolled into the kitchen. "Dinner smells fantastic, what are we having?" she asked as she peered into a bubbling kettle.

"Harry's favorite. We're celebrating, actually. He received raving performance reviews for the Albanian mission last week. Although he's too modest to say it, I think he's hoping it will result in a promotion." Ginny positively beamed as the topic turned to her boyfriend.

"That's wonderful news!" Hermione was very proud of her dear friend and his successes, although never truly surprised. In his first year out of training, Harry had become a very successful Auror and was on the fast track to a high ranking position. He was excelling quickly in his profession.

So is Ron, Hermione's sadly added internally. Ron had taken a field position in Bolivia some eight months previously. Although Ginny kept her updated on his whereabouts, Hermione hadn't spoken with him since he left. She, Ginny and Harry had all accompanied him to the Portkey taking him abroad to say their goodbyes. Hermione recalled their parting words were strained, at best. Prior to that afternoon, it had been forever since she and Ron had had anything closely amounting to a conversation. Almost a year, she calculated mentally. She was brought back to the present by the tail end of Ginny's musings.

" . . . figured it would be a nice evening for a little dinner party, I went ahead and invited Alister. Is that ok with you?"

"Alister? Oh. Yes, of course . . . that would be nice. Thanks, Gin," Hermione lamely responded. "If you don't mind, I'm going to grab a quick shower." Not waiting for a response, Hermione slipped back down the hallway to the bathroom.

Once safely locked in, she cranked open the faucet knobs and waited for the water to heat up. As steam began to fill the room, she contemplated her reflection in the mirror above the sink. Alister was not someone she had the energy for tonight. As that thought crossed her mind, she gave herself a disgusted look in the mirror before slipping out of her clothes and into the numbing comfort of the hot water.

Alister McGaff. The golden boy of Gringott's, and the rainmaker of the wizarding business world. He was one of the most handsome and sought after men in London. He was one of the most respected wizards and businessmen in the community, despite his young age of 30. He was also her boyfriend of several months.

The problem? He adored her. This handsome, charming, wonderful man absolutely adored her - and she knew she didn't feel as strongly for him. They had been dating for nearly nine months. Last summer, he had brought his young niece into her clinic after a playground game turned sour and a miss-spelled charm extended each of her toes by several meters. After Hermione tended to the frightened child and chided her for using magic at such a young age, her attentions turned to Alister. She gave him instructions on treatment, should his niece find herself in such a predicament again and tried to fend off his flirtatious advances. However, his engaging smile and clever wit won her over, and after several minutes of resistance she gave into his incessant requests to have coffee together later that week.

Coffee led to dinner the next week, and dinner led to another a few days later. After several weeks, they were dating exclusively. He was smart and witty, and loved books nearly as much as she did. He brought her flowers and simple presents to show her he was thinking of her. They spent much of their free time together, although that wasn't saying too much. She was as busy as ever at her clinic and he had found a fantastic, but relentless, niche for himself in the banking world. Still, they promised to dine together at least 2 nights a week and spend the majority of the weekend relaxing together. They weren't always able to stick with this arrangement, but he was always understanding and supportive of her decisions to work extra hours or spend time performing much-needed menial tasks at the Center. He would even stop in to bring her lunch during particularly long days at the clinic or cancel his weekend plans to help with fundraisers and food drives for the Center.

He was perfect.

And that, Hermione bitterly acknowledged as she leaned her head back into the water, was exactly she could never fall in love with him.

Hermione emerged from the bathroom to the delicious aroma of simmering dinner. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until her stomach growled in anticipation for one of Ginny's amazing meals.

She slipped into her bedroom and pulled on a pair of jeans and a top. She towel dried her hair, twisted it up off her neck and secured it with a clip. She glanced longingly at her bed. She was so tired from her exhausting day and couldn't think of anything more wonderful than crawling under the covers for the night. Wish as she might, she realized bedtime was not an option as she heard the unmistakable sound of someone Apparating right into the living area of the flat.

Hermione peered down the hall to see a smiling Harry easing out of this jacket. She called out a greeting from her bedroom, as she stepped back inside to take a quick look at herself in the mirror.

'CRACK!'

Although she should have been expecting this, the loud noise startled her. Her eyes caught Alister's reflection in the mirror. She smiled and turned around to greet him.

"Hello, Darling," he said as he brought her into his strong arms for a hug. "Merlin, it feels good to hold you."

"Alister," she responded. "I'm happy to see you too." And she was. He smelled so nice and the way he held her made her feel warm and safe.

"I realize it's a bit scandalous to be popping directly into your bedroom, but I couldn't wait a second longer to see you," he said while pulling back to kiss her softly on the mouth.

"No worries," she said with a small smile after he had pulled away. "Harry just got here and I'm sure he and Gin would be happy for a few seconds alone." Her stomach gurgled again and she continued, "Unfortunately, I'm so hungry that a few seconds is all they are going to get!" Alister chuckled as she took his hand and led him out of her room and down the hall to the living area of the flat.

Greetings were exchanged as Harry and Alister shook hands before everyone set out to help with the meal. Harry and Alister chatted while setting the table while Hermione helped Ginny load the feast on to platters and dishes. The quartet sat down for a delicious dinner and discussed Harry's performance review and upcoming mission to Canada.

Hermione nodded at all of the appropriate moments but couldn't focus on the conversation around her. She marveled at how comfortable she should feel - surrounded by her closest friends and perfect boyfriend, eating a delicious meal – but didn't. As always during one of these intimate evenings, something gnawed at her and prevented her from enjoying herself as she should.

Of course she knew it was Ron's absence. It was always Ron's absence. It was as if his departure left some sort of hole in her soul. She looked at Harry and Ginny and knew the same would be true if either of them took off for the far side of the world. They had survived so much together, being without one of her nearest and dearest friends took a heavy toll on her emotions. She couldn't understand how Ron could do it. How he could up and leave the comfort and security those closest to him provided? How he could be content not communicating with them? With her?

I'm at it again, she chastised herself.

She needed air. Hermione excused herself from the table and slipped into her bedroom. She headed for the far wall, pulled open the miniature French doors and stepped onto the small wooden balcony that stood outside her bedroom. This was the place she came to clear her mind. The view wasn't anything special, but the noise of the city always drowned the sounds of her own thoughts ricocheting around in her head. She took a few deep breaths of the chilly spring air and felt calmer immediately. After a few quiet moments, she reluctantly headed back into the flat and returned to the table.

Alister had just finished recounting his latest attempt at convincing the Gringott's Board to diversity its investments when Hermione reentered the room. She chimed into Alister's story, reminding him of one of the humorous responses his proposal generated as she began clearing the empty plates from the table. Once in the kitchen, she listened to Harry laugh heartily at Alister's description of the stingy Goblin executives as she prepared a pot of tea. She almost didn't hear the sharp raps on the small kitchen window.

Turning away from the tea, Hermione stepped over to the window to peer outside. She nearly jumped when two yellow eyes appeared directly in front of her. What has gotten into me tonight? It's just an owl!

"Anyone expecting anything?" she asked as she slid open the window, allowing a great brown owl into the flat. The owl glided into the dining area and landed on the open space left on the table by Hermione's recently cleared plate. The owl faced Ginny and held out its leg for her attention.

"Wonder what this is," said Ginny softly.

She carefully untied the letter from the owl's leg before slipping a palm full of table scraps its way. The owl devoured her offer and hooted in appreciation before lifting off the table, gliding toward the kitchen, through the window and out into the night. Hermione closed the window before returning to the teapot in the kitchen.

"What is it, Gin?" asked Hermione who was peering over the bar separating the two areas of the flat.

Ginny did not respond immediately. She read and re-read the letter and set it down on the table, obviously allowing the news to sink in. Both Harry and Alister gave her looks of curious concern. After a few moments of silence, Hermione let the teapot alone and approached the table.

Finally, she spoke. "It's Ron . . ." she said in a sad, wistful tone.

Hermione's heart plummeted. Something had happened to Ron.

He was hurt. Maimed. Dead.

Hermione felt the ache of anguish and despair spill into her heart as she contemplated existing without the chance of seeing his smile or listening to his laugh ever again. She was so wrapped up in her own grief, she barely overheard Ginny finish her sentence.

"He's coming home." she exhaled in disbelief.