Disclaimer: All characters and things associated with Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. This writing is for pure entertainment only.

Summary: Set at end of HBP. As the ministry falls further under Voldemorts control a new law is passed, forcing Hermione into a life she wasn't ready for. How will it affect the horcrux hunt and the fight against Voldemort?

EPILOGUE

Hermione looked in the mirror and took a deep breath, examining the white gown she was now wearing as it clung to her newly curved body. Rose was four months old now, and although Hermione had lost all of her extra baby weight, her body had changed with her pregnancy and she had new curves that Ron certainly didn't seem to mind.

A knock on the door broke Hermione's train of thought and her eyes turned to see her mother beaming as she carried Rose into the room.

Hermione smiled. Rose was dressed in a scarlet dress, the same color of the House of Gryffindor and nearly the same color as Rose's hair, which had turned a deep red now.

"Rosie just wanted to see Mummy in her wedding dress…" Mrs. Granger smiled as she took Rose's hand and made it wave at Hermione.

Hermione smiled, reaching out for Rose, as her mother handed her daughter to her. "What do you think, Rose?"

Hermione still refused to call Rose by the pet name Ron and everyone else had seemed to give her of Rosie. To Hermione, Rose was as beautiful and perfect as a rose, and Rosie would just not do.

Rose gently rested her head on her mother's shoulder and found her thumb in response.

"That good, huh?" Hermione laughed and kissed Rose's cheek, causing Rose to snuggle closer to her mother.

"You look stunning, Hermione." Mrs. Granger said.

"That is an understatement!" Mrs. Weasley's voice filled Hermione's bedroom. "No wonder Ron's in a rush to marry you again!"

Hermione blushed at her mother-in-law as she thought about the day ahead. She and Ron were having another wedding ceremony; one that was not clouded by fears and a upcoming war, but one that they could enjoy with all of their family and friends.

Hermione had wanted to wait a little longer for the wedding, but Ron was insistent that they did it before the weather grew too cold and before his work got too busy and she got too busy with school. Currently, he was still working for Fred and George a few times a month in between his Auror training, and Hermione was just getting back into her final year at Hogwarts, though she only took morning classes and constantly flowed between Grimmauld Place and Hogwarts to check in on Rose. Mrs. Granger and Mrs. Weasley took turns watching Rose for the two hours of class a day that Hermione had, but to Hermione even losing those two hours with Rose was hard. She had spent almost every moment since Rose had been born with her daughter, and adjusting to not being there for Rose's every cry.

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley." Hermione smiled at Ron's mother.

"Are we almost ready in here? Ron's already spotted the cake and I don't think Harry will be able to keep him at the alter much longer." Ginny said as she entered the room and instantly smiled, moving to her niece.

"Hey Rosie! Let's let Mummy finish up…" Ginny took Rose from Hermione and laughed as her niece knocked her head into Ginny's chin. "Pumpkin head like Ron…"

"Hey…leave my daughter alone." Hermione joked back.

"I'm teasing…you're perfect, Rosie…" Ginny smiled down at her niece.

Hermione smiled back as she watched Ginny move out of the room with her daughter in hand. She then glanced over at her own mother and Mrs. Weasley who both gave her a nod, causing Hermione to take a deep breath as she moved out the door in her new wedding dress; ready to marry Ron again.

Ron held his breath as the music began playing, his eyes locked on the aisle he knew Hermione would be coming down to meet him on shortly. Ron glanced nervously around the room for a brief second, seeing his family and friends all beaming up at him, and Ginny holding Rose in the front row.

Ron smiled at Rose. She had already changed so much in the past three months he could not believe it. He remembered when the thought of being a father scared him to death; now he couldn't imagine life without Rose. She was perfect, his family was perfect, and he was getting remarried to the most perfect woman he could imagine.

Hermione. Ron smiled as the music picked up and moved his eyes from his daughter to the aisle, where Mr. Granger was escorted Hermione down the red aisle, the way he should have been able to at their first wedding.

Ron beamed at how beautiful Hermione looked, and he knew she was holding back her own tears, which made him laugh only more. After what seemed like ages, Mr. Granger and Hermione finally met Ron at the alter.

Ron took Hermione's hand from Mr. Granger's and gave his father-in-law a slight nod before helping Hermione up the two steps.

"You look bloody brilliant." Ron whispered into Hermione's ear.

"Watch your mouth…" Hermione managed to whisper back, her voice clouded with laughter and as she was clearly only joking with Ron.

Ron grinned wider and turned to face Kingsley who was presiding over the ceremony the same as last time.

"Ready?" Kingsley smiled.

Hermione and Ron both nodded with their own smiles.

Kingsley nodded and then began. "We gather here today to celebrate the ongoing love and the hopes of a bright future for the couple in front of me. Ron and Hermione will be renewing their vows today, but in a way, this is like their real wedding. A wedding not overshadowed by fears, war, death…a day to truly celebrate what can come from darkness. Love…" Kingsley nodded at Ron and Hermione. "And new life…" This time Kingsley motioned to Rose who was sitting snuggly on Mrs. Granger's lap.

Hermione glanced over at her daughter and felt tears sting her eyes slightly. Rose looked beautiful; perfect. Kingsley continued talking but Hermione could hardly hear him now, her thoughts on Rose, and how lucky she was to have her. How, if there had never been a forced marriage law, Rose might now be there now. How, in some twisted way, Hermione owed Voldemort's cruel laws and a ways a thank you. Without them, Rose might not be there. Without them, she and Ron might not be together.

Ron. Hermione turned to look at her husband to see his eyes were focused on Rose as well, a slight glassy look of potential tears in them. It made her love him even more. She had never seen Ron so attached to someone before, not even herself, but he was attached to Rose. He would do anything for his daughter and Hermione knew she could not have asked for a better father for her child.

"Ron…the vows…" Kingsley said under his breath, breaking both Hermione and Ron's train of thought from Rose for just a moment.

"Right…" Ron grinned, snapping his attention back to Hermione as a muffled laugh filled the crowd. "Hermione…nearly a year ago we stood here doing the same thing…under very different circumstances…"

Another small laugh filled the tent and Hermione smiled brightly at Ron.

"But looking back…that was the best bloody thing that could have happened to me…because it brought me to you in a way I didn't think I would ever get. I know I drive you mental, and I know I've made mistakes, but I am so grateful that you are still standing here with me. You are the strongest, smartest, and most stubborn woman I have ever met…" Ron added with a grin causing everyone again to laugh and even Hermione to let out a small chuckle though her tears were already flowing.

"…and I only hope our little Rose turns out to be like you. You have given me the most brilliant life…and family…and I can't wait to see out the rest of this with you. I love you, Hermione…" Ron finished, slipping her wedding band back on her finger so that it slide next to the small engagement ring he had bought for her for this wedding, though they had never really officially been engaged at all.

Hermione laughed between her tears as she realized it was her turn to speak. She tried her best to clear her throat. "Ron…if someone had asked me in first year, if I would be standing here with the gingered-haired boy who had called me a nightmare but then saved me from a troll, I would have been enraged…."

This time it was Ron's turn to laugh and mouth a small "I'm sorry".

"In second year, if someone had told me I would be marrying the boy who defended my bloodline but shook my hand instead of giving me a hug when I returned from the hospital wing…I would have thought they were being crazy…" Hermione said.

Again, another laugh and Ron had a feeling her speech was going to be a little longer then his, though he would have expected no less.

"If in third year, someone would have told me I would have become part of the Weasley family because of the boy who swore my cat ate his rat but then tried to protect me from a werewolf, I thought have thought that seemed a little strange. And if in fourth year, someone would have told me I would have fallen in love with the boy who made me cry on the steps at the Yule Ball I would have been enraged…" Hermione told him.

This time Ron bit the inside of his mouth. He would have given anything to take that part back. He remembered how upset he had made Hermione the Yule Ball.

"But…at the same time, I would have told them I was already falling in love…" Hermione added, causing Ron to perk up. "By fifth year, I realized my feelings for you were far different then from any other boy but I wasn't sure where they fit. I noticed you in ways I didn't notice anyone else…and by sixth year, when we stepped onto the Hogwarts Express, despite everything else going on I knew I liked you…I just didn't know how to tell you…and so I didn't…and I grew jealous and sent birds after you, and didn't want to speak with you…but I never stopped caring about you…and so when we got that letter last year that told us we were too be married, I was scared. Scared of the future, but also scared of what you would think. I knew how I felt, but not how you did and I was worried it wasn't me...but in such a short amount of time, you showed me I had no reason to worry because it was always supposed to be you and I. You see, Ron…I realized, I have been in love with you since the second I told you there was dirt on your nose in First Year. I have cherished your wit, humor, and loyal heart. You are an amazing husband and even a more amazing father. I could never imagine life without you, because for as long as I have felt important you have been in my life. I love you, and I always will. Thank you so much for being my Knight in Shining Armor." Hermione concluded.

Ron tried his best not to cry as Hermione slipped his ring back on his finger, and he didn't even wait for Kingsley's signal to kiss her. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her fully on the lips.

"I love you, Hermione Jean…" Ron whispered between kisses as he lifted her slightly off the ground and the crowd broke out into cheers.

The wedding reception had been far different this time then the first one. Everyone seemed happy, Mrs. Weasley was much more relaxed, and the Grangers were actually there. Also, Hermione and Ron did not sit alone at their table, but rather had Rose in Hermione's arms, sleeping already.

"Wedding wore her out…" Ron commented about Rose as they watch Harry and Ginny dance.

Hermione smiled down at her daughter and then back at Ron. "It certainly did. She must be exhausted if she could sleep through all this."

"She just takes after me. Once I'm tired, I can sleep anywhere…hardly wake up." Ron said proudly. He loved with Rose did things he was certain she got from him.

"So I've noticed many nights while Rose is crying and you are snoring." Hermione teased back.

Ron made the face of a wounded puppy. "I help with her…"

Hermione leaned in and kissed Ron. "I know…I am kidding. You are brilliant with her."

"Thanks." Ron smiled back at Hermione. "And thanks for marrying me again."

"I wouldn't have married anyone else." Hermione smiled back.

"Of course not. No one else can give you the most beautiful babies in the world." Ron motioned to Rose with a grin on his face.

"That's true." Hermione agreed and meant it. To her, Rose was the most beautiful child she had ever seen.

"Well…you helped a little." Ron joked again.

Hermione shook her head at Ron but never lost the smile on her face.

"Guess…for the good of the world…we will have to make more someday, right?" Ron asked, half serious.

Hermione seemed caught off guard by the suggestion; she had been so wrapped up in Rose the past few months she had never even thought of another baby. "I…"

Before Hermione could finish her sentence, Mrs. Weasley came up to their table.

"I hate to send you home, so if you want, we could take Rose home for you two. She looks exhausted…and it will give you two some time tonight." Mrs. Weasley motioned to the sleeping baby.

"No…no, we will take her home. I like having both my girls in the house." Ron admitted, standing and then glancing back at Hermione. "Unless you want to stay."

"Actually, I am exhausted too…" Hermione admitted. She was having fun, but was ready to get home. Having a new baby at home was easily comparable to being on the run from Voldemort. She was tired all the time, but she loved every minute she had with Rose.

Mrs. Weasley smiled warmly at Hermione, knowing exactly what the new mother meant. "Well, alright then…I'll let the guests know."

Ron smiled a thankful smile at his mother as Hermione stood, gathering Rose and pulling the snuggling baby close to her gown. He was happy his mother would deal with the guest; he knew it would take hours to say good-bye to everyone and so it was much easier to give everyone a wave once his mother had let them know Hermione and Ron were leaving.

Two hours later, Rose was asleep in her crib and Hermione was tucked tightly into the bed she shared with Ron, a book that she was studying in her potions class in her grasp. After all, she may have saved the world and was a new mother, but she still had classes to pass if she wanted to work for the Ministry at the end of the year.

"What a day…" Ron's voice filled the room as he emerged from the shower in just a towel, his red hair wet. He was grinning, but it turned into a frown as he saw Hermione, and he let out a groan as he threw himself on the end of the bed.

"What?" Hermione asked over her book.

"Are you really going to spend our wedding night reading?" Ron wiggled his eyebrows as he rolled over on the bed so that he was looking up at Hermione upside down.

Hermione smiled gently at him but cocked an eyebrow. "We've already had our wedding night…nearly a year ago…"

"Yeah? That was different though…" Ron said, snaking up the bed as his towel fell off his hips. He reached Hermione and grabbed her book, tossing it over his broad shoulder that had grown even bigger with all of his new Auror work.

Hermione giggled as she sank further into her pillow as Ron continued to creep up on her until he was nearly on top of her, their eyes meeting. "Why was it different?"

"Because I was a dumb bloke then…and didn't realize how lucky I was to have you…and didn' know exactly what you liked…" Ron dipped down and kissed Hermione softly behind the ear.

Hermione's breath hitched as Ron continued to kiss her. She loved when he kissed her there.

Ron gently pulled away, grinning madly as he noticed the change in Hermione's breathing. "Did I hit a nerve Mrs. Weasley?"

"Shut up." Hermione breathed, pulling Ron in for a long kiss. She was ready to enjoy her second wedding night with him.

Rose's cries woke Hermione up early the next morning. She quickly jumped up out of bed, her body being so used to being woken up in this manner that she moved without thinking, throwing her rob over her naked body and sneaking out of the room, trying her best not to wake Ron.

"Bring her back in here…" Ron spoke, his voice heavy with sleep as he sat up to throw shorts on.

"Sorry…" Hermione sighed. She had not wanted to wake Ron up.

"Its fine. She's mine too…" Ron said.

Hermione smiled. Even though it was dark out, she could hear the smile in Ron's voice. She quickly hurried down the hall to Rose's room where she found Rose crying in her crib.

"Easy, Rose. Mummy is here…" Hermione said soflty, gathering Rose in her arms.

Once in Hermione's touch, Rose's cries subsided as she nuzzled close to Hermione's chest, seeming to try and find Hermione's breast.

"Easy there, Rose. Give Mummy a minute." Hermione said, moving back to her bedroom with Rose.

Hermione found the bedroom light on and Ron sitting up in it, smiling softly at Hermione as she entered with Rose.

"Little Rosie hungry?" Ron cooed as he watched Hermione gently climb into bed and bring Rose to her breast, which Rose took gladly and greedily.

"She certainly has a Weasley appetite…" Hermione smiled tiredly down at Rose.

"Well…maybe the next one will eat more like a Granger…" Ron commented, rolling closer to Hermione and snuggling up next to her side, his eyes half opened.

Hermione gave a soft smile, but Ron could tell it wasn't full and something was bothering her. Instantly, he sat up.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked.

"Nothing." Hermione said, and it was true. Nothing in particular was wrong.

"Hermione…" Ron pressed, not completely believing her.

"Well, it's just what you said…" Hermione admitted, shrugging a bit as she focused on Rose.

Ron furrowed his brow, looking confused.

"I mean…what you just said…and what you said at the wedding…about another baby…" Hermione tried to explain.

"Oh…" Ron sighed and bit the inside of his cheek for a minute, his eyes glued to Rose as his arms folded across his chest. "Do you…not want that?"

"No! No of course I do…I just…I'm not in a rush to do that quite yet. I am just getting the hang of Rose and school and you just started a job—" Hermione began speaking quickly, the same way she used to in Hogwarts when she would get worked up and was trying to get her point across.

Ron reached out and gently put a finger on Hermione's lips, silencing her as he moved to face her square on. "Hermione…relax. I am not in any rush either…trust me. I am still not so good at this dad thing…I just meant…someday…I mean…we make good lookin' children, don't we?" Ron glanced down at Rose who was looking up at him with big blue eyes.

Hermione's eyes moved down to Rose and she smiled, realizing she had obviously gotten ahead of herself. "Of course we do."

"Good…then its settled. Someday…we will make Rose a big sister." Ron smiled, sinking back into the bed and wrapping an arm around Hermione and, therefore, Rose.

"Settled…" Hermione nuzzled her head into Ron's neck. "And Ron…you already have this dad thing down…"

Ron smiled, kissing the top of Hermione's head. "Couldn't have done it without you…"

Hermione laughed and closed her eyes as Rose finished nursing and curled up close to her mother's chest. Hermione, for the first time in a very long time, felt truly at peace. Everything seemed to have fallen in place, and she was ready to begin her new life with Ron, which she was certain would never be dull.

The End