A/N: Another 19 year gap fic. I intend, at least at the moment, to cover all 19 years.

This may take awhile.

I should also explain that this is a Romione-centered fic. It's not that I won't be included other characters and ships. It's just that they're my main focus here.

Okay, ONWARD! PS-I'm not dropping my other stories; just getting this one up and running so I can dedicate myself to them again.

Chapter One: Different

Ron could not remember the last time he had heard Hogwarts so silent. A harsh breeze rattled what glass was left in the windows. He walked down the seventh floor corridor with Hermione between him and Harry, taking precious comfort in the sound of their footsteps. He had never realized just how beautiful footsteps could sound-signifying life and health and victory.

The trio walked silently until they reached their destination. The Fat Lady let them in without question and he found himself smiling gratefully at her for the first time since he could remember. The three of them climbed through the portrait hole and stumbled up to the boys' dormitory. It was crowded. Seamus and Parvati were huddled together on his bed. Neville's was taken by a few older wizards and witches Ron didn't recognize. Dean was sleeping between Luna and Dennis Creevey. Ron turned to his bed and found it slightly enlarged and covered in Weasleys. Bill, Fleur, Percy, and his father were sleeping soundly and packed together as tightly as they could be without looking completely uncomfortable.

Ron turned back to Harry with a defeated expression; Harry motioned to his bed-the only empty one in the room. Hermione threw her beaded bag onto the bed (how it had survived all of this, Ron wasn't exactly sure) and started to dig through. She handed Harry a pair of sweats and a clean t-shirt. A second digging produced a pair of her cotton shorts and a long sleeved shirt. On her third try, she pulled out a pair of striped pajama pants and a bright orange t-shirt. She turned to Ron and he blushed as he realized that he had been watching her the entire time.

"Um…are these okay?" He caught her eyes as she whispered it and his breath caught. She was stunning. She hadn't slept in days and just fought in a world altering battle. And she looked absolutely stunning.

She was alive.

Ron couldn't help the goofy grin that appeared on his face (not that he wanted to help it, if he was being perfectly honest). "Yeah. Yeah, they're perfect." Hermione's cheeks turned pink under the dirt and bruises that covered her face. They turned simultaneously and the shuffling sounds of clothes being removed and replaced followed seconds later. Hermione stuffed their torn clothing into the bag and set it on Harry's bedside table while Harry widened the bed to nearly twice its normal size. Harry took the left side of the bed and curled up under the blankets before Ron had even pulled them back on the other side. He let Hermione slide in ahead of him and followed awkwardly. He pulled the blankets over himself as the sound of Harry's deep breathing filled the room.

Ron turned onto his side and found Hermione already facing him. She was staring at him intently with a tiny frown on her face. "Hm?" Ron asked quietly.

Hermione shrugged. "It's just…it's really over, isn't it?" She chuckled. "I can't believe…after all of these years…I mean, this has been going on for nearly the entire time I've been in the wizarding world. And it's just…it's over."

"But that's a good thing," Ron said slowly.

"Oh, I know. I didn't mean-" She sighed. "It's just odd is all. The way things can change so quickly."

Ron nodded. He couldn't help but think she was referring to more than just the aftermath of the war. "Things will be better now. Safer. Happier." He inched his fingers forward and covered the hand lying between them. She glanced down and smiled. "Now you can really enjoy it."

He couldn't help but realize that he was most certainly referring to more than just the aftermath of the war.

"Hmm. I suppose." Her eyes found his again. "Ron…I…" She sighed again.

Ron frowned at her hesitation. There was still the elephant in the room, and she seemed to be unable to acknowledge it. If he was going to be fair, though, she had made the first move. Technically, it was his turn…so why couldn't he get the words out? Hermione was watching him expectantly. Could she see the unformed words struggling to break out?

"We should get some sleep," she finally said. "It's been a long…it's been a long year."

He nodded in agreement. "Right. Sleep." Hermione started to turn her back to him, moving her hand from beneath his. "Hang on," Ron said suddenly, much louder than he had meant to. Hermione gave him a reproachful look and surveyed the room to make sure he hadn't woken anyone.

"What is it?" His mouth moved soundlessly as the words continued to sort themselves in his mind. "Is something wrong?"

"I…no…maybe…I don't…you kissed me." Hermione turned red and Ron sighed in frustration, knowing that this was not at all how he'd intended for it to go. "Sorry, just give me a second."

"Ron-"

"No, wait, I've got it," he whispered. He took a deep breath and started talking. "You kissed me. In the middle of the battle, you kissed me, and…and I need to know. I have to know why? Why me? Why then? What could have possessed you to kiss me, and me of all people when Harry was there? Hell, if anyone earned a proper snog today, it's Harry."

Hermione stared at him in shock. And then she laughed. "Harry? You're joking, right?"

"Erm…well, yes, partly."

"Partly?"

Ron groaned. "Well…I mean...it's not like he isn't a catch. I mean, if he's got my approval with Ginny, you've gotta figure he's not a bad guy, right?" Hermione shook her head, still laughing. "Well?"

She sobered up. "Ron…Harry's like…he's like a brother to me. Or a cousin or something. I don't think of him like that. You should know that."

Ron shrugged. "How am I supposed to know? We don't talk about…about feelings and things. For all I know, you could've fancied him for years." Hermione frowned. "Don't give me that look. You know it's true. And that doesn't change…I mean, you've known me for years, too, and look what happened."

"But you're different."

"I'm different?"

"Yes, you're…it's not like that with you."

Ron stared at her blankly. "I'm not sure what you're saying."

Hermione let out a sigh of frustration. "Are we really going to have this conversation now?"

"This is the first moment of peace we've had in weeks and probably the last one we'll have for while. Not to mention that we're in this awkward situation where we're in bed together. And you think it's not necessary that we sort this out now?"

"Well, we've got time now," Hermione said shakily. "And I'm awfully tired-"

"So am I, but I won't be able to sleep if we don't get this sorted out."

"Damn it, Ron." Ron gaped, unable to remember a time when he had ever heard her swear. "Fine. I kissed you because…because I thought I was going to die."

Ron felt his stomach drop. "Ah. So…you thought you weren't going to make it. So it was a heat of the moment, what the hell sort of thing?"

"I…well, I suppose, in a way-"

"So it was a mistake then," Ron added. "Didn't mean anything."

"What? No, that's not-Ron, I thought it was my last chance to kiss you."

"So you-wait, what?"

Hermione's face would have made a tomato garden jealous. "I-I thought it was the last chance I would ever have to kiss you. And if I had died last night, I know the last thought I'd have had would be that I didn't get a chance to kiss you or to tell you how I felt. And if something had-if you had-" She paused and her eyes became glossy. "I couldn't live not knowing."

The silence between them grew, leaving only the snores and gentle breathing of the survivors around them. Ron finally spoke. "So…so it was on purpose, then? I mean, that it was me. That part was on purpose?" Hermione nodded. "So…you wanted to kiss me?"

"I have wanted that for a very, very long time," Hermione said in a rushed breath. She studied him carefully. What she had said finally sank in. He grinned.

"You've wanted to kiss me for a long time?" She nodded. "How long?"

"I-what? Oh, I don't know. Years." Her face was impossibly red. Ron somehow managed to suppress the urge to kiss her. "Oh, don't look so smug."

"So…you don't want to take it back?"

A tear escaped her eyes. "Is-is that what you want? To pretend it never happened? Because we can go back. If that's what you want, we can go back to the way things were between us. Before I-before it happened."

Ron grimaced. "Are you fucking kidding me? Do you mean to tell me you haven't noticed how completely mental I am for you?" Her eyes lit up and she wiped the tear off her cheek quickly. "I know this is weird. But I'm willing to try if you are."

"To try? Try what?"

"To try…well, us. Like, you and me. Kissing again. And dating and holding hands and…that kind of thing." Hermione giggled.

"You really want to?" Ron nodded. "Alright then. We can…we can try. I'd like that."

Ron thought his heart was going to burst. Was this really happening? Was the girl of his dreams telling him that she had wanted to kiss him? Did Hermione Granger really want to be with him? He clamped his eyes shut for a few seconds and opened them again. She was still staring at him with a shy smile and bright look in her eyes. She really wanted him.

"I'd like that, too," Ron whispered. He covered her hand again and Hermione shuffled closer to him. Without even bothering to think about it, he leaned his head down a bit and pressed his lips against hers. It felt like the most natural thing in the world. It was much shorter than their first. It was gentle and, best of all, it wasn't rushed. When they pulled apart, Ron draped his arm across her waist and placed a kiss to her forehead. "I'm glad you kissed me."

"Mm." Ron shuddered slightly as Hermione placed a kiss against his cloth covered chest. "Me too."

"But seriously…not Harry?"

"Never Harry."

"You're sure?"

"Ron, mate, let it go." Ron and Hermione looked to Harry, who was sitting up to fluff his pillows. "I know you don't think I'm good enough for Ginny, but pushing Hermione and me together isn't going to do you any good." Ron gaped and struggled for words. "And I love you both, you know I do, but if you're going to snog, then kindly get the hell out of my bed." With that, he turned his back to them and settled back into a light sleep.

"We should probably get to sleep," Hermione said finally. Ron nodded. "We can talk more tomorrow."

"Good idea," Ron yawned. "Well…sweet dreams," he added awkwardly. Hermione chuckled and turned in Harry's direction. Ron kept his arm around her and she moved back into him.

"Sweet dreams, Ron."

And in just minutes, they were asleep.

Hermione groaned and rolled over into her pillow. It had only been three days since Voldemort's defeat. She had arrived at the Burrow the night before. After just a night in Ginny's room, she knew she wouldn't get used to being somewhere other than the tent anytime soon. She had awoken in the middle of the night more than once while they were at Shell Cottage, wondering where she had gotten to and why Ron and Harry weren't with her. Even just after the battle, the three of them had shared one of the beds in the boys' dormitory in Gryffindor tower.

She wanted to go to Ron's room, where she knew the both of them were sleeping soundly. With her luck, she knew she would get caught up there in the morning and offend Mrs. Weasley, which was the last thing she wanted. No, she would just have to wait it out until morning. She checked her clock; it was a little after six. Well…she could always say she woke up early and was trying to get the boys back up…

No; she decided against it. It was a horrible idea. Besides, what would she say? She didn't want to sound like a lunatic, desperate for Harry and Ron to be with her every second of the day. That was hardly the case. (She only wanted the redhead, for starters.) But there was nothing she could say to him when she got there. In the aftermath of the Battle, they had barely had time to talk about what had happened between them. She had just plucked up the courage to grab his hand at dinner the night before, and when she decided to go for it, he had stood to use the loo.

At six thirty, Hermione decided that she'd had enough. She got up quietly so as not to wake Ginny and surveyed the Quidditch pitch through the window while she fastened the button of her shorts. As she was about to turn away, she noticed a figure sitting against one of the hoops on the further end of the field. She would recognize him anywhere. She finished dressing quickly and grabbed her wand on her way outside.

He heard her coming almost as soon as she was in sight and looked up. She gave him her best smile and closed the distance rapidly, speeding up her walk to reach him. She sat down in front of him and crossed her legs. He concentrated on the blade of grass he held between his fingers.

"Are you alright?" Hermione asked gently. Ron paused and then shook his head. "Do you want to talk about it?" His response was the same. "Okay."

It was understandable, or at least she reasoned it to be so. Ron was suffering even more than she was. She had lost friends and loved ones in the past few months-years, even-but her family was still intact. Her parents were alive in Australia and, even better, they were happy and carefree. Not only were Mr. and Mrs. Weasley all too aware of the situation, but they were one son short for it.

Her heart was breaking just to look at Ron. "Do you…do you want me to go back inside? Because your m-"

"No," said Ron abruptly. His head snapped up and his painstakingly blue eyes met hers. "I mean, you don't have to if you'd rather stay out here. But if you want to go back in…it's kinda chilly right now."

Hermione shook her head and placed her hands around his. Ron's eyes widened and he looked down to where their skin touched. "I'm sorry. About-about Fred. And if you need anything-"

"I'll be alright," Ron insisted as he pulled one of his hands away to wipe at his eye. "Thanks, but…I'm just…not right now." Hermione nodded and dropped the subject, but she kept her hold on him. He returned his hand to hers and she watched as he intertwined their fingers. "How are you doing? Did you talk to Kingsley?"

Hermione frowned and shook her head as the unpleasant task of reclaiming her parents appeared again. The day before they had returned, Hermione had discussed the safety of their world and the potential risks left of bringing her parents back so soon. It appeared to be no less dangerous than it had been in fifth year. If they had made it through that, they could, in her opinion, resume their lives safely while their world reconstructed itself. Her best option was to speak with Kingsley about getting a squad of Aurors to accompany her to Australia, where she could find her parents and recover their memories.

"I haven't seen Kingsley since the battle. McGonagall told me he was my best hope…and I know I can trust him. I don't know much else about any of the other Aurors, except-" She stopped as the memory of Tonks sent a stinging sensation through her. "Well, I'll just have to speak with Kingsley when everything gets cleared up."

Ron only nodded. After a few moments' pause he said, "I'll go with you." Hermione looked up from their hands. Ron kept his head down, still moving his hands so that they fit more comfortably with hers. "To Australia, I mean. If you'll have me, that is. I don't like the idea of you going halfway across the world like that without anyone we know." He finally looked up to meet her gaze. "Oh, Hermione, don't cry."

Hermione shook her head and blinked, willing the unshed tears to find their way back. She was touched beyond words. Ron was mourning his brother, and yet he somehow managed to think of her well being in a situation that had yet to arise. Ron sighed and looked down again, letting her hands go in the process. "And now I've made you cry. Way to go, Weasley," he mumbled to himself.

Concerned, Hermione reached out to cup his cheek. She pulled his head up, searching until she found the gleaming eyes of the boy she cared for so deeply watching her back. And then words failed her. Everything failed her. Whatever surroundings there had been just moments ago were blending into something else, fading away into extinction. Because in that moment, the only things that existed were Hermione and Ron, and that look he was giving her that, she finally realized, had only ever been reserved for her. It was much like the look she was giving him which, she realized almost as joyously, she had always set aside for him and only him.

He was Ron and she was Hermione. And they had survived. What else could possibly bother to exist outside of them?

"You're wonderful," she blurted. "You're loyal and thoughtful and…you've turned out to be a lovely human being, Ron. No, don't deny it," she insisted as he opened his mouth to protest. "Thank you. I appreciate that a lot. But you should stay with your family. They'll need you."

"But you'll need me," Ron said simply. As he said it, his ears turned bright red. "I mean, you can't just go off alone like that."

"I'll have the Aurors with me."

"It's not the same. You don't know them. After these past couple of months…you've spent all this time with Harry and me…I don't want you to go alone."

Hermione sighed. "You've done enough, Ron. You're finally back after months on the road. You and Harry deserve a break."

"But I want to go with you."

His tone indicated that there was nothing else to be said about it. Hermione resigned to discuss the matter later with him. "Okay. I'll let you know when I hear from him." Ron nodded.

"Hermione? Can I ask you something completely random?" She nodded. "It's going to make me sound really stupid, though. And immature. And-"

"Ron, it's okay," Hermione said gently. "You can ask me anything."

"Okay, but just…I don't mean to sound like a complete nutter."

"I know you don't," Hermione chuckled. "What is it?" Ron studied their hands again, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. The look reminded Hermione of when he played chess, strategizing his next move. When he had gathered the nerve, he finally looked up at her with a confident blaze in his blue eyes. But then he glanced over Hermione's shoulder and his face fell.

"Ron?"

"I'll ask you later," he said quickly before looking back at her. "No, it's fine. It's nothing major." Hermione looked over her shoulder and saw Harry walking towards them. She couldn't help but notice Ron's disappointment.

"Hey," Harry called once he was within a few yards of the pair. "Ron, your mum's up. She wants everyone in for breakfast by eight." He stopped a few feet away. "Am I…interrupting something?"

Hermione and Ron shared a look. "No, it's alright," Hermione said.

Harry let out a sigh of relief and plopped down on her right. "Good because Mrs. Weasley asked me to chaperone you two. It's much less awkward this way."

Ron's jaw dropped. "She asked you to chaperone us?"

Harry shrugged. "In so many words, yes. How are you two feeling?"

"We've been better," Hermione answered as Ron gripped her hands much more tightly. "How are you doing, Harry?"

They talked about who they had lost and who was hurting for it. They wondered about the state of Hogwarts and whether it would be ready in the fall. They talked about the weather and how little the Burrow had changed when these topics became too heavy. And when that wasn't enough, they didn't talk at all. Ron fiddled with Hermione's fingers for the next hour, until Harry finally suggested they go back inside before Mrs. Weasley became too concerned.

As they stood and started the short walk back, Hermione felt Ron slide his fingers between hers. She started at first, but then gripped his hand with all her might before smiling up at him. He smiled back shyly and turned his attention back to their destination.

"Oh, good, you're just in time," Mrs. Weasley cried when the trio entered the kitchen. She pulled each of them into a long, warm hug. The toll their disappearance had taken on her was written across her features. "Sit, breakfast is almost ready." She turned back to the eggs and mumbled something to Ginny, who was working on the bacon.

They took their places at the table, where Percy, Bill, and Fleur were already seated. Just as they settled into small talk, Charlie and Mr. Weasley appeared at the foot of the stairs with George, who appeared lost and numb. Breakfast was a silent affair, so much so that even manners were ignored. Hermione noticed Ginny give Harry a peck on the cheek without a single comment from any of her brothers (though Ron grimaced noticeably). She was helping herself to more eggs and had just offered more to Ron when Mr. Weasley broke the silence.

"I know this isn't something we're looking forward to," he began gravely, "but we need to talk about arrangements."

Everyone grew still at once but continued their silence. "Arthur," Mrs. Weasley finally whispered, breaking the tension. "I don't think now-"

"We need to take care of it, Molly," Mr. Weasley said gently. "We can't just ignore it. The sooner, the better. We need to heal."

"What did you have in mind, Dad?" Charlie asked. "There are bound to be several events over the next month."

"I thought we could consult with Andromeda Tonks," Arthur suggested. "Perhaps have a joint service for the three of them."

"You can say their names, Dad," Ron interjected with an edge in his voice. "And they're called funerals, Charlie. Not calling them what they are doesn't make them any easier or better." Hermione placed her hand on his knee in hopes of calming him down.

"Ron, don't," Ginny snapped. "They're just trying to deal."

"Don't," Hermione echoed when he opened his mouth again. His eyes searched hers for understanding. "Don't be angry with them, Ron. They're just as upset as you are." He nodded sharply and turned his attention back to his plate, crossing his arms over his chest as he did so.

"He wouldn't want this," George croaked. Everyone turned to him in surprise. "Don't argue. And he wouldn't want some big service. Let's just bury him as a family and get it done with."

Mrs. Weasley wiped her tears on her apron and rubbed her son's back. "I think you're right, dear. Fred was never fond of moping and tears, was he?" She managed a chuckle at the memory of her lost child.

Bill and Percy agreed with George. No one was opposed. "I'll go up to Hogwarts this afternoon," Mr. Weasley announced. "I'll fetch…well, I'll get him and let McGonagall know our plans. Tomorrow?" There was little discussion before the arrangements were agreed upon.

"We should have a party."

George's voice was not so broken this time. Charlie started to laugh, followed by Ginny and Percy.

"A party?" Mrs. Weasley repeated. "What would we have a party for?"

"For Fred," George said simply. "He wouldn't want a big, sad affair, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't want to be celebrated. I think he'd like the attention."

"It certainly sounds like Fred," Harry mumbled.

"I'm with George on this one," Ginny agreed. "It's…fitting."

"Would it be appropriate?" Hermione asked. She could not imagine replacing a funeral with a party, especially the kind she knew George was talking about.

"Sure it would be," Ron said. "Everyone will be so busy mourning, they'll forget to celebrate that V-Voldemort's gone."

This realization struck everyone at once and they were left dumbfounded by Ron's words for several moments.

"He's gone," Ginny said finally. "No more war. No more fighting."

"Don't get ahead of yourself," Bill advised. "He's still got followers running around."

"With no one to lead them," Harry reminded him. "That's a huge improvement. They're running around in disorganized chaos, and the ones we get won't hesitate to turn the others in."

"Can we get back to the matter at hand?" Percy asked hesitantly. "Having a party is a bit unconventional, obviously. But so was Fred. I'll help George plan it all out."

"Same," Ron and Harry said.

Mrs. Weasley hesitated but eventually nodded. "Alright, fine, we'll have a party. But I'm not doing the cooking."

The party was set for the following Thursday. Hermione offered to help Harry with decorations. Ron, Ginny, and Fleur took food duty. George and Percy designated themselves to oversee the entire project. Arthur nodded his approval, and the Weasleys returned to their breakfast, careful to avoid talk of what the next day would bring.

Hermione lied in bed and stared at the ceiling for a few hours, dreading the day ahead. In a few hours, they would be burying Fred's body, which meant it would be full of mourning and tears and...She wasn't prepared to handle it; she wondered how the Weasleys were going to do it. The sun rose too quickly that morning. Finally, at seven thirty, Hermione decided it would be best to get ready. She was just tying her hair back when she saw Ginny sit up in the mirror. She watched Hermione finish getting ready soundlessly until the elder witch looked back at her.

"How do you feel?"

Ginny shrugged. "A bit rough around the edges. Why is it so bright out?" Hermione shrugged. "I don't like it. It suits Fred, though, don't you think?"

Hermione agreed. "Gloomy never really was his style." Ginny flipped through the articles of clothing in her closet. She finally settled on a black dress and stared at it.

"I'm only wearing this because Mum would kill me otherwise. He'd rather we all wear bright colors, don't you think?" Hermione nodded. "Oh, this is…it's going to be interesting, to say the least. I don't know whether to laugh or cry or…do you think Harry's up yet?"

"Hmm…he might be. I haven't heard anyone come down the stairs yet." An idea came to her suddenly. "I can go look if you'd like."

"I would like," Ginny breathed with a relieved smile. "Thanks, Hermione."

Hermione took a deep breath as soon as she was on the landing and moved up the staircase as quietly and quickly as she possibly could. It wasn't until she reached the landing before Ron's that she found Harry. He was buckling his belt and his hair was messier than ever. Hermione had to call out for him to keep him from running into her.

"Oh, sorry, didn't see you," Harry said. He seemed distracted. "Look, Hermione-"

"Ginny wants you," Hermione said quickly. She was disappointed now. Her plan hadn't worked; when she'd formulated it, she had assumed she'd at least make it to the bedroom.

"Oh, well I'll go right down," Harry sighed. "But, Hermione…" He paused and looked up at her. "Look, I know things are a bit, um, awkward, but-"

"Awkward? What is it that's awkward?"

Harry shook his head. "Honestly, Hermione. For someone so bright, you can be pretty damn thick." Hermione scowled at him. "Ron's not doing too well. I know he's trying to play it off like he's alright, but…just go to him, okay?"

"Really, Harry," Hermione scoffed. "Why do you think I was coming up here in the first place? Hurry, Ginny's waiting on you." Harry smiled gratefully and kissed her on the cheek.

"Thanks, Hermione. I'll see you downstairs in a bit, yeah?"

Hermione nodded and took another breath before she climbed to the final landing. She bit her lip and knocked. "Ron?" She barely waited for an answer before she turned the knob.

He was sitting on his bed, facing the window, and still in his pajamas. Hermione closed the door quietly behind her and cleared her throat. He didn't move. Knowing it would do no good to call him again; Hermione walked up behind him and waited for several moments. Instinct called for her to sit on the bed with him, and she obeyed. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her face into his back. He smelled like Heaven.

Ron covered her arms with his and rubbed the backs of her hands with his thumbs. "I couldn't sleep last night."

"Oh?" Reason told her this was to be expected; given that Ron was burying his brother today, it was only natural that he would lose sleep. But a tiny piece of her wondered if, maybe even hoped that, he had lost sleep for the same reasons she had.

"Yeah. I only got about two hours in. Sleeping's easier when I know where you are." The tiny, selfish piece of Hermione purred contentedly. He needed her, just like she needed him. "I like knowing that you're safe. I can't know that if you're floors away."

"I know what you mean. I enjoy sleeping with you," Hermione mumbled against his back. As soon as the words were out, she gasped and pulled her arms back to cover her mouth. "Oh, that's not what I…what I meant to say was…oh, dear God." Ron looked back at her and chuckled. It was the most wonderful sound Hermione had ever heard. "But I've been having a hard time away from you. Ginny's room is fine, but…it's not the same."

"No, it's not." Ron seemed to be holding his breath as he studied her face for a few moments longer. "Hermione…you know what? Never mind."

"What?" Ron stood up and started searching for clothes. "You can't do that. Ron, come on. Just tell me what you were going to say."

Ron shook his head frantically. "Nope. Not today. I'll tell you tomorrow, but not today."

Hermione gave a frustrated cry and rubbed her eyes. "Honestly, Ron, that's cruel. Now you've got me all worked up, and-and-" She stopped short as she pulled her hands away from her eyes and stared at Ron, who was now only in his underwear and fiddling with the buttons on his robes. He looked up, realized she was staring, and blushed.

"Sorry," he said, drawing the robes closer to his body. "I didn't even think about you being in here. You know, with the past few months and…sorry."

"Don't be," Hermione heard herself say as her eyes drank in his body. For the second time, she found herself apologizing for her mouth. "I don't know what's wrong with me."

Ron shook his head. "Tsk, tsk." He pulled his robes on slowly. "Mind in the gutter. I let you kiss me, and now look what happens."

Hermione scoffed. "Let me kiss you?" She walked over to stand in front of him and grabbed his tie. "You seemed to enjoy it an awful lot for someone who let me kiss them." She finished adjusting his tie and looked up into his face. His beautiful baby blues were glossed over with tears. "Ron, it's alright. Today's going to be alright."

"I-I don't want to do this," Ron choked. Hermione gathered him in her arms and he rested his head on her shoulder as he sobbed. She did her best to comfort him, rubbing his back and whispering words of encouragement over and over. Somehow, it worked. One moment, he was crying on her shoulder, the next he was wiping his eyes, and then the very next-

She wondered how she had gone this long without kissing him, especially after having a taste. She never wanted to go another day without feeling his lips on hers, or his tongue in her mouth, or his toned chest rising and falling quickly under her hands after buttons had been ripped apart in their feverish haze.

She wanted him to hold her like this every day, to lie back on his bed every opportunity she got while he kissed her like there was no tomorrow or yesterday or anything but them in that very moment. Ron's robes were ripped open in the front and Hermione's dress was up past her stomach. He was pressed against her but, though it was even better than her wildest dreams, they still had far too many clothes on for her liking. It occurred to Hermione that she could give one simple command, and Ron would be sure to fix that.

She had half a mind to tell him this when the door hit the wall with a resounding bang. Ron scrambled off of her and as she moved to pull her dress down as far as the fabric would stretch, she heard him hit the floor with a thud. Wincing for him, she sat up and found herself facing a very red-faced Mr. Weasley. The dress wouldn't stretch nearly as much as she wanted it to.

"Er, Dad," Ron said finally. "Uh…well, see, what happened was-"

"Oh, no," Mr. Weasley said with a shake of his head. "I think I've got a good idea of what was happening. I just came to tell you that breakfast is ready. But if you've got more important things to take care of-"

"We'll be down in a second," Ron mumbled, but Mr. Weasley shook his head as he walked out the door.

"Oh, no, by all means, take your time."

Ron stayed put on the floor and Hermione sat still as they listened to the footsteps travel down the flights she had climbed just minutes ago. "Did…did your dad just give us his blessing?"

"I think that might be what that was," Ron said slowly. His head appeared at the side of his bed and Hermione giggled at the sight of him. "What's so funny? That was-"

"You're adorable," Hermione sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I should have kissed you a long time ago. Oh, I'm sorry. You should have let me kiss you a long time ago."

Ron rolled his eyes and rejoined her on the bed. "Hardy har. Well, I guess we should get down there then," he said as he buttoned his robes. "Get my tie again?"

Hermione smiled. "Gladly."

They were the last to arrive in the kitchen for breakfast, with the exception of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, who were nowhere to be found. Ron was finishing a blueberry muffin when someone called to him.

"Ron?"

Ron looked back at the doorway leading into the sitting room and saw his father leaned casually against the frame. "Yeah?"

Arthur motioned toward the room with his head. "A word, please."

Ron blew out a clump of warm air as his heart accelerated. After the awkward start of the morning, he wasn't expecting anything pleasant to come out of this conversation. He nodded and followed his father into the sitting room, ignoring the curious looks his brothers were shooting them.

Arthur sat next to the fireplace in his favorite chair. Ron sat opposite him on the couch. He fumbled nervously with his fingers while his father observed him. It seemed an eternity before he spoke.

"Well, let's clear the air. You're a grown man. You can do as you please."

"I-what?" Ron asked, completely lost.

Arthur nodded. "You're responsible and you're an adult now. You have been for some time. Now, I don't know exactly how things worked while you were…well, away." Ron's fidgeting grew worse as he longed to tell his father what had been going on for the past year and as he realized with a growing dread that he would have to tell him all of it. Even the parts he wasn't proud of needed to come to light. But Arthur didn't seem to be concerned with that just yet. "And your mother would kill me if I she knew about…erm…the incident this morning and didn't say anything."

This was more like what Ron had been expecting. They had had the talk years ago and Ron remembered it as being nothing short of terrifying and miserable for the both of them. He would sooner take on Bellatrix Lestrange than sit through it again. "Dad, look, you don't have to-"

"Oh, no, I do," Arthur said with a shake of his head. He pulled his glasses off and polished them with the hem of his shirt. "So, while you were away, were you…careful?"

Ron could feel the heat rushing to his face. "Oh, Dad, no, it's not like that." Arthur raised his eyebrows at his youngest son. "I mean, there was nothing to…we haven't…we're barely together as it is," Ron finished lamely. "If you can even call it that."

Arthur's expression went blank. "Do you mean to tell me that after all those months camping, or Merlin knows what, that you and Hermione didn't figure things out?"

Ron was stunned but managed to shake his head.

"Nothing happened?"

He shook his head again. "Not until Hogwarts," he muttered.

Arthur clucked his tongue and shook his head. "Seven years. It took you seven years to admit to that girl that you're crazy about her?" Ron could only stare at this point. "Unbelievable." Arthur rose from his chair and moved into the kitchen, leaving Ron more bewildered than he had ever been before.

By the end of the day, it was raining. The streaks of rain that tore against the gray sky pounded against the windows with surprising strength. Hermione finished wrapping up the last of the leftovers and charmed the dishes to wash themselves. She sighed and observed the kitchen; it was cleaner than she could remember seeing it in years (which was really saying something, knowing Mrs. Weasley). Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were upstairs. Bill was tending to them; Charlie and Percy had disappeared into George's room hours ago. Fleur started drying the dishes with a heavy sigh.

"Eet will never be quite the same, thees place," she said quietly. Hermione shrugged and nodded in agreement. "You can go."

Hermione shook her head. "No, there's too much to do. I can't just dump it all on you."

Fleur shrugged. "We 'ave cleaned the dishes. The kitchen eez spotless. There eez nothing left to do." She nodded toward the staircase. "Go see him. He needs you."

Hermione sighed and thanked her before she trudged up the staircase to Ginny's room. She stopped at the door and hesitated before knocking gently. When there was no sound whatsoever, she slowly pushed the door just wide enough for her to slide into the room. She had just reached the tiny beaded bag beside her bed and was kneeling to pick it up when Harry bolted upright from Ginny's bed with his wand arm outstretched, fully armed.

"It's just me," Hermione gasped quickly as his eyes focused. He rubbed them gently with his free hand and nodded. "I'm going upstairs. Are you-?"

"I'll just stay here tonight," Harry yawned as he replaced his wand on the bedside table. "Wait, I'll walk up with you. I want a word." He leaned down to kiss Ginny's sleeping form and grabbed his glasses. Harry shut the door quietly behind them and led them up the stairs. "Hermione, you know…Ron and I don't get into details with personal stuff a lot."

"Are you telling me that there are some boys who don't discuss their feelings?" Hermione said with mock surprise. Harry only rolled his eyes.

"Just listen. Ron and I don't talk about…things. So I wouldn't be asking this if I didn't think it mattered." Hermione raised her eyebrows and indicated for him to go on. "Are you two together?" She didn't answer. "You can tell me. And if you've agreed to not talk about it with other people, then just say that but-"

"No, it's not that," Hermione said with a sigh. "You see, we haven't had much of a chance to talk or…or anything after the battle. I mean, we did that morning when we slept in the dorm. But since then…well, it's been one thing after another." Harry stopped on the landing before Ron's and waited for her to continue. "We talked about the kiss. I explained and we decided that we want to try. Being a couple, that is. At least, I think that's what we were going to try. And then nothing happened while we were rebuilding and sorting out things to get back to the Burrow. And of course once we got back, there were arrangements to make."

Harry nodded slowly. "So nothing's happened since that morning in Gryffindor tower? What about this morning? I sent you up there and you're telling me nothing happened?"

"Well…"

"Well?"

"We…I don't know that you'd care to hear this." Harry's eyes widened. "Oh, no, Harry it was nothing like-well, we snogged. He was upset, and I was trying to comfort him, and then the next thing I knew, we were on his bed and-and then Mr. Weasley walked in-"

"Mr. Weasley walked in on you?

"We were only snogging!"

"On his bed."

"Well, he didn't seem to mind, exactly."

Harry shook his head. "Unbelievable. And you still managed to avoid any talking?" Hermione nodded. "So…you're not together. But you're…something?"

"Well…I suppose that sums it up pretty well. Yes. We're something."

"Hmm." Harry considered this and then began walking the rest of the way. "Something. Not bad. Took you long enough, but…I guess baby steps, huh?" Hermione smacked the back of his head lightly as they reached Ron's door. "You know, I figured. I just didn't think it'd take you this long to figure it out." He rapped gently on the door.

"You figured?" Hermione asked curiously. "How long?" Harry shrugged. "Harry-"

"Yule Ball?"

"Hm."

"If there was any doubt in my mind, that night erased it."

The door swung open and Ron greeted them, still in his dress clothes. "What night?"

Harry and Hermione exchanged tense glances. "Erm…the night of the Yule Ball."

Ron scowled. "What about it?"

"I was just telling Hermione how obvious you two have been since then." Realization dawned on Ron's face and he nodded.

"It was pretty out there in the open, wasn't it?" He finally looked at Hermione and her heart soared as she nodded. "Merlin, I was an idiot."

"You're still an idiot," Hermione said gently. Ron smiled.

"Right, if you two are finished," Harry said a few moments later, breaking their daze. "Mind if I grab some clothes?"

Ron frowned. "What for? Oi, you're not-"

"I'm staying with Ginny tonight," Harry said as he pushed past Ron, who only watched as Harry rifled through his things for a change of pajamas. "She's already asleep, actually. Hermione's going to stay here tonight. If that's okay, that is."

Ron's response was delayed by a few moments and only elicited when Harry stopped and looked up. "Why wouldn't it be okay?" Hermione breathed relief.

Harry smirked. "That's what I thought. Well, I'll see you two in the morning," Harry announced as he pushed his way back into the hall. "Oh, and be careful, you two. Hermione, don't let him pressure you into anything you don't want to-"

"Harry," Hermione hissed disapprovingly. "Good night." He left, chuckling as he went. Hermione looked back at Ron, who was still staring after Harry. "Are you okay?" she asked finally. His eyes snapped back to her and he nodded slowly.

"Just exhausted. Come in before we wake everyone up, though." Hermione did as she was told and sat down on Ron's bed. She felt instantly at home in the violently orange room. She changed while Ron pulled out his own pajamas. As he changed, she lied back on his bed and studied the pattern of the ceiling. "Did you want to share?" Ron asked from across the room. Puzzled, Hermione waited for an explanation. "I can sleep on the cot if that's weird for you."

Hermione sat up and frowned. They had shared a bed already. Why wouldn't they share one now? Did he not want to? Was he second guessing this relationship business? "Ron, we need to talk."

Ron stiffened and his eyes narrowed. "Right…what's going on?"

"We said we'd talk. Don't you remember? When we were in Harry's bed in Gryffindor tower, we talked, and we said we'd talk some more. And we haven't. And I need to know where we stand."

"Where we-I thought we decided we were gonna try to-to…all this couple business," Ron said, affronted. "That's what we agreed on, isn't it?"

Hermione nodded quickly. "That's what I thought. But…if you think it would be weird to sleep in the same bed after all that, then maybe-"

Ron groaned and buried his face in his hands. "Hermione," he said from between his fingers, "this is completely different."

"Is it?"

"Yes," Ron snorted as his hands flew to his sides. "It is. We were just coming out of a battle and Harry's bed was the only one there. Harry was in the bed with us. Half my family was in the room, not to mention Merlin knows how many other people. This-this is my room. My bed. No one else is here. It's just us."

When he said it like that, Hermione realized how right he was. It was very different. "I still want to sleep with you," she blurted. "Oh, rubbish, that's not-anyway, I don't mind if you don't. But if you'd rather we didn't, I'd understand."

Ron shook his head. "No. I'd rather we did." His ears were turning red. "So…that's okay?" Hermione nodded. "Right. Okay." He walked over to the bed nervously and sat down beside her.

"It's much more comfortable if you put your legs up," Hermione said as she scrambled under his quilt. Ron put the rest of his body up on the bed and lied back, still keeping a distance between them and laying over the blankets. "Ron, really, I don't bite."

He turned to her with a cheeky smile. "What if I want you to?"

The part of Hermione that might have scolded him for saying such a thing was pushed aside by a new, excited part of her. "That can be arranged," this new part said coyly. "But you're much too far away for me to do anything about it now." Ron seemed surprised by her playful banter but joined her beneath the quilt. His left arm slid across the pillow and rested comfortably under her head. He seemed hesitant to do much more, but as soon as Hermione sidled closer to him, he draped his right arm over her hip. It was like the morning after the battle all over again.

Suddenly, they were kissing, and Hermione could not remember for her life who had started it. All she knew was that her arms fit perfectly around Ron's neck and he was applying just the right amount of pressure to her hip. He pulled her even closer and she gasped into his mouth as their bodies met. He was warm and firm, not to mention so very cuddly…

"This," Ron whispered, breaking away from Hermione's lips. Their eyes met for a brief second before bent his head down to kiss her jaw. "This is what I want."

"What?" Hermione half laughed. "You're not making sense," she sighed, though she couldn't be sure if it was because his skillful lips were working wonders on her neck or he was really being as vague as she thought he was.

Ron finished with a few quick kisses that led him back to her lips. "I want this. I want to be with you and only you. And I don't want you to see anyone else. I want you to be mine. Officially."

Hermione couldn't help the smile that burst onto her face. "I don't want to be with anyone else." Satisfied with her answer, Ron kissed her hungrily. "Oh, wait-no, it's fine, you didn't do anything. I just…we're risking a lot, aren't we?"

Ron looked at her skeptically. "Hermione, we just got out of a war. I don't think this is really risky business in comparison."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "No, Ron, this is different. We've been friends for so long. What if…what if it doesn't work out?" He scowled. "Ron, I'm serious! These things happen all the time to even the best of couples. What if we don't….what if we don't make it? We'll lose each other and then Harry will be stuck between us. Then there's all of our-"

"You worry too much," Ron interrupted. "Hermione, we'll be okay. I don't plan on ending this. I want it too badly and I've wanted it for too long to screw it up." Even in the dark, Hermione could see his ears turning pink. "And, if I'm not mistaken, you feel nearly the same way."

As much as she hated to admit it, he was right. "I do. I really…" She was struggling to resist kissing him right then. The way he was bearing his feelings to her right now was so atypical of Ron Weasley, and yet he was doing it for her. "It has to be all or nothing," she said finally. "We go into this for the long run or we walk away and save ourselves from-"

"Why would you think walking away is even an option?" Hermione shrugged. "I'm not looking for an out, Hermione. I already told you. This is what I want. For the long run. Nothing else."

Hermione couldn't resist any longer. She pulled his head back to hers and kissed him deeply, tasting every inch of his mouth as she had that morning before they had been interrupted. Ron seemed to remember it well; he slid his hands under her shirt as he had done earlier and rubbed circles into her skin. Hermione moaned and pushed against him before breaking away for air. The couple rested their foreheads together and gazed into each other's half-lidded eyes.

"You're not supposed to be that good at kissing," Ron whispered. Hermione's jaw dropped slightly and Ron chuckled. "You think you've fooled everyone, being a prefect and a teacher's pet and what not." He paused to kiss her temple.

"What's wrong with that?" Hermione asked.

Ron shook his head. "Nothing. It's a good thing. If no one suspects what a minx you really are, then I won't have to worry about anyone going after you. You're all mine." He cupped her bum and moaned before placing a swift kiss on her lips.

Unsure of how to reply to this sudden flattery, Hermione said, "It's getting late."

"Is that your way of telling me this is too much?" Ron started to remove his hands but Hermione reached around to stop him.

"No, don't. It's not too much. It's just enough. But if we don't get to bed…" She stopped and felt her face grow warmer as she considered the implications. "We need our energy for tomorrow. No use wasting it now."

"I don't think it'd be a waste," Ron joked. Hermione gave him a pleading look and he grew serious. "Yeah, you're right." He turned to lie nearly on his stomach and kept his arms tightly wrapped around her. "Is this alright? I mean, are you comfortable? Because-"

Hermione cut him off with a peck as she moved her arms down to his middle and tightened her hold on him. "This is perfect." As she watched Ron stare at her adoringly, she remembered the conversation she'd had with Harry. "Ron? If…if you had label this…I mean to say, if you were going to introduce me to someone…what would you call me?"

Ron frowned. "Is this a trick question? I'd call you by your name, wouldn't I?"

"No," Hermione cried. "No, I mean…the label. What sort of label would you give me? Like…like, Harry, for example, you'd say, 'This is my best friend, Harry Potter.' What about me?"

Ron yawned loudly. "Well," he said at the end of it, "I'd call you my girlfriend, wouldn't I?" Hermione's heart leapt at her ribcage. "That's what you are, isn't it? I mean, if we're a couple…we're a couple, right?" He yawned again.

"Yes," Hermione decided. "Yes, we are." She touched her lips to the tip of his nose. It was odd…Ron Weasley was her boyfriend.

Ron laughed quietly. "You're my girlfriend. Weird."

"Tell me about it."

They laughed quietly until Ron grew serious again. "Hermione?"

"Hm?"

"Remember the other day, when I said I wanted to ask you something?"

Hermione's heartbeat quickened as the forgotten revelation presented itself. "Yes. What was it?"

Ron sighed. "Okay, well…I know this is going to sound stupid-"

"And immature," Hermione cut in. "And you don't mean to be a complete nutter, but-"

"Alright, alright," Ron chuckled. "I just need to know, okay? I know I don't have a right to ask, but if I don't now, I will eventually. It's inevitable."

"Okay. Shoot."

Ron swallowed audibly. "Did you actually snog Krum?"

Hermione bolted upright and stared down at Ron with a disbelieving look on her face. "Are you serious?"

Ron shrugged. "I told you," he said. "It's immature and-"

"No, I mean…all that build up. For that? It's almost disappointing." Ron cocked an eyebrow.

"Would you rather I came up with a more interesting question?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, it's…geez, you had me all worried over this, and that's all it was."

"What did you think I was going to ask?"

Hermione sighed. "Oh, I don't know. Alright, fine. I kissed him. Twice." Ron stared at her expressionlessly. "Well?"

"Just twice?" Hermione nodded. "When?"

Hermione gaped at him. "Do you really want all the de-"

"Yes," Ron said soundly.

"Fine." Hermione rolled her eyes. "The first time was after the Yule Ball. He kissed me good night and it was hardly a peck. The second time was a few days before the last task. We went for a walk on the grounds and it was raining. And, contrary to popular belief, kissing in the rain isn't all it's cracked up to be. It was disgusting and messy and there was nothing romantic about it in the slightest." Ron still appeared unconvinced. "You're better at it, though."

This made him grin. "Yeah?" Hermione nodded and leaned down to prove her point. "Mm…definitely. Although, you've got a lot more experience than I do."

Ron snorted. "I've only ever snogged one other girl, Hermione. I wouldn't say-"

"What did you do with Lavender?" she asked before she could stop herself. "I'm sorry, that was…really blunt."

He shrugged as guilt passed over his eyes. "Nothing you couldn't have seen in the common room. Oh, c'mon, you don't have to look like that. I know you're feeling smug." Hermione stopped biting her lip and smiled.

"Just relieved, I guess," she admitted. "Not that it would have mattered if you had, but…it's nicer this way."

"What about McLaggen?"

Hermione lied on top of him and put her arms on either side of his head. "Less than with Viktor. Er…maybe it was a bit more, depending on how you look at it. Oh, he shoved his tongue where it wasn't meant to be! I spent the entire night avoiding him for it." Ron let out a peal of laughter. "I wasn't even aware that he was going for it. He's not exactly smooth." She ruffled Ron's hair a bit with her fingers. "You're far superior."

Ron smirked. His hands worked themselves into Hermione's hair. "Good to know." Ron pulled her face down to his and kissed her slowly. Hermione's breath stilled in her chest until he released her many moments later. "We should get to sleep," he whispered, out of breath, as his nose tickled its way up her check. He reached her temple and left a soft kiss.

Hermione rested her head on his chest. "Now you've gotten me comfortable. I don't want to move," she sighed.

Ron kissed her again. "Then don't."

"I'm not crushing you?"

"Nope."

"I should move."

"Stay," Ron insisted, wrapping his arms around her lower back.

"Okay," Hermione breathed. Exhaustion hit her suddenly and had no intention of letting up. She managed to lift herself up enough to grab Ron's quilt and pulled it up over her shoulders. "There. Comfortable?" Ron answered with a light snore. Hermione smiled down at his sleeping, tired face. "Sweet dreams, Ron," she murmured. A few seconds later, she was asleep with him.

A/N: Forever avoiding writing dialogue for Fleur.

Reviews are much appreciated, friends. :) More to come!