AN: This is my first fic so please keep that in mind! I'll try my best to update as often as possible but no guarantees since school is really piling on the work! Regardless, thank you for reading this! Review please to let me know how it is and is you have any suggestions as to what you'd like to see happen!

Disclaimer:I do not own Harry Potter


Chapter 1 – Now What?

I glanced around the Great Hall, taking in the aftermath of the Battle. We had come back from Dumbledore's office about an hour ago, Harry deciding to go straight to Gryffindor Tower for well-deserved rest. I was exhausted but couldn't sleep. Emotions were running high in the Great Hall. Everyone was relieved it was all over but filled with grief at losing so many people. I still can't believe that Fred, Tonks and Lupin were gone. Just thinking about it brought tears to my eyes but I forced them away. There was time to cry later. For now, I just wanted to focus on the fact that we were free from Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Muggles and Muggle-borns would no longer be hunted and nothing could make me happier. I was proven wrong, of course, when a certain redhead plopped down beside me.

"I'm starving, aren't you Hermione?" Ron said reaching for the nearest plate of food. I rolled my eyes. Of course Ron was hungry, he always was, but that was just something that made him Ron. Before I could say anything though, the rest of the Weasley clan made their way over.

"Where's Harry gotten to?" Ginny asked.

"He's sleeping in his dorm. He needs his rest, he's been through so much," I replied.

"So have the two of you. I'm so proud of you two and Harry," said Mrs. Weasley, beaming at the couple. "All of you are returning to the Burrow right?"

"Er, I think so Mum. We'd have to ask Harry, but I'm sure he'll wanna go," Ron said in between mouthfuls.

They fell into silence after that, no one really knowing what to say. There was an overlaying sadness at Fred loss over the group. I glanced at George. His eyes were downcast and red, their usually sparkle gone. I couldn't even begin to imagine what he was feeling. George and Fred were two sides of the same coin, the same soul in two bodies. Now Fred was gone and I was sure that he took a piece of George with him. Then I felt a hand on mine and looked up to see Ron looking at me with a sad smile. Are you okay? his eyes asked me. I smiled back at him and squeezed his hand. He took that as a yes and kept eating, but didn't move his hand. Despite everything, I couldn't help but be happy. We'd have to talk about the kiss, but I was happy just to have him by my side now.

We had all the time in the world to talk, but I guess he wanted to do it sooner than later, because as soon as he'd finished, he pulled me up and announced we were going to take a walk. We were met with a chorus of okays and I felt everyone's eyes on our entwined hands. Ginny caught my eye, smiled and winked. I blushed and let Ron lead me outside towards the lake. We fell into step walking along the edge, watching the giant squid swim lazily near the top.

"So, are you really okay?" he asked me after a while.

"Yeah, or at least I will be. What about you, Ron? How are you feeling about what happened? About Fred?" I felt him tighten his grip at the mention of Fred and he looked away. I waited until I heard him sniffle then look back at me. His eyes were a little red but he was otherwise composed.

"I'll be okay eventually. It's just weird thinking that he's dead, you know? Same with Lupin and Tonks and everyone else. I wish they were still here but I can't change the past. We just got the move on and remember right? Focus on the future?" He said looking at me expectantly.

"That was beautiful Ron," I replied, making him blush. "But speaking of the future, isn't there something we should discuss?"

"Ah yes, you're talking about the Chudley Cannons prospects to win this season right?" He said smirking. I glared at him and he rolled his eyes. "That's right, you're talking about us." He stopped me and spun me around to face him.

"Yes us. Now what's going to happen?" I replied.

"Well," he started, suddenly taking interest in his shoes. "Personally, I would like to repeat what happened in the Room of Requirement…" he trailed off, looking down at me curiously.

"Me too," I said quietly, not meeting his eyes. I felt a hand lift up my chin and I was met with Ron's smiling face. He glanced at my mouth and slowly leaned in, his eyes closing. I closed eyes and closed the distance between us. Like the first one, his kiss was electrifying, only this time there was no war going on around us. I was able to focus on the kiss, on the taste of him.
He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer and I locked my arms around his neck. The world around us melted and I was blissfully happy. When we broke apart, he rested his forehead on mine and smiled.

"That was even better than before," he said. I hummed in agreement.

"Yeah, and you've definitely gained more tact through the years," I teased. Before he could retort, we heard Ginny shout from halfway between the castle and lake.

"Hey lovebirds! Harry's awoken, though I'm sure he needs more than just a few hours. Come on in so we can see where he wants to go and he can go back to bed. Mum says we all need sleep so the sooner you get inside, the faster that can happen." She shouted, smirking at us.

We blushed and pulled apart. Ron held his hand out for me and I took it. As we started walking, I couldn't help but think that no matter what happens next, at least I would have Ron with me. And I knew that he would be with me, for a long time to come.