AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yes, I have returned. And, with a new story. I'm sure most of my former readers hate me, but hopefully this story will make up for my two year absence. I've had a really dry spell with fanfiction, and I finally caught up with my muse. And, yeah, I know the story title is generic, but I couldn't think of anything else to title it. So, enjoy, and as always, please review. :)

Oh, and by my clock, it's 12:30 AM, so if there are any mistakes, I apologize.

SUMMARY: POST HOGWARTS. R/HR. After the war, Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny are sent to four different corners of the world to keep them safe from the remaining Death Eaters. But when it's finally time for them to return, will they be the same people they once were, and return to their old selves? Rated T for safety.

DISCLAIMER: JK ROWLING OWNS IT ALL!!! You all know the deal.

Prologue

SEPARATION wasn't the ending that Hermione Granger had hoped for. In fact, the events of the last two years weren't even close to the life she had planned to lead. She had wanted to finish her final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. However, her seventh year never even began. Instead, Hermione traveled Europe with her best friends, in search of the fated Horcruxes. Hermione had also wanted to attend England's most prestigious Magical University at the completion of her Hogwarts education. But, that too, was a dream lost, when the war against You-Know-Who raged on for eight violent months. And during the final moments when Harry Potter finally defeated Lord Voldemort, Hermione held on to her last ray of hope: Now that it was over, she could return to a normal life and go on to pursue her dream as Healer. Yet, as she took a sip of the potion the Auror handed her, Hermione knew that none of that would ever become a reality now.

Seven hours earlier, Harry Potter had faced the Dark Lord for the last time. The defeat had drained the young wizard, though, and he was currently in a coma at St. Mungo's. Hermione didn't even get the chance to see her best friend, before several Aurors took her and her other friends to their safe house. There they were met by many other Aurors, the Minister of Magic, Professor McGonagall, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. They were all given recovery potions and a warm spot around the fire, before Mr. Weasley spoke.

"Now, we all understand that the events that occurred earlier this morning must be dealt with the utmost seriousness."

"Cut the crap, Dad," came the small voice of the youngest Weasley. Ginny's face was streaked with tears, her eyes red and swollen. "Is Harry going to be okay or not?"

Mr. Weasley hesitated for a moment, before looking around the room. He swallowed heavily and wished that he didn't have to be the one to deliver the news. But, due to his relationship with the three teenagers, everyone had agreed he was best for the job. His wife gave him a weak smile, indicating for him to go on.

"Well, the thing is…" His voice trailed off.

"Just tell us!" Ginny exclaimed.

"We're not sure. He isn't responding to anything."

"So, he's going to die," Ronald Weasley choked. Mr. Weasley didn't answer at first. The room was quieted for several seconds.

"Not necessarily," he finally said. Hermione's mind was reeling. This definitely wasn't the way things were supposed to be going. Harry was supposed to live. "Harry's strong. The question is how strong. He may pull through this. Only time will tell."

"Can we see him?" Ginny asked.

"No. There's another matter we must discuss first." Mr. Weasley looked toward the Minister, who nodded. Arthur took a step back, allowing the Minister room to stand in front of the crowd.

"Although Mr. Potter has defeated You-Know-Who," he began, "there are several, more dedicated Death Eaters who were able to escape capture."

"And?" Ron said.

"They want revenge. They're after the three of you, as well as Mr. Potter." He paused, waiting for some kind of reaction, but none came. "After much discussion with the other Ministry officials, we feel the best course of action is to separate the three of you and put you into hiding."

"What?" Ron and Ginny both shouted.

"It's the only way to protect you."

"No, it's not," Ron protested. "We'll fight them."

"No, you won't," Mrs. Weasley retorted. "I will not have any more of my children found dead." Ron quickly sat back as his watched his mother's eyes tear over. Charlie and Percy had both lost their lives, and Bill and George were still recovering from serious injuries.

"What will happen to Harry?" Hermione had finally spoken.

"Well, while he is in his coma, his room will be under constant surveillance. If and when he wakes up, he too will be sent into hiding with no one other than his Secret Keeper knowing his whereabouts."

"He will wake up," Ginny muttered.

"We all certainly hope so," the Minister said. It was quiet again, and Hermione was starting to get anxious. She wanted to see Harry, to make sure he was really okay. She wanted to talk to him, tell him that they were all there for him, and that he needed to wake up. Looking at Ginny, Hermione could tell that she felt the same way. In the last two years, Ginny had stood by Harry's side, trying her hardest to prove to him that they could still be together and fight. Harry never relented, sure of the fact that no matter how much danger the young red head was already in, it would only escalate with his love.

"Will we be allowed to see each other? Our families?" Ron asked.

"Not for a while, no. Each one of you will have a Secret Keeper, an Auror, who will live with you. Only you and that person will know the whereabouts, and it is crucial that you do not share with anyone, not even each other, where you are."

"Will we be able to send owls?"

The minister didn't respond at first. He looked to be in deep thought, and Hermione knew that owls were not a topic the Ministry had discussed. "We will allow it, but the owls must be kept to a minimum. We will talk about the specifics later, but if I were to tell you, I would say only one owl a month, and at night."

"One owl a month!" Ginny cried. "That isn't fair!"

"The top priority is keeping you safe, not keeping you in constant contact!" The minister bit out. "Do you not think it is better to keep you alive, then to risk your life?"

Ginny merely nodded.

"Now, you will have two hours to gather your things and say goodbye to your family. Each one of you will be allowed five minutes with Mr. Potter, as requested by St. Mungo's. Then, I will introduce each of you to your assigned Auror and you will be on your way."

The minister turned to leave and Mrs. Weasley burst into tears. She rushed forward, pulling her children and Hermione into a tight grasp. "It's really for the best, dears," she sobbed. "You'll be home soon enough, safe and sound. Right?"

"Right, Mum," Ron said. He was trying to hold back his own tears as he held his mother close. "Ginny, I think you should go see Harry first. Hermione and I can start packing our things."

"Yeah, okay," she answered, distracted. Five minutes wasn't a very long time, and every minute would be precious. She squeezed her mother's hand and Mrs. Weasley finally released her hold. Ginny made her way to the door, and was soon followed by a woman. The woman, Hermione assumed, was Ginny's assigned Auror. The woman was roughly the same height as Ginny and her hair was the same shade of red. They could have passed for sisters.

"That's Abigail," Mr. Weasley said, noticing the questioning look on Hermione's face. "And, yes, that is her Secret Keeper. Yours will be along soon enough. Now, I think it's best if you and Ron go upstairs and pack while Ginny is with Harry." Hermione nodded and took Ron's hand as he lead her up the stairs.

Since Dumbledore's funeral in their sixth year, Ron and Hermione had come to some sort of silent agreement that they cared more for one another than they let on. But, any thought of a relationship was always pushed to the back of their minds. The search for the Horcruxes was more important than falling in love, and both Ron and Hermione knew this. There had been occasions when a hug would last longer; their eyes would linger longer; quick kisses were exchanged before putting themselves in danger, accompanied by a whispered 'I love you'. And, Hermione knew that she was in love with Ron. More than she could ever explain. But now, it wasn't even worth saying so.

"Are you okay?" Ron asked, as he opened the door to his and Harry's room.

"Yeah, I think so," she answered, leaning her head into Ron's shoulder.

"It'll all be okay, Hermione," he whispered, running his finger down her cheek. "The Ministry will catch the Death Eaters, and as soon as we come home, we'll all be able to go back to our lives."

"Promise?" Hermione muttered, taking in his scent. The thought passed her mind that this would be the last time she would ever do that.

"I promise," Ron replied, suddenly capturing her lips with his own. Hermione let herself fall into his arms. The kiss was slow, but needy. After all this time, all the war, all the fear, Hermione just wanted to stay in Ron's arms forever. But, once again, they were being forced apart. Ron pulled away and cupped her chin with his hand. "I love you, Hermione Granger. This is only one more obstacle we need to overcome. And then, we'll have forever." The words shocked Hermione, but she wasn't about to object. If going away for a while meant falling having a life with Ron, she was willing to do it. He kissed her forehead and said, "I love you."

"I love you, too, Ron." She felt the tears running down her cheeks, and Ron brought his thumb to her cheek. "Don't cry, Hermione." She nodded, but the tears kept falling, and Ron just pulled her close.

A knock came from the door, and Mr. Weasley stepped in. "Ron, Hermione, if one of you is ready, you can go see Harry."

"You go," Ron said. "I'll pack your things for you."

"Thanks." She turned and Mr. Weasley place a hand on her shoulder, guiding her from the room.

"I love you, Hermione," Ron called. "Please don't ever forget that."

Harry's room was pure white. Everything in the room was bright, from the white tile on the floors, to the white curtains, and the white sheets on Harry's bed. Harry was very pale himself, and if it wasn't for his jet black hair, Hermione may not have noticed him at all. Her eyes were still swollen from the tears she had shed on the way to St. Mungo's. Her Secret Keeper, a tall and rather good-looking, young Auror, walked silently behind her. He hadn't even introduced himself and the only thing he had said to her was to "Keep moving" when she tried to talk to Ginny as she passed her sobbing friend in the lobby. Hermione noted, however, that Ginny's Secret Keeper seemed very understanding, and had a comforting arm around her shoulders.

Hermione approached Harry's bed slowly, as her Secret Keeper stood guard by the door. A Healer was standing in the opposite corner, clearly making sure that everything stayed in order. Harry looked so small, and Hermione choked back a sob. His hand was laying on his chest, and Hermione looked at the Healer.

"Can I touch him?" she asked. The Healer nodded and Hermione took Harry's hand into her own. "Oh, Harry." She began to sob uncontrollably, not caring that she had an audience. Harry was her best friend, and here he was, lying in a hospital bed, not dead, but not quite alive earlier. Hermione couldn't bring herself to say anything more to him. She just sat there crying, holding grasping Harry's hand gently. When the Healer said her time was over, Hermione stood slowly, letting Harry's hand fall back onto his chest. "I love you, Harry," she whispered. "Please wake up soon."

END AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, there you have it. Please review, good or bad. Chapter One will hopefully be out soon.