AN: Well, here's a shot at a "real" story. I don't think this will be too long, but we'll see how it goes. For those who have read "Avici," my oneshot, this is sort of a continuation of that... or more like a companion story. It shouldn't be necessary to have read it in order to understand this story... in fact it may be a bit of a "spoiler," though not very much, but reading it would provide a clearer picture, perhaps. Or you could just read it anyway. :D

This story starts out a bit fluffy, but think of this more as an introduction. It gets much more interesting, I promise!

Anyway, on to the story...

Stand and Watch It Burn

I. Just Perfect

It'd been three years since the defeat of Lord Voldemort. Good had triumphed, and the world was finally at peace.

For a while, they weren't sure if Harry Potter was going to make it. His injuries were extensive, and after the final battle, Harry remained unconscious for weeks. But of course, being the Boy-Who-Lived, he pulled through and was immediately renamed the Boy-Who-Lived-Again. Despite the entire wizarding community calling for Harry to be their next Minister of Magic (at age seventeen, too!), Harry wisely refused and instead became an Auror as he had always dreamed of. His rise to the head of the office was quick and hardly surprising.

A year after the war, Ron and Hermione announced their engagement, surprising nobody but themselves. Their wedding the following summer had been a beautiful event, attended by the entire Weasley clan (except for Percy, who still refused to reconcile with the family), staff from Hogwarts, assorted personnel from the Ministry, all the members of the Order of the Phoenix, and Harry, of course. Hermione had gotten the wedding she had always dreamed of. Her dress wasn't fussy and had simple lines, but it was gorgeous and flattered Hermione's figure. The bridesmaids wore lavender silk dresses, and the aisles were decked with matching lavender ribbon and white roses – Hermione's favorite. Everything was as it should be.

Just a few months ago, Hermione had given birth to their first child, a beautiful little boy with gingery hair and sparkling blue eyes. The fight over his name before he was born was monumental.

"No, Hermione, no matter what you think I am NOT going to have my child named after some stupid Muggle quack…"

"He is not a quack, Ronald Weasley, he was brilliant. What do you know about Muggles anyway? And the name is…"

"STUPID." Ron's face was redder than his hair. "Who names their kid PLATO, Hermione? PLATO. It's… it's like a planet or something."

"That's Pluto," Hermione said, extremely irritated.

Ron scoffed. "Close enough. Anyway, can't you just imagine the kids making fun of him at school? Plato Weasley. You've got to be kidding me, Hermione."

"What's wrong with that?"

"What ISN'T wrong with that? Now, my choice…"

"Ron, we are not naming our son after a Quidditch player. End of discussion."

"But Quinlan O'Leary is one of the most brilliant Keepers today! Just think of it, Hermione. Our son could play for Ireland one day and make a spectacular save to lead Ireland to another World Cup… just like Quinlan!"

Hermione was not impressed. "No. The name Quinlan is terrible."

"No more terrible than Playdoh."

"Plato."

"Whatever."

"Fine," Hermione said. She grabbed the much abused baby name book on the coffee table. "I'll just flip through and shout out names and you tell me if you like them or not."

"Fair enough."

"Tristan."

Ron scrunched his nose. "Too girly."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Ronan?"

"Nah."

"Kyle?"

Ron tilted his head. "Kyle Weasley." He made a face.

Hermione laughed. "Yeah, I'm not too fond of that either. Let's see…" She flipped to the front. "Aiden."

"Aiden Weasley. Merlin, that's brilliant. Whazzit mean?" Ron snatched the book from Hermione and peered at the pages. "'Little fire' eh?"

Hermione smiled. "I thought it'd be appropriate, since he'll probably have your ridiculous red hair."

Ignoring Hermione's insult, Ron placed a hand on her swollen belly and whispered to his unborn son, "What do you think little guy? Aiden?" Feeling a soft kick on his hand, Ron smiled and declared, "Aiden it is."

"Aiden Plato Weasley."

"You're mad, woman. Absolutely starking mad. Give him that middle name and Aiden will hate you for life."

x x x

It was May, and a lovely day. It was nearly five o'clock. Hermione, on her way to the Burrow, bustled around the house as she prepared herself and Aiden for the trip. It was to be a huge dinner and sort of a bit of a reunion.

"Hey, sweetie," Hermione cooed as Aiden waved his arms and giggled. "Are you ready to go visit Gran-Gran and Grandpa? Cuz they're ready to see you, yes they are! What would you like to wear today? Hmm…" Hermione started opening drawers full of baby clothes. "How about this one? You like this shirt, don't you Den?" She held up a small white cotton shirt with a small golden snitch on it. (She had taken Ron clothes shopping for Aiden once. He had pointed and started gurgling incoherently. Ron, that is… not Aiden.) "Yeah, okay, up you go." She stood Aiden up and slipped on his t-shirt and then helped him put on his dark blue slacks. Grabbing the already packed baby bag, she slung it over her shoulder and cradled Aiden in her other arm. "Now we're ready."

Donwstairs in their living room, Hermione threw some Floo powder into the fireplace. "The Burrow," she said loudly. The flames burst green, and Hermione stepped in.

Despite the fact the Weasleys now had considerably more money – Mr. Weasley had gotten promoted and all the Weasley children were working now – the Burrow had hardly changed, and Hermione was glad of this. She thought it was perfect the way it was.

The kitchen was bustling with action. Mrs. Weasley was cooking up a storm. The moment Hermione came in though, she immediately dropped all she was doing to inspect her youngest grandson.

"Oh look at you," the fussy matriarch said, gently taking Aiden from Hermione. "You've grown so much since I've last seen you!"

"You saw him three days ago," Hermione said, laughing.

"Oh, I know but it seems so long, doesn't it, Aiden," Mrs. Weasley said, turning to Aiden who giggled in response.

Tonks, who was also in the kitchen, grinned. "He's beautiful, Hermione."

"Isn't he? Hermione looked at her tiny son who was now being ridiculously spoiled by his grandmother. "I know I may be biased… but I think he's wonderful."

"That would be because he is, aren't you?" Mrs. Weasley cut in. "You know, he looks just like Ron when Ron was a baby. Yes you do, yes you do!" She tickled him. "Oh, you darling child. Here," she said, handing Aiden back to Hermione. "I should go back to preparing dinner."

"Need any help?" Tonks asked eagerly.

"Er… that's… sweet of you, dear, but I'm fine, thank you. Why don't you and Hermione go out into the living room and chat?"

"I can help set up the table," Tonks volunteered, smiling devilishly.

"No, that's quite all right," Mrs. Weasley said, her tone growing insistent. "Two of you, out!" she said, scurrying them out with her hands.

Out in the living room, Tonks broke into a huge grin. "I do that to agitate her at times," she confided.

"Do what?"

"Offer to help. I'm such a klutz, and Molly's such a dear… she's afraid to hurt my feelings."

Hermione laughed. "Oh, Tonks." Tonks shrugged and grinned again. "How are you? I haven't seen you in a few weeks. How's Professor Lupin?"

"Oh." Tonks's grin faded slightly. "I'm good. Remus is… still being broody. You'd think three years after the war he'd get over the whole 'I'm a werewolf and I'm too dangerous and poor and old and blah blah blah' thing, but no."

"Still?" Hermione looked disappointed. "I thought he'd have more sense than that."

Tonks laughed. "He's very smart, Hermione. But sometimes the smartest people have absolutely no sense when it comes to their own emotions. He's been better lately. We've talked about getting married and starting a family, but he's still not sure. He thinks it'd be a bad idea for me to be married to a werewolf. I don't know why he'd think such a thing." Tonks gave a half-hearted smile, trying to indicate that she was joking.

"It's just a matter of time," Hermione said. "He'll come around. I heard he has a teaching position at Hogwarts again? Defense of the Dark Arts?"

Tonks nodded eagerly. "Yes, he's really excited about… well, first of all, a steady job, and also working with kids again. Remus loves kids," Tonks said wistfully. Hermione could tell that Tonks was having her own kids running around. "Anyway… I heard through the grapevine - " Hermione shot Tonks a look. "- okay, I heard from Remus – that you, Ms. Granger, also have been offered a teaching position at Hogwarts as well."

Hermione nodded. "McGonagall wants me to teach Transfiguration."

"You'd be brilliant at it, Hermione. And everyone knows you're dying to be a professor. Professor… would you be Professor Granger or Professor Weasley?"

"Oh, I don't know," Hermione said, forcing out a laugh. "I'm not sure if I'm even going to take the job. With Aiden now, and Ron settling in at his new position in the Auror Office, I'm not sure if this is the best timing."

"Where is Ron?"

"He and Harry are still at work. They'll be coming once they're finished. Wait… why aren't you working?"

Tonks grinned mischievously. "I'm hardly as hard working as Harry. And Ron usually stays when Harry does. Besides, I took a day off today. I wasn't feeling well, and it's the day before the full moon, so I thought I'd spend some time with Remus… the git."

"I heard Harry's making some sort of announcement tonight. At least, Harry dropped not-so-subtle hints that he might be this morning. I wonder –" At this precise moment, Ginny came bursting into the living room. "Gin?"

Ginny caught sight of Hermione sitting on the couch and grabbed her arm. Wide-eyed, Hermione managed to hand Aiden to Tonks before being dragged out by Ginny and up several flights of stairs into Ginny's room.

"Ginny, what's going on?"

"Oh… my… GOD, Hermione. I am so… I AM SO NERVOUS. I'VE NEVER BEEN THIS NERVOUS IN MY LIFE. OH. MY. GOD." Ginny was screaming nonsensically as Hermione tried to shush her and calm her down.

"Ginny, I can't understand you if you keep screaming."

But nothing seemed to be able to console the hysterical Ginny. She started pacing and mumbling under her breath. After a few minutes, she threw herself on her bed and lay there, staring at the ceiling. "Oh, God," she said. After a few seconds of silence, she burst out laughing.

Now, Hermione was scared. Sitting next to the redhead lying down, she leaned over to look her in the eyes. "Um… Gin?"

"Hermione, he did it."

"Who?"

"Harry!"

"Did what? Oh… Oh!" Everything started clicking in Hermione's mind. "No!"

"Yes!" Ginny leapt up and grabbed Hermione's hands. "He asked me this morning!"

"Oh, Ginny!" Hermione started jumping up and down with her friend. "I'm so excited for you! Is that what he's announcing tonight?"

Ginny grinned. "Yes. Oh God." Her face paled. "He's going to announce it… with everyone there… Oh, Hermione, what if they hate him!"

Now it was Hermione's turn to laugh. "Ginny… It's Harry. Everyone loves Harry… well, save for Snape. But he doesn't count. Your dad treats Harry like his seventh son. Your mom adores Harry, and half of your brothers went to school with Harry. Ron is Harry's best friend. You have nothing to be nervous about. Everyone will be so happy for you two."

"It's different, Hermione. He's asking to marry me now. It's one thing for us to be dating, but now getting married? What if my dad doesn't allow us to get married? What if he says I'm too young? What if he says Harry's not good enough? I love Harry. What would I do? What if – "

"Gin. Stop. No one is going to say Harry's not good enough. You're being silly."

"You're right, Hermione. You always are.

x x x

Hermione laughed silently to herself when Harry and Ron finally Apparated into the Burrow. Harry looked so shaky and nervous she almost felt bad for her friend. You'd think that after defeating one of the most feared wizards in the world, Harry would be much more confident, but no, Harry was still slightly nervous, slightly awkward. It was endearing, really.

Throughout the dinner, she could see Harry twitching and shooting nervous glances over at Ginny who pointedly refused to look at him. Everyone else was busy enjoying the delicious dinner that Mrs. Weasley had laid out on the table and didn't notice the two nervous lovebirds.

On the other side, Hermione saw Tonks leaning on Remus's shoulder, and the two of them were smiling contentedly. Tonks had a happy twinkle in her eye, and Hermione just knew everything would work out for the two of them.

Fred and George were sitting next to each other across the table from Hermione with their wives, Angelina and Alicia, respectively, on the other side of them. Angelina was heavily pregnant (seven months, Hermione guessed), and Alicia was tending to the two small identical boys sitting next to her. Another generation of Weasley twins, Hermione thought bemusedly.

Near the head of the table, next to Mr. Weasley, were Bill, Fleur, and their little girl, Isabelle. Isabelle was a lovely girl of three that looked decidedly like her mother except for her strawberry blonde hair. Mr. Weasley was talking affectionately to his only granddaughter, asking her what she was doing and what she would like for her upcoming birthday. Hermione smiled at the adoring way Isabelle looked at her grandfather. Bill and Fleur were eating, occasionally laughing at the ridiculous promises that the doting grandfather made to the little girl.

Fleur was much better now in the sense she was less uppity and arrogant, but that didn't prevent the occasional nasty remark about her behind her back. She never would fully lose her nickname Phlegm, Hermione realized. They had all been surprised when Fleur had excitedly announced that she was pregnant. "I thought she wouldn't want to ruin her figure," Ginny had grumbled. But no, Fleur had wanted a large family, "Much like zis famuhlee!" she had squealed. So far, they only had had Isabelle, but Bill had assured Hermione that they were "practicing" and that he was sure "many more" were on the way. Hermione shuddered at that memory. That was too much information, if there was ever such a thing.

Charlie was sitting near Mrs. Weasley, Kingsley, and Mundungus on the other side. They were chatting amiably about the dragons Charlie had seen when Mrs. Weasley had decided to intercede.

"So have you met any nice girls in Romania?" Mrs. Weasley tried to ask innocently.

Charlie groaned. "Mum…"

"I'm just worried about you Charlie! You're not getting any younger…"

"Mum, I'm only twenty-six."

"Darling, really…"

"Hermione?" A voice interrupted her thoughts and she pulled out of her haze.

"Huh… Ron?"

Ron smiled. "You look deep in thought," he teased.

Hermione sighed. "It's just… everything's so perfect right now, you know?"

"Yeah," Ron agreed. "You know…"

"Wait, Ron" Hermione said, putting her hand on his arm. She grinned widely. "I think Harry's about to make his big announcement."

Harry stood up and said uncertainly, "Er… everybody?" The conversation and laughter continued. Harry shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Hey!" he said, a little too loudly this time. Everyone at the table jumped and turned to look at Harry who instantly flushed crimson. "Oops," he chuckled nervously. "Um, as some of you know I have an announcement to make." He cleared his throat. "You see – " cough "- I, er… -" cough cough "- well, I –"

"Out with it, Potter!" Fred called out good-naturedly, throwing a napkin over at Harry.

Harry took the napkin and started fidgeting with it. He was staring down at his feet as he continued to stutter. "Er… you see… Oh, bugger. I'll just say it." He looked up at everyone's expectant faces and said too loudly, "Ginny and I are getting married." He immediately sat down. Ginny covered her face with her hands and sank down in her chair. "Oh, God," Hermione heard her mumble.

There was a stunned silence. Every single Weasley male was staring at Harry, boring holes into the poor boy who was determinedly not looking anyone in the eye. The very pregnant pause was finally broken by Mrs. Weasley who broke into tears and soon everyone was cheering. Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, and Ron had all jumped out of their chairs and were by Harry, shaking his hand, ruffling his hair, patting him on the shoulder, and making assorted threats. Mr. Weasley was quite teary-eyed as he hugged Ginny who was now smiling brightly.

Remus stood up and cleared his throat. He seemed rather taken while remaining completely calm at the same time. He smiled broadly at Harry beneath the pile of Weasleys and raised his glass. "To Harry and Ginny," he said with much emotion in his voice."

"To Harry and Ginny!"

x x x

"Aiden down?"

"Yeah, it was a long day and he was tired. He fell asleep pretty quickly," Hermione said as she brushed her hair in front of the mirror. She sighed. "He gets bigger every day. God, he's growing up fast." She climbed into bed next to Ron and laid down, content. A comfortable silence passed between them.

"Did you know?"

"Hmm?" Hermione rolled over on her side to look at Ron lying next to her.

Ron smiled and kissed Hermione softly. "Did you know before? That Harry asked Ginny to marry him."

"She told me when I got there. So sort of."

"Mm. No wonder he was so nervous today at work, asking me ridiculous questions like, 'You're my best mate, aren't you Ron?' and 'You'll support me no matter what, won't you?' Merlin, I thought he was going to tell me he was pregnant or something!" Ron and Hermione laughed. Ron paused. "You're right, Hermione. Everything is so perfect," he finally said. He tried to stifle a yawn. "I'm sleepy," he said. "Nox." The lights promptly went out. "Goodnight, Hermione." He kissed her one more time before resting his head back on the pillow. "Sweet dreams, love."

x x x

Hermione woke, feeling someone's arm draped loosely over hers. It was a feeling completely foreign to her and yet it was a feeling that seemed perfectly right. She felt safe, warm, and protected, like she was where she belonged.

The person she was sleeping next to felt her move and woke up. "Hermione?"

That voice… it wasn't Ron's. Whose was it? Hermione desperately tried to place it. It was familiar, but one she hadn't heard in years. She was sleeping next to him so clearly it was someone she was close with… but she hadn't been with anyone other than Ron so how could it be…?

"Hermione?" the person asked again, slightly more uncertain. The speaker was male, most probably young, Hermione detected. There was something decidedly very familiar about this voice.

She turned and before her was the shock of a lifetime. Laying next to her half-naked (Or completely naked? She couldn't tell. The bottom half of his body was covered by sheets.) was none other than Draco Malfoy.

She expected to feel disgust, shock, anger, confusion – any of those - but instead, she felt happy. Hermione leaned in and kissed Malfoy deeply. He kissed her back, wrapping an arm around her neck and pulling her in closer. What am I doing? Hermione wondered, her head screaming at her. Still, it felt so right, and like she had done it so many times before. She pulled back and looked at Malfoy who had a surprised and disappointed look in his eyes. "What?" he asked.

"You already had your fun tonight," she said teasingly. Malfoy looked at her insolently, much like a spoiled child would. Hermione laughed and kissed him softly on the forehead. "Go to sleep." She turned and laid her head down.

Malfoy kissed her bare shoulder softly. "Goodnight, Hermione."

"Goodnight, Draco."

x x x

Hermione woke with a start. Her body was covered in cold sweat and she looked around her, completely confused. "What…?"

She was in her home, in the pajamas she wore every night. Laying next to her was a sleeping Ron, in the pajamas he wore every night, mumbling incoherent nothings. Hermione ran down the hallway to Aiden's room and found him sleeping in his crib, curled up in one corner and hugging the little stag Harry had given him.

Everything was where it should be. Nothing had changed. What then…?

"It was just a dream," Hermione said firmly to herself, walking back to her bedroom. "It was just a dream."

But why did it feel so real?