The idea for this story just popped in my head the other day…I would love to know what you think!

Enjoy!

All These Things That I've Done

Chapter One:

Expectations and Explanations

"Push!" was being shrieked from all sides.

"Come on, you can do it!" Someone squeezed her hand tightly, encouraging her to press on.

"Push! Push!" the masked woman said with urgency in her voice. "You're going to have to push harder than that!"

"I'm trying!" Sweat poured down her forehead. And with one, final oomph, an immediate crying could be heard from in the arms of the masked woman, a doctor, by the name of Cynthia Werner.

Dr. Werner disappeared with a nurse for a few seconds, and returned holding a bawling bundle.

"Congratulations." She said with an enormous smile. She wrapped the newborn baby in a soft, warm blanket and carefully placed her into Hermione's arms.

Ron leaned over and a tear made its way down his cheek. "She's beautiful." He said, touching the baby's tiny hand. "Just like her mother."

Hermione looked at her brand new baby girl with tear-filled eyes, and then looked up at Ron. She couldn't help but feel perfectly content, considering the events of the past year.

One year earlier

Hermione couldn't imagine why Ron wanted to talk to her alone at his flat. He had taken her out to dinner, for her birthday that evening, and had been acting strangely the entire day. Could it be-? No, don't get your hopes up, She warned herself.

They stepped out of the lift and Ron pulled his keys out of his pocket, and unlocked the door to his quaint little flat, in downtown London.

He gestured her inside. She looked at him and smiled, he smiled back. He had the look like he knew something she didn't. A feeling of nervous was bubbling up inside of her. Something was very different about tonight.

He flipped on the light switch, when- "SURPRISE!"

An assortment of her friends and family jumped out from their hiding places and embraced her.

"Hermione, you're shaking!" Harry said as he pulled her into a hug.

"Well I-" she glanced over at Ron. She was at a loss for words. "I just- I'm so surprised."

"Oh, I'm sure." Ron said with friendly sarcasm. "You were on to us. Admit it, you knew something was up."

Hermione thought something was different because of the strange way Ron was acting, but she certainly didn't think for a second that it was, well, this.

She was extremely grateful at her friends' thoughtfulness to throw her a surprise party, but she couldn't help but be a little disappointed. She looked longingly over at Ron, who was now talking with Neville and Luna.

I told you not to get your hopes up, she scolded herself. She quickly turned her attention to Ginny who had just bounded up to her.

"Happy Birthday, Hermione!" Ginny smiled. "Let's go have cake, I'm starving!"

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!" Ron's tiny kitchen rung with their loud, over-dramatic singing.

"Happy birthday, dear Hermione, happy birthday to you!" Everyone cheered and clapped at the end of the song.

"Make a wish," Ron said, nudging her shoulder. Hermione looked back at him; she immediately knew what to wish for. She paused for a minute, with her eyes closed tight, and then blew out all twenty of the candles on her birthday cake.

After the clapping died down, Mrs. Weasley proceeded to cut the cake.

Ron looked at Hermione mischievously. "So," he began. "What did you wish for?"

"If I tell, it won't come true." She grinned back at him.

"Oh come on!" Ron persisted jokingly, "That's just a silly superstition!"

Even if it was, Hermione didn't want to tell anyone her wish, especially Ron. She put every ounce of her heart into it, desperately hoping that it might come true.

Hermione felt a certain something for Ron; a something that was more than just friends. In fact, she knew she loved Ron. She had for a while now. She didn't know how he felt, but she was sure it was just friendly and nothing more.

Late that night, the party was coming to an end, and Hermione hugged and said goodbye to people as they walked out the door to Ron's apartment. With many pops and cracks the guests disapparated, one after another. When Hermione's parents eventually had to leave, Hermione walked them to their car, and they kissed their daughter goodbye. She waited in the balmy August night air until their car was out of sight, and then returned inside.

Hermione knew she too should be leaving to go to her own flat, but she wanted to stay and hang around with Ron, Harry, and Ginny for a while.

She opened the door to Ron's flat, when she heard a loud boom coming from the living room.

Ron and Harry were playing chess, and Ron's vicious queen had somehow blown up Harry's knight.

"What the- oh, that is NOT fair!" Harry exclaimed, shocked, looking at his smoldering knight. The white knight smoked for a few more seconds and then melted into the chessboard. Ron was laughing uncontrollably across the table from Harry. Ginny peered over from on the couch, where she was reading Witch Weekly, and shook her head.

Harry quickly turned his attention from his steaming puddle of a knight, onto Hermione: "Want to open your presents now?"

Hermione had acquired a rather impressive pile of presents from Harry, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, her parents, Luna, Neville, and Fred and George (whose she was a little scared to open).

Harry picked the biggest parcel in the pile (Fred and George's). It was covered in neon green wrapping paper, and had holes poked along the sides.

Harry examined it more closely, "I wonder what it-"

The box began to shake violently at his touch. Harry emitted a small shriek and promptly dropped the package. It clunked to the floor and became still. Hermione and Ron unsuccessfully tried to stifle their hilarity.

"Um, let's just save that one for later." Hermione said as she carefully pushed the box aside.

"This one is from me." Ginny handed Hermione a thin package with shiny, red wrapping paper, and a big over-the-top gold ribbon.

Hermione untied the ribbon, and rolled it up neatly. She then carefully ripped off the wrapping paper in orderly strips, and placed them delicately in an organized pile on the floor, next to her. This went on for about a minute.

"Oh, for God's sake!" Ron snatched the present out of her grasp and savagely tore off the remaining paper.

Hermione, Harry, and Ginny simply stared at him.

"Sorry." He muttered, sheepishly.

Hermione quickly shook off Ron's outburst and picked up Ginny's now exposed gift. It was a rare book that Hermione had been searching for, for months.

"Oh my Gosh, Ginny, how did you- I love it!" Hermione grabbed Ginny into a tight hug. "I can't wait to start it!" Hermione squealed enthusiastically

"Figures." Harry muttered to Ron.

After Hermione finished opening all of her gifts (except Fred and George's, which was still unopened in the corner, violently rattling every now and then), she started on "thank you" notes for her presents.

She was about halfway through them when she realized that Ron hadn't given her anything. She wasn't upset because of a lack of a material gift, it was thought behind it. Hermione was a little depressed by this.

What does this mean? She asked herself. Did he just forget? How could he have, he and Harry basically planned the whole party (Harry had told her about their master plan at some point during the night). She was hurt.

"Hermione!" Ron called from outside, on the terrace.

Hermione got up from her somewhat comfortable position on the floor, and followed his voice outside.

She saw Ron leaning on the rail of the balcony, which is quite shaky and unstable, and always makes her uncomfortable whenever he leans on it.

"Ron? You wanted to see me?" Hermione asked with an amused tone.

"Oh, yes," he walked towards her. "I bet you're wondering why I didn't give you anything."

As a matter of fact, she had been, just seconds ago. "Oh, no, I really- um…it's ok." Hermione didn't really know what to say to this. It wasn't ok. He is her best friend, and hopefully one day will be more, she thought. No, don't think things like that! Bad Hermione!

She quickly zoned back into the conversation. There was an awkward silence.

"Er, is that why you brought me out here?" She inquired.

"No, I actually brought you out here…" He reached into his back pocket. "…To give you this." He placed a tiny, dark burgundy decorative box into her hand.

"I wanted to give this to you in private" He paused, and cleared his throat loudly, "because I-"

"Oh Ron, It's gorgeous!" She had opened the tiny box revealing a stunning silver, diamond-encrusted locket necklace.

"Thank you so much, I love it!" She pulled Ron into a long, tight hug. It seemed that neither of them wanted to let go…until Harry called from inside:

"Ron! Hermione! Ginny is leaving, so come say goodbye…well at least Hermione should come, I don't think she would really mind if she missed you, Ron…" He half-mumbled that last part.

Ron was thoroughly disappointed. This was going to be the night that he had planned to finally tell Hermione how he felt about her. He liked her more than a friend. Much more. He had known that since their school days, in fact, since their second year at Hogwarts. It wasn't just a crush he had, no, it was love. He had fallen in love with Hermione. How could he not have? She is beautiful, and charming, sweet, and smart. He loved everything about her.

He couldn't wait to finally get up the nerve to tell her how he feels about her, especially after seeing her tonight.

Ron met Hermione at her place tonight, to pick her up for dinner. He was absolutely stunned by what met him at the door. There standing before him was not a girl, or even a human, it was a goddess.

Ron told her earlier that day that he was taking her somewhere very fancy for dinner, so she wore a dress. Not just any dress. She answered the door in a knee-length tight silky, red dress that was backless and somewhat low-cut, but not too much. Hermione was always classy, yet another thing Ron loved about her.

Her hair, a gorgeous rich shade of hazelnut, was straight and smooth, and fell to her mid-back. She had beautifully defined curves (which her dress clearly displayed), and long sleek legs. She had really grown into herself.

Ron came back into reality and he and Hermione reluctantly parted from their marathon hug.

Hermione walked inside, and out of sight.

Ron simply stood out there in the pleasantly warm August night. A cool breeze washed over him like a wave. He kept running what just happened through his mind over and over again. I was so close. I was going to tell her. I still will… hopefully. He tried to reassure himself. But how am I going to get another perfect opportunity like that? He pondered for a little while more, out on the terrace.

"Ron! I'm leaving!" Hermione echoed through the little flat. Her voice reached where he stood, outside under the stars.

He reluctantly broke his train of thought and retreated indoors.

"Bye, Hermione. Harry Birthday." Ron hugged her tightly again. This time he was the first to let go.

"Thanks, Ron. And thank you so much for the beautiful necklace. I'm wearing it right now." She reached inside the top of her dress, to retrieve it. Ron tried not to watch this. He knew he wouldn't be able to stand it if he thought about what else was inside that amazing dress of hers.

Hermione held out the locket by its chain. "See?" She beamed at him.

"It looks great on you." He said sincerely, and smiled down at her.

She picked up her bag of gifts, and slowly walked through the front door with a final "goodbye!"

Harry suddenly spoke up, causing Ron to jump. He had forgotten that Harry was there. "Necklace?" Harry eyed him suspiciously. "You gave her a necklace? What kind of necklace?"

"Just your average locket necklace. Nothing to get all excited about." Ron said, exasperated at Harry's interrogation.

A sudden understanding came across Harry's face. "Oh, I see."

"What!" Ron asked overly-defensive.

"You like her again." Harry said simply.

"I do not!"

"Do too."

"Do not!"

"Yes, you do."

"No, I don't!"

"Ok, fine, you don't"

"Yes I do! Wait…"

"Aha!" Harry said, victorious.

"Oh, shut up. Honestly, Harry that was such an immature thing to do." Ron couldn't help but laugh at this.

"Ron, you did that yesterday when we were arguing about what flavor of ice cream goes better with cake."

"Did not." Ron said quietly.

"Oh, come off it, Ron. That's not even the point!" Harry said rolling his eyes. "Do you like her again, or don't you? And don't you lie to me, mate."

There was a long silence finally broken by Ron, barely speaking above a whisper.

"When have I ever stopped liking her?"

Harry smiled hugely at this.

Ron couldn't help but spill out everything he been thinking the entire night, including his plan out on the terrace.

"Ooooh, I see now." Harry said knowingly.

"What?"

"That's why you gave her that necklace, to set the mood, if you will. You were hoping to maybe get a little." Harry said grinning mischievously.

"Oh come off it." Ron said rolling his eyes. He had given her necklace because it just seemed like a fitting gift for what he was about to tell her. But he didn't tell Harry this, instead he just left it at that.

Hermione, a few blocks away, was laying her in bed thinking. She was thinking about Ron and his lovely gift out on the terrace. I shouldn't have doubted him for a second. He does care about me. She couldn't help feel elated.

She examined the necklace more closely. The diamonds fixed to the front of the heart-shaped locket looked real. Do friends usually give friends gifts this nice? What could this mean? She rolled her eyes at her own thoughts, Stop it! You're thinking too much. She decided she wasn't going to read too much into Ron's gift, and with that, she fell asleep.

Please tell me what you think!

Oh, and sorry for those of you who may have been uncomfortable with the birthing scene at the beginning, lol. I tried not to go into much detail. I would really appreciate your reviews! Thanks for reading so far, sorry this chapter is short, the next one will be longer! I'll try to have the next chapter up ASAP.