Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter, any of JK Rowlings stuff, or a pony (Despite my many letters to Santa).

Set up- The time immediately following the trio's graduation from Hogwarts. Not HBP or DH compatible...

Hermione's eyes were misted with tears as she looked out the window of the Hogwarts Express. She could hardly believe that school was really over, and that it was time to start the next chapter in her life.. It was exhilarating and somehow nauseating at the same time.

She would not be alone, of course. Harry and Ron were diving into this new life right alongside her. They had decided to live together at Grimmauld place, much to the displeasure of Mrs. Weasley, who was not keen to see another child leave the house. The always busy mother of seven was feeling restless about only having one child left at home to dote on...

'She might get him to stay home after all. He can't seem to look me in the eye... If he can't do that, how will he live with me? I knew dating eachother would just end in hurt feelings and broken hearts.'

Memories of their final arguement and subsequent breakup forced Hermione to repress yet more tears.. She had -did- love Ron with all of her heart, but it just wasn't going to work out. She kept blowing up at him for small things. The night they broke up she had thrown a tantrum about him talking to Padma Patil. Looking back Hermione realized how stupid it was, but lately she was prone to very erratic moodswings, most likely a result from the stress of finishing school.

"Oy! 'Mione! You alive over there?" Harry said jestfully as he poked her in the side.

"What?" She replied, startled out of her thoughts.

"I'm going to find Ginny. I'll be back in a moment..." He paused, giving her a look as though asking for permission. She knew he wouldn't want to leave her and Ron in an uncomfortable situation, yet those seemed unavoidable lately.. Hermione smiled, her way of telling Harry that he was free to go.

&&&&&&&&

As the door slid shut behind Harry, Ron finally looked up at Hermione, who was again staring out the window. He could see the pain etched in her deep brown eyes. With a pang of guilt he recognized his own contribution to that pain. He should have been more patient with her.. She was stressed, and he ought to have been there for her, with more to offer than one of his smart arse comments...

'I have to fix this somehow...' He thought as he continued to look at her. They may never love again, but he couldn't lose her friendship. It had figuratively (and at times literally) kept him alive for almost seven years.

'I'm starting to sound like a bloody Hufflepuff girl,' he almost chuckled at the thought. Hermione had a habit of making him feel 'sensitive,' even though it rarely showed on the outside.

He finally broke the silence.

"Listen," he began to ramble, "I'm sorry for how things ended. I was a total git. Not that you were being a ray of sunshine yourself, but I want to be friends again. I don't wanna lose you 'Mione, because-"

"Because no other would be able to live with you and keep their sanity," she replied with a laugh.

"I'll have you know, I am very lovable. Look at this face!" He said with mock indignation, "I'm sure loads of girls would be happy to live with me!"

"Maybe if the only other option was a stay at Azkaban!" She playfully rebuttled.

For that moment, all was well.

&&&&&&&&&

When Harry returned, he looked shocked to see his two friends talking as if they'd never had a row at all. Hermione almost laughed when she saw the expression of confusion on his face. It was nice to actually feel like laughing again. Happiness had seemed so forced in the past week, due to her and Ron's estrangement...

After another hour of joking, eating pumkin pasties, and a few pleasant silences, the Hogwarts Express stopped at platform 9 3/4. As the three graduates got out of the train, they saw two familiar red heads bobbing through the crowd to greet them.

"Mr. Weasley! I thought you weren't able to come today!" Hermione exclaimed. She was delighted to see the only man she knew who could be fascinated by things like spark plugs.

"I'm afraid I'm here bearing bad news Miss Grang- Hermione. It pertains to you."

"Me? Oh my god, my parents aren't hurt are they?"

"You're parents are fine. Nobody is hurt, but I'd prefer to discuss this issue at Grimmauld Place... It's a bit more private. Molly, you wait here for Ginny please. Hermione and I- Harry and Ron ought to come to- are going to apparate to Number 12 immediately."

"Of course Arthur..." Molly whispered, her voice strained with worry.

"You have all taken your apparation tests correct?"

After a chorus of "yes's" they all apparated to the trio's new home. The quickly went to the sitting room, waiting to hear the news. Mr Weasley seemed incapable of finding the right words to say.

Ron losing patience, burst out, "Dad. Tell us what's going on. We've battled death eaters for crying out loud! I think we can handle whatever you've got to say."

Mr.Weasley began to explain...

"Hermione, the ministry is has passed a new law. People are saying it's to "preserve the wizard lineage," what rubish... But they also say it is to prevent purebloods from marrying their own family members, which has become an increasing problem..."

"Mr Weasley, just tell me what this law entails!"

"All mugglebon witches must marry a pureblood wizard of thier choosing, or the ministry will arrange a marriage for them. I've searched for any kind of loophole in the law, but it is concrete. There is no other choice. You must marry, and within the next four months."

"To who? How do you expect me to find a suitable husband in such a small time frame?"

"Me," Ron said calmly, "I know we aren't dating, but we were, so we can pretend we made up and got engaged. It's really simple actually."

"Ron, I can't ask you to do that! You can't throw away your life for me!"

"I'm not throwing anything away. We were going to live together anyway, so it won't drastically change our plans. Think of it as two friends who happened to give eachother rings. When this law is revoked- which it will be- we can get a divorce and go on with our lives.. BEsides, who else could you marry, Percy?" Ron laughed as he said his loathesome brother's name.

"Thank you," were the only two words that Hermione could think of.

"No prblem love," Ron said with a wicked grin...

'Love.. I could get used to being called that.' Hermione thought, before quickly chastising herself.

MAybe they could make this ruse work. Just maybe.

To be continued...

AN-What do you all think? I'll give anyone who reviews cake & a back rub! I swear! Thanks for reading, more will be added soon.