Chapter 1: The Truth Has Been Revealed

It was a peaceful summer's day; Hermione Jane Granger Weasley was sitting by the fireplace in her house, writing a letter to her best friend and sister-in-law, Ginny Weasley. It was pretty early in the afternoon, so she hoped that Ginny would still be at the Burrow. Hermione felt so alone and could really use a friend at a time like this. She pulled her favorite quill out of her hair and began scribbling a note on a piece of parchment that she found on the table in front of her.

Dear Ginny,

How are things with you and Harry? You are probably wondering why I am owling you. And it is because I was wondering if we can meet somewhere? I am so lonely here, all by myself, and the fact that I have so much on my mind is not helping. Of course, if you are busy or something, I completely understand, but I really need to talk to someone. So if you are busy, can we meet first thing tomorrow? Please respond as soon as you receive this letter.

Thanks,

Hermione

Hermione proofread the letter, sealed it with her wand and called Pig over to her, telling him to deliver the letter to Ginny, at the Burrow, as quickly as he could. Pig pecked on Hermione's hand, proudly, and flew out of the open window. Watching him leave reminded her of the first time she saw him, only two years ago. It had been the summer before her fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Back then life was good, and she had her friends near her all time... most importantly, Ron.

That boy (or should she say, "man"), Ron Weasley, the one who meant more to her than any other and the one who left for Romania despite Hermione's pleads. It pained her so think of him. It pained her to think of how alone she had felt ever since he went to visit Charlie. It pained her to think of being alone on their wedding anniversary. And it especially pained her to think of telling Ron their big news, the news that would determine their future together, as man and wife. Everything pained her, except her memories of them together. Her life up until that moment had been full of glee, and Ron had been a part of the majority of it; well, he had been a part of the aspects that she cared about anyhow. But, now, he was far, far away, in Romania. Trying to forget about the sadness and depression in her life, she tried to think of one happy memory of her and her husband, whom she loved with all of her heart.

It was the beginning of term, and Fred and George decided to throw a Gryffindor party. Naturally, Harry had detention, so Hermione and Ron decided to go to the party by themselves. After some talking and eating, Ron and Hermione were forced to dance together, not that either of them minded, but they had to pretend they did since they did not know how the other one felt. Once the song ended, they broke apart, reluctantly, and decided that they would go and knit some elf clothes for S.P.E.W. Hermione was not that great of a knitter, and Ron agreed that he would help her, being on the "executive board" and all. So they sat down on Ron's bed and began knitting.

Not before too long, Hermione shrieked, for she had stuck herself. Ron dropped everything and turned to her, grabbing her injured hand and kissing it. Turning bright red, he dropped her hand, apologizing. But Hermione had not minded, although she was taken aback. Ron then did a spell on her hand to heal her cut. She thanked him and looked up into his deep, blue eyes, the eyes she always got lost in. At that point, she did not only get lost in his eyes; she also got lost in the moment. They both inched closer to each other, until their lips met. It was each of their first kisses, and it was with the one they had always wanted. Before long, Harry walked into the dormitory from detention and coughed, signaling his entrance.

Ron and Hermione broke apart and blushed, trying to find the words to explain why they were kissing each other. But all Harry could do was laugh, saying that everyone knew that they fancied each other, that it was just them two who were the thick ones. After changing out of his robes, he winked at Ron, before leaving for the Common Room. Because of who Harry was, they knew that the rest of the party would know about their little tête à tête and decided to stay in the dormitory to avoid questions from their friends and fellow House members. It had been a very relieving night. They both knew that the truth they had tried to hide for so long had been revealed.

Hermione felt something pecking on her hand and snapped back to reality. The smile she wore faded when she realized where she was and that her husband was nowhere to be found. Trying to be optimistic about the situation, Hermione sighed, noticing a scroll tied to Pigwidgeon's leg. "Thanks, Pig," she said, patting him on the head. After removing the scroll, she watched him fly off before unrolling the scroll of parchment and reading the sloppy, tea-stained note from Ginny.

Hermione—

Is everything alright, other than Ron being out of town? I can meet you right now, if you would like since there is nothing major happening around here. Harry and I are at the Burrow, playing chess, but we have not gotten that far due to Gred and Forge Apparating on top of the board every so often. Anyway, go to the Three Broomsticks. I will meet you there within the next half an hour, and you probably do not want Harry to come, so, don't worry, he will stay here.

Your Sister (I just love saying that!),

Ginny

Your Sister. Those words pained her dearly, for she did not know how much longer they would be sisters. At the thought of losing her husband, the man she had loved ever since she first laid eyes on him, six years ago, Hermione's own eyes welled up with tears, and she let everything out in a puddle of sorrow.