MARRIED IN PARADISE

When Hermione finally gets sick of everything happening in her life, she runs away to the idyllic Felicia's Isle. Here she meets the last person she thought she would ever see, under the weirdest circumstances. Have they been pining for the wrong people this whole time? With some magical hijinks, questionable people, a lot of booze, and a beautiful island, they may just find out.

Disclaimer: XXX Harry Potter is not mine XXX

CHAPTER 1: FALLING OUT OF LOVE

Hermione Granger walked in defeat back to her apartment just outside the Ministry of Magic. I'm so sick and tired of my life, escaped from her thoughts and she halted abruptly, so startled at herself for thinking of that. She had been through so much worse. There was no reason for her to feel that way now. Now that she was thriving without any radical murderers or dark lords to stop her. You're being selfish, Hermione, she reprimanded herself and started walking again, ignoring the passers-by who gave her quizzical looks as to why she had suddenly stopped.

Hermione supposed it could've been better. She graduated from Hogwarts with full of plans and amazing opportunities knocking on her door. Almost immediately, she had moved out from her parents' home with sights on finally living in the magical community for real. The Ministry had granted her a rent-controlled apartment in a good side of town, and with Ron having the same benefits, they had been able to request one that was large and comfortable enough to get started. She had a steady boyfriend, a cause, and a direction. She was going to make S.P.E.W a reality, and work her way up until she could make significant changes to the magical legislations for the betterment of wizards and witches.

But look at her now.

She was overworked and slowly losing sight of the job she had once been so passionate about, since, for the umpteenth time, her proposal on the welfare of non-human magical creatures had been rudely dismissed and mocked for its incredulity. All other significant ideas and changes she had tried to lobby for had also been rejected. It seems that the ministry just wanted her, the war hero, as a figurehead to reassure the community that they were flourishing once more. Nothing else.

Also, there was Ron. Hermione sighed. That was the most exasperating thing of all. Ron and she were…not moving forward. Ron Weasley, who expected her to wait after him like his mum did and cook for him three times a day, and who, she suspected, had never once considered marriage. Ron, she realized, was so adverse to change and moving forward that he would rather plant his feet and stay put where he was comfortable, and now, she was stuck right there with him.

She had finally reached home, and fumbled a bit with the keys. This was the apartment she and Ron shared. As Hermione entered, her foot kicked into something just on the other side of the door. She opened the corridor lights and her eyes fell upon a pair of brown shoes scattered on the floor. Then she saw his socks, his bag, and his shirt. Something inside Hermione snapped. "RON!" she bellowed into their apartment, expecting Ron's head to peer any moment from the kitchen or the bedroom, but no red head came. "RON!" She walked through the rooms of the house, her hands clenched into fists, but Ron was not home. There was no note, so she did not know where and what he was doing. Of course there would be no stupid note, she thought. They had fought about that many times before, hadn't they? When she was satisfied that she had checked everywhere, she slumped to the ground. To her indignation, she was crying. She hated him, hated him for not picking up after himself, for not leaving notes to say where he went, hated him for loving his beloved "me-time" in front of the telly and his damn Chudley Cannons, and most of all, hated him for not asking her to marry him, making her feel stuck. She was being silly, but she could not help it.

'Ron, did you hear the news?' she had asked at random one day as he sat in front of the telly with the paper in his hand.

'Hmm?' he asked, and she took his momentary interruption as a cue to sneakily turn off the TV. 'What news?'

'Lavender and Dean are getting married!' she said, glancing up at his expression 'she's only just told me, she's so happy'

Ron took it in for a moment, said 'that's great' and then turned his attention back to his paper for the latest results of the Chudley Cannons.

He did not get the hint then. Whenever she would voice this out to Harry, Ginny, Molly, or once, even to Arthur, in a small, selfish way she wished for them to slip up that Ron had at least considered something. But all they gave her were reassuring yet empty words that did not reassure her at all.

She sighed and roughly wiped her tears away, getting off of the floor. In defeat, she started picking up his discarded clothing. "Hermione, stop being such a baby, suck it up" She found herself saying, "…you love Ron, you love him. He's your childhood sweetheart, you just have to understand" her voice sounded like it was pleading with her to agree, but she couldn't ignore the small notion in her head that was saying other things, things she didn't really want to consider. She was still arguing with this side of her when there was a knock on the door.

After a few more knocks she had reached the door and opened it. On the other side were two people she loved but did not really want to see just at the moment.

"Hermione, I'm so glad you're home, where's Ron?" Harry said, a large, goofy grin plastered on his face. Ginny was with him, her face bearing the same funny expression. If Hermione hadn't been so down she would've laughed. She let them in.

"He's not back" she said, fixing her face into what she hoped was a happy expression "So, why the sudden visit?" They had all made their way to the living room. Hermione waved her wand and, in a few seconds, some glasses, a jug of orange juice, and some cookies had flown in from the kitchen and settled on the table.

Harry and Ginny beamed at each other, and then Ginny held out her slender hand. A princess cut diamond ring was glittering on it. Hermione's face broke into a real smile. "I'm getting married, Hermione! Harry just proposed!" Ginny was practically jumping, Harry was grinning like mad.

"Oh Merlin, Harry…Harry! Ginny! Oh I'm so happy for you!" she gave Harry and Ginny a hug "Wow…"

"Yeah, we were expecting to tell you and my brother together but…" Ginny rolled her eyes.

Hermione shrugged "He'll be thrilled"

Harry and Ginny glanced at each other, but looked away at once. After a few refreshments and some reminiscing on the love story that was Harry and Ginny, Hermione politely refused to have dinner with them, saying she was tired, but promised to eat out next time.

"You're my maid of honor, of course" Ginny said, as she and Harry opened the door "And you'll be helping me with plans, right?"

"Of course, silly, I wouldn't miss it" Hermione answered absently. Ginny, seemingly satisfied with her answer, gave her one last hug and a friendly peck on cheek. Then they were gone. The smile faltered from her face.

She walked to the bedroom and started fixing and re-fixing what was already a spotless room to begin with. She glanced at the clock. An hour had passed, but no Ron. She decided to make something to eat, and wait for him. Another hour passed.

Hermione made her way to the bed, deciding she would talk to him in the morning. She had to sleep anyway. But sleep never came, and she tossed and turned. Fine, she thought to herself, she would wait for him some more.

At around eleven o'clock, the bedroom door creaked, and Ron stepped in, smiling as he peered at Hermione's still back.

"Whew, fast asleep" he murmured to himself.

"Not really, Ron…" she quipped.

She heard him jump a couple of steps backward "Merlin, Hermione!"

She ignored him "Where have you been?"

He noticed her tone and raised his eyebrow "Now, don't get you knickers in a twist, love, I was out with Harry" he dropped the shirt he had just removed to the floor "Puddlemere United vs. Appleby Arrows"

The sight of the shirt on the floor, and his lie, drove Hermione to the edge "Oh really? So why was Harry here, Ron, just a few hours ago, telling me the good news that he had just proposed!" she shouted. "Ginny was here too, and since you weren't, I had to be happy for them for the both of us"

Ron did not answer back immediately. He was slack-jawed, his whole face turning a deep shade of red "Harry proposed?"

"Yes he did!" Hermione said a little too loudly "And he's been dating Ginny seriously now for what? Two years?"

"What does that matter?" Ron said, his voice gaining volume.

"We've been in a serious relationship for four years! I have been waiting for you for four years! And you…you—Hermione wiped the tears splashing from her eyes as she got up and started running for the door. "I—I have to go!"

"What?" Ron sprinted after her and barred her exit "Don't leave! I wasn't with Harry, but I was with the boys, those you said you didn't like, I was just sparing us any more arguments. I'm sorry I lied, don't leave"

Hermione looked up into his earnest, blue eyes. She had tried leaving him a lot of times before but this look of his had always swayed her resolve. "Please let me go, Ron, I have to think…please" and she yanked his arm away, walking into the living room to get her robes, shoes, and bag.

"We'll figure it out together" he said, following her.

"No! I have to leave!" she said "Goodbye—

"I'll marry you!" Ron screamed at her, "Fine, you win! I'll marry you tomorrow if that's what you want!" He was red in the face.

Hermione froze in the doorway. She was shaking. "Never, ever use marriage against me, Ronald Weasley! You git!" she screamed. "Goodbye!" and before he could retort, she had disapparated away, leaving a very confused Ron in her wake.

"I'm sorry for barging in at this hour" whispered Hermione, taking the gurdyroot infusion tea from Neville, " And, uh, thanks for letting me stay the night. Harry and Ginny's place would have been too obvious"

"Oh it's no problem, Hermione" Luna smiled, as she took her seat with Neville on the couch. She was stroking her belly.

"Neville, is it okay?"

"Of course, Hermione" Neville smiled, standing to give Luna a better seating position on the couch before sitting next to her "Stop worrying about it" He drank his tea. Luna offered her tart.

Hermione accepted the tart, spearing her fork into it a little too hard, and chewing a little too deliberately. She barely registered the taste. "It's good, Luna"

"You're too kind, dear, I hear most people think my cooking's dreadful" Hermione blushed. She had been one of those people once. But the tart was really not that bad.

Keen to change the subject, she asked "So, how far along are you?" indicating Luna's big, round stomach.

Neville and Luna beamed. "Not long now" Luna said lovingly, caressing her belly as if it were already a baby. Neville put his hand on top of hers. A little while later, Luna whispered "I want oranges and strawberries in whipped cream, darling, could you do that for me?" Neville smiled a little at the odd request, gave his wife a swift kiss on the lips, and then headed for the kitchen.

Hermione watched him go, a little envious of the way he looked at Luna.

Luna was watching her "You and Ron will figure it out"

"Hmm?" she said, turning back to Luna. "Oh, Ron? Yeah, yeah I guess we will" she heard the doubt in her voice and hated herself for it. "Luna?"

"Yes?"

Hermione hesitated. Would Luna be offended at her question? She thought, but she decided to persevere "Have you ever fallen out of love? You know, with Neville?"

"No" Luna answered, but she did not look offended "We fight, of course, but I've never really fallen out of love…"

"Oh…" Hermione gulped the rest of her tea, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Neville had just come back from the kitchen with Luna's request when there was a violent knock on the door.

"What in Merlin's—

"HERMIONE! Open this door! I know you're in there!" it was Ron's voice coming from the other side of the door, and, from the sound of it, Harry was there too.

"Ron, come on, let's come back when you're—

"HERMIONE!" Ron screamed again. Hermione glanced warily at Neville and Luna. Neville had rounded back to the couch and had his arm wrapped protectively around his pregnant wife. Luna was eating her fruit. "I'M GOING TO BREAK DOWN THIS DOOR! Come out and talk to me!"

Anger flooded once again through Hermione. She wrenched the door open and found a very disheveled and drunk Ron, being supported by a very harassed-looking Harry. Harry, who had just proposed mere hours ago, was once again in between his best friends' arguments.

"Talk to you! Like this?" Hermione said icily "Don't make me laugh!"

"I want you back—

"All I wanted was some time, just time to think and process! Then you barge in here, all drunk and stupid, and threaten to break down the Longbottoms' door! Who do you think you are, Ron!" she was shaking in anger, Ron was turning red, Harry was looking between his two friends with a torn expression.

" I'll marry you! That's what you want, right? Come home" shouted Ron.

"Propose when you mean it!" Hermione whipped her wand out, pointed it at Ron, and muttered a spell that knocked him unconscious. Harry strode over to her, patting her back as she stared at the pathetic form of Ron on the floor. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, but she didn't want Harry to see.

"Harry, please take Ron home. I'm sorry we got you into this, and—and just after you got engaged too..."

"Don't be silly, you're my best friends" Harry gave her a warm hug before doubling back to Ron and hoisting him by the shoulder. He turned on the spot with some difficulty and disapparated.

Hermione closed the door and turned to look at Neville and Luna. "Are you okay, dear?" asked Luna.

She shook her head, and the next moment was she was crying. Her legs gave way and she crumpled to the floor, bewildered at the mess that was her life. Everything was falling apart – her career, her relationship, her friendships, and there was nothing she could do.

Soft hands wrapped around her. She looked up and saw Luna. Luna, who was eight months pregnant, should not be on the floor to comfort her, given her condition "Luna, don't…come on…" still sobbing, she got off the floor and brought Luna to the couch. Neville was on her other side immediately. Luna pulled Hermione down to sit and hugged her again. She sobbed. Neville sat opposite them on the chair Hermione had previously vacated. He looked concerned for her as well.

"E—everything's s-s-so w-wrong…R-R-Ron…my j-job…a-and you t-two..." and she sobbed harder. Luna gave Neville a look. He got up and walked back to the kitchen, this time returning with a bottle of blue liquid.

Luna pulled the stopper "Here Hermione…"

"What is it?" Hermione asked, before she was overcome with sobs again.

"Calming Draught" Luna answered her, patting her hair. Hermione drank and was almost relieved at the instantaneous effects it had afterwards.

"Thanks Luna, Neville" she mumbled. They both gave her a reassuring smile. No one spoke for a couple of minutes after.

"You know what you need, Hermione?" Luna said, apparently pleased Hermione had calmed down "A vacation"

Hermione looked up, and it registered to her that she had been staring at her feet for the last minute or so "What?"

"A vacation, sweetie, that's exactly what you need" Luna smiled, getting up and tottering to the master bedroom. Hermione gave Neville a look, but he seemed confused as well. A few minutes later, Luna was back with what seemed like glossy paper in her hands. When she got nearer, Hermione found that they were travel pamphlets.

Neville's face lit up with understanding "Luna darling, that's a wonderful idea!"

"What? What is?" Hermione, still confused, looked from Neville, to Luna, to the pamphlets in Luna's hands.

"Felicia's Isle" Luna answered dreamily, pushing the glossy guides into Hermione's arms. She looked down and saw the pictures: a calm, cornflower blue beach, palms rustling in the breeze, a lone hammock that seemed to be calling her name, the colorful bustle of a market place. "Neville and I go there every year. It's very beautiful. Perfect place to think…"

Hermione looked back at the travel ad. It did look like a beautiful place. But the idea was impossible. She couldn't just leave her job "I can't…work…Ron…wedding…I can't just leave everything"

"Well, the choice is yours, of course" Luna smiled "Neville gets a really good discount at The Carmen Hotel. We could call them for you if you want" Hermione thought of the quiet time she could spend alone at an idyllic setting where no one was bound to know her. She thought wistfully about how she could mope against the stunning beachside, with a strong drink in her hand and nothing but a swimsuit. Moping there was bound to be better than moping where she was.

And she hasn't had a vacation since she started her job. She daresay she deserved it.

The two voices in her head, reason and longing, argued all that night. She got up to sit by the side of her bed and looked at the pamphlets again. She knew that reason was slowly, but surely, losing.

"Felicia's Isle, where your happiness is our happiness," she read aloud. Finally, she knew she could not pretend any more, could not argue any further "Fine, Felicia's Isle it is"

By the next day she was ready to leave.

"Thanks, Neville, Luna" She smiled, giving both a warm hug "Thank you so much for everything. I'll visit when I get back"

Luna gave her a peck on both cheeks. "You take care of yourself, okay dear? And have fun"

Neville shook her hand "Be sure to visit Magus Market, it's a Wizarding community there, nothing like anything we have here in London"

"I will, goodbye, thank you for everything"

Feeling giddy, excited and slightly sick, she disapparated to the airport.

This story is reposted from old work I did before. I just made a few fixes here and there. Hope you like it! - Asha