AN: Please check out my story Starting the Fire…I think a lot of people missed it due to the release of DH (understandable!!!) but many added to favorites and a couple put it on story alert…however, it was a one-shot (unless someone wants me to write a sequel ;)

This is a two-shot…I wrote it some time ago but haven't completed the final scene. I'll post it soon!!! I'll admit, it turned out a bit silly but I meant it to focus on Ron and having a scene with a certain blonde.

Oh, I must recommend a new brilliant story: Beautiful Disaster by TheaLuthor

Ron slowly wrapped his hand around the crooked banister as he descended the winding stairwell after exiting his bedroom at the Burrow. He was in a right fowl mood. Everyone knew it, too. He had been this way since Fred's funeral which took place just three days after the funeral for Tonks and Lupin.

Harry was currently getting his new apartment ready, and Ginny and his mother were helping. Charlie, Percy and George were currently laying out in the field, talking. George was still taking the death of his twin hard.

Ron sighed as he went into the kitchen. He looked around, shifted through the food in the cupboard around, but found nothing that interested him. Even the delicious leftovers from the midday he missed did not seem appealing to him, and he left the kitchen not sure if he was even hungry.

The first few days after the funeral Ron had stopped talking to anyone. It was if everything finally hit him. His brother was not returning home. Tonks and Remus were gone, too, and countless others he knew from school and from the Order.

Hermione leaving for Australia had not helped, either. Since Ron had stopped talking to everyone, the girl had taken it as a sign he did not want the comfort she offered or…her.

Ron had planned to go with her, had even suggested it the day after Voldemort was finally defeated. But when she gently brought the subject into conversation a few days later, he merely shrugged. Actually, he barely heard what she was saying. He was in too deep, a level of depression that he did not know how to escape.

The days went on and Ron fought to finally relieve himself of his mood. Then one morning he heard his mother tell his father and Harry that Hermione had sent an owl; she was returning home to England with her parents – or so the Weasley's thought.

Suddenly the world to seem a lot brighter, and Ron started to feel a bit better. At dinner that night he asked when Hermione was coming to the Burrow.

"I don't know, dear," Molly said as the others looked in shock. They knew about Hermione's owl, but had not heard Ron initiate conversation in some time.

"She only wrote that she and, I assume, her parents would be flying back next Saturday." Molly continued. "I suppose you should owl her to find out more." She gently coaxed.

Harry and Ginny looked at each other. They, too, had received owls; and knew Hermione was reluctant to come to the Burrow given Ron's mood. Not to mention how he acted toward her and everyone else. The couple planned to see Hermione in a few days. She was going to meet them in Diagon Alley for lunch and then go with them to see Harry's new apartment.

As the days passed, Ron continued to feel better. He started doing things he normally loathed, such as cleaning his room. The moving posters of the Chudley Cannons were now replaced with pictures in frames that he made himself. Pictures of him with Harry and Hermione, with his family, one of Tonks and Remus with Teddy, and even one of Hermione at the Yule Ball she had posed for with Victor Krum. He was sure no one would notice the frame cut into Victor's side a bit.

And then, by his bedside, was a picture with just him and Hermione. It had been taken shortly after the battle was won, and showed him lifting Hermione in a happy embrace. Her feet lifted off of the ground and then the picture cut to start again just before he had kissed her.

Monday arrived and Ron decided to go out. He left his mother alone, as everyone else was at work and Ginny was out with Harry. He didn't know where they were. He wondered if they were at Hermione's with her parents. Perhaps I should try and find them…he thought, but then remembered that he had never visited Hermione's home! How could he apparate there?

Ron found himself apparating to near Diagon Alley, intending to find something to buy for Hermione. He was not only making up for his sour mood, he truly wanted to give her something special. He didn't know what, and searched the shops one by one.

A couple of hours passed and Ron found himself near giving up. But then he turned to his left, and noticed a small, quaint jewelry shop. He stared through the window. They were not fancy pieces of jewelry, some seemed quite ancient, others plain, others unique and sparkling. There were a few engagement styled rings, and Ron knew it was too soon to think of asking Hermione to marry him, but he thought this place was the perfect store to shop for one in the future, or perhaps have one made.

"I could help you select something." A soft voice said.

Ron turned in surprise. But he was even more surprised by the person who stood behind him.

"Lavender?"

The girl certainly looked more like herself since the last time he saw her. Of course, that had been just after the final battle when he noticed Madame Pomfrey ordering some others to take her to the infirmary. She was one of a few who had been gravely injured, and now was back to her beautiful self.

Of course, there was something different to her now as Ron stared at her, not knowing what to say.

She gave him a weak smile. "I suppose I could guess who you're shopping for."

Ron ran his fingers through his hair. "I…I guess you do know."

"You…you've always…" Lavender started to say, but couldn't finish the words herself.

'Yeah. Always." Ron said with a sigh. "I'm sorry, Lavender."

"Don't be. We can't afford to be sorry for the mistakes we've made. Look, if you're having a hard time, I don't mind helping you," She said repeating her offer, "I'm pretty good at these things, and I did live with Hermione for seven…six years." Lavender almost forgot that Hermione was not there that final, dreadful year. Harry and Ron had not returned either, and that alone left the seventh year Gryffindors even more aware of what they would all be facing. Not to mention worrying that the Trio might not ever return alive…

"How do I know you won't pull one over me?" He asked giving his famous crooked grin.

But Lavender seemed hurt by his words. She knew he was right for asking; she had been his girlfriend yet his heart had always belonged to another. "You forget. I know what she did for me."

Flashback

Lavender woke with a groan. She painfully opened her eyes as her head was hurting something fierce.

A healer was now running toward her. "It's time for another potion, dear. You've been asleep for nearly two days. We weren't sure you were going to make it, but you fought. By now your last dose has surely run its course."

The woman continued to ramble on as she pulled a potion from a pouch around she waist. "Here, it will take a few moments to ease the pain. One of your friends is still here; your parents are asleep in one of the guest chambers."

The healer finally left, and soon enough Lavender felt well enough to look around. She saw a few of the other beds occupied; Madame Pomfrey was tending to another. Lavender realized it was a fifth year she had seen in the library often. She heard footsteps coming near and saw that it was Parvati.

"Oh, Lavender! You're awake! We thought…" Parvati started as she grasped Lavenders hand, but then released it as the Healer had warned her that Lavender was still weak from her injuries.

"I know; I almost didn't make it."

The two talked for awhile, and Lavender continued to feel better. Finally, she asked her friend what happened to her…to them in the final battle.

"Oh, it was dreadful! I was running from a Deatheater who was hit by a brilliant spell Professor McGonagall cast. She saved me! I looked around to see what I could do, but then saw you just as you fell…I screamed but luckily no one saw me. Then that awful werewolf came at you, Greyback? Something like that. Anyway, he was about to tear you into pieces, then out of no where Hermione flew by and knocked him out with a spell! After that, someone from the Order came and got you out of the way. I'm not sure what happened after, as another Deatheater came at me…"

"Wait…you said Hermione saved me?"

"Well, not really, I mean she just got Greyback out of the way. Others helped, too, I mean…"

"Hermione saved me…" Lavender whispered as her friend continued on. After everything that had happened the year before, the girl had taken the time, likely trying to save countless others and herself, to make sure she was okay. Of course, she didn't necessarily think of Hermione as more a hero than she already was, and, after all, they had all fought in the war and were being celebrated as heroes as well. But this was different. Hermione had cared, and now so did she. Perhaps they could even be friends. Well, at least friendly acquaintances, she thought to herself.

End Flashback

Ron smiled at Lavender. "I think I would like your help."

The two entered the shop, Ron opening the door for her like a gentleman.

As they shifted through the shop, looking at pieces here and there, Lavender turned to Ron. "I know it might be too much to ask, but if you tell Hermione you saw me, could you please tell her I said hello?"

Ron was busy staring at a piece that caught his eye, but he heard Lavender's request. "I think I will."

Ron reached over and gently squeezed her hand. It was more endearing then anything done in their relationship; it was more like a tentative friendship.

A half hour later the two left the shop, a small package tucked safely in Ron's jacket.

"Thanks, Lavender. Can I buy you something to eat? I'm starving." Yes, his appetite was certainly back.

"No thanks," She said with a bright smile. "I was happy enough to help. I have to meet someone."

"A date?" Ron joked.

She blushed. "Yes, I'm meeting Neville."

"So you got your hero after all."

"Yes, I did."

The two embraced as Ron said a final thanks, then departed as Lavender rushed to met meet her "date."

Unfortunately, a set of eyes had seen their embrace. Tears fell down her lovely face and she turned and rushed to meet her friends for lunch.

"What's wrong, Hermione?" Harry asked as he spotted her approaching their table. The two quickly embraced. Ginny was in the rest room. Although Hermione had stopped to wipe the tears from her eyes, he could still tell his best mate had been crying.

Hermione had been determined not to tell them what she had seen, but as soon as Ginny came and the two embraced, Hermione could not hold back anymore. "I…I saw Ron with Lavender." She told them.