It was the third anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts and the end of the Second Wizarding War. Just because the war was long gone and the wizarding world was at ease, it didn't mean the fighting had stopped. And nobody fought as much as Hermione and Ron.

Lives were rebuilt after the war. Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley became engaged within a year. Hogwarts was repaired for the next generation of wizards and witches. Harry, Ron and Hermione all joined at the Ministry and were well-respected in their professions. Harry became Head of Auror Office and Ron worked with him as an unofficial partner but made frequent visits as co-owner of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Hermione had quickly become Deputy Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Despite the loss and devastation, the Burrow was made to feel like a home again. Every Weasley had a little place of their own formed in a u shape with the centre being the main house. A path connected all the buildings and went all the way up to the front gate of the field. Hermione and Ron's place was furthest from the building on the left-hand side.

It was a dark night. Cold air blew through their quaint little cottage. Even though all the windows were locked and charmed to keep warmth in, that night seemed particularly different. That night changed everything.

Earlier that day, Ron stopped by Hermione's office at the Ministry. Every day he brought her lunch over and on that day he was bringing some flowers too. He wanted to give her a gift on this day seeing as it happened to also be their three-year anniversary. That day, the Ministry was excessively busy. He pushed through crowds stopped to talk briefly to a few colleagues. He bought the Daily Prophet from a stand near the lifts. Papers flew everywhere, people ran about at twice the speed and announcements were constant.

Ron knocked on the door to her office, before pushing the door open instinctively. An unexpected shadow was cast over Hermione. He felt his fists clench when he recognised the boots this man wore, but his anger grew when he heard a thick Bulgarian accent.

"You never did vrite to me Hermy-own-ninny." Viktor Krum was stood over Hermione's desk, a little too close for Ron's comfort. He cleared his throat, stepping forward and saw Hermione's cheeks burning red.

"Ronald!" she exclaimed with a hint of embarrassment in her voice. Ron raised one eyebrow and jumped to a million conclusions in his head. "Viktor was just visiting the ministry to talk about the war and it's effects on the Quidditch world over the years. He thought he'd just pop his head through the door."

"Looks like he's popping his head a bit closer than that..." Ron said through gritted teeth.

"I vas just on my vay. Vunderful to see you Hermy-own-ninny, promise you shall visit soon." Krum turned purposely with a wide grin on his face and stomped past Ron. "Good to see you too Veasley."

The door slammed and Hermione sighed, tucking hairs behind her ears with her eyes closed.

"What the hell was that?! Sorry was I intruding on a private moment with the Bulgarian boyfriend?!" Ron said, raising his voice and pacing toward her.

"Don't be ridiculous. It's nothing." Hermione said standing up, tucking her chair under her desk and fiddling with stacks of paper. "We'll talk about this later Ron."

"No, no we won't. We'll talk now! What was he doing leaning over your desk like that?! If it's nothing why are you blushing?" Hermione ignored her boyfriend, her head down. "What happened Hermione?!" Ron yelled.

"It's our anniversary Ron, please don't shout." Hermione reached to stroke down his jaw, but he flinched away.

"Fine. We will talk about this later. See you at home. Happy bloody anniversary!" Ron dumped the flowers and her lunch on the desk, knocking a few sheets of paper on the floor.

Hermione sunk back into her chair and took deep breaths, pushing gently into her temples. She stared at the lilies on her desk that had a little card signed 'To my one and only. Love, Ron.' There had been many fights about Krum and they were always blown out of proportion. But this time, she was hiding something. Krum had kissed her. She pushed him off, but Krum had kissed her and telling Ron would not be easy.

When Ron got home from his late shift, she had made an anniversary dinner. The table was set romantically with candles, but Ron refused to eat anything until they had talked about Krum.

"This is pathetic, you're pathetic!" she yelled.

"Just tell me what happened again..." He said through gritted teeth.

"He kissed me. Krum kissed me."

"UGH! He thinks he can just go around doing 'vhatever' he wants! King Krum. I swear to god if I ever see him again, I'll kick him all the way to Bulgaria and-"

"I pushed him off, I stopped him!" She reached out for Ron's arm, but he swatted her away.

"But he kissed you! You must have done something to make him kiss you! Did you want him to kiss you?"

"Are you really asking me that question?!"

"Just answer me."

"NO! Of course I didn't!" Ron stared blankly as she spoke. "I want you, just you. I don't want to fight about this. It was nothing. It meant nothing." Hermione sighed sharply.

"Bloody hell!" Ron scratched his head. "I don't want to fight either! But, look at this from my point of view, for once." he moaned.

"What?!"

"You never think about how it is for me. The guy looks at you like you're his prey!"

"There is nothing between Viktor Krum and I!"

"Oh come on! He tried to kiss you! Do you know how that feels?"

"Are you jealous? It's been years! Can't we move on yet?!"

"Now who's being pathetic! Are you talking aout the ball again?" he snorted.

"The Yule Ball. If you'd asked me, it would be all fine. Viktor would not have been such a problem..."

"It always comes back to this! I'm going to bed. It's done, we'll talk about it in the morning. Happy three bloody years!" Ron made his way to the stairs.

"Please." she said. And that was all. She didn't want to fight but leaving it this way somehow hurt more. There was a pause as she watched his shoulders sag. He turned to look at her and their eyes met. Ron took one large step and kissed Hermione gently, bending down to pull her chin up so to meet his lips with hers. It was warm and wet but over within seconds. She stood rigid as he continued pounding up the stairs in the way he always did. He was already up the stairs by the time she'd moved, tears spilling over her eyes. She began to climb, her crying making her eyesight blurry. She reached the landing, but he had already locked their bedroom door. She didn't try the handle again. She sat on the landing for about 10 minutes, staring at the door, waiting for something.

Eventually, she paced back downstairs and blew out the candles on the table. She had a drink to calm her down and crashed on the sofa. When Ron got up for work, it was still dark. He must have had 3 hours sleep at best and when he saw Hermione on the sofa he felt awful. He was going to be late if he woke her now and she would be grouchy. He decided he would make it up to her when he was home, afterall, seeing her this way made him feel incredibly guilty about everything. He would never tell her but he was proud that three years after their first kiss, he still had the opportunity to love such a strong and beautiful woman. He kissed her forehead and pulled a blanket over her tightly. He walked towards the door but stopped. Ron left a message for her on the coffee table. I'm sorry, I love you x was writen on parchment in gold ink. As the warmth of loving Hermione spread through him, he pulled his long trench coat on and walked into the sunrise.