Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

A/N: I know many of you will be reading or are already done with DH, (charma10), so I would just like to inform you that I will not be getting my copy until Monday or Tuesday, so this will most likely be the last update until about Wednesday, depending on how long it takes me to read it, since I have other stuff going on during the day. I'd appreciate no spoilers, though I know most of you are pretty good people and wouldn't do that. Thanks!

Love: a temporary insanity, curable by marriage. -Ambrose Bierce

Hermione continued to stare at him for what seemed like forever. She was still crying silently and her voice was still gone. Ron was starting to get worried.

He knew what he had asked was much more than Hermione could even think about at a time like this, but he was more sure about marrying her now than he had ever been. Though he knew that most of his decision was based on the fact that Fleur and Bill had never gotten married and Bill was a complete wreck, some of it was based on the fact that he really loved her and that he was planning to marry her some time in the distant future. He never thought that future would come crashing down on them so fast.

"Hermione say something…" he whispered, watching her with concern.

She opened her mouth to say something then shut it suddenly, more tears welling up in her terrified brown eyes. Finally she said something.

"Married?" she rasped, her breathing becoming more labored that Ron was afraid she'd start hyperventilating.

Ron nodded. "Yeah…"

"Married…" she whispered again, as if the word was so foreign, she had to repeat it again and again before it actually clicked.

"Hermione-"

She suddenly stood up, shaking her head. "No… no! We're seventeen, Ron. We're in the middle of a war… We're too young. We've got everything to lose in the war…"

Ron stood up as well. "Hermione, just wait-"

"No, Ron! I understand you're scared because of what happened to Bill, but marriage… we're too young. We're not ready-"

Ron kissed her deeply, moving his lips against hers as she started crying again, her shoulders shaking. Ron cradled her face in his hands when he pulled away, looking into her eyes.

"Do you love me?" he asked softly.

Hermione let out a sob. "Ron-"

"Do you love me?" he asked again, slightly more firm in his voice.

She hesitated for a moment before nodding, closing her eyes and taking Ron's hands in hers. "I love you," she whispered, letting him kiss her

He rested his forehead against hers, closing his eyes. "I don't want to lose you…"

"You won't."

"You don't know that… I never thought Fleur would…"

Hermione bit her lip, her heart still racing. "Ron… we've hardly been together for more that about two weeks at the most… marriage?"

Ron kissed her again. "Hermione, I want to marry you. Isn't that enough?"

Hermione was about to speak but decided against it and shut her mouth. She looked away from him for what seemed like forever before she spoke softly.

"What about your parents?" she asked.

Ron took a deep breath. "I'll talk to them," he whispered to her. "Is that a yes?"

Hermione met his gaze and nodded before leaning into him, laying her head on his chest while his arms wrapped around her.

"I love you, Ron," she whispered.

He kissed her brow before resting his chin on her head. "I love you, 'Mione."

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Mrs. Weasley shrieked upon hearing the happy news. "Why would you even consider getting married while all of this is going on?!"

Ron sat there in the kitchen, watching his mother pace aggressively while his father sat there, rubbing his temples as he tried to digest what his youngest son had just declared. Hermione stood on the other side of the door with Harry, Fred, George and surprisingly Bill, who was completely pale and mute. Hermione cringed upon hearing the matriarch, and immediately wished she could be in there with Ron to help explain.

"Mum, you have to understand-"

"Understand?! Understand?! You are too young! There's a war going on! There's too much at stake here! Arthur, tell them!" Mrs. Weasley said, turning to her husband.

Arthur looked up at his wife. "I don't see why they shouldn't." Ron let out a sigh of relief. At least he had his father. His mother however looked as if his father had slapped her in the face.

"You don't see why they shouldn't? They're seventeen years old! Death Eaters are after them for what happened in the Last War! They could die!"

"Then even more reason for them to get married now," Mr. Weasley replied.

On the other side of the door, Hermione was squeezing the life out of Harry's hand as they listened to Mrs. Weasley and Mr. Weasley argue.

"They're too young. They don't know what they're getting themselves into," Mrs. Weasley defended.

"Molly, Ron and Hermione have been through every sort of obstacle possible. It's a miracle they're even alive after some of the things that have happened," Arthur told his wife. "If they feel that they're ready to get married, who's to stop them? Besides, if I can remember properly, we were about the same age when we got married."

Mrs. Weasley seemed so determined to find a good reason for the two not to get married, not because she didn't like Hermione. She adored Hermione. But because of what might happen during the war, she didn't want them in such a perilous position that the enemy could use if they found out.

"It's too dangerous and I still think you're too young," she said.

"They're of age."

The three looked up to see Bill standing there. Mrs. Weasley gasped and stood up.

"Bill!" she objected.

Hermione came forward. "Mrs. Weasley, Ron and I know the risks of what we're doing," she said.

Mrs. Weasley shook her head. "No you don't. You're young and naïve. You have absolutely no idea what getting married would do."

Ron got up and stood beside Hermione, putting an arm around her shoulder. "Hermione's the brightest witch of the age, mum. As long as she stays that way I think we'll be fine," he told his mother.

Hermione looked up at Ron and smiled. "I love Ron… not marrying him would be worse."

When Mrs. Weasley didn't respond, Mr. Weasley stood up, watching Ron carefully. He realized that his son had made up his mind and nothing they could do would stop that decision.

"Then we give you our blessing," he whispered, catching Ron's eye. Mr. Weasley offered his son a smile which was returned with Ron's lop-sided grin. Hermione mouthed a silent thank you before Mrs. Weasley gathered her up in a monstrous hug, crying. Harry couldn't help but smile.

"Well, this is different," he muttered, causing Ron to smile as well while Fred and George went over to Hermione.

"Always wanted another sister," he said before they all fell silent.

Ginny.

Mrs. Weasley took a shaky breath.

"When the Death Eaters are gone and we are all together again, then we will have a proper wedding, with Ginny and Charlie…" she whispered, before moving around the kitchen, taking out paper and a few magazines that had been lying around. "Now, dear, come here, we'll do this quickly and have it all done by tomorrow," she said more firmly, motioning for Hermione to come over.

"Tomorrow?" Hermione and Ron gaped at his mother, surprised by her sudden change in character. Mrs. Weasley looked up as if she hadn't heard them.

"Come dear. We mustn't waste time. Life is short," she said before opening a magazine.

For a moment everyone just stared at her as if she'd lost her mind, then Fred and George grinned and started rummaging through the cabinets. Mr. Weasley regarded them carefully.

"What are you two up to?"

"We'll need lots of drinks for the party," George answered.

"Party?!" Ron rasped, now starting to wonder if telling his family was a good thing. Bill put a hand on Ron's shoulder and led him out of the room.

"Let's see if I still have my robes from graduation," he said.

Hermione watched them leave, her heart racing. She turned to Harry, who was still watching Fred and George with an amused glint in his eyes.

"You're ok with this?"

Harry looked down at her and for the first time she saw worry in his eyes. Hermione looked around then took his hand, leading him out of the kitchen to the empty stairwell. They sat down together and Harry took a deep breath.

"You and Ron are getting married…" he started.

Hermione held his hand tightly. "Look, Harry. If you're not okay with this-"

He held up his hand, shaking his head. "It's not that… It's just that I thought…" He turned to her. "Most people plan to live for a long time… but look at us. We're planning a wedding and we're not even finished with school…" Hermione's eyes filled with tears when she realized what he was talking about. She rested her head on his shoulder as he looked back down the stairs. "It's like we're planning our own funerals."

Hermione raised her head, sniffing and wiping her eyes as she shook her head. "No… we're going to live through this and then me and Ron are going to have a more planned out wedding and you are going to make a toast that makes fun of my intelligence and then make some snide comment about Ron, sex and Quiddich and then you're going to make out with Ginny and we're all going to have a lot of fun…" she said in a shaky but final voice.

Harry looked over at her. "It's Ron and I, Hermione."

At that moment, Hermione burst into tears and Harry held her as she poured out all her fears to him.

"Ron, hurry up, Hermione's waiting."

"Shove off!" came Ron's agitated voice from the bathroom. Harry sighed and leaned against the door.

"Look, Ron. She loves you… you'll do fine. It's only her, me, Tonks, Lupin and your family. Don't make her wait anymore for you."

There was a silence and then the door finally opened, revealing a sickly looking Ron in fine robes. Harry grimaced and took out his wand, muttering under his breath and watching Ron's hair blow back as cold air hit him in the face.

"Ok, Harry. I'm fine," Ron growled, shoving the wand out of his face.

"You don't look it-"

"Piss off, Harry," Ron muttered before going downstairs.

Hermione heard the two coming down and stood up, smoothing out the simple white dress Mrs. Weasley had found for her. When Ron finally appeared at the bottom of the stairs, her heart stopped and her knees went weak, which wasn't as bad as how Ron looked. He seemed about to pass out. His eyes went over her with an apparent appreciation that made her love him even more.

Ron wanted to screw the ceremony and find an empty closet somewhere for them to be alone. She looked so beautiful. Her hair was done up in a simple bun with soft curls falling around her face. She had a touch of make up, but not too much due to the fact that she didn't need it. She was wearing a beautiful white sundress.

She offered him a nervous smile that made him feel so much better to know that she was afraid as well.

"Shall we start?"

Ron jumped at hearing Dumbledore's voice.

"You're here?" he asked.

Dumbledore smiled and motioned for the two to come forward. Mrs. Weasley was standing on one side while Fred, George, Bill and Mr. Weasley stood on the other. Surprisingly to Ron, Pravati, Lavander and Luna were also there with Neville, Dean and Seamus, smiling. When Hermione realized how few there were left of them, her heart broke and tears came to her eyes. They were alone. This would be their last night of happiness for a very long time. Suddenly a chill crept up her spine and made her feel fear. Complete and utter fear. Ron seemed to be feeling the same way because he caught her gaze and tried to offer her a comforting smile.

Harry turned to his two best friends and took a deep breath.

"You're sure you want to do this?" he asked.

Hermione took Ron's hand in hers and nodded. "Yeah… I'm sure."

Ron nodded as well, giving Hermione's hand a tight squeeze. "I'm sure too."

Harry nodded and sighed. "Well, let's do this."

Harry moved to the side and Hermione and Ron stepped forward, holding hands.

Dumbledore looked over them with a smile.

"Dearly beloved..."

Draco looked over the report then looked up at the Death Eater waiting.

"Well?" the Death Eater asked.

"Kill them. Kill them all."

A/N: HAPPY READING!