A/N: I basically wrote this because I love the Charlie/Hermione idea and there aren't enough stories for them out there. I wrote what I wanted to read mainly, and I own absolutely nothing to do with Harry Potter it's JK's!, and the song used for the title and throughout the story is by Fiona Apple and it's called "if we kissed".

It's funny how few things in life go according to plan. Hermione Granger, now 24, was struck randomly by this thought as she made her bed early one morning. If you had told her five years ago that she would be in Romania, playing with dragons, she would have laughed in your face.

For years Hermione had been sure that she and Ron were meant to be; it's funny how wrong that turned out. After the final battle, Ron and Harry went directly to Auror training while Hermione returned with Ginny to Hogwarts to get their N.E.W.T.S. With Hermione at Hogwarts, she and Ron didn't see much of each other. Plus aside from Auror training, Ron was putting in over time to help out George in the Joke Shop which meant that he scarcely had any free time. This on top of the fact that Hermione had been rightfully selected as Head Girl by the new Headmistress, Professor McGonagall, and had studying to do for her N.E.W.T.S. ensured that their visits were few throughout the year.

Although after the war, studying seemed a tad less important to Hermione, she still obtained the highest N.E.W.T. score since Albus Dumbledore himself, and had job offers pouring in from every department of the new revolutionized Ministry of Magic, under Kingsley Shacklebolt, and took a job in the Department of Magical Creatures.

Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione had all moved in together after the girls had finished Hogwarts. Ginny had been drafted by the Holyhead Harpies as a chaser, making the boys a tad jealous that she ended up playing professional Quidditch, but they reconciled it by the fact that they were practically running the Auror Department. A few months into this arrangement, things began to get strained between Ron and Hermione. Harry and Ginny had started sharing a room and sleeping together but Hermione wasn't ready to take that step with Ron.

After more than a year together, and telling each other they loved each other nearly as long, Hermione couldn't figure out what was wrong, but fortunately Ron didn't pressure her and they continued to live as they had been until Christmas of that same year. The Christmas when her world was turned upside down and everything changed forever.

Flashback

The Burrow was full of life again, this Christmas being the second one since Fred had passed, so there was slightly less tension than the year before, although his stocking still hung and he was still remembered and talked of by all. The entire family was in attendance, along with its new additions.

Bill and Fleur were there with their seven month-old daughter, Victoire; Percy had brought home his fiancé, Audrey, to introduce her to the Weasley clan traditions; George had invited Angelina, Fred's ex and George's semi-new girlfriend; Harry and Ginny were together of course, and Hermione knew that Harry was planning on proposing the next day; Hermione and Ron were together still although both were starting to have their doubts; Charlie had come home from Romania for the holiday, single as always; Andromeda, Tonks' mom, had brought her grandson, Teddy Lupin over for the festivities; and of course, Molly and Arthur were there, happy to have the whole family, sans Fred, back together again.

The night went fantastically. Dinner was amazing and although the house was slightly quieter without Fred around, Mrs.Weasley simply turned her attention to the new babies in the house when she needed some cheering up. After dinner, most retired to the living room for eggnog, or firewhiskey and stories, Andromeda took Teddy home, and Hermione went for a stroll outside.

Sitting in the backyard near the pond, Hermione jumped a little when she heard the crunching of footsteps behind her. Startled, she turned to see Charlie Weasley standing there, a big grin of satisfaction on his face.

"Scared ya, didn't I?" He said playfully as he sat down next to her.

Hermione chuckled a bit, "Yeah, you definitely got me," she paused, "it's strange to not have to be on guard all the time, I guess I'm still getting used to all the changes."

Charlie's face softened, "Surviving a war changes a person, I wouldn't doubt if that feeling never fully goes away."

"Are you trying to make me feel better?" Hermione mused.

Charlie laughed a bit and said, "Sorry… so what has got you away from the festivities tonight? Shouldn't you be snogging inappropriately on the couch with Ron in front of the entire family like Harry and Ginny?"

Hermione looked a bit uncomfortable and decided not to broach the subject of her and Ron's relationship with his second oldest brother, "Can I tell you a secret?"

Charlie looked intrigued and nodded, "Of course!"

"Okay, well you have to promise that you won't freak out or react any way until it is an appropriate time to do so," Hermione waited for Charlie to confirm this promise and then continued, "Thank god, I've been keeping this in for weeks and it's killing me."

Charlie laughed and moved a tad closer, as if whispering were necessary for such a secret.

"About a month ago, Harry asked me for some advice," Hermione paused to hold the suspense, "advice about rings."

Charlie's whole face lit up, "REALLY? Is he doing it tomorrow morning?"

Hermione smiled at his reaction; admiring the affection he had for his little sister and clearly happy to know that her dream was finally coming true.

"I believe so… but you can't tell anyone before then okay?" Hermione looked him right in the eye, "Harry will kill me."

"So Ron doesn't know yet?" Charlie asked, surprised at Hermione's negligence to tell Ron such a juicy bit of news.

"Honestly?" Hermione pondered for a second how to word what it was she wanted to say, "Ron has grown up loads since last year and since the war and stuff, but I'm still not sure how he'd feel if he knew that his best mate was going to marry his baby sister. I figured that it'd be easier if he found out with the rest of the crowd, makes it harder for him to get mad at Harry if he sees how happy it will make Ginny and everyone else in your family first."

Charlie laughed a little at how well Hermione knew his little brother.

"Wow you really understand him, don't you?" Charlie replied, and then added, "Does this mean we should expect another engagement soon?"

Hermione shifted uncomfortably, looked down, and didn't really respond.

Seeing he had struck a cord Charlie quickly added, "Sorry Hermione I was just playing."

"No it's not your fault, I guess the whole commitment thing with Ron is just sort of a sore subject these days," Hermione said as she looked off into the night.

A door opened behind them and Ginny yelled out, "Hermione it's girl talk time, GET YOUR ASS IN THIS HOUSE!" Giggling as her mother lectured her for her foul mouth, Ginny closed the door.

Charlie and Hermione laughed and got up.

"Hey Charlie," Hermione took a breath, "I'd appreciate it if you kept what I just told you about Ron to yourself."

"Of course Hermione, I wouldn't have said anything anyways," Charlie paused, deciding to have a shot at making her smile one more time, "Now, tell me, what's a better surprised face for when Ginny and Harry get engaged tomorrow?" Charlie put his hands to his cheeks and opened his mouth, similar to the kid on Home Alone, "This?"

Hermione laughed, and thought, 'who knew Charlie Weasley could be cute?'

"Or," Charlie paused, took his wand out and pointed it at his hair, seconds later it was all standing on end and he was wearing a shocked expression, "this?"

Laughing hard now, Hermione responded, "Maybe you should just sleep through the morning tomorrow if you have to look one of those ways to be surprised."

Trying to look offended, Charlie fixed his hair and they began walking back towards the house. Steps away from the door, Hermione stopped and turned to him.

"What do you do when it all gets to be too much? And the things you thought you wanted aren't right anymore?" Hermione was suddenly very serious.

Charlie looked at her for a few seconds and then quietly responded with a small grin on his face, "I chase around dragons, but I wouldn't recommend that for you, it's a tad dangerous."

She smiled at his response, wishing she could love something as much as he loved his job, and they went inside.

The next morning everyone was up bright and early, and after breakfast went to the living room to open presents.

An hour or so later once it seemed that everyone had exchanged gifts; Harry stood up, and asked for their attention. Hermione grabbed Charlie's eye and winked, then looked away at Ginny and Harry.

"Well, we've all been through a lot these past few years. I know that a lot of things have changed, and I know that there have been some hard times, but I would like to believe that those days are behind us," Harry paused and pulled a box out of his pocket, and knelt down in front of Ginny, ignoring the squeal of delight he'd heard from Mrs. Weasley. "Ginny, I know we're young, and I know that it hasn't always been perfect. But I also know that every day I've spent away from you since my sixth year I have dreamt of you and our future. I have always wanted a family. Throughout my life I have been reminded of what I didn't have. I want to change that Gin, I want to have a whole life with you. I want to wake up with you every morning and go to sleep with you every night," Harry paused and wiped a tear away from Ginny's cheek, "and I want to do everything in between. So, Gin, my sweet love, will you marry me?"

Ginny looked down at him and smiled for a second, then suddenly leaned forward so they were inches a part and whispered, "YES."

There were screams of delight and congratulations throughout the room while Harry spun Ginny around. Once he put her down he the gorgeous ring on her finger and got a handshake from Arthur, and a bone crunching hug from Molly.

The rest of the day was fairly uneventful, until Ron and Hermione were alone in Ginny's old room, discussing Harry and Ginny's plans.

"I can't believe it," Ron said, "I mean it's great! It's just so different, so grown-up."

Hermione shrugged, "Nothing has changed yet Ron. Ginny and your mum will definitely be taking a while to plan the wedding of the century so no worries yet."

"I guess this means they'll be moving out though," Ron paused, "means just me and you in the house."

Hermione had absolutely no desire to have this conversation; she'd been dreading this since the second she found out that Harry and Ginny would be engaged.

Ron continued, "Hermione why haven't we taken things further?"

"Further how?" Hermione knew what he meant.

"You know what I mean," Ron sighed, "We haven't even slept together and we've been together basically two years, or forever, we live in the same house even and yet it feels like we haven't touched each other in months."

Ron sat next to her on Ginny's bed and looked her in the eye.

"You're not happy are you?" Ron asked seeming so vulnerable.

"Ron, why do you love me?"

Taken aback, Ron was not expecting that question. "What do you mean? I've always loved you."

"Ron, but why?" Hermione sighed, "It feels like we're best friends and roommates. I just don't…"

Ron stood up and moved to the bed across from her.

"You just don't what?"

Hermione started to cry, not wanting to hurt him, "Ron I just don't feel it, not anymore, not like I used to."

"Hermione, do you want to be with me?"

Hermione looked away from him, out the window, stared for a few seconds trying to contain the tears in her eyes, and then back.

"Okay," Ron knew the answer. He stood, walked to her, kissed her one last time, and replied, "Hermione, we are still always going to be best friends. I will still love you no matter what, but if you aren't happy, then I understand."

Ron was at the door, about to leave when he heard Hermione behind him.

"Ron…" she said quietly, "I do love you, I just don't think that I'm in love with you." After another sob she added, "I'm sorry."

Ron smiled at her, "its okay Hermione, I think this may have been a long time coming, and at least with this honesty we can still be friends and we can both move on."

Hermione felt like she had misjudged him, he was being so mature and calm, and then it occurred to her, "you want out of this as much as I do, don't you?"

Ron didn't want to lie to her, so he didn't, "Yeah know, I always thought we were meant to be, but I think that somewhere along the way we just changed. I just don't think we're it anymore."

Hermione smiled, glad that Ron felt the same way. She stood up and gave him a huge hug, "I am so glad to hear you say that."

A/N: Okay there is much more to come, and i will post a new chapter if i get enough reviews to feel like people actually want to read this! balls in your court!