Going Home

They were going home. In just a few short minutes their portkey would activate, sending them back to the ones they loved the most. Hermione could tell that Harry was feeling the same excitement as he paced back and forth in front of her muttering under his breath. She had to admit that she felt a little guilty choosing not fly home with her parents after spending so little time with them, but she missed Ron so much it had become a painful ache in her heart. After the kiss they had shared during the Battle of Hogwarts, they had been able to spend precious little time alone. During the day, she missed sharing all the things that she had seen and done, but the night time had cause a completely different kind of longing. Ron had always been the star of her late night dreams, but lately the dreams had become a nightly event, and they were getting more graphic the longer she was away from him. God, she really hoped that she had not been talking in her sleep because that could become very embarrassing. But now that she was heading home, her parents knowing exactly how much Ron affected her did not matter. No, the only thing that mattered was that soon she would have the real Ron Weasley in her arms.

The news from home had been painfully sparse in the three months that she and Harry had been searching for her parents. She had only received two letters from Ron during that entire time. Discovering her parents' location had been more difficult than she thought it would be, since they had gone on holiday. She had to confund their neighbors to get some information on where her Mum and Dad were vacationing. Then there had been that embarrassing moment after her parents' memories had been restored and the explanations had been made, when her father had exclaimed how happy he was that Harry and Hermione were finally a couple. Apparently, her parents had not forgotten a Christmas holiday filled with Hermione crying in her room over "that ginger haired boy." She had to quickly remedied that situation, explaining that she and Ron were very much in love, but that due to his current family situation, it was decided that it would be better if Harry accompanied her on this journey. Actually she had intended to go alone, but Ron and Harry were both very concerned about rogue Death Eaters looking for revenge. Both felt that if Hermione was traveling alone, she would make a tempting target. Of course, Hermione hadn't missed the look of displeasure on Ginny's face at the fact that Harry was leaving her again. She was glad that Harry had wanted to accompany her, but she had to admit that she didn't blame Ginny. To finally have the future in your grasp, only to have to put it on hold again seemed unacceptable. Hermione felt the very same way about being parted from Ron again, but she knew that as much as they would miss Ron and Ginny, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley needed their remaining children around them right now.

Hermione would never have believed that a sensible girl like herself would sleep with a young man's letters under her pillow, but that was exactly what she had done. Not that either one of the letters were full of romance and poetry no, they were filled with stories of his family and their friends, and the difficulties in rebuilding the British Quidditch league. She knew of his efforts to help George rebuild the shop and that just by being home he was a great comfort to his mother. Ron often said that he missed her and that he wished that he could be with her when she retrieved her parents. The best part of the letters, however, was the closing signature, "Love Always, Ron". Those words, in his familiar messy writing on paper that held just a bit of that familiar Ron scent, was the part that made her giggle and swoon like one of those silly girls she detested. He loved her, truly loved her, and that was the part that made her heart soar.

"Hermione, it's almost time," she could hear Harry say in an excited voice. The International Portkey had been created from a silly-looking stuffed Koala bear, and Harry was currently looking at it very apprehensively. Hermione touched the back of his hand and whispered softly, "Tonight we will be with Ron and Ginny." "And this time we will never leave them again," he added in a voice full of emotion. Their fingers grasped hold of that silly-looking toy and she suddenly felt the familiar pull at her navel.

She certainly hoped that one day she would be able to land gracefully, but today was not the day. She would swear that she landed so hard that she knocked herself senseless. All she could see was bright flashing lights, and the roar of too many voices. She noticed to her right that Harry was slowly trying to rise to his feet, holding out his hand to assist her up.

"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, when can we expect the formal announcement of your engagement?" A familiar voice could clearly be heard.

"What?" Harry yelled while abruptly letting go of Hermione's hand so she lost her balance falling back on her already sore arse.

"Oh, sorry Hermione," he said quietly before quickly turning his attention back to a very amused Rita Skeeter.

Skeeter gave Hermione a truly evil smile and added, "Did your closest friends know of your plans before you left or is this a nice little surprise?"

Harry seemed to be trying to think of a reply when another reporter quickly shouted out, "Can you give us the full details of your blooming love story?"

Hermione couldn't believe what was happening. Could the entire Wizarding Community actually believe that she and Harry were in love and getting married? Why had Ron not warned them that this crazy rumor was going around? That prat was probably laughing his head off at how absurd the thought of a romance between her and Harry was.

A thought suddenly clicked in her head if the press knew they were arriving today, then the rest of the community must have known of their arrival. She quickly scanned the crowd looking for at least a glimpse of that famous Weasley red hair. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Harry trying to do the same thing, as the questions continued to be yelled at them.

"Miss Granger, I have noticed that you have gained some weight, could it be possible that you might be pregnant?"

Hermione's stomach was starting to spin uncontrollably as she noticed several familiar faces, but none belonging to the people they most needed to see.

"Alright, that's enough," a voice rang out forcibly from the back of the room. Neville Longbottom pushed his way through the crowd and grabbed both of them by their elbows he turns to address the crowd, "I'm sure that Harry and Hermione will make a formal statement as soon as they are able to settle in."

Neville pushed both of them through the crowd and out the back door. "Neville you are a true life saver!" Harry exclaimed. Then looking into Hermione's eyes, Harry said softly, "We need to Apparate to the Burrow as soon as possible and figure out what the hell is going on."

Neville shook his head, looking sadly into both Harry and Hermione's shocked faces. "Actually," he whispered, "I'm not sure that's such a good idea."

"Won Won, wake up my sweetheart," Lavender's voice cooed from the other side of the bed. Ron swiped his hand behind him, hoping that it would somehow silence the annoying voice.

"Ronald Weasley, get out of bed right now, we need to talk!" Ginny's annoyed voice yelled from the kitchen. Oh shit, Ron thought, this is starting off to be a wonderful day. Could it possible get any worse?