llis quos amo deserviam.

(For those I love I will sacrifice.)

If you had asked Harry Potter when he expected to get married, he'd probably say, "Probably my late twenties, or something like that. I'd like to live a little, y'know?"

But Merlin, he hadn't expected to get married so soon. And, to a girl that his best friend used to date. Telling Ron was the next big thing on his to-do list, but Hermione had different ideas. And, of course he had to do what she said, this was her wedding.

"I want you to move into my flat." Hermione had told him over tea one Tuesday afternoon. "We are eventually going to have to buy a house and live in it together, so it'd be good to get some practice in so we're comfortable with it."

"But what about Ron?" Harry had asked. "He's going to think that it's strange, that I'm suddenly moving out. I wanted to tell him beforehand."

"Well, you'll have to tell him while you're packing tonight, then. No time to waste."

Tonight?!, Harry wanted to exclaim.

He was being forced to give up his whole comfy life for this whole thing, and he was expected to pack up and move out in one night? It was bloody unfair.

But, Harry reminded himself, he was doing this for Hermione. Hermione was his friend, and she was important too. He may have to make some sacrifices, but it'd all be worth it in the end. He was sure of it.

So, that's how he found himself telling Ron that he was marrying Hermione, and that he'd have to move out now.

"You're what?!" Ron looked the usual amount of flabbergasted, though he was very pale, instead of very red. "I-I don't understand-"

"Ron, there's a new marriage law, and I didn't want her to get stuck with some git like Malfoy. That's why I offered. It's nothing, really, I'll divorce her as soon as the whole law blows over, and we'll go back to being friends." Harry said, hands awkwardly shoved in his pockets. "And I'm moving in with her so that we can get used to the whole domestic thing."

Ron looked almost hurt, and Harry could understand why. Hermione and Ron had been so in love, at one time. But he remembered last year at Hogwarts, where the pair of them had broken up on good terms, and remained friends. He supposed that Ron would always have feelings for Hermione, no matter what. The redhead was probably wondering why Hermione hadn't come to him (for he'd have gladly taken Harry's place), and Harry wondered that too.

"I- okay." Ron said finally, and Harry was a bit shocked. "Now, I'm not going to lie. I'm jealous. Mate, you're the luckiest man in the world right now. Hermione's a good person, and she deserves someone good. Don't hurt her. Don't- just, don't do anything that would hurt her, alright?"

Harry broke into a watery smile, and he reached up to give Ron a tight hug.

"Thanks for your blessing. It means a lot." he said, pulling back after a moment. "But, I want you to be my best man, alright? We agreed."

The pair of them had made that agreement awhile ago, that when one of them got married, the other would be their best man. There was nobody Harry would rather have, and that was the truth.

"Fine." Ron said, with a slight grin on his face. "Now, let's get you all packed up, shall we?"

Hermione nearly dropped her book when her doorbell rang later that night, but it was only Harry at the door, with a smiling Ron behind him.

"Ron offered to help me bring all my stuff." Harry explained, stepping inside. "I'll leave you two to chat while I bring it all in."

Then he left, leaving Ron and Hermione by themselves in the entrance hall. Hermione looked down at her feet, feeling a bit awkward. But, Ron tilted her head up so she could look him in the eyes.

"Hey. I'm not mad." the redhead said. "I gave you both my blessing. But I just want you to know, if he ever does anything to you, I want you to tell me. I still care about you, Hermione. You deserve someone who will treat you the right way. I know Harry's capable of that. But if there's ever any trouble-"

"Oh, Ron." Hermione laughed. "We're going to be just fine. Besides, I can stand up for myself, thank you very much. I'm glad you approve. I was worried that you wouldn't."

Ron ruffled Hermione's hair, pulling her into a hug. "You know how much I wish it was me. But, I know Harry's going to take care of you. You'll be in good hands."

"Alright, step away from my fiancee." Harry said jokingly, dragging the last of his things inside. "You should stay for dinner, Ron. We'd love to have you."

"No, it's alright. I'm going out to the Leaky with the mates tonight, anyways. You both have a good night, okay?"

With that, Ron was gone, and Hermione suddenly felt how very real this all was. Merlin, Harry was going to be living with her, and sleeping by her side, and...kissing. The kissing was the one thing she was most worried about.

She'd kissed boys before, sure. She'd kissed Ron, for heaven's sake. But this was completely different. This was Harry, her best friend. Harry was so much more different than Ron.

"Hermione?"

Hermione was suddenly aware of Harry's presence, startled out of her thoughts. "Sorry, sorry. I was just thinking. Should we get dinner started, then?"

"How about we just order out instead? It's less work." Harry said with a shrug. "And, erm...should I take the guest room?"

"We can share my bedroom. We'll have to eventually, anyways. Best to get used to it." Hermione responded, already heading to the kitchen to grab some takeout menus.

Merlin, she was going to be sharing a bed with Harry Potter. How many other girls could say that? But it would be fine.

It was all going to be fine.

One delicious Indian takeout dinner later, Harry was busying himself with unpacking, while Hermione was sitting by the fireplace, nose in her novel. She loved reading Muggle novels sometimes, and they felt like a small treat. She also loved Wizarding novels as well, with the narration and the moving pictures on the pages. Magic always seemed to bring everything that she loved to life.

Hermione stifled a yawn, glancing up at the clock above the mantle. It was already getting quite late, and she had plans to take Harry to meet her parents tomorrow. Her parents were nice enough people, and she was sure they'd approve of her spouse-to-be.

With that, Hermione snapped her book shut, getting to her feet and heading into the bedroom. Harry was finishing up the last of his unpacking, hanging his shirts beside hers in the closet.

"Mind if I use the bathroom first?" she inquired.

"Not at all." he responded.

Hermione nodded and went over to the dresser to grab a pair of pajamas, trying to pick the least revealing. She ended up with a long-sleeve shirt and a pair of cotton sleep shorts. She then ducked into the adjoining bathroom, quickly changing and brushing her teeth.

It was so strange to see a red toothbrush beside her own purple one, and somebody else's shampoo and body wash beside hers in the shower. Was this what living with someone intimately felt like. She'd shared a dormitory with other girls at Hogwarts, yes, but that hadn't been as domestic as this was.

Hermione spat a gob of toothpaste into the sink, rinsing her mouth and scrubbing a wet washcloth over her face. After she finished, she headed back into the bedroom, and Harry took her place in the bathroom.

Hermione dimmed the lights in the room, leaving them on just enough so Harry wouldn't trip as he made his way to bed. She'd shut them off completely once he was settled. The brunette sighed, crawling onto her side of the bed and dragging the sheets and covers over herself. She shut her eyes, curling up on her side.

The mattress dipped beside her a moment later, and there was a slight shuffling as Harry got comfortable. Hermione shut the lights off, and they lay in darkness for a moment. Hermione nearly startled as Harry interlaced his fingers with hers, but she allowed herself to relax.

"Goodnight, Hermione." came Harry's voice from her right.

"Goodnight, Harry." Hermione responded.

And the pair were asleep, just like that.