Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original characters or elements of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter. Anything written here is purely for entertainment and will not be making any profit.

~ Sometimes It Lasts In Love ~

Chapter Two

You know how the time flies,
Only yesterday was the time of our lives.

The past few months, weeks really, had gone by in a flash.

The Weasley family had greatly accepted her back into their arms, Ron's enthusiasm encapsulating them all. Only Harry and Ginny remained concerned for their friend's welfare, only they seemed aware of the haunted look that remained in Hermione's eyes, her smile never quite chasing away.

The Ministry also took great joy in the upcoming nuptials, announcing an all-expenses paid ball for high society as well as the couple's family and friends. Ron was elated that he would get to celebrate such a wonderful occasion with so many, fearing his family's financial situation dictating limitations.

Hermione couldn't have felt worse.

She insisted on remaining at her flat most nights, stating it would be more momentous for them to move in together once officially married, secretly relishing in the last days of her isolation, knowing she would never again get to enjoy the solitude that she so cherished.

Ginny arrived with Fleur's make-up bag and a new dress donated by Madam Malkin herself an hour before the ball, to find the bride-to-be once more cocooned in a blanket on the sofa.

'Hermione. Come on, I know you don't want to do this.'

An indistinguishable groan sounded in response from the bundle on the sofa.

'But this is what you've chosen. This is what you wanted to do.'

A silent pause shifted the air between the two women, as Hermione slowly unwrapped herself.

'Trust me, I hate bringing it up as much as you hate me saying it.' Ginny told her friend. 'But, by the grace of Merlin, I'm going to transform you for tonight, woman.'

The red-head, taking her silence as acquiescence, watched the brunette stomp her way through to her bathroom, grateful that her mane of curls would get a wash before having to take on the task of taming it into something manageable for the evening.

Ginny sighed as she collapsed onto the sofa, reminiscing over the days when Hermione used to get excited at the thought of dressing up, before her heart was well and truly mangled.

We were born and raised in a summer haze,

Bound by the surprise of our glory days.

Hermione and Ginny had met Ron and Harry in a side chamber, off to one side of the great ballroom that had been concealed within the depths of the Ministry.

Ron's jaw dropped in awe of his soon-to-be wife, as he was prone to do more and more frequently of late.

As the group greeted each other, each man offered his arm to the women and each couple proceeded to enter the Hall atop a great staircase sweeping down onto the floor below.

A chorus of applause and cheers came for the engaged couple when they were presented to the room, as the married Potters descended into the crowd. Hermione kept a close eye on Ginny, afraid to lose her amongst the great, dancing mass of people.

The music continued on as Hermione almost ran down the steps, fearful of being accosted with the congratulations of well-wishers. Finally finding her best friends as her fiancé caught up with her, she breathed a sigh of relief.

'Not so bad, yet?' Ron tentatively smiled down at her.

'Not so bad,' She replied, fixing her face into the forced smile she had perfected over the past weeks.

A new song, lighter yet with a gentle rhythm, began as Ron offered his hand to her.

'It will be expected after all,' Ginny gently nudged her, leaning forward to whisper into her ear 'And the sooner expectations are met, the sooner you can leave.'

Hermione nodded, taking Ron's hand as his thumb swept comforting circles across the back of her own.

He held her close to him, in a protective embrace rather than romantic, out on the dancefloor. Hermione felt her pulse quicken and her throat tighten at the thought of being so exposed amongst so many, as his arms tightened around her, relaxing her, swaying her to the steady beat.

'I promise this will be over soon.' He murmured through her curls.

'I'm sorry I'm making you go through this.' She replied.

'Nonsense.' She felt him smile, 'Besides, it's always nice to see the look on my work mates' faces when I get to twirl the most beautiful woman in the room around the floor.'

She stiffened slightly at his compliment, knowing that he was just trying to make her smile. But still, she knew the words meant more to him than they did, or could, for her.

As the music slowed to a finish and polite applause broke out around the room for the live band, Hermione looked towards an exit.

'Ron, I...'

'I know. Go get some air, or something.' He smiled again, knowing she needed the space, before sweeping his sister into a dance.

She managed to work her way through the crowd without much interaction before reaching a door propped open, the cool November breeze blowing against her flushed skin.

Edging through the gap of the sturdy door, Hermione found herself out on a balcony. Unsure of the exact charm used to create the illusion of being outdoors, as she surely knew they were still within the Ministry confines, she pushed the logical thoughts aside and took in the moment's privacy. She leant against the stone balustrade, embracing the chill biting at her bare skin, letting her mind go blank for a short minute, before she heard the door being shuffled open once again, footsteps following the same path she had taken, before round the corner to where she rested.

She looked up with a smile in greeting for one of her friends, when her stomach dropped at the sight of her intruder.

'No.'

'Please...'