A/N: Hey! Thanks for reading my story. Sorry that it took me so long to update, life has been crazy. Thank you for the positive reviews/emails I've received. Please leave more though! Only a few reviews, but over 1,100 hits! I love hearing what you guys think! Leave me feedback!! There is a little more of H/Hr flirtation in this chapter. I didn't mean to put it on so early in the story, but it fits…so here goes!!

Chapter 4 – Induction Ceremony

What the hell? Why is at least twice a week I come out here to find them sleeping together on the couch? She barely lets me even hold her, let alone sleep next to her!

Ron was fuming to say the least. The site before him was really starting to piss him off. He woke up wanting to apologize to Hermione for putting her on the spot last night, to find her not in her room, but in the family room lying on Harry, fast asleep. Harry's arm was around her waist, and she was lying on his chest, her hair covering half her face. She looked so peaceful and content.

Ron knew that Harry and Hermione were only friends, but it still bothered him to see them laying like that together. Not wanting to say things he might regret, Ron took one last look at the sleeping pair, stalked to the front door, walked outside and apparated to the store.

Not long after, Harry began to stir. He tried to move, but felt something heavy weighing him down. Opening one eye, he looked down and saw Hermione snuggled up on him. He pulled her a little closer and placed a kiss on top of her head.

"Mmm, morning Harry. Sorry I fell asleep on you, again."

"Are you kidding? I love this. I always get the best sleep when I'm with you. Good morning to you too."

Hermione sat up and stretched, raising her arms above her head. "What time is it?"

Harry put on his glasses and looked at his watch. "10:30. Guess we did sleep in after all huh?" Harry chuckled and stood up. "Hungry?"

"Starving."

"Ok, relax for a bit and I'll make breakfast and bring it in. Did you have any plans today?"

Yawning, Hermione said, "Well, I'm supposed to go shopping with Luna later to look for a dress for the ball. What about you?"

Harry, already on his way to the kitchen said over his shoulder, "Nope! And that's the way I like it!"

Hermione laughed and stood to follow him into the kitchen to help.

"I thought I told you to relax?"

"I know, but I want to help. Is that ok Mr. Potter?"

Harry laughed. "Fine, do you want to fry the bacon?"

They cooked breakfast together and ate, talking about the upcoming ceremony and ball. Hermione had already told Ron she would go with him to the ball, and Harry was going stag. He had planned on taking Ginny, but now that wasn't going to happen, and he didn't think to ask anyone else.

"You should ask Luna, she'd love to go with you! You know how much she loves to be invited to go anywhere."

"Maybe I will, Mione. I'll mention it to her when she comes to meet you. I wasn't going to ask anyone, but Luna is a great friend. I know she'll have a blast."

With that decided Hermione smiled at Harry, cleaned off the plates and went to go get dressed. Harry sat back down on the couch in the family room and turned on the television.

Hermione came out to join him refreshed and waiting for Luna. They watched the muggle news for a while, when Hermione heard the doorbell.

"Hi Luna! Come on in, Harry wants to see you." Hermione gave Luna a warm hug and ushered her in the flat.

"Hey Luna! I haven't seen you in a while! How are you?" Harry stood up and hugged Luna as well. He really had grown fond of her over the years.

"I'm doing great! I'm excited about going dress shopping, I love going shopping with friends. Not very many people ask me to do things with them." Luna always had a thing for the uncomfortable truth.

"Well Luna, actually I wanted to talk to you about that – would you do me the honor and go to the ball with me?"

Luna squealed with delight. "Really? Harry I'd love to be your date! As friends of course! Oh I'm so excited! Hermione, how do you think magenta would look on me?"

Hermione laughed at her friends excitement. She always had a flair for her attire too. "I think it would be lovely, lets get going!"

"Bye Harry!" Luna gave Harry another hug. "Thank you so much, I really can't wait!"

Harry smiled warmly. "Neither can I Luna, thank you for going with me."

Luna and Hermione walked out of the flat and apparated to Diagon Alley.

Harry sat back down and chuckled. He really wished Luna was around more to spend time with them. She was always going on expeditions with her father, looking for some unknown creature or artifact. It would be nice to spend an evening with her.

The week flew by for Harry and Hermione. Preparations for the ceremony and the ball, not to mention trying to find out why Ron had been sulking, took up much of their week. Ron seemed to be avoiding them, and neither had any idea why. He would come home from work, eat and go directly to his room. He barely said anything to them all week.

It was the morning of the ceremony. Ron had taken the day off of work, as did Mr. Weasley, Bill, Fred, George, Lupin, Tonks, Mad-Eye, Mr. and Mrs. Granger, Hagrid, Luna and Fleur. Also, Mrs. Weasley came over early to help Hermione and Harry get ready and look their best.

Harry heart swelled with happiness as he put on his dark navy blue Magical Law Enforcement Robes. He looked at the picture of his parents and smiled, wondering if they would be proud of him.

"Harry, I know what you are thinking, and I know they would be proud of you." Harry looked up to find a tearful Mrs. Weasley standing in his bedroom door. "I've always thought of you as a son, and I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of the man you have become." Engulfing Harry in one of her bone-crushing hugs, he hugged her back, the emotion evident on his face. He too thought of Mrs. Weasley as a mother, and to make her proud of him meant more than he could ever tell her.

Mrs. Weasley seemed to gather as much as Harry bent down to give her a kiss on her cheek and mutter a 'thank you'.

She smiled at him, cupped his cheek in her hand, and turned to walk out of the room, giving him time.

He looked around the pictures in his room. The one he loved the most was of himself and Hermione. She was laughing and smiling, waving at the camera. Then every so often she would turn to look at Harry on her left, who was also smiling and waving, with an arm laced through hers. Hermione looked so happy and when she would turn to look up at him her smile would widen even more. He remembered the day that picture was taken, and remembered the happiness he felt looking down at her face and seeing her smile up at him.

Harry felt a familiar feeling down in the pit of his stomach that has been there for a few days now, but he quickly pushed it away. There was no way he would ever ruin his friendship with Hermione for anything, nor would he hurt Ron. He knew that underneath he held feelings for Hermione as more than just a friend, and on days like today, when something great was going to happen to the both of them, he sometimes wondered what it would be like to hold her and know she was his. He didn't want to think of that now though. They had both chosen other people, even if it was proving not to have been the best choice. He vowed never to tell Hermione how he felt, for fear of it causing a great upheaval between them and their friends.

Hermione was already dressed and putting a smoothing charm on her hair, hoping to contain the frizzies for a few hours. She smiled at herself in the mirror one last time, and walked into the family room where Ron and Mrs. Weasley were waiting for her.

"You look great Hermione!" Ron went to her and wrapped her in another one of his awkward hugs.

"Oh Hermione, you look beautiful. I'm so proud of you!" Mrs. Weasley came and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Thank you Ron, Mrs. Weasley. It means the world to me that you are both here."

At that moment Harry came out, smiling at Hermione. "You look lovely Mione. Ready to head out?"

The four of them walked outside and apparated to the Ministry, where the ceremony was being held. Harry and Hermione quickly went to join the others in their class, while Ron and his mother went to find seats with Mr. Weasley and the rest of the gang.

A few moments later, the conductor told everyone to form a line as they were about to be called in.

Hermione flashed a smile up at Harry and got in line with him behind her. He reached his arms around her for one last hug and whispered in her ear, "I'm so proud of you Mione."

Hermione felt herself start to lean back into his embrace, but managed to catch herself as she felt a tingle racing down her spine. What in the world is going on with me, she thought.

"Thank you Harry. I'm…I'm so proud of you too." At that, they began to walk into the hall to a thunderous applause from the families and friends of loved ones of the current graduating class.

They both waved and smiled at their friends and family, before sitting down to listen to Kingley's speech.

"Thank you all for coming. It is with great honor that I am here to present to you the graduating class for the Magical Law Enforcement. These witches and wizards are the best at what they do. They have been put through strenuous trainings and teachings, and all of them took the challenges and succeeded greatly. We have seen with past experiences, that we can all come together as a group, as a team, as one, and goodness reigns. These fine individuals have also done that again for us. It is with great pleasure that I ask them to come forward now, receive their badges, and take their oath as Ministry Personnel."

Hermione and Harry stood up to move forward with the class, as Kingsley took turns pinning their badges on each of them and shaking their hands. When Kingsley made his way towards them, he smile broadened and you could see in his eyes how proud he was of them. He shook their hands vigorously and patted their shoulders before moving on.

"Now class – if you will repeat after me…," came Kingley's booming voice.

"I DO SOLEMNLY DECLARE UPON MY HONOUR AND CONSCIENCE THAT I WILL ACT AT ALL TIMES TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND KNOWLEDGE IN A MANNER BEFITTING A MAGICAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

I WILL PRESERVE THE DIGNITY AND WILL RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF ALL INDIVIDUALS

I WILL DISCHARGE MY DUTIES WITH INTEGRITY AND WILL PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING AND CONCILIATION

I WILL EXERCISE MY AUTHORITY AS A MAGICAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN THE MANNER INTENDED BY THE LAW

I WILL FAITHFULLY OBEY THE ORDERS OF MY SUPERIORS AND WILL BE READY TO CONFRONT DANGER IN THE LINE OF DUTY

I WILL CONSTANTLY STRIVE TO HONOUR THIS OATH IN MY SERVICE AS A MAGICAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER"

"I now present to you, the graduating Magical Law Enforcement class! Class – take a bow. You've earned it."

The class took a uniform bow and threw their hats in the air. Harry hugged Hermione fiercely to him and she looked up at him, their eyes locked and their smiles radiating. She brushed her lips against his for the quickest second. "Congratulations again Harry" Hermione whispered. She backed away from him, still staring in his eyes and grabbed his hand to pull him towards their family and friends.

Harry's legs felt wooden and heavy all of a sudden. He knew that kiss was innocent right? Someone needed to tell his heart that.