Chapter 6

Hermione enjoyed her lunch out with Harry and Ron. It had been some time since just the three of them had spent time together. Harry and Ron were currently training to be aurors which took up much of their time and energy.

"So tell me how are wedding plans going Harry?" Hermione asked while they were finishing their lunch at the Three Broomsticks.

"Per Mrs. Weasley's instructions, I let Ginny make the decisions when it comes to wedding planning. I tend to just smile and nod when they start babbling about this and that." Harry said smiling

"That's a good idea mate. Women are mental when it comes to wedding planning!" Ron exclaimed. The three members of the golden trio started laughing.

"Ginny will be sending you an owl soon Mione. She mentioned something about dress shopping this weekend."

"Sounds good Harry. I'll have to make sure I'm not working that day."

"What's up with that Hermione? I never thought I would see the day where Hermione Granger would be working in a joke shop." Ron asked

"Like I said before Ron, I lost a silly bet and have to work there for a bit. I don't mind though. It is very interesting magic." Both boys looked at her in disbelief but decided to let the topic go. "Anyways, how is Luna doing Ron?"

A smile immediately lit up Ron's face as he heard the name of his girlfriend.

"She's doing really well. She is really involved with the Quibbler these days and recently was just promoted to editor!"

"That's fantastic news Ron! Please give her my congratulations!' Hermione told him

"I will be sure to do that. Sorry to cut this short Mione, but we have to get back to training" said Ron

"No problem, I should be getting back to WWW anyways."

Hermione hugged Harry and Ron before they parted ways outside. She started walking towards the shop and thinking about how good it was to spend some time with her two best friends. As she was walking a little girl walking with her parents caught her attention.

"Can we get ice cream? You said if I was a good girl I could get some! I've been a very good girl!" The little girl, no more than 7 years old with curly brown hair smiled up at her parents. The 2 adults exchanged a fond look with each other and chuckled. Her father was the first to speak,

"Alright pumpkin! Let's go!" he exclaimed. The little girl took the hand of each of her parents and dragged them over to the ice cream shop.

In that moment, Hermione was reminded of her parents. She remembered going to get ice cream with her parents in warm weather. The three of them always had the best of times together, always laughing and smiling. And now she realized with a sudden sadness, she would never be with her parents again. Never see them laugh and smile. Never see them share that fond look. She choked back a sob and ran to the shop and to the back room where she slid to the floor and broke down in heart wrenching sobs.

"Hermione?" She looked up through her tears to see the concerned face of George. He rushed to her side and pulled her into his arms. "Hermione, what's wrong? What happened? Was Ron being a prat again?"

Hermione shook her head and buried her face into George's chest and continued to cry while he stroked her hair and rubbed small circles on her back. A few minutes later she looked up at George.

"How do you do it George?" She asked looking at him with tearful eyes

"Do what Mione?" He said brushing the tears off of her face

"How do you get through the day? Every day and every night I think about the war. I think about those that we've lost. I think about where those people would be today if they hadn't died. It feels like a hole in my heart George that will never be filled. How do you make it through the day and keep your happy energy every minute of the day?"

"Oh Hermione. I know this is hard to believe, but I feel the pain of the war everyday. Every day I think about those we lost. I am so grateful that my family has made it through, but I still miss those who are gone. But the thing is Hermione, I think about what they would say if they could hear my thoughts. And I know that they wouldn't want me to stop living. They didn't die so we could be miserable. They died to free the world of Voldermort. They knew what they were getting into when they went to war, we all did. We all fought for the greater good. That's what I tell myself when I feel that hole or feeling of loss. I think that I'm going to live my life to the fullest for myself and for them." He lifted her chin so that she was looking into his eyes "I know you're sad Hermione, but if you ever need to talk, there are so many people who love you and want to be here for you, including me. I care for you Hermione and I'm here if you ever need me."

Hermione stared into his blue eyes and saw that everything he said was true. "Thank you George. You don't know how much I needed to hear those words." With that, she reached up and kissed him quickly on the lips. She blushed and softly said "I should get back to work. Thank you again George" and rushed out of the room.

George stared at the spot she had just left and touched his lips in astonishment. His face broke out in a huge grin. It was a brief kiss but a wonderful one. Hermione's lips were so soft and when they touched his lips he felt a wonderfully warm tingle shoot through his body. George shook himself out of his stupor and started to do his work again. But, no matter how hard he tried he couldn't wipe that goofy grin off of his face for the rest of the day and it was all thanks to Hermione.

AN: Well that's all for today! I'll try to update more this weekend.