The woman rushed out at him from a side alley. His wand was ready and he yelled "STUPIFY". She took only one step before crashing to the ground, a bundle flying away from her limp arms. Ron looked down at her.

The lights came on, and an amplified voice said "OK, test over. Head for the debriefing room.' Ron walked through the cavernous space that had been designed to replicate a small town and was used for "Urban Engagement". He headed for a door in the side wall, opened it and entered the room beyond. The lamps reflected of the bare white walls, and the only furniture was a wooden table and four chairs. Ron threw himself in to one of them. He was covered in sweat. Dawlish and Harry came in through another door.

Dawlish smiled at him. 'So, how did you find it?'

'Stress making. Even though I knew it wasn't for real, my heart's going ten to the dozen.'

'That's the idea. Right, let's see how you did. You identified two of the three targets correctly. I liked the way you dealt with the second one. He was no real threat, and the body bind was perfect. Most people over-react. You missed the third, he was in the bedroom. The bed has been hollowed out to make a hidey-hole…'

'Aarrgh!! I never thought of that, I could see it went all the way to the floor. I should have used Homenum revelio, shouldn't I?'

'It wouldn't have worked on the dummies, of course, but you'd have got the credit. Still you're not the first to miss that one,' Harry grinned sheepishly 'that's why we do it.

Now, the non-combatants. Five out of six, not bad. The last one might have put you in front of a Board of Inquiry though. She was a muggle woman carrying a baby.'

'It was the way she came at me. I just had to react.'

'She wasn't coming at you; she was running to catch a bus. I made the same mistake many years ago. All in all, a good performance, well done.' He looked at his watch. 'We might as well call that lunch. I'll see you back in the office at 1:30.'

Ron turned to Harry once they were in the corridor. 'I see why it's called the "Village of the Damned". Fancy having lunch with us?'

'Can't mate, I'm meeting Ginny, a bit more planning.'

'Aren't you all done yet, the wedding's only two weeks off.'

'Not quite, but we're getting there. I think the "to do" list is under 5,000 now. Take my advice, stay shacked up. It's simpler. See you later.'

-o0o-

Ron lingered outside the Staff Canteen, waiting for Hermione. When she arrived, they went to choose their lunch, which tended to be their main meal of the day. He had Steak and Kidney Pudding and Treacle Tart with Custard to follow. She had a grilled Chicken Salad and fresh fruit.

'Ron, you know all that stodge isn't good for you, don't you?'

'I should do, you tell me every day. But it's alright for you, pushing bits of paper around, I need something that'll stick to my ribs.' He went on to tell her about the "Village of the Damned". 'So, what "interesting" things have you done today?'

Although he tried to feign boredom in her work, she knew he was only joking. Hermione had made an impressive start to her new career, and Ron had watched with pride. She was currently working on a House Elf Registration Act. This would force all employees to register their House Elves, and guarantee minimum levels of welfare. It wasn't full equality, but it was a start.

'Oh, nothing as exciting as killing people, though I could have done!' Ron raised his eyebrows. 'A petition from a group of witches, well six, in the Shires. They don't have to register their dogs or horses, why should House Elves be any different? Honestly, some of these people are still in the Dark Ages.

Anyway, we go to the Committee Stage next week, so I've got loads to do. I'll probably have to come in at the weekend. Sorry.'

'I'll explain to mum. Give me an excuse not to go down either. Don't forget you need to be home tonight for another fitting, will you.' Hermione was to be a bridesmaid. 'Mum I can handle, but Ginny's a different matter. After that, we should go out. No, don't look at me like that. I know you've got loads on, and you'd far rather be doing homework 'til midnight…'

'It is NOT homework, Ron, its preparation.'

'…but you need to relax as well. What would the Wizard world do if its brightest star burned out before Flobber Worms had full equality before the Law?' He was smiling at her; she knew it was a wind-up.

They discussed plans for the evening, and decided the cinema sounded good. They had got in to the habit of spending their leisure time in the muggle world, especially if Harry and Ginny were with them. There, they were just young people, not paparazzi magnets – especially with the wedding of the century coming up.

They went home together after work, so that Hermione could get ready for the dressmaker. "Home" was, in fact, still Grimmauld Place. London is a difficult and expensive City to find accommodation in, and Harry said he had plenty of room. Hermione had confided in Ginny that she wanted her own place, rather than sharing. It was Ginny who had suggested they could convert the first floor in to a self contained flat. It had a good sized room which became lounge and dining room, and an en-suite bedroom already there. All they really needed to do was convert one of the large walk-in cupboards in to a small kitchen, so that Ron could continue burning things. Of course, Harry and Hermione had to have an argument first, as she insisted on a tenancy agreement and paying rent.

It worked out very well. They could come and go as they pleased, but Harry lived close by and their friendship was re-cemented. Ginny never stayed over, she wouldn't until they married. She still felt somewhat ashamed of her outburst a couple of years back, so had decided to be the model daughter until her big day. She was often there on a Sunday morning though, having travelled back from a Harpies game, so they usually all gathered in the main kitchen for a huge brunch. It was quite like old times.

-o0o-

The next couple of weeks slipped by all too quickly. Hermione's Committee Stage started, and she was working very long hours. Ron, wanting to take an interest in his,,,he couldn't work out what she was either. Girlfriend made them sound fourteen. He tried using CFSP, but when she found out what it stood for, she threatened him with every hex she could think of.

Anyway, he tried reading the Committee Minutes that were sent to her for approval every day. They made Professor Binns' "History of Magic" lectures sound fascinating by comparison. One day, there were three sheets coveringsome objection to a "Point of Order" on a sub-sub Clause. She didn't laugh when he said these things could be dealt with much quicker by playing "Scissors-Paper-Stone", and she should suggest that to the committee chairman.

'Seriously, love, do you honestly find this interesting? No, I'm not winding you up this time. Can you see it becoming a career?'

'I can, Ron. I know it looks very tedious, and some of it can be, but I think I can make a difference, and I'm finding Wizard Law fascinating.' She saw his eyebrows go up again. 'Yes, I do remember what I said to Scrimgeour that time, thank you!! I'm actually thinking of training to be a lawyer. Kingsley said I could do it through work, part-time, and they'd pay for it. Would you mind? I would take a good few years, and I'd have to spend some time away on courses and things, and have to do homework. Would you support me in it?'

'Of course I would. If you wanted, you could resign from the Ministry to do a full time course, if you thought it would be easier.'

'We couldn't afford it, Ron.' He, after all, was only a trainee auror. The wages weren't great.

'Things would be tight. If it came to it, we could always move back in with my parents, or yours. But it would be worth it in the long term, when I'm Head Auror, and you're Minister of Magic.'

She hugged him. 'I couldn't do that, not now.' She snuggled in to him, and let out a sigh. 'I don't deserve you, you know.'

Several years ago, he would have turned that in to a joke or got embarrassed, but not anymore. She meant the whole world to him, so he hugged her back. 'I think that's what makes us so special. Neither of us thinks we deserve each other. I know I don't.'

-o0o-

On the Friday before the wedding, they got home to find a note pinned to their front door.

'Slight change of plans, can you be at The Burrow by 11 o'clock latest.'

They couldn't work out what that was about, and eventually gave up trying.

They apparated down to The Burrow, arriving at in a nearby field at around 10:30. It looked like they had landed in the crowd for a Quidditch World Cup final. It was bedlam, there were people everywhere, and they started to fight through the crowd. Of course, they were recognised, and that drew in the Press.

'Mr Weasley,Miss Granger – a picture please?' 'Any thoughts on this happy day?' 'Just a quick interview before you go in, please?'

'I suppose there's no point me asking you anything, is there?'

They turned to find Rita Skeeter standing before them. 'Why bother' said Hermione 'you'll make it up anyway. Come up with any particularly virulent things to say yet?'

'On this one? You're joking. One word out of place, I'd have a lynch mob after me.'

Hermione formed her face in to a "far away" look. 'A girl can dream, Rita. Goodbye'

Of course Rita had the last word. Two weeks later, an article appeared wondering whether the remaining two of the "Golden Trio" would ever cement their relationship. "I have known Hermione Granger for many years now, and consider her a close friend." says vivacious star journalist, Rita Skeeter. "Occasionally she'll confide to me 'Rita, a girl can dream' but she always looks wistful when she says it. I can only hope her beau, Ron Weasley, is as honourable as dear Harry."

They got through the security guards around the boundary, and were met by a harassed looking George.

'I think every Wizard in the country has turned up. Go straight in to the marquee, will you.'

They walked in, fully expecting it to look the way it did for Bill and Fleur's nuptials. Instead, it looked like a jumble sale. Percy approached them, holding a clipboard.

'Ah, excellent, you're early.' He pointed at an old lemonade bottle. 'This one's leaving in two minutes. Mr & Mrs Adams? You can travel with my brother and his….Hermione. Have you met? Two minutes then.' He bustled off. 'Hello Mr Wells, your portkey is just here. You have five minutes. I may try to send the Longbottoms with you. If you can just stay here...'

Ron and Hermione barely had time to shrug before the bottle glowed, and they put their fingers on it. They landed just outside the gates of Hogwarts a few moments later.

'Ron!! Hermione!!' Hargrid rushed towards them, lifting them both off the ground at the same time. 'Great ter see yer!! What a day!! What a day!! Little Harry getting' married eh, an' ter yer sister, Ron!! Yer know, I remember the firs' time I saw 'im, 'e were that little…'

'Yeah, great Hagrid, good to see you too. Where are they? We need to start getting ready.'

'Right, right. Yer know, I'm all of a dither meself. They're up in the school. It's gonna be in the Great Hall. Headmistress herself suggested it. Great lady McGonagall, great lady.'

They made their way up the familiar path to the school and met Molly, who explained everything.

'We knew it would be chaos at The Burrow, everybody would want to be in on it, so Professor McGonagall suggested it was held here instead. Everything's been sent up ahead, and the House Elves have organised the food and reception. It's their present to Harry. Isn't that kind of them?'

They walked through the entrance hall, pausing to look at the memorial plaque on the wall for a moment.

'I know he'll be watching' said Molly, her eyes glazing over. 'He wouldn't miss his sister's wedding.'

'Hermione was looking at a different name. 'I'm trying to keep my promise' she whispered.

-o0o-

It was a wonderful day. Ron stood next to Harry, waiting for Ginny to arrive. Harry was shaking like a leaf.

'Come on, Harry, it's not that bad is it? You killed Voldemort.'

'Yeah, but this is getting married. I mean, it's a bit more of a challenge, isn't it?'

The doors at the rear of the Hall opened, and Ginny entered on Arthur's arm. She looked absolutely radiant. Her dress was a flowing, billowing gown of gold, which complimented her hair beautifully. Hermione walked behind in a dress of primrose yellow and little Teddy Lupin walked before them all scattering flowers. Molly cried.

Ron leaned towards Harry and whispered 'If you ever harm one hair on her head, I will hunt you down and kill you.'

Later on, they stood outside in the grounds of Hogwarts Castle, Elves moving amonst the crowd carry food and drink. The Merpeople had come to the edge of the lake to serenade the happy couple, and the Centaurs emerged from the forest to add their blessings.

Ron and Hermione stood chatting to Neville, Seamus, Dean and Parvati just like they had never been away and catching up on all the news. They all knew Neville was at Hogwarts still, of course, but he told them that next year he was going to study with the Hungarian herbologist, Professor Angyalka, who was researching wolfsbane to try and make a more effective werewolf potion. Parvati had been in India, studying eastern mysticism and Seamus was now an apprentice broomstick maker. Dean had been trying to find his father, so far without success. 'I just want to meet him, that's all.'

Professor McGonagall approached them, and they stopped talking immediately and stood to attention, having suddenly become schoolchildren again. She greeted them all by name, and asked after them, then talked about Harry and Ginny. She gave Dean a rather shrewd looked when he wished them well. 'Better luck next time, Mr Thomas' she said smiling, as she moved on. 'How did she know?' was all he could say.

Ron and Hermione stood arm in arm, watching Ginny and Harry fly off in to the sunset on their brooms. They had decided on a simple honeymoon in Scotland. Harry liked the idea of camping as well.

Hermione looked at Ron with a big smile, and tears of happiness running down her face. He knew exactly what he should do now, it was perfect timing and would make the day complete.

'OI!! LOVE BIRDS!! Come and have a drink with us.' The moment was lost and they turned towards the family. Sometimes, Ron desperately wished he was an only child.