Disclaimer: Again I'm not J.K. Rowling so I don't own HP
A/n: I've decided on the condensed version. So here you go
The next few weeks pasted very quickly. Ron, Hermione, Harry & Ginny went to Australia and found Hermione's parents. They were not too please but understood why she had sent them away. The two couples decided to take a little vacation while they were there. This was the first time that Harry could allow himself to relax. Before he always knew the threat of Voldemort was there, but now with him gone, Harry decided to have some fun.
Ginny & Hermione had lots of fun taking pictures of their adventures. Ginny had picked up the photography bug from Colin Creevey and was actually pretty good at it. Ginny's favorite subject was Harry, but she also had a good eye and timing to get perfect pictures of Ron & Hermione obvious love for each other. She was glad that they had finally declared their love for each other. It had been a long time coming. Ginny couldn't wait for Hermione to be her sister.
The summer quickly came to an end and September 1 was soon upon them. Ron & Harry were taking Ginny & Hermione to the train station to see them off & then reporting for duty at 12:00pm at the Ministry of Magic.
"I hate putting you back on that train. I'm going to miss seeing you every day." Ron had his arms wrapped around Hermione. "Like you said Ron, it is just for 1 year. Plus it will only be 2 months til our first Hogsmeade trip. I'll see you then. Plus I expect at least 3 owls a week from you. I don't want you spending all your time writing me. I want you to study hard and do well in training. I th…" Ron cut her off by kissing her swiftly on the lips. Hermione knew she didn't want this kiss to end but knew it would end soon. She put all of her love into it.
"That is one way to get Hermione to stop talking Mate." Harry was chuckling as he looked at his two best friends. "The best way Harry," Ron was starting to blush. "Let's get these girls on the train the faster they get there the faster this year will be over & we'll all be together again." Harry was already helping Ginny load her trunk onto the train, when he turned around to see if Ron needed help with Hermione's, he noticed the couple locked in another passionate embrace.
"Merlin, don't they ever stop?" Ginny was smiling at Harry. "You know Mr. Potter you could be showing your girlfriend how much you are going to miss her." "Gin I think we have been a bad influence on those two. I mean they just shared their first kiss in the middle of the battle and now they can't seem to keep their hands off each other. What happened to my shy, no public displays of affection friends?" Harry was shaking his head when Ginny reached up on her tip toes to kiss Harry full on the mouth.
"See you soon love." The boy finally had put the girls on the train and watched it pull out of the station. "Bloody Hell! That is the hardest thing I have ever had to do." Ron was running his hand through his hair. "I don't like being separated from her. Especially after everything we have been through. We have finally found each other & now we are going to be apart for the better part of a bloody year. "
"Come on Ron we need to get to the Ministry. Plus we are going to be so busy this year is just going to fly by. So I have been thinking for a while now that maybe we should move into Grimmauld place. It will be closer to the Ministry and after those long hours training it would be easier." Harry was rambling, hoping that Ron picked up on the fact he just asked him to move with him. He didn't think he could handle being in that big house all by himself.
"That's a great idea Harry! You don't mind me living with you?" Ron was always a little insecure about people wanting him around. "I have been basically living with you for over a year now, sometimes in pretty close quarters. I think I could handle having you live in the same house as me. You can even have your own floor if you want it. Hey that might not be such a bad idea, that way I don't have to listen to your snore." Ron playfully punched Harry in the arm.
"Ok Mate your on. Now let's get to work."
The next few weeks did fly by as predicted. The boys were extremely tired after training for 12hrs/day trying to get through 3 years of training in 1. On top of it they also had to fit in time to move into Grimmauld place properly. Kreacher had out done himself cleaning the place up. The Death Eaters had done some damage but not as much as they could have done. The boys loved coming home to home cooked meals, clean clothes and freshly made beds, which they fell into most nights. They also kept their promises to the girls and owled everyday; even if it was just a 1 line I love you.
They made a brief visit to Hogsmeade at Halloween but it was too short for all of their likings. The foursome threw themselves back into their work and dreamed of Christmas when they would actually have time to spend together.
The girls took the train at Christmas time and were expecting the boys at the train stations. However they were very surprised when Mr. & Mrs. Weasley were waiting for them. The girls looked questioningly at each other and then at Mr. & Mrs. Weasley. "Hi Mom & Dad. Where are Harry & Ron? I thought they would be here to greet us?" Hermione could tell that Ginny was getting angry as her face was turning red.
"We have been instructed to take you to the Burrow. You each have instructions to follow once we get there." Mr. Weasley grinning like the cat caught with the canary. There was something up so they decided they would play along.
Once they reached the burrow Ginny went up to her room & Hermione to Ron's old room. Some things never change. Ron's room was still decorated in bright orange with the Cannon's posters all over the wall. Hermione had to laugh to herself. Even though Ron hadn't been living there for 4mths now, the room was still Ron's. It even smelled like him. Then she noticed a garment bag on the bed with a note attached. "What is he up to?" She smiled to herself. She pulled the note off the garment bag and opened it.
Dearest Mione
I know that you are probably wondering why I didn't meet you at the Train. You will find out soon enough. Please wear the dress robes in this garment bag. I hope you like it. It took me forever to pick out the right ones.
Once you have dressed please go to the sitting room. Mom has more instructions.
I love you
Ron
She opened the dress bag to see the most beautiful dress robe she had ever seen. It was a deep red color, the color of her favorite flowers; red roses. It was a floor length gown with cap sleeves and a-line skirt. "GINNY!!!!" Hermione screamed for her best friend. Ginny ran up the stairs, carrying her own formal dress robes. "Can you help me with my hair & make up?"
"What do you think they are up to?" Ginny was looking at Hermione's gown. "I don't know but let me see your dress." Hermione was grabbing the dress that Ginny had just carried in. Ginny's dress was an emerald green strapless number that would compliment her hair & skin tone. "WOW! Ginny that dress is awesome!"
"Yours too Hermione, I can't believe Ron picked that out for you. It's beautiful. He must have had help." Before she knew it Hermione threw a pillow at her. The girls started giggling. "I guess we better get ready." The next hour was spent doing their hair & make up. The last step was the dresses. Looking deeper in the bag they also found matching shoes & hand bags.
"They thought of everything. I wonder where we are going." Hermione was really starting to get curious now. They walked down the stairs & were waiting in the sitting room. "You both look beautiful, stunning actually. " George was waiting for them to arrive. "Mom they are ready to go. If you want to take pictures get out here now." Mrs. Weasley entered the room & gave both girls bone crushing hugs. "Oh My girls, you take my breath away. Ok now here you go. George be careful with them."
"Why are we going with George?" Ginny was full of questions "Where are we going?"
"Come on little sister, don't you trust me?" There was a twinkle in his eye. "I know where you are going so you need to hold on I'm going to do side-along apparation. Ready? Let's go." With a turn they were gone.
They appeared outside a small restaurant called The Rose. "I will leave you guys here I don't want to see all the romantic stuff that those two in there have planned for tonight. Ginny, you really do look beautiful, same for you Hermione. I have never seen you two look as stunning as right now."
The girls both gave him a hug and with a turn he was gone. Ginny grabbed Hermione's hand and opened the door to the restaurant. Ron & Harry were waiting for them just inside the door, each with a flower in his hand. Ron had a red rose for Hermione and Harry a white lily for Ginny. "Hi Beautiful, I knew that dress would be perfect." Harry took Ginny's hand and led her away to a secluded part of the restaurant.
Ron was still standing there gazing at her beauty. He knew the dress was going to be perfect, but he underestimated the affect it would have on him. Words could not describe all the feelings he was having at that moment. Finally he realized he was still staring at her. "For you, my love, if you will come this way please." He gave her a little bow. "Ron what is this all about? You know you didn't have to do all this. I mean this must have cost a fortune."
"What is the point of having all that gold the Ministry gave us, if we don't spend it on the people we love? Now please sit down & enjoy." Ron had a couple of more surprises up his sleeve. Everything had been pre-ordered and prepared. The wine arrived with the appetizers shortly after they sat down. It was nice to just talk to her. It had been a long time since they had a real conversation other than their daily owls. It was hard to put everything into an owl. Before they even realized it, dessert & coffee was being served.
"Ron, you have thought of everything, all my favorite foods & drinks. However the best part of the night, is just spending time with you." She cupped his face with her hands and gave him a gentle kiss. "It's not over yet." Just as the dessert plates had disappeared, the room transformed into a ball room. Music started to fill the air. "May I have this dance?" Ron was standing beside her with his hand extended. "Always & forever." Hermione took his hand and he led her to the dance floor. They saw that Harry & Ginny were already there.
On one of the turns around the dance floor, Hermione saw something sparkling on Ginny's ring finger. She looked into Ginny's eyes & then back to her finger. Ginny wiggled her finger and then both girls stopped dancing and ran to each other. "Let me see!" Ginny was already showing Hermione. "Congratulation Gin, Oh Yeah you too Harry." Ron was smiling at the newly engaged couple. "Did you know about this & didn't tell me?" Hermione looked shocked. "You never keep secrets." She saw the gleam in his eye. "I can for my best mate, but I can tell you I was bursting to tell you."
After a few more dances and drinks, the two couples decided it was time to go home. The four were spending the night at Grimmauld place. Harry & Ginny immediately took off for his room. "Remember the silencing charm Please." Ron shouted up the stairs after them. "And the Contraception charm too!"
Ron sat down on the couch beside Hermione. She was looking a little bummed. He knew what she was thinking. "Mione, what's wrong? You can tell me anything." "Oh Ron, I guess I'm just a little jealous of Harry and Ginny getting engaged. I wish it was us." She felt ashamed for trying to rush Ron into something e wasn't ready for.
"Mione, I love you, more than anything in world. The only reason I didn't ask you was because I didn't want you to be stressed out trying to take your Newt. I didn't want to add anymore stress to your already stressful time at school. Don't worry it will be our turn soon enough. Plus you know Harry, he just can't wait for anything." Ron chuckled. "However if you come over her and look my pocket you might find a present." Hermione dove at him and reached in his pocket. She took out a jewelry box and opened it.
"Ron it is stunning." She picked up the sapphire necklace to take a close look. "Absolutely stunning." He took it from her and turned her around to help her put it on. She lifted her hair & he closed the clasp on the chain & kissed the back of her neck.
She turned to face him. He cupped her face and gently kissed her lips. It was as if fireworks were suddenly going off. She kissed him back, running her hands up and down his back. He started to pull away but she pulled him back to her. They fell together on the couch with Hermione landing on top of him. "Mione, I think we need to stop." Ron was out of breath. "I don't want to." Hermione whispered into his ear. "Oh Mione, now I know we have to stop." He sat up & pulled her into his lap. "I want our first time to be special. I'm not saying we have to wait to be married or anything, but I don't want to rush into it. I know you; you really don't want to rush things. You need a 12 page plan." She started to blush and playfully hit him on the shoulder.
"Now if you promise to behave yourself, you can come up stairs and sleep beside me. I will be the happiest man on earth just have to you wrapped up in my arms. I still haven't gotten used to you know sleeping near me. I can't wait for this year to be over, so we can be together all the time." She stood up and gave her hand to him. Ron stood up & then gracefully picked Hermione up in his arms and carried her up the two flights of stairs to his floor. He gently placed her on the bed. After another long snogging session, they got ready for bed.
He curled his arm around her & pulled her close. After snuggling in as close as possible, she started to drift off to sleep. He just looked at her. She was just so bloody beautiful. How did he ever get so lucky to call her his Mione? With a smile on his face, he drifted off to sleep.
