A/N: Yay, chapter 38 is now up. I hope you all enjoy it and I'm sorry for the wait!

Some readers felt Bill was slightly too worried in the previous chapter. Of course I realise that Bill is a very easy going character but what I wanted to get across is the fear that the entire Weasley family is feeling. We see a lot of Molly's fears in the books but I wanted to use a different family member for that moment. Bill has a special bond with Ron and I felt that, by using him, I would be able to show how the war is affecting the family from a different angle and also highlight that they really are close despite not seeing each other all the time.

Similarly in this chapter we see Fred and George sharing their concerns. I think all of the Weasleys would have been on edge around this time because they knew Ron was going to leave with Harry. They all love each other so much that I can't not see them wanting to give advice and help him in some way. I realise that there will be readers that will always disagree but I just wanted to let you all know my reasons for what happens over the next few chapters.

Anyway, I hope most of you will enjoy this chapter. I am forever thankful for your kind and insightful views and messages. Also a huge thank you to LadyKahlan who has been amazing as my Beta yet again (but she is so sorry this is late, she was busy with her wedding!)

This is the second moment from Deathly Hallows. This one also takes place before Harry's arrival at the Burrow.

Hermione can't help but feel jealous over Fleur and Bill's upcoming nuptials.

Chapter Thirty - Eight: The Invisible Line

'Ouch, that fucking hurt, Fred!'

'Well move then, you can see I'm trying to get the leg in.'

'Ron, stop swearing. Your mother will be angry enough if she catches us doing this.'

'Right, I think that's enough hair. Should I start on the pustules, Dad?'

'Hang on a minute, George, let's take a step back and examine him.'

Hermione paused as she reached the landing at the very top of the house. She listened to the conversation taking place above her, trying to work out what on earth was going on.

'I think it actually looks better than Ron!'

'Do you want a punch?'

'Yeah, I think you're right, George. It's a lot more handsome than our Ronnie.'

'The pair of you can go fuck yourselves!'

'Boys, stop it. Let's concentrate on the task at hand. We really don't have long till your mother is back from Aunt Muriel's.'

'Right, I reckon we need to make the hair darker before we start on the boils.'

'Can I go and get a drink first? I'm melting from this heat,' Ron's voice complained.

'Yeah, go and get us one too.'

'I'm not your servant.'

'If you don't, George and I will shrivel your balls when you're asleep.'

'Boys!'

'I'm going, don't worry.'

The loft ladder slid down to Hermione's feet. She watched as Ron came into view, looking tall, sweaty and unbelievably gorgeous. He grinned when he caught sight of her, making him even more delectable.

'What are you doing up here?'

'I came to see what you were up to,' Hermione replied as she glanced over his shoulder. 'I haven't seen you all morning and was wondering what you were doing. Your mum took Ginny and Fleur to your aunt's and I thought maybe you had gone too. '

'Didn't she ask if you wanted to go?' Ron said as he reached the final step.

'Yes, but I really didn't feel like it was my place to go, seeing as I'm not family.'

'That's a load of bollocks. You've known us longer than Fleur has.'

'Still, I'm not family. Whereas Fleur will be in a few days,' Hermione muttered, secretly resenting the beautiful blonde for being so lucky.

Ron shrugged, giving her a soft smile. 'You could have gone. No one would have minded.'

'I was fine staying here,' Hermione said truthfully.

Ron lightly stepped off the last step and gave it a gentle kick. The ladder quickly flew back and gave a sharp click when it reached the loft. He continued to smile down at her.

'So what are you doing?' Hermione asked, eyeing his damp t-shirt and mucky hands.

'Promise you won't make any jokes?'

'Promise,' she replied, intrigued.

'Fred, George and Dad are helping transform the ghoul so that he looks like me with spattergroit!'

Hermione felt her mouth drop open. 'Why would you want a ghoul to look like you with spattergroit?'

'Well it's going to look fishy if I don't go back to Hogwarts. I can't put my family into hiding 'cos there are too many of them. But if I had a highly contagious disease like spattergroit, I could stay away from Hogwarts,' Ron explained excitedly, leading her back down the stairs. 'That's where the ghoul comes in. He's going to pretend to be me and come and live in my room, so if anybody comes looking, they will find a very rough looking me!'

'That's brilliant!' Hermione replied happily.

'It just came to me the other day. It didn't take much to get Dad and the twins involved,' Ron said, as they made their way into the kitchen. 'We're nearly done.'

'So I heard,' she said, as she went to sit down and Ron began pouring cold lemonade.

'So how come you came looking for me? Did you miss me?' Ron asked as he brought the refreshing beverages over to her.

'It's only taken a morning,' Hermione noted with a small smile.

'I know, but you came looking for me,' he replied, gulping down his drink and sighing contently.

'I was merely curious,' she muttered before sipping her drink delicately.

'Come on, you can admit it!' Ron grinned, 'You missed me.'

'Don't be a prat,' Hermione said, frowning at his confident stare. She wasn't about to admit that she had missed him. After all it had only been a morning, and how desperate did that make her sound!

'If you admit it, I'll let you spend the afternoon with me.'

Hermione shot him a glare, annoyed to see he still had a stupid, heart-stopping grin on his face. 'You can spend the afternoon by yourself if you're going to be an idiot.'

Ron chuckled, 'Come on, Hermione, give me something. I've spent all morning having my ego bashed by Fred and George!'

Hermione took another sip of the cool lemonade. 'It sounded like you were handling them just fine.'

'But think how it makes a bloke feel, being compared to a smelly, old ghoul.' Ron replied, watching her intently.

'I'm not here to stroke your ego,' she said loftily.

Ron laughed, 'I know. But it would have been nice if you were.'

'Well I'm not,' she said, 'I was merely curious.'

'You've said that, but I still reckon you missed me.'

'Believe what you want,' Hermione replied as she got up and drained her drink, before placing it in the sink and washing it up.

'I will,' he said happily.

Hermione gave him a withering look, which only made him grin further.

'I'd better get back upstairs,' he said, refilling his glass and pouring three more. 'I'll come and find you when I'm done, if you want.'

Hermione shrugged, feeling slightly peeved that he was leaving so quickly. 'If you want, I'm not bothered.'

Ron chuckled, moving to stand behind her as she crossed her arms and turned to face away from him.

'Well I will be coming to find you,' he muttered, pulling at a curl fondly. 'I have missed you.'

Hermione glanced up into his beautiful eyes, feeling slightly breathless. He could be so annoying and so utterly perfect in the space of seconds.

'You have?' she whispered, unconsciously moving to pick at the hem of his soft T-shirt.

Ron nodded, 'I always do.'

Hermione smiled shyly at her best friend. What she wouldn't give for him to be so much more. For years they had been tip-toeing around their feelings; surely it wouldn't be much longer before they crossed the invisible line that was constantly hovering between them. The wait was driving her to the brink.

'I have missed you,' Hermione admitted quietly.

Ron continued to beam at her. 'I'll come and find you soon.'

Hermione nodded, feeling her stomach flutter as he stepped away from her.

'Do you know where you'll be?' Ron asked as he levitated four glasses into the air.

'Outside,' Hermione said, following him to the doorway of the kitchen. 'I think some sunshine will do me good.'

'See you in a bit,' he grinned, before disappearing into the hallway.

Hermione listened as his footsteps began to ascend the stairs and sighed. She really was struggling to find a way to be around him that didn't involve fighting or desperately wanting to snog him. It hadn't been this hard at Hogwarts, and yet here she was acting like a complete prat around him. She worried when she was too affectionate towards him, in case it over-stepped their invisible line. But then he would be utterly wonderful and she would be too cold. Hermione couldn't win.

She sighed again, before opening the back door and stepping into the sunlight. She knew a bit of fresh air would do her good.

Hermione lightly walked up the garden path, letting her feet guide her away from the Burrow and towards the large willow tree that sat lazily next to the Weasley's large pond. She parted the soft, butterfly-like leaves that made a curtain around part of the pond and sat down. The spot gave her complete privacy from the house and also partial shade from the mid-day sun. It was her favourite place in the garden, giving her perfect views over the pond and surrounding woodlands and fields.

Hermione gracefully sat down on the grassy bank and took a deep breath. The intoxicating smell of fresh grass, flowers and running water made her feel light-headed with happiness. She leaned back, letting her dress fan out and the sun kiss her bare legs. Content, Hermione allowed herself to lie down completely and shut her eyes.

The Burrow had always been a haven to her. Even now, when the world had been turned upside down, she couldn't think of a more perfect place. This probably had a lot to do with the gorgeous red-head that she had just been speaking to, that and the fact that she simply adored the Weasleys. They brought colour, warmth and laughter into her world. She couldn't help but feel jealousy towards Fleur, who would become a permanent member of the family in a matter of days.

Hermione had never thought she would become the type of woman that desperately wanted to be married and have children. She had always prided herself in being an independent and success-driven individual. Yet the past year had made her question what she really wanted out of life. Did she want to work and learn her entire life, in the same way that Professor Dumbledore had? Did she want to focus on a career and dedicate herself to learning, just like Professor McGonagall?

If she was honest, the answer was no.

The idea of marrying someone she truly loved felt far more appealing at this moment in time. That was not to say she wouldn't want to have a good career and continued opportunities for learning. It just meant that she would much rather share it with someone; particularly someone named Ronald Weasley. For without him, Hermione knew she wouldn't be the witch she was today. He balanced her and made her feel capable of anything.

Without Ron, Hermione knew she would struggle to keep fighting in this war. She had always tried to stay strong for Harry and had relied on Ron to keep her that way. He was her rock and her constant. Without him, her world would have been a very different place.

So why were they still friends and nothing more?

It pained her to feel so jealous towards Fleur and Bill, but they were doing exactly what Hermione wanted to do right now. In a few days time they would stand before their friends and family to declare their everlasting love for each other. They would stand up against this war by coming together and creating a bond that only death would break. Fleur would become a real member of the Weasley family whilst Hermione stayed in the background, like a replaceable piece of furniture.

Hermione knew she was being ridiculous, but couldn't help it. She had spent years wanting Ron as more than just friends. It felt like she was being shown something she could never have but so desperately wanted. Years of built up desire and love had engulfed her and made her begin to question her sanity. It probably didn't help that she had shipped her parents off to Australia and didn't know when she would ever see them again. She had no family at all and this wedding only highlighted that even more.

She sighed and placed an arm over her face. Maybe she just needed to get a grip and stop thinking about her parents and Ron. The wedding was supposed to be a joyful occasion and a reason to celebrate. The Weasleys certainly thrived on their love and laughter. Who was she to put a dampener on it? It certainly wouldn't help anyone, least of all Harry and the Horcrux hunt.

Her mind quickly clouded with all the things she had left to do before they left for the hunt, including gathering supplies and packing. Hermione would not let her non-existent love life and temporary loss of parents get in the way of such an important mission. Harry needed her and she would not let him down.

As she began mentally ticking her checklist of things to do before they left, Hermione felt herself relax. She was good at lists and forward planning. It also helped to remind her that she wasn't insane and was completely capable, even if she didn't feel that way. She spent the next hour adjusting her list and sorting through her thoughts, allowing herself to be cleansed by the sun and her forward thinking.

It wasn't long before Hermione heard the gentle thump of footsteps belonging to Ron. She stayed sprawled out on the long grass and kept her eyes closed as he approached. She could feel him looking at her as he sat down next to her. His gaze drank in her body as her eyelids fluttered open.

'Hi,' she whispered, feeling shy and exposed.

'Hello,' Ron muttered, trying to prise his eyes away from her shapely legs.

Hermione shifted and crossed her legs, before sitting up on her elbows. 'Have you finished with the ghoul?'

'Yep, looks perfect,' he replied as he glanced at her chest and cleared his throat.

Hermione could tell from his flush that he was enjoying seeing her like this. She rarely wore sundresses, but quickly decided that she would wear more from now on.

'That's one less thing to worry about,' Hermione said, watching Ron lick his lips and feeling a jolt run through her.

'Yeah,' he mumbled, giving her a weak smile. 'It's seriously hot out here.'

'Is it?' Hermione asked, sitting up further and enjoying his sweaty man smell. 'I quite like it.'

'Do you want to stay out here then?' Ron asked, as he stretched his long legs out in front of him.

Hermione nodded, 'Unless you have other plans?'

'Nope, but if we are staying out here I'm gonna take a dip in the pond. I'm fucking boiling,' Ron said as he took his trainers and socks off.

'W-why don't you have a shower in the house?' she stuttered, feeling her face heat up at the thought of him all wet.

'Nah, what's the point when we have fresh, cold water out here?' Ron replied, as he got up and quickly walked to the edge of the pond. 'Do you fancy a dip?'

Hermione shook her head as he turned to face her expectantly.

'Why not?' he asked, putting his hands on his hips and smirking at her. 'Don't tell me you're afraid or something?'

'Of course not,' Hermione huffed, 'I've been in there before. I just don't fancy it now.'

Ron grinned at her indulgently, 'I reckon you're just scared.'

'And why would I be scared?' Hermione asked, taking the bait and standing up to join him.

'Cos you don't want to get your hair wet,' Ron replied, raising his eyebrow as she walked towards him.

Hermione knew he was trying to get a reaction out of her. He did it all the time and she was never able to ignore it. She just couldn't help but be drawn in to his stupid teasing and games. If she was honest, she actually liked their weird form of fighting and flirting.

'I think you're the one who is afraid and that's why you want me to get in with you,' Hermione said, crossing her arms. 'You want me to keep you safe from the scary pond water.'

'Yeah that's exactly what it is,' Ron replied as he rolled his eyes. 'Just admit you won't get in water because you know it'll mess with your curls.'

He gently tugged at her hair and she slapped his hand away with a frown.

'I'm not getting in the pond, Ron.'

'I bet you a Knut you will,' he muttered, grabbing her wrists and grinning.

She gazed at the gleeful look on his face, knowing exactly what Ron was about to do. Refusing to lose this particular game, Hermione pinched his forearms so that he let go of her with a yelp. She flashed him a grin of her own before turning and barging him with her hip. He began to fall and she laughed feeling victorious, when his hand stretched out and grabbed her left arm. She felt him pull and fell with an almighty splash into the pond alongside him.

Water engulfed her and she quickly kicked her legs to resurface. She coughed and spluttered as she came up for air.

'You absolute idiot!' she yelled, rubbing her eyes.

Ron barked with laughter, 'Oi, you were the one playing dirty!'

'I was not,' Hermione said, as she adjusted to the cool water.

'You tried to push me in!' Ron exclaimed as he began to float on his back.

'You wanted to go in,' Hermione replied loftily. 'I was merely helping you out.'

Ron continued to laugh, 'You played dirty!'

Hermione stuck her tongue out at him, as she carefully treaded water.

He flipped onto his front and swam easily over to her. 'You owe me a Knut.'

Hermione punched him on the arm and slipped under the water. Ron grabbed her arms and pulled her back up. She began coughing again and he patted her on the back.

'Easy, you're not supposed to inhale the pond!'

Hermione narrowed her eyes at him as she continued to cough. 'Y-you know I hate s-swearing but if I didn't, I'd call you every h-horrible swear word in the world.'

'You can call me a swear word,' Ron said as he kept his grip around her.

'You're a git,' Hermione muttered as she placed her hands on his strong arms.

'Is that really the best you can do?' Ron asked moving them towards the middle of the pond. 'With all the amazing swear words in the world. You could have called me a wanker, a bastard, a tosser, a cu –'

'Yes okay, I get the picture,' Hermione said with a blush.

Ron grinned at her flushed cheeks and Hermione couldn't help but marvel, yet again, how gorgeous he looked. A wet, happy Ron was certainly something Hermione wanted to see again.

'I'm sorry I got all your clothes wet,' she muttered, glancing at the white t-shirt clinging to his chest and not really feeling sorry at all.

'Sorry I got your clothes wet,' Ron mumbled as he pulled at the strap of her dress.

The air around them quickly turned from playful to highly charged. Hermione felt her blush travel down her neck as Ron's gaze lingered on her bare shoulder. Arousal filled her body and subconsciously she moved closer to him.

'I'll give you a Knut,' Hermione whispered, 'but only if you admit you wanted me to get in the water with you.'

'I admit that,' Ron said, just as quietly. 'But I reckon we both wanted to get into the water together.'

Hermione shivered as he moved his hands away from her shoulders and placed them firmly around her waist. She gripped the back of his soaking t-shirt and gazed adoringly up at him.

'I admit that,' she whispered as the air around them cackled with sexual energy.

Ron leaned into her and closed his eyes. 'I wish we could do stuff together all the time.'

Both sighed, knowing it was impossibile. Hermione leaned her cheek against Ron's hard chest as he held her tightly in the water. The invisible line between them continued to keep them apart.

'Fucking Merlin's saggy balls!'

Hermione and Ron jumped away from each other as George's voice sounded through the air. Hermione felt herself go back under the water and was quickly helped back up by Ron's large hands. She coughed and spluttered all over again, as Ron guided her back the pond edge.

'What the fuck are you two doing?' Fred exclaimed as he walked to the edge of the pond. He held his hand out to help Hermione out of the water. 'Are you two doing it?'

'Don't be ridiculous,' Hermione muttered, feeling herself heat up from embarrassment. She could only imagine what it must have looked like to them. She refused Fred's hand and quickly made her own way out of the pond. Fred seemed to ignore her rebuff and hoisted her up anyway.

'Seriously, what the fuck were you two doing?' George asked, as he watched Ron make his way out of the pond.

'Nothing,' Ron replied through gritted teeth. 'We were just taking a dip.'

'It looked like more than a dip from where we were standing,' Fred replied, raising his eyebrow at his younger brother. 'It looked like the pair of you were one step away from having it off!'

'Well we weren't,' Ron said, giving his twin brothers a hard glare.

'I think we've underestimated the pair of you!' George said, looking at them in shock.

'We weren't doing anything,' Ron muttered, folding his arms over his wet chest.

'Blimey, I thought you'd at least start seeing each other a bit before you started any of that,' Fred continued. 'Especially seeing how uptight you can sometimes be, Hermione!'

'I'm not uptight!'

'She's not uptight!'

'Clearly,' George replied with a snigger.

'We're very proud of you, little brother,' Fred said with a salute, 'but have you thought everything through?'

'We weren't doing anything,' Ron repeated, rolling his eyes before looking apologetically at Hermione.

'Look we're not saying you can't,' George said, as Hermione moved to stand beside Ron, 'we just weren't expecting it so soon.'

'What do you mean so soon?' Hermione asked, as curiosity got the better of her.

'Well, obviously we knew you were hot for each other,' Fred started, as he summoned a towel and passed it to Hermione and she grudgingly accepted.

'We're not –'

'Don't even try to deny it,' George warned, glancing at Ron. 'We're not blind and we're not dumb.'

'But seriously, you pick now to start shagging?' Fred continued.

'We're not – '

'Don't get me wrong, we're chuffed. Hermione you're great and I'm sure the pair of you will be really happy,' George said, nodding to Hermione as fire heated up her face.

They thought she was great? Indescribable happiness filled her insides. She didn't know why she felt so happy at the idea of the twins thinking she was great, but she knew somewhere deep down it must have been something she wanted.

'But don't you think with what you're about to do with Harry, the pair of you should be concentrating on that?' Fred finished.

'We are concentrating on that,' Ron said, with a careful glance at Hermione. 'We weren't and aren't doing anything.'

'Ron was just helping me keep afloat in the water,' Hermione said, as she wrapped the towel more firmly around her and cringed at how lame her excuse was.

'We're not stupid,' Ron said quietly. 'We know what we can and can't do.'

'We're friends,' Hermione agreed in a confident voice that didn't match the feelings moving around her body.

'Friends,' Ron agreed.

'Well there's nothing wrong with wanting to get your end away –'

'See you later,' Hermione said, as she quickly walked past the twins, refusing to listen to another word. She gave a small, embarrassed smile to Ron as she passed him. There was no way she would be able to stand around and talk about her complicated non-relationship, especially if they were going to be vulgar.

She quickly walked back up the garden path, relieved to not be under the observant stare of Fred and George.

Had she really looked like she was doing inappropriate things with Ron?

They had certainly been close to each other. Hermione continued to blush at the thought of the position they had been found in. They really did need to be more careful.

Hermione reached the back door and began to open it when she felt a hand pull her away. She turned, surprised, to find Ron, panting slightly from jogging to catch up to her.

'Are you alright?' he whispered, letting go of her hand regretfully.

'Of course,' Hermione lied, glancing at the ground.

'It's okay if you're not,' Ron said just as quietly.

'We weren't doing anything,' she said simply, looking up at him and catching his red ears.

'I know.'

'And we won't do anything because we need to help Harry,' Hermione muttered with a sad smile.

'I know that too,' Ron replied. 'The twins only said what they said because they want us to stay safe.'

Hermione nodded, glancing over his shoulder to see Fred and George making their way towards them, deep in discussion.

'I'm sorry I pulled you into the water,' Ron said regretfully.

'You shouldn't be. I had fun –' Hermione said, before abruptly stopping as the twins reached them.

'Look Hermione, we didn't mean to jump to conclusions,' Fred said, as he reached her and put his arm around Ron. 'We just want you to keep your focus. Don't let dung brains here distract you.'

'And vice versa,' George said with a cheeky grin at Ron.

Hermione laughed nervously as Ron elbowed his older brother in the stomach.

'Come on,' George said, laughing as he placed his own arm around Hermione. 'Let's get you inside so you can join in the wedding talk.'

'Is everyone home?' Hermione asked, allowing George to lead her inside.

'Yeah, they got back about half an hour ago.'

They made their way into the house and found Mr and Mrs Weasley, Fleur, Bill and Ginny sitting around the kitchen table. Mrs Weasley instantly noted Hermione and Ron's wet appearance, which Fred passed off as a prank. He winked at Hermione, making her blush.

As they settled down with the rest of the family in the noisy kitchen, George continued to keep his hand around Hermione. 'You know what?' he muttered, as Bill started to discuss plans for the security measures on the wedding day.

'What?' Hermione asked, somewhat fearfully.

'Something tells me you're gonna make a great sister-in-law.'

Hermione glanced at the playful twin in shock. 'What makes you say that?'

George shrugged, 'Dunno, but you fit right in.' He gave her a gentle pat and moved to get a drink.

Hermione sat in shocked silence as she took in the scene around her: happy, laughing, loud Weasleys.

Did she really fit in here?

Hermione glanced shyly at Ron to find him staring at her intently. He smiled lovingly at her, making her heart flutter. She smiled back feeling safe and content.

It didn't matter that they weren't together yet. It didn't matter that they still had a long way to go before they did become an item. It didn't matter that her family were in Australia safe and well whilst she stayed here. It didn't even matter that she wasn't technically family to the Weasleys but Fleur soon would be.

One day Hermione would be family, she felt absolutely sure of that.

Yes, she thought, as Ron moved to sit beside her and placed his hand subtly over hers.

She fit perfectly.