Hermione was awoken to Ginny trying to sneak back into their room. Normally, Hermione would just ignore it, but her eyes caught Ginny's and she pulled a face- knowing she'd been caught.

"Sorry, did I wake you?", Ginny whispered as she changed into her nightclothes.

"It's alright," Hermione responded, after subtly lifting the silencing charm she had placed around her bed. Ginny tripped while trying to put on her pyjamas, so Hermione sat up and turned on her night light to help Ginny see better. "You're not a fan of sleep, I take it?", Hermione asked cheekily.

"Ha ha," Ginny said sarcastically. "Sometimes it's nice to get some fresh air," she said.

"Fresh air?", Hermione asked. "Is that what he's called now?" Both girls broke out into giggles. Ginny finally tamed her pyjamas and sat on her bed.

"I guess the jig is up," Ginny said. Hermione smiled to herself, thinking of the possible jokes Ron would have made in reference to what was actually "up". "Maybe," Ginny said, "you should be an Auror. Or the muggle version- what's that called again? A defective?"

"A detective," Hermione corrected. "And it's not like you're all that good at sneaking around. I'm surprised that no one else has caught you."

Ginny raised her eyebrows in concern. "Are we that obvious?", she asked.

"Well," Hermione said, "I haven't spoken to Ron about it, though I'm pretty sure he's aware. However, I doubt he wants to talk about it."

"Hmm," Ginny murmured.

"But, really Gin," Hermione said, "if you want some private time, just let me know. This is your room, after all."

"Thanks," Ginny said. "Though I don't think we could do what we are doing, in here."

Hermione raised an eyebrow in confusion. She went to ask Ginny what she meant, but stopped herself, unsure if she wanted to know the details. However, Ginny saw her puzzlement and explained.

"Whatever you think we're doing," Ginny said, "well, we're probably doing that," she said with a laugh. "But, that's not all that we're doing."

Hermione's confusion did not diminish, as she tried to put together Ginny's riddle.

"You see," Ginny said with a sigh. "I've been thinking about next year. And as much as I love Luna, and Neville, and you, I'm really not sure I can go back to Hogwarts. The idea of being in those halls again, trying to act like everything's fine. I don't know if I have it in me."

Hermione nodded her head in understanding. She had the same feelings when she thought about returning. Though, Ginny had experienced a lot worse at Hogwarts. Ginny spent the last year at Hogwarts undergoing horrible things, then she witnessed the death of her brother and numerous friends there. Hermione could imagine that anyone under her circumstances would feel more than hesitant to return.

"Mum would throw a fit if I don't go back," Gunny said. "Another child without a complete education; she'd go mad. So, I thought about how I could soften the blow. And, you see, quidditch is starting up again. Most teams have lost at least one player, and there are going to be tryouts in about a month. They don't care if I have NEWTs. And I thought if I had a job offer, especially a prestigious one, then maybe she won't be so disappointed."

Hermione could also understand Ginny's fear of disappointing her parents, as she had gone through the wringer with her own parents. As a child, Hermione was bright, and it was even discussed that she might go to public school. Then, of course, Hogwarts happened. After the initial fear, her parents were overjoyed and proud of her. Though that pride became hard to keep, as there was a barrier to what they could understand. Hermione couldn't show her parents what she'd learned or bring them to Hogwarts. As other parents bragged about their children learning a third language, or their scores on their GCSE's, Hermione's parents were left behind, not able to brag, or even comprehend what she was learning. Even her high marks began to be less impressive, as her parents saw her courses as unnecessary and even silly. After all, how could one use herbology or divination in everyday life? As she neared graduation, they had pestered her to apply to University. She had looked into it, but would not have the relevant requirements to go. She would have to go to a compressive school before even considering higher education. This was just another addition to the string of disappointments Hermione caused her parents. They valued their education, and couldn't imagine that their only child wouldn't have the same one. They did name her after a Shakespeare character for a reason. Hermione tried to push these memories aside, as she did with most thoughts of her parents, and continued to listen to Ginny's tale.

"So," Ginny said, "Harry's been practising with me every night to prepare me for the tryouts. No one else knows, so if I don't get an offer, I can go to Hogwarts without anyone being the wiser. But if I do, then I'll be a professional quidditch player. Sod the NEWTs."

"I think that's great," Hermione said enthusiastically. "To be honest, I'm not so sure about returning to Hogwarts either."

"Really?", Ginny asked in a surprised tone.

"Yeah, it's like you said, I can't quite imagine myself back there. Though I don't have an alternative."

"I'm sure you could do anything you wanted," Ginny said.

"Without NEWTs? I doubt it," Hermione scoffed.

"You're Hermione Granger, defeater of Voldemort, part of the golden trio, member of the Order of Merlin," Ginny said. "I'm pretty sure you could have any job you wanted."

Hermione shook her head but smiled at the compliments. "Thanks," she said.

After some time in silence, when both women had curled under their blankets and the lights were turned off, Hermione spoke. "Hey Gin," she whispered, hoping silently that the other woman would not hear her.

"Yeah?", Ginny asked, crushing Hermione's hopes.

"What's it like?", she asked even quieter, covering her face with her hands, even though they were in pitch darkness.

"What?", Ginny asked. "Oh," she said, realising what Hermione was asking.

"I mean I know what happens," Hermione said. "I don't need a- a sex talk. I've done plenty of reading on the subject. I just, I feel like…"

"You know I'm not that experienced, right?", Ginny interjected. "Harry and I have only just- well our first time was after the battle. I had wanted him for so long; you know I love him. And, I don't know, it was sort of perfect. We said we loved each other and it just happened. I mean, it wasn't the best sex ever, but it was magical, if you excuse the term. It's only gotten better the more we know each other, though I wouldn't recommend doing it on the roof," she added with a laugh. "Do you want to know something specific?"

"No," Hermione said quickly. "It's only, I feel like I'm avoiding it, you know. Anytime Ron and I get close, I panic."

"Maybe you're not close enough, yet," Ginny said. "I mean you've only just started dating."

"I know, I'm not planning for it to happen too soon. I just want to be prepared. Sometimes I feel like I'm back at school; afraid to do anything in case it would jeopardize our relationship. I feel like a silly school girl. And it's so stupid, I know it's not a big deal, not really," Hermione said with a sigh. "But, I can't help wanting it to be perfect. "

"I think that's normal," Ginny said. "Even when I wanted to jump Harry's pants, I felt nervous. You need to give it more time. You'll know, as cliche as it is, when it's the right time."

"Thanks," Hermione said.

"Of course," Ginny said. "And, I know that he's my brother, but whenever you want to talk about anything, I'm here."

"Thank you, Ginny," Hermione said, as she turned over and fell asleep surprisingly quickly.

The next few days moved in a flash. Harry and Hermione were bombarded with paperwork to fill out before their testimonies. It felt like they were back at school; spending hours upon hours filling out forms and writing feet of paper. Eventually, they had finished their work, but it felt like Hermione had barely seen Ron in the meantime. She was especially anxious to see him, not only because of the talk she had with Ginny but also because of the surprise she had been working on.

Finally, one evening, she saw her chance.

She anxiously but determinedly walked up the stairs to Ron's bedroom, clutching the surprise in her hands. She hoped that he would like it, and not be upset at her for altering his belongings. It's funny, she thought, she had assumed that dating Ron would be less stressful than being his friend. But, it was proving to be a very tumultuous experience, indeed. Not that she would ever want to go back. She tried hard to push her feelings down, but she was sure that she had fallen hard for him. The word love had drifted through her mind more than once. Though she would never utter it, or at least not for some time.

She knocked on Ron's door to find him alone in his room. She expected this as she had waited to go to his room until Harry and Ginny did their almost-daily disappearing act together.

"Hey," said Ron, hastily throwing his Quidditch magazine on the floor and making room for Hermione to sit next to him on his bed.

"Hi," she replied, careful for him not to see what she was holding as she sat next to him. "I've got something for you."

"Oh," he said, and he raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Yes. The other night, when you told me that you worry about me when we aren't together; that you fret when we're asleep and you don't know if I'm alright. Well- it got me thinking."

"Surprise, surprise," he teased.

Hermione felt a smile creep over her face and suddenly felt at ease. She felt silly for worrying in the first place. This was Ron, after all. Goofy, mischievous, lovely Ron. Of course he'd like what she planned.

"Well I was thinking about the D.A. coins, and I was trying to figure out if I could alter them, or use similar magic to find a way for us to communicate. But, since the concern mostly lies when one of us is sleeping, it would need to be a way of communicating without words- somehow letting the other one know that we're okay, even while we're asleep. And if we used the coins, we would always have to hold them, and that wouldn't work either."

Ron nodded his head. He looked excited in anticipation of what Hermione had created, but his eyes were starting to glaze over with her long explanation.

"Anyway," she said, trying to get to the point. "I hope it's alright," she said as she showed Ron what she was holding, "I borrowed your watch."

"That's where it's been!", he exclaimed, happily taking the watch from her.

"Sorry," she said.

"No, it's okay. Not like there's much reason to tell time right now. No classes to be late for," he joked. "What did you do to it?", he asked with enthusiasm.

"Well," she started, feeling her nerves rise again. "If you're wearing that, and I'm wearing this," she said pointing to the silver bangle she had around her wrist, "then we can feel each other's heartbeats. I thought it would be a good way for us to know that the other one is alright, without communicating."

"Brilliant," he said as he put on his watch. As he fit it around his wrist, Hermione began to feel a soft pulsing in her bracelet. It was subtle, but she could tell that it wasn't her own heartbeat. She was worried that it would be too strong or become annoying, but all she felt was comfort and a stronger connection to Ron.

Ron looked at her with a look of such admiration and something she couldn't put her finger on. Whatever it was, it was so strong that she had to look away.

"We can also communicate like with the coins," she said, leaning over to touch Ron's watch. "Just press the crown twice." She demonstrated and the normal watch face was changed to a screen with letters. "You can use your wand to say what you want to send to me, or you can type it."

"Type?", Ron asked.

"It's a muggle term. Just press on the letter you want and it will display up here," she said pointing to the top of the screen. While she didn't have her own cellular phone, she had seen them used similarly and used it as a starting point. "When you've written what you want, press the crown again, and it will show on my bracelet."

Ron looked at her in awe but quickly huddled away, eager to try it out for himself, but not for Hermione to see. After a couple of fucks and buggers, she saw words appear on her bangle.

youre amazing

She couldn't help but grin a grin that was almost wider than her face. She showed it to Ron, who was still impressed. "Your turn," he said.

Hermione pointed her wand towards her bracelet. Since it didn't have a face, she could only write using her wand. She was temporary at a loss of what to write. She began to write I, but swiftly changed her mind. Instead, she wrote as are you.

Ron almost yelped in excitement as the face of his watch lit up with her words. "This is bloody fantastic," he said.

Somehow, her smile got bigger. Though, it was soon diminished as Ron took her head in his hands and planted a kiss on her.

It felt like such a long time since they had last kissed like this, and Hermione met his lips with passion. She was quickly dragged onto his lap, her legs wrapping around his waist as their kisses turned into snogging. His hands roamed up and down her back with no discernable path, still, goose pimples covered her skin wherever he touched.

She could feel heat rising- and lowering. Just as she was about to take a break to breathe, Ron's door opened and Harry walked in.

"Argh," Harry shouted in disgust as he covered his eyes and turned around.

"Maybe you should knock, mate," Ron rebutted.

Harry nodded his head through his hands and went to leave, saying it was time for dinner.

Hermione reluctantly peeled herself from Ron's body and stood. She went to the mirror and tried to fix her unruly hair and skewed clothing. When she had done her best at looking presentable, she turned back at Ron. A pillow had replaced her on his lap, and his full-face blush looked as though it was getting darker, not lighter.

"I'll be down in a minute," he said, with a slight croak.

Hermione nodded her head and tried not to smile. She didn't realise how good it would feel to know that she had that kind of power over him and his body. As she turned the doorknob to leave, he stopped her.

"'Mione," he said, causing her to turn around. "I meant what I said; you're amazing."

She left his room with the familiar too-wide grin on her face, practically skipping down the stairs.