Disclaimer: Nope. Don't own Harry Potter.

It was a great disappointment to Hermione that they were leaving. Their vacation in Australia had been just that, a vacation, and she found that she most definitely did not want to face the real world. She wanted Ron to herself for eternity. The thought scared her a little so she firmly barred it from her mind. She was excited to see the Weasley's and Harry, however, and to start her new job.

Merlin! She had almost forgotten that her and Ron had agreed to get a place together when they got back. She was also excited to talk to her parents again, though they had told her they would be home a week later than she, and she knew they were still upset. She wondered how many of the Weasley's children were still living with them. Bill and Fleur surely had to have moved back to Shell Cottage by now. Charlie probably too, maybe George, and definitely Harry. She wondered if Ginny's parents had figured out she practically lived with Harry yet. She selfishly rather hoped not, she'd like to be present for that conversation.

Ron grabbed her hand with a smile in the cab. The driver had been confounded, he thought he was taking them to the airport, though he was really taking them to the portkey site. "I wish we could stay." He muttered.

She nodded, looking earnestly into his eyes. "Me too. But I'm excited to start our life at home in a world that's free."

He smiled softly and nodded. "Our life." He said, bringing her hand up to his lips to kiss it. It seemed very gentlemanly to Hermione and she blushed prettily.

"Here we are." Their driver announced, and they pulled away from each other to get out. Hermione thanked him and handed him cash before he drove away and left them in the desert. She spied the boot almost immediately.

"Why is it always a shoe?" She asked him and he grinned.

"Because they're inconspicuous."

"That was a big word."

"Hey!" He protested, but he was smiling. At that moment, the boot began to glow and they hastily grabbed each end of it. The portkey deposited them unceremoniously on the ground in another desert, this time in the Sahara of Western Africa. There they found the twin to the boot that had been in Australia and finally they were dropped onto the ground in England.

She let out a sigh. "I can breathe again." Australia and the Sahara had been so hot the air had been stifling, though she hadn't realized it until it was gone. Ron took Hermione's hand and apparated them back to Ottery St. Catchpole. Both he and Harry had taken their apparition test at the ministry in Auror training and they had passed immediately. Hermione knew Ron should have passed over a year ago when the examiner docked him when he left half his eyebrow behind. Good Godric was that only a year ago?

Ron knocked on the door and it flew open to reveal Mrs. Weasley who exclaimed in happiness and pulled them both into a bone-crushing hug. Mr. Weasley surprised her by hugging them both too. Harry gave them a smile wider than any Hermione had seen him give in much too long. She beamed right back at him and squeezed him tightly.

"We missed our third wheel." She quipped and he shook his head fondly as he embraced Ron and Ginny hugged Hermione.

"I'm so glad to have you back, it's been only Mum and I against the rest of these hooligans for much too long. Not including you, Dad." She assured Mr. Weasley who smiled indulgently.

"I don't mind being lumped in with the hooligans."

"Come sit, you must be famished! The whole family's here to welcome you home!" Mrs. Weasley insisted, sending their suitcases upstairs to Ron's room with not so much as a blink of her eye. That implied the whole family wasn't here. So some of them had moved out, that was interesting, Hermione thought.

There were cheers as they were greeted by the rest of the Weasleys who were sitting patiently at the table. Hermione saw that all of them were there, even Charlie. He didn't often come home from Romania, and she wondered if he had gone back there yet.

"Ronnikins you look as white as you did when you left! I wouldn't believe you went out anywhere at all," George paused to give them a shameful wink, "but Hermione here has a glorious tan." Ron glowered at him.

"You don't tan either." He muttered grouchily and Hermione giggled. She sat back as they bickered, comforted by it, and surreptitiously glanced around at the others. Her eyes caught on Fleur who she noticed wasn't offered any wine and was uncharacteristically drinking water. Fleur was a French woman and indeed, she loved her wine at dinner. Hermione could think of only one explanation, but could it be true? She would have to observe her some more.

By the end of dinner, she was left with absolutely no doubt that Fleur was pregnant. Bill had been catering to her all evening, and Mrs. Weasley had been beaming at her at random intervals throughout the meal which was downright suspicious. She didn't look very pregnant, however, so Hermione assumed this was relatively new.

"So, what news have we missed since we were gone?" She asked, trying for nonchalance. Fleur groaned.

'I told you she would figure it out. You did, didn't you?" She asked Hermione who nodded.

"Sorry."

Ron frowned in consternation. "Figured out what?" Hermione bit back a snort. Ron was unobservant at the best of times, but especially, she supposed, in the suspicion of pregnancy. He looked from Fleur to Bill and then to the rest of the table.

Fleur looked directly at Ron, smiling a secretive, protective sort of smile. "I am pregnant. You're going to be an Uncle."

He opened and closed his mouth for a moment in shock. "That's wonderful!" He exclaimed and rushed around the table to hug first Fleur, and then Bill.

"Yes, congratulations!" Hermione agreed, getting up to embrace them as well. "When are you due?"

"The beginning of May." She said gently.

Molly suddenly burst into tears and Hermione turned around, perplexed. Was she upset because that date was near the anniversary of the war?

"My baby is having a baby, oh I can't believe it." Ah. Bill moved around the table to pat his mother on the shoulder, looking quite uncomfortable. Ginny took a sip of her wine, trying very hard not to laugh.

"I'm just grateful he's giving her grandchildren and taking pressure off of us to give her some." Charlie remarked and George snorted.

"I'm sure there's no pressure being put on you, dear brother."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Charlie demanded.

"Only that you seem the type to be an eternal bachelor." George explained with a slightly too innocent smile. Hermione thought that was quite nicely put. He was insulting and complimenting his brother at the same time.

"Who wants gifts?" Ron burst out, noticing the fumes that appeared to be coming out of Charlie's ears.

"You brought us gifts?" Ginny asked.

"Of course!" Hermione declared, and disappeared to gather them. She heard Percy ask Ron when she left if they had found her parents, and she didn't stick around to hear his answer. She knew what it would be, and she didn't want their pity.

She re-emerged with an armful of wrapped presents, and handed them to everyone around the table. For Percy, there was an Australian language guide, for Charlie a hand-painted boomerang, Bill and Fleur got Camphor cutting boards for Shell Cottage, Mrs. Weasley got an opal necklace, Mr. Weasley a barbecue, George got emu oil which was useful and they knew would give him a laugh, Harry got a kangaroo leather wallet, and Ginny hot a delightful hand painted mug with a koala in a safari hat as well as a pretty blue scarf. They all fawned over their presents and offered much thanks.

"Did you see a kangaroo?" Ginny asked. Hermione burst into laughter and Ron harrumphed.

"We didn't just see one," Hermione gasped. "Ron got kicked by one." And then she dissolved into giggles. Their time at an Australian zoo had been anything but boring as many dangerous animals snarled at them from behind walls and cages. She had believed herself entirely too close to the man-eating bird called a Cassowary, and Ron had definitely gotten too close to a kangaroo.

"So what have you lot been up to?" Ron asked, ears bright red.

"Oh you know, the usual. Work, mostly." Charlie said. "I opened a dangerous animal sanctuary in London so I could be…closer to home." He didn't meet anyone's gaze and Hermione felt herself melt in sorrow as she realized what this implied.

"Quidditch." Ginny added. Ron turned sharply to face her, undoubtedly remembering their last conversation on the topic. She returned his stare with a hard look and a slight smile at his concern and awareness. "Charlie, George, and I against Bill, Harry, and Percy."

"Well now that hardly seems fair." Ron said and Bill glowered at him. "I mean, you've got a bit of a chance with Harry on your team but damn."

"Maybe you can join their team then, you'll only bring down their skill level." Percy said with a straight face. Ron gaped at him. "Although then we'll have uneven numbers."

"Not if I join." Every head swivelled to gawk at Hermione. She smiled tolerantly at their expressions. "I went paragliding in Australia." She responded.

"What didn't you guys do in Australia?" Harry grumbled and Hermione's eyes met Ron's. The expression in them was nothing but wicked and she tried very hard to fight her smile, not quite succeeding.

"Ugh." George said but Hermione gave him a withering glare. Ron chuckled. Harry looked positively mortified at the place he had directed the conversation.

"I only meant that you happened on Death Eaters who you sent to Azkaban, and then Kingsley apparently had to come get Hermione out of jail?"

"Excuse me?" Mrs. Weasley asked faintly. Hermione winced.

"Er, yes. That's true. My parents called the police on me the first time I tried to reverse their memory, but I had performed magic in front of them and somehow the Australian aurors got wind of it and locked me up in Bega Gaol." There was a collective gasp. "Ron saved me." To her intense relief all of them turned away from her to focus on Ron.

"It was nothing." He mumbled but told them all the story anyways.

"Oh Ron! Deputy Head Auror!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed in delight when he was done.

"Congratulations little brother." Percy said and Hermione couldn't help the pride swelling in her at the attention he was getting.

"And you're going to work for the Department for the Control and Regulation of Magical Creatures, correct?" Mr. Weasley asked Hermione.

She nodded. "Yes."

"She's going to change the world, just you wait." Ron predicted and Hermione blushed for the millionth time that night.

"My babies are all growing up." Mrs. Weasley declared and Hermione shared a very amused glance with Harry as every one of Mrs. Weasley's children's faces settled into a scowl at the term.

"Er, yes. About that." Ron said and Hermione's eyes snapped to his face. What was he doing? Was he going to tell them they were moving out? They didn't even have a house or anything! Ginny raised her eyebrows at Hermione and she saw Mrs. Weasley look none too subtly at Hermione's left hand.

"Hermione and I will be moving out soon." Hermione winced. Why on earth would he tell them before they'd discussed it?

"Together?" Mrs. Weasley asked coolly, and Hermione's eyebrows jumped up her face.

"Yes." Ron said calmly, and Hermione marvelled at his composure.

"Out of wedlock? I don't think so." Mrs. Weasley said, a dangerous edge to her voice.

"I'm sorry?" Hermione asked softly, her own voice much harder than she had anticipated. All ten pairs of eyes watched her with badly concealed anxiety and curiosity.

"I only meant…"

"We're of age, and it is a perfectly respectable thing to do nowadays." Hermione ignored the frantic pleading looks Ginny was sending her, her attention solely focused on Mrs. Weasley. She had no intention of informing her that her daughter was doing the same thing before them. Hermione also knew she was walking a fine line. She would not allow Molly to dictate her life, but she still needed to show her respect. Their eyes met and Hermione held her gaze evenly.

"I'm sure you're right. It's just hard for me to wrap my head around." Molly said softly and Hermione sagged in her seat in relief. She nodded at her.

"Not to mention, we were never much for propriety." Mr. Weasley said pointedly to Mrs. Weasley. All of their children winced and Hermione grinned at Ron's father, who sent her a wink. Mrs. Weasley looked scandalized. Fleur was choking on her water and Ginny wasn't even attempting to hide her amusement.

RWHG

"I thought he was going to announce that you were engaged." Ginny said to Hermione later as they sat on her bed to catch up.

"Definitely not. Not that I'm saying never, just not yet." Hermione responded.

"Not never, that's good to know." The younger witch smirked. Hermione rolled her eyes indulgently at her.

"I was thinking," she changed the subject, "that the D.A. should have monthly reunions. At least until our lives get too crazy."

Ginny cocked her head to the side. "I think that's an excellent idea. Did you know Dean and Seamus are dating?"

"I was pretty sure when I saw them during N.E.W.T.s." Hermione admitted.

"I'm happy for them, but as Dean's ex-girlfriend, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about that." She admitted. Hermione shrugged, having no response to this. "I guess all of my ex-boyfriends will be at this reunion." She sighed. "And Harry's."

Hermione didn't really think Cho counted, but she didn't disagree. "And Ron's." She smiled.

"Ah yes. I've heard you and Lavender have become quite close now."

"We're trying to be friends." Hermione responded. She thought of that first apology in the Hospital Wing the day of the battle and was suddenly reminded of the other events of that day. "How's Teddy?" She asked.

Ginny appeared to light up with the question and Hermione barely managed to erase the surprised expression off of her face before Ginny saw it. "He's just darling. I quite love him." She admitted.

"So, are you helping Harry to raise him, then?" She asked, not even bothering to hide the meaning in her tone. Ginny gave her an appraising look.

"Yes." She said quietly, but firmly. Hermione nodded slowly. "Every other week. By myself sometimes when Harry's at work since I'm on summer vacation." Hermione smiled. She remembered her and Ron's conversation in Australia and thought that they might get married sooner than she expected. Or at least engaged.

This theory proved true as Harry pulled both her and Ron aside shortly after that conversation and informed them he was planning on proposing. Hermione and Ron exchanged a glance and then Hermione enveloped him in a hug before Ron could respond. "On her birthday." He said. "I already asked your parents for their blessing."

"Not their permission?" Ron asked.

"No." Harry said firmly.

"Good." Hermione answered just as resolutely. Ron raised his eyebrows at her.

"It's her choice, not theirs. Asking their permission would be an insult to her capabilities."

"Yes." Harry responded with some amusement. "Anyways, I was hoping you would come with me to pick out a ring." This he addressed to Ron. Ron nodded and shook his hand.

"Will it be a long engagement?" Hermione asked innocently.

"I think so." Harry said. "But I can't wait." Hermione smiled and so did Ron. "How's in an hour? I have to shower first." Harry asked Ron, who nodded, slightly stunned but happy nonetheless. He turned to share a significant look with Hermione, who found herself incapable of speech.

"I know how you feel about us talking about children, but…"

"It's too soon for this too." She cut him off softly. His lips were parted but he didn't show any emotions. She grabbed his hand. "Sometime, we will discuss it. Just not quite yet." He nodded jerkily.

"Alright. I can live with that. I find the pair of them to be a little insane, truth be told. We're only seventeen. Well, you're eighteen." He grinned. She shook her head at him.

"So were you thinking of a flat for us?" She asked him. He nodded. "There's one in London I found in a new wizarding suburb that they started building in sixth year before everything completely fell apart. They call it Vertic Alley."

Hermione snorted. "How original."

Ron grinned. "That's what I thought. We could go see it tomorrow?" The suggestion came out as a question.

"I would love that." She said with a smile that made her eyes crinkle. She had decided to forgive him from mentioning their moving out. It had to be done at some point, after all. They heard the shower turn off and Hermione gestured her head up the stairs. "You better get ready." Ron nodded. She put her hands around his waist and he bent down to give her a kiss. It was somewhere between sweet and passionate and Hermione was displeased when he ended it a couple of seconds later.

"Godric I miss Australia." He groaned and she laughed.

"Me too. I love you." She said, disentangling herself from his grip.

"I love you too." He said charmingly before making his way up the stairs.

"I'm glad." A voice sounded from behind her and Hermione whirled around to face Mrs. Weasley. "That you love each other." She clarified. "I'm sorry about my outburst, it was less about indecorum and more about me not being ready to let him go."

"For what it's worth, you will never lose him. He loves you all too much. So do I." She confessed warmly. Mrs. Weasley beamed.

"I love you too, of course. It won't be the same with all of my children gone. That includes you and Harry, it has since Ron was eleven." She smiled wistfully.

"Ginny won't be off to school until September." Mrs. Weasley levelled a look at her and Hermione forced her lips to stay even.

"I raised Fred and George." Mrs. Weasley informed her. "I am quite aware that my youngest does not actually live here anymore."

"Ah." Was all Hermione could think to respond.

"Not to mention we have less than a month until Harry proposes." She whispered and Hermione nodded. "I figured he would have told you and Ron." Hermione nodded. "What about the two of you?" She pried and Hermione grinned.

"Not yet." Mrs. Weasley nodded. "Well you always have been more sensible than my daughter."

Hermione chuckled. "I don't think that's quite true."

"No, maybe not. Ah well, one era ends and another begins." Mrs. Weasley commented. Hermione tilted her head to the side.

"What do you mean?"

"The next generation has already begun. Teddy," she explained, "and Bill and Fleur's child." She smiled softly. "My next chapter is apparently to become a grandmother. I wonder how many grandchildren I will end up with."

"My money's on a lot." Hermione commented. Mrs. Weasley chuckled.

"I certainly hope so." She patted Hermione's arm and then left the room, presumably to find her husband. For a second, Hermione let herself imagine it. The house filled with loud Weasley grandchildren, and Teddy, of course. Her and Ron were married and they had a child or two themselves. A little girl with his eyes and a little boy with her curls. Her heart squeezed and she realized she wanted nothing so much as she wanted this. Him, forever. Making a family of their own. She smiled to herself, keeping the dream to herself. Someday.