Disclaimer: Like always, I don't own Harry Potter.

Hermione started, wide-eyed, at the sudden pressure against her hand. Her astonished gaze met Fleur's and the other witch smiled knowingly, with all the warmth of a mother. "Merlin that baby's strong."

Hermione removed her hand from Fleur's stomach and sat down across from the expectant mother, watching the bump in awe. Fleur was in her second trimester, and she had a lovely-sized baby bump; not small, but not yet huge.

"Are you ready to become an Aunt?" Bill asked her as he and Ron entered the room. Hermione gazed at the soon-to-be parents with wide eyes.

"Aunt? But I'm not related to you."

"Not yet." Bill teased and Hermione and Ron both turned scarlet. He chuckled. "But you definitely are already, and you will be this baby's Aunt, no matter if you marry Ron or not."

Merlin, he'd said it out loud. Until then, everyone had only been hinting at the prospect of her and Ron's marriage in the most subtle ways possible. She was shocked to find tears on her cheeks.

"I'm honoured." She said, avoiding Ron's eyes. The two of them were over for dinner at Shell Cottage. Hermione had wanted to talk business with Bill, and Fleur had wanted them for dinner.

"So. Percy's getting married. A little sudden, isn't it?" Bill said.

Hermione snorted, drawing everyone's gaze. "What?" She asked. Ron's eyes were sparkling. "Oh come on, the two of you had a quick enough engagement."

"We were engaged for almost a year, thank you! And we'd been dating for two at that point, three by the time we were married."

Hermione shrugged. "Everyone's different. They've been dating for over half a year. Sometimes you just know." She still wasn't looking at Ron.

"Yes, but steel. To be getting married next week is pushing it a leetle, don't you theenk?" Fleur asked.

"I guess. Remus and Tonks got married much quicker after they started dating."

"We were in a war then." Ron said, adding to the conversation for the first time. "But as long as Percy's happy I don't really care." He'd come a long way from his sharp anger at Percy leaving the family. "And I know he wants Ginny there, which is why they wanted Christmas. It was that or the summer and they felt that was too long."

"Either way I weel look like a whale." Fleur remarked, scrunching her nose. Hermione snorted.

"You're even more stunning now that you're pregnant." She told the older witch.

"I wholeheartedly agree." Bill added. Fleur smiled warmly at them.

"You're very kind."

They stayed way later than they should have, but Bill and Fleur wouldn't hear of them leaving too early. Finally, they said their goodbyes and flooed home.

"About marriage." Ron said once they were alone. Hermione looked up at him calmly.

"Whenever we're ready, it'll happen. What other people say or think doesn't matter." She responded. She didn't want to outright tell him she wanted to marry him because then he wouldn't be proposing because he wanted to. Merlin she hated feelings, they complicated everything.

Ron nodded. "Okay." He said softly. Hermione wanted to grab his robes and tell him she would like nothing more, but she restrained herself. She was content in this, for now. She was also more than a little sure that one of his family members would clue him in to her feelings at some point in the future. Not to mention she didn't fancy dealing with her parents' opinion on the subject.

Christmas was coming much faster than Hermione had anticipated. They had the D.A. reunion in two days, and Percy's wedding the next weekend. She was very excited to see everyone, especially Ginny. She had kept her word and the two wrote weekly; with Harry, Ron, and Hermione coming down every Hogsmeade weekend. Well, maybe they'd let Harry and Ginny have the Valentine's one to themselves, she mused.

The next two days went by in a whirlwind as Hermione prepared the house and backyard, with assistance from Ron when he came home the day before the party from his first auror mission. She had thrown herself into cleaning and planning to keep herself from worrying every second he was away. It had only helped a little.

She hugged him tightly when he returned, and then set him to work. By that night, their home was ready. "I can't wait to see everybody." Hermione said that night as they lay in bed.

"Me neither. Do you reckon it'll be strange, seeing everyone in the same room for the first time since the war?"

"Maybe for a little. But I'm sure it won't last long."

"We can hope." He responded.

Hermione got him up at the crack of dawn the next morning, amidst much grumbling which she firmly ignored. They got somewhat dressed up and set out all of the food before nervously waiting by the front door, which they had opened. Hermione had set an invisible curtain in the door frame to keep out insects and dirt.

George and Angelina were the first to arrive, together. Hermione found this interesting and realized for the first time just how many weddings she may have to attend in the future.

Harry and Ginny were next. Hermione embraced her best friends heartily, beyond happy to see them. Slowly, everyone (except Marietta) showed up, even Zacharias Smith, who Hermione had felt compelled to invite, and they migrated to the backyard.

"Lovely place you've got here: Ron, Hermione." Ernie said in his pompous but well-meaning way.

"Thanks Ernie." She responded. "And how are you?"

"Oh wonderful, just wonderful." He and Susan Bones had eloped. Since they had lost so much family during the war, they hadn't wanted a big wedding that would only have brought them heartache. She was now nine months pregnant with their first child. Hermione was overwhelmed by the amount of people her age who were married, about to get married, or were having kids.

Dean and Seamus had handed out invitations to their wedding earlier in the day. Seamus had asked her in advance if she would mind, and she had waved away his concern, happy for them. Harry and Ginny were engaged, of course, George and Angelina would be soon, and Luna and Rolf would be following suit any time now. How exactly Luna had met Newt Scamander's grandson was a mystery to Hermione.

Harry and Ginny had attended Oliver Wood and Katie Bell's wedding, Cho and Michael were also married, and Padma and Anthony Goldstein were two months away from their first child. Neville and Hannah were living together, as were her and Ron.

Merlin, it was insanity. She could still remember them all when it had first started. She had been sixteen at the time. Although, she mused, she was only eighteen now. She kept having to remind herself she was still a teenager. It was very strange, feeling so much like an adult but not even being in your twenties.

"Wrackspurts got a hold of you?" Luna asked sympathetically. Hermione smiled at her.

"I'm thinking about how young we all were when we started, and how different our lives have become."

"Just reminiscing, then." Luna agreed.

"So how did you and Rolf meet?"

"Well I was on a mission to find a thunderbird to get scratched by one, it's said to be very beneficial." Hermione froze her smile in place, hiding her dubiousness far beneath it.

"I went to America, which is where I found Frank, Newt Scamander's own thunderbird." Luna continued, seemingly oblivious of Hermione's skepticism. "I found Rolf tending to it and he offered me a job. I accepted and we fell madly in love." She finished dreamily, glancing around for her boyfriend.

"That's lovely." Hermione said, meaning it. Harry joined them, earning a sideways smile from both witches.

"I'm quite happy you and Ron are together." Luna said. "I always thought you two were meant for each other. I'm sure you drive each other mad, but then you always have. At least now you have a way of getting rid of the tension." She looked directly at Hermione and winked. Hermione choked on her drink. Luna grinned.

"I think I'll go talk to Neville now." She informed Hermione before stalking off.

Harry clapped Hermione on the back, grinning. "I've missed Luna." he chortled.

Ron and Hermione hosted their friends until nearly dawn. Luckily for all of them, it hadn't been awkward for anyone to see their exes. Ginny had managed seeing all three of hers and had even hugged Dean. She stayed far away from Cho, but Cho stayed away from her as well. As for her and Ron, Lavender was the only one in the D.A. and she and Hermione had a wonderful time chatting. Her scars were already immensely better. Ron had awkwardly said hello to his ex-girlfriend and then melted into the crowd. Finally, they left, and Ron groaned. "I am so happy we don't have to go to work tomorrow."

Hermione grinned exhaustedly. "I'll second that."

"It was fun though. And we get to stay up and party next weekend without having to clean up afterwards." He said eagerly. Hermione chuckled.

"Mmm," she managed through her exhaustion.

But the next weekend began just as hectically as the last one had. Hermione apparated to the Burrow at five-thirty in the morning to help with preparations and to assist Audrey. She and Percy's bride had become quite good friends with all of the work they were doing together at the Ministry, and Audrey had made Hermione a part of the wedding party. This made Hermione immensely happy. She liked them thinking she was a part of the family.

Hermione was actually looking forward to this wedding, it would be the first wedding she was attending that hadn't been held during a war. The last one had been pretty traumatic, and she really hoped to escape repeating the experience. Ron had still been asleep when she left, the lucky bastard, and he probably wasn't heading over until after sunrise.

They got Audrey into the shower and then they all sprinted around getting things done while she was in there. That was basically how the whole day went; attending Audrey and when she could take care of herself, they handled the preparations. It got easier when the guys arrived, because they at least didn't have to get ready until much closer to the start of the wedding. She'd seen Ron once, and only briefly, in the hallway where he kissed her quickly and became very amused at her attire, which was for the moment a hair towel, robe, and light make-up. She scowled at him and kept going, ignoring his snickers.

Finally, the preparations were done and Audrey was completely ready. Her parents came to talk to her and her maid-of-honour (her sister Sara), and the bridesmaids were finally able to get themselves ready.

"I can't wait until I'm the bride and I don't have to do any of the work," Ginny declared from beneath the dress she was pulling over her head.

"Wouldn't that be nice," Hermione agreed.

"To get married, or to not have to do any of the work?" Ginny asked slyly. Hermione gave her a look.

"I am not in the mood, Ginevra."

Ginny's eyebrows disappeared into her hairline. "Ginevra huh? People must really be bothering you two about getting married."

Hermione didn't respond. She did not want to encourage this conversation any farther along than it currently was. She heard enough of it from Molly. Luckily for her, Fleur chose that moment to swear colourfully at her dress in French, as it no longer fit her. They all converged on her and managed to spell the fabric to fit her bump.

They were all wearing light grey knee-length dresses. They weren't gorgeous, but they weren't ugly either, and for that Hermione was grateful. They were actually rather pretty, and she loved the strappy heels she had been given along with them. She knew the guys were also wearing grey tuxes, so as not to look the same as Percy. The maid of honour wore a pale-yellow dress, and George, the best man, had a yellow flower to match.

Percy had held a meeting with Bill, Charlie, and Ron, and asked them if they thought he should make George best man, since Fred wouldn't be able to make him his best man. At first, he had planned to ask Bill, but then he realized George might never get to be best man if he did that. Charlie had been Bill's, Ron would be Harry's, he figured Harry would be Ron's, and Charlie didn't seem the marrying type. They had agreed he could ask, and if he said no then Bill would step in. But George hadn't said no. In fact, he had been so touched he almost cried. Mrs. Weasley had definitely cried when she heard.

There was a knock on the door and Ginny opened it to reveal George and Sara. "It's time for us to line up," Sara informed them. The bridesmaids and groomsmen would walk down the aisle together, followed by George and Sara, and then Audrey and her father.

"Hey gorgeous," Ron winked as she linked her arm through his.

"Hey handsome," she replied. Ginny snorted behind them, but Hermione ignored her. First out the door were Bill and Fleur, then Charlie with Audrey's cousin, then Ron and Hermione, then Ginny and Harry, and then George and Sara. Hermione beamed at all of the guests as she walked down the aisle which included a teary-eyed Mrs. Weasley and, surprisingly, Draco Malfoy. Since Harry was in the wedding party, and Andromeda was out of town, he had come to mind his little cousin. He actually knew Audrey pretty well, so she had invited him anyways. It was entertaining to see the normally very well-kept Malfoy not caring as Teddy made a mess of his suit. The baby pulled his hair and Hermione stifled a giggle as she walked past.

Finally, all of the guests stood as Audrey entered, and Hermione heard Percy take in a sharp breath. She found her own eyes embarrassingly beginning to water and blinked away tears. They said beautiful vows to each other, and finally Kingsley (who as Minister had the power to marry people) informed Percy he could kiss his bride. The crowd went wild as they kissed and became Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

Immediately the seats were moved to the outside and a dance floor was created. Percy and Audrey had their first dance while guests could begin eating some food. Hermione sat on a chair between Harry and Ron and perched her metal plate on her crossed legs precariously as she ate. They watched as Percy danced with Mrs. Weasley, and Audrey with her dad. After that, the guests were allowed to ascend to the dance floor. Ron offered her his hand and she took it in mild surprise as he led her to the floor.

They danced for a long time, talking about nothing. It was wonderful. A slow song began over the speakers and Hermione raised an eyebrow at Ron. He simply moved his hands to her waist and began to sway in time to the music.

Over his shoulder, she watched a young woman, Hermione believed she was Daphne Greengrass' younger sister, approach Draco and curtsy, offering him her hand. He looked astounded. Harry, seeing this, pulled away from Ginny and plucked Teddy out of Malfoy's arms so he could dance. Hermione smiled at the scene.

"I never realized how many Mrs. Weasley's there would be," Ron mused. Hermione snorted.

"There are only three."

"True, but I mean, if all of us but Charlie get married then that's five of them." He looked suddenly uncomfortable, and she felt her heart skip a beat at the insinuation.

"Hardly an exorbitant amount," she pointed out, ignoring the awkwardness.

That got him to grin. "Merlin I love you. Exorbitant." He chortled. She rolled her eyes. "You look stunning," he said suddenly.

"And you look dashing."

He burst out laughing again. "What is this the nineteen fifties?"

"Well how else was I supposed to convey that you're both handsome and hot at the same time?" she demanded. That seemed to shut him up. He stared at her and she giggled. "Don't you know how hot you are?"

He became very uncomfortable, his neck and ears turning bright red. "I dunno," he mumbled awkwardly. Hermione smiled fondly at him. It was wonderful to compliment men, it always made them adorably insecure. "Why do you think Lavender dated you? She was one of the most popular girls and could have had anybody, but you were, and still are, by far the hottest in our year," she stated matter-of-factly.

His eyebrows shot up. "I think you're missing a few people in that calculation, Hermione."

"Not in my opinion," she winked at him and he sputtered slightly, messing up their rhythm.

The rest of the evening was pretty uneventful, besides George getting rip-roaring drunk at seven p.m. causing a very irate Angelina to take him home early. To be honest, everyone was a little wasted, which made the speeches all the more entertaining. Hermione had been in tears for Charlie's while he told a story about Percy's first time at a bar.

The lucky couple departed, and then everyone went home. They would all be staying over in two weeks' time for Christmas eve anyways. Hermione pitied Percy and Audrey the short honeymoon, but she knew they both wanted to get back to work quickly afterwards anyways. Her and Ron barely made it to their front door before ravishing each other, and it made her very grateful they hadn't been staying in his childhood bedroom with all of his brothers there. They got teased enough as it was, and she liked to be loud.

She wanted to be thinking about the night, but even know-it-all Hermione Granger couldn't keep her mind focused while the man she loved was undressing her. Her brain happily surrendered control, and all she knew was how much she loved Ron, even when he drove her crazy. Especially when he drove her crazy.