Chapter 1: The Pensive

The Great Hall of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had been removed of its four house tables and long benches. Instead they had been replaced with rows and rows of chairs set up in precise straight lines with a large isle down the middle. Every chair was filled, more had been brought in and still there were people standing along the walls. Hundreds of candles in the shades of red and gold hovered in the air casting a gentle glow over the occupants of the room. The dais that normally held the staff table had been cleared as well and was now decorated with hundreds of blood-red roses held in golden vases.

Harry Potter and Nathan Shanks stepped out of the room leading off the great hall that Harry had first been inside his fourth year when he was announced a Tri-Wizard participant. The room quieted at their appearance. Several minutes later Albus Dumbledore and Ronald Weasley joined the two men at the front of the room.

When everyone was in place the music started and Lizzie Connoly began her long march down the isle, a one and a half year old Helena toddling at her side, griping her hand with a gleeful look on her face from all the attention she was getting.

Ron smiled with pride as his youngest child was led to stand at Lizzie's side opposite Nate.

By this time, Ginny who was quiet pregnant with her own child, was halfway down the isle, Hero clinging tightly to her hand. Unlike her twin sister, Hero was not as fond of crowds.

As they drew closer to the dais Hero caught sight of her father and let go of her aunt's hand to run the rest of the way up the isle on wobbly legs and throw herself at her father's knees. Crouching down Ron scooped his daughter into his arms, gave her a reassuring hug and a loud comforting kiss before handing her to her aunt, who decided it was probably best to hold the baby through the rest of the ceremony.

Seeing that her sister was being held, Helena tried to crawl up Lizzie's leg to get into her arms as well. Lizzie smiled at the young girl as she too scooped the baby up and turned back down the isle as the music changed.

The large double doors opened to reveal Hermione dressed in a strapless muggle wedding gown complete with empire waist, two foot train, and lace overlay. Her hair was bound in a fashionable twist like she had warn the night of the Yule Ball their fourth year. Instead of a wedding veil a simple tiara graced her glossy mahogany hair. In her hands she held a bouquet of exquisite red roses.

Ron's breath caught in his throat. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen in his entire life.

Hermione felt a large warm hand settle on her shoulder. She turned her head to see her husband standing at her side. He smiled down at her as he placed a gentle kiss to her soft lips before wrapping his arm around her waist to watch the other Hermione make her way down the isle on her father's arm.

"You're beautiful you know." He said in his softest voice.

Hermione's lips twitched slightly. "I did look beautiful that day, didn't I?"

Ron shook his head. "I wasn't talking about our wedding day." Hermione turned her head to see that Ron was staring down at her with his penetrating blue eyes. "You really are beautiful." His hand cupped her cheek softly as he tilted her chin up to capture her lips with his own. "You're even more stunning then the day I married you." Heart swelling, Hermione captured Ron's lips in another kiss.

"You only say that so I don't hex you." She murmured as she pulled away from his kiss.

Ron nipped playfully at her full bottom lip. "True," he chuckled as Hermione scowled, "but that doesn't mean that I don't believe it." Ron turned his focus back to the memory around them. "Do you want to stay and watch a little bit longer?"

Hermione smiled and nodded as together they walked down the isle, Ron's arm wrapped securely around her waist. By the time they had reached the head of the Great Hall Hermione from the past was just preparing her lips to speak her vows.

"Ron," she sucked in her bottom lip a split moment before she smiled up at him with love shining brightly in her eyes. "You have been my best friend for almost as long as I can remember." Tears began to glisten in her chocolate brown orbs. "You were the best friend I could have asked for. You made me laugh when I was feeling down. You made sure that I never got to smug about my studies. You proved to me time and again what it means to be a true Gryffindor." Her voice crackled under the strain of her unshed tears. "And you were always there for me. I knew I could always count on you to be my friend and my support. But all those years that we were friends, I had a secret. I was in love with you. And the happiest day of my life was the day that you finally admitted that you loved me too. You became my source of happiness in a world gone dim. And even when the world thought I was gone, you didn't give up on me. You never gave up on me; even when I gave you reason to. I love you for that. And I love you for making this the happiest day of my life. I love you Ron, with all my heart."

Dumbledore smiled at the slightly tearful couple, his own pale blue eyes glistening with tears of joy. Smiling his approval he turned to Ron and nodded his permission to begin.

"Hermione. My Mione." Tenderly Ron lifted his hand and laid it against the softness of her cheek. "I still remember the exact moment I fell in love with you, though I admit I was a fool who denied it for years." The crowd who was filled with many of the Gryffindor's they had gone to school with, chuckled softly at the memory of the two Gryffindors who had spent many years annoyingly blind to the truth, "It was the first time I met you on the Hogwarts Express. How could I not be enchanted by the bushy haired, know-it-all who came charging into my car determined to help a fellow student? I've always known you had a heart of gold, and I caught a glimpse of it for the first time that day. Over the next five years I found myself falling more and more in love with you, but I never dreamed I was worthy enough to have your love in return. How could the most beautiful, brilliant, kind hearted witch in the whole world fall in love with a fool like me after all? But somehow you did and I thank fate everyday for letting me find and fall in love with the perfect woman. I love you Hermione and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life proving it to you."

The tears that had glistened in Hermione's eyes moments ago were now cascading down her cheeks in gentle torrents. Ron was so intent on the woman about to be his bride that he didn't even notice that a good portion of the Great Hall was filled with women who were trying valiantly to withhold their own tears, some succeeding but many failing. Worst was Molly Weasley who was absolutely tickled that her youngest son was so obviously in love with his bride. The realization improved her anxiety greatly. She hadn't admitted it to anyone, including Arthur, but a small part of her had feared that Ron's decision to marry Hermione had been greatly influenced by the realization that he was the father of her twins, Hero and Helena, even if it had been at her encouraging. She dismissed herself as being foolish once again when she saw the adoration the couple held for each other as they stared deep into the others eyes. No, they were in love just as Molly always suspected they were.

The slightly older Ron wrapped his arms around his wife's waist and rested his chin on her shoulder as Dumbledore began to recite the Wedding Rites.

"Do you, Hermione Jane Granger, take this man, Ronald Bilius Weasley,"

"Billius." They heard Harry chortle quietly, still highly amused by his best mate's middle name.

"to be your lawfully wedded husband? In sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Married Hermione whispered along with her counterpart, easing farther into Ron's protective arms.

Dumbledore smiled his pleasure before turning to Ron to repeat the rites. "Do you Ronald Bilius Weasley, take this woman, Hermione Jane Granger, to be your lawfully wedded wife? In sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." The two Ron's chimed to gather though the older Ron pressed a kiss to his wife's cheek after saying them.

"Wonderful, simply wonderful." Dumbledore murmured in his happiness. Chuckling happily he turned to the two women holding the babies, "It's time for the rings."

Nodding the two attendants set the toddlers on their feet and scooted them towards their parents. Hero ran quickly on her short legs to her father while Helena stood there a moment and beamed at the crowd until Hermione called her name gaining the small child's attention. Giving the crowd a last wistful look she hurried to her mother and went into her arms.

Ron had already pulled the ring from Hero's pocket and was setting her back on her feet beside him so that he stood between her and the crowd. Hero snuggled her face into her father's leg and stared at the audience through one eye.

As soon as Hermione had retrieved the ring from Helena's pocket she set the younger twin on her feet. Instead of hiding behind her mother's skirt she stepped to the front of the dais and waved energetically at the crowd. While the Hermione getting married seemed less then amused the older Hermione couldn't help but chuckle along with her husband at their child's sweet antics.

With a few words more and the quick slipping of rings onto their partners hands they were married. Ron and Hermione were literally glowing with happiness when Dumbledore announced them as husband and wife. Not even waiting to hear the words Ron swept Hermione into his arms and kissed her passionately to the sound of the cheering crowd.

Mimicking the way he had on their wedding day, Ron swept Hermione into his arms and kissed her with all the love and passion he still felt. "I love you Mione." He murmured against her lips when he pulled away.

She sighed with content, her eyes still tightly closed as her tongue ran along her slightly swollen lips and savoured the flavour of him lingering there. "I love you too."

"Are you ready to leave?"

Hermione gave a last look around her before nodding. Slipping her arms securely around Ron she felt herself be pitched forward and the couple suddenly found themselves lying on the floor of their living room, the pensive sitting on the table beside them.

Ron wrapped his arms more securely around her as he rolled to his back, taking her with him so that she landed across his chest.

Instantly she began to push against him trying to get up but his hold was to strong and he refused to let her go. "Ron." She moaned after several minutes of struggling. "Let me up. I'm going to crush you."

Ron chuckled amusedly as he pulled her down for another kiss, finding it more awkward then he would have imagined to reach her lips. But somehow he managed, leaving her breathless and unable to object. He reached up tenderly and brushed stray curls that had fallen into her face behind her ear. "You're not that big love." He said as his hand grazed down her cheek, over her neck, skimming her swollen breast before coming to rest on the large mound that was her stomach. "How are you feeling today, love?"

Hermione rolled her eyes before she rolled off of him and came to a sitting position on the floor. "How do you think I feel? My ankles are swollen. My breasts are huge. The baby never stops moving and kicking, I swear I'm black and blue on the inside. And as if being big and ugly weren't enough, your child has decided to torment me further by refusing to come out."

Ron couldn't restrain his laughter as he moved in behind her, settling her between his legs so that she leaned back against his chest. Herested his large hands on her swollen abdomen and began to stroke up and down in a comforting manner. He pressed a kiss to her neck, just bellow her ear. "I meant what I said before Mione. I've never seen you more beautiful." She snorted incredulously. "No I mean it." He said with all seriousness in his voice. "I missed this with the girls. I know being pregnant is not the most comfortable thing in the world, but you have no idea how much I've loved watching you grow round with my child."

"But Ron, I'm twice the size I use to be and I'm gawky and awkward and…"

"Hermione," Ron stopped her from her tirade, "This," he rubbed her stomach, "Is the physical proof of our love for each other. How can it possibly be anything less then beautiful?"

Smiling faintly Hermione placed her hands on top of Ron's letting them move with his circular motion. Her eyes drifted closed as he helped her to relax. "I don't deserve you Ron."

"Of course you do, love."

"No." She shook her head softly against his shoulder. "Here I am complaining about how big and ugly I am and you just smile and tell me how beautiful I look, and remind me exactly what this," she squeezed her hands gently, indicating her stomach, "means." She licked her dry lips as she felt more of the tension ease out of her body through the gentle stroking of his fingers. "Umm, that feels wonderful." Hermione gave into the comfort of his hands and was just drifting off into sleep when she realised how quiet the house was.

"Ron," she moved into a sitting position as quickly as she could with her large stomach. "Where are the girls?"

"Relax, Hermione." he eased her back against his chest. "I dropped them off at Ginny and Harry's. They're going to watch them for a few days, or a week," Ron teased under his breath, "as long as it takes you to have this baby."

Hermione decided to ignore the depressing thought of carrying the child for another week, but focused instead on their two best friends and their daughters. "Are you sure Harry and Ginny don't mind."

"Hermione, they were the ones who offered to take the girls. They can handle them."

Hermione threw Ron an incredulous look over her shoulder. "We're their parents and we can barley handle them." Hermione shook her bushy head causing more ofthe hair that was gathered up in a loose ponytail to fall about her shoulders. "I swear, those two can read each others minds. They're worse then Fred and George."

Ron couldn't help but chuckle. "I don't think they're quiet that bad. Besides, when Fred and George were younger you couldn't tell which one was which. Mum literally had to dress them in identifying outfits or she would have no idea. At least with Hero and Helena we can tell them apart."

"Ron," Hermione's sleepy voice reached him. "This baby better come soon…or I'm never letting you touch me again." She threatened playfully.

Ron stuck out his lower lip in a mock pout. "I don't know why you're being so hard on me. This can't be any worse then the twins."

"I was asleep for over half the pregnancy and they came a month early." she reminded him.

"Oh yeah," Ron chuckled. "I forgot about that."

Hermione made a sound to let Ron know that she had heard him, but what the sound meant, Ron was at a loss for. Instead of trying to figure it out he let his wife rest against him. Her breathing was getting heavier and her eyes twittered softly, which was why Ron was surprised and slightly confused when she spoke, "He's a strange man isn't he? Very ironic sense of humour."

"Who, love?"

"Dumbledore." She replied without opening her eyes. "After living two year without my memory, he gives us a pensive for a wedding present." She chuckled softly. "Just ironic." She murmured and fell swiftly into sleep.

Ron smiled down at his wife before pressing a kiss to her worry free brow. She was beautiful he thought happily to himself as he settled her more comfortably into his arms, content just to hold her. He sat there for over an hour reminiscing over the past year and a half. It was the happiest time of his life.

After the surprise of having Hermione returned to him alive, along with the added shock of learning that he was the father of two little girls, and the terrifying experience when he thought he was going to loose both her and their daughters again, he had savoured every moment he had with his family, including the six months leading up to their wedding and the past fourteen months of their marriage. He knew he would have been content to live the rest of his life with just Hermione and their two daughters, but he had been ecstatic when they discovered that Hermione was pregnant once again. He savoured every moment of this pregnancy, trying to make up for the one that he had missed.

Ron shifted uncomfortably and groaned when pain shot through his lower body. He hadn't even realized that his legs had gone numb from sitting on the floor so long. Shifting Hermione gently, he set her on the floor as he gingerly got to his feet.

After several minutes of walking around the room letting the blood return to his limbs, Ron came back to Hermione and scooped her up in his arms, making sure that he didn't wake her in the process. She moaned softly in her sleep but merely turned her head into Ron's chest.

Cradling her gently to his body he made his way towards the steps and began his assent to the second story where their bedroom was located. Slipping inside without bothering to illuminate the room, Ron set Hermione's limp form on the bed and began to strip her out of her day clothes.

When he pulled her shirt off over her head he couldn't help but stop and press a loving kiss to her swollen abdomen and whisper goodnight to his child concealed within. Ron gave her stomach a gentle pat before pulling her nightgown over her head and settling it around her body.

When she was finally ready for bed Ron pulled back the covers and eased her between the clean soft sheets. He pulled the thin, crisp yellow blanket up and under her chin. Smiling adoringly down at her, Ron brushed a few curls out of her face, letting his hand cup her cheek gently for a few minutes before pressing a kiss to her lips. She sighed heavily in her sleep and Ron couldn't help but chuckle. He loved that even now he still had that affect on her.

Turning away from the bed Ron stripped down to his underwear and pulled a very old, faded Chuddly Cannons Shirt over his head before he two slipped beneath the thin covers. He eased his body close to his wife and wrapped a protective arm around her waist. In her sleep Hermione turned onto her side and rested her head on Ron's chest. He smiled contentedly and let his eyes slip closed.