Chapter 6

While I hate to leave Hermione in such a predicament we have other lives to explore. Why were the couples chosen as they were? Is everything as it truly seems?

Luna Lovegood woke up with a smile lighting her face. She knew her life was different from the others. She heard the sound of her husband in the shower and rolled over and tried to go back to sleep. After he had come home from work the two had another exhausting round of lovemaking that carried well into the early morning. She noticed a small bruise on her wrist and giggled softly, only Vincent knew how kinky she truly was.

While her friends had been preparing for the final battle and falling in love with each other, Luna had fallen in love with the enemy. Vincent Crabbe had taken to following the young Ravenclaw around, no doubt on Malfoy's orders. He had repeatedly sat at her table in the library and studied right along with her. At first it had terrified her to have a Slytherin following her around. After the first few months it became a comfort factor. She knew she could always count on him being there. The day before the Christmas Holidays started Luna found a box next to her book at the library. When she returned to the privacy of her own room she opened it and found an exquisite silver necklace inside. A tiny serpent was etched on the dangling dagger. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who the necklace was from. Luna ran to the library and found Vincent waiting for her.

"Why me" she whispered.

Vincent grinned. Never had he felt anything remotely as beautiful as he felt when he was with her, "why not?" he retorted.

"We have never spoken," Luna informed him quizzically.

Vincent inched closer and tilted her chin up "Sometimes words aren't necessary."

Before she could reply he kissed her. It wasn't a very long kiss, nor was it a chaste peck either. It conveyed every secret emotion that had been hidden in their hearts.

From that moment on they had become inseparable. As the war loomed in the distance they made a packed to protect one another.

"If we win, I'll protect you," Luna told Vincent. She looked at his dark hair and sighed. She truly loved him.

Vincent nodded, "I won't let anything happen to you," he stated as he held her protectively. "When the Dark Lord wins I will take you as my wife."

She rolled her eyes, "So I can stay barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen?" she asked sarcastically.

He smirked and pulled her closer towards him, "No. So I can make love to you whenever I want," he whispered as his lips descended upon her neck.

She shivered and grinned, "Well now that you mention it," she tilted her head so he got better access, "That doesn't sound like a bad idea at all."

Luna grinned at the memory. She was lucky. It was a shame the others weren't as fortunate as her. Thankfully Vincent promised her she could visit the other when they started to come around. She heard the water turn off and she tossed her nightgown to the side and posed seductively on the bed. He was not going anywhere without their ritual morning shag.

Vincent came out in a towel and saw his wife posed on the bed. He grinned and thanked Merlin for the gift that was given to him. Malfoy had told him to spy on her since she had become part of Potter's inner circle in his 6th year. At first the task was boring. Follow her to the library and to Hogsmede. After the first month or so he began to really study her life. She was beautiful. She was also very lonely. Loony Lovegood was her nickname. Eccentric was a better term for her. Vincent smirked as he recalled the night before; maybe kinky was a better word. By the end of Halloween he had fallen completely and hopelessly for the Ravenclaw. It took Malfoy about one week to figure out his secret. Instead of making his life miserable he helped him woo the elusive Ravenclaw. By Christmas she was his and his alone. Three years later she was his until death made them bid adieu. He dropped the towel and pounced on his wife. Sometimes life gave you the most beautiful surprises.

Ron woke feeling more clear headed than he had in awhile. He sighed as he realized it was because his wife had sent him to bed curse free. He showered and walked to the door and it opened for him. Obviously his wife was in a good mood. He made his way to his sitting room and ate breakfast while he read the daily prophet. Though the paper was Voldemort controlled it still had a few facts actually thrown in. He looked at one report on the latest quest for peace and recognized the reporter's name. It was none other than his brother Percy. Where was Pansy?

Ron ran from room to room in search of his wife. He threw open her sitting room door and paused. Posed comfortable on the loveseat was Pansy. Her legs curled under her and she was resting her arm on the arm of the loveseat. She had one hand shielding her eyes from unwanted light and her hair was falling dramatically over her shoulders. Ron stopped and turned around and went to his room. He had the strangest urge to go over to her and kiss her lips gently while his hands explored her hair. It was in that exact moment that Ron found himself attracted to his wife, and he didn't know whether to accept it or cower in fear.

That evening Pansy sat on her loveseat reading a book on dark magic. She glanced at the clock and sighed, 7:30 pm. Wasn't she supposed to be doing something? Like spending time with her husband? He always came to her from 8-9 pm as she requested. He would sit on a chair and stare at the wall or read a book. He never spoke to her or even acknowledged her presence. She heard a creak and saw Ron enter. Why was he here early?

"May I come in?" he asked hesitantly.

Pansy nodded and he walked in and sat in a chair opposite her, "I have a question," he told her as he took a gulp.

Pansy set her book down. Whatever had him so worked up was definitely something that required her full attention, "What is it?"

"Who all is still alive?" he asked. "I looked at the papers this morning and saw that Percy is writing for them. I thought everyone was killed."

Pansy sighed. It was time for the truth. They had all decided to keep the truth hidden until the time was right. Now whether the time was right she wasn't quite clear on, but she knew he needed answers. "If you are willing to listen to me uninterrupted I'll tell you," she said softly.

Ron nodded eagerly.

"Well the truth is many died, but not everyone. The Dark Lord thought it best to marry us off to shut us younger people. If we were married with families we wouldn't question his authority so much. Ron you have married me and your brother Percy is married to Millicent Bludstroe. Susan Bones from Hufflepuff married Gregory Goyle and Luna Lovegood married Vincent Crabbe. Most happily I might add," she paused as she watched Ron take it all in.

His jaw dropped in shock, "My 6ht year!" he exclaimed. "I knew Luna was up to something. She was dating Crabbe wasn't she?"

Pansy nodded, "Crabbe was supposed to be getting secrets from her, but ended up falling in love with her. And well...Luna isn't the best spy. She would never betray you. Never. Snape is a different story. He played both sides so well that he was rewarded with Nymphadora Tonks when it was all over."

Ron gasped, but said nothing.

Pansy continued, "The worst news is Hermione. She is alive and she has married Draco Malfoy."

"What?" he snapped as he jumped up from his seat. "I'll beat him down. That was my fiancé. Mine! He better not have touched her."

Pansy rolled her eyes, "he won't hurt her if that's what you're concerned about. He does love her. He has loved her as long as I have loved you."

Ron looked at her as he opened his heart to the truth for the first time, Pansy loved him. She had loved him for some time. He walked over to her and put a gentle hand on her shoulder, "Pansy…" he started.

She patted his hand and sighed, "I know you don't love me, but I wish you would try to get along with me. I am not a complete ogre."

"Can we start over?" he asked as he let a small grin slip over his lips as he watched her blush. She really was beautiful.

Pansy nodded and let the tears begin to fall freely from her eyes, "Up for a game of chess?" she asked.

Ron grinned, "I thought you'd never ask.