(A/N: Well I'm back! It's so nice to be home again! Four hours after coming home I started writing this chapter, I had a week of writing madness to get out of me! Anyways, I was quite surprised I finished it in a day but then again, that's what happens when you take pen, paper, and a computer away from me. I'm not quite sure how much I like this chapter, I originally had planned for this chapter to be an extremely long one filled with a lot of drama, but I decided that a shorter and lighter chapter would be better so that I can really work on the drama coming up. Anyways, I hope you all like it well enough and the next chapter should be up soon! As always, I'm constantly amazed with the responses I receive from you all and this past chapter was no different! There are a lot of new reviewers out there so I'd just like to give a shout out to all those people and then of course to the never ceasing, unbelievably amazing reviewers that review with so much enthusiasm…This story would have never gotten so far if it weren't for you all! Anyways, this chapter is about ten pages, not as long as usual but I'll try to make it up to you all by making the next update quicker! Good things are ahead, I'm quite excited for them! But we'll simply have to see how things turn out since I lost my folder with all my plot diagrams and notes last week and it still hasn't turned up! I know where I'm going through luckily and I know the plot by heart so hopefully I'll be okay. Anyways, Thanks again for all those reviews and I hope you all enjoy this chapter! Hugs, Haystack)

4evernissa83: I'm so glad you're enjoying the story! Yes, I'm afraid I didn't have the heart to kill off Ginny, she's one of my favorite characters and I just couldn't do it! Lol, Thank you so much for reviewing! It's so nice to meet new reviewers! Hopefully I'll hear from you again! Hope you enjoy this chapter!

Sequoia: Aw, Yay! I'm glad you're enjoying it! I've really surprised myself with how much longer it's turned out to be, but I'm loving every minute of writing it! I'm just so lucky that I have people willing to read and review it! Thanks so much for reviewing! Enjoy!

vacant xpressi0ns: Sliced bread and apple butter you say? Lol Well what else can I say to that then Yay! It is an honor I must say! Lol….Thanks for reviewing, you're reviews always make me laugh!

Jdcrmn: Ah yes, poor Ginny. Emotions were pretty tense last chapter weren't they? I'm so glad you thought it was believable though….it's a hard line to walk, because how exactly do you make fantasy believable? Anyways, I'm glad you liked it and hopefully I"ll hear from you again! Enjoy!

Snub: Aw, I must agree with you. Ron/Hermione moments are by far my favorite! They work so well together and…they're just so cute! Lol, anyways, thanks so much for reviewing! Hope you enjoy this chapter!

doublelily: I'm glad you liked the ending! As for another story once this one is done…the thought hasn't really crossed my mind as of yet, though I think I've mentioned that I'm toying with the idea of an original piece. But that's still in the workings. Part of me wants to branch out and try my hand at other couples, but I've enjoyed Ron/Hermione so much that might not work. No matter what though, I'm quite positive that I'll be working on some story or another for the rest of my life. Writing has brought me something I need to have in my everyday life. Anyways, glad you like the story and thanks as always for reviewing so faithfully!

EWlookalike: Aw you're so sweet! I'm thrilled you like my story! I know that feeling when you simply can't get enough of some book/story and you end up spending the whole day simply reading. It's a great feeling isn't it? I'm sorry if the update was a little long, I always feel guilty if it's been a week or longer! But hopefully the next update won't be so long, and I'm quite excited for what's to come! Anyways, thanks for reviewing and hopefully I'll hear from you again!

AmyChris: Oh well I'm glad you thought it flowed well! I'm always really self conscious about my writing and if a chapter isn't the best I think it can be I tend to be a harsh critic of myself. But I am glad it worked for you! Sorry about the update but I'm home for three weeks now…I suppose I get a few chapters in during that time don't you think? Lol, thanks as always for reviewing so faithfully! It means so much! Hope you enjoy this chapter!

suckr4romance: haha, I like that. 'Fluffy as war can get' It's very true. But I do believe that love can happen anytime and anywhere and that does include war. Yes, Ginny….She was part of what I wanted to address in this chapter but it'll simply have to wait. Ginny has her own story….not a very happy one I'll tell you and yes rape is involved. Rape is actually one of my very worst fears but it seems fit in war---worst fears are realized. War is a nasty nasty thing and Death Eaters are nothing short of monsters. Anyways, thanks so much for reviewing and hopefully you'll enjoy this chapter!

RainDateChick: haha you're review made me laugh! I'm glad you're enjoying the story so much and as for the cliffie, you're welcome. But now that you mentioned it I realized I haven't had a really nasty cliffie in a while so look out for that in the next few chapters! Mwahaha…;) lol, I'm sorry about the update though, I got to work as soon as I got home! Hope you enjoy this chapter and thanks sooo much for reviewing!

mie-chica07: Aw I'm sorry, I really do wish I could just update and update and update, but life gets in the way too much. This whole stop-start thing is hard to deal with I know. Thank you though for mentioning my typos, I've caught a few when I've gone back and read chapters over again. I made sure to double-check this chapter though, so hopefully there aren't any typos there. Thanks so much for reviewing and hopefully I'll hear from you again!

Bhekie: Aw I'm glad you liked last chapter! Lol yes my stories tend to be a little on the overly emotional/dramatic side but I suppose that always spices up a story. Extreme situations extreme emotions! Thanks so much for reviewing and hopefully you'll like this chapter!

dancerrdw: I'm sorry about the update! Summer's are hard to work through with vacations and the like but I have three weeks of nothing planned so life should be nice and easy on me! Lol, thanks so much for reviewing and hopefully you'll like this chapter! Enjoy!

Princess Storm: Oh I'm glad that you think my writing is fluid but if you only knew how many run-through's of each chapter I go through. There have been many cases where I simply give up and post it choppy. I was flattered that you said my writing style was grown-up. Since I'm only a teenager that was a compliment that made my day! As for Ginny…yes her full story will be revealed soon. As for Hermione's wanting to give up, it does seem out of character for her, but it was an ultimate low for her and as a human being I believe that if any of us hit rock bottom like she has especially with the guilt of Lavender and Seamus hanging over her, we'd want to give up. But alas that is where our wonderful Ron steps in and makes things better. Thanks for pointing that out though! Hope you enjoy this chapter and Thanks for reviewing so faithfully!

nattieb: Ah I don't know, something about the chapter didn't seem right to me. But I'm glad you enjoyed it! Yes Ginny….poor girl. We'll see some more of her coming up! Glad you liked the Ron/Hermione part, that was an add in. lol yes you always seem to catch the foreshadowing details of my story. Most ppl never mention them…but yes, Dumbledore is coming. I'm excited to see if your theory is correct or not, hopefully I'll be able to throw you for a surprise but I guess I'll have to be extra clever! Lol Thanks for reviewing!

Also a big 'Thanks for reviewing' for all of you who reviewed two chapters ago and who never received a reply to their review! Thanks so much!

And now…

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CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: SURPRISES

Ron hadn't heard it in what felt like years, but he recognized it instantly. The familiar tapping of his Mum's foot had been the sound he'd woken up to for years, and although the sound indicated that his Mum was in no cheerful mood, the sound was comforting. Smiling, Ron snuggled deeper into the covers--a gesture that had always enraged his Mum, but something that had become tradition.

"Ronald Weasley!"

Slowly opening his eyes, he found his Mum standing over him, her cheeks a furious red.

"What?" Ron whispered, a mischievous smile on his lips. Molly Weasley glowered.

"Don't you 'What' me Ronald! Get out of this bed at once!" Mrs. Weasley hissed motioning towards the bed Ron was currently sprawled upon.

Confused at such vicious reaction; especially after all the attention and love she'd showered on him the day before, Ron followed his Mum's gaze and…. it all made sense.

Though Mrs. Weasley tried to keep an iron gaze upon her son, it was obvious that she couldn't. Her eyes kept flickering back and forth between Ron and the sleeping girl next to him.

Hermione.

Her dark brown curls were spread out on her pillow like a sort of halo around her and her eyes were closed; breathing deeply. It was apparent that she was sleeping soundly and that familiar rush of love Ron had grown accustomed to feeling when looking at her, hit him hard. Her small hand was curled up into a little fist and she seemed quite comfortable underneath Ron's arm, her legs wrapped around Ron's.

Though Ron smiled at the positions they were in, he groaned inwardly, hoping and praying that his Mum hadn't jumped to wrong conclusions. Because if she had…Ron would be in for it. For even though Molly Weasley was a strict and loving mother, Ron knew since Hermione first spent the summer with them back in Third Year that his Mum was as protective of her as she was of Ginny. And that was saying something.

Knowing he was in for a long battle, Ron sighed and smiled, trying his best to make his Mum see the humor in this situation; for there really was some---but unfortunately, a sleeping Hermione made matters much more complex. And perhaps the worst aspect of this scenario was that Hermione was completely unable to help him, probably dreaming peacefully while Ron battled hell with his Mum. He needed Hermione's brains and quick thinking on this one.

"But Mum, I don't want to wake her" He whispered quietly

Mrs. Weasley's eyes popped out and her cheeks continued to grow redder. "Wake her!" She cried, trying her best to keep her voice quiet. "You will get out of that bed right this instant and explain to me why you are here instead of in your room!"

"Mum calm down, you're thinking its something its not!"

"I don't care what it is Ronald! The matter is that I sent George in to wake you up and you weren't there!"

"Fine, hold on. Let me--"

"Mrs. Weasley?" A soft, small voice asked.

Ron grinned. Salvation.

Flustered, Mrs. Weasley said, "Oh Hermione dear, I'm so sorry. I hope we didn't wake you. I--"

"This isn't what it looks like" Hermione said immediately, firmness in her voice that surprised even Ron.

Startled at her boldness Mrs. Weasley only nodded her head, her cheeks red, "Oh of course. I know that sweetie. I was just coming for Ronald."

Hermione looked at Ron for the first time since waking, catching his eye. Ron raised his eyebrow at her. She had the reins on his Mum…. and they all knew it. Hoping for once Hermione would use her superhero powers for good, he tried to communicate with his eyes that she needed to set the record before Ron had a chance to fumble through words and make up something that would land them both in trouble. He wasn't sure she understood however as she quickly looked away from him and up to his Mum where she met Mrs. Weasley's gaze with a steady look of her own.

"We didn't have sex" She said, her voice strong and truthful.

Without meaning to, Ron found himself coughing back laughter as he saw the look his Mum gave them both. His Mum was never direct about things such as this, though she had no problem doing so if the situation called for it. She liked to at least pretend to have no say in her children's relationships. One of the many reasons his Mum had been so light on her interrogations of whom he fancied as a boy, Ron believed, was that his Mum always knew he liked Hermione. And even better, his Mum adored Hermione. She was intelligent, sensible, responsible, independent, and was always there to keep Ron in line when she wasn't around.

"Ron came in to check up on me. And it was probably a good thing he did, because I was having a hard time." Hermione said, never breaking eye contact with his mother. Ron was impressed. "He offered to stay with me and I agreed. He must have just fallen asleep. Don't be mad at him, he was only trying to help."

Apparently, Hermione Granger had managed to render Molly Weasley speechless.

It took her quite a while for Ron's Mum to regain her voice but when she did, the only word she seemed able to say was, "RON!"

Ron sighed. Not even Hermione could save him now. She'd given it a shot. But he was on his own now, with his Mum definitely thinking about possibilities that Ron didn't want her thinking about.

Hermione shot him an apologetic look and mouthed, "I'm sorry" to him as he wearily got out of bed and followed his Mum out the door.

Shuffling his feet as he closed the door behind him, he turned around to face his Mum who was pacing the empty hallway with furious speed. She had one hand on her head as though she had a headache and was muttering to herself under her breath. Ron simply stood there, waiting for the torture to begin.

When finally his Mum was able to stop pacing to face him, he looked down at her expectantly. Her eyes were narrowed dangerously. "I want you to tell me honestly Ronald," She began, her voice low and menacing, "Why were you in Hermione's room?"

Already defensive, which was not the way to begin a row, Ron tried to take a deep breath and calm himself. In a strained voice that probably didn't sound calm at all, he said, gritting his teeth, "She already told you. I wanted to check up on her."

"We already told you she was fine" Mrs. Weasley snapped

"Yes Mum," Ron sighed, "But I wanted to see for myself. There are some places she could have been hurting that she wouldn't have allowed you to see."

"And what places would those have been!" Mrs. Weasley cried shrilly

Ron cringed at the double meaning of his words. He was going to have to be extra careful about what he said so that his Mum didn't assume anything. Bloody Hell this was going to be impossible!

"I meant her feelings! Her emotions! You didn't check those I'm sure."

Molly's face twitched into a soft smile and she relaxed a little. "Ron, it's natural for you both to be overwhelmed. But I could have told you she was reacting normally."

Anger appeared within Ron like lightning. He narrowed his eyes and was about to challenge what the bloody hell she meant by 'reacting normally' when he remembered that he was trying to get off the hook for being caught in Hermione's bed. "No you wouldn't have been able to." He snapped, not exactly calmly, "Because you don't understand. You don't understand what we've seen and what we feel!"

"I've fought a war too Ronald! Don't think I've never seen this sort of thing!"

"But I understand her Mum. I understand her far better than you or anyone else will be able to!" Ron shouted, "I know what she thinks and how she feels when she doesn't say a word! I know what she wants and what she needs! I know what makes her feel better and what makes her more upset! I know how to take care of her!"

"Are you saying I don't know how to care for Hermione!" Molly asked, clearly offended in the deepest way.

"What I'm saying," Ron said, calming down "is that you shouldn't be upset with me for wanting to help her or comfort her."

Molly was quiet for a moment in which she searched her son's face. Finally, she looked down at her hands and said quietly, "I'm not, Ron."

Surprised, Ron looked down at his mother. "What?"

"I'd never be upset with you for wanting to help Hermione. I want the best for her too you know."

Ron took a moment before responded slowly, "I know"

"But I don't want you spending the night with her again, do you hear me?" Molly said as a statement, not a question.

Ron opened his mouth to protest. "What! But Mum! You just got done saying--"

"I know what I said Ron." Molly interrupted. "And I'm saying this for Hermione's sake. She's too fragile for you to be messing around with her heart. She needs rest, and rest only right now Ron and I don't want you distracting her from getting better."

Ron could only stare at his Mum in shock. She didn't understand. She didn't understand at all.

"She's better!" He cried, "She's completely healed! Go check her if you want to!" He said, motioning towards the closed door. "It's her heart that's not right Mum! You don't seem to understand what we've lost! What we lost in one night! A single night and we lost our best friend! I need to help her! I need her to help me! We need each other! We've learned already that we can't do this alone!"

"You're not alone Ron. We're all here to help you!" Molly protested.

"I need Hermione!" Ron shouted, on the verge of breaking down. "She understands me in ways you and Dad and Ginny will never be able to! I'm all she has left now! You can't take that away from us!"

"I'm not taking anything away from you Ron! I'm just asking you not to sleep in the same bed together!" Molly shouted, "Is that so much to ask! I'm not asking for you two to never see each other again!"

"It shouldn't matter if we sleep in the same bed if I'm helping her!"

"I WILL NOT HAVE IT UNDER THIS ROOF!"

"YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO ANYMORE! I'M OF AGE NOW AND I THINK I'VE PROVEN MYSELF ADULT ENOUGH TO MAKE MY OWN DECISIONS!"

"THIS ISN'T ABOUT YOU RON! I'M WORRIED ABOUT HERMIONE!"

"AND I'M TELLING YOU THAT I'M THE ONE WHO CAN TAKE CARE OF HER PROPERLY!"

"AND HOW EXACTLY DO YOU KNOW THAT!"

"BECAUSE I LOVE HER!" Ron screamed in a voice that shook the walls around them.

Only silence followed.

Finally, Molly Weasley backed away from her son, a look of fear in her eyes. She continued to shake her head, as if she was trying to tell herself she hadn't hear correctly as she backed into the wall. Eventually, she managed to choke, "You don't know what you're talking about."

Of all the responses his mother could have given, this was the one Ron was not prepared for.

He simply looked at his mother, who suddenly looked so small and…old, with an unbelievable look in his eyes. After all he'd told her…had she still not gotten the message?

"You don't know what you're talking about" She repeated, looking Ron dead in the eye. This time, Ron rose to the challenge.

"Yes, Mum. We do."

"No Ron…You…You can't"

"I can't what? I can't love her?" Ron asked, taking a step towards his Mum, "Why not?"

"B-Because" She choked, tears welling in her old eyes.

"Because why?" Ron asked,

"Because…" Mrs. Weasley paused, wiping at her eyes before meeting Ron's with a look of only sadness. "Because it wasn't supposed to happen this way."

Ron was taken aback. Happen what way? Had there been some sort of alternative he had never known about? Because if there had been, Ron would give anything for the opportunity to go back and change the way things happened.

"Happen what way?" He asked

Mrs. Weasley was now fully crying. Sniffing before another huge set of tears rolled down her face she cried, "Oh Ron! Why did you wait until now! Of all the times in the world, why now!"

Ron wasn't quite sure how to answer. "I…I don't know. I always knew I guess, but the prospect of loosing her was too much."

Mrs. Weasley nodded and wiped at her eyes like she was listening to a romantic novel. "Have you told her yet?" She whispered, putting a hand to her son's young healthy face.

Suddenly uncomfortable, Ron shifted his weight and avoided his mother's eyes. "Uh Yea…I did."

"And…" Mrs. Weasley egged on, her face still sad looking with the trace of tears still on them, but her eyes alight with excitement. Apparently this had been something she'd been waiting a long time to hear. "What did she say?"

If Ron could have wished for anything at that moment, he would have wished for Hermione. If only she could be the one to deliver this news to his Mum instead of him, or hold out her hand to show her the ring, or even just hold his hand to reassure him, he would have been grateful.

But as he looked around him, Ron realized that he was alone. Sighing, he mustered up all the courage he had to look his Mum in the eye. "Mum," He said slowly, taking a deep breath "We're engaged."

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Mrs. Weasley looked like she had just swallowed her tongue. Ron watched her carefully for any signs of fainting, since she'd gone rather white in the face. Sincerely worried for his Mum, Ron cursed timing and seriously considered calling for help.

Hermione would be furious with him. They'd agreed not to share their news until the time was right and even Ron, who was terrible with analyzing situations, could see that this was not the right time.

Taking a step towards his mother, Ron put a hand on her back and started leading her towards the nearby chair, unsure of what else to do, when suddenly something inside Molly Weasley must have snapped. She shrieked and threw her arms around Ron.

She was jumping up and down and crying, and yet at the same time punching Ron in the back. Frightened for his Mum's sanity and confused, Ron tried to pull away from her but it turned out that she had him in an iron grip.

"Mum?" He managed to grunt

"Oh Ron! I…I don't know what to say!" She cried, breaking apart and wringing her hands together.

Not sure if this was a good or a bad thing, Ron moved his head to look at her. "A-Are you…mad?" He asked timidly

"Mad! I'm furious! But so happy! So happy! Oh Ron! I just can't believe it!" She cried, smiling broadly, "I had been wondering for years…you both were always so cute dancing around each other for so long!"

Running a hand through his hair thoroughly relieved that his Mum wasn't going ballistic, Ron only shrugged. Why was it that the whole world seemed to have known about him and Hermione for years? Where had he been all this time?

This movement seemed to inspire a moment of nostalgia however as Molly tilted her head to look at her son, tears glistening in her eyes. "Oh Ron!" She whispered, putting a hand to his cheek, "My baby boy getting married! I just can't believe it!"

"It was a spur of the moment kind of thing," Ron admitted, his face flushing a lovely shade of red

Molly clicked her tongue disapprovingly, "Nonetheless, It'll be lovely to make Hermione part of the family."

To this, Ron had to smile, "Yea" He agreed, "I think she could really use a family right now."

At the mention of this, Molly seemed to suddenly remember Hermione lying in bed and with an, "Oh the poor dear!" dashed into the room, Ron following slowly behind her.

As he walked through the now open door and watched as his Mum raced to Hermione and embraced her, he smiled to himself and softly closed the door.

"Um…Mrs. Weasley?" Hermione asked, confused as his Mum held her in a tight hug.

"Oh Hermione dear I'm just so happy for you both!"

"For us both?" Hermione repeated, looking up at Ron with a look that clearly demanded an explanation.

"Yes! Ron told me!" Mrs. Weasley explained enthusiastically, "I will admit I was a little shocked, with you all being so young and just arriving here and all…. it was a bit much to comprehend; but you've known each other forever and I have no doubt in Ron choice."

"What exactly did Ron tell you?" Hermione asked slowly, shooting Ron a fearful glance. Ron's stomach twisted and he prayed he'd done the right thing.

"I must say it is quite unusual for the youngest boy to be the first one engaged but I suppose--"

"He told you WHAT!" Hermione shouted, looking fearfully between Mrs. Weasley and Ron.

Ron took this as his cue. Walking briskly up to Hermione, he put an arm around her waist. "I told her we were engaged." He said, trying to sound confident in his decision.

"Ron!" Hermione hissed in his ear as Mrs. Weasley simply beamed, "Why would you do something like that without me!"

"I couldn't help it. It sort of just came out," He admitted, his ears going a bit red

"No Ron!" Hermione whispered, pulling him aside and talking quietly so that Mrs. Weasley wouldn't hear. "There was a reason we agreed not to tell anyone! Do you remember what that was!"

"Not really" Ron confessed

Hermione made a frustrated sound in the back of her throat and sighed, "We agreed it wasn't the right time. We wanted the war to be over, we wanted things to be settled down. You can't bring up an engagement in the middle of a war!"

"But that's when it happened!" He protested

"It doesn't matter Ron! It's not right to be celebrating while people are dying!"

"But what if we don't get the chance to announce it 'Mione? What if something happens? I don't want my family to die not knowing that."

Hermione looked at him intently, studying him and apparently looking for some kind of resolve. Whatever she was looking for however she seemed to find as she smiled softly to herself and shook her head. "Well we are safe now," She whispered

"Exactly" Ron said, grinning

Turning to his Mum, Hermione said, "If you don't mind Mrs. Weasley, would you not tell anyone else? I think Ron and I will want to do that."

"Of course dear, why don't you do it tonight? I'll cook a big feast to celebrate!"

Hermione looked uneasy. "It's alright. You don't need to do that."

Mrs. Weasley waved her hand, "Nonsense! At first it does seem unnatural to have something as wonderful as an engagement in a war, but I think this is exactly what everyone needs! Something to celebrate! We haven't had something good happen in days, it'll do everyone some good!"

For some reason, that seemed to make Hermione feel a lot better as she smiled and nodded her head. "If it'll help everyone."

"Good, glad that's settled then!" Mrs. Weasley said briskly as she began heading out of the door. Pausing at the doorframe however, she turned around, smiling, "I'll leave you two alone then, and…. Ron?"

"Yea?" He asked,

His Mum smiled. "Forget what I said about the sleeping arrangements."

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(A/N: What'd you think? Let me know! Much love, Haystack)