Chapter 2

The next morning Hermione woke up with a huge smile on her face. She ultimately felt cold, though. She was beginning to hate waking up alone. She looked over to the left side of the bed, still perfectly made, almost like she had never gone to sleep. She began to wish she was one of those messy people, who's flats actually looked like people lived there. She began to look around. The only thing in the entire flat she could call messy was a pile of books on the desk in her living room with books on it. She had to study, even still. She felt like she had to know all she could for her career in the ministry. She let out a small smile as she remembered how Ron reacted almost every time he saw her pile of books. "Hermione! You work in the Department of Muggle Relations! What can you not know about muggles? Your parents are muggles!" She bittersweetly grinned as she got up and walked toward her shower. She was miserable that she had to spend the bulk of her day at work, but was happy she got to leave early to watch Ron, especially that she got to surprise him. He had been angry with her for not telling her where she was going to be, but she thought it was a good surprise.She knew he'd ultimately be happy. That was her favorite thing to think about.

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Ron Weasley groaned as he opened his eyes. He didn't really mean to wake up so early- he just couldn't help it. He hated sleeping now. He'd grown in the habit of having dreams now. Normally, they revolved around a certain bushy-haired beauty. As of late, though- they'd all been centered around something horrible happening to her. He couldn't ever put his finger on exactly what it was, but he did know that it was something bad. Something very, very bad. These dreams had spurted him into this rage he'd been as of late surrounding her. He felt like he had to know where she was, how she got there and who was with her all the time. That way, if nothing else, he could at least know where to find her if something did go wrong. His mind refused to leave one thought. Last night, when they sat on her couch, enjoying wine and each other's company- she wouldn't tell him where she was going the next afternoon. She wouldn't say. It was bothering him more than anything else, and caused his abrupt angry departure. She still looked happy. But his stomach told him something was wrong... told him something was very, very wrong.

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"Hey Hermione. How's everything?" Harry asked as he entered her office.

"Oh, the usual" she grinned as she put down the latest agreement to talk with her best friend. "Ron left last night pretty angry, but I can't be too upset. He has no idea about my surprise."

"I still don't think this surprise is a very good idea, Hermione. You know how Ron gets. Especially about you. You're pretty much the only thing that matters to him anymore."

"Oh, he shouldn't worry so much. I can take care of myself. Besides, it will make him happy to see me.. I hope anyway."

"I think he'll be happy to know you're safe, more than anything else, Hermione. He's been having these awful dreams. Dreams where something bad happens to you and he can't help you. It's driving him mad. Whenever anyone even mentions you... He.. Well, just cut him a break. He's so exhausted."

Hermione began to really feel just a piece of what Ron felt. She understood very well how it felt to worry about someone like that. To wonder constantly if they were OK. After all, that's exactly how she'd felt about both Ron and Harry the night of the final battle. She didn't know where they were or how to find them. She didn't even know how to stand. "But's he always loved it when I surprised him."

"Yea, Ron also like it when he wasn't having dreams where you were kidnapped or what have you. He liked just thinking that you were alright. Coming to work, going to lunch with Ginny, then he could talk to you after that. It made him feel... i dunno. comfortable. He'll never forgive himself, you know."

Hermione turned quickly. She knew full well Ron blamed himself for Hermione being hurled into a wall the night of the final battle. She broke her hip and her leg in three places. The pain was nothing. What hurt was having to sit and wonder if the two people she cared about more than anything in the world were alright, or even alive.

"That wasn't his fault. I knew better than to barge into that room uncovered. It was my fault."

"He still feels like there's something he could've done to prevent it. Just, really. Cut him a bit of a break. He just wants to take care of you. Really, he does."

"I know. Maybe I'll leave here early and go ahead out to the pitch, Ron will relax. You think?"

"Yes. Yes it will. The sooner you tell him, the sooner he'll calm down."

Hermione knew he was right. Sighing heavily, knowing her surprise had been ruined, but not entirely. She looked up at Harry and nodded in agreement. She smiled and stood up.

"Wait Hermione.. I..I need your help." he said nervously.

Hermione was a little unsure. "What is it, Harry?"

Harry pulled out a tiny little black box from his pocket. She was mortified. "Harry.. I can't. I mean.. goodness."

"It's not for you, you daft girl. It's for Ginny. I just want to know if you think she'll like it."

"Oh, Harry! She'll love it!" She gasped as she looked down at the ring. It was a gorgeous ring of what looked like platinum, but she easily recognized as Elf Gold. It had 3 crystals on the front, two different types. The far two were stones of a deep green, but when you turned the ring different wats, according to the sunlight, they turned different shades of green. The middle was a large stone that looked almost transparent, except for a light pink tint.

"I wasn't really sure about all the wizarding traditions about marriage.. So I went with Angelina and George. They showed me all the right places to go and Angelina told me all about the rings. She said that the outer stones are supposed to symbolize your promises to her and the inner stone as your hope for the future. So George told me about all the colors, what symbolized what. And I chose these two."

"What do they symbolize?" Hermione questioned.

"I can't tell you." Harry grinned.

"Why not?"

"Because. George said the only person who can tell you about the colors of the ring is the person that's proposing. Afterwards you'll know, and you can talk amongst other married women and find all that out, but I just can't tell you."

Hermione grinned. "All right, Harry. Be sure to pop in tonight and let me and Ron congratulate you both." She gave him a quick hug and ran out to the apparating point at the Ministry.

After she left, Harry stood in her office staring straight at the ring. He laughed while putting it away. He knew exactly what Hermione's ring would look like when Ron finally gave it to her. Outside stones would be red, with a with a bright blue inner stone. He turned off the lights to go back to his office.

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Ron reached his locker and opened it. He looked in it. There was a picture of Hermione at the Burrow, smiling and blowing kisses towards the camera. He grabbed his uniform and put it on. He was still pretty angry, but knew the game of Quidditch would, if nothing else, let him vent his frustration. He knew that if nothing else, he could at least go back to Hermione too exhausted to do anything but sleep. Lately, he'd gotten into the habit of going back to her place and falling asleep with her in his arms. It was then that he was the most happy. He loved to wake up and see Hermione, with her hair all mussed, then go into the kitchen and make her breakfast before she had to go to the ministry.

He then geared up and prepared to go onto the pitch.

"Oi! Weasley! Someone here to see you."

Ron quickly turned to look at the man who'd called his name. He thought it was just Ginny again asking for tickets for Harry and her, so he headed up the stairs to talk to her. He looked around on the way up the stairs, at the pictures of all the Cannons that came before him. Recently, they'd started getting much better. Well, at least better since when Ron was at school. But still, they could be much better. Given a few people finally get booted.

"Ron?"

Ron stopped immediately as he recognized the voice. "Hermione..." He said back.

She walked quickly towards him and wrapped her arms around him as she kissed him lightly on the cheek. "I came to watch you play.." she said with a smile.

"Hey Wood! I'm going to lunch. I'll be back in time to practice."

"You better be, Weasley."

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"That was your surprise? You wanted to come watch me play?" He laughed. "Of everything to not tell me..."

"Don't laugh! I wanted it to be a surprise.. I was going to wait until you saw me in the crowd, but then Harry came to see me and convinced me otherwise."

"Did you get to see Gin's ring? I haven't seen it yet. But Harry told me about the colors. I thought it was perfect."

"Stop teasing Ronald. You know now I want to go find out about the colors."

"Good Luck." Ron laughed. "That's something they don't write books about, 'Mione. It's something that's just done by tradition. Boys just know."

"Well, why didn't Harry come ask you about it?"

"He didn't much think that the women liked this idea. So I sent him over to George and Angelina. So that he could see how much the women love to see the stones and finally learn all about them. I think he realized it."

Hermione smiled as she sipped on her soup. "Are you coming over tonight after the match?"

"Course I am." Ron said unquestionably. "Why wouldn't I? It's one of the few things that calms me down these days."

Hermione giggled.

"You sound like a giddy school girl, you."

"Well, you do seem to be gaining larger and larger number of fangirls. Why shouldn't I be one?"

Ron laughed so hard he almost spit out his food. "Hermione." he said as he wiped the leftover soup from his mouth. "Please. You mean those women who follow every step I make? They're just scary. The ones who are probably taking pictures of us and are probably plotting against you as we speak."

They both laughed.

"Ron. You know I would never do anything to put myself in danger. You know that don't you?"

"Yea.."

"I just wanted to say.. That no matter what.. I promise- never to do anything to make myself available... to put myself in danger."

His face turned very serious. "Then promise me something else."

"Anything."

"Promise me you'll let me take care of you." He grabbed her hand. "Promise me that if you ever feel, even if its just a small feeling, in danger, that you'll come to me."

Hermione looked at him questionably, remembering what Harry had told her earlier that day. "Ron-"

"Promise me. I want to hear you say it."

"Of course, Ron, I promise."

"Say it."

"I promise Ron. I promise I'll always come to you."

"Good. But now I have to get back to the pitch. I want you to sit in the player's wives box. It's very well protected. And, well, the seats are amazing. When you get to the stadium just touch the gold key on the wall. It'll take you to a door with a blonde woman. Just say 'orange pineapple'and she should let you in." He kissed her lightly on the cheek. "Hey. Go to Gin's before the match, yea? Get a new dress. You'll need it. Just tell Gin I sent you. She'll know what you mean." Ron said with a devilish grin. "I'll see you tonight."

Hermione again looked at him questionably as he walked away. She did the only thing she knew to do. She went to Ginny's store.

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Ginny was just as giddy as Luna while she aided her in her choice of wedding gown.

"The main problem I think, Luna- is that your hair is so light... White sort of washes you out. Maybe a cream color?"

"I want blue."

"WHAT? BLUE? But- But- you're getting married..."

"Oh, yes I'm aware Ginevra, dear. But I just want to wear blue.. a darker blue... yes, I think that would be lovely.."

"Luna. What will Ernie think?"

"He will love it, don't you know? Ernie likes whatever I do really.. it's quite nice... He'll just listen for hours to me talk about Knorkels and Popines. It's quite refreshing to know someone also takes such things seriously."

Ginny laughed. "Only you, Luna. Here. I've got one.. I think you'll love it.. Go try it on and let me see."

After Luna walked away Ginny sat down with a sigh. It seemed like everyone around her was getting married. She glanced down at her hand. As of the moment, her hand had only one ring. Harry's promise ring he'd given her some time ago. Still lovely. A quaint plain seeming ring, with an inscription on the inside. "love, that's all." She smiled. She knew Harry would someday propose, but it still didn't stop her from ordering the one dress for her store that she hid in the back of store, the one dress that made her look amazing. The dress that made her feel like a woman. It was about mid daydream about Harry when Hermione Granger apparated into her store, looking more than worried.

"Hey Hermione! What's got you so down?"

"Ron sent me here to get a dress. He said you'd know what he meant.."

"Is that what you're worried about? Oh, goodness. He stopped by this morning and asked me to pick you out two or three dresses and let you pick which one you wanted.. It's not for anything bad, Hermione. He wants you to have it for your anniversary! He's taking you out, of course! No reason to be upset..."

"That's not it, Gin. But.. goodness. I feel like no matter what I do now, I can't make Ron happy."

"Hah. You stop his nightmares, that'll make him happy. Otherwise, you just need to be with him all the time." Ginny laughed.

"I'm serious, Ginny. What do I do? I just want to relax again. I want-"

"You want Hogwarts. You want life before Ron watched you get broken in half, watched Harry almost die and then watched Neville die. It can't happen, Hermione. The only thing that's going to make this situation better is time. Well, that and him being able to realize that you two belong to one another. Really, that's about it. He just loves you. He wants to be with you forever, but he wants to know he can keep you safe."

Hermione smiled. "He wants to be with me forever?"

"Ahh, shut your mouth."

"Ginny? I quite like this one."

Both Ginny and Hermione gasped. She looked beautiful. The dress was a navy blue strapless with a long train. Her hair draped down her back only accentuated the form flattering dress. As much as Ginny hated to admit it, the blue was perfect.

"Luna.." Hermione finally got out. "You look dazzling!"

"I think it's perfect, Ginny. I'll take it."

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"OK, Hermione. You can pick the color. Aqua, Green, or a creamy color?"

"Let me try the cream dress, first."

"Perfect. It's so beautiful, Herm. It's got just a bit of train and this elaborate beading.. It's so great."

"Can you give it to me so I can at least try it on?"

"Right. Sorry about that." She passed Hermione the dress inside the dressing room.

"Ginny! It's gorgeous! Oh my.. How much is it? I don't know if I can afford this, Gin."

Ginny grimaced as she felt the beginning of the scorn she knew was coming. "Umm- Ron said I wasn't allowed to tell you. He's buying it for you. As the first part of your anniversary present.."

"What?" Hermione began angrily.

"Ron said I was to under no circumstances tell you anything about costs of these. He made me swear."

"Oh, I suppose there's not much I can do then, is there?" she said defeatedly.

"You could always get him something just as good..."

"I think I have an idea... But first. Gin, I don't think I even need to try any of the others on. This is perfect. Don't you think?"

"Hermione, It's perfect- as always. Alright, well- it's nearing six, so you need to get to the pitch and I need to get to get this place closed. I'm supposed to meet Harry tonight at Godric's Hollow. You know he's been fixing it up, I think he's finished and wants to show me the place."

Inside, Hermione let out a huge grin, Outside- She nodded her head in agreement as she walked out the door.

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The match was over and Ron was in a rush to make it back to Hermione's apartment as soon as possible. He hadn't meant to, but all throughout the match he kept glancing her way- and she was always smiling at him. She looked beautiful. The wind was blowing so that her hair kept getting right in her face. She'd get so frustrated with it that he had to laugh. Something about her sitting there in the boxes with the other players wives, it was just cute. Hermione looked more than uncomfortable- she was always adorable when she was worried. And gods, did she look hot tonight. Everytime she turned behind her to talk to Wood's wife she turned so that her breasts stretched her blouse in just the right places. He'd tried so hard to pay attention to the quaffle, but everytime she turned, and it was often, he had to at least sneak a glance. Now all he could think about was getting back to her.

He apparated straight into Hermione's flat and immediately began looking for her. Unfortunately, she was nowhere to be found. Ron imagined she got stuck chatting with Oliver and Katie about the new baby. He hoped anyway. He went to living room and waited for her while imagining what lie just below that cute little white blouse she'd worn today. He started to pace. Then she apparated right in front of him.

"Hermione.." Ron growled as he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her roughly. He couldn't keep this up much longer. He wanted her. Hell, he'd wanted her since he could remember past 'Girls are icky.' They'd gone through so much, unable to express thier feelings, and now, it'd been a year since they fought Voldemort, and Ron felt the unsatiable need to make up for all the lost time. He remembered Oliver and Katie. They'd been married for a year. Fred and Angelina had been as well. Harry was proposing to Ginny that night. How had they fallen so behind? So behind as to not even fully explore her. Damn, did he want to. He shoved her against a wall and began to unbutton her blouse. She pulled away from the kiss and bit her lip. He could tell she was nervous but she was just as aroused as her.

"Ron..." she began.

"Yea?" he said roughly without ceasing his assault on her. He let his hand wander all over her stomach and up under her bra. She let out a tiny breath but still didn't reply. Ron looked down at her again and kissed her.

When she still didn't reply Ron stopped to look at her. "What's wrong, Hermione?"

"Nothing, really.. I just don't know if this is the right time or place to do this.."

Deep down, Ron knew she was right. He knew she wanted it to be special and that he would try his damndest to make sure it was. He looked around. This wasn't it. They were just at her flat, he was still tired and sweaty from the match and she seemed exhausted from a long and tiresome day. He stopped and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

"Let's just go to sleep, yea?" Ron smiled.

"That sounds great." Hermione grinned.

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After Hermione had fallen asleep Ron laid on her bed with his arms wrapped around her. He listened to the sound of her breath as she was fast asleep. He began to drift off as well. He remembered feeling how comfortable he was sleeping next to her...

SLAM. Ron heard a door close and looked around. Everyone around him was crying. Ginny was sobbing as she fell to the floor. All eyes turned to Ron. That was it. Hermione had died. She had died at the hands of leftover Death Eaters. He'd just skipped off to grab Hermione sometihng from Diagon Alley and they'd gotten her. He'd slipped up. FUCK. It was his fault. He felt himself screaming and tyring to bust through to door. He'd find them. He'd find the ones that did this to her. He'd kill them.

"Ron.." Ginny yelled at him. "She's dead. Don't you understand that! SHE'S DEAD!"

It finally hit Ron. Hermione Granger was dead.

"FUCK!" Ron yelled as he shot straight up from the bed."God damn it." He looked over to his side hoping to see Hermione. Only, Hermione wasn't there. No one was there.