Just a little idea I've been playing with. If I get enough feedback, I'll continue it. This takes place a few years AFTER the 7th book. Harry has defeated Voldemort. Remember that, my dear cherubs.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but my story.

Enjoy!

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Everything Is Just Roses

Chapter 1: "Knock Knock"

There she stood upon the little stool with mirrors all around her, admiring her reflection from every possible angle. Wow… she had to admit, she looked pretty good! The gorgeous white dress accentuated her every curve perfectly and the long train attached to it made her feel like royalty. It was hard to believe that she, Hermione Granger, was a bride-to-be.

A knock came from the door of the mirrored room. "Yes?"

"May I see just how wonderful you look?"

Recognizing the voice of her best friend, Hermione called out, "Oh yea! Come in!"

Luna Lovegood entered and her eyes grew to the size of afternoon-tea saucers. "Oooo! Brilliant! You look absolutely outstanding! I love it. I'm sure Ron's jaw will hit the floor when he sees you walk down that isle."

Hermione beamed. "Thanks sweetheart. Lemme go get changed and we can go for Butterbeers." After doing so and paying for the dress, she and Luna left Madame Wanda's Wedding Wishes and headed for the Three Broomsticks. After so many visits to Hogsmeade during her Hogwarts years, Hermione found she could never completely stop her visits. In fact, she loved it so much that she had gotten an apartment not far from it.

The snow outside was falling gently making Hermione pull her scarf closer to her face. It was winter. And yes, she and Ron were going to be wed in the winter. She had suggested putting off until spring, but Ron had insisted; telling her he couldn't possibly waited that long. So she relented. Sure it wasn't exactly conventional, but come on, they weren't exactly conventional people now were they?

As they sat cozily in Hermione's favorite spot in the Three Broomsticks: the far corner by the window, poised over their drinks, they discussed the guest list. "So who are you inviting?" Luna wondered.

"Well I'm definitely invited Ron's entire family, my mom and dad, Hagrid and Madame Maxime, Professor Lupin and Tonks—or should I say Mr. and Mrs. Lupin; they gotten hitched if you didn't know, you and if you'd like to bring Neville that's fine."

"Oh yes! He'll be delighted! But… what about… Harry?"

This caught Hermione off guard. Harry… The last time she saw him was about two years ago, a week after graduation.

--Two years ago…--

The doorbell rang of Hermione's brand new apartment that her parents had bought for her as a graduation present. "Coming!" she cried.

Harry entered her flat looking absolutely thrilled. "What's up?" Hermione asked him.

"Hermione! I've gotten a letter from Auror Headquarters and they want me to be an Auror for them! I can't believe it!" Harry picked Hermione up and spun her around.

"That's brill Harry! I'm so proud of you!"

When Harry had finally let her down, she asked, "Have you told Ron?"

"Yeah! He's really excited."

"Well that makes two of us."

But then, Harry's expression changed from one of pure joy to a more serious one. He took her hand, led her to the nearest couch, and sat her down. "But," he began. "There's a downside to all this." He looked at Hermione's concerned face and quickly focused his gaze down on his knees and mumbled, "I have to travel. A lot. Meaning… I won't see you and Ron very often anymore."

Hermione rested her hand on his cheek and his eyes met hers. "Harry, listen to me. This is what you've always wanted. Please don't let Ron and I be the reason you don't take this opportunity to fulfill your dreams. Go. I just know you'll be great."

Harry's eyes almost softened to tears. "You're amazing, Hermione. You really are." Hermione smiled. "I'll be taking Ginny with me. She's going to try to get a job with her dad at the Ministry."

Hermione's heart sank. Why? She couldn't explain. She and Ron were already in a very serious relationship and she sensed that things were really going to get heated up soon. Yet, here she was sitting in front of Harry, smiling and nodding softly with a funny feeling inside her. Deciding to push those nonsense feelings aside, she changed the subject.

"You will write to us won't you, Harry?"

"Of course I will! You're my best friends. I promise I'll write every other day if not every single day."

They talked about his job for a while. Then, Hermione remembered she had to get ready for a dinner date with Ron.

"I'll walk you to the door," she told her emerald-eye friend.

At the doorway Harry turned to leave, but hesitate and faced Hermione, looking at her in a sad sort of way. "I really will miss you, you know." He leaned towards her and kissed her so softly on her cheek that he barely touched her.

Tears welled up in Hermione's eyes. She looked down so he wouldn't see. "I'll miss you too, Harry," she replied with a voice that she had forced with every fiber of her being to be steady. When she looked up, Harry was gone.

Closing the door, she slumped down against it and sobbed her heart out.

Ron proposed that night.

--Present day…--

Hermione touched the exact spot where Harry's lips had brushed her cheek. Though he had scarcely touched her, that touch burned more than anything she had ever felt.

Luna, seeing that she had hit a sore spot, began talking about something else. The rest of their evening went quite smoothly and by eleven that night, Hermione had bid Luna good-bye and was entering her apartment.

She threw her coat and scarf down on the couch and checked by the window to see if she had gotten any messages from anyone. A couple. One from her mother just saying hello. Her mother was a big animal-lover; so she used the owl post every chance she got. She couldn't help but chuckle a little at her mom. The other was from Luna telling her that she had just gotten home. Hermione shook her head. That was Luna for you.

Her doorbell rang. "Yeah! Be right there!" It was probably Ron, coming over for some late-night canoodling.

But when she opened the door, her heart jumped right up to her throat. Standing there at the doorway was him. The one she had remembered in the Three Broomsticks. Harry.

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So what did everyone think? If I get at least five reviews, I'll continue. I hope everyone liked it. Even if you didn't, please tell me. Oh and please, if you know anyone who might like to read this, recommend it to them. If you like me to read, review, and recommend your story, just say so and I'll be glad to!