Disclaimer: It would be so much easier if I actually owned HP as then I wouldn't have to always write these annoying disclaimers but, alas, it all belongs to the wonderful J.K Rowling

Love conquers all- doesn't it?

Ron waited by the fireplace, searching for that wave of brown curls, those chocolate eyes, that perfect porcelain face. He needed to see Hermione, not just for the sake of his hormones, which incidentally also needed to see Hermione, but because Ginny needed Hermione. Ron just didn't know what to say and, apart from being able to be her shoulder to cry on, he felt completely useless. The only thing he wanted to do was beat the living daylights out of Harry and he wasn't even allowed to do that, he had promised Ginny. He still couldn't believe that his best friend, the guy he had been friends with since he was eleven, the Chosen One, had broken his baby sister's heart and he wasn't even going to pay for it. Stupid ruddy Boy-Who-Lived, gets everything and abuses it. Breaks my sister's heart and I cant even give him the bloody punch up he deserves….

His murderous thoughts were interrupted by a poof of smoke as a wave of brown curls followed by the slender figure of Hermione crashed into the Weasley fireplace.

"'MIONE," Ron yelled running towards his girlfriend, who had only just managed to get herself up off the floor, and capturing her in a great big bear hug that almost resulted in them both landing on the floor again.

"I missed you so much 'Mione," he whispered into her hair, still clutching onto her delicate frame. Hermione, however, pushed away from Ron, giving him what could only be labelled as a deeply confused look.

"Ron, what's happened?" she asked, worry etched clearly in her voice as she looked up into his eyes, begging him to confide in her.

"Its…its Ginny. Harry broke up with her and…well lets just say I didn't know what to say to her. She needs to talk to someone who…well another female and I needed to see you," Ron replied, staring at his feet as he spoke the last part. He didn't want to look weak in front of Hermione, he couldn't be weak. A hand brushes his and he looks up to meet Hermione's eyes.

"I get it Ron. It's okay to be upset. I'll go speak to Ginny," she soothes, gently caressing his cheek. Nodding he gives her one last hug before nodding towards Ginny's room before moving towards the kitchen.

"Ron," she calls halting him, "Wait up for me, okay?" she added. Turning he saw a smile playing on her lips before she turned, running up the stairs to comfort his sister.

Lying on the couch, Hermione snuggled in his arms, watching the dying embers of the fire slowly fade away, the orange sparks spitting themselves sporadically into the air, was, to Ron, the most comforting thing in the world. Inhaling her scent, gently running his fingers through her once wild hair and then those occasional sweet, tender kisses created the sort of comfort that Ron knew he needed in order to survive, in order to fight. He wished he didn't have to wait until no one was around to do this, wished he could always be like this with his 'Mione. My 'Mione, he thought with a smile, my bloody brilliant 'Mione. He liked to think of her as his, even though he knew his independent girlfriend could never belong to anybody, because he believed that it was his job to protect her, keep her safe and warm and loved. Knowing that he would never be able to really fulfil his duty to keep her safe if they were constantly hiding their relationship, he made a choice. They had to tell everyone now.

" 'Mione," he whispers gently into her ear, startling his almost sleeping girlfriend, "I think…what I mean to say is….I think it's time we took the next step in our relationship," he continued trying to sound confident. However, her reply was completely unexpected as she jumped away from his embrace turning to face him with her hands firmly on her hips, her eyes blazing with an intense anger he hasn't seen present in those chocolate orbs for a while now.

"You know perfectly well that I'm not ready for that, Ronald," she snaps glaring daggers at her now thoroughly surprised boyfriend, "you insensitive prat! How could you think that I was ready for that when I never alluded to such a thing?" Gapping at his angered girlfriend Ron manages to digest what she is saying. She thought he meant sex, something that would admittedly be very nice but something far from Ron's mind at that moment. Fighting back a laugh at their miscommunication, knowing that Hermione would not at this current time see the humour, he reaches forward to grab her hand, only for her to pull back.

"No, 'Mione, I didn't mean that. I wasn't even thinking along those lines. I just think its time we told Harry and every one else about us," he said gently grabbing her hand again, this time not being met with resistance. Blushing she turned to face him,

"Sorry, I didn't mean to snap. I just thought….well you know and I'm not ready for that yet and it scared me that you would want me to do that. I'm sorry for jumping to the wrong conclusion and accusing you of… being a prick really. I know your not, honestly I do," she began to ramble before Ron comfortingly squeezed her hand, making her focus on what he had actually said while informing her that he understood, "you are right about the other thing though. It is time… we'll tell your family tomorrow and Harry when he arrives. But now I'm off to bed," Hermione continued, placing a swift kiss on Ron's lips before heading towards the stairs.

"Just know 'Mione that I'll never pressure you to do what you don't want to. I can wait forever," Ron stated matter-of-factly catching Hermione's attention before she disappeared up the stairs. Turning to give one last smile and reassuring nod to Ron, Hermione disappeared from Ron's view. They were official now and, as scary as that was-having a commitment at a time of war, Ron couldn't be happier.

Sitting with his family, eating breakfast was a normal everyday occurrence for Ron but for some reason, probably the fact that he was about to tell them that he had been going out with Hermione for almost two months now, made him feel as though this interaction had suddenly become the most awkward thing in the world. Hermione was sitting beside him and he could see her hands fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, her breathing uneven. Catching her gaze he smiled reassuringly at her and squeezed the hand he was holding under the table, the time had come. Coughing in order to grab the attention of his family, Ron waited until everyone turned to face him.

"Hermione and I have something to say," he began, not noticing the knowing looks being shared between the rest of the family, "We've been dating for well almost two months now and we…well I believe we will be for…what I hope is a bloody long time," he smiled proudly at the rest of his family and brought his and Hermione's interlinked hands to the top of the table. Silence, this was all that met Ron upon his big declaration. Silence had always been an uncommon occurance in the Weasley household and, being the pin point of this rare event, Ron was starting to feel uncomfortable, lose confidence in voicing the status of his relationship with Hermione. The doubt creeping in, that unmistakable clasp of terror taking hold, Ron chanced another glance at his family and all hope returned when his eyes met the heart-warming smile of his mother, beaming at him from across the table as tears began to fill her eyes.

"Congratulations you two!" boomed his father proudly smiling at him from the end of the table as his mother captured Hermione in a bone crushing hug. He felt a hand clap his shoulder and turned to face his collection of brother's, all smiling warmly at him, muttering their congratulations coupled with the expected "about time!" and "it took you long enough". His eyes searched for the only member of his family who had not congratulated him yet, Ginny. There she was, hugging Hermione. Locking his eyes with hers he saw the first genuine smile he had seen on her sweet, innocent face in weeks as she nodded towards him, giving him her own type of congratulation. Ron was overwhelmed by the relief that swept over him as he made his way towards Hermione, draping his arm over her shoulders, revealing in the simple intimacy of this gesture. The room bustled with laughter and spirit again, a fire reignited in his sister's eyes, and Ron felt completely and utterly content, certain that love- his and Hermione's love- had made a difference.

Hearing the knock startled Ron. Sure he had been waiting for it. Fighting the range of emotions, varying from elation to fury, that rose within him at the thought of seeing his best mate…his sister's ex-boyfriend. He wasn't sure whether he should be happy that he was finally going to be seeing Harry after three weeks of almost no contact with him and a tiny part of him couldn't help but feel elated at the thought. However another part, a much bigger part, believed that he should punch the living daylights out of his best mate as a way of greeting, rather then the usual friendly clap on the shoulder. This was why the knock had suddenly become something so unexpected, Ron just wasn't ready. His thoughts still fighting a raging war in his head Ron headed towards the door of the Burrow.

That unexpected, always elating, feeling of joy was, fortunately, the one that won the battle and presented itself to Ron upon seeing the messy black hair, broken glasses and detached smile of his best friend. The anger lost as he clapped his best mates shoulder, realising that Harry had a reason, that he did it because he had to.

"It's bloody brilliant to see you, Harry! How are you, mate?" Ron asked as he led Harry into the house.

"It's great to see you too, Ron! I'm…well as good as can be I suppose. The Dursley's weren't as bad as usual. How are things with you? Flying as much as possible and eating all the food placed in front of you would be my guess," Harry replied laughing as he placed he levitated his bag to Ron's room and looked around, absorbing the familiarity of the Burrow.

"Yeah 'course I've been flying nearly everyday and, as you know, no one cooks as good as my mum can," he replied heartily, feeling his heart swell at the prospect of always seeing happy this happy, yet knowing that this contentment was fleeting, that war would crush his spirit. This was not the time to dwell on the upcoming war, the foreboding final confrontation. Ron needed to tell Harry about his relationship with Hermione as if he didn't do it now he might not to it at all.

"Harry, mate, there's…well…umm…," fortunately his incoherent rambling was cut off as Hermione walked into the room, shrieking a very un-Hermionish "HARRY!" before embracing him in a sisterly hug.

"Harry, it's so good to see you," she squealed finally letting go of a thoroughly surprised Harry's neck.

"Good to see you too, Hermione," he replied, looking curiously over at Ron, "I didn't know Hermione was going to be getting here before me, Ron. Playing favourites now are we?" he laughed, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. However, Ron and Hermione didn't laugh. Hermione simply moved over towards Ron, who by this stage was a nice shade of magenta, and grabbed his hand. At this simple gesture Harry's eyebrows shot up behind his fringe.

"Actually Harry there's something both Ron and I wanted to talk to you about," Hermione began, sounding almost as authoritarian as McGonagall. Merlin she's sexy when she's bossy, Ron thought, that whole authoritative, aggressive, domineering thing really works with 'Mione. He felt almost aroused as he watched his girlfriend take control of the situation.

"As you've probably noticed we both have certain feelings for each other that exceed those of friendship. I guess the thing is Ron and I having been dating, for a few months actually, and we'd just like you to be happy for us and know that you're still our best friend and we don't want you to feel awkward about it," she said, seeming to not need breath as she outlined what appeared to be a rehearsed speech, yet knowing Hermione probably came straight from the heart and that brain of hers. Harry's grin seemed to double in size as he positively beamed at Hermione and Ron's interlaced hands before turning to look at their faces,

"About bloody time I reckon!" Harry chuckled, continuing even as Hermione reprimanded his language, "I mean, sure it might be awkward at first but….well I think I've always known that you two would end up together. Plus as Dumbledore said, love is the most important thing in winning this battle," he continued, his face, though still plastered with a smile, noticeably darkening at the mention of Dumbledore and the upcoming war. However, his smile never faltered as he faked a yawn and looked down at his watch,

"Time for me to go to bed," he said heading towards the stairs, the mood having been dramatically darkened, turning to face Ron and Hermione once more, "I really am happy for the both of you," he added before disappearing from view leaving a shocked couple, still clasping each others hand, at the bottom of the stairs.

The marriage of a brother, a marriage in general, is supposed to be a happy occasion. Laughter, drinks, dancing, swirling, singing, stumbling and that euphoric feeling that accompanies few events. Yet the difference between suppose to be and an actual fact is what creates a moment, destroys a life, and changes the whole dynamics of an event. The marriage of Bill Weasley to Fleur Delacour hadn't brought Ron the happiness he needed, hadn't secured that feeling of safety and contentment that they all knew would disappear in the war. Love was supposed to end the war. It was Harry's ability to love that was supposed to be the downfall of Voldermort. Love gave Ron hope and now it seemed as though all hope was lost. Harry wasn't Harry anymore. Focused on death, killing, destruction and all things morbid, all things lacking love, was killing his ability to love, was steadily stopping any chance they had to end the war. It was hard for Ron to think of the war as just beginning when, to him and those closest to Harry, the war had started the day Harry found out he was a wizard. They were just preparing for another battle, a more important battle. If Harry can't love, if Harry loses hope… then this war is as good as over, he thought as he made his way over to where Harry was sitting, staring hopelessly at his little sister who was too busy dancing with an array of boys to notice. While at first Ron had enjoyed the wedding, dancing with Hermione and joking with his brothers, when he had seen Harry looking so solemn, broken and lost the happiness had instantly faded away. They, the Golden Trio, needed this last day of peace and Ron was going to make sure they all got it.

"You should go dance with her, mate," Ron mumbled gently as he plopped himself down in the chair next to Harry who nearly jumped out of his seat, startled out of staring at Ginny, snapped back into reality. He nodded solemnly at Ron, a detached smile plastered on his face-not reaching his emerald eyes.

"I don't think she'd want to dance with me," he replied, resuming his previous activity of staring at Ginny twirling, laughing….living, "I screwed up, Ron. What was I thinking? That she'd wait for me?" he practically screamed, running a hand furiously through his hair.

"I know…actually we all know that I'm not that good at talking about my feelings or whatever but yeah, mate, you did screw up," Ron chuckled, clapping Harry fondly on the back.

"Not helping," Harry groaned, burying his face in his hands

"Look, Harry, you really hurt Ginny and I mean really really hurt her. I'm going to be honest with you and say that at first I…lets just say I bloody wanted to bash your head in. But then, when I saw you, I realised that you must have had a reason for it. I knew that the Boy-Who-Lived wouldn't have broken my sister's heart without a reason. Anyway what I'm trying to say is….I think…well maybe you need Ginny,"

"I mean Dumbledore did say you're ability of love was what would help you defeat V-Voldermort so go apologize to my baby sister, Harry" Ron finished, nodding to where Ginny was still dancing away. Harry smiled at his best mate and stood up heading towards Ginny standing alone on the dance floor before turning to face Ron, a grin evident for the first time in days,

"Thanks," he said seriously, "when did you become so…mature?" he chuckled

"I reckon you'd have to thank 'Mione for that," Ron chuckled in return, "now get over there and dance with my sister before I change my mind. Nodding obediently Harry headed over to Ginny who appeared thoroughly startled by what was being asked. A smile began to spread over her face, growing wider with each word uttered by Harry, as she grabbed Harry's hand and lead him to the dance floor. As she leaned in towards Harry for a kiss Ron looked away, smiling to himself and searching for 'Mione. Maybe it wasn't too late to rectify the day just yet.

Author Note: So I finally updated. You know the drill Read and Review. Cheers!