Disclaimer: Still don't own Harry Potter.

The end of summer:

The days were getting shorter. The wind blowed gently through the trees, the breeze growing stronger, as the temperature decreased slowly. The summer was ending. The summer was ending and the Golden Trio hadn't even begun to think about their upcoming journey, the Horcruxes, the war. This…this lack of planning, lack of action, lack of decisiveness was beginning to get to Ron. It wasn't as though he wasn't enjoying the summer holiday, embracing the time he had with Harry, Hermione and his family, but he knew that they had to act. They had to fight if they were going to win this battle, finally win the war. He'd discussed it with Hermione during one of their late night…chats and they'd both decided that it was time to talk to Harry. They were both glad that he and Ginny had gotten back together, that Harry was smiling again, but smiling, laughing and indecisiveness wasn't going to win the war. They needed a plan and they needed one now.

Black hair sprawled over the back of the couch, glasses askew, eyes closed and a small, radiating smile plastered on his face. It was obvious that Harry Potter was content and Ron felt a small stab of guilt hit him, knowing that he was about to end this contentment, as he walked towards his peacefully sleeping best friend, clasping Hermione's hand in his. Hermione gently shook Harry's shoulder, succeeding in waking him up and earning a smile as he sat up, stretching slightly.

"What do you two want?" he yawned, still smiling at his two best friends

"Well the thing is….both Hermione and I feel that and we're sure you want to as well…actually we don't know what your thinking and we don't know what you want to do that's why we're talking to you…what I'm trying to say is…" Ron rambled before sighing and turning to his girlfriend, giving her a pleading look only for her to roll her eyes at him and nod, "Hermione wants to talk to you," he finished lamely

"What Ron was trying to say is that we're both wondering what plans, if any, you have for looking for the Horcruxes?" Hermione asked gently

The laughing attack Harry had been having at Ron's inarticulateness stopped suddenly and his whole cheery demeanour darkened dramatically at these words.

"I actually have been thinking about it and have developed a plan, despite what you both think!" he spat, his eyes darkening as he turned on his best friends. Hermione looked like she was on the verge of tears and it was her turn to look pleadingly at Ron.

"Harry, mate, we know you've thought about it. Merlin we've all been thinking about it. 'Mione and I just wanted to know what you've planed. Now either tell us or go sulk about what has happened and what might happen which I'm sure is the key to defeating Voldermort," Ron snapped back, his voice dripping with sarcasm at the last part of his speech. He hadn't meant to sound so angry but he was sick of having to pander Harry, tiptoe around subjects that may upset Harry. He couldn't live with the constant look after Harry, don't upset Harry mantra running through his head anymore. They needed to move on from Dumbledore's death, the needed to start acting. Completely startled from Ron's sudden outburst Harry's eyes widened as he stared at Ron before realising that both him and Hermione were waiting for him to speak, preparing themselves for the onslaught of words that would surely follow.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to lash out at you guys it's just...it's just that everything is so…so real and I know that we have to do something but I want the rest of the summer. I need the rest of the summer to allow me, us, to be fully prepared for whatever happens next," he began sighing, staring intently at both Ron and Hermione, begging them to understand. Ron nodded at Harry and turned to see Hermione doing the same thing, giving him a small smile that asked him to continue.

"I think that we need to start practicing jinxes and defensive spells and such before…well before the war. When the summer ends, while Ginny and everyone are getting ready to go of to Hogwarts we'll leave. I have to see the Dursley's one last time, Dumbledore wanted me to. After I'd…I'd like to visit my parents' graves at Godric's Hollow. I have a feeling that a Horcrux might be there. Then…well then we go where the clues take us," Harry finished, sounding most philosophical.

"We'll be with you all the way, mate" Ron smiled clapping him on the shoulder. Hermione jumped on Harry embracing him in a tight hug while a stunned Harry stared bemusedly at Ron from over her shoulder.

"Oi, 'Mione I thought I was your boyfriend," Ron laughed as Hermione let go of Harry and rolled her eyes at her boyfriend before Ron grabbed her, pulling her onto his lap and attaching his lips to hers. Giggling she half attempted to pull away before she became too absorbed in the kiss, responding with equal enthusiasm. A cough was heard and Ron reluctantly pulled away from Hermione to see a disgusted Harry glaring at them.

"Are you two going to stop trying to suck each others face's off or should I just go," he asked, trying very hard to hide a grin. Ron responded by resuming his previous activity of assaulting Hermione's lips as he heard Harry leave the room, laughing as he went.

The rest of the summer passed quickly in a blur of snogging, Quidditch, training and food. Ginny was going back to Hogwarts today, amid a mass of tears from Mrs. Weasley and a…different kind of goodbye from Harry. While it had been very hard trying to tell Mrs. Weasley that he, Hermione and Harry wouldn't be finishing their education, his ears were still ringing from the yelling that had ensued, Ron had managed to convince her, with help from his father, that they had to do this and that they were old enough to look after themselves. The hostility that he had faced from his mother for about a week after the confrontation had subsided and Ron had noticed that more food seemed to make its way onto his plate these days, not that he was complaining or anything. He was actually relieved that his family knew about what was happening, he would hate to hide something that big from his family and could only imagine how hard this must be for Hermione, her family being so detached from the wizarding world with no knowledge of the foreboding danger. He would talk to her later about that later, now he had to say goodbye to Ginny. Walking over to where his little sister stood Ron placed a hand on her back, grabbing her attention from Harry. She turned to face him, smiling, and immediately engulfed him in a warm hug which Ron gratefully returned.

"Have a good year at school, Gin. I promise me, 'Mione and Harry will write all the time," he said kindly, pulling away from their embrace.

"Have a good year yourself, Ron and be careful okay," she replied smiling, wiping a sole tear away from her cheek, "anyway I best be off and if you don't write then make sure you watch your back," she added giving her brother a glare that would've put Mrs. Weasley to shame before she began to laugh as she walked out the door towards the car, waving as she left.

Merlin this is hard. Bloody hell why is this so hard? Ron thought to himself as he looked in the mirror examining his outfit, a rare occurrence- so rare in fact that Ron's mirror was so thickly covered in grime and spider webs that it was a wonder Ron could even see his reflection in the mirror. Get a grip Weasley! you're only going to see her parents. Oh this is bloody brilliant you're going to be meeting Hermione's parents for the first time as her boyfriend and you can't even make you're hair sit straight. I'm such a prat they're going to hate me, 'Mione's going to break up with me because they hate me… However his thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his bedroom door.

"Ron, it's me. Can I come in," he heard Hermione's voice call through the door as he rushed over to open it for her, running a hand through his previously tamed hair as he did so. Laughing at Ron's hastiness Hermione entered the room, placing a soft peck on her boyfriend's lips. Bloody hell she looks brilliant, Ron thought as he examined his girlfriend's choice of outfit. She wore a tight, flattering red silk dress that accentuated all of her curves, her wild brown curls had been tamed so that they fell into perfect chocolate ringlets framing her face and she had the slightest, almost unnoticeable, amount of makeup on that highlighted her beautiful chocolate orbs and lush lips. In short terms she looked absolutely gorgeous and all Ron wanted was to spend the whole night alone together and make her feel as special as he knew she was.

"You...wow," he stuttered unable to articulate what he was thinking, " 'Mione you look beautiful," he finally managed and Hermione let out a most un-Hermioneish giggle,

"You don't look too bad yourself, Ron," she responded taking his hand, "shall we go?"

Ron smiled warmly as he kissed his girlfriend's hand and led her towards the door to his room. It amazed him just how quickly she was able to calm his nerves, especially when she didn't actually do anything.

The calmness that Hermione had instilled in Ron by just being present began to rapidly vanish as they stood outside the Granger's door waiting for someone to come greet them. Breathing became harder, the air became hotter and Ron had the distinct impression that there was a definite lack of oxygen where he was standing. Hermione must have sensed Ron's frazzled state as she gently kissed his cheek and caressed the hand she was holding,

"Don't worry Ron. My parent's will love you because I love you. It'll be fine, I promise," she soothed and Ron instantly felt his heart lift, a weight tumble off his shoulders. She was right he had nothing to worry about, he didn't need their approval 'cause they loved 'Mione and 'Mione loved him, everything would be fine. Just then the door burst open and Hermione was engulfed in the embrace of a middle aged greying man whose eyes were the exact replica of his daughter's. He looked pleasant with his slightly round, warm, friendly face and his relaxed demeanour. Ron watched as father and daughter greeted each other and then noticed another figure approaching. A plumper, older looking version of Hermione appeared at the doorstep, moving to greet her daughter, and Ron was certain that if he was to move thirty years into the future she, apart from her eyes, would be resemble his 'Mione identically. As mother and daughter shared a greeting Ron moved to greet her father, who by this stage was warmly smiling at him.

"Hullo sir, I'm Ron Weasley," he said confidently, extending his hand.

"Nice to meet you Ron," Mr. Granger greeted, firmly shaking his hand, "there's no need for this sir business, call me Henry," he added warmly

"No problem si…Henry," he blushed while Henry merely laughed and gestured for his wife to come over.

"You must be Ron, Hermione's told us all about you," Mrs. Granger said, greeting Ron with a friendly hug, "please feel free to call me Elizabeth,"

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Elizabeth," Ron replied with much more confidence then he felt.

"Well I think its time we all went inside," Henry suggested, clapping Ron's shoulder and manoeuvring him into the house, "I think some tea is just what is needed, love," he added to Elizabeth as the all moved into the kitchen.

After and incredibly awkward start to conversation, with many prolonged silences following the numerous uncomfortable, faltering attempts at conversation, Henry had brought out Hermione's baby album, emitting a squeal from Hermione as she attempted to snatch the book away, and from then on the conversation was easy, comfortable and relaxing.

"So my little Hermione, how long have you and Ron been going out?" Henry asked interrupting the easy flowing conversation and causing Ron to almost choke on his tea. He turned to look at his girlfriend sitting beside him on the couch, clutching his hand, and saw that the blush on her face would do the Weasley family proud.

"Well…um…Ron and I have been dating for…almost four months now," she spluttered, "Why do you ask, Daddy?"

Henry merely smiled and looked at the couple's interlinked hands, before turning his full attention to Ron.

"I was wondering if I could have a word with young Ron here," Henry asked calmly, rising from his chair and beckoning for Ron to follow. Ron gulped, oh Merlin, before following Henry out of the room.

Moving into the kitchen Henry gestured for Ron to sit on the table opposite him and chuckled as he saw the nervous expression plastered on Ron's face.

"No need to be nervous Ron, I just want to ask you a few questions," he stated calmly, "I know about the war, Ron, and that you, your friend Harry and my little girl are right in the midst of it and well… I know that anything could happen to my Hermione and I just want to know…do you love her?"

Startled by his honesty and the weight of the question he had just been asked, all Ron could do was stare. He knew that he loved Hermione with all his heart, that she was what made his life worth living, and he would do anything to keep her safe, protect her. He decided that he would answer Henry with the same honesty and hope that that was enough.

"Mr. Granger…Henry I love 'Mione, more then anything in the world. I've loved her since I was twelve and I know that I will love her forever," he started calmly, confidently, "I want to be honest with you. Everyone in our world is in danger, especially Harry, 'Mione and me, and anything could happen. But I will look after her, I promise you I'll keep her as safe as I possibly can and…well after…after this is all over I'm…I'd like to marry 'Mione," he finished honestly, blushing at his last words. He looked over at Henry and saw him beaming with what could only be described as pride.

"You're a fine young man, Ron," he said, his voice full of emotion, clapping him on the back and rising from his chair, "It'd be an honour to have you as a son-in-law one day, and I have no doubt that you'll look after my little girl or 'Mione as you call her," he chuckled as they walked back into the living room.

Walking back into the Burrow, Ron's arm draped casually over Hermione's shoulder, Hermione turned her head to face Ron,

"What did dad want to talk about, Ron?" she asked curiously, smiling up at him when she noticed the blush creeping up his face, his ears reddening.

"Um…man's business 'Mione, nothing for you to worry 'bout," Ron chuckled, drawing Hermione closer to him, reeling in her warmth. He loved the serenity of just being with Hermione, relaxing, drawing in the comfort offered by the other. He was enjoying their embrace, the peace, when he heard a sigh emitted from Hermione, not one of content but one that sent a chill down his spine, and he drew away from his girlfriend so that he could look into her eyes and was shocked to see them glistening with fresh tears.

"'Mione… 'Mione what's wrong?" he asked gently only to have her break down into sobs, weeping as she feel into his arms, her tears shacking them both. Unsure what to do, what was wrong, Ron attempted to soothe Hermione as he gently rubbed her back and drew her closer to his chest.

"Oh Ron, that could…I might not…what if," she mumbled, chocking on her unfinished sentences, "I might never see them again, Ron. That could have been the last time I ever saw my parent's," she whispered her body shacking. Guilt hit Ron as he finally understood why they had gone to visit her parent's, why she had been so desperate to for him to meet them and why she had hugged them so tightly before they left. It wasn't the friendly visit he thought it had been, it wasn't because she hadn't seen them in so long, it was because she wanted to say goodbye, just in case. In case the worse happened, in case she never had another opportunity and Ron felt bad. He felt bad because his family was part of this, bad because he didn't have to say goodbye.

"Look 'Mione, you have to be positive. You'll see them again, alright. They'll be there after the war and so will you. They'll be there at our wedding and at the birth's of our kids. It will all be fine, love," he whispered soothingly into her hair, pulling away and blushing when he realised what he'd said about their future, a subject they hadn't really touched on before.

"Sorry…I meant when you get married to whoever you want to marry…"

However, his apology was cut of as Hermione's lips covered his,

"Don't be sorry you prat, that's probably the sweetest thing you've ever said…even though you do have the emotional range of a teaspoon," she laughed, running towards the house, Ron chasing after her as it began to rain. The summer was over.

Author Note: Okay so I know that my story is getting worse the more I write but bear with me I have an interesting twist coming up, mwahaha. Anyway Read and Review.

Cheers!