A/N: I don't own HP or "I Miss My Friend." J.K. and Daryl Worley do.

The one who knew just what to say

to make me laugh again.

Three years had passed since that day Ron thrust all of his feelings into Hermione's hands by way of a simple envelope. Ron had meant what he said when he told her he wouldn't be spending much time around her. Today was Felicity's 4th birthday, and the Snape family had seen hide nor hair of Ron Weasley. Not once. On the Christmases when they visited the Burrow, Ron coincidentally had to work at the Ministry each time, although he always left presents for Felicity. Hermione sent an invitation to Ron to attend each of Felicity's birthday parties, but he never came. He had sent her a card for the past two years that contained one galleon for how old she was turning and a note that always said the same thing:

Felicity,

Save these galleons for when you grow up. Happy birthday, sweetheart.

All my love,

Uncle Ron

There was never any greeting to Hermione or Severus. He hadn't even sent one yet this year. It broke her heart to have lost her best friend this way. Severus had been so sure that Ron would come back around in a couple months, but he hadn't. He had to admit that he missed Ron's goofy jokes, but most of all, he hated to see his wife in such pain. He was beginning to lose hope in Weasley, but he couldn't let Hermione see that. He had to keep encouraging her that he'd eventually come around.

But Hermione wasn't stupid. She had never been one to place false hope in dreams that wouldn't come true. She knew how stubborn Ron was, and if he hadn't decided to show his face by now, he may never do it at all.

Of course, Severus was her best friend. He was her husband, her lover, the father of her child, her everything. But Ron had been one of the first friends she had made at Hogwarts, and losing him was heartwrenching. She still had Harry, and she and Ginny had become closer than ever. But she still missed Ron. He was always the one that could make her laugh.

/\/\/\

On February 11th, Felicity's birthday, Hermione and Severus of course had a party planned for her. Since she was turning four, she actually got to have a little say in what she wanted her party to be like. She had decided on a jungle animal theme; she was very into big cats and monkeys. Hermione always gloated to Severus over her love for lions (she was convinced that Felicity would be a Gryffindor). Severus would just scowl and point out that she hadn't displayed a hatred for snakes either.

Severus had transfigured common household items into jungle animals (tamed, of course), and Hermione had conjured animal hats for everyone to wear. Felicity was still in her room, waiting for the surprise. She didn't know that her father had transfigured things into animals; she would be so excited when she saw.

At around 4:30, guests started to show up, and each was donned with an animal hat at the door. Albus and Minerva showed up first, then Harry, Ginny, and Caleb, Neville and Luna (who had recently gotten engaged), Hermione's father, Hagrid (who was very excited to see all the animals), Fred and George, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Tonks and Lupin, and even Madame Pomfrey. It was nearing 5 o'clock, when the party was supposed to begin, and it looked like everyone was there.

Except Ron.

Hermione had sent him an invitation, as always, and for some reason had hoped he would be there. But to her disappointment, he wasn't.

After one last fleeting glance toward the door, she slipped into Felicity's room and shut the door, making sure Felicity's dress was on the right way. She had just gotten into that stage of wanting to dress herself, but she didn't always get it quite right. She smiled softly at her daughter perched on the edge of her bed, ready for the fun to begin.

Felicity had grown into a beautiful child. She was tall for her age (taking after her father, no doubt). She had Severus's black, silky hair, which she wore down to her waist. She had her mother's light brown eyes, and her father's pale skin, but her nose was sprinkled with a few freckles. She was already proving to be an intelligent child; she had already learned to read. She had her mother's outgoing demeanor but her father's fiery temper. Everyone said she was a perfect mix between the two of them.

"Mommy?" Felicity said, breaking Hermione's thoughts.

"Yes, sweetie?" Hermione replied, standing Felicity up and straightening the pink bow on the back of her dress.

"Is Uncle Ron coming?" she asked innocently, looking at her mother.

"Sweetie, I don't think so. He isn't out there right now, and all the other guests are already here. Uncle Harry is here though!" she added, trying to change the subject. But Felicity wouldn't have it. She really was smart for a four-year-old.

"Mommy, I've never met Uncle Ron. But I know he's your bestest friend… besides Daddy," she added. "Why don't you ever talk to him?"

Hermione's eyes filled with tears. How could she explain the situation to a four-year-old? Uncle Ron is bitter because he's in love with me and I married your daddy instead. No, that would never do, she thought. "Felicity, Uncle Ron and I just… have our differences and we sort of went our separate ways. But one day, I hope you get to meet him," she said, hugging her daughter. "Now, are you ready to party?" she asked her, kissing her on the cheek.

"Yes! Let's go!" she said, dragging Hermione out the door.

As Felicity drug her out of the bedroom, the child's hand grasped around her wrist, the moment they stepped into the living room, Hermione was floored.

Not by the lioness sitting next to the fireplace or the zebra in the kitchen. Not by Albus wearing a gigantic hippopotamus hat or by Luna's eccentric zookeeper outfit.

But by the fact that she saw a tall, gangly redheaded man in the back of the room, a huge parrot perched on his shoulder. Ron had come to the party. Hermione clapped her hand over her mouth and locked eyes with him. Tears immediately sprang to her eyes when he mouthed "I'm sorry." She nodded. Felicity stared in amazement at the animals, ran to Severus and hugged him tightly, then ran back to Hermione, looked up at her to thank her, but noticed she was crying.

"Mommy, what's wrong?" she asked in alarm. Hermione grinned and crouched in front of her daughter. Severus was smiling.

"Nothing, darling," she said, taking her hand and leading her to the back of the room. "Felicity, this is your Uncle Ron," she said, taking Ron's arm in hers and smiling at him. Felicity gasped and immediately hugged Ron's leg. He laughed heartily, reached down, and picked her up easily and put her on his hip.

"Wow, Felicity, you've grown up so much!" he said, kissing her on the cheek. She beamed.

"Uncle Ron, I'm so glad you came! I've always wanted to meet you! Thanks for all the presents you've given me!" she said politely, hugging his neck. He smiled and placed her back on the ground in front of him. He then turned to Hermione.

Everyone else in the room made themselves busy; this was going to be awkward enough as it was. Severus and Lupin started talking about school business, Luna and Ginny were petting the lioness, and Albus had put Felicity on his lap, showing her petty magic tricks like pulling a sickle out of her ear.

"Hermione, I am so sorry for what I did and how I did it. I reckon I could've found a better way to handle it," he said quietly, pushing at a loose thread on the carpet with his shoe.

Hermione just stood there, wanting to let him say what he needed to say. He continued.

"I was selfish, and I'm sorry. I've gotten over it, and I'm ready to be around again… I shouldn't have left in the first place… I've missed three years of Felicity's life, and I hate myself for it," he said, finally looking up at her. She shook her head.

"Ronald, don't worry about it. Just promise me you won't do it again. I've missed you… you're my best friend, and even though I have Severus and Harry, no one could ever replace you," she said, giving him a tight hug. He hugged her back, feeling more relief than he had felt in years.

"I promise," he crossed his heart ceremonially and held out his pinky. She laughed and wrapped her pinky around his.

"It's a deal," she said, hugging him again.

He turned to the crowd. "Let's get this party started!" he exclaimed, going over to Severus and shaking his hand. Severus smiled genuinely at Ron, then grinned at Hermione.

That was the best birthday Felicity had had to date.

let the light back in

I miss my friend.

tbc

I hope you liked it! Please review:D Love, love!

-r