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I wake up and find that Ron and I both haven't moved at all from the night before. My chest feels light as if the weight I've been carrying is gone and I get a jolt when I feel Ron wake up.

"Morning honey," I say and kiss his chest. I stay totally wrapped around him and smile when I feel him rubbing my arms gently.

"It's been a long time since I've woken up this happy," Ron replies.

I pretend to look further south on his body and retort, "You don't look too happy to me." I giggle and Ron chuckles too.

"Mione I know last night wasn't easy but thank you for finally letting me in."

I smile and take a breath, then turn to look up at him, "I'm sorry that it took me so long."

The contentment that I feel is my assurance that we're going to make it through this, that one day we'll be okay. Wanting to lighten the mood I decide to ask in a girlish, playful voice, "So where are you taking me for lunch today?"

Ron grins down at me, "Why don't you let me surprise you?"

I nod and smile, then glance at the clock and notice that it's definitely time to get ready for work if we don't want to be late for the day. I lean up and kiss Ron softly on the lips, "Come on baby, I'll shower while you get the kids up and then I'll make you breakfast while you shower. Deal?"

He kisses me back and holds me close when he replies, "Deal. It's nice to do this morning stuff together again."

I nod and we both reluctantly get out of bed. As I walk into the bathroom I watch the muscles in Ron's back ripple as he leaves the room. I feel a familiar feeling throb in my lower abdomen and I smile when I realize how long it's been since I felt that attraction and level of desire. In the shower I let my mind wander to Ron's body and think desperately about the last time I felt his lips on my skin. It's been a long time since I let my own hands wander south, probably since Ron's Auror training all those years ago before we were married when he had to be away for months at a time.

It doesn't take long to get myself off after the long period of abstinence that I'd been having. I smile when I think of bugging Ron in a few minutes and let the water wash over my body and turn it off after a few more minutes.

When I go into the kitchen I see that Ron has just gotten the kids to sit down, fully dressed, and walk over feeling a little bit liberated after my escapade in the shower. I use my bravery and rub Ron's stomach and stand on my tiptoes to whisper in a surprisingly sultry voice, "I thought of you."

He must have understood my meaning because when I moved away from his ear his face was flushed red and grinning like a fool. Our kids are colouring at the table and I play with Rose's hair for a second then move away to the fridge to get out food for breakfast. My movement seemed to shake Ron out of his trance and he came from behind and kissed just behind my ear lobe. I close my eyes for a second and feel him pull away. I turn to smile and he returns it, then retreats back to the area of our bedroom to have a shower.

With a flick of my wand, breakfast is making itself so I tell the kids to keep colouring and I go to quickly get dressed for work. I rush back to the kitchen because I know that if Ron comes out of the bathroom in a towel it's entirely possible we'd end up back in bed and that would be entirely too fast. I use my wand to do my hair and makeup once I'm back in the kitchen and get plates out for breakfast. I load up Ron's plate after making sure Rose and Hugo are set and then do my own.

When he comes into the kitchen I smile at his wet hair, he looks so cute, and he kisses me on the lips before sitting down at the table. We share a grin and I don't even have to ask to know that he thought of me. We giggle throughout breakfast and afterwards, and on a sudden burst of inspiration I decide to ask Ron, "Baby?" He looks up from tying Hugo's shoes, "Can I come with you to drop the kids off?"

He looks surprised, "Of course you can if you want to. Are you you're ready for my parents?"

I am a bit unsure, but I really want to try, "I think if you're with me I'll be fine."

A few minutes later Ron steps first into the fireplace with Hugo in his arms and they both disappear to the Burrow. Rose is about to hop into the fireplace too when she turns to me and says, "Bye Mummy."

I realize, sadly, that she's not used to me being with Ron anymore when she gets dropped off at her grandparents house, "Don't worry love, I'm coming with you today." She looks very surprised, but grins a wide, Weasley smile.

"Will you floo with me?" I nod and pick her up in my arms, then we step into the fireplace and seconds later we're at the Burrow. There are no Weasley's in sight so with Rose in my arms we follow voices into the kitchen. From the look on Molly and Arthur's faces they weren't expecting to see me, and I understand why; it's been at least a year if not longer since I came here. I put Rose down and she runs off to find her brother and cousins.

"Hermione dear, it's so good to see you," Molly's now hugging me so tightly I almost cry because I can feel the joy radiating off of her. It feels amazing to be back in the Burrow, a place so full of love. When she releases me I say good morning to Arthur and walk to where Ron is standing a few feet away and grip his hand tightly. He smiles down at me and kisses me on the cheek, and after a few minutes of small talk and a promise to come to the weekly family dinner that weekend, we decide its time to get to work.

Walking through the Atrium with Ron holding my hand is managing to get quite a few stares and I realize that more people than I thought probably had caught on to our issues. I always forget how high profile our lives have become ever since the defeat of Voldemort. With Ron at my side it doesn't bother me too much but I'm still glad that it's a Friday. Ron walks me right through the Department of Magical Law main office, ignoring the curious glances from our everyday co-workers, including Harry, and comes to my office door. I touch the doorknob with my free hand and my handprint unlocks it. I look up at Ron and he leans down and gives me a short kiss that could be deemed as work-appropriate.

Somehow, I need more this morning so I open my office door quickly and pull him inside, closing it quickly and pushing him up against it to lay a passionate full kiss on his lips. We are both red and smiling when we finally pull away and as hold both hands together Ron says softly, "What time should I be here to pick you up for lunch?"

I don't know why but it feels like it did when he asked me out on our first date, I have that same giddy feeling in my stomach. "How's 11:30 for you?" He nods and kisses me softly one more time then leaves my office and walks directly across the room to the Auror office. I wait a few seconds to cool off and then walk out of my office and notice through the window that Harry and Ron are chatting and grinning. I watch for a few seconds and Harry looks up and catches my eye. He winks and me and smiles and I smile back then turn to my secretary's desk. A thought hits and I really hope that Ron isn't busy telling Harry about the shower thing, I let out a giggle at the thought and ask my surprised secretary for my messages.

I regain my focus once she starts talking to me, but the smile doesn't leave my face. Anna, my secretary, is looking at me a bit funny but I realize quickly that she has only worked for me for about a year so she probably thinks I don't know how to smile considering how the last year has been. In fact I bet a lot of people in my department think I'm some crazy hard-ass, now that's kind of hilarious. I giggle again and shake my head and walk back into my office- leaving the door open today and loving the feeling I get from the sunlight in my room. Merlin I can't wait until lunch.

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Everyday at work has gone by quickly for as long as I can remember; so much stuff to do that usually I hardly notice the time before I feel the hunger in my stomach, everyday that isn't today. I finally have something to look forward to and time just won't move fast enough. I don't know how I went so long without touching Ron before yesterday. When we were younger we used to sneak around the school during his visits or at work all the time looking for places to grab a kiss or a quick snog. I'm suddenly missing those days a lot right now. All we have is a lunch date and the thought of it alone has been making me giggle and blush at my desk all morning. Its now finally 11AM and I can't even pretend to think anymore. The contract on my desk about legalizing something-or-other lays unread because I can't seem to get past the first few words. Knowing that Ron is thirty feet away and not being with him is driving me mad.

I feel like a new monster has been unleashed. I feel the pain of yesterday slipping away and like I'm finally ready to be me again. Two years of pain is enough.

I look at the clock once more to see two minutes has passed since my last glance and decide I've had enough. Oh screw it; I'm never going to get any work done anyway. Maybe I'll go wander the Auror department and pretend to do a professional- work related walk around.

Smiling at the thought, I walk out of my office and cross the bustling work space that separates my office from the Auror department, then open the doors and approach the assistant's desk inside. "Good morning Mrs. Weasley," I hear the assistant say as I near her desk, and smile, "Good Morning Lindsay, how are you today?" I think it's going to take awhile for people to get used to me being more cheerful- it's definitely taking a few seconds for Lindsay to respond.

"Oh I'm fine thanks, how are you?" I smile in return and respond truthfully, "I'm actually doing very well. Do you know where Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter are?" She nods and responds, "I think they're in Mr. Potter's office, they've been there basically all morning." I glance at Harry's door and then back at her, "Okay thanks."

It's been a while since I voluntarily walked through the Auror office; it's nice to be back. As I approach the door to Harry's office, I can hear them both laughing hysterically at something inside. I love the sound of them both being so completely happy and carefree. I relish in the sound for a second then tap on the door.

I hear Harry say to come in and it sounds like he's trying to regain his composure in case it's someone important at the door. I open the door kind of timidly- it's been a long time since the three of us have been in the same room without it being tense. I walk in and close the door behind me. Ron is sitting in the chair in front of Harry's desk and can't see it's me walking in, but Harry is standing leaning against his desk and his face lit back up when he saw me enter the room.

"Hey boys," I smile and Ron stands up and turns around to see me. Harry remains leaning against his desk, but responds, "Hey Hermione." I can see curiosity in Ron's eyes so I answer is unasked question, "Sorry I didn't want to interrupt but I couldn't sit at my desk and stare at the clock anymore." Ron breaks into a grin that I return and add, "Longest morning ever."

"Well why don't you come and have a seat? Ron and I were actually just talking about your love affair with Gilderoy Lockheart in second year," Harry's now laughing again, and Ron is laughing at me too. I blush a little before admitting that it was rather hilarious and I join in laughing as well. Ron reaches for my hand and I walk closer to him so I can grab his. I throw him a wink as I go to sit on the chair next to him.

"So are you guys getting any work done or have you been joking around about my ill-advised crushes all morning?" Ron and Harry have brief eye contact and laugh again- I can tell I stumbled onto something.

"Actually we were talking about school life in general, all the best times," Ron answers me with a smile on his face, then Harry unexpectedly cuts in-

"Yeah like when after the Yule Ball I found the arm of Ron's Viktor Krum doll ripped off on our dorm room floor during fourth year." Ron went red as Harry finished, while Harry started laughing again.

This is news to me and I look at Ron whose face is getting redder by the second. "How have I not heard about this in the past fifteen years?" I laugh and can see that some reassurance is needed in Ron's face so I stand up and move over to Ron, then sit on his lap and his arms go around my waist. "Its okay baby, I think it's cute when you get all jealous." I smile as I say it and give Ron a quick kiss on the nose, which makes him smile and the red in his face starts to die away.

Harry looks a bit surprised and I can tell that even though Ron probably spent the morning telling Harry about the night before, he hadn't believed it until now. "Okay enough with the Ron hates Vicky Krum stuff. I believe the missus and I have a lunch date." When Ron says this I feel my pulse speed up a bit and I stand up to allow Ron to get up as well. We tell Harry we're off and join hands as we make our way towards the door.

"Have a good date you two," I hear Harry say behind us and turn to wink at him, and then he adds, "And Mi, can you call Gin tonight? She's going to be mad if she doesn't hear about EVERYTHING." I laugh and agree, and then we leave the office.

i'll update soon!