As always it all belongs to J.K. Rowling.
"Mummy, Mummy, he's here!" A nearly three year old Hugo Weasley came running out the back door and to his mother in the garden. Hermione turned around to face him and her breath caught. At that moment he looked exactly like Ron. Bright red hair, blue eyes, freckles and gangly legs. Even his long and straight nose was his father's. The expression on his face was Ron's in miniature. After three years it still panged her heart. She bent down and scooped her son into her arms.
"Are you excited?"
He wrapped his arms around her neck. "A little."
She smiled at him. "Just a little, huh?"
She saw her daughter, auburn curls bouncing, come down the back steps holding the hand of a dark haired man. As they reached Hermione Viktor Krum kissed her cheek lightly and ruffled Hugo's hair. "Vell, you could not ask for a nicer day for a party."
Hermione set Hugo down nodding. "I agree. It's the perfect day for cake and ice cream and presents."
Hugo started jumping up and down. "I'm three today!" He shouted as he started to run around the yard.
Viktor put his arm around Hermione's waist. "He's very happy."
She watched Hugo chase Rose around the garden. A lot had changed in the last three years. The first year after Ron had died she spent just functioning. She went back to work at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Trying to get anything done there was impossible. She was frustrated not to mention the pay was limited. Ron had been the main breadwinner before so she was able to be more whimsical in her career choice. Now with only one income it was another story. The two of them had a savings but she wanted needed that for emergencies. She was constantly worried about something happening to herself and making sure her children were taken care of was a priority. Then there was Ron's share in the joke shop. George insisted it stayed as it was belonging to Ron which meant that it was now hers. She didn't think that was fair so George had compromised by putting it into trust for Rose and Hugo.
So ultimately a year after Ron died she went into the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Kingsley fast tracked her through the process. She knew it all anyway and a year later she was a full member of the department. The pay was exceptional but the work hard.
It was a year ago that she reconnected with Viktor. He had moved to England as the new owner and manager of the Puddlemere United Quidditch team. Viktor had asked her to draw up all the magical contracts between him and the previous owners. One thing had led to another and here they were dating each other for the last nine months.
Rose and Hugo adored him. He was very good with them and Hermione was happy for them to have a man in their lives that they weren't related to. Hugo looked up to Viktor the most. He tried to walk and talk like him. He even bent his shoulders slightly the way Viktor did. He was also a huge Puddlemere fan now. If Ron had been alive he would've had a fit.
Overall things were okay. She thought of Ron daily and still missed him more that she could say but life went on.
Today was Hugo and Rose's combined birthday celebrations. It was the first time Viktor would be with the entire extended family. They of course had had a dinner or two with Harry and Ginny. There was the occasional tickets to a Quidditch match where George, Bill and Percy brought their kids. This though was the first full Weasley gathering and she was a little nervous. Viktor with her alone was talkative and outgoing but put him in a group especially one this size and he could become introverted and quiet. She was most worried about Molly. She didn't want her to think she was replacing or forgetting Ron. They had talked about it briefly and Molly had said with tears in her eyes that she was glad Hermione was "able to move forward."
Viktor kissed Hermione on the cheek again and brought her out of her thoughts. "Vhat is the matter?"
She shook her head and forced a smile. "Nothing I was just thinking about what all still has to be done before everyone arrives."
He smiled at her. "Don't worry I vill help and it vill all get done."
She smiled genuinely now and nodded. He really was a wonderful man and she was lucky to have him in her life. They spent the rest of the morning getting ready. Mr. and Mrs. Granger arrived to help and by the time the rest of the family arrived everything was perfect.
The party went smoothly. The children had a blast running around and playing Quidditch. Harry and Viktor helped the younger ones on their miniature brooms.
Hermione was in the kitchen when Ginny came in with more dirty dishes. "Thanks Ginny."
Ginny picked up a towel. "Why do you insist on doing so many chores the Muggle way?"
Hermione shrugged. "It's the way I grew up. It's habit I guess plus I find it therapeutic. Not to mention the fact that I've never been very good with household magic."
Ginny put the towel down and flicked her wand. The dishes instantly began to wash and dry themselves. "I think just for today we need a break." She put her arm around Hermione. "You seem happy."
"I am." Hermione smiled. "I really am. The party went well and Rose and Hugo are glowing. What else could I ask for?"
Ginny grabbed a bottle of wine. "You and Viktor seem good."
"We are." Hermione glanced down at the glass of water in her hand. "Sometimes I feel as if I'm still married to Ron though. In here," she touched her heart, "and I feel like I'm betraying him by being happy with someone else. You know?"
Ginny shook her head. "I don't Hermione. I'm lucky to not have had to have that experience. But I know that, God forbid, something were to happen to Harry he would want me to be happy. And I think Ron would want that for you as well."
Hermione laughed. "Are you sure about that? I'm not sure how he would feel about me dating Viktor. He had his jealous moments."
Ginny laughed. "Yeah he was a jealous git sometimes wasn't he?"
"I can just hear him now 'you and Vicky'" They burst into laughter.
When Harry entered a few minutes later they were still giggling. "What's so funny?" He asked them.
Hermione took a breath. "We were just imagining what Ron's reaction would be if he knew I was dating Viktor."
Harry rolled his eyes. "It would not be pretty." He imitated Ron. "Stupid pumpkin head." They started laughing again.
Over two thousand miles away a certain red head was just hearing the news of Viktor Krum and Hermione Weasley's relationship via an eight month old copy of the Daily Prophet and he wasn't laughing at all.