Just a quick note I'm hoping to be able to keep up with this story but unfortunately school is winding down and as of next week I'll have children home full time. I write all my stories long hand and then type them up and edit them on my laptop so it is a very time consuming process but I promise to do my best. Thanks for the wonderful responses. I would like to make a comment regarding grammar it is definitely not my strong suit. I'm here to post what I think is a pretty good story not a great American novel. So while I appreciate any and all comments you should be aware that the grammar will probably not improve. On that note enjoy the next chapter and as always this wonderful world belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Hermione had woken when Viktor left and then had gone back to sleep. Now she was being startled awake by a knocking on the door. She glanced at the clock 7:50. Getting up and putting her robe on she rushed downstairs hoping that the children were alright. Looking through the glass she saw Harry standing there. She opened the door and upon seeing him knew something was horribly wrong. He was pale and looked like he hadn't slept.

"What's wrong Harry? What's happened?" She closed the door as he rushed in.

Turning to her he said, "Can we sit down for a minute?"

She followed him to the couch sitting next to him. "Harry you are really scaring me. What's wrong?"

He took a deep breath. "You know how I just got back from Russia?" She nodded and he continued. "I didn't go there for work per se." He took her hand. "We had information from the Russian Ministry that they had a man there claiming to be Ron."

She shook her head. "Well that's impossible Ron's dead, you yourself identified the body. What was this? An imposter?"

Harry looked at her nervously. "Hermione it's the greatest thing ever. He's alive."

Her heart stopped and she couldn't breath for a minute. "What? How can that be?"

He smiled tentatively. "Ron was captured three years ago by the dark wizards we had been fighting. They left him for dead," Hermione gasped covering her mouth with her free hand as Harry squeezed the one he was holding, "and then he was found by a group of rebels where he was held until a week ago."

Hermione was speechless for a moment. "What about the body? How…?"

"We think they used Polyjuice potion on some other poor soul killing him to throw our team off the trail."

Hermione stood up and walked to the window staring out into the garden. "Where is he?" She whispered.

"He's at Grimmauld Place. Hermione he's been through a lot. I brought the debriefing along with me so you can read it."

She rested her hands on the windowsill. "I need to see him." She started to cry. "I have to tell him about Viktor before he hears about it from someone else."

He stood up. "He already knows and to be honest he's not very happy about it."

She was visibly shaking. "Oh God, I've betrayed him."

Harry rested his hand on her arm. "Hermione, you thought he was dead. We all did. No one can fault you for moving on."

"I should have known. How could I not have known? We were so connected. I should have been able to feel him." She turned tear filled eyes to Harry. "I didn't have faith."

Harry pulled her into a hug. "None of us could have ever in a million years have known he was still alive. We all encouraged you to get on with your life." He rubbed her back. "Look this has been a huge shock." He pulled away from her looking into her eyes. "You need to shower, get dressed and read the debriefing. Then we'll go together to the Burrow. Ron's meeting us there at noon."

Hermione groaned. "Rose and Hugo, how am I going to explain this?"

"Children are much more accepting of things. We'll do it together." He gave her a half smile as she started up the stars to shower and change.

They got to the Burrow two hours later where Hermione tried to explain to the children as simply as possible that their father was alive.

Rose became teary and very quiet. Hugo sensing the seriousness of the situation sat silently next to his sister. Hermione took both of their hands. "Do you have any questions?"

Rose raised her eyes to her mother. "Are you still going to marry Viktor?"

Hermione shook her head. "No honey I'm married to your daddy."

"So there won't be a wedding? I'm not going to get a pretty new dress?" She was stating to cry.

Hermione hugged her. "We can still buy you a dress. Okay?"

"Are we still going to see Viktor?"

Hermione squeezed her hand. "Of course but maybe not quite as often."

Hugo finally spoke up. "I want to see Viktor now."

Rose decided to join her brother. "He's still taking us to the match on Thursday right? Because he promised us he would."

"Yeah he promised." Hugo added.

Hermione pulled both of them into her embrace. "We'll work all of this out okay."

Hugo pulled away and crawled onto Molly's lap. She held him tightly. His eyes were filling up with tears.

Hermione stood up. "Let's get our shoes on. I'm going to take you to Grandmamma and Grandpa's house."

She gathered the children up and within the half hour they were at her parents house and she was back at the Burrow waiting with everyone else for Ron's arrival.

When they heard the "pop" in the front yard Molly went rushing outside followed by the rest of the family. Hermione was last to leave the house. She stood in the doorway watching Molly sobbing as she grippped Ron tightly to her. One by one everyone embraced him. Hermione was shocked to see how thin he was. He looked much older then when she had last laid eyes on him. Her breath caught as their eyes locked over George's shoulder.

Instantly she felt the tears start to well up. All she wanted to do was wrap him in her arms and never let go.

He approached her slowly. "Hermione."

She ran to him wrapping her arms around his neck and holding onto him tightly.

He picked her up off the ground and held her for a minute before placing her back on her feet.

"Ron," she rested her hands on either side of his face, "my sweet Ron." The tears were flowing down her face now. "I've missed you so very much."

As she leaned forward to kiss him he whispered, "Have you?"

She pulled back. "How can you ask me that?"

His grip on her waist tightened. "Were you missing me last night while you were fucking Krum?"

She tried to pull away but he would not let her go. The smile that had been on her face just seconds ago disappeared. "Don't be mean." She whispered back.

He smiled a smile that was anything but happy. "Don't you dare tell me what to do."

Then Arthur approached them. "Come on you two love birds. Let's go in, your mum has a wonderful lunch ready."

Ron grabbed Hermione's hand giving it a hard squeeze and turned to his family. "Can you guys give us a few minutes?"

Molly smiled knowingly. "Of course. I'll go in and get everything ready. You two take your time."

Ron was silent while everyone went into the house. He continued to hold her hand as he started to walk towards the garden shed.

She was panting trying to keep up with him. He seemed so angry. She had never seen him like this before and it scared her.

They entered the shed and he shut the door. He immediately started to pace back and forth. She held up her hands. "Ron please, let's go back to the house have some lunch and then we'll go home and we'll get our life back."

"Harry told me I have a son." It was as if she hadn't spoken.

She went to him then tentatively reaching a hand out to touch his arm. He stopped pacing. She looked at him. "You do and he's wonderful. He looks just like you." She reached up with her hand resting it against his cheek. When he didn't pull back she felt more confident. She raised her other hand and gently pulled his face down to hers.

As their lips touched Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck and pushed her body up against his. She buried her fingers into his overgrown hair. It felt so good to be with him. It was like a piece of her that had been missing was now found. Everything was finally right with her world.

He deepened the kiss pushing his tongue into her mouth. He couldn't get enough of her. It was like he had been starved for the last three years and she was a feast that had been laid out just for him.

He pushed his hand up and under her shirt cupping her breast. He could feel her nipple harden through her bra. A small moan escaped her as his lips covered her neck.

He took a couple of steps backwards sitting down on the bench that was placed against the wall. He pulled her between his legs. Her eyes were heavy with desire. He rested his hands on her hips. "You've filled out here and," he cupped her breasts, "here."

"My body changed after Hugo. It never quite went back to what it was before." She leaned over and kissed him again.

He very slowly guided her down to her knees. She looked up at him with those beautiful chocolate brown eyes and he felt himself harden even more.

She knew what he wanted and she was only too happy to oblige him. She slowly unbuttoned and unzipped his pants. Pushing his tee shirt up a little she kissed his bare stomach.

He helped her out by lifting up as she pulled his pants and boxers down a bit freeing him. She took him into her mouth. She slowly moved up and down as he entwined his fingers in her hair.

She glanced up at him and saw that his head was back against the wall with his eyes shut. After a few minutes she felt his grip on her hair tighten. She knew he was close to release. As he held her in place she was ready and only too willing to accept him fully.

Once he was finished she slowly stood up. They had often in the past used oral sex as foreplay and she presumed that that was the case now. She was getting ready to straddle him when he abruptly stood up pushing her back as he did so. Pulling his boxers and jeans up he stepped away from her.

"Ron what are you doing?" She was extremely confused.

"Mum probably has lunch ready. We don't want to keep everyone waiting." He hadn't even turned around to look at her.

She rushed to face him. "Ron," she whispered leaning up on her tiptoes she kissed him.

He could taste himself on her lips as he kissed her back. He had made a decision and he was standing by it. He, more roughly than he intended, pushed her away.

She looked startled. "What's wrong?"

"Did you really think I was going to make love to you when just over twelve hours ago you were fucking Krum?" He ran a hand through his hair. "You let me know once you've had your period and then we'll talk. If you end up pregnant I want to know without a doubt it's mine." He stepped around her pulling the door open and then stopped. "Oh and Hermione," he said as he turned back to face her, "I want my children home by six o'clock tonight." He slammed the door as he walked out.

Hermione sat down on the bench he had just vacated and cried. She should have been so happy. The one thing she had wanted more than any other had happened. Ron was alive and home. But right now she was completely miserable. He was as lost to her at this moment as he had been three years ago.

Hermione ate very little at lunch. She needed time alone with Ron to talk but it was impossible here. As she helped clear the dishes Molly pulled her aside. "Are you alright dear?"

Hermione nodded feeling the tears start she wiped her eyes. "Sorry."

Molly put an arm around her and squeezed. "I know this is all a big shock and it's overwhelming."

Hermione nodded again. "I guess that's it."

Harry stepped into the kitchen bringing more dirty dishes and cutlery in. Molly rushed out leaving him alone with Hermione.

He put the dishes in the sink. "You alright?"

Hermione forced a smile. "Just great."

Harry leaned against the counter with his arms folded. "Hermione I've known you for nearly twenty one years. I know when something's bothering you. Talk to me."

She started to cry. "He's so angry about everything. I feel as if he's a stranger and not the man I love."

Harry nodded. "I know what you mean. I think we need to give him some time though. Let him get settled back at home. Once he's back there with you, Rose and Hugo you'll see he'll come around."

She nodded wiping her eyes. "Listen I need to get the children. He's insisting they come home tonight but first I have to go see Viktor and explain all this. I don't want him to hear about Ron's return via the Prophet. Could you maybe try and talk to Ron? See if he'll open up to you."

Harry nodded and gave her a hug. She smiled at him. "Thanks and please don't tell him I've gone to Viktor's he'll just be angry about it if you do."

Harry promised. She went inside and said her goodbyes. Kissing Ron she told him she'd meet him at home shortly.

Within twenty minutes she was with Viktor and had told him everything. He was totally stunned. "Are you sure it's him?" He whispered.

Hermione nodded. "Positive." She stared at his dark head which was bowed. "Viktor I hope you realize how very much I care about you but under the current circumstances we can't be together."

He raised his head looking her in the eyes. "You could claim abandonment. Have the marriage bond dissolved. Ve could still be together." He took her hand in his. "Please Hermione, I vill not give up on us."

Tears shone in her eyes. "Ron didn't abandon me he was unable to get home. There is a huge difference." She smiled sadly at him. "Besides I love him and I never stopped loving him." She removed the diamond ring from her finger. She held it out to him.

He took it staring at it. "Can I still see Rose and Hugo once in awhile?"

She squeezed his hand. "Of course. Besides I don't think they'd have it any other way. They adore you." She stood up.

He joined her. "You vill still bring them to the match on Thursday."

"Yes I will." She kissed him gently on the cheek. "See you Thursday Viktor." She smiled sadly and Disapparated.