I paused at Ron's doorstep and thought what am I doing here? I had to admit I was still infuriated that at the slightest comment Ron would just start doubting me all over again. Even if I had kissed Viktor, what was it to him? It was the past and it wasn't as if he ever had the courage to tell me his feelings back then.

I discussed this and much more with Paige during our shopping excursion today. She suggested that I wear something fabulous, get him all hot and bothered then leave him cold. While juvenile, I did wear the dress I bought today that she thought would be perfect.

I was still lost in thought when ""Mione, are you planning on coming in? I've been holding the door for over three minutes."

I quickly shook my head and went inside to see there were candles on the table and the house smelled like heaven. Darn him and his cooking! I didn't say anything but let him kiss me on the cheek and crossed to his living room sofa and sat down.

"Okay, I can see you are still a little upset with me over yesterday."

"Damn straight!"

"What? Did you just curse?" He asked half laughing.

"Just one of Paige's colorful expressions; anyways, I heard much worse in Azkaban." I saw that my words had the disturbing effect I intended. Boy I was in a strange mood tonight.

"Look, about yesterday. You know I've always been a jealous prick; the mention of Viktor has always set me off. Nothing Ginny says will make me doubt your innocence. I was just jealous you might have been snogging him behind our backs."

"I wasn't but if I was it shouldn't have been an issue then and certainly not one now. You never so much as gave me a hint that you were interested in me. Well, I take that back. Whenever I thought you were interested, you would just go off and snog some random girl."

Before he could interrupt I needed to clarify a few things, "I don't just mean Lavender either. I knew about the others. You had the reputation of Weasley the Shag King our seventh year and beyond so don't give me that shite about still being a virgin." I was out of breath from my rant but I had gotten it off my chest. He actually looked quite shocked.

"People seriously said that?" He really did seem stunned then came to his defense. "That isn't true at all. I might have kissed some girls but it was never anything serious. It was like letting off steam if you will. I never slept with any of them. I am a virgin and I want to thank you for shouting it. I'm sure my neighbors are thrilled to hear the news. You should know you can't believe everything everyone says."

Ouch, that hit home. "I'm surprised you didn't know you had been labeled a real stud and the way Parvati told it…"

"She wishes! She cornered me one day and scared me to death. Something about seeing if I was as good a kisser as Lavender said. I told her no thanks and ran off."

I couldn't help but laugh. That did seem about right for her; she was desperate to keep up with Lavender in the love department. "I apologize for jumping to conclusions about you, but you have to understand that it was like two years ago all over again. You seem to forget that two years ago tomorrow I was arrested. I'm just sensitive right now."

I had forgotten that. It was just a few days after Harry's birthday that she was arrested. I'll never forget her pleas, the way she looked at me and the way I behaved. I felt sick and I just couldn't look at her so I excused myself to finish up with dinner.

I had made my mum's famous honey chicken that I knew 'Mione liked so much. I began setting the small table when she walked into the kitchen.

"Ron, did you think I wasn't going to remember that? If I have to face it then so do you."

"You're right, I'm sorry. Have a seat dinner is ready."

She sat down and placed the napkin in her lap as I served her a heaping plate. In my mind she was still far to underweight, yet to gain it back sufficiently since her release. I sat down and we began our meal essentially in silence.

"You look amazing by the way." I started the conversation and she blushed. "Did you buy that while you were out today?"

"Yes. Oh, we had a great time. I think she likes Harry more than she is letting on."

"I think the goes for Harry. He came over yesterday evening and said a few things that gave me that impression."

"Do you think something happened between them after we parted at the restaurant?"

"I don't know," I offered, "but it seems like something is up. What did she say?"

"It was more like little things like would Harry like this and tell me stories about Harry in school."

"Very interesting." I added as I poured some more wine and continued with the meal.

"Oh, and speaking of Lavender, I ran into her today. I'd expect an owl sometime soon."

"Huh?" I asked. Her tone was playful and I couldn't tell if she was serious or not.

"Apparently she has been meaning to get in touch with you for so long. Seems you two were so good together once but were just too young to realize it and that she might just give it another go. Obviously she's still single."

"That's bizarre." I wondered how 'Mione felt about this. Jealous certainly wasn't the word it was more like amused. "Did you tell her we were seeing each other or anything?"

"Well I didn't really know what to tell her but I don't think she would have cared if I said we were married; she still wants you."

"Great, Won-Won will look forward to his owl-owl." I laughed but I wasn't sure if she knew I was kidding. "Come on you know I'm joking. I'd rather ride a thestral than date her."

Hermione laughed at the memory and we continued to make small talk through the meal. By the time we finished it was obvious that she was very tipsy again. Maybe I shouldn't encourage her to drink.

We made our way to the couch and she plopped down with a thud. I turned on some music and got the photo albums she insisted on seeing. We thumbed through them laughing and stopped on a particular one from seventh year. It was a picture of just us and I kept turning to look at her blushing and shyly putting my arm around her.

"Kind of obvious I had feelings for you huh?" I asked laughing but turned and saw she was completely serious and suddenly she launched herself at me.

"Whoa, wait, slow down." I said between her fervent kisses. She replied for me to shut up and I was lying on the couch with her on top, snogging me like mad. "'Mione, what's gotten into you? We should stop."

"No, I don't want to." She replied and continued her assault. She began to kiss my neck and unbutton my shirt. Her lips made their way down my chest and the sensation was incredible.

When she bit my nipple, I came out of my reverie. I struggled to get up and ended up sitting her straddling my lap. ""Mione, we really need to stop. I'm sort of begging you…" I trailed off.

"I thought we could take care of that virginity thing." My eyes were wide in shock. I couldn't help but be excited and nervous but she had to go and splash cold water on me. "It's not like your going to hurt me or anything. I've done it before."

I jumped up and she fell to the floor. "You don't know how much I want to and don't take this the wrong way but I really would like for you to be sober the first time we make love. Plus, I feel like you are only doing this because you think it is what I want but I want you to want it too." I continued to ramble like an idiot.

I waited for some kind of response but then realized that she couldn't respond. She was fast asleep in a heap on the floor. I lifted her light frame and placed her on the guest bed. This time I went off to my room and concluded that I would never serve alcohol to 'Mione again. Well at least not till our honeymoon or something. I smiled and got under the covers.

The weeks flew by and I eventually got over my humiliating behavior at Ron's. It was now September 1st and Ron was a complete mess as we prepared for the students to arrive in only a few short hours.

We had the feast to look forward to but Harry and Paige insisted on meeting us for lunch in Hogsmeade. When I got to the Three Broomsticks, I found that Ron was already there, having walked from his home. They waved me over and had ordered me a butterbeer which I drank gratefully.

"So are you guys ready for the school year?" Harry asked very upbeat.

"Well Ron's the one who has to worry about the classes."

"Stop it 'Mione, I'm nervous enough. They've been on the train for at least an hour and a half now, headed to give me hell and get me fired or killed as the new DADA teacher."

"Goodness Ron I'm sure you're going to be just fine." Paige said.

Harry filled her in, "well you see the job has a bit of a reputation. They haven't really been able to keep a professor for more than a year or two. They usually end up dead or insane."

"Well, your future sure does look bright!" She said patting poor nervous Ron on the arm.

Our food arrived and we began to dig in. I could tell that this impromptu lunch had a purpose and I was determined to get to the bottom of it. "So you two, why did you want to meet us for lunch?"

"To wish the old bean pole luck and to give Ron a little present," Harry handed Ron a package that Ron opened like a child on Christmas morning. The object inside was something rather odd. It was a figure of a lion and appeared to be made out of turquoise.

"Cool," Ron said, "I don't get it."

"It's a lion like your patronus dummy. I figured you may need it to ward off the little demons you teach."

Paige jumped in, "and it's made of turquoise which is a very important stone of the Native Americans wizarding world. It is supposed to ward off evil spirits."

"Wow, that is so thoughtful. Good present Harry." I congratulated.

"Well, Paige is the one that picked it out."

"I figured that." I added. "How come I get the feeling there is something else?"

The seemed to shift in their seats and I couldn't help but get a nervous pit in my stomach.

"Well, we have some news," started Harry. "We're getting married."

I was about to yell congratulations when he continued, "and we are going to have a baby."

My eyes shot open and my mouth dropped. I looked at Ron who was also equally as shocked. "Congratulations?" I say but in the form of a question.

"No, it's good news!" Harry exclaimed. "We are excited. We want to do it small and we were hoping that you two would stand up for us this weekend."

"What? How?" Ron began to ramble.

"The night of Harry's birthday." Paige answered knowing what he meant. "I know that you think this is really sudden but we both know that it's right."

Somehow I knew it was too and broke into a huge grin. "Of course we'll be there!" I got up and reached across the table to give her a hug. I could see the wheels turning in Ron's head. I knew he was worried about Ginny and his mum, but this is his best friend who has found a bit of happiness although not how we thought he would. "Ron." I nudged him.

"Of course we'll be there mate. I wouldn't miss it."

We parted ways and Ron and I made our way to the castle.

"This is some news." I said stating the obvious.

"I'm worried about Ginny."

"Don't be, didn't your mum say she was happy there. Harry and Paige seem to really love each other and they are going to have a baby. That's exciting isn't it?" I felt a wave of sadness come over me as I realized I might never get to experience motherhood.

Ron seemed to notice my change and put his arm around me. "You're right it is exciting." We walked to the castle ready to face the new year and the new students who would no doubt play havoc in our lives.