I don't own Harry Potter...

The fall had turned into winter and I still hadn't gotten up the courage to give Hermione her ring. We were closing in on the winter holidays and the one year anniversary of her release. She said she didn't want to mark the occasion because she wants to forget she was ever in there.

Harry and Paige kept encouraging me to bite the broom and pop the question already. They were getting along great. It was as if they had been together for years. She was starting to show and Harry loved showing her off.

After my class I walked up to the library to check on Hermione. "Hello love." I said to announce my presence.

"Shh. There are still a few students left in here." She reproached. "So, are you ready for break?"

"Yes! Can you believe I'm even more excited about it than when I was a student? I've got a lot of papers to grade though, but I won't have to see their faces everyday."

"Oh, Prof. Weasley there you are. I've been trying to catch up with you. I wanted to give you your present." Sandy had made her way over and treated Hermione as though she was invisible.

"Thank you, but I can't accept gifts from students."

"But you took all the others that the students gave you." Well that was true, I did take a few gifts but none were of great value, only a galleon or two and usually candy or something from my brothers' shop.

"Well those were more tokens that gifts."

"Ron, should you be accepting anything at all?" Asked Hermione.

"I'm sorry," said Sandy, "I'm having a private conversation with Prof. Weasley. You should get back to dusting your books."

"Why you little…" Hermione started but I stopped her.

"Ms. Granger is an authority figure and I'm going to have to take 20 points for your disrespect." Sandy seemed unfazed and 'Mione gave a frustrated humph before she stormed off.

"Well aren't you going to open it?" She handed me the package and I opened it to find what appeared to be a very expensive bottle of cologne. "I hope you think of me when you're wearing it and I look forward to smelling it on you in class."

"Sandy, you know I can't accept it. Besides, 'Mione likes the cologne I wear now." I handed it back to her and she seemed pretty much destroyed. "Have a Happy Christmas and I'll see you next year." I turned and walked toward the bookcase Hermione was working at.

"Hey."

"Oh, I'm here just dusting my books." She said very annoyed. "I don't know why you would take a present from her."

"I didn't I gave it back."

Hermione glanced around and saw Sandy still standing there with the open package looking crushed. "Yikes, I almost feel sorry for her."

"Really?"

"I said almost." She reached down and purposefully gave me a deep kiss that she was sure Sandy could see. The next thing we knew she was running from the library. "What did she give you anyway?"

"Some cologne; I told her that you liked what I already wore."

"But you don't wear cologne."

"I know you love essence of Ron." I gave her a lopsided grin and she laughed. But it was different somehow; like it was music to my ears. She gave me a warm smile but shooed me from the library so that she could finish her work. I turned at the door and looked back at her levitating books onto the shelves. I knew it was the right time, I was ready to propose.

"Ms. Weasley, I'm sure you know why I've asked you in here." Said Peter Collins, Vice-President of the Middleton Wizarding Investments.

"No, not really." Ginny replied with an air of annoyance. She refused the seat he offered her.

"Fine, stand I don't really care. Truth is your attitude with your co-workers stinks and in a nutshell, they are all starting to hate your guts." Damned he was honest.

"I don't care what they think."

"Well, I would. Mr. Middleton values his employees and the only reason you haven't been fired is because I think you have a real mind for investments. You were right about that broom company. I think if you'd get off your high horse you'd have a bright future here."

Ginny was shocked at the way he was speaking to her. "If I do my job well then who cares that I'm not the most popular."

"I don't think you get it. I was told to tell you to get your act together or you'll be fired."

"Maybe I'll just quit first." She said angrily.

"Really? And just where would you work? You were lucky that we hired you in the first place. Your recommendations from the goblins weren't exactly glowing. Ms. Weasley or Mrs. Potter or whatever you call yourself, you need to drop the attitude."

"You can't speak to me like this!" Ginny was furious.

"You'll let me if you want me to co-sign that loan for your condominium."

"You mean you'll co-sign it?" She was stunned. Ginny had wanted to buy a condo in town but Gringotts, not trusting her after their dealings with her, wanted her to have someone sign, preferably an employer.

"Yes but you have to sit down and listen to me." She did as she was asked in hope of the signature. "Ginny, you need to let go of your past. I hate to break it to you but your reputation preceded you. We get the International Prophet and it covered your dealings in Britain before you fled here. I'm an outside observer and I think that you need to realize that you are one hundred percent wrong. We all followed the story and that girl is innocent. Because you couldn't accept that, you ruined your life."

"You don't know the whole story."

"I think I have a good idea." He got up from his chair and walked around to the front of his desk and leaned against it. "We all make mistakes, you maybe more than others." He added a smile and again Ginny tried to interrupt. "Okay, tell me your side of the story but if you want me to sign the papers, you have to be truthful."

Ginny began to recount the entire story and at his prodding she spared no detail of her part in Hermione's conviction and the unforeseen consequences of her treatment in prison. "I honestly didn't intend for those things to happen to her in there. I wanted her to suffer and to tell the truth I was happy she was miserable but I didn't tell them to do those things." She then continued with what went on after Hermione's release. She came to tears when she recounted her loss of Harry and how he was now remarried and expecting a child. "My whole family is against me. No one will see my side."

Peter looked at the young woman in his office that had just confessed to him doing unspeakable and criminal things. "Perhaps that's because your side is an illusion. You need to face the fact that you were wrong."

"She could still be guilty." Ginny kept pleading her case.

"Okay, well do this for me. Take away everything that you planted against her and everything that they discovered the deatheaters planted. What is left to convict her on?"

Ginny sat there frozen. She couldn't answer him.

"Nothing, am I right?" Peter asked but she still remained silent. After learning of all she was capable of he should have kicked her out but he felt sorry for her. "Look everyone deserves a second chance. Nothing is ever going to be the same between you and your family but I suggest you start making amends especially to Hermione. I'll tell you something. I used to be an alcoholic. I ended up losing my job and my wife. My own family hated me for losing her. If it wasn't for Carl starting this investment firm and taking a chance on me when I got sober, I don't know where I'd be."

Ginny looked up at his sympathetic features and he continued, "My family and I are on great terms now. I still get glances at family functions where alcohol is served and it's been seven years. At first it was difficult but it got easier; it will for you too."

"I wouldn't know where to start."

"How about a nice letter to your mum, she can share it with your family. Besides, what better time than the holidays." He suggested and walked back around his desk and sat in his chair. "I want to make sure you write it so bring it to me when you're done and I'll co-sign your condo loan."

Ginny had mixed feelings. He was blackmailing her into facing the truth but giving her the opportunity for a second chance. She decided it was time to take it.

Ron and I made our way to the Burrow for a Christmas Eve celebration. We weren't really sure what to expect with the absence of Ginny but when we entered everyone seemed to be full of cheer.

"Oh, you two are finally here." Announced Mrs. Weasley. She was positively glowing and bordered on scarily happy.

All the other Weasleys were there and we took our seats at the table. Bill, however rose and said he had an announcement, "Well everyone, I have great news, Gerard is going to have a little brother or sister."

The table erupted with cheers that scared poor little Gerard who started to cry. I figured this must be what Mrs. Weasley was so excited about and was surprised when she asked everyone to sit and be quiet so that she could read us all something.

She began to read what appeared to be a very long letter and it was long before we all knew who it was from. Ginny's letter detailed everything she had done but there was a tone of regret to it. As Mrs. Weasley continued to read, Ginny began to ask for forgiveness.

Someone asked me to look at the situation and remove everything I had done and everything the deatheaters said they planted. They then asked me what was left to convict Hermione on. I couldn't answer them, I realized there was nothing. I'm so ashamed…

The letter continued in a similar what explaining her feelings and her wishes to make things right. As the tears ran down my cheeks, I couldn't help but think that it was too little too late.

When Mrs. Weasley finished she was sobbing and Ron got up to comfort her. "She's finally coming around. She's realized your innocence Hermione."

The family was overjoyed but all I could say was "good." We ate dinner and the conversation was lively. The family seemed to have a renewed sense of hope for the future. Under the table Ron grabbed my hand and squeezed it. I knew he understood my reluctance but when he looked at me his eyes were begging me to try and forgive her. I whispered that I'd try.

We arrived back at my house close to midnight. Mum had loaded us down with leftovers and party favors. Gerard was pretty skittish about the crackers until one popped open and produce a new teddy bear for him.

"I hope your mum isn't upset that we didn't stay the night." Hermione partially yawned as she set things down on my kitchen table.

"No, she understands; we just can't be late for breakfast. Do you want to talk about Ginny's letter?"

"Not really." She said playing with the party favors on the table. "I get the feeling she's sincere. It's just going to take a lot for me to just forgive and forget."

"You did it with everyone else."

"I've forgiven Ron, but I'll never forget." She saw the panic in my face. "But the pensieve helps" she added then announced that she was ready for bed and by bed she meant sleep.

"Okay, I'll be up in a minute." I said as I played with one of the crackers. I pulled it open and a bunch of canaries flew out and zoomed around the room before fading away. Hermione saw and was doubled over in laughter at the irony of the canaries. "Fine, you do this one." I tossed her the last cracker.

"I'm not afraid of anything your brothers might have put in here." She announced bravely as she popped it open.

She appeared froze staring at the object hovering before her. She looked up at me but saw that I was now in front of her on one knee. Hermione looked back at the ring suspended midair and tears began pouring down her cheeks.

"'Mione, will you marry me?" I asked very simply.

She began to nod her tear stained face and said, "yes, yes."

I stood up and got the ring and placed in on her finger. She looked up at me with her big brown eyes. "I love you" and held me tighter than she ever had before.

"I love you too." I took her face and rubbed the tears away with my thumbs and kissed her. The kiss was different than any other we had ever experienced. It contained a promise of a future filled with joy, happiness, and undying love. We had been through so much together and now it was time for the rest of our lives.

The End