A/N: Steelo: Thank you so much for being my most faithful reviewer. I do not know what I would do without you. I'm afraid that your pleas for Ron to emerge unhurt cannot be answered. As much as I hate to hurt the guy, it is rather pivitol to the story development. Unfortunately, I don't want to resort to having him find love immediately on a rebound either because if he loves Hermione as much as I say he does, he's gonna need some healing time, and as you soon will see, he doesn't give up that easily. But never fear, he will recover eventually.

Several weeks had passed, and Draco had been true to his word. Rather than pressing his luck by courting Hermione, he chose instead to befriend her. They had spent many comfortable afternoons in front of the fireplace discussing novels. Their heated discussions over house elf rights had Hermione thinking that Draco at least was capable of presenting a compelling argument, even if he didn't have any clue what he was really talking about.

There had been no more visits from Ron and Harry. The unsettling silence continued, luring many into a sense of false security. Never the one to be caught off guard, or to lower his guard at a hint of peace, Dumbledore had to Order in a flurry, sending some on missions to garner more allies as well as sending his spies anywhere he could attempting to discover the plot of You-know-who.

Unfortunately, this meant that Ron and Harry had little time to owl Hermione either. She had received but one brief letter in the time they had been separated.

My dearest Hermione,

I hope all is well with you, and that your recovery is coming swiftly. I cannot say that I am unhappy with your injury now, as it keeps you out of the upcoming battle and out of harms way. I don't believe that I could bear seeing you fall again.

Dumbledore is keeping us quite busy. He has again sent Hagrid to speak with the giants, only this time he has allowed us to accompany him. I don't know how long I will be gone, but I do hope you know that I carry your love with me every day. It is what keeps me strong; it was keeps my feet moving one before the other when I am so exhausted that I can no longer stand. Know that our separation is brief, and that it is for good.

Look upon our star from time to time, and send your love with it, as the same star shines above me, I will feel your love, and it will strengthen me.

Always,

Your Ron

Hermione had read his letter over and over again, cleaving desperately to the hope that he would indeed return safe, and that his mission would be a successful one. She remembered all too well the injuries that Hagrid had sported upon his return.

Glancing out her window, Hermione quickly located their star as her thoughts drifted back to that night in the astronomy tower so very long ago.

Hermione and Ron had fled to the Astronomy tower around midnight, hoping to get a few precious moments to themselves before the start of the war. Constantly surrounded by others, it was difficult to find time to just be alone.

"Ron?" Hermione had asked him, as they lie on their backs staring up into the night sky. "Do you think that there is a world out there that knows no war?"

"I'm positive there is Hermione, and even if there isn't, let's make one," he whispered into her ear, inhaling the sweet aroma of lavender that hung in her hair. "Pick a star."

Hermione turned to look at him questioningly, before gazing back up at the sky.

"That one," she said, pointing to a glowing star.

"Great choice 'Mione," he replied. "Now we just have to name it."

"How about Imbellis? It means, peaceful, unwarlike". Ron smiled in the darkness of the night.

"That is perfect love. Imbellis will be our star, our hope, and our future. Let's say that Imbellis is a place where people live harmoniously."

"That's right," Hermione grinned, getting into the game. "Because there is no pureblood, no half blood, no muggleborn. No wizards or muggles. Just people."

"People who love each other. Of course they don't always get along, because then it would be boring."

"And we don't want a boring planet…" Hermoine laughed.

"That's right. Quidditch is a national sport, revered by all as the greatest game ever to exist."

"And a place where intelligence is honored, and education is cherished. Know-it-all is a compliment."

Ron grinned even harder; seeing her get caught up in their make believe.

"And Snape where's frilly pink Dress Robes and a hat decorated with fruit every day, surrounded by first year students, like a mother hen."

Hermione burst into uncontrollable giggles at this. The thought of their surly potions professor prancing around in pink robes was just too much for her.

"Whenever you get lonely Mione," Ron began, pulling her closer," I want you to look at that star and imagine us there together, in peace, laughing at Mother Hen Snape."

"I miss you so much Ron," Hermione whispered to the star. "Come back soon, and be safe." She thought of Ron constantly, filled with guilt. She knew that while she hadn't intentionally allowed anything to happen between she and Draco, she still felt like she had betrayed Ron. It was so hard to be the one left behind when she had once been the one deep in the thick of it. For so long, she had held deep to the ideal that they truly were a Golden Trio, one unable to operate without the next. It was an idea fostered by the numerous adventures they had shared over the years. However, she was very disappointed, even though she would never admit it, to see that Harry and Ron were functioning just fine without her at their side. When did she transition from a soldier in Dumbledore's Army, to just another girl waiting at home, the proverbial yellow ribbon tied in her hair? It was lonely, and it was frustrating.

She was racked with more than the guilt of her unwitting betrayal of her love, but also for being holed up in recovery, when so many were out there on the front lines preparing for the final battle. She should have been there. She should be out there preparing too, not hiding away in relative safety. Her injury had even pulled Draco away from the fighting, where they were both so desperately needed. Guilt was not a feeling that Hermione handled well. She began to withdraw into herself. A fact that Draco had noticed.

Her physical therapy had continued every day without incident, and while Neither Draco or Hermione had mentioned the night that Draco had confessed his feelings towards her, she couldn't get it out of her mind. She had noticed now that she wasn't looking for faults, how easily he could make her smile, even if didn't reach her eyes. How much fun they had together during their heated debates over civil rights and theory. He was certainly a very close match for her intelligence.

They spent so much time together, even when they weren't debating or having long discussions about their respective childhoods, they could sit in companionable silence reading or watching the trees sway in the wind out of the window.

Draco was determined to make her laugh again. Watching her retire into herself was painful. Winter was releasing its grip on the land, and as the snow melted, flowers began blooming. Hermione was now able to walk around the shack by herself, even if only for short periods of time. She no longer fought his treatment, but accepted his help, knowing that the more stubborn she was, the longer it would take for her to get back to the front lines.

Suddenly, gazing at a beautiful yellow buttercup beginning to bloom at the edge of the forest he had the best idea. But he would have to start planning if he wanted it to happen before Hermione was well enough to leave. This, he was certain, would be the ticket to Hermione's heart that he had been searching so desperately for.

A/N If you read and you liked, please review it. I am so not feeling the love here guys. If you don't like, tell me that too and let me know why, so we can find a way to adjust it. Constructive criticism is always welcome. I do realize that there is a slight shift in writing styles. I'm experimenting, just go with it.