"Can you imagine- a baby during these mad times?"

Hermione was sitting on a rock over looking the ocean when her solitude was interrupted. She didn't have to turn around to know who was now standing behind her. She knew his voice. It was his voice that helped her through the nightmares and made her feel safe.

"I can't imagine it. I've never been able to, actually. I guess that's what happens in times of war," she said as she caught his hand and brought him down to sit next to her.

"Never? Really? You've never thought about what your future children would look like or be like? I can picture your children," Ron smiled as he wrapped his arm around her back.

"Is that so? Tell me about my future children then," Hermione smiled, "Go on." She sat up and looked at Ron in the most Hermione-ish way.

Ron sat silently for a moment before answering. "Well, your daughter will have mad curls all over the place, and no matter how much she tries to tame them, they'll do what they want. Exactly like her mother." Ron smirked as he reached down and tucked one of Hermione's stray curls behind her ear.

She blushed as she replied, "Oh yeah? Well your son is going to have fire red hair and a million freckles, just like his father." She continued, "He'll hate them, just like you do, but he'll be gorgeous of course."

"Of course, I'm his dad. He'll be beating the girls away with a stick."

Hermione tried and failed to give him a stern look before she began roaring with laughter. They both sat there laughing until they were in tears.

Ron recovered first and continued, "Your daughter is going to be a trouble maker. I can see it. She's going to get into all kinds of trouble. Poor McGonagall is going to wish for the days of Fred and George," he smiled, "SO unlike her mother."

Hermione shook her head and smiled. "Oh? Well... Your son is going to be very studious and pleasant, SO unlike his father!" She laughed as Ron tried his best to look put out.

"And that girl of yours is going to be the best Quidditch player Hogwarts has seen since... Well.. ME! Oh yes! She's going to be a Quidditch superstar. Probably go pro," Ron said, giving Hermione a look that clearly said 'Top that!'

She chuckled as she said, "Well your son is going to be known as the Brightest Wizard Of His Time. He'll be the best student Hogwarts has seen since... Well.. ME!"

They found themselves once again in a fit of laughter, stopping only when Hermione started to feel pain from her injuries. She sighed and leaned her head on Ron's arm.

"And they'll be best friends growing up, just like me and Ginny," Ron said as he looked down into Hermione's eyes.

It wasn't lost on her that he chose to say they'd be close like siblings, instead of close like him and her. She tore herself away from his deep blue eyes and looked out at the ocean, giving a great sigh.

"Wouldn't that be lovely? Growing up, having a family, not living of fear of being murdered by a lunatic everyday?" Hermione gave a humorless laugh.

Ron once again reached down and pulled Hermione in close to his side. "Hermione, I promise you that you will have that future. I am not going to let anything happen to you again."

"You can't promise me that. Our future is so uncertain," before he could argue with her, she continued, "I knew it would be, and I'm not complaining about it. I've accepted it. We may not survive this war. But hopefully we can make a big enough difference to give others a shot at a happy life."

Ron considered this for a moment. He sighed and said, "I know it's true, I don't want to be naive... I just don't want to think of a world in which you and that barmy, curly haired little girl don't exist."

Hermione chuckled as she nodded, "Yes, I'd very much like to meet her."

"Me too."

She smiled and added, "I'd also like to meet the version of you that loves school work and reading."

Ron tried to look affronted, "Hey, he's going to be smart, but I draw the line at reading loads of books!"

Hermione laughed and playfully smacked Ron's arm. "There is nothing wrong with loving books!"

"Yeah, well I'll have dealt with enough of that from you. I don't want my kids ignoring me to read as well!" Ron said with a smirk.

"Oh stop it. I do not ignore you while I read," she smiled.

"No, not yet today!"

They laughed as Hermione tried to smack Ron on his arms and anywhere she could reach.

Ron laughed as he threw his hands up, "Ok! Ok! I surrender! You win!"

Hermione straightened up and smiled at Ron. "Thank you."

He looked at her with a curious expression on his face, "For what?"

"For helping me remember that I have a reason to fight and survive. For reminding me that I can have a future."

Ron wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into a tight hug. "Well I'm counting on it, aren't I? How else will I meet those kids?"

Hermione smiled at Ron. "Oh yes, I have to be Ron Jr's personal tutor."

"Yep, and I have to teach Mini Mione how to fly."

"Harry can teach them to be Gryffindor brave and Ginny has to teach them to be as tough as nails."

Ron shook his head, "Nah, I reckon they'll have their own monsters to deal with."

Hermione laughed, "That would make Harry's son the grandson of a Marauder and the nephew of Fred and George, lord help us all!"

"Oh Merlin, I didn't mean... But you're right!" Ron stood up and started walking towards the house.

"Where are you going?!" Hermione jumped up and started after him.

"I have to kill Harry Potter!"

Hermione burst into laughter and tackled Ron to the ground, both laughing and thinking about the future they one day hoped to have.