Six months had passed since Ron's unexpected reappearance, and he had eventually told Hermione exactly what had happened while he was imprisoned by the Death Eaters.

He had been tortured almost daily (by the Cruciatus Curse) in order for the Death Eaters to get the location of Harry and Hermione. They had tortured him countless times, but he had never given in. At one point, they tried starving him, at which time Ron had decided to give up.

That was the moment which saved Ron's life. He then heard Hermione's voice come from the Deluminator in his pocket, just as he had when he had left Harry and Hermione on their hunt for Horcruxes. From what he could hear, it sounded as though Hermione was yelling at someone else about Ron (Hermione later realized this was the time Harry had delivered the news about Ron's disappearance). From there, Ron made a resolution to get out of the Death Eaters' imprisonment. He had wrestled a wand from a Death Eater and conquered them all, right before fleeing back to Britain. Naturally, and encouraged by a long complaint by an enraged Hermione, the Auror Department promised they would not be sending Ron on a two-year mission for a long time.

Of course, Ron and Hermione hadn't explained this to Rose and Hugo, knowing they were much too young to understand. Both of the children were convinced that their father had gone on a very long vacation.

Now, as Hermione lay next to her husband, watching him sleep, she realized that there would be a day in which she would have to explain every dangerous moment that had happened to Ron and herself since they had become best friends with Harry Potter, and sworn themselves eternally into fighting the evils of the wizarding world. But for now, she would enjoy the ignorance of her children, though their knowledge was increasing every day.

Hermione glanced up at Ron, who was sleeping on his side, facing her. It was six thirty, according to her bedside clock, and the sun was spilling through the thin white curtains that were drawn over their windows. It was Saturday, and Ron had promised to take Rose riding on his broom today, and, if she was lucky, maybe even teach her the basics of riding a broom.

Hermione sighed, and instead of starting the usual ritual of getting dressed and waking everyone else, she simply laid in bed next to Ron, taking in every feature of his face.

Over the years, his flaming red hair had faded to a rusty orange color, but it was still very much Weasley-ish. Every freckle that Hermione had memorized on his face was still there, though they had faded, much to Ron's delight. His face had grown from a boy's to a man's since the end of the war. His jaw had extended, along with his already long nose. As Hermione looked at the man she had known for so long, she realized this was the first time she had noticed these differences. She had watched him grow for so long that she hadn't realized how he had changed since they had first met.

Her eyes dropped to Ron's hands. Taking one in her hand, she uncurled it to size it up with her own. His hands had always been about four times bigger than hers, but they had always fit perfectly together. She interlaced their fingers together and lightly traced the shape of his nose with her finger. At this, Ron cracked his eyes open and she saw the blue irises she had long ago memorized. He shot her his lopsided grin, which never failed to make her smile.

"You're taking Rose out on your broom today," she said finally, trying to keep the sternness in her voice.

"I know," Ron said simply, still grinning like an idiot. He scooted closer to her and started playing with her hair, twisting his fingers in it before gently kissing her forehead.

Suddenly, a loud banging came from behind their bedroom door, making them both jump, and Rose's voice came carried through the door.

"GET UP DAD! YOU'RE TAKING ME FLYING!"

Ron groaned and pulled the blankets over his head and Hermione smirked. "You did promise her, you know."

He rolled out of bed and headed to the bathroom. "I know."

"Ron!"

"What?"

Hermione shot him a meaningful glance, both serious and worried. "Be careful with her. I don't want to lose either of you."

Ron approached her and grasped her hands. "I will. Don't worry so much, Hermione. You know I'm not going to let anything happen to her." He winked at her and turned to the bathroom.

Hermione smiled to herself and said under her breath, "I know."


An hour later, after Hermione had gotten Rose and Hugo dressed and forced them to finish their breakfast, Ron finally led his daughter out to the empty field a few blocks from their home, Hermione and Hugo in tow.

As Hermione watched nervously as her husband pulled their daughter onto the back of his broom, just as he had did numerous times with herself, she realized how meaningless her life had been while Ron was gone for those two years.

She watched as Ron and Rose ascended to the clouds, and found she was gripping Hugo's hand so tightly he was desperately trying to wriggle free. She withdrew her hand and Hugo inspected it, then shot her a reproachful look, which reminded her so much of herself. She smiled and scooped him up in her arms.

Suddenly, and out of nowhere, Ron came swooping down from the sky, Rose screaming gleefully behind him. Hermione swore loudly and glared after her husband, who had shot up straight towards the sky once again.

"Ronald Weasley!" Hermione yelled, terrified he would slip up and they would both crash to the ground. "I told you to be careful!"

"She wanted to go faster!" Hermione faintly heard Ron's delighted voice from beyond the hills they had headed toward. She caught a last glance at them; they were no more than a speck in the sky.

"C'mon, Hugo," Hermione said, taking out her wand and accioing a few books from their house. "I'll read to you. Your father and Rosie are going to be awhile."