Four months after Ron had found Hermione's diary, Hermione had signed up for a driver's education class, feeling like she finally had to learn how to drive a car after putting it off throughout her teen years because of the war. She now had her permit and used every opportunity to practice driving with her parents or Harry, who had gotten his license three years previously.

Ron, on the other hand, found the whole thing to be a bit silly. Hermione had been trying to persuade him to sign up for a class too, and he was convinced that you don't need a license as long as you have common sense.

"Who needs a license for driving?" he ranted to Hermione. "I drove a flying car at the age of twelve –"

"– Right into the Whomping Willow," finished Hermione. "Honestly Ron, it's dead useful when we're in the Muggle World, and I really think you should get a license too."

Ron scoffed and shook his head at her obvious absurdity.

"Okay, Hermione," he said in a voice drenching with sarcasm. Hermione rolled her eyes and left the room.

Ron had enough to worry about without Hermione nagging him to get a license. Rose was going to Hogwarts in just seven short months, and Ron really didn't want her to go. Teddy Lupin had left just a year ago, and Bill and Fleur's children had already been at Hogwarts for many years, Victoire would be a seventh year this year. However, Harry had tried to make him feel a bit better.

"C'mon Ron, in James' first year, he adapted straight away. Plus, Rose will have all her cousins with her, so she won't be completely alone."

Ron looked doubtfully at him, but Harry determinedly stared straight on back. "Ron, you had all your brothers with you when you arrived at Hogwarts, and you'll never know how it feels to not know anyone in a new place."

Ron suddenly felt sorry that he had doubted Harry's thinking. "Harry, look mate, I'm sorry, I had forgotten –"

"Hey, mate, it's alright," Harry grinned. "I know you didn't mean it, just be glad Rose has her family with her at Hogwarts."

After this discussion, Harry Apparated back to his home next to Ron and Hermione's, and Ron walked into the living room where Hermione and Rose were teaching Hugo how to play Exploding Snap, which he seemed to have taken an interest in. Ron grinned at the sight of his family and stood in the doorway, admiring all of them.

"That's it, Hugo – now wait your turn while Rose goes…" Hermione was saying.

Ron stared at her, unable to help himself. She was still the most beautiful thing in his mind. Over the years since he first had met her, her bushy hair had tamed itself naturally into more curly strands than frizzy as she grew into it. Her brown eyes were as bright as ever, but since the war, they had somehow lost that lovely spark they had had when they were in school. They still would light up whenever Hermione found a new book she was interested in, or when Ron told her how beautiful she was. But they no longer had that glint of true innocent happiness, of no worries. Ron knew this probably happened because of all the grief that had happened during the war and she possibly could've grown out of that childhood, no-worry happiness. Whatever the reason, Ron knew he probably would never see that spark again.

Ron woke from his reverie to see Hermione glancing at him, shooting him that special smile he knew was only for him. "Did Harry leave?"

"Yeah," Ron grinned. He sat down in between Hermione and Hugo.

"What are you smirking about?" she asked him, that smile still playing at her lips.

"Nothing. Mind if I join?" he asked, indicating the Exploding Snap game.

"Sure, we're almost done with this game."

They spent the next two hours alone playing Exploding Snap. Hugo became really good at it and managed to burn three good-sized holes through the carpet.

That night, after Rose and Hugo had gone to bed, Ron joined Hermione at the sink where she was doing the dishes muggle-style. Ron grabbed a towel and began to help her. She did the washing while he dried, shooting a grateful smile at him, which he returned. They stood in comfortable silence for awhile until Hermione spoke up.

"Ron, you really should try for your license."

Ron rolled his eyes, exhausted by Hermione's persistence. "Hermione, I've told you, I don't need one if I can Disapparate –"

"What about Rose and Hugo?" Hermione demanded right away. "They can't Apparate, and they cannot do Side-Along, it's too risky –"

"Hermione, it's stupid! The whole bloody thing is stupid!" Ron threw down the towel and signed heavily. Silence fell between the two, silence that drowned Ron from the inside, and he didn't dare look around at her face, for fear the look she shot him would burn a hole right through his face.

"You know what?" Ron said finally, looking round at Hermione, who was looking stony. "Fine! I'll do it your way for once, Hermione. But if the whole thing's rubbish, I'm getting out of it straight away –"

Hermione beamed and looked victorious. "I love you, Ron!" she said before hugging him tightly around the waist. Ron, completely confused on what caused this act of compassion, asked:

"So I take it you like it when we agree?"