The surprise
After a good night's sleep Hermione got up early and went for a walk around the Burrow grounds to replenish her potion ingredients. It was one of her favourite past times since moving into the burrow. She loved discovering new ingredients and trying new variations of potions. She found the plants grown in the burrow gardens worked exceptionally well, she liked to think it was the amount of love in the air.
After collecting as much as she could could carry, she walked back to the burrow just in time for lunch.
All the Weasleys were at work apart from Mrs Weasley, Ron and Ginny , who was applying for the Hollyhead harpies, an all female quidditch team. Apparently they will still taking members, although triple the number they used to , to allow for pregnancies in the new law.
When the marriage law had been announced they tried to fight it, even minister of magic had, it was beyond even his control. It was the best for the wizarding world. Hermione had argued encouraging marriage with muggles would be better but no one other than Arthur was on board. If she could find a better way she would have, didn't make any of this any easier.
After returning to the burrow with her ingredients she set up a special surprise she had planned. Placing clues all over the burrow and the grounds, the last one outside a door waiting for him to open it.
Wrapping up some breskfast in a blanket and grabbing a book she headed to where her last clue led, hoping he would come.
After managing to read ten chapters her clue follower finally arrived.
"Wasn't sure if you'd come." Hermione told him.
"Almost didn't, assumed it was for a different brother, you've not exactly been nice since this started. " Ron sneered.
"Please sit down, I wanted to talk." She replied without commenting on his scowl.
Ron sat down, not looking at her.
She took out some food, offering it to him.
"Is it poisoned? Is this your plan to get rid of me?" Ron laughed without humour.
She took a bite herself to show him it was not.
"Please stop this, I know this hard for you. After everything we went through we should get an easy life. You wanted us to get married and live happily ever after. I did want that too, but I was scared off losing my best friend." She admitted.
"You'll never lose me, Hermione. "
"I already have, this sarcastic and mean man is not the friend who stood by side fighting in the war, not knowing if we would survive, not knowing if we see tomorrow. I miss him."
"I don't know how to deal with this, how can I share you with my brothers? It's not fair." Ron cried, downing his butterbeer.
'You sound like a child. Think of the positives, we are all alive. Anyone of us could have died during the battle, myself or Ginny could have been killed after. None of us like this law but we are making it work."
"You make it sound easy."
"It's not easy, of course its not easy!!! I have to fight every instinct I have that going on dates with sixth brothers is okay, especially when one, still sees me as a child and misses the love of his life, another never looked at me like that before and then you, the one who should be beside me, making a joke of things to help me. You are making it seem like it's all my fault." Hermione said in a rush.
Ron was silent for a little while then got up and left. She was sure she heard a quiet "I'm sorry." As he walked away.