Hello! I do not need another WIP, but here we are. I told myself that I was going to wait until I finished at least one of my three stories before starting to post this one, but I have zero self control... zilch.

This one is *hopefully* only 10 chapters long (at least it is in the outline) so I guess that makes me feel better? Idk.

Anyway, I have three muggle AU's, and I felt the need to get back into the magical side of things! I think that this is my craziest idea yet, and I hope it is well received.

I have decided not to use any beta's for this fic, so if there are any mistakes, I apologize!

Things are going to be pretty confusing at first, so pretty please let me know what you think!

oOo

2004-

It was a beautiful and still night in late July as Ron Weasley stood under the white tent that was set up next to the wedding venue on the outskirts of London. The setting fondly reminded him of his brother Bill's wedding all those years earlier, and brought back memories of times before they'd left on the hunt- before everything had changed forever.

The outside temperature was perfect, so Ron had shed his suit jacket hours ago, leaving him in a white button down dress shirt and fancy black trousers. He'd already had several drinks, and admittedly he was having the most fun he'd had in a long while.

Every single person that he cared about was there for the wedding and wedding reception, including various family members and friends he had gone to school with. His job as an auror kept him busy, and he hadn't seen many of them in a long time, so he was trying to make the most of it as he walked around to catch up and chat with everyone. As he made his way around the garden area, he stopped to gaze around, not for the first time appreciating the peaceful times they lived now that the war was over.

After talking to Seamus and Dean for a while, Ron noticed his brother standing alone as he watched the newly married couple having their first dance on the dance floor. Telling his old roommates he'd see them later, he headed over to where George was standing.

"So," George asked, taking a sip of butterbeer as Ron sidled up to him."In school, could you have ever imagined Neville Longbottom would end up such a badass?"

Ron chuckled. "Nope. But I'm proud of him. He's a great man, and I know he and Hannah are going to have a happy life together."

George eyed Hannah who was smiling as she danced with her new husband. "Lucky bloke," he said as he took another long sip of butterbeer. "Hannah's great. Not to mention gorgeous."

Ron nodded his agreement. "She is."

George leaned over to elbow Ron in the side. "So. Are you next? Will we all be gathered here for Ickle Ronniekins' wedding anytime soon?"

Ron's eyes traveled across the tent to look at the curly haired brunette who was currently engaging in conversation with Luna and Ginny. "Dunno," he answered. "Maybe I'll wait until after you marry Angelina. Let Mum get some of the wedding excitement out of her system before I have to deal with it."

George chuckled. "Fair enough. I was thinking of asking Ange soon anyway."

Ron turned to his brother, his mouth open in surprise. "Blimey! I was just taking the mickey, George! I didn't know you were planning on asking!"

George nodded as he took a sip of butterbeer. "Yep. She's the one. She brought me back to...well- me, and I love her."

The alcohol had Ron feeling more affectionate than he otherwise would have, and he turned and pulled George into a hug. "I'm happy for you. Really."

George, looking a bit sheepish, returned Ron's hug before nodding. "Thanks." He stepped back, tilting his head to the side towards the bar at the back of the tent. "Harry looks pretty odd, don't you think?"

Ron turned and saw that George was right. While earlier, Harry had been fine, he was now sitting alone at the bar, a confused and rather upset look on his face. Ron sighed. "I'll deal with it," he called, knowing that as Harry's best mate he was in charge of handling his mood swings that thankfully were few and far between since the end of the war.

Ron made his way to the bar, his eyes trained on his best mate's still form. He slid onto a barstool next to Harry, clearing his throat to announce his presence. Harry didn't acknowledge him at all though, and was staring blankly ahead, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Another one for me, please," Ron told the bartender as he slid his empty glass to him. He then turned to Harry and gave him a nudge to the shoulder. "Hey mate, we are supposed to be having fun tonight, remember?" he teased.

Harry turned to him, blinking rapidly as if coming out of some sort of trance. "Yeah. Sorry, I just…" he trailed off.

"You just what?" Ron asked as he took a long sip of the full cup of butterbeer that the bartender had set in front of him.

"There was a woman…" Harry said in a slow voice, almost as if it were a question.

Ron narrowed his eyes. "As far as I'm concerned Potter, the only 'woman' you should be talking about is my baby sister."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Not like that, you prat! You know I'm happily married to Gin!" He shook his head. "About, I don't know, ten minutes or so ago, there was a woman standing alone on the edge of the tent. I don't know who she was, but as soon as I saw her I- well, it was so weird. It was like something inside of me snapped. I almost started bloody crying Ron! I had an overwhelming feeling- like I wanted to go to her and-" He sighed, "I don't know. It didn't make any sense. It was only a few seconds, but then someone distracted me, and when I looked back- she was gone." His brows furrowed. "Weird thing was, she didn't even notice me watching her because she was staring at you."

Ron leaned back a bit in surprise. He hadn't noticed anyone staring at him. "Hmm. And you're sure you don't know who she was? What'd she look like?"

Harry shook his head. "No. Never seen her before, but she looked an awful lot like- you know what- nevermind. I guess it doesn't matter," he mumbled."

They sat in silence for a few minutes pondering, before a slow song started sounding from the stage.

Ron shrugged. "Yeah mate, it is weird, but forgive me- I've got a girlfriend waiting on me and this is her favorite song."

Harry waved his hand dismissively. "Yeah, go. I'll find Ginny after I finish my drink."

Ron nodded before turning around and weaving through the crowd. He spotted the familiar head of curls now chatting with Lee Jordan. When Ron reached her, he tapped her on the shoulder, and she turned around, a smile on her face.

When her eyes met Ron's he had the feeling that he occasionally got with her- a feeling that when she turned around she wasn't who he'd been expecting at all, but was someone else entirely. Every time this happened, he always felt the keen sting of disappointment, even though it made no sense because she, of course, was who he was expecting. As he always did though, he pushed the odd feeling aside and put on his most charming smile.

"Would you do the honor of dancing with me, Miss?"

Her smile widened as she placed her hand in his. "Why Mr. Weasley, I thought you'd never ask."

Ron started to lead her to the dance floor, and when they reached a clear spot, he spun her around and pulled her frame close to his, swaying her along to the music. He ran his hand down her spine, resting it on her lower back and pulling her closer, moving his face into her brown curls, smelling the intoxicating smell of her shampoo.

"Having a good time?" he asked in a soft voice.

She looked up at him. "I am. Are you? I saw you chatting with George earlier. He looked like he was up to something."

"When is he not up to something?" Ron asked with a laugh. "He uh- he was asking me about when we will have our own wedding, actually."

She grimaced. "Ron, you know-"

"I know," he interrupted. "But these questions are going to pop up, y'know? What was I supposed to say?"

"We just pretend that everything is fine, I suppose."

Ron gave her a look, and she let out a sigh. "I know you hate lying to them, Ron, but we agreed-"

"Shhh," Ron cut her off, pulling her closer. "I wish I could change your mind, though."

"You know it's not something I can change, Ron."

He nodded. "Yeah, I know," he said in a sad voice.

"I do love you, you know that right?" she asked, pulling her head back to look up at him.

He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss on the lips. "I know. And I love you too."

"And I'm really sorry," she added, moving her head back down to his chest.

Ron lifted her chin and gave her a sad smile. "I know you are. We've got a few weeks though, right? Let's just enjoy them before everything has to change. Let's make the most of it."

He saw the tears welling up in her eyes, her guilt now easy for him to spot. He gave her another kiss before she sighed, and they continued to sway.

oOo

Despite not being acknowledged at all, Hermione hadn't felt more at home in years. Her chest ached painfully every time she saw someone she knew looking back at her without any trace of recognition. She forced a smile, fighting back tears as the people she loved looked right over her as if she were a stranger. She was not the schoolmate, friend, or family member that she once had been, instead, she was now a nobody.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione's eyes sought out the one that she had come to see in the first place, the one she knew she shouldn't even be seeing at all- ever again. She saw him then, standing as he talked to Dean and Seamus, his hands in his pockets. The sight of him made her breath hitch, her tears finally spilling as the extreme feeling of loss washed over her. She continued watching him, every facial expression he made so familiar, every inch of him burned into her memory.

He looked good- great actually- and that smile that Hermione loved more than any other smile in the world still had the power to melt her- even if he didn't know it. She stood a safe distance away from him, not wanting to be seen, yet at the same time knowing that if she was seen it wouldn't make a difference because like the others, Ron wouldn't know her. Still, she knew that she wouldn't be able to take it if he looked at her without the love that he used to, so she remained in the shadows.

When he moved, she followed, still staying away, and watched as Ron stopped to talk to George. Hermione was glad to see that George looked marginally better than he had since the last time she'd seen him, and a smile nearly crept onto her face when the two brothers embraced for a reason that was unknown to her.

After that, Ron headed towards the bar to sit next to what looked like a sullen Harry. At the sight of her black haired best friend, Hermione wiped a fresh wave of tears from her face. Although Ron was, of course, who she missed the most, Harry was a close second, and there was a large hole in her life where he'd once been.

Every day these last three years Hermione had tried to convince herself that she'd done the right thing. If things were different- if he hadn't gotten hurt- Hermione knew she would be here right now with everyone- with Ron. Nobody would be looking over her, and she would be just as engaged in conversation as everybody else was. Still- she couldn't bring herself to regret her decision- not when she knew what was at stake.

Hermione knew that there was no other way, and that at the end of the day, she would gladly sacrifice her happiness as long as Ron was safe. When Ron stood up from the bar and made his way across the tent, Hermione followed, letting out an audible gasp when he tapped a woman on the shoulder, saying something to her before leading her onto the dance floor.

The woman- there was no way- and yet Hermione was watching with her own two eyes. It had to be some sort of strange coincidence, it just had to. The woman had curly brown hair, and was almost exactly the same in stature as Hermione. Hermione was too far to tell, but it looked like the woman had brown eyes as well. Hermione frowned when she saw that the woman in Ron's arms was prettier than herself- at least in her opinion. From the back, however, the woman could have been Hermione- that's how similar they were. And why would Ron choose to be with someone who resembled her so closely? He didn't remember her, there was no way that he could, so where was that explanation? Was it just fate's way of slapping her in the face? Of taunting her?

She couldn't help herself as she moved to the edge of the dance floor to get a closer look, for the first time that night feeling thankful that nobody was paying any attention to her. The closeness of their bodies, the placement of his hands, the way that Ron's head was bent down in an intimate way as they spoke to each other- there was no doubt that the two were romantically involved, the thought making it hard for Hermione to breathe.

A part of her was relieved, though. Didn't she want him happy? Of course she did, but she would be lying to herself if she didn't admit that a selfish part of her wanted him to be as sad as she was, to be incomplete as she was because they were not together.

She continued to cry, the sight of the couple making her feel like she was slowly dying inside, giving her the urge to run to the nearest bathroom and empty her stomach. When Ron leaned down and brushed the woman's lips with his, Hermione decided it was time to leave, having reached her limit to how much her heart could take.

Hermione had seen what she'd come to see, and now she had her answers. She could live her life without feeling haunted and guilt ridden- at least she had that if nothing else. Ron kissed the woman again, and Hermione was about to turn away and head out, when Ron's eyes lifted to meet hers.

oOo

"After we leave here, want to go back to my place?" Ron asked. "I don't want to sleep alone."

Allison sighed, but nodded, and he gave her a grateful smile. "Are you thirsty? I can go get us some-"

His words stopped in his throat as his eyes lifted and met another pair that were staring at him from the edge of the dance floor. Eyes that felt to Ron he knew more than his own, yet had never seen before. The rush of feelings hit him like a bludger to the stomach, and Ron felt as if he was going to be sick. He felt the air leave his lungs, his entire being overwhelmed, and he was unable to say or do anything but gape at her.

He didn't know her. But he knew her.

She looked eerily similar to the woman that was currently in his arms, but her face was different- different and so achingly familiar. His insides were screaming at him, telling him that he needed to get to her- and get to her immediately.

Forgetting that she was even in his arms, Ron let go of Allison and started towards whoever this other woman was, his walk quickly moving to a run. Her eyes widened as he barreled towards her, and she looked terrified as she turned around and started running away from him. Ron took off full speed after her, desperate not to let her get away.

She left the tent and started running down the lit path, Ron catching up to her easily. As she ran, he saw her fumble around in her purse, and when he saw her start to pull out her wand, he grabbed his own out of his pocket.

"EXPELLIARMUS!" he screamed, somehow knowing that she was going to use her wand to apparate away from him, and he couldn't let her do that.

She let out a loud cry as her wand flew out of her hand and into his. She spun around to face him, her expression panicked.

"Give me my wand!" she yelled shrilly.

"Who are you?!" he yelled back, tears blurring his vision as they poured down his face. This had to be the woman that Harry had seen earlier, but Ron knew that she was affecting him even more so than she had Harry, although he wasn't sure why. His heart was pounding, and he felt almost as if he was about to pass out with the intensity of the feelings that he was experiencing.

The woman shook her head, her own tears falling down her face. "Give me my wand!" she yelled again, sounding like a cornered animal. Her eyes were so wide and afraid, as if being close to him was her greatest nightmare.

Ron let out a choked sob, shaking his head. "No! Not until you tell me who you are, or what you're doing to me. What the fuck is happening?" he whimpered, his body no longer in his control as he continued to cry and shake.

She took another step back. "I'm n-nobody, I swear! I need to leave, and I need to leave now. Please let me go."

Ron's heart was beating at a rapid pace, so fast that it was making him feel lightheaded. He put his hand over his chest and felt it, wondering how it was even possible to be going as fast as it currently was. He winced as a ripple of pain crossed him and looked up to see the woman staring at him with a horrified expression on her face.

"Ron!"

"You know my name."

The woman ignored his words. "Please, just throw me my wand," she begged, still backing away from him. "Let me go! I won't bother you anym-"

"No!" he screamed. "Talk to me first, tell me who you are, and then I'll give you your goddamn wand!"

She shut her eyes and took a deep breath. "Okay. I'll tell you everything. But I need my wand first. Give me my wand, and we can talk."

Ron narrowed his eyes. "You promise?" he asked, needing to be sure that she was telling him the truth.

She nodded. "Yes, but I need my wand to- to show you."

Sensing that she was uncomfortable with his proximity, and not wanting to move closer and make her change her mind about talking to him, Ron stood in place and tossed the wand to her. He watched as she caught it and let out a sigh in relief before looking back at him, her face pained.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, and with a 'crack' she was gone.

"NO!" Ron roared, racing to where she had just been standing as if he could somehow catch her. "You liar!" he bellowed before falling to his knees. He felt hollow, desperate, a pain like he had never felt before crushing him, but worst of all- he didn't even know why.

Still on his knees, he started to sob, not caring that people were now standing around watching him.

oOo

Hermione landed in her parents' house, collapsing on the floor in a crumpled heap, no longer able to hold herself up.

She had made a mistake. An awful, awful mistake. She'd told herself that she needed to see him one last time, but she'd been wrong, so terribly wrong. She crawled over to the sofa, pulling herself up and onto it as she continued to sob.

What had she been thinking?

Hermione jumped up as the fireplace lit up in green flames. She held her wand outstretched in front of her, her arm shaking and then going down as Kingsley Shacklebolt stepped out of the fireplace. His gaze went around the room before landing on her, and instead of the anger that she expected from him, he merely let out a sigh and opened his arms. Letting out a choked sob, Hermione gratefully ran into them.