Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Harry Potter. It's all J.K. Rowlings.
"You never get used to that," thought Hermione Granger as she caught her breath. She had just apparated to the small town of Ottery St. Catchpole from her parent's house. She looked up and smiled. The Burrow was sitting, albeit slightly crooked, on top a hill. The way the sun was hitting it made it look, if it was possible, even more welcoming. Hermione knew this visit would be different from previous ones. After all the loss and hurt everyone had experienced after the war, being here felt like maybe things might start getting back to normal. After she thought this she felt terrible. There was no way the Weasley family could ever feel normal again. Not after losing Fred. But that was why she was here. Ron needed her. At least, that's what he had said in all his letters he'd written her over the past 2 weeks they'd been apart. All of these letters were currently in her bag that held all her clothes. She'd packed probably a lot more than necessary. But she was here until she wasn't needed. And she hoped, selfishly, that he needed her for a long time.
As she started to walk up the gravel road that led to the Burrow, she felt her heart start to beat faster. She couldn't wait to see Ron. She walked around to the back of the house. The garden was in full bloom. She turned to the back door that led from the kitchen to the garden. She took one deep breath and knocked. There was no answer. She knocked again. No one came to the door. She tried the handle. Luckily, it opened.
"That's odd," Hermione said to herself. Out of habit she glanced at Mrs. Weasley's clock. She noticed with a sad smile that Fred's hand said, "Resting." All the others, however, pointed to "working."
"Now, that can't be right. Ron doesn't even have a job," she said in a quiet voice. She took off her sandals and placed them next to the pile of shoes by the door. As she walked through the living room towards the stairs she stopped to look at herself in the mirror. Her hair was curly, but not frizzy as it had been for so long. Her shorts and her top matched quite nicely. She gave herself an okay. But she knew it didn't matter. She really didn't think Ron would mind what she had on.
She walked up the stairs to Ginny's room where she placed her bag on a cot that was set up beside Ginny's bed. She continued her trek up the stairs and stopped at the second to last landing. She paused outside a door that had a sign on the door. The sign read: Ronald's Room. Hermione giggled. She turned the knob and opened the door.
"I told you already, Mum: I do not wanna go to see George. I just…can't," Ron said keeping his back to the door. He was seated at his desk that looked over the front yard.
Ah, Hermione thought. He hadn't seen me come up. She cleared her throat and said, "I think it's perfectly normal for you to need some more time."
"Hermione!" Ron exclaimed as he jumped up out of his seat. He grabbed her into a hug, "God, I've missed you. You have no idea."
"I think I have an inkling," Hermione said, smiling. He let go and Hermione noticed his ears were turning red.
Ron stared at her. He couldn't believe she was finally here. Finally, someone could save him from his misery.
"What? Do I have something in my teeth?" Hermione asked him, becoming suddenly self-conscious of his staring.
"No, you look great. I just can't believe you're finally here. These past two weeks have been so hard," he said hugging her again.
"I know; I'm sorry. I should have been here. I just had to go right after…" Hermione started to say the funeral but she didn't think it was the best idea to bring up his brother's death.
"No, you had to go get your parents. I know. I understand," Ron said taking her hand and leading her to his bed, "Here: sit. Do you need anything?"
"No, Ron, I'm fine," Hermione assured him, laughing. Ron looked like he wanted to sit by her but thought better of it and moved back to his desk chair.
"So…how are your parents?" Ron asked.
"Um, mad. Hurt. Sad. They're glad I'm okay, though. I think they understand why I had to do it. But…they're still really upset," Hermione said looking as her fingers.
"Hermione, I'm sure they'll come around. You had no choice," Ron said leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees.
"But I did. I didn't have to move them half-way across the world. I could have let them be," Hermione said guiltily.
"Yeah, but where would they be now? Dead?" Ron asked. He didn't want to think about death, but Hermione needed him to be strong.
"You're right. I'm being stupid," Hermione said wiping her eyes.
"Hey, no you aren't. We've been through a lot. But you saved them," Ron said getting up and sitting on the bed next to her.
"Okay, I'm okay. Sorry," Hermione said, looking up at him.
"Don't be sorry. I'm so glad you're here," Ron told her putting his arm around her waist and pulling her towards him.
"Yeah, me too," Hermione said resting her head on his shoulders, "I needed to see you."
Author's note: Add? Or no? I don't know. Review and let me know! Thanks!