Hermione was enjoying one of her favorite ways of passing time- reading. It was a perfect summer evening. She was sitting below one of the few trees in the Burrow's yard as the sun began to set behind her. Her and Mr. Weasley were the only two out appreciating the gorgeous weather. She watched as he pushed a muggle lawn mower with a ridiculously large grin on his face. Hermione had never seen somebody so excited over simply cutting their grass. It was one of his prized possessions and would tell the story of how he found the treasure to anyone who would listen. Apparently, the story revolves around a normal day of work and being called on to a scene of floating kittens, garden gnomes, the device he now possessed, and two very confused muggles. Mr. Weasley's family didn't understand the joy he got out of an honest hour of work on his yard, but Hermione did. Just like when she put in hours of studying and received an excellent grade on her exam. The proof of her hard work was instantaneous.
She couldn't recall how long she had been out there or how many pages she had read, when out of the corner of her eye she saw Ron making his way towards him. He looked as if he was trying to be casual but his hands were in his pockets, a telling sign of the nervousness that was within. Hermione repressed a smile.
When he reached her, he plopped down next to her, laying with his hands behind his head and asked, " 'Mione, what could you possibly be studying? We haven't even been to Diagon Alley yet."
"Some of us enjoy reading, Ronald" she countered.
He accepted their disagreement, used to the banter, and allowed a comfortable silence to settle. She had finished about a chapter without being interrupted and Hermione was about to check if he had fallen asleep when he stated, "I'm starting to see why Dad finds this enjoyable."
"You're not even helping him" she laughed.
"You know what I mean. It's relaxing out here."
"Yes it is" she replied as she closed her book and lay down next to him.
"I thought you were reading" he teases.
"Well, even I have to admit that Hogwarts A History is a bit boring the eighth time around."
"Blimey, Hermione! I don't think I've even read eight sentences out of that book."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" she smirked.
Ron laughed and rolled over to look her straight in the eye. "I'm really glad you got to come over a little while before Harry" he dared to confess.
This time Hermione couldn't even attempt to hid the huge smile that plastered itself on her face.
She accompanied one of the most beautiful smiles Ron had ever seen with a simple, "Me too."
Ron rolled over and stated, "Ya I definitely understand what Dad is talking about."
Hermione agreed with, "mhmm" because the smile wasn't planning on vacating her lips any time soon. More relaxed and comfortable than she had been in a long time, Hermione dozed off to sleep.
She woke up when the sun was beginning to set pass the tree line and she realized that her head was resting on Ron's chest. She peered up at him to find him with his eyes closed, possessing a smile similar to the one she had fallen asleep with, but he also looked rather pleased with himself. She wondered if he was really asleep. She was about to say something, but decided to ignore her curiosity for once, and bit her tongue. She closed her eyes and savored the peaceful sound of the lawn mower, the comfort of Ron's warm body, and the smell of freshly mown grass.