Ron and Hermione had just returned from Australia that day. It had been a really hard week for Hermione. Between: the anxiety of trying to find her parents, reversing the spell, trying to explain what to them and hoping they wouldn't hate her, she pretty much was emotionally spent. They had decided to return via airplane because her parents weren't real big fans of magic right now. They had finally arrived at the burrow this evening. After making sure Hermione's parents got settled in their "new" but old home. They were both dead on their feet and Ron was surprised he was still up at 8 and even more so that Hermione was. He half expected her to go to bed a soon as they arrived. She decided to stay up for dinner, though. Right now Ron was sitting on the old, overstuffed, but extremely comfortable, couch in the Borrow's living room. Hermione was in the kitchen helping clean the dishes from dinner with his mum.
Hermione eventually left the kitchen and walked over to and quietly said, "Hey."
He could tell by the tone of her voice that she was both emotionally and physically spent because this normally strong and loud spoken girl sounded utterly broken.
"C mere," he said while reaching his hand out to grab her waist and pull her into his lap. "Hey beautiful," he punctuated with a chaste kiss on her lips.
"Hey," was all she said again.
He looked into her beautiful but bloodshot eyes and said "Why don't you go up to bed, you look exhausted a."
"Yeah that's probably a good idea," Hermione replied and then she hugged him still sitting in his lap saying, "goodnight."
Ron returned the gesture fiercely and gently kissed the top of her head while rubbing her back slowly. Suddenly, he felt Hermione grow heavy and limp in his arms. She had fallen asleep in his lap. Ron adjusted her until he was holding her somewhat bridal style and her face was in the crook of his neck. He could feel her tiny warm breaths.
"Alright let's go," he said to himself standing up trying carefully not to disturbs her. He stood up fully looking around his small living room. Filled with so many memories of his childhood. Never in his wildest dreams did he think one day he would be standing there, much older holding the love of his life in his arms. He looked over to her face. It now had a peaceful look to it. No longer worried or tired, with her brow furrowed or bags under her deep brown eyes. "Alright let's get you to bed," he said while gently kissing her temple. He began to make his way to the stairs walking through the kitchen first to check on his mum.
Right, as he entered she said "Ronald, could you help me finish cleaning. I didn't let Hermione because she looked so awfully tired, that poor girl" rather loudly still looking away.
Ron cringed hoping that she didn't wake Hermione. "Shhh mum," he said quickly relieved Hermione stayed asleep.
"Don't tell me what to do Ronald..." she said defensively while turning around to face him but stopped when she saw Hermione. "Oh, I'm sorry Ron hopefully I didn't wake her."
"Hey, it alright you didn't. She's so tired I don't think she's going to wake very easily."
Mrs. Wesley walked over to Ron and tuck a stray price of hair behind Hermione's ear. She almost had tears in her eyes as she did so.
"You really love her don't you," she said looking up at Ron
He met his mother's eyes and replied,
"Yeah, I would do anything get for her. Like carrying her up to bed," he ended with a chuckle.
"We'll go ahead and take her up to bed I can manage on my own"
"Thanks, mum," he said and turned around to start climbing the stairs. After about 4 steps, he turned looked at Hermione and said "You here that, I love you," and then kissed her sweetly on the temple. He swore he saw her faintly smile.