"Ron, Hermione's here!" Mrs. Weasley called through the house.
Ron, happy that one of his friends had already come to visit during the summer holidays, quickly pulled a comb through his hair one last time and ran down the stairs.
"Oh, thanks, Mrs. Weasley, I'd love some tea," he heard Hermione say as he rounded the corner into the kitchen.
"Get me some too, Mom," Ron grinned as he startled Hermione.
"Oh! Hi, Ron!" Hermione said.
She ran to him and threw her arms around him. Ron wanted to hold onto her longer, but since his mother was in the room (even if she was at the stove with her back turned) and because he thought Hermione wouldn't like it, he retreated.
"So how have you been?!" she asked, beaming at him.
"Pretty good. Just been waiting for you and Harry to come. I wonder if his aunt and uncle will let him. But even if they don't, he's coming anyway."
Hermione laughed.
"I--Hey, Ginny!" Hermione said as Ron's younger sister walked in.
"Hi, Hermione! Hope your holidays have been good," she smiled and walked out another door.
Mrs. Weasley set the tea down on the table where Ron and Hermione were sitting.
"Make yourself at home, Dear," she smiled warmly as she went off to do laundry.
So what have I missed?" Hermione asked Ron, still smiling.
"Nothing. I've missed you though. I mean uh-" Ron blushed. "I've been missing Hogwarts and uh… hanging out with… with my friends and uh… stuff." He finished lamely.
Hermione blushed too, then smiled shyly.
"I missed you too, Ron," she said quietly.
Ron's head was spinning. He didn't know what to do next. He couldn't believe he actually told Hermione he missed her, and that she had said it back.
The next minute, Fred and George walked in. "Ooooooooooh!" they immediately exclaimed. "Ron and Hermione sitting in a tree-"
Neither Ron nor Hermione even noticed.