Bloody hell!" He grabs his throbbing toe and glares at the offending chair in his way.
"Glad to see some things haven't changed around here."
He knows that voice and whirls around in surprise, staring at the doorway to his bedroom and a beautiful sight for sore eyes. "HERMIONE!" He gathers her to him in a big hug and she sighs in contentment. Harry and Ginny burst into the room, having heard Ron yell, and the two break reluctantly apart, staring at each other awkwardly, until Hermione runs to Harry.
"Harry!" She plows into his arms and he staggers backwards before patting her on the back as any brother would. "Everything all set, Hermione? Your parents okay?" She'd gone to Australia to reverse the memory charm and spend time with her parents after re-settling them back into their original home. They agreed that she could come spend the rest of the summer with the Weasely family. Even though it had only been five weeks, it still felt like a lifetime to everyone in the room.
"Fine. They were pretty mad at first, but they understood in the end. That's all that matters, isn't it? Plus, when I went home I was able to grab a few books I've been wanting to read from my room."
Everyone in the room groans good naturally; they were attempting to put school behind them during this fresh start to the summer.
Hermione continues, "In fact. I have a book you and Harry will be interested in, Ginny. Let me check. It's in my bag somewhere." She pulls out her beaded purse and rummages around. Harry and Ginny both mutter something about being needed in the kitchen to help Mrs. Weasely prepare for dinner before bolting from the room.
Hermione stops searching for the book and grins at Ron. "I knew that would work."
Ron is shocked for a moment when he realizes he did it on purpose. "You're sneaky, you know that, Hermione?"
She only shrugs. "Wonder where I got that skill, Ron?"
"Oi! I'm not just some tosser who spies on people! It takes years of practice. You're learning from the best."
She gets up and gently touches his arm. "I was only kidding."
He smiles, but his whole body seems centered on the connection between her hand on his bare forearm. He wants nothing more than to crush her to him and never let go again. Bloody hell, he's missed her. But something stops him from doing what he so desperately wants to and it takes him awhile to realize it: what if she rejects him? What if she only kissed him during the war because they were both about to die? What if she's changed her mind?
Hermione looks at him expectantly, waiting for him to snog her, but he steps away, towards the door. "Reckon we should go help mum with dinner too, yeah?"
She swallows her disappointment as her shoulders slump and her fears are confirmed: he's changed his mind. He doesn't feel that way about her anymore. "All right. I'll be there in a minute. Just let me freshen up."
He nods and rushes from the room, attempting to quell the thought of her 'freshening up' after doing certain...other activities with him. She watches him leave and sighs. This wasn't how she'd hoped to be welcomed back.
Review if I should continue. Thank you!