Because Harry and Hermione had nowhere to stay, they were welcomed into the Weasely home. It was 7 days after the final battle at Hogwarts and everyone was preparing for the funeral of Fred. Hermione and Harry helped when they could, but spent much of their time comforting Ron. Hermione empathized with him as best as she could, and Harry knew just how it felt to lose some one dear. Though the relief of the war being over was uplifting, the Weasely family was still wrought with grief over the loss of Fred, and other loved ones in the battle.
Ron and Hermione's new type of relationship was progressively more evident each day. When they had first arrived at the Burrow things were as they had always been with Ron, Harry and Hermione choosing to spend their time together in a trio. The following day Harry awoke to an empty room and in surprise he rose to look for Ron, who never gets up first, at least not without waking Harry. When he could not find Ron anywhere downstairs, he climbed the stairs to Ginny's room, where he heard soft whispers beyond the door. He silently cracked the door and peered in to see Ron and Hermione still clad in their pajamas, sitting close to each other on Hermione's little bed, holding hands and having a quiet conversation. Harry saw a tear on Ron's cheek and felt embarrassed when he saw Hermione stroke it away with her thumb and press her lips to its place. After seeing Ron gather Hermione in his arms, Harry decided it was not the time for him to reveal himself and he crept away, leaving them in privacy.
Feeling oddly dejected, Harry slowly descended the stairs, sighing as he went. He reached the foyer and found Ginny there, looking much the way he did. Upon seeing Harry, Ginny started, then relaxed and attempted a smile.
"If you're looking for Ron he is up in my room. He came in to speak with Hermione and I felt I should leave them alone…" she trailed off. Harry said nothing, but pulled Ginny against him, holding her in an embrace. Ginny responded quickly, grateful for the comfort he offered. They stood that way for a while, and no words were exchanged. They didn't need to speak because all was understood.
From that day forward, the Harry, Hermione and Ron trio was frequently split up into Ron and Hermione, and Harry and Ginny couplings. Sometimes all four of them spent time together. The days were somber, but not oppressing in their sadness. There was finally peace.
So on the 7th day everyone was lending a hand to help with the funeral. After all the food was ready and everyone had their best clothes on, they went outside to where Fred would be buried. Many people came to give their condolences, but the absence of others lost in the war was certainly felt. The service was aimed to celebrate the happy life of Fred, but here and there the grief of losing him took over and his family wept. George gave a speech, mixed with jokes and expressed agony. The loss was deep. After the funeral the family and guests made their way into the Burrow, wiping their tears away and taking deep breaths. Fred was gone, but he was still with them in their hearts, and everyone tried to evoke that cheer that Fred always managed to create in a room. They chattered about all kinds of subjects while munching on the refreshments. At the end of the day a toast was made to Fred's life, and everyone drank to him. Harry was sitting next to Ron, and he threw an arm over his friend's shoulders and gave him a firm squeeze. Ron responded by clanging his pint of butter beer against Harry's and saying, "Cheers, mate." They drained their pints together and Harry choked on the last gulp, causing him to sputter and cough. Ron slapped his back repeatedly and they both broke into a fit of laughter as Harry continued coughing and struggling.
"Harry, raise your arm above your head," came Hermione's amused voice in front of him. The boys looked at her with grins on their faces and saw Ginny beside her, moving toward Harry. She was giggling too as she took Harry's arm and pulled it above his head. In a moment Harry's choking subsided and he thanked Hermione, everyone still smiling. The girls sat down, Hermione next to Ron and Ginny by Harry. They were all so glad to be together and safe, at last. They spent the evening reminiscing about the joys Fred had brought into their lives, and finding closure.
The next day Harry woke up to the sound of whispers. He rolled over to see Ron laying in bed and Hermione sitting on the edge of the bed facing Ron, holding his hand and stroking his hair. It reminded Harry of the time that Ron had almost died from the poisoned Mead and Hermione tended him in the hospital. They quieted their whispers when they heard Harry stir. Harry sat up and asked in a rough voice what time it was. Hermione stood up and apologized for waking Harry. His response was to waive his hand dismissively and he grunted, "No problem-don't mind it" and Hermione returned to Ron, and Harry heard a kiss and Hermione quietly said, "See you downstairs" and walked from the room, glancing at Harry and saying, "See you downstairs," to him as well before leaving. Harry yawned and stretched and rolled to face his friend. Ron was lying on his side, propping himself up with his elbow and looking at Harry. After looking at each other in silence for a moment, they both grinned and Harry chuckled, "Going well with Hermione, eh?" Ron's smile widened and he shrugged. Harry rose and left with a parting grin, heading to the toilet to clean his teeth. When he was finished he ran into Ron at the door, coming in to do the same thing. He said, "Downstairs?" and Ron nodded and let Harry pass through the door. Harry bounded down the stairs, feeling hungrier than usual. Everyone except Ron was already seated at the breakfast table. Harry took the empty seat next to Ginny, across from Hermione. They both said, "Good morning" and he politely answered the same. A few moments later Ron joined them, giving Hermione a peck on the cheek before sitting down next her. Harry was already stuffing his face and Ron complained that he might not get enough food and quickly grabbed 6 sausages before they were taken. Halfway through the meal Ginny suggested that they all go for a picnic later. She said she knew a nice spot they could all get to by broom. Hermione seemed hesitant about the broom part, but Ron said, "Oi Hermione, you can ride on mythical flying beasts and fight in battles to the death, but you can't fly to a picnic on a broom?" Hermione opened her mouth to retort, but Harry interrupted saying, "She could just ride on your broom, Ron, she's done it before, hasn't she?" This quieted both of them and Ginny beamed. They would go on the picnic.
Around noon they were all outside mounting the brooms. Hermione had used an undetectable extension charm on a tiny basket to hold their entire picnic lunch and looped it on the end of Ron's broom. Harry and Ginny were already hovering in the air when Hermione was gingerly climbing onto Ron's broom and then placing her hands on his waist. They started off slow, so as to keep Hermione from screaming, and after picking up speed, they still remained close to the ground. Since playing Quiditch, Ron's flying had improved, but was still scary enough to make Hermione squeal and wrap her arms and legs around a laughing Ron in a death grip. Harry and Ginny were watching with mirth as Ron purposefully let his broom dip hazardously close to the ground now and then, making Hermione hold him closer. Suddenly, Ginny rammed her broom against Harry's saying, "Can't catch me!" before zooming away. Harry accepted the challenge and zoomed after her.
"Hey wait!" Ron hollered while accelerating despite the shrieking girl squeezing the breath out of him. Harry and Ginny were specks in the distance in no time, and Ron descended the skies slowly, landing gently. Hermione slowly unwound her limbs from Ron's torso and shakily stepped from the broom.
"Well, they lost us" Ron said, tossing his broom down. Hermione was still anxious from the broom ride, and Ron couldn't resist poking a little fun at her about it. She had plenty of comebacks, and they kept up a lively banter until without warning, Ron interrupted Hermione in one of her retorts by covering her mouth with his. She was so surprised she froze, but Ron's warm and forceful lips soon melted her and made her respond. It was their first kiss since the war, and they discovered that this kiss was just as exciting as the first, and this time there was no Harry to chime in and make them stop. Ron's arms held her close to him; he had one arm wound around her waist and the other around her shoulders with his hand tangled in her thick hair, holding the back of her head. His mouth felt so hot, yet she shivered when his tongue pushed into her mouth and touched hers. She tentatively licked back, feeling self conscious about her lack of experience. Ron quickly made her forget these thoughts, indeed, she soon couldn't think at all. His lips were pressed against hers with such force it all but took her breath away, while the dance of their tongues made her body fill with heat and her senses were all dizzied. She was only aware of the puffs of air coming through Ron's nose, mixing with her breath as they were too occupied with their mouths to breathe properly. His breath smelled sweet and tangy and appealing to her, and the drag of his chin stubble scratched her chin and around her lips in his haste to explore her further. She sagged in his arms and softly moaned into his mouth in complete surrender.
Ron on the other hand, was completely intoxicated by Hermione's beautiful face and hadn't been able to resist kissing her. He eagerly sought her mouth with his, and felt pure delight when her soft lips not only accepted him, but also responded to him. He wanted to feel all of her body against his and he pulled her as close as he could. The soft scent of her perfume made him hungry for more and he plunged his tongue through her parted lips. He almost smiled in his kiss when his usually fierce Hermione was suddenly shy at the prospect of a French kiss. He deepened the kiss then, and he was aware of her soft little body pressed against his larger one, and the yielding warmth of her in his arms. He felt like he could never get enough of her, she was so perfect, so wonderful, smelled so good, tasted like heaven, and the thundering beat coming from her chest told him that she was enjoying this, too. He shuddered when he heard and felt her soft moan into his mouth, and he held her tighter, as she seemed to relax in his arms. Finally, he broke the kiss, but only just barely, as he kept his lips hovering just above hers. She was panting heavily and her eyes reluctantly fluttered open to gaze into Ron's.
"I love you, Hermione" Ron whispered against her wet and puffy lips. Hermione barely let him finish before blurting, "Oh, Ron! I love you, too!" and she smashed her lips to his once again, this time herself burning with passion. His response was equally as excited, and he lifted her off her feet and spun her around. When he set her down again, she had both her hands on his head, running her fingers through his ginger locks and pulling his mouth closer. They were gasping for air and being rough and aggressive, pushing harder and harder until it was almost painful. Next thing they knew they we lying in the grass, tangled up together. They wrestled with their bodies and their tongues at the same time, giving way entirely to their passion. Their was a dewiness in both their eyes, and Ron said without breaking the kiss, "Hermione –I want - to be - with you – forever" Hermione gasped beneath him and could only manage, "Ronald" as she began to cry. Triumph and jubilation washed over Ron. Hermione loved him, and she was not rejecting him at all. Despite the pain and suffering of the past year and even the recent loss of his brother, Ron could still feel joy. He felt he had never been as happy as he was right now. She was kissing him, as fiercely as he was kissing her, and he could feel her passion in the way her heart was pounding hard and fast, her breathing was ragged and she was crying with joy. His confidence swelled and he took hold of one of her thighs and threw it over his hip. His heart was in his throat as he ran his hand slowly toward her knee, and then back up her thigh. He rested his hand on her hip, and his thumb extended over her pelvic bone. Hermione was almost delirious. His caresses were simply intoxicating. She couldn't believe that after all these years of tension and stress and fear, she was here in the grass with Ron, and he was kissing her and telling her that he loved her and wanted to be with her forever. She felt the tears squeezing out of her eyes and trickling down her temples and onto her ears. Ron's body above hers was so precious to her, and she clutched him desperately. Ron wanted more, he wanted to kiss every part of her. He knew that he should hold back out of respect for Hermione, and he was also a little nervous when he thought about…well, that. However, he couldn't resist kissing her neck. He broke away from her lips and moved across her jaw down to her fragrant neck. As he nuzzled and kissed the tender flesh there, he heard Hermione's labored breathing pick up speed. The hand on her hip slipped and his thumb nudged the sensitive area at the very top of her inner thigh and she squealed and wiggled beneath him.
"I'm sorry!" Ron said quickly, "Sorry, that was an accident!" Hermione looked into his eyes and calmed down.
"It's…" Hermione said, "It's okay. I just don't want to get…carried away." She cringed, knowing that she probably ruined the moment. But Ron just nodded and smiled, sitting up.
"Come here," Ron said, helping her sit up with him. He gently took her face into his hands and laid the softest kiss on her lips. Then he kissed her nose and both cheeks. Hermione nudged his nose with hers, and put her forehead against his. They looked into each other's eyes and just smiled.
"Hello! There is a war going on!"
Ron and Hermione's heads whipped to see Harry and Ginny hovering on their brooms just above them.
"Oi if that didn't work when there really was a war going on, why would that work now?" Ron said to Harry. Harry shrugged. Hermione's face was a deep scarlet.
"How long have you two been here?" Hermione demanded.
"Just for a few seconds…" Ginny looked sheepish. Harry, always the polite one, came to the rescue saying, "Don't worry, we really did just arrive."
Hermione sighed in relief. Ron stood up quickly.
"And just where were you two this whole time?" Ron snapped. He didn't like the way Harry looked at his little sister sometimes. It was Ginny's turn to flush. Harry was slightly calmer and produced the excuse that they had circled back to look for Ron and Hermione and simply took too long to find them. Ron seemed satisfied with the answer because he nodded and started unpacking the picnic basket.