*I thought of this story set at The Burrow in between when Hermione wipes her parent's memories and when the Order goes to help Harry relocate to The Weasley's right before the wedding. I love how R & H end up kissing in the 7th book, but I've written several stories about kisses happening earlier. I think it would have only intensified their relationship and made it even harder when Ron left. I hope you enjoy it.*

Ron was waiting with anticipation to hear the familiar sound of someone arriving via flu powder. Hermione was expected at the Burrow today. He hadn't seen her all summer and had found a number of excuses to stick close to the fireplace for the day.

Though the best friends had yet to really admit their feelings for each other, it seemed to Ron that they had left the school year open to possibilities. He had comforted her at Dumbledore's funeral the way he would a girlfriend, and she had written him a number of letters over the summer signed, Love, Hermione.

Now he was excited to see her although worried too. In her last letter, she had told him about her plans to wipe her parent's memories of her to keep them safe. He agreed that it was a good plan, but man, what a sacrifice! Though they were all giving up something to help Harry defeat Voldemort, he thought Hermione might take this hardest of anything.

Finally, a familiar swoosh, and there she stood, looking as beautiful as ever. Her thick, curly brown hair was tied up in a high ponytail. She was wearing a dark burgundy coat that made her brown eyes pop. All she had with her was a small, beaded bag, which hung around her and rested on her hip.

Ron grinned at her, and she offered him a weak smile back, but her eyes were red and puffy, and he could tell she'd been crying. He crossed the room and gathered her in his arms. "I missed you," he whispered in her ear as she burst into sobs. Today, she had left everything she had ever known to embark on an unknown journey. The thought and what she had done to her parents was overwhelming, and being in Ron's arms sent her over the edge. Ron just let her cry, once in a while saying something like, "it's going to be okay," and "you did the right thing." After what must have been a good 10 minutes, Mrs. Weasley came into the living room.

"Hermione dear," she said, "Are you okay?" Ron reluctantly broke his embrace of her and let his mom take over. Ron explained quickly about her parent's memories as Mrs. Weasley held Hermione tight. "There, there, love," she said pulling her back so she could look into her face. "Memory spells are reversible, so after this whole mess is over, you can put everything back to normal." Her words comforted Hermione enough for her to calm down. "Now Ron," Mrs. Weasley said, "Come help me in the kitchen while Hermione gets settled." She turned to Hermione. "George and Fred are living in a flat in Diagon Alley now, so you can have your own room this time instead of having to share with Ginny. It's the 3rd door on the left, right across from Ron."

"Thank you both," Hermione said and started up the stairs. Ron looked after her. He must have had a worried look on his face because Mrs. Weasley patted his arm and said, "She'll be alright dear. She just needs some time." It was no secret to anyone but Hermione, including his own mother just how much Ron cared about her, and seeing her so sad was breaking his heart.

Later that night at dinner, the family talked mostly about the plans for Bill and Fleur's wedding. It was nice to have something happy to talk about during such dark times. Hermione listened intently and even smiled a few times, but Ron could tell she was different. She barely ate a thing, and her mind was clearly elsewhere. She offered to help clear the table, as she always did when she visited, but Mrs. Weasley declined her help and sent her off to bed. "You just need to relax and get some sleep, dear. Ginny and I can handle this." Hermione would normally fight to help anyways, but she just didn't have it in her. She thanked Mrs. Weasley for dinner, flashed a weak smile at Ron, said goodnight, and then trotted off to bed.

Ron was at a loss for what to do. He was in love with Hermione, and seeing her like this was tearing him apart. She was always the strong one, always the level head, but right now, she was a shell of a person. He could understand. Though they were all just 17, they had been through more than most 50 year olds. Ron was staring at the fire when Ginny came and sat beside him. "You should go talk to her, you know?"

"I don't know what to say," he said back.

"It doesn't matter," Ginny said. "She needs you. Just be there for her." It was a simple thought, but Ginny was right. He squeezed her knee in thanks, then got up and went upstairs.

He knocked lightly on Hermione's door. "Come in," she said quietly. She was sitting in one of two chairs by the window, book in hand, but Ron thought by the look on her face she was likely looking out at the moon. Her hair was wet; she must have just taken a shower. She was wearing a pair of purple flannel pajamas and had a fleece blanket over her lap. "Hi," he said crossing the room and taking the chair across from her. He reached out and patted her leg. "I just wanted to check on you."

Hermione smiled. Even through her sadness, Ron's concern made her happy. "I'm okay," she said. "I'm sorry if I seemed out of it earlier. I just can't believe the day really came that I had to make my parents forget me."

"You don't have to explain, Hermione," Ron said back. "You are making a major sacrifice. No one expects you to just bounce right back and be normal." She smiled again, and Ron was glad he was at least comforting her some.

They sat quietly for a moment before Hermione said, "I missed you too, you know?"

"Come again?" Ron said.

"When I first got here, you said you missed me, but I was too upset to talk. I just wanted you to know I missed you too."

Ron's cheeks flushed, and he grinned. "What's not to miss?" he joked, and they both laughed. Ron was always so good at lightening the mood.

"Well, I'll let you rest," Ron said standing up. Hermione stood up too leaving her book and blanket in the chair behind her. She wrapped Ron in a hug, which he gladly returned. She felt warm, safe and comforted in his arms. "I'm glad you're here," he whispered. "Me too," she said pulling back and smiling. He fought the urge to kiss her. It just didn't feel right. She was sad and scared, and he didn't want to take advantage. Instead, he kissed her on the cheek. "Goodnight, Hermione," he said. "Goodnight, Ron."

Ron left the room feeling good about comforting Hermione, but feeling empty since she was no longer in his arms. Every time they were together, especially when they touched, he realized more and more how hard it was becoming to fight his feelings for her. He had thought a few times about just telling her how he felt before it was too late. They were getting ready to face some pretty dark stuff he imagined after all, and there was no guarantee they would all make it out alive. He had a few days before the Order would head off to escort Harry from Surry back to the Weasley house. He fell asleep with a decision that if the timing felt right, he'd tell Hermione he loved her.