READ THE WARNING ON CHAPTER 1

Chapter 7 – The Burrow

It was the summer between Ron and Hermione's fifth and sixth years at Hogwarts. Their fifth year had thankfully wrapped a month earlier and several months after the crimes of Draco Malfoy changed their lives forever.

When the school year ended, Ron and Hermione had both gone to their separate homes, but a week later Hermione appeared at the Burrow via the Knight Bus. She hadn't told anyone she was coming and was in a bit of a daze. It almost seemed a subconscious thing that she had done. She had been languishing at home doing nothing. Her parents were always nearby, one or the both of them ready to provide whatever she needed. She knew they loved her, but her heart was with Ron at the Burrow.

When she stepped off the vivid purple bus, Hermione seemed to surface from her fog a bit. She took a couple hesitant steps toward the Burrow when a gust of wind almost knocked her over. The gust of wind stopped as Ron braked his broom and jumped off to hug her. She finally let out a small strangled sob and sunk into his arms. Her legs could no longer hold her as Ron held her and they settled onto the grass together. He planted tiny, gentle kisses on her forehead and she felt the tightly wound spring in her stomach start to unwind a bit. They sat there at the edge of the garden for an unknown length of time before Ron hesitantly broke the silence.

"Mione, I missed you so much. It's fantastic that you're here, but is there a specific reason?"

Hermione took a couple minutes, then looked up at him as she replied.

"I don't know. I thought I was getting better, but after school ended and I wasn't busy the weight just seemed to get worse each day. I haven't slept in days and I just knew I needed to be here."

He looked in her eyes and saw how tired she was and wished for the thousandth time that he could do more for her. He took a moment before bringing up a subject that she had always refused.

"Mione, you know that the healers could still do a memory charm. It wouldn't be like having it done right after, but it would still help."

"No Ron, you know how I feel. As horrible as this all has been, I don't want anyone messing with my mind."

He sighed and hugged her tighter. Then Ron's stomach rumbled quite loudly. That brought a slight smile to Hermione's face.

"Okay Ron, I guess we should feed that cavern you call a stomach."

Ron grinned, happy to see a small glimmer of life back in her eyes. He stood up and pulled Hermione to her feet. He placed a small kiss on her cheek and took her hand as they went into the Burrow.

As they entered the house, Mrs. Weasley came forward to hug Hermione. It wasn't her usual effusive greeting, as she was careful to not overwhelm her. As she pulled away, Mrs. Weasley looked in Hermione's eyes and it took all she had to control herself. The pain was so palpable. She loved Hermione like a second daughter and the events of the previous school year had caused many nights of grief at the Burrow. Catching her breath, Mrs. Weasley spoke.

"Hermione dear, it's great to see you. I have lunch ready, but I saw you and Ron outside, so I decided to let it hold until you were ready. You know you are always welcome, how long are you staying?"

Hermione shrugged.

"I don't know Mrs. Weasley. I don't even really remember deciding to come here. I didn't bring anything with me."

Mrs. Weasley had turned to finish lunch preparation, but then turned back.

"Well, no matter, whatever you decide we'll work it out. Just know that the Burrow will always be open to you. Now, Ron, go ahead and call in the others so we can all eat."

Ginny and the twins answered the summons to lunch within a minute and Ginny yelped when she saw Hermione. She ran to engulf her friend in a giant hug, nearly knocking her over. Ron scowled.

"Gin, give Hermione some space. You nearly concussed her."

Hermione let out a small giggle that sounded better than a full orchestra to Ron.

"It's okay Ron, it's good to be with friends."

A half hour later the entire group was leaning back in their chairs after a bountiful lunch of sandwiches, soup and fresh baked cookies. The conversation drifted from Mrs. Weasley's angry admonishments on the rise in meat prices to notable recent staffing changes at the Ministry. Hermione was pleasantly full and for the first time in days was relaxed enough to feel sleepy. Seeing Hermione's eyes drift, Mrs. Weasley ordered her upstairs to Ginny's room to nap. Hermione smiled and yawned.

"Thanks Mrs. Weasley, I think I may do that. I need to talk to Ron first though."

Hermione then stood and took Ron's hand as they went upstairs.

Upon reaching Ginny's room, Hermione sat down on the bed and Ron looked at her.

"So what do we need to talk about Mione?"

Hermione took his hand and pulled him down to the bed.

"Actually Ron, I kind of fibbed. I don't need to talk. I just need you. I'm really tired, but I don't want to be alone. Can you..."

Her voice drifted off and then she looked into Ron's blue eyes and spoke again.

"Can you hold me Ron? Please."

"Of course Mione. You go ahead and lay down. I'm right here."

Hermione lay down on her left side and towards the edge of the bed as Ron settled in behind and spooned her. He put an arm around her waist and she was asleep almost instantly. Ron hadn't been tired, but the warm summer afternoon and his comfortable position next to the woman he loved soon took hold and he dozed with her.

Mrs. Weasley cleaned up after lunch and realized that Ron had never reappeared. Curious, she went to Ginny's room to check on Hermione and the sight of the two of them curled together peacefully made her throat catch. She closed the door quietly and let them be. She normally was very careful about cohabitation within the Burrow, but it was obvious that companionship was what Hermione needed. Plus, she was happy to see that they were both fully clothed and on top of the covers. Not that she thought Hermione was healed enough for anything more, but a mother had to remain vigilant.

Hours later, Hermione woke and looked up to see Ron gazing at her. He was wide awake and she wondered how long he had been watching her.

"Mmm, I feel much better with some sleep Ron. You stayed here the whole time?"

"Of course. You looked so peaceful…and beautiful laying there, I've just been admiring."

Hermione reached up and put a hand to his face, then she sat up and kissed him lightly. She was surprised at the fire that that simple kiss ignited in her belly and she began to kiss Ron more. Groaning, Ron pulled back.

"I love you Mione, but maybe we should go back downstairs?"

Sighing, she let him pull her up and they descended the stairs.

Hermione was surprised when they got downstairs and she saw that the dinner table was set and Mr. Weasley was already seated. He stood up and came over to give her a gentle hug.

"I heard you had arrived Hermione. It's good to have you here."

"How long did I sleep anyway?"

Mrs. Weasley replied as she set mashed potatoes down on the table.

"About five hours dear, but you obviously needed it. Also, while you were sleeping, I popped over to your house and had a nice visit with your parents. They sent along a bag so you can stay if you like."

Hermione smiled. By 'popped' Mrs. Weasley obviously had apparated to her home and Hermione wondered how her parents had handled that. They were getting more comfortable with magic, but having someone appear on your doorstep instantly from over a hundred miles away was still something they weren't used to.

As Hermione was contemplating, Mrs. Weasley put out a call and Ginny and the twins appeared for dinner. Hermione was much more alert and the food was all wonderful. The Weasley family's warmth suffused her and she felt content and even happy for the first time in a while. Halfway through dinner, Fred was playing with his potatoes and had formed them into the shape of a sword. With a grin at George, his brother did the same thing and then the two mashed potato swords suddenly rose off the plates and began dueling. Mrs. Weasley had been deep in conversation with her husband when she looked over at the twins' antics.

"You two, really? How many times do I have to say it? No playing with your food!"

Mrs. Weasley admonished in a loud voice that broke Fred and George's concentration and caused their spells to break. The dueling potato swords crashed one last time before exploding and spraying the entire table in potatoes. Hermione got a large piece in one eye and she couldn't help it. Something inside her finally snapped and she broke out laughing for the first time in many months. Everyone was a bit startled and their attention switched from the twins and the mess to Hermione.

"Sorry everyone, couldn't help it, but oh my it feels good to laugh!"

Ron smiled and reached over to wipe potatoes out of her hair. Mrs. Weasley's anger was extinguished and she quickly siphoned potatoes off of everyone and everywhere with a few quick waves of her wand. The twins just sat looking smug as they finished their roast beef.

After dinner, everyone retired to the living room for nighttime entertainment. Hermione and Ginny played a game of Gobstones. Ron played wizard's chess with his father. Mrs. Weasley was busy knitting and reading a book. The twins sat in a corner, playing a game of limericks and occasionally spouting a new set of bawdy phrases while their mother looked at them in exasperation. After tying at two games each, Ginny and Hermione decided to retire and head on to bed. Hermione was just falling asleep when Ron tiptoed into the room and kissed her with a quiet 'good night beautiful'. Then he left and Hermione fell asleep.

Hermione spent two days at the Burrow before leaving to celebrate her father's 40th birthday. She promised to be back in ten days when Harry was due to arrive and then she would stay until school began.

Arriving back at home, Hermione's parents greeted her enthusiastically. She was prepared for a lecture regarding her unannounced departure two days previous, but was pleasantly surprised when it did not come. Her parents were upset at her behavior, but seeing her two days later, the change in her demeanor and a lightness in her attitude made them defer. Obviously, she had needed to spend the time with Ron and his family.

Mr. Granger's birthday was packed with events. They started with brunch with several friends, followed by a cricket match in which another friend was playing. Then, they went out for a 'family dinner'. But, what Mr. Granger had thought was going to be a quiet evening was actually much more. Mrs. Granger had been busy for a month and when they arrived at the restaurant, nearly a hundred people were waiting and yelled 'SURPRISE!' as they entered. Hermione surprised herself and enjoyed the party. She even danced with Ian, the son of a fellow dentist and the only person at the party near her age. At one time her parents had dreamed that she and Ian may pair up, but that had been before she left for Hogwarts. After a long day, all of the Grangers returned home after midnight and Hermione settled back into her room.

The next couple of days dragged on for Hermione. The Granger house was much quieter than the Burrow, which Hermione used to love. Now she was bored and missing Ron and his family. Since her time at the Burrow, she had finally unwound and was able to sleep soundly most nights. She spent the days studying, but her loneliness made it hard to focus.

Four days after his birthday, Mr. Granger left for his yearly golf vacation with his college buddies, leaving Hermione and her mum together for 'girl time'. They spent a fun day at the spa and then had lunch at a tea room. They were going to go shopping after, but at the end of lunch Mrs. Granger received an emergency phone call. A close friend had been in an auto accident and the family wanted her to come. Mrs. Granger was torn, but Hermione encouraged her to go.

"It's fine mum, we'll shop another time. You go see Louise. I can handle being by myself now."

Mrs. Granger smiled, kissed her daughter, and began the long drive to see her friend.