When Hermione arrived at the Burrow an hour later, she was surprised to see how many people were already there. The dining room table had been brought out to the lawn and elongated. Bill and Fleur were there as were Percy and Penelope Clearwater. She didn't realize they were still together. George was there as well as Angelina and she couldn't help wondering if they were going to be a couple. After all, Angelina had dated Fred, but Fred and George were so similar that it wouldn't be that odd if she were attracted to George too.

"Hey," Ron said, coming over to her and kissing her cheek. "I was wondering when you were going to show up."

"I'm sorry. I wanted a shower and then I took a little nap. I'm still not up to full strength, I guess."

"That's alright," he said. "I'm just glad you're here. Mum's been making me a little crazy, but she'll let up now that you're here."

"Really? What's she on about?"

"She thinks that now that Harry's moving in, I should move back home."

"Oh?"

"I told her no."

Hermione sighed in relief. "Alright, but I don't fancy your mother angry with me, Ron."

"She won't be. She might be a bit miffed at me for a while."

Hermione grimaced.

Ron shrugged it off. "Don't worry about it."

"Well, alright," she said, unconvinced. "Where're Harry and Ginny?"

Ron looked toward the pond. "They took a walk a little while ago. They should be back any time now."

xxx

Ginny leaned back against a tree. "So, Mum says that since you're moving in, Ron should move home."

"What?" Harry said.

"Right," Ginny said. "And Ron says that he's not leaving you to take care of Hermione if she falls out of bed with Cruciatus Syndrome again and I agreed."

"Well," Harry said. "It's not as if I couldn't take care of her."

"Are you mad?" Ginny said, crossing her arms. "She was naked when she fell out of bed last time. And while I'm sure you've seen her naked, I'd like to limit that whenever possible."

"What?" Harry said. "Hermione and I never—"

Ginny gave him a withering look. "I'm not accusing you of anything."

"Really?" Harry said. "Because, it sounds like you are."

"I'm not. I know you love me. I know Hermione loves Ron, but he left you two on your own for a long time. People do crazy things under stress and it was an awfully small tent."

Harry frowned at her. "It was stressful. Unbelievably stressful."

Ginny stiffened, girding herself for what she expected him to say.

"And we were taking turns wearing a locket that made me feel like a failure and her feel unlovable. And for your information, I have never seen her naked. But I have seen her sobbing, and I've seen her bleeding, and I've heard her screaming, and if she needs anything ever, I'll be there for her." The air around him shimmered and leaves swirled around his feet.

Ginny held up her palms. "Okay. It's okay. I swear I wasn't trying to upset you. I was trying to be reasonable. Really." She took a tentative step toward him and the leaves settled and the air around him returned to normal. She placed her hands gently on his chest. "Seriously, Harry. I love you and I trust you. I'm happy you're moving in with Hermione. I just see Ron's point. She's his girlfriend. He wants to be there for her. That's all."

Harry took a deep breath and nodded. He didn't know where the fury came from, but it was never far below the surface.

Ginny took his face in her hands and kissed him softly on the lips.

He pressed his forehead against hers. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to get so angry."

"It's okay. You're quick to jump into defensive mode. I get that."

He kissed her, a deeper more demanding kiss. He was disappointed when she broke it off.

"I wish we could do more," she said, "but we should probably be getting back for dinner."

He looked at his watch. "Yeah." He took her hand and they walked back toward the house.

When they reached the Burrow, Ginny peeled off and went into the kitchen to see if her mother needed any help.

Hermione touched Harry's arm as he passed her. "Are you okay? You look off."

Harry sighed. "I just lost my temper with Ginny over something stupid."

Hermione raised her eyebrows. "That's not like you."

"I know," Harry said.

"You want to talk about it?"

"Maybe later," he said.

She nodded and watched as he walked down to the other end of the table to say hello to Bill and Fleur.

Dinner was a typical Weasley affair. There was too much food and the noise level was unbelievable even outside. Hermione was exhausted by ten o'clock. She leaned against Ron's shoulder.

"I think I'm going to have to go."

Ron kissed the top of her head. "You want me to take you home?"

"No. You stay and help your folks clean up. Maybe it'll put you back in your mum's good graces."

Ron chuckled. "Okay, I'll be home in an hour or so."

It made Hermione's heart soar to hear him refer to the house in Heathgate as "home."

Across the table, Harry pushed his fingers back through his hair. "I'll go with you," he said. "I'm knackered too."

"Alright," Hermione said, standing. "Goodnight everyone," she said to the table. After everyone returned her goodbye and wished her a good evening, she went inside to the fireplace to take the Floo. Harry was only a few minutes behind her. She was fixing chamomile tea in the kitchen.

"Do you want a cup?" Hermione asked.

"Please," he said.

"Let's sit in the study where it's more comfortable."

He followed her and they each took one of the big leather chairs and put their feet up on the ottomans.

Harry let out a relaxed sigh. "The quiet is nice."

Hermione chuckled. "Yes. That's a noisy bunch those Weasleys."

Harry looked around the room at all the books piled on shelves and the parchment spread across the table.

"A few months ago," he said, his voice catching, "did you ever think we'd have a life like this?"

Hermione took a sip of her tea and thought how to answer. "No," she finally said, deciding honesty was the best approach. "To be honest, I expected to die at any moment. I thought I was going to die in Godric's Hollow. And then I thought you were going to die. And then I thought I'd die again at Malfoy Manor, and that we'd all die in the Battle of Hogwarts. Actually, I'm still a little surprised when I wake up in the morning."

Harry looked at her with an expression of utter relief. "Me too," he said.

She smiled and held her teacup out to him. "But we're not dead."

He laughed and clinked his cup against hers. "No, we're not. We're very much alive."

"Alive is good," Hermione said and sipped her tea.

"Yes, it is," Harry said, staring at his teacup. "Then why do I get so angry?"

Hermione looked at him. "What did Ginny say?"

Harry told her.

She smiled and patted his arm. "You got angry because you sensed an injustice, just like you did the night her parents thought you'd been sleeping in her bed. It's probably going to be awhile before you can respond normally to that kind of thing. You're still coming down after saving the world. I can imagine it will take some time."

"How much time do you think?"

"I'm not sure. I've never saved the world."

Harry smiled. "Ah, but you've saved me. Same difference."

Hermione laughed. "Hardly. You should go to bed. You look knackered and you and Ron are supposed to go into the Ministry tomorrow. You'll want to look all heroic not exhausted."

"When have I ever looked heroic?"

"You'd be surprised," Hermione said. "Ask Ginny. I think she keeps a list."

Harry laughed. "She's wild that one."

Hermione nodded. "Irrepressible."

"I love that about her."

Hermione smiled. "I know."

He stood and stretched, cracking the joints in his spine. "I'm going to head up. You?"

"I think I'll wait for Ron."

Harry smiled at her. She'd spent so much of her life waiting for Ron, but lately he had to admit, it seemed worth it. He hadn't always been so sure of that, but he would never say that to her. Ron was a good bloke, but he hadn't always done right by Hermione. He was happy that seemed to have changed for good.

"Goodnight," he said.

As she watched Harry walk to the stairs, she thought again about that night after they escaped from Godric's Hollow.