Hermione couldn't keep the grin off her face as she apparated into the achingly familiar backyard of the Burrow. Today made six months since she had last stepped foot into what had become a second home to her. The lights from the kitchen spilled out onto the lawn, welcoming her home before the occupants inside noticed her presence.

Silently she slipped through the back door, dropping her bag onto the floor and stepping up to the counter she began to slice the carrots that were lying on the counter. Hermione grinned even wider as she heard Molly humming in the pantry.

Molly stirred the soup on the stove, her experienced hands pinching together in the herbs she had brought out and sprinkling them into the pot, reaching over she grabbed the cut carrots and added them to the pot as well. Her hands froze over the pot as she watched the carrots drop.

"Hello, Molly."

Molly turned and engulfed the girl behind her into her arms. "Oh, Hermione! I didn't know you were here; we've missed you so much. I am so glad you are home."

Hermione laughed into Molly's shoulder. "I can't breathe."

"Oh dear, I'm sorry, I'm just so excited to have you home that I couldn't help myself." Pushing Hermione back so she could examine her, she smiled in surprise. "You look well dear."

And she did, no longer were her eyes haunted by ever present dark circles; she was no longer skin and bones but had a healthy glow about her and her clothes fit better than they had in years. Her hair cascading from its ponytail in loose curls and her smile lit her face brighter than Molly had seen it in years.

"I think I might be well, Molly." The girl grinned back at her, her eyes sparkling in the light.

"Well, that's lovely, dear. There are some people in the next room who will be thrilled to see you I'm sure." Molly released her and pushed her towards the laughter flowing from the next room.

George was the first to notice the new arrival to the room. "You going to lean in the doorway all night or are you going to come in here?"

Her laughter filled the room, "Depends on if you're finished pranking for now."

"Oh, my heart is breaking! How could you believe that I would do such a horrible thing to you, dearest Hermione? I am appalled." He sighed dramatically and fell back against Angelina on the couch.

Angelina extracted her arms from underneath George and pushed him from her lap, laughing as he hit the floor. A wounded expression on his face, "Does no one love me anymore?"

Hermione laughed and sat on the couch next to Percy. "How are you?"

"Well, Hermione. What about yourself?"

"I'm wonderful, Percy."

"Hermione!" Ginny squealed as she walked into the room, the baby in her arms quickly transferred over to her husband's surprised hands as she launched herself across the room and at her friend. "I'm so glad you're back!"

Hermione laughed and leaned up and whispered in her friend's ear, "If you weren't pregnant again you would be joining your brother on the floor."

Ginny pulled back shocked, "How did you know?"

"I'm magical."

Ginny snorted, "Funny."

"Harry told me."

Hermione wrapped her arms more securely around her friend and moved her so that her position on her lap was more comfortable. "Harry, why are you over there? Bring me my godson!"

Harry laughed and carried James over to Hermione and Ginny before taking a seat in a chair.

Hermione watched her family. She couldn't express how elated she was to be back home and surrounded by those who she loved more than life itself. Her self imposed absence had been almost unbearable at first. She longed for the arms of her best friends to encircle her in bone crushing hugs, for late nights giggling with Ginny, for pranks from George, talks with Percy, the unfailing love of Molly and Arthur and yet this now was why she had left. Charlie had been right when he told her that she needed to take care of herself. That she was never going to be whole again until she took some time to do what she had spent too many years avoiding.

Now her scars were something she could wear proudly, a piece of her history. Her fears once again made her stronger, and love. Love she no longer considered a weakness. How could she with ones such as these as part of her life.

Charlie yawned as he rose from his seat on the balcony. "You ready to go?"

"Just about, love. I just need to grab my shoes. Have you seen my book? I wanted to put it in my bag just in case we ran into some downtime today, or in case of an emergency quidditch game." She grinned, and placed a chaste kiss on his lips as she handed him a mug of tea, "Don't put the lid on yet, let it cool a little."

Charlie grinned shrugged on his jacket and headed to the door, holding it open for her to follow behind. He held out his arm for her to take as they walked to the designated apparition point down the street. Pulling her into the alley to apparate he was surprised when she stopped him.

"Are you sure about this?" She bit her bottom lip and stared down at her shoes. "I mean what if"

He didn't allow her to finish, "Do you not want to do this?" His voice was barely audible even in the empty alleyway.

"Oh, Charlie, of course I'm sure. I have never wanted anything more."

Hermione stepped back from him, "I'll meet you there in two hours. Don't forget."

Charlie's laughter interrupted her. "I know Hermione and just in case I forget I've got the list you slipped into my pocket when you kissed me earlier."

Hermione blushed and moved to spin but Charlie caught her arm and pulled her into his embrace. "I'll see you in two hours." He leaned down and captured her lips with his, his hands running down her body. "I love you, Hermione."

"Ginny, where are you?" Hermione yelled into house.

"Shh! Hermione, be quiet." Ginny whispered as she slid into the room in her sock feet. "I just got James to lie down and I'm exhausted."

"Well, I guess you're too busy to come with me then."

Ginny tilted her head and stared at her friend. "Where are you going? You look really nice."

Hermione grinned and pushed an errant curl back behind her ear, "I've come to ask if you would stand up for me when I get married."

Ginny squealed, "Of course! Oh Hermione, I'm so excited for you!" She attacked her friend and pulled her into the kitchen. "When? Where? How did he ask? Where is he?"

Hermione laughed, "Calm down and I'll tell you."

Ginny pulled her friend to a seat at the table and gestured impatiently for her to start.

"Charlie is at Shell Cottage, he went to talk to Bill about being his best man."

Ginny nodded, Bill and Charlie had always been close so it made sense that Charlie would ask his older, and probably favorite, brother to stand as a witness at his wedding. "That makes perfect sense. Now keep talking, Granger."

Hermione smiled, "We'd like to have the wedding in Romania since that's where this all began and if you can we would like to be married by the end of the day."

"WHAT?" Ginny's yell echoed through the house.