Disclaimer: I do not own any of the plot, characters or content in the Harry Potter series. They all belong to J.K. Rowling. I am not affiliated with her in any way.

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Sun streamed through the cracked window, seeping through my eyelids. I blinked with annoyance, trying to go back to sleep although knowing it was no use. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I swung my legs from the matted covers, noting the fitful sleep that I had encountered.

Groaning slightly, I groggily made my way to the bathroom feeling around the darkened hallway until I came to the door. I went in, used the bathroom and then glared at my reflection in the mirror. Large chunks of hair had fallen from my bun, making me look as if I had just been out in gale forced winds. Thankfully, my eyes were not puffy and red anymore, I would have been in a slight predicament had that happened. I sighed, opening the door and starting to walk out. Except for one problem. I bumped into something. Hard.

A grunt sounded as the mysterious person staggered back slightly. He moved closer, bending to see who I was. I knew he was though.

"Sorry Ron! I...uh...didn't see you there."

The light filtered across his perfectly handsome face as he looked back at me for a full minute before answering. "Uh...yea. Guess I didn't expect you to be up yet."

I pushed past him into the darkened hallway. "Well, I am. I'll see you at breakfast." I stalked back to my bedroom, shutting the door a bit more harshly then I should of.

I huffed out an irritable breath, pacing my room in a fury. He shouldn't have that type of control over me. Not after so many years. I moaned and sunk next to my door. It wasn't any use. As much as I denied it...saying that five years could diminish the bizarre and yet welcome control he had over me, it would still exist. Ron, my Ron, would always control me, even though he never would know it. He would never know because I would never tell him. Some things I had to keep deep within me. In that place where there used to be a beating heart.

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After getting dressed and making sure I was calm, I decided to go downstairs to see if Mrs. Weasley had started breakfast. I walked into the kitchen, glad that it was empty. I didn't want to run into him if I could help it. There was a note on the counter, stating that the Mrs. Weasley had gone out with Harry and Ginny. It left me slightly confused, as I didn't understand where Mrs. Weasley would go with Ginny or her husband.

Shaking my head slightly, I picked an apple from the basket and took a bite in. Chewing thoughtfully, I walked to the back door, looking out over the yard. The smell of summer flowers tickled my nose. I breathed in deeply, closing my eyes as my mind drifted to somewhere other then the Burrow.

I jumped, the apple flying from my hand when someone touched my shoulder. Turning around, I met Ron face to face. My hand found it's way to my heart, hoping it to calm. Although the air of surprise left, my heart still thumped furiously, obviously due to the fact that the most handsome guy I had ever met stood in front of me.

He took his hand from where it had been resting and scratched his neck "Uh...sorry Hermione...didn't mean to scare you" he apologized.

I let my hand drop to my side, meeting his gaze head on. "I-it's okay, no big deal. Didn't want that apple anyway," I laughed slightly at my pathetic attempt of a joke.

He cracked a smile, bringing me in for a hug. "I missed you 'Mione." His breath tickled my ear. I shivered slightly, hoping he hadn't noticed.

"I missed you too." My voice came out hoarse as I blinked back the tears. Damn! Why was I breaking into tears every second? I wondered hopelessly.

He pulled back, his hand on my cheek as piercing blue eyes tried to unlock the secrets deep within. I moved slightly closer, my lips parting. I wanted to kiss him. This was my Ron, the man that I loved. My arms moved to lock around his neck, his strong hands circling my waist.
"Ron! What are you doing?"

I jumped quickly away from him, pretending to be interested in a spec of lint on my shirt.

"Uh...nothing Evelyn. I was just giving a friend a hug."

I looked up right when the wench latched onto Ron and gave him a sickly smack on the lips. I cringed, fists tightening by my sides.

"Oh darling! Don't look so frightened" Evelyn looked to me for a moment. "It's not as if you'd be anything more than friends with her." She smirked at me before turning her attention back to Ron.

"I...uh." I looked at Ron in what I hoped was not a helpless manner. "I have to go...read something. Yeah...read." I stammered before taking my leave from the kitchen.

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At around nine o'clock, the only time I dared to venture from my room, I went down to the kitchen to grab a quick bite to eat. As I was buttering a roll to take back to my room with me, the fire leaped high with flames and in stumbled Mrs. Weasley.

She dusted off her robes before walking over to me. "Hello dear. Sorry I haven't been here all day...I should have stayed to make sure you were alright."

I smiled at the woman who I had come to think of as my second mother. "It's okay. I'm fine, I've stayed here before you know."

She laughed at this, going to sit down at the table for a breather. "Where's Ronald?"

I gulped for a moment, willing my shriveled up heart to start again. "Um...I really don't know. I haven't seen him since this morning. He was here with Evelyn."

Mrs. Weasley clucked her tongue. "Yes, that Evelyn girl always seems to be around here now. You shouldn't worry about her dear."

"I'm not worried."

"Hermione, dear. It's plain to see your feelings for Ronald. Now, I'm not the type of mother to play matchmaker, but you are ten times better for my boy then that fake Parker girl. Tell me, haven't you had some feelings arise since you've been back?"

"No...yes...no! No, I haven't had any feelings for Ronald since I came back. I may have before but I'm over him" I breathed deeply. "Where's Harry and Ginny?"

Mrs. Weasley seemed to have gotten the cue that I wanted to change the conversation. "Well, unfortunately Harry had to get back to work and so did Ginny. They went home, but gave my strict instructions to make you stay for at least a few more days."

I bit my lip, willing myself not to scream. I couldn't very well tell her that I couldn't stay due to the fact that I was in love with her son and his fiancé was an annoying wench. "Uh...sure Mrs. Weasley."

She put her hand over mine. "Well that's good dear. Now, I'm just going to wait up for my husband, you best be off to bed."

I stood, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thanks again."

I left the kitchen, jogging up the steps and going into my room. Closing the door, I stripped of my everyday clothes, pulling on my pajamas and untwisting my hair from the ponytail. I flicked off the light, watching as shadows overtook the area. Sighing, I got into bed, snuggling beneath the covers before drifting off to sleep.

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"'Mione?"

My eyes popped open, my gaze resting upon the figure of a redheaded man. I sat up quickly, startled.

"Relax, it's just me." Ron's whisper jarred me out of my confusion.

I could see the features of his face clearly from the dim light of the moon. "What is it?" My tone was also in a whisper.

He seemed to struggle with what he was going to say. I waited patiently until he spoke. "I...uh...had problems sleeping. Mind if I...you know, share your bed?" He cracked a boyish grin.

I couldn't help but smile back, even though conflicting emotions coursed through my body. Without saying a word, I moved over, folding down the blankets so he could get in.

He got up from his crouching position, getting under the covers. His body was so close to mine I could feel the heat radiating from him. I snuggled back into a laying position, facing him.

"Nightmare?" I asked.

"Nah...just couldn't get to sleep."

I nodded before closing my eyes, pretending to go to sleep. I felt Ron move slightly. A moment his arm circled my waist, drawing me closer to him. I opened my eyes to meet his piercing blue ones. Silently, I raised my head slightly. He moved so that my head now rested comfortably in the crook near his neck, his hand playing with my hair. I moved an arm to rest over his chest. I took a deep breath in before closing my eyes again.

"Night 'Mione."

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