I am SOOOO sorry for not updating!! I had to study for my exams and had tons of coursework (23 page essays basically…) due in. And that caused this MASSIVE delay… but I'm back and now I can update frequently.

Thanks to all reviewers; it's extremely motivating. Specially 'L'-I admit,I'm just a horrid person!! Burn me, please.

Oh and I wanted 3rd person perspective on this one.

Chapter 6: Come back to what you know

The sun took it's time setting, as finishing touches to the Weasly backyard took place. Hermione stood from a far away apple tree watching the sea of red heads hurrying about ordered by Mrs. Weasly. She didn't dare go down yet. She knew she was early but no matter how much the invitation and the thought that all the Weasly's were okay filled her with happiness, Harry stayed prominent in her stage of thoughts. No one had any information of Harry; Hermione had even contacted Dumbledore countless of times, but to no avail.

She slid down the tree trunk, closing her eyes, stopping tears for him to fall again.

Her eyes lingered at the familiar, warm atmosphere of the Burrow. Mr. and Mrs. Weasly had spent 3 weeks renovating, and their house now had some sort of symmetry to it. The outside walls made of stone, looked new as they got rid of the green moss which had lived in the cracks. Windows opened into a mahogany interior, usually filled with unusual, assorted items. Today the window welcomed all to Mrs. Weasly's delicious cooking. All the Weasly's were present at the backyard but she counted, nevertheless; making sure it wasn't a dream. Mr and Mrs Weasly, (1, 2) Bill and Charlie (3, 4) Fred and George (5, 6) Ginny and Percy (7, 8) and…

"Hey Hermie"

"Ron!" Hermione looked upwards and saw Ron looking down at her, from a branch, munching on an apple. "I didn't see you" He didn't meet her eyes this time, he looked over to his house and fixed his gaze there.

"I… Nice to see you Hermione, please, come in, they're waiting…specially Ginny" He said, jumping down from the branch, making his way home, too quickly. He shifted slightly to look at Hermione, but changed his mind half way through, and walked on.

"Ron! Do you want to talk about this…?" Hermione started unsettled at the stiffness her words brought on him. He turned icily to her.

"I think the answer depends entirely on you." He said his blue eyes filled with emotion. It was like seeing a tragedy through tinted glass; unclear but still visible.

"I… I want to" She stammered and closed her eyes, unable to predict for the first time what Ron would do. She heard him move suddenly and then there was silence.

"I go first"

She opened her eyes, to find him sitting right in front of her, cross legged with his elbows rested on his knees as he fiddled with a blade of grass with one hand and rested his chin on the other.

"Deal" She said a short laugh escaping from her as she failed to keep a straight face. She waited for him to say something, but he just stared at her, and she stared back. It wasn't staring per se, it was more like catching up and it was-

"Beautiful" He whispered. She smiled at him once more and searched for his hand.

"I've missed you" She said weakly. Her feelings for him, struggled to get on top. She had shut him out for so long, she was afraid, it might have mounted up to something she couldn't handle.

"I haven't missed you." He said plainly, and she stared, inevitably hurt by his 'declaration'. "I haven't missed you" Hermione let her shoulders fall as he repeated himself; she broke away from him, guilty.

He let the blade of grass fall to the ground and straightened up. He held out his hand, and automatically Hermione's body responded by taking it. He lifted her head up to face his. He held it there for a second before he wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. A moment later, she found herself hugging him back, with a surprising amount of urgency. She didn't even notice that he had loosened his grip on her until he spoke again.

"I've missed that." He said softly in her ear. She refused to remove her hands which presently circled his waist. Shuddering slightly at his touch, he moved his hands to her face and closed her eyes; he brushed strands of hair of her face; and leaned in.

Their lips met softly at first, each recognising the other. She kept her eyes closed, feeling so close to complete. He broke away from her slowly.

"I've missed that" She said, tiptoeing to reach him. He laughed softly and lifted her off the ground, and kissed her; withdrawn love set free.

>

Ta-Dah! A Happy Chapter! But the Harry and Draco factor remains-

PUHLEASE review, and let me know if you want Slash or No Slash

THANKS