The return to the Burrow was solemn for everyone. The plan the trio had discussed was to stay for the wedding, then head off in search of the remaining horcruxes. They so far had no plan other than to start where they knew some of the Horcruxes had once belonged; Borgin and Burkes.
After their late arrival at the Burrow, they settled in for the night. Harry in Fred and George's old room, Ron in his, and Hermione in Ginny's room. Although they were greeted by a fearful Mrs Weasley and a less than jolly Mr Weasley, Ginny was nowhere to be seen. Harry was slightly relieved, as he didn't quite want to see her yet. Knowing what they had once had, and the fact it could so easily be that way once more made him long for her, in a way he never had before. He still had Ron and Hermione, but Ginny had been there for him in a way they never could.
As Harry slipped into a peaceful sleep, Ginny's face kept floating through his mind. Her laugh was ringing melodiously in his ears…
Upstairs, in his attic room, Ron kept thinking about what he had almost said to Hermione. It was closer than he had ever come before to revealing himself to her, or anyone for that matter. And the thought scared him. What if she didn't feel the same? There were times he thought she might… But really, this was Hermione… She was so smart, so caring, and so, so beautiful.
Ron rolled over and sighed. She was way too good for him. But he didn't think he could keep pretending with her. Ron also fell asleep that night, dreaming of a girl he couldn't quite get.
"Hermione?" Ginny whispered through the darkness of the small bedroom. "Are you awake?"
Hermione sighed. After what had almost happened that afternoon, how could she sleep?
"Yes. Are you okay?" She whispered back. This time it was Ginny's turn to sigh.
"How is he? I mean, I know he's upset about Dumbledore… We all are. But… Did he mention… Did he talk about me?" Ginny rolled over in Hermione's direction, eagerly awaiting an answer.
"Ginny… You know Harry… He keeps it all inside. He hasn't mentioned anything, but not because he's not thinking about you… At least you know how he feels… Unlike someone else…" Hermione trailed off, thinking about Ron.
Ginny sat up. "He still hasn't said anything?"
Hermione sighed. "No. He almost did this afternoon… I think. But Harry came along just as he was going to. Oh, who am I kidding? He was probably going to ask me about… well anything but what I want him to say".
"Hermione, you know, and I know, and he knows, and even Harry knows how he feels about you. You just don't realise what he's like!" Ginny replied.
"He didn't seem to have any problems with Lavender" Hermione answered bitterly. "Always snogging with her, wasn't he?"
"How can you possibly put yourself in the same category as Lavender? That was just… Ron being stupid. He's a guy… You know. But he really cares for you Hermione. He just doesn't know what to do. You could make it easy for him. Tell him what you feel for him." Ginny lay back down.
"I already tried that. I invited him to Professor Slughorns Christmas party. And I thought he would realise. But then he started out with Lavender. No, I can't say anything. I just can't do it." With that, Hermione rolled over. She faked a yawn. "Well, anyway, I'm really quite tired, talk in the morning? And don't worry about Harry. It'll be okay".
Both the girls fell asleep just as confused as the two boys upstairs. No one had an answer. Yet they all knew exactly what they wanted.