Chapter One

Ron Weasley paced when he was nervous. And right now he was extremely nervous. Ron had two reasons to be nervous, if he was being honest with himself. The first and foremost reason was that he and his two best friends would not be returning to Hogwarts the next day, but would instead slip away in the dead of the night to search for Voldemort's Horcruxes. The second reason, which was making him almost more nervous than the first, was that Hermione was coming to the Burrow.

Hermione, had, of course, come to the Burrow countless times before. But this time was different. This was their last time before facing the big bad world. And this was the first time he had seen her since the train station. Since the funeral.

Ron had held her close to him at Dumbledore's funeral, stroking her hair and whispering nonsensical words of comfort to her through his own tears. He'd run his hands over her back, and felt her relax into him.

Ron had never been sure of what love really was. He had seen the way his parents had always looked at each other. But other than them, Ron had no idea what people in love looked or acted like. But when Ron had held Hermione at the funeral, he had known without a doubt. He loved Hermione, and he loved her with all his heart.

What the hell was he going to do?

Ron Weasley was still pacing when a green flash of light from the fireplace announced the arrival of a sobbing witch.

- - -

Hermione landed in the Burrow's familiar fireplace, and banged her knee into her trunk. She was crying again.

'Get it together, Hermione!' she thought frantically. 'Can't let anyone see me crying.'

She hiccupped quietly, and blinked a few times. Soot in her eyes. Lovely. She was blinded. And she had dropped her wand.

Hermione did the only sensible thing left to do. She sunk to the floor and bawled.

Footsteps were coming closer. A callused hand wrapped around her wrist and pulled her to her feet. She knew that hand. And she knew the chest into which she now found herself pressed very well.

"Ron!"

"Shh, Hermione. It's alright. It's alright." Hermione started slightly. His voice was so deep. It was rough and soothing at the same time. She buried her face in his shoulder and let her tears wet his t-shirt. He held her while she cried for a few minutes.

"I dropped my wand," she finally said for lack of anything better to say.

She felt Ron stoop a little, but he didn't let go of her.

"Accio," he said gruffly. "Here you go."

Hermione sniffed and did a cleansing spell on her eyes as Ron released her from his arms. She blinked. The kitchen of the Burrow came into focus, looking as cheery as she remembered it. A pot of soup was bubbling on the stove. The scrubbed wooden table was set for five. And there was a very tall, sturdy redhead standing worriedly next to her left elbow.

"Hello, Ron," she said. "Thank you."

"Are you all right, Hermione?" he asked. Hs hand came up to cup her cheek.

Hermione shivered agreeably at his touch. "I- I'm fine, Ron. I was just worried about…my…"

"You were worried about your parents," said Ron, looking at her intently. "They'll be safe, Hermione. Lupin and Bill have been planning the wards on your house for ages now. They were waiting 'till you were out. Tonks will help Lupin put them up tomorrow."

"That makes me feel a bit better. Do you think Remus and Bill would let me see their plans?"

"Of course they would. You'll probably find a way to improve them, too," he said, enveloping her in another hug. "Bloody genius," he muttered into her hair.

"Ron! Don't swear!"

Ron would've rolled his eyes, but he was too busy holding his best friend to his heart for all he was worth.

Two pops announced the arrival of the twins. Ron looked up and glared at them. Hermione, blushing faintly, disentangled herself from Ron's arms.

"Hello Fred, George."

"Fred, look! It's Hermione!"

"Our favorite-"

"Most feared-"

"Most revered-"

"Most Magical and Honorable Head Girlshipness!"

Hermione laughed. "You two are as insufferable as ever."

"That's why you love us!" said George with a winning grin. "Can we interest you in a scone, Hermione?"

Hermione scoffed. She knew better than to try and take anything from the twins.

Fred sighed sadly, brandishing a tin of scones. "Such distrust, Hermione. We're hurt."

"Deeply wounded."

"Cut."

"Scarred."

"Traumatized."

"Offended."

"And still trying to get someone to test those new Sweltering Scones?"

All four turned at the sound of the new voice.

"Harry!" cried Hermione, running to him and throwing her arms around him. "I've been so worried about you." She held him out at arm's length and peered intently into his face, then hugged him again. "Happy Birthday in person, by the way. I wish I could have been here. I'll give you your present later. But how are you? Really and truly, how are you?"

Harry laughed at Hermione's rapid fire questioning and shrugged. "As well as can be expected, Hermione. I've been busy. Reading. Researching. I visited Godric's Hollow last week." He looked over Hermione carefully. "You've lost weight. Have you been eating?"

Hermione laughed. "Of course. Stop worrying, Harry, that's my job."

Ron joined in. "And she does it so well," he said.

Hermione bumped him with her hip. He stuck out his tongue. Hermione looked down and blushed faintly before casually slipping her hand into his.

Harry raised an eyebrow. Hermione and Ron both raised one back; not noticing the other was doing the same thing. Fred and George snickered. Ron whipped around and shot them both a glare. There was an awkward silence.

"So," said Hermione brightly. "Where's everyone else?"

"Bill, Charlie, Remus, Mr. Weasley, Kingsley and Moody are all in the garden," said Harry, jerking his thumb over his shoulder. "Ginny, Fleur and Mrs. Weasley are all upstairs. I think they wanted you to join them when you got here, Hermione."

"Oh, alright," said Hermione, looking a bit pink, still holding Ron's hand. "I'll just levitate my trunk up to Ginny's room then, shall I?"

Ron gently dropped her hand. "I'll get it," he said. "You go on."

Hermione smiled shyly at him, turned, and ran up the stairs. The twins and Harry turned as one to look at Ron.

"What was that all about, mate?" Harry asked, slyly. "Hermione was blushing, and you were looking at her all…all…"

"Lovey," supplied George.

Ron's ears turned faintly red, but he stood his ground. "What of it?" he asked.

Harry looked at his best friend. "You love her, don't you, you great prat?"

Ron looked a bit apprehensive. "Is it that bad?"

Harry whooped. "Bad? It's great! You two are finally…you're finally…this is great, Ron."

Ron looked even more nervous. "Harry, what if she doesn't feel the same way? I mean, I really love her. I love her. Bloody hell, I love her."

Fred put a hand on his brother's shoulder. He was completely serious as he looked into his younger brother's eyes. "Don't be thick, Ron. Did you see the way she looked at you? Have you noticed anything over the past six years? She loves you just as much as you love her. I'd bet my top-secret recipe for the Sweltering Scones on it."

Ron smiled stupidly.

"Great Merlin, we've lost another," sighed George in disgust. "First Bill, and now Ickle Ronnikins.

Clapping their brother on the back, the twins went back outside, leaving Ron and Harry in the kitchen.

"For someone who's about to sneak away from his family to hunt Horcruxes all over England, you're in a disgustingly good mood," said Harry jovially.

Ron looked at him. "For the Chosen One who has to find four more Horcruxes, destroy them, and then kill Voldemort, you're in a damn good mood, too." A thought occurred to him. "Have you been staying away from my sister?"

Harry sighed. "I can't be with her, Ron, we both know that. We're acting the same way we did before we were together. It's not always easy, but we were such good friends before we dated anyway…"

Ron seemed to accept this.

"Besides," Harry continued, "I'm trying my hardest to enjoy my last day of normalcy, and to act like I'm excited about starting my seventh year of Hogwarts." He grinned at his taller friend. "Is it working?"

Ron nodded. "You would've fooled Hermione if she wasn't the one planning half of the trip."

Harry looked satisfied as he walked out the door to the garden. "Good," he said, Summoning an apple from the counter as an afterthought.

A/N: So. I've made it to the first chapter. (Or second, depending on how you look at it.)

Sorry for how short this chapter is. It was kind of necessary and wouldn't fit anywhere else. (If I tacked it onto the beginning of the next chapter, if didn't flow right.) Please bear with me. Thanks.

Up next: Ginny is annoyed by her hair, and the Trio has some good, clean (wet) fun. o.O

Stay tuned, and reviews are most welcome.