When they tried again the next morning, it worked out much better for both of them. Hermione was sore when she woke up, but she insisted that the best way to work out sore muscles was by using them again, and Harry was in no mind to disagree. With almost no hesitation and much more confidence, the comforter ended up on the floor, and Hermione was a little surprised at how dirty (in a good way, she promised) she felt after Harry had finished inside of her, so he agreed to start breakfast while she took a shower. He got dressed (which unfortunately included putting the locket back on), cleaned the sheets, and made the bed, scooting it to where the bunks normally were, because there was no point in sleeping separately ever again as far as Harry was concerned. He was still cooking when Hermione came out of the shower in fresh pajamas and wrapped her arms around him from behind, resting her head on his shoulder and kissing his neck.

"Not enough, huh?" he teased.

"What can I say? You may have made me insatiable. Give me a break, Harry. I haven't had a proper orgasm the entire time we've been traveling and you can do a much better job than I can." She ran a hand through his hair, but otherwise didn't make any further moves to initiate anything.

Hermione knew that sex changed relationships, but after last night and this morning, the only thing she regretted was waiting so long. She felt so emotionally connected with Harry now that she could only imagine how much stronger they'd be fighting together. It excited her to think about, and she couldn't wait to get outside and duel again. But right now, all she wanted to do was keep this piece of domesticity. She loved it, and as they were eating, she couldn't help but lean her head on his shoulder. His arm slipped around her waist.

"Maybe we should just stay here, Harry. Grow old," she mused.

Harry smiled. "You know, if the weight of saving the Wizarding World weren't entirely on our shoulders, I'd take you up on that in a heartbeat. Where are we, anyway?"

"Oh! I'll show you after breakfast. You'll love it."

"You've really outdone yourself, Hermione. This is beautiful."

They'd gotten dressed into warmer clothes and ventured outside into a small clearing of forest by a river. The air was humid with freshly fallen snow.

"The Forest of Dean," she said. "I used to come here with my parents on hikes and camping. It's just like I remember, though we never came when it was this cold, of course."

"Good thing we have a couple of ways to stay warm," Harry muttered with a smirk, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her to his side.

"Harry Potter, are you flirting with me?"

"Is it weird?"

"Not at all. Are you feeling up to a duel?"

Harry raised an eyebrow. "What's the rush?"

Hermione handed him her wand and walked a few steps away from him. "I want to see if consummating our relationship has any effect on our magic."

She ducked out of the way a split second after he even aimed the wand at her, easily dodging the spell as it hit a tree. Hermione just grinned. "That's amazing! Did you feel that?"

"I-I think so. I… it's like I sent my thoughts to you or something. You knew what I was about to do?"

"Oh, Harry, if you thought we worked well before, just wait until those Death Eaters get a hold of us now."

"Don't get too confident," Harry laughed, though he felt the same way. He'd never felt a connection like this with Hermione before. She'd already made up her mind to research it later. But right now, relaxed, confident, and deeply breathing in the cold air as she twirled her wand around her fingers a couple times, Hermione was ready to fight. And it didn't matter if her clothes got wet now that she had no issue taking them off in Harry's presence.

Harry sprinted to hide behind a tree. He had to think of a plan. He pointed his wand at the tree behind him, slicing it into three pieces that fell quickly to the other side, and he took that opportunity to dart to another while Hermione was trying to get out of the way. With the distraction, Hermione couldn't tell where he ran off to, but Harry could feel a blip of something he wasn't used to feeling before - that's what she must have been talking about. He couldn't quite read exactly where she was, but it may have meant she may feel the same thing with him.

"Confringo!"

She screamed a little in surprise, and Harry could hear the hiss of steam coming from the snow. "Harry, wait! That was you?"

But he wasn't about to let her win. He peeked out from the tree, pointing his wand at Hermione. Ropes shot out from the tip and deftly secured Hermione to the tree behind her.

"Damn it, Harry!" she yelled with a laugh. "I told you to wait!" He was glad she trusted him enough with this now, that it didn't bother her like it had in the past. It helped for him to use it every once in a while just to make sure she knew how to dodge it, and they'd practiced on her nonverbal counter enough that she could do it in less than ten seconds, but right now, she didn't seem to care even without her wand. She wasn't even fighting against the ropes.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist," he smirked as he moved towards her. "But yes, that was me. I could feel you, too."

"I'm definitely going to have to see if I can research that, Harry. We could use an advantage like that and maybe… maybe tap into it to feel hidden enemies-"

"Hermione, you're still tied up," he reminded her.

"Oh, right. Can you take care of that please?"

"Do I have to?"

"Harry…"

"You can read my mind too, huh?" Harry smirked, resting a hand on the bark next to her head. Her gaze moved in the direction of his hand before back to him.

"I… have a pretty good idea."

"And are you opposed?"

"Not entirely."

"Good to know. Relashio."

Hermione panted as she was released, holding onto Harry tightly. "You're such a tease," she accused breathlessly. "And you say I'm insatiable."

"Just getting ideas. Do you want to go for a walk? Cool off?"

"Please."

Harry took her hand, threading their fingers together. It was a little strange for him to be here with her like this. It seemed almost surreal to have someone be in love with him. To love him more than just friendship. He tried to push down the nagging sense that it wouldn't last, just like the rest of them hadn't, but she'd been fiercely loyal to him for the past seven years, and he had a feeling that wouldn't just go as far as friendship.

They spent almost an hour walking around, sitting by the river, and throwing snowballs at each other before they began to get a little too cold, and for a little while, they just talked about anything other than the war, the horcruxes, the Order. It was like they were at school again. A nice change of pace from the previous night. As they were about to enter the tent, Hermione stilled.

"Was that-?" Harry started.

"You felt that too? That's the ward alarm." Harry immediately pulled out Hermione's wand from his pocket and gripped it tightly, turning back to the woods.

"I shouldn't be able to feel that, Hermione. I thought that was just you."

"We'll worry about that later, okay?" she whispered, grabbing his hand. "Come on. And stay quiet. This way." It wasn't far of a walk, only a couple minutes, when she saw a figure coming through the trees with his hands up. "Oh, hell," she sighed, dropping Harry's hand and rolling her eyes.

It was Ron.

"Hey."

"Wait," Harry called, stepping forward with his wand pointed right at Ron's chest. "Stay right there."

Ron looked confused, but followed the order. "It's me, mate, come on."

"What did you see in the Mirror of Erised?"

"What?"

"You heard me. Answer the question or I'll assume you're not you."

Ron's eyes widened. "Oh! Oh… uh, it was me as Quidditch Captain, wasn't it? I won the House Cup or something."

After a second, Harry lowered his wand and turned back towards the tent without saying another word.

"Good to see you again, too, mate," Ron muttered, glancing towards Hermione. "Happy Christmas?"

Hermione shook her head, but she couldn't help the faintest of smiles come through knowing they were going to have some explaining to do as well. She half-expected Harry to have the tent rearranged as soon as they got back, but he hadn't touched a thing except removing the rose petals, as if that would be too much for Ron to see.

"Look, I know I have some explaining to do, but-" Ron's gaze went instantly to the bed, the single bed, then to Harry, then to Hermione, then back to the bed, and back to Harry. "Well, glad you two had that talk, then."

Harry frowned. "You're not mad?"

Ron raised an eyebrow. "No, I'm just…" He cleared his throat. "I'm glad you two are still safe. I came to deliver a message, actually."

"A message? But Arthur could have-"

"We didn't want it to get intercepted. Your charm's amazing, Hermione, but this is stuff we didn't want to risk. We've got supplies for you. Potions ingredients, food, medical supplies. The Order's been collecting them and we've arranged everything to be brought to our safehouse for you to pick up. It's at Shell Cottage on the outskirts of Tinworth. We figured you might need a break."

"Did you now?" Harry asked, though it came out with a little more hostility than intended.

"Look, I wanted to come back earlier, but I couldn't find you, and I knew you weren't going to give me your location. Though," he looked back to the bed again, "it looks like you're doing all right on your own."

"How did you find us?"

"I… I don't know, honestly. It was weird. Last night, I was hiding away in a little pub, trying to keep away from some Snatchers, and I heard voices coming from this." Ron reached into his jacket and pulled out the Deluminator Dumbledore had given him. "And they… they sounded like your voices."

Harry and Hermione exchanged worried glances, both worried he'd somehow heard something that was going on in the tent.

"A-And what did we say?" Hermione asked hesitantly.

"Just my name, like a whisper." They let out simultaneous sighs of relief. "So I clicked it and this little ball of light came out and floated towards me, right through my chest. And somehow, I knew it would take me where I needed to go. So I Disapparated and I came to this hillside. It was dark, I had no idea where I was, so I just started walking, hoping one of you would show yourselves. And you did."

Harry and Hermione exchanged glances, trying to figure out how and why they had somehow called Ron back. Hermione crossed her arms tightly, looking back to Ron. "I think I need some air."

"Here, take your wand." Harry pulled it out of his pocket and handed it to her. "Just in case." She nodded before heading out of the tent.

Ron waited a few seconds. "So... you two are a thing now, huh?"

"Nothing like starting with the most unimportant questions, but I guess I'll oblige." He sat down on the bed, gesturing for Ron to sit on the loveseat, who did hesitantly.

"'S cozy in here. Looks like… home."

"Well, it has been. Figured we might as well do what we could to enjoy it."

"Right." Ron was clearly still waiting for an answer.

"Okay, yes, Hermione and I are… together, I suppose. I dunno, we haven't really established anything."

"But you're sleeping together?"

"Yes."

"Are you and her shagging?" he whispered.

"Ron, I don't know why that's important."

"Just curious." When Harry just kept staring at him, he shrugged. "What?"

"You're talking to me like you didn't just up and leave for three months."

"I told you, I'm sorry."

"No, actually, you didn't."

Ron's shoulders fell a little. "Well, I am. I'm sorry for what I said and I'm sorry that I left. I just… couldn't take that bloody horcrux. Have you destroyed it yet?"

"No," Harry sighed. "But we've got another clue, at least. We're planning on going to see Luna's dad."

"Why? What's he got to do with this?"

"Some sort of symbol. I'll let Hermione fill you in when she gets back."

Ron took a second to look toward the entrance to the tent. "D'you reckon she's mad at me?"

Harry laughed a little, then schooled himself. "I honestly don't know. She was more mad at herself, I think, when you left. We didn't really talk about it too much."

"Preoccupied?" Ron smirked.

"Shut up." But Harry couldn't keep himself from smiling a little.

"Look, Harry, I've come to terms with how I feel about Hermione, all right?"

"Which is?"

"She's like a sister to me. She always has been. And yeah, she's attractive, but that doesn't change that it would feel weird to kiss her and I can't even imagine being in a relationship with her." Harry nodded in understanding. "It wasn't weird for you?"

"No. I mean, a little at first, but we… got over that pretty quick," he chuckled. "So… all the stuff that happened with you - the jealousy, the… the touching and the cuddling and the hugs - what was that all about?"

Ron sighed, leaning back in the chair. "I'm not sure I can answer that. I think I was just so used to how the horcrux made me feel around her that I started thinking I actually felt that way, you know? But if she'd kissed me or anything, I would have figured it out, probably. It's lonely without you two, you know. I missed you. Both of you."

"I thought you were with your family."

"Well, I was for a little bit. I know Dad told you when I got back, but I spent the time before that trying to find you, mostly. I knew I couldn't do any research or really go anywhere, but I didn't want to just do nothing, but I didn't have any supplies, so I just… hid, mostly. Kind of embarrassing, to be honest. I felt useless."

"You're not useless, Ron."

"Compared to you and Hermione? Yeah, I am. It's all right, though. I just kept hoping nothing had happened. That you and Hermione were all right and hadn't gotten captured. I listened to the radio all the time. Eventually, I went home and met up with the Order. Told them what we knew and what we were doing."

"And?"

"We're right behind you, mate."

"Did they have any information about the sword?" Harry asked hopefully.

"No. Sorry."

"I didn't figure they would. How's everyone doing?"

"Good, actually. Tonks is tired of being pregnant already, I think, but she's doing well. I can tell Lupin's worried about… the whole werewolf thing, you know, but doesn't do any good, does it? Fred and George are thinking about having a Boxing Day dinner at the shop so they can make it literal - every time someone walks in, they'll get punched. I don't think anyone's looking forward to it."

"Well, I'm sorry I'll miss it."

"Yeah, me too."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I'm staying with you, aren't I? I mean, you don't expect me to just drop off a message like an owl and move on, do you?"

"No… no, but…" Harry shifted a little, his eyes downcast.

"It won't be long, I promise. Then you and Hermione can get back to your love shack. Though, I'm not sure if I should be happy or offended that she got over me so quickly."

Harry smirked, though he didn't make eye contact. "Guess I'm just irresistible."

"Git," Ron teased, tossing a pillow at him. "Oh, bloody hell," he continued, eyes widening.

"What?"

"Ginny."

"What about her?"

"You'll have to tell her. About you and Hermione."

"She's the one that wanted me to go after her."

"Well, it's because she knew she didn't stand a chance, isn't it? She's been worried about you. The couple times she's written from the school, she's tried to ask about you or if we'd heard from you. Try to let her down easy, all right?"

"Sparing Ginny's feelings is honestly on the bottom of my list of priorities right now, Ron, okay? I'm sorry. If I live to see her again, I'll make sure I'm nice to her."

"Sorry, I guess I just forgot that you're living a totally different life out here. I really don't want to make this weird for you, so…" he looked around the tent. "Wait, where's my bunk?"

"We… got rid of it to make a brewing station," Harry admitted. "It was just taking up room."

"And when did you make that?" Ron pointed to the bed.

Harry swallowed thickly. "Last night."

"Oh… oh. That's… wait, you're meaning to tell me you waited three months? And you were in here by yourselves? Blimey, mate, that's willpower of steel, that is."

Harry looked at him incredulously before grinning. "I'm not talking to you about that."

"I told you everything about Lavender!"

"Unsolicited, actually. And she wasn't my friend." But Harry did feel the desire to talk about how amazing Hermione was, how training with her had been, how sexy she was, how incredible last night was, but he couldn't say that Ron of all people was the best audience for that. But who else would he tell? "But yes, we waited three months. You know we weren't trying to rush into feelings and all that when we didn't know what was coming next."

"So what changed your mind?"

"We didn't know what was coming next," Harry repeated simply. "And didn't want You Know Who to take away our… experiences. Get to be teenagers, you know."

"Makes sense. How long did it take for you to finally kiss her, then?"

"She kissed me, actually. But… not sure you want to know how long it took."

"Why?" Ron laughed.

"It was the night you left."

Ron's face fell. "Oh. Not like you were a rebound or something, right?"

"No, it wasn't like that. We talked about it. Part of the reason why we waited so long to… be more than that."

"Right, yeah… so how was it?"

"Ron."

"What?! I'm not allowed to know?!"

"Better than your first time, from the way you described things."

"All right, I get it, Harry. Don't brag."

"I'm not bragging!" Harry laughed, leaning forward in his chair. "Just saying. Not exactly what I expected, though, honestly. But it was nice. Really nice. And that's all the detail you're getting."

"Still scared of her, huh?"

"Even more so now. She's terrifying."

"Good. Speak of the devil-"

Harry threw the pillow back at him as Hermione came into the tent, sliding her wand back into her pocket.

"I have a proposition. Ron, we were planning on going to see Luna's father tonight, but… given the circumstances, I feel like you should come with us as backup."

Ron's eyebrows rose. "Really? I'm honored."

"You should be," she smirked. "But I need to fill you in and I want to make sure you're still practiced in dueling. We'll go whenever I feel you're ready. As far as sleeping arrangements go, I'm not going to give up the one that Harry and I currently have, but I think we're stocked up on potions for the time being and can afford to move the station back to the table and replace your bunk for you."

It was almost comical how Harry could tell Hermione had practiced her speech outside the tent a couple times, and it didn't even leave Ron room to argue with her or suggest otherwise.

"Wait, Hermione, I still don't have a wand," Harry reminded her. "We're not going anywhere until I can defend myself."

"Oh, I've got one," Ron said, unzipping his bag and rummaging around a little before pulling one out and handing it to Harry. "Pulled it off a Snatcher. Not the best, but it's better than nothing, I reckon. They're everywhere, mate. Trying to earn gold by rounding up Muggle-borns and blood traitors. There's a reward from the Ministry. That's probably what they were doing when they found us: holing up in villages, trying to spot anyone trying to pass as Muggles. Bloody cowards."

It was a little shorter than Harry's, and a little heavier, but compared to nothing, Ron was right. He lazily pointed it at one of the flames in the jars and muttered, "Engorgio" then "Reducio" a split second later as the fire erupted like a jet through the mouth of the jar. Hermione screamed and Ron was just laughing.

"Please don't use that in practice, Harry," Hermione said breathlessly. "I don't want to lose a limb."

"Shouldn't I know how to control it?"

"Yes, but don't use me as a test subject. You can go as crazy as you want on trees until you figure it out."

"I wouldn't take any chances with you, Hermione, you know that."

"You two are disgusting," Ron teased.

"I mean, we could do worse if you're really desperate," Hermione stated, side-eyeing Harry with a small smirk.

"No, no, please. Spare me the visual."

Hermione looked back at Ron. "You're sure you want to stay?"

"I'm second-guessing." But he smiled, and so did Hermione.