DISCLAIMER: Unfortunately I don't own Harry Potter… if I did I would be busy counting my money.

CHAPTER THREE: The Bearer of Bad News

The sun rose early over the Burrow, golden light peeking through Ron's not quite closed curtains. Ron was in that place halfway between being awake and being asleep, and slowly began to register that his arm was numb and something was tickling his nose. Slowly he remembered the night before and opened his eyes and saw Hermione, drooling slightly against her chest, her eyes still puffy from hours of tears the night before. She shifted slightly and stretched, waking up. Opening her eyes she found Ron's staring back at her, and realised she was waking up next to the only boy she had ever dreamed about waking up with. Panicking she went to get out of bed, feeling all of a sudden that it was wrong for her to be there. "Mione don't go please" Ron begged her, his eyes full of emotion. Seeing she was unsure he gave her the lopsided grin that he knew she couldn't resist. Relaxing she settled back against his chest. "Ron what's going to happen now?" "Well I suppose we should have some breakfast…" A groan from Hermione indicated that this was not what he meant. "Oh… Well I guess we should leave here tomorrow, probably early. So we should spend today getting ready and stuff. We'll stay at your parents tomorrow night and then go to Harry. I doubt Mum thinks we're going so we may have to sneak out." They chatted awhile about there plans, and then they talked in general, about nothing in particular. They both knew what they wanted to say to each other, both wanting to finish the conversation they started in the common room the previous day. "Ron.." "Mione.." They said in unison, and then both stopped to wait for the other to go. They stared into each others eyes and both felt the warmth of their hearts connecting. They knew then that they didn't need to say anything, that this was it, them together forever, and that only death would part them. Finally, after years of wanting to, Ron leaned in and kissed Hermione softly, stroking her cheeks. Gradually the kiss grew more passionate, when Ron suddenly pulled away. "I love you Mione" "I love you too". Then they just held each other, feeling comforted by the warmth of each other.

Finally they got out of bed, knowing that there was a lot to do that day. Hermione walked into the room the her and Ginny shared, finding her still in bed, curled up on her side, desperately clutching her tattered teddy bear. Hermione knew that she had been crying most of the night and also understood that she wasn't ready to talk about it. She changed quietly and went back to Ron's room, entering without knocking to see a nice view of his arse as he changed his boxers. "mmm…" Hermione thought out loud, and then gasped as she realised she had. Ron jumped when her heard this and turned around, relieved it was Hermione and not a Death Eater. "Geez Hermione you scared the crap out of me!" "Sorry Ron…" She replied, unable to divert her eyes from his muscular chest. He walked up to her and slid his arms around her waist, drawing her close. "That's ok" he murmured, before kissing her roughly, his hands running over her back, drawing her even closer as he felt her body relax. Hermione groaned into his mouth as he moved his hands further down her body, gently massaging her arse and she ran his hands through his red hair, trying to get more of him. Instinctively she pressed he groin into his, desperate for every inch of body contact available. Ron pulled away suddenly, having trouble breathing. "We have to stop." He gasped. "Why" She replied, feeling slightly put out. "Because if we don't, I'm not going to be able to be responsible for my actions" "Oh… ok" "Not that I don't desperately want to" Ron added as an afterthought "But maybe we should, I mean I don't know if it's the right, with everything going on and all" "Oh" Hermione replied, not having anything to say. "I've loved you forever, I don't want to bugger this up" "Ron, that could never happen, Maybe I don't want to wait, who knows whats going to happen tomorrow? I don't want to die regretting not having experienced this, us." "You… you know, want to.. do it?" He asked, feeling slightly uncomfortably having this conversation. "Of course! Unless you don't want to." "Of course I bloody do!" He cut her off quickly, "Well then, it'll happen when it happens ok." "Ok" They sat together on Ron's bed slightly uncomfortably.

There was a knock on the door and Bill stuck his head around saying he had been sent up to see if they wanted breakfast, giving Ron a knowing wink before leaving. Hermione gave Ron a quick peck on the cheek before leaving. Ron was walking towards the bathroom when Bill called him into his room. "Hey little bro, what's up?" "Not much" "Really, so there's not much going on between you and a certain girl who spent the night in your room" "Nothing happened, we're just…" "Ron if there was ever two people made for each other, it was you two. Just make sure you take all the necessary precautions ok, you don't want there to be any, well unexpected arrivals shall we say." Ron's entire head was the same colour red as his hair. "It's ok Ron, I just wanted to make sure you knew about the contraceptive charm, for future reference" "Yeah" "Good" they sat on Bill's bed in silence, Ron feeling slightly awkward having this conversation with his big brother. "Bill?" Ron asked tentatively. "Yeah mate" "What's it like, I mean how do I" "Don't worry Ron, it'll come naturally to you, and it's great, but it's even better when it's with somebody you really love. Come on Mum will have a fit is we're not down soon" Ron and Bill made there way down to the kitchen, Bill greeting Fleur with a kiss on top of the head. Hermione was pouring maple syrup on her pancakes, trying to convince Mrs Weasley that Ginny was ok "Really Mrs Weasley, she's fast asleep, probably best to leave her be" "Oh I suppose so dear, oh and Hermione" "Yes Mrs Weasly?" "Your of age now, and part of the family so you can call me Molly" "Thank you Molly" She replied, watching Ron's reaction to Hermione being mentioned as part of the family. She saw that he was bright red, but with a silly grin on his face.

Suddenly they were distracted by a flutter at the window. An owl that Hermione didn't recognise was trying to get in. "Oh God…" Mrs Weasley said as she saw the black seal on the envelope. She took the envelope shaking slightly. "Mum what is it?" Said Bil striding over to take the envelope from his mother. "Shit.." Bill exclaimed as he saw who the letter was addressed to. He walked slowly to Hermione and gave her the envelope. "What is it?" She asked nervously. "It's from the ministry, they us the black seal when they are writing to alert family member to…" His voice trailed off as Hermione opened the envelope and quickly started reading. She started to shake, and then stood very still just staring at it. She stood up, the envelope falling out of her hands onto the table. "No…" She pleaded softly to Bill before turning to Molly as she shook her head, silently pleading for it not to be true. "Oh Hermione dear" she said pulling her into a hug as Hermione lost control sobbing wildly, shaking uncontrollably. "Her parents were killed by death eaters" Said Ron as he read the letter and then looked up at the girl he loved, not knowing how to make it better, wanting to do something but being terrified he would make it worse. "Ron?" said Mrs Weasley softly over Hermione's tears, "I need you to come put her to bed while I make a calming potion" Ron stood and approached tentatively and took Hermione from his mothers arms. "Come on love" he said softly. As she pulled out of Mrs Weasley's grasp she felt her knees collapse and Ron caught her before she fell. Scooping her up in his arms he carried up to his room, gently laying her on his bed. She was silently sobbing and he sat there stroking her hair. Mrs Weasley came in, "Ron why did you put Hermione in here" "Didn't want to wake Ginny" was his excuse. His mother looked at him knowingly and gave Hermione some potion that would help her to calm down and get some sleep, before leaving the room. Ron just sat there, his heart breaking to see her so sad. And he lay down beside her and took her in his arms, as she cried herself to sleep.

A/N Thanks so much to all my reviewers! I really appreciate it. Will try and update in the next few days. Feedback is appreciated as always!